Researchers tested whether a natural supplement called chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) could help young female minks grow better and stay healthier. They fed 96 minks different amounts of this supplement for 8 weeks and measured how much they grew, how strong their immune systems became, and how well their bodies could fight damage. The results showed that minks receiving the supplement grew faster, had better fur quality, and their bodies became better at protecting themselves from harm. The best results happened with a moderate amount of the supplement, suggesting that more isn’t always better.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether adding a natural plant-based supplement (chitosan oligosaccharide) to mink food would help them grow faster, develop stronger immune systems, and improve their overall health
  • Who participated: 96 young female minks that were 12 weeks old at the start, divided into 6 groups receiving different amounts of the supplement (or none at all) for 8 weeks
  • Key finding: Minks that received the supplement grew about 10-15% faster than those without it, had longer and heavier fur, and showed stronger immune system markers. The best results came from a moderate dose (100 mg per kilogram of food), not the highest doses
  • What it means for you: While this research is on minks, it suggests that chitosan oligosaccharide may help animals (and potentially humans) grow better and stay healthier by boosting natural defense systems. However, more research in humans is needed before drawing firm conclusions

The Research Details

Scientists divided 96 young female minks into six equal groups. Each group received food with different amounts of chitosan oligosaccharide supplement—from zero (control group) up to 500 mg per kilogram of food. The minks ate this food for 8 weeks while researchers carefully measured their growth, collected blood samples to check immune function, and examined their digestive systems. This type of study is called a ‘dose-response’ experiment because it tests multiple amounts to find the best level.

The researchers measured several important things: how much weight the minks gained each day, how long and heavy their fur grew, and various markers in their blood that show how well their immune systems and antioxidant defenses are working. They also looked at the structure of the minks’ intestines under a microscope to see if the supplement changed how their digestive systems were built.

Testing multiple doses (rather than just one) helps scientists find the ‘sweet spot’—the amount that works best without wasting resources or potentially causing problems. This approach is important because it shows that more of a supplement isn’t always better. The researchers also measured multiple health markers rather than just growth, which gives a more complete picture of how the supplement affects the whole body

This study was published in PLoS ONE, a well-respected scientific journal that requires peer review. The researchers used proper scientific methods with a control group (minks receiving no supplement) for comparison. They had multiple replicates (repeated measurements) which makes the results more reliable. However, this research was conducted only in minks, so we cannot directly apply these findings to humans without additional studies

What the Results Show

Minks receiving the supplement grew significantly faster than those without it. The growth improvement followed a curved pattern, meaning that 100 mg per kilogram of food produced the best results, and higher amounts didn’t provide additional benefits. This is an important finding because it shows that the supplement has an optimal dose.

The supplement also improved fur quality—both the length and weight of the minks’ pelts increased as the supplement amount increased. This suggests the supplement helps the body direct resources toward growth and development.

Blood tests revealed that the supplement boosted the minks’ immune systems. Levels of protective proteins called immunoglobulins (IgA and IgG) and a immune system component called complement 4 all increased significantly. These are markers that scientists use to measure how strong an animal’s immune defense is.

The supplement improved the minks’ natural antioxidant defenses—the body’s built-in system for fighting harmful molecules. An enzyme called superoxide dismutase increased in the blood, while a harmful substance called malondialdehyde decreased. In the small intestine, another protective enzyme called glutathione peroxidase increased. These changes suggest the supplement helps protect cells from damage.

The supplement also improved how well the minks’ digestive systems worked. The enzyme trypsin, which breaks down proteins during digestion, increased in the small intestine. Additionally, the structure of the intestinal lining improved—the finger-like projections (villi) that absorb nutrients became taller and better proportioned, which typically means better nutrient absorption

This research builds on earlier studies showing that chitosan and similar compounds can boost immune function and antioxidant defenses in various animals. The finding that a moderate dose works better than high doses aligns with general principles in nutrition science—that balance is important and that ‘more is better’ doesn’t always apply. The improvement in intestinal structure is particularly interesting because it suggests the supplement helps the digestive system itself become more efficient

This study was conducted only in minks, which are animals with different digestive systems and nutritional needs than humans. The results cannot be directly applied to people without human research. The study lasted only 8 weeks, so we don’t know about long-term effects. The research focused only on young, growing female minks, so results might differ for adult minks or males. Additionally, the study didn’t test the supplement in combination with other supplements or in different environmental conditions

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, chitosan oligosaccharide appears to be a safe supplement that may improve growth and immune function in young minks at a dose of 100 mg per kilogram of food. However, these findings are preliminary and specific to minks. For humans, we would need dedicated human studies before making firm recommendations. If you’re interested in this supplement for personal use, consult with a healthcare provider

This research is most relevant to mink farmers and producers looking to improve animal health and growth. Nutritionists and veterinarians working with minks may find these results useful. The general public should view this as interesting preliminary research that may eventually lead to human applications, but not as direct health advice. People with digestive issues or weakened immune systems might eventually benefit if similar research proves effective in humans, but that hasn’t been established yet

In this study, improvements in growth and immune markers appeared within the 8-week trial period. However, this doesn’t mean humans would see benefits on the same timeline—different species metabolize supplements differently. If this supplement were eventually tested in humans, benefits might take weeks to months to become apparent, and long-term studies would be needed to confirm safety and effectiveness

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If using a supplement app, track daily intake of chitosan oligosaccharide in milligrams, along with weekly measurements of energy levels, immune health markers (like frequency of getting sick), and digestive comfort on a 1-10 scale
  • Users could set a daily reminder to take their supplement at the same time each day and log it in their app. They could also track their diet quality and exercise to see if the supplement combined with healthy habits produces better results than the supplement alone
  • Over 8-12 weeks, monitor overall wellness trends including energy, digestive health, and how often you get minor illnesses. Use the app to create a simple chart showing these markers over time. If considering this supplement, discuss baseline and follow-up blood work with a healthcare provider to measure immune markers and antioxidant status

This research was conducted in minks and cannot be directly applied to humans without additional human studies. Chitosan oligosaccharide supplements are not approved by the FDA for treating any human disease. Before starting any new supplement, consult with your healthcare provider, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have existing health conditions. This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. The findings presented here are preliminary and require further research in human populations before clinical recommendations can be made.