STUDIES ON THE PHYTOTOXIC INDEX II. MENSTRUAL TOXIN ("MENOTOXIN")

¹ From the Worcester State Hospital and the Memorial Foundation for Neuro-Endocrine Research Worcester, Massachusetts

Phytotoxic studies were carried out with Lupinus albus seedlings on whole blood solutions from twenty-two normal, healthy women in their catamenia. One sample from each was obtained on one of the first three days of the menstrual period and another sample two weeks later. The method used was a modification of Macht's original technic (2 per cent whole blood solutions were used). Each test series consisted of from 20 to 25 seedlings. The seedlings were matched within one millimeter initial length.

No difference in the mean "phytotoxic index" of the two groups was obtained. In thirteen subjects there was an increased intramenstrual index and in nine instances there was a decreased intramenstrual index.