Concentration of elements in the hair of growing and adult dogs

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate element concentrations in the hair of growing and adult dogs. Overall, 39 dogs were recruited in a kennel, split in 4 groups: G1, 10 puppies of small size breeds; G2, 6 puppies of medium size breed; G3, 11 adult dogs of medium size breeds; G4, 12 adult dogs of toy breeds. The dogs of each group were fed 4 different complete diets, according to the requirements. Hairs were sampled at the beginning of the study (D0) and after 60 days (D60). Elements were analysed in triplicate using ICP-OES. In the hair of the adult dogs of the G3 group the concentration of Al (p < .01) was lower and in the G2 group the concentration of Zn was higher (p < .01) than in the other groups. Cu and Mn concentrations in the hair were higher (p < .01 and p < .05, respectively) in puppies fed G1 and G2 diets in comparison to adult dogs fed G3 and G43 diets. Hair concentrations of K, Li and Na were higher at D60 in comparison with D0 (p < .01). Correlations between concentrations in the hair of Al and Fe, Al and Mg and Fe and Mg were highly significant (p < .01). Present data do not support the use of element concentrations in the hair to assess their nutritional supply but, likely, they can be used in relation to physiological status of the animals. Further studies are required to investigate the factors affecting element concentrations in the hair of dogs. HIGHLIGHTS Concentrations of Cu, Mn and Zn in the hair differed between growing and adult dogs; Al concentration in hair was highly correlated with Fe and Mg; Several factors other than nutritional supply regulate element deposition in the hair ARTICLE HISTORY

Diet and dog characteristics affect major and trace elements in hair and blood of healthy dogs

“…As blood is prone to fluctuations and homeostatic regulation, hair has been considered a more stable medium for reflecting dietary intake of elements in humans and other animals (Perry et al 1976 ; Ghorbani et al 2015 ; Kim et al 2016 ). During the last decade the interest in hair analysis among canine researchers has increased and it has become evident that not only dietary intake, but also age, sex, hair color, physiological status, health status, living environment, laboratory washing procedures, and in some cases breed, may also affect hair element concentrations in dogs (Chyla and Zyrnicki 2000 ; Park et al 2005 ; So et al 2016 ; Davies et al 2017b ; Sgorlon et al 2019 ; Chun et al 2020 ). There is still a paucity of data on major and trace element, and toxic metal concentrations in hair (So et al 2016 ; Davies et al 2017b ; Sgorlon et al 2019 ) and blood (Panda et al 2009 ; Viviano and Vanderwielen 2013 ; Sousa et al 2013 ; Bahovschi et al 2015 ; Ferreira et al 2017 ; Langlois et al 2017 ) of healthy dogs.…”

“…During the last decade the interest in hair analysis among canine researchers has increased and it has become evident that not only dietary intake, but also age, sex, hair color, physiological status, health status, living environment, laboratory washing procedures, and in some cases breed, may also affect hair element concentrations in dogs (Chyla and Zyrnicki 2000 ; Park et al 2005 ; So et al 2016 ; Davies et al 2017b ; Sgorlon et al 2019 ; Chun et al 2020 ). There is still a paucity of data on major and trace element, and toxic metal concentrations in hair (So et al 2016 ; Davies et al 2017b ; Sgorlon et al 2019 ) and blood (Panda et al 2009 ; Viviano and Vanderwielen 2013 ; Sousa et al 2013 ; Bahovschi et al 2015 ; Ferreira et al 2017 ; Langlois et al 2017 ) of healthy dogs. Furthermore, research on the correlation between hair and blood element concentrations (Sousa et al 2013 ), and the effect of common diet types, such as dry and raw food, on element status (Anturaniemi et al 2020 ) is scarce.…”

Interplay between Neuroendocrine Biomarkers and Gut Microbiota in Dogs Supplemented with Grape Proanthocyanidins: Results of Dietary Intervention Study

“…Considering the data of SCFAs and lactic acid (Table 1), it was interesting to note that for the D3 samples, the mean molar proportions of propionate and isobutyrate were higher and lower, respectively, for the D3 diet at T28. The concentration of acetate and propionate are positively related to the amount of fiber in the diet [35] and that of branched chain fatty acids (isobutyrate and isovalerate) are more related to amino acids metabolism in the gut [20]. In the present study, the diet was the same for all the dogs and the only variation was the administration of proanthocyanidins and, accordingly, the observed change of SCFAs could be related to a shift of microbial community.…”

“…For cortisol analysis in the hair, the method described by Accorsi et al (2008) [19] was used, with minor modifications [20]. Briefly, 150 mg of hair were weighted from each sample and placed into 15 mL glass vial.…”

Genetic Regulation of Biomarkers as Stress Proxies in Dairy Cows

“…BHB was analysed in milk using the same test as for plasma. Cortisol, a biomarker of chronic stress, was assayed in milk and in hair, both following the procedure described by Sgorlon et al [ 37 ].…”