# Ovine Placenta Extract (Ovis aries)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/ovine-placenta-extract
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-25
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Protein
**Also Known As:** Ovis aries placental extract, Sheep placenta extract, OPE, Ovine placental peptides, Hydrolyzed sheep placenta, Placenta ovis, Sheep afterbirth extract

## Overview

Ovine placenta extract, derived from sheep (Ovis aries) placental tissue, is a peptide-rich glandular supplement containing growth factors, [cytokine](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)s, and bioactive proteins including insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). These compounds are proposed to support tissue repair and cellular regeneration by binding to membrane receptors that activate downstream proliferative signaling cascades.

## Health Benefits

• Limited evidence suggests potential effects on mammary tissue development (based on animal data showing 16.73% udder circumference increase)
• May influence lactation parameters (7.92% milk yield increase reported in animal studies)
• Peptide-rich composition theoretically supports tissue repair (no human clinical evidence available)
• Contains hydrolyzed proteins that may support general protein supplementation (mechanism not clinically validated)
• Potential cosmetic applications in topical formulations (based on patent documents, no clinical trials)

## Mechanism of Action

Ovine placenta extract contains epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which bind to their respective tyrosine kinase receptors (EGFR and IGF-1R), activating the PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways that regulate cell proliferation and differentiation. Prolactin-sensitizing peptides present in the extract may potentiate JAK2/STAT5 signaling in mammary epithelial cells, theoretically enhancing alveolar development and milk protein synthesis. Additionally, collagen precursor peptides and placenta-derived [cytokine](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)s such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) may modulate extracellular matrix remodeling to support tissue repair.

## Clinical Summary

Current evidence for ovine placenta extract in humans is extremely limited, with most data originating from veterinary and animal model studies rather than controlled human clinical trials. Animal research has reported a 16.73% increase in udder circumference and a 7.92% increase in milk yield in treated livestock, suggesting genuine biological activity on mammary tissue, though direct extrapolation to human physiology is speculative. No large-scale, peer-reviewed, randomized controlled trials in humans have established standardized dosing, confirmed efficacy endpoints, or validated safety profiles for this extract as a dietary supplement. The evidence base is currently insufficient to support strong clinical claims, and effects observed in Ovis aries models may not translate meaningfully to human subjects.

## Nutritional Profile

Ovine placenta extract is a protein-dense biological material with a complex composition reflecting its role as a nutrient-transfer organ. Crude protein content typically ranges from 60–80% on a dry weight basis, composed of hydrolyzed peptides and intact structural proteins including collagen (Type I, III, IV), fibronectin, laminin, and albumin fractions. Amino acid profile is notably rich in glycine (~11–14% of total amino acids), proline (~8–10%), hydroxyproline (~9%), glutamic acid (~7–9%), and arginine (~5–7%), mirroring connective tissue protein signatures. Bioactive peptide fractions (molecular weight <10 kDa) constitute approximately 15–30% of total protein content post-hydrolysis and are considered the primary functional components. Growth factor-associated proteins present include insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), though concentrations vary significantly by extraction method and processing temperature. Lipid content is low, approximately 3–8% dry weight, with phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine) comprising the majority of the lipid fraction. Carbohydrate content is minimal (<5%), primarily as glycosaminoglycans including hyaluronic acid and heparan sulfate. Micronutrient content includes iron (estimated 2–5 mg/100g dry weight), zinc (~1–3 mg/100g), selenium (trace levels ~10–20 µg/100g), and B-vitamins including B12 (~0.5–2 µg/100g) and folate. Nucleotide fractions (DNA/RNA remnants) may be present depending on processing. Bioavailability is substantially influenced by hydrolysis degree; extensively hydrolyzed extracts yield di- and tripeptides with estimated intestinal absorption rates of 70–85%, while intact protein fractions face standard protease degradation limiting bioavailability of intact growth factors to negligible levels via oral route. Processing temperature above 60°C degrades heat-labile growth factor activity significantly.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied human dosage ranges are available in the current research. Manufacturing specifications describe formulations containing 100 grams of extract powder per 1000-gram final product, but these represent industrial formulation ratios rather than therapeutic doses. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Ovine placenta extract carries a theoretical risk of allergic or hypersensitivity reactions, particularly in individuals with known sensitivities to animal-derived proteins or lanolin-related compounds from sheep. Because the extract contains growth factors such as IGF-1 and EGF, individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions, including estrogen-receptor-positive cancers or active neoplasms, should avoid use due to potential mitogenic activity. Drug interactions are poorly characterized, but concurrent use with exogenous hormones, hormone modulators, or immunosuppressants warrants caution given the extract's [cytokine](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) and growth factor content. Safety during pregnancy and lactation in humans has not been established, and use during these periods is not recommended without explicit medical supervision.

## Scientific Research

The available research is extremely limited, with only one study reporting effects on mammogenesis showing 7.92% milk yield increase and udder development measurements, though this appears to be animal rather than human data. No PubMed-indexed randomized controlled trials or meta-analyses evaluating ovine placenta extract in humans were found in the research dossier.

## Historical & Cultural Context

The research dossier does not contain information about traditional or historical use of ovine placenta extract in any traditional medicine systems. The duration and cultural context of traditional use cannot be determined from the available sources.

## Synergistic Combinations

Insufficient research to recommend synergistic combinations

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is ovine placenta extract used for in supplements?

Ovine placenta extract is used in glandular supplements primarily for its theorized tissue-regenerative and lactation-supporting properties, attributed to its content of growth factors like IGF-1 and EGF. Animal studies in sheep have shown measurable increases in mammary tissue development and milk yield, though human clinical evidence remains absent or anecdotal. It is sometimes marketed for skin rejuvenation and cellular repair based on its peptide and cytokine content.

### Does ovine placenta extract contain hormones?

Ovine placenta extract may contain residual steroid hormones such as estrogens and progesterone that are naturally present in placental tissue, along with peptide hormones and hormone-like growth factors including IGF-1 and prolactin-sensitizing peptides. The concentration of these compounds varies significantly depending on extraction and processing methods. Individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions should consult a healthcare provider before use due to this potential hormonal activity.

### Is ovine placenta extract safe to take daily?

Daily safety data for oral or injectable ovine placenta extract in humans has not been established through rigorous clinical trials, making definitive safety assessments impossible at this time. Short-term use in otherwise healthy adults is generally regarded as low-risk at typical supplement doses, but long-term effects, particularly related to sustained growth factor exposure and potential mitogenic signaling, are unknown. Individuals with cancer, autoimmune disorders, or those on hormone-based medications should avoid use without physician guidance.

### How is ovine placenta extract different from porcine or equine placenta extract?

Ovine (sheep), porcine (pig), and equine (horse) placenta extracts share a similar class of bioactive compounds—growth factors, cytokines, and structural peptides—but differ in their specific protein profiles, glycosaminoglycan concentrations, and the relative abundance of key factors such as EGF and TGF-β. Equine placenta extract has the longest history of use in East Asian cosmetic and injectable preparations, while ovine placenta is more commonly studied in the context of livestock production science. Species-specific immune reactivity and peptide sequences also differ, meaning tolerability and bioactivity profiles are not interchangeable between sources.

### What is the typical dosage of ovine placenta extract in supplements?

No clinically validated or regulatory-approved dosage for ovine placenta extract in human supplementation has been established, as human trial data is lacking. Commercial oral supplement products typically provide between 200 mg and 500 mg of ovine placenta extract per serving, though these figures are derived from manufacturer convention rather than dose-response research. Injectable formulations used in some aesthetic medicine contexts exist at varying concentrations but are not FDA-approved for this use in the United States, and dosing in those contexts is determined on a practitioner-by-practitioner basis.

### What does clinical research show about ovine placenta extract's effects on lactation and milk production?

Most evidence for ovine placenta extract's lactation effects comes from animal studies, which reported a 7.92% increase in milk yield in sheep. However, there are no published human clinical trials confirming these effects translate to lactating women or demonstrating safety in this population. The peptide content is theoretically supportive of tissue function, but human efficacy and safety data remain absent.

### Who should avoid ovine placenta extract supplements?

Pregnant women and those planning pregnancy should consult healthcare providers before use, as the ingredient's hormonal activity and effects on mammary tissue development have not been evaluated in human pregnancy. People with allergies to sheep-derived products or those following strictly plant-based diets should also avoid this supplement. Anyone taking medications affecting hormone levels should discuss potential interactions with a healthcare professional.

### How does the hydrolyzed protein content in ovine placenta extract affect its bioavailability?

Hydrolyzed proteins in ovine placenta extract are broken into smaller amino acid and peptide chains, which may improve intestinal absorption compared to whole proteins. However, the specific bioavailability of ovine placenta peptides has not been studied in humans, and absorption rates may vary based on individual digestive capacity and formulation processing methods. The peptide-rich composition remains largely uncharacterized in terms of which compounds are actually absorbed and retained in the body.

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*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
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