64 



CHOLINE 



sick, and there is a marked elevation of blood non-protein nitrogen (Fig. 2). 

 Severely affected rats show an extensive regression of the thymus, and 



Fig. 2. Effects of choline deficiency in weanling rats after an 8-day period with 

 choline (center) and without choline. The photograph illustrates the enlarged yellow- 

 ish fatty liver, the enlarged kidneys with hemorrhagic degeneration, and the partial 

 regression of the thymus. The sectioned kidneys above the deficient animals em- 

 phasize the cortical congestion which is evident in Fig. 3 and which, with or without 

 subcapsular hemorrhage, is responsible for the dark-red appearance of the kidnej's. 



ocular hemorrhage is frequently observed. The renal changes develop over 

 a 24- to 48-hour period and are characterized grossly by an increase in size 

 and Aveight and by hemorrhagic discoloration. Proteinuria but not hemat- 

 uria occurs. Recovery is noteworthy because of the rapidity with which 

 the renal function improves, evident also in the gross appearance of the 

 kidneys. The recovered kidneys are enlarged and pale brown in color and 



