The Relation of Vitamin B12 Deficiency to Fertility of the Female and Birth Weight of the Young in Rats Fed Purified Casein Rations

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Results have been presented dealing with certain aspects of reproduction in rats fed vitamin B12-deficient casein-containing rations supplemented with all other known nutrients. With females on these rations there were no greater percentages of non-pregnancies or resorptions than there were with females on the stock ration, but the average size of their litters was smaller and their young generally had lower average birth weights. Supplementation of the B12-deficient rations with crystalline vitamin B12 had little or no effect on litter size but did increase birth weights. Birth weights were on the average higher on yeast-containing rations than on yeast-free rations.