Supplementation of diets with bovine colostrum influences immune function in dogs

Nutritional and health effects of bovine colostrum in neonates

High concentrations of immunoglobulins, bioactive peptides, and growth factors are found in bovine colostrum (BC), the milk produced by cows in the first few days after parturition. Various biological functions make it increasingly used to provide nutritional support and immune protection to the offspring of many species, including humans. These biological functions include cell growth stimulation, anti-infection, and immunomodulation. The primary components and biological functions of colostrum were reviewed in the literature, and the authors also looked at its latent effects on the growth and development of neonates as well as on conditions such as infections, necrotizing enterocolitis, short bowel syndrome, and feeding intolerance. The importance of BC in neonatal nutrition, immune support, growth and development, and gut health has been demonstrated in a number of experimental and animal studies. BC has also been shown to be safe at low doses without adverse effects in newborns. BC supplementation has been shown to be efficient in preventing several disorders, including rotavirus diarrhea, necrotizing enterocolitis, and sepsis in animal models of prematurity and some newborn studies. Therefore, BC supplementation should be considered in cases where maternal milk is insufficient or donor milk is unavailable. The optimal age, timing, dosage, and form of BC administration still require further investigation.

Invited review: Bovine colostrum, a promising ingredient for humans and animals-Properties, processing technologies, and uses

Mammalian colostrum, known as "liquid gold," is considered a valuable source of essential nutrients, growth factors, probiotics, prebiotics, antibodies, and other bioactive compounds. Precisely for this reason, bovine colostrum (BC) is an emerging ingredient for the feed, food, and pharmaceutical industries, being nowadays commercially available in a variety of forms in several countries. Moreover, quite a large number of functional foods and supplements for athletes, human medicines, pet nutrition plans, and complementary feed for some livestock categories, such as piglets and calves, contain BC. The amount of BC yielded by a cow after calving represents approximately 0.5% of the yearly output in dairy breeds. For its nutritional properties and low availability, BC is characterized by a greater market value and an increasing demand compared with other by-products of the dairy sector. However, information regarding the market size of BC for the food and pharmaceutical industries, as well as future developments and perspectives, is scarcely available in the scientific literature. This lack can be attributed to industrial secrecy as well as to the relatively small scale of the BC business when compared with other dairy products, which makes the BC market limited, specific, and intended for a restricted audience. From a legal perspective, regulations assign BC to the large family of milk-derived powders; thus, collecting specific production data, as well as import-export trend information, is not straightforward and can result in unprecise estimates. Given that the interest in BC is increasing in different fields, it is important to have an overview of the production steps and of pros and cons of this emerging ingredient. The present narrative review discloses why BC has started to be considered a product rather than a by-product of the dairy industry. Moreover, the present document aims to summarize the existing methodologies used to assess BC quality in terms of immunoglobulin concentration, the different applications of BC in the industry, and the BC processing technologies. Finally, a panoramic view of the current international market is provided for the first time for this dairy product.

Effect of an Enteroprotective Complementary Feed on Faecal Markers of Inflammation and Intestinal Microbiota Composition in Weaning Puppies

Weaning entails numerous modifications of the intestinal structure and microbiota composition, making puppies at high risk of sickness during this delicate life stage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a four-week administration of a supplement composed of ultramicronised Palmitoylethanolamide, bovine colostrum and Bacillus subtilis (Normalia® Extra, Innovet Italia Srl, Saccolongo, Italy) on markers of gut health and microbiome of weaning puppies. Twenty-nine four-week-old Golden Retriever puppies were randomly assigned to control (CG, n = 13) and treated (TG, n = 16) groups. During the whole experimental time, there were no differences between the groups with regard to average daily gain and faecal score. In TG, faecal calprotectin and zonulin values were statistically significantly decreased compared to CG, especially at week 8 (zonulin: 42.8 ± 1.54 ng/mL and 55.3 ± 42.8 ng/mL, and calprotectin: 2.91 ± 0.38 µg/g and 5.71 ± 0.43 µg/g, in TG and CG, respectively; p < 0.0001 for both comparisons). Bacteria belonging to phylum Campylobacterota decreased (p = 0.04), while those referring to genera Coprococcus and Pseudomonas increased (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04, respectively). The supplementation of the tested complementary feed can promote the intestinal health of puppies and therefore facilitate weaning by lowering gut inflammation.

Bovine Colostrum for Veterinary and Human Health Applications: A Critical Review

Bovine colostrum harbors a diverse array of bioactive components suitable for the development of functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals with veterinary and human health applications. Bovine colostrum has a strong safety profile with applications across all age groups for health promotion and the amelioration of a variety of disease states. Increased worldwide milk production and novel processing technologies have resulted in substantial growth of the market for colostrum-based products. This review provides a synopsis of the bioactive components in bovine colostrum, the processing techniques used to produce high-value colostrum-based products, and recent studies utilizing bovine colostrum for veterinary and human health.

Bovine Colostrum Supplementation Modulates the Intestinal Microbial Community in Rabbits

BC is a nutraceutical that can modulate intestinal microbiota. This study investigates the effects of BC diet supplementation on luminal and mucosa-associated microbiota in the jejunum, caecum, and colon of rabbits. Twenty-one New Zealand White female rabbits were divided into three experimental groups (n = 7) receiving a commercial feed (CTRL group) and the same diet supplemented with 2.5% and 5% BC (2.5% BC and 5% BC groups, respectively), from 35 (weaning) to 90 days of age (slaughtering). At slaughter, the digestive tract was removed from each animal, then both content and mucosa-associated microbiota of jejunum, caecum, and colon were collected and analysed by Next Generation 16SrRNA Gene Sequencing. Significant differences were found in the microbial composition of the three groups (i.e., beta-diversity: p < 0.01), especially in the caecum and colon of the 2.5% BC group. The relative abundance analysis showed that the families most affected by the BC administration were Clostridia UCG-014, Barnesiellaceae, and Eggerthellaceae. A trend was also found for Lachnospiraceae, Akkermansiaceae, and Bacteroidaceae. A functional prediction has revealed several altered pathways in BC groups, with particular reference to amino acids and lactose metabolism. Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio decreased in caecum luminal samples of the 2.5% BC group. These findings suggest that BC supplementation could positively affect the intestinal microbiota. However, further research is needed to establish the optimal administration dose.

Antioxidant Activity of Different Tissues from Rabbits Fed Dietary Bovine Colostrum Supplementation

Recent advances in animal nutrition have indicated that bovine colostrum (BC), due to its content of macronutrients, micronutrients and bioactive compounds, is an excellent health supplement. To the best of our knowledge, no studies on the effect of BC on antioxidant status have been performed in rabbits. This study aimed to investigate the effect of two BC concentrations on antioxidant status and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in some tissues of rabbits. Thirty New Zealand White male rabbits were randomly divided into three experimental diets, containing 0% (CON), 2.5%, and 5% of BC (BC-2.5 and BC-5, respectively). The activity of antioxidant enzymes in plasma (catalase: CAT; glutathione peroxidase: GPx; superoxide dismutase: SOD), and the enzymes' gene expression in the liver and longissimus dorsi muscle, were determined. Results showed no significant differences, neither in plasma nor in tissues. A significant tissue-related effect has been observed regarding the mRNA levels of SOD and GPx, which were higher in the LD (p = 0.022) and liver (p = 0.001), respectively. Further studies, considering modifications of the length and dosage of dietary BC supplementation, are required to update the current state of knowledge in rabbits, as well as to fully understand the potential value of BC for possible application in farming use.

Comparative plasma and urine metabolomics analysis of juvenile and adult canines

Background and aims

The metabolomic profile of a biofluid can be affected by age, and thus provides detailed information about the metabolic alterations in biological processes and reflects the in trinsic rule regulating the growth and developmental processes.

Methods

To systemically investigate the characteristics of multiple metabolic profiles associated with canine growth, we analyzed the metabolomics in the plasma and urine samples from 15 young and 15 adult beagle dogs via UHPLC-Q-TOFMS-based metabolomics. Blood routine and serum biochemical analyses were also performed on fasting blood samples.

Results

The metabolomics results showed remarkable differences in metabolite fingerprints both in plasma and urine between the young and adult groups. The most obvious age-related metabolite alterations include decreased serumlevels of oxoglutaric acid and essential amino acids and derivatives but increased levels of urine levels of O-acetylserine. These changes primarily involved in amino acid metabolism and bile secretion pathways. We also found that the levels of glutamine were consistently higher in both serum and urine of adults, while N-acetylhistamine and uracil concentrations were much lower in the adult group compared to younger ones.

Conclusion

Our study provides a whole metabolic profile of serum and urine characteristics of young and adult canines, identifying several metabolites that were significantly associated with age change, which provides theoretical support for the nutrition-related research and age-related homeostasis maintenance in dogs.

Mutual Links between the Endocannabinoidome and the Gut Microbiome, with Special Reference to Companion Animals: A Nutritional Viewpoint

There is growing evidence that perturbation of the gut microbiome, known as “dysbiosis”, is associated with the pathogenesis of human and veterinary diseases that are not restricted to the gastrointestinal tract. In this regard, recent studies have demonstrated that dysbiosis is linked to the pathogenesis of central neuroinflammatory disorders, supporting the existence of the so-called microbiome-gut-brain axis. The endocannabinoid system is a recently recognized lipid signaling system and termed endocannabinoidome monitoring a variety of body responses. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that a profound link exists between the gut microbiome and the endocannabinoidome, with mutual interactions controlling intestinal homeostasis, energy metabolism and neuroinflammatory responses during physiological conditions. In the present review, we summarize the latest data on the microbiome-endocannabinoidome mutual link in health and disease, focalizing the attention on gut dysbiosis and/or altered endocannabinoidome tone that may distort the bidirectional crosstalk between these two complex systems, thus leading to gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases (e.g., idiopathic inflammation, chronic enteropathies and obesity) as well as neuroinflammatory disorders (e.g., neuropathic pain and depression). We also briefly discuss the novel possible dietary interventions based not only on probiotics and/or prebiotics, but also, and most importantly, on endocannabinoid-like modulators (e.g., palmitoylethanolamide) for intestinal health and beyond.

Effect of oral administration of colostrum on inflammation in the udders of dairy cows suffering from mastitis

The present study was undertaken to examine whether oral administration of colostrum to mastitic cows reduced inflammation in the udder. Fifty milliliters of a colostrum whey product was administered orally daily for 3 days to cows suffering from mastitis. Milk was collected on day 0 and 7 of colostrum administration. For Experiment 1, milk from 11 udder quarters with high somatic cell counts (SCC) in four cows was used. SCC in milk decreased significantly after colostrum administration, whereas colostrum administration increased sodium and IgA concentrations significantly compared with those before administration. In Experiment 2, cows with clinical mastitis were divided into two groups, with and without colostrum administration, whereas all cows with subclinical mastitis were administered colostrum. Antibiotics were infused into the mammary gland from the first day of colostrum administration for 2–4 days. There was no significant decrease in SCC after colostrum administration in any group. However, udder firmness in both clinical mastitis groups was reduced after administration regardless of colostrum administration. IgA concentration in both clinical mastitis groups was significantly increased after colostrum administration compared to that before administration, although there was no significant difference between them. These results suggest the possibility that oral administration of colostrum attenuates inflammation of the mammary gland. Further studies are required to examine the effect of colostrum more precisely using cows with subclinical and chronic mastitis and longer duration of colostrum administration.

Supplementation of Diets With Bovine Colostrum Influences Immune and Gut Function in Kittens

In its early life a kitten faces many significant events including separation from its mother, re-homing and vaccination. The kitten is also slowly adapting to their post-weaning diet. Recent advances in companion animal nutrition have indicated that functional ingredients such as colostrum can help support the immune system and gastrointestinal health. Here we report for the first time the effect of feeding a diet containing 0.1% spray dried bovine colostrum (BC) to growing kittens on gut-associated lymphoid (GALT) tissue responses, systemic immune responses, and on intestinal microbiota stability. BC supplementation induced increased faecal IgA expression, and a faster and stronger antibody response to a rabies vaccine booster, indicative of better localised and systemic immune function, respectively. BC supplementation also helped to maintain kittens' intestinal microbiota stability in the face of a mildly challenging life event. These results show that BC supplementation can help strengthen the immune system and enhance the gut microbiota stability of growing kittens.

Potential Benefits of Bovine Colostrum in Pediatric Nutrition and Health

Bovine colostrum (BC), the first milk produced from cows after parturition, is increasingly used as a nutritional supplement to promote gut function and health in other species, including humans. The high levels of whey and casein proteins, immunoglobulins (Igs), and other milk bioactives in BC are adapted to meet the needs of newborn calves. However, BC supplementation may improve health outcomes across other species, especially when immune and gut functions are immature in early life. We provide a review of BC composition and its effects in infants and children in health and selected diseases (diarrhea, infection, growth-failure, preterm birth, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), short-bowel syndrome, and mucositis). Human trials and animal studies (mainly in piglets) are reviewed to assess the scientific evidence of whether BC is a safe and effective antimicrobial and immunomodulatory nutritional supplement that reduces clinical complications related to preterm birth, infections, and gut disorders. Studies in infants and animals suggest that BC should be supplemented at an optimal age, time, and level to be both safe and effective. Exclusive BC feeding is not recommended for infants because of nutritional imbalances relative to human milk. On the other hand, adverse effects, including allergies and intolerance, appear unlikely when BC is provided as a supplement within normal nutrition guidelines for infants and children. Larger clinical trials in infant populations are needed to provide more evidence of health benefits when patients are supplemented with BC in addition to human milk or formula. Igs and other bioactive factors in BC may work in synergy, making it critical to preserve bioactivity with gentle processing and pasteurization methods. BC has the potential to become a safe and effective nutritional supplement for several pediatric subpopulations.

Impact of Type of Parturition on Colostrum Microbiota Composition and Puppy Survival

Simple Summary

It has long been believed that the bacteria present in milk and colostrum were due to contamination during suckling from the oral cavity of the newborn or the skin of the mother. Colostrum and meconium from newborns were considered sterile. In the last decade, human research has provided evidence that bacteria are present in colostrum, milk, placenta, and the intestine of the newborn. The colostrum microbiota appears to change greatly and very rapidly, and in humans it has been found that it can be influenced by the type of parturition. Because information on the colostrum microbiota in dogs is lacking, the objective of our study was to determine whether the type of parturition affects the colostrum microbiota and the growth and survival of puppies in early life. Bacteria isolated from maternal colostrum and puppies meconium were identified by mass spectrometry. The results of this study provide new information on the colostrum microbiome of healthy dams and suggest that the type of parturition influences the bacterial composition of the colostrum microbiota, which may be an important factor in weight gain and survival of puppies in early life.

Abstract

The objective of our study was to determine whether the type of parturition affects the microbiota of the colostrum and the growth and survival of the puppies. Seventy-nine newborn puppies were divided into three groups regarding the type of parturition: vaginal delivery (VD), elective caesarean section (EL-CS), and emergency caesarean section (EM-CS). After the birth of the puppies, swabs of meconium were collected from the puppies and colostrum was obtained from the dam. Many aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were isolated and identified by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The colostrum microbiota of VD and EL-CS puppies contained a significantly higher abundance of bacteria belonging to the genera Staphylococcus, Kocuria and Enterococcus compared with EM-CS colostrum samples. The composition of the meconium microbiota of the puppies present at birth was similar to the colostrum microbiota of their mothers. It was also found that puppies without a meconium microbiota at birth gained weight more slowly compared with puppies with a meconium microbiota at birth. The type of parturition influenced the bacterial composition of the microbiota in the colostrum. Future studies are necessary to further define the significance of the observed differences in microbiota composition between EM-CS compared with EL-CS and VD colostrum microbiota.

Supplementation of Diets With Spirulina Influences Immune and Gut Function in Dogs

Spirulina refers to two species of blue green algae (Arthrospira platensis, and A. maxima) consumed by humans as food for centuries. While, Spirulina has been shown to have immune enhancing properties in several animal and human studies, there are no systematic studies in dogs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of dietary supplementation with Spirulina in dogs. The study was conducted in two phases: Pre-test (8 wks.) and Test (42 wks.). Thirty adult dogs (mean 2.9 yrs.) were randomized into two groups and fed a nutritionally complete diet in the “Pre-test” phase. At the end of “Pre-test” phase all dogs received a rabies vaccine, and dogs in “test group” were switched to diet supplemented with dried Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina). Response to rabies vaccine was evaluated by Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test (RFFIT). Gut immune response was assessed by measuring fecal IgA. Gut microbiota was evaluated by Temporal Temperature Gel Electrophoresis (TTGE) methodology. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to test for differences between groups and statistical significance considered to be p < 0.05. Dogs fed diets supplemented with Spirulina demonstrated enhanced immune status by showing significantly higher vaccine response and higher levels of fecal IgA as compared to the control group. Supplementing diets with Spirulina also resulted in significantly increased gut microbiota stability in the test group. In conclusion, diets supplemented with Spirulina significantly enhanced immune response and gut health in dogs.

The Use of Bovine Colostrum in Sport and Exercise

There has been a great deal of interest in bovine colostrum within sports nutrition over the last 25 years. Studies have investigated the effects on body composition, physical performance, recovery, gut damage and permeability, immune function, and illness risk. This narrative review considers available evidence in each of these areas. Although some studies have shown protection against performance decrements caused by periods of intensified training, there is limited evidence for effects on body composition and physical performance. There is stronger evidence for benefit on gut permeability and damage markers and on immune function and illness risk, especially during periods of intensified training. The balance of available evidence for gut permeability and illness risk is positive, but further research is required to fully determine all mechanisms responsible for these effects. Early suggestions that supplementation with bovine colostrum products could increase systemic IGF-1 levels are not supported by the balance of available evidence examining a range of doses over both short- and long-term periods. Nevertheless, dose–response studies would be valuable for determining the minimum efficacious dose, although this is complicated by variability in bioactivity between products, making any dose–response findings applicable only to the specific products used in such studies.

Nutraceutical intervention with colostrum replacer: Can we reduce disease hazard, ameliorate disease severity, and improve performance in preweaned dairy calves?

The objective of this randomized clinical trial was to determine if an intervention with colostrum replacer (CR; Premolac Plus, Zinpro; 125 g/d fed for 3 d) or a placebo milk replacer (Cows Match, Land O'Lakes Inc.; 125 g/d for 3 d) following a triggered alarm could ameliorate disease bouts in dairy calves. The alarm was set to detect negative deviations of milk intake (20% reduction) or drinking speed (30% reduction) in relation to a calf's 12-d rolling average feeding behavior. Calves were enrolled on this study (n = 42 CR, n = 42 placebo) when they triggered an alarm from d 14 to 50 on the feeder before weaning. Once calves were enrolled, calves received a bottle of either 125 g of CR or milk replacer mixed with 1 L of water for 3 d. Calves were enrolled on the automated milk feeder at age 4.0 ± 2.0 d (mean ± SD), were offered 10 L/d of the same milk replacer fed as a placebo, and had ad libitum access to calf starter measured by automated feeders. Weaning began at d 50, with 50% reduction of milk replacer across 14 d, and an additional 20% reduction for another 7 d before weaning at d 70. Calves were health scored from birth to 2 wk postweaning (88 ± 2.0 d of age) daily for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and diarrhea, and were weighed and scored using lung ultrasonography twice weekly. A BRD score ≥5 and an area of consolidated lung ≥3.0 cm² was considered BRD positive; diarrhea was defined as a watery fecal consistency that sifted through the bedding. The effect of CR on BRD and diarrhea likelihood were calculated with logistic models; the 7 d before and after an alarm were fixed effects, with milk intake as a covariate. A Cox proportional hazards model evaluated the effect of CR on the hazard of being positive for BRD and diarrhea following enrollment, with sex as a fixed effect in the diarrhea model. The effect of CR on average daily gain the week following intervention was evaluated with linear modeling with repeated measures, and birth date was a random effect. After intervention, placebo calves had 1.64 (95% CI: 1.11-2.43) times greater odds of having a BRD bout compared with CR calves for the 7 d following intervention. Moreover, placebo calves had 1.50 (95% CI: 1.11-2.08) times greater odds of having lobar lung consolidation in the 7 d after intervention than CR calves. No difference was found in the likelihood of diarrhea in the 7 d after intervention (odds ratio: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.71-1.16). However, placebo calves had a 2.38 (95% CI: 1.30-4.33) times greater hazard of incurring BRD in the 14 d after intervention. Average daily gain was not associated with an intervention with CR for the 7 d after intervention (placebo: 0.73 ± 0.07 kg/d; CR: 0.70 ± 0.08 kg/d; LSM ± SEM). These results suggest CR may reduce BRD likelihood but did not influence growth in calves offered high allowances of milk. Future research should examine which properties of CR ameliorate BRD in calves.

Bovine Colostrum: Its Constituents and Uses

Colostrum is the milk produced during the first few days after birth and contains high levels of immunoglobulins, antimicrobial peptides, and growth factors. Colostrum is important for supporting the growth, development, and immunologic defence of neonates. Colostrum is naturally packaged in a combination that helps prevent its destruction and maintain bioactivity until it reaches more distal gut regions and enables synergistic responses between protective and reparative agents present within it. Bovine colostrum been used for hundreds of years as a traditional or complementary therapy for a wide variety of ailments and in veterinary practice. Partly due to concerns about the side effects of standard Western medicines, there is interest in the use of natural-based products of which colostrum is a prime example. Numerous preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated therapeutic benefits of bovine colostrum for a wide range of indications, including maintenance of wellbeing, treatment of medical conditions and for animal husbandry. Articles within this Special Issue of Nutrients cover the effects and use bovine colostrum and in this introductory article, we describe the main constituents, quality control and an overview of the use of bovine colostrum in health and disease.

Dietary Supplementation with Housefly (Musca domestica) Maggot Meal in Growing Beagles: Hematology, Serum Biochemistry, Immune Responses and Oxidative Damage

The present study was carried out to evaluate the hematology, serum biochemistry, immune responses and oxidative damage of growing beagles fed a diet supplemented with housefly (Musca domestica) maggot meal (MM). Weanling beagles (initial body weight 2.69 ± 0.17 kg) were fed a control diet (0% MM) or experimental diet (5% MM) for 42 days. The results indicated that the diet supplemented with 5% MM had no significant effects on the hematology and serum biochemistry of growing beagles (P>0.05). Meanwhile, neither the serum concentrations of lysozyme and C-reactive protein nor the serum antibody responses to canine distemper virus and canine parvovirus were influenced by dietary MM supplementation (P>0.05). However, dogs in the experimental group had lower serum levels of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl than those in the control group (P<0.05). These findings demonstrated that MM could be used as an alternative protein source in growing beagles without any adverse effects on hematology, serum biochemistry and immune responses. Furthermore, dietary MM could alleviate oxidative damage in growing beagles.

Effects of oral administration of colostrum whey in peripartum goat on antimicrobial peptides in postpartum milk

The present study was conducted to examine whether colostrum supplementation in peripartum goats increases the antimicrobial peptides in their milk. Goats were orally administered 2 ml of colostrum whey products (colostrum group) or water (control group) daily, from 2 weeks before until 2 weeks after kidding. Body weights of mothers and kids were measured. Blood, milk, and fecal samples were collected from the mothers, and blood samples were collected from the kids. Concentrations of milk antimicrobial peptides (beta-defensin, cathelicidin, lactoferrin, S100A7, lactoperoxidase, and immunoglobulin A [IgA]) were determined. IgA and nutritional parameters (glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, ketone bodies, and non-esterified fatty acids) were also determined in the blood of mothers and kids. Milk IgA and lactoferrin concentrations were higher in the colostrum group than in the control group. Conversely, lower milk concentrations of S100A7 were observed in the colostrum group than that in the control group. Plasma IgA concentrations were higher for kids from the colostrum group than for those from the control group. These results suggest that oral administration of colostrum in pregnant goats increases IgA concentration in postpartum milk, which can subsequently improve the health of their kids.

Pilot study of probiotic/colostrum supplementation on gut function in children with autism and gastrointestinal symptoms

Over half of all children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have gastrointestinal (GI) co-morbidities including chronic constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome. The severity of these symptoms has been correlated with the degree of GI microbial dysbiosis. The study objective was to assess tolerability of a probiotic (Bifidobacterium infantis) in combination with a bovine colostrum product (BCP) as a source of prebiotic oligosaccharides and to evaluate GI, microbiome and immune factors in children with ASD and GI co-morbidities. This pilot study is a randomized, double blind, controlled trial of combination treatment (BCP + B. infantis) vs. BCP alone in a cross-over study in children ages 2-11 with ASD and GI co-morbidities (n = 8). This 12-week study included 5 weeks of probiotic-prebiotic supplementation, followed by a two-week washout period, and 5 weeks of prebiotic only supplementation. The primary outcome of tolerability was assessed using validated questionnaires of GI function and atypical behaviors, along with side effects. Results suggest that the combination treatment is well-tolerated in this cohort. The most common side effect was mild gassiness. Some participants on both treatments saw a reduction in the frequency of certain GI symptoms, as well as reduced occurrence of particular aberrant behaviors. Improvement may be explained by a reduction in IL-13 and TNF-α production in some participants. Although limited conclusions can be drawn from this small pilot study, the results support the need for further research into the efficacy of these treatments.

HORSE SPECIES SYMPOSIUM: Canine intestinal microbiology and metagenomics: From phylogeny to function

Recent molecular studies have revealed a complex microbiota in the dog intestine. Convincing evidence has been reported linking changes in microbial communities to acute and chronic gastrointestinal inflammation, especially in canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The most common microbial changes observed in intestinal inflammation are decreases in the bacterial phyla Firmicutes (i.e., Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, and ) and Bacteroidetes, with concurrent increases in Proteobacteria (i.e., ). Due to the important role of microbial-derived metabolites for host health, it is important to elucidate the metabolic consequences of gastrointestinal dysbiosis and physiological pathways implicated in specific disease phenotypes. Metagenomic studies have used shotgun sequencing of DNA as well as phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt) to characterize functional changes in the bacterial metagenome in gastrointestinal disease. Furthermore, wide-scale and untargeted measurements of metabolic products derived by the host and the microbiota in intestinal samples allow a better understanding of the functional alterations that occur in gastrointestinal disease. For example, changes in bile acid metabolism and tryptophan catabolism recently have been reported in humans and dogs. Also, metabolites associated with the pentose phosphate pathway were significantly altered in chronic gastrointestinal inflammation and indicate the presence of oxidative stress in dogs with IBD. This review focuses on the advancements made in canine metagenomics and metabolomics and their implications in understanding gastrointestinal disease as well as the development of better treatment approaches.

Immunoglobulins in dogs: correspondence and maturation in 15 litters of German shepherd dogs and their dams

Some dog breeds, including the German shepherd dog (GSD), are predisposed to immune-related disorders. The authors prospectively described development of serum and faecal IgA and serum IgE in GSD from puppies until adulthood and the relationship between mothers and their offspring. Further, the authors tested whether dogs with lower serum IgA also have low faecal IgA and/or serum IgE. To reveal whether any of the parameters could be proven to influence the immune response, the authors also measured serum IgG against canine distemper virus (CDV). To test their hypothesis, the authors used linear mixed models to investigate the relationship of serum IgA, serum IgE and faecal IgA levels in litters and their mothers. Fifteen GSD bitches beginning at 42 days of pregnancy and subsequently all of their offspring (n=83 puppies), reared under well-controlled conditions, were included. All dogs came from the kennel of the Swedish Armed Forces.

Serum IgE, serum IgA and faecal IgA levels were lower in seven-week-old puppies than at one year of age. There was no relationship in Ig concentrations between bitches and their puppies at seven weeks of age. Dogs with higher faecal IgA had higher IgG titres against CDV, indicating a favourable systemic immune status.