STIMULATING EFFECT OF ADRENALECTOMY ON HAIR GROWTH AND MELANIN DEPOSITION IN BLACK RATS FED DIETS ADEQUATE AND DEFICIENT IN THE FILTRATE FACTORS OF VITAMIN B¹

Abstract

IN VIEW of the reports that diets deficient in the filtrate factors of vitamin B have resulted in atrophy and necrosis of the adrenal cortex (1–4), as well as in graying of the fur in black or brown rats (5–7), we were prompted to study the effects of adrenalectomy in rats maintained on diets deficient in ‘filtrate factors’. A reversal of the graying process, together with an acceleration of hair growth, followed ablation of both adrenal glands. This report is concerned with the investigation of the changes so far observed. Rats of the Long-Evans strain bred in the laboratory, were used. The diet deficient in ‘filtrate factors’ consisted of casein 22 per cent, sucrose 64 per cent, primex 9 per cent, salt mixture 5 per cent, and 1.9 cc. of cod liver oil per 100 gm. of the mixture. In addition, the rats were given daily 15 micrograms each of thiamine chloride and pyridoxine and 45 micrograms of riboflavin.