produced
in two consecutive growing seasons under four agronomic regimes that differed in crop protection
(organic versus conventional) and fertilization (organic versus conventional) practices, on the growth,
body chemical composition, haematological parameters, plasma antioxidant capacity, hormonal balance
and immune status of male Wistar rats. The nutritional composition of the compound feeds complied
with the nutritional recommendations for rats. In the first season only one generation of rats (F1) was
examined whereas in the second season two rat generations (F1 and F2) were studied. The agronomic
variables affected markedly the nutritional composition of feeds and there were statistically significant
differences in physiological parameters between dietary groups of rats. There were however statistically
significant differences in feed composition and in the physiological response of the rats between the two
seasons. There were also differences in physiological response between the F1 and F2 generation of rats
in the second season, although these animals were fed the same compound feeds. More detailed studies
are required to quantify the effect of agronomic factors on the composition of crops and the physiology
of rats fed on compound feeds prepared from these crops.