Serological effects of ethionine in the rabbit.

In relation to body weight, rabbits were found to tolerate a much lower dosage of ethionine than guinea pigs. Serum complement titers fell, however, even in rabbits receiving small daily doses of ethionine, an indication of a basal disturbance in the processes of protein synthesis. Total serum protein values remained within normal limits but globulin tended to increase in relation to albumin, whereas in many of the ethionine-injected guinea pigs previously studied, serum albumin had increased in relation to globulin. In rabbits given 250 mgm. daily doses of ethionine, a definite increase in the nonprotein nitrogen content of the serum was recorded.