Influence of supplemental high molecular weight pullulan or gamma-cyclodextrin on ileal and total tract nutrient digestibility, fecal characteristics, and microbial populations in the dog

Arch Anim Nutr. 2005 Aug;59(4):257-70. doi: 10.1080/17450390500216993.

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine if supplemental pullulan and gamma-cyclodextrin affect canine nutrient digestibility, microbial populations, and fecal characteristics. Ileal cannulated dogs were fed a commercial diet, and treatments were administered daily in a 5 x 5 Latin square design: (i) no supplement; (ii) 2 g pullulan; (iii) 4 g pullulan; (iv) 2 g gamma-cyclodextrin; (v) 4 g gamma-cyclodextrin. Ileal and fecal samples were collected the last 4 d of each 14-d period. Increasing pullulan tended (p < 0.10) to linearly increase ileal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli and quadratically increase fecal lactobacilli. A similar response was noted in ileal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli with gamma-cyclodextrin. Gamma-Cyclodextrin resulted in a quadratic decrease (p < 0.05) in fecal Clostridium perfringens. Increasing pullulan linearly increased (p < 0.05) fecal score, while gamma-cyclodextrin resulted in a linear decrease (p < 0.05). Pullulan and gamma-cyclodextrin supplementation may have beneficial effects on the microbial ecology of dogs.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bifidobacterium / growth & development*
  • Bifidobacterium / metabolism
  • Clostridium perfringens / growth & development
  • Digestion*
  • Dogs / metabolism*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Female
  • Glucans / administration & dosage*
  • Glucans / metabolism
  • Ileum / microbiology
  • Lactobacillus / growth & development*
  • Lactobacillus / metabolism
  • Molecular Weight
  • Probiotics
  • Random Allocation
  • gamma-Cyclodextrins / administration & dosage*
  • gamma-Cyclodextrins / metabolism

Substances

  • Glucans
  • gamma-Cyclodextrins
  • pullulan