Eighteen Beagle dogs were used to evaluate the effects of bovine lactoferrin (bLF) on immune function and faecal microbial populations. The study comprised three feeding periods, each lasting four weeks. After an initial control Period 1, six dogs per group were supplemented with 0, 120 and 1800 mg bLF/kg dry diet, respectively (Period 2). In Period 3 dogs received again control diets. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell subsets, lymphocyte proliferative response to concanavalin A, phytohaemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen and plasma IgA and IgG concentrations were analysed. The faecal concentrations of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. were determined by cultural methods. Supplementation of bLF increased the number of monocytes, T cells and cytotoxic T cells in the blood and the proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The leukocyte counts were not affected, except monocytes that increased after the supplementation with bLF. Plasma immunoglobulin concentrations were unchanged by treatment. Dogs supplemented with bLF tended to have lower faecal concentrations of E. coli and Clostridium perfringens. In conclusion, bLF seems to alter indices of the cellular immune response and faecal microbial populations of healthy adult dogs.

中文翻译：

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牛乳铁蛋白对成年犬免疫系统和肠道菌群的影响

18 只比格犬被用来评估牛乳铁蛋白 (bLF) 对免疫功能和粪便微生物种群的影响。该研究包括三个喂养期，每个持续四个星期。在初始对照阶段 1 后，每组 6 只狗分别补充 0、120 和 1800 毫克 bLF/kg 干粮（阶段 2）。在第3阶段，狗再次接受对照饮食。分析了外周血单个核细胞亚群、淋巴细胞对刀豆球蛋白 A、植物血凝素和商陆有丝分裂原的增殖反应以及血浆 IgA 和 IgG 浓度。需氧菌和厌氧菌、大肠杆菌、产气荚膜梭菌、乳杆菌属的粪便浓度。和双歧杆菌属。是由文化方法决定的。补充 bLF 增加了单核细胞的数量，血液中的 T 细胞和细胞毒性 T 细胞以及外周血单个核细胞的增殖反应。除了在补充 bLF 后增加的单核细胞外，白细胞计数不受影响。血浆免疫球蛋白浓度未因治疗而改变。补充了 bLF 的狗的粪便中大肠杆菌和产气荚膜梭菌的浓度往往较低。总之，bLF 似乎改变了健康成年犬的细胞免疫反应和粪便微生物种群的指数。大肠杆菌和产气荚膜梭菌。总之，bLF 似乎改变了健康成年犬的细胞免疫反应和粪便微生物种群的指数。大肠杆菌和产气荚膜梭菌。总之，bLF 似乎改变了健康成年犬的细胞免疫反应和粪便微生物种群的指数。