Abstract
Modulation of the immune system through nutrition is the aim of many studies. As the induction of a rapid onset of immunity in cats is often critical, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of orally administered dietary nucleotides and cationic peptides, on the vaccination response in cats. The cats were allocated to two groups: Group A (n = 8) was fed a diet with dietary nucleotides and cationic peptides for ninety-two days, and Group C (n = 8) was fed a diet without the nucleotides and cationic peptides. The cats were vaccinated against feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1), feline calicivirus (FCV) and feline panleukopenia virus (FPV). The proliferation activity of lymphocytes and antibody response after vaccination were evaluated using ELISA kits. Comparing the two groups, a significant increase in the proliferation activity of the lymphocytes (P < 0.01) was observed in Group A, as well as a significant increase in the antibody titres after vaccination against feline herpesvirus (P < 0.05; P < 0.001), feline calicivirus (P < 0.01; P < 0.001) and feline panleukopenia virus (P < 0.01; P < 0.001). Protective levels of the antibodies were reached significantly earlier in Group A than in Group C. In conclusion, dietary nucleotides and cationic peptides have a positive effect on the lymphocyte proliferation and antibody production after vaccination against FHV-1, FCV and FPV in cats. Therefore, we assume that they can be used as a suitable immunostimulatory substance in feline practice.