Storage of retinoids and beta-carotene in the genital organs of Japanese quail.

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of a one-month feeding of retinyl acetate (RA) on the retinol (ROL), retinyl palmitate (RP) and beta-carotene (BC) levels in the blood, testicles and ovarian follicles of adult Japanese quails. The basal diet (containing vitamin A at 10 x 10(3) IU/kg) was supplemented with 100 x, 500 x and 1000 x 10(3) IU/kg RA in Groups I, II and III in both sexes. Plasma vitamin A levels rose in all groups. The elevations were caused basically by the RP fraction. The ROL concentration increased only slightly, indicating saturation of the blood binding/transport system. Plasma BC was depressed in both sexes. RA feeding resulted in high RP concentration in the genital organs (testicles and ovarian follicles), indicating subclinical hypervitaminosis, while the BC content of genital organs decreased considerably. The retinoid and BC concentration of ovarian follicles (F1-F5) was in the same range, indicating continuous retinoid and carotene transport during the fast maturation period. Retinoid content of the genital organs was higher in layers than in roosters. BC deposition was decreased both in the testicles and in the follicles, indicating a competition between RP and BC for the storage capacity of organs.

[1]  L. Bardos,et al.  Effect of retinyl acetate, ascorbic acid and tocopherol supplementation of the feed on egg vitamin A content in Japanese quail. , 1996, Acta veterinaria Hungarica.

[2]  G. Richter.  [Incorporation and mobilization of vitamin A in laying hens]. , 1995, Archiv fur Tierernahrung.

[3]  D. Swayne,et al.  Effects of vitamin A deficiency on the reproductive system of mature White Leghorn hens. , 1993, Avian diseases.

[4]  H. Weiser,et al.  Vitamin E Prevents Side Effects of High Doses of Vitamin A in Chicks , 1992, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.

[5]  E. Naber,et al.  Vitamin Profiles of Eggs as Indicators of Nutritional Status in the Laying Hen: Diet to Egg Transfer and Commercial Flock Survey , 1993 .

[6]  D. Sklan,et al.  The effects of vitamin A, beta-carotene and canthaxanthin on vitamin A metabolism and immune responses in the chick. , 1989, International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition.

[7]  H. A. Vahl,et al.  Effects of excessive vitamin A levels in broiler rations , 1987 .

[8]  H. Biesalski,et al.  Rapid determination of vitamin A (retinol) and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) in human serum by isocratic adsorption HPLC. , 1986, International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition.

[9]  S. Scheideler,et al.  Interaction of dietary fat with levels of vitamins A and E in broiler chicks. , 1985, Poultry science.

[10]  M. Frigg,et al.  Relationships between vitamin A and vitamin E in the chick. , 1984, International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition.

[11]  R. J. Gellert.  Inhibition of cyclic ovarian activity in rats treated chronically with vitamin A. , 1977, Journal of reproduction and fertility.

[12]  J. Thompson,et al.  The biological activity of retinoic acid in the domestic fowl and the effects of vitamin A deficiency on the chick embryo , 1969, British Journal of Nutrition.