QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Draper, H. H. Articles by Johnson, B. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Draper, H. H. Articles by Johnson, B. C.

Folic Acid Deficiency in the Lamb

One Figure

Division of Animal Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana

A series of newborn lambs maintained on a "synthetic milk" diet deficient in folic acid developed a syndrome characterized by leukopenia and diarrhea, followed in most cases by pneumonia and death. White cell regeneration was induced by the administration of folic acid but no detectable response was obtained for formyl folic acid. "X-methyl" folic acid was effective as an antimetabolite when administered early in the experimental period and 4-amino folic acid produced a rapid depression in leukocyte levels, followed by a gradual regeneration which occurred in spite of increased doses of the antivitamin. The "citrovorum factor" was effective in reversing the depressive effect of aminopterin on white cell levels in the blood. Megaloblastic cells were absent from the bone marrow of folic acid-deficient animals. The results obtained demonstrate that folic acid is an essential nutrient for the lamb.