[Comparative evaluation of the biological activity of glucagon from hens and mammals in in vitro experiments].

Crystalline glucagon has been obtained from hens and its biological activity was compared with that of mammalian glucagon. Biological activity of the hormones was evaluated in two test systems; either by hormonal activation of adenylatecyclase in plasmatic membranes of the liver of chicks and rats or by their ability to stimulate lipolysis in chick adipocytes. It was shown that glucagon of hens exhibits its biological activity in the same range of concentrations, as the mammalian hormone (1.10(-9)-1.10(-5) M). Hen glucagon is less effective as compared to mammalian one, irrespectively of the test system used for the assay of its activity.