Vitamin E Activity of  -Tocopherol Side Chain Analogs in Selenium-Deficient Chicks

Abstract

Three side chain analogs of all-rac-a-tocopherol (all-rac-a-T) were evaluated for vitamin E activity on the basis of their efficacies in preventing exudative diathesis (ED) and in supporting growth and survival of selenium-deficient chicks. Results showed that 2RS, 4'RS-a-T-C11 (lacking one isopentyl unit) and 2RS-a-T-nCl, (with an unbranched 13carbon side chain) had the following activities relative to those of all-rac-a-T: 69 and 50%, respectively, for supporting growth; 37 and 46%, respectively, for preventing exudative diathesis; 13 and 44%, respectively, for sustaining chick survival. 2RS-a-T-C6 (lacking two isopentyl units) demonstrated no biological activity at the levels fed. 0037-9727/81/010001-05$0 1 .OO/O