title: Vitamin A toxicity and vitamin E deficiency in a rabbit colony.
abstract: Vitamin A toxicosis and vitamin E deficiency was diagnosed in a commercial rabbit-breeding colony and was associated with reproductive abnormalities, abortions, and poor survivability of kits in the breeding colony. Paresis and muscular dystrophy were noted in juvenile rabbits. Another group of New Zealand White rabbits from the same commercial colony was used to assess the effect of vitamin E-based therapy on clinical signs, reproduction, and vitamin A and E serum and liver levels. Blood samples were taken before and after dietary changes and vitamin E therapy. Serum vitamin E remained low after feeding a diet containing the recommended levels of vitamin E. Administration of vitamin E for 2 weeks lowered the serum vitamin A levels and increased the vitamin E serum and liver levels. In conclusion, vitamin E therapy appears to be an effective treatment for hypervitaminosis A.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Humane Services, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Mark B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: St Claire
authors.forename: Mary J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kennett
authors.forename: Cynthia L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Besch-Williford
mesh_terms: D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000209:etiology; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000209:etiology; D006986:Hypervitaminosis A / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009139:Musculoskeletal Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011817:Rabbits; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E