The Influence of Ascorbic Acid and the Source of the B Vitamins on the Utilization of Carotene

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Abstract
Male and female rats receiving 30 or 60 µg of carotene did not respond in the same manner to the supplementary feeding of 25 or 50 mg of ascorbic acid. When fed 120 µg of carotene and either 25, 50 or 75 mg of ascorbic acid, the response in the two sexes was similar. Female rats fed 25 mg of ascorbic acid and either 30 or 60 µg of carotene stored more vitamin A in their livers and kidneys than did those receiving no ascorbic acid. When fed 50 mg of ascorbic acid, vitamin A storage dropped to a level similar to or below that found when no ascorbic acid was fed. Male rats fed 25 or 50 mg of ascorbic acid and either 30 or 60 µg of carotene stored less vitamin A in their livers and kidneys than did those receiving no ascorbic acid. Male or female rats fed 25 mg of ascorbic acid and 120 µg of carotene showed, with one exception, no increase in liver storage of viamin A. Vitamin A storage was increased when the rats were fed 50 mg of ascorbic acid, but storage was decreased when they were given 75 mg. Male and female rats fed the diet containing the synthetic vitamin mixture, used as a source of the B vitamins, utilized more effectively the 60 and 120 µg levels of carotene than did those receiving the diet containing yeast. This was true at the three levels of ascorbic acid intake.