188 Optimal Dose and Functional Properties of Yeast Supplementation in Adult Cats

Abstract

Abstract Yeast cell wall products have shown different health benefits, such as antioxidant properties, increase of short-chain fatty acids production by intestinal microbes, and immune-stimulatory effects. These benefits are mediated by beta-glucan activity. This study aims to evaluate the optimal level of inclusion of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and the longitudinal effects of supplementation for skin and coat quality, and oxidative biomarkers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), c-reactive protein (CRP), and inflammatory biomarkers from a panel of 19 cytokines and chemokines, as well as the fecal metabolites such as phenol, indole, SCFA, and ammonia of adult cats. The study was a complete randomized design with 40 cats divided into 4 treatments (n = 10/trt). Animals were fed complete and balanced extruded diets with yeast inclusion in different levels formulated for maintenance. The 4 different diets were a control diet (CON) with no yeast inclusion, a low dose yeast diet (400 ppm of beta-glucan; LOW), a medium dose yeast diet (800 ppm of beta-glucan; MED), and a high dose yeast diet (1,600 ppm of beta-glucan; HIGH). Longitudinal analyses were performed every 21 days for a total of 42 days. Cats fed CON treatment had greatest scores (P < 0.05) for hair quality and gloss compared with LOW treatment for main treatment effect. Although no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed for oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers, as well as fecal fermentative-end products. In conclusion, the optimal dose of yeast supplementation showed no detrimental effects on oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers, as well as fecal fermentative end products, and had comparable effects on skin and coat quality among the different dosages for adult cats.