Nutritional Value of Plant Materials III. Acute Uremia of Newborn Rats from Mothers Fed Plant Rations

Abstract

Young rats born to mothers maintained on rations in which a commercial soybean protein preparation and dl-methionine supplied the only source of amino acids developed an acute fatal uremia in about 50% of the litters. Within 48 hours after birth the blood urea concentration may rise to over 200 mg per 100 ml of blood. The rise in blood urea of the afflicted young was particularly rapid in 24 to 48 hours after birth. In those individuals which did not show symptoms of acute uremia there was a transient rise in the concentration of blood urea which reached a maximum in about 48 to 72 hours after birth. Acute uremia was also observed in about 40% of the litters born to rats maintained on rations composed of yellow corn, soybean meal and alfalfa meal. The acute uremia of the newborn could be prevented by the feeding of alcohol-extracted casein, condensed fish solubles, or liver extract to the mothers or by subcutaneous injection of vitamin B₁₂ into the young shortly after birth.