Absorption, transport, and storage of retinyl-15-14C palmitate-9,10-3H in the rat.

Retinyl-15-(14)C palmitate-9,10-(3)H was fed to rats in order to study hydrolysis and reesterification of this ester during digestion, absorption, transportation, and storage. After administration there was a progressive increase in the (14)C/(3)H ratio of the retinyl esters as they moved from intestinal contents to intestinal mucosa, lymph, and liver, which indicates that repeated hydrolysis and reesterification occur during the digestion and assimilation of this ester.