Food intake and energy expenditure in growing cats with and without a predisposition to overweight

Abstract

Overweight and obesity are multifactorial diseases caused by an imbalance in energy metabolism. An underlying genetic predisposition is often a factor in these conditions. In the cat breeding family of the Institute of Animal Nutrition at the Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, a segregating overweight phenotype with a genetic contribution was observed. From this breeding family, 26 kittens were followed from birth up to 8 months of age. During this time, food intake was measured using an automatic feeding station, and energy expenditure was investigated using indirect calorimetry at the ages of 4 and 6 months. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was performed and blood glucose, leptin and insulin were measured at the ages of 4, 6 and 8 months. The kittens were also weighed daily for the first 2 weeks of life, every second day until weaning and once per week until 8 months of age. The body condition score (BCS) was evaluated monthly between 2 and 8 months of age. The main finding of this study is that a predisposition to overweight is connected to a higher food intake early in life, with no significant alterations in energy expenditure. The leptin blood levels were related to body fat percentage, and insulin sensitivity did not seem to be affected.

Вплив Раціонів На Розвиток Надмірної Маси Тіла Собак Порід Середнього Розміру

“…This experiment was conducted in two stages. At the beginning of the study and at the end of each stage, morphometric measurements were monitored [8] and functional indicators of the body of animals were indicated:…”

“…Obesity and excessive body weight are one of the most common pathological conditions of small domestic animals. [3,18] These conditions are associated with concomitant diseases such as orthopedic and endocrine disorders, as well as metabolic abnormalities [8,13], renal dysfunction and breathing dysfunction. [13] In addition to these negative effects for the animal health, the quality of obese dogs and cats' life is significantly worse, and its duration can be significantly reduced [6,11].…”

The Genetic Basis of Obesity and Related Metabolic Diseases in Humans and Companion Animals

“…However, the energy requirement measurements were (for the obesity-prone group) performed not long after a period of restricted feeding and weight loss, interventions well recognised to cause reduced energy expenditure irrespective of baseline status [171]. In a subsequent generation of the same cohort, food intake and energy expenditure were investigated [172] and obesity-prone cats had higher food intake early in life but not lower energy expenditure.…”

Клінічний Випадок Аліментарного Ожиріння У Собаки

“…Відмічено, що у тварин, так само як і в людей, присутній факт стресового переїдання, що сукупно з обмеженою фізичною активністю може провокувати ожиріння. Знервовані або у стані депресії свійські коти чи собаки можуть поїдати корм у надмірних кількостях, намагаючись компенсувати стрес задоволенням від поїдання їжі [9].…”

“…Зазвичай собаки з надмірною масою тіла, на відміну від собак з нормальною вгодованістю, намагаються споживати корми кращої якості, відмовляються виконувати завдання чи фізичні навантаження, коли винагорода за ці дії невизначена [9,16].…”