Pathological Skin Changes in the Tail of the Albino Rat on a Diet Deficient in Vitamin G

Abstract

Seventy-four rats given Bourquin and Sherman's G-deficient diet for 90 days or longer showed varying degrees of atrophy of the sebaceous glands and thinning of the epithelium in cross sections of the tail. The fat normally present around the sebaceous glands was replaced by connective tissue. There was no cellular infiltration. The positive control rats, thirteen receiving the same G-deficient diet, supplemented with autoclaved yeast and nineteen receiving the stock diet had normal sebaceous glands and epithelium. After the change in the sebaceous glands and epithelium was produced in sixteen rats as shown by biopsy, autoclaved yeast was added to the diet. In every case where the rat lived longer than 9 days there was evidence of regeneration and by the end of 36 days it was practically complete, the sebaceous glands and epithelium appearing normal. No sebaceous gland or epithelial changes were noted in ten rats deprived of food nor in twelve rats deprived of water. The latter, however, had the blood stained wrists so often described as a symptom in vitamin G deficiency. In the vitamin control experiments some changes in the epithelium and sebaceous glands were noted in vitamin A deficiency and in vitamin B deficiency. There was no appreciable change in the rats on Steenbock's rickets producing diet.