Evaluation of oligosaccharide addition to dog diets: influences on nutrient digestion and microbial populations

Seven adult mixed breed female dogs (17.4 +/- 2.9 kg) surgically fitted wit h ileal T-cannulas were used in a 4 x 7 incomplete Latin square design expe riment to evaluate oligosaccharide supplementation on dry matter (DM), nitr ogen (N), ammonia, volatile fatty acid (VFA), bacteria, blood glucose conce ntrations, ileal pH, and fecal consistency. Fructooligosaccharide (FOS), ma nnanoligosaccharide (MOS), and xylooligosaccharide (XOS) were added at 5 g/ kg of diet DM. There were no differences in DM digestibility, diet or fecal N, N digestibility, ileal or fecal ammonia, fecal consistency ileal bacter ia colony forming units, blood glucose, or ileal pH. Ileal butyrate proport ion tended to be greater (P = 0.07) in the control diet (0.076 of total VFA ) compared with the oligosaccharide supplemented diets and lower (P = 0.07) for the MOS diet compared with the FOS and XOS diets. Ileal propionate ten ded to be higher (P = 0.09) in MOS (0.198 of total VFA) than FOS and XOS. F ecal bifidobacteria numbers were unaffected by dietary treatment. Fecal Clo stridium perfringens tended to be lower (P = 0.09) in MOS when compared to FOS and XOS, Oligosaccharides had relatively minor effects on bacterial gro wth in the large intestine and VFA proportions in the small intestine of th e canine. For oligosaccharide feeding to cause microbial changes in the can ine greater amounts of oligosaccharide may be required, or it may require a pplication in select dietary situations. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.