[Sulfhydryl and amino groups in the cell fractions of white rat tissues: ontogenetic characteristics]

The author investigated total protein, percentage of protein sulfhydril and amino-groups of those in the cytoplasm and total sulfhydril groups in mitochondria, lysosomes and cytoplasm in liver, kidney and spleen of rats. There was a tendency to an increase of total protein in single tissue components with the advancement of age. The amount of sulfhydril groups was altered with advancement of age as well. Their maximal value was in animals, aged 5 days. In all examined cell fractions there was a statisticaly significant lowering in the subsequent age group, which tendency continued till the end of the examined period (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 -- day rats). The changes, observed in amino-groups were statisticaly significant and reflected the specificity in the metabolism of the three examined organs in accordance with their functions. Statistificaly significant lowering of the present sulfhydril groups, determined by DYNB, and nonsignificant changes of amino-groups showed that proteins in the examined tissues exposed various amount of sulfhydril groups probably due to the various water content of the tissues at different age periods. Perhaps there could be an effect of other factors as well, having connection with oxidation and reduction of sulfhydril groups.