부산대학교 도서관

The half-life of 125I-albumin was measured in ewes during the first 6 weeks of lactation, and in non-breeding controls. In the lactating animals the half-life was shorter by 3.0 ± 1·07 days. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0·025). During this period there was a slight increase in live weight and a relatively greater increase in total serum volume, so that the serum volume per kg. body weight of the lactating ewes was between 18 and 33% greater than that of the controls. The implications are that the turnover rate of serum albumin is considerably accelerated in the first half of the lactational period, and post-parturient hypertrophy of the liver in sheep is associated with an increase in serum albumin production.