Kidney Alkaline Phosphatase in Mercuric Chloride Injected Chicks Resistant and Susceptible to Leukosis ,

TWO strains of chickens selected for resistance (R) and susceptibility (S) to avian leukosis have been developed by Bearse <it>et al.</it> (1963). Miller <it>et al.</it> (1959a, b, 1967) found that the R chicks retained two to four times as much mercury in the liver and kidneys as did the S chicks following injection of mercuric chloride (MC) or phenylmercuric acetate. Differences in alkaline phosphatase (AP) in the kidneys of the R and S chicks, and the effect of MC injection on the AP activity are reported in this paper. METHODS AND MATERIALS Chicks of the R and S strains were raised in wire floored batteries until four to six weeks of age. Commercial chick starter feed and water were given ad libitum. The effect of MC on the AP activity was determined by intramuscular injection of 3.0 mg. mercury as MC per kg. body weight. After time intervals of up . . .