The Response of Rats, Chicks and Turkey Poults to Crystalline Vitamin G (Flavin)

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Abstract
Diets deficient in vitamin G (flavin), but which supplied adequate amounts of the other members of the vitamin B complex, were devised for rats, chicks and turkey poults. Vitamin G deficiency was studied by means of these diets, which permitted approximately normal growth and appearance when supplemented with small amounts of crystalline vitamin G (flavin). Dermatitis and other symptoms associated with vitamin G deficiency in rats are described. The symptoms of vitamin G deficiency in chicks were slow growth, diarrhea and emaciation, without dermatitis. An acute dermatitis developed in turkey poults due to vitamin G deficiency, in spite of the fact that the diet was amply supplied with the ‘filtrate factor,’ which prevents dermatitis in the chick (Lepkovsky and Jukes, '36). The dermatitis was completely prevented by vitamin G (lactoflavin). Vitamin G deficiency in chicks and turkeys appeared to reduce the efficiency of utilization of food more conspicuously than the appetite. The results are discussed briefly in relation to previous investigations of the vitamin B complex.