To investigate the influence of L-serine and/or linoleic acid (LA) on scratching behavior and ceramide contents of mouse skin, L-serine was administered with or without LA by gavage or as a dietary component. Scratching behavior was induced by subcutaneous injection of or painting with compound 48/80, but the alleviating effects of L-serine were obscure. On the other hand, LA alone tended to enhance scratching behavior, but co-administration with L-serine alleviated this phenomenon. Thin-layer chromatography analysis revealed no significant differences in ceramide content of the skin. Although L-serine and LA were additively administered, these may not be incorporated in the ceramide synthesis of healthy mouse skin.

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Feline urine was compared with bovine urine to evaluate factors affecting struvite crystallization in feline urine. Urinary pH tended to be higher in suckling calves and dry cows than in adult cats. However, numbers of struvite crystals in urine were much higher in cats, and substantially no crystals were detected from bovine urine. The pSAP value, which is negative logarithm of struvite activity productrand is closely related to struvite crystallization, tended to be lower in feline urine than in bovine urine. The higher pSAP was attributed to the lower urinary concentration of phosphorus and ammonia in cattle, especially in dry cows. As compared with bovine urine, specific gravity and osmolality tended to be higher in feline urine, which led to the increase in urinary concentrations of sediment and Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein.

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Experiments were conducted to determine required amounts of nutrients for pet minipigs fed on a milk substitute using 5-day old minipigs. We calculated the coefficient (Y) of metabolic energy requirement (MER) and basal metabolic rate (BMR) as Y = MER/BMR. [7][9]. We obtained a natural logarithmic equation of coefficient Y on BW^0.75 [4] for minipigs whose ages were 3-9 months old (Experiment 1). The amount of feed used was determined by this coefficient Y. Then the coefficient Y was again calculated (Experiment 2). Based on the report [12] which showed that the amount of feed that is 60% of full stomach could induce longer lifespan, we reduced the amount of feed for minipigs on pig starter diet to 60% after their growth curve became the same as that for those on mother's milk. Their coefficient Y was again calculated (Experiment 3). We found that weight gain by minipigs on pig starter diet was lower than that of those on mother's milk. The logarithmic equation of the coefficient Y in Experiment 3 is shown below. This equation can be a basis for calculating proper amount of feeds for pet minipigs. The body condition score (BCS) of minipigs on mother's milk was 4-5, whereas that of those on pig starter diet was only 3. The reduced amount of feed did not cause any health problem.
Y = -0.2597Ln(x) + 2.0008(P<0.01, n=147, r=-0.8094, X=BW^0.75, MER/BMR=Y, ME/DE×100=96.5%)
Provisioning amount(kg)=DER(kcal/day)÷Feed DE(kcal/kg).

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Food preferences of the Djungarian dwarf hamster and the Roborovskii dwarf hamster were compared from several standpoints. When preference for color was assessed by giving a choice between red and green food (pellets or pimientos), Djungarian dwarf hamsters preferred green food. When given a choice among food pellets, small dried sardines, sunflower seeds and pumpkin, both dwarf hamster species showed a strong preference for pumpkin and almost refused small dried sardines. However, the consumption of small dried sardines was increased by flavoring with pumpkin extract. When the preference for water content in the food was assessed by offering a choice between foods of high and low water content (i. e., cucumber and cabbage are high in water, and sunflower seed and walnut are low in water), both dwarf hamster species preferred foods rich in water. However, not only water content but preference for food itself may concern to choose.

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This study was performed to examine the effect of the sidestream smoke exposure and the effects of the dietary antioxidant supplement for the exposition on the oxidative stress in dogs. Six healthy dogs (2 males,4 females) were exposed by sidestream smoke as secondary tobacco smoke for 30 min in a small closed chamber. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of the oxidative stress before and 0,30,60,90 and 120 min after the exposition. The oxidative stress was evaluated by d-ROMs test (reactive oxygen metabolites test). The oxidative stress was significantly higher after the exposition than before. In the meanwhile, the oxidative stress didn't elevate in dogs fed the medical food which contains rich antioxidants (vitamin C: 34mg, vitamin E: 102mg/day). Next, same exposition was performed after the administration of vitamin C: 350mg, vitamin E: 100mg, carotene: 5.77mg and coenzyme Q₁₀: 10mg once a day for 2 weeks. The oxidative stress didn't elevate in dogs given these antioxidants. Moreover, the oxidative stress also didn't elevate in dogs after the 2-week administration of the multi vitamin-mineral food supplement prepared for dogs. The food supplement contains vitamin C: 0.132mg, vitamin E: 1.11mg, carotene: 0.225mg, coenzyme C₁₀: 3mg and catechin: 15mg for a dog weighing 10kg per day. The results suggested that secondary tobacco smoke exposure induced an oxidative stress not only in smoking pet owners but also in pets been together, and the increase of oxidative stress was suppressed by the administration of the antioxidants. It is supposed that daily intake of antioxidants prevented the elevation of oxidative stress.

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