Effect of short term vitamin A deficiency on organ weights, blood glucose and lactate levels and, tissue protein and glycogen contents of albino rats: a preliminary study.

The effect of short term dietary vitamin A deficiency in post-pubertal female rats in terms of weight gain, food consumption, organ weights, haemoglobin content, blood glucose and lactate levels and, tissue protein and glycogen contents has been evaluated to gain insight into the possible interrelationship between vitamin A and general metabolism. Significant elevation in blood glucose level and reduction in blood lactate and haemoglobin along with a tendency of reduction in weights of spleen, adrenals and ovaries have been noted. Lowered tissue protein and glycogen contents and reduced body weight gain have also been revealed. Obviously, reduced functional competence of some of the organs and certain alterations in general metabolism especially of carbohydrates are suspected and hence is discussed in relation to supportive evidences available.