The Effect of Carotenols on Fertilizing Capacity of Fowl Sperm ,

THERE is little or no evidence to indicate that the carotenols have any biological value for the fowl. The exception most often cited is the work of Virgin and Klussman (1932). From their work, they concluded that the fowl is capable of converting the carotenols either into a provitamin or more likely into a vitamin affecting growth, which is different from carotene. The data, however, do not seem to substantiate the conclusions drawn. Kline, Schultze and Hart (1932); Schumacher, Scott, Hughes and Peterson (1944); and Weis and Bisbey (1947), on the other hand, found no vitamin A effect of xanthophylls on the growing of chicks. The work thus far on the effects of carotenols on the reproductive ability of the fowl is limited. Palmer and Kempster (1919) found that a carotenoid-free diet had no affect on the growth rate of chicks. When the birds matured both males and females showed . . .