CALCIFICATION OF THE SUPRARENAL GLANDS OF CATS.
Calcification of the fascicular zone of the cortex has been observer in 64 of 257 cats. It is always calcification and never ossification It is more common in young animals and in our experience is associated with distemper. In its severe forms it may be recognized clinically. The symptoms resemble those seen in cats surviving double suprarenalectomy for 2 to 3 weeks. The toxin producing the focal degeneration is dearly a very specific one since attempts to produce such lesions by several types of experimental injury have failed. The sequence of events appears to be similar to that present in other degenerative processes associated with calcification, namely cell injury and necrosis, deposition of calcium at first as fatty compounds which later change to carbonate and phosphate. It is suggested that this lesion should be considered in interpreting experiments in which cats are used.
Marine
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Division of Laboratories of Montefiore Hospital, New York.