Abstract
Guinea pigs were fed a scorbutic diet of alfalfa meal and wheat flour, equal parts by weight, oats ad libitum, and powdered whole milk (Klim) corresponding to 50 cc. fresh milk daily. The increase in weight for about 10 to 15 days was approximately at the same rate as control rats which received, in addition, 2 cc. of orange juice daily. They showed no symptoms of scurvy. At this time, however, histological changes characteristic of scurvy have already set in.
Observations made on the testes of guinea pigs, fed on a scorbutic diet and killed after ten days, show engorgement of the blood vessels with degeneration of seminal epithelium in some of the tubules. Cells in early stages of spermatogenesis were especially affected. Other tubules were normal and contained all stages of developing spermatozoa.
Guinea pigs kept for 30 to 40 days in a state of severe chronic scurvy show almost complete recovery of germinal epithelium after 17 days on an antiscorbutic diet.
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