Histology of the Lesions Produced in the Reproductive Tract of Animals Fed a Diet Deficient in Vitamin a Alcohol but Containing Vitamin a Acid

Summary. It has previously been reported that female rats, maintained on a diet in which vitamin A alcohol had been replaced by vitamin A acid, conceived when mated but always resorbed their foetuses. The histology of the lesions in the reproductive tract of such rats is described. The earliest detectable lesion was necrosis of cells in the placental labyrinth and junctional zone, which was seen at the 15th or 16th day of pregnancy, and was associated with an apparently healthy foetus. The foetal surface of the placenta quickly became necrotic and by this time the foetus was always undergoing resorption. The lesions are compared to those described by Mason (1935) in orthodox vitamin A deficiency. It is considered that the lesions seen in the placentae of rats fed a diet deficient in vitamin A alcohol but containing vitamin A acid represent the uncomplicated placental lesions of vitamin A deficiency.