The effect of Escherichia coli endotoxins and adrenocortical hormones on plasma enzyme activities in the domestic fowl.

The intravenous injection of endotoxins isolated from Escherichia coli serogroups O111 and O78 (2 mg/kg) increased the activities of aspartate transaminase and lactate and sorbitol dehydrogenases in the plasma of six- to 11-week-old chickens during the next 24 h. These changes were compared with those produced by adrenocorticotrophic hormone and beta-methasone and were attributed to tissue damage involving the liver followed by increased enzyme synthesis which may have been induced partly by adrenocortical hormones. Further evidence of liver damage was provided by a fall in the activity of cholinesterase. The alkaline phosphatase activity gave no indication of cholestasis.