U.S. patent application number 14/717110 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-10 for animal feed compositions of abscisic acid.
The applicant listed for this patent is Valent BioSciences Corporation. Invention is credited to Maria Pilar Herrero, Warren E. Shafer.
Application Number | 20150250209 14/717110 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45818303 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150250209 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Herrero; Maria Pilar ; et
al. |
September 10, 2015 |
ANIMAL FEED COMPOSITIONS OF ABSCISIC ACID
Abstract
The invention relates to compositions comprising abscisic acid,
and/or salts, and derivatives thereof, and methods of using the
same for improving the health, growth, and feed efficiency of
livestock and fish as well as the quantity of meat produced in
livestock in particular.
Inventors: |
Herrero; Maria Pilar; (Lake
Forest, IL) ; Shafer; Warren E.; (Libertyville,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Valent BioSciences Corporation |
Libertyville |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
45818303 |
Appl. No.: |
14/717110 |
Filed: |
May 20, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13236472 |
Sep 19, 2011 |
|
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14717110 |
|
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61384020 |
Sep 17, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
514/572 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 31/192 20130101;
A23K 20/105 20160501; A23K 50/80 20160501; A23K 50/50 20160501;
A23L 33/105 20160801; A23K 50/75 20160501; A61P 37/04 20180101;
A23K 50/30 20160501; A61K 31/19 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A23K 1/16 20060101
A23K001/16; A23K 1/18 20060101 A23K001/18; A61K 31/19 20060101
A61K031/19 |
Claims
1. A method of increasing feed efficiency comprising administering
to livestock or fish an effective amount of abscisic acid, and/or
salts, and derivatives thereof.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the abscisic acid, and/or salts,
and derivatives thereof is administered as a solid composition to
the livestock or fish.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the effective amount of abscisic
acid, and/or salts, and derivatives thereof is from about 1 gram
per metric ton to about 2000 grams per metric ton of the solid
composition.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the effective amount of abscisic
acid, and/or salts, and derivatives thereof is from about 5 gram
per metric ton to about 500 grams per metric ton of the solid
composition.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the abscisic acid, and/or salts,
and derivatives thereof is administered as a liquid composition to
the livestock or fish.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the effective amount of abscisic
acid, and/or salts, and derivatives thereof is from 0.5 to about
50% by weight of the liquid composition.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the abscisic acid, and/or salts,
and derivatives thereof is administered as a drinking source to the
livestock.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the effective amount of abscisic
acid, and/or salts, and derivatives thereof is from about 1 to
about 2000 parts per million of the drinking source.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the effective amount of abscisic
acid, and/or salts, and derivatives thereof is from about 5 to
about 500 parts per million of the drinking source.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the abscisic acid, and/or salts,
and derivatives thereof is administered to livestock.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the livestock is poultry.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the poultry are selected from
the group consisting of chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, pheasants,
and cornish hens.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the chickens are selected from
the group consisting of broilers, layers, male breeding stock, and
female breeding stock.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the chickens are broilers.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein the abscisic acid, and/or salts,
and derivatives thereof is administered to fish.
16. A method of increasing feed efficiency comprising administering
a commercial diet comprising from about 2.5 to about 500 ppm
abscisic acid, and/or salts, and derivatives thereof to
chickens.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the commercial diet does not
include an antibiotic.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein the chickens are broilers.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/236,472, filed Sep. 19, 2011, which claims priority to
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/384,020, filed Sep. 17,
2010. The contents of each application is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to compositions
comprising abscisic acid, and/or salts, and derivatives thereof,
and methods of their preparation and administration for uses with
livestock and in aquaculture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Abscisic acid is a naturally occurring plant hormone that is
well known to be involved in plant response to stress. The
chemistry and physiology of abscisic acid and its analogs is
described by Milborrow, Ann Rev. Plant Physiol. 1974, 25, 259-307.
The naturally occurring enantiomeric form of abscisic acid is
(S)-(+)-abscisic acid. The stereochemistry of the side chain of the
major part of naturally occurring abscisic acid is 2-cis-,4-trans-,
since that is the isomer that is produced biosynthetically by all
green plants and some microorganisms. Abscisic acid is a carboxylic
acid, and thus in a medium having an acidic pH, it is protonated in
its neutral undissociated form. This uncharged, undissociated form
is more lipophilic than a salt of abscisic acid is in its
dissociated form of abscisic acid that is present at higher pH
(Blumenfeld and Bukovac 1972, Planta 107: 261-268).
[0004] Commercial formulations comprising abscisic acid are used in
agriculture and horticulture on or around crops and plants for
various purposes, such as improving stress tolerance, slowing the
growth rate, adjusting flowering phase, and other purposes.
Abscisic acid has also been reported to possess insect inhibition
qualities. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,434,180 and 4,209,530. Others have
reported potential medicinal properties of abscisic acid, for
example U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0292215 discloses methods
of using abscisic acid for anti-cancer purposes, and International
Application No. WO 2007/042983 discloses anti-inflammatory activity
of abscisic acid. All toxicology studies conducted to this point
indicate abscisic acid, is a safe, nontoxic substance.
[0005] Here, Applicants surprisingly discovered that abscisic acid,
and/or salts, derivatives and analogs thereof, have health and feed
benefits for livestock and aquaculture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is generally directed to compositions
comprising abscisic acid, and/or salts, and derivatives thereof
(collectively referred to as "ABA" herein), of which
(S)-(+)-abscisic acid is one enantiomer (hereinafter referred to as
"S-ABA"), and methods of their use to maintain the health of
livestock and fish comprising administering to livestock or fish a
effective amount of ABA.
[0007] The present invention is also directed to methods of
increasing feed efficiency comprising administering to livestock or
fish an effective amount of ABA.
[0008] It is contemplated that another embodiment of the present
invention is directed to methods of increasing weight gain of
livestock and fish comprising administering to an animal an
effective amount of ABA.
[0009] It is also contemplated that another embodiment of the
present invention is directed to methods of decreasing the time to
market of livestock and fish comprising administering to livestock
or fish an effective amount of ABA.
[0010] It is also contemplated that a different embodiment of the
present invention is directed to methods of increasing the meat
quantity of livestock and fish comprising administering to
livestock or fish an effective amount of ABA.
[0011] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to
methods of increasing immunological function comprising
administering to livestock or fish in need thereof an effective
amount of ABA. This effect is supported by an increase in digestive
tract weight, suggesting better overall animal health.
[0012] In yet another embodiment, the present invention is directed
to methods for reducing or eliminating the use of antibiotics in
feed comprising administering to livestock or fish an effective
amount of ABA.
[0013] Compositions of the present invention generally comprise
ABA. Other components which enhance the biological activity of the
ABA may optionally be included.
[0014] The disclosed embodiments are simply exemplary embodiments
of the inventive concepts disclosed herein and should not be
considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state
otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention is specifically directed to
compositions comprising ABA, of which (S)-(+)-abscisic acid is one
enantiomer, and methods of their use to treat various animal
ailments, as well be used as feed for animals and animal
breeders.
DEFINITIONS
[0016] The term "Abscisic acid" as used herein shall include salts
and derivatives (collectively referred to as "ABA"). S-ABA is the
preferred compound of the compositions and uses herein and has the
structure as follows:
##STR00001##
Compositions and methods of the inventions encompass all isomeric
forms of the described abscisic acids, their racemic mixtures, enol
forms, solvated and unsolvated forms, analogs, prodrugs,
derivatives, including but not limited to esters and ethers, and
pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Examples of suitable salts that
can be used include inorganic salts such as the ammonium, lithium,
sodium, potassium, magnesium, and potassium salts and organic amine
salts such as the triethanolamine, diethanolamine,
dimethylethanolamine and ethanolamine salts. In one embodiment, the
organic amine salt is the triethanolamine salt. In another
embodiment, the organic amine salt is the dimethylethanolamine
salt. In yet another embodiment, the organic amine salt is the
ethanolamine salt. These examples of salts are not limiting as
other salts may also be suitable for use in the present invention.
One presently preferred salt is the ammonium salt. Other preferred
salts are the sodium and potassium salts. The salts may be prepared
by contacting the acid form with a sufficient amount of the desired
base to produce a salt in the conventional manner. The free acid
forms may be regenerated by treating the salt with a suitable
dilute aqueous acid solution such as dilute aqueous sulfuric,
hydrochloric or phosphoric acid. The free acid forms differ from
their respective salt forms somewhat in certain physical
properties, such as their solubilities in polar solvents, but the
salts are equivalent to their respective free acid forms for
purposes of the invention. (See, for example S. M. Berge, et al.,
"Pharmaceutical Salts," J. Pharm. Sci., 66: 1-19 (1977) which is
incorporated herein by reference).
[0017] The phrase "livestock and fish" refers to any livestock or
fish, or offspring of livestock or fish, who is receiving
treatment, is in need of treatment, is taking or receiving
treatment for prevention purposes, and/or is being administered the
composition. The term "offspring" refers to progeny or descendants
of livestock or fish, and includes born progeny, fetuses and
embryos. "Livestock" shall include poultry, including chickens,
which includes broilers and layers and male and female breeding
stock, geese, duck, turkey, pheasant, cornish hens, swine, cattle,
which includes beef and dairy production, sheep, and goats. "Fish"
shall include catfish, carp, tilapia, trout, crayfish, shrimp,
lobster, crab, aquatic mammals, salmon, and white fish.
[0018] The term "administering" or "administration" includes any
means for introducing the ABA of the invention and other
therapeutic agents, into the body, preferably into the systemic
circulation. Examples include but are not limited to oral,
including feed and/or drinking water, buccal, sublingual,
pulmonary, ophthalmic, transdermal, transmucosal, as well as
subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intravenous, intramuscular
injection, transplacental transfer and lactation.
[0019] The term "treating" and "treatment" have a commonly
understood meaning of administration of a remedy to livestock or
fish, or the parent of livestock or fish, who has or is suspected
of having a disease or a condition, and refer to reversing,
alleviating, inhibiting, or slowing the progress of the disease,
disorder, or condition to which such terms apply, or one or more
symptoms of such disease, disorder, or condition, or preventing or
decreasing the chances of a disease, condition, disorder or outcome
from occurring, or to increase effects of a specified physiological
response or health benefit.
[0020] The terms "preventing" and "prevention" refer to
prophylactic use to reduce the likelihood of a disease, disorder,
or condition to which such term applies, or one or more symptoms of
such disease, disorder, or condition. It is not necessary to
achieve a 100% likelihood of prevention; it is sufficient to
achieve at least a partial effect of reducing the risk of acquiring
such disease, disorder, or condition.
[0021] The term "composition" includes a product comprising ABA
(and in the specified amounts, if indicated), including products
with exogenous or up-regulated ABA, as well as any product which
results, directly or indirectly, from combination of ABA with
specified ingredients in the specified amounts.
[0022] The term "effective amount" means an amount of a compound
that, when administered to livestock or fish for treating a
disease, condition or attaining a desired result, is sufficient to
effect such treatment for the disease or desired result. The
"effective amount" will vary depending on the compound, the disease
state being treated or health benefit desired, the severity or the
disease treated, the result desired, the age and relative health of
the livestock or fish, the route and form of administration, the
judgment of the attending medical or veterinary practitioner,
breeder, trainer, or person attending or caring for the livestock
or fish, and other factors. The amount of ABA that is "effective"
will vary from composition to composition, depending on the
particular use, the particular ABA, salts, derivatives and analogs
thereof, and the like. Thus, it is not always possible to specify
an exact "effective amount." However, an appropriate "effective
amount" in any individual case may be determined by one of ordinary
skill in the art using routine experimentation.
[0023] The term "Metric Ton" (MT) refers to 2,205 pounds or 1,000
kg. The term "ton", also known as a "short ton", refers to 2,000
pounds or 907 kg.
[0024] As used herein, all numerical values relating to amounts,
weight percentages and the like are defined as "about" or
"approximately" each particular value, namely, plus or minus 10%.
For example, the phrase "at least 5% by weight" is to be understood
as "at least 4.5% to 5.5% by weight." Therefore, amounts within 10%
of the claimed values are encompassed by the scope of the
claims.
Composition Form for Administration
[0025] The compositions of the present invention may be
incorporated with compound feed, or commercial pelleted food
produced in a feed mill and fed to domestic livestock and fish. In
varying embodiments, the compositions of the present invention may
be incorporated with fodder, or food given to domestic livestock
including plants cut and carried to them. In other varying
embodiments, the compositions of the present invention may be
incorporated with forage, or growing plants eaten by domestic
livestock. It is within a skill in the art to formulate the
compositions with foodstuffs for oral consumption.
[0026] In a different embodiment, the compositions of the present
invention may be formulated in a liquid composition for oral
consumption. It is within a skill in the art to formulate the
compositions in liquid compositions for oral consumption.
[0027] In yet another embodiment, the compositions of the present
invention may be added to water used for livestock or fish
production. In yet another varying embodiment, the composition of
the present invention is added to an aquaculture system used to
grow fish, aquatic mammals, or crustaceans.
Diseases and Conditions to be Treated with Compositions and Methods
of the Invention
[0028] An embodiment of the present invention is directed to
methods of reducing mortality of livestock and fish comprising
administering to livestock or fish an effective amount of ABA.
[0029] Another varying embodiment of the present invention is
directed to methods of increasing weight gain of livestock and fish
comprising administering to livestock and fish an effective amount
of ABA.
[0030] It is contemplated that another embodiment of the present
invention is directed to methods of decreasing the time to market
of livestock and fish comprising administering to livestock and
fish an effective amount of ABA. It is also contemplated that a
different embodiment of the present invention is directed to
methods of increasing the meat quantity of livestock and fish
comprising administering to livestock and fish an effective amount
of ABA.
[0031] An embodiment of the present invention is directed to
methods of increasing immunological function in livestock and fish
comprising administering to livestock or fish in need thereof an
effective amount of ABA.
[0032] A preferred range of an effective amount of ABA for the
various methods is from about 1 gram/MT of feed to about 2000
grams/MT of feed. A more preferred range of ABA is from about 5
grams/MT of feed to about 500 grams/MT of feed. A person having
ordinary skill in the art would be able to adjust these ranges for
various uses like aquaculture applications without undue
experimentation.
Animal Feed
[0033] Animal feed for feeding poultry includes protein, fat,
fiber, calcium, and phosphorous. A preferred feed would include
corn and/or wheat, soybean meal, fat, animal by-product, meat and
bone meal, and vitamins and minerals.
[0034] When used in poultry feed, ABA can be initially mixed into a
premix. The term "premix" is intended to mean a feed composition
that is prepared as an initial mix containing the active ingredient
and, for example, a carrier, and is then blended into the final
feed. In the present invention, it is generally suggested that, for
ease of calculation and use, the premix is blended with about one
metric ton (MT) of conventional feed, with the result that the
necessary dosage requirements of the ABA are provided to the
animals. When preparing one metric ton (MT) of finished feed, the
premix of the invention preferably comprises about 1 to 2000, and
more preferably, about 5 to 500, grams of ABA. Carriers for use in
a premix are well known by those having skill in the art, and
appropriate concentrations can be readily determined.
[0035] The ABA may be added to the carrier as a dry powder or as a
liquid solution or suspension. When added as a liquid, the ABA may
be dissolved or suspended in a liquid with stirring at room
temperature. Such liquid may be water or a suitable solvent or
another product used for animal feed that is already in liquid
form. Because of ABA's liquid solubility characteristics, it may
form a suspension. A predetermined amount of ABA is then added to
the conventional premix, and will not overly wet it. Once the
premix is prepared, the premix is then added to the final feed,
preferably at a rate in the range of one quarter of a pound (lb.)
to five pounds (lbs.) of premix to one metric ton (MT) of feed, to
supply daily requirements of the ABA for the poultry.
[0036] The ABA solid or solution or liquid suspension can be added
directly to the premix material, and then mixed. Mixing can be
accomplished by any known means, such as by a standard horizontal
or vertical blender. Mixing time will again vary depending upon the
particular ingredients of the premix, and can take as long as is
necessary to assure that the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
[0037] The premix is then incorporated into the feed to be fed to
the poultry. In a more preferred embodiment, ABA is blended with
the carrier to form the premix, and the premix is directly blended
into the final feed. While there is no evidence that use of the
higher amounts would cause any toxicity problems in treated
poultry, it will affect cost considerations. Because the premix
generally will be added to one-ton charges of feed (as is common in
the industry), the correspondence between one gram of ABA added to
the premix yields about 1 ppm concentration of ABA in the feed.
Thus, 5 grams of ABA added to one pound of premix, which in turn is
added to one metric ton (MT) of feed, yields about a 5 ppm
effective ABA concentration.
[0038] While the ABA can be mixed with a premix material prior to
incorporation into the finished feed, the appropriate amount of ABA
may be directly blended into or sprayed upon the feed. The
preferred additive range of ABA in finished feed, whether added
directly or via a premix, is about 1 to 2000 grams per metric ton
(MT) of feed; more preferably about 5 to 500 grams per metric ton
(MT) of feed.
[0039] Feed is conventionally prepared in a large bin or mixer in
which the feed ingredients are added in descending weight order
according to their prevalence in the ultimate feed mixture. Thus,
cracked or ground grain would be the primary ingredient. Minor
ingredients are then added. Micro-ingredients are added last. These
include vitamins, drugs, growth promoters, antibiotics, and, in the
present case, ABA. Thus, ABA can be one of the micro-ingredients
and is added to the feed in the final blending step. The feed is
blended for conventional time periods.
[0040] The feed comprising the ABA is fed to livestock and fish in
standard form, such as a mash, crumble or pellet, and at standard
feed dosage ranges and rates.
[0041] Another embodiment of the present invention is liquid
compositions that can be prepared as either ready-to-use dilutions
or dilutable concentrates. The embodiment of the present invention
can be a solution containing from 0.5% to as much as 50% by weight
of ABA. The dilutable concentrates can be diluted into water
directly to a final application concentration or to any
intermediate dilution, without risk of precipitation of the active
ingredient. The aqueous formulations according to one embodiment of
the present invention are inexpensive to manufacture, safe to
handle and use, and the ABA active ingredient is stable under
storage and shipping conditions. A person having ordinary skill in
the art would be able to determine how to prepare the final aqueous
solution concentration for direct application to animals without
undue experimentation, without any chance of causing precipitation
of the active ingredient, and without long and laborious stirring
to bring the active ingredient into solution.
[0042] Another embodiment of the present invention is an ABA water
solution that serves as a drinking source of water for the
livestock and fish. Such supplemented water solution could be
prepared by dissolving dry powder ABA in drinking water or by using
a liquid solution or suspension concentrate of ABA. The preferred
additive range of ABA in drinking water is about 1 to 2000 parts
per million (ppm) or about 1 to 2000 milligrams of ABA per liter of
water; more preferably about 5 to 500 parts per million (ppm) or
about 5 to 500 milligrams of ABA per liter of water. A person
having ordinary skill in the art would be able to determine how to
prepare the final aqueous solution for direct application to
livestock and fish without undue experimentation, without any
chance of causing precipitation of the active ingredient, and
without long and laborious stirring to bring the active ingredient
into solution.
[0043] In another embodiment of the present invention ABA can be
applied directly onto animal feed once it has been prepared. For
example, as can be the practice with some enzymes, the ABA can be
applied directly to the finished feed. In a preferred embodiment,
an aqueous solution of ABA is sprayed onto the finished feed in its
final form, such as a pellet, prior to delivering the feed to the
livestock and fish.
[0044] The advantageous properties of this invention can be
observed by reference to the following examples that illustrate the
invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of
illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
invention.
[0045] The following examples are intended to illustrate the
present invention and to teach one of ordinary skill in the art how
to make and use the invention. They are not intended to limit the
invention or its protection in any way.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0046] Male Cobb 500 chickens were fed different levels of S-ABA
supplemented into starter, grower, and finisher feed diets for
their entire 42 day commercial life cycle. On day 43, samples of
chickens (sometimes referred to as "birds") from each treatment
were processed.
A. Basal and Experimental Diets
[0047] The starter, grower, and finisher basal diets represented
standard commercial broiler diets. The starter and grower diets
contained Salinomycin (a coccidiostat) at 40 grams/ton. The basal
diets and final treatment diets were prepared using a 500 or 4,000
pound capacity vertical mixer or a 14,000 pound capacity horizontal
mixer. After correcting for percent purity of S-ABA in the S-ABA
dry powder, S-ABA was added to the basal diets at concentrations of
5, 50, or 500 ppm (4.6, 46, or 455 grams of S-ABA/ton). Control
treatments included (1) commercial diet only and (2) commercial
diet supplemented with antibiotics (bacitracin methylene
disalicylate (BMD), and STAFAC.RTM. virginiamycin (hereinafter
"Stafac"). STAFAC is a registered trademark of Phibro Animal Health
Corporation). All feed diets were pelleted at .about.65.degree. C.
or below.
B. Test Groups
[0048] A 90-pen test facility was divided into 10 blocks containing
9 pens per block. Treatments were assigned to the pens using a
complete randomized block design. Birds were assigned to the pens
randomly. Specific treatment groups were as follows:
TABLE-US-00001 No. of No. of No. of ~Feed Diet Birds per Pens per
Birds per Consumption Treatment Diet Code Litter Pen* Treatment
Treatment (kg) 1 Commercial feed A Clean 18 10 180 1,209 diet 2
S-ABA 5 ppm B Clean 18 10 180 1,209 3 S-ABA 50 ppm C Clean 18 10
180 1,209 4 S-ABA 500 ppm D Clean 18 10 180 1,209 5 Commercial feed
A Dirty 18 10 180 1,209 diet 6 S-ABA 5 ppm B Dirty 18 10 180 1,209
7 S-ABA 50 ppm C Dirty 18 10 180 1,209 8 S-ABA 500 ppm D Dirty 18
10 180 1,209 9 BMD 50 grams/ton E Dirty 18 10 180 1,209 in starter
feed diet, 25 grams/ton in grower feed diet, Stafac 10 grams/ton in
finisher feed diet Total 90 1,620 10,881 *Two (2) extra chicks were
placed in each pen on day 0 (20 birds/pen). At 7 days of age the
birds in each pen were counted and bird counts in each pen were
adjusted to 18 birds/pen. Extras were weighed, recorded, and
removed.
C. Management
Vaccinations and Treatments:
[0049] Birds were vaccinated for Mareks at the hatchery. Birds were
vaccinated upon receipt for the study (day 0) for Newcastle and
Infectious Bronchitis via spray cabinet. No other vaccinations or
treatments, except what is provided in the diets were administered
during the study.
Water:
[0050] Water was provided ad libitum throughout the study via one
automatic four-nipple drinker in each pen. Drinkers were checked
twice daily to assure a constant and clean water supply to the
birds.
Feed:
[0051] Feed was provided ad libitum throughout the study via one
handing, .about.17-inch diameter tube feeder per pen. Chick feeder
trays were placed in each pen for approximately the first 4 days.
Feed added and removed from pens was weighed and recorded from day
0 to day 42. Diet changes were conducted at the same time for all
pens. The feeding period for each diet was as shown below:
TABLE-US-00002 Feeding Period Diet Form (Days) Starter Crumble 0-14
Grower Pellet 14-28 Finisher Pellet 28-42
Mortality:
[0052] Starting on study day 0, any bird found dead or needing to
be removed and sacrificed was weighed and necropsied. The probable
cause of death and necropsy findings were recorded.
Body Weights and Feed Intake:
[0053] Birds were weighed by pen at 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42
days of age. The feed remaining in each pen was weighed and
recorded on study day 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days of age. The
feed intake during days 0-7, 0-14, 0-21, 0-28, 0-35, and 0-42 was
calculated.
Weight Gains and Feed Conversion:
[0054] Performance data was summarized by average weight per bird
at each body weights measurement period. The average feed
conversion was calculated for each respective body weight period
using the total feed consumption in a pen divided by the total
weight of surviving birds (i.e. days 0-7, 0-14, 0-21, etc.).
Adjusted feed conversion was calculated using the total feed
consumption in a pen divided by the total weight of surviving birds
and weight of birds that died or were removed from that pen.
Processing:
[0055] Four blocks (9 pens/block) were selected at random from each
treatment. On day 42 all birds in the selected blocks were
individually wing banded with a unique number. Prior to processing
the birds were fasted for approximately 12 hours. Immediately after
processing on day 43, digestive tract weights and Bursa of
Fabricius organ weights were measured.
D. Results
[0056] TABLE 1 shows that 5 ppm S-ABA added to commercial feed
diets had significantly (P=0.05) lower bird mortality compared to
the control treatments, including the commercial feed diet
containing the bacitracin methylene disalicylate and Stafac
antibiotics.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 1 Cumulative Bird Mortality After 42 Days
Treatment* Lived Died Commercial feed diet (control 1) 194 6
Commercial feed diet plus BMD, Stafac (control 2) 194 6 Commercial
feed diet plus 5 ppm S-ABA 200 0 *Dirty litter conditions
[0057] The greater level of bird health in response to S-ABA, as
shown in TABLE 1 above, was observed under dirty litter conditions,
which represents a challenging and stressful living environment for
the birds.
[0058] TABLE 2 shows that 5 ppm S-ABA added to commercial feed
increased bird growth (weights) compared to the commercial feed
diet (control 1). The addition of 5 ppm S-ABA to the commercial
feed diet also reduced feed conversion ratios by 1-4 points. Feed
conversion ratios that were corrected for the number of surviving
birds (i.e., adjusted feed conversion ratios) were lower by 1-2
points.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 2 Bird Weights and Feed Conversion Ratios*
Means Means Means Means Means Means Day 7 Day 14 Day 21 Day 28 Day
35 Day 42 Bird Weight (kg) Commercial feed diet (control 1) 0.1427
0.3763 0.7588 1.3785 2.0704 2.7010 versus vs. vs. vs. vs. vs. vs.
Commercial feed diet plus 0.1445 0.3873 0.7899 1.4236 2.0919 2.7565
5 ppm S-ABA Feed/Gain Ratio Commercial feed diet (control 1) 1.4505
1.3544 1.4245 1.4915 1.5864 1.6818 versus vs. vs. vs. vs. vs. vs.
Commercial feed diet plus 1.4093 1.3400 1.4137 1.4584 1.5731 1.6861
5 ppm S-ABA Adjusted Feed/Gain Ratio Commercial feed diet (control
1) 1.4218 1.3009 1.4028 1.4617 1.5652 1.6649 versus vs. vs. vs. vs.
vs. vs. Commercial feed diet plus 1.4093 1.2854 1.3842 1.4517
1.5610 1.6691 5 ppm S-ABA *Dirty litter conditions
[0059] Increased bird growth, as evidenced by the greater weights
shown in TABLE 2, suggests that the addition of S-ABA to commercial
feed can lead to faster growth and bigger birds. This response to
S-ABA could prove useful by reducing the number of days to reach a
given target bird size (weight). The reduction in feed conversion
ratios means the addition of S-ABA to animal feed can lower the
cost to produce a given unit of meat (e.g., a pound of chicken
breast meat).
[0060] TABLE 3 shows that S-ABA in the feed diet increases the
weight of digestive tracts compared to the commercial feed diets
(control 1 and control 2).
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 3 Digestive Tract Weights Mean Weight
Treatment* (Grams) Commercial feed diet plus 500 ppm S-ABA 88.4
Commercial feed diet plus 5 ppm S-ABA 86.7 Commercial feed diet
plus 50 ppm S-ABA 86.6 Commercial feed diet plus BMD, Stafac 85.9
(control 2) Commercial feed diet 84.4 (control 1) *Dirty litter
conditions
[0061] Increased digestive tract weights, as shown in TABLE 3
above, may be directly related to better overall health. Further,
data in TABLE 3 suggest that S-ABA may also reduce or eliminate the
need for antibiotics in feed.
[0062] With these data (TABLES 1-3), one can see that S-ABA
improves the health and growth of chickens and increases feed
efficiencies so that producers can save costs.
[0063] TABLE 4 shows the economic benefit of improved health and
growth of broiler chickens and increased feeding efficiency
resulting from the addition of S-ABA into commercial feed.
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 4 Profit Value per 1,000 Birds Started*
Commercial feed diet plus Commercial feed BMD, Stafac diet (control
1) (control 2) versus versus Commercial feed Commercial feed Base
Feed diet plus 5 diet plus 5 Cost ($/ton) ppm S-ABA ppm S-ABA $150
$112.75 $68.74 $200 $99.44 $61.74 $250 $86.12 $54.73 $325 $66.16
$44.22 *See U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,185; also Poultry USA magazine, May
2003, pgs 34-40.
[0064] The tabulated results in TABLE 4 show that by decreasing
broiler chicken production costs through better health increased
bird growth, and improved feed conversion efficiencies, the
addition of ABA into commercial broiler feed can result in
meaningful economic benefit to the industry. For instance, at a
base feed cost of $250/ton when compared to the commercial feed
diet (control 1), the addition of 5 ppm S-ABA to the diet added an
incremental $86.12 in profit value per 1,000 birds started.
Compared to the commercial feed diet plus BMD and Stafac (control
2), the addition of 5 ppm S-ABA to the diet increased the profit
value per 1,000 birds started by $54.73.
Example 2
[0065] Male and female Cobb 500 chickens were fed different levels
of S-ABA supplemented into starter, grower, and finisher feed diets
for their entire 42 days commercial life cycle.
A. Basal and Experimental Diets
[0066] The starter, grower, and finisher basal diets represented
standard commercial broiler diets. The starter and grower diets
contained Salinomycin (a coccidiostat) at 40 grams/ton. The basal
diets and final treatment diets were prepared using a 500 or 4,000
pound capacity vertical mixer or a 14,000 pound capacity horizontal
mixer. After correcting for percent purity of S-ABA in the S-ABA
dry powder, S-ABA was added to the basal diets at concentrations of
2.5, 5.0, or 7.5 ppm (2.3, 4.6, or 6.8 grams of S-ABA/ton). Control
treatments included (1) commercial diet only and (2) commercial
diet supplemented with antibiotics (bacitracin methylene
disalicylate and Stafac). All feed diets were pelleted at
.about.65.degree. C. or below.
B. Test Groups
[0067] A 108-pen test facility was divided into 18 blocks
containing 6 pens per block. Treatments were assigned to the pens
using a complete randomized block design. Birds were assigned to
the pens randomly. Specific treatment groups were as follows:
TABLE-US-00007 No. of No. of No. of Diet Birds per Pens per Birds
per Treatment Diet Code Sex Pen* Treatment Treatment 1 Commercial
feed diet A F 18 18 324 2 BMD 50 grams/ton in starter B F 18 18 324
feed diet, 25 grams/ton in grower feed diet, Stafac 10 grams/ton in
finisher 3 S-ABA 2.5 ppm C F 18 18 324 4 S-ABA 5.0 ppm D F 18 18
324 5 S-ABA 7.5 ppm E F 18 18 324 6 S-ABA 5.0 ppm D F 18 18 324 7
Commercial feed diet A M 18 18 324 8 BMD 50 grams/ton in starter B
M 18 18 324 feed diet, 25 grams/ton in grower feed diet, Stafac 10
grams/ton in finisher 9 S-ABA 2.5 ppm C M 18 18 324 10 S-ABA 5.0
ppm D M 18 18 324 11 S-ABA 7.5 ppm E M 18 18 324 12 S-ABA 5.0 ppm D
M 18 18 324 Total 216 3,888 *Nine (9) extra chicks were placed in
each pen on day 0 (27 birds/pen). At 21 days of age, after pen
weights, the birds were counted and adjusted by randomly selecting
and removing the appropriate number of birds to achieve 18
birds/pen. Composite weights were taken on the removed birds and
then subtracted from the initial 21 day weights.
C. Management
Vaccinations and Treatments:
[0068] Birds were vaccinated for Mareks at the hatchery. Birds were
vaccinated upon receipt for the study (day 0) for Newcastle and
Infectious Bronchitis via spray cabinet. No other vaccinations or
treatments, except what is provided in the diets were administered
during the study.
Water:
[0069] Water was provided ad libitum throughout the study via one
automatic four-nipple drinker in each pen. Drinkers were checked
twice daily to assure a constant and clean water supply to the
birds.
Feed:
[0070] Feed was provided ad libitum throughout the study via one
handing, .about.17-inch diameter tube feeder per pen. Chick feeder
trays were placed in each pen for approximately the first 4 days.
Feed added and removed from pens was weighed and recorded from day
0 to day 42. Diet changes were conducted at the same time for all
pens. The feeding period for each diet was as shown below:
TABLE-US-00008 Feeding Period Diet Form (Days) Starter Crumble 0-21
Grower Pellet 21-35 Finisher Pellet 35-42
Mortality:
[0071] Starting on study day 0, any bird found dead or needing to
be removed and sacrificed was weighed and necropsied. The probable
cause of death and necropsy findings were recorded.
Body Weights and Feed Intake:
[0072] Birds were weighed by pen at 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42
days of age. The feed remaining in each pen was weighed and
recorded on study day 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days of age. The
feed intake during days 0-7, 0-14, 0-21, 0-28, 0-35, and 0-42 was
calculated.
Weight Gains and Feed Conversion:
[0073] Performance data was summarized by average weight per bird
at each body weights measurement period. The average feed
conversion was calculated for each respective body weight period
using the total feed consumption in a pen divided by the total
weight of surviving birds (i.e. days 0-7, 0-14, 0-21, etc.).
Adjusted feed conversion was calculated using the total feed
consumption in a pen divided by the total weight of surviving birds
and weight of birds that died or were removed from that pen.
D. Results
[0074] TABLE 5 shows that ABA added to commercial feed diets had
higher survival rates compared to the commercial feed diet
containing the bacitracin methylene disalicylate and Stafac
antibiotics.
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 5 Cumulative Bird Mortality After 42 Days
Treatment* Sex Mortality Commercial feed diet Female 1.8% BMD 50
grams/ton in starter Female 3.5% feed diet, 25 grams/ton in grower
feed diet, Stafac 10 grams/ton in finisher S-ABA 2.5 ppm Female
2.4% S-ABA 5.0 ppm Female 0.4% S-ABA 7.5 ppm Female 2.2% S-ABA 5.0
ppm Female 1.9% Commercial feed diet Male 3.0% BMD 50 grams/ton in
starter Male 4.5% feed diet, 25 grams/ton in grower feed diet,
Stafac 10 grams/ton in finisher S-ABA 2.5 ppm Male 4.1% S-ABA 5.0
ppm Male 2.9% S-ABA 7.5 ppm Male 3.8% S-ABA 5.0 ppm Male 3.5%
*Dirty litter conditions
[0075] The greater level of bird survival in the S-ABA treatments,
as shown in TABLE 5 above, was observed under dirty litter
conditions, which represents a more challenging and stressful
living environment for the birds. This suggests that additional
S-ABA in the feed may help improve bird health.
[0076] With these results (TABLES 1-5), one can see that S-ABA
improves the health and growth of chickens and increases feeding
efficiency so that producers can save costs. Taking these various
parameters into consideration, the benefits of supplementing animal
feed with additional S-ABA means greater economic benefit to animal
producers by improving operating efficiencies during bird
production and higher meat yield upon processing.
* * * * *