The Thiamine Content of Pig Blood*

The normal concentration of thiamine in the blood of human subjects has been determined by several investigators. In most instances an average value of the order of 8.0 to 9.0 y of thiamine per 100 ml. of whole blood has been found (1, 2). Goodhart and Sinclair (2) have reported a value of 5.7 y per 100 ml. for the ox and the considerably higher value of 20.2 y per 100 ml. for the pigeon. Schultz et al. (3) have found a value of 7.0 y per 100 gm. of rat blood. Since the thiamine content of the muscle tissue of the pig is normally much higher than that for the same tissue in other species, it is reasonable to expect that the thiamine content of pig blood would also be much higher. Similarly, because the thiamine content of muscle tissue in the pig may vary according to the amount of thiamine in the diet (4), the thiamine content of the blood should be related to the thiamine content of the diet or, more directly, to the thiamine content of the muscle tissue. Information on these points is given in this report.