The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of deslorelin acetate implants on domestic queen puberty postponement. Thirty, 114.4 ± 12.7 days old, 1.5 ± 0.1 kg prepubertal crossbred female cats were included in this study. The animals were kept under a positive photoperiod and randomly assigned to deslorelin acetate 4.7 mg SC implants (n = 15) or to a non-treated control group (n = 15). The queens were followed up daily and weighed weekly until puberty. Vaginal cytology was also carried out three times a week. Puberty was diagnosed by the presence of the typical oestrous behaviour and vaginal cytology findings. At puberty, ovariectomy was performed and the gonads grossly described. Age (281.2 ± 21.6 vs 177.8 ± 10.8; p < 0.01) but not weight (2.6 ± 0.1 vs 2.5 ± 0.1; p > 0.1) at puberty differed between the deslorelin and control groups, respectively. One deslorelin-treated female showed an oestrous response and another showed clinical signs of pyometra after the implants. Deslorelin-treated ovaries appeared small, while control gonads were normal. It was concluded that long-term-release deslorelin, administered at approximately 50% adult body weight, postponed feline puberty without altering growing rate.
Dog sports competitions have greatly expanded. The availability of reference values for each type of activity could help assess fitness accurately. Heart rate (HR), blood lactate (BL) and rectal temperature (RT) are relevant physiological parameters to determine the dogs response to effort. Previous studies in greyhounds have reported the effect of high-intensity exercise on many physiological parameters immediately after completing different racing distances and recovery times. However, there are no studies concerning physiological changes over shorter racing distances. We therefore assessed the effect of sprint exercise on HR, BL and RT in nine greyhounds performing sprint exercise over a 100-m distance chasing a lure. After the exercise, dogs underwent a passive 10-min recovery phase. Before the exercise, immediately after it and at 5 and 10 min during recovery, HR and RT were assessed and blood samples were collected for BL determination. HR, BL and RT values increased significantly after the exercise (P<0.01). Whereas HR returned to pre-exercise values at 10 min during the recovery phase (P>0.1), BL concentration and RT remained increased (P<0.01). The abrupt increase in HR, BL and RT values observed immediately after the exercise indicates the high intensity of the effort performed. Similarly, BL concentration after the exercise exceeded the 4 mmol/L lactate threshold, suggesting a predominant anaerobic metabolism during effort. Although HR returned to pre-exercise values 10 min after the exercise, a more extensive recovery phase would be necessary for a total return to resting values, particularly for BL and RT. In greyhounds subjected to high-intensity exercise, HR, BL and RT were reliable physiological parameters to accurately assess the physiological response to effort. The use of sprint exercises over short racing distances could be useful for appropriately monitoring fitness in sporting dogs.
The rise in popularity of dog sports competitions has led to the evaluation of improvements in dog physical performance. The potential benefit of dietary supplementation with fish oil (FO) on the physical performance of human beings and horses has been reported. However, such effect has not been studied in dogs. We therefore evaluated the effect of FO dietary supplementation on heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (RT) and thigh circumference (TC) in dogs during aerobic treadmill training, and further determined HR response and blood lactate (BL) concentration during an incremental exercise test. Using a cross-over design, eight male dogs were randomly assigned to two groups and received a standard balanced commercial diet (control, CG, n = 7) and the same diet supplemented with 54 mg FO/kg metabolic weight per day (FOG, n = 8). All dogs had 30-min treadmill sessions at 8 km/hr and 7.5% slope twice a week for 12 weeks. Assessment of HR and RT was performed before and immediately after each session; HR was also assessed 5 min after the end of each session. Thigh circumference was evaluated before each session. All dogs performed an incremental exercise test on the treadmill at 0, 6 and 12 weeks to evaluate HR response and BL concentration. Data were analysed using the mixed procedure (SAS 9.4). In FOG, pre-HR (−4.9%) and post-HR (−2.4%) values and post-RT (−0.3%) values were lower during treadmill training, whereas TC (+2.2%) values were higher as compared with CG (p < 0.01). Through the incremental exercise test, mean HR (week 6, −5.3%; week 12, −6.0%) values in FOG were lower than in CG (p < 0.05). In conclusion, FO supplementation slightly improved the physiological response of dogs to exercise during training. K E Y W O R D S dog, fish oil, physical exercise, training, treadmill How to cite this article: Pellegrino FJ, Risso A, Relling AE, Corrada Y. Physical response of dogs supplemented with fish oil during a treadmill training programme. J Anim Physiol Anim
Background Fish oil (FO) supplementation as a source of omega 3 fatty acids is associated with beneficial effects on health. However, high unsaturated fatty acid content in the diet could result in increased lipid peroxidation and damage to proteins, lipids and DNA. We evaluated the effect of dietary FO supplementation on DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of dogs. Additionally, we determined the effect of FO supplementation on lipid peroxidation and lipid profile of these dogs. Methods Healthy male dogs ( n = 9) were randomly assigned to one of two diets during 90 days: control (CG, n = 4), based on a commercial food, and FO (FOG, n = 5), the same food supplemented with 1000 mg FO. Blood samples were collected on days −1, 30, 60 and 90. DNA damage was assessed with the comet assay, and the damage index was obtained. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined as an indicator of lipid peroxidation. Lipid profile determination included serum triglyceride, cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein and high‐density lipoprotein levels (HDL). Results Damage index values (arbitrary units) were lower in FOG on day 30 (CG, 13.7 ± 2.5; FOG, 6.5 ± 2.5), 60 (CG, 14.7 ± 2.5; FOG, 3.5 ± 2.5) and 90 (CG, 15.5 ± 2.5; FOG, 3.0 ± 2.5) compared with CG (treatment × time interaction, p < 0.01). Serum MDA and HDL concentrations were lower in FOG compared with CG on day 60 and 90 (treatment × time interaction, p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest that dietary FO supplementation did not induce DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy dogs, but rather reduced it.
RESUMENEl desempeño físico del perro depende de factores genéticos, de entrenamiento y nutricionales. El entrenamiento y la nutrición pueden ser modificados fácilmente. Se deben instaurar programas de ejercicio y dietas que permitan maximizar el rendimiento en una determinada actividad. Para evaluar la condición física de los perros y obtener el máximo rendimiento se necesitan parámetros objetivos como son la observación de las variaciones de la frecuencia cardíaca y la determinación de lactato sanguíneo. Esta última se ha mostrado como un método apropiado, práctico y sencillo que contribuye a cuantificar la respuesta metabólica al esfuerzo. En la actualidad el uso de cinta trotadora motorizada permite llevar a cabo rutinas de entrenamiento específicas y a pesar de que aún restan mayores estudios, su aplicación en caninos tiene un lugar prometedor para maximizar el rendimiento deportivo.Palabras clave: rendimiento deportivo, canino, entrenamiento, nutrición ABSTRACTCanine physical performance depends on genetic, training and nutritional factors. Training and nutrition can be easily modified. Exercise and diet programs must be established in order to maximize performance on a given activity. To evaluate physical condition of dogs and get maximum performance, objective
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