CHOLINE DEFICIENCY IN THE GUINEA PIG

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Abstract
Young guinea pigs (4–6 days of age) fed a choline-deficient diet grew slowly and died within 3 to 4 weeks, at which time the livers showed only traces of stainable fat. Animals fed the diet supplemented with choline grew at the rate of 5.5 to 6.0 g. per day. Guinea pigs transferred from a complete diet to a choline-deficient diet after 3 to 4 weeks suffered an immediate retardation in growth but no mortality occurred (up to 6 weeks). A decrease in total body fat was noted. After 4 weeks, stainable fat was present in the liver. A small but definite increase in total liver fat occurred at 6 weeks. The guinea pig, like the chick, is unable to place the first methyl group on the ethanolamine moiety of choline, but betaine plus monomethylaminoethanol was as effective as choline in overcoming a deficiency of the latter.