Based on the Guatemalan program of vitamin A fortification of sugar, a longitudinal evaluation on serum retinol levels of preschool-aged children was performed. Five consecutive surveys executed every 6 months were examined, considering only children who were surveyed more than once. Thus, the changes in their serum retinol after the intervention were evaluated. Natural dietary vitamin A remained unchanged throughout. Addition of retinyl palmitate to sugar increased significantly the intake (p < 0.001). After 1 yr of fortification 76% of the children experienced an elevation of retinol. All those with initial values < 20 microgram/dl showed an increase. Mean values increased significantly, particularly for children below 20 microgram/dl whose levels changed from 16.2 +/- 2.9 to 30.2 +/- 9.7 (P < 0.00001). Those between 20 to 29 microgram/dl increased from 24.9 +/- 3.2 to 30.1 +/- 8.1 (p < 0.0003). Similar results were obtained after 2 yr. The results indicated the effectiveness of the program in raising serum retinol levels.

Se realizó este experimento para evaluar la suplementación alimenticia para cobayos (Cavia porcellus L.) con follaje fresco de Moringa oleifere y Morus alba (Morera) y su efecto sobre el comportamiento productivo. Se utilizaron 18 cobayos mestizos de 30 días de edad, con un peso vivo inicial promedio de 175.8 gramos.  Se distribuyeron en un diseño completamente al azar en tres tratamientos,  con seis repeticiones. Los tratamientos evaluados fueron tres: 1) concentrado comercial (CC) a voluntad + follaje fresco de CT-115, 2) 70% CC + follaje fresco de Morera y 3) 70% CC + follaje fresco de Moringa. Los resultados indican que la alimentación de cobayos con 70% de CC y suplementados con follaje fresco de Morera o Moringa no afectan significativamente el comportamiento productivo (peso vivo, ganancia de peso y conversión alimenticia), en comparación con cobayos alimentados con CC a voluntad + CT-115. La alimentacion de cobayos con 70% de CC + follaje fresco de Moringa o 70% de CC + follaje fresco de Morera, al reducir los costos de producción, generan mayor beneficio financiero que utilizar CC a voluntad + CT-115, siendo la ración 70%  de CC + follaje fresco de Moringa la que genera mayor ventaja financiera.

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