东亚小花蝽对西花蓟马的控害能力评价

在实验室条件下,采用编制特定年龄生命表的方法,获得东亚小花蝽Orius sauteri和西花蓟马Frankliniella occidentalis的重要种群生物学参数,进而分析评价东亚小花蝽对西花蓟马的控害能力。结果表明：东亚小花蝽的净生殖力（22.6）和内禀增长率（0.1345）均大于西花蓟马（20.2、0.1225）。此外,东亚小花蝽的世代历期（23.17 d）和种群倍增时间（5.15 d）均小于西花蓟马（24.54 d、5.65 d）。另外,东亚小花蝽的单雌平均产卵量（61.8粒）大于西花蓟马（35.4粒）。综合上述研究结果说明,东亚小花蝽的种群扩繁速度大于西花蓟马,且具有控制西花蓟马种群增长的巨大潜力。     

麦蛾卵对南方小花蝽生长发育和繁殖的影响

南方小花蝽Orius strigicollis作为一种广食性捕食性天敌昆虫,可高效控制蓟马、蚜虫及螨类等多种害虫,极具生防潜能.但目前国内南方小花蝽商业化进程相对滞后,其中未找到适合的饲料来源是主要的限制因素之一.本研究以新鲜麦蛾Sitotroga cerealella卵和紫外线处理的麦蛾卵作为饲养南方小花蝽的替代猎物,以南方小花蝽的天然猎物西花蓟马Frankliniella occidentalis为对照,通过比较其发育历期、存活率及寿命等生物学指标,组建生命表来评价麦蛾卵对南方小花蝽的饲喂效果.结果发现:以新鲜麦蛾卵、紫外处理麦蛾卵和西花蓟马饲喂的南方小花蝽若虫发育历期均无显著性差异,但取食新鲜麦蛾卵的南方小花蝽若虫存活率(60.5％)高于其他两种猎物;同时,饲喂新鲜麦蛾卵的南方小花蝽雌虫寿命(37.3 d)和雄成虫寿命(23.0 d)以及产卵量(74.0粒)均最高,其次是紫外处理麦蛾卵,而西花蓟马最低;饲喂新鲜麦蛾卵的南方小花蝽存活率、净增殖率(47.91)、内禀增长率(0.10)、周限增长率(1.11)和世代平均周期(36.5 d)均大于饲喂紫外处理麦蛾卵和饲喂西花蓟马,且种群加倍时间也以饲喂新鲜麦蛾卵的南方小花蝽最短(6.57 d).本研究结果表明麦蛾卵可作为南方小花蝽饲养的替代猎物,且以新鲜麦蛾卵为最佳.     

短期食物驯化对麦蛾卵饲养的东亚小花蝽的捕食功能反应影响

为探明使用替代饲料麦蛾Sitotroga cerealella卵饲养的东亚小花蝽Orius sauteri在释放前是否有必要针对其主要防治对象——蓟马、蚜虫、叶螨进行短期食物驯化,以及进行短期食物驯化对其捕食能力的影响。本试验以西花蓟马Frankliniella occidentalis、玉米蚜Rhopalosiphum maidis、二斑叶螨Tetranych usurticae为猎物,全程饲喂麦蛾卵的东亚小花蝽雌成虫为处理A,提前2 d饲喂猎物的东亚小花蝽雌成虫为处理B,研究了2种处理的东亚小花蝽在不同猎物密度(5、15、30、50头)下的捕食功能反应。结果发现,无论是否经过短期食物驯化,东亚小花蝽对3种猎物在不同猎物密度捕食功能反应均符合HollingⅡ型反应模型。处理A对3种猎物的平均时间均低于处理B,东亚小花蝽雌成虫处理每头西花蓟马的时间Th分别为0.024 d和0.031 d,玉米蚜分别为0.081 d和0.103 d,二斑叶螨为0.078 d和0.090 d。由此可知,以麦蛾卵作为替代饲料人工饲养的东亚小花蝽,在释放前不需要针对猎物进行短期食物驯化;在东亚小花蝽规模化生产中,麦蛾卵是一种优良的替代饲料。     

东亚小花蝽对西花蓟马和/或二斑叶螨危害豆株的定位反应

多食性天敌对其猎物植物系统的选择是其重要生物学特性之一,决定了对不同猎物控制的有效性。东亚小花蝽Orius sauteri是西花蓟马Frankliniella occidentalis(Pergande)及二斑叶螨Tetranychus urticae的重要捕食性天敌。本文在温室笼罩条件下通过释放东亚小花蝽,而后在不同时间调查其在西花蓟马和/或二斑叶螨危害2d后的豆株及健株上的数量,研究了其定位反应。结果表明:东亚小花蝽显著趋向西花蓟马及由西花蓟马与二斑叶螨同时危害的豆株,而较少趋向二斑叶螨单独危害的豆株及健株。在各处理豆株上,东亚小花蝽的日活动规律中,傍晚时分有离开植株的趋势。     

不同猎物饲喂对南方小花蝽捕食量和喜好性的影响

为探讨南方小花蝽对不同猎物的捕食喜好性,室内用西花蓟马、蚕豆蚜、二斑叶螨、混合饲料(同时饲喂3种猎物)分别饲喂南方小花蝽驯化两代,研究了4种饲喂处理的南方小花蝽初孵若虫、5龄若虫和雌成虫对西花蓟马、蚕豆蚜和二斑叶螨的捕食量和喜好性。结果显示不同猎物饲喂处理驯化的南方小花蝽1龄若虫对同一种猎物的捕食量和喜好性均不存在显著差异。南方小花蝽5龄若虫和雌成虫对某种猎物的捕食量因前期取食的猎物种类不同而有显著差异。南方小花蝽5龄若虫和雌成虫均表现出对西花蓟马2龄若虫的正喜好性。蚕豆蚜饲喂处理的5龄若虫和雌成虫对蚕豆蚜表现出正喜好性,除二斑叶螨饲喂处理外其余3种处理的南方小花蝽5龄若虫和雌成虫均表现出对二斑叶螨的负喜好性。以上结果表明4种饲喂驯化处理的南方小花蝽1龄若虫的喜好性不受前期取食猎物的影响,但5龄若虫和雌成虫对前期取食过的猎物的喜好性增强,存在一定的学习行为。     

东亚小花蝽成虫对西花蓟马若虫的捕食功能反应与搜寻效应

为探明东亚小花蝽对西花蓟马的控制效能,开展了东亚小花蝽成虫对西花蓟马若虫的捕食功能反应与搜寻效应研究。结果表明,在供试温度下,该捕食功能反应符合HollingⅡ型方程。在相同温度下,东亚小花蝽成虫的捕食量随着猎物密度的增加而增大,搜寻效应随着猎物密度的增加而降低。在18℃～26℃内,随着温度的升高,东亚小花蝽成虫对西花蓟马若虫的捕食量增加,而在26℃～34℃则有相反的趋势。在相同猎物密度条件下,随着东亚小花蝽成虫密度的增大,其平均捕食量逐渐减少,捕食作用率也相应地降低,东亚小花蝽成虫之间存在分摊竞争。     

东亚小花蝽(Orius sauteri)成虫对入侵害虫西花蓟马(Frankliniella occidentalis)成虫的捕食作用

为探明东亚小花蝽对西花蓟马的控制效能,开展了东亚小花蝽成虫对西花蓟马成虫的捕食功能反应与寻找效应研究。试验结果表明,在供试温度下,其捕食功能反应符合HollingⅡ型方程。在相同温度下,东亚小花蝽成虫的捕食量随着猎物密度的增加而增大,搜寻效应随着猎物密度的增加而降低。在18～26℃,随着温度的升高,东亚小花蝽成虫对西花蓟马成虫的捕食量增加,而在26～34℃则有相反的趋势。在相同猎物密度条件下,随着东亚小花蝽成虫密度的增大,其平均捕食量逐渐减少,捕食作用率E也相应地降低,捕食作用率E与东亚小花蝽成虫密度P的关系为E=0．5224P^-0.7148,分摊竞争强度,与东亚小花蝽成虫密度P的关系为I=0．9689logP＋0．0763。     

东亚小花蝽对黄胸蓟马的室内捕食作用研究

【目的】为明确东亚小花蝽Orius sauteri对黄胸蓟马Thrips hawaiiensis的捕食作用及生物防治潜能。【方法】室内系统研究了东亚小花蝽不同虫态对黄胸蓟马不同虫态的捕食功能反应、寻找效应、自身密度的干扰反应与捕食选择性。【结果】东亚小花蝽对黄胸蓟马的捕食功能反应符合HollingⅡ型,东亚小花蝽5龄若虫与成虫分别对黄胸蓟马2龄若虫和成虫的捕食能力(a'/Th)最强,分别为126.64头和64.30头,捕食上限(1/Th)最大,分别为149.25头/d和84.75头/d。东亚小花蝽对黄胸蓟马的捕食量与黄胸蓟马猎物密度正相关,但寻找效应与猎物密度呈负相关,东亚小花蝽高龄若虫与成虫对黄胸蓟马表现出较高的寻找效应。东亚小花蝽对黄胸蓟马的捕食作用同时受自身密度的影响,随着天敌密度的增大,平均捕食率随之降低,表明东亚小花蝽对黄胸蓟马的捕食作用存在较强的种内干扰反应,该反应符合Hassell模型方程。捕食选择性试验表明,东亚小花蝽对黄胸蓟马2龄若虫的捕食偏好性最强,其次为成虫,对伪蛹喜好性较弱。【结论】东亚小花蝽对黄胸蓟马具有较强的捕食能力,所获研究结果为正确评价东亚小花蝽对黄胸蓟马的生防潜能提供了理论依据。     

四种猎物对南方小花蝽生长发育和繁殖的影响

南方小花蝽是多种猎物的天敌,为评价西花蓟马、二斑叶螨、蚕豆蚜和腐食酪螨饲养南方小花蝽的效果,研究了南方小花蝽取食四种猎物时的生长发育和繁殖情况。结果表明南方小花蝽取食腐食酪螨时若虫只能发育到5龄,4龄若虫累计存活率仅为6.8%。其它3种猎物均可使南方小花蝽正常生长发育和繁殖,其中南方小花蝽取食西花蓟马时生长发育时间最短,繁殖率最高;取食二斑叶螨时生长发育时间最长,繁殖率最低。取食西花蓟马的南方小花蝽净生殖率、内禀增长率和周限增长率明显高于其它两种猎物。用3种猎物连续饲养南方小花蝽两代,以蚕豆蚜和二斑叶螨为猎物时南方小花蝽的未成熟期、成虫的寿命、繁殖情况和生命参数在第一代和第二代之间都有所不同,但以西花蓟马为食料时南方小花蝽第一代和第二代之间生长发育和繁殖情况没有明显的差异。以上结果表明在供试猎物中西花蓟马对南方小花蝽实验种群的增长最有利。     

南方小花蝽在不同试验空间对西花蓟马的捕食及搜寻效应

【背景】南方小花蝽是一类很有利用前景的捕食性天敌,而有关其在不同捕食空间下对我国局部地区暴发成灾的重要入侵害虫西花蓟马捕食控制效能的研究较少。【方法】在实验室条件下比较研究了南方小花蝽成虫在不同试验空间对西花蓟马成虫、若虫的捕食选择性、捕食功能反应与搜寻效应。【结果】南方小花蝽成虫对西花蓟马若虫的捕食选择性强于成虫;在相同的试验空间,南方小花蝽成虫的日均捕食量随猎物数量的增加而增大,其对西花蓟马成虫和若虫的捕食量在猎物数量为每指形管中60头时最大,分别为15.90和19.30头;而搜寻效应随猎物数量的增加而降低。在各供试条件下,捕食功能反应均符合Holling Ⅱ型方程;南方小花蝽成虫在小饲养容器中对西花蓟马若虫的瞬时攻击率最大,为1.2794;而在大饲养容器中对西花蓟马成虫的瞬时攻击率最小,仅为0.3506,其处理1头西花蓟马成虫的时间约需0.0402d,而处理1头若虫的时间仅需0.0242d。在相同的猎物数量下,南方小花蝽成虫在大饲养容器中对西花蓟马的日均捕食量均低于其在小饲养容器中对西花蓟马的日均捕食量。【结论与意义】南方小花蝽对西花蓟马有很强的捕食效能,对西花蓟马的种群消长具有一定控制作用。本研究旨在为应用南方小花蝽防治西花蓟马积累资料,同时为西花蓟马的综合治理奠定理论基础。     

Reproductive biology of two nontarget insect species, Aphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididae) and Orius sauteri (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), on Bt and non-Bt cotton cultivars

Transgenic Bt cotton, engineered to continuously produce activated delta-endotoxins of the soil bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis, holds great promise in controlling Helicoverpa armigera and other lepidopteran pests. However, it also may impact the invertebrate community, which needs to be clarified. The effects of Bt cotton on two nontarget insects, Aphis gossypii and Orius sauteri, were assessed under semifield and laboratory conditions. Mean total duration of nymphal stages of A. gossypii was shorter (5.9 versus 6.3 d), and rm was higher (0.418 versus 0.394) on conventional Simian 3 (the most frequently planted non-Bt cotton in northern China) than on Bt transgenic NuCOTN 33B (the first Bt cotton commercially planted in China). Mean duration of fourth-instar O. sauteri was significantly longer on transgenic GK-12 (3.7 d) than on NuCOTN 33B (3.2 d), but no different from Simian 3. Mean total mortality was significantly lower on Simian 3 (3.7%) than on GK-12 (14.8%). During the fourth instar, the predator consumed a significantly higher number of prey on Simian 3 (202.3 prey) than on NuCOTN 33B (159.0), whereas the mean total number of A. gossypii prey consumed during the nymphal stage was significantly higher on Simian 3 (336.8 prey) and GK-12 (330.3 prey) than on NuCOTN 33B (275.7). No detrimental effects were detected on development (nymphs, adults, and progeny eggs), fecundity, longevity, and egg viability of O. sauteri on Bt cotton aphids compared with non-Bt cotton aphids. These results suggest that Bt cotton cultivars GK-12 and NuCOTN 33B have no direct effect on nontargets A. gossypii and O. sauteri. Germplasm divergence may account for the negative effects observed on A. gossypii and O. sauteri when reared on NuCOTN 33B or NuCOTN 33B-fed aphids. The biological meanings of the small difference observed between GK-12 and Simian 3 on survival of O. sauteri will require close monitoring over longer time periods.     

东亚小花蝽人工饲料微胶囊剂型的研制及饲养效果评价

通过正交试验对东亚小花蝽Orius sauteri人工饲料微胶囊进行了配方优化研究, 明确了海藻酸钠及壳聚糖的填充比例和芯壁比例在微胶囊产率、包埋率和含水率等方面的影响。各配方因素对产率的影响程度依次为: 芯壁比 > 海藻酸钠填充比 > 壳聚糖填充比; 而各因素对包埋率的影响程度依次为: 壳聚糖填充比 > 海藻酸钠填充比 > 芯壁比; 含水率受海藻酸钠填充比影响最大, 而后依次为壳聚糖填充比和芯壁比; 在海藻酸钠填充比为2.0%、壳聚糖填充比为0.6%及芯壁比为1∶3时, 所得人工饲料微胶囊感官评定得分最高。以包埋率作为基准考量下, 取最佳配比为海藻酸钠填充比为1.0%, 壳聚糖填充比为0.8%, 芯壁比为1∶1的配方, 制作人工饲料微胶囊饲喂东亚小花蝽, 与取食朱砂叶螨Tetranychus cinnabarinus组为对照, 进行了饲喂效果试验。结果表明: 与对照组相比, 取食人工饲料微胶囊后, 东亚小花蝽1、 2龄若虫发育历期显著延长, 雌成虫寿命显著缩短; 羽化率和产卵前期差异不显著, 但产卵期、产卵量和卵孵化率显著降低。此外, 取食人工饲料微胶囊的东亚小花蝽成虫呼吸墒显著低于对照, 运动速率则显著高于对照。     

Diet-induced obesity causes innate airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and enhances ozone-induced pulmonary inflammation.

We previously reported that genetically obese mice exhibit innate airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and enhanced ozone (O(3))-induced pulmonary inflammation. Such genetic deficiencies in mice are rare in humans, and they may not be representative of human obesity. Thus the purpose of this study was to determine the pulmonary phenotype of mice with diet-induced obesity (DIO), which more closely mimics the cause of human obesity. Therefore, wild-type C57BL/6 mice were reared from the time of weaning until at least 30 wk of age on diets in which either 10 or 60% of the calories are derived from fat in the form of lard. Body mass was approximately 40% greater in mice fed 60 vs. 10% fat diets. Baseline airway responsiveness to intravenous methacholine, measured by forced oscillation, was greater in mice fed 60 vs. 10% fat diets. We also examined lung permeability and inflammation after exposure to room air or O(3) (2 parts/million for 3 h), an asthma trigger. Four hours after the exposure ended, O(3)-induced increases in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid protein, interleukin-6, KC, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10, and eotaxin were greater in mice fed 60 vs. 10% fat diets. Innate AHR and augmented responses to O(3) were not observed in mice raised from weaning until 20-22 wk of age on a 60% fat diet. These results indicate that mice with DIO exhibit innate AHR and enhanced O(3)-induced pulmonary inflammation, similar to genetically obese mice. However, mice with DIO must remain obese for an extended period of time before this pulmonary phenotype is observed.     

Ruminal digestion and intestinal absorption of lupine proteins extruded in the lactating cow]

Four lactating cows fitted with permanent ruminal, duodenal and ileal cannulae were used to study the effect of extrusion of whole lupin seeds at 195 degrees C (Lupinus albus cv Lublanc) on organic matter (OM) and nitrogen (N) degradation in the rumen and their flow to and absorption from the small intestine. Raw whole lupin seeds (RWLS) and extruded whole lupin seeds (EWLS) were fed in diets containing 15.5% crude protein and composed of 22.6% whole lupin seeds, 56.5% corn silage, 10.2% corn grain and 10.7% Italian ray-grass on a DM basis, supplemented with vitamins and minerals. Chromium ethylenediaminotetraacetic (Cr-EDTA) and ytterbium chloride (YbCl3) were used as liquid and particulate markers respectively, while purines and 15N ammonium sulfate were utilized as bacterial markers. Cows fed EWLS had a similar ruminal ammonia N and volatile fatty acid concentrations and efficiency of bacterial protein synthesis compared to those fed the RWLS diet. Total tract OM and N digestion were not affected by inclusion of EWLS instead of RWLS; the corresponding mean values were 70 and 71%. Apparent degradation of OM and N in the rumen were 44 and 64% for diets containing RWLS, and 40 and 39% for EWLS diets. Feeding diets including EWLS both increased non ammonia N and dietary N flow to the duodenum compared with diets containing RWLS (472 vs 357 g/d) and (263 vs 153 g/d) respectively. Absorption from the small intestine (g/d and % entering) of dietary N was higher for EWLS diets (146 vs 62 g/d; 34 vs 15%). The PDIA, PDIE and PDIN contents (g/kg of DM) of RWLS were 18, 94 and 245 respectively; the corresponding values after extrusion were 145, 220 and 220.     

东亚小花蝽对西方花蓟马和二斑叶螨的捕食选择性

多食性天敌对猎物的捕食选择性及猎物密度对天敌捕食的干扰作用直接影响到天敌对不同猎物的控制作用.在实验室条件下研究了东亚小花蝽对西方花蓟马和/或二斑叶螨不同虫态的捕食选择性,以及两猎物中一种猎物的密度变化对小花蝽取食另一种猎物的影响.结果如下:东亚小花蝽5龄若虫和成虫对西方花蓟马2龄若虫的捕食选择性均强于对其成虫,对二斑叶螨的选择性为雌成螨>若螨>幼螨.实验中西方花蓟马2龄若虫是东亚小花蝽最喜好的虫态.二斑叶螨雌成螨密度固定为60头/19.63cm2,西方花蓟马若虫密度从10增加到60时显著地减少了东亚小花蝽对二斑叶螨的取食.反之,固定西方花蓟马同样密度,增加二斑叶螨密度却没有显著改变小花蝽对西方花蓟马的取食.此结果进一步表明,西方花蓟马是东亚小花蝽更喜好的猎物.     

The effect of diet and feeding level on survival and weight gain of hand-raised harbor seal pups (Phoca vitulina)

Hundreds of stranded harbor seals pups (Phoca vitulina) are brought to wildlife rescue centers every year. Typical hand-rearing diets include artificial milk-replacers and diets based on macerated fish fed via gavage, but weight gains are often low and mortality rates can be high. This study compared survival and weight gain of orphaned seal pups fed either artificial milk-replacer or fish-formula. Pups admitted to the facility in summer 2007 (n=145) and 2008 (n=98) were randomly assigned to one of two diets and fed by gavage until weaning. In 2007, pups fed milk-replacer gained more (43 ± 12 g/d) than those fed fish-formula (loss of 13 ± 6 g/d; P<0.002). In 2008, when intake was increased from 8 to 11% of body weight daily, weight gain improved for both diets but remained higher in pups fed milk-replacer (123 ± 12 g/d, vs. loss of 6 ± 8 g/day; P<0.001). Pup survival to weaning was significantly higher in 2008 than 2007 (P<0.001) and was higher for pups on milk-replacer compared with those on fish-formula (P<0.05). Survival was also correlated with body weight at admittance (P<0.001). Although neither diet achieved the weight gains recorded in mother-raised pups (400-800 g/d), the artificial milk-replacer was clearly more successful, and pups fared better in the second year of the study when intake was higher.     

Investigations on Genetically Modified Maize (Bt-Maize) in Pig Nutrition: Fattening Performance and Slaughtering Results

A grower finisher performance trial with forty-eight pigs was designed to compare the growth performance of pigs fed diets containing either genetically modified (GM) Bt-maize (NX6262) or its parental maize (Prelude) line. During the experiment, the pigs were fed with a grower and a finisher diet both containing 70% maize investigated in a previously study which showed that they contained similar ME values and digestibility of crude nutrients. The pigs with an initial live weight of 23.9 ± 3.0kg were allotted to single boxes. During a 91 days growing period the pigs of both groups recorded equal performance in daily weight gain ( j W) 815 ± 93 vs. 804 ± 64g/d depending on equal amounts of feed intake 1.95 ± 0.15 vs . 1.94 ± 0.15kg/d (parental vs. transgenic). The results confirm equal performance among growing-finishing pigs fed parental or genetically modified maize containing diets. For slaughtering the pigs were divided into 4 groups with a different duration of the finishing period. After slaughtering the carcass characteristic were registered.     

Liver-based artificial diets for the production of Orius laevigatus

Different meat- and liver-based artificialdiets were designed for the generalist predatorOrius laevigatus (Fieber) (Anthocoridae)and their suitability was compared to that ofits factitious food, Ephestia kuehniellaZeller (Pyralidae) eggs. The quality of thefood was measured by its ability to promotegrowth and oviposition of the insect. Nymphaldevelopment was slower on artificial diets thanon the control food, taking 15.0–15.9 days vs.14.3 days, respectively. Survival of nymphs fedartificial diets varied from 68.0–92.5%,compared with 96% for those fed E. kuehniella eggs. Adult weights were, however,not affected by diet. Fecundity of femalesprovided with liver diets was similar to orsomewhat lower than that of females fed Ephestia eggs. Oviposition rate and egg hatchwere similar on all diets tested. The resultssuggest that beef liver was the most importantcomponent of the diets tested, offering theessential nutrients to sustain growth andreproduction of O. laevigatus.Supplementing ingredients, like ground beef,egg yolk, sucrose and vitamin C can improve thenutritional value of the diet for O.laevigatus, but effects are rather small.Artificial diets containing liver and egg yolkas the main components may prove useful to makemass production of O. laevigatus andother heteropteran predators more cost effective.     

Relationship of insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin to size and adiposity of under-yearling chinook salmon.

Sub-yearling spring chinook salmon were fed either a LoFat or HiFat diet from February to November. Fish were sampled over 2 days in November, following 24- and 48-h fasts. Length vs. weight relationships between fish fed the two diets were similar; however, fish fed the HiFat diet had roughly twice the body lipid as fish fed the LoFat diet (9% vs. 4.5%, respectively). Plasma IGF-I vs. length relations between fish fed the two diets were similar; overall, there was a strong relation between plasma IGF-I and length (r(2)=0.53). Similarly, plasma log (insulin) vs. length relations did not vary between the two diets; however, the relationship of log (insulin) vs. length was weak (r(2)=0.2). There was little or no relationship between plasma IGF-I or log (insulin) and body adiposity. Finally, there was a weak relationship between plasma IGF-I and log (insulin) (r(2)=0.23).     

Iron status in rats fed a purified diet without vitamin A

The effect of vitamin A deficiency on iron status was investigated in rats. After 28 d of feeding either low or high vitamin A diets (0 vs 4000 IU of vitamin A per kg feed), the final body weight was slightly but significantly lowered by the low vitamin A diet. Plasma retinol concentrations were decreased in rats fed diets low in vitamin A. Marginal vitamin A deficiency produced slightly, but significantly lower blood hemoglobin concentrations; it did not clearly affect hematocrit. The concentration of iron in liver was significantly higher when diets low in vitamin A were fed while significantly lower levels were observed in femur.