[Biological activity of retinoic acid and methylretinoate]

Vitamin A lack in the diet of chicken produces a significant increase in the glandular stomach as well as formation of erosions and ulcers on the surface of the mucous membrane of the intermediate zone. Replacement of retinyl acetate in the diet by retinoic acid or methyl retionate gives no rise to changes in the morphological integrity of the glandular stomach of the chickens. Moreover, these compounds produce a reverse development of vitamin A-induced changes. It is thus concluded that when the diet lacks vitamin A, both retinoic acid and methyl retionate are capable of maintaining the structural integrity of the stomach.