DISTURBANCES OF REPRODUCTION AND OVARIAN CHANGES IN THE GUINEA-PIG IN RELATION TO VITAMIN C DEFICIENCY

Abstract

Guinea-pigs on the Sherman, LaMer and Campbell vitamin C-free diet produced no full term living young. No pregnancies occurred when less than 3 cc. of orange or tomato juice was used; even if the animal was pregnant when placed on the diet, resorption or abortion followed. In all cases the ovaries showed atretic follicles and abnormal structures. Normal growth was not maintained when less than 5 cc. of either supplement was used. Normal reproduction requires more vitamin C than growth.