Evidence for an Unidentified Growth Factor(s) from Alfalfa and Other Plant Sources for Young Guinea Pigs

Lakhanpal, Raj K.; Davis, Jean Reiche; Typpo, John T.; Briggs, George M.

doi:10.1093/jn/89.3.341

Cited by 12 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The presence of naturally occurring copolymers may provide an explanation, at least in part, for the health and productivity benefits associated with the use of certain traditional forages. For example, alfalfa, a forage rich in β-carotene, has been proposed to contain unidentified growth factors that benefit the growth and reproductive performance of various species (Scott et al, 1953; Lakhanpal et al, 1966; Hertrampf and Piedad-Pascual, 2000). The mechanisms of action of the so-called unidentified growth factors remains largely unknown; however the presence of naturally occurring copolymers arising from oxidation of β-carotene when alfalfa is dried (Burton et al, 2016) represents one possible growth factor.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of oxidized β-carotene-oxygen copolymer compound on health and performance of pre- and post-weaned pigs

Kinh

Riley²,

Nickerson³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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The discovery of naturally occurring, biologically active β-carotene-oxygen copolymer compounds in spontaneously oxidized β-carotene has stimulated interest in their potential health benefits. The copolymers, formed in Nature or synthetically by the air-oxidation of β-carotene, possess beneficial immune modulating activities that previously had been attributed to β-carotene itself. Support for these benefits is provided by previous studies showing that supplementation in feed with low parts-per-million levels of copolymer-rich, fully oxidized β-carotene (OxBC) helped reduce the negative impact of subclinical necrotic enteritis in broilers and improved growth in weaned piglets. To further assess these potential benefits, two trials were conducted in swine raised under commercial conditions in Vietnam. Trial 1, a 140-day full-grow, post-wean study with 500 28-day-old pigs, compared 2, 4 or 8 ppm OxBC against both an unsupplemented and an antibiotic control group. OxBC and antibiotics each improved growth rate, feed efficiency, and body weight compared to the control. Animals receiving 4 and 8 ppm OxBC performed better than did animals on antibiotics. In starter pigs, OxBC reduced the occurrence of diarrhea dose-dependently (4 and 8 ppm) and to a greater extent than did antibiotics. Trial 2, a 49-day study with 420 piglets, was conducted in two-stages. In Stage 1 (pre-wean), OxBC in the transition (creep) feed produced a dose-dependent trend toward increased body weight over 21 days, reaching significance at the highest inclusion level (16 ppm). In Stage 2 (post-wean), body weight gain showed a dose-dependent trend and was significant for both 8 ppm OxBC and the antibiotics at 28 days post-wean. Feed conversion was better at 8 ppm OxBC and for the antibiotic group. These findings support the concept that β-carotene-oxygen copolymers help optimize immune function, and provide validation for the effectiveness of this strategy in enhancing animal performance in the absence of in-feed antibiotics.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of oxidized β-carotene-oxygen copolymer compound on health and performance of pre- and post-weaned pigs

Kinh

Riley²,

Nickerson³

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…swine, ruminant animals, guinea pigs, and rabbits (Kohler, 1953;Rasmussen, 1965;Liuzzo et al, 1960;Lakhanpal et al, 1966). One of the first growth promoters reported to be present in forages was the "grass-juice factor" (Kohler et al, 1938;Kohler and Graham, 1951) for guinea pigs, rats, and chicks.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Purine derivatives in alfalfa as growth stimulants for Bacillus subtilis

Bickoff¹,

Spencer²,

Witt³

et al. 1968

J. Agric. Food Chem.

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Natural and synthetic sources of vitamin C

Hughes

Jones

1971

J Sci Food Agric

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Two groups of young male guinea-pigs on a vitamin C-fuee diet were given equivalent amounts of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C ) from natural sources (blackcurrant juice concentrate (group C ) and dried acerola cherry juice (group B)). A third group ( A ) received an equal amount of synthetic ascorbic acid in water.The overall growth rate was greatest in group C and the ascorbic acid concentrations in the spleen and adrenal glands were significantly greater in group C than in group A ; group B (the dried acerola cherry juice group) gave interniediate values.

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Evidence for an Unidentified Growth Factor(s) from Alfalfa and Other Plant Sources for Young Guinea Pigs

Cited by 12 publications

References 13 publications

Effect of oxidized β-carotene-oxygen copolymer compound on health and performance of pre- and post-weaned pigs

Effect of oxidized β-carotene-oxygen copolymer compound on health and performance of pre- and post-weaned pigs

Purine derivatives in alfalfa as growth stimulants for Bacillus subtilis

Natural and synthetic sources of vitamin C

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