Feed additive for improving quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows and breeding method for breeding cows

Abstract

To provide a feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows, capable of improving the quality of fertilized eggs by being mixed with a feed and fed to breeding cows, and to provide a breeding cow rearing method using the feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows.SOLUTION: The feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows contains a component of Cordyceps sinensis, wherein Cordyceps sinensis is obtained by using Paecilomyces tenuipes, Paecilomyces tenuipes, Paecilomyces farinae or Paecilomyces tenuipes as a fungus species and culturing the Cordyceps sinensis by using a medium containing a composition component of pupae of silkworm as a main component.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows, which is suitable for breeding cattle by embryo transfer, and a method for raising breeding cows. [Background technology]

[0002] Cordyceps is often used as a general term for mushrooms that parasitize insects, but it is classified as a genus in the Ascomycetes, order Gracilariales, and family Gracilaria. Cordyceps originally refers to the Ascomycete Cordyceps sinensis, a member of the Ergot family, which parasitizes the larvae of insects such as Lepidoptera, especially bat moths, and produces sclerotia and fruiting bodies inside their bodies, and has been prized since ancient times as a secret medicine in traditional Chinese medicine.In Japan, the term Cordyceps sinensis is generally used to refer to mushrooms that parasitize insects and spiders, and it is said that 250 species of Cordyceps sinensis exist, including the Cicada mushroom, the Paracortisone cinnabar, and the Penaeus nigricans. According to recent research, Cordyceps has been reported to have effects on the central nervous system (sedative effect), the immune system, blood vessels (preventing arteriosclerosis), nourishing and strengthening effects, and hypoglycemic effects, and is particularly expected to be used as an anti-cancer drug. Patent Document 1 describes that an extract of Cordyceps sinensis is found to have antiproliferative activity against cancer cells, immunostimulatory activity against lymphocytes, and antioxidant activity. Incidentally, in Japan, the production of Wagyu beef through the transfer of fertilized eggs into dairy cows has increased rapidly since the 1990s, supporting the supply of Wagyu calves. Embryo transfer technology involves treating female cows with hormones to induce superovulation, then artificially inseminating them to collect fertilized eggs, which are then transferred into the uterus of another female cow. Embryo transfer technology makes it possible to improve both male and female cattle, and by properly processing the fertilized eggs, it is possible to prevent infection with infectious diseases, etc., and there are benefits such as increased profitability through the production of Wagyu cattle using Holsteins as surrogate litters. However, the costs of egg collection and embryo transfer are high, the conception rate is not yet stable, and there are many challenges, such as individual differences in responsiveness to hormones and the number of eggs retrieved. On average, seven to eight eggs can be collected from one cow at a time, and even if egg collection is carried out four times a year, only about 30 fertilized eggs can be collected per year, and the average conception rate is less than 50%. To address these issues with embryo transfer technology, Patent Document 2 discloses a superovulation-inducing agent for increasing the number of recovered eggs, and Patent Document 3 discloses an embryo culture medium that enhances embryo development. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5704544 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-203750 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-115326 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, embryo transfer does not always result in the collection of good embryos, and if the embryos are degenerated, no calves will be born even if they are transferred. Furthermore, even if the fertilized eggs are not denatured, they are ranked from A to D depending on their condition. If they are ranked A, they can become pregnant even if they are frozen, but if they are ranked B or C, the conception rate is extremely low unless they are transplanted as fresh eggs.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows, which can improve the quality of fertilized eggs by mixing it with feed and feeding it to breeding cows, and a method for raising breeding cows using the feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows according to claim 1 of the present invention is characterized by containing a component of Cordyceps sinensis. The present invention as set forth in claim 2 is a feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the Cordyceps is a fungal species of Cordyceps sinensis, Cordyceps spp., Cordyceps spp., Cordyceps spp., or Cordyceps spp., and is cultivated using a culture medium whose main components are the components of silkworm pupae. The breeding cow raising method of the present invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that breeding cows are induced to superovulate by hormonal treatment and then artificially inseminated to collect fertilized eggs, and a feed additive containing Cordyceps sinensis components is fed to the breeding cows for a predetermined period before the collection of the fertilized eggs. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] By feeding breeding cows the feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows according to the present invention as feed, the quality of fertilized eggs can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Photographs of A-rank eggs and denatured eggs obtained in Demonstration Example 5 of a feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows according to the first embodiment of the present invention contains a Cordyceps sinensis component. By feeding the feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows according to this embodiment to breeding cows, the quality of the fertilized eggs can be improved.

[0010] In the second embodiment of the present invention, in the feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows according to the first embodiment, the Cordyceps is cultured in a medium containing components of silkworm pupae as the main component, and the Cordyceps is suitable for stable mass cultivation.

[0011] A breeding cow rearing method according to a third embodiment of the present invention involves feeding a feed additive containing a Cordyceps component to breeding cows, which are hormonally treated to induce superovulation and then artificially inseminated to collect fertilized eggs, for a predetermined period before the collection of the fertilized eggs. This embodiment can improve the quality of the fertilized eggs collected from the breeding cows. [Example]

[0012] The cordyceps used in the present invention is cultured in a medium containing silkworm pupae as the main component. Culture medium manufacturing process The silkworm pupae used as the main ingredient of the culture medium can be live pupae extracted from the cocoons, or dried pupae that have been dried at the cocoon stage. Live or dried pupae after reeling can also be used. Reeled pupae contain 60% crude protein, 9% total nitrogen, as well as ash, glycogen, and other nutrients necessary for the development of Cordyceps. The medium is prepared by crushing pupae and adding water, which is sterilized using an autoclave at 121°C for 15 minutes, followed by natural cooling. Uncrushed pupae can also be used as the medium. Uncrushed pupae are also sterilized by adding water and using an autoclave at 121°C for 15 minutes, followed by natural cooling. In addition to using sterilized silkworm pupae as a medium, pupal fluid extracted by boiling silkworm pupae can also be used as a medium. When using pupal fluid as a medium, it is preferable to sterilize it using an autoclave at 121°C for 15 minutes. Live pupae can also be used as a medium. When using live pupae, they are used as a medium in their live state without undergoing sterilization. By culturing in a medium whose main component is an extract from silkworm pupae, it is possible to effectively utilize the components of the insect itself while preventing a decline in pharmacological activity, and to carry out continuous culturing stably.

[0013] Inoculation process Cordyceps fungus is planted in the medium produced in the medium production process. The cordyceps used as a material in the present invention may be either the Cordyceps type, which produces ascospores, or the Isaria type, which produces naked conidia. For example, Cordyceps thuringiensis ... The fungus used in the inoculation step may be ascospores or conidia formed on the fruiting body of Cordyceps sinensis, or secondary spores obtained by culture, or mycelium may also be used. The Cordyceps fungus is inoculated (inoculated) by adding it to sterilized pupae or pupal fluid. When live pupae are used as the culture medium, the fungus can be inoculated directly into the insect (pupa) or by spraying it on the surface of the pupa. When silkworms in the larval stage are used as the culture medium, the fungus can also be sprayed on the silkworm food (e.g., mulberry leaves).

[0014] Infection culture process After the inoculation step, an infection and culture step is carried out to promote the formation of mycelia and fruiting bodies of Cordyceps on the medium. The infection and cultivation process lasts for approximately one to two months, depending on the bacterial species and the temperature in the infection room.

[0015] Drying process The Cordyceps that have formed fruiting bodies in the infection and cultivation process are dried. During the drying process, the moisture content of the cordyceps is adjusted to 5% to 20%.

[0016] Crushing process After the drying process, it is crushed into a powder of 100 to 200 microns.

[0017] The feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows according to this example uses the Cordyceps powder produced in this manner, but the components may also be extracted from the Cordyceps powder using hot water or alcohol.

[0018] A demonstration example of the feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows according to this example will be described below. In the feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows according to this example, Cordyceps sinensis powder pulverized to 180 microns was used. Superovulation treatment (hormonal treatment) was performed on the 9th to 10th day after estrus, and in Examples 1 to 5, artificial insemination was performed in vivo after ovulation, with eggs being collected 7 days after artificial insemination. The fertilized eggs were ranked A to D based on factors such as the presence or absence of cleavage, state of development, outline, color, and percentage of degenerated cells. Ranks A to C are normal fertilized eggs, and A-rank fertilized eggs can be cryopreserved, while B and C-rank eggs were transferred as fresh eggs.

[0019] Demonstration example 1: Cow name (Piichi) The cow is a Japanese Black cattle breed, 10 years old and weighing 500 kg. The egg collection date is November 26th. For approximately 30 days from August 15th to September 15th, the animals were given 4g once a day in the morning. In past egg collections, Piichi had hardly been able to obtain fertilized eggs, but this time, 42 eggs were collected, with 17 A-rank eggs, 2 B-rank eggs, 2 C-rank eggs, 8 unfertilized eggs, and 13 degenerated eggs. Both the number of collected eggs and the number of A-rank eggs were good results. Demonstration example 2: Cow name (Hanachiyohime) The cow is a Japanese Black cattle breed, 10 years old and weighing 480 kg. The egg collection date is November 26th. For approximately 30 days from August 15th to September 15th, the animals were given 4g once a day in the morning. In past egg collections for "Hanachiyohime," very few fertilized eggs were obtained, but this time 10 eggs were collected, with 6 A-rank eggs, 2 B-rank eggs, 1 C-rank egg, 0 unfertilized eggs, and 1 degenerated egg. The ratio of A-rank eggs to the total number of eggs collected was high, resulting in good results. Demonstration example 3: Cow name (Megumi 886) The cow is a Japanese Black cattle breed, 6 years old and weighing 450 kg. The egg collection date is March 14th. From January 13th, the animals were given 8g once a day in the morning for 60 days. The number of eggs recovered was 31, 27 were A rank, 3 were B and C rank, 0 were unfertilized eggs, and 1 was degenerated egg. The number of eggs collected and the number of A-rank eggs were high, which was a good result. Example 4: Cow name The female is a Japanese Black cattle breed, aged 5 years and weighing 400 kg. The egg collection date is March 14th. From January 13th, the animals were given 8g once a day in the morning for 60 days. The number of eggs recovered was 18, 14 were A grade, 3 were B grade, 0 were unfertilized eggs, and 1 was degenerated egg. Compared to the average egg collection results in the past, the number of eggs collected and the number of A-rank eggs were doubled. Demonstration example 5: Cow name (Piichi) The cow is a Japanese Black cattle breed, 11 years old and weighing 500 kg. The egg collection date is October 24th. From September 24th to 30 days, 8g was given once a day in the morning. The number of eggs recovered was 21, 18 were A rank, 0 were B or C rank, 0 were unfertilized eggs, and 3 were degenerated eggs. The rate of A-rank eggs was high, which was a good result. Demonstration example 5 is the same cow as demonstration example 1. Although the cows have gotten older since the previous test, the rate of A-rank eggs has improved and the number of unfertilized eggs has decreased, probably because the amount of feed has been increased since the previous test.

[0020] Photographs of the A-rank eggs and denatured eggs obtained in Demonstration Example 5 are shown in FIG. Figure 1(a) shows an A-rank egg, and Figure 1(b) shows a degenerated egg. In Demonstration Examples 1 and 2, the cows were fed for two months before the estrus egg collection, and in Demonstration Example 5, the cows were fed one month before the estrus. Both showed good results.

[0021] Thus, if there is a feeding period of at least 30 days leading up to egg production, egg production results improve, so it can be said that the components of Cordyceps are effective for female cows during the breeding period.

[0022] As shown in each of the demonstration examples, by using a breeding cow rearing method in which breeding cows are hormonally treated to induce superovulation and then artificially inseminated to collect fertilized eggs, a feed additive containing Cordyceps sinensis components is fed to the breeding cows for a predetermined period before the collection of fertilized eggs, and the quality of the fertilized eggs collected from the breeding cows can be improved. Here, the predetermined period is at least 30 days or more, preferably 60 days or more, and there may be a non-feeding period of, for example, about 60 days before collection as in Demonstration Examples 1 and 2. Cordyceps powder may be fed at a daily dose of 0.008 g / kg or more, preferably 0.016 g / kg or more, of body weight of the cattle.

[0023] The feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows and the breeding cow rearing method of the present invention can improve the egg collection rate in internal insemination of cows, and can increase the efficiency of egg collection by improving the quality of fertilized eggs and the proliferation of superior genes by improving the conception rate, thereby contributing to the improvement of cattle and the further spread of breeding. [Industrial Applicability]

[0024] The feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows of the present invention can increase the conception rate and contribute to the further spread of embryo transfer technology.

Claims

1. A feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows, characterized by containing a component of Cordyceps sinensis.

2. The Cordyceps sinensis is cultured using a medium containing components of silkworm pupae as the main component. The feed additive for improving the quality of fertilized eggs for breeding cows according to claim 1.

3. Breeding cows are hormonally treated to induce superovulation, and then artificially inseminated to collect fertilized eggs. A feed additive containing a Cordyceps sinensis component is fed to these cows for a predetermined period before the collection of the fertilized eggs. A breeding cow raising method characterized by the above.

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