Message Number: FHL574 | New FHL Archives Search
From: "Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2007-04-15 23:18:46 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] some ferret nutritional studies
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com

You know me. At times I like to wander around and look for refs.
Here are some from:

http://nal.usda.gov/awic/pubs/Ferrets06/feed_nutrit_metab.htm

from the 1980s into 2006.

There are more there, but a number are related to certain disease
studies such as when ferrets are used as models for human lung
malignancies or other things that wouldn't be useful for many here.

Abstracts and descriptors in certain uses can be shared without
copyright violations, but must be removed if the owner requests it.
Press releases can be freely shared. Other resources are owned
by their authors or those for whom the author has written them and
can not be freely shared in public fora like the FHL.

BEGIN QUOTE

Fekete, S.G., K. Fodor, A. Prohaczik, and E. Andrasofszky (2005).
Comparison of feed preference and digestion of three different
commercial diets for cats and ferrets. Journal of Animal Physiology
and Animal Nutrition 89(3-6): 199-202. ISSN: 0931-2439.
Abstract: Diet preference and digestibility experiments were conducted
using a total of 10 cats and 10 ferrets. The composition of the three
different kinds of dry cat feed was as follows (each data are given in
dry matter, DM): (i) normal diet (N): 95.3% DM, 33.7% crude protein (CP),
20.4% ether extract (EE), 37.6% nitrogen-free extract (NFE); (ii) 'light diet'
(L): 94.2% DM, 31.6% CP, 10.7% EE, 52.2% NFE; (iii) 'veterinary diet' (D):
94.57% DM, 38.7% CP, 9.6% EE, 47.2% NFE. During the period of the
preference test, the average daily dry matter intake (calculated with the
mean of the three diets: 94.7% DM) was 98.0, 15.0 and 16.7 g DM in cats
and 25.0, 7.3 and 8.1 g DM in ferrets. The preference rates of the three
different diets, expressed in percentage of their total consumption, were as
follows: 60.4% N (54.4 g DM), 12.4% L (12.1 g DM) and 27.2% D (26.6 g DM)
in cats, and 46.2% N (11.6 g DM), 29.9% L (7.5 g DM) and 23.9% D (6.0 g DM)
in ferrets. This indicates that cats and ferrets have a clear preference for diets
of higher fat content. In all three diets, the digestibility of CP was significantly
(p < 0.05) lower (70.1 +/- 5.4 vs. 75.9 +/- 5.8) while that of EE was significantly
(p < 0.05) higher (95.6 +/- 1.5 vs. 89.4 +/- 5.3) in ferrets than in cats. The
average digestible/metabolizable energy (DE/ME) ratio of feeds turned to be
95.6% for cats and 90.6% for the ferrets. From the data one can conclude that
the ferret cannot be used as a model animal for cats either for preference or
digestibility studies.
Descriptors: ferrets, animal feed, cats, digestion physiology, food preferences,
nutrition, dietary fats, dietary proteins.

END QUOTE

BEGIN QUOTE

Harrington, L.A., D.E. Biggins, and A.W. Alldredge (2003). Basal metabolism
of the Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) and the Siberian polecat (M.
eversmannii). Journal of Mammalogy 84(2): 497-504. ISSN: 0022-2372.
Abstract: Black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) and Siberian polecats (M.
eversmannii) are medium-sized (about 1 kg) mustelids with similar ecological
and morphological characteristics. We measured basal metabolic rates (BMR)
for both species. In contrast with the commonly stated belief that mustelids have
relatively high mass-specific BMR, neither the BMR of ferrets nor that of
polecats in winter was greater than standard allometric predictions for all
mammals. As suggested by previous authors, we believe that our relatively lower
measurements for BMR are due to our efforts to minimize stress during the
experimental procedure. These results support the contention that BMR in
mustelids is no different from what is expected of mammals of this body mass.
Seasonal differences were found in polecat BMR (higher in summer) but not in
ferret BMR. Reasons for this interspecific difference may relate to differences in
natural histories of these species. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.
Descriptors: black-footed ferret, Siberian polecat, basal metabolism, body mass,
seasonal differences.

END QUOTE

BEGIN QUOTE

Nieminen, P., A.M. Mustonen, P. Lindstrom Seppa, J. Asikainen, H. Mussalo
Rauhamaa, and J.V.K. Kukkonen (2002). Phytosterols act as endocrine and
metabolic disruptors in the European polecat (Mustela putorius). Toxicology
and Applied Pharmacology 178(1): 22-28. ISSN: 0041-008X.
NAL Call Number: 391.8 T662
Descriptors: polecats, phytosterols, oral administration, blood plasma, estradiol,
thyroid hormones, somatoliberin, hormones, carbohydrate metabolism, liver,
kidneys, glycogen, glucose 6 phosphate, triacylglycerol lipase, glycogen
phosphorylase, enzyme activity, blood lipids, low density lipoprotein, high density
lipoprotein, cholesterol.

END QUOTE

Okay, that one sent me on side trip to PubMed because it maybe can be useful
info possibly for some endocrinological problems:

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?
db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=11781076&query_
hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum>

BEGIN QUOTE

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2002 Jan 1;178(1):22-8.
Phytosterols act as endocrine and metabolic disruptors in the European

polecat (Mustela putorius).

Nieminen P, Mustonen AM, Lindstrom-Seppa P, Asikainen J, Mussalo-
Rauhamaa H, Kukkonen JV.
Department of Biology, University of Joensuu, Joensuu, Finland.

pniemine@cc.joensuu.fi

Phytosterols or plant sterols (PS) are consumed as natural remedies and
margarines by the general population in developed countries to lower
elevated serum cholesterol levels. They are also present in high
concentrations in pulp mill effluents. The aim of the study was to screen
the endocrine and metabolic parameters of the European polecat (Mustela
putorius) for the effects of PS. The results showed an increase in the plasma
estradiol and TH levels with no effects on the hypophyseal regulatory
hormones. The plasma ghrelin levels decreased. PS also affected
intermediary metabolism. The liver glycogen content increased as did the
kidney glucose-6-phosphatase activity. The liver lipase esterase activity, on
the other hand, decreased due to PS. In serum lipids the total cholesterol
did not change, but the low-density lipoprotein levels increased and the high-
density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio decreased. PS had widespread previously
unreported effects on the physiology of the polecat. The multiple effects
indicate the need of a thorough risk assessment of the effects and interactions
of PS. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science.
PMID: 11781076 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

END QUOTE

RELATED:

BEGIN QUOTE

Chemosphere. 2006 Sep;64(10):1753-60. Epub 2006 Feb 8.
Endocrine and metabolic alterations in the mink (Mustela vison) due to chronic

phytoestrogen exposure.

Ryokkynen A, Mustonen AM, Pyykonen T, Nieminen P.
University of Joensuu, Department of Biology, P.O. Box 111, FIN-80101

Joensuu, Finland. ryokkyne@cc.joensuu.fi

Phytoestrogens are natural components of plant-based food items with
beneficial health effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the
chronic effects of dietary phytoestrogens, genistein (8 mg kg(-1) day(-1))
and beta-sitosterol (50 mg kg(-1) day(-1)), on the weight regulation of the
mink (Mustela vison). The parental generation was exposed from August
2002 to May-June 2003 to either beta-sitosterol or genistein, while the kits
were exposed through gestation and lactation. Food consumption and body
masses were monitored monthly. Plasma lipid, glucose, total protein and
hormone (ghrelin, leptin, triiodothyronine and thyroxine) concentrations were
measured from the parents in August 2002, January 2003 and at the end of
the experiment in May-June 2003 when the kits were 21 days of age.
Relative food intake was higher in the beta-sitosterol-exposed minks than in
the control or genistein minks in September 2002. Plasma leptin and total
protein concentrations were lower in the beta-sitosterol kits compared to
the control kits. Furthermore, plasma ghrelin levels and liver phosphorylase
activities of the mink kits were higher due to genistein exposure. In mink kits,
exposure to both phytoestrogens reduced the plasma thyroxine
concentrations. The kidney glycogen concentrations and the muscle
phosphorylase activities of phytoestrogen-treated adult minks were elevated.
The results of this study suggest that minks are sensitive to perinatal
phytoestrogen exposure.
PMID: 16466776 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

END QUOTE

Foods that are high in phytoestrogens include soy, some fruits like cherries,
and some of the other foods you'll find often recommended to women who
are perimenopausal and menopausal.

Another side trip from the original URL: Some places to look for phytoestrogen
levels in foods:

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?
cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8875551&dopt=Abstract>

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?
cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9631492&dopt=Abstract>

*IF* this one is correct about flaxseed oil and phytoestrogen levels -- and I
don't know if it is -- then this is one reason why fish oil would be a better
source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids than flaxseed oil:

<http://www.zoefoods.com/health_info/research/menopause.htm>

Natural plant chemicals that affect estrogens and androgens can also be
dermal exposures. There is recent research that lavender oil and tea tree
oil reduce androgens and are estrogenic when applied to skin. In fact, they
were researched because of teenage males who needed mastectomies
after using toiletries with them.

Anyway, you can look up more if you want to. Many plants have some low
levels of such compounds, but a few have high ones.

Personally, I worry about phytoestrogens in relation to ferrets, due to them
already being prone to a common hyperestrogenic problem.

Back to the USDA page for some more that will be of interest to those who
like to study diets well:

BEGIN QUOTE

Raila, J., C. Gomez, and F.J. Schweigert (2002). The ferret as a model for
vitamin A metabolism in carnivores. Journal of Nutrition 132(6 Suppl 2):
1787s-1789s. ISSN: 0022-3166.
NAL Call Number: 389.8 J82
Descriptors: ferret metabolism, vitamin A, diet, kidney metabolism, liver
metabolism, retinol binding proteins, animal models.

END QUOTE

BEGIN QUOTE

Rosenthal, K.L. (2006). Feeding the hypoglycemic ferret. In: Small animal
and exotics Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference.
January 7, 2006-January 11, 2006, Orlando, Florida, USA., The North
American Veterinary Conference: Gainesville, USA, Vol. 20, p. 1766.
Online: http://www.tnavc.org
Descriptors: feeding, ferret feeding, hypoglycemia.

END QUOTE

BEGIN QUOTE

Sundaresan, P.R., P. Marmillot, Q.H. Liu, G.V. Mitchell, E. Grundel,
and M.R. Lakshman (2005). Effects of dietary taurocholate, fat and
protein on the storage and metabolism of dietary beta-carotene and
alpha-tocopherol in ferrets. International Journal for Vitamin and
Nutrition Research 75(2): 133-141.
NAL Call Number: 389.8 Z33
Abstract: Dietary factors affecting tissue storage of beta-carotene
(BC), alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T), and retinol (ROL) in mammals
include taurocholate, protein, and fat. Few studies have examined
the effects of these factors on the storage of BC, retinyl esters, and
alpha-T in a mammalian system that is similar to humans. The main
objective of the study was to investigate the effects of taurocholate
(TC), fat, and protein on the absorption and metabolism of BC and
alpha-T in ferret tissues. Three 4-week experiments were conducted
using groups of 5-6 ferrets per treatment. All diets contained 0.2% BC.
In Experiment 1, taurocholate was fed at concentrations of 0, 0.5, or
1%. Effects of two concentrations of dietary fat (6 and 23%) and three
concentrations of protein (10, 20, and 40%) were also studied in
Experiments 2 and 3, respectively. Tissues were analyzed for BC,
retinoids, and alpha-T by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Taurocholate enhanced hepatic and plasma concentrations of BC
(2.3- to 3-fold), retinyl palmitate [(RP) 3.2- to 9.5-fold], retinyl stearate
[(RS) 2.9- to 6- fold], and hepatic alpha-T (6- to 13- fold) at p < 0.05.
High-fat diets elevated hepatic BC, RP, RS, and retinyl linoleate (RL)
concentrations (2- to 3.6-fold, p < 0.05). In contrast, high-protein diets
lowered hepatic RL 1.8-fold and alpha-T 8-fold (p < 0.05). Our results
indicate the importance of taurocholate, fat, and protein in achieving
adequate levels of vitamins A and E in mammals.
Descriptors: ferrets, dietary fats, dietary proteins, taurocholic acid,
alpha tocopherol, beta carotene, liquid diet, liver chemistry, blood, nutrition.

END QUOTE

There are more there for those who are interested, and I know there are
yet others in PubMed because I have run into some ferret dietary infection
studies there in the past. (Mentioned in either the FHL Archives, the FML
Archives, or both.

Hey, the only way we all can learn is to put faith aside and go with data,
following the data as it alters or reinforces over time...


Sukie (not a vet)
Current FHL address:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth
Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html




Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:ferrethealth-digest@yahoogroups.com
mailto:ferrethealth-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ferrethealth-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/