WATER-SOLUBLE FLUORESCENT COMPOUNDS IN RAT-TISSUE FED COTTONSEED FLOUR SUPPLEMENTED WITH VITAMIN-E

The presence and accumulation of water-soluble fluorescent compounds in the tissue of vitamin E deficient rats and in rats fed gossypol were determined. Sixteen rats were divided into four groups and were fed a control diet, a vitamin E deficient diet, a cottonseed diet, or a cottonseed plus an excess of vitamin E diet for 8 weeks. Results show that more pigment accumulated in muscle, liver, and testes of rats fed the cottonseed and vitamin E deficient diet than in those of rats fed the con trol diet. There was no significant difference in heart pigment levels among rats fed the four diets. © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.