Methods for predicting equine weight loss propensity
AssigneeMars, Incorporated
InventorsPatricia Ann Harris, Philippa Kate Taverner, Caroline McGregor Argo, Charles James Newbold, David Hugh Grove-White
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Abstract
The invention provides methods of predicting the weight loss propensity of an animal of the genus Equus, through the assessment of various markers in a sample obtained from the animal. Such markers include fermentation products and/or metabolites thereof such as volatile fatty acids, indicators of bacterial population diversity, and the abundance/relative abundance of specific bacterial taxa.
Claims14
A method of reducing body mass in an animal of the genus Equus in need thereof, the method comprising:
- a) quantifying a plurality of bacterial taxa in a fecal sample obtained from the animal and calculating a diversity measure of the bacterial taxa present in the fecal sample, wherein the step of calculating the diversity measure comprises calculating an Inverse Simpson diversity value according to formula (I):
- (I) 1/ΣPi2, wherein Pi is the proportion of individuals belonging to species i;
- b) identifying the animal as having a Body Condition Scoring (BCS) value of at least 6, wherein the fecal sample obtained from the animal comprises a calculated Inverse Simpson diversity value from about 10 to about 70;
- and
- c) restricting caloric intake through a calorie-restricted diet plan, wherein the calorie-restricted diet plan has a duration of from about 7 weeks to about 16 weeks, and wherein the calorie-restricted diet plan comprises dry matter in an amount from about 1% to about 1.50% relative to the animal's body mass per day during the period of caloric restriction, and wherein the calorie-restricted diet plan reduces body mass ranging from about 1.14% to about 1.25% per week.
A method of reducing body mass in an animal of the genus Equus in need thereof, the method comprising:
- a) quantifying an abundance and/or a relative abundance of bacteria in a sample obtained from the animal, wherein the bacteria are selected from the list comprising (i) bacteria of the genus Sphaerochaeta, and/or (ii) bacteria of the genus Treponema, and/or (iii) bacteria of the genus Anaerovorax and/or (iv) bacteria of the genus Mobilitalea, and/or (v) bacteria of the phylum Actinobacteria, and/or (vi) bacteria of the phylum Spirochaetes, and/or (vii) fibre-fermenting bacteria;
- b) identifying the animal as having a Body Condition Scoring (BCS) value of at least 6, wherein the fecal sample obtained from the animal comprises the abundance and/or relative abundance of bacteria that is indicative of a weight loss propensity;
- and
- c) restricting caloric intake through a calorie-restricted diet plan, wherein the calorie-restricted diet plan has a duration of from about 7 weeks to about 16 weeks, and wherein the calorie-restricted diet plan comprises dry matter in an amount from about 1% to about 1.50% relative to the animal's body mass per day during the period of caloric restriction, and wherein the calorie-restricted diet plan reduces body mass ranging from about 1.14% to about 1.25% per week.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.