Production of Experimental Lathyrism in the Rat by Two Different Beta-substituted Ethylamines

Abstract

Crystals which were isolated from sweet peas, Lathyrus odoratus, by a method which had previously yielded a toxic product were identified as beta-aminopropionitrile sulfate. Synthetic beta-aminopropionitrile and beta-mercapto-ethylamine, when fed to rats as their hydrochlorides, both produced skeletal changes similar to those caused by sweet peas.