Vitamin A esterase activity in various organs of the chick

Abstract

1. The distribution of vitamin A esterase activity for vitamin A acetate, palmitate, and alcohol was studied in various tissues of the chick.2. Liver and kidneys were highly active in the hydrolysis of acetate, and showed only slight activity in the hydrolysis of palmitate or in the synthesis of vitamin A esters.3. Pancreas was highly active in both acetate and palmitate hydrolysis and in the synthesis of vitamin A esters.4. The small intestine showed a moderate and equal activity in all three reactions.5. Sodium taurocholate enhanced the hydrolysis of vitamin A palmitate by pancreas and small intestine. It also enhanced the hydrolysis of vitamin A acetate by pancreas, but had no effect on the hydrolysis of acetate by liver, and even inhibited this reaction in kidneys and intestine. It also inhibited the synthesis of vitamin A esters by pancreas and small intestine.