title: Effects of beta-carotene-rich algae Dunaliella on reproduction and body growth in mice.
abstract: Effects of beta-carotene-rich algae Dunaliella on reproduction and body growth were investigated in SHN mice. At 2-3 months of age, female mice were placed with males and fed different diets simultaneously throughout the experiment; Group I was provided with AIN-76TM diet containing 2.2 X 10(-4)% retinyl palmitate. Group II or III was given vitamin A deficient AIN-76TM diet supplemented with spray dried powder of Dunaliella or its oily solution. The final concentrations of beta-carotene in the diets were 5.1 X 10(-5)% and 3.0 X 10(-2)% in groups II and III respectively. Groups II and III were markedly lower and higher than group I in still-birth rate and litter size or rearing rate, respectively. Body growth was also enhanced in male offspring fed supplemental beta-carotene continuously (groups II and III). These results have demonstrated that, in mice, reproduction and body growth are improved by beta-carotene from Dunaliella.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Animal Research Laboratory, Meiji University, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nagasawa
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Konishi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ben-Amotz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000460:Chlorophyta; D004032:Diet; D004971:Estrus / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011247:Pregnancy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000187:drug effects; D019207:beta Carotene
chemical_list: D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids; D011388:Prolactin