title: Effects of soy beverage and soy-based formula on growth, weight, and fecal moisture: experimental study in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare body growth, weight, and fecal moisture in recently weaned rats fed exclusively on infant soy formula and soy-based beverage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three similar groups were formed (n=10/group) consisting of weanling Wistar rats, maintained in metabolic cages. One group was fed soy protein-based beverage, another with soy-based infant formula, and another with cow's milk infant formula (control group). Water and diet were offered ad libitum. Body weight and length were measured. Stool was collected for three consecutive days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Weight and length were lower (p = 0.001; p = 0.001) in the groups receiving soy protein-based beverage (73.16 ± 5.74 g; 23.94 ± 1.04 cm) and soy-based formula (71.11 ± 5.84 g; 24.74 ± 0.60 cm) in relation to the group receiving cow's milk formula (84.88 ± 9.75 g; 26.01 ± 0.91 cm). Fresh fecal weight was greater (p < 0.001) in the soy-based beverage (3.44 ± 0.48 g) than in the soy-based formula (0.79 ± 0.20 g) and cow's milk-based formula (0.42 ± 0.17 g). Fecal moisture was higher (p < 0.001) in the group receiving soy protein-based beverage (47.28 ± 9.02%) and soy-based formula (37.21 ± 13.20%) than in the group receiving cow's milk formula (22.71 ± 10.86%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The growth of rats fed soy protein-based beverage and soy-based formula was lower than those fed cow's milk-based formula. The soy protein-based beverage resulted in significant increase in fecal weight and moisture.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Nutrition, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maisa de Lima Correia
authors.initials: Mde L
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Nutrition, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patrícia da Graça Leite
authors.initials: Pda G
authors.lastname: Speridião
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Nutrition, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marciano
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Teaching Committee in Pediatrics and Sciences Applied to Pediatrics, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Division of Nutrology, Department of Pediatrics, Laboratory of Research in Pediatrics, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Olga Maria S
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Amâncio
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Nutrition, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Laboratory of Food Science and Food Microbiology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tânia Beninga de
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Morais
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: mbmorais@osite.com.br.
authors.forename: Mauro Batista de
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Morais
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001699:Biometry; D001835:Body Weight; D005243:Feces; D006128:Growth; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D041942:Soy Milk / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014886:Weaning
keywords: Desenho experimental; Experimental design; Fórmulas infantis; Infant formula; Leite de soja; Milk proteins; Proteínas de soja; Proteínas do leite; Soy milk; Soy proteins