Influence of Vitamin E on the Fertility of Mice(1)

For the purpose of clearing up the phases of embryonic absorption of mice suffering from the dearth of Vitamin E, the writers made a histological research on the mechanism of embryonic absorption of mice fed with the OLCOTT's food deficient in Vitamin E, and the following results were obtained: 1. The growth of mice was scarcely affected. 2. The morphological change in development of genital organ of the male was not recognized, though the number and size of spermatozoa diminished. 3. The genital organ of the female showed a remarkable retrogressive change, and the embryonic death especially came out. As for the embryonic absorption, a retrogressive change started from the inner part of embryo and then spread toward the outer part. The necrotic portion was later replaced by the cells of connective tissue.