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Dogs And Cats Differ In Metabolomics When Allowed To Freely Choose Macronutrient Intake
Author(s) -
Jewell Dennis E,
Vondran Jodi C,
Vanchina Melissa A,
Jackson Matthew E,
Hall Jean A
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.792.17
Subject(s) - cats , metabolite , metabolomics , palatability , food science , chemistry , metabolome , arabitol , zoology , biochemistry , biology , medicine , chromatography , fermentation , xylitol
Food intake is well known to change circulating metabolites which in turn makes a comparison between the metabolomes of dogs and cats confounded with their offered foods. This study investigated the differences between the metabolomes of dogs and cats when they were given the opportunity to choose their own macronutrient intake. All study protocols were reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., Topeka, KS, USA. Four experimental foods with similar palatability but varying in macronutrient content were prepared for dogs, and four more for cats. Foods were varied such that by choosing a combination of the available foods, each of the dogs and cats could individually set their macronutrient intake. Therefore, this design allowed a comparison of the species differences that exist for macronutrient intake of choice rather than simply the macronutrient intake dictated by the offered food. Metabolite analysis was completed by Metabolon (Durham, NC). Statistical analysis of the metabolomics data was completed by SAS (version 9.4). Individual metabolite significance was established when p <0.05 and q <0.1. There was clear separation of species from metabolites of amino acids, carbohydrates and lipids. Regarding amino acids, cats had higher levels of both oxidized and reduced glutathione. Cats also had lower methionine and higher histidine concentrations when compared with dogs. All other essential amino acids had a species difference less than 15%. Regarding carbohydrates, cats had higher circulating lactate with no difference in pyruvate concentration. Cats also had higher threitol and arabitol. Cats had higher concentrations of EPA and DHA, whereas dogs had higher linoleate and linolenate. Cats had higher carnitine while dogs were higher in deoxycarnitine. In conclusion, metabolomic analysis revealed differences between dogs and cats, and these differences reflected the different metabolic set points within each species. Support or Funding Information The work presented in this study was funded by and performed at the Pet Nutrition Center, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., Topeka, KS