Cotton pellet‐induced granuloma formation in intact animals is intimately dependent upon body growth and general anabolic processes. Deposition of connective tissue around the pellet continues up to (and probably beyond) the observation period of 90 days after implantation. Anorexic or catabolic agents, or both, or restricted food intake markedly impairs granuloma formation as a result of an impaired body growth. By expressing the amount of granuloma formed in mg/100 g body weight, the true anti‐granulomatous properties of a drug can be easily dissociated from those attributable to an impaired body growth. The mechanism by which impairment in body growth affects granuloma formation is discussed.

Uterine alkaline phosphatase and \g=b\-glucuronidaseactivity were assayed during the first 8 days of pregnancy in rats after unilateral tubal ligation and section. The results were as follows. Alkaline phosphatase increased in the pregnant horn from days 5 to 8 while the activity of the nonpregnant horn remained unaltered. This enhanced phosphatase activity was localized exclusively at the implantation sites. \g=b\-Glucuronidase steadily decreased during the first 8 days of pregnancy in both the gravid and non-gravid horns. The occurrence of a 'peak' in \g=b\-glucuronidase activity during the oestrogen surge on day 4 of pregnancy reported previously by Prahlad (1962) was not observed.The results are discussed in relation to an interaction between the implanting blastocyst and the hormonally conditioned uterus.

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