Effect of alfalfa saponins on the growth and some aspects of lipid metabolism of mice and quails.

The influence of alfalfa saponins on growth and on lipid metabolism was studied in mice and quails. The extent of growth inhibition was related to the level of medicagenic acid in the saponin preparation used. Both species differed considerably in their sensitivity to alfalfa saponins, mice being more susceptible than qualis. Female mice overcame the growth impairing effect after a shorter period of adaptation than male mice. After ingestion of saponin both sexes showed an increase of faecal lipids and faecal cholesterol. Consequently concentrations of lipids and cholesterol in the livers of mice were depressed. In response to the lower uptake by the liver a higher rate of incorporation of labelled acetate into lipids and cholesterol of this organ was found. In quails these parameters of lipid metabolism were not influenced by alfalfa saponins, except for an increased rate of cholesterol biosynthesis in the liver.