DDT AND THE METABOLISM OF VITAMIN A AND CAROTENE IN THE RAT

Abstract

The utilization of vitamin A and carotene has been studied in the rat following the feeding of DDT in the diet over a range of concentrations from 0 to 100 p.p.m. for periods up to 72 days. In two of three experiments, the feeding of over 10 p.p.m. DDT decreased the utilization of orally administered carotene. In two experiments, the feeding of 10 p.p.m. DDT or over decreased liver storage of vitamin A when vitamin A per se was administered. The storage of vitamin A was similarly reduced when a diet containing both DDT and carotene or DDT and vitamin A was fed.