title: Biosynthesis of retinal in bovine corpus luteum.
abstract: Bovine corpus luteum tissue was sliced and incubated with beta-[15,15'-(3)H]carotene. The conversion of radioactive beta-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 degrees C or boiling the tissue eliminated the conversion of beta-carotene to retinal. In addition, other carotenoids and possible oxidation products of beta-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.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D002845:Chromatography; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013696:Temperature; D014316:Tritium; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D014316:Tritium; D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids