Supplemental fructooligosaccharides and mannanoligosaccharides influence immune function, ileal and total tract nutrient digestibilities, microbial populations and concentrations of protein catabolites in the large bowel of dogs

J Nutr. 2002 May;132(5):980-9. doi: 10.1093/jn/132.5.980.

Abstract

The goal of this study was to examine whether supplemental fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and (or) mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) influenced indices of gut health of dogs. Adult female dogs (n = 4) surgically fitted with ileal cannulas were fed a dry, extruded, kibble diet twice daily. At each feeding, the following treatments were administered: 1) Control (no FOS or MOS); 2) 1 g FOS; 3) 1 g MOS; or 4) 1 g FOS + 1 g MOS. Fecal, ileal and blood samples were collected during the last 4 d of each 14-d period to measure protein catabolite concentrations, microbial populations, immune characteristics and nutrient digestibilities. Treatment means were compared using preplanned orthogonal contrasts. Dogs supplemented with MOS had lower (P = 0.05) fecal total aerobes and tended to have greater (P = 0.13) Lactobacillus populations. Ileal immunoglobulin (Ig) A concentrations were greater (P = 0.05) in dogs supplemented with FOS + MOS vs. control. Lymphocytes (% of total white blood cells) were greater (P < 0.05) in dogs supplemented with MOS. Serum IgA concentrations also tended (P = 0.13) to be greater in dogs supplemented with MOS. Dogs supplemented with FOS and FOS + MOS had lower (P < 0.05) fecal total indole and phenol concentrations. Dogs supplemented with MOS tended to have lower ileal DM (P = 0.149) and OM (P = 0.146) digestibilities vs. control. Results of this study suggest that dietary supplementation of FOS and MOS may have beneficial effects on colonic health and immune status of dogs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteria / growth & development
  • Catheterization
  • Colon / metabolism
  • Colon / microbiology
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Digestion / drug effects
  • Dogs / metabolism*
  • Dogs / microbiology
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism
  • Feces / chemistry
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Female
  • Ileum / immunology
  • Ileum / metabolism*
  • Immunoglobulin A / analysis
  • Mannans / administration & dosage
  • Mannans / metabolism
  • Oligosaccharides / administration & dosage*
  • Oligosaccharides / metabolism
  • Proteins / analysis
  • Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Fatty Acids
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Mannans
  • Oligosaccharides
  • Proteins
  • fructooligosaccharide