Abscisic acid-containing pig feed

Abstract

Provided is a pig feed with which the productivity of pork can be increased and the cold stress and heat stress of pigs can be alleviated. Provided are: a pig feed characterized by containing 0.1-10 ppm of abscisic acid and / or a salt thereof; a pig breeding method characterized by causing pigs to ingest said pig feed; a method for preventing and / or ameliorating a decrease in the productivity due to cold and / or heat in pigs; a method for enhancing feed efficiency in pigs; a method for improving weight increase in pigs; and a method for improving the antioxidant ability of pigs by increasing reduced glutathione in the bodies of the pigs.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 This patent application claims priority and benefits under the Paris Convention based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-208576 (filed on December 16, 2020), and the entire content described in the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 【0002】 The present invention relates to a feed for pigs containing abscisic acid (hereinafter also referred to as "ABA"). 【Background Art】 【0003】 The world's major meat sources are cattle, pigs, poultry, and sheep (including goats). Among them, the production volume of pork is almost equivalent to that of chicken, far exceeding the production volumes of beef and mutton. There is also a statistic that about 30% of meat is pork. The demand for pork as meat is extremely large. 【0004】 The pigs raised are mainly used for meat. Therefore, in pig farms, the goal is to have sows give birth to many piglets and fatten them up quickly to grow large. Female pigs (growing sows) that give birth to piglets are introduced at about 6 months of age and a weight of about 10kg when they start showing estrus (the period when they are easily pregnant), and start mating at a weight of about 130kg after 2 months (8 months of age after birth). The gestation period is about 114 days, and a sow gives birth to about 10 piglets in one delivery. After giving birth, the sow nurses the piglets for about 3 to 4 weeks (21 to 28 days). After weaning, it enters estrus again in about 1 week, and repeats mating, pregnancy, and giving birth. In the case of healthy pigs, they give birth about 5 times in 2 years. So, on average, the number of piglets born from one sow in a year is more than 20. Newborn piglets weigh about 1.3kg. Weaned piglets are raised as fattening pigs and can be shipped at about 6 months (25 weeks) of age and a weight of 110 to 115kg after going through the pre-lactation period, post-lactation period (~about 21 days of age), weaning period (about 21 to 70 days of age), growing period (about 70 to 120 days of age), and fattening period (about 120 to 180 days of age). 【0005】 Pigs are fed 4-5 different types of feed according to their respective developmental stages, and fattening is carried out accordingly. Newborn piglets are raised on breast milk or formula for about 20 days until they reach a weight of around 6 kg. During this period, they develop the immunity and physical strength necessary for growth. Next, they are weaned from their mothers with easily digestible weaning food. After weaning, they are moved to a rearing barn and raised for about 50 days, until they reach a weight of around 30 kg, on feed specifically for the weaning period. After that, they are fed rearing feed, followed by fattening feed, and after a total of about 180 days from birth, they are raised to a state where they can be shipped as meat pigs. 【0006】 As mentioned above, the demand for pork as a food source is extremely high, and pork consumption is expanding. The characteristics considered important in pig farming to increase productivity are meat production capacity, robustness, and reproductive capacity. Various methods, such as crossbreeding, are employed in pig farming to improve these characteristics. 【0007】 Pigs are among the fastest-growing livestock. Therefore, the breeding environment, including nutritional supply and hygiene measures, has a significant impact on their growth and physiology. The environment surrounding pigs includes the thermal environment, physical environment, chemical environment, biological environment, and social environment, but the thermal environment has a particularly large impact on pig productivity. The thermal environment refers to both cold and hot environments. Especially from newborn to piglet stage, growth and health are greatly affected by environmental temperature, so careful management is essential. 【0008】 If it is too hot for pigs, they may show decreased feed intake and increased respiratory rate, while if it is too cold, they may show increased feed intake, rigidity, and shivering. Poor temperature conditions, whether too cold or too hot, can cause cold stress or heat stress in pigs. Under stressful conditions, pigs, like humans, can develop depression. In modern factory farming, pigs are said to be more susceptible to stress and depression than in the past. Depression can reduce feed efficiency and can also be a cause of tail biting. Just like in humans, depression can cause weight loss in some pigs and the accumulation of more subcutaneous fat in others. Gastric ulcers are also a common disease in pigs, especially under stressful conditions. It has been reported that more than 90% of pigs shipped to slaughterhouses show symptoms of gastric ulcers, making it a common disease in pigs. One of the main contributing factors is environmental temperature. 【0009】 In particular, since pigs have almost completely degenerated sweat glands, preventing heat stress in the summer is important. As a measure against heat stress in pigs, there is a known study that evaluated the antioxidant capacity of red rice and purple rice as pig feed (Non-Patent Literature 1). Non-Patent Literature 1 describes that oxidative stress in breeding pigs under hot conditions can be reduced by utilizing the antioxidant capacity of red rice and purple rice, and that feeding them to breeding sows can reduce oxidative stress under hot conditions. 【0010】 Furthermore, research is known on the effects of feeding a mixture of feed rice, barley, and tea processing residue, along with differences in their particle size, on the growth, carcass performance, and meat quality of fattening pigs in hot environments as a measure against heat stress in pigs (Non-Patent Literature 2). This relates to heat stress countermeasures for fattening pigs that utilize the nutritional characteristics of feed rice and barley, and the functional characteristics of tea processing residue. 【0011】 Abscisic acid (ABA) is a natural plant hormone widely present in plants, and is a substance that plays a role in physiological activity and signal transduction between cells. 【0012】 Abscisic acid is synthesized in plant cells when plants are exposed to environmental stresses such as drought and low temperatures, and plays a role in drought tolerance, growth inhibition, and seed dormancy. Commercial formulations containing abscisic acid are used in agriculture and horticulture as so-called plant growth regulators to improve stress tolerance at or around harvest and planting times, slow growth rates, and regulate flowering periods. 【0013】 Abscisic acid or its salts or esters have also been used in the treatment of vitamin deficiencies (Patent Document 1), diabetes and immune system disorders (Patent Document 2), and neurodegenerative diseases (Patent Document 3). ABA and its biosynthetic precursor xanthoxin have been reported to be inhibitors of the human bitter taste G protein-coupled receptor (Non-Patent Document 3). Phaseic acid, a metabolite of ABA, has been shown to have neuroprotective effects in ischemic brain injury (Non-Patent Document 4). 【0014】 Examples of the use of abscisic acid in livestock and fish include Patent Documents 4 to 8. Patent Document 4 describes that feeding livestock and farmed fish with abscisic acid as an active ingredient can improve the efficiency of raising livestock and fish, increase their weight and meat content, shorten the rearing period, and reduce or eliminate the use of antibiotics. 【0015】 Patent Document 5 describes a composition comprising abscisic acid, its salts, derivatives and analogs, and a method for improving postnatal weight gain in animal offspring using the composition. 【0016】 Patent document 6 describes a composition comprising abscisic acid, its salts and derivatives, and a method for improving feed efficiency, comprising administering abscisic acid, its salts and derivatives to livestock or fish. 【0017】 Patent Document 7 describes a method for improving the reproductive productivity of animals, including a composition containing abscisic acid, its salts, derivatives and analogs, and administering abscisic acid to pregnant animals. 【0018】 Patent Document 8 describes a method for reducing mortality, including a composition containing abscisic acid, its salts and derivatives, and administering abscisic acid, its salts and derivatives to chickens. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0019】 【Patent Document 1】 U.S. Patent No. 3,958,025 【Patent Document 2】 U.S. Patent No. 7,741,367 【Patent Document 3】 U.S. Patent No. 7,718,699 【Patent Document 4】 WO2012037561 【Patent Document 5】 U.S. Patent No. 9,591,867 【Patent Document 6】 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0250209 【Patent Document 7】 U.S. Patent No. 10,238,613 【Patent Document 8】 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0030269 【Non-Patent Documents】 【0020】 【Non-Patent Document 1】 Journal of the Japanese Pig Association 49(3)109 - 116, 2012.9 【Non-Patent Document 2】 Journal of the Japanese Pig Association 49(1)1 - 13, 2012.3 【Non-Patent Document 3】 Pydi, et al., Biochemistry, 2015, 54, 2622 - 2631 【Non-Patent Document 4】 Hou, et al., The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2016, 291, 27007-27022 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention 【0021】 As described above, the demand for pork as a meat is extremely large, and the consumption of pork is expanding. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a feed that improves the productivity of pork. In addition, cold stress and heat stress bring various adverse effects such as a decrease in productivity and a decrease in feed intake. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a feed that can alleviate cold stress and heat stress. Means for Solving the Problems 【0022】 As a result of intensive research to develop a feed that can increase the productivity of pork and alleviate cold stress and heat stress, the present inventors have found that by blending a predetermined amount of abscisic acid and / or its salt in the feed for pigs, the above object can be achieved, and the present invention has been completed. 【0023】 That is, the present invention relates to a feed for pigs, a feed additive composition for pigs, or a method for raising pigs using the feed for pigs, which contains abscisic acid and / or its salt, a method for preventing and / or improving a decrease in productivity due to cold and / or heat in pigs, and a method for increasing feed efficiency in pigs. 【0024】 Therefore, the present invention includes the following. [1] A feed for pigs containing 0.1 to 10 ppm of abscisic acid and / or its salt in the feed. [2] The feed for pigs according to [1], which is for alleviating cold stress and / or heat stress. [3] The pig feed according to [2], wherein the mitigation of cold stress and / or heat stress prevents and / or improves the reduced productivity of pigs due to cold stress and / or heat stress. [4] The pig feed according to [3], wherein the decrease in productivity is a decrease in feed efficiency and / or growth rate. A method for raising pigs, characterized by having pigs ingest the pig feed described in [5][1]. A method for preventing and / or improving the decrease in productivity in pigs due to cold and / or heat, characterized by having pigs ingest the pig feed described in [6][1]. A method for improving feed efficiency in pigs, characterized by having pigs ingest the pig feed described in [7][1]. [8] A pig feed as described in [1], which is for increasing reduced glutathione. [Effects of the Invention] 【0025】 The pig feed according to the present invention can alleviate cold stress and heat stress in pigs, and can prevent and / or improve the decrease in productivity caused by cold stress and / or heat stress. In other words, the pig feed according to the present invention can be used in the rearing of pigs as a pig feed that is excellent in terms of weight gain and feed efficiency even in environments with cold stress and / or heat stress. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0026】 The "abscisic acid and / or its salt" to be incorporated into the pig feed of the present invention is preferably (S)-(+)-abscisic acid (hereinafter also referred to as "S-abscisic acid" or "S-ABA") and / or its salt, which is one of the enantiomers of abscisic acid. S-abscisic acid has the following structure. [ka] 【0027】 Examples of abscisic acid salts that can be used in the present invention include inorganic salts, such as ammonium salts, lithium salts, sodium salts, potassium salts, and magnesium salts; and organic salts, such as triethanolamine salts, dimethanolamine salts, and ethanolamine salts. The present invention is not limited to these salts, and other salts can also be used. Ammonium salts are preferred in the present invention. Other preferred salts in the present invention are sodium salts and potassium salts. The salts can be produced by conventional methods by contacting abscisic acid with a sufficient amount of the desired base. Free acid can be regenerated by treating this salt with a suitable dilution of acid, such as diluted sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, or phosphoric acid. The free acid has certain physical properties, such as solubility in polar solvents, that differ from the respective salt forms, but any of them can be used in the present invention. The abscisic acid salts that can be used in the present invention may be pharmaceutically acceptable salts. 【0028】 The particle size of the ABA is preferably 0.03 to 3 mm, and more preferably 0.1 to 1 mm. The particle size of the added ABA can be adjusted by sieving. 【0029】 The production of abscisic acid itself is not particularly limited, and conventionally known methods can be employed. For example, production methods using the bacterium Botrytis (Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-35838) and production methods using Cercospora rosicola [Experimenta 33, 1556 (1977), Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-36393, Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-160996] are publicly known. 【0030】 The bacteria used in the production of ABA are not particularly limited as long as they are abscisic acid-producing bacteria belonging to the genera Botrytis or Cercospora, and include ordinary mutants and bacteria produced by mutation treatment. A specific example of an abscisic acid-producing strain belonging to Botrytis is Botrytis cinerea FERM P-6156. The mycological properties of this abscisic acid-producing Botrytis cinerea have already been studied in Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-35838. 【0031】 Solid or liquid culture media are used for abscisic acid production. These media contain carbon sources such as bran, wheat, rice, sweet potato, potato, glucose, maltose, malt extract, sucrose, dextrin, molasses, and starch, and nitrogen sources such as defatted soy flour, soy flour, gluten, yeast extract, peptone, meat extract, and corn steep liquor, either individually or in combination of two or more. In addition, inorganic substances such as magnesium salts, potassium salts, sodium salts, and phosphates, as well as vitamins, oils and fats, and other substances can be added. 【0032】 The culture medium thus obtained is sterilized by conventional methods to create a virtually sterile medium, after which the bacteria are inoculated. The sterilized medium is inoculated with sterile water containing the spore portion of an abscisic acid-producing strain belonging to the genus Botrytis, by uniformly dispersing the spores in the medium. In this case, it is of course acceptable if mycelial parts other than spores are mixed in. By inoculating with seed spores and culturing, a more uniform culture can be achieved, and abscisic acid can be accumulated at a high concentration and at a high rate. 【0033】 The culture conditions typically involve a culture temperature of 10-40°C, preferably 20-30°C, a culture medium pH of 3-12, preferably 4-8, and a culture period of 1-30 days, preferably 5-15 days. Culture is performed using a culture system that eliminates contamination by unwanted bacteria. Furthermore, aeration and stirring are particularly preferred. Abscisic acid is produced even in static culture, but its production is significantly promoted by aeration and stirring. 【0034】 Next, after the culture is complete, abscisic acid can be isolated from the culture medium using conventional methods, such as the method described below. First, the bacterial cells are removed from the culture medium by centrifugation, and the supernatant is adsorbed onto activated carbon and eluted with an organic solvent. In this case, solvents such as acetone, methanol, and ethanol can be used as the elution solvent. The abscisic acid transferred into the eluate can be isolated and purified from the post-culture mixture by applying conventional purification methods such as fractional extraction, adsorption, partitioning, thin-layer chromatography, and distillation, as well as conventional methods for purifying organic compounds. 【0035】 The abscisic acid-containing pig feed of the present invention can be prepared by adding a predetermined amount of abscisic acid and / or its salt to a commonly used pig feed. A pig feed additive containing abscisic acid and / or its salt may also be added to a commonly used pig feed. There are no particular restrictions on the administration of the abscisic acid-containing pig feed of the present invention to pigs, but it is simpler and preferable to administer it to pigs by mixing a predetermined amount of abscisic acid and / or its salt with pig feed. The abscisic acid-containing pig feed of the present invention can also be used as feed for sows that give birth to piglets (growing pigs), but it is preferable to use it as feed for newborn piglets. 【0036】 The amount of abscisic acid and / or its salt to be blended is 0.1 to 10 ppm, preferably 0.5 to 5 ppm, more preferably 0.5 to 2 ppm, and even more preferably 1 to 2 ppm. 【0037】 The abscisic acid-containing pig feed of the present invention can be prepared by compounding abscisic acid and / or its salts with commonly used pig feed. The pig feed used herein is not particularly limited, but may contain at least one selected from the following group: abyssinian oats, millet, barnyard millet, extruded wheat, extruded rice, extruded soybeans, extruded corn, peas, oats, barley, sweetened and heat-treated soybeans, sweet potatoes, soybean flour, foxtail millet, cassava, cassava meal, grain sorghum (milo). Grains such as brown rice, sesame, wheat, wheat flour, finger millet, flour, Sudan grass, Sumatran millet, polished rice, buckwheat, broad beans, soybeans, hulled lupin, teosinte, dextrin, pearl millet, corn, cornstarch, velvet beans, hulless barley, potato flour, breadcrumbs, barnyard millet, chickpeas, puffed soybeans, puffed hulled soybeans, rice husks, sorghum, rye, lupin, etc.Awanu rice bran, barley shochu lees, barley distillers grain, barley distillers grain soluble, barley distillers soluble, guar meal, citric acid fermented lees, glutamic acid fermented lees, brown rice distillers grain, brown rice distillers grain soluble, wheat and brown rice distillers grain, wheat distillers grain, wheat distillers grain soluble, wheat and corn distillers grain soluble, rice shochu lees, rice bran, rice germ, corn gluten feed, sake lees, shochu lees, soy sauce lees, screening PET, polished rice and wheat distillers grain, polished rice, wheat and brown sugar syrup distillers grain, polished rice distillers grain soluble, large Bean hulls, beet sugar syrup, wheat distillers' grains, beet sugar syrup distillers' grains, starch residue (sweet potato starch residue, cassava starch residue, potato starch residue), molasses distillers' soluble, corn and barley distillers' grains, corn and barley distillers' grain soluble, corn and barley distillers' soluble, Corn and barley distillers soluble, corn distillers grain, corn distillers grain soluble, corn distillers soluble, malt root, brewer's residue, bran, puffed bran, hominy feed, barley bran (coarse barley bran, mixed barley bran, finished barley bran, mixed hulless barley bran), lysine fermentation residue, and other types of brans;Coconut florets extract, flaxseed meal, extruded soybean meal, extruded hulled soybean meal, extruded rapeseed meal, pea protein, humidified and heat-treated soybean meal, sweetened extruded hulled soybean meal, sweetened and heat-treated rapeseed meal, sweetened and heat-treated soybean meal, kapok meal, soybean waste meal, sesame meal, wheat gluten, wheat gluten enzyme hydrolysate, corn gluten meal, corn germ meal (corn jam meal), sunflower meal, hulled sunflower meal, soybean meal, hulled soybean meal, soybean germ meal, soybean whey, rapeseed meal, concentrated rice protein, concentrated soy protein, fermented hulled soybean meal, enzymes Vegetable oilseed meals such as hydrolyzed hulled soybean meal, potato protein, palm kernel meal, sunflower meal, isolated soy protein, expanded hulled soybean meal, cottonseed meal, coconut meal, peanut meal, etc.; shrimp powder, krill powder, chicken meal, whole chicken meal, casein, crab shell powder, dried silkworm pupae, dried whey, fish meal, whitefish meal, chicken egg powder, blood plasma protein, blood meal, enzyme-treated fish protein, enzyme-hydrolyzed dried porcine small intestine, silkworm pupae meal, gelatin, whole egg enzyme hydrolysate, skim milk powder, meat and bone meal (pork meal), concentrated whey protein, fish soluble, fish soluble adsorbent feed, feather meal, porcine blood hydrolysate, etc.;and flax stalks, linseed oil saponified, candy residue, alfalfa, alfalfa meal, burdock beans, L-lactic acid, L-lysine hydrochloride, vetch, cocoa bean husks, confectionery crumbs, bread crumbs, fructose, turnip, sugarcane cane tops, dried enoki mushroom substrate, cassava stem and leaf powder, Bermuda grass, fish oil ester, silver lily stem and leaf powder, kudzu, grass pea, glutamic acid fermented liquid, clover, chlorella, mulberry Branch and leaf powder, Astragalus sinensis, yeast extract, coconut milk residue, coffee grounds, corn cob powder (corn cob meal), corn steep liquor, konjac powder, sugar, silkworm manure, diureidobutane, calcium fatty acid, senna meal, food by-products, vegetable oil saponification, vegetable gum substance, vegetable oil, hulled Torula yeast, Torula yeast, baker's yeast, brewer's yeast, refined fish meal, noodle scraps, soybean germ, soybean oilseed, Vicia cracca, medium-chain Calcium fatty acid, tempura batter powder, corn germ (corn jam), DL-methionine, sugar beet stems and leaves, sugar beet pulp extract, corn syrup, tofu syrup, animal fat, molasses, trehalose, rapeseed oil, sedge, black acacia stem and leaf powder (black acacia leaf meal), lactic acid fermented soy sauce lees / tofu syrup, lactose, urea, tropical kudzu, pineapple pulp, bagasse, pasta scraps, fermented tofu syrup, beet powder, beet pulp, Examples of feeds prepared by appropriately mixing fescue, wine lees, glucose, bluegrass, bromgrass, mangerwasel, mandarin orange peel, mandarin orange juice pulp, lotus root (Trefoil), bush clover, cottonseed, cottonseed husks, wood kraft pulp, rice husks, wild olive, L-lysine sulfate, apple juice pulp, rutabaga, lupin peel, and other feeds. The pig feed used in this invention includes corn, wheat, milo, oats, barley, soybeans, soybean oil meal, rapeseed oil meal, corn distiller's grain soluble, corn gluten feed, bran, and rice bran. 【0038】 The abscisic acid-containing pig feed of the present invention may further contain vitamins, minerals, guanidinoacetic acid, pigments, etc. Examples of the aforementioned vitamins include L-ascorbic acid, calcium L-ascorbate, sodium L-ascorbate, magnesium L-ascorbic acid-2-phosphate, acetomenaphtone, inositol, dibenzoylthiamine hydrochloride, ergocalciferol, choline chloride, thiamine hydrochloride, pyridoxine hydrochloride, β-carotene, cholecalciferol, dl-α-tocopherol acetate, retinyl acetate, cyanocobalamin, thiamine nitrate, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, para-aminobenzoic acid, retinyl palmitate, calcium D-pantothenate, calcium DL-pantothenate, d-biotin, vitamin A powder, vitamin A oil, vitamin D powder, vitamin D3 oil, vitamin E powder, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, retinyl propionate, menadione sodium bisulfite, menadione nicotinamide bisulfite, folic acid, riboflavin, riboflavin butyrate, and the like. Examples of the aforementioned minerals include zinc chloride, potassium chloride, iron chloride, copper chloride, basic copper chloride, iron citrate, ammonium iron citrate, calcium gluconate, sodium iron citrate succinate, zinc acetate, cobalt acetate, copper acetate, zinc oxide, copper oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum hydroxide, manganese hydroxide, selenium, zinc carbonate, cobalt carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, iron carbonate, magnesium carbonate, manganese carbonate, zinc 2-deamino-hydroxymethionine, iron DL-threonine, calcium lactate, ferrous fumarate, zinc peptide, iron peptide, copper peptide, manganese peptide, molybdenum, potassium iodide, potassium iodate, calcium iodate, zinc sulfate, zinc methionine sulfate, sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, cobalt sulfate, iron sulfate, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper lysine complex, monopotassium phosphate, monosodium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, sodium dihydrogen sulfate, and sodium dihydrogen sulfate. Examples of the aforementioned pigments include astaxanthin, β-apo-8'-carotene ethyl ester, capsanthin, carbon black, canthaxanthin, citranaxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lutein. 【0039】 The abscisic acid-containing pig feed of the present invention may further contain flavorings, tasters, enzymes, probiotics, organic acids, etc. Examples of the aforementioned flavorings include esters, ethers, ketones, fatty acids, aliphatic higher alcohols, aliphatic higher aldehydes, aliphatic higher hydrocarbons, terpene hydrocarbons, phenol ethers, phenols, aromatic alcohols, aromatic aldehydes, lactones, and the like. Examples of the aforementioned flavorings include sodium saccharin. Examples of the aforementioned enzymes include amylase, alkaline protease, galactosidase, xylanase, xylanase-pectinase complex enzyme, β-glucanase, acid protease, cellulase, cellulase-protease-pectinase complex enzyme, neutral protease, phytase, mannanase, lactase, and lipase. The aforementioned live bacterial preparations include Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Clostridium butyricum, budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus badius, Bacillus licheniformis, Bifidobacterium animalis, and Bifidobacterium thermophyllum. Examples include Lactobacillus thermophilum, Bifidobacterium pseudolongum, Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Examples of the aforementioned organic acids include calcium formate, sodium gluconate, potassium diformate, and fumaric acid. 【0040】 The abscisic acid-containing pig feed of the present invention can also be used in combination with synthetic antibacterial agents and antibiotics. Examples of the aforementioned synthetic antibacterial agents include amprolium etopavate, amprolium etopavate sulfaquinoxaline, lobenidin hydrochloride, morantel citrate, diclazuril, decoquinate, nicarbacin, halofudinone hydrobromide, and halofudinone calcium polystyrene sulfonate. Examples of the aforementioned antibiotics include zinc bacitracin, aviramycin, alkyltrimethylammonium calcium oxytetracycline, enramycin, chlortetracycline, salinomycin sodium, senduramycin sodium, naracin, nosyheptide, bicozamycin, flavophospholipol, maduramycin ammonium, monensin sodium, rasaloside sodium, and tylosin phosphate. 【0041】 The abscisic acid-containing pig feed of the present invention may further contain antioxidants, binders, emulsifiers, modifiers, etc., in order to prevent a decline in feed quality. Examples of the aforementioned antioxidants include ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, α-tocopherol, ethoxyquin, dibutylhydroxytoluene, ascorbyl palmitate, and butylhydroxyanisole. Examples of the aforementioned binders include sodium alginate, sodium caseinate, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, propylene glycol, and sodium polyacrylate. Examples of the emulsifiers include glycerin fatty acid esters, sucrose fatty acid esters, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, and polyoxyethylene glycerin fatty acid esters. Examples of the aforementioned adjusting agent include formic acid. 【0042】 In addition to the above, the abscisic acid-containing pig feed of the present invention may also contain, for example, sweet flag (Acorus calamus), garlic (Allium sativum), dill (Anethum graveolens), wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), caraway (Carum carvi), cinnamon (Cinnamomum), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), cumin (Cuminum cyminum), turmeric (Curcuma longa), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), artichoke (Cynara scolymus), coneflower (Echinacea), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), ginkgo biloba, licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), and bay laurel (Laurus) (Nobilis), lavender (Levisticum officinale), tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), spearmint (Mentha spicata), peppermint (Mentha x piperita), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), basil (Ocimum basilicum), marjoram (Origanum majorana), oregano (Origanum vulgare), ginseng (Panax ginseng), parsley (Petroselinum sativum), allspice (Pimenta dioica), anise (Pimpinella anisum), black pepper (Piper nigrum), patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), sage (Salvia officinalis), stevia (Stevia rebaudiana), clove (Syzygium) Dandelion (Tanacetum vulgare), common dandelion (Taraxacum)Herbs such as iris (officinale), thyme (Thymus), ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi), and ginger (Zingiber officinale) may be used individually, in combination, or in combination with others. Of these herbs, calamus (Acorus calamus), garlic (Allium sativum), wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), cinnamon (Cinnamomum), echinacea, oregano (Origanum vulgare), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), and thyme (Thymus) are preferably used. These herbs can be used in powder form or extracted to produce essential oils or the like. 【0043】 The abscisic acid-containing pig feed of the present invention can be used as feed for meat pigs and as feed for newborn piglets, and can improve weight gain. In particular, when used in environments with cold stress and / or heat stress, the abscisic acid-containing pig feed of the present invention can alleviate cold stress and / or heat stress. Specifically, it can prevent and / or improve the decrease in pig productivity caused by cold stress and / or heat stress, improve the weight gain of piglets, and prevent and / or improve the decrease in feed efficiency and / or growth rate. The timing for feeding piglets is from weaning until they are shipped as meat pigs. In particular, it is preferable to feed the abscisic acid-containing pig feed of the present invention to piglets at least during the weaning period (approximately 21 to 70 days old). 【0044】 The abscisic acid-containing pig feed of the present invention can also be used as feed for sows (such as breeding sows) that give birth to piglets, thereby increasing the weight of sows, improving feed efficiency, and enhancing reproductive productivity. In particular, the abscisic acid-containing pig feed of the present invention can alleviate cold stress and / or heat stress when used in environments subject to cold stress and / or heat stress. Specifically, it can prevent and / or improve the decrease in pig productivity caused by cold stress and / or heat stress, and can prevent and / or improve the decrease in feed efficiency and / or growth rate. The abscisic acid-containing pig feed of the present invention can be used as feed for sows (such as breeding sows) during any of the following periods: lactation, mating after weaning, pregnancy, and farrowing. 【0045】 By feeding pigs the abscisic acid-containing pig feed of the present invention, the amount of reduced glutathione in the pigs' bodies can be increased. Reduced glutathione is known to scavenge reactive oxygen species, i.e., to have antioxidant effects. An increase in reduced glutathione in the pigs' bodies means that the accumulation of reactive oxygen species is suppressed, improving the pigs' antioxidant capacity, and thus indicating that the pigs are healthy. 【0046】 In this specification, "daily weight gain" refers to a unit representing the growth rate (weight gain) of livestock, generally expressed in kilograms per day. It is also called average daily weight gain or daily weight gain. 【0047】 In this specification, "feed conversion ratio (FCR)" means the amount of feed intake (or consumption) required to produce 1 kg of livestock product, and is the reciprocal of feed efficiency, and is expressed by the following formula. Feed conversion ratio = [Feed intake (or consumption) (kg) / Livestock product production (kg)] On the other hand, in this specification, "feed efficiency" means "amount of livestock product produced (kg) / amount of feed intake (or consumption) (kg)." "Amount of livestock product produced" refers to the weight gained during the rearing period, also known as "weight gain." 【0048】 In this specification, the "growth rate" of pigs means "number of weaned piglets" / "number of piglets nursed by the sow." 【0049】 In this specification, "cold stress" means stress caused by temperature at low temperatures. Low temperatures mean temperatures lower than room temperature and typically include temperatures lower than the optimal temperature for raising pigs (e.g., 26°C), such as 22°C or below, 20°C or below, or 15°C or below. In this specification, "heat stress" means stress caused by high temperatures. High temperatures refer to temperatures higher than room temperature, and typically include temperatures higher than the optimal temperature for raising pigs (e.g., 26°C), such as 30°C or above, or 35°C or above. [Examples] 【0050】 The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited in any way by these examples. 【0051】 Test Example 1 Abscisic acid's effect in mitigating productivity loss caused by cold stress. (1) Materials and methods Eighty-four ternary crossbreed (LWD) piglets were introduced at 28 days of age for the study. Individual weight was measured, and seven piglets were housed in each compartment to ensure equal average weight. Three compartments (repeated sets) were then divided into four test groups. The rearing period ranged from 28 to 70 days of age, and S-abscisic acid (S-ABA) was used as the test substance. S-ABA was added to the feed at the concentrations shown in Table 1, and this S-ABA-containing feed was given to the piglets daily from 28 to 70 days of age. Low-temperature conditions were implemented from 36 to 70 days of age. 【0052】 (2) Test group The following four groups were established. Each group consisted of three sections (repeated trials), and each test group was assigned as shown in Table 1 below. [Table 1] 【0053】 (3) Rearing management All groups were reared at an appropriate temperature from 28 to 35 days of age. After 36 days of age, in Test Group 1, the temperature was maintained at an appropriate level with an air conditioner, while in Test Groups 2 to 4, the temperature was maintained at a low level. The rearing temperature was measured and recorded using a thermometer or data logger installed near the center of the rearing room. The average room temperature of the appropriate temperature group was 26.1°C, and that of the low temperature group was 20.4°C. 【0054】 The feed used was the Mama Koro pre-stage, mid-stage, and post-stage feeds manufactured by Feed One Co., Ltd. (No. 6, 2- Higashishiba, Kisarazu City, Ibaraki Prefecture). The feed was continuously supplied. The feed components are shown in Table 2. The drinking water was provided for free intake using a water dispenser with a nipple. The pre-stage feed was supplied until 35 days of age, the mid-stage feed from 36 to 42 days of age, and the post-stage feed after 43 days of age. 【0055】 【Table 2】 【0056】 (4) Observation and measurement items (i) Clinical symptoms: Observed daily. (ii) Body weight: Measured individually at 28, 35, and 70 days of age, and the average weight gain during the period from 35 to 70 days of age was calculated. (iii) Feed intake: Measured daily for each section, and the feed intake per head per week was calculated. Also, the feed requirement rate (feed intake / weight gain) was calculated from the average feed intake and the average weight gain during the measurement period. 【0057】 It was examined whether the addition of abscisic acid (ABA) to the feed at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, and 1 ppm could reduce the decrease in productivity caused by cold stress. The results are shown in Tables 3 to 5. 【0058】 (Clinical symptoms) No abnormalities were observed in all individuals. 【0059】 (Weight gain) As shown in Table 3, in each group with ABA added under low-temperature rearing compared to the appropriate-temperature rearing group, an increase in the weight gain was observed despite being exposed to the low-temperature environment, and the effect of ABA in reducing cold stress (decrease in weight gain) was confirmed. 【0060】 【Table 3】 【0061】 (Feed intake) As shown in Table 4, in each group with ABA added under low-temperature rearing compared to the appropriate-temperature rearing group, an increase in the feed intake was observed, and the effect of ABA in reducing cold stress (decrease in feed intake) was confirmed. 【0062】 【Table 4】 【0063】 (Feed requirement rate) As shown in Table 5, in each group with ABA added under low-temperature rearing compared to the appropriate-temperature rearing group, a low value of the feed requirement rate was observed despite being exposed to the low-temperature environment, and the effect of ABA in reducing cold stress (decrease in feed efficiency) was confirmed. 【0064】 【Table 5】 【0065】 Test Example 2 Effect of abscisic acid in reducing productivity decline caused by heat stress (1) Materials and methods Eighty-four three-way hybrid (LWD) piglets were introduced at 28 days of age and used in the test. The weight of each piglet was measured individually, and 7 piglets were housed in each compartment so that the average weight of each compartment was equal. Three compartments (replicates) per group were assigned to 4 test groups. The rearing period was from 28 to 70 days of age, and the test substance used was S-ABA. S-ABA was added to the feed at the concentrations shown in Table 6, and the S-ABA-containing feed was fed to the piglets daily from 28 to 70 days of age. The high-temperature environment was implemented from 36 to 70 days of age. 【0066】 (2) Test group The following four groups were established. Three sections (repeated trials) were set up in each group, and each test group was assigned as shown in Table 6 below. [Table 6] 【0067】 (3) Animal care All groups were reared at an appropriate temperature from 28 to 35 days of age. From 36 days of age onward, test group 1 was kept at an appropriate temperature using an air conditioner, while test groups 2-4 were kept at a high temperature. Rearing temperatures were measured and recorded using a thermometer / hygrometer or data logger placed near the center of the rearing room. The average room temperature for the appropriate temperature group was 26.1°C, and the average room temperature for the high temperature group was 30.6°C. 【0068】 As in Experimental Example 1, the feed consisted of Mamakoro early, mid, and late-stage feeds manufactured by Feed One Co., Ltd. (2-6 Higashifukushiba, Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture) and was continuously administered. The feed components are shown in Table 7. Drinking water was provided ad libitum via a water dispenser with a picker. Early-stage feed was given until 35 days of age, mid-stage feed from 36 to 42 days of age, and late-stage feed from 43 days of age onward. [Table 7] 【0069】 (4) Observation and measurement items (i) Clinical symptoms: Observed daily. (ii) Body weight: Body weight was measured individually at 28, 35, and 70 days of age, and the average weight gain in each section from 35 to 70 days of age during the measurement period was calculated. (iii) Feed intake: Feed intake was measured daily for each plot, and the weekly feed intake per head was calculated. In addition, the feed conversion ratio (feed intake / weight gain) was calculated from the average feed intake and average weight gain per plot during the measurement period. 【0070】 We investigated whether adding abscisic acid (ABA) to feed at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, and 1 ppm could mitigate the decrease in productivity caused by heat stress. The results are shown in Tables 8-10. 【0071】 (clinical symptoms) No abnormalities were observed in any of the individuals. 【0072】 (weight gain) As shown in Table 8, compared to the group reared at optimal temperature, each group that received ABA supplementation under high-temperature rearing showed increased weight gain despite being exposed to a high-temperature environment, confirming the effect of ABA in reducing heat stress (decreased weight gain). 【0073】 [Table 8] 【0074】 (Feed intake) As shown in Table 9, compared to the group reared at optimal temperature, each group that received ABA supplementation under high-temperature rearing showed an increase in feed intake despite being exposed to a high-temperature environment, confirming the effect of ABA in reducing heat stress (decrease in feed intake). 【0075】 [Table 9] 【0076】 (Feed conversion rate) As shown in Table 10, with the exception of the group with 0.1 ppm of ABA added, each group that was reared at high temperatures and had ABA added showed lower feed conversion ratios compared to the group reared at optimal temperatures, despite being exposed to a high-temperature environment. This confirmed the effect of ABA in reducing heat stress (decreased feed efficiency). 【0077】 [Table 10] 【0078】 Test Example 3 Abscisic acid's effect of increasing reduced glutathione production The effects of S-ABA administration were verified as follows. (1) Materials and methods Twelve heifers, all virgins, were introduced at 8 months of age and used in the experiment. For approximately 40 days from the date of artificial insemination, the amounts of S-ABA (particle size 0.1-1 mm) shown in Table 11 were administered mixed into their feed. 【0079】 [Table 11] 【0080】 (2) Observation and measurement items (i) Clinical symptoms: Observed daily. (ii) Intestinal tract collection: An autopsy was performed around the 40th day of pregnancy, and the small intestine was collected. 【0081】 (clinical symptoms) No abnormalities were observed in any of the individuals. 【0082】 (Reduced glutathione in the mucosa and epithelial cells of the small intestine) Table 12 shows the results of measuring reduced glutathione in the small intestine after approximately 40 days of administration. Reduced glutathione contained in 1 g of small intestinal tissue was quantified using a commercially available glutathione measurement kit (Dojin Chemical; GSSH / GSH Quantification Kit). The amount of reduced glutathione in the small intestinal tissue was significantly increased in the study in which 10 ppm of S-ABA was administered to the feed (No. 3-2) compared to the study without S-ABA administration (No. 3-1). 【0083】 [Table 12] [Industrial applicability] 【0084】 The abscisic acid-containing pig feed according to the present invention is a pig feed to which abscisic acid and / or its salts are added, and can be used in pig rearing as a pig feed with excellent weight gain and feed efficiency. The abscisic acid-containing pig feed according to the present invention can improve productivity when used as pig feed, alleviate cold stress and heat stress, prevent and / or improve the decrease in productivity caused by cold stress and / or heat stress, and prevent and / or improve the decrease in feed efficiency and / or growth rate. In addition, when administered to pigs, the abscisic acid-containing pig feed according to the present invention can increase reduced glutathione in the pig's body and improve the antioxidant capacity of pigs.

Claims

[Claim 1] A pig feed containing 0.1 to 10 ppm of abscisic acid and / or its salt, for the mitigation of cold stress and / or heat stress. [Claim 2] The pig feed according to claim 1, wherein the mitigation of cold stress and / or heat stress is the prevention and / or improvement of the decrease in pig productivity caused by cold stress and / or heat stress. [Claim 3] The pig feed according to claim 2, wherein the decrease in productivity is a decrease in feed efficiency and / or growth rate. [Claim 4] A method for raising pigs, characterized by having pigs ingest the pig feed described in claim 1. [Claim 5] A method for preventing and / or improving a decrease in productivity in pigs due to cold and / or heat, characterized by having pigs ingest the pig feed described in claim 1. [Claim 6] A method for improving feed efficiency in pigs, characterized by having pigs ingest the pig feed described in claim 1. [Claim 7] A pig feed for increasing reduced glutathione, comprising 0.1 to 10 ppm of abscisic acid and / or a salt thereof in the feed.

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