Hematology of the Chick in Vitamin Deficiencies.

THE effect of riboflavin deficiency on the hematopoietic system has been noted repeatedly. Thus, Sherman (1938); Gyorgy, Robscheit-Robbins and Whipple (1938); and Spector, Maass, Michaud, Elvehjem and Hart (1943) have reported that an adequate riboflavin intake is necessary for normal hemoglobin formation. Waisman (1944), in his study of the riboflavin-deficient monkey, observed anemia and a reduction to about half the normal values of the erythrocyte and leukocyte counts. Riboflavin administration brought the hemoglobin levels and blood cell counts back to normal. Also working with the monkey, McCall, Waisman, Elvehjem and Jones (1946); and Jones, McCall, Elvehjem and Clark (1947) reported that chronic deficiencies of riboflavin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, or folic acid, produced anemia and a reversal of the normal neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio. No such investigation has been carried out on the chick, and since riboflavin is considered so important in the nutrition of this species, a study was made of the . . .