Composition for improving reproductive capacity of livestock

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition for improving the reproductive capacity of a livestock, which can improve productivity by improving the reproductive capacity of the livestock, prevent various problems that may be caused by abuse of a hormone preparation, and can reduce the economic burden (e.g., feed cost) of a feeder.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a composition for improving the reproductive performance of poultry and livestock. Background Art

[0002] Livestock farms often experience decreased productivity due to reproductive disorders in female animals after parturition, including delayed hyperestrus, increased frequency of hypoestrus or anestrus, irregular estrus cycles, etc. In particular, despite the decrease in reproductive rate, production costs such as feed expenses remain unchanged, resulting in an increased financial burden on farmers.

[0003] To address these issues, most farms use synthetic GnRH injections to induce estrus in livestock; however, drug resistance developed with continued use necessitates increasing dosages. This increasing use has raised consumer concerns about livestock intended for food and has also created problems due to the potential ingestion of residual drugs through meat consumption. Furthermore, continuous and indiscriminate injections of hormone preparations can stress livestock, increase farmers' workloads, and pose safety risks to workers during administration. Furthermore, even when injections are used to induce estrus, the optimal time for insemination is often missed, limiting the potential for achieving an ideal artificial insemination success rate.

[0004] Meanwhile, the present invention aims to confirm the effect of boar-specific pheromones on improving the reproductive performance of sows, mares, does, ewes, goats and cows, and to provide a composition for improving the reproductive performance of livestock using the same. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a composition that can improve the reproductive performance of livestock, so as to solve economic problems that may occur due to impaired reproductive performance of livestock, such as delayed hyperestrus, increased frequency of hypoestrus, and irregular estrus cycles.

[0007] Solution to the problem

[0008] The present invention provides a composition for improving the reproductive performance of female livestock, which comprises p-methylphenol (p-cresol) as an active ingredient, wherein the improvement of the reproductive performance shortens the number of days to re-estrus, induces estrus or promotes estrus.

[0009] In the present invention, the composition may preferably include one or more waxes selected from paraffin wax, beeswax, wood wax, and carnauba wax, but is not limited thereto.

[0010] In the present invention, the composition may further comprise one or more selected from ethanol, purified water and a surfactant, but is not limited thereto.

[0011] In the present invention, p-methylphenol (p-cresol) may be preferably included in an amount of 0.01% to 30% by weight based on the entire composition, but is not limited thereto.

[0012] In the present invention, the female livestock may preferably be a sow, a mare, a doe, a ewe, a female goat or a cow, but is not limited thereto.

[0013] In the present invention, the composition may preferably be solid or liquid, but is not limited thereto.

[0014] In addition, the present invention provides a method for improving the reproductive performance of female poultry, which comprises mixing p-methylphenol (p-cresol) into one or more waxes selected from paraffin, beeswax, wood wax and carnauba wax, wherein the improvement in reproductive performance is shortening the number of days to estrus, or inducing or promoting estrus.

[0015] In the present invention, the composition is a mixture of 70 to 99.99 weight % of wax and 0.01 to 30 weight % of p-cresol, but is not limited thereto.

[0016] In the present invention, the composition for improving the reproductive performance of female livestock may be characterized by continuously releasing p-methylphenol (p-cresol), but is not limited thereto.

[0017] In addition, the present invention provides a method for improving the reproductive performance of female livestock, which comprises applying the composition to a body part or breeding ground of the female livestock, or spraying the composition on the body, wherein the improvement in reproductive performance is shortening the number of days to re-estrus or inducing or promoting estrus.

[0018] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0019] The present invention provides a composition for improving the reproductive performance of livestock, which not only has the effect of improving productivity by improving the reproductive performance of livestock, but also prevents various problems that may occur due to the abuse of hormone preparations and reduces the economic burden of breeders (such as feed costs). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 : is a graph showing the results of SPME analysis of volatile organic compounds contained in urine of boars or sows according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 FIG2 is a graph comparing the content of volatile organic compounds contained in urine of boars or sows according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3is a graph comparing p-cresol content in urine of boars or sows according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paraffin block containing p-cresol according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example in which a paraffin block containing p-cresol is placed in a weaned sow pen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a paraffin block containing p-cresol is mounted on a rein of a mare according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a paraffin block containing p-cresol is mounted on a rein of a doe according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by way of embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the following embodiments are provided as examples of the present invention, and if it is deemed that a detailed description of techniques or configurations known to those skilled in the art would unnecessarily obscure the essence of the present invention, such detailed description may be omitted, and the present invention is not limited thereby. The present invention is capable of various modifications and applications within the scope of the description of the following patent claims and equivalent forms construed therefrom.

[0028] In addition, the terms used herein are terms used to appropriately express preferred embodiments of the present invention and may vary according to the intention of the user or operator or the customary practice in the field to which the present invention belongs. Therefore, these terms should be defined based on the overall context of this specification. Throughout the specification, when a part is described as "comprising" a certain basic part, this means that it can further include other basic parts, rather than excluding other basic parts, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0029] Throughout this specification, "%" used to express the concentration of a specific substance is (w / w)% for solid / solid, (w / v)% for solid / liquid, and (v / v)% for liquid / liquid.

[0030] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.

[0031] In one aspect, the present invention provides a composition for improving the reproductive performance of female livestock, the composition comprising p-methylphenol (p-cresol) as an active ingredient.

[0032] p-Cresol, also known as 4-methylphenol, refers to a compound represented by the following formula 1:

[0033] [Formula 1]

[0034]

[0035] In the present invention, the improvement of the reproductive performance of livestock may include shortening the number of days to estrus recurrence, or inducing or promoting estrus.

[0036] In the present invention, the composition for improving fertility comprising p-methylphenol (p-cresol) may be solid or liquid.

[0037] For example, in the case of a solid composition, the wax may be completely melted to obtain a liquid, which may then be mixed with p-methylphenol (p-cresol) to solidify. In the case of a solid composition, the composition may contain p-cresol in an amount of 0.01 to 30% by weight, preferably 1 to 20% by weight, and more preferably 1 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, but is not limited thereto. The p-cresol content may be adjusted depending on the desired estrus induction effect.

[0038] For example, in the case of a liquid composition, it can be a sprayable formulation of a liquid composition in which ethanol, purified water, and p-cresol are mixed, or a diffuser formulation of a liquid composition in which ethanol, purified water, and p-cresol are mixed. In the case of a liquid composition, it can contain 0.01 to 30% by weight, preferably 1 to 20% by weight, and more preferably 1 to 10% by weight of p-cresol based on the total weight of the composition, but is not limited thereto. The content of p-cresol can be adjusted according to the desired estrus induction effect.

[0039] In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for preparing a composition for improving reproductive performance of livestock, the method comprising mixing p-methylphenol (p-cresol) with one or more waxes selected from paraffin wax, beeswax, wood wax and carnauba wax.

[0040] In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for improving the reproductive performance of livestock, comprising applying a composition to a body part or feeding ground of female livestock, or spraying the composition on the body.

[0041] In the present invention, the method for improving the reproductive performance of livestock preferably allows the livestock to inhale p-methylphenol (p-cresol) diffused from the composition.

[0042] In the present invention, the wax is preferably in liquid form. It is preferred to prepare the wax from the solid state by boiling the wax until it is completely liquid and mixing it with p-methylphenol (p-cresol).

[0043] At the same time, studies have reported that the GnRH hormone secretion wave generator located in the hypothalamus plays a vital role in regulating the reproductive function of female poultry and livestock. The FSH and LH hormones produced by stimulating GnRH promote follicle growth and cause ovulation (T Hamada et al., "Pheromone-induced stimulation of hypothalamicgonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator in ovariectomized, estrogen-primed goats", Neuroendocrinology. 1996 Oct; 64(4): 313-9.; Robert V Knox, "Recent advances in the hormonal stimulation of ovulation in swine", Vet Med (Auckl). 2015; 6: 309-320.).

[0044] In one embodiment of the present invention, it was confirmed that the p-methylphenol (p-cresol) of the present invention can shorten the time of re-estrus of weaned sows after parturition. This is the result of the sow's GnRH hormone stimulating the secretion of FSH and LH hormones. It can be expected that inhalation of p-methylphenol (p-cresol) will have the following effects: inducing follicular development in sows and stimulating the release of multiple oocytes, thereby increasing the number of piglets.

[0045] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention

[0046] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of examples. These examples are intended to explain the present invention in more detail, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0047] <Example 1> Analysis of volatile components contained in pig urine

[0048] Urine was collected from two intact adult boars and five sows, and the volatile components contained in each urine were compared using solid phase microextraction (SPME) assays.

[0049] For each subject, 2 mL of urine was extracted three times. After forming the sample container's septum with the fiber fully inserted, the fiber was exposed to the outside, and analytes were extracted using the headspace method for approximately one hour. Following extraction, once the fiber was retracted, it was exposed to the GC inlet, where the adsorbed analytes were thermally desorbed at high temperature. The analytes were then automatically injected into the analytical column, and numerical analysis was performed for each analyte.

[0050] Figure 1is a graph showing the results of SPME analysis, Figure 2 This graph compares and analyzes the levels of volatile organic compounds in each urine sample. Although a large amount of p-cresol was detected in boars, a relatively small amount was detected in sows. Figure 3 This figure shows an analysis of the p-cresol content in urine of boars and sows.

[0051] <Example 2> Preparation of paraffin blocks containing p-cresol

[0052] 95 g of completely melted paraffin wax was mixed with 5 g of p-cresol under stirring. The mixture was poured into a wax tray and completely hardened to prepare a paraffin block (X-Factor Pheromone Block) that continuously releases p-cresol. Figure 4 It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a paraffin block.

[0053] <Example 3> Confirmation of the effect of paraffin blocks containing p-cresol on improving reproductive performance of sows

[0054] (Experiment 1) To determine the effect of paraffin blocks containing p-cresol on the litter size of sows at the next farrowing, an experiment was conducted for approximately 8 months from August 2022 to April 2023. As a treatment method, the paraffin blocks containing 5% p-cresol prepared in Example 2 were placed in the weaned sow pen ( Figure 5 ). Of the 270 farrowing sows, 143 were set as the control group and raised without paraffin blocks. The experimental results are shown in Table 1 below. The litter size refers to the number of piglets born by a sow.

[0055] [Table 1]

[0056]

[0057] As shown in Table 1 above, it was confirmed that the paraffin block containing p-cresol of the present invention can improve the reproductive performance of sows by increasing the average litter size.

[0058] (Experiment 2) To confirm the effect of paraffin blocks containing p-cresol on the return of estrus after weaning, an experiment was conducted for approximately 10 months from October 2022 to August 2023. As a treatment method, paraffin blocks containing 5% p-cresol were placed in the weaned sow pen ( Figure 5 Of the 926 farrowing sows, 468 were set as a control group and raised without paraffin blocks. The experimental results are shown in Table 2 below. The normal estrus rate refers to the proportion of all experimental animals that entered estrus within 5 days after weaning.

[0059] [Table 2]

[0060]

[0061] As shown in Table 2, it was confirmed that when the paraffin block containing p-cresol of the present invention was placed in the sow pen, the time required for re-estrus was shortened and the normal estrus rate was increased. These results indicate that continuously exposing sows to p-cresol has the following effects: shortening the number of days to re-estrus, thereby improving the reproductive performance of sows.

[0062] (Experiment 3) To compare the effects of paraffin blocks containing p-cresol and estrus induction injection (Corpulin) on the return of estrus in post-weaned sows, an experiment was conducted in June 2023. As a treatment, paraffin blocks containing 5% p-cresol were placed in the weaned sow pen ( Figure 5 Of the 464 farrowing sows, 224 were set as positive controls (sows using the injection) and were raised without paraffin blocks. The experimental results are shown in Table 3 below. The litter size refers to the total number of litters born by the sow, and the normal estrus rate refers to the proportion of all experimental animals that entered estrus within 5 days after weaning.

[0063] [Table 3]

[0064]

[0065] As shown in Table 3 above, it was found that when the paraffin block containing p-cresol of the present invention was placed in the sow pen, the time required for re-estrus was shortened and the normal estrus rate was increased compared to when the injection (Corpulin) was used. These results indicate that continuously exposing sows to p-cresol has the effect of shortening the number of days to re-estrus, thereby improving the reproductive performance of sows.

[0066] <Example 4> Confirmation of the effect of paraffin blocks containing p-cresol on improving reproductive performance of mares

[0067] January and February are the non-breeding months for mares. In this experiment, an X-Factor pheromone block corresponding to the paraffin block containing 5% p-cresol prepared in Example 2 above was attached to the reins of mares during two months (January and February) to determine whether the reproductive performance of mares could be improved during the non-breeding season ( Figure 6 ). Of the six mares, three were used as controls and mounted with paraffin blocks that did not contain p-cresol. The experimental results are shown in Table 4 below.

[0068] [Table 4]

[0069]

[0070] As shown in Table 4 above, the control group did not show estrus behavior during the non-breeding season, whereas the mares with paraffin blocks containing p-cresol in their reins (i.e., mares continuously exposed to p-cresol) began to estrus within 3, 6, and 5 days, respectively, despite being in the non-breeding season, i.e., they began to estrus on an average of 4.7 days after mounting. These results indicate that continuously exposing mares to p-cresol has the following effects: it induces and promotes estrus, thereby improving the reproductive performance of the mares.

[0071] <Example 5> Confirmation of the effect of paraffin blocks containing p-cresol on improving reproductive performance of doe

[0072] To determine the effect of paraffin blocks containing p-cresol on the re-estrus of doe deer after parturition, an experiment was conducted for one month in January 2023. As a treatment method, the paraffin blocks containing 5% p-cresol prepared in Example 2 were mounted on the reins of doe deer immediately after parturition ( Figure 7 Of the six calving does, three were set as a control group and mounted with paraffin blocks that did not contain p-cresol. The experimental results are shown in Table 5 below.

[0073] [Table 5]

[0074]

[0075]

[0076] As shown in Table 5 above, while the first estrus was observed 29 days after mounting in the control group, the first estrus was observed an average of 16.25 days after mounting in the does with paraffin blocks containing p-cresol attached to their halters (i.e., those continuously exposed to p-cresol). These results suggest that continuous exposure to p-cresol induces and promotes estrus in does, thereby improving their reproductive performance.

Claims

1. A composition for improving the reproductive performance of female livestock, comprising p-methylphenol (p-cresol) as an active ingredient, wherein the improvement of the reproductive performance is to shorten the number of days of estrus, or to induce or promote estrus.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein The composition comprises one or more waxes selected from paraffin wax, beeswax, wood wax and carnauba wax.

3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein The composition further comprises one or more selected from ethanol, purified water and a surfactant.

4. The composition according to claim 1, wherein The amount of p-cresol contained is 0.01 to 30 wt % relative to the total composition.

5. The composition according to claim 1, wherein The female livestock is a sow, a mare, a doe, a ewe, a female goat or a cow.

6. The composition according to claim 1, wherein The composition is solid or liquid.

7. A method for preparing a composition for improving the reproductive performance of female poultry, which comprises mixing p-methylphenol (p-cresol) into one or more waxes selected from paraffin wax, beeswax, wood wax and carnauba wax, wherein the improvement in reproductive performance is to shorten the number of days to estrus, or to induce or promote estrus.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The composition is a mixture of 70% to 99.99% by weight of wax and 0.01% to 30% by weight of p-methylphenol (p-cresol).

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein: A composition for improving the reproductive performance of female livestock is characterized by the continuous release of p-methylphenol (p-cresol).

10. A method for improving the reproductive performance of female livestock, comprising applying the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6 to a body part or breeding ground of female livestock, or spraying the composition on the body, wherein the improvement in reproductive performance is a shortening of the number of days to re-estrus, or inducing or promoting estrus.

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