DIET PROTEINS AND VITAMINS AS RELATED TO HEMOGLOBIN PRODUCTION IN THE RAT

Abstract

Experiments are reported in which gluten and casein are compared as to their hemoglobin forming powers when fed to normal growing rats and to rats made severely anemic by bleeding. Rats on diets containing 10% gluten or 18% casein can regenerate their blood completely every 8-15 days under the conditions of severe anemia described. Neither of these proteins is lacking in materials necessary for hemoglobin production. When the tryptophane intake of rats is varied between the limits of 5 mgm. and 65 mgm. per rat daily, no effect upon hemoglobin formation has been observed. Rats fed for weeks on diets deficient in vitamins A, B, or E, do not become anemic. When subjected to severe experimental anemia by bleeding, such rats can regenerate their blood completely every 8-15 days. This rate is no lower than that observed on similar diets complete in vitamins. Vitamins A and E and probably vitamin B are not specifically essential for the hemoglobin forming process in the rat.