Beneficial Effects of Alfalfa on the Ovarian Development of Immature Rats Fed Massive Doses of Alpha-Estradiol

Abstract

The ovaries of immature rats fed a purified ration containing massive doses of alpha-estradiol remain immature both in weight and in microscopic appearance. The deleterious effects of alpha-estradiol feeding on ovarian development in the immature rat can be largely counteracted by the concurrent feeding of dried alfalfa. The protective factor (s) in alfalfa is apparently distinct from any of the known nutrients. Both the dried alfalfa juice and the water-washed alfalfa pulp remaining after the extraction of the juice were potent sources of the protective factor (s). Commercial batches of dried alfalfa meal vary markedly in their content of the protective factor (s).