The distribution of vitamins A and A2. III

Abstract

The large vit. A deposits in the intestines of many spp. of fish are shown, in the halibut, to be sharply localized in the mucosa and particularly in the tunica propria. The distr. of fat in the intestine runs parallel with that of vit. A. Absorption of fat in fish differs from that in mammals, proceeding directly through the mucosal epithelium and not by a lymphatic system. The existence of a dense, continuous layer of connective tissue (stratum compactum) forms a barrier to fat transport as droplets, which accumulate in the adjacent tunica propria. Vit. A esters, in combination with protein, may assist in the dispersion of these droplets and in the removal of fat from the tunica propria.