Increase in colostrum yield and enhancement in calf health condition by folic acid supplementation to pregnant cow

Abstract

To provide novel means that is effective in increasing a colostrum yield in a postpartum cow and improving a calf health condition.SOLUTION: The present invention provides a method for enhancing a health condition of a calf delivered from a pregnant cow, the method comprising feeding the pregnant cow, during a period of at least 50 days before parturition, with either 0.5 g to 10 g / head / day of non-bypass-processed folic acid or 12 mg to 2,000 mg / head / day of bypass-processed folic acid converted as folic acid equivalent. The present invention also provides a method for increasing a colostrum yield in the pregnant cow, the method comprising feeding, for at least 50 days prior to parturition, either 1.5 g to 10 g / head / day of non-bypass-processed folic acid or 35 mg to 2,000 mg / head / day of bypass-processed folic acid converted as folic acid equivalent.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for increasing colostrum production in pregnant cows and improving the health of calves by supplementing the cows with folic acid. [Background technology]

[0002] Colostrum components, including IgG, play a very important role in maintaining the health and development of newborn calves. Regarding the colostrum components of ruminants, it has been reported that the addition of dietary folic acid to pregnant ewes increased the IgG concentration and protein percentage in colostrum (Non-Patent Document 1). Regarding the feeding of folic acid to cows, it has been reported that feeding folic acid to lactating dairy cows during postpartum lactation increased milk yield (e.g., Non-Patent Document 2), and that feeding folic acid to calves and feeding rumen-protected folic acid to fattening cows increased body weight gain (Non-Patent Documents 3 and 4). However, the effect of feeding folic acid to pregnant cows on colostrum yield and the health of calves after birth is not known at all. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] Wang B et al., Animals. 10: 433 (2020) [Non-patent document 2] Li HQ et al., Animal Feed Science and Technology, 213: 55-63 (2016) [Non-patent document 3] Wang C et al., Arch Anim Nutr, 73(1):18-29 (2019) [Non-patent document 4] Wang et al., Arch Anim Nutr, 70:441-454 (2016) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a novel means that is effective in increasing the amount of colostrum produced by cows after giving birth and improving the health of calves. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] As a result of extensive research, the present inventors have discovered that feeding a predetermined amount of folic acid to pregnant cows increases the amount of colostrum and improves the health of the calf after birth, and have completed the present invention, which includes the following aspects. [1] A method for improving the health of a calf delivered by a pregnant cow, comprising feeding the cow non-bypassed folic acid in an amount of 0.5 g to 10 g / head / day, or bypassed folic acid in an amount of 12 mg to 2,000 mg / head / day in terms of folic acid, for a period of at least 50 days before calving. [2] The method described in [1], wherein the period of providing folic acid is at least two months before delivery. [3] The method according to [1] or [2], wherein the amount of non-bypassed folic acid fed is 0.8 g to 10 g / head / day, and the amount of bypassed folic acid fed is 20 mg to 2,000 mg / head / day in terms of folic acid. [4] The method according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the improvement in the health condition of the calf is at least one selected from an increase in colostrum intake, an increase in weight gain from the lactation period to weaning, and an improvement in the fecal condition during the lactation period or from the lactation period to weaning. [5] A method for increasing colostrum production in pregnant cows, comprising feeding the cow unbypassed folic acid in an amount of 1.5 g to 10 g / cow / day for at least 50 days before calving, or feeding the cow bypassed folic acid in an amount of 35 mg to 2,000 mg / cow / day in terms of folic acid. [6] The method described in [5], wherein the period of providing folic acid is at least two months before delivery. [7] The method according to [5] or [6], wherein the amount of non-bypassed folic acid fed is 1.8 g to 10 g / head / day, and the amount of bypassed folic acid fed is 50 mg to 2,000 mg / head / day in folic acid equivalent. [8] The method according to any one of [5] to [7], wherein folic acid is not administered after delivery, but folic acid is administered during the period before delivery. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, by providing folic acid to pregnant cows, the health of the calf can be improved without providing folic acid to the calf itself after birth. Furthermore, by providing folic acid to pregnant cows, the amount of colostrum can be increased without providing folic acid after delivery. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] Serum folate concentrations in pregnant cows in the 0g, 1g, and 2g folic acid groups. P < 0.05 between different signs. [Figure 2] This is the average daily weight gain for calves given birth to pregnant cows in the 0g, 1g, and 2g folic acid groups over the first 10 weeks of life. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In the present invention, the cows to which folic acid is administered are pregnant cows. They may be meat breeds such as Japanese Black, or dairy breeds such as Holstein and Jersey. The number of pregnancies of the pregnant cows is not important. There are no limitations on the age or months of the pregnant cows.

[0009] The folic acid fed to pregnant cows may be rumen-protected (bypassed) or non-bypassed folic acid. Rumen protection or bypass processing is a processing technique that prevents components such as vitamins and amino acids from being decomposed by microorganisms in the rumen, and is a well-known technique in the feed industry (e.g., Patent No. 3728738). Bypass processing can be performed, for example, by spray-coating or pan-coating raw materials to be processed with materials used for bypass processing, such as hardened oil. When supplementing ruminant cows with components such as vitamins and amino acids, bypassed components are typically added to feed. Hereinafter, in this specification, bypassed folic acid will be referred to as bypassed folic acid, and non-bypassed folic acid will be referred to as non-bypassed folic acid. When simply referring to folic acid, it refers to both bypassed folic acid and non-bypassed folic acid, unless otherwise clear from the context. Currently commercially available bypassed folic acid preparations generally have a folic acid content of approximately 40% and a bypass rate of approximately 10% to 40%.

[0010] When non-bypassed folic acid is fed to cows, most of it is decomposed in the rumen as described above. However, it is known that a portion (approximately 3%) of the ingested folic acid is absorbed by the cow itself, regardless of the amount of folic acid consumed (Santschi DE et al., J Dairy Sci. 2005 Jun;88(6):2043-54. doi: 10.3168 / jds.S0022-0302(05)72881-2. PMID: 15905435.). Therefore, in the method of the present invention, non-bypassed folic acid can also be used as the folic acid. In the following examples, 1 g or 2 g of non-bypassed folic acid was fed to pregnant cows, and in these cases, the amount of folic acid absorbed by the pregnant cow was approximately 30 mg or 60 mg, respectively.

[0011] The period for providing folic acid is at least 50 days before calving, and may be, for example, at least two months before calving. By providing folic acid only during the pre-calving period, without providing it to the cow after calving, colostrum production increases and the health of the calf after calving improves. By providing folic acid to the cow after calving without providing folic acid to the calf itself, and without supplementing the calf with folic acid through breast milk, the surprising effect of improving the health of the calf can be achieved by providing folic acid to the mother cow only before calving. The increase in colostrum production also works after calving without folic acid supplementation, and this was first discovered by the present inventors.

[0012] In the present invention, colostrum is milk that comes out within 24 hours after parturition.

[0013] The improvement in the health condition of calves is, for example, at least one selected from an increase in colostrum intake, an increase in weight gain from the suckling period to weaning, and an improvement in fecal condition during the suckling period or from the suckling period to weaning. The suckling period is the period during which calves are fed liquid feed such as milk replacer or breast milk before weaning, and extends from 0 weeks of age to weaning. During this period, calves are fed not only liquid feed but also artificial milk and roughage as solid feed. The weaning period is the period after weaning during which calves are fed artificial milk and roughage, and generally extends from weaning to approximately 10 weeks after weaning. The weaning period is appropriately set for each farm depending on the method of nursing management, but in artificial feeding management with early mother-calf separation, weaning is generally performed at 6 to 12 weeks of age.

[0014] In a method for increasing colostrum production in female cows, it is desirable to provide folic acid in an amount sufficient to sufficiently increase the blood folic acid concentration of the female cow. Therefore, when non-bypassed folic acid is used in this method, the amount of folic acid provided may be 1.5 g to 10 g per cow per day, for example, 1.6 g to 10 g / cow / day, 1.7 g to 10 g / cow / day, 1.8 g to 10 g / cow / day, 1.9 g to 10 g / cow / day, or 2.0 g to 10 g / cow / day. The upper limit may be lower than 10 g, for example, 9 g, 8 g, 7 g, 6 g, or 5 g. Regarding the provision of bypassed folic acid to dairy cows, it is known that serum folic acid concentration increases when bypassed folic acid is provided at a rate of 35 mg / day in folic acid equivalent during the period before and after parturition (Non-Patent Document 2). Therefore, when using bypass folic acid in a method for increasing colostrum production, the feeding amount may be 35 mg to 2,000 mg per cow per day in terms of folic acid, for example, 40 mg to 2,000 mg / cow / day, 50 mg to 2,000 mg / cow / day, 70 mg to 2,000 mg / cow / day, 80 mg to 2,000 mg / cow / day, 90 mg to 2,000 mg / cow / day, or 100 mg to 2,000 mg / cow / day. The upper limit may be lower than 2,000 mg, for example, 1,800 mg, 1,700 mg, 1,600 mg, 1,500 mg, 1,400 mg, 1,300 mg, 1,200 mg, 1,100 mg, or 1,000 mg.

[0015] In the method for improving the health of calves, the amount of folic acid provided may be low enough that no significant increase in the blood folic acid concentration of the cow is observed. In the Examples below, it has been shown that the blood folic acid concentration of pregnant cows fed folic acid tended to increase slightly in the 1 g group compared to the 0 g group, but there was no significant difference (Figure 1), but the effects of improving the health of the newborn calves, such as increased colostrum intake and weight gain, were achieved (Figure 2, etc.). Therefore, in the method for improving the health of calves, when non-bypassed folic acid is used as the folic acid, the amount of folic acid provided may be 0.5 g to 10 g per head per day, for example, 0.8 g to 10 g / head / day, 1.0 g to 10 g / head / day, 1.2 g to 10 g / head / day, 1.5 g to 10 g / head / day, or 1.8 g to 10 g / head / day. The upper limit may be lower than 10 g, for example, 9 g, 8 g, 7 g, 6 g, or 5 g. When bypass folic acid is used as folic acid, the feeding amount may be 12 mg to 2,000 mg per head per day, for example, 15 mg to 2,000 mg / head / day, 20 mg to 2,000 mg / head / day, 25 mg to 2,000 mg / head / day, 30 mg to 2,000 mg / head / day, 35 mg to 2,000 mg / head / day, or 40 mg to 2,000 mg / head / day. The upper limit may be lower than 2,000 mg, for example, 1,800 mg, 1,700 mg, 1,600 mg, 1,500 mg, 1,400 mg, 1,300 mg, 1,200 mg, 1,100 mg, or 1,000 mg.

[0016] The feed given to pregnant cows (a combination of roughage and concentrate, or a TMR mixture of these) also contains a small amount of folic acid derived from the raw materials, and pregnant cows generally ingest about 5 to 10 mg of folic acid from the feed. When non-bypassed folic acid is given in the present invention, the above-mentioned amount of non-bypassed folic acid is the amount given in addition to the feed, in other words, the amount given as a supplement. The amount of non-bypassed folic acid given, including folic acid taken from the feed, may be a value obtained by adding about 5 mg to 10 mg to the above-mentioned upper and lower limits of the non-bypassed folic acid amount, or the amount of non-bypassed folic acid given, including folic acid taken from the feed, may be the same as the above-mentioned amount.

[0017] During the folic acid supplementation period, it is recommended to provide folic acid daily. The daily amount of folic acid can be given in multiple doses or in one dose.

[0018] Folic acid may be added to feed or drinking water, or may be given directly without being added to feed, etc. In the present invention, the feed given to pregnant cows may be a general feed or a combination of feeds commonly used for pregnant cows in the art, except that non-bypassed folic acid or bypassed folic acid is added as a supplement. For example, pregnant cows to be supplemented with folic acid in the present invention are those living under cobalt-sufficient conditions (total cobalt content of the feed is equal to or greater than the required amount of about 0.25 ppm and equal to or less than the maximum allowable amount of 25 ppm). [Example]

[0019] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, although the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0020] Example: Effect of folic acid supplementation on dairy breeding cattle 1. Materials and Methods (1) Period: November 2021 to September 2020 (2) Test location: Kasama Dairy and Beef Cattle Research Laboratory, rearing shed (3) Test animals: 42 Holstein breeding cows 2 months before parturition

[0021] (4) Test method: A. Test section: The following three groups were established. The folic acid preparation used was a preparation composed of 98% defatted rice bran and 2% non-bypassed folic acid. (a) 0 g group (n=14): The cows were fed 25.56 kg / head / day of the diet (TMR, folic acid content 29 μg / 100 g) that is commonly used at the Kasama Dairy and Beef Cattle Laboratory. The folic acid intake from the diet was 7.4 mg / head / day. (a) 1 g group (n=14); 0 g group: TMR was top-dressed with a folic acid preparation at 50 g / head / day (1 g / head / day as folic acid). (c) 2 g group (n=14); 0 g group: TMR was top-dressed with a folic acid preparation at 100 g / head / day (2 g / head / day as folic acid). A. Feeding management: Feed was provided twice a day, and water was allowed ad libitum. Calves within 24 hours of birth were hand-fed a diet of either the mother's colostrum or a colostrum preparation called "First Milk." Colostrum was given first, and if colostrum was not available, the colostrum preparation was given. Colostrum or colostrum preparation was given within one hour of birth, at 8:30, and at 16:30, for a maximum of three times per 24-hour period (or two times per 24-hour period depending on the time of delivery). Milk was available ad libitum, and was not force-fed. The mother cows were given a folic acid preparation from two months before delivery until delivery. The feeding management of the calves and mother cows during the rest of the period followed the practices of the Kasama Dairy and Beef Cattle Laboratory. Calves were weaned at eight weeks of age.

[0022] (5) Survey items: A. Feed ingredients: The general ingredients of the feed were analyzed by Cumberland Valley Analytical Service (CVAS) (analytical data omitted). Analysis of the folic acid content was outsourced to the Japan Food Research Laboratories, Inc., and was performed by microbial assay (using the strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 7469). A. Colostrum volume: Milk volume was measured within 24 hours after parturition. C. Colostrum components: Milk fat percentage, milk protein percentage, non-fat solids percentage, lactose percentage, and milk urea nitrogen were measured by the Kanto Raw Milk Sales Association. IgG concentration was also measured. d) Blood components: Blood samples were taken once a week until delivery, and general biochemical tests and folic acid concentration measurements were performed at Koto Microbiology Laboratory Co., Ltd. General biochemical tests were performed on the serum of calves immediately after birth and one day later. E. Body weight: The birth weight of the calves was measured. Thereafter, weight was measured every week until 10 weeks, and the average daily gain over 10 weeks was calculated. (f) Fecal score: Fecal characteristics were visually observed and recorded daily for 10 weeks. The severity of diarrhea was evaluated using a score of 0 for normal stool, 1 for loose stool, and 2 for watery stool.

[0023] (6) Statistical analysis: Analysis of variance was performed using model fitting in JMP Ver. 17.1. For the parameters measured in parent cows, one-way analysis of variance was performed with treatment as the factor. If the difference was significant, Tukey's HSD test was performed. For the parameters measured in calves, two-way analysis of variance was performed with treatment and sex as factors. If the treatment or interaction was significant, Tukey's HSD test was performed. In addition, simple regression analysis was performed with linear and quadratic polynomial degrees between the folic acid intake and each parameter value. A P value of 0.05 or less was considered significant, and a P value of 0.10 or less indicated a trend.

[0024] 2. Results and Discussion (1) Serum folate concentration in Holstein heifers (Figure 1) The serum folate concentration in the 2 g group was significantly higher than that in the 0 g group, while the serum folate concentration in the 1 g group tended to be slightly higher than that in the 0 g group, with no significant difference observed, and was almost the same.

[0025] (2) Colostrum properties (Table 1) Colostrum yield increased with the amount of folic acid fed, and colostrum yield in the 2 g group was significantly higher than that in the 0 g group. Folic acid supplementation did not have an effect on the percentage of milk components, MUN concentration, or IgG concentration, but folic acid supplementation increased solids-not-fat production, protein production, and IgG production, and the increase increased with the amount of folic acid fed. The linear increase in solids-not-fat production and protein production with folic acid supplementation was thought to be due to increased IgG production. Because milk component percentages are known to be diluted by milk yield, it is possible that the protein and solids-not-fat content were diluted in the 2 g group, which had a higher milk yield, resulting in no change in percentage.

[0026] [Table 1]

[0027] (3) Birth weight and colostrum intake of calves (Table 2) The sex breakdown of each group was 0 g (5 males, 9 females), 1 g (5 males, 9 females), and 2 g (6 males, 8 females). Birth weights were similar across groups. Colostrum intake increased with the amount of folic acid given, and a significant difference was observed in colostrum intake within 24 hours after birth between the 0 g group and the folic acid supplemented group. Calculation of the colostrum intake ratio per birth weight showed no significant difference between the groups in the intake ratio per birth weight within 12 hours after birth, with similar values. However, the intake ratio per birth weight within 24 hours after birth increased with folic acid supplementation, and the increase increased with the amount of folic acid given. In the folic acid supplemented group, colostrum intake was enthusiastic immediately after birth and continued without any decline even after 12 hours after birth. Since no differences were observed between groups in parturition time or frequency of milk feeding (data not shown), it was thought that the increase in colostrum intake by calves was due to the administration of folic acid to the parent cows.

[0028] [Table 2]

[0029] (4) IgG intake, serum IgG concentration, and absorption efficiency (AEA) of calves (Table 3) IgG intake within 12 hours after birth was comparable between the groups, but IgG intake within 24 hours after birth increased with folic acid supplementation, and the increase depended on the amount of folic acid given. Given the stable IgG concentration in colostrum contained in the "first milk" and the lack of differences between groups in colostrum IgG concentration, as noted above, this is likely due to the calf's colostrum intake. Serum IgG concentrations immediately after birth were consistent between the groups, confirming the absence of immune transfer. Serum IgG concentrations within 24 hours after birth in the 2 g group were higher than those in the 0 g group, and the increase in serum IgG concentrations depended on the amount of folic acid given. Folic acid supplementation had no effect on colostrum AEA within 24 hours after birth. These results suggest that prepartum folic acid supplementation increases calf colostrum intake and enhances IgG intake.

[0030] [Table 3]

[0031] (5) Average daily gain of calves over 10 weeks (Figure 2) The average daily gain of calves during the first 10 weeks of life increased linearly with increasing folic acid supplementation levels. Folic acid supplementation of pregnant cows before parturition improved calf gain, and the effect was confirmed to persist until at least the 10th week of life.

[0032] (6) Fecal score (Table 4) The fecal scores of calves during the first 10 weeks of life were reduced by folic acid supplementation of the dams. Calves were weaned at 8 weeks, and the period before weaning was evaluated as the suckling period, and the period after weaning was evaluated as the weaning period. Regardless of the period, the fecal scores during the suckling and weaning periods were linearly lower with increasing folic acid supplementation. Folic acid supplementation of pregnant cows before parturition improved the fecal quality of calves, and this effect was confirmed to last at least until the 10th week of life.

[0033] [Table 4]

Claims

1. A method for improving the health of a calf delivered by a pregnant cow, comprising feeding the cow non-bypassed folic acid in an amount of 0.5 g to 10 g / head / day or bypassed folic acid in an amount of 12 mg to 2,000 mg / head / day in terms of folic acid for a period of at least 50 days before calving.

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the period of providing folic acid is at least two months before parturition.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of non-bypassed folic acid fed is 0.8 g to 10 g / head / day, and the amount of bypassed folic acid fed is 20 mg to 2,000 mg / head / day in terms of folic acid.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the improvement in the health condition of the calf is at least one selected from an increase in colostrum intake, an increase in weight gain from the lactation period to weaning, and an improvement in fecal condition during the lactation period or from the lactation period to weaning.

5. A method for increasing colostrum production in pregnant cows, comprising feeding non-bypassed folic acid in an amount of 1.5 g to 10 g / cow / day for a period of at least 50 days before calving, or feeding bypassed folic acid in an amount of 35 mg to 2,000 mg / cow / day in terms of folic acid.

6. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the period of providing folic acid is at least two months before parturition.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the amount of non-bypassed folic acid fed is 1.8 g to 10 g / head / day, and the amount of bypassed folic acid fed is 50 mg to 2,000 mg / head / day in terms of folic acid.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein folic acid is not provided after parturition, but folic acid is provided during the period before parturition.

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