In vivo sampling and biochemistry of tracheobronchial secretions in the fowl. Influence of sulfurdioxide inhalation.

A new method for collecting tracheobronchial secretions from the anesthesized fowl has been developed. Sulfurdioxide inhalation leads to a highly significant increase of mucus output (wet weight), 320 % of control. Glycoprotein output is increased by only 50 %. Thus glycoprotein concentration is lowered to about 1/3 that of the control group. The carbohydrate pattern of the glycoproteins shows no significant alteration after sulfurdioxide treatment. Isoelectric focusing of te glycoprotein subunits derived from papain digestion shows no difference between the macromolecular pattern of the control and SO2 group.