Effect of Aureomycin on Utilization of Vitamin A in the Growing Male Albino Rat

Abstract

Growing male albino rats were fed vit. A ester at levels of 0, 0.75, and 7.5 [mu]g./rat/day. Comparisons were made at these levels of vit. A intake with and without aureomycin added to the diet at the rate of 100 mg./kg. Statistically significant differences were found in wt. gains and food intakes between groups receiving different levels of vit. A. Statistically significant differences were not found in wt. gains and food intakes between groups receiving the antibiotic and their controls at the various levels of vit. A intake except on vit. A-free diets. Here wt. gains and food intake of the control animals were significantly greater than for animals receiving antibiotics. At a level of intake of vit. A of 7.5 [mu]g./day no significant difference of liver storage was found upon aureomycin supplementation but kidney storage was significantly less than that of control animals. At the 7.5 [mu]g./day level of supplementation of vit. A significantly greater storage of vit. A occurred in the liver than in the kidneys. No effect of sparing of vit. A by aureomycin was demonstrated, but on vit. A-free diets aureomycin appeared to enhance the deficiency syndrome.