Authors : Xue-Wu Liang, Qian-Fu Gan, Jie Lin, Bao-Ming Qi, Qing-Hua Liu, Yan-Feng Du, Fu-Rong Ke and Shu-Kai Zheng
Abstract: In this experiment, 72 rats were equally divided into 6 groups with 12 in each group where six were male and the others were female. In order to investigate the effects of bentonite on the growth and organ development, test groups were fed with 1.5, 3, 4.5, 10 and 20% bentonite in their feed, respectively and the control group was fed with basal diet. The experimental period was 60 days. The result showed that the growth and allelotaxy of rat were promoted by adding 1.5-4.5% bentonite into feed (p>0.05) and the growth and allelotaxy of rat were significantly promoted by adding 10-20% bentonite into feed (p<0.05 or p<0.01). But the test groups suffered from pulmonary emphysemamore or less. Alveolar wall rupture and bronchial epithelial hyperplasia were found in the group with 3% bentonite in the feed. Rats in the group with 20% bentonite in their feed had lung hemorrhage.
Xue-Wu Liang, Qian-Fu Gan, Jie Lin, Bao-Ming Qi, Qing-Hua Liu, Yan-Feng Du, Fu-Rong Ke and Shu-Kai Zheng, 2013. Effects of Bentonite on Rat Growth and Organ Microstructure. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 12: 664-670.