U.S. patent application number 11/864076 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-24 for animal feed compositions capable of reducing the incidence of fescue toxicosis in mammals.
This patent application is currently assigned to ADM Alliance Nutrition Inc.. Invention is credited to Stephanie S. Block, Michael J. Cecava, Perry H. Doane.
Application Number | 20080020095 11/864076 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36284054 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080020095 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Block; Stephanie S. ; et
al. |
January 24, 2008 |
ANIMAL FEED COMPOSITIONS CAPABLE OF REDUCING THE INCIDENCE OF
FESCUE TOXICOSIS IN MAMMALS
Abstract
Animal feed compositions having utility in reducing the
incidence of and treating the symptoms of fescue toxicosis in
mammals that consume endophyte-infected fescue are disclosed.
Methods of reducing the incidence of fescue toxicosis and making
animal feed compositions are further disclosed.
Inventors: |
Block; Stephanie S.;
(Decatur, IN) ; Cecava; Michael J.; (Decatur,
IN) ; Doane; Perry H.; (Decatur, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KIRKPATRICK & LOCKHART PRESTON GATES ELLIS LLP;HENRY W. OLIVER BUILDING
535 SMITHFIELD STREET
PITTSBURGH
PA
15222
US
|
Assignee: |
ADM Alliance Nutrition Inc.
Decatur
IL
|
Family ID: |
36284054 |
Appl. No.: |
11/864076 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11340172 |
Jan 26, 2006 |
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11864076 |
Sep 28, 2007 |
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60648050 |
Jan 28, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
426/62 ; 426/541;
426/542; 426/71; 426/72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A23K 20/142 20160501;
A61K 36/81 20130101; A61K 36/67 20130101; A61K 36/81 20130101; A23K
10/18 20160501; A23K 50/10 20160501; A61K 35/74 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A61K 45/06 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
2300/00 20130101; A23K 10/30 20160501; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K
35/74 20130101; A61K 36/185 20130101; A23K 20/195 20160501; A23K
20/174 20160501; A61K 36/185 20130101; A23K 20/111 20160501; A61K
36/67 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/062 ;
426/541; 426/542; 426/071; 426/072 |
International
Class: |
A23K 1/16 20060101
A23K001/16; A23K 1/17 20060101 A23K001/17 |
Claims
1. An animal feed composition comprising: a coated or encapsulated
plant extract consisting of a vasodilator; and an ingredient
selected from the group consisting of feed matter, a mineral, a
vitamin, an amino acid, an antibiotic, and combinations of any
thereof
2. The animal feed composition of claim 1, further comprising an
adsorbent selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, a
clay, and combinations thereof,
3. The animal feed composition of claim 1, further comprising an
oligosaccharide source selected from the group consisting of a
yeast product, a yeast culture, a yeast culture presscake, a citric
acid yeast culture presscake, an ethanol yeast culture presscake, a
spray dried yeast culture, a spray dried bacterial culture, a yeast
extract, a modified yeast extract, a yeast enzyme, a bacterial
enzyme, and combinations of any thereof.
4. The animal feed composition of claim 1, further comprising an
antioxidant selected from the group consisting of a tocopherol, a
vitamin E, a vitamin E containing composition and combinations of
any thereof.
5. The animal feed composition of claim 1 wherein the vasodilator
is selected from the group consisting of capsaicin,
dihydrocapsaicin, capsaicinoids, piperine, vanilloid, zingerone,
capsicum, macerated hot peppers, ground hot peppers, hot pepper
extract, berberine, niacin, arginine, cocoa flavanols, a capsicum
containing plant material, and combinations of any thereof.
6. The animal feed composition of claim 1, wherein the vasodilator
is a vanilloid receptor activator.
7. The animal feed composition of claim 1, wherein the composition
comprises 0.005% to 1.0% by weight of the vasodilator.
8. The animal feed composition of claim 1, wherein the animal feed
composition is configured as at least one of a feed supplement, a
feed additive, a loose meal, a liquid, a cube, a cooked tub, a
mineral, an agglomeration, and a pressed tub.
9. The animal feed composition of claim 1 wherein the animal feed
composition is placed in a container and associated with indicia
configured to instruct an amount of the animal feed composition to
feed animals associated with a fescue toxicosis condition or
environment.
10-17. (canceled)
18. An animal feed composition comprising: a capsaicin containing
product; and at least one of a yeast product, a yeast culture, a
yeast culture presscake, a citric acid yeast culture presscake, an
ethanol yeast culture presscake, a spray dried yeast culture, a
spray dried bacterial culture, a yeast extract, a modified yeast
extract, a yeast enzyme, and a bacterial enzyme
19. The animal feed composition of claim 18, further comprising an
adsorbent selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, a
clay, and combinations thereof.
20. The animal feed composition of claim 18, further comprising an
ingredient selected from the group consisting of feed matter, a
mineral, a vitamin, an amino acid, an antibiotic, a plant extract,
a plant botanical, and combinations of any thereof.
21. The animal feed composition of claim 18, wherein the animal
feed composition is configured as one of a feed supplement, a feed
additive, a loose meal, a liquid, a cube, a cooked tub, a mineral,
an agglomeration, and a pressed tub.
22. The animal feed composition of claim 18, wherein the capsaicin
containing product is coated or encapsulated.
23. An animal feed composition comprising: at least one of an
adsorbent and an oligosaccharide; and at least one of an
antioxidant and a vasodilator
24. The animal feed composition of claim 23, wherein the animal
feed composition comprises a vasodilator selected from the group
consisting of capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, capsaicinoids, piperine,
vanilloid, zingerone, capsicum, macerated hot peppers, ground hot
peppers, hot pepper extract, berberine, niacin, arginine, cocoa
flavanols, a capsicum containing plant material, and combinations
of any thereof
25. The animal feed composition of claim 23, wherein the animal
feed composition comprises an oligosaccharide selected from the
group consisting of a yeast product, a yeast culture, a yeast
culture presscake, a citric acid yeast culture presscake, an
ethanol yeast culture presscake, a spray dried yeast culture, a
spray dried bacterial culture, a yeast extract, a modified yeast
extract, a yeast enzyme, a bacterial enzyme, and combinations of
any thereof.
26. (canceled)
27. The animal feed composition of claim 15 wherein the animal feed
composition is capable of at least one of improving digestive
system function, binding aflatoxins, supporting immune function,
improving the ability to dissipate heat for animals that consume
endophyte-infected forage and treating animals that suffer from
fescue toxicosis.
28. The animal feed composition of claim 18, wherein the animal
feed composition is capable of at least one of improving digestive
system function, binding aflatoxins, supporting immune function,
improving the ability to dissipate heat for animals that consume
endophyte-infected forage and treating animals that suffer from
fescue toxicosis.
29. The animal feed composition of claim 23, wherein the animal
feed composition is capable of at least one of improving digestive
system function, binding aflatoxins, supporting immune function,
improving the ability to dissipate heat for animals that consume
endophyte-infected forage and treating animals that suffer from
fescue toxicosis.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/648,050, filed Jan. 28, 2005,
the disclosure of the entirety of which is incorporated by this
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The technology relates to feed supplements for reducing the
incidence of fescue toxicosis in mammals, and to methods for
reducing the incidence of fescue toxicosis in mammals.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Tall fescue is a hardy, rangeland grass, which is a primary
forage for grazing ruminants, especially during the hot summer
months. It is grown on approximately 1.4 million hectares
throughout the United States. The ability of tall fescue to
withstand temperature extremes is, at least in part, a result of a
symbiotic relationship between the plant and an endophytic fungus,
Neotyphodium coenophialum. It is estimated that greater than 80% of
all fescue is infected with the fungus,
[0004] Although the symbiosis has advantages for the grass, N.
coenophialum also produces ergovaline and ergot alkaloids. These
naturally occurring chemicals are responsible for fescue toxicosis,
a widespread problem affecting both beef and dairy cattle. Data
indicates that feeding ruminants ergovaline impairs their
performance (Gadberry M. S., Denard T. M., Spiers D. E., Piper E.
L., "Effects of feeding ergovaline on lamb performance in a heat
stress environment," J. Anim. Sci. 2003 June; 81(6):1538-45).
Conversion of ergovaline to ergot alkaloids leads to detectable
concentrations of alkaloids in the urine, which are correlated with
toxicosis symptoms (Hill N. S., Thompson F. N., Stuedemann J. A.,
Dawe D. L., Hiatt E. E., "Urinary alkaloid extraction as a
diagnostic tool for fescue toxicosis in cattle," J. Vet. Diagn.
Invest. 2000 May; 12(3):210-7). Absorbed ergovaline and ergot
alkaloids cause a reduction in vasoactivity (Oliver J. W., Abney L.
K., Strickland J. R., Linnabary R. D., "Vasoconstriction in bovine
vasculature induced by the tall fescue alkaloid lysergamide," J.
Anim. Sci. 1993 October; 71(10):2708-13) and subsequent impairment
of heat regulation. Impairment of immune function also is observed.
Cattle affected by fescue toxicosis suffer from reduced appetite
and growth, impaired reproduction and lactation, and impaired
circulation to the extremities, which leads to the inability to
dissipate heat during summer heat stress or, in winter, the
inability to maintain circulation to the feet and tail. Often tails
will turn gangrenous and fall off. In more severe situations, feet
also will be affected and lost.
[0005] Currently, no dietary intervention is available to
effectively prevent or treat fescue toxicosis. Methods such as
ammoniation of feedstuffs (Simeone A., Boissonneault G. A., Bush L.
P., Mitchell, Jr., G. E., "Comparison of two ammoniation procedures
to reduce the toxicity of endophyte-infected tall fescue seed fed
to rats," Drug Chem. Toxicol. 1998 August; 21(3):387-404) require
additional handling and expense and are not applicable to grazing
situations where fescue toxicosis is predominantly observed. The
use of vaccines (Filipov N. M., Thompson F. N., Hill N. S., Dawe D.
L., Stuedemann J. A., Price J. C., Smith C. K., "Vaccination
against ergot alkaloids and the effect of endophyte-infected fescue
seed-based diets on rabbits," J. Anim. Sci. 1998 September;
76(9):2456-63) or dopamine antagonists (Samford-Grigsby M. D.,
Larson B. T., Forcherio J. C., Lucas D. M., Paterson J. A., Kerley
M. S., "Injection of a dopamine antagonist into Holstein steers to
relieve symptoms of fescue toxicosis," J. Anim. Sci. 1997 April;
75(4):1026-31) require multiple injections of pharmacological
materials which are expensive. Injections lead to high labor and
animal handling requirements and place additional stress on
animals.
[0006] Combinations of mineral clay and yeast cell wall extracts
have been used to bind and inactivate ergot alkaloids when admixed
with feeds or fed directly to animals (U.S. Pat. No. 6,344,221 B1).
Calcined attapulgite clay (U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,623) or a
combination of mineral clay and modified yeast wall extracts (U.S.
Pat. No. 6,045,834) have been used to remove mycotoxins from animal
feeds. While these compositions and methods may help prevent the
introduction of ergot alkaloids into the system of the animal, they
do not treat the symptoms of fescue toxicosis such as impaired
thermoregulation and impaired immune response that result from
absorption of ergovaline and ergot alkaloids.
[0007] Thus, feed compositions that limit absorption of ergot
alkaloids in digestive systems and/or treat the symptoms of fescue
toxicosis in fescue-consuming animals would be of value. Low-cost
and non-stressful methods to improve the health and performance of
animals consuming endophyte-infected fescue also would be
advantageous.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present disclosure is directed toward compositions that
can be used as an additive or supplement to animal feed. In one
embodiment, the compositions may be used to reduce the incidence
and treat the symptoms of fescue toxicosis in mammals that consume
endophyte-infected fescue. The disclosure also includes various
methods of making and using the compositions disclosed herein, as
set forth below.
[0009] In one embodiment, the present disclosure comprises an
animal feed composition comprises a coated or encapsulated plant
extract consisting of a vasodilator and an ingredient selected from
the group consisting of feed matter, a mineral, a vitamin, an amino
acid, an antibiotic, and combinations of any thereof
[0010] In another embodiment, the present disclosure comprises a
method for feeding an animal. The method comprises mixing a
vasodilator with an animal feed product selected from the group
consisting of feed matter, a mineral, a vitamin, an amino acid, an
antibiotic, a plant extract, a plant botanical, and combinations of
any thereof, thus producing an animal feed composition or animal
feed supplement. The method further comprises feeding the animal
feed composition or animal feed supplement to an animal that may
consume endophyte-infected fescue grass, such as, animals selected
from the group consisting of bovines, equines, ovines, caprines, or
a mixed group of animals comprising any of these.
[0011] In a further embodiment, the present disclosure comprises a
method for feeding an animal. The method comprises mixing a
vasodilator with an animal feed product selected from the group
consisting of feed matter, a mineral, a vitamin, an amino acid, an
antibiotic, a plant extract, a plant botanical, and combinations of
any thereof, thus producing an animal feed composition or animal
feed supplement, The method further comprises feeding the animal
feed composition or animal feed supplement to a bovine.
[0012] In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure comprises
an animal feed composition comprising a coated or encapsulated
capsaicin containing product; and at least one of a yeast product,
a yeast culture, a yeast culture presscake, a citric acid yeast
culture presscake, an ethanol yeast culture presscake, a spray
dried yeast culture, a spray dried bacterial culture, a yeast
extract, a modified yeast extract, a yeast enzyme, and a bacterial
enzyme.
[0013] In yet a further embodiment, the present invention comprises
compositions for consumption by a mammal. The compositions of this
embodiment comprise at least one of an adsorbent and an
oligosaccharide; and at least one of an antioxidant and a
vasodilator. In certain embodiment, the adsorbent may comprise a
clay. In other embodiments, the oligosaccharide may comprise one of
a yeast product and a yeast culture. In other embodiments, the
antioxidant may comprise vitamin E. In other embodiments, the
vasodilator may comprise capsicum, which may be coated or
encapsulated. The compositions of this embodiment may comprise
combinations of the components. In one embodiment, the composition
comprises one of the following combinations of components: an
adsorbent, an antioxidant, and a vasodilator; an oligosaccharide,
an antioxidant, and a vasodilator; an adsorbent, an
oligosaccharide, and an antioxidant; and an adsorbent, an
oligosaccharide, and a vasodilator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a graph showing consumption of one composition
according to a non-limiting embodiment disclosed herein in meal
form compared to a commercially available feed composition.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a graph showing consumption of one composition
according to a non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein in tub
form compared to a commercially available tub feed composition.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a graph showing changes in rectal, ear, body
surface and hoof temperature for animals consuming compositions
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprising
capsicum compared to a control composition
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] In one embodiment, the present disclosure comprises
compositions for consumption by a mammal. The compositions may
comprise at least one of an adsorbent and an oligosaccharide; and
at least one of an antioxidant and a vasodilator. In certain
embodiments, the adsorbent may comprise a clay. In other
embodiments, the oligosaccharide may originate from at least one of
a yeast product and a yeast culture. In other embodiments, the
antioxidant may comprise vitamin E. In other embodiments, the
vasodilator may comprise capsicum or capsaicin. The compositions of
the various embodiments may also comprise combinations of these
components. In one embodiment, the composition comprises one of the
following combinations of components: an adsorbent, an antioxidant,
and a vasodilator; an oligosaccharide, an antioxidant, and a
vasodilator; an adsorbent, an oligosaccharide, and an antioxidant;
and an adsorbent, an oligosaccharide, and a vasodilator.
[0018] In another embodiment of the present invention, the
compositions for consumption by a mammal comprise at least one of
about 2% to about 99.5% by weight of an adsorbent and about 20% to
about 99.5% by weight of an oligosaccharide; and at least one of
about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of an antioxidant and about
0.005% to about 1.0% by weight of a vasodilator,
[0019] In a further embodiment, the compositions for consumption by
a mammal comprise about 2% to about 79% by weight of an
aluminosilicate clay; about 20% to about 90% by weight of a yeast
product; about 0.5% to about 1 0% by weight of vitamin E; and about
0.005% to about 1.0% by weight of capsicum. In another embodiment,
the composition comprises about 5% to about 50% by weight of the
aluminosilicate clay; about 40% to about 90% by weight of the yeast
product; about 1.0% to about 5.0% by weight of vitamin E; and about
0.005% to about 0.5% by weight of capsicum. In yet another
embodiment, the composition comprises about 10.84% by weight of the
aluminosilicate clay; about 86.61% by weight of the yeast product;
about 2.45% by weight of vitamin E; and about 0.09% by weight of
capsicum, wherein the yeast product comprises 17.3% of a dried
yeast on a corn germ carrier.
[0020] In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a
method of reducing the incidence of fescue toxicosis in a mammal.
The method comprises feeding to the mammal a composition comprising
at least one of an adsorbent and an oligosaccharide; and at least
one of an antioxidant and a vasodilator. In certain embodiments,
the composition may be fed to the mammal as a feed supplement, a
feed additive, a loose meal, a liquid, a cube, a cooked tub, a
mineral, an agglomeration, and a pressed tub.
[0021] In yet another embodiment, the present invention comprises a
method for the prophylactic treatment of fescue toxicosis in a
mammal. The method comprises feeding to the mammal a composition
comprising at least one of an aluminosilicate clay and a yeast
product; and at least one of vitamin E and capsicum. In another
embodiment, the method comprises feeding the mammal a composition
comprising the aluminosilicate clay, the yeast product, the vitamin
E, and the capsicum, wherein the aluminosilicate clay comprises
about 2% to about 79% by weight of the composition; the yeast
product comprises about 20% to about 90% by weight of the
composition, the vitamin E comprises about 0.5% to about 10% by
weight of the composition; and the capsicum comprises about 0.005%
to about 1.0% by weight of the composition,
[0022] In still another embodiment, the present invention comprises
a method of maintaining performance and appropriate body
temperature in a mammal during periods when endophyte-infected
fescue is consumed by the mammal. The method comprises feeding to
the mammal a composition comprising at least one of an
aluminosilicate clay and a yeast product; and at least one of
vitamin E and capsicum.
[0023] In a further embodiment, the present invention comprises a
method of making a composition for the prophylactic treatment of
fescue toxicosis. The method comprises mixing a composition
comprising at least one of an adsorbent and an oligosaccharide, and
at least one of an antioxidant and a vasodilator; and forming the
composition into one of a feed supplement, a feed additive, a loose
meal, a liquid, a cube, a cooked tub, a mineral, an agglomeration,
and a pressed tub. In certain embodiments, the method comprises
mixing a composition comprising the adsorbent that comprises an
aluminosilicate clay; the oligosaccharide that comprises a yeast
product; the antioxidant that comprises vitamin E; and the
vasodilator that comprises capsicum, wherein the aluminosilicate
clay comprises about 2% to about 79% by weight of the composition;
the yeast product comprises about 20% to about 90% by weight of the
composition; the vitamin E comprises about 0.5% to about 10% by
weight of the composition; and the capsicum comprises about 0.006%
to about 1.0% by weight of the composition.
[0024] It has been determined that mixtures comprising at least one
of an adsorbent and an oligosaccharide, and at least one of an
antioxidant and a vasodilator can be used as an additive or
supplement to animal feed to reduce the incidence and treat the
symptoms of fescue toxicosis in mammals that consume
endophyte-infected fescue. Certain embodiments of the methods and
compositions of the present disclosure comprise an adsorbent and at
least one of an antioxidant and a vasodilator. Other embodiments of
the methods and compositions of the present disclosure comprise an
oligosaccharide and at least one of an antioxidant and a
vasodilator. Further embodiments of the methods and compositions of
the present disclosure comprise an adsorbent, an oligosaccharide
and at least one of an antioxidant and a vasodilator. The present
disclosure also includes various methods for reducing the incidence
of fescue toxicosis in a mammal and methods for the prophylactic
treatment of fescue toxicosis in a mammal, comprising feeding the
mammal the compositions of the present disclosure, The present
disclosure also includes method of making the various compositions
of the present disclosure.
[0025] Certain individual components of the various embodiments of
compositions of the present disclosure may improve the health and
performance of animals consuming endophyte-infected fescue.
Adsorbent clays such as hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate are
able to bind ergot alkaloids in vitro (Chestnut A. B., Anderson, P.
D., Cochran, M. A., Fribourg, H. A., Gwinn, K. D., "Effects of
hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate on fescue toxicosis and
mineral absorption," J. Anim. Sci., 1992 September
70(9):2838-2846). However, animal data demonstrating improved
performance on feeding animals such clays are minimal. Modified
yeast cell wall products have been proposed to reduce the severity
of toxicosis (Akay, V., Foley, M., Jackson, J. A., Kudopoje, M.,
Dawson, K. A., "Supplementation of FEB-200 to alleviate endophyte
toxicosis in steers," J. Anim. Sci., 2003 81(Suppl. 1); 229
(Abstract M207)). Vitamin E was evaluated in lactating dairy cattle
and as a single ingredient was not found to be effective against
fescue toxicosis (Jackson, J. A., Harmon, R. J., Tabeidi, Z.,
"Effect of dietary supplementation with vitamin E for lactating
dairy cows fed tall fescue hay infected with endophyte," J. Dairy
Sci. 1997 80:569-572). Finally, vasoactivity can be affected by
capsaicin acting through vanilloid receptors to induce vasodilation
and subsequently improve ability to dissipate heat (Zygmunt, P. M.,
Petersson, J., Andersson, D. A., Chuang, H., Sogard, M., DiMarzo,
V., Julius, D., Hogestatt, E. D., "Vanilloid receptors on sensory
nerves mediate the vasodilator action of anandamide," Nature, 1999
July 29; 400(6743):452-457).
[0026] The incorporation of various components into a feed additive
or a feed supplement, as disclosed herein, presents a novel
approach for the treatment of fescue toxicosis. The methods and
compositions of the present disclosure are designed to improve
digestive system function, bind toxins, support immune function,
and improve the ability to dissipate heat for animals that consume
endophyte-infected fescue forage and/or suffer from fescue
toxicosis.
[0027] Other than in the operating examples, or where otherwise
indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients,
reaction conditions and the like used in the specification and
claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by
the term "about". Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary,
the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification
and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon
the desired properties sought to be obtained. At the very least,
and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of
equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter
should at least be construed in light of the number of reported
significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
All values reported in percentages are reported as weight
percentages, unless specifically denoted otherwise.
[0028] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters
setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations,
the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are
reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical values, however,
inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the
standard deviation found in their respective testing
measurements
[0029] Also, it should be understood that any numerical range
recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed
therein. For example, a range of "1 to 10" is intended to include
all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of
1 and the recited maximum value of 10, that is, having a minimum
value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value of equal to or
less than 10.
[0030] Certain non-limiting embodiments of the compositions of the
present disclosure may comprise an adsorbent. The term "adsorbent",
as used herein, is defined as a composition that has the ability to
adsorb water and certain organic compounds, including but not
limited to, aflatoxin, ergovaline, and ergot alkaloids. Adsorbents
suitable for use in certain non-limiting embodiments of the present
disclosure include, but are not limited to, activated carbon and
clay minerals. The term "activated carbon", as used herein, is
defined as including any of the number of compositions made
primarily of adsorbent carbon in lump, pellet, granular, or powder
form, including, but not limited to, any of the compounds under the
terms "activated charcoal", "active carbon", "active charcoal",
"amorphous carbon", "bone black", "bone coal", "charcoal black",
"charcoal", "decolorizing carbon", and "lamp black". The terms
"clay minerals", "mineral clay" or "clay", as used herein, are
defined as any of a complex group of finely crystalline to
amorphous, essentially hydrated aluminum silicate minerals of
tectosilicate and phyllosilicate origin having the generalized
formula Al.sub.2O.sub.3SiO.sub.2.xH.sub.2O, characterized by small
particle size, cation exchange capability, and/or the ability to
adsorb water and certain organic compounds, such as, but not
limited to, aflatoxin, ergovaline, and ergot alkaloids. Minerals
and vitamins may also be adsorbed to these clays. The most common
mineral clays belong to the kaolinite, smectite, allophone,
vermiculite, interstratified clays and illite groups including, but
not limited to, the montmorillonite, attapulgite and bentonite
groups. The terms "clay minerals", "mineral clay" or "clay" may
also include, but is not limited to, natural tectosilicate minerals
of the zeolite group and the synthetic zeolites or sodium calcium
silicoaluminates. The term "aluminosilicate clay", as used herein,
is defined as comprising a combination of silicate and aluminate in
the form of a mineral clay. The term "kaolinite", as used herein,
is defined as one member of the group of common aluminosilicate
clays.
[0031] Activated carbon may be used in certain non-limiting
embodiments of the composition of the present disclosure in either
lump, pellet, granular, or powder form. Examples of suitable
activated carbon compositions include, but are not limited to,
Calgon (available from the Calgon Carbon Corp. of Pittsburgh, Pa.)
and Toxiban.TM. (available from Vet-a-Mix of Shenandoah, Iowa).
[0032] Aluminosilicate clays that may be used in certain
non-limiting embodiments of the composition of the present
disclosure may be any of a number of standard commercial grade
aluminosilicate clays suitable for inclusion in animal diets.
Aluminosilicate clays may be obtained from a variety of commercial
sources. Examples of commercially available aluminosilicate clays
suitable for use in various compositions of the present disclosure
include, but are not limited to, Biofix (a blend of clay, enzymes
and botanicals available from Biomin GmbH in Austria) and NutraADE
(available from ADM Alliance Nutrition in Quincy, Ill.). Mineral
clays in the form of natural and synthetic zeolites suitable for
use in certain embodiments of the present disclosure include, but
are not limited to, zeolites available from various mining sources,
Feed Bond.TM. (available from ACG Products Ltd. of Brookfield,
Wis.), ZeoPrO.TM. (available from ZeoponiX, Inc. of Boulder,
Colo.), and Zar-Mine (available from Zeo, Inc. of McKinney,
Tex.).
[0033] Certain non-limiting embodiments of compositions of the
present disclosure may also comprise an oligosaccharide. As used
herein, the term "oligosaccharide" is defined as a composition
comprised, at least in part, of polysaccharides containing from two
to about fifty monosaccharide units connected by glycosidic
linkages. Oligosaccharides suitable for use in certain non-limiting
embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited
to, yeast, including yeast dried on a suitable carbohydrate
carrier; yeast cultures; algae cultures; bacterial cultures;
modified starches; enzymes extracted or isolated from a bacteria,
yeast or mold; yeast extracts; modified yeast extracts; spray dried
yeast culture, a spray dried bacterial culture; and
oligosaccharides, such as, but not limited to,
mannanoligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides, and beta-glucans,
isolated from yeast and yeast cultures. Oligosaccharides may also
include various combinations of any of the oligosaccharides set
forth above.
[0034] As used herein, the term "yeast product" means dried,
non-fermentative yeast which has been separated from the medium in
which it was propagated and dried on a suitable carrier. As used
herein, the term "carrier" means an edible material to which yeast
is added to facilitate uniform incorporation of the latter into
feeds. The active particles are adsorbed, impregnated, or coated
into or onto the edible material in such a way as to physically
carry the active ingredient. Carriers suitable for use in certain
non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are
not limited to grain germ, such as, for example, corn germ or wheat
germ. In certain non-limiting embodiments of the present
disclosure, the carrier portion of the yeast product comprises from
0% to 90% by weight of the total weight of the yeast product. In
one non-limiting embodiment, the carrier comprises 0% of the weight
of the yeast product, such that the yeast product comprises dried,
non-fermentative yeast, such as a spray dried yeast, and no
carrier. In another non-limiting embodiment, the carrier comprises
corn germ and comprises from about 75% to about 90% of the total
weight of the yeast product.
[0035] As used herein, the term "yeast culture" is defined as the
product comprising mycelium of yeast fermentation and the media on
which it was grown, such as, for example, a presscake. The yeast
culture comprises the enzyme system of the viable organism and its
concomitant metabolites produced during the fermentation process
and not removed during the separation process. The process of
separation includes, but is not limited to, filtration and
pressing, and centrifugation. The fermentation process can be, but
is not limited to, a penicillium fermentation, a Streptomyces
fermentation, an ethanol fermentation, or a citric acid
fermentation. Yeast organisms useful in the compositions described
herein include, without limitation, the Saccharomyces, Candida,
Pichia, Yarrowia, Kluyveromyces, or Tortilaspora species. In
certain non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure, the
yeast used is Pichia guilliermondii or Yarrowia lipolytica.
[0036] As used herein, the term "presscake" means the filtered or
centrifuged; and dried mycelium obtained from separation of the
fermentation, The term "citric acid presscake", as used herein,
means the filtered or centrifuged; and dried mycelium obtained from
a citric acid fermentation using an acceptable aqueous carbohydrate
substrate. The term "ethanol presscake" is defined as the filtered
or centrifuged mycelium obtained from an ethanol fermentation using
an acceptable aqueous carbohydrate substrate. The yeast organism
may be made nonviable and may be completely removed from the citric
acid or ethanol during the separation and purification process.
Citric acid presscakes can be a product resulting from Pichia or
Yarrowia yeast fermentation to produce citric acid, in which case
it contains cell walls and cell wall contents with high
concentrations of mannanoligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides,
and/or beta-glucans. The oligosaccharides and yeast cultures that
may be used in the compositions of the present disclosure may be
obtained, for example, from a variety of commercial sources.
Non-limiting examples of commercially available oligosaccharide
sources, yeasts, yeast products, presscakes, and yeast cultures and
extracts suitable for use in the compositions of the present
disclosure include, but are not limited to, Yeast Cream, ADM MOS,
and CitriStim (Pichia guilliermondii, citric acid fermentation
cultures available from Archer Daniels Midland, of Decatur, Ill.),
Nutrasound (Lactobacilli fermentation culture available from ADM
Alliance Nutrition, Inc. of Quincy, Ill.), Prosponse (Saccharomyces
cerevisiae brewer's yeast, available from ADM Alliance Nutrition,
Inc. of Quincy, Ill.), A-max (S. cerevisiae brewer's yeast culture
available from Vi-cor of Mason City, Iowa), YeaSace (S. cerevisiae
yeast culture available from Alltech of Lexington, Ky.), BioSaf and
Procreatin (S. cerevisiae yeast available from LaSaffre Yeast Corp.
of Milwaukee, Wis.), Levucell SC (S. cerevisiae yeast available
from Lallemand, Inc. of Chicago, Ill.), and Diamond V yeast culture
(S. cerevisiae yeast culture available from Diamond V of Cedar
Rapids, Iowa).
[0037] Non-limiting embodiments of the compositions of the present
disclosure may also comprise an antioxidant. As used herein, the
term "antioxidant" is defined as any of a number of natural or
synthetic compounds or nutritional supplements that are purported
to prevent free-radical oxidation of cellular material. Examples of
antioxidants suitable for use in embodiments of the compositions of
the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, a
tocopherol containing composition, including any of the E vitamins,
any of the A vitamins, vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, alpha lipoic acid,
any of the carotenes, and the proanthocyanidins, ethoxyquin, BHT,
BHA, as well as herbs and herbal extracts such as thymol,
carvacrol, turmeric, rosemary, milk thistle, grape, seaweed, and
green tea. As used herein, the term "tocopherol" is defined as any
member of the class of mono, di-, and trimethyltocols, and
mixtures, combinations, and compositions comprised thereof. As used
herein, the terms "vitamin E" and "E vitamins" are defined as
including alpha-tocopherol, all other tocopherols, and all tocol
and tocotrienol derivatives exhibiting qualitatively the biological
activity of alpha-tocopherol, including mixtures, combinations, and
compositions comprised thereof. The term "vitamin E containing
composition" means any mixture or composition comprising at least
one tocopherol or one vitamin E. The tocopherol, vitamin E and/or
vitamin E containing compositions useful in the compositions of the
present disclosure may be obtained from any of a number of
commercial sources. Examples of commercially available tocopherol,
vitamin E and/or vitamin E containing compositions suitable for use
in the compositions of the present disclosure include, but are not
limited to, natural vitamin E, synthetic vitamin E, Nutreon (a
vitamin E product available from Archer Daniels Midland, Co. of
Decatur, Ill.) and combinations thereof.
[0038] Non-limiting embodiments of the compositions within the
present disclosure may also comprise a vasodilator. As used herein,
the term "vasodilator" is defined as a compound, substance or drug
that causes the blood vessels of an animal to dilate (i.e.,
increase in cross-sectional diameter). Many methods are available
to induce vasodilation, one non-limiting example is by activation
of the vanilloid receptors or activation via nitric oxide (NO)
pathways. Examples of vasodilators or vanilloid receptor activators
suitable for use in certain embodiments of the compositions of the
present disclosure include, but are not limited to, capsaicin,
dihydrocapsaicin, capsinoid, piperine, vanilloids, zingerone,
capsicum, macerated or ground hot peppers, hot pepper extract,
berberine, niacin (nicotinamide or nicotinic acid), arginine, other
capsicum containing plant materials, and other compounds that lead
to the activation of vanilloid receptors. Examples of nitric oxide
pathway vasodilators include, but are not limited to, cocoa
flavanols. In other embodiments, the vasodilator may be isolated or
extracted from the capsicum containing plant materials, Capsaicin
is the chemical compound present in peppers that is responsible for
the "heat" of those peppers and is known to work as a vasodilator
(Zygmunt, P. M., Petersson, J., Andersson, D. A., Chuang, H.,
Sogard, M., DiMarzo, V., Julius, D., Hogestatt, E. D., "Vanilloid
receptors on sensory nerves mediate the vasodilator action of
anandamide," Nature, 1999 July 29; 400(6743):452-457). The term
"capsicum", as used herein, is defined as an extract of any of the
plants of the Genus Capsicum sp. which includes peppers such as,
but not limited to, Capsicum anuum, C. frutescans, C. baccatum, C.
pubescens, and C. chinense. Capsicum contains about 2% to about 20%
(w/w) natural capsaicin and capsaicinoids. Higher percentages may
be obtained by enhancing capsicum with synthetic capsaicin. In
certain non-limiting embodiments of the compositions of the present
disclosure, the vasodilator comprises capsaicin. In other
non-limiting embodiments the vasodilator comprises capsicum
containing about 2% to about 20% (w/w) natural capsaicin and
capsaicinoids, In other non-limiting embodiments, the vasodilator
comprises capsicum enhanced with synthetic capsaicin containing 2%
to 98% (w/w) total capsaicin and capsaicinoids.
[0039] In certain embodiments, the vasodilator, for example, but
not limited to, capsaicin or capsicum, may be coated or
encapsulated. The coating or encapsulation may be performed such
that the coated or encapsulated vasodilator comprises a micro-sized
spherical particle. For example according to certain embodiments,
the coated or encapsulated vasodilator may comprise micro-sized
spherical particles having a size range of 125 microns to 400
microns, According to certain embodiments, the material used to
coat or encapsulate the vasodilator may comprise a digestible
matrix that is degraded in the intestinal tract of an animal the
composition is orally consumed by the animal. In certain
embodiments, the material used to coat or encapsulate the
vasodilator may comprise a hydrogenated vegetable oil matrix, a
hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, or a combination thereof. According
to other embodiments, the vasodilator may be coated or encapsulated
by coating the vasodilator with a hydrogenated vegetable oil matrix
or granulated with the hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose. In certain
embodiments, the coating or encapsulation of the vasodilator may
enable a manufacturer or user of an animal feed composition
comprising the vasodilator to handle the vasodilator or animal feed
composition more safely since certain vasodilators that may be used
in the various embodiments of the animal feed compositions, such
as, for example, capsaicin and capsicum, may be an irritant to
persons handling the vasodilator or feed compositions. In other
embodiments, the coating or encapsulation of the vasodilator may
make the resulting animal feed composition more palatable to an
animal consuming the animal feed composition.
[0040] As used herein, the term "feed matter" is used to refer to
one or more component of an animal feed and may be a wet or dry
component. Non-limiting examples of feed matter may include; corn
or a component of corn, such as, for example, corn meal, corn
fiber, corn hulls, silage, ground corn, or any other portion of a
corn plant; soy or a component of soy, such as, for example, soy
meal, soy hulls, soy silage, ground soy, or any other portion of a
soy plant; wheat or any component of wheat, such as, for example,
wheat meal, wheat fiber, wheat hulls, wheat chaff, ground wheat,
wheat germ, or any other portion of a wheat plant; canola or any
other portion of a canola plant, such as, for example, canola meal,
canola protein, canola hulls, ground canola, or any other portion
of a canola plant; sunflower or a component of a sunflower plant;
sorghum or a component of a sorghum plant; sugar beet or a
component of a sugar beet plant; cane sugar or a component of a
sugarcane plant; barley or a component of a barley plant; glycerol;
corn steep liquor; a waste stream from an agricultural processing
facility; molasses; soy molasses; flax; peanuts; peas; oats;
grasses, such as orchard grass and fescue, and alfalfa and/or
clover used for silage or hay.
[0041] In certain embodiments, the animal feed matter may be mixed
with various feed ingredients including, but not limited to, amino
acids, such as, for example, lysine, threonine, or others;
minerals; vitamins; antibiotics; plant extracts or plant
botanicals, such as, for example, milk thistle, seaweed, cinnamon,
cinnamaidehyde, carvacrol, quillaja extracts, yucca extract, and
eugenol; sugars; and polyalcohols,
[0042] The present disclosure also provides a method of
ameliorating fescue toxicosis and improving the health and
performance of endophyte-infected fescue consuming animals by
reducing the amounts of ergovaline converted to ergot alkaloids
and/OR reducing the symptoms of fescue toxicosis. In vitro data
demonstrates that adsorbents, such as clay, and oligosaccharides,
such as those derived from yeast products or yeast cultures, alone
or in combination, can reduce the amount of ergovaline converted to
ergot alkaloids. By reducing the amount of ergovaline converted to
more readily absorbed forms, fewer toxins will be absorbed across
the rumen wall into the circulatory system of the animal. This
activity, combined with the ability of a clay, such as, for
example, an aluminosilicate clay, to adsorb ergovaline and reduce
uptake across the gastrointestinal tissues, and the toxin binding
capability of the mannanoligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides,
and/or beta-glucans in the yeast product or yeast culture, can
reduce the total toxin affecting the animal. The capabilities of
the adsorbents and oligosaccharides may be used individually or in
combination with each other.
[0043] In addition to the gastrointestinal effects of the
adsorbents, such as clays, and/or oligosaccharides, such as those
derived from yeast products or yeast cultures, non-limiting
embodiments of compositions within the present disclosure including
an antioxidant and/or a vasodilator may also prevent symptoms
associated with fescue toxicosis and reduce the incidence of fescue
toxicosis by assisting with thermoregulation and improving immune
function. The consumption of a vasodilator counteracts the
vasoconstrictive effects of the fescue toxins, improving
circulation to the extremities and facilitating heat dissipation.
The consumption of oligosaccharides, such as the
mannanoligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides, and/or beta-glucans
of yeast products or yeast cultures, aids in proper immune
function. In addition, proper immune function may be aided by the
consumption of antioxidants such as the tocopherols and/or the E
vitamins. Mammals consuming endophyte-infected fescue pasture
undergo increased stress and therefore may have a higher
antioxidant requirement than animals consuming
non-endophyte-infected fescue pasture. The combination of an
antioxidant with a vasodilator also improves the ability of the
antioxidant to access tissues where it is needed.
[0044] Unless otherwise noted, percent values of components of the
compositions disclosed in the present disclosure are reported as
weight percentage. In one non-limiting embodiment of the present
disclosure, the composition comprises at least one of an adsorbent
and an oligosaccharide, and at least one of an antioxidant and a
vasodilator. In another non-limiting embodiment, the composition
comprises an adsorbent, an oligosaccharide, and an antioxidant. In
another non-limiting embodiment, the composition comprises an
adsorbent, an oligosaccharide, and a vasodilator. In another
non-limiting embodiment, the composition comprises an adsorbent, an
antioxidant, and a vasodilator. In another non-limiting embodiment,
the composition comprises an oligosaccharide, an antioxidant, and a
vasodilator. In another non-limiting embodiment, the composition
comprises an adsorbent, an oligosaccharide, an antioxidant and a
vasodilator.
[0045] In another non-limiting embodiment, the composition
comprises at least one of about 2% to about 99.5% of an adsorbent
and about 20% to about 99.5% of an oligosaccharide; and at least
one of about 0.5% to about 1 0% of an antioxidant; and about 0.005%
to about 10% of a vasodilator. In another non-limiting embodiment,
the composition comprises at least one of about 5% to about 50% of
an adsorbent and about 40% to about 90% of an oligosaccharide; and
at least one of about 1.0% to about 10% of an antioxidant; and
about 0.005% to about 0.5% of a vasodilator.
[0046] In another non-limiting embodiment, the composition
comprises an adsorbent, an oligosaccharide, an antioxidant and a
vasodilator, wherein the adsorbent is an aluminosilicate clay and
comprises about 2% to about 79% of the composition; the
oligosaccharide is a yeast product and comprises about 20% to about
90% of the composition; the antioxidant is vitamin E and comprises
about 0.5% to about 10% of the composition; and the vasodilator is
capsicum and comprises about 0.005% to about 0.5% of the
composition. In another non-limiting embodiment, the composition
comprises about 5% to about 50% of an aluminosilicate clay, about
40% to about 90% of a yeast product, about 1.0% to 5.0% of vitamin
E, and about 0.005% to about 0.5% of capsicum. In another
non-limiting embodiment, the composition comprises about 10.84% of
an aluminosilicate clay; about 86.61% of a yeast product; about
2.45% of vitamin E; and about 0.09% of capsicum, wherein the yeast
product comprises 17.3% of a dried yeast on a corn germ carrier. In
another non-limiting embodiment where the composition is used as an
additive to a feed product and where the yeast product is a spray
dried yeast product, the composition may comprise about 0.0026% to
about 56.8% of an aluminosilicate clay, about 0.015% to 32.4% of a
spray dried yeast product, about 0.005% to 10.5% of vitamin E, and
about 0.0002% to about 0.3% of capsicum. For example, in one
non-limiting embodiment, the composition comprises 56.8% of an
aluminosilicate clay, 32.4% of a spray dried yeast product, 10.5%
of vitamin E, and 0.3% of capsicum.
[0047] The compositions of the present invention may be fed
directly to the animal or as an additive to a feed product. When
used as an additive, such as, for example, a premix, in a feed
product, the final feed product comprising the additive and animal
feed may have a formulation having additive components in
sufficient quantities. For example, according to one non-limiting
embodiment, when fed as an additive to a final feed, the values (as
measured as weight percent of diet or final feed product) for the
feed additive components in the final feed may be about 0.0026% to
about 56.8% of an aluminosilicate clay, about 0.015% to 32.4% of a
spray dried yeast product, about 0.005% to 10.5% of vitamin E, and
about 0.0002% to about 0.3% of capsicum.
[0048] According to one non-limiting embodiment, where the
composition is in the form of a mineral that is mixed with a feed
in such a proportion to be fed to an animal at an intake rate of
the final feed product of 4 ounces/head/day, the composition of the
final feed product may comprise (in weight percent of final feed
product) 6.17% of aluminosilicate clay, 3.52% of a spray dried
yeast product, 1.15% of vitamin E, and 0.03% of capsicum. According
to another non-limiting embodiment where the composition is blended
with a feed to give a final feed product, wherein the final feed
product intake is 4 pounds feed/head/day, the composition of the
final feed product may comprise (in weight percent of final feed
product) 0.39% of aluminosilicate clay, 0.22% of a spray dried
yeast product, 0.07% of vitamin E, and 0.002% of capsicum. In
another non-limiting embodiment where the composition is blended
with a feed to give a final feed product, wherein the final feed
product intake is 40 pounds/head/day, the composition of the final
feed product may comprise (in weight percent of final feed product)
0.039% of aluminosilicate clay, 0.022% of a spray dried yeast
product, 0.007% of vitamin E, and 0.0002% of capsicum. One skilled
in the art will recognize, based on the present disclosure, that
various composition formulations for the final feed product may be
calculated based on the initial composition of the additive and the
calculated consumption rate for the final feed product by the
animal.
[0049] The embodiments of compositions within the present
disclosure may be fed, for example, as supplements to grazing
mammals or may be incorporated into commercially available feeds.
When used as a supplement, the compositions of the present
disclosure may be ingested by the mammals prior to, during or after
grazing or consumption of commercially available feeds.
[0050] The physical form of the various non-limiting embodiments of
the compositions within the present disclosure may be any suitable
formulation known in the feed art. Suitable formulations include,
but are not limited to, feed supplement feed additive, pellet,
block, cube, liquid, an agglomeration, mineral, meal, cooked tub,
and pressed tub formulations. In one non-limiting embodiment, the
physical formulation is a dry, free-flowing loose pellet
formulation that is suitable for direct consumption as a supplement
or as an additive to feed. In another non-limiting embodiment, the
physical formulation is a pressed tub formulation that is suitable
for direct consumption by mammals foraging at pasture.
[0051] The present disclosure also contemplates various methods of
use of the compositions discussed herein. In one embodiment, the
present disclosure comprises a method of reducing the incidence of
fescue toxicosis in a mammal comprising feeding to the mammal any
one of the various non-limiting embodiments of the compositions as
described in this disclosure. In another embodiment, the present
disclosure comprises a method for the prophylactic treatment of
fescue toxicosis in a mammal comprising feeding to a mammal any one
of the various non-limiting embodiments of the compositions as
described in this disclosure.
[0052] As discussed above, mammals that consume endophyte-infected
fescue may suffer from decreased performance and increased body
temperature due to the inability to dissipate excess body heat,
when compared to mammals that consume non-endophyte-infected
fescue. In one non-limiting embodiment, the present disclosure
comprises a method of maintaining performance and appropriate body
temperature in a mammal during periods when endophyte-infected
fescue is consumed by the mammal. The method comprises feeding to
the mammal any one of the various non-limiting embodiments of the
compositions as described and claimed in this disclosure, such as,
in one non-limiting embodiment, a composition comprising at least
one of an aluminosilicate clay and a yeast product; and at least
one of vitamin E and capsicum.
[0053] The present disclosure also contemplates methods of making
the various non-limiting embodiments of the compositions as
disclosed herein. In one non-limiting embodiment, the present
disclosure includes a method of making any of the compositions as
described herein. The method comprises mixing the components of the
composition, for example, in one non-limiting embodiment, mixing at
least one of an aluminosilicate clay and a yeast product; and at
least one of vitamin E and capsicum, The method further comprises
forming the mixed composition into a suitable formulation for
consumption by a mammal, for example, but not limited to, a
formulation comprising one of feed supplement, feed additive,
pellet, block, cube, liquid, an agglomeration, mineral, meal,
cooked tub, and pressed tub formulations.
[0054] The compositions and methods of the present invention are
suitable for treating fescue toxicosis in a variety of mammals
exposed to endophyte containing forages, such as ruminants and
pasture foraging mammals. The compositions of the present invention
can be fed to mammals that may consume endophyte-infected fescue
grass, including, but not limited to, bovine, equine, ovine, and
caprine species. Generally, the compositions described herein may
be fed to any animal, including avian species. Desirable rates of
consumption of the compositions are dependent on the mammal age and
species; however, target consumption for the various non-limiting
embodiments of the compositions may be in the range of between
about 10 g/head/day to about 454 g/head/day.
EXAMPLES
[0055] The following examples illustrate various non-limiting
embodiments of the compositions and methods within the present
disclosure and are not restrictive of the invention as otherwise
described herein.
Example 1
Ovine Screen
[0056] This Example shows the ability of a composition according to
one embodiment of the present disclosure to reduce the toxicity of
ergovaline-contaminated forages and alleviate the symptoms in
ovines. Sixteen male spring lambs (average weight 27.0 kg) were
used. Each sheep received one dietary test treatment over a series
of environmental conditions. Analysis was conducted using repeated
measures analysis with each sheep serving as its own control.
[0057] Animals were monitored over a series of environmental and
dietary treatments. A basal diet was fed, the test product was
added, and after several days, the contaminated fescue diet was
substituted for the basal diet. The sheep began the trial under
near thermoneutral conditions. Between the addition of test
products and the incorporation of fescue toxin, the environmental
conditions were altered to induce heat stress.
[0058] Diet and environment of the test animals were varied during
the test (see Table 1 for description of the treatment periods).
During an initial period (Period 1), animals were fed a nutrient
preserving technology ("NPT") diet (LGP-4019 diet ) (a pellet diet
made using Nutrient Preserving Technology as disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,871,802, the contents of which is incorporated herein in its
entirety by this reference) formulated to meet their nutrient
requirements (see Table 2, showing the composition of the LGP-4019
diet). After 3 days of acclimatization to the housing conditions
(study day 4), the products were added to the diet (Period 2:
LGP-4019 diet plus additives A, B, C, or D). On day 8 (Period 3:
LGP-4019 diet plus additives A, B, C, or D), the temperature was
raised to approximately 90.degree. F. and remained at about
90.degree. F. for the rest of the study. Humidity during this
period was maintained above 75%. On day 11, diets were changed to
an NPT diet containing ergot alkaloid-contaminated fescue seed fed
in conjunction with the product (Period 4: LGP-4020 diet plus
additives A, B, C, or D) (see Table 2, showing the composition of
the LGP-4020 diet). The amount of feed delivered daily and
weighbacks were recorded. The additives were ground as necessary
and prepared as a powder.
Additive A contained 100% soyhulls.
Additive B contained 50% soyhulls and 50% Clay Blend.
Additive C contained 49.9% soyhulls, 50% Clay Blend, and 0.1%
capsicum product.
[0059] Additive D contained 46.4% soyhulls, 50% Clay Blend, 3.5%
Vitamin E, and 0.1% capsicum product. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1
Description of Treatment Periods Period Day of study Additive Heat
Toxin Period 1 1-3 No No No Period 2 4-7 Yes No No Period 3 8-10
Yes Yes No Period 4 11-22 Yes Yes Yes
[0060] Lambs were fed a pelleted diet containing 20% fescue seed
during the study. The control diet (LGP-4019) used ergovaline-free
fescue seed (less than 100 ppb ergovaline) while the contaminated
diet (LGP-4020) used fescue seed with 2,800 ppb ergovaline.
Induction of fescue toxicosis was successfully achieved, using a
combination of high heat index and ergovaline-contaminated diet.
The complete diet LGP-4020 contained 615 ppb ergovaline, 1041 ppb
ergot alkaloids, and no additional ergotamines. Signs of toxicosis
were apparent, including reduced feed consumption and weight gain
(Table 3--Feed intake and weight gain for test lambs), elevated
heart rate (HR), breathing rate (BR), and rectal temperature (RT)
(Table 4--Indicators of apparent fescue toxicity in test lambs).
Clinical markers of toxicosis also were apparent, such as, a
significant reduction in circulating prolactin and numerically
increased urinary fescue alkaloid excretion that occurred after the
introduction of ergovaline containing feed (Table 5--Clinical
markers of fescue toxicity in test lambs). Toxicosis was exclusive
to the inclusion of ergovaline-contaminated fescue seed (diet
LGP-4020) and did not occur when sheep were fed diets containing an
equivalent concentration of the ergovaline-free fescue seed (diet
LGP-4019) under identical environmental conditions.
[0061] As noted above, the treatment according to this Example was
divided into four treatment periods. During period 1, lambs were
fed the ergovaline-free control diet (LGP-4019) and allowed to
adjust to research conditions and basal observations were
collected. Period 2 evaluated the effects of the additives (0.25
lb./head/day) under normal conditions (no heat stress or fescue
toxicosis). To ensure complete consumption of the additives, the
additive was fed prior to offering the daily allotment of feed.
Additives had no effect on any parameter measured during period 2.
Period 3 measured the effect of the additives on the lambs during
heat stress, without ergovaline-induced toxicity. During this
period, RT, HR, and BR increased in all lambs, while feed intake
decreased slightly. Period 4 used repeated measurements on each
lamb to determine the effect of potential ameliorators on heat
stress and ergovaline-induced fescue toxicosis. Room conditions and
supplement remained the same during periods 3 and 4; however,
during period 4, the base diet was switched to one containing
contaminated fescue seed (LGP-4020). In response, serum-prolactin
concentration significantly decreased (477 ng/ml to 18 ng/ml),
which was not affected by consumption of the additive (Table 5).
For most lambs, urinary alkaloids increased from baseline in the
second and third collections. The later collections had a high
degree of variability between animals and impaired the ability to
detect an effect of additive. The inclusion of the additives had no
effect on the appearance of alkaloids in the urine (Table 5). In
addition, HR, BR, and body temperature increased (Table 4). Rectal
temperature tended to be lower in animals consuming the capsicum
product and Vitamin E (Additive D) compared with control
(104.9.degree. F. vs. 105.3.degree. F., Table 4).
[0062] Daily feed intake, compared to control animals consuming
soyhulls, was not impaired by the addition of any of the additives.
The combination of the capsicum product and Vitamin E was
beneficial in reducing body temperature during fescue toxicosis.
Due to a lack of effect on prolactin or urinary alkaloids, it
appeared that the reduction in body temperature is due to an
increase in the ability of the animal to adjust to toxicosis. Of
the above additives, additive D was an ameliorator of elevated body
temperature induced by fescue toxicosis. TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2
Composition of Diets DIET NO. Unit LGP-4019 LGP-4020 INGREDIENTS,
AS FED (percent by weight) CORN, CRACKED 3.000 3.000 CORN, GROUND
19.099 19.099 WHEAT MIDDS 7.000 7.000 ALFALFA, DEHYDRATED 9.000
9.000 SOYHULLS 12.000 12.000 SOYBEAN MEAL 16.460 16.460 VITAMIN AND
MINERAL BLEND 3.841 3.841 MOLASSES-CANE 9.600 9.600 ERGOVALINE
FREE- 20.000 -- FESCUE SEED CONTAMINATED- -- 20.000 FESCUE SEED
TOTAL 100.000 100.000 NUTRIENTS PROTEIN % 15.01 (14.5).sup.1 (18.0)
15.01 (15.5) (18.7) FAT; CRUDE % 1.56 (2.3) 1.56 (2.2) CRUDE FIBER
% 8.36 8.36 DRY MATTER % 86.18 86.18 MOISTURE % 13.82 (9.7) (10.8)
13.82 (9.6) (8.3) ACID DETERGENT FIBER % 10.65 (14.0) 10.65 (15.3)
TOTAL DIGESTIBLE % 54.49 54.49 NUTRIENTS-RUMINANT % 0.80 (0.93)
(0.85) 0.80 (0.90) (1.00) CALCIUM PHOSPHORUS % 0.32 (0.44) (0.32)
0.32 (0.42) (0.50) .sup.1Analyzed values in parentheses.
[0063] TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Feed Intake and Weight Gain of Lambs
on Test Weight Test Conditions Supplement.sup.2 Statistics Gain
(g/d) Add. Heat Fescue A.sup.1 B C.sup.1 D Mean SEM Trt Period Per
.times. Trt Periods + - - 516 613 682 531 586 70 0.82 1-2 Period 3
+ + - 594 442 312 760 527 108 0.26 Period 4 + + + -212 -145 -131
-45 -133 58 0.86 Overall 174 183 312 272 235 54 0.39 <0.01 0.75
Dry Matter Intake (g/d) Period 1 - - - 710 654 647 492 626 69 0.55
Period 2 + - - 879 644 804 814 785 59 0.71 Period 3 + + - 890 743
863 1007 876 69 0.28 Period 4 + + + 384 496 502 614 499 97 0.45
Overall 626 582 648 691 637 79 0.65 <0.01 0.61 .sup.1Treatment A
and Treatment C each had one lamb removed during Period 4 due to
poor health. .sup.2Composition of supplements: Treatment A = 100%
soyhulls. Treatment B = 50% soyhulls and 50% clay blend. Treatment
C = 49.9% soyhulls, 50% clay blend, and 0.1% capsicum product.
Treatment D = 46.4% soyhulls, 50% clay blend, 3.5% vitamin E, and
0.1% capsicum product.
[0064] TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Indicators of Apparent Fescue
Toxicity in Lambs Heart Rate Test Conditions Supplement Statistics
(bpm).sup.1 Add. Heat Fescue A.sup.4 B C.sup.4 D Mean SEM Trt
Period Per .times. Trt Period 1 - - - 63 58 60 62 61 2.1 0.29
Period 2 + - - 62 61 62 62 62 4.2 0.99 Period 3 + + - 86 77 80 92
84 8.2 0.61 Period 4.sup.2 + + + 137 130 135 132 133 3.3 0.46
Overall 87 82 84 87 85 2.7 0.50 <0.01 0.93 Respiration Rate
(rpm) Period 1 - - - 31 25 29 28 28 2.6 0.41 Period 2 + - - 33 32
33 30 32 1.6 0.59 Period 3.sup.3 + + - 132 125 128 111 124 5.4 0.10
Period 4.sup.2, 3 + + + 146 142 144 151 145 3.6 0.40 Overall 86 81
84 80 82 2.8 0.30 <0.01 0.70 Rectal Temperature (.degree. F.)
Period 1 - - - 102.6 102.8 102.7 102.6 102.7 0.3 0.97 Period 2 + -
- 102.7 102.4 102.4 102.3 102.4 0.3 0.79 Period 3 + + - 103.3 103.3
103.0 103.0 103.2 0.3 0.82 Period 4.sup.2 + + + 105.3 105.0 105.3
104.9 105.1 0.1 0.09 Overall 103.4 103.4 103.3 103.2 103.3 0.2 0.77
<0.01 0.98 .sup.1Each period was independently analyzed.
.sup.2Represents the average of six repeated measurements within
period 4. .sup.3Respiration rates higher than 90 rpm are estimated
due to lambs panting. .sup.4Treatment A and Treatment C each had
one lamb removed during Period 4 due to poor health.
[0065] TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Clinical Markers of Fescue Toxicity
in Lambs Test Conditions Supplement Statistics Prolactin(ng/ml)
Add. Heat Fescue A.sup.3 B C.sup.3 D Mean SEM Trt Period Per
.times. Trt Period 1 - - - 136 319 125 239 205 30 0.28 Period 2 + -
- 387 295 556 325 391 30 0.39 Period 3 + + - 565 491 342 510 477 30
0.38 Period 4.sup.1 + + + 8 18 9 21 14 18 0.25 Overall 267 292 249
277 272 27 0.74 <0.01 0.03 Urinary Alkaloids (ng alk/mg
creatinine).sup.2 Day Day .times. Trt Obs. 1 + + - 45 30 16 39 33
11 0.71 Obs. 2 + + + 73 173 107 111 116 24 0.58 Obs. 3 + + + 147
168 147 187 162 65 0.90 Overall + + + 116 181 131 159 147 36 0.64
0.25 0.83 .sup.1Represents the average of three samples collected
during Period 4. Analysis was performed using repeated measures.
.sup.2All alkaloid observations were made during Period 4; Obs. 1
was made immediately prior to the consumption of
ergovaline-contaminated diet. .sup.3Treatment A and Treatment C
each had one lamb removed during Period 4 due to poor health.
Example 2
In Vitro Screening of Ability to Bind Ergovaline
[0066] An in vitro study was performed to screen several additives
for efficacy in prevention or treatment of fescue toxicosis. The
screening method evaluated the ability of a bacterial product, a
seaweed, a yeast and clay blend, a clay blend, and a mixture of a
bacterial product and a clay blend to bind the fescue toxin,
ergovaline, and prevent the production of ergot alkaloids in vitro.
Fescue seed was added to an artificial rumen fermentation system
and fermented for 12 or 24 hours in conjunction with test products.
Fermentation was performed in a volume of 40 ml with 0.5 g of
fescue seed (approximately 2000 ppb ergovaline in the seeds) (Table
6--Description of the Treatments). In order to collect enough
material for analysis, six replicates of each treatment were pooled
and centrifuged at the end of each treatment period. Each run (12
or 24 hours) contained all five test additives and two controls in
separate fermentation vessels and was performed in duplicate. A
negative control contained seed and buffers, but lacked rumen fluid
inoculum and additives, The positive control contained fescue seed
and rumen fluid, but no treatment was included. After fermentation
and centrifugation, ergot alkaloid content of the fluid was
determined, representing the soluble toxins that are easily
transferred across the rumen wall. The pellet was analyzed for
ergot alkaloid formation and ergovaline content. The residue
collected for sample analysis was weighed and used to determine
digestibility, This process was not done quantitatively; therefore,
digestibility values should be regarded as estimates.
[0067] Ergot alkaloids were present in a sample of the starting
fescue seed at 1543 ppb. After 12 hours of incubation, the clay
blend, the yeast and clay blend, and the bacterial product/clay
blend mixture treatments were able to reduce alkaloids present in
rumen fluid compared to the positive control (Table 7--Ergot
alkaloid and ergovaline content of fermentation systems). However,
values were not different from the negative control, This suggests
that clays, yeast and clay, or a mixture of a bacterial product and
clay may be able to slow the rate of conversion of ergovaline to
ergot alkaloids. This reduction was no longer detected at 24 hours
or in the overall analysis. The addition of rumen fluid to
ergovaline-contaminated fescue seed resulted in an increase in
pellet ergot alkaloids. This indicates that the rumen bio-activates
the poorly soluble ergovaline into alkaloids that are soluble in
rumen fluid and, hence, have a greater opportunity to cross the
rumen wall and induce toxicosis. Surprisingly, pellet alkaloid
concentrations at 12 hours were not affected by incubation with any
of the additives. At 24 hours, the positive control had higher
alkaloids than the negative control in the pellet. This increase
was not significantly reduced by any of the treatments. In the
overall analysis, the clay blend and the bacterial product/clay
blend mixture did have lower alkaloid concentrations than the
positive control, indicating the ability to either slow the
production of alkaloids or increase the rate of alkaloid
degradation. Ergovaline concentration of the pelleted material was
unaffected by any additive. This suggests that ergovaline, which is
largely insoluble, was present at a similar concentration at the
onset and, hence, conclusion of the incubation. Despite conversion
to significant quantities of alkaloids, the majority of ergovaline
remained intact. TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Description of Treatments
Rumen Amount of Equivalent Treatment Fluid Product Product per
Liter feeding rate Negative Control None None 0 0 Positive Control
Yes None 0 0 Bacterial Product Yes Bacterial Product 0.61 grams 38
grams Clay Blend Yes Clay Blend 0.93 grams 56 grams Seaweed Yes
Seaweed 10 grams 170 grams Clay and Yeast Blend Yes Clay and Yeast
0.33 grams 20 grams Extract Blend Bacterial Product and Yes 1/2
Bacterial 0.31 g Bacterial 19 g Bacterial Clay Blend Product +
product + 0.47 g product + 28 g 1/2 clay Blend clay blend clay
blend
[0068] TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Ergot Alkaloid and Ergovaline Content
of Fermentations Bacterial Negative Positive Bacterial Clay Clay +
Yeast Product and Control Control Product Blend Seaweed Blend Clay
Blend Mean SEM Trt Liquid alkaloids, ppb 12 hrs 81.sup.abc
96.sup.ab 38.sup.bcd 12.sup.cd 39.sup.bcd 22.sup.cd 19.sup.cd 44 25
P = 0.05 24 hrs 28 20 107 86 52 80 12 55 30 P = 0.10 Overall 55 58
73 49 46 51 16 50 20 P = 0.63 Pellet Alkaloids, ppb 12 hrs 4932
6423 6432 3849 4296 5342 3961 5033 897 P = 0.11 24 hrs 3961.sup.de
10289.sup.ab 12050.sup.a 7452.sup.bcd 8169.sup.bcd 11870.sup.a
6369.sup.bcde 8594 2143 P < 0.01 Overall 4446.sup.cd
8356.sup.abc 9241.sup.ab 5650.sup.cd 6233.sup.bcd 8606.sup.ab
5165.sup.cd 6814 1457 P < 0.01 Pellet ergovaline, ppb 12 hrs
1085 1250 1243 1205 1268 1343 1255 1236 81 P = 0.55 24 hrs 1185
1605 1295 1640 1145 1640 1672 1455 226 P = 0.21 Overall 1135 1428
1269 1423 1206 1491 1464 1345 130 P = 0.11 Digestibility (%).sup.1
12 hrs 58 58 51 52 49 57 53 54 0.07 P = 0.46 24 hrs 73.sup.cd
70.sup.bcd 68.sup.bcd 68.sup.bcd 57.sup.ab 66.sup.abcd 61.sup.abc
66 0.05 P = 0.06 Overall 65.sup.cd 64.sup.cd 60.sup.bcd 60.sup.bcd
53.sup.ab 62.sup.bcd 57.sup.abc 60 0.05 P = 0.01
.sup.a,b,c,d,eTreatments with different superscripts differ P
greater than 0.05. Any values with the same superscript in a row
are not statistically different. .sup.1Estimated, Dry matter was
not quantitatively recovered.
Example 3
Palatability Evaluation of Composition
[0069] In this Example, the palatability of two different forms of
non-limiting embodiments of the composition of the present
disclosure was evaluated. Both forms, a loose meal and tub, were
consumed by the cattle at desirable levels.
[0070] In a first trial, fourteen pregnant Holstein heifers,
average weight 525 kg, were randomly allotted to two six-acre grass
lots. Each lot contained two mineral feeders. Prospector 15-7
Fescue Mineral (available from ADM Alliance Nutrition Inc of Quincy
Ill., ingredients listed in Table 8) was offered in one feeder and
a loose form of a fescue mineral composition was offered in the
other (Table 8--Compositions of mineral mixes). Weekly mineral
disappearance was monitored and feeders were moved on a weekly
basis. FIG. 1 is a graphical comparison of the amount of
consumption of the two feed compositions. Average body weight
increased by 4 kg over the course of the three-week study and body
temperature at the conclusion was 101.7.degree. F., indicating that
the cattle were generally healthy and not undergoing fescue
toxicity. Two different statistical methods were used to analyze
the intake data. Repeated measurements and analysis assessed
whether actual intake of the two mineral products differed. Intake
of the test formulation was significantly greater than that of a
currently offered fescue mineral (0.11 vs. 0.04 kg/head/day). Three
weeks of intake data from two pens gave six observations, where the
cattle tended to prefer the new product (by a ratio of 5 to 1).
Target intake of Prospector mineral was 4 oz./head/day. The
inclusion of a composition according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure with the base mineral increased target intake of
the new mineral to 8 oz,/head/day. While neither mineral was
consumed at the target level, the test product consumption was 2.75
times greater than that of the Prospector mineral.
[0071] In a second trial, two 250-pound pressed tubs were created.
Two pastures containing 14 head per pasture were used to evaluate
the intake of the animal feed composition in the pressed tub. One
tub was placed in each lot, the weight of the tub was determined on
a weekly basis, and disappearance was attributed to consumption by
the cattle. The addition of ingredients needed to make a high
quality tub resulted in a target intake of 8 oz./head/day (0.23
Kg). Consumption values for the pressed tubs are presented in FIG.
2. Initial observations indicated that the tubs were extremely
hard. Intake was below target during the first week. However, high
rainfall and the high palatability of the tubs led to an increase
in intake for weeks 2 and 3. Overall intake was 8.8 oz./head/day
(0.25 kg).
[0072] In the two sensory evaluations, formulations containing
compositions according to one embodiment of the present disclosure
were well tolerated and consumed at an adequate level, The fescue
mineral comprising embodiments of the present disclosure were
preferred to the Prospector mineral by dairy heifers on pasture.
Pelleting of this formulation may produce a commercially acceptable
product. In another embodiment, the free form of the compositions
of the present disclosure without mineral may be used during feed
manufacture. The fescue mineral tubs comprising compositions
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be
used for cattle on pasture that receive no additional
supplementation. TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Composition of Mineral
Mixes Fescue Fescue Mineral Mineral Prospector (Loose) (Tub)
INGREDIENTS (percent by weight) CO-DRIED BREWERS YEAST 2.000 0.991
-- SOYHULLS 5.817 2.883 -- MOLASSES -- -- 25.000 CALCIUM CARBONATE
38 25.503 12.639 6.650 PHOS MONOCAL 21 33.222 16.464 18.188 SALT
19.388 9.608 4.100 VITAMIN AND MINERAL BLEND 12.07 5.983 7.142
GREASE MX CHOICE WHITE 2.000 0.991 -- DISTILLERS -- -- 0.550
NUTRADE (ALUMINOSILICATE -- 24.780 12.500 CLAY) NUTREON (VITAMIN E)
-- 0.874 0.870 YEAST CREAM DRIED -- 24.780 25.000 CAPSICUM PRODUCT
-- 0.007 -- TOTAL 100.000 100.000 100.000 NUTRIENTS CALCIUM, %
16.29 8.16 6.56 PHOSPHORUS, % 7.13 3.62 4.39 SALT, % 19.35 9.65
4.40 SODIUM, % 7.76 3.92 1.87 CHLORIDE, % 12.48 6.23 3.28
Example 4
Palatability Evaluation of Capsicum Comprising Composition
[0073] This Example showed that inclusion of the capsicum product
in the feed composition had little to no affect on the voluntary
feed intake. Capsicum product was included in diets at 15
mg/head/day and 150 mg/head/day. It was also shown that consumption
of the capsicum product had an effect on core body temperature, as
measured by the rectal temperature (RT), and vasodilation.
Vasodilation was assessed by using an infrared thermometer to
determine ear temperature (ET), hoof temperature (HT), and surface
body temperature (BT). All temperature measurements are reported in
.degree. F. in this Example.
[0074] Cattle were divided into 9 pastures of 11-12 head/pasture
with three treatments across three weight/gender blocks (heavy
steers, heavy heifers, and light mixed steers/heifers). Each
pasture contained a small amount of shade. One group from each
weight/gender block received each dietary treatment for the
duration of the 8-week trial. Diets were formulated from
Rough-N-Ready-14 product (available from ADM Alliance Nutrition
Inc. of Quincy, Ill.) (Table 9--Ingredients and nutrition
composition of supplements). Based upon a target intake of 3.15
kg/head/day, the three treatments offered included: 0 mg
(BGP-6594), 15 mg (BGP-6595), or 150 mg (BGP-6596) capsicum
product/day. Initially, 3.15 kg of feed per head per day was
provided on a daily basis. This amount was increased to 3.79
kg/head/day at 3 weeks and 4.01 kg/head/day at S weeks. Mixed
fescue pasture constituted the remainder of the diet. Ergovaline
was present in the pasture at 110 ppb, a low level, wherein signs
of toxicosis are readily apparent above 600 ppb. High temperature
during the trial was 84.degree. F. and the low was 23.degree.
F.
[0075] Body weight, RTF ET, HT, and BT were collected on days 1,
21, 42, and 57 of the trial. Performance was similar among
treatments (Table 10--Performance by cattle fed the capsicum
product). Weight gain was different at day 42 with cattle on the
15-mg treatment weighing less than the other two treatments.
However, weight was not different at the next time point.
Otherwise, no differences in body weight, total gain, average daily
gain, average daily feed intake, or gain/feed ratio were observed
among the treatment groups. This indicates that the capsicum
product at these levels had no negative or positive effects on
animal performance.
[0076] Consumption of the capsicum product altered core (RT) and
peripheral temperatures (ET, HT, BT) (Table 11- Temperature values
of cattle fed capsicum), Rectal temperature numerically decreased
0.1.degree. F. in cattle consuming capsicum and increased
0.1.degree. F. in cattle with no treatment. The small change in RT
indicates that little fescue toxicosis was encountered during the
trial. Overall, control cattle experienced a reduction in ear,
body, and hoof temperature and an increase in rectal temperature.
This observation is consistent with vasoconstriction and a reduced
ability to dissipate heat. The addition of the capsicum product to
the diet at 15 mg (BGP-6595) improved blood flow to the ear, body
surface, and hoof (P=0.23, 0.01, and 0.04; respectively) and led to
a slight numerical reduction in rectal temperature (P=0.15). Change
in temperature from trial initiation and after 8 weeks of feeding
is shown in FIG. 3.
[0077] Based upon the observations in this Example, the capsicum
product is well tolerated in the supplement for grazing beef
cattle, had no effect on the performance of healthy cattle, and may
have beneficial effects on thermoregulation in cattle under
moderate heat stress and/or fescue toxicosis. TABLE-US-00009 TABLE
9 Ingredient and Nutrient Composition of Supplements BGP6594
BGP6595 BGP6596 INGREDIENTS, (percent by weight) Soyhulls 49.00
49.00 49.00 Corn Gluten Feed 25.00 25.00 25.00 Wheat Middlings
14.39 14.38 14.38 Molasses-Cane 4.00 4.00 4.00 Calcium Carbonate 38
3.48 3.48 3.48 Arsoy-Soybean Feed 2.96 2.97 2.97 Salt 1.02 1.02
1.02 Mineral And Vitamin 0.15 0.15 0.15 Blend Capsicum Product --
0.0016 0.0047 TOTAL 100.00 100.00 100.00 NUTRIENTS Dry Matter (%)
89.95 89.95 89.95 Moisture (%) 10.05 (9.85).sup.1 10.05 (9.10)
10.05 (9.65) Protein (%) 15.56 (15.64) 15.56 (15.57) 15.56 (15.55)
Fat; Crude (%) 2.24 (2.22) 2.24 (2.15) 2.24 (2.22) Crude Fiber (%)
24.14 24.14 24.14 Calcium (%) 1.95 (1.78) 1.95 (1.65) 1.95 (1.72)
Phosphorus (%) 0.49 (0.44) 0.49 (0.45) 0.49 (0.44) Net Energy Gain
0.53 0.53 0.53 (mcal/lb) Vitamin E (iu/lb) 16.66 16.66 16.66
.sup.1Analyzed values in parentheses.
[0078] TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 Performance by Cattle Fed Capsicum
Product Trt P Treatment 1 2 3 Value Capsicum (mg/hd/d) 0 15 150
Mean SEM TRT Weight, kg Day 1 316.5 308.8 309.9 Day 21 353.5 346.2
346.6 348.8 3.0 0.28 Day 42 368.8 354.3 363.1 362.1 1.3 <0.01
Day 57 378.7 367.9 370.2 372.2 3.6 0.20 Total Gain, kg/hd Day 1-21
37.0 37.5 36.7 37.1 1.9 0.96 Day 22-42 15.3 8.0 16.5 13.3 3.7 0.33
Day 43-57 9.9 13.6 7.1 10.2 4.3 0.60 Overall 62.2 59.1 60.2 60.5
3.3 0.81 Average Daily Gain, kg/hd/d Day 1-21 1.76 1.78 1.75 1.76
0.09 0.96 Day 22-42 0.73 0.38 0.78 0.63 0.18 0.33 Day 43-57 0.71
0.97 0.50 0.73 0.30 0.60 Overall 1.11 1.06 1.08 1.08 0.06 0.81
Average Daily Feed Intake, kg/hd/d Day 1-21 1.43 1.43 1.43 1.43
0.01 0.44 Day 22-42 1.72 1.72 1.72 1.72 0.00 1.00* Day 43-57 1.82
1.82 1.82 1.82 0.00 1.00* Overall 1.64 1.64 1.64 1.64 0.004 0.44
Gain/Feed, .times.100 Day 1-21 25.4 25.7 25.2 25.4 1.3 0.97 Day
22-42 8.8 4.6 9.4 7.6 2.1 0.33 Day 43-57 7.8 10.8 5.6 8.1 3.4 0.60
Overall 13.9 13.2 13.5 13.5 0.7 0.80 *Cattle rapidly consumed all
feed offered.
[0079] TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 Temperature of Cattle Fed Capsicum
Product Treatment 1 2 3 Trt P Value Capsicum (mg/hd/d) 0 15 150
Mean SEM All 1 vs. 2 1 vs. 3 2 vs. 3 Rectal Temperature, .degree.
F. Period 1 103.0 103.3 103.1 103.1 0.13 0.36 0.20 0.94 0.23 Period
2 103.5 103.9 103.4 103.6 0.15 0.05 0.09 0.47 0.02 Period 3 102.7
102.6 102.7 102.7 0.11 0.70 0.49 0.94 0.45 Overall 103.1 103.2
103.0 103.1 0.74 0.16 0.15 0.70 0.07 Ear Temperature, .degree. F.
Period 1 85.3 84.7 86.3 85.4 0.85 0.38 0.58 0.41 0.17 Period 2 84.6
87.7 86.1 86.2 0.95 0.06 0.02 0.24 0.22 Period 3 81.0 81.5 81.1
81.2 1.06 0.94 0.73 0.92 0.81 Overall 83.6 84.6 84.5 84.3 0.58 0.41
0.23 0.27 0.92 Body Temperature, .degree. F. Period 1 81.8 81.1
81.4 81.4 0.49 0.61 0.33 0.54 0.72 Period 2 78.1 80.8 78.6 79.2
0.70 0.02 0.01 0.62 0.03 Period 3 67.4 69.5 68.6 68.5 0.61 0.05
0.02 0.15 0.32 Overall 75.8 77.1 76.2 76.4 0.37 0.03 0.01 0.40 0.08
Hoof Temperature, .degree. F. Period 1 74.8 69.7 71.8 72.1 0.65
0.001 0.001 0.001 0.02 Period 2 74.4 76.2 74.0 74.9 0.67 0.04 0.05
0.67 0.02 Period 3 67.2 67.1 68.1 67.5 0.71 0.55 0.92 0.37 0.32
Overall 72.1 71.0 71.3 71.5 0.39 0.11 0.04 0.13 0.62
Example 5
Weight Study of Cattle Consuming Supplement
[0080] This Example assessed the performance and intake levels of
one non-limiting embodiment of the compositions of the present
disclosure. This Example also evaluated a complete mineral
formulation containing one embodiment of a composition of the
present disclosure compared to a complete mineral formulation
without supplementation. The embodiment of the composition of the
present disclosure was blended with a mineral base of Mastergain
16/8 mineral (available from ADM Alliance Nutrition Inc. of Quincy,
Ill.) and compared against a control mineral consisting of the
Mastergain 16/8 mineral blend without supplementation (see Table
12--Composition of mineral supplements).
[0081] Beef cattle consuming endophyte-infected fescue were used.
Two pastures, a control pasture and a study pasture, located on the
same farm were used. The control pasture contained 29 cows and 22
calves, while the study pasture contained 26 cows and 26 calves.
Cattle in the control pasture were offered the control mineral,
with a target intake of 113.5 grams/head/day. Cattle in the study
pasture were offered the blend of the supplement and mineral base,
with a target intake of 141.9 grams/head/day. Both minerals were
well consumed at approximately twice the target feeding rate (see
Table 13--Growth of cattle consuming control and supplemented
mineral preparations). Calculations were based on the assumption
that only the cows were consuming the mineral. Likely, the calves
consumed some amount of the mineral as well.
[0082] As shown in Table 13, cattle that consumed
endophyte-infected fescue in the control pasture lost weight during
the trial (-10.8 kg/head on average), while the cattle that
consumed endophyte-infected fescue in the study pasture gained
weight (+11.4 kg/head on average). Similar results were observed
with the calves. Calves in the study pasture were lighter at the
start of the trial and ended the trial heavier than calves in the
control pasture. Calves in the study pasture gained 40% more weight
over the course of the trial, equating to a 260 grams/head/day
improvement in weight gain. Of special note is the observation that
the cows in the study pasture gained weight and also raised a
heavier set of calves, while the cows in the control pasture lost
weight and their calves had reduced performance. TABLE-US-00012
TABLE 12 Composition of Mineral Supplements Unit BLM6628 BLM6629
BLP6630.sup.1 INGREDIENTS, (percent by weight) BLP6630 -- 30.00 --
MONOCAL 21% COARSE 37.94 18.79 -- LIMESTONE 26.50 12.40 -- SALT
15.47 18.56 -- MOLASSES-CANE 2.00 -- 10.00 CHLORMAX-50 2.80 2.24 --
(CHLORTETRA- CYCLINE) VIT E 0.07 -- 1.89 ALUMINOSILICATE -- -- 8.35
CLAY DISTILLERS GRAINS -- 4.60 8.27 PROSPONSE M -- -- 66.70
(CO-DRIED CITRIC ACID PRESSCAKE) VITAMIN AND 15.22 13.41 4.72
MINERAL BLEND CAPSICUM PRODUCT -- -- 0.07 TOTAL 100.00 100.00
100.00 NUTRIENTS PROTEIN % 2.07 3.37 3.26 FAT; CRUDE % 2.68 3.27
0.23 CRUDE FIBER % 0.31 0.57 0.60 DRY MATTER % 98.17 97.37 96.77
NET ENERGY GAIN MC/LB 0.03 0.06 0.09 CALCIUM % 16.41 7.99 0.09
PHOSPHORUS % 7.99 4.03 0.07 VITAMIN E IU/LB 151.37 1284.48 4424.29
.sup.1BLP6630 is the experimental supplement. This blend was mixed
into a mineral base to give BLM6629 for delivery to the animal.
BLM6629 contained 30% of the experimental supplement.
[0083] TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 13 Growth Of Cattle Consuming Control
And Study Mineral Preparations Control Study Cow data Starting
weight (kg) 506.4 489.5 Ending weight (kg) 495.6 500.9 Weight
change (kg) -10.8 +11.4 Average daily gain (grams) -110 +110
Average daily feed intake (grams) 250 277 Calf data Starting weight
(kg) 125.0 121.8 Ending weight (kg) 190.6 213.6 Weight change (kg)
+65.6 +91.8 Average daily gain (grams) +660 +920
Example 6
Animal Feed Composition
[0084] This Example illustrates one embodiment of an animal feed
composition useful for treating symptoms associated with a fescue
toxicosis condition in cattle or other fescue consuming animals.
The feed composition ingredients are presented in Table 14.
[0085] The ingredients were mixed together to form an animal feed
composition in the form of a feed supplement and placed in a
container such as a bag. The bag had indicia directing how the
animal feed composition should be administered to animals and/or
recommended amounts of the animal feed composition to be provided
to the animals. According to this Example, the animal feed
composition was configured to be provided to animals in a free
choice manner, wherein the animal feed composition is placed in
proximity to the animals such that the animals can consume the
animal feed composition at will. According to one embodiment, the
indicia was configured to direct a rancher to provide the animal
feed composition at a rate of about 4 ounces per day per animal.
Under these conditions, each animal received a dose of about 30 mg
of the coated capsicum (i.e., the vasodilator) per day in order to
alleviate the effects of fescue toxicity. In other embodiments, the
indicia may be configured to instruct the user to provide the
animal feed composition in amounts sufficient to provide from about
10 mg of coated capsicum per day per animal to about 500 mg coated
capsicum per day per animal. TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 14 Animal Feed
Composition Percentage (%) by weight Ingredient of Animal Feed
Composition Minerals 57.22 Salt 18.23 Distillers dried grains 8.10
Spray dried yeast product 6.17 Adsorbent clay (aluminum silicate)
3.52 Petrolatum 3.00 Molasses (cane) 2.00 Vitamin E, 227 KIU/lb
1.15 Trace minerals and vitamins 0.58 Vasodilator (coated capsicum)
0.03
[0086] Other embodiments of the animal feed compositions may
include a co-dried yeast product as a carrier, such as
Prosponse.RTM. (a registered trademark of ADM Alliance Nutrition
Inc., Quincy, Ill.); potassium sulfate; cobalt carbonate; ferrous
sulfate; a flavoring, such as, for example, caramel flavor; various
vitamins or trace minerals; mineral oil; molasses, which may be
dried; and any combination thereof.
Example 7
Animal Feed Composition
[0087] This Example illustrates another embodiment of an animal
feed composition useful for treating symptoms associated with a
fescue toxicosis condition in cattle or other fescue consuming
animals. The feed composition ingredients are presented in Table
15. TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 15 Animal Feed Composition Percentage (%)
by weight Ingredient of Animal Feed Composition Minerals 57.15 Salt
18.23 Distillers dried grains 4.20 Spray dried yeast product 6.17
Adsorbent clay (aluminum silicate) 3.52 Petrolatum 3.00 Chloratet
50 (an antibiotic) 2.80 Molasses (cane) 2.00 Methoprine (insect
growth regulator) 1.17 Vitamin E, 227 KIU/lb 1.15 Trace minerals
and vitamins 0.58 Vasodilator (coated capsicum) 0.03
[0088] The ingredients were mixed together to form an animal feed
composition in the form of a feed supplement and placed in a
container, such as a bag. The bag had indicia directing how the
animal feed composition should be administered to animals and/or
recommended amounts of the animal feed composition to be provided
to the animals. According to this Example, the animal feed
composition was configured to be provided to animals in a free
choice manner, wherein the animal feed composition is placed in
proximity to the animals such that the animals can consume the
animal feed composition at will. According to one embodiment, the
indicia was configured to direct a rancher to provide the animal
feed composition at a rate of about 4 ounces per day per animal.
Under these conditions, each animal received a dose of about 30 mg
of the coated capsicum (i.e., the vasodilator) per day in order to
alleviate the effects of fescue toxicity. In other embodiments, the
indicia may be configured to instruct the user to provide the
animal feed composition in amounts sufficient to provide from about
10 mg of coated capsicum per day per animal to about 500 mg coated
capsicum per day per animal.
[0089] Other embodiments of the animal feed composition may include
a co-dried yeast product as a carrier, such as Prosponse.RTM.;
potassium sulfate; cobalt carbonate; ferrous sulfate; a flavoring,
such as, for example, caramel flavor; other antibiotics, such as,
but not limited to CTC (chlorotetracycline) 100, aureomycin 100,
CTC 90, aureomycin 90, pennchlor 100, pennchlor 70, aureomycin 70,
chlormax 50, pennchlor 50, and aureomycin 50; various vitamins or
trace minerals; mineral oil; molasses, which may be dried; and any
combination thereof.
Example 8
Animal Feed Supplement
[0090] According to this Example, an animal feed supplement useful
for treating symptoms associated with a fescue toxicosis condition
includes the following ingredients. An amount of the animal feed
supplement may be admixed with feed matter to dilute the
concentrations of ingredients in the supplements such that, upon
feeding to an animal, the animal receives an effective amount of
each ingredient by consuming the feed matter admixed with the
animal feed supplement, Table 16 lists the ingredients of the
animal feed supplement. Citristim.RTM. is a commercially available
Pichia guilliermondii, citric acid fermentation culture available
from Archer Daniels Midland Co. of Decatur, Ill.; NutrADE.RTM.
comprises Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluiminosilicate, Natural and
Artificial Flavors and is available from ADM Alliance Nutrition of
Quincy, Ill.; and ZinPro Availa 4.RTM. comprises an amino acid
mineral complex available from ZinPro Corporation, Eden Prairie,
Minn. TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 16 Animal Feed Supplement Percentage (%)
by weight Ingredient of Animal Feed Composition CITRISTIM .RTM.
45.65 NUTRADE .RTM. 26.10 ZINPRO AVAILA 4 .RTM. 19.55 VITAMIN E,
227 KIU/lb 8.50 CAPSICUM (coated) 0.20
[0091] The ingredients were mixed together to form an animal feed
supplement and placed in a container, such as a bag. The bag had
indicia directing how the animal feed supplement should be mixed
with a feed matter and/or recommended amounts of the animal feed
supplement to be provided to the animals, According to this
Example, the animal feed composition was configured to be provided
to animals by mixing with feed matter. According to one embodiment,
the indicia was configured to direct a rancher to provide the
animal feed supplement/feed matter mix that provides a dose of
about 30 mg of the coated capsicum (i.e., the vasodilator) per day
in order to alleviate the effects of fescue toxicity. In other
embodiments, the indicia may be configured to instruct the user to
provide the animal feed supplement/feed matter in amounts
sufficient to provide from about 10 mg of coated capsicum per day
per animal to about 500 mg coated capsicum per day per animal.
[0092] Although the foregoing description has presented a number of
embodiments of the invention, those of ordinary skill in the
relevant art will appreciate that various changes in the
components, details, materials, and process parameters of the
examples that have been herein described and illustrated in order
to explain the nature of the invention may be made by those skilled
in the art, and all such modifications will remain within the
principle and scope of the invention as expressed herein in the
appended claims. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described
above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof.
It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to
the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover
modifications that are within the principle and scope of the
invention, as defined by the claims.
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