Heterogeneity of bilirubin conjugates in several animal species.

Bile was collected from various domestic and wild species (alligators, armadilirubin diazotized and subjected to thin-layer chromatography fro the separation of conjugates (as azo-dipyrroles). Diazotized canine conjugated bilirubin had Rf values in agreement with those previously reported by other; bilirubin conjugates were related to their known glycosidic composition. Variations were observed in the relative amounts of the various mono- and diconjugates among animals within species. However, it was apparent that characteristic patterns of bilirubin conjugation occur in certain animal species. Intravenous infusion of between 0.03 and 0.61 mg of bilirubin/Kg into cats resulted in little or no change in the relative percentages of the various conjugates of bilirubin to glucuronic acid in the cat continues to be the major excretory pathway under conditions of bilirubin load.