FERTILITY VITAMIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22195, 23 August 1935, Page 11

FERTILITY VITAMIN

ISOLATION REPORTED AMERICAN SCIENTIST'S CLAIM SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 21 A biochemical discovery of considerable importance was revealed in San Francisco to the American Chemical Society with the announcement that Professor Evans, of the "University of California, who in 1922 identified vitamin E, had finally succeeded in isolating it in an element found in wheat, lettuce, cotton seed and some other green vegetables. It is known as the "fertility vitamin," and absence of it in the diet of mammals produces sterility. The scientist said he had succeeded in crystals of high vitamin E potency, and he expected to produce the element in commercial quantities within 90 days. It would bo a considerable time before the value of the isolated vitamin could be determined, said a leading Auckland doctor yesterday. Other vitamins had been isolated and in somo cases it had been found that they were still more potent in their original form. Professor Evans presumably intended to prepare vitamin E in a form in which it could bo administered, but much testing would be necessary before that could be done. The discovery of vitamins had not so far eliminated the necessity of taking foods containing vitamins. There was no doubt, however, that the discovery might be of groat importance, the doctor added. It was certain that it was along the lines of biochemical research that the greatest medical discoveries were being made at present.