The developing mammalian embryo is entirely dependent on the maternal circulation for its
supply of retinoids (vitamin A and its metabolites). The mechanisms through which
mammalian developing tissues maintain adequate retinoid levels in the face of suboptimal
or excessive maternal dietary vitamin A intake have not been established. We investigated
the role of retinyl ester formation catalyzed by lecithin: retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) in
regulating retinoid homeostasis during embryogenesis. Dams lacking both LRAT and retinol …