Termination of pregnancy in common marmosets ( Callithrix jacchus) following administration of antiserum to chicken riboflavin carrier protein

The presence of protein(s) which is immunologically and functionally similar to the well characterised avian riboflavin carrier protein has been demonstrated in female common marmosets during pregnancy. The protein(s) that interacts with [ 14C]riboflavin has an immunological homology to chicken riboflavin carrier protein. The termination of pregnancy in four out of six marmosets following administration of antiserum to chicken riboflavin carrier protein supports the hypthesis that vitamin carrier protein ensures an uninterrupted supply of the vitamin to the growing embryo and that immunoneutralization of maternal riboflavin carrier protein leads to fetal death and termination of pregnancy.