Vitamin B12 and the Thyroid in Reproduction of Female Rats

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Abstract
Studies were conducted on female rats on the effects of vitamin B12 deprivation and thyroidectomy. The following results were obtained. (a) Female rats, when depleted of vitamin B12 either by feeding a vitamin B12-free soybean diet, or by administration of inhibitory intrinsic factor, or by use of vitamin B12 antagonist in a complete diet, showed impairment of reproduction. Administration by injection of vitamin B12 corrected both fertility and live birth rate in such animals. (b) Thyroidectomized females did not become pregnant when bred to males of established potency. The infertility due to thyroidectomy was partially corrected by the administration of either vitamin B12 or desiccated thyroid. Administration of both vitamin B12 and desiccated thyroid fed at a level of 0.05% greatly improved reproduction in thyroidectomized rats. The probable interrelationship between vitamin B12 and thyroid hormone in the reproduction of rats has been discussed.