Study: Spray-dried plasma shown to positively impact canine gut health

CHAMPAIGN, ILL. — APC, a provider of plasma-based functional proteins for animal nutrition applications, recently announced the publication of a peer-reviewed study conducted with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Department of Animal Sciences evaluating how spray-dried plasma (SDP) included in extruded kibble supports canine gut health and key immune indicators in adult dogs. The results demonstrated meaningful shifts in fecal metabolite profiles, suggesting a beneficial microbial impact and a positive effect on gut health.

Published in the Journal of Animal Science, the study was conducted by Julio Mioto, Patricia Oba, DVM, Ph.D., and Maria Cattai de Godoy, Ph.D., of the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, as well as Joy Campbell, senior director of R&D for APC. 

This study evaluated the effects of incorporating SDP from swine — in partial replacement of chicken meal — into extruded diets. The study examined nutrient digestibility, fecal metabolites, microbiota composition, serum chemistry, and inflammatory and immune biomarkers in adult dogs. Extrusion processing parameters were also evaluated in diets containing increased levels of SDP.

Twelve adult Beagles were assigned one of the four dietary treatments: a control diet without SDP, a diet with 4% SDP applied as a coating (4% coating diet) and diets with 4% or 8% SDP included within the kibble matrix prior to extrusion. Each dog was fed the diet for 21 days following a seven-day adaptation period, with all dogs successfully accepting the diets, according to the researchers.

The results found that feeding 8% SDP maintained overall nutrient digestibility but reduced total dietary fiber digestibility. Fecal concentrations of short-chain fatty acids — particularly propionate — were higher in dogs fed the 8% SDP diet compared with the control diet. Additionally, a linear reduction in protein fermentation byproducts — mainly indole metabolites — was observed, suggesting a beneficial shift in microbial metabolism, according to the researchers. Inclusion of SDP also modulated fecal microbiota composition, with changes across several genera and increases in beneficial genera such as Lactobacillus, Streptococcus and Catenibacterium.

Serum chemistry analysis showed lower blood urea nitrogen in dogs fed the 4% coating SDP, 4% SDP and 8% SDP diets compared to the control diet, suggesting improved protein metabolism, according to the researchers. Fecal IgA concentrations were higher in dogs fed 8% SDP than the control diet, indicating potential immunomodulatory effects that may contribute to improved intestinal homeostasis.

“These findings support the potential of SDP as a functional ingredient in canine diets, contributing to gut health, metabolic regulation and immune function in extruded pet food,” the researchers wrote.

Read the full study.

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