GROWTH AND METABOLIC RESPONSE OF SUCKLING RATS FED WITH NATURAL HONEY SUPPLEMENTS

The growth and metabolic response of unweaned rats fed with honey were investigated. Ten day old Sprague-Dawley rats were gavaged with 50% honey solution (low dose 10 ml/kg or high dose 20 ml/kg) twice daily for ten days. All data were expressed as mean ± SEM and analyzed by one way ANOVA. Pups nourished with honey had 5.41-7.43% body weight gain than untreated rats. Tibial length was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the honey-fed group than control (6-9%). The differences in growth could be attributed to circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 as the concentrations were also significantly higher in the honey-fed pups. There were no differences in the circulating and stored metabolic substrates (glucose, triglycerides, free fatty acid, cholesterol, lipid and glycogen) between the treatment and control groups. The plasma alanine transaminase was not affected by the treatments, however there was significantly increased plasma alkaline phosphatase activity in the male pups compared with female litter mates. Short term (10-day) oral administration of honey resulted in growth promotion and increased alkaline phosphatase in male rats, possibly in relation to bone growth and caused no liver pathology in neonatal rats. It was concluded that honey supplements administered orally to suckling rats have a positive effect on body weight and linear growth, and these effects are beneficial during weaning and development of fast growing animals.