Non-Identity of Gray Hair Produced by Mineral Deficiency and Vitamin Deficiency

Abstract

The recent recognition of a specific organic food factor12 necessary for the maintenance of the black fur of black or piebald rats has raised the question as to whether the phenomenon of graying noted by older workers3456 particularly in rats on an exclusive milk diet is due to this cause or is due to a specific mineral deficiency. Jukes and Richardson7 have pointed out that milk is not a good source of filtrate fraction vitamins.The black fur of young piebald rats fed an exclusive diet of either powdered whole milk or of fresh certified milk rapidly and uniformly became gray. Addition of a supplement of 0.25 mg of iron, 0.05 mg of copper and 0.05 mg of manganese cured the grayness if it had developed or prevented any change in the color of the fur of rats which were fed milk with the above mineral supplements from the time of weaning. Attempts to ascertain which of the 3 metals is responsible have not at present yielded entirely conclusive results.Rats developing a nutritional anemia show a marked diminu...