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Vitamin B₁₂ and the Thyroid in Reproduction of Female Rats¹

Department of Biochemistry, School of Hygiene and Public Health, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland

Studies were conducted on female rats on the effects of vitamin B₁₂ deprivation and thyroidectomy. The following results were obtained. (a) Female rats, when depleted of vitamin B₁₂ either by feeding a vitamin B₁₂-free soybean diet, or by administration of inhibitory intrinsic factor, or by use of vitamin B₁₂ antagonist in a complete diet, showed impairment of reproduction. Administration by injection of vitamin B₁₂ corrected both fertility and live birth rate in such animals. (b) Thyroidectomized females did not become pregnant when bred to males of established potency. The infertility due to thyroidectomy was partially corrected by the administration of either vitamin B₁₂ or desiccated thyroid. Administration of both vitamin B₁₂ and desiccated thyroid fed at a level of 0.05% greatly improved reproduction in thyroidectomized rats. The probable interrelationship between vitamin B₁₂ and thyroid hormone in the reproduction of rats has been discussed.

² Present address: Yamaguchi Medical College, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Ube, Japan.

Manuscript received 6 February 1961.