Ascorbic Acid Metabolism in Guinea Pigs in Relation to Growth

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Studies have been made of the concentration of ascorbic acid in the blood and some of the internal organs of guinea pigs, following intraperitoneal injection of large doses of the vitamin. In the blood, liver, and kidneys changes in concentration were found at varying periods after injection, whereas the adrenals and spleen did not show this type of change. Differences were found between the young and mature animals with respect to the manner in which they handled the vitamin, the younger animals appearing to have considerably greater capacity for its conservation, in contrast to a seemingly greater wastefulness on the part of the older animals. The results suggest that more of the vitamin may have been used endogenously within the bodies of the young, rapidly growing animals.