Porcine contraceptive composition, system, and method

Abstract

The present invention provides a composition for controlling the population of wild or feral pigs by reducing their fertilization rate. [Solution] An orally ingestible contraceptive composition for pigs, comprising 0.005 to 1.4% by weight of free gossypol; and a non-free gossypol substance comprising bulk feed components, pig attractants, flavor components, or any combination thereof.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions, systems, and methods for controlling the population of wild or feral pigs due to reduced fertility.

Background Art

[0002] The population of wild pigs, wild hogs, has been increasing over the years and is now out of control. Significant damage is seen every year on farms, ranches, beaches, golf courses, etc., and the damage is worsening.

[0003] Female pigs can give birth to 14 - 24 piglets 2 - 3 times a year, so they quickly inhabit farms and ranches.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] In a first aspect, an oral contraceptive composition for pigs is provided. Exemplary compositions include 0.005 - 1.4 wt% free gossypol and non - free gossypol substances. The non - free gossypol substances include bulk feed ingredients, pig attractants, flavor components, or any combination thereof.

[0005] In a second aspect, an assembly is provided. The assembly includes an oral contraceptive composition for pigs and a package. In a third aspect, a system for delivering an oral contraceptive composition to pigs is provided. The system includes the above - mentioned composition and a device. The device is configured to allow pigs to eat the composition and prevent other animals from eating the composition.

[0006] In a fourth aspect, a method for delivering an oral contraceptive composition to pigs is provided. The method includes making the composition available to pigs. Other aspects, embodiments, and features of the present invention will become apparent when the following detailed description of the invention is considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to any particular scale. In the drawings, each component that is identical or substantially similar to those shown in various figures is represented by a single number or notation. For clarity, not all components are labeled in all figures. Also, not all components of each embodiment of the present invention are shown where illustration is not necessary for those skilled in the art to understand the invention.

[0007] Novel features that are considered characteristic of the claimed embodiments of the present invention are described in the appended claims. However, the present invention itself, as well as its preferred uses, further purposes and advantages, will be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the appended drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an orally ingestible contraceptive composition for pigs, in which the composition is placed in a container. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of an assembly including an orally ingestible contraceptive composition for pigs and its packaging. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system for delivering an orally ingestible contraceptive composition to pigs, the system comprising an orally ingestible contraceptive composition and a device configured to allow pigs to eat the composition and to prevent other animals from eating the composition. [Figure 4] This is a schematic flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method for delivering an orally ingestible contraceptive composition to pigs. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] As used in this application, the term "pig" refers to any member of the Suidae family, whether wild or domesticated, and includes animals commonly called pigs (pig, swine, hog) and boars. A novel composition is provided that can be used, for example, as a contraceptive for pigs. This composition may be useful in preventing the undesirable reproduction of wild pigs, domesticated pigs, feral pigs, or any combination thereof. As an example, this composition may be a mixture of natural feeds given to feral pigs to reduce their numbers on a farm, pasture, or property. Conveniently, this composition acts as a contraceptive for male feral pigs, reducing the number of viable sperm in feral boars, thereby reducing the fertility of the boars. Thus, the birth of piglets can be reduced, and the feral pig population can be reduced over time.

[0010] Referring to Figure 1, an example of an orally ingestible contraceptive composition 0102 for pigs is shown. The composition is contained in container 0104. For example, as shown in Figure 2, an assembly 0200 including composition 0102 and package 0202 is also disclosed.

[0011] Referring here to Figure 3, this figure shows a schematic diagram of a system 0300 for delivering an orally ingestible contraceptive composition 0102 to a pig. The system 0300 comprises the composition 0102 and a device 0302 configured to allow the pig to ingest the composition and to prevent other animals from ingesting it. As shown, the composition is provided as part of an assembly including a package 0202. However, as those skilled in the art will understand, the composition may be provided inside the device 0302 without a package for containing the composition, or the composition may be provided inside the device 0302 in a package containing the composition.

[0012] Referring here to Figure 4, the schematic flowchart illustrates an embodiment of a method 0400 for delivering an orally ingestible contraceptive composition to a pig. This method comprises several steps. A first step includes enabling the pig to obtain the composition, for example, in a pig-specific delivery system 0402. In some embodiments, enabling the pig to obtain the composition is part of a step enabling the pig to obtain an assembly, the assembly of which contains the composition.

[0013] In some embodiments, the second step includes using a pig attractant to attract pigs to the composition and having the pigs eat the composition. This second step may be performed before the first step, during the first step, after the first step, or in any combination thereof. For example, the pig attractant may be a component of the composition.

[0014] As illustrated, the third step may include reducing the reproductive capacity of a pig after it has consumed the composition. The third step may be performed after the first step, after the second step, or after both steps.

[0015] Experimental example In the spring of 2018, a 30-day feeding trial was conducted in Elas County, Texas, to study the effects of a novel contraceptive composition, a formulated wild pig feed, on the fertility of male pigs. All pigs were fed 1.36 kg (3 lbs) of feed per pig per day. The contraceptive composition consisted of 490 kg (1080 lbs) of finely ground corn, 363 kg (800 lbs) of cottonseed meal, 45.4 kg (100 lbs) of molasses, and 9 kg (20 lbs) of salt. The control group was fed commercially available pig feed. There were three treatment groups. The treatment groups were given the novel contraceptive according to Table 1.

[0016] [Table 1]

[0017] The results of the experiment are reported in Table 1. During the 30-day trial, boars 1, 2, 3, and 4 were given the novel contraceptive composition for 5 days, 15 days, and 30 days, respectively, and were not given it at all. Each boar was fed the novel contraceptive composition continuously from day one, according to its respective feeding schedule, and then switched to commercially available pig feed when instructed. All boars used in the experiment were previously used as breeding boars and were of breeding age and in good health. Semen was collected at the end of the 30-day trial and the animals were slaughtered. A veterinarian evaluated the semen collected from each boar by examining a magnified representative sample. The semen studies showed that all boars fed the novel contraceptive feed had reduced fertility, with sperm motility scores below approximately 50% and morphology scores below approximately 50%. Sperm motility and morphology scores are based on percentages of the total number of sperm evaluated. Previous studies on pig reproduction have shown that sperm must have a motility score of 70% or higher and a morphology score of 80% or higher to be viable. Of particular interest is the fact that pigs administered the novel contraceptive for only 5 days out of 30 exhibited the same reduced fertility as those administered for 15 and 30 days. All groups readily consumed their feed daily based on individual feeding schedules. All pigs were kept in individual, side-by-side, semi-shaded enclosures throughout the entire experiment. These results support the possibility that the damage caused by feral pigs to crops and property could be significantly reduced in the future by adversely affecting the fertility of male feral pigs through the feeding of non-toxic, all-natural feeds such as the contraceptive compositions described herein.

[0018] In some embodiments, the composition containing the contraceptive is configured to be stable when stored in a dry place for up to six months. In some embodiments, the composition containing the contraceptive is configured to be stable in a feeder for wild pigs for at least one, two, three, or four months without exposure to direct sunlight, water, rain, or running water. For example, the stable composition remains effective in sterilizing boars when they are given 1.36 kg (3 lbs) of the contraceptive per pig per day for three days over a one-month period, and the number of days can be arbitrarily continuous, discontinuous, or both continuous and discontinuous. For example, a pig may be considered infertile if it has a sperm motility score of 0% to less than 70%, less than 65%, less than 60%, less than 55%, less than 50%, less than 45%, less than 40%, less than 35%, or less than 30%; a sperm morphology score of 0% to less than 80%, less than 75%, less than 70%, less than 65%, less than 60%, less than 55%, less than 50%, less than 45%, less than 40%, less than 35%, or less than 30%; or a combination thereof.

[0019] In some embodiments, the composition containing the contraceptive is a dry feed having a low moisture content, for example, 10-40% by weight, 10-30% by weight, 10-20% by weight, or 10-15% by weight.

[0020] In some embodiments, the composition containing the contraceptive can be used with a device configured to allow pigs to eat the composition and prevent other animals from eating the composition. An example of such a device is a feeder for pigs, for example, any feeder for pigs described in U.S. Patent No. 10,034,454, issued on July 31, 2018, and published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0183494 on June 30, 2016, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as examples herein. As described in U.S. Patent No. 10,034,454, the feeder can be configured to prevent non-hooved animals from reaching the edible composition. Thus, hoofed pigs can reach the edible composition, but other animals, such as bears, cannot reach the edible composition within the housing. The feeder described in U.S. Patent No. 10,034,454 is also an example of a delivery system dedicated to wild pigs. Of course, the feeder described in U.S. Patent No. 10,034,454 is merely an example, and the methods, compositions, and systems described in this disclosure can also be used with any suitable delivery system dedicated to wild pigs currently available. For example, the delivery system dedicated to wild pigs can be any system approved by the entity governing the area where the system is used.

[0021] Exemplary embodiments Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, the following: Example 1. A food that reduces the motility and morphology of sperm of feral boars, comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of: (i) any composition described in the claims or in the items of additional embodiments of this application, or (ii) gossypol as part of the components listed in Table 2, or in combination with all or any selected combination of those components, wherein each component is present in the food at a concentration equal to or within the concentration ranges listed in Table 2, or at any concentration range.

[0022] Example 2. The food of Example 1, wherein the consumption of the food by male feral pigs causes (i) a significant decrease in the fertility of male feral pigs in the area where the food is placed, (ii) a decrease in the birth of piglets in the area where the food is placed, (iii) a decrease in the number of feral pigs over time in the area where the food is placed, or (iii) any combination thereof.

[0023] Example 3. A method of delivering the food of either Example 1 or 2, the method comprising delivering the food via a delivery system dedicated to wild pigs. Example 4. A method of delivering the food of either Example 1 or 2, the method comprising delivering the food via a system configured to permit access by wild pigs and deny access by other animals.

[0024] A method of delivering the food of either Example 1 or 2, the method comprising delivering the food via a delivery system dedicated to wild pigs.

[0025] [Table 2]

[0026] Additional Embodiments The following items are provided as further descriptions of embodiments of the compositions, systems, and methods disclosed herein.

[0027] 1. An orally ingestible contraceptive composition for pigs (e.g., male pigs, female pigs, or male and female pigs), gestodene (e.g., free gestodene (also known as unbound gestodene available for digestion), biologically active gestodene, biologically available gestodene, racemic gestodene, (+)-gestodene, (-)-gestodene, or any combination thereof); and Non-gossypol substances (e.g., non-free gossypol, biologically active gossypol, biologically available gossypol, racemic gossypol, (+)-gossypol, (-)-gossypol, or any combination thereof) that constitute the remainder of the composition after removing gossypol (e.g., free gossypol, biologically active gossypol, biologically available gossypol, non-racemic gossypol, non(+)-gossypol, non(-)-gossypol, or any combination thereof); Optionally, gossypol (e.g., free gossypol, bioactive gossypol, bioavailable gossypol, racemic gossypol, (+)-gossypol, (-)-gossypol, or any combination thereof) may be present in amounts of 0.005 to 1.4% by weight of the composition, 0.04 to 0.08% by weight of the composition, 0.15 to 1.4% by weight of the composition, or 0.35 to 1% by weight, 0.4 to 0.9% by weight of the composition, and at least 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.4% of the composition , 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3% by weight of the composition, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, Consisting of amounts less than or equal to 0.14, 0.15, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, or 1.4% by weight, or any combination thereof; Optionally, free gossypol may be present in amounts of 0.005 to 1.4% by weight of the composition, 0.04 to 0.08% by weight of the composition, 0.15 to 1.4% by weight of the composition, 0.35 to 1% by weight of the composition, 0.4 to 0.9% by weight of the composition, or at least 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.0% of the composition. 09, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3% by weight of the composition, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.05, 0.06, 0 Consisting of amounts less than or equal to 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, or 1.4% by weight, or any combination thereof; Optionally, non-gossypol substances may include a portion of cottonseed meal that is not gossypol; Optionally, the non-gossypol material may include bulk feed components (e.g., bulk feed components other than the non-gossypol portion of cottonseed meal); Optionally, the non-gossypol substance may contain an effective amount of pig attractant; Optionally, non-gossypol substances may contain an effective amount of flavor components; Optionally, non-gossypol substances may include coatings for the composition; and Optionally, the total amount of the composition (e.g., in one serving, one package or multiple packages, in a delivery device or system, or a combination thereof) is at least the average amount consumed by a male wild pig in one serving (e.g., where the composition is placed), at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 times the average amount consumed by one pig (e.g., a male, a female, or a male and a female) in one serving (e.g., where the composition is placed), or 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, or 7 times the average amount consumed by one pig (e.g., a male, a female, or a male and a female) in one serving (e.g., where the composition is placed). It is 0, 80, 90, or 100 times or less, or 3 to 5 pounds, or 3 to 200 pounds, or at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 It must be 150 or 200 pounds, or 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200 pounds or less, or any combination thereof. A composition containing the following:

[0028] 2. A composition according to item 1, wherein the composition comprises a cottonseed extract (e.g., cottonseed oil, crude cottonseed oil, refined cottonseed oil, or any combination thereof); Optionally, the cottonseed extract may contain all or part of gossypol (e.g., free gossypol, bioactive gossypol, bioavailable gossypol, racemic gossypol, (+)-gossypol, (-)-gossypol, or any combination thereof); Optionally, cottonseed extract (e.g., cottonseed oil, crude cottonseed oil, refined cottonseed oil, or any combination thereof) constitutes at least 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, or 1.5% by weight of the composition; or 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, or 1.5% by weight of the composition; or any combination thereof; Optionally, cottonseed extract (e.g., cottonseed oil, crude cottonseed oil, refined cottonseed oil, or any combination thereof) may contain at least 0.025, 0.03, 0.035, 0.04, 0.045, 0.05, 0.055, 0.06, 0.065, 0.07, 0.075, 0.1, 0.2, 0.29, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.54, 0.6, 0.7, 0.75, 0.79, or 0.8% by weight of gossypol; 0.025, 0.03, 0.035, 0.04, 0.045, 0.05, 0. Includes 0.55, 0.06, 0.065, 0.07, 0.075, 0.1, 0.2, 0.29, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.54, 0.55, 0.6, 0.7, 0.75, 0.79, or 0.8% by weight or less of gossypol; or any combination thereof; optionally, gossypol is free gossypol, bioactive gossypol, bioavailable gossypol, racemic gossypol, (+)-gossypol, (-)-gossypol, or any combination thereof; Optionally, cottonseed oil, crude cottonseed oil, refined cottonseed oil, or any combination thereof may be used in amounts of at least 0.025, 0.03, 0.035, 0.04, 0.045, 0.05, 0.055, 0.06, 0.065, 0.07, 0.075, 0.1, 0.2, 0.29, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.54, 0.55, 0.6, 0.7, 0.75, 0.79, or 0.8 by weight of gossypol; 0.025, 0.03, 0.035, 0.04, 0.045, 0.05, 0.0 Includes 55, 0.06, 0.065, 0.07, 0.075, 0.1, 0.2, 0.29, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.54, 0.55, 0.6, 0.75, 0.79, or 0.8% by weight of gossypol; or any combination thereof; optionally, gossypol is free gossypol, bioactive gossypol, bioavailable gossypol, racemic gossypol, (+)-gossypol, (-)-gossypol, or any combination thereof. Optionally, the cottonseed extract may be present in amounts of 0.005-1.4% by weight of the composition, 0.04-0.08% by weight of the composition, 0.15-1.4% by weight of the composition, 0.35-1% by weight of the composition, 0.4-0.9% by weight of the composition, or at least 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.00% of the composition. 9, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3% by weight of the composition, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.05, 0.06, The amounts consist of 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, or 1.4% by weight or less, or any combination thereof.

[0029] 3. A composition according to any of the preceding items, wherein the composition comprises cottonseed meal, optionally, the cottonseed meal comprises all or part of gossypol, and the non-gossypol substance comprises a portion of the cottonseed meal that is not gossypol; optionally, the cottonseed meal comprises (i) 5 to 75% by weight of the composition, (ii) 5 to 60% by weight of the composition, (iii) 15 to 70% by weight of the composition, (iv) 35 to 50% by weight of the composition, (v) 40 to 45% by weight of the composition, (vi) (vii) at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, or 70% by weight of the composition; (vii) 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, or 75% by weight or less of the composition; or (viii) any combination thereof; optionally, cottonseed meal in 0.1-0.2% by weight of gossypol (e.g., free gossypol, biologically active gossypol). , comprising biologically available gossypol, racemic gossypol, (+)-gossypol, (-)-gossypol, or any combination thereof; optionally, cottonseed meal containing at least 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, or 0.2% by weight of gossypol; 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.0 The compounds include 6, 0.07, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, or 0.2% by weight or less of gossypol; or any combination thereof; optionally, gossypol is free gossypol, bioactive gossypol, bioavailable gossypol, racemic gossypol, (+)-gossypol, (-)-gossypol, or any combination thereof.

[0030] 4. A composition of any of the preceding items: The effective amount of pig attractant (e.g., a fragrance component, a pig pheromone, or any combination thereof) is a concentration of pig attractant in the composition configured to attract pigs to the composition, cause pigs to eat the composition, or a combination thereof; The effective amount of pig attractant (e.g., a fragrance component, a pig pheromone, or any combination thereof) is a pig attractant in a concentration in the composition configured to sufficiently mask the presence of gossypol in the composition in order to attract pigs to the composition, to cause pigs (e.g., boars, sows, or boars and sows) to eat the composition, or a combination thereof; The effective amount of flavor component is a concentration of the flavor component in the composition configured to provide the composition with a flavor desired by pigs, to make pigs eat the composition, or a combination thereof; The effective amount of flavor component is a concentration of the flavor component in the composition such that it is sufficient to mask the presence of gossypol in the composition in order to make the composition desirable to pigs, to make the pigs eat the composition, or to make a combination thereof; Or any combination thereof.

[0031] 5. A composition according to any of the preceding items, wherein the composition has a bulk density such that the smallest adult pig expected to ingest the composition (e.g., a boar, a sow, or a boar and a sow) can consume at least 1.36 kg (3 pounds) (and optionally up to 2.27 kg (5 pounds)) of the composition.

[0032] 6. A composition according to any of the preceding items, wherein the composition is configured to (i) reduce the reproductive capacity of a pig after it has been eaten by the pig, (ii) be eaten by a pig and reduce the reproductive capacity of the pig after it has been eaten by the pig, (iii) attract a pig and cause it to eat the composition, and after the pig has eaten the composition, reduce the reproductive capacity of the pig, or (iv) any combination thereof.

[0033] 7. The composition according to any of the preceding items, wherein the pig is a male pig, or the pig is either male or female. 8. The composition according to any of the preceding items, wherein the pig is a sow, or the pig is a male or female pig.

[0034] 9. A composition according to any of the preceding items, Pig attractant; Flavor components; or any combination thereof; Includes, The pig attractant optionally includes a fragrance component, a pig pheromone, or any combination thereof. The flavor components may optionally constitute 0.05 to 25% by weight of the composition, 0.05 to 0.1% by weight of the composition, 0.1 to 0.75% by weight of the composition, 0.2 to 0.5% by weight of the composition, at least 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 15, or 20% by weight of the composition, or 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25% by weight or less of the composition, or any combination thereof; Optionally, the flavor components include apple flavor, sour corn mash flavor (e.g., dried sour corn mash), caramel apple flavor, sweet flavor, molasses flavor, berry flavor, fish meal flavor, corn flavor, beet flavor, corn gluten flavor, creosote flavor, salty and sweet flavor, strawberry flavor, cherry flavor, caramel flavor, diesel flavor, lactose flavor, pheromones (e.g., boar pheromones, sow pheromones, or any combination thereof), or any combination thereof; Optionally, the apple flavor may constitute 0.05 to 0.75% by weight of the composition, at least 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, or 0.7% by weight of the composition, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, or 0.75% by weight or less of the composition, or any combination thereof; The composition wherein, optionally, the sour corn mash flavor (e.g., dried sour corn mash) constitutes 0.25 to 25% by weight of the composition, at least 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3.4, 5, 10, 15, or 20% by weight of the composition, or 0.5, 1, 2, 3.4, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25% by weight or less of the composition, or any combination thereof.

[0035] 10. A composition according to any of the preceding items, At least one additive (for example, as part of a bulk feed component, pig attractant, flavor component, aroma component, pig pheromone, or any combination thereof); Optionally, at least one of the additives may be calcium carbonate, dried whey, flaxseed, flaxseed meal, green tea extract, cheese lees, or any combination thereof; The composition comprising, optionally, the additive component constituting 0.05 to 5% by weight of the composition, 1 to 4% by weight of the composition, 2 to 3% by weight of the composition, at least 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, or 4% by weight of the composition, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5% by weight or less of the composition, or any combination thereof.

[0036] 11. A composition according to any of the preceding items, wherein the coating is Contains starch, optionally cornstarch; Optionally, all or any selected components of the composition may be coated with starch; The composition is provided by optionally spraying all components of the composition, any components of the composition, any combination of components of the composition, or cottonseed extract with a mist of starch (e.g., cornstarch), to provide a coated composition; drying the coated composition to provide a dried coated composition; and crushing the dried coated composition into smaller fragments (e.g., lumps and / or granules) to give the smaller fragments a harder structure compared to the uncoated composition, thereby protecting the composition when exposed to an environment such as the natural environment, and possibly when the composition is placed in a field.

[0037] 12. A composition according to any of the preceding items, Contains corn; Optionally, the bulk feed component includes the corn; Optionally, the corn includes crushed corn, kernel corn, ground corn, cornmeal, or a combination thereof; The composition wherein, optionally, the corn constitutes 5 to 75% by weight of the composition, 25 to 65% by weight of the composition, 35 to 50% by weight of the composition, 45 to 55% by weight of the composition, at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, or 70% by weight of the composition, or 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, or 75% by weight or less of the composition, or any combination thereof.

[0038] 13. A composition according to any of the preceding items, Contains corn gluten; Optionally, the bulk feed component includes the corn gluten; Optionally, the corn gluten includes powdered corn gluten, pelletized corn gluten, ground corn gluten, corn gluten meal, wet corn gluten, or a combination thereof; The composition wherein, optionally, the corn gluten constitutes 25 to 65% by weight of the composition, 35 to 50% by weight of the composition, 45 to 55% by weight of the composition, at least 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60% by weight of the composition, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, or 65% by weight or less of the composition, or any combination thereof.

[0039] 14. A composition according to any of the preceding items, Contains beet pulp; Optionally, the bulk feed component includes the beet pulp; Optionally, the beet pulp includes wet beet pulp, dry beet pulp, sliced ​​beet pulp, pelletized beet pulp, or a combination thereof; The composition wherein the beet pulp constitutes 25 to 65% by weight of the composition, 35 to 50% by weight of the composition, 45 to 55% by weight of the composition, at least 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60% by weight of the composition, or 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, or 65% by weight or less of the composition, or any combination thereof.

[0040] 15. A composition according to any of the preceding items, Contains salt; Optionally, the salt may form at least part of a pig attractant, flavor component, aroma component, pig pheromone, or any combination thereof; The composition wherein the salt constitutes 0.5 to 4.0% by weight of the composition, 1.0 to 3.0% by weight of the composition, 2.0 to 2.5% by weight of the composition, at least 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, or 3.5% by weight of the composition, or 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, or 4% by weight or less of the composition, or any combination thereof.

[0041] 16. A composition according to any of the preceding items, Contains molasses; Optionally, the molasses may form at least part of a pig attractant, a flavor component, an aroma component, a pig pheromone, or any combination thereof; The composition wherein, optionally, the molasses constitutes 0.5 to 7% by weight of the composition, 0.5 to 5% by weight of the composition, 2.5 to 7.0% by weight of the composition, 3.0 to 6.0% by weight of the composition, 3.5 to 5.0% by weight of the composition, at least 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, or 6.5% by weight of the composition, or 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, or 7% by weight or less of the composition, or any combination thereof.

[0042] 17. A composition according to any of the preceding items, Contains lactose; Optionally, the lactose may form at least part of a pig attractant, a flavor component, an aroma component, a pig pheromone, or any combination thereof; The lactose may optionally include powdered lactose, granular lactose, liquid lactose, or a combination thereof; The composition wherein, optionally, the lactose constitutes 2.0 to 10% by weight of the composition, 3.5 to 7.5% by weight of the composition, 4.5 to 6.0% by weight of the composition, at least 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, or 9.5% by weight of the composition, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, or 10% by weight or less of the composition, or any combination thereof.

[0043] 18. A composition of any of the preceding items, wherein one or any combination of the components of the composition is provided in the form of crushed, pelletized, powdered, liquid, oil (e.g., cottonseed extract, cottonseed oil, crude cottonseed oil, refined cottonseed oil, or any combination thereof), coarsely ground, meal, or any combination thereof.

[0044] 19. A composition of any of the preceding items, which is processed or packaged to retain its contraceptive effect after being stored for an extended period of time, for at least 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 months without refrigeration (e.g., at 25°C, 1 atm), and optionally for up to 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 months, under dry storage conditions (e.g., 50% relative humidity) without exposure to direct sunlight, water, rain, or running water (e.g., placed in a storage unit under specified conditions); the contraceptive effect means that the contraceptive effect is used to control breeding pigs (e.g., boars, sows, or boars or sows). The composition can sterilize a breeding pig if it consumes 1.36 kg (3 pounds) of the composition per day for three consecutive days, wherein sterility means that after consuming the composition, the pig (e.g., a male) has a sperm motility score of less than 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, or 30%, a sperm morphology score of less than 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, or 30%, or a combination thereof.

[0045] 20. A composition according to any of the preceding items, which is processed or packaged to have storage stability for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 months and up to 6 months when stored in a dry, non-refrigerated place without exposure to direct sunlight, water, rain, or running water.

[0046] 21. A composition according to any of the preceding items, wherein the feed is stable and effective for one, two, or three months, up to a maximum of four months, in a closed pig-specific feeder (e.g., a feeder for wild or feral pigs) without exposure to direct sunlight, water, rain, or running water.

[0047] 22. A composition according to any of the preceding items, The composition is a dry food having a moisture content of 10-40% by weight, 10-30% by weight, 10-20% by weight, 10-15% by weight, at least 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35% by weight, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40% by weight or less, or any combination thereof; The composition has a water content equal to 10 to 40% by weight of water, at least 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35% by weight of water, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40% by weight or less of water, or any combination thereof; The composition is 60 to 90% by weight of dry matter, at least 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, or 85% by weight of dry matter, 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, or 65% by weight or less of dry matter, or any combination thereof; The composition, which is any combination thereof.

[0048] 23. Assembles containing the following: Any composition of the preceding item; and Package (for example, one for the composition); The assembly comprises, optionally, the package at least partially or completely encapsulates the composition; optionally, the package encapsulates at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 100% of the mass, volume, or surface area of ​​the composition, or 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 100% or less of the mass, volume, or surface area of ​​the composition, or any combination thereof.

[0049] 24. An assembly of any of the preceding items, Is the aforementioned package a plastic package? Is the aforementioned package a polyweave package? Is the aforementioned package a paper package? The assembly, or any combination thereof.

[0050] 25. An assembly of any of the preceding items, The assembly includes a suggestion (e.g., a written suggestion, optionally included on the package or another sheet), a recommendation (e.g., a written recommendation, optionally included on the package or another sheet), or an explanation (e.g., a written explanation, optionally included on the package or another sheet) for placing the composition into a feeder (e.g., a feeder specifically for pigs).

[0051] 26. An assembly of any of the preceding items, The composition (for example, inside the package) has a moisture content equal to 10-40% by weight of water; at least 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35% by weight of water; 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40% by weight or less of water; or any combination thereof; or The composition (for example, inside the package) is 60-90% by weight of dry matter, at least 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, or 85% by weight of dry matter, 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, or 65% by weight or less of dry matter, or any combination thereof; or The assembly is any combination thereof.

[0052] 27. A system for delivering an orally ingestible contraceptive composition to a pig (e.g., a boar, a sow, or a boar or a sow) or a group of pigs (e.g., a boar, a sow, or a boar and a sow): Any composition or assembly of any of the preceding items; and A device configured to allow a pig to eat the composition and to prevent other animals from eating the composition, wherein the other animals optionally include deer, felines, canines, rabbits, rodents, birds, reptiles, marsupials, raccoons, armadillos, or any combination thereof. A system that includes this.

[0053] 28. Any system of the preceding paragraph, wherein the apparatus is configured to be a pig-specific delivery system for the composition (e.g., a wild or feral pig-specific delivery system).

[0054] 29. A system of any of the preceding items, wherein the device is optionally configured to exclude ungulates from the interior of the device, the interior is configured to contain the composition, and optionally the device is configured to allow a pig to enter or reach the interior of the device (for example, basically excluding all other terrestrial vertebrates (excluding animals with opposing thumbs and humans) and allowing only pigs), and the interior is configured to contain the composition.

[0055] 30. A method for delivering an orally ingestible contraceptive composition to a pig, A method comprising making a pigs obtainable from any of the compositions or assemblies of the preceding items (for example, in a pig-only delivery system), and optionally using any apparatus or system of the preceding items to make a pigs obtainable from the compositions or assemblies.

[0056] 31. Any of the methods of the preceding items, A method comprising enabling a pig to eat the composition. 32. Any of the methods of the preceding items, A method comprising attracting pigs to the composition using a pig attractant, a flavor component, a fragrance component, a pig pheromone, or any combination thereof.

[0057] 33. Any of the methods of the preceding terms, A method comprising attracting pigs to the composition using a pig attractant, a flavor component, a fragrance component, a pig pheromone, or any combination thereof.

[0058] To make pigs eat the composition. 34. Any of the methods of the preceding terms, A method for reducing the reproductive capacity of a pig after it has consumed the aforementioned composition.

[0059] 35. Any of the methods in the preceding paragraphs, wherein the pig is a wild pig. 36. Any of the methods described in the preceding paragraphs, wherein the pig is a feral pig. 37. The method of the preceding paragraph, wherein the pig is a male pig, or the pig is a female pig or a male pig.

[0060] 38. Any of the preceding methods wherein the pig is a wild or feral pig of a suitable domesticated pig breed. 39. Any of the preceding methods, wherein the pig is a cross between a wild pig and a pig of a suitable domesticated breed.

[0061] 40. The method of the preceding paragraph, wherein the pig is a sow, or the pig is either a sow or a boar. 41. Any method of the preceding paragraph, wherein the pig is a male pig, and as a result of ingesting the contraceptive composition, the pig has a sperm motility score of 0% to less than 70%, at least 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, or 65%, or a sperm motility score of less than 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, or 30%, or any of these. A combination of any of the following: sperm morphology scores of 0% to less than 80%, sperm morphology scores of at least 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, or 75%, sperm morphology scores of less than 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, or 30%, or any combination thereof; or the method having any combination thereof.

[0062] 42. Any method of the preceding paragraph wherein the pig is a boar and after consuming 1.36 kg (3 lbs) of contraceptive per day for 3 days over a period of 1 month, the pig has a sperm motility score of: 0% to less than 70%, at least 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, or 65%, and less than 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, or 30%. Sperm motility score, or any combination thereof; sperm morphology score of 0% to less than 80%, sperm morphology score of at least 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, or 75%, sperm morphology score of less than 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, or 30%, or any combination thereof; or having any combination thereof; The method wherein, optionally, the aforementioned days are consecutive, and optionally, the aforementioned three days are not consecutive.

[0063] 43. Any of the methods described in the preceding paragraphs, wherein the boar is a feral pig. 44. Any of the methods described in the preceding paragraphs, wherein the sow is a feral pig. 45. Any method of the preceding paragraph, wherein the step of obtaining the contraceptive composition includes placing the contraceptive in a feeder that allows pigs to selectively consume the contraceptive composition.

[0064] 46. ​​Any method of the preceding paragraph, wherein the step of obtaining the contraceptive composition includes placing the contraceptive composition into a device that allows a pig to eat the contraceptive composition and prevents other animals from eating the contraceptive composition.

[0065] 47. Any of the methods of the preceding items, The morphology of the aforementioned pig sperm deteriorates to the point of being infertile; The aforementioned pig sperm loses the ability to reach and penetrate the egg; The aforementioned pig sperm does not swim properly; Will the aforementioned pig become infertile? The reproductive capacity of the aforementioned pigs decreases; or The method, which is any combination thereof.

[0066] 48. The method of any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the apparatus is a pig-only delivery system (e.g., a wild or feral pig-only delivery system), or a pig-only delivery system (e.g., a wild or feral pig-only delivery system) that is currently available and approved for use by an entity having jurisdiction over the area in which the pig-only delivery system is used.

[0067] 49. Any method of the preceding paragraph, wherein the composition is protected from the environment (e.g., ambient conditions, rain, sun, wind, or any combination thereof) by packaging, optionally by packaging the composition in a plastic or polyweave feed bag.

[0068] 50. Any method of the preceding term, To provide a coated composition having a coating by spraying starch (e.g., cornstarch) onto all the components of the said composition, any component of the said composition, any combination of the components of the said composition, or cottonseed extract; To provide a dried coated composition by drying the coated composition; and The method comprising crushing the dried coated composition into smaller fragments (e.g., lumps and / or granules), optionally, thereby giving the smaller fragments a harder structure compared to the uncoated composition, and optionally, thereby protecting the composition when it is exposed to an environment such as the natural environment, and possibly when it is placed in a field.

[0069] While embodiments have been described using specific compositions containing gossypol, additional embodiments may be formed by providing compositions with essentially arbitrary formulations containing gossypol. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the compositions may include various relative ratios of any one component, excluding gossypol, to another component, ranging from 0% by weight to 100% by weight, or the actual values ​​or ranges contained therein. For example, the relative ratios may be selected to be such that the composition attracts pigs, causes pigs to eat the composition, maintains a contraceptive effect after being placed in situ, and causes reduced fertility or substantial infertility of pigs (e.g., boars, sows, or boars or sows) if at least 1.36 kg (3 lbs) of the composition is ingested daily for three consecutive days by pigs (e.g., boars, sows, or boars or sows), or any combination thereof.

[0070] While embodiments have been described using the term "includes" or its inflections, additional embodiments can be created by replacing the term "includes" with "essentially consists of" or "consists of" and their inflections. Additional embodiments can also be created by replacing "includes" or its inflections with "includes at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99% by weight and up to 100% by weight" or its inflections.

[0071] While embodiments have been described using the term "substantially," additional embodiments can be formed in which the term "substantially" is replaced with "approximately" or "at least 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99% and up to 100%."

[0072] Embodiments have been described using a first range having a first set of upper and lower limits, but additional embodiments can be created by replacing the first range with a narrower range having upper and lower limits selected from any values ​​included in the first range.

[0073] Where the terms “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” or similar terms are used in this disclosure to describe an open-ended range, that range includes all possible values ​​within that open-ended range, but excludes values ​​that are physically impossible. For example, if the context only allows values ​​up to 100% to be included in the range, values ​​greater than 100% are not included in that range. As another example, if the context only allows values ​​up to 0% to be included in the range, values ​​less than 0% are not included in that range. If the context only allows positive values ​​to be included in the range, negative values ​​are excluded from that range.

[0074] With respect to embodiments described in this disclosure that include optional components, this means that one or any combination of optional components may be included in the embodiment, but is not required. For example, some embodiments may not include any optional components at all, some embodiments may include only one optional component, some embodiments may include a selection of optional components, and some embodiments may include all of the optional components.

[0075] Furthermore, although the present invention has been specifically shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications can be made to its form and details without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The inventors anticipate that those skilled in the art will adopt such modifications as needed, and they intend that the invention may be carried out in ways other than those specifically described herein. Accordingly, the present invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the inventive features described in the claims appended herein, as permitted in accordance with applicable law. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated herein, or unless clearly inconsistent with the context, any combination of the above components, including all possible variations thereof, is incorporated into the present invention.

Claims

1. An orally ingestible contraceptive composition for pigs, 0.005 to 1.4% by weight of free gossypol; and Non-free gossypol substances including bulk feed components, pig attractants, flavor components, or any combination thereof. A composition containing the following:

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises cottonseed meal, the cottonseed meal constitutes 5 to 60% by weight of the composition, the cottonseed meal comprises at least a portion of the free gossypol, and the cottonseed meal provides at least a portion of the non-free gossypol substance.

3. The composition according to claim 2, wherein the composition comprises a bulk feed component, the bulk feed component comprises corn, and the corn constitutes 25 to 65% by weight of the composition.

4. The composition according to claim 3, wherein the composition comprises a pig attractant, a flavor component, or any combination thereof, and the pig attractant, the flavor component, or any combination thereof comprises molasses, salt, apple flavor, dried sour corn mash, or any combination thereof.

5. The molasses constitutes 0.5 to 5% by weight of the composition, The salt constitutes 0.5 to 4% by weight of the composition, The apple flavor constitutes 0.05 to 0.75% by weight of the composition, The dried sour corn mash constitutes 0.25 to 25% by weight of the composition, or The composition according to claim 4, which is any combination thereof.

6. The composition according to claim 3, wherein the composition comprises a cottonseed extract, the cottonseed extract comprising all or part of the gossypol.

7. The composition according to claim 6, wherein the cottonseed extract constitutes 0.005 to 1.4% by weight of the composition.

8. The composition according to claim 7, wherein the cottonseed extract is provided in the form of an oil.

9. The composition according to claim 8, wherein the cottonseed extract is cottonseed oil, and the cottonseed oil constitutes 0.5 to 1.4% by weight of the composition.

10. The composition according to claim 9, comprising 0.01 to 0.05% by weight of free gossypol.

11. The composition according to claim 1, comprising 0.01 to 0.05% by weight of free gossypol.

12. The composition according to claim 1, comprising 0.02 to 0.04% by weight of free gossypol.

13. The composition according to claim 9, wherein the cottonseed oil contains 0.025 to 0.79% by weight of free gossypol.

14. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the cottonseed meal contains 0.03 to 0.09% by weight of free gossypol.

15. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises 0.5 to 1.5% by weight of cottonseed oil, and the cottonseed oil comprises 0.025 to 0.79% by weight of free gossypol.

16. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises 0.5 to 1.5% by weight of refined cottonseed oil, and the refined cottonseed oil comprises 0.025 to 0.075% by weight of free gossypol.

17. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises 0.5 to 1.5% by weight of crude cottonseed oil, and the crude cottonseed oil comprises 0.29 to 0.79% by weight of free gossypol.

18. The composition according to claim 1, and A package that at least partially encloses the composition. An assembly that includes this.

19. The assembly according to claim 18, comprising a written suggestion, recommendation, or description for placing the composition into a feeder.

20. A system for delivering an orally ingestible contraceptive composition to pigs, The composition according to claim 1, and A device configured to allow pigs to eat the composition and to prevent other animals from eating the composition. A system that includes this.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the other animals include deer, felines, canines, rabbits, rodents, birds, reptiles, marsupials, raccoons, armadillos, or any combination thereof.

22. The system according to claim 20, wherein the apparatus is configured to exclude non-ungulate animals from inside the apparatus, and the inside is configured to contain the composition.

23. The system according to claim 21, wherein the apparatus is configured to allow a pig to enter or reach the interior of the apparatus, and the interior is configured to contain the composition.

24. A method for delivering an orally ingestible contraceptive composition to a pig, comprising the method of making the composition according to claim 1 available to the pig.

25. The method according to claim 24, comprising providing the composition to obtain pigs in a pig-specific delivery system.

26. The method includes making the assembly such that the pig is obtained, The composition, and A package that at least partially encloses the composition. The method according to claim 24, including the method described in claim 24.

27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising making the assembly such that a pig can be obtained in a pig-specific delivery system.

28. The method according to claim 25, comprising using a pig attractant to attract the pig to the composition so that the pig would eat the composition.

29. The method according to claim 25, comprising reducing the reproductive capacity of the pig after the pig has consumed the composition.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the pig is a male pig.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein after consuming the composition, the pig has a sperm motility score of less than 70% or a sperm morphology score of less than 80%.

32. The method according to claim 30, wherein, after consuming the composition, the pig has a sperm motility score of less than 70% and a sperm morphology score of less than 80%.

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