RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VITAMIN C AND SOME PHASES OF REPRODUCTION IN THE GUINEA PIG

Abstract

The oestrous rhythm is ordinarily a sensitive indicator of the nutritional state of an animal. When [3] guinea pigs with normal cycles were gradually deprived of vitamin C, the oestrous rhythm was maintained regu larly until the animals began to lose weight. The cycles continued although the animals were receiving far from enough orange juice to protect them from chronic scurvy. The onset of oestrus was accompanied by a sudden and temporary loss in weight, amounting sometimes to 8% of the weight of the animal. When 7 [male][male] were gradually deprived of vitamin C, they lost their ability to sire litters. Smears from the epididymis of [male][male] dying of chronic scurvy contained motile sperm. That such sperm had not lost their fertilizing function was proved by artificial insemination. In a curative experiment, a o" recovered the ability to sire litters.