VIII. EFFECTS OF DEFICIENCY 



299 



and necrotic areas of the renal medulla appear in some cases. The cells of 

 the tubular epithelium are filled with lipoid and the tubular lumena contain 

 fat droplets and albuminous material. In cured animals the gross appearance 

 of the kidneys was normal and histologically no difference could be demon- 

 strated between cured and normal animals. The implication that choline 

 deficiency may have been a contributing factor-* to the histopathology thus 

 does not seem to be justified. 



Histological studies of the reproductive system of the female rat® indicate 

 underdevelopment of the uterine mucosa and failure of corpora lutea to 

 develop during pregnancy. Embryos are resorbed or remain in utero beyond 

 the normal gestation period. 



Fig. 11. Liver sections from fat-deficient and linoleate-fed young rats. Sudan 

 stain. Dark areas indicate fat deposition. (From Guggenheim and Jiirgens.^) 



In the male fat-deficient rat the testis is macroscopically atrophied.* 

 The tubular epithelium degenerates, sperm are absent, and giant cells 

 are present. Seminal vesicles are small and flaccid, and the prostate is 

 atropic. The epididymis shows no significant deviation from the normal, but 

 the penis and associated glands are atrophied. If male rats in this condition 

 are given gonadotropin, the accessory sex organs tend to revert to normal, 

 indicating that the fat -deficient animal can probably still synthesize testos- 

 terone.'-^ However, the testes remain degenerate, indicating that they have 

 lost the ability to respond to gonadotropin. Essential fatty acids are thus 

 required to maintain testicular structure and function. 



Histological examination of the livers of young fat-deficient rats showed 



29 p. E. Barrios, Master's Thesis, Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, 

 1949 



