Studies in sex physiology no. 19 : the Influence of age on (a) amount and (b) nature and composition of the allantoic and amniotic fluids of the Merino ewe

Abstract

In Study 18 (Malan and Curson, 1936) a few general remarks appeared on the nature of the increase in the amount of allantoic and amniotic fluids in the case of 10 Merino sheep, two having been slaughtered and examined at the end of each month of pregnancy. Whereas it seemed from Table I that the bulk of the increase of the allantoic fluid occurred during the second half of the gestation period, this does not appear to be the case when the data in Table I (below) are considered. In point of fact Table I contains additional details about nine sheep not included in Study 18. The variation is striking. In the case of the amniotic fluid the amounts are not so extremely variable and there is apparently little increase before the end of the first month and after the end of the third month . The fluid therefore shows its increase during the second and third months.