Model of Long-Term Vitamin A Deficiency in the Mammary Gland of Virgin Rats

Abstract

Deficiency in vitamin A is an evil in underdeveloped countries where the minimum recommended intake is not achieved. This may have long-term implications on the health of the population. For this reason, it would be very useful to achieve an animal model where the different implications of this deficiency can be observed. This could lead to the formulation of future nutrition politics. The levels of retinoic acid and intermediary of the vitamin A pathway were studied; The levels of retinoic acid and intermediary of the vitamin A pathway (CRBP-1 and RARα) were studied. There was a decrease in the values of retinoic acid main indicator of deficiency of this vitamin in serum, liver and mammary gland and variation in expression of CRBP-1 and RARα mRNA in mammary gland. This model provides a tool for the study of the metabolism of vitamin A and its effects in different organs and especially in virgin mammary gland, where a deficiency is achieved despite being in a state of latency.