The chemical composition of snail gelatin.

1. The effects of a dietary supplement of cholesterol on liver vitamin A stores have been determined for normal and castrated young male rats. 2. When vitamin A and cholesterol were given in the diet together, liver vitamin A stores were significantly lowered to the same degree in normal and castrated animals. No significant changes in kidney or plasma vitamin A levels were observed. 3. If the animals were given large doses of vitamin A before cholesterol was given in a vitamin A-free diet, liver vitamin A stores were not affected in either normal or castrated rats. 4. Castration significantly decreased the rate of utilization of liver vitamin A in young male rats. 5. In castrates receiving a cholesterol-free diet liver unsaponifiable material was markedly reduced.