Robert E. Kuttner

THE SCHIZOPHRENIA GENE AND SOCIAL EVOLUTION

The evolutionary persistence of the schizophrenia genes is discussed from the viewpoint that some beneficial attribute must be associated with the heterozygous or recessive condition to compensate for the dysgenic effects of the fully expressed disease in the homozygous schizophrenic patient. Previous hypotheses suggesting that superior creativity or greater resistance to physiological shock or stress are familial accompaniments of schizophrenia are briefly reviewed and rejected. An argument for an alternative hypothesis is offered which places the pro-survival characteristics of schizophrenia in the area of social relations and group behavior.

Comparative studies on free amino acids in female reproductive tissues

Abstract The free amino acid pools of human and animal female reproductive tissues were quantitatively determined. Human ovary had higher levels of taurine, nitrogenous phospholipid components, and aspartic acid than uterus. Endometrium tended to be lower in glutamine and aspartic and glutamic acids than uterus. Cervix was high in ammonia. Comparative analyses of ovary and uterus from the rabbit, dog, cat, rat, mouse, hamster, guinea pig, and monkey were also carried out and some species differences were noted. Animal tissues resembled the human samples except that taurine was higher in uterus than ovary. Despite the variety of animals investigated, with differing diets and breeding habits, the free amino acid pools did not deviate greatly from a common pattern. Large and repeated doses of testosterone and estradiol had little effect on the free amino acids of rat ovary. Hypophysectomy reduced free amino acids in rat ovary and uterus to the same extent despite an increase in serum amino acids. Rodent ovaries were found to contain appreciable amounts of an amino acid with the same column elution time as gamma aminobutyric acid.

Free amino acids in the pregnant uterus

Abstract Free amino acids in seven pregnant human uteri were quantitatively determined and compared to tissues from nonpregnant patients. Only uterine glycine and lysine were found to decline significantly. Other amino acids generally increased. Serum amino acids from pregnant and nonpregnant patients were also compared, and uterine-serum ratios calculated. The increase for serum threonine was in marked contrast to the decline for most other serum amino acids. Studies on rat uteri confirmed the fall of glycine but not lysine during pregnancy in this species. A postpartum rebound of glycine was evident 2 days and 6 days after delivery. Glycine did not appreciably decline in rat maternal liver during pregnancy. The fall in uterine glycine was not modified by protein restriction in the pregnant rat. Treatment with estradiol, estradiol plus progesterone, and testosterone did not change uterine glycine levels. It was hypothesized that the fall in uterine glycine may be responsible for the high levels of this amino acid in luminal fluids of the genital tract under progesterone stimulus.

CONSTELLATIONS OF THE ZODIAC: A CULTURAL RORSCHACH TEST?

It is suggested that the identification of constellations with primitive and classical myths provides clues to culturally important psychological themes. Traces of fertility cults and theological conflicts in the surviving nomenclature are pointed out. Detailed analysis by the methods of projective psychology are recommended as a means of uncovering characteristic cultural patterns.