Companion animal food trends reflect the growing demand for healthy, functional foods. Yeast-derived β-glucans have been shown to train the human immune system to respond and resolve inflammation quickly, which aligns with companion animal health goals of providing disease protection without excessive inflammation. In this work, 24 healthy adult Labrador Retrievers were fed diets without or with yeast β-glucans at two doses (0.5 and 1×). After feeding experimental diets for 4 wk, blood samples were collected to establish baseline immunity before dogs were challenged with a commercially available vaccine. Blood samples were collected weekly for 3 wk post-vaccination to determine changes, if any, to serum antibody, cytokine production, and blood counts. All dogs achieved protective antibody titers within 1 wk post-vaccination. Dogs fed the 1× β-glucans inclusion showed potentially reduced reliance on cells associated with early immune responses without prolonging responses by antibody-producing cells. These outcomes suggest beneficial responses to dietary yeast β-glucans in vaccinated adult Labrador Retrievers, but further research and refinement of immunological assessment in companion animals are needed.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.