Reproduction and Maternal Response of the Rat when Thiamine Intake is Limited

Reproductive performance, serum proteins and hematological response were studied in female rats of the Wistar strain, maintained from weaning until mating with a diet containing either an adequate or a low level of thiamine. During gestation the rats were fed an adequate diet or the same diet containing one-tenth the level of thiamine. Food intake and weight gain were markedly influenced by diet during pregnancy. In animals fed the low level of thiamine during pregnancy, prepregnancy diet also influenced food intake and maternal weight gain. Heavier young were produced by animals fed adequate thiamine during pregnancy but fetal weight was not affected by prepregnancy diet. Total serum protein was similar for all groups although γ-globulin concentration were lower in animals fed adequate thiamine during pregnancy. Hemoglobin and hematocrit values indicated the expected hemodilution of pregnancy in animals fed adequate thiamine and apparent hemoconcentration in animals fed the low thiamine diet. Thiamine content in the young and livers of mothers were related to thiamine intake during pregnancy and were not significantly influenced by prepregnancy diet.