Effects of B Vitamins, Liver and Yeast on Growth under Cold Room and Room Temperature Conditions

Abstract

Immature female rats were raised to maturity under cold room and room temperature conditions on purified rations containing the B vitamins as synthetic factors and as present in whole liver and yeast. Growth was markedly reduced in all rats under cold room conditions; animals fed liver, however, gained significantly more weight than those fed other diets employed. The protective factor(s) was distinct from any of the known B vitamins and was not present in significant amounts in yeast. At room temperature conditions no significant difference in growth occurred on any of the diets tested. The suggestion is made that whole liver contains at least 1 factor other than the known B vitamins whose requirement is increased in animals maintained under cold room conditions.