THE PREVENTION OF SENSORY NEURON DEGENERATION IN THE PIG, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE RÔLE OF VARIOUS LIVER FRACTIONS 1

Abstract

Abnormal gait and degenerative changes in peripheral nerves, spinal ganglia and the posterior funiculi of the spinal cord developed in pigs deficient in "B" factors other than thiamin, riboflavin and nicotinic acid but did not occur when desiccated whole liver or brewers'' yeast was fed. Wheat germ together with alfalfa meal was not as effective in preventing sensory neuron degeneration as liver or yeast. Of various fractions obtained during the manufacture of anti-pernicious anemia liver extract, the fraction used in the treatment of pernicious anemia was the most effective, but relatively large amts. were required. The value of the extract was not increased by parenteral adm. Growth was better when the anti-pernicious anemia extract or the "press cake" fraction was given, but was not as satisfactory as when the whole dried liver or a mixture of all the fractions was fed. Convulsions and anemia developed in pigs fed these fractions; the convulsions were like those described by others as resulting from pyridoxine deficiency; the anemia was microcytic but not particularly hypochromic.