INFLUENCE OF JOJOBA MEAL SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH AND ORGAN FUNCTION IN RATS

Supplementation of 3% of deoiled jojoba meal in the food of weanling rats for 11 weeks caused a food intake inhibition of about 20%. This caused retarded growth in jojoba-treated rats (JJ) and rats pair-fed to them (PF). Compared to JJ, the relative growth rate of PF was higher in the first part of the experiment but similar toward the end. Differences in growth rate between JJ and PF can be explained by increased T3 concentrations in the first period of the experiment, which cause a lower food efficiency. The T3 increase could be explained by a relative protein shortage. JJ rats showed hemolymph nodes in the mesentery, with erythrophagocytosis. Minor changes in hematological parameters and increased relative liver weight were probably due to protein deficiency. Biochemical parameters significant for liver, pancreas, and kidney function were normal.