EXPLANATION OF PLATE 



PLATE 1 



Photographs of rat fetuses at the sixteenth day of pregnancy, with fetal mem- 

 branes removed but umbilical circulation intact, x 5. 



Fig. 1. Normal rat fetus showing appearance of vascular system. 



Fig. 2. Vitamin E-deficient fetus (fixed in formalin) injected with a suspension 

 of India ink before death, showing dilated vascular channels in supraorbital, 

 posterior auricular, and lateral trunk regions. The ink suspension penetrated 

 the small petechial spots on the extremities and dorsal midline, but failed to 

 enter the larger areas along the lateral body wall which are still filled with 

 blood. The fetal heart continued to pulsate after injection was discontinued. 



Fig. 3. Vitamin E-deficient fetus showing marked dilation and congestion of 

 vascular plexuses just caudad to forelimb, marked distention of deeper vessels 

 just cephalad to forelimb, and extensive bilateral hemorrhage in the floor and 

 lateral wall of the cerebral vesicles. This fetus was living but showed meager 

 circulation in peripheral capillaries and a marked reduction in blood flow 

 through the umbilical vessels. 



Fig. 4. Vitamin E-deficient fetus in which faint circulation was demonstrable 

 in vitelline and umbilical vessels despite the extensive localized congestion in 

 certain vessels and the diffuse areas of hemorrhage in other regions. 



[408] 



