Effects of goat milk–based formula on development in weaned rats

Meihong Xu,Liren Wei,Zhiyong Dai,Yanchun Zhang,Yong Li,Junbo Wang

doi:10.3402/fnr.v59.28610

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this article is to study the effect of goat milk–based formula (GMF) on development in weaned rats.MethodsOne hundred Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, 20% cow milk–based formula (CMF), and 5%-GMF, 10%-GMF, and 20%-GMF groups.ResultsGMF did play an active role in accelerating body and femur length, but not body weight growth. Compared with the control, GMF had better cognitive, space, and locomotor activity. The level of IFN was increased in GMF groups, as well as the level of IL-2 and TNF was decreased in GMF groups.ConclusionThese results indicate that GMF has an effect on development and immunity improvability in weaned rats.

Highlights

At week 12, all the body weights and body lengths were at the same level in all goat milkÁbased formula (GMF)-treated, 20%-cow milkÁbased formula (CMF), and control groups with the exception of 10% and 20% GMF-treated groups
Only in week 4, the diet utilization ratio was increased with significant differences in all GMF and the 20%-CMF group for both female and male rats
The femur length in all GMF-treated female groups was longer than the 20%CMF female and control female groups

Summary

Introduction

Organ weights were measured for the Effects of GMF on development in weaned rats adrenal glands, brain, epididymides, heart, kidneys, liver, femurs, and ovaries with oviducts, spleen, testes, thymus and thyroids/parathyroids from all animals. In weeks 4 and 8, compared with the control, there were significant differences in body length in the 10%-GMF female group, as well as the CMF, 5%-GMF and 10%-GMF male groups (pB0.05, shown in Fig. 1c and d). At week 12, all the body weights and body lengths were at the same level in all GMF-treated, 20%-CMF, and control groups with the exception of 10% and 20% GMF-treated groups.

Results

Conclusion