Relationship of Vitamin B 6 to Adrenocortical Function in the Rat. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Vit. B₆ deficiency was induced in growing rats by feeding a pyridoxine deficient diet. In certain experiments desoxypyridoxine, a metabolic antagonist of Vit. B₆, was added to shorten the period required to induce this vitamin deficiency. In each experiment pair-fed and ad lib. fed controls were given the same diet as consumed by deficient rats except that pyridoxine was added. After deficiency became manifest adrenocortical function of experimental animals was measured by determining steroid secretion of isolated adrenals in response to ACTH. The results show that while marked adrenal hypertrophy occurs in B₆ deficient rats adrenocortical hormone secretion is not impaired.