Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two prebiotics in different concentrations on nutrient digestibility, fermentative products and immunological variables in adult dogs. Twenty-four adult dogs were randomly divided into six blocks according to their metabolic body weights (BW0.75); within these groups, dogs were randomized to four treatments: control without prebiotics (CO); inclusion of 0.5% prebiotic blend Yes-Golf (B1); inclusion of 1.0% galactooligosaccharide (GOS); and inclusion of 1.0% prebiotic blend Yes-Golf (B2). The experiment lasted 30 days, with 20 days adaptation and 10 days stool and blood collection. Results were analyzed for normality and means were separated by ANOVA and adjusted by the Tukey test at the significance level of 5.0%. Prebiotic supplementation had no effect on apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC), total stool production and fecal scores (p > 0.05). Prebiotics evaluated also did not alter fecal pH, nor the concentrations of ammonia, lactic acid, short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and most fecal branched chain fatty acids (BCFA) (p > 0.05). The addition of GOS decreased the concentration of iso-valeric acid (p = 0.0423). Regarding immunological variables, concentrations of fecal IgA were not influenced by the treatments. Treatments GOS and B2 increased the total number of polymorphonuclear cells, as well as the oxidative burst in relation to treatments B1 and CO (p < 0.0001). Treatment B2 improved the rate of S. aureus phagocytosis in relation to CO (p = 0.0111), and both the GOS and B2 treatments had a better index for E. coli phagocytosis than the CO treatment (p = 0.0067). In conclusion, there was indication that both prebiotics GOS and B2 at 1.0% inclusion improved the immunity of healthy dogs.
Highlights
Prebiotics represent some of the most common functional ingredients used in pet foods
These can be defined as substrates used selectively by host microorganisms that confer gut health benefits [1]
Besides promoting direct positive effects on intestinal health, prebiotics can indirectly improve the animal’s immune system by stimulating the growth of lactic acid-producing bacteria. These bacteria produce substances with immunostimulatory properties, which interact with the immune system and stimulate cytokine production, mononuclear cell proliferation, macrophage phagocytosis and induction of synthesis of larger amounts of immunoglobulins [5]
Summary
Prebiotics represent some of the most common functional ingredients used in pet foods. Prebiotics may be present in dietary ingredients or may be added through concentrated exogenous sources [2, 3] Their main function is the modulation of native host microbiota [4] by stimulating beneficial bacterial growth and(or) activating their metabolism in the intestinal tract. Besides promoting direct positive effects on intestinal health, prebiotics can indirectly improve the animal’s immune system by stimulating the growth of lactic acid-producing bacteria. These bacteria produce substances with immunostimulatory properties, which interact with the immune system and stimulate cytokine production, mononuclear cell proliferation, macrophage phagocytosis and induction of synthesis of larger amounts of immunoglobulins [5]
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