title: Seasonal variations in plasma retinol and carotenoid levels in rural Gambian women.
abstract: Plasma carotenoid levels exhibited a major seasonal variation in pregnant and lactating women in Keneba, a rural Gambian village. This is probably due mainly to the seasonally related contribution of mangoes, which are a major dietary component during May and June, but are essentially unavailable for the remainder of the year. Plasma retinol levels, on the other hand, exhibited much less seasonal variation, although a trend towards higher levels in May and June was just discernible. Plasma retinol levels were significantly lower than those observed in a group of pregnant and lactating women living in the UK.
mesh_terms: D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D005714:Gambia; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation; D011247:Pregnancy; D012424:Rural Population; D012621:Seasons; D006113:United Kingdom; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids