Distribution of retinoids and 3,4-didehydroretinoids in the goldfish.

Using high-performance liquid chromatography, the quantity of retinol, retinal, and retinyl esters as well as their 3,4-didehydro derivatives were measured in several body compartments and in the remainder of the body of 11 goldfish. Eighty-six percent of these retinoids and 3,4-didehydroretinoids existed as retinyl and 3,4-didehydroretinyl esters, 10% as retinal and 3,4-didehydroretinal, and 4% as retinol and 3,4-didehydroretinol. Most (94%) of these retinoids and 3,4-didehydroretinoids were found in ocular tissues and high ratios of 3,4-didehydroretinoids/retinoids were observed in most tissue extracts. These data suggest that in the goldfish ocular tissues are important locations of retinoid and 3,4-didehydroretinoid metabolism, which favors the formation and (or) storage of 3,4-didehydroretinoids.