Effects of additional dietary choline on food intake, body weight and composition, respiratory quotient, serum lipid profile, and serum metabolic signature in post-gonadectomy kittens

Abstract

This thesis investigated the effects of additional dietary choline in growing, post-gonadectomy kittens. Compared to a control group, dietary choline had an effect on food intake, resulting in lower body weight and body fat mass with no effect on lean soft tissue mass. These results could not be attributed to changes in satiety hormone or in lipid mobilization. Furthermore, energy expenditure and respiratory quotients were not affected by choline. Additionally, serum metabolic signatures by direct infusion mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were assessed. Additional choline appeared to increase one-carbon metabolism and methyl donors, and increased metabolites of phosphatidylcholine which may indicate alterations in fatty acid oxidation. The supplementation of dietary choline at an additional level from the NRC minimum requirements demonstrates a potential benefit in curbing some of the effects of gonadectomy and potentially reducing the risk of obesity in growing kittens.