Effect of Alfalfa Saponin on the Performance of Chicks and Laying Hens

Abstract

SAPONINS in alfalfa appear to be partly responsible for the decreased growth rate noted when a high level of alfalfa is added to chick diets. Heywang and Bird (1954) fed graded levels of alfalfa saponin to chicks. The 0.2 percent level was the lowest that produced an unmistakable inhibition of growth; the 0.4 percent level inhibited growth more. Earlier, Peterson (1950a) had prepared a concentrate from alfalfa which depressed the growth of chicks when added to their diet. The growth depression was overcome to a great extent by simultaneous feeding of cholesterol. The properties of the concentrate suggested that the growth depressing substance was a saponin. Peterson (1950b) reported later that Quillaja saponin depressed chick growth, and that the growth depression produced by feeding this saponin or dehydrated alfalfa meal was prevented by the addition of a mixture of cottonseed oil and cholesterol to the diet. Several experiments on the . . .