The Effect of the Level of Protein in the Diet on the Utilization of Vitamin A

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Abstract
The effect of 9, 18, or 36% of protein in the diet on the utilization of vitamin A was studied in 288 rats. The level of protein had little effect upon the utilization of vitamin A as judged by weight gains, length of the rat, and incidence of foci of keratinized epithelium. The level of vitamin A intake was directly related to rate of gain up to the level of 3 I.U. per day regardless of the level of protein in the diet. There were slightly greater gains in weight on the 18% level of protein regardless of the level of vitamin A than on other quantities of protein. Increase in polymorphonuclear cells was observed on low vitamin A intakes. The teeth did not show a normal midlingual to midlabial dentin ratio until 6 I.U. of vitamin A were present in the diet.