Methods of improving fertility

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of vitamin D3, 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin to improve fertility in birds, preferably poultry, more preferably laying hens. The invention also relates to a method for improving the fertility of birds. The method comprises a feeding regimen and a feed adaptive to the age of the birds.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] The poultry food system is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing food industries. It is estimated that more than 50 billion chickens are raised globally each year for eggs and meat (broilers). The poultry industry currently faces more competition than other meat markets, and it is projected that by 2025, more than half of all meat produced globally will come from chickens. Meeting the demands of this expanding market presents significant challenges to the poultry industry's reproductive capacity management.

[0002] The fertility of poultry is controlled by natural physiological processes such as molting. Egg production naturally declines towards the end of the first egg-laying period. Molting involves the periodic shedding and replacement of feathers, as well as the cessation of egg laying and the reconfiguration of the bird's reproductive system to prepare for the next egg-laying cycle. Molting occurs naturally and seasonally each year as the days shorten, coinciding with egg incubation and chick raising in wild birds.

[0003] In commercial settings, hens are kept in controlled environments with constant temperature and light, eliminating the seasonal effects that once naturally induced molting. However, egg production still naturally declines towards the end of the first laying period. In some commercial poultry industries, simultaneous molting in flocks can be artificially induced, typically by stressing the animals through food and sometimes water restriction for a period of time, to prepare the birds for the next laying cycle.

[0004] The need to ensure a sustained high birth rate is growing. Summary of the Invention

[0005] We found that dietary supplementation with vitamin D3, 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin improved fertility in birds, preferably poultry, and more preferably laying hens.

[0006] Surprisingly, vitamin D3 supplementation resulted in better performance than 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin, and after molting, supplementation with 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin resulted in better performance than vitamin D3 supplementation.

[0007] Compared to hens fed a control diet after molting, supplementation with "25-OH-D3" and "25-OH-D3+Cant" resulted in faster ovarian regeneration after molting.

[0008] Supplementing with "25-OH-D3" and "25-OH-D3+Cant" helps reduce bacterial contaminants (E. coli). E. ColiThis improves egg quality and food safety, and results in stronger eggshells and a stronger yolk membrane, as well as lower bacterial counts on the eggshell surface, compared to eggs from hens fed a control diet after molting. Detailed Implementation

[0009] This invention relates to a feed for poultry, preferably chickens, more preferably laying hens, comprising vitamin D3, 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin, wherein the amounts of vitamin D3, 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin are determined by the age of the animal.

[0010] Feed can be tailored to the animal's life cycle to significantly improve animal performance, egg quality, and / or food safety. Feed can preferably be tailored to the animal by supplementing it with vitamin D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin before and during molting, and by supplementing it with 25-OH-D3 and / or canthaxanthin after molting.

[0011] This invention relates to the use of vitamin D3, 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin for improving the performance of laying hens, egg quality and / or food safety.

[0012] The present invention also relates to a method for improving the performance, egg quality, and / or food safety of poultry, preferably chickens, more preferably laying hens, by feeding animals a diet supplemented with vitamin D3, 25-OH-D3, and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin. The method can be adapted to the animal's life cycle. The method can preferably be adapted to the animal by supplementing it with vitamin D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin before and during molting, and by supplementing it with 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin after molting.

[0013] According to the present invention, the term "improved performance" or "improved...performance" preferably refers to: improving daily egg production rate, improving fertility, prolonging fertility, increasing ovarian activity, improving ovarian regeneration after molting, increasing ovarian weight, increasing oviduct weight, increasing estradiol plasma level and / or increasing vitellogenin plasma level.

[0014] According to the present invention, the term "egg quality" preferably refers to a more robust eggshell and / or a more robust yolk membrane.

[0015] According to the present invention, the term "food safety" preferably refers to the reduction of bacterial contaminants. The bacterial contaminant is preferably Escherichia coli.

[0016] Canthaxanthin, vitamin D3, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 are suitable for administration with food. As used herein, the term food includes solid and liquid foods as well as drinking fluids (e.g., drinking water). In particular, the ingredients of the present invention can be added as formulated powders to premixes containing other minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and trace elements, said premixes being added to conventional animal feed and thoroughly mixed to achieve uniform distribution therein.

[0017] In the manufacture of poultry feed according to the present invention, canthaxanthin, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, and vitamin D3 are added to conventional poultry feed. Alternatively, food premixes can be prepared by adding these active ingredients at higher concentrations to conventional food components.

[0018] definition Canthaxanthin: According to the present invention, "canthaxanthin" (Cant) can be obtained under the trademark CAROPHYLL® Red.

[0019] Basal diet: "Basal diet" or "basic feed" refers to the feed used to provide poultry with sufficient vitamins and minerals, so that the poultry have adequate vitamins and minerals.

[0020] Estrogen: Estrogen and progesterone are essential for promoting ovarian growth and health to prolong egg production. Furthermore, estrogen levels reflect ovarian activity in functional reproduction.

[0021] Molting: Molting involves the periodic shedding and replacement of feathers, as well as the cessation of egg laying and the reconfiguration of the bird's reproductive system to prepare for the next egg-laying cycle. Molting can occur naturally and seasonally each year when the days shorten, coinciding with egg incubation and chick rearing in wild birds; this is known as "natural molting" or "natural conditions." Alternatively, molting can be induced in controlled settings by stressing the animal through food and sometimes water restriction for a period of time; this is known as "forced molting (FM)" or "induced molting." Evidence for molting includes the disruption of gonadotropin and related steroid hormone secretion, and the redirection of the body's metabolic system to thermoregulation and feather replacement, which in turn leads to the degeneration of reproductive organs (oviducts, ovaries, and follicles) and cessation of egg laying. The stress effects of molting manifest as reduced metabolic energy requirements and disruption of hormone secretion. Preferably, the period before and during molting is defined up to and including week 72. Preferably, the period after molting is defined as after week 72.

[0022] 25-OH D: "25-OH D" or "25-hydroxyvitamin D" refers to any form of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (i.e., 25-OH D2 or 25-OH D3, or a mixture thereof). 25-OH D3 (or 25-OH-D3) specifically refers to 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (also known as calcifediol, calcidiol, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, or 25-hydroxyvitamin D3); 25-OH D2 specifically refers to 25-hydroxyvitamin D2. In a preferred embodiment, 25-hydroxyvitamin D is 25-hydroxyvitamin D3.

[0023] Poultry: The term "poultry" refers to any domesticated poultry, including meat-producing, table-egg-producing, and fertile egg-laying chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, quails, and ostriches. Preferably, the present invention relates to poultry, more preferably chicken meat. Preferably, the present invention relates to laying poultry, more preferably laying hens. As used herein, the term "animal" also refers to poultry, preferably chickens, more preferably laying hens.

[0024] ROVIMIX® Hy•D® 1.25%: 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 is commercially available, for example in the feed additive ROVIMIX® Hy•D® 1.25% (also known as Hy•D). ROVIMIX® Hy•D® 1.25% is a beige to brown fine powder containing 12.5 g / kg of 25-OH-D3 as the active ingredient. One kilogram of ROVIMIX® Hy•D® 1.25% also contains 37.5 g of antioxidant (approved for use in feed), 25 g of sodium ascorbate, 50 g of vegetable oil, 715 g of modified food starch, 150 g of maltodextrin, and 10 g of silicon dioxide.

[0025] Vitamin D: “Vitamin D” refers to vitamin D2, vitamin D3, or combinations thereof. Preferred is vitamin D3 (also known as Vit-D3 or Vit D3). As used herein, the term “vitamin D or a derivative thereof” means comprising vitamin D2, vitamin D3, or combinations thereof, and 25-OH D, including 25-OH D2 and 25-OH D3 and 1,25-OH-D3.

[0026] Vitellogenin: Vitellogenin (phospholipid glycoprotein) is a precursor protein of the egg yolk, produced by laying hens during egg production. It is secreted into the bloodstream and used as a mechanism for transferring nutrients to the yolk via the bloodstream.

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention The embodiments of the present invention can be summarized as follows: 1. A feed for poultry, preferably chickens, comprising vitamin D3, 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin, wherein the amounts of vitamin D3, 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin are determined by the age of the animal.

[0028] 2. The feed according to claim 1, wherein the feed is for poultry, preferably chickens, before and during molting, and wherein the feed is supplemented with vitamin D3.

[0029] 3. The feed according to claim 1, wherein the feed is for molted poultry, preferably chickens, and wherein the feed is supplemented with 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin.

[0030] 4. Use of vitamin D3, 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin for improving the performance, egg quality and / or food safety of poultry, preferably chickens.

[0031] 5. The use according to claim 4, wherein the properties are selected from: improving daily egg production rate, improving fertility, prolonging fertility, increasing ovarian activity, improving ovarian regeneration after molting, increasing ovarian weight, increasing oviduct weight, increasing estradiol plasma level and / or increasing vitellogenin plasma level.

[0032] 6. The use according to claim 4, wherein the egg quality is selected from a more robust eggshell and / or a more robust yolk membrane.

[0033] 7. The use according to claim 4, wherein food safety is achieved by reducing bacterial contamination.

[0034] 8. The use according to claim 7, wherein the bacterial contaminant is Escherichia coli.

[0035] 9. A method for improving the performance, egg quality and / or food safety of poultry, preferably chickens, by feeding them a diet supplemented with vitamin D3, 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin.

[0036] 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the diet of hens before and during molting is supplemented with vitamin D3.

[0037] 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein for molted poultry, preferably chickens, the diet is supplemented with 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin.

[0038] 12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the properties are selected from: improving daily egg production rate, improving fertility, prolonging fertility, increasing ovarian activity, improving ovarian regeneration after molting, increasing ovarian weight, increasing oviduct weight, increasing estradiol plasma level and / or increasing vitellogenin plasma level.

[0039] 13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the egg quality is selected from a more robust eggshell and / or a more robust yolk membrane.

[0040] 14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein food safety is achieved by reducing bacterial contamination.

[0041] 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the bacterial contaminant is Escherichia coli.

[0042] Example Example 1: Natural molting The effects of vitamin D3, 25(OH)D3, and 25-OH-D3+ canthaxanthin on the performance of laying hens were investigated. Three hundred hens (HyLine Brown) were fed four different diets supplemented to their basal diet from 12 to 110 weeks of age (Table 1).

[0043] Table 1 Diet Compared to the control group, supplementation with "Vit-D3", "25-OH-D3", and "25-OH-D3+Cant" increased egg production. Figure 1 and 2 ).

[0044] Compared to the control group, supplementation with "Vit-D3", "25-OH-D3", and "25-OH-D3+Cant" improved ovarian weight. Figure 3 and 4 ).

[0045] Before molting, supplementation with "Vit-D3" showed a greater improvement in ovarian weight compared to hens fed "25-OH-D3" and "25-OH-D3+Cant". Figure 3 and 4 After molting, compared with hens fed "Vit-D3", supplementation with "25-OH-D3" and "25-OH-D3+Cant" showed a greater improvement in ovarian weight. Figure 3 and 4 ).

[0046] Compared with the control group, supplementation with "Vit-D3", "25-OH-D3", and "25-OH-D3+Cant" improved oviduct weight. Figure 7 and 8 ).

[0047] Before molting, compared with hens fed "25-OH-D3" and "25-OH-D3+Cant", supplementation with "Vit-D3" showed a greater improvement in oviduct weight. Figure 7 and 8 ).

[0048] Compared with the control group, supplementation with "Vit-D3", "25-OH-D3" and "25-OH-D3+Cant" improved estradiol plasma levels. Figure 11 and 13 ).

[0049] Prior to molting, compared with hens fed "25-OH-D3" and "25-OH-D3+Cant", supplementation with "Vit-D3" showed a greater improvement in estradiol plasma levels. Figure 11 and 13 Following molting, compared to hens fed "Vit-D3", supplementation with "25-OH-D3" and "25-OH-D3+Cant" showed a greater improvement in estradiol plasma levels. Figure 11 and 13 ).

[0050] Compared with the control group, supplementation with "Vit-D3", "25-OH-D3" and "25-OH-D3+Cant" improved vitellogenin plasma levels. Figure 15 and 16 ).

[0051] Prior to molting, compared with hens fed "25-OH-D3" and "25-OH-D3+Cant", supplementation with "Vit-D3" showed a greater improvement in vitellogenin plasma levels. Figure 15 and 16 Following molting, supplementation with 25-OH-D3 and 25-OH-D3+Cant showed greater improvement in vitellogenin plasma levels compared to hens fed with 25-OH-D3. Figure 15 and 16 ).

[0052] Example 2: Induced molting The effects of vitamin D3, 25(OH)D3, and 25-OH-D3+ canthaxanthin on the performance of laying hens were investigated. Three hundred HyLine Brown hens were fed four different diets supplemented to their basal diet from 12 to 110 weeks of age (Table 2). Molting was induced at week 71 (mid-April 2020).

[0053] Table 2 Diet Every two weeks, six newly laid eggs (within 30 minutes) were taken from each group, for a total of 126 eggs, for bacterial contamination analysis.

[0054] Table 3. E. coli contamination of vitamin D3, 25-OH-D3, and 25-OH-D3+canthaxanthin on eggshell surface Impact on birth rate Based on chi-square analysis, vitamin D3, 25(OH)D3 and 25-OH-D3+ canthaxanthin produced significantly lower levels of E. coli contaminants on the eggshell surface (Table 3).

[0055] Table 4. Effects of Vitamin D3, 25-OH-D3, and 25-OH-D3+canthaxanthin on egg quality 25(OH)D3 and 25-OH-D3+ canthaxanthin improve food safety by reducing bacterial contaminants (using E. coli) and improve egg quality by strengthening the yolk membrane and / or eggshell (Table 4).

[0056] Compared to the control group, supplementation with "Vit-D3", "25-OH-D3", and "25-OH-D3+Cant" increased egg production. Figure 1 and 2 ).

[0057] Compared to the control group, supplementation with "Vit-D3", "25-OH-D3", and "25-OH-D3+Cant" improved ovarian weight. Figure 5 and 6 ).

[0058] Before molting, supplementation with "Vit-D3" showed a greater improvement in ovarian weight compared to hens fed "25-OH-D3" and "25-OH-D3+Cant". Figure 5 and 6 After molting, compared with hens fed "Vit-D3", supplementation with "25-OH-D3" and "25-OH-D3+Cant" showed a greater improvement in ovarian weight. Figure 5 and 6 ).

[0059] Compared with the control group, supplementation with "Vit-D3", "25-OH-D3", and "25-OH-D3+Cant" improved oviduct weight. Figure 9 and 10 ).

[0060] Before molting, compared with hens fed "25-OH-D3" and "25-OH-D3+Cant", supplementation with "Vit-D3" showed a greater improvement in oviduct weight. Figure 9 and 10 After molting, compared with hens fed "Vit-D3", supplementation with "25-OH-D3" and "25-OH-D3+Cant" showed a greater improvement in oviduct weight. Figure 9 and 10 ).

[0061] Compared with the control group, supplementation with "Vit-D3", "25-OH-D3" and "25-OH-D3+Cant" improved estradiol plasma levels. Figure 12 and 14 ).

[0062] Prior to molting, compared with hens fed "25-OH-D3" and "25-OH-D3+Cant", supplementation with "Vit-D3" showed a greater improvement in estradiol plasma levels. Figure 12 and 14 Following molting, compared to hens fed "Vit-D3", supplementation with "25-OH-D3" and "25-OH-D3+Cant" showed a greater improvement in estradiol plasma levels. Figure 12 and 14 ).

[0063] Compared with the control group, supplementation with "Vit-D3", "25-OH-D3" and "25-OH-D3+Cant" improved vitellogenin plasma levels. Figure 17 and 18 ).

[0064] Prior to molting, compared with hens fed "25-OH-D3" and "25-OH-D3+Cant", supplementation with "Vit-D3" showed a greater improvement in vitellogenin plasma levels. Figure 17 and 18 Following molting, supplementation with 25-OH-D3 and 25-OH-D3+Cant showed greater improvement in vitellogenin plasma levels compared to hens fed with 25-OH-D3. Figure 17 and 18 ).

Claims

1. A feed for poultry, preferably chickens, comprising vitamin D3, 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin, wherein the amounts of vitamin D3, 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin are determined by the age of the animal.

2. The feed according to claim 1, wherein the feed is for poultry, preferably chickens, before and during molting, and wherein the feed is supplemented with vitamin D3.

3. The feed according to claim 1, wherein the feed is for molted poultry, preferably chickens, and wherein the feed is supplemented with 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin.

4. Use of vitamin D3, 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin for improving the performance, egg quality and / or food safety of poultry, preferably chickens.

5. The use according to claim 4, wherein the properties are selected from: improving daily egg production rate, improving fertility, prolonging fertility, increasing ovarian activity, improving ovarian regeneration after molting, increasing ovarian weight, increasing oviduct weight, increasing estradiol plasma level and / or increasing vitellogenin plasma level.

6. The use according to claim 4, wherein the egg quality is selected from a more robust eggshell and / or a more robust yolk membrane.

7. The use according to claim 4, wherein food safety is achieved by reducing bacterial contamination.

8. The use according to claim 7, wherein the bacterial contaminant is Escherichia coli.

9. A method for improving the performance, egg quality and / or food safety of poultry, preferably chickens, by feeding them a diet supplemented with vitamin D3, 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the diet of hens before and during molting is supplemented with vitamin D3.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein for molted poultry, preferably chickens, the diet is supplemented with 25-OH-D3 and / or 25-OH-D3 and canthaxanthin.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the properties are selected from: improving daily egg production rate, improving fertility, prolonging fertility, increasing ovarian activity, improving ovarian regeneration after molting, increasing ovarian weight, increasing oviduct weight, increasing estradiol plasma level and / or increasing vitellogenin plasma level.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the egg quality is selected from a more robust eggshell and / or a more robust yolk membrane.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein food safety is achieved by reducing bacterial contamination.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the bacterial contaminant is Escherichia coli.

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