Effect of Raw and Cooked Soyabean Based Diet Supplemented with or without Methionine on the Growth and Histomorphometric Characteristics of Rat Testes

Abstract

Heat treatment of soya bean for improved absorption is an already established process, but information on the optimal duration of cooking and the effects on sexual development are still limited. This study investigated the duration of cooking and methionine supplementation on testicular parameters and growth rate of rats. Raw soya bean significantly (P<0.05) depressed growth rate, testicular weights and seminiferous and spermatogonia diameter. Heat treatment for 30 minutes produced higher growth rate and gonadal characteristics than cooking for 15 minutes. The inclusion of 0.3% methionine further enhanced (P<0.05) growth rate and testicular development.