THE INCORPORATION OF CARBON DIOXIDE INTO MILK CITRATE IN THE ISOLATED PERFUSED GOAT UDDER

Abstract

1. Isolated perfused goat udders supplied with glucose, acetate and amino acids were infused for several hours with NaH(14)CO(3). 2. Lactose, milk-fat fatty acids and glycerol had very little radioactivity. The specific radioactivity (counts./min./mg. of C) of milk citrate was 9-16% that of the carbon dioxide in the perfusion fluid and 19% that estimated for tissue carbon dioxide. The specific radioactivity of tissue citrate resembled that of milk citrate. 3. The radioactivity in citrate was predominantly in C-6, suggesting some carboxylation of alpha-oxoglutarate in addition to carboxylation of C(3) compounds. 4. [1-(14)C]Glutamate was infused in a similar experiment, and milk citrate radioactivity was predominantly in C-1+C-5. 5. The results are discussed in relation to the contribution of glucose and acetate carbon to citrate. The implications of the carboxylation of alpha-oxoglutarate are considered.