title: Vitamin A (retinoid) metabolism and actions: What we know and what we need to know about amphibians.
abstract: Vitamin A status is an important consideration in the health of both wild and captive amphibians. Data concerning whole body vitamin A homeostasis in amphibians are scarce, although these animals have been used as experimental models to study the actions of vitamin A in vision, limb regeneration and embryogenesis. The available data suggest that many aspects of vitamin A biology in amphibians are similar to the canonical characteristics of vitamin A metabolism and actions established in mammals. This is consistent with the evolutionary conservation of these important biological processes. Amphibians must obtain vitamin A in their diet, with captive animals being prone to vitamin A deficiency. There is still much to be learned about vitamin A biology in amphibians that can only be achieved through rigorous scientific research. Improved understanding of amphibian vitamin A biology will aid the conservation of endangered amphibians in the wild, as well as the successful maintenance of ex situ populations.
authors: Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York.
authors: Robin D
authors: RD
authors: Clugston
authors: William S
authors: WS
authors: Blaner
mesh_terms: D000663:Amphibians / Q000378:metabolism*; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A
keywords: carotenoid; hypervitaminosis A; retinoic acid; retinol; vitamin A deficiency