Effects of the inclusion of increasing levels of prebiotics in adult dogs on the digestive parameters, fecal fermentation, microbiota and immunity

Author(s)

Karine de Melo Santos

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD)
• Defense date: 2017-08-18

Examining board members

Marcio Antonio Brunetto; Catarina Abdalla Gomide; Ricardo Souza Vasconcellos

• Advisor: Marcio Antonio Brunetto

Abstract

In order to promote health and reduce the risk of diseases, pet nutrition has evolved in a similar way to human, in the search for functional foods. In this sense, Saccharomyces cerevisiaa are yeasts with high prebiotic capacity, since they stimulate the production of substances with immunostimulatory properties and increase the capacity to prevent the colonization of pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. However, its composition and production process determine the ability to act, based on the substrate and medium in which it was nourished. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of yeast with active metabolites (YAM), based on the fermentation of specific substrates, on the apparent digestibility of dietary nutrients, fecal fermentation products, microbiota, and immunological parameters of adult dogs. Eighteen adult healthy male and female dogs with a mean body weight of 15.8 ± 7.37 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design consisting of three experimental treatments: CD (control diet), YAM 0.3 (control diet with 0.3% of yeasts with active metabolites) and YAM 0.6 (control diet with 0.6% of yeasts with active metabolites). The mean of the obtained results were compared by the Tukey test (p<0,05) in the SAS. It can be verified that the inclusion of the additive altered the apparent digestibility of crude fiber, crude protein, nitrogen free extract and metabolizable energy (p<0.05). Regarding the fermentation products, they were not affected by the prebiotic (P>0.05). The phagocytosis index was higher in the diets YAM 0.3 and YAM 0.6 (P<0.05). At the dosages of YAM 0.3 and 0.6, fecal concentrations of Prevotela, Allobaculum, Fusobacterium reduced and Clostridium increased (p<0.05). Collinsela increased with LMA 0.6 (p<0.05). Blautia tended to increase with YAM 0.3 and 0.6 and Lactobacillus with YAM 0.3 (p<0.10). According to the inclusion levels and the parameters evaluated in this study, the additive may present a possible effect on innate and nonspecific immunity and promote modest changes in the fecal microbiota of healthy adult dogs. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/05493-0 - Effects of including increasing levels of prebiotics in the adult dogs diet on the digestive parameters, fecal fermentation, microbiota and immunity
• Grantee: Karine de Melo Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master