Vitamin A and β‐Carotene Levels in Plasma, Corpus Luteum and Follicular Fluid of Cyclic and Pregnant Cattle

Abstract

This study was carried out to examine the relationship between the corpus luteum (CL) weight, CL and follicle diameters and progesterone, beta-carotene and vitamin A levels in reproductive organs of cattle obtained from the slaughterhouse. The beta-carotene and vitamin A levels were determined in plasma, CL and follicular fluid (FF) using a spectrophotometric method at different stages of the oestrous cycle (n=40) and at 3-6 months of pregnancy (n=10). The diameters of the CL and follicle were measured using ultrasonography. Plasma progesterone concentrations were determined by an enzyme immunoassay method. The vitamin A levels of the plasma, CL and FF were not related to each other. The highest plasma vitamin A levels were observed in the proestrus and oestrus, at which periods follicular activity dominates. The vitamin A levels in the CL and FF were negatively related to the weight and diameter of the CL and the diameter of follicle, respectively. In contrast to vitamin A, beta-carotene concentrations of plasma, CL and FF were significantly correlated with each other. The highest beta-carotene levels in the plasma, CL and FF were found during pregnancy when there is maximal luteal function, and the beta-carotene level of the CL was significantly correlated with the weight and diameter of CL. Furthermore, the intrafollicular beta-carotene level was negatively correlated with the follicle diameter. There was a positive correlation between plasma progesterone level and the weight and diameter of the CL, but a negative correlation between plasma progesterone level and follicle diameter. Moreover, plasma, FF and CL beta-carotene levels were positively correlated with plasma progesterone levels. This study revealed that beta-carotene levels in the plasma, CL and FF were influenced by the stage of the oestrous cycle or the pregnancy and were related to bovine luteal function without depending on vitamin A.

Oocytes recovered from cows treated with retinol become unviable as blastocysts produced in vitro

“…However, the FF ROH concentrations in the treated group fell within the above reported range for untreated animals (Chew et al 1984, Schweigert et al 1986, Haliloglu et al 2002. In addition, mean ROH blood concentrations in our study, in both ROH-treated and controls, are in agreement with previous reports (Chew et al 1984, Schweigert et al 1986, Frye et al 1991, Velasquez-Pereira et al 1998, Haliloglu et al 2002, Katamoto et al 2003. During all OPU cycles, ROH values did not differ between treatments and between cycles, providing evidence that blood ROH regulatory mechanisms were not influenced by repeated ROH injections.…”

“…Concentrations of ROH in FF appeared to be lower in our control group than has been reported by others for untreated animals (Chew et al 1984, Schweigert et al 1986, Haliloglu et al 2002. However, the FF ROH concentrations in the treated group fell within the above reported range for untreated animals (Chew et al 1984, Schweigert et al 1986, Haliloglu et al 2002. In addition, mean ROH blood concentrations in our study, in both ROH-treated and controls, are in agreement with previous reports (Chew et al 1984, Schweigert et al 1986, Frye et al 1991, Velasquez-Pereira et al 1998, Haliloglu et al 2002, Katamoto et al 2003.…”

“…In agreement with the findings of Schweigert et al (1986), the concentration of ROH in the blood was higher than in FF, especially towards the beginning of dioestrus. Contrary to the findings of Haliloglu et al (2002), we detected a positive correlation between FF volume and ROH as reported by others (Schweigert et al 1986, Schweigert & Zucker 1988. The ability to take up ROH possibly indicates that the follicles were healthy and viable as nonatretic large follicles during the oestrous phase have the highest concentrations of ROH (Schweigert & Zucker 1988).…”

“…This increase substantiates the administration of ROH at least 4 days before an effect is expected. Concentrations of ROH in FF appeared to be lower in our control group than has been reported by others for untreated animals (Chew et al 1984, Schweigert et al 1986, Haliloglu et al 2002. However, the FF ROH concentrations in the treated group fell within the above reported range for untreated animals (Chew et al 1984, Schweigert et al 1986, Haliloglu et al 2002.…”

“…It is possible that supplementary ROH was either stored or compartmentalized (FF). Using Holstein cattle, Haliloglu et al (2002) found differences in ROH concentrations between blood and FF only during the oestrous phase of the cycle and no differences were observed during other phases of the oestrous cycle. In agreement with the findings of Schweigert et al (1986), the concentration of ROH in the blood was higher than in FF, especially towards the beginning of dioestrus.…”