Abstrakt: |
Given their success in weight loss, high-protein diets have become quite popular. Few studies, however, have studied their effects on neonatal or weanling kittens. The objective of this study was to determine serum Chemistry profiles of kittens fed either a high-protein (HP; 53% protein) or moderate-protein (MP; 34% protein) diet. Eight adult domestic shorthair cats were randomly allotted to one of two treatment diets (n = 4) 4 wk prior to mating and remained on treatment through gestation and lactation. Blood was collected from male and female kittens fed each treatment at 4, 8, 12, and 16 wk of age for measurement of serum chemistry, ghrelin, and leptin concentrations. Kittens were allowed access to the diet of the dam after the 4 wk collection and were weaned at 8 wk of age. After weaning, kittens remained on the same treatment as their mother until 16 wk of age. Data were analyzed as repeated measures mixed models of SAS. Serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, and albumin Were greater (P<0.05) in kittens fed Hp versus MP. Triglycerides and lipemic index were also greater (P<0.05) in kittens fed HP. In contrast, blood cholesterol concentration was greater (P<0.05) in kittens fed MP. Although the implications of these responses on health during adulthood are yet to be determined, our data demonstrate that the dam's diet and the weaning diet may alter serum chemistry profiles in weanling kittens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |