Reproduction study of grape colour extract in rats

The effect of Welch's Special Grape Color Powder Type BW-AT on reproductive performance was studied through two generations of Sprague-Dawley rats and a subchronic study was carried out on the F1 animals. The grape colour powder at dietary levels of 7.5 and 15.0% (w/w) had no adverse effects on reproductive performance. Body weights for F0 and F1 generation pups at both dose levels were significantly lower (P less than 0.05) than those of control pups at 21 days after birth. During the 13-wk subchronic feeding study of F1 rats, the body-weight gain of female rats in the high-dose group was reduced compared with the controls (P less than 0.05). Food conversion data was comparable among groups, thus the decrease in body-weight gain during this phase was most likely the result of the lower calorific value (w/w) of the feed supplemented with the grape colour powder compared with the control feed. No toxic effects or pathological changes were noted in rats fed grape colour powder.