[Effects of a phytohemagglutinin extract on growth, nitrogen digestibility and the activity of invertase and (Na+-K+)-ATPase in the intestinal mucosa of the rat].

A phytohemagglutinin extract is prepared from raw kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and incorporated at a level of 1% (dry matter) in the diet of young growing rats. Beside a decrease of feed intakes, the main effects of the experimental diet are the following : growth depression, decrease of dry matter and protein digestibility and hypoglycemia. Biological value, organs weight (liver, kidneys, spleen) did not change significantly. The hemagglutinin extract induces an inhibition of saccharase activity whereas (Na+-K+)-ATPase remains unchanged. Growth depressing effect may be due to an alteration of hydrolysis and absorption mechanisms at the level of brush border of enterocytes.