Expression of β, β-carotene 15, 15′ oxygenase in bovines

Abstract

Bovines might ingest large quantities of carotenoids in the diet. Not all the ingested and absorbed β-carotene is transformed into vitamin A, the surplus is mainly deposited in the adipose tissue; with the aim of study the expression of β,β-carotene 15,15′ oxygenase in the duodenal and hepatic tissues of animals with or without yellow fat, in situ hybridization was performed. Sense and antisense 744 bases RNA digoxigenin labeled probes were used. Results showed expression in epithelial cells of crypts and villi on duodenum. Apparent differences were found in duodenum between pigmented and non-pigmented animals. However, in the case of the liver large differences were found.