Dietary supplementation with nucleotides, short-chain fructooligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharides, beta-carotene and vitamin E influences immune function in kittens

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 withnucleotides, short-chain fructooligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharides, _-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.