Congenital Malformations Induced in Rats by Maternal Nutritional Deficiency

Abstract

The congenital malformations of the pattern of diet I are prevented when the maternal diet I is supplemented by riboflavin. Supplements of thiamine hydrochloride, niacin, pyridoxine and calcium pantothenate are not preventive. On a purified maternal diet in which the vitamin B-complex is represented by crystalline substances, malformations of the pattern of diet I appear in the offspring when riboflavin is omitted. On the same diet supplemented by sufficient riboflavin no deformed offspring are observed. It is concluded that a deficiency of the maternal diet in riboflavin is responsible for the congenital malformations of the pattern of diet I.