The Relation of Vitamin E to Iron Assimilation

In 1922-1923, Evans and Bishop1reported a remarkable series of experiments relating to the failure of rats to give birth to young when fed a diet composed of casein, 18 Gm.; corn starch, 54 Gm.; butter fat, 9 Gm.; salts (185), 4 Gm.; lard, 15 Gm., and dry yeast, from 0.4 to 0.6 Gm. daily. A detailed study of these females revealed the fact that they became pregnant, but invariably resorption of the young resulted. The males were not confined to this experimental diet, but were fed a satisfactory ration. Evans later reported that their experimental diet induced sterility in male rats.2They demonstrated the remarkable effectiveness of wheat germ oil, among other things, in preventing the death and resorption of the young. It also protects the males against degeneration of the germinal epithelium. Through appropriate experiments, they eliminated the lack of vitamins A, B, C and D