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Estrogenic Activity of Fermented Alfalfa¹

Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706

ABSTRACT

Changes in estrogenic activity of first and second growth alfalfa due to fermentation in the silo and rumen were studied. With comparative methods of harvest and storage, first growth alfalfa was higher (P<.05) in estrogenic activity than second growth material. The increase in estrogenic activity due to fermentation of first growth alfalfa compared to the fresh forage value (17.5 µ/kg dry matter) was: direct-cut silage, 132%; low-moisture silage, 23%; and that from rumen contents of an animal fed low-moisture silage, 189%. Trends were similar for second growth alfalfa but of a lower magnitude. A decrease (P<.05) in activity of second growth sun-cured hay was observed with no increase due to rumen fermentation.

¹ Research supported by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and by a Research Grants-in-Aid 135-0540, Graduate School, University of Wisconsin, Madison.