Bates C J, Villard L, Prentice A M, Paul A A, Whitehead R G
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1984;78(6):814-7. doi: 10.1016/0035-9203(84)90028-2.
Plasma carotenoid levels exhibited a major seasonal variation in pregnant and lactating women in Keneba, a rural Gambian village. This is probably due mainly to the seasonally related contribution of mangoes, which are a major dietary component during May and June, but are essentially unavailable for the remainder of the year. Plasma retinol levels, on the other hand, exhibited much less seasonal variation, although a trend towards higher levels in May and June was just discernible. Plasma retinol levels were significantly lower than those observed in a group of pregnant and lactating women living in the UK.
