[Serum ornithine transcarbamylase (OCT) activity in experimental liver diseases in the dog]

Serum ornithine carbamyl transferase (OCT) was evaluated on eighteen dogs. Three groups were used, the first and second ones were treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCI(4)) to produce acute hepatic necrosis and cirrhosis. To the third group a ductus choledochus ligation was performed to simulate extrahepatic cholestasis. Ornithine carbamyl transferase has proven its use in all phases of hepatic necrosis, but only after the fourth day in the extrahepatic cholestasis. Finally in cirrhosis, it was sometimes difficult to interpret the results.