Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
07:05
Behavioral Disturbances: An Innovative Approach to Monitor the Modulatory Effects of a Nutraceutical Diet
Published on: January 3, 2017
Age-related changes in nutrient utilization by companion animals
George C Fahey1, Kathleen A Barry, Kelly S Swanson
1Department of Animal Sciences and Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA. gcfahey@uiuc.edu
Annual Review of Nutrition
|July 5, 2008
Summary
Companion animal nutrient needs change throughout life stages, impacting how their bodies use nutrients. Age significantly alters digestive functions, affecting nutrient utilization in dogs and cats.
Area of Science:
- Animal Nutrition
- Comparative Physiology
- Digestive Physiology
Background:
- Nutrient requirements and utilization in companion animals vary across life stages, from development to senescence.
- Recognized life stages include maintenance, growth, gestation, lactation, in utero, neonatal, and geriatric phases.
- Age-related changes impact digestive physiology, including gut microbiota, hormones, morphology, immunity, and nutrient digestibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how aging affects nutrient requirements and utilization in companion animals.
- To examine age-related modifications in digestive physiological properties.
- To highlight the potential of genomic biology in understanding age-related nutrient utilization.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on canine and feline nutrition across life stages.
- Analysis of physiological changes in the digestive system associated with aging.
- Exploration of the role of genomic biology in nutrient utilization.
Main Results:
- Nutrient requirements and utilization are dynamic and significantly influenced by the animal's life stage.
- Aging alters key digestive parameters such as gut microbiota, hormonal regulation, morphology, and immune function.
- All nutrients are affected by age, with varying degrees of impact.
Conclusions:
- Age is a critical factor influencing nutrient requirements and utilization in companion animals.
- Understanding age-related digestive changes is essential for optimizing companion animal nutrition.
- Genomic biology holds potential for deeper insights into the complex interplay between aging and nutrient metabolism in dogs and cats.
Related Concept Videos
01:00Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution
Drug distribution in the human body is influenced by several factors, including plasma protein concentration, body composition, blood flow, tissue-protein concentration, and tissue fluid pH. Among these, changes in plasma protein concentration and body composition due to aging significantly affect how drugs are distributed within the body. Specifically, aging is associated with a decrease in albumin levels by about 10% and an increase in α1-acid glycoprotein levels. These alterations are not...
01:22Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption
As individuals age, their body's physiology evolves, affecting drug pharmacokinetics. The most apparent changes occur in the gastrointestinal tract, where an increase in gastric pH, a delay in gastric emptying, and a reduction in gastrointestinal motility are observed. Remarkably, these changes do not substantially modify the absorption of orally administered drugs, particularly those absorbed via passive diffusion.Transdermal drug delivery emerges as a highly viable method for older adults due...
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
01:18Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion
In geriatric patients, renal physiology undergoes significant changes, including diminished renal blood flow and a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR), leading to alterations in medication clearance. Drugs such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, lithium, and digoxin, which rely on glomerular filtration for removal from the body, particularly impact pharmacokinetics. These drugs tend to have slower clearance rates in older adults, necessitating careful dosage considerations.Evaluation of renal...
01:29Bone Disorders
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
00:59Tonicity in Animals
The tonicity of a solution determines if a cell gains or loses water in that solution. The tonicity depends on the permeability of the cell membrane for different solutes and the concentration of nonpenetrating solutes in the solution within and outside of the cell. If a semipermeable membrane hinders the passage of some solutes but allows water to follow its concentration gradient, water moves from the side with low osmolarity (i.e., less solute) to the side with higher osmolarity (i.e.,...