Inulin can stimulate the growth of the intestinal bacteria as well as alter the ratio among various short chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced. In the present study, we analyzed the effect of dietary inulin on the intestinal bacterial community as determined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of universal 16S rDNA after amplication with PCR and SCFA profile. Broilers were fed a diet primarily composed of corn-soybean meal or same diet with 1% inulin for 42 d. The relative weight of digesta-filled ceca of the inulin-fed group was higher (P<0.01) than in the control group. Amongst SCFA, only acetate could be detected in the jejunal digesta, which tended to be higher (P=0.09) in inulin-fed group compared with the control group. Inulin did not affect the total concentration of SCFA in the cecal digesta. The relative proportion of n-butyrate was elevated (P=0.05) with a concomitant decrease in the concentration of n-valerate (P<0.05) in the inulin-fed group compared with the control group. Dietary inulin did not affect the number of PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis bands nor their diversity in the jejunal and cecal digesta. Intragroup similarities were not different between the groups, nor were any differences between intra-and intergroup similarities in the jejunal and cecal samples. In conclusion, inulin altered the cecal microbial metabolic activity without any major impact on the composition of intestinal bacterial communities as measured by the present techniques.

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This study investigated the effects of the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus strain DSM 13241 in dogs with non-specific dietary sensitivity (NSS). Six adult German Shorthair Pointers with NSS consecutively received a control dry diet and the same diet supplemented with the probiotic (6 x 10(6) cfu/g) for 12 weeks each, followed by another control period of four weeks. Frequency of defecations, faecal quality and nutrient digestibility were determined. Faeces were cultured for Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia spp., lactobacilli and bifidobacteria and quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) was performed. Feeding the probiotic improved faecal consistency, faecal dry matter and defecation frequency (p < 0.05). Faecal concentrations of culturable lactobacilli and bifidobacteria increased numerically, but not significantly, also the decrease of the numbers of C. perfringens and Escherichia spp. did not reach the level of significance. Results from FISH showed more constant bacterial populations. It can be concluded that L. acidophilus DSM 13241 can stabilise the digestive processes in dogs with NSS.

Summary The aim of the study was to investigate the ability of vitamin C to increase the antioxidative and immunomodulating potential in healthy dogs. Fifteen dogs were tested for the effects of orally administered vitamin E (60 mg dl‐α tocopheryl acetate) in combination with vitamin C (0, 30 or 60 mg ascorbic acid crystalline). Three treatments (0, 30, 60 mg vitamin C) were tested in a 3 × 3 cross‐over study in three periods of 36 days. Pre‐prandial blood samples were taken for analysis of vitamins C, E, A, retinyl palmitate and stearate, antioxidant status [Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and uric acid], biochemical and haematological analysis. Subpopulations of lymphocytes, mitogen‐induced peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation (PBMC) and serum IgA and IgG concentrations were determined. There was a trend (p = 0.056) for an increased plasma vitamin C concentration by vitamin C supplementation. There was no evidence that dietary treatment altered neither the other plasma vitamin concentrations nor TBARS and uric acid concentrations nor the subpopulations of the lymphocytes except for the number of CD4+ lymphocytes that increased with vitamin C supplementation. There was no effect of vitamin C on serum IgA and IgG concentration. A significant time × treatment interaction was demonstrated on PBMC’s to pokeweed, with an increase observed by 30 mg vitamin C supplementation but a decrease by 60 mg vitamin C supplementation. There was no clear evidence for an effect of dietary vitamin C on antioxidative capacity in healthy dogs fed a diet with vitamin E concentrations well above the recommendations. Yet, a limited number of immunological parameters were slightly affected.

Oregano possesses high antioxidant activity and could therefore be used to enhance oxidative stability of eggs high in omega3 fatty acids. In this study, 20 female quails were fed a diet containing 4% linseed oil. They were divided into two groups, one receiving oregano, and the other grass meal as control (2% respectively). Cholesterol oxidation products were analysed in fresh eggs, in stored eggs and in the livers. Trolox equivalent antioxidative capacity of plasma was measured. No significant differences were seen between the groups.