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RELATIONSHIPS OF ASCORBIC ACID TO PREGNANCY, AND ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE STEROIDS *
Author(s) -
Rivers Jerry M.,
Devine Marjorie M.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1975.tb29305.x
Subject(s) - ascorbic acid , library science , citation , medicine , gerontology , classics , sociology , history , chemistry , computer science , food science
The 1974 RDA is 60 mg per day for pregnant women and 80 mg per day for lactating women. In the present study an attempt was made to simulate this intake in the guinea pig and study reproduction performance in relation to guinea pigs fed chronically low and high levels. In animals that conceived and carried the young to term, all 3 dietary levels of ascorbic acid appeared to be adequate for maintaining viability of fetuses and of offspring, and for growth of offspring during the nursing period. The chronically low intake level was not adequate for growth after weaning. The control group was superior to the chronically low-intake group but inferior to the high-intake group in conceiving, producing litters, and carrying litters to term. The level of intake in the control group was inadequate to maintain tissue stores. Even the high intake was inadequate to maintain some tissues at saturation levels. The results suggest that the requirement for ascorbic acid during pregnancy and lactation has been markedly underestimated.