The effect of extrusion on the nutritional value of canine diets as assessed by in vitro indicators

A 3 × 2 × 2 factorial trial was designed to investigate the effect of different extrusion conditions and product parameters on the nutritional quality as determined by a number of in vitro measurements (e.g. reactive lysine, and starch gelatinization degree) as well as physical quality of the kibble (durability and hardness) of a canine diet....

Effect of extrusion of canine diets on total and reactive lysine content

Commercially available dry dog foods are often manufactured using extrusion cooking. Normal extrusion conditions can promote Maillard reactions involving the amino acid lysine. This non-enzymatic browning reaction occurs between a carbonyl group and an amino group in a diet. This study investigated the influence of a number of extrusion...

Subchronic (13-week) oral toxicity study of α-cyclodextrin in dogs

The oral toxicity of α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) was examined in a 13-week feeding study in which groups of Beagle dogs received α-CD in the diet at concentrations of 0 (control), 5, 10, or 20% (4dogs/sex/group). No treatment-related changes were noted in behavior or appearance of the dogs and no mortalities occurred. Diarrhea occurred in all α-CD...

Dietary 135-fold cholecalciferol supplementation severely disturbs the endochondral ossification in growing dogs

The effects of excessive non-toxic dietary Vitamin D3 supplementation on Ca homeostasis with specific effects on endochondral ossification and skeletal remodeling were investigated in a group of growing Great Dane dogs supplemented with cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3; HVitD) versus a control group (CVitD) (1350 μg versus 11.4 μg Vitamin D3 per...

Pharmacokinetics of oestriol after repeated oral administration to dogs

The aim of the present study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of oestriol in plasma in the dog after repeated oral administration of oestriol tablets, a preparation intended for the treatment of urinary incontinence in the bitch. The study was performed in six healthy, entire, adult female beagle dogs. The bitches were treated once daily...

Assessment of protein allergenicity on the basis of immune reactivity: Animal models

Because of the public concern surrounding the issue of the safety of genetically modified organisms, it is critical to have appropriate methodologies to aid investigators in identifying potential hazards associated with consumption of foods produced with these materials. A regent panel of experts convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization...

Moderate cholecalciferol supplementation depresses intestinal calcium absorption in growing dogs

Hormonal regulation of calcium (Ca) absorption was investigated in a cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)supplemented group (hVitD) vs. a control group (cVitD) of growing Great Danes (100 vs. 12.5 μg vitamin D3/kg diet). Although Ca intakes did not differ, fractional Ca absorption was significantly lower in the hVitD group than in the cVitD group. There...

Infection of a canine macrophage cell line with Leishmania infantum: Determination of nitric oxide production and anti-leishmanial activity

We have previously shown that resistance to Leishmania infantum in dogs is associated with a Th1 type of immune response. In this study, we use a canine macrophage cell line (030-D) that can readily be infected with this protozoan parasite. Our aim is to further characterize the effector mechanisms involved in killing of Leishmania parasite in...

Subchronic (13-week) oral toxicity study of y-cyclodextrin in dogs

The oral toxicity of γ-cyclodextrin (γ- CD) was examined in a 13-week feeding study in which four groups of four male and four female Beagle dogs received γ-CD in the diet at concentrations of 0 (control), 5, 10, or 20%. No treatment-related changes were noted in behavior or appearance of the dogs and no mortalities occurred. Transient diarrhea...

Butylated hydroxyanisole in perspective

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a synthetic food antioxidant used to prevent oils, fats and shortenings from oxidative deterioration and rancidity. This review depicts the current knowledge on BHA. The physical and chemical characteristics of BHA are summarized and its function as a food antioxidant is made clear. The toxicological...