Susceptibility of vitamin A-deficient rats to aflatoxin

Weanling albino rats were divided into two groups each of six males and six females. They were maintained on a vitamin A-free diet, one group being fed ad lib. and the second being pair-fed with the first. Rats in this second group were given an oral supplement of 100 IU vitamin A/animal/day. At the end of a feeding period of 9 wk, a crystalline preparation of aflatoxin was administered in a single ip dose of 3·5 mg/kg body weight. Male rats in the first group showed an increased susceptibility to the toxin as evidenced by rapid mortality and severe liver damage, midzonal in distribution. Their hepatic stores of vitamin A were found to have been severely depleted. Vitamin A-supplemented male rats showed only mild hepatic damage of the periportal parenchyma. Liver damage was minimal in female rats of both groups and was unaffected by the amount of vitamin A stored in the liver.