What are nucleotides and what are the benefits for animals?

Nucleotides play an important role in the repairing and replacing of cells. They are often used as a supplement in pet foods and animal feed and can help to support the growth and development of young animals. Easy to introduce into animal diets, supplementary nucleotides are an effective way to support growth in livestock.

What are nucleotides?

Nucleotides are semi-essential nutrients for animals, supporting them during periods of rapid growth. Commonly described as the building blocks of DNA and RNA, each nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base, a sugar molecule, and a phosphate group. They are key for storing and transferring genetic information and providing energy for cellular processes. Formulated nucleotides in animal feed can boost productivity, and are known to enhance the immune system¹. With high biological activity, easy absorptions and significant nutritional value, nucleotides are becoming a popular animal feed supplement.

How are nucleotides used in animal feed?

Nucleotides make excellent animal feed supplements as they are easy to introduce into feed formulas, and they can be adjusted according to animal growth goals, breeding environments or to meet individual needs. They can be incorporated alongside other macro feed ingredients, to build a nutritionally effective diet. Although nucleotides occur naturally in every cell, their de novo synthesis cannot always supply demand. Animals experiencing rapid growth, stress or disease are often unable to produce enough nucleotides themselves so they can benefit from being supplemented with nucleotides. Supplementary nucleotides are used in aquaculture and husbandry to improve animal productivity by increasing weight gain and feed conversion rates. Beyond their growth support benefits, nucleotides can also improve the taste of animal food. Yeast derived nucleotides such as those in Ohly-GO Nucleo are known to improve palatability, with the distinct taste stimulating sustained feed consumption from the animals, resulting in greater weight gain and growth.

What is the role of nucleotides in animal feed?

Nucleotides in animal feed work to support growth and development, whilst enhancing the immune system and making animals more resilient to infections and diseases. Additionally, they aid in intestinal development and overall gut health. Ohly-GO Nucleo is an effective nucleotide supplement for a wide variety of aquaculture and livestock applications, including shrimps, fish, pigs, poultry and ruminants. With beneficial applications across multiple species, nucleotide supplementation is a valuable tool for livestock producers and farmers looking to give their animals everything they need to grow. 

What are the benefits for animals of consuming nucleotides?

Consuming nucleotides can have substantial benefits for animals by enhancing development, growth and cell reproduction². They are also particularly useful during times when an animal is under a period of acute stress, such as an infection or illness. Stress and disease also make animals less productive as well as leading to higher mortality rates. Nucleotide products support animals during periods of stress and are effective for:

• Multiple stages of animal growth and development
• Reproduction
• Improving resistance and overall adaptability.

When recovering from a disease or physical injury, nucleotides play a crucial role in helping an animal's cells to repair and regenerate damaged tissues. By boosting the immune response, they can aid in the body’s defence against infections, resulting in a smoother recovery. 

Find out more about how nucleotides can enhance animal feed by exploring our animal health, growth and support range.

Get in touch today to speak to our team of experts and unlock the nutritional potential of nucleotides in your products. 

References
1. Hess JR, Greenberg NA. The role of nucleotides in the immune and gastrointestinal systems: potential clinical applications. Nutr Clin Pract. 2012 Apr;27(2):281-94. Epub 2012 Mar 5. PMID: 22392907.
2. Ting Ding, Ge Song, Xinran Liu, Meihong Xu, Yong Li, Nucleotides as optimal candidates for essential nutrients in living organisms: A review, Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 82, 2021, 104498, ISSN 1756-4646