REPRODUCTION OF MICE FED LOW GLUCOSINOLATE RAPESEED MEAL CONTAMINATED WITH SCREENINGS MEALS AND WEED SEED MEALS

Abstract

Three samples of defatted fine rapeseed screenings meals and defatted stinkweed (Thlaspi arvense) seed meal were used at 5 and 15% (wt/wt) to contaminate low glucosinolate rapeseed meal (LG-RSM). Defatted lamb's-quarters (Chenopodium album) and smartweed (Polygonum spp.) seed meals were also used, at levels of 1.7 and 5% (wt/wt) contamination. The contaminated LG-RSM was included at 15% (wt/wt) in diets fed to female adult mice during a 2-wk preliminary period, pregnancy, lactation and the first 18 days of the second pregnancy. There was a nonsignificant trend (P > 0.05) for the female mice fed stinkweed meal to have the lowest body weight throughout the two pregnancies, although those fed the six contaminants, and the uncontaminated LG-RSM control diet had an equivalent number of offspring born in the two pregnancies and surviving to weaning. Male offspring of mice fed the higher levels of contaminants tended to have a lower (P > 0.05) body weight during the early part of the lactation period. A decreased availability of protein and energy in these diets possibly resulted in decreased milk production. The numbers of blastocysts implanted, embryos resorbed, fetal deaths and malformed fetuses were similar among the dietary treatments. Key words: Rapeseed meal, weed seeds, glucosinolates, mice, reproduction