Elemental analysis of a tumor from a nocturnal prosimian with special emphasis on bromine

Few natrually occurring tumors have been reported in primates. A spherical mass was noticed on the medial aspect of the thigh and caudal abdomen of a 15-year old female Perodicticus potto. The mass was surgically removed and the recovery was uneventful. Histological examination provided the diagnosis of myeloliposarcoma. Thirty-two elements were detected by chemical analysis. These are Na, K, Rb, Cs, Li, Cu, Ag, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Zn, Cd, Hg, B, Al, Ga, Si, Sn, Ti, P, Bi, V, S, Se, Mo, F, Cl, Br, Fe, Co and Ni. It has been proposed by some that tumor tissue tends to be chemically similar to embryonic tissue. Bromine is unexpectedly high in the potto tumor, in other tumor analyses reported in the literature, as well as in the only available embryonic tissue from the female potto, a placenta. Data are presented that lend credence to the speculation that Br may have a hitherto unexpected function in reproduction.