“…Numerous studies have revealed that VA is involved in multiple fetal organogenesis processes, and that either a deficiency or an excessive intake of VA is detrimental to fetal development [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Previous studies have investigated the VA content of the maternal liver, certain peripheral tissues, placenta, and embryo [ 12 , 13 , 14 ], while pharmacokinetic studies have focused on maternal VA kinetics and the exposure of the embryo to VA after dosing at selected gestational stages [ 15 , 16 ]. However, to date, no studies have investigated the dynamic changes in maternal VA metabolism that may occur across the period from pregnancy and lactation, from the viewpoint of whole-body retinol kinetics and compartmental analysis.…”