Conventional vs Organic Chicken for Nutrient and Hormonal Effects

Overseen By Emelie Strandberg, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Davis

Disqualifiers: Food allergy, Anemia, Obesity, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether eating conventional (factory-farmed) or organic (regenerative) chicken affects nutrient and hormone levels in the body and how well the body builds muscle afterward. Participants will consume different types of chicken, and researchers will measure these factors to determine if farming practices make a difference. The trial seeks healthy, active individuals who engage in regular exercise and maintain a normal weight. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding the impact of farming practices on health.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you not be on any medication that may interfere with the study, so you might need to stop taking certain medications. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the trial team to see if they are allowed.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that both regular and regenerative chicken are generally safe to eat. One study comparing these two types found that regenerative chicken contains more of certain proteins, which might be beneficial. However, it may also break down more easily during digestion, potentially affecting nutrient absorption.

For regular chicken, studies indicate it is well-tolerated, with no specific evidence of harmful effects. The main differences between these types of chicken typically concern nutrition, not safety. Both types are widely consumed, and existing research has not identified major safety issues. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the differences between conventional and regenerative chicken due to potential nutritional and hormonal benefits. Conventional chicken is typically raised in large-scale operations, potentially involving feed additives and growth hormones, while regenerative chicken is raised with practices aimed at enhancing soil health and animal welfare without synthetic inputs. The regenerative approach may lead to chicken meat with different nutrient profiles and lower hormone levels. By comparing these two types, scientists hope to uncover if regenerative chicken offers a healthier alternative with unique benefits over standard options.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for nutrient and hormonal effects?

This trial will compare the effects of regenerative chicken and conventional chicken on nutrient and hormonal levels. Studies have shown that organic meat, such as regenerative chicken, might be more nutritious and contain healthier fats. This type of chicken can have more omega-3s and vitamins, with less saturated fat than regular chicken. In contrast, regular chicken has been linked to hormone issues, potentially affecting health in various ways. However, regular chickens often gain more weight, which could indicate a different nutrient makeup. Overall, regenerative chicken might offer better nutritional benefits, but both types have unique qualities. ^{2 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Keith Baar, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of California, Davis

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals who can eat chicken and are interested in the effects of different farming practices on health. Participants will have their blood nutrient and hormone levels, as well as muscle protein synthesis rates measured after consuming chicken.

Inclusion Criteria

Healthy active males and females meeting the American College of Sports Medicine's guideline for physical activity for healthy adults: performing at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity

Normal weight (BMI between 18 and 25 kg/m2)

Exclusion Criteria

I have a condition that affects how my body uses nutrients.

My BMI is over 25, indicating I am overweight or obese.

Health or dietary restrictions that would prevent consumption of the test foods

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants' height and weight are measured, and a baseline blood sample is collected

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Test Meal and Blood Sampling

Participants consume a test meal of chicken and undergo multiple blood draws over 3 hours to assess nutrient and hormonal profiles

3 hours per visit

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any adverse effects and overall health post-study

2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Conventional Chicken
• Regenerative Chicken

Trial Overview

The study compares the impact of eating conventional versus regenerative (organic) chicken on blood nutrients, hormones, and muscle building. It involves measuring these factors after participants consume 100 grams of each type of chicken breast meat.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Regenerative Chicken Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This arm will be given a meal of 100 grams (\~32g of protein) boneless-skinless regenerative chicken breast meat together with 250mL of water

Group II: Conventional Chicken Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This arm will be given a meal of 100 grams (\~32g of protein) boneless-skinless conventional chicken breast meat together with 250mL of water

Conventional Chicken is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada, Japan, China, Switzerland for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Conventional Chicken for:

• General consumption

Approved in European Union as Conventional Chicken for:

• General consumption

Approved in Canada as Conventional Chicken for:

• General consumption

Approved in Japan as Conventional Chicken for:

• General consumption

Approved in China as Conventional Chicken for:

• General consumption

Approved in Switzerland as Conventional Chicken for:

• General consumption

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Davis

Lead Sponsor

Trials

958

Recruited

4,816,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Poultry production has evolved significantly over the past 20 years, with a growing trend towards providing limited outdoor access in alternative and organic systems, which may positively influence gastrointestinal health compared to conventional methods.

Research indicates that free-range forages can improve the nutritional value and overall health of poultry, suggesting that these practices could enhance meat and egg production while promoting sustainability and reducing reliance on antibiotics.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An overview of health challenges in alternative poultry production systems. Jeni, RE., Dittoe, DK., Olson, EG., et al.[2021]

Hens in the organic-plus group, which had access to larger grass paddocks, showed significantly higher grass intake and better nutritional quality in their eggs, particularly in spring.

The fatty acid composition of the eggs from hens with more grass access was improved, with lower levels of unhealthy n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and higher levels of beneficial n-3 fatty acids, indicating that husbandry systems and seasonal factors greatly influence egg quality.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of husbandry system on the grass intake and egg nutritive characteristics of laying hens. Mugnai, C., Sossidou, EN., Dal Bosco, A., et al.[2014]

Chickens, domesticated from Red Jungle Fowl over 8000 years ago, are now a major global food source and play a significant role in the expanding poultry industry.

Chickens serve as valuable experimental models in scientific research, particularly in studying embryo development, immune systems, and hormonal regulation, especially with advancements in transgenic technology.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Current genomic editing approaches in avian transgenesis. Park, TS., Kang, KS., Han, JY.[2013]

Laying hens with high bone strength showed improved bone biomechanics when housed in aviary systems, primarily due to increased bone mass and thicker cortical bone, compared to those in individual cages.

Aviary housing led to differences in bone material properties, with lower mineralization and less organized bone structure, likely due to higher physical activity promoting bone remodeling and formation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Influence of physical activity on tibial bone material properties in laying hens. Rodriguez-Navarro, AB., McCormack, HM., Fleming, RH., et al.[2021]

Estrogenic compounds significantly stimulate food intake and weight gain in poultry, but they can also lead to increased fattening and decreased protein synthesis, requiring high levels for noticeable metabolic effects.

Thyroid-active substances, like iodinated casein, promote early growth in ducks but can reduce feed efficiency and body fat, while androgens like methyltestosterone stimulate growth in female chickens but are less effective in males.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Some observations on the effectiveness of anabolic agents in increasing the growth rate of poultry. Nesheim, MC.[2013]

Fast-growing (FG) chickens had higher overall weights and breast yields compared to slow-growing (SG) chickens, indicating that genotype significantly affects carcass characteristics.

Chickens raised in an organic (O) system showed improved meat quality, with higher levels of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and better pH values, suggesting that organic production enhances nutritional profiles compared to conventional (C) systems.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of Carcass Characteristics, Meat Quality, and Blood Parameters of Slow and Fast Grown Female Broiler Chickens Raised in Organic or Conventional Production System. Cömert, M., Şayan, Y., Kırkpınar, F., et al.[2020]

In a study of 160 male chicks raised for 120 days in an organic farming system, those raised in colder weather (S1) showed significantly higher live weight and a trend towards better average daily gains compared to those in warmer weather (S2).

Overall, there were no significant differences in feed intake, feed conversion ratio, or mortality rates between the two strains (Coloryield and RedBro) or between the weather periods, indicating that while performance varied slightly, both strains are suitable for organic production.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Performance Evaluation of Two Slow-Medium Growing Chicken Strains Maintained under Organic Production System during Different Seasons. Sarmiento-García, A., Revilla, I., Abecia, JA., et al.[2021]

Conventional broilers had higher lipid and cholesterol levels in breast meat compared to those raised in organic, free-range, and antibiotic-free systems, indicating potential cardiovascular risks associated with conventional rearing.

Free-range and organic broilers provided meat with higher levels of beneficial polyunsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6, suggesting that these alternative rearing systems may offer healthier options for consumers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lipid Assessment, Cholesterol and Fatty Acid Profile of meat from broilers raised in four different rearing systems. Giampietro-Ganeco, A., Boiago, MM., Mello, JLM., et al.[2020]

A study comparing seven male broiler strains found that high-producing commercial strains had similar endocrine profiles, but Naked Neck chickens exhibited higher levels of T3 and lower levels of T4, suggesting a different metabolic response.

The findings indicate that the slightly hypothyroid state in high-producing broilers may increase their risk for metabolic disorders like sudden death syndrome and ascites, while Naked Neck chickens showed higher growth hormone levels, potentially affecting their growth and health outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Metabolic disturbances in male broilers of different strains. 2. Relationship between the thyroid and somatotropic axes with growth rate and mortality. Gonzales, E., Buyse, J., Sartori, JR., et al.[2020]

Different poultry production systems, such as intensive indoor versus extensive outdoor rearing, significantly impact meat quality across various dimensions, including nutritional and organoleptic properties.

While outdoor access can enhance the nutritional profile of poultry meat, it also poses risks such as exposure to contaminants and increased variability in meat quality, highlighting the need for a balanced approach in poultry farming practices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Review: Production factors affecting poultry carcass and meat quality attributes. Baéza, E., Guillier, L., Petracci, M.[2022]

In a study involving 832 laying hens over 47 weeks, white hens produced more eggs and had higher egg quality than brown hens in both organic and conventional systems, but their survival rate was lower in organic conditions.

Brown hens adapted better to organic rearing, showing improved survival and egg production compared to their performance in conventional cages, while also producing eggs with higher protein content.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of rearing systems on performance, egg characteristics and immune response in two layer hen genotype. Küçükyılmaz, K., Bozkurt, M., Herken, EN., et al.[2021]

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