The secretion of glucose into the egg of gallus domesticus and observations on the uterine secretion of cations

Abstract

1. The concentrations of glucose, K+, Na+ and Ca²⁺ were measured in the uterine fluid and albumen of eggs removed from the shell gland at intervals of from 6 to 20 h after the previous oviposition.

2. A steady increase in the concentrations of glucose and K⁺ occurred in the uterine fluid during the initial 13 h of the egg's sojourn in the gland, resulting in their diffusion into the albumen. Meanwhile Na+ concentrations of the fluid and albumen decreased.

3. After 14 h in the gland and until oviposition there was little change in the concentrations.

4. Uterine fluid drained artificially from the gland using a Perspex egg had lower glucose and K⁺, but higher Na⁺ concentrations than the normal fluid.

5. The rates of secretion of glucose and K+ measured with the artificial egg resembled their entry rates into the normal egg, but there was an apparent deficit in Ca²⁺ secretion.