The Impact of Fiber Source on Digestive Function, Fecal Microbiota, and Immune Response in Adult Dogs
This study evaluated the impact of different fiber sources on intestinal function, fecal microbiota, and overall health in dogs. Twelve dogs were used in a crossover design, involving three periods of 6 weeks and three diets: a low-fiber diet (CTR), a cereal-fiber and beet-pulp-supplemented diet (BR...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/2/196 |
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| author | Miquel Montserrat-Malagarriga Lorena Castillejos Anna Salas-Mani Celina Torre Susana M. Martín-Orúe |
| author_facet | Miquel Montserrat-Malagarriga Lorena Castillejos Anna Salas-Mani Celina Torre Susana M. Martín-Orúe |
| author_sort | Miquel Montserrat-Malagarriga |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study evaluated the impact of different fiber sources on intestinal function, fecal microbiota, and overall health in dogs. Twelve dogs were used in a crossover design, involving three periods of 6 weeks and three diets: a low-fiber diet (CTR), a cereal-fiber and beet-pulp-supplemented diet (BRA), and a fruit-fiber-supplemented diet (FRU). Each period included a digestibility trial and fecal and blood sampling in the last week. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and microbiota taxonomy (16S rRNA Illumina-MiSeq) and functionality (Shotgun-NovaSeq 6000) were determined in the feces. General biochemistry, complete blood cells, and lymphocyte subsets were also analyzed. The fiber-supplemented diets showed lower digestibility without significant changes in the fecal consistency. The BRA diet showed higher total SCFA concentrations (<i>p</i> = 0.056), with increases in alpha diversity and particular beneficial genera, such as <i>Lachnospira</i>, <i>Bifidobacterium</i>, and <i>Faecalibacterium</i>. The BRA microbiota was also associated with an overabundance of genes related to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. The FRU diet had a distinct impact on the microbiota composition and functionality, leading to higher levels of CD8 lymphocytes. These findings emphasize the importance of selecting the right fiber source when formulating dog diets, as it can have a differential impact on gut microbiota and animal health. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T11:08:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-84e49716612e48fd8f96cbbf713ac1f7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T11:08:33Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-84e49716612e48fd8f96cbbf713ac1f72024-01-26T14:30:34ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-01-0114219610.3390/ani14020196The Impact of Fiber Source on Digestive Function, Fecal Microbiota, and Immune Response in Adult DogsMiquel Montserrat-Malagarriga0Lorena Castillejos1Anna Salas-Mani2Celina Torre3Susana M. Martín-Orúe4Animal Nutrition and Welfare Service, Department of Animal and Food Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, SpainAnimal Nutrition and Welfare Service, Department of Animal and Food Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, SpainAffinity Pet Care, Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08902 Barcelona, SpainAffinity Pet Care, Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08902 Barcelona, SpainAnimal Nutrition and Welfare Service, Department of Animal and Food Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, SpainThis study evaluated the impact of different fiber sources on intestinal function, fecal microbiota, and overall health in dogs. Twelve dogs were used in a crossover design, involving three periods of 6 weeks and three diets: a low-fiber diet (CTR), a cereal-fiber and beet-pulp-supplemented diet (BRA), and a fruit-fiber-supplemented diet (FRU). Each period included a digestibility trial and fecal and blood sampling in the last week. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and microbiota taxonomy (16S rRNA Illumina-MiSeq) and functionality (Shotgun-NovaSeq 6000) were determined in the feces. General biochemistry, complete blood cells, and lymphocyte subsets were also analyzed. The fiber-supplemented diets showed lower digestibility without significant changes in the fecal consistency. The BRA diet showed higher total SCFA concentrations (<i>p</i> = 0.056), with increases in alpha diversity and particular beneficial genera, such as <i>Lachnospira</i>, <i>Bifidobacterium</i>, and <i>Faecalibacterium</i>. The BRA microbiota was also associated with an overabundance of genes related to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. The FRU diet had a distinct impact on the microbiota composition and functionality, leading to higher levels of CD8 lymphocytes. These findings emphasize the importance of selecting the right fiber source when formulating dog diets, as it can have a differential impact on gut microbiota and animal health.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/2/196dietary fiberdogmicrobiotadigestibilitycerealfruit |
| spellingShingle | Miquel Montserrat-Malagarriga Lorena Castillejos Anna Salas-Mani Celina Torre Susana M. Martín-Orúe The Impact of Fiber Source on Digestive Function, Fecal Microbiota, and Immune Response in Adult Dogs Animals dietary fiber dog microbiota digestibility cereal fruit |
| title | The Impact of Fiber Source on Digestive Function, Fecal Microbiota, and Immune Response in Adult Dogs |
| title_full | The Impact of Fiber Source on Digestive Function, Fecal Microbiota, and Immune Response in Adult Dogs |
| title_fullStr | The Impact of Fiber Source on Digestive Function, Fecal Microbiota, and Immune Response in Adult Dogs |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Impact of Fiber Source on Digestive Function, Fecal Microbiota, and Immune Response in Adult Dogs |
| title_short | The Impact of Fiber Source on Digestive Function, Fecal Microbiota, and Immune Response in Adult Dogs |
| title_sort | impact of fiber source on digestive function fecal microbiota and immune response in adult dogs |
| topic | dietary fiber dog microbiota digestibility cereal fruit |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/2/196 |
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