Effects of hormones on reproduction in rats fed a diet deficient in retinol (vitamin A alcohol) but containing methyl retinoate (vitamin A acid methyl ester).

Abstract

Summary. The observations of Thompson, Howell & Pitt (1964), that male and female rats maintained on diet deficient in vitamin A but containing retinoic acid (vitamin A acid, see page 310) are unable to reproduce, have been confirmed. The development of the testicular lesions in male rats was not prevented by injections of fsh or testosterone propionate, and injections of oestrone and progesterone, alone or in combination, did not prevent resorptions in pregnant females. Small amounts of retinyl acetate (vitamin A acetate) prevented the development of reproductive lesions in both males and females. It seems unlikely that the failure of retinoic acid to support normal reproduction in the rat can be explained in terms of a known endocrine insufficiency.