Occurrence and conversion of anhydrolutein into dehydroroetinol in a freshwater fish

Abstract

1. Lutein and anhydrolutein have been isolated from liver oils of freshly caught Sacco-branchus fossilis.2. S. fossilis initially contained more dehydroretinol than retinol; administration of anhydrolutein to the vitamin A-depleted fish resulted in the accumulation of dehydroretinol.3. Anhydrolutein has also been isolated from the liver oils of lutein-treated, vitamin A-depleted fish.4. The pathway of the conversion of lutein into dehydroretinol is discussed.