Concentrations of vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin E in individual bovine follicles of different quality |
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Authors: | F J Schweigert H Zucker |
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Institution: | Institute of Physiology, Physiological Chemistry and Nutrition Physiology, Veterinary Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universit?t München, West Germany. |
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Abstract: | The degree of atresia of the follicle had no influence on the intrafollicular concentrations of beta-carotene, vitamin E and cholesterol. This might result from the passive transfer of these substances from blood to follicular fluid bound to high density lipoproteins. However, concentrations of vitamin A in follicular fluid were significantly (P less than 0.001) influenced by follicle quality, with highest concentrations (0.32 microgram/ml) in non-atretic follicles and lowest values (0.15 microgram/ml) in greatly atretic follicles. The higher concentrations of vitamin A in healthy follicles might be due to a local conversion of beta-carotene into vitamin A in follicular structures. By influencing hormone and protein synthesis, vitamin A may have a potential for local modulation of follicular development and therefore be one of the factors controlling recruitment, selection and growth of the dominant follicle in cattle. |
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