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Introduction Postbiotics are potential functional feed additives, but their effects on multiple health parameters in dogs remain largely unexplored. Methods This study evaluated postbiotics from Bifidobacterium animalis in adult beagle dogs fed a basal diet supplemented with 0% (CONT), 0.05% (LDP), or 0.1% (HDP) postbiotics for 42 days. Results No differences were observed in growth performance or routine blood parameters. However, postbiotic supplementation significantly increased serum IgA (LDP and HDP), IgM and IgG (HDP only), and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 (both groups), IL-1β (HDP only), while IL-10 was increased only in LDP. The HDP group showed lower malondialdehyde (MDA); SOD increased in both groups, while GSH-Px and CAT increased significantly only in HDP. Bone formation markers (PINP, OC) increased in HDP. Hair quality improved (smoother cuticle, higher glutamic acid, cysteine, proline) in both groups. Fecal acetic, propionic, and isovaleric acids increased in both groups; valeric acid increased only in HDP. Gut microbiota analysis revealed increased beneficial bacteria (such as Limosilactobacillus , Lactobacillus ) and decreased potential pathogens (such as Peptoclostridium , Streptococcus ). Discussion Bifidobacterium animalis derived postbiotics safely enhance immune function, antioxidant status, bone metabolism, and hair quality in adult dogs, likely via gut microbiota modulation.
Ma et al. (Fri,) studied this question.