Granulocytopenia and Anemia in Rats Fed Diets of Low Casein Content

Abstract

Severe granulocyto-penia and anemia developed uniformly in rats fed protein-free diets. Casein (18%) prevented these dyscrasias, but crystalline Lactobacillus casei factor ("folic acid") did not prevent them. To correct the granulocytopenia, L. casei factor alone was only slightly effective, and diets of higher casein content (18 or 30%) were ineffective. However, L. casei factor combined with (1) an 18% casein-containing diet, or (2) a mixture of purified amitio acids was highly effective in correcting the granulocytopenia.