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Journal of equine science2014; 25(4); 65-72; doi: 10.1294/jes.25.65

Oral administration of fermented probiotics improves the condition of feces in adult horses.

Abstract: The effects of probiotics on horses are still controversial. The present study was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study designed to evaluate the ability of probiotics to improve intestinal conditions in adult horses. Fermented probiotics were administered to 10 healthy adult geldings for 28 days. The clinical condition of the horses was monitored daily, and the blood and feces were biochemically analyzed every 14 days. In the probiotic-treated group, the concentration of carboxylic acids in the feces was increased at days 14 and 28. In contrast to the fecal pH in the control group, which increased at days 14 and 28, the fecal pH in the probiotic-treated group did not increase. Additionally, the relative amounts of enteropathogenic bacterial DNA were diminished in the probiotic-treated group. These results suggest that probiotic bacteria proliferated in the equine intestine. No instances of abnormal clinical conditions or abnormal values in blood tests were observed throughout the study. Oral administration of fermented probiotics may have the ability to improve the intestinal environment biochemically and microbiologically without the risk of adverse effects.
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Publication Date: 2014-12-15 PubMed ID: 25558179PubMed Central: PMC4266753DOI: 10.1294/jes.25.65Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research indicates that oral fermented probiotics can enhance the intestinal health of adult horses by increasing the concentration of carboxylic acids in the feces, decreasing the fecal pH, and reducing the amount of harmful bacterial DNA present. The study findings also denote no adverse effects on the health of the horses based on their clinical observations and blood tests.

Methodology

  • The study employed a trial with a well-structured design, including randomization, double-blinding, and the use of a placebo control group. This approach aims to ensure unbiased results.
  • The subjects of the study were ten healthy adult geldings, all of which were administered fermented probiotics orally for a period of 28 days.
  • Daily monitoring of each horse’s clinical condition took place to track any potential changes in their health status. Any abnormal behaviors or signs of discomfort would have been noted.
  • Every 14 days, biochemical analysis of the blood and feces of the horses was conducted. This regular testing aimed to identify any modifications in the biological markers that might indicate the impact of the probiotics.

Results and Observations

  • The group of horses treated with probiotics displayed an increment in the concentration of carboxylic acids in their feces on days 14 and 28 of the study. This is suggestive of improved digestion and gut health.
  • Contrarily, the placebo control group saw an increased fecal pH on days 14 and 28, whereas the probiotic group did not witness this. Lower fecal pH levels often hint at better intestinal functioning.
  • The probiotic-fed geldings had reduced amounts of enteropathogenic bacterial DNA in their feces, which suggests a drop in harmful bacteria in the gut. This indicates that the probiotics were able to suppress these harmful bacteria.
  • Throughout the entirety of the study, none of the horses presented any abnormal clinical conditions or irregular blood test results. This suggests that the probiotics were well-tolerated and caused no adverse health effects. This is an important factor to consider as it indicates that probiotics could be a safe addition to the horse’s diet.

Conclusion

  • The results of this study suggest that an oral administration of fermented probiotics could potentially improve the intestinal environment in adult horses. Specifically, these probiotics may enhance the biochemical and microbiological conditions of the gut, leading to improved overall health.
  • This study provides valuable insights into the contentious topic of probiotics’ effects on horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Ishizaka S, Matsuda A, Amagai Y, Oida K, Jang H, Ueda Y, Takai M, Tanaka A, Matsuda H. (2014). Oral administration of fermented probiotics improves the condition of feces in adult horses. J Equine Sci, 25(4), 65-72. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.25.65

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 25
Issue: 4
Pages: 65-72

Researcher Affiliations

Ishizaka, Saori
  • Cooperative Major in Advanced Health Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications and System Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.
Matsuda, Akira
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Molecular Pathology and Therapeutics, Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.
Amagai, Yosuke
  • Cooperative Major in Advanced Health Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications and System Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.
Oida, Kumiko
  • Cooperative Major in Advanced Health Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications and System Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.
Jang, Hyosun
  • Cooperative Major in Advanced Health Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications and System Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.
Ueda, Yuko
  • Miura Co., Ltd., Ehime 799-2696, Japan.
Takai, Masaki
  • Miura Co., Ltd., Ehime 799-2696, Japan.
Tanaka, Akane
  • Cooperative Major in Advanced Health Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications and System Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan ; Laboratory of Comparative Animal Medicine, Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.
Matsuda, Hiroshi
  • Cooperative Major in Advanced Health Science, Graduate School of Bio-Applications and System Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan ; Laboratory of Veterinary Molecular Pathology and Therapeutics, Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. MacNicol JL, Renwick S, Ganobis CM, Allen-Vercoe E, Weese JS, Pearson W. The influence of a probiotic/prebiotic supplement on microbial and metabolic parameters of equine cecal fluid or fecal slurry in vitro. J Anim Sci 2023 Jan 3;101.
    doi: 10.1093/jas/skad034pubmed: 36715114google scholar: lookup
  2. Collinet A, Grimm P, Julliand S, Julliand V. Sequential Modulation of the Equine Fecal Microbiota and Fibrolytic Capacity Following Two Consecutive Abrupt Dietary Changes and Bacterial Supplementation. Animals (Basel) 2021 Apr 29;11(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11051278pubmed: 33946811google scholar: lookup
  3. Mienaltowski MJ, Belt A, Henderson JD, Boyd TN, Marter N, Maga EA, DePeters EJ. Psyllium supplementation is associated with changes in the fecal microbiota of horses. BMC Res Notes 2020 Sep 29;13(1):459.
    doi: 10.1186/s13104-020-05305-wpubmed: 32993781google scholar: lookup
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