Uncomplicated Vitamin E Deficiency in the Rabbit and its Relation to the Toxicity of Cod Liver Oil

Abstract

Vitamin E deficiency in rabbits maintained on a purified low fat diet results in the rapid development of severe lesions of the voluntary muscles. These lesions are prevented by synthetic alpha-tocopherol. The preventive action of alpha-tocopherol is rendered ineffective when the vitamin and cod liver oil are administered orally within a few minutes of each other at the levels employed, or when the oil is added to the basal diet.