Specificity of carotenoid transfer in the larval medaka, Oryzias latipes

Carotenoids were introduced into the egg yolk of the medaka by either injection or feeding. Carotenoids for injection were dissolved in either olive oil, a mixture of olive oil and castor oil or Tween 80. Capsanthin, lutein and canthaxanthin were readily transferred from the yolk to the larval xanthophores, but no β‐apo‐8′‐carotenal and little β‐carotene were transferred.