Bile Acids of the Whale

Abstract

As part of a general investigation into the nature of the ‘bile salts' of vertebrates, we have examined the bile of a whale. So far as we know, no work on the ‘bile salts' of cetaceans has previously been done. Through the kindness of Dr. M. Begg, of "Discovery" Investigations, we obtained bile from the fin whale (Balcenoptera physalus) : 3,000 ml. bile were collected from either the duodenum or the ‘third stomach' of a single whale, and preserved with alcohol. The main biliary constituent has been found to be cholic acid, conjugated, apparently, chiefly with taurine. The chief ‘bile salt' in this animal therefore resembles that of the teleostean fish, snakes and the majority of mammals so far investigated.