Some Observations on Vitamin Metabolism in Germ-Free Rats

October 1955 in “ The journal of nutrition/The Journal of nutrition ”

T. D. Luckey, Julian R. Pleasants, M. Wagner, Helmut A. Gordon, James A. Reyniers

biotin alopecia dermatitis skin ulcers folic acid niacin riboflavin pantothenic acid vitamin B12 inositol citrovorum factor

TLDR Germ-free rats need biotin for growth and have different vitamin metabolism compared to regular rats.

Results from a study on germ-free rats fed semisynthetic diets showed that their general metabolism is similar to conventional rats, with some exceptions. Male germ-free rats grew more slowly and required dietary biotin, with deficiency leading to symptoms like retarded growth, weight loss, alopecia, dermatitis, and skin ulcers. Biotin was necessary for folic acid biosynthesis. Germ-free rats excreted and accumulated less niacin, riboflavin, and biotin than consumed, while excretion of pantothenic acid and vitamin B12 matched intake. Inositol biosynthesis was not confirmed, but folic acid and citrovorum factor were synthesized.

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