The Effect of Pantothenic Acid Deficiency on the Blood Lipoids of the Dog

Abstract

In experiments involving twenty-seven dogs, the animals were divided into three age groups consisting of weanlings, young adults and adults. Pantothenic acid deficiency was more critical in weanlings than in adult dogs. Ten of the dogs were maintained on pantothenic acid deficient diets, and all ten of the animals showed a lowered blood cholesterol, cholesterol ester, lipoid phosphorus and total lipoids. Five of the deficient animals were given doses of the vitamin, and the blood lipoid levels were rapidly increased. Dogs receiving pantothenic acid and whole dried liver in addition to the stock supplement showed minimal liver damage, whereas dogs receiving only pantothenic acid showed considerable fat in their livers. Pantothenic acid deficient dogs developed extremely fatty livers.