Effects of β-carotene-rich algae Dunaliella on reproduction and body growth in mice

Effects of β-carotene-rich algae Dunaliella on reproduction and body growth were investigated in SHN mice. At 2-3 months of age, female mice were placed with males and fed different diets stimultaneously throughout the experiment; Group I was provided with AIN-76TM diet containing 2.2 x 10^-4% retinyl palmitate. Group II or III was given vitamin A deficient AIN-76TM diet supplemented with spray dried powder of Dunaliella or its oily solution. The final concentrations of β-carotene in the diets were 5.1 x 10^-5% and 3.0 x 10^-2% in groups II and III respectively. Groups II and III were markedly lower and higher than group I in still-birth rate and litter size or rearing rate, respectively. Body growth was also enhanced in male offspring fed supplemental β-carotene continuously (groups II and III). These results have demonstrated that, in mice, reproduction and body growth are improved by β-carotene from Dunaliella.