Effect of Aureomycin on Liver Storage of Vitamin A, and on Growth, Depletion and Survival Time of Rats

Abstract

The effects of aureomycin on storage of vitamin A and on growth, depletion rate and survival of rats, have been studied. The increase in liver stores when aureomycin was fed for 4 weeks was not significant. Liver and kidney stores were unaffected during depletion. Rate of depletion was decreased and weight at depletion increased by aureomycin. Survival time of rats on a “vitamin A-free” diet was variable but seemed to be increased by aureomycin in females. Growth rates of rats on low vitamin A intakes were increased by aureomycin but were not affected when adequate amounts of vitamin A were fed. Females stored vitamin A in their livers more efficiently than did males, lived longer on a “vitamin A-free” diet and maintained kidney stores longer than did males. It is concluded that aureomycin makes available amounts of vitamin A which effect survival time and depletion time but which are not large enough to influence significantly the liver stores.