SPONTANEOUS RECOVERY FROM NUTRITIONAL MACROCYTIC ANEMIA IN YOUNG SWINE FOLLOWING INITIAL ESTRUS

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Abstract
A severe macrocytic anemia was produced in weanling pigs by subjecting them to a prolonged partial deficiency of the vit. B-complex. This was accomplished by placing the young animals on a synthetic diet of casein, cane sugar, cotton seed oil, cod liver oil, and mineral salts, supplemented with vit. B1 and brewers'' yeast at low levels. Yeast at a level of 4% was not adequate to protect the weanling pigs, having an initial wt. of 45 lbs. or less, from developing a severe macrocytic anemia. A 10% level of yeast gave complete protection against the development of anemia in the one animal studied at this level. The low point of the anemia corresponded closely to the expected onset of the initial estrous period. After the onset of estrus the anemia cleared spontaneously. A possible explanation for the development of anemia on a diet which later is adequate for its cure is offered in the physiological stress preceding sexual maturity, which apparently corrects itself after sexual stability is accomplished.