Silica for improving milk production in dairy animals

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of dairy industry, such as the farming of cattle, buffalo, camels, yaks, goats, sheep, horses, donkeys, alpacas, mitangs, llamas, zebu cattle, etc. In these fields, there is still an unmet need for new methods that allow for improved milk production, improved milk quality, improved feed efficiency and / or reduced environmental impact. The present invention resides in the discovery that this can be achieved by using a bioavailable form of silicic acid as an additive that can be fed to animals, usually via feed, pasture and / or drinking water.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of milk production. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of bioavailable silicic acid compounds in the dairy livestock industry to improve productivity, in particular to increase milk production, improve milk quality, improve feed efficiency, etc. The present invention also relates to a method for raising dairy animals, which uses bioavailable silicic acid compounds, and to specific compositions comprising bioavailable silicic acid compounds, which are particularly adapted for use in the dairy livestock industry. [Background technology]

[0002] Milk and milk components from dairy animals are used in various forms to manufacture food. Global milk production increased by more than 59%, from 530 million tonnes in 1988 to 843 million tonnes in 2018. India is the largest milk producer, accounting for 22% of global production, followed by the United States, China, Pakistan, and Brazil. Since the 1970s, most of the expansion in milk production has been in South Asia, which has been the main driver of milk production growth in developing countries. Countries with the largest milk surpluses are New Zealand, the United States, Germany, France, Australia, and Ireland. Countries with the largest milk deficits are China, Italy, the Russian Federation, Mexico, Algeria, and Indonesia.

[0003] Developing countries' share of global milk production has increased in recent decades. Milk production in Africa has increased more slowly than in other developing regions due to poverty and poor weather conditions in some countries. In many parts of the world, growth has primarily been the result of an increase in the number of producing animals, rather than increased productivity per animal. For example, in countries such as Bangladesh and Nigeria, the average milk yield per cow is less than 500 kg / year. In countries with more developed dairy sectors, such as Iran, Peru, and Vietnam, the average milk yield per cow exceeds 1,500 kg / year. In Europe, yields are higher, up to 7,000–8,000 kg / year. Low productivity per cow is often the result of poor-quality feed resources, disease outbreaks, limited access to markets and services (e.g., health, credit, and training), and genetically low milk-producing potential in dairy animals. Unlike developed countries, many developing countries experience high temperatures and / or humidity that are unfavorable for dairy farming.

[0004] There is a recognized need to improve the performance of the dairy sector to meet the growing global demand for dairy products and to reduce or minimize its environmental impact. Improvements in livestock productivity, feed use efficiency and judicious sourcing of feed would reduce the sector's demand for resources such as land and water, and its impact on the environment.

[0005] Forage has the greatest impact on feed efficiency. Because it constitutes the majority of the slowly digested portion of a lactating dairy cow's diet, it is critical for maintaining a desirable level of feed efficiency (FE). Forage is also the feed ingredient with the most variability in digestibility and nutrient composition, accounting for a greater proportion than any other feed, thus significantly impacting FE. Increased digestibility of forage has been shown to lead to increased FE. Another way for forage to influence FE is by maintaining a desirable rumen environment. Acidosis (low rumen pH) can alter the microbial profile in the rumen, reducing fiber digestibility and negatively impacting FE. Adequate physically effective fiber (grass particle size) in the diet stimulates chewing and rumination, increases salivation, and improves ruminal buffering capacity, maintaining a favorable rumen environment.

[0006] As feed efficiency and productivity become more of a focus in livestock operations, the production of high-quality forage is increasingly competing with human food availability, and feed additives have therefore received increasing attention over the past few years as a means of improving feed efficiency and productivity.

[0007] For example, there is evidence that feeding lactating dairy cows yeast, ionophores, and direct-feeding microorganisms can increase feed efficiency, especially when the cows are heat-stressed. These additives generally increase FE by positively affecting fiber digestion. RONOZYME® RumiStar™ contains α-amylase, which increases the rate of starch degradation in the rumen. It catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch into oligosaccharides, which are used as an energy source by fiber-degrading bacteria. This improves cell wall degradation, leading to better fiber digestion. WO 2016 / 128530 relates to the combination of amylase and an essential oil mixture, which is said to specifically improve the digestibility of corn diets.

[0008] Currently known feed additives suffer from drawbacks such as, for example, they are typically limited in increments, are not widely available, are not affordable, especially in developing regions of the world, and are not universally applicable.

[0009] As can be seen, there remains an unmet need in the dairy industry for new and improved ways to improve milk production, milk quality, feed efficiency and animal growth. It is an object of the present invention to meet this need. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Generally speaking, the present invention resides in the discovery that the aforementioned objectives can be achieved by using a bioavailable form of silicic acid. Numerous experiments, some of which are described in the experimental section of this specification, have shown that the use of certain bioavailable silicic acid compounds in dairy animals has significant beneficial effects on milk production, milk quality, feed efficiency and animal growth. The significant beneficial effects observed in the various studies are likely intertwined and interdependent, and the various mechanisms that may be involved have not yet been fully elucidated.

[0011] The use of bioavailable forms of silicic acid to treat animals is described in WO 03 / 101915. According to WO 03 / 101915, treatment of animals (and humans) with a product containing an aqueous solution of boric acid and non-colloidal silicic acid can be used to strengthen connective tissue, bones, skin, nails, arteries, cartilage, and joints. With regard to the actual treatment of animals, WO 03 / 101915 only describes tests in horses, and the main finding was that the treatment led to strengthening of the hooves. Based on these results, WO 03 / 101915 teaches the use of non-colloidal silicic acid and boron-containing solutions to treat animals. WO 03 / 101915 does not teach any other effects of the treatment on milk production, milk quality, feed efficiency, or growth of animals in the dairy industry.

[0012] To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to show that the administration of bioavailable silicic acid compounds favorably affects animal productivity, milk quality, feed efficiency and growth.

[0013] Thus, a first aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound in the dairy industry, in particular in the rearing of dairy animals such as cows, cattle, buffaloes, yaks, goats, sheep, alpacas, camels, mittens, llamas, donkeys, etc., typically as an additive to feed and / or drinking water.

[0014] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for the dairy industry, in particular for rearing dairy animals such as cows, cattle, buffalo, yaks, goats, sheep, alpacas, camels, mittens, llamas, donkeys and the like, said method comprising the step of administering to said animals a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound.

[0015] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for the dairy industry, in particular for rearing dairy animals such as cows, cattle, buffaloes, yaks, goats, sheep, alpacas, camels, mittens, llamas, donkeys and the like, said method comprising the step of adding bioavailable silicic acid compounds to feed and / or drinking water and feeding the same to said animals.

[0016] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a non-therapeutic method of treating dairy livestock animals such as cows, cattle, buffalo, yaks, goats, sheep, alpacas, camels, mittens, llamas, donkeys, etc., which method comprises administering to the animal a composition comprising a bioavailable silica compound.

[0017] A still further aspect of the present invention relates to a composition comprising a bioavailable silicate compound for use in the therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of dairy livestock animals such as cows, cattle, buffalo, yaks, goats, sheep, alpacas, camels, mittens, llamas, donkeys, etc.

[0018] A still further aspect of the present invention relates to a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound for use in the manufacture of a product for the therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of dairy livestock animals such as cows, cattle, buffalo, yaks, goats, sheep, alpacas, camels, mittens, llamas, donkeys, etc.

[0019] A still further aspect of the present invention relates to a method of treating dairy livestock animals, such as dairy cows (or cattle), buffalo, yaks, goats, sheep, alpacas, camels, mittens, llamas, donkeys, etc., by administering a composition comprising a bioavailable silica compound to the animal.

[0020] These and other aspects of the present invention, as well as preferred embodiments thereof, will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the detailed description and examples. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Detailed Description of the Invention As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art based on the teachings of the present invention, the compositions used in the present invention include a bioavailable silicate compound.

[0022] In the present invention, the term "silicic acid" refers to the compound having the basic structure [SiO 2-x (OH) 2x (H2O) m ] n (where x = 0 or 1; m = 0, 1, or 2; and n > 1). Therefore, such compounds contain orthosilicic acid (Si(OH)4) as the basic building block. Si(OH)4 is relatively unstable and tends to self-condense to form oligomers and / or polymers, such as dimers (2Si(OH)4 ←→ (HO)3Si-O-Si(OH)3 + HO), trimers ((HO)3Si-O-Si(OH)3 + Si(OH)4 ←→ (HO)3Si-O-Si(OH)2-O-Si(OH)3 + HO). The formation of small-sized particles (non-colloids, quasi-colloids, microcolloids, and colloids) is a stepwise process. This process ultimately leads to the formation of soft gels with low bioavailability. Colloid and gel formation is pH dependent. The longest gelation time occurs at pH 2. At lower, more alkaline pH, the time for colloid and final gel formation decreases (Ralph K. Iler. The Chemistry of Silica. Wiley: New York, 1979). The steps from monomer to sol-gel polymerization can be summarized as follows: 1. Orthosilicic acid monomer in acid medium; 2. Polymerization of orthosilicic acid from monomers to dimers, trimers, tetramers, linear or cyclic oligomers, with over 1000 silicic acid monomer structures; 3. Further condensation into linear or randomly branched polymers consisting of several thousand silicic acid monomers, called "quasi-colloids", usually in the form of small spherical particles with a particle size of 1-10 nm; 4. Growth of these particles to a size of about 10-100 nm, called colloids; 5. Particles link together in chains (aggregation); 6. Linked in a network and expanded throughout the liquid (aggregation, pregel); 7. Gel Concentration

[0023] The term "bioavailable" as used herein refers to silicic acid provided in a form that can be absorbed by the body. Bioavailable forms of silicic acid include, in particular, silicic acid monomer (also known as orthosilicic acid) and silicic acid dimer, which is believed to exist in equilibrium with silicic acid monomer in aqueous systems.

[0024] The term "bioavailable silicic acid compounds" refers to compounds having the basic structure [SiO 2 ], which are in a form that allows them to release / liberate (i.e., by depolymerization) silicic acid monomers when dispersed in, for example, water or an aqueous system. 2-x (OH) 2x (H2O) m ] n As used herein, the term "biovatable silicic acid compounds" is used to encompass compounds having the formula: Such bioavailable silicic acid compounds include, in particular, silicic acid monomers (also called orthosilicic acid) and silicic acid dimers, as well as the compounds defined in steps 2 and 3 above. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bioavailable silicic acid compounds are selected from the group consisting of silicic acid monomers (also called orthosilicic acid), silicic acid dimers, silicic acid oligomers and quasi-colloidal silicic acid polymers, and combinations thereof.

[0025] Preferably, in the composition used in the present invention, at least 50 mol%, more preferably at least 60 mol%, even more preferably at least 70 mol%, even more preferably at least 75 mol%, even more preferably at least 80 mol%, even more preferably at least 85 mol%, even more preferably at least 90 mol%, even more preferably at least 95 mol%, even more preferably at least 97.5 mol% of the silicon contained in the composition is in the form of bioavailable silicic acid compounds as defined herein.It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the term "silicon" is used in this specification with its (only) conventional meaning, that is, to indicate the chemical element with symbol Si.Therefore, in the present disclosure, when a certain mol% of silicon contained in composition (as bioavailable silicic acid compounds) is described, it refers to the percentage of the total number of Si atoms (in the form of bioavailable silicic acid compounds) contained in the composition.

[0026] The compositions used in the present invention preferably comprise quasi-colloidal silicic acid, i.e., primarily silicic acid as defined in steps 2 and 3 above. Solutions containing such quasi-colloidal particles pass through a 0.1 micron filter. The present invention is not directed to the use of silicic acid in colloidal or sol form and / or methods of using same. While trace amounts of these species may be present in the compositions of the present invention, the compositions of the present invention are not directed to non-colloidal silicic acid (i.e., primarily silicic acid having the basic structure [SiO ] as defined in steps 2 and 3 above). 2-x (OH) 2x (H2O) m ] n The compound substantially comprises a compound having the formula:

[0027] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bioavailable silicic acid compound is quasi-colloidal silicic acid, more preferably silicic acid in the form of quasi-colloidal particles having a size of 10 nm or less, more preferably 8 nm or less, even more preferably 6 nm or less, even more preferably 5 nm or less, and most preferably 4 nm or less. Furthermore, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bioavailable silicic acid compound is quasi-colloidal silicic acid, more preferably silicic acid in the form of quasi-colloidal particles having a size of 1 to 10 nm, more preferably 1.5 to 8 nm, even more preferably 2 to 6 nm, even more preferably 3 to 5 nm, and most preferably 3.5 to 4 nm. The particle size is measured by: 29 This can be done using Si NMR spectroscopy, TEM and / or SEM. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, even more preferably at least 70%, even more preferably at least 75%, even more preferably at least 80%, even more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 95% of the siliceous acid-containing particles in the composition have particle diameters within the above-mentioned size range. Those skilled in the art will understand that the aforementioned percentages represent the number of particles that meet the indicated particle size characteristics relative to the total number of particles.

[0028] The composition used in the present invention is usually in the form of an aqueous dispersion or solution of bioavailable silicic acid compounds at a suitable concentration that can be practically added to drinking water and / or feed or pasture for dairy livestock animals.Although the present invention is not particularly limited in this regard, preferred embodiments are envisioned in which the composition used contains at least 0.01 ppm, at least 0.05 ppm, at least 0.1 ppm, at least 0.5 ppm, at least 1 ppm, at least 5 ppm, or at least 10 ppm of bioavailable silicic acid compounds.Furthermore, preferred embodiments are envisioned in which the composition used contains less than 5000 ppm, for example, less than 1000 ppm, less than 500 ppm, less than 100 ppm, less than 50 ppm, or less than 10 ppm of bioavailable silicic acid compounds.

[0029] The aforementioned aqueous solutions or dispersions can usually be prepared from highly concentrated aqueous products or products in dry solid form by diluting / mixing such products with an appropriate amount of water or feed immediately before actual use. It is known that aggregation of sub-colloidal silicic acid particles (to stage 4 or higher forms) can occur over time, particularly in highly concentrated products, resulting in opalescence, turbidity, light reflection, colloidal and gel formation, and loss of biological activity during storage. Therefore, such products in concentrated or dry solid form may contain additives effective in preventing the formation of colloidal or macrocolloidal silicic acid particles. International Publications WO 2003 / 101915 and WO 2011 / 071379, both of which are incorporated herein by reference, describe various techniques for stabilizing concentrated products containing bioavailable silicic acid compounds. Therefore, the compositions used in the present invention may contain additives taught in WO 2003 / 101915 and WO 2011 / 071379. However, as will be understood by those skilled in the art based on the teachings of the present invention, the presence of such additives in the compositions used is not, in itself, important or necessary to achieve the beneficial effects in the dairy industry described herein; what is important is that the compositions used contain bioavailable silicic acid compounds, regardless of the method of preparation and provision of the compositions and / or the measures adopted to stabilize the compositions during (long-term) storage. However, from a practical point of view, the compositions taught in WO 2003 / 101915 and WO 2011 / 071379 may be advantageous for the purposes of the present invention. Thus, in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the compositions comprise (1) an acidified aqueous solution of quasi-colloidal silicic acid, in combination with (2) boric acid and / or (3) a water-absorbing additive.In a preferred embodiment, the water-absorbing additive comprises a humectant selected from the group consisting of polysorbates, vegetable gums, substituted celluloses, polyglycerol esters of fatty acids, polyethylene glycol, polydextrose, propylene glycol, propylene glycol alginate, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, pectin or amidated pectin, sucrose esters of fatty acids, acetylated or hydroxypropyl starch, starch phosphate, urea, sorbitol, maltitol, (pro)vitamins, and mixtures of two or more thereof. Preferably, the concentration of the water-absorbing additive is at least 10% by weight, e.g., at least 25% by weight, at least 40% by weight, or at least 50% by weight, of the composition based on dry solids weight. The concentration of the water-absorbing additive is typically less than 75% by weight, e.g., less than 70% by weight, less than 65% by weight, or less than 60% by weight, of the composition based on dry solids weight. In embodiments combining bioavailable silicate compounds with boric acid, the Si / B molar ratio is preferably 0.1 to 1000, more preferably 0.5 to 500, 1 to 400, or 1.5 to 300. In preferred embodiments, the composition is filterable through a 0.1 micron filter. In preferred embodiments, the composition is filterable through a 20,000 Mw (Da) filter.

[0030] Representative compositions particularly suitable for use according to the invention are the products sold under the trade names AB Silicow®, AB Siliyak®, AB Silichicken®, AB Silifish®, OSAB®, OSAB3®, OSABPLUS® and OSABSIPLUS® by RexilAgro bv (The Netherlands).

[0031] Compositions comprising bioavailable silicic acid that are particularly suitable and preferred for the methods and uses of the present invention include those defined in European Patent Application No. 22188329.1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0032] Other types of bioavailable silicic acid are known in the art and / or are commercially available as well, and their suitability for purposes of the present invention will depend on the particular techniques and chemicals used to stabilize the bioavailable silicic acid. Making such a determination is within the ordinary capabilities of one skilled in the art in light of the teachings of the present invention.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the composition may further comprise one or more other nutrients selected from the group consisting of zinc, manganese, copper, molybdenum, selenium, humic acid, fulvic acid, amino acids, etc. In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the composition may further comprise one or more other feed additives conventionally used in the dairy industry.

[0034] One aspect of the present invention provides compositions that are themselves adapted for the uses and methods of the present invention, for example, any of the compositions defined herein, including products in concentrated and dry solid form that require mixing / dilution with water before actual use. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a product is provided in the form of a container containing a composition as defined herein, which may be a concentrated product or a dry solid form that requires mixing / dilution with water before actual use, said container comprising instructions printed on the container and / or on a label associated with the container, regarding the use of the composition for the purposes and / or in the methods defined herein.

[0035] As will be understood by those skilled in the art based on the teachings of the present invention, the methods and uses of the present invention involve adding a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound, preferably a composition as defined herein, to a feed composition and / or drinking water fed to an animal so as to achieve one or more of the beneficial effects mentioned herein (such as increased growth, increased feed conversion, increased milk production, improved milk quality, etc.). In the present invention, the composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound can be added separately to the feed and / or drinking water. However, it is also contemplated that the composition may be mixed or blended with other products, such as other feed additives, vitamins, minerals, etc., that are added to feed and / or drinking water in the course of normal dairy industry practice.

[0036] For optimal results, the use and method involve adding the composition comprising bioavailable silicic acid compounds to drinking water in an amount that results in at least 0.1 ppm, preferably at least 0.5 ppm, at least 1 ppm, at least 2.5 ppm, at least 5 ppm, or at least 10 ppm of bioavailable silicic acid compounds in the water, for example, about 25 ppm of bioavailable silicic acid compounds in drinking water.Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the use and method involve adding the composition to drinking water in an amount that results in less than 1000 ppm, preferably less than 750 ppm, less than 500 ppm, less than 250 ppm, less than 100 ppm, or less than 50 ppm of bioavailable silicic acid compounds in the water.

[0037] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the use and method involve adding a composition comprising bioavailable silicic acid compounds to a feed, i.e., a standard feed or pasture composition conventionally used in the rearing of suitable species, in an amount that results in at least 0.001 ppm, preferably at least 0.005 ppm, at least 0.01 ppm, at least 0.025 ppm, at least 0.05 ppm, or at least 0.10 ppm, for example about 0.25 ppm, of bioavailable silicic acid compounds in the feed. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the use and method involve adding the composition to the feed in an amount that results in less than 10 ppm, preferably less than 7.5 ppm, less than 5 ppm, less than 2.5 ppm, less than 1 ppm, or less than 0.5 ppm, of bioavailable silicic acid compounds in the feed.

[0038] In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, the uses and methods involve administering bioavailable silicic acid compounds to animals at a dosage of at least 0.001 mg / kg, preferably at least 0.005 mg / kg, at least 0.01 mg / kg, at least 0.025 mg / kg, at least 0.05 mg / kg or at least 0.1 mg / kg of bioavailable silicic acid compounds. In yet other preferred embodiments of the present invention, the uses and methods involve administering bioavailable silicic acid compounds to animals at a dosage of less than 5 mg / kg, preferably less than 2.5 mg / kg, less than 1 mg / kg, less than 0.5 mg / kg, less than 0.25 mg / kg or less than 0.1 mg / kg of bioavailable silicic acid compounds.

[0039] For optimal results, it is preferred to repeatedly feed the animals with feed rich in bioavailable silicic acid compounds, for example, the uses and methods involve repeatedly administering the bioavailable silicic acid compounds of the present invention, for example at least once every 10 days, at least once every 7 days, at least once every 5 days, at least once every 3 days, at least once every 2 days, or at least every time, or up to two or three times a day. In particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the treated animals are administered the bioavailable silicic acid compounds of the present invention daily, preferably once daily, twice daily, three times daily or four times daily.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the administration of the bioavailable silicic acid compound according to the above regimen continues for a period of at least 1 week, at least 2 weeks, at least 3 weeks, at least 4 weeks, at least 1 month, at least 2 months, at least 3 months or at least 4 months. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the addition of the composition comprising the bioavailable silicic acid compound to the water and / or feed is carried out according to the above regimen for substantially or the entire lifespan or life cycle of the animal.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the animal is selected from the group consisting of dairy livestock animals in the broadest sense. As known to those skilled in the art, there may be differences between different regions of the world regarding the animals most typically used for milk production, and the present invention is not particularly limited with respect to the exact type of livestock that may be treated. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the livestock animal treated by administering a bioavailable silicic acid compound is selected from the Bovidae, Camelidae, and Equidae families. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the livestock animal treated by administering a bioavailable silicic acid compound is selected from the following genera: cattle, buffalo, camel, yak, goat, sheep, horse, donkey, alpaca, mitang, llama, and zebu, most preferably from the group consisting of cattle, goats, and sheep.

[0042] In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the animal is not a horse, more preferably the animal is not a species of the genus Equus, more preferably a species of the family Equidae.

[0043] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the animals to be treated are female, adult, and in lactation. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the animals to be treated are in early, mid, and / or late lactation, most preferably in mid and / or late lactation, most preferably in late lactation. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the animals to be treated are cows in the 1st to 12th month of lactation, e.g., 2nd to 12th month, 3rd to 12th month, 4th to 12th month, 1st to 10th month, 2nd to 10th month, 3rd to 10th month, 4th to 10th month, 1st to 8th month, 2nd to 8th month, 3rd to 8th month, or 4th to 8th month.

[0044] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the treated animal is healthy, in good condition, not in poor health, not suffering from a disease, not suffering from an abnormal condition, and / or not in poor health. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the treated animal is not at particular and / or increased risk for a disease, condition, or health condition.

[0045] As explained, the methods and uses of the present invention lead to and / or aim at achieving one or more beneficial effects related to milk production, milk quality, feed efficiency and animal growth. In the methods and uses of the present invention, compositions containing bioavailable silicic acid compounds, as defined herein, may be considered as feed additives, such as technical feed additives, nutritional feed additives or zootechnical additives. In the present invention, these terms and their meanings are well known and understood by those skilled in the art.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, the method and use leads to and / or aims at increasing the overall milk yield. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the yield is increased, typically by at least 5% by weight, compared to the yield achieved under the same conditions but without treatment with silicic acid. In particularly preferred embodiments, the yield is increased by at least 7.5%, at least 10%, at least 12.5%, at least 15%, at least 17.5% or at least 20%.

[0047] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the animals are cows or dairy cattle and the method of the invention leads to and / or aims at an increase in yield of at least 0.5 kg per animal per day compared to the yield achieved under the same conditions but without treatment with silicic acid, in particularly preferred embodiments said yield is increased by at least 0.75 kg, at least 1.25 kg, at least 1.5 kg, at least 1.75 kg, at least 2 kg, at least 2.25 kg or at least 2.5 kg per animal per day.

[0048] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the animals are cows or dairy cows and the method of the invention leads to and / or aims at an increase in yield of at least 0.5 L per animal per day compared to the yield achieved under the same conditions but without treatment with silicic acid, in particularly preferred embodiments said yield is increased by at least 0.75 L, at least 1.25 L, at least 1.5 L, at least 1.75 L, at least 2 L, at least 2.25 L or at least 2.5 L per animal per day.

[0049] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the animals are cows or dairy cattle and the method of the invention leads to and / or is aimed at increasing and / or maintaining yield of at least 12.5 L per animal per day, preferably at least 13 L, at least 13.5 L, at least 14 L, at least 14.5 L or at least 15 L per animal per day.

[0050] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the animal is a cow or dairy cow, and the method of the present invention leads to and / or aims at increasing the yield, expressed as 3.5% FCM milk, by at least 0.5 kg per animal per day compared to the yield achieved under the same conditions but without treatment with silicic acid. As used herein, the term "FCM milk" refers to fat-corrected milk, a measure used in the art to standardize milk production and allow meaningful comparisons by combining actual milk and fat yields into a single value representing the milk volume at a specified fat percentage. For this purpose, various conversions can usually be selected. The standard formula for FCM 3.5% fat is as follows: FCM(3.5%)=0.35M+18.57F (Where M=amount of milk (kg), F=amount of fat (kg), "M" is the amount of milk). In particularly preferred embodiments, the yield is increased by at least 0.75 kg, at least 1.25 kg, at least 1.5 kg, at least 1.75 kg, at least 2 kg, at least 2.25 kg or at least 2.5 kg per animal per day.

[0051] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the animal is a cow or dairy cattle and the method of the invention leads to and / or is aimed at increasing yield expressed as 3.5% FCM milk to a level of at least 33.5 kg, preferably at least 34 kg, preferably at least 34.5 kg, at least 35 kg, at least 35.5 kg or at least 36 kg per animal per day and / or maintaining yield expressed as 3.5% FCM milk at that level.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present invention, the method and use lead to and / or aim at improving feed utilization. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method and use lead to and / or aim at improving feed conversion ratio, which is known in the art as FCR, and is a measure of an animal's efficiency in converting feed mass into a desired increase in production. In food-producing animals, production is the mass obtained by the animal, and in dairy animals, production is milk. Specifically, unless otherwise specified in this disclosure, FCR is calculated as the mass of feed per mass of milk over a specified period. An improvement in feed utilization means a reduction in FCR value compared to the FCR achieved under the same conditions but without treatment with silicic acid. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the improvement in feed utilization is reflected by a reduction in FCR of at least 2.5%, preferably at least 5%, at least 7.5%, at least 10%, at least 12.5%, or at least 15%.

[0053] In one aspect of the invention, the methods and uses lead to and / or aim at improving milk quality.

[0054] In one aspect of the present invention, the method and use typically leads to and / or aims at increasing the fat content of milk by at least 0.5% by weight. As used herein, the term "fat content of milk" refers to the amount of fat relative to the total weight of milk. In particularly preferred aspects, the fat content is increased by at least 0.25%, 0.5%, at least 0.75%, at least 1%, or at least 1.25% by weight compared to the fat level achieved under the same conditions but without silicic acid treatment. In another particularly preferred aspect, the fat level of milk is increased to and maintained at a level greater than 4.1%, preferably greater than 4.25%, 4.5%, 4.75%, 5%, or 5.25% by weight.

[0055] In one embodiment of the present invention, the method and use typically leads to and / or aims at increasing the protein content of milk by at least 0.25% by weight. As used herein, the term "protein content of milk" refers to the amount of protein relative to the total weight of milk. In particularly preferred embodiments, the fat content is increased by at least 0.30%, 0.35%, at least 0.40%, at least 0.45%, or at least 0.50% by weight compared to the protein level achieved under the same conditions but without silicic acid treatment. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the protein level of milk is increased to and maintained at a level greater than 3.35%, preferably greater than 3.4%, greater than 3.5%, greater than 3.6%, greater than 3.7%, or greater than 3.8% by weight.

[0056] In one aspect of the invention, the methods and uses lead to and / or aim at reducing the ecological impact of the dairy industry.

[0057] In particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the method and use does not have and / or is not intended to have any effect on the health of dairy animals, such as curing, preventing, or alleviating one or more symptoms of a disease or condition. In particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the method and use is non-therapeutic, e.g., non-curative and non-prophylactic. In particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the method and use does not have and / or is not intended to have an effect on the immune system, such as strengthening the immune system. In particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the method and use does not lead to and / or is not intended to strengthen connective tissue, bone, skin, nails, arteries, cartilage, and joints, and / or prevent or cure any disease or condition associated with (lack of) strength of connective tissue, bone tissue, skin tissue, nails, arteries, cartilage, and / or joints. In particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the method and use includes the treatment of healthy animals, animals that are free from and / or are not known to have a disease or health condition.

[0058] Treatment according to the present invention, when applied to healthy animals, results in the productivity improvements described herein, regardless of disease or health status, but has been reported to have a beneficial effect on the health of animals suffering from mastitis. Accordingly, in further aspects of the present invention, treatment uses and methods lead to and / or are aimed at alleviating, curing, and / or preventing mastitis in dairy livestock. Accordingly, further aspects of the present invention relate to methods for treating or preventing mastitis in dairy livestock, said methods comprising the administration of a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound, as defined herein; the use of a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound, as defined herein, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment and / or prevention of mastitis in dairy livestock; and compositions comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound, as defined herein, for use in the treatment and / or prevention of mastitis in dairy livestock. Such methods for treating and / or preventing mastitis in dairy livestock comprise administering bioavailable silicic acid compounds and compositions comprising same according to the present disclosure, in accordance with the treatment protocols and regimens defined herein.

[0059] In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the methods and uses do not affect and / or are not aimed at the treatment and / or prevention of mastitis. Furthermore, in certain preferred embodiments of the invention, the animals to be treated do not suffer from mastitis.

[0060] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the present invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

[0061] As used herein, "a" or "an" refers to both the singular and the plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. By way of example, "a section" refers to one or more than one section.

[0062] "About," as used herein to refer to a measurable value such as a parameter, amount, duration, etc., is meant to encompass variations of the specified value by no more than ±10%, more preferably no more than ±5%, and even more preferably no more than ±1%, to the extent that such variations are appropriate for practice in the disclosed invention. However, it should be understood that the value to which the modifier "about" refers is itself specifically disclosed.

[0063] As used herein, the terms "comprise," "comprising," and "composed of" are synonymous with "contain," "containing," and "having," and are inclusive or open-ended terms that specify the presence of the item (e.g., component) that follows, but do not exclude or preclude the presence of other components, features, elements, materials, or steps that are known in the art or disclosed in the specification but are not specifically recited.

[0064] The recitation of numerical ranges includes all integers and fractions subsumed within that range, as well as the recited endpoints. One skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may incorporate any number of the specific features.

[0065] Throughout this specification, the use of parentheses generally means that the term within the parentheses specifies possible alternatives or possible meanings and should not be considered limiting.

[0066] The advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following examples, which are given by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation. [Example]

[0067] experiment Example 1: Testing of silicic acid in cattle A study was conducted to determine the effect of silicic acid as a feed additive on milk production and overall efficiency in healthy dairy cows.

[0068] Materials and Methods Four groups of 10 dairy cows were selected for the study at the dairy farm of VB Veteran College, NAU, Navsari, South. Each group was mixed in terms of age, stage of lactation, gestation period, production level and assigned to a control. Group 1: 5ml / day of silicic acid-containing supplement Group 2: 10ml / day of silicic acid-containing supplement Group 3: 15ml / day of silicic acid-containing supplement Group 4: Control (no silicic acid).

[0069] Silica-containing supplement / day groups (1-3): Treatment groups (1-3) were fed a silicic acid-containing supplement containing 0.8% stabilized silicic acid (Siliyak® ex ReXil Agro BV, The Netherlands).

[0070] Milk, fat and protein production levels were recorded every 14 days for two months. After the first month, each group was transitioned to a different silica level.

[0071] Results and Discussion Milk production data showed improvements in milk, fat percentage and FPCM (fat and protein corrected milk) at all dietary levels compared to the control group. There was only a slight decrease in protein percentage at all silica dietary levels. A dose of 5ml / kg of silica-containing supplement was most effective in increasing milk production, while a dose of 10ml / kg of silica-containing supplement was more effective in increasing fat and FPCM.

[0072] The 15 ml / kg diet containing silicic acid additive was not optimal as the higher dose resulted in lower production compared to the 5 ml and 10 ml / kg diet containing silicic acid additive groups.

[0073] conclusion Results have shown that silica has beneficial effects on milk production characteristics in dairy cows. Silica-containing additives may prevent disease and increase feed conversion, providing organic livestock producers with a low-cost, multi-nutritional liquid feed supplement with the added benefit of being able to reduce or increase butterfat levels by varying the level of silica-containing additives in the feed.

[0074] Example 2: Effect of silicic acid on milk production in cows (cattle) and goats Further studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of silicic acid on milk production, including protein and milk content, in healthy dairy cows and healthy goats.

[0075] Materials and Methods In several studies, the effect of applying silicic acid-containing additives was tested in dairy cows. The silicic acid-containing additives were added to the drinking water.

[0076] Four groups of 10 dairy cows each were selected for this study and compared with controls at the (organic) dairy farm of Limzar Farmers Cooperative Society in Navsari, South Gujrat. The cows were fed a nutritional program to implement an optimal diet. The treatment groups (G1-G4) were initially fed a supplement containing 0.8% stabilized silicic acid (OSAB® ex ReXil Agro BV, The Netherlands).

[0077] The cows were selected based on breed (pedigree), health status, age, lactation stage, and production level. They were then divided into four groups and a control group (no silica added). Silica was added to the drinking water according to the following regimen:

[0078] [Table 1]

[0079] Due to supply issues (related to COVID-19) midway through the trial, the site temporarily switched to a different locally sourced stabilized silicic acid-containing composition (administered at an equivalent dose).

[0080] Milk production, fat and protein levels were recorded every 10 days for four months. After the first month, each group was transitioned to a different silica level. Results were then recorded.

[0081] result Milk production data showed improvements in milk yield, fat percentage, and FPCM (fat and protein corrected milk) at all dietary levels compared to the control group. In particular, group G2, which received 2 ml / L of silica three times per day, showed the greatest increase of 20.2% (= an increase in milk production of 206 L / cow / year in G2, 2066 L / year).

[0082] Additionally, fat content increased from 36.6 (control) to 42 g / kg in group G2 (+15.7%). Protein content increased by 2% in groups G1, G3, and G4, and 7% in group G2. Overall, two applications were less effective than three applications, but were significantly more effective than the control.

[0083] [Table 2]

[0084] [Table 3A]

[0085] [Table 3B]

[0086] The temporary switch to a different type of silicic acid-containing composition midway through the study did not result in any noticeable changes in performance parameters in any of the G1-G4 treatment groups.

[0087] conclusion Results showed that stabilized silicic acid has a beneficial effect on the milk production characteristics of dairy cows. This product has been shown to be effective in increasing milk yield and fat percentage, depending on the concentration and frequency of application. Furthermore, silicic acid-containing additives may increase feed conversion ratio at low cost.

[0088] Example 3: Use of silica-containing feed additives in dairy cows, Navsari University, Gujarat, India, 2021 Initial trials have demonstrated that animal feed supplements containing bioavailable silica increase nutrient reabsorption and stimulate milk production. Based on the initial results, follow-up trials will be conducted in healthy cows.

[0089] Materials and Methods Four groups of 10 cows each were selected for the study at the organic dairy farm of Limzar Farmers Cooperative Society in Navsari, South Gujrat. The groups were mixed for age, stage of lactation, gestation period and production level and were assigned to a control and various doses of silica-containing additives as shown below.

[0090] The treatment group was fed a silicic acid-containing supplement at a concentration of 0.8% silicic acid (in undiluted supplement; OSAB® ex ReXil Agro BV, The Netherlands).

[0091] Milk, fat and protein production levels were recorded every 10 days for six months. After the first month, the herds were switched to a different silica regimen.

[0092] Fifty pregnant Sahiwal cows were selected from an agricultural cooperative and randomly divided into five groups of 10 cows each. The first group of 10 cows served as a control, while the other six groups were supplemented with silica-containing additives according to the administration protocol.

[0093] [Table 4]

[0094] Due to supply issues (related to COVID-19) midway through the trial, the site temporarily switched to a different locally sourced stabilized silicic acid-containing composition (administered at an equivalent dose).

[0095] Feed intake was recorded after weighing feed refusals, and DM intake was calculated daily. After calving, milk production of experimental animals was recorded daily until day 120 of lactation. Milk samples were collected from all cows every two weeks for milk composition analysis, and cows were checked for clinical mastitis (including subclinical cases).

[0096] Cows were milked three times daily at 4:30 am, 12:00 pm and 7:00 pm using a milking machine. Individual milk yields in kg were recorded at each milking.

[0097] Milk composition, i.e., fat, protein, lactose, and SNF, was measured biweekly using a Lactostar automated milk analyzer (Funke Gerber, model number 3510-055007).

[0098] After each milking, approximately 100 ml of milk sample was collected from each individual animal into appropriately washed sample bottles and warmed to 39-40°C before analysis.

[0099] result [Table 5]

[0100] [Table 6]

[0101] The temporary switch to a different type of siliceous acid-containing composition midway through the study did not result in any noticeable changes in performance parameters in any of the treatment groups.

[0102] conclusion The application of silica-containing additives increased milk production (see Table 1) and milk quality parameters (Table 2).

[0103] The best results are achieved when the silicic acid-containing additive is applied 2-3 times a day (test groups G4 and G5).

Claims

1. 1. Use of a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound as a feed additive in the dairy livestock industry, wherein the bioavailable silicic acid compound is selected from the group consisting of silicic acid monomers, silicic acid dimers, silicic acid oligomers, quasi-colloidal silicic acid polymers and combinations thereof.

2. 2. The use according to claim 1, wherein at least 90 mol% of the silicon contained in the composition is in the form of bioavailable silicic acid compounds.

3. 3. The use according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dairy animal to be treated has reached adulthood and is in lactation.

4. The bioavailable silicic acid compound is ２９ 4. The use according to claim 3, in the form of quasi-colloidal particles having a size of less than 10 nm as measured by Si NMR spectroscopy.

5. 5. The use according to claim 4, wherein at least 50% of the siliceous particles have a size of 1 to 10 nm.

6. 10. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises an acidic aqueous solution or dispersion of bioavailable silicic acid compounds in the form of quasi-colloidal particles, preferably in combination with boric acid and / or water-absorbing additives.

7. The purpose of use is one or more of the following and / or the use results in one or more of the following: - Increased milk production; - Improved feed conversion rate; - Improved milk quality; - Increased fat content of milk; - increasing the protein content of milk; - Reducing the ecological impact of the dairy industry; 10. The use according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. The purpose of use is one or more of the following and / or the use results in one or more of the following: - Increased milk production; - Improved feed conversion rate; - Increased fat content of milk; - increasing the protein content of milk, 10. The use according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. 10. Use according to any one of the preceding claims in raising species selected from the group consisting of cattle, buffalo, camel, yak, goat, sheep, horse, donkey, alpaca, mitang, llama and zebu, preferably from the group consisting of cattle, goats and sheep.

10. 10. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the use comprises the addition of a composition comprising said bioavailable silicic acid compounds to drinking water, feed and / or pasture fed to dairy livestock animals.

11. A method for raising dairy livestock animals, the method comprising the step of adding a composition comprising a bioavailable silica compound to drinking water, feed and / or pasture fed to the dairy livestock animals.

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the bioavailable silicic acid compound is in the form of quasi-colloidal particles having a size of 1-10 nm.

13. 13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein at least 90 mole % of the silicon contained in the composition is in the form of bioavailable silicic acid compounds.

14. 14. A product in the form of a container containing a composition comprising a bioavailable silicic acid compound, said container comprising instructions printed on said container and / or on a label associated with said container, regarding the use of the composition for the purpose defined in any one of claims 1 to 13.

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