TY  - JOUR
A1  - Brenten, Thomas
A1  - Morris, Penelope J.
A1  - Salt, Carina
A1  - Raila, Jens
A1  - Kohn, Barbara
A1  - Brunnberg, Leo
A1  - Schweigert, Florian J.
A1  - Zentek, Juergen
T1  - Energy intake, growth rate and body composition of young Labrador Retrievers and Miniature Schnauzers fed different dietary levels of vitamin A
JF  - The British journal of nutrition : an international journal devoted to the science of human and animal nutrition
N2  - Research in rodents has shown that dietary vitamin A reduces body fat by enhancing fat mobilisation and energy utilisation; however, their effects in growing dogs remain unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the development of body weight and body composition and compared observed energy intake with predicted energy intake in forty-nine puppies from two breeds (twenty-four Labrador Retriever (LAB) and twenty-five Miniature Schnauzer (MS)). A total of four different diets with increasing vitamin A content between 5.24 and 104.80 mu mol retinol (5000-100 000 IU vitamin A)/4184 kJ (1000 kcal) metabolisable energy were fed from the age of 8 weeks up to 52 (MS) and 78 weeks (LAB). The daily energy intake was recorded throughout the experimental period. The body condition score was evaluated weekly using a seven-category system, and food allowances were adjusted to maintain optimal body condition. Body composition was assessed at the age of 26 and 52 weeks for both breeds and at the age of 78 weeks for the LAB breed only using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The growth curves of the dogs followed a breed-specific pattern. However, data on energy intake showed considerable variability between the two breeds as well as when compared with predicted energy intake. In conclusion, the data show that energy intakes of puppies particularly during early growth are highly variable; however, the growth pattern and body composition of the LAB and MS breeds are not affected by the intake of vitamin A at levels up to 104.80 mu mol retinol (100 000 IU vitamin A)/4184 kJ (1000 kcal).
KW  - Dog growth
KW  - Vitamin A
KW  - Body composition
KW  - Energy intake
Y1  - 2014
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114514000543
SN  - 0007-1145
SN  - 1475-2662
VL  - 111
IS  - 12
SP  - 2104
EP  - 2111
PB  - Cambridge Univ. Press
CY  - Cambridge
ER  -