Effect of Riboflavin Deficiency on Endochondral Ossification of Mice. ∗

Abstract

Summary and Conclusions

In growing mice, riboflavin deficiency decreases both the rate of growth and of ossification, but intensifies the degeneration of the cartilage. These changes represent the histological basis for the inhibition of lengthwise growth seen in riboflavin-deficient animals. As compared with the changes seen in pantothenic acid deficiency, lack of riboflavin inhibits the proliferation of the cartilage to a lesser extent, whereas it produces degeneration of the cartilage, not seen in pantothenic acid deficiency. As in pantothenic acid deficiency, males are more sensitive to the lack of the vitamin than are females.

In adult mice, the endosteal and peritrabecular osteoblasts undergo atrophy.