Dietary Supplementation with Nucleotides, Short-Chain Fructooligosaccharides, Xylooligosaccharides, Beta-Carotene and Vitamin E Influences Immune Function in Kittens.

Simple Summary: Newborns are susceptible to infectious disease, and early life represents a critical developmental window of the immune system, which is important for preventing and fighting disease. There is evidence that nucleotides, oligosaccharides and vitamins can positively influence immune function; however, the evidence that is specifically applicable to cats is limited. This current study fed domestic short hair kittens either a dry format control diet or a test diet fortified with nucleotides, short-chain fructooligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharides, β-carotene and vitamin E until the kittens reached 28 weeks of age. The kittens followed a routine preventative medication schedule for vaccination and a suite of health, metabolism and immune parameters were measured at regular intervals throughout the study. All kittens remained healthy and did not display any clinically relevant signs of adverse health. Antibodies are produced following infection or vaccination. The level of antibody, the proportion of kittens who demonstrated an acceptable response to vaccination and the proportion of kittens who reached the recognised protective level of antibody were greater in kittens fed the test diet. The test diet group demonstrated a stronger antibody-mediated response to vaccination. Antibodies play a role in preventing disease; thus, this suggests that the test diet supports immune defence against immune challenges. Nucleotides, short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS), xylooligosaccharides (XOS), β-carotene and vitamin E are reported to enhance immune function; however, the evidence of this in cats is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the immunomodulatory effects of these ingredients in kittens. Forty domestic short hair kittens were designated in litters to control or test diet for 28 weeks. Test diet was fortified with 0.33 g nucleotides, 0.45 g scFOS, 0.3 g XOS, 0.7 mg β-carotene and 66.5 mg vitamin E per 100 g diet. Kittens were vaccinated against feline parvovirus (FPV) and herpesvirus (FHV) at 10, 14 and 18 weeks. Kittens remained healthy, with no measured evidence of adverse health. Serum FPV and FHV antibody titres were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the test diet group at week 23 and 27, respectively. A significantly (p < 0.05) higher proportion of test diet group kittens demonstrated an adequate response (four-fold titre increase) to FHV vaccination and a significantly (p < 0.05) higher proportion reached a protective antibody titre for FHV. Serum IgM was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the test diet group. The test diet group demonstrated a stronger humoral immune response to vaccination, suggesting the diet supports immune defence, enabling a greater response to immune challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]