Biosynthesis of retinal in bovine corpus luteum

Abstract

Bovine corpus luteum tissue was sliced and incubated with β-[15,15′-3H]carotene. The conversion of radioactive β-carotene into radioactive retinal was substantiated utilizing column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, high-speed liquid chromatography, and a derivative formation. Lowering of the incubation temperature to 20°C or boiling the tissue eliminated the conversion of β-carotene to retinal. In addition, other carotenoids and possible oxidation products of β-carotene in the corpus luteum were investigated. Our results indicate that the bovine corpus luteum possesses the ability to synthesize retinal in situ, which may play a role in reproductive functions.

Keywords

• vitamin A
• β-carotene
• oxidation of carotenoids
• dioxygenase
• high-speed liquid chromatography