Abstract: Advanced age in dogs is frequently associated with cognitive deficits in learning and memory abilities. DHA and its precursor EPA plays an important role on neuronal membrane phospholipids manteinance. DHA also have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that could be usefull to counteracting age-associated damages. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of a short term/high dosage of DHA and EPA supplementation on learning and solving abilities in aged dogs. Eight crossbreed aged dogs (9  1.51 years old) recovered in single boxes of a public kennel were used and fed a maintenance basis diet. The dogs were divided into 2 groups of 4, homogeneous in size and weight (22.47  4.72 kg) and either a placebo (PL) or a DHA/EPA (25/35 mg/kg BW) supplement (TR) were administrated according to a double blind protocol. After 4 weeks all dogs were submitted to a “Problem Solving” test using 4 different puzzle boxes, then the groups were switched and the protocol repeated. During the test the dogs were recorded with a digital camera and the movies analyzed by the same operator. The time for solving the puzzle boxes (ANOVA analysis) and the success/insuccess ratio (Chi-square test) were considered on a total of 192 observations. The number of successes (able to solve the puzzle box in a limit time) or insuccesses (lost interest - went away - unable to solve it) was considered. The TR dogs showed less insuccesses (P<0.02) than PL group (6.25 % vs 17.72 %). The results suggest that high dosage DHA/EPA supplementation for a short time could have a positive effect on aged dogs abilities; nevertheless behavioural responses are not easy to interpretate. Further studies need to define the best ratio dosage/time of administration for the DHA/EPA supplementation and to confirm its positive effect on aged dogs.

Effects of DHA and EPA short term/high dosage administration on learning abilities in aged dogs

CASINI, LUCIA;LIPONI, GIAN BATTISTA;GATTA, DOMENICO
2011-01-01

Abstract

Abstract: Advanced age in dogs is frequently associated with cognitive deficits in learning and memory abilities. DHA and its precursor EPA plays an important role on neuronal membrane phospholipids manteinance. DHA also have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that could be usefull to counteracting age-associated damages. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of a short term/high dosage of DHA and EPA supplementation on learning and solving abilities in aged dogs. Eight crossbreed aged dogs (9  1.51 years old) recovered in single boxes of a public kennel were used and fed a maintenance basis diet. The dogs were divided into 2 groups of 4, homogeneous in size and weight (22.47  4.72 kg) and either a placebo (PL) or a DHA/EPA (25/35 mg/kg BW) supplement (TR) were administrated according to a double blind protocol. After 4 weeks all dogs were submitted to a “Problem Solving” test using 4 different puzzle boxes, then the groups were switched and the protocol repeated. During the test the dogs were recorded with a digital camera and the movies analyzed by the same operator. The time for solving the puzzle boxes (ANOVA analysis) and the success/insuccess ratio (Chi-square test) were considered on a total of 192 observations. The number of successes (able to solve the puzzle box in a limit time) or insuccesses (lost interest - went away - unable to solve it) was considered. The TR dogs showed less insuccesses (P<0.02) than PL group (6.25 % vs 17.72 %). The results suggest that high dosage DHA/EPA supplementation for a short time could have a positive effect on aged dogs abilities; nevertheless behavioural responses are not easy to interpretate. Further studies need to define the best ratio dosage/time of administration for the DHA/EPA supplementation and to confirm its positive effect on aged dogs.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11568/148311
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