ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of including 200 g kg −1 dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) to xylanase- and protease-supplemented diets for dogs on kibble properties, digestibility, fecal characteristics, and palatability. Experimental diets consisted of: 0 g kg −1 DDGS without enzymes (0WE), 0 g kg −1 DDGS with xylanase and protease (0XP), 200 g kg −1 DDGS without enzymes (200WE), 200 g kg −1 DDGS with xylanase (200X), 200 g kg −1 DDGS with protease (200P), and 200 g kg −1 DDGS with xylanase and protease (200XP). Kibbles were evaluated for density, extruded size, expansion index, hardness, and uniformity. Six beagle dogs were distributed in a 6×6 Latin square design for analysis of digestibility and fecal characteristics. A palatability assay was also conducted in 16 beagle dogs, comparing the following treatment groups: 0WE vs. 200WE and 0XP vs. 200XP. The results showed that DDGS inclusion had no influence on kibble physical properties and reduced digestibility of dry matter (DM), ether extract after acid hydrolysis, gross energy, and organic matter, regardless of enzyme addition. Moreover, dietary addition of DDGS reduced fecal pH and increased total short-chain fatty acid, acetate, and propionate productions. Fecal odor was increased in dogs fed diets containing DDGS. Regarding palatability, animals preferred diets supplemented with enzymes and without DDGS, and no difference was observed when comparing 0WE and 200WE diets. No changes in the physical properties of kibbles were caused by DDGS inclusion; therefore, it can be used in diet formulation without interfering with the industrial process. Increased production of SCFA and a possible modulation of digestive tract microbiota promoted by DDGS addition may benefit animals. However, at the tested levels, enzymes had no positive effects on diet digestibility. Despite reducing digestibility, DDGS can still be included without enzyme supplementation in low-cost diets for dogs, as nutrient digestibility of the diet remains within acceptable limits for some pet food categories.

RESUMO: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a digestibilidade e os efeitos imunomoduladores de dietas suplementadas com luteína em cães. Dezesseis cães adultos foram distribuídos em dois grupos (controle e teste), em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Os cães foram alimentados durante 120 dias com dietas iso-nutritivas, diferindo apenasna inclusão de 45g de luteína/kg na dieta do grupo teste. As amostras de sangue foram colhidas no início e no final do período experimental para avaliar o total de linfócitos, o índice de proliferação de linfócitos e a contagem de linfócitos CD4 + e CD8 +. Para avaliar a digestibilidade aparente da dieta, os cães foram alojados em gaiolas metabólicas por dez dias (cinco dias de adaptação e cinco para coleta total de fezes). Os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente não foram diferentes entre cães do grupo controle e os alimentados com luteína. A suplementação dietética com luteína não influenciou a contagem de linfócitos totais ou o índice de proliferação de linfócitos, mas resultou em número de linfócitos CD4 + e CD8 + mais elevadas. A suplementação de luteína não afeta a digestibilidade da dieta ou o índice de proliferação de linfócitos em cães. No entanto, aumenta as concentrações dos subtipos CD4 + e CD8 + de linfócitos T.

ABSTRACT: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the digestibility and the immunomodulatory effects of diets supplemented with lutein in dogs. Sixteen adult dogs were distributed in two groups (control and test) in a completely randomized design. Dogs were fed for 120 days with iso-nutritive diets, which only difference was the inclusion of 45g lutein/kg in the diet fed to the test group. Blood samples were collected in the beginning and at the end of the experimental period to evaluate total lymphocyte, lymphocyte proliferation index, and CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte counts. In order to evaluate apparent diet digestibility, dogs were housed in metabolic cages for ten days (five days of adaptation and five for faeces total collection). Coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility were not different between dogs in the control and the lutein-fed groups. Lutein dietary supplementation did not influence total lymphocyte or lymphocyte proliferation index, but resulted in higher CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte numbers. Lutein supplementation did not affect diet digestibility or lymphocyte proliferation index in dogs. However, it increases the concentrations of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte subtypes.

Em virtude da capacidade moduladora dos probióticos sobre a microbiota intestinal a favor da saúde do hospedeiro, objetivou-se, com este estudo, avaliar a digestibilidade e as características das fezes de cães suplementados com Bacillus subtilis (C-3102) na dieta. Foram utilizados 12 cães adultos da raça Beagle, os quais foram distribuídos inteiramente ao acaso, em dois tratamentos: dieta controle e dieta com adição de 0,01% de Bacillus subtilis (C-3102). Os animais passaram por 25 dias de adaptação às dietas e por cinco dias para colheita total de fezes. As características das fezes foram avaliadas por meio da matéria seca, do escore (1: fezes moles, malformadas a 5: fezes secas e duras), do pH, da amônia e da produção de fezes. Não houve diferença na digestibilidade; entretanto, os cães suplementados com probiótico apresentaram fezes mais secas (39,1% vs. 36,5% de matéria seca), com maior escore (3,4 vs. 3,0) e menor teor de amônia (0,45% vs. 0,56%), quando comparados com os alimentados com a dieta controle. A suplementação com Bacillus subtilis (C-3102) melhora a consistência e diminui o odor das fezes dos cães.

Considering the benefice demonstrated by the modulating action of probiotics on the host intestinal microbiota, this study aimed to evaluate diet digestibility and fecal characteristics of dogs fed with diets supplemented with Bacillus subtilis (C-3102). Twelve young Beagle dogs were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design consisting of two treatments: diet with no addition or with the addition of 0.01% Bacillus subtilis (C-3102). Dogs passed through 25 days of adaptation to the diets, and five days of total feces collection. The following fecal characteristics were evaluated: pH, fecal score (1 - watery feces; 5: dry and hard feces), and ammonia content. Diet mean digestibility was compared by the Tukey test, and fecal characteristics by the Tukey-Kramer test. Diet digestibility was not different between treatments, but dogs supplemented with the tested probiotic presented dryer feces (39.1% vs. 36.5% dry matter), higher fecal score (3.4 vs. 3.0) and lower fecal ammonia content (0.45% vs. 0.56%), than dogs fed with the control diet. The dietary supplementation with Bacillus subtilis (C-3102) improves fecal texture and odor in dogs.