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Ceroid in the Products of Conception of Normal and Vitamin E-deficient Rats^1,2,

Department of Physiology, The Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, and The Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

A deficiency of vitamin E (E) leads to fetal resorption and lack of E favors the formation of ceroid (lipofuscin). Therefore, an experiment was designed to determine if ceroidogenesis in E-deficient rats might play a pathogenic role in resorption of their fetuses. Eighty female Wistar rats (250 g) were fed one of three diets: a) commercial ration; b) high polyunsaturated fat diet (35%); c) high polyunsaturated fat diet less E. Experimental groups 2 and 3 were maintained on their regimen for 3.5 months prior to mating. Unsupported and gelatin-embedded sections of intact uteri and embryos were stained with Oil Red O for fat, interceroid, and ceroid. In all animals, some ceroid was observed in various regions of the placentae and fetuses. Deposits in fetuses and mothers of group 2 were increased over group 1 rats. Largest deposits were observed at resorption sites in group 3. The possible pathogenic role of ceroid is not established but is a possibility.

² Supported by Block Grant MT 1904 of the Medical Research Council of Canada.

Manuscript received 13 July 1970.