scholarly journals A Multiomic Approach to Investigate the Effects of a Weight Loss Program on the Intestinal Health of Overweight Horses

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Walshe ◽  
Raul Cabrera-Rubio ◽  
Roisin Collins ◽  
Antonella Puggioni ◽  
Vivian Gath ◽  
...  

Obesity is endemic in human populations in the western society, and with mounting evidence that the intestinal ecological environment plays a major role in its pathogenesis, identification of therapies based on intestinal microbiota modulation are gaining attention. Obesity in companion animals is also a common clinical problem. We set out using a multidimensional approach, to determine the effectiveness and safety of a weight loss program for horses incorporating diet restriction and exercise. In addition, we aimed to investigate the effect of this program on the overall intestinal health of overweight sedentary horses. The investigation comprised of a randomized, controlled, 6-week study of 14 overweight sedentary horses and ponies who were blocked for age, gender, and breed (controls n = 7, treatment n = 7). The treatment group were fed a restricted diet (1.4% of body weight dry matter intake) and the control group a maintenance diet (2% of body weight as dry matter intake) over the study period. The treatment group were subjected to a prescribed exercise regime, while the control group were exercised to mimic foraging conditions. Several clinical measurements were taken at the start and end of the study, including morphological parameters, ultrasound measurements of subcutaneous fat, and blood pressure. Fecal microbiota analysis was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, and fecal metabolome was analyzed using NMR spectroscopy, on samples taken at weeks 1, 3, and 6 of the study. All horses completed the study period successfully. However, two of the treatment group had to have modified exercise regimes. The treatment group showed significant weight loss (p < 0.00001) and an associated decrease in waste circumference (p < 0.0001) when compared with the control group. The alpha-diversity of the fecal microbiota in the treatment group showed a significant increase from the start to the end of the study period (p < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference between groups at any sampling point. There were significant changes (p < 0.05) in the metabolome in both groups between the start and end of the study, but not between groups at any sampling point. Finally, the resting blood pressure of all horses was significantly lower by the end of the study.

Author(s):  
Kalyan Sundar Das ◽  
Jitendra Kumar Singh ◽  
Ghansham Singh ◽  
Raman Malik ◽  
Parminder Singh Oberoi

The aim of the present study was to find out the effect of heat stress amelioration on body weight changes, dry matter intake, milk yield and economics in lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes during hot-dry (HD; April to Mid June) and hot-humid (HH; Mid June to August) seasons under tropical climate. Forty two Nili-Ravi lactating buffaloes were uniformly divided into two groups of twenty one in each considering their lactation number, stage of lactation, body weight, dam’s milk yield and milk yield in current lactation. The control (T0) group buffaloes were kept in separate shed without any nutrient supplementation and modification in microclimate and management. The treatment (T1) group was supplemented with niacin, yeast, edible oil in feed and provided curtains and mist fans in the shed, and altered feeding time, frequency and type of ration. The overall mean body weights in control and treatment group buffaloes were noted to be 517.4 kg and 523.4 kg, respectively. Under HD and HH seasons, mean body weights at different fortnights in treatment group buffaloes were 515.6 kg and 531.1 kg, respectively. In control group, the respective values were 512 kg and 522.7 kg. Although the body weights were higher in treatment than control group, there were no statistically significant differences between two experimental groups. The overall mean daily total dry matter intake (TDMI), dry matter intake through concentrate (CDMI), dry matter intake through dry fodder (DFDMI) and dry matter intake through green fodder (GFDMI) were noted to be 13.04, 4.21, 1.02, 7.92, 14.13, 4.24, 1.17 and 8.65 kg in control and treatment group buffaloes, respectively. Under both seasons, treatment group buffaloes consumed more dry matter than control group throughout the experimental period. The values were also differed significantly (ranged from P<0.05 to P<0.0001) between two groups. The overall mean values of fortnightly total milk production were 103.2 kg in control group and 121.5 kg in treatment group. Throughout the period, treatment group buffaloes produced more milk than control. Milk production was also significantly (P<0.0001) differed between control and treatment groups under two seasons. The daily average additional input cost per buffalo was maximum 22/- and additional income per buffalo was minimum 35/-. Therefore, the net profit was around 13/- per buffalo per day. The input: output ratio was calculated to be 1:1.59. It can be concluded that the use of such types of housing, nutritional and management interventions in the form of one package not only helps to maintain body weight but also increases dry matter intake and favours economic milk production in lactating buffaloes through reducing heat stress during hot-dry and hot-humid seasons in tropical climate.


1966 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
AD Wilson

Penned sheep were fed on species of Atriplex or Kochia, either alone or as supplements to a roughage diet. The intake and digestibility of the diets, and the weight change of the sheep were recorded. The digestible dry matter intake of A. nummularia and A. vesicaria was sufficient for maintenance of the sheep, provided that fresh water was available. There was little seasonal change in the quality of the Atriglex diets. The intake of a protein-deficient roughage was not altered by the addition of 150 g dry matter of Atriplex or Kochia as a supplement. Body weight loss was decreased or gain increased, but neither significantly, by the addition of these supplements which were high in nitrogen.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-360
Author(s):  
MZ Rahman ◽  
MAI Talukder ◽  
Md Yousuf Ali ◽  
Most Sumona Akter

An experiment was conducted with 15 Black Bengal kids of both sexes (in 3 groups) were fed two different milk replacer using ingredient shotti (T1), skim milk (T2) and no milk replacer- kids with mother, termed as control group (T0) at Southern agro trade, Subarnachar, Noakhali. The average total DM intake and milk dry matter intake were not significantly differed among the treatment group. Total dry matter intake was not affected by intake of liquid milk replacer or goat milk. The CP intake were ranged from 19.97 to 20.93 g/d. Total CP intake was not significantly differed among the group but T1 group was slightly higher(0.42 g/d) than T0 and T2. The amount of protein intake (g/d) was followed NRC (1985) recommendation. DMI from concentrate (g/d), DMI from green grass (g/d) and DMI from percent live weight were not significantly differed among the treatment groups. The average daily gain was not significantly (P>0.05) differed among the treatment group. The average growth rate (57.42 – 61.20 g/d) of all kid of Black Begal goat was lower than the Angora goats (115.00-125.00 g/d) and Alpine goats (153.00-258.00 g/d). Dry matter (DM) digestibility (%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher (74.45) in T1 group compare to other groups. CP digestibility was numerically higher in T1 group than other three groups. The digestibility of nutrient depends on physiology of kids, particularly the development and capacity of the digestive tract. The lower growth rate might be genetic characteristics of Black Bengal goat.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2016, 2(2): 357-360


2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gláucia B.P. Neto ◽  
Márcio A. Brunetto ◽  
Marlos G. Sousa ◽  
Aulus C. Carciofi ◽  
Aparecido A. Camacho

Obesity is one of the most frequent nutritional problems in companion animals and can lead to severe health problems in dogs and cats, such as cardiovascular diseases. This research aimed to evaluate the structural and functional cardiac changes after weight loss in obese dogs. Eighteen obese healthy dogs were assigned into three different groups, according with their initial body weight: Group I (dogs up to 15 kg), Group II (dogs weighing between 15.1 and 30 kg), and Group III (dogs weighing over 30 kg). The animals were submitted to a caloric restriction weight-loss program until they lose 15% of the body weight. The M-mode echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, and blood pressure evaluations were performed before the diet has started and after the dogs have reached the target weight. Data showed a decrease in left ventricular free wall thickness during diastole and systole in Group III, decrease in the systolic blood pressure in Group III, and also in the mean blood pressure in Group II. It was possible to conclude that the weight loss program can reverse structural cardiac changes such as left ventricle eccentric hypertrophy in dogs weighing more than 30 kg, and decrease the arterial blood pressure in obese dogs.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan Geliebter ◽  
Nerys M. Astbury ◽  
Roni Aviram-Friedman ◽  
Eric Yahav ◽  
Sami Hashim

AbstractEating breakfast may reduce appetite, body weight and CVD risk factors, but the breakfast type that produces the greatest health benefits remains unclear. We compared the effects of consuming a high-fibre breakfast, a non-fibre breakfast, or no-breakfast control on body weight, CVD risk factors and appetite. A total of thirty-six overweight participants (eighteen men and eighteen women) (mean age 33·9 (sd7·5) years, mean BMI 32·8 (sd4·7) kg/m2) were randomly assigned to consume oat porridge (n = 12), frosted cornflakes (n = 12) or a water control (n = 12) breakfast daily for 4 weeks. Appetite ratings were collected on the first day and weekly thereafter. Before and after the intervention, body weight, composition, blood pressure and resting energy expenditure (REE) were measured and a fasting blood sample was collected. Across the 4 weeks, fullness was higher and hunger was lower in the oat porridge group compared with the control group (P < 0·05). Mean weight change over the intervention was significantly different in the control group (−1·18 (sd1·16) kg) compared with both the cornflakes (−0·12 (sd1·34) kg) and oat porridge (+0·26 (sd0·91) kg) groups (P < 0·05). However, the control group also showed elevated total cholesterol concentrations relative to the cornflakes and oat porridge groups (P < 0·05). There were no differences between groups in changes in body composition, blood pressure, REE or other CVD risk factors. In conclusion, although skipping breakfast led to weight loss, it also resulted in increased total cholesterol concentrations compared with eating either oat porridge or frosted cornflakes for breakfast.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ritu Raj ◽  
Anshu Rahal ◽  
Anil Kumar ◽  
S. K. Singh

Effect of supplementing giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) and mint (Mentha arvensis) on feed intake and body weight was studied in twenty crossbred calves. While Group I was taken as control, Group II was supplemented with Tinospora cordifolia @ 4% of concentrate, group III with Mentha arvensis @ 4% of concentrate and group IV with both Tinospora cordifolia and Mentha arvensis @ 2% of concentrate each. Significantly higher(P 0.05) dry matter intake(Kg) and dry matter intake(g)/W 0.75Kg in group III was recorded compared to control while group II did not differ from group IV. Significantly higher body weight gain was noticed in group IV compared to other groups. Giloy and/or mint can be fed to improve growth in crossbred calves.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle K Alencar ◽  
Kelly Johnson ◽  
Rashmi Mullur ◽  
Virginia Gray ◽  
Elizabeth Gutierrez ◽  
...  

Introduction Clinically significant weight loss is defined as a ≥5% of initial body weight loss within a 6-month period. The purpose of this study was to assess body weight change from a 12-week telehealth-based weight loss program that integrated health coaching via video conferencing. Methods A total of 25 obese participants (12 males, 13 females) were recruited for this fully online 12-week weight loss program. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or control group ( n = 13 intervention, body mass index (BMI) = 34.7 ± 4.5 kg/m2; n = 12 control, BMI = 34.4 ± 4.43 kg/m2). All participants were given access to a secure platform for data tracking and video conferencing with the research team. The intervention group met with the medical doctor once per month and with a registered dietitian, weekly. Control participants met with the research team at baseline and at 12 weeks. Independent samples t-tests and Chi-square tests were used via SPSS version 24 with significance set to p < 0.05. Results There was a significant difference between the intervention and control groups for body weight loss (7.3 ± 5.2 versus 1.2 ± 3.9 kg, respectively, p < 0.05) as well as for percent body weight loss (7.16 ± 4.4 versus 1.5 ± 4.1%, respectively, p < 0.05). Clinically significant weight loss was achieved in 9 out of 13 (69.2%) in the intervention group versus 1 out of 12 (8%) in the control group. Discussion Mobile phone-based health coaching may promote weight loss. Weekly video conferencing with education may be an applicable tool for inducing significant body weight loss in obese individuals.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (02) ◽  
pp. 14-17
Author(s):  
K K Hadiya ◽  
A J Dhami ◽  
D V Chaudhari ◽  
P M Lunagariya

This study was initiated on 24 prepubertal Holstein x Kankrej crossbred heifers of nearly identical age (7-9 months) and body weight (130-140 kg) at University farm to evaluate the effect of high plane of nutrition on blood biochemical and minerals profile and the age at puberty. Twelve heifers were managed under routine farm feeding (control) and the rest 12 under ideal optimum feeding regime (treatment) that included extra 1 kg concentrate, 30 g min mix and ad-lib dry fodder. The body weight and ovarian ultrasonography together with blood sampling was carried out at monthly interval from 10 to 18 months of age to study the ovarian dynamics and blood biochemical changes. High plane of nutrition to growing heifers was beneficial in reducing the age of onset of puberty (by 2-3 months) compared to routine farm fed group. The mean plasma total protein and cholesterol concentrations showed a rising trend with significant variations from 10 to 16 months of age, where it got mostly stabilized indicating adult profile. The activity of enzymes GOT and GPT also rose gradually and significantly from 10 months till 14-15 months of age, and thereafter it remained more or less static till 18 months of age. The levels of both these enzymes were higher, with lower protein and cholesterol, in control than the treatment group from 15-16 months of age onwards. The mean plasma levels of both calcium and phosphorus increased gradually and significantly with advancing age till 16-17 months of age, with little higher values in supplemented than a control group. The plasma levels of zinc, iron, copper, and cobalt also showed rising trend with significant differences between 10th and 12th-14th months of age, and from 15th to 18th months of age the levels were statistically the same in all the groups with slightly higher values in the treatment group.


2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 1548-1557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson Massaru Fukumoto ◽  
Julio Cesar Damasceno ◽  
Fermino Deresz ◽  
Carlos Eugênio Martins ◽  
Antônio Carlos Cóser ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate milk yield and composition, dry matter intake, and stocking rate in pastures with tanzania grass (Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia), star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis cv. Estrela-Africana), and marandu grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu). The grasses were managed in a rotational grazing system with Holstein x Zebu crossbreed cows, with a 30-day resting period and three days of paddock occupation. The pastures were fertilized with 1,000 kg/ha/year using the 20:05:20 (NPK) formula, split in three applications during the rainy season. It was used a complete random block experimental design with three factors being studied and two replications. In the experiment, four cows/paddock were used and, when it was necessary, regulator animals were added in order to obtain a supply of 7% body weight green forage dry matter. The animals were individually fed concentrate at 2 kg/day during the experimental period. Milk yield did not differ among the three grasses, with values of 9.1; 9.1; and 8.7 kg/cow/day for pastures with tanzania grass, star grass and marandu grass, respectively. Similarly, grass did not affect milk chemical composition. Stocking rate was similar among the three grasses, with values of 4.6; 4.5 and 5.0 UA/ha for tanzania grass, star grass and marandu grass, respectively. The highest dry matter intake was observed for tanzania grass with 2.6% of the body weight while stargrass (2.3%) and marandu grass (2.4%) did not differ among each other. The highest dry matter intake on tanzania grass pasture was not reflected on milk yield per animal. Milk yield and composition and stocking rate are similar among the evaluated grasses.


1987 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 445-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Nicholson

SummaryThe effects of night enclosure and walking 3000 km on growing and breeding cattle were examined over an 8-month period. Walking consisted of an 8 h walk of 40 km every 3rd day and experimental cattle were enclosed each night for 11 h. In addition, all cattle were allowed water once every 3 days. In cattle which both walked and were enclosed, a reduction of nearly 40% in grazing time was recorded. This was associated with a depression of dry-matter intake of only 12%, suggesting an intensification of eating in response to a restriction of grazing time. The overall effects of walking and enclosing on productivity, as determined by adult weight loss, calf and weaner growth, calving percentage and birth weight, were negligible and masked by the greater effects of poor nutrition during the dry season which affected all the animals. It is concluded that the additional energetic requirements for walking are small and this is attributed to adaptation, fitness and a possible depression of metabolic rate. These factors may explain why the observed costs of walking were lower than those reported in the literature.


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