Effect of short-term restricted food intake on canine pseudopregnancy

Reprod Domest Anim. 2009 Aug;44(4):631-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2007.01034.x. Epub 2008 Jul 30.

Abstract

A non-pharmaceutical, dietary option may be useful to manage clinical pseudopregnancy (PSP). To describe the effect of short-term food restriction on canine PSP, 16 privately owned, overtly pseudopregnant bitches were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: Limit-fed (increasing amounts of a restricted maintenance: 50%, 40%, 30% restriction for 2, 3 and 2 days respectively) during 7 days (n = 8) or Maintenance-fed of the same food and period (n = 8). The bitches were physically examined and blood samples were taken for prolactin and progesterone determinations on days 2, 5 and 8. By day 8, none of the bitches had completely regressed the condition although all (8/8) the animals of the Limit-fed and two (25%) of the Maintenance-fed group improved in condition decreasing mammary size and secretion (p < 0.05). No day or group effects were observed for serum prolactin and progesterone concentrations (>0.05). It is concluded that although an 8-day food restriction did not cure PSP, it seemed to hasten PSP signs involution in these bitches. No endocrine change was related to these clinical findings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dog Diseases / diet therapy*
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Food Deprivation
  • Lactation
  • Mammary Glands, Animal / metabolism
  • Mammary Glands, Animal / pathology
  • Milk / metabolism
  • Progesterone / blood
  • Prolactin / blood
  • Pseudopregnancy / diet therapy
  • Pseudopregnancy / pathology
  • Pseudopregnancy / veterinary*

Substances

  • Progesterone
  • Prolactin