The effect of dietary bee pollen intake on growth performance and biochemical indicators of rats

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of different daily intakes of rapeseed bee pollen on the growth and biochemical blood serum indicators in male and female rats. A total of 40 clinically healthy male and female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups. In the control group (C) rats were fed a standard complete diet; in the experimental groups standard diets were supplemented with different doses of bee pollen. Treatment group T1 was given standard diet with the addition of bee pollen at a 0.3% concentration; in group T2 the addition was 0.5%; and in group T3 it was 0.75%. The experimental period lasted for 90 days. A significant effect (P < 0.05) of bee pollen on the body weight gain and feed conversion ratio of female rats was found. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher cholesterol concentration in blood serum of male rats was found in the groups with bee pollen addition (groups T2 and T3) compared to the control group. Lower triglyceride serum content in all female experimental groups (T1 and T3) was observed in comparison to the control. Higher serum cholesterol content in the experimental female rats was detected; significant differences were analysed in groups T1 and T3 compared to the control female group. Rapeseed bee pollen at concentrations of 0.5 and 0.75% positively affected the body weight gain of female rats, however, with higher feed consumption (P < 0.05). Rapeseed bee pollen reduced the triglycerides serum content in female rats and increased the cholesterol serum content in male and female rats (P < 0.05).