The Germ-Free State

Analysis of some B vitamins in the caeca of germ-free and control birds showed that there was as much riboflavin, niacin, biotin, and pantothenate in the germ-free birds as in the controls, and appreciable quantities of folic 

Reyniers, Lobund Repts. 1, University of Notre Dame, Indiana (November, 1946). 

These studies show that germ-free existence is possible. In addition they throw fresh light on the question of intestinal synthesis of B vitamins, for the concentration of B vitamins in the gut does not necessarily imply bacterial synthesis. 

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