Vitamin C--the primate fertility factor?

Abstract

The loss of the ability of primates and man to synthesise ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is usually seen as an evolutionary accident, with no benefit to the species. This paper argues that the loss of this biosynthetic ability has allowed vitamin C to act as a 'fertility factor' in primate societies. It is argued that the requirement for vitamin C increases with age, and so in times of food shortages the older members of society suffer higher mortality than the younger. This reduces the median age of the population towards the younger and most fertile members, and so enables the population to regrow rapidly when food resources are restored.