Growth and reproductive performance of female mice administered varied concentrations of monosodium glutamate

The impact of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on growth and reproductive performance of mice was evaluated using 96 mice -28 males and 68 females, divided into four groups. Mice in group A received no MSG, while those in groups B, C, and D received 1, 2, and 4 mg per gm body weight of 40% aqueous solution of MSG every 48 hours for six weeks. After the sixth week, 15 female mice selected from each treatment were randomly allotted to three male mice of corresponding treatment for multiple mating for 48 hours. The female mice from each treatment group were monitored through gestation. Results showed a time- and dose-dependent significant (p<0.05) influence of MSG on feed intake of the animals. The final body weight of the control mice was statistically lower (p<0.05) than those administered the medium and high concentrations of MSG. The total weight gained by mice not administered MSG was 97.9, 95.1 and 87.6 % of those administered 1, 2 and 4 mg MSG/g BW, respectively. The conception rate and gestation length increased in group B while the mean live weight of pups decreased with increasing concentrations of MSG administered. Compared with the weights of pups from the control, the weight of pups from mice in treatment groups B and C decreased by 10.66 and 26%, respectively. The conception rate and the average number of pups decreased significantly (p<0.05) at 2mg of MSG/g BW compared to the control. The gestation length increased significantly (p<0.05) at 2mg of MSG/g BW. Dead pups were recorded from mice administered 2mg of MSG/g BW. The result also showed that female mice administered 4mg of MSG/g BW had no pup. This study has shown that MSG is capable of producing an adverse effect on feed consumption, body weight and reproductive performance in the laboratory animal.Keywords: Monosodium glutamate; Food additive, Feed intake, Growth, Mice, Reproduction