ON THE ABSORPTION AND UTILIZATION OF CAROTENE AND VITAMIN A IN CHOLEDOCHOCOLONOSTOMIZED VITAMIN A DEFICIENT RATS

Abstract

Choledochocolonostomized vit. A deficient rats failed to respond to carotene fed orally, (vaginal smear test), but did respond to carotene given subcut. or fed along with deoxycholic acid. This bile acid thus seems to act as a carrier of carotene across the intestinal wall. Within limits, the fat content of the diet did not influence the absorption of carotene. The internal bile fistula rat absorbed vit. A from the intestinal tract in the absence of bile.