Vitamin A and carotenoid metabolism: Analytical considerations with application to animal nutrition

Citation

Craft NE. 2019. Vitamin A and carotenoid metabolism: Analytical considerations with application to animal nutrition. In Brooks M, Freel T, Koutsos E Eds. Proceedings of the Thirteenth Conference on Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition, Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition Foundation and AZA Nutrition Advisory Group, Saint Louis, MO.

Abstract

Vitamin A (VA) is an essential nutrient which must be acquired from the diet; either as preformed retinoids from animal origins or provitamin A carotenoids, such as ?-carotene, originating from plant materials. Carnivores obtain VA from animal sources and herbivores from plant sources. VA is required for vision, cellular differentiation, growth of bone tissue, embryonic development, and immune function. The term “Vitamin A” is a generic descriptor of retinoids exhibiting some degree of the vitamin A activity of retinol, including retinal and retinoic acid. Carotenoids not only serve as precursors of VA but also provide beautiful coloration for attraction, intimidation, or camouflage.

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