Effets des composés secondaires des plantes sur le poids corporel et le poids de certains organes de la souris de laboratoire

Abstract

Seventy species were chosen among the most abundant plants in a typical meadow-vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) habitat and used in the preparation of experimental diets. Immature female laboratory mice were fed one of the diets for 6 days, and thereafter growth, development of the uterus, and changes in weight of the kidneys and the liver were recorded. Generally, most of the diets retarded growth significantly. Only the diet containing red clover (Trifolium pratense) actually accelerated the development of the uterus in the animals, while 47 other diets significantly decreased the weight of the uterus. Two plants, umbellate aster (Aster umbellatus) and ground-ivy (Glechoma hederacea), killed the animals after 3 or 4 days of treatment. A significant increase in kidney weight and a drastic decrease in liver weight in these two groups of mice was found at autopsy. Many of the diets produced a decrease of liver weight and (or) an increase in kidney weight. Forty-six diets analyzed to determine their effect on liver weight were found to decrease it; 50 of the 70 diets (70%) analyzed to determine their effect on kidney weight were found to increase it. Results are examined in the light of the theory of plant toxicity as a regulatory mechanism in the cycles of small plant-eating mammals.[Traduit par le journal]