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. 2023 Dec 2;13(23):3734.
doi: 10.3390/ani13233734.

Dietary Supplementation with Nucleotides, Short-Chain Fructooligosaccharides, Xylooligosaccharides, Beta-Carotene and Vitamin E Influences Immune Function in Kittens

Jujhar Atwal  1 , Willy Joly  2 , Robyn Bednall  1 , Fabio Albanese  1 , Michelle Farquhar  1 , Lucy J Holcombe  1 , Phillip Watson  1 , Matthew Harrison  1
Affiliations

Dietary Supplementation with Nucleotides, Short-Chain Fructooligosaccharides, Xylooligosaccharides, Beta-Carotene and Vitamin E Influences Immune Function in Kittens

Jujhar Atwal et al. Animals (Basel). .

Abstract

Nucleotides, short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS), xylooligosaccharides (XOS), β-carotene and vitamin E are reported to enhance immune function; however, the evidence of this in cats is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the immunomodulatory effects of these ingredients in kittens. Forty domestic short hair kittens were designated in litters to control or test diet for 28 weeks. Test diet was fortified with 0.33 g nucleotides, 0.45 g scFOS, 0.3 g XOS, 0.7 mg β-carotene and 66.5 mg vitamin E per 100 g diet. Kittens were vaccinated against feline parvovirus (FPV) and herpesvirus (FHV) at 10, 14 and 18 weeks. Kittens remained healthy, with no measured evidence of adverse health. Serum FPV and FHV antibody titres were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the test diet group at week 23 and 27, respectively. A significantly (p < 0.05) higher proportion of test diet group kittens demonstrated an adequate response (four-fold titre increase) to FHV vaccination and a significantly (p < 0.05) higher proportion reached a protective antibody titre for FHV. Serum IgM was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the test diet group. The test diet group demonstrated a stronger humoral immune response to vaccination, suggesting the diet supports immune defence, enabling a greater response to immune challenges.

Keywords: feline; humoral; immune; kitten; nucleotides; short-chain fructooligosaccharides; vaccination; xylooligosaccharides.

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Conflict of interest statement

J.A., W.J., R.B., F.A., M.F., L.J.H., P.W. and M.H. were employees of Mars Petcare during the study. Mars Petcare is a manufacturer of pet food and provider of veterinary services.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Feline parvovirus titre using haemagglutinin inhibition assay at each timepoint presented as median and inter-quartile range (IQR) for control (n 17–20; —●—) and test (n 15–20; ---▲---) diet groups. The horizontal dotted line represents the protective antibody titre level. * significant between diet group difference (p < 0.05).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Feline herpesvirus titre using virus neutralisation assay at each timepoint presented as median and inter-quartile range (IQR) for control (n 16–20; —●—) and test (n 14–20; ---▲---) diet groups. The horizontal dotted line represents the protective antibody titre level. * significant between diet group difference (p < 0.05).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Feline calicivirus titre using ELISA assay at each timepoint presented as median and inter-quartile range (IQR) for control (n 15–19; —●—) and test (n 13–20; ---▲---) diet groups. The horizontal dotted line represents the protective antibody titre level.
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Grants and funding

This work was funded by Mars Petcare. The Waltham Petcare Science Institute is a fundamental research centre for Mars Petcare.

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