2012 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416): Our objectives are to determine:. 1)the relative absorption (plasma response) of beta-cryptoxanthin (CX) and beta-carotene (BC);. 2)the relative transfer of CX and BC to breastmilk; and. 3)the relative Vitamin A (VA)potential of CX and BC (breastmilk retinol responses). 1b.Approach (from AD-416): Exclusively breastfeeding Bangladeshi women with marginal vitamin A status will be randomly assigned to receive 0.5 mg RAE/d, 6 d/week, for 6 weeks, as either. 1)tangerines (CX),. 2)orange sweet potatoes (BC), or . 3)0.5 mg RAE as retinyl acetate plus a low carotenoid fruit (apple). Breastmilk and plasma samples will be collected at baseline and weekly for measurement of CX, BC and VA. Test foods will be provided as daily snacks between meals, twice per day. The change in plasma and breastmilk concentrations of CX, BC and VA will be calculated and examined by treatment group using analysis of covariance, and used to compare the effectiveness of CX- and BC-rich fruits and vegetables as sources of vitamin A to the mother and child. 3.Progress Report: This study will complete objective 3B of the parent project, “Estimate the impact of daily consumption of food sources of CX or B-carotene (BC) on plasma and breast milk concentrations of CX, BC and retinol in lactating women”. We completed the human study in Bangladesh and all of the blood samples have been analyzed. Beta-carotene concentrations increased in the group fed orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, beta-cryptoxanthin concentrations increased in the group fed mandarin oranges, and vitamin A concentrations increased in the group fed vitamin A, confirming absorption of these nutrients from the corresponding food or supplement. We are currently finishing analysis of the breast milk samples from the study.