Effects of Different Amounts of Lutein, Squalene, Phytol and Related Substances on the Utilization of Carotene and Vitamin a for Storage and Growth in the Rat

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Abstract
Vitamin A-depleted weanling rats were fed different levels of β-carotene. The addition of small amounts of lutein increased the quantity of vitamin A stored in the livers and kidneys but large amounts decreased the storage. Also, large amounts of squalene, phytol and α-tocopheryl acetate decreased the storage of vitamin A. Relatively small amounts of α-ionone, β-ionone, and hydroquinone had no effect. The storage of vitamin A given to vitamin A-depleted rats was not affected by large supplements of squalene or phytol. The rate of loss of vitamin A from the livers and kidneys of rats was not affected by any of the following supplements: squalene, phytol, geraniol, menthol, or by repeated anesthesia with ethyl ether. The sex difference in the utilization of carotene and vitamin A for storage of vitamin A in growing rats is due, in large part at least, to the differences in rate of growth.