Vitamin A and Carotene in Serum from Healthy Danish Subjects

Abstract

Seventy-nine adults were examined with a few diurnal and seasonal repeats showing no significant changes with regard to vitamin A.

In males an average of 60.4 μg/100 ml of vitamin A was found expressed as axerophtol, the coefficient of variation being 22.4 per cent. In females corresponding figures are 49.9 μg/100 ml and 27.3 per cent.

Carotene mean was 59.6 μg/100 ml for men with actual ranges observed 21–123, and 71.6 μg/100 ml for women, ranges 30–143.

In males vitamin A is significantly higher and carotene is on the average slightly lower than in females.

Influence of age is discussed with no certain trend either for vitamin A or for carotene.

The results are compared with other studies and it is concluded that axerophtol values in the present material largely correspond with results found in recent studies from other countries.

Key Words:

• Carotene
• vitamin A