Ascorbic Acid Content of Milk of Various Species as Influenced by Ascorbic Acid Injection and Diet

Summary

Values for ascorbic acid in ewe milk, determined periodically over the lactation period, ranged from 25 to 40 mg per quart. The intravenous injection of ascorbic acid resulted in a marked, temporary rise in the vitamin content of the milk of the ewe and cow. A study of 52 samples of mare milk gave values ranging from 2,7 to 11 5 mg per quart. The nature of the feed appeared to be a factor in the wide variations noted. Values obtained on guinea pig milk ranged from 108 to 711 mg per quart. Both chemical and biological evidence was obtained that the ascorbic acid content of the milk of the guinea pig is influenced by the nature of the diet.