Wissenschaftliche Bewertung des Einsatzes von Vitaminen und ausgewählten Antioxidanzien in der Ernährung von Katzen, Hunden und Pferden: Anspruch und Wirklichkeit Tierärztliche Fakultät - Digitale Hochschulschriften der LMU - Teil 01/07

In the present literature-based work the scientific basis of known and presumed effects of vitamins and some non-essential antioxidants is investigated for the species cat, dog and horse. The effects of the vitamins and antioxidants were subdivided in those, which are displayed if the requirement is met, and those which occur or should occur if supplemented beyond the current accepted requirement. For the selection of the effects investigated those were chosen, which are of interest for the nutritional science of animals. Statements about the functions at meeting the requirement are particular those, which manifest in clinical symptoms during a deficiency. If the substance is supplemented beyond the requirement, those effects were investigated that are used or could be used in the nutrition of the target species. In addition those effects were taken into consideration, which are of interest in the nutrition of special groups, for example diabetic and old animals, and animals, which have to produce high performance.
Because of the fact that often only a few articles were available for the target species, the effects in rats provided the basis. The foundation for the studies were about 2000 publications in English and German peer-reviewed journals since 1930. By means of published articles about each species and with regard to physiological analogies respectively differences it was worked out for each species itself, how strong the scientific evidences are for the statements about the effects of the vitamins and antioxidants. With a valuation system the results were attached to a valuation degree.