Experimental Megaloblastic Anemia and Scurvy in the Monkey

Abstract

Scurvy with megaloblastic anemia developed in monkeys fed milk diets devoid of ascorbic acid. Megaloblastosis in the marrow developed only when the level of free f olinic acid in the liver was low, associated with low levels of total folic acid. There was no difference in the fecal content of vit. B12 and folic acid in the controls and scorbutic monkeys. The marrow was restored to normal on treatment with folic acid,L-ascorbic acid or D-ascor-bic acid. D-Glucoascorbic acid had no effect on the marrow or liver concn. of folic acid compounds.