E-Deficiency Diseases

Exudative Diathesis and Nutritional Muscular Dystrophy in Chicks 

Interrelationship of Vitamin E, Selenium, and Sulfur Amino Acids in 

Maintenance of Normal Oxidation-Reduction Potentials and a Direct 

Normal Phosphorylation Re tctiuns, Especially of High-Energy Phos- 

Protection from Peroxidation of Lipid Structures in Animal Cell Walls 

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Vitamin E-deficiency diseases are well known among laboratory and farm animals and can be a considerable problem in animal husbandry. Thus, the vitamin was discovered because its absence from the diet causes pregnant female rats to resorb their foetuses [25], and male rats to suffer testicular degeneration [26]. In the rabbit muscular dystrophy occurs, and in sheep and cattle similar muscular degeneration also is the principle sign of vitamin E deficiency [27], In the chick given high levels of linoleic acid and no vitamin E an acute central nervous system lesion called encephalomalacia occurs... 

Naturally occurring vitamin E comprises a series of compounds called tocopherols. Among the richest sources are cereal germs and most oilseeds. a-Tocopherol (molecular weight 430.7 daltons), which possesses the highest vitamin E activity, is a yellow oil, insoluble in water, but soluble in organic solvents. It is readily oxidized and, therefore, is also used as an antioxidant. A vitamin E deficiency disease has... 

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