ABOUT OUR FOODS
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Nucleotide Formulas
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AVIAN RESEARCH
Importance of Nucleotides
Diseases of Pionus
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Our Nucleotide Formulas
Pretty Bird Natural Gold
Natural Gold Small for Birds |
1.5 lb. - $7.99
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30 lb. - $79.99
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Natural Gold Medium for Birds |
4 lb. - $14.99
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30 lb. - $79.99
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Natural Gold for Ferrets |
4 lb. - $19.99
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20 lb. - $79.99
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The Importance of Nucleotides
An Explanation By Margaret A. Wissman, D.V.M., Diplomate, ABVP, Avian
Practice
What are nucleotides and what makes them such a valuable addition to a
pet's nutrition? To answer this question, we need to have a brief lesson in
biochemistry.
Nucleotides are the building blocks that are necessary for making new
DNA and RNA. Next, we need to think back to high school when we learned
about the double-helix of DNA. Remember the spiral-appearing ladder with the
different colored rungs? That is a
model of the DNA that makes up the genes and chromosomes found in us
all. DNA is a very large molecule, and the
rungs of the DNA ladder are made of a combination of two different
nucleotides. The
nucleotides are molecules, called
guanosine and
cytosine, that pair up together, or
adenosine and
thymidine, which also pair up together. Adenosine and guanosine are
called
purines. Cytosine, thymidine and uradine are called
pyrimidines.
RNA is similar to DNA, except that the molecule uradine replaces thymine
in that pair, and RNA is an intermediary between DNA and protein. A
gene is a discrete sequence of DNA nucleotides, and genes are what make
up our
chromosomes. So, it makes sense that genes are made of DNA.
While all of this sounds very technical, what you need to understand is
that nucleotides are molecules that are essential to the creation of new DNA
and RNA molecules which are then used by new cells of all kinds. This is
important because nucleotides, either by themselves, or in combination with
other molecules, are involved in almost all activities of the cell (and
therefore, the body).
So, what exactly makes nucleotides so important? For a bird, human,
ferret, or other animal to continue to live, grow and develop, it must
create new cells all the time, to replace dying cells. Millions of cells
must be made every minute, just to maintain the body as it. These cells all
must use nucleotides to make new cells, relying on DNA and RNA to correctly
multiply cells. Nucleotides are used for creating cells, replacing cells,
including developing immune cells, developing sperm cells and supporting the
female reproductive tract.
Which tissues and cells require the largest numbers of nucleotides? While
all cells require large numbers of nucleotides, these cells, including red
blood cells, white blood cells, intestinal cells, bone marrow cells and some
brain cells all cannot make (or produce enough) nucleotides to cover their
requirements. Nucleotides are essential for the proper functioning of the
immune system, for cell repair after injury or disease and for helping
prevent disease. Stress can also increase the need for nucleotides, which
are necessary for overcoming the negative effects of hormones released
(during stress), for building up the immune system.
Since we now know that nucleotides are essential in repairing and
replacing cells, we must now ask, where do these nucleotides come from? Many
tissues are not able to manufacture (via synthesis) the nucleotides called
purines. If an animal cannot produce adequate nucleotides, they must then
absorb them from foods they have eaten. Some foods are higher in usable
nucleotides than others. But, in most normal foods, the amounts of usable
nucleotides are quite low, compared to the need for them. Relatively high
concentrations of nucleotides are found in intestines of animals, and also
in bacterial and yeast cultures, none of which, obviously, are usually
consumed.
The new diets being offered by the Pretty Bird company have abundant
available nucleotides in them, which allows an animal to absorb and utilize
all that they need. The fact that these foods contain abundant nucleotides
is what makes them unique and so beneficial to the health of our pets. By
supplying abundant nucleotides, the immune system will be able to function
at peak efficiency, the liver will be better able to repair itself after
insult from toxins (for example, from mycotoxins found in peanuts), and
other tissues will be able to repair themselves after injury.
How do we know that nucleotides can do these things? Studies have been
performed on birds and mice that have shown remarkable benefits to added
nucleotides in the diet. A study was performed on chickens, challenging them
with the
Newcastle's Disease virus, and birds fed a ration with a commercial
preparation of nucleotides before and during the challenge with the virus
had a much higher survival rate than those fed a normal poultry feed.
The supplementation of nucleotides will increase the resistance to
bacterial infections in animals and humans. This was demonstrated in another
study that was performed on mice. Mice were exposed to a pathogenic
(disease-causing) strain of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The group
fed a regular rodent ration experienced a 100% mortality rate. Those fed
differing amounts of increased nucleotides in their ration had much higher
survival rates: 53% mortality in a group fed .25% RNA in the ration, 74%
mortality in a group fed 0.06% adenine, and 58% mortality in a group fed
0.06% uracil. This is very exciting research and what it means is that
instead of 100% of mice dying after being infected with the Staph.
bacteria, of those fed additional uracil only, 42% survived the infection,
with no additional treatment with antibiotics or other care.
Mycotoxins are a big concern for bird owners, as these toxins can be
present in peanuts. Mycotoxins cannot be seen, tasted or smelled, but can be
present in harmless-looking peanuts. Studies were performed on poultry and
pigs, fed either a standard ration, or one with supplemented nucleotides.
The results showed that the livers of the animals fed additional nucleotides
had significantly lower levels of mycotoxins than those fed a standard
ration. Also, mycotoxins levels in the feces of the supplemented animals
were higher than standard-fed animals, showing that they were able to
excrete more toxins than the control group.
Additional Benefits
There are other studies that show additional benefits from the
supplementation of the diet with nucleotides.
Benefits include:
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increased resistance to challenge to bacterial and viral infections
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acceleration of antibody production
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increase in white blood cells called neutrophils
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increase in the number of macrophages
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reversal of malnutrition and starvation-induced immunosuppression
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increase in natural killer (NK) cell activity and interleukin-2 production
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increase of plasma HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol)
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decrease in the concentration of LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol)
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faster recovery of the liver after injury
-
positive effects on the intestines
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intestinal repair after diarrhea
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positive effects of recovery from stress
There are scientific studies to demonstrate all of these positive
effects.
The new ferret diet is entirely reformulated to better approximate the
natural nutrition of mustelids. In addition to supplying the ferret with
abundant nucleotides, it also is much lower in carbohydrates than other
ferret formulations on the market, as ferrets are true carnivores and would
normally ingest a small percentage of carbohydrates. This should have
positive effects on the pancreas as carbohydrates are involved with insulin
secretion. There are no grains in this diet at all. This carnivore feeding
regime, especially tailored for ferrets, containing abundant nucleotides,
proteases, other enzymes and probiotics, will provide a balanced, healthy
daily ration as well as providing the ferret with nutrients that should
enhance the immune system and promote faster healing. This food is highly
digestible and should decrease the odor of feces. It should be beneficial
for ferrets with ECE-associated diarrhea and other infectious diseases.
The diet now available for psittacines also contains abundant
nucleotides, which will help improve resistance to infectious organisms,
help detoxify the liver and should bring breeder birds into optimal health
for successful reproduction. Studies have shown that feeding a diet high in
nucleotides will enhance the reproductive system of hens for maximum egg
production and optimum hatchability. A ration high in nucleotides will help
a hen maintain a high immune status which will protect her from infections.
The complete food will also support the transfer of a high antibody titer to
the offspring. Studies have shown that young animals will benefit greatly
from increased nucleotides in the food, causing acceleration of growth and
differentiation of the intestines, and increased activity of certain enzymes
found in the brush border of the intestinal villi (the absorptive portion of
the intestinal lining). Chicks should have increased size due to optimal
growth. A high nucleotide complete food will support good development of the
offspring and will lower the mortality of both hens and chicks, will result
in higher egg production and higher production of chicks. These claims are
all supported by research results performed on poultry.
These new diets represent a true breakthrough in nutrition for birds and
ferrets. Since nucleotides are naturally-occurring substances, they are
extremely safe to include in a feeding regime, and are nothing like
antibiotics and other types of additives that may prove detrimental in the
long run. Abundant nucleotides will allow your pet to become the healthiest
possible, and the correct percentages of protein, fat, carbohydrate,
vitamins and minerals will provide the nutritional support for the life of
your bird or ferret.
These diets (Pretty
Bird Natural Gold) are now available from Pretty Bird International Inc.
The ferret diet is suitable for both intact and neutered pets. It should
provide your pet with the most appropriate nutrients for all stages of life.
References:
Koppel, P. Physiological and nutritional functions of nucleotides.
Chemoforma LTD, Switzerland, for DSS Global, Inc.
Glasgow Veterinary School. Effect of ASCOGEN on intestinal morphology and
the performance of the broiler chicken. Publication, February 2003.
Koppel, P and Hoffmann, K. Effect of nucleotides in daily life.
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Physiological and nutritional functions of nucleotides
- Information Overview on Nucleotides
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The role of nucleotides in the body
- Explains the structure and functions of nucleotides
- MS Word document, 7 pages
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Effect of Nucleotides on intestinal morphology and the performance of the
broiler chicken
- Summary of the Positive Effects of Nucleotides on the Intestinal
Tract.
- MS Word document, 10 pages
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Breeder Trial with Nucleotides
- Depicts Fertility Increase in Birds
- MS Word document, 1 page
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Full Nucleotide Study on Poultry
- Power Point Presentation on Ascogen With Nucleotides
- Portable Document Format, 6760 kb
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Full Nucleotide Study on Small Animals
- Power Point Presentation on Ascogen With Nucleotides
- Portable Document Format, 4700 kb
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Evaluation of production performance of weaned pigs during vaccination
challenge
- Swine Production Test Conclusion
- MS Word document, 1 page
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Effect of Nucleotides on DLWG and FCR of piglets post weaning
- Swine Production Test Conclusion
- MS Word document, 1 page
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Evaluation of Nucleotides as measured by IgG titres after vaccination for
EP
- Swine Production Test Conclusion
- MS Word document, 1 page
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Effect of Nucleotides on the immune response of sows and piglets
- Analysis of the modifications of blood immune parameters
- MS Word document, 11 pages
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Effect of Nucleotides supplementation on the quality and numbers of
embryos
- Bovine study on Increased Fertility
- MS Word document, 1 page
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Effects of nucleotides on immunity and detoxification
- Nucleotides improve the immune response and reinforce the ability of
the liver to efficiently detoxify mycotoxins.
- MS Word document, 20 pages
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Developments of Intestinal Morphology and Immunity with the inclusion in
feed of specific purified Nucleotide formulations.
- J A Whitehead, Wyreside Products Ltd
- Power Poiint Presentation, 30 slides
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Increasing The Effectiveness Of Vaccinations
- Power Point Presentation on Ascogen With Nucleotides and Its Effect on
Vaccinations
- Power Point Presentation, 14 slides
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The Importance of Nucleotides
- by Margaret A. Wissman, D.V.M., Diplomate, ABVP, Avian Practice
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