VITAMIN-C-DEFICIENCY IN CHANNA-PUNCTATUS BLOCH

The results of a series of experiments on Channa punctatus previously conditioned to a complete synthetic diet and later fed vitamin C deficient diet for 210 days followed by 30 days of recovery with fortified vitamin C ration are reported. The survival, growth, morphological abnormalities and biochemical changes in tissue ascorbic acid and cholesterol levels were studied. Deficiency of vitamin C resulted in a mortality of up to 25% and retarded growth accompanied by anorexia and loss of weight. Marked skeletal abnormalities, viz., lordosis, scoliosis and degenerative changes in the thoracic vertebrae were revealed by X‐ray studies. Biochemical investigations showed a significant decrease in blood and kidney ascorbic acid levels within a month of feeding the deficient diet. A prolonged deficiency beyond 150 days resulted in a rapid rise in the cholesterol content of the liver. These biochemical changes were reversed when vitamin C was added to the ration. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved