Further Studies on the Alfalfa Factor and Its Relation to the Liver and Whey Factors

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Abstract
A factorial design was employed in two experiments with chicks depleted and non-depleted in animal protein and alfalfa meal to test the response to unidentified growth factors present in alfalfa meal, defatted whole liver and dried whey. The data suggest that each of the three supplements contributes separate and distinct factors which are additive in their action. Alfalfa meal gave the greatest and most consistent response of the supplements tested. It was shown that the growth response from alfalfa meal could not be explained on the basis of its content of ash, critical amino acids or glucuronic acid. The results obtained from adding 5% cellulose to the basal diet were inconclusive. Growth inhibition resulting from 40% alfalfa meal cannot be explained solely on the basis that alfalfa contains a toxic factor.