The effect of folate deficiency on neuronal RNA content. A quantitative cytochemical study

Abstract

One-day-old chicks were fed a defined ration deficient in folic acid. They were killed at 4 weeks of age when they showed characteristic clinical signs of folate deficiency and extremely low whole blood folate levels. Cerebellar Purkinje cells were dissected out and their total ribonucleic acid (RNA) content was determined by Edström's microchemical technique. The total RNA content of Purkinje cells of the folate deficient chicks was significantly lower than that of control chicks fed a complete ration. The low RNA values of the folate deficient chicks were apparently not only secondary to anaemia or growth retardation, and suggest that severe folate deficiency may directly interfere with neuronal RNA synthesis. The significance of the findings is discussed with reference to human pathology.