EFFECT OF VITAMIN B COMPLEX DEFICIENCY, CONTROLLED INANITION AND METHIONINE ON INACTIVATION OF ESTROGEN BY THE LIVER1

Abstract

IT IS KNOWN that estrogenic substances can be inactivated by the liver (Zondek, 1935; Israel, Meranze and Johnston, 1937; Golden and Sevringhaus, 1938; Biskind, 1941). When pellets of estrcne are implanted intrasplenically in castrated female rats, vaginal cornification will not occur if a normal diet is fed. This is interpreted as being due to the inactivation of estrone by the liver. However, if a diet deficient in the whole vitamin B complex is fed vaginal cornification will occur (Biskind and Biskind, 1942). When yeast was added to the deficient diet the liver regained its ability to inactivate estrone as judged by the return of the vaginal smear to an anestrous condition. Similar studies were made by Segaloff and Segaloff (1944). They injected estrogens intrasplenically into castrate female rats and noted the per cent showing estrus. They concluded that a deficiency of the vitamin B complex decreased the ability of the liver to inactivate estrone and a-estradiol, and that the addition of thiamine and riboflavin restored the ability of the liver to inactivate these substances.