Joana Nery

Influence of dietary protein content and source on fecal quality, electrolyte concentrations, and osmolarity, and digestibility in dogs differing in body size

When fed the same diet, large-breed dogs tend to produce feces of poorer quality compared with small-breed dogs. Moreover, German shepherds, although having a BW similar to Giant Schnauzers, are particularly prone to digestive intolerance, producing feces of poor consistency and increased moisture. Digestive tolerance reflects the reaction of the animal to the diet, and it can be assessed by determining fecal quality (consistency, moisture, volume, odor, and color). This study was conducted to assess the effect of protein source and content on fecal quality, and to determine whether greater digestibility and lesser fecal osmolarity and electrolyte concentrations are associated with improved fecal quality in dogs differing in body size and digestive tolerance. Twenty-seven healthy female dogs were divided into 4 groups according to BW and digestive tolerance: small, medium, large tolerant, and large sensitive. Five diets, varying in protein source (wheat gluten, poultry meal, and a 50:50 mixture of both sources) and concentration (22, 29, and 39% CP on a DM basis for low, medium, and high, respectively) were tested. The present study was divided in 2 phases: 2 diets were studied in a crossover design in phase I, and 3 diets were studied in a Latin square design in phase II. Diets were fed for 14 d, followed by a 12-d transition period. Fecal score (1 = dry and hard feces, to 5 = liquid diarrhea), moisture, electrolytes (Na and K), and osmolarity, and digestibility of DM, energy, fat, CP, and ash were determined. Fecal score and moisture (P < 0.001) were less and overall digestibility (P < 0.001 for DM, CP, fat, ash, and energy) was greater for wheat gluten than for poultry meal diets. Large dogs had the greatest fecal score and moisture (P < 0.001), together with the greatest overall digestibility (P < 0.001 for DM, P = 0.054 for CP, P = 0.005 for ash, and P = 0.003 for energy). Osmolarity was less for wheat gluten-based diets (P < 0.001), and was not affected by dog size. Fecal electrolyte concentration varied mainly with dog group (P = 0.005 for Na, and P < 0.001 for K), being greater in large sensitive dogs compared with small dogs. Wheat gluten was proved to be a suitable protein source for modulating fecal quality in dogs, particularly in sensitive breeds. Poorer fecal quality in large sensitive dogs can be related to greater digestibility and greater fecal electrolyte concentrations, but not to fecal osmolarity.

Influence of dietary protein content and source on colonic fermentative activity in dogs differing in body size and digestive tolerance

Low-consistency, high-moisture feces have been observed in large dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), compared with small dogs, and particularly in sensitive breeds (e.g., German Shepherd dogs). The aim of this work was to determine if greater colonic protein fermentation is responsible for poorer fecal quality in large sensitive dogs. Twenty-seven bitches were allotted to 4 groups based on size and digestive sensitivity: small, medium, large tolerant, and large sensitive. Five experimental diets varying in protein source [highly digestible wheat gluten (WG) vs. medium digestible poultry meal (PM), and protein concentration from 21.4 to 21.6 (LP) to 38.2 to 39.2% CP (HP)] were tested. Diets were fed for 14 d and followed by a 12-d transition period. Digestive fermentation by-products were investigated in fresh stools [ammonia, phenol, indole, and short chain fatty acids including acetate, propionate, and butyrate (C2 to C4 SCFA), branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA), and valerate] and in urine (phenol and indole). Bacterial populations in feces were identified. The PM diets resulted in greater fecal concentrations of ammonia, BCFA, valerate, indole, and C2 to C4 SCFA than WG diets (P = 0.002, P < 0.001, P = 0.039, P = 0.003, and P = 0.012, respectively). Greater concentrations of ammonia, BCFA, and valerate were found in the feces of dogs fed HP compared with LP diets (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.012, respectively). The concentrations of ammonia, valerate, phenol, and indole in feces of large sensitive dogs were greater (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.002, and P = 0.019, respectively) compared with the other groups. The Enterococcus populations were greater in feces of dogs fed with PMHP rather than WGLP diets (P = 0.006). Urinary phenol and indole excretion was greater when dogs were fed PM than WG diets (P < 0.001 and P = 0.038, respectively) and HP than LP diets (P = 0.001 and P = 0.087, respectively). Large sensitive dogs were prone to excrete a greater quantity of phenol in urine (P < 0.001). A diet formulated with highly digestible protein, such as WG, led to reduced concentrations of protein-based fermentation products in feces together with improved fecal quality in dogs, especially in large sensitive ones. Poor fecal quality in large sensitive dogs could be partly related to the pattern of protein fermentation in the hindgut.

Dietary lipid sources and vitamin E affect fatty acid composition or lipid stability of breast meat from Muscovy duck

A trial was conducted in order to assess the fatty acid composition and lipid stability of breast meat from Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata domestica L.) fed a basal diet supplemented with 20 g kg-1 of soybean oil or fish oil and 30 or 230 mg kg-1 α-tocopheryl acetate (α-TA). A total of 120 one-day-old female muscovy ducklings were distributed over 12 pens (10 birds/pen). Growth performance traits were measured through the study. Each dietary treatment was randomly administered to three replicates when birds were 43 d until the slaughtering age of 66 d. Dietary treatments did not induce differences in growth performances and slaughter traits. Similarly, proximate composition and pH of breast muscle were not influenced by the diets. Significant increases in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) contents in breast meat of ducks fed fish-oil-supplemented diets was observed. Lipid oxidation, expressed as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), of breast meat from birds fed 230 mg...

Dietary lipid oxidation and vitamin E supplementation influence in vivo erythrocyte traits and postmortem leg muscle lipid oxidation in broiler chickens

The present work aimed to assess: (1) whether the oxidative status of dietary lipids or vitamin E supplementation influences in vivo erythrocyte integrity of chickens, and (2) whether erythrocyte stability is related to musculus iliotibialis susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. Thirty-six broilers were fed a basal diet supplemented with: sunflower oil (SO), sunflower oil and α-tocopheryl acetate (SO + E), and oxidized sunflower oil (SO-OX). In vivo hemolysis rate (HR) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of erythrocytes were measured. Postmortem, the TBARS of m. iliotibialis was determined. Erythrocyte HR and TBARS were higher in SO-OX than SO and SO + E groups (P   0.93). The SO-OX induced negative effects, indicating that dietary lipid quality is rapidly translated in negative effects to erythrocytes and muscle. In vivo erythrocyte TBARS proved to be a good indicator of meat oxidative status. Key words: Broiler, vitamin E,...

Proof of Concept on Energy Expenditure Assessment Using Heart Rate Monitoring and Inertial Platforms in Show-jumping and Riding School Horses

Abstract Currently, the most accurate and noninvasive method used to assess energy expenditure (EE) in sport horses is based on heart rate (HR) monitoring. However, EE assessment using inertial platforms has been lately discussed in human sports medicine. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether inertial platforms would be useful tools to assess EE in horses. Six show‐jumping and riding school horses (Thoroughbred and warmblood) were equipped with a HR monitoring system and a wireless inertial platform. Acceleration, HR, and speed were measured during the exercise protocol that included walk, trot, canter, and a sequence of four jumps. Stride maximum and minimum acceleration, and acceleration amplitude and root mean squares (RMSs) were determined. Energy expenditure and oxygen uptake (VO2) were calculated using HR and speed, respectively. Bivariate correlations (nonparametric Spearmans &rgr; correlation) between EE, VO2, and acceleration variables were tested. Spearmans &rgr; correlation was positive between both EE and VO2, and maximum acceleration, acceleration amplitude, and RMS and negative for minimum acceleration. Acceleration variables of vertical and lateral movement were generally better correlated with EE and VO2 (P < .001) than those of forward movement (P < .01). The results of this innovative approach reveal that the determination of EE in horses could be assessed using inertial platforms. Moreover, vertical and lateral movements appear to influence more EE than forward movement. Graphical abstract Figure. No Caption available. HighlightsInertial platforms are used to assess energy expenditure (EE) in horses.Acceleration variables are proposed to assess EE.Heart rate monitoring is used to determine EE.Correlation between acceleration variables and EE is presented.Vertical and lateral acceleration are important to determine EE.

Effect of dietary supplementation with lysozyme on coat quality and composition, haematological parameters and faecal quality in dogs

The objective of this study was to determine whether: (1) lysozyme supplementation would influence coat quality in dog and (2) coat quality improvement would be related with haematological parameters, fur composition and faecal quality. Eight dogs were divided into two groups and fed a diet supplemented with 0.2% lysozyme. Blood samples were analysed for haematological and haematochemical parameters. Coat quality was assessed using near infrared spectrometry (NIRS) and through a three-point scoring system. Fur copper and zinc concentrations were analysed. Faeces were scored using a five-point scale, and faecal concentration of short-chain fatty acids was analysed. Coat quality changed significantly with lysozyme treatment as assessed by NIRS analysis and was improved according to a three-point visual scale. Plasma total protein, creatinine, blood urea and plasma chloride were lower after a two-month lysozyme dietary supplementation period. Faecal valerate was higher after the supplementation period. Lysozyme supplementation would lead to an improvement of coat quality, which could be related to modification of gut microflora in dogs.