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Home / Equine Research Bank / Can Vet J / Preliminary investigation of the probiotic potential of Lact...
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2003; 44(4); 299-302;

Preliminary investigation of the probiotic potential of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG in horses: fecal recovery following oral administration and safety.

Abstract: This study was designed to evaluate whether Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG (LGG), an extensively studied probiotic organism in humans, can colonize the intestines of adult horses and foals. Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG was administered to adult horses at doses of 1 x 10(9) CFU/50kg bodyweight (BW)/day (group 1, 7 horses), 1 x 10(10) colony forming units/ 50kg BW/day (group 2, 7 horses) and 5 x 10(10) colony forming units/50kg BW/day (group 3, 7 horses) for 5 d. Foals received 2 x 10(10) colony forming units/50kg BW/day (group 1, 7 foals) or 1 x 10(11) colony forming units/50kg BW/day (group 2, 7 foals) for 5 d. Fecal levels of L. rhamnosus strain GG in adult horses were low and variable in the 2 lower dose groups. Even in the high dose group, colonization was relatively low. In contrast, more consistent intestinal colonization was present in foals, and colonization persisted for up to 9 d following cessation of administration. No adverse effects were observed in any animal. Clinical studies evaluating this probiotic are indicated in foals. The presence of this organism in the feces of adult horses may only represent passive movement through the intestinal tract, not actual colonization. Consistent intestinal colonization in adults was only achieved with a prohibitively high dose.
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Publication Date: 2003-04-29 PubMed ID: 12715981PubMed Central: PMC372248
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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.

The research article investigates the effectiveness and safety of administering a probiotic strain, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, to adult horses and foals, and its ability to colonize in the intestines.

Study Design and Methodology

  • The study involves the administration of different dosages of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG (LGG) to adult horses and foals. Three groups of adult horses received 1 x 10(9), 1 x 10(10), and 5 x 10(10) colony forming units (CFU) of probiotics per 50kg bodyweight per day respectively. Two groups of foals received 2 x 10(10) and 1 x 10(11) CFU per 50kg bodyweight per day respectively. These doses were given for a period of 5 days.
  • The primary focus was to measure fecal recovery of L. rhamnosus GG after oral administration. The presence of the probiotic strain in feces was monitored and analyzed to measure the level of colonization in the intestines.

Results and Findings

  • For adult horses, the findings show low and irregular levels of LGG in the feces for the two lower dose groups. Even at the high dose, colonization was relatively low, suggesting that LGG might have difficulty colonizing the intestines of adult horses. The presence of LGG in fecal matter might only represent passive movement through the intestinal tract, instead of actual colonization.
  • In contrast, the foals had a more consistent intestinal colonization. Furthermore, they could retain colonization for up to nine days after the last dosage, suggesting a more compatible relationship between the probiotic strain and the digestive environment of foals.
  • It’s important to note that no adverse, or harmful, effects were observed in any of the horses during the course of the study. This adds on to the evidence of the safety profile of LGG for usage in horses.

Conclusion and Recommendations

  • The results suggest that LGG may have more probiotic potential in foals compared to adult horses, due to the more consistent colonization observed. More clinical studies are recommended to support this finding and gauge its potential benefits.
  • Adult horses may require prohibitively high doses for LGG to achieve consistent intestinal colonization, which may not be practical or feasible in real-world applications.

Cite This Article

APA
Weese JS, Anderson ME, Lowe A, Monteith GJ. (2003). Preliminary investigation of the probiotic potential of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG in horses: fecal recovery following oral administration and safety. Can Vet J, 44(4), 299-302.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 44
Issue: 4
Pages: 299-302

Researcher Affiliations

Weese, J Scott
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1. jsweese@uoguelph.ca
Anderson, Maureen E C
    Lowe, Andrew
      Monteith, Gabrielle J

        MeSH Terms

        • Administration, Oral
        • Animals
        • Animals, Newborn
        • Bacterial Adhesion
        • Colony Count, Microbial / veterinary
        • Digestive System / microbiology
        • Feces / microbiology
        • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
        • Horses / microbiology
        • Lactobacillus / growth & development
        • Lactobacillus / physiology
        • Probiotics / administration & dosage
        • Probiotics / therapeutic use
        • Random Allocation
        • Safety

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        Citations

        This article has been cited 12 times.
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