Effects of “Soluble Silica” on Growth, Nutrient Balance and Reproductive Performance of Albino Rats

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Abstract
Experiments with albino rats have demonstrated that ingested “soluble silica” measurably affects growth, nutrient balance, and reproduction when consumed in the drinking water at concentrations of 600 and 1,200 mg per liter (ppm), expressed as SiO2 and in conjunction with diets which contain normal amounts of siliceous substances (about 0.1 to 1.0% of the dry matter as SiO2 in the residual ash from ignition at 540 C). In conjunction with a normal, commercial diet for rats, “soluble silica” at the 600 ppm level increased body weight gains of weanling male rats by about 6% over controls (P<.05), but decreased gains of females by about 5% under controls (P<.05). Retention of nitrogen and phosphorus were measurably affected by ingested “soluble silica”. At 600 ppm and 1,200 ppm “soluble silica” decreased the numbers of offspring born to values representing 67% and 80% of values for control animals, respectively. More importantly, these treatments decreased the numbers of offspring surviving until weaning age (3 weeks) to 46% and 24% of values for controls. There was no apparent effect of “soluble silica” in the drinking water upon longevity in rats started on treatments after weaning.

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