Characteristics of mice fed vitamin A (retinol)-deficient diets from weaning. A, Kinetic change of retinol levels in serum in mice fed a normal diet (control) or VAD. *, Significant differences are observed at each time interval as compared with control mice (P < .05). B, The body weight of control mice or VAD mice. C, Levels of retinol in the ovary of control mice or VAD mice with or without eCG treatment. eCG, 48 hours after eCG priming. Values are mean ± SEM of three replicates. Statistical analysis was done by a two-way ANOVA. Significant differences are observed between control and VAD mice (P < .05) but not between treatment groups with or without eCG priming. D, Activity of LacZ enzyme driven by RARE promoter in granulosa cells of control or VAD mice with or without eCG priming. eCG, 48 hours after eCG priming. Values are absorbance in 595 nm after incubation for 2 hours at 37°C from the addition of LacZ enzyme substrate, CPRG. #, The RARE-LacZ activity is presented as fold induction. The eCG 0 hours value in granulosa cells is set as 1. Values are mean ± SEM of three replicates. *, Significant induction is observed by eCG treatment in control mice (P < .05). E, Length of the estrus cycle and the length of the estrous stage of control mice or VAD mice. Values are mean ± SEM of five mice.