Death of Embryos in Guinea Pigs on Diets Low in Vitamin E

Abstract

The need of vitamin E for the successful completion of pregnancy in rats is well known. 1 More recently it has been shown to be essential in mice also. 2 , 3 We have found no reference in the literature describing resorption of the embryo due to vitamin E deficiency in guinea pigs. The failure to demonstrate this heretofore has been due undoubtedly to the fact that guinea pigs on vitamin E-low diets usually die of muscular dystrophy before the onset of sexual maturity.

It seems worthwhile, therefore, to place on record certain observations which indicate that the guinea pig, like the rat and mouse, requires an abundant supply of vitamin E, and that an inadequate intake results in death of the embryo in utero.

Experimental. The basal diet V consisted of:

This was supplemented by 5 cc of tomato juice and 25 g of fresh lettuce daily. Lettuce was added to supply a necessary water soluble growth factor, the need for which in guinea pig nutrition has been indicated by the work of Kohler, Elvehjem and Hart, 4 and of Cannon and Emerson. 5 The amount of vitamin E contained in this amount of lettuce has been found by us in previous experiments inadequate to protect against muscle dystrophy.

Of 3 controls on this basal diet, 2 died after 101 and 312 days with severe muscular dystrophy. The third died at 286 days without muscle lesions.

Confirming our previous experiences, the addition of 25 g of lettuce daily did not provide sufficient vitamin E to protect 2 of the 3 animals against muscular dystrophy, nor to ensure a successful pregnancy.

Fifteen guinea pigs received a weekly supplement of 5 or 10 mg of alpha-tocopherol acetate (Hoffman-LaRoche).