Further Studies on Lathyrism in the Rat.

Abstract

1. Male rats injected subcutaneously with β-aminopropionitrile and aminoacetonitrile developed the same skeletal lesions of lathyrism as did those fed these compounds. 2. Methyleneaminoacetonitrile fed to rats produced very severe skeletal lesions and is probably more active than the aminoacetonitrile. 3. Diets high in casein, gelatin, vit. E. and other antioxidants did not protect the rats fed Lathyrus odoratus seeds from developing skeletal lesions. 4. Radio-autographs of the skeleton after injection of S35 and studies on sulfur excretion of rats fed Lathyrus odoratus peas and rats fed a control diet showed that the metabolism of sulfur is probably not altered in lathyrism.