Biosynthesis of retinol in bovine corpus luteum tissue.

The bovine corpus luteum was found to contain retinol, as analyzed by fluorometry and the formation of anhydroretinol. After the incubation of beta-[15,15 foot-3H] carotene with slices of corpus luteum tissue the biosynthesis of radioactive retinol was demonstrated. Alumina column chromatography, thin layer chromatography, and high speed liquid chromatography were used to isolate and identify radioactive vitamin A. Retinol was also found to form a polar complex, from which could be released by acid hydrolysis.