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The Development of Xerophthalmia and the Keratinization of Epithelial Tissue on Withdrawal of Vitamin A from the Diet of the Monkey (Macacus Rhesus), Guinea Pig, Rabbit, and Adult Albino Rat^1,2,

Six Text Figures and Four Plates (Twenty-Two Figures)

Oscar Johnson Institute, Washington University Medical School, St. Louis

Typical xerophthalmia with keratomalacia developed in both of the eyes of one of the twenty-seven monkeys fed the diet low in vitamin A. Histological study of the tissues of this monkey showed keratinization of the epithelial structures of the eyes, the ears, the maxillary sinuses, the turbinates of the nasal septum, the salivary glands, and the kidneys. Histological study showed a normal gastro-intestinal tract. The compact bones immediately underlying the lining membrane of the bulla of the ear showed evidence of decalcification.

Rabbits, guinea pigs, and both young and adult albino rats fed the diet low in vitamin A developed xerophthalmia in most of the cases studied. Histological examination of the ears of the rabbits showed the same tissue metaplasia and bone decalcification that was observed in the ears of the depleted monkey.

The data here reported show that the monkey and the guinea pig may react to vitamin A depletion in the same specific manner as observed in the case of other animals. The storage of reserve vitamin A in the tissues and the resistance to infection during the depletion period may have been the causes for some of the apparently variable findings.

² The observations reported in this paper were made on vitamin A depleted animals used in a study of the nutritional aspect of trachoma which will be reported in another paper.

Manuscript received 13 October 1933.