Plasma and whole blood taurine in normal dogs of varying size fed commercially prepared food

Abstract

Summary The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of signalment, body size and diet on plasma taurine and whole blood taurine concentrations. A total of 131 normal dogs consuming commercially prepared dog food had blood drawn 3–5 h post‐prandially to be analysed for plasma amino acids and whole blood taurine. Body weight and morphometric measurements of each dog were taken. Plasma and whole blood taurine concentrations were 77 ± 2.1 nmol/ml (mean ± SEM) and 266 ± 5.1 nmol/ml (mean ± SEM), respectively. No effect of age, sex, body weight, body size, or diet was seen on plasma and whole blood taurine concentrations. Mean whole blood taurine concentrations were lower in dogs fed diets containing whole grain rice, rice bran or barley. The lowest whole blood concentrations were seen in dogs fed lamb or lamb meal and rice diets. Plasma methionine and cysteine concentrations were lower in dogs fed diets with animal meals or turkey, and whole grain rice, rice bran or barley. Fifteen of 131 dogs had plasma taurine concentrations lower than, or equal, to the previously reported lowest mean food‐deprived plasma taurine concentration in normal dogs of 49 ± 5 nmol/ml (mean ± SEM) (Elliott et al., 2000). These findings support the theory that taurine deficiency in dogs may be related to the consumption of certain dietary ingredients. Scientific and clinical evidence supports the hypothesis that dilated cardiomyopathy is associated with low blood taurine concentration in dogs; therefore, further work is indicated to determine the mechanism by which diet can affect taurine status in dogs.

Expression and functional analysis of mussel taurine transporter, as a key molecule in cellular osmoconforming

“…The mussel mainly utilizes taurine as an osmolyte, as described above, and therefore, taurine is accumulated at a high concentration in the mussel cells. Taurine in hemolymph is also highly concentrated, for example, in the common mussel, taurine concentration in the hemolymph is approximately 500·mol·l -1 (Zurburg and DeZwaan, 1981), which is one order of magnitude higher than that in mammals (approximately 50-80·mol·l -1 in plasma; Cuisinier et al, 2002;Delaney et al, 2003;Pacioretty et al, 2001). In addition, taurine is dominant and accounts for approximately 80% of the total amino acid pool in the mussel (Toyohara and Hosoi, 2004), suggesting that the concentration and proportion of taurine is much higher than in mammals.…”

Protein Requirements

“…83,84 Although not related to a specific breed, a familial component to DCM (and potentially to taurine homeostasis) has also been reported in cats. 76 This finding was corroborated by a study that measured taurine status in a group of 19 adult Newfoundlands that were fed commercial dry diets. For example, although anecdotal, researchers reported taurine deficiency and DCM in two unrelated dogs that were fed a vegetarian diet containing soybean curd as its primary protein source.…”

“…73 In addition, queens that are fed taurine-deficient diets have significantly lower concentrations of taurine in their milk, without any other changes in nutrient content. 75,76 These conjugates are then excreted in the feces, leading to increased daily loss of taurine (i.e., increased taurine turnover). The most important factors are the level and type of dietary protein and fiber, and the degree of heat treatment that is used during processing.…”

Biochemical and physiological observations in meerkats (Suricata suricatta) at two zoos during a dietary transition to a diet designed for insectivores

“…Table 5 provides a comparison of meerkat whole blood, plasma, and serum taurine with that of cats [Zicker and Rogers, 1990], and whole blood and plasma of dogs [Delany et al, 2003]. When whole blood, plasma, and serum taurine were statistically compared, there were no significant differences found in this group of meerkats.…”