Supplements for nursing calves and supplements for weaning calves to improve the symptoms or condition of calves.

Abstract

To provide new means useful for reducing symptoms liable to occur in calves during a lactation period, symptoms of calves caused by weaning stress, and adverse effects on health conditions of calves.SOLUTION: Provided are a supplement containing lysine for calves in the lactation period for improving symptoms or conditions of calves in the lactation period, a supplement containing bypassed lysine for calves in the weaning period for improving symptoms or conditions in association with the weaning period, and a supplement set for calves prepared by combining the above-mentioned supplements. According to the present invention, it is possible to improve or enhance the health conditions of calves from the lactation period to the weaning period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2-3

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to a supplement for calves during the lactation period for improving the symptoms or conditions of calves during the lactation period, a supplement for calves during the weaning period for improving the symptoms or conditions of calves associated with weaning, and a calf supplement set combining these.

Background Art

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-145962 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 3728738 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 5040919 [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2019 / 189605 [Non-patent literature]

[0007] [Non-Patent Document 1] Lay et al. Applied Animal Behavior Science, 56 (1998), pp. 109-119 [Non-Patent Document 2] Hickey et al., J Anim Sci, 81: 2847-2855 (2003). [Non-Patent Document 3] Ajinomoto Healthy Supply Co., Ltd., “AjiPro(registered trademark)-L Lysine preparation for dairy cows,” [Retrieved August 26, 2022], Internet<URL: https: / / www.ahs.ajinomoto.com / products / feed / feed_4.html> [Non-Patent Document 4] Bio Science Co., Ltd., “Bypass Supplement ‘Lactic Acid Liver Plus Lysine’”, [Accessed August 26, 2022], Internet <URL: https: / / www.bioscience.co.jp / products / livestock / %E3%83%9F%E3%83%AB%E3%82%AB%E3%83%B3-%E3%83%AA%E3%82%B8%E3%83%B3 / > [Non-Patent Document 5] Smriga et al., The Journal of Nutrition, December 2002, Volume 132, Issue 12, Pages 3744-3746 [Non-Patent Document 6] Smriga et al., Biomedical Research, 2007, Volume 28, Issue 2, Pages 85-90 [Non-Patent Document 7] Niroumand et al., South African Journal of Animal Science 2020, 50 (No. 3), pp.442-451 [Non-Patent Document 8] Abe et al., Anim. Sci. Technol. (Jpn.) 67 (12): 1058-1067, 1996 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a novel method useful for mitigating symptoms that are likely to occur in calves during the nursing period, symptoms caused by weaning stress, and adverse effects on their health. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] As a result of diligent research, the inventors of the present invention have found that the above-mentioned problems in calves from the nursing period to the weaning period can be solved by supplementing lysine to calves during the nursing period and by bypass lysine supplementation to calves during the weaning period, and have completed the present invention. In other words, the present invention relates to the use of lysine as a supplement for nursing calves to improve the symptoms or condition of calves during the nursing period, and to the use of bypass lysine as a supplement for weaned calves to improve the symptoms or condition of calves associated with weaning, and encompasses the following embodiments.

[0010] [ 1 The use of bypass-processed lysine to improve symptoms or conditions in calves associated with weaning, by supplementing calves with bypass-processed lysine in an amount of 0.35 g to 4 g per day in lysine equivalent, wherein the improvement in symptoms or conditions is at least one selected from improved roughage intake, improved gluconeogenesis, reduced changes in white blood cell count and suppression of N:L ratio increase, and reduced treatment duration. [ 2 A method for improving symptoms or conditions associated with weaning, comprising administering bypass-processed lysine as a supplement to weaned calves in an amount of 0.35 g to 4 g per day in lysine equivalent, wherein the improvement of the symptoms or conditions is at least one selected from improved roughage intake, improved gluconeogenesis, reduced change in white blood cell count and suppression of N:L ratio increase, and reduced treatment duration. [ 3 A method for improving symptoms or conditions of calves during or after nursing, comprising: administering 2.5 g to 6 g of lysine per day as a supplement to the nursing calf; and administering bypass-processed lysine per day in lysine equivalent amounts of 0.35 g to 4 g to the weaned calf as a supplement. Furthermore, the improvement in the calf's symptoms or condition associated with weaning is at least one of the following: improved roughage intake, improved gluconeogenesis, reduced changes in white blood cell count and suppression of the increase in the N:L ratio, and reduced treatment duration. ,method. [ 4 The amount of lysine given to the aforementioned calves during the nursing period is 2.7 g to 6 g per day. 3 The method described.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the invention of the present invention that provides lysine without bypass processing, symptoms that are likely to occur in calves during the lactation period can be reduced, and the health status of calves during the lactation period can be improved or enhanced. According to the invention that provides bypass lysine, symptoms and adverse effects on the health status caused by weaning stress can be reduced, and the health status of calves during the weaning period can be improved or enhanced. Furthermore, by combining these, the health status of calves from the lactation period to the weaning period can be improved or enhanced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] [Figure 1] Substitute milk feeding system for calves used in the test. [Figure 2-1] Body weights of the Lys group and the control group. [Figure 2-2] Average daily weight gain of the Lys group and the control group. [Figure 2-3] Average daily weight gain by stage of the Lys group and the control group. [Figure 3-1] Intake of artificial milk by the Lys group and the control group. [Figure 3-2] Total intake of artificial milk by stage of the Lys group and the control group. [Figure 3-3] Intake of roughage by the Lys group and the control group. [Figure 3-4] Total intake of roughage by stage of the Lys group and the control group. †: P<0.10, *: P<0.05 [Figure 4-1] Feed efficiency of the Lys group and the control group. †: P<0.10, *: P<0.05 [Figure 4-2] Feed efficiency by stage of the Lys group and the control group. †: P<0.10, *: P<0.05 [Figure 5] Lysine concentration in serum of the Lys group and the control group. *: P<0.05 [Figure 6] Number of treatment days by stage of the Lys group and the control group. †: P<0.10

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Of the present inventions, the invention of feeding lysine that has not been bypass-processed targets calves during the nursing period, while the invention of feeding bypass-processed lysine targets calves during the weaning period. Both include calves of dairy breeds such as Holstein and Jersey, and calves of beef breeds such as Japanese Black. The calves may be those that have been artificially reared by early separation of mother and calf, where they are separated from their mothers early after calving and colostrum intake and nursed using milk replacer (liquid feed) and artificial milk (solid feed, also called starter), or they may be naturally nursed calves that are not separated from their mothers until weaning and are nursed by their mothers, or they may be calves under rearing management that limits the time mothers and calves spend together or restricts the time or frequency of nursing from their mothers by means of separating them with a fence. The calves may be raised individually or in groups, and the use of an automatic milk replacer dispenser is not required. In dairy farming, early separation of mothers and calves and artificial rearing are the mainstream practices, and artificial rearing management is also increasing in livestock farming.

[0014] The nursing period is the time before weaning when calves are fed liquid feed such as milk replacer or breast milk, and it lasts from 0 weeks of age until weaning. During this period, not only liquid feed but also solid feed such as artificial milk and roughage are given. The weaning period is the time after weaning when calves are fed artificial milk and roughage, and it generally lasts from weaning until about 10 weeks after weaning. The timing of weaning is set appropriately by each farm according to the method of calf rearing management, but in artificial rearing management with early mother-calf separation, weaning is generally done at 6 to 12 weeks of age. In natural rearing of beef cattle, weaning generally occurs at around 3 months of age.

[0015] The supplement for nursing calves according to the present invention, for improving symptoms or conditions of calves during the nursing period, contains lysine and is used to supply 0.75 g to 6 g of lysine per day to nursing calves. There are no particular restrictions on the amount of lysine supplied per day by the supplement as long as it is within the range of 0.75 g to 6 g, but for example, it may be 1 g to 6 g, 1.2 g to 6 g, 1.5 g to 6 g, 1.7 g to 6 g, 2 g to 6 g, 2.2 g to 6 g, 2.5 g to 6 g, 2.7 g to 6 g, 3 g to 6 g, 3.2 g to 6 g, or 3.5 g to 6 g. The upper limit of the supply may be 5.5 g or 5 g. During the period of supplementation with the supplement for nursing calves, it is preferable to administer the above amount of supplement as lysine every day. The daily amount may be divided into multiple doses, but it is simpler and preferable to administer it all at once.

[0016] During the nursing period, calves obtain lysine from their feed, primarily from breast milk or milk replacer, and from formula milk. In this invention, the above amount of lysine is supplemented by a supplement. The total daily lysine intake of a nursing calf, including the lysine intake from feed and the lysine intake from the supplement for nursing calves of this invention, is not particularly limited as it varies depending on the lysine content of the breast milk, milk replacer, or formula milk given to the calf. For example, it may be around 10 g to 40 g, 11 g to 40 g, or 12 g to 40 g.

[0017] Improvements in the symptoms or condition of calves during the nursing period through supplements for nursing calves include, for example, at least one selected from improved weight gain during the nursing period (e.g., daily weight gain or average daily weight gain) and improved roughage intake.

[0018] The period during which supplements for nursing calves are given to nursing calves is at least from three weeks before weaning until weaning. For example, it may include the period from 25 days before weaning until weaning, or the period from four weeks before weaning until weaning.

[0019] The supplement for nursing calves contains lysine in an un-bypassed form and may consist substantially of lysine alone, or it may further contain additives that do not have a rumen bypass effect. In one embodiment, the supplement for nursing calves is used without being combined with either methionine or bypassed methionine.

[0020] Supplements for nursing calves may be given by adding them to feed such as milk replacer, or they may be administered orally directly or dissolved in drinking water without being added to the feed. Furthermore, the supplement can also be provided in a form added to feed for nursing calves such as milk replacer.

[0021] The supplement for weaned calves according to the present invention, for improving symptoms or conditions of calves associated with weaning, contains bypass-processed lysine (bypass lysine) and is used to supply weaned calves with bypass lysine in an amount of 0.35 g to 4 g per day in lysine equivalent. The amount of lysine supplied per day by the supplement is not particularly limited as long as it is within the range of 0.35 g to 4 g, but may be, for example, 0.5 g to 4 g, 0.7 g to 4 g, 1 g to 4 g, 1.2 g to 4 g, or 1.5 g to 4 g, and the upper limit may be 3.7 g, 3.5 g, 3.2 g, 3 g, 2.7 g, or 2.5 g. During the period of supplementation with the weaned calf supplement, it is preferable to administer the above-mentioned amount of supplement in lysine equivalent every day. The daily amount may be divided into multiple doses, but it is simpler and preferable to administer it in one dose.

[0022] After weaning, the rumen develops further, but in this invention, the purpose is not to provide lysine as a nutrient source for rumen microorganisms, but to allow calves to absorb lysine, so bypass lysine is supplied to calves during the weaning period. Bypass processing itself, which bypasses the rumen, is well known in this field. For example, bypass processing can be carried out by spray coating or pan coating of the raw materials used in bypass processing, such as hardened oil. Bypass lysine is commercially available, so this invention can also be carried out using commercially available products.

[0023] The period during which supplements for weaned calves are given to calves during the weaning period is at least from weaning to two weeks after weaning, and may include, for example, the period from weaning to 18 days after weaning, or the period from weaning to three weeks after weaning.

[0024] Improvements in the symptoms or condition of calves associated with weaning through supplements for weaned calves include, for example, at least one selected from the following: improved weight gain, improved roughage intake, improved gluconeogenesis, reduced changes in white blood cell count and suppression of N:L ratio increase, and reduced treatment duration during the weaning period.

[0025] The supplement for weaned calves contains bypass-processed lysine and may consist substantially of bypass-lysine alone, or it may further contain additives that do not impair the rumen bypass effect. In one embodiment, the supplement for weaned calves is used without being combined with either methionine or bypass-methionine.

[0026] The supplement for weaned calves of the present invention may be given by adding it to feed such as artificial milk or roughage, or it may be administered orally directly or dissolved in drinking water without being added to feed. Furthermore, the supplement can also be provided in a form added to feed for weaned calves, such as artificial milk.

[0027] The supplement for nursing calves and the supplement for weaned calves of the present invention may be provided as a calf supplement in combination of both.

[0028] The present invention provides a method for improving symptoms or conditions in calves during or after lactation, in which a calf is given a supplement for lactating calves at a rate of 0.75 g to 6 g per day in lysine equivalent during lactation, and a supplement for weaning calves at a rate of 0.35 g to 4 g per day in lysine equivalent during weaning. The improvement in symptoms or conditions of calves during or after lactation by this method is, for example, at least one selected from: improved weight gain during lactation and weaning, improved roughage intake during lactation and weaning, improved gluconeogenesis during weaning, reduced changes in white blood cell count and suppression of N:L ratio increase during weaning, and reduced treatment days during weaning. [Examples]

[0029] The present invention will be described more specifically below based on examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0030] Example: The effect of lysine supplementation on reducing weaning stress 1. Materials and Methods (a) Examination period: March 2021 to June 2021 (i) Test location: Kasama Dairy and Beef Cattle Research Laboratory, Calf House (c) Test animals: 20 four-week-old Holstein female calves (separated from their mothers within one hour of birth) (e) Examination categories; the following two categories were established (n=10 in each category). a. Control group: Managed according to farm practices (milk replacer was provided as shown in Figure 1, and solid feed (artificial milk and roughage) was provided throughout the entire period). The trial period was 6 weeks in total, with 0-3 weeks (4-7 weeks old) being the nursing period and 4-6 weeks (8-10 weeks old) being the weaning period. b. Lysine group; In addition to managing the control group, lysine (product name L-lysine hydrochloride, manufactured by Xinjiang Meihua Amino Acid Co., Ltd., main component lysine (content ratio 98.5%)) was orally supplemented at a dose of 4 g / head / day (3.94 g / head / day in lysine equivalent) until the third week, and by-lysine (product name Spraylysine, manufactured by Bioscreen Technologies Srl, main component lysine, content ratio 40%, bypass rate 80%) was orally supplemented at a dose of 4 g / head / day (1.6 g / head / day in lysine equivalent) from the fourth week onward. The dosage of lysine and by-lysine was preliminaryly determined to be 4 g / head / day for both, based on the amount that increased blood lysine concentration. (e) Feeding and management; feed was provided twice a day, and drinking water was available freely. Treatment, vaccination, and dehorning were carried out in accordance with farm regulations.

[0031] (c) Survey items: a. Feed intake; daily b. Weight; weekly c. Biochemical tests; Blood was collected along with weight measurement, and serum after centrifugation was used to measure TP, Alb, AST, γ-GTP, BUN, Tcho, glucose (Glu), cortisol, white blood cell count, white blood cell differential, and free amino acid concentration. (k) Statistical analysis: All data were subjected to a two-way repeated measures ANOVA with processing and time as factors, using a JMP Ver. 15 model fit. If a significant difference (P < 0.05) was found, a Student's t-test was performed. For average daily weight gain (ADG), feed intake, feed efficiency, white blood cell count, and white blood cell differential calculated based on body weight, the data were divided into nursing period, weaning period, and overall period, and Student's t-tests were performed to determine the interval differences for each period.

[0032] 2. Results and Discussion (a) Body weight (Figures 2-1 to 2-3) From week 4 of the trial onward, the body weight of the Lys group showed a significant increase or an increasing trend compared to the control group. In weeks 3-4 and 5-6 of the trial, the daily weight gain (DG) of the Lys group was higher than that of the control group, and even when separated by stage, the DG of the Lys group was higher than that of the control group in both the nursing and weaning periods. These data suggest that lysine supplementation in calves increases ADG during the nursing period.

[0033] (i) Feed intake (Figures 3-1 to 3-4) There was no significant difference in artificial milk intake between the groups, indicating that artificial milk intake was not affected by lysine supplementation (Figures 3-1, 3-2). Regarding roughage intake, lysine did not affect the trend in roughage intake, but the Lys group tended to have higher intake than the control group throughout the entire study period (Figure 3-3). When examined by stage, the total roughage intake of the Lys group during the nursing period, weaning period, and throughout the entire study period was significantly higher or showed an increasing trend compared to the total roughage intake of the control group (Figure 3-4). These data suggest that lysine supplementation for calves improves roughage intake throughout the entire study period.

[0034] (c) Feed efficiency (Figures 4-1, 4-2) While the feed efficiency of the Lys group was similar to that of the control group at weeks 3 and 5 of the trial, the feed efficiency of the Lys group was higher than that of the control group at weeks 4 and 6. When analyzed by stage, the feed efficiency of the Lys group during the lactation period and throughout the entire trial period was higher than that of the control group. These results suggest that lysine supplementation for calves improves feed efficiency during the lactation period.

[0035] (e) Blood components (biochemical tests) (Table 1) Glu concentrations in the Lys group were higher than in the control group during weeks 2-6 of the trial. This result suggests that lysine supplementation in calves promotes gluconeogenesis and increases serum Glu concentrations. Cortisol levels in the Lys group during weeks 2, 6, and 7 of the study were lower than in the control group. Therefore, it is possible that lysine supplementation partially reduces the increase in cortisol levels caused by weaning stress.

[0036] [Table 1]

[0037] (e) Blood components (white blood cell differential) (Table 2-1, Table 2-2) In terms of the N:L ratio, the Lys group's values ​​at weeks 4-6 of the study were lower than those of the control group. Lysine supplementation may reduce the inflammatory response after weaning. On the other hand, when compared by stage, the Lys group had higher white blood cell counts and lymphocyte counts during weaning and throughout the entire period, and higher monocyte counts during nursing and throughout the entire period compared to the control group. Eosinophil and neutrophil counts were lower during weaning, and the N:L ratio during weaning was lower. The increase in white blood cell counts in the Lys group is thought to be a result of the increase in lymphocyte counts. Weaning is known to decrease the number of lymphocytes in the blood of calves, increase the number of neutrophils, and increase the N:L ratio (Hickey et al., J Anim Sci, 81: 2847-2855 (2003)). Therefore, lysine supplementation to calves was suggested to mitigate the decrease in blood lymphocyte count, increase in neutrophil count, and increase in the N:L ratio due to weaning.

[0038] [Table 2-1]

[0039] [Table 2-2]

[0040] (c) Serum lysine concentration (Figure 5) Serum lysine concentrations in the Lys group were higher than in the control group from weeks 4 to 6 of the study. Serum lysine concentrations decreased with decreasing intake of milk replacer. No effect of lysine supplementation was observed during the period of milk replacer feeding. It is presumed that because milk replacer provides a greater source of lysine than lysine supplementation from additives, the amount of milk replacer given has a greater influence on serum lysine concentrations during the nursing period, masking the effect of lysine supplementation from additives.

[0041] The lysine content in the amino acid composition of the milk replacer used in this study was 2.35%, and 0.4-0.8 kg of milk replacer was fed per day, meaning that nursing calves ingested 9.4-18.8 g / day of lysine from the milk replacer. The lysine content in the amino acid composition of the artificial milk used in this study was 1.07%, and the intake of artificial milk was 60-1,774 g / day during the nursing period and 849-1,900 g / day during the weaning period. Therefore, in this study, nursing calves ingested 0.642-18.985 g / day of lysine from artificial milk, and weaned calves ingested 9.08-20.33 g / day of lysine from artificial milk. In this study, nursing calves ingested 12.70-30.16 g / day of lysine from feed (milk replacer, artificial milk). During weaning, the rumen is somewhat developed, and normal lysine is broken down in the rumen. Therefore, the increase in serum lysine concentration in weaned calves is thought to be due to bypass lysine administered orally as an additive.

[0042] (k) Treatment period (Figure 6) The treatments in the control group were bloody stools, diarrhea, fever, and cough, listed in descending order of frequency. The treatment in the Lys group was bloody stools only. There was no difference in the number of treatment days during the nursing period. The number of treatment days during the weaning period tended to be lower in the Lys group than in the control group. In addition, the total number of treatment days over the entire study period also tended to be lower in the Lys group.

[0043] 3. Conclusion Lysine supplementation improved ADG, roughage intake, and gluconeogenesis throughout the calf's life cycle, as well as an increase in lymphocyte count, a decrease in neutrophil count, and a decrease in the N:L ratio during weaning, resulting in a reduction in the number of treatment days during weaning.

Claims

1. The use of bypass-processed lysine to improve symptoms or conditions in calves associated with weaning, by supplementing calves with bypass-processed lysine in an amount of 0.35 g to 4 g per day in lysine equivalent, wherein the improvement in symptoms or conditions is at least one selected from improved roughage intake, improved gluconeogenesis, reduced change in white blood cell count and suppression of N:L ratio increase, and reduced treatment duration.

2. A method for improving symptoms or conditions associated with weaning, comprising administering bypass-processed lysine as a supplement to weaned calves in an amount of 0.35 g to 4 g per day in lysine equivalent, wherein the improvement of the symptoms or conditions is at least one selected from improved roughage intake, improved gluconeogenesis, reduced change in white blood cell count and suppression of N:L ratio increase, and reduced treatment duration.

3. A method for improving symptoms or conditions of a calf during or associated with weaning, comprising: administering 2.5 g to 6 g of lysine per day as a supplement to the calf during the nursing period; and administering bypass-processed lysine per day in lysine equivalent amounts of 0.35 g to 4 g to the calf during the weaning period as a supplement, wherein the improvement in symptoms or conditions of the calf associated with weaning is at least one selected from: improved roughage intake, improved gluconeogenesis, reduced change in white blood cell count and suppression of N:L ratio increase, and reduced treatment duration.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the amount of lysine given to the calf during the nursing period is 2.7 g to 6 g per day.

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