Response of animal physiology to organic versus conventional food production methods

A dietary intervention study was conducted to analyse the effects of compound feeds based on crops produced in two consecutive growing seasons under four agronomic regimes that differed in crop protection (organic versus conventional) and fertilization (organic versus conventional) practices, on the growth, body chemical composition, haematological parameters, plasma antioxidant capacity, hormonal balance and immune status of male Wistar rats. The nutritional composition of the compound feeds complied with the nutritional recommendations for rats. In the first season only one generation of rats (F1) was examined whereas in the second season two rat generations (F1 and F2) were studied. The agronomic variables affected markedly the nutritional composition of feeds and there were statistically significant differences in physiological parameters between dietary groups of rats. There were however statistically significant differences in feed composition and in the physiological response of the rats between the two seasons. There were also differences in physiological response between the F1 and F2 generation of rats in the second season, although these animals were fed the same compound feeds. More detailed studies are required to quantify the effect of agronomic factors on the composition of crops and the physiology of rats fed on compound feeds prepared from these crops.