Thiamine as a poultry feed additive

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for raising a poultry, comprising administering to the poultry a thiamine or a derivative thereof in an amount effective for reducing incidence or severity of an event in the poultry, improving meat quality of the poultry, or supporting muscle health or healthy muscle growth in the poultry. The event may be selected from the group consisting of wooden breast (WB), white striping (WS), myopathic lesions, vacuolations, lipogranuloma formation, myofiber splitting, fibrosis, necrosis, and a combination thereof. Also provided are a composition for raising a poultry and a method for preparing the composition as well as a package comprising a thiamine or a derivative thereof and instructions for raising a poultry.

Description

[0001] THIAMINE AS A POULTRY FEED ADDITIVE

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0003] This application claims priority to United States Provisional Application No. 63 / 492,877, filed March 29, 2023, and the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

[0004] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention relates to thiamine or its derivative as a poultry feed additive and uses and preparation thereof.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Wooden breast (WB) and white striping (WS) are highly prevalent and economically damaging muscle disorders of modern commercial poultries, for example, broiler chickens. WB is a degenerative muscle disease characterized by extreme firmness of the breast muscles, significantly affecting meat quality. WS is characterized by fatty white striations running parallel to the muscle fiber.

[0008] There remains a need for effective approaches to prevent or treat these diseases.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention relates to thiamine or its derivative as a poultry feed additive and uses and preparation thereof. The inventor has surprisingly discovered the use of benfotiamine, a thiamine derivative, for preventing or diminishing deleterious changes in poultry muscle.

[0011] A method for raising a poultry is provided. This feed method comprises administering to the poultry a thiamine or a derivative thereof in an amount effective for reducing incidence or severity of an event in the poultry, improving meat quality of the poultry, or supporting muscle health or healthy muscle growth in the poultry. The event is selected from the group consisting of wooden breast (WB), white striping (WS), myopathic lesions, vacuolations, lipogranuloma formation, myofiber splitting, fibrosis, necrosis, and a combination thereof. The poultry may be a fast-growing chicken.

[0012] The thiamine derivative may be selected from the group consisting of benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro- furfuryl-disulfide, and dibenzoyl thiamine. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine.

[0013] The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry at 0.01- 1,000 mg per kg body weight per day. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry post-hatch for a period of 1-70 days. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry daily.

[0014] According to the feed method, the poultry may be a fast-growing chicken, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine and administered to the poultry post-hatch daily at 80-100 mg per kg body weight per day for 1-56 days.

[0015] The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of wooden breast (WB) in the poultry.

[0016] The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of white striping (WS) in the poultry.

[0017] The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myopathic lesions in the poultry.

[0018] The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of vacuolations in the poultry.

[0019] The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of lipogranuloma formation in the poultry.

[0020] The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myofiber splitting in the poultry.

[0021] The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of fibrosis in the poultry.

[0022] The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of necrosis in the poultry.

[0023] The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry in an amount effective for improving the meat quality of the poultry.

[0024] The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry in an amount effective for supporting muscle health or healthy muscle growth in the poultry.

[0025] A composition for raising a poultry is provided. The composition comprises a thiamine or a derivative thereof in an amount effective for reducing incidence or severity of an event in the poultry, for improving meat quality of the poultry, or supporting muscle health or healthy muscle growth in the poultry. The event is selected from the group consisting of wooden breast (WB), white striping (WS), myopathic lesions, vacuolations, lipogranuloma formation, myofiber splitting, fibrosis, necrosis, and a combination thereof. The poultry may be a fast-growing chicken.

[0026] According to the composition, the thiamine derivative may be selected from the group consisting of benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, and dibenzoyl thiamine. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine.

[0027] According to the composition, the poultry may be a fast-growing poultry and the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine.

[0028] In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of wooden breast (WB) in the poultry.

[0029] In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of white striping (WS) in the poultry.

[0030] In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myopathic lesions in the poultry.

[0031] In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of vacuolations in the poultry.

[0032] In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of lipogranuloma formation in the poultry.

[0033] In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myofiber splitting in the poultry.

[0034] In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of fibrosis in the poultry.

[0035] In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of necrosis in the poultry.

[0036] In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for improving the meat quality of the poultry.

[0037] In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for supporting muscle health or healthy muscle growth in the poultry. A method for preparing a composition is provided. The preparation method comprises mixing a poultry feed with a thiamine or a derivative thereof in an amount effective for reducing incidence or severity of an event in a poultry, for improving meat quality of a poultry, or supporting muscle health or healthy muscle growth in a poultry. The event is selected from the group consisting of wooden breast (WB), white striping (WS), myopathic lesions, vacuolations, lipogranuloma formation, myofiber splitting, fibrosis, necrosis, and a combination thereof. The poultry may be a fast-growing chicken.

[0038] The poultry feed and the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be mixed at a temperature of 4-40°C

[0039] According to the preparation method, the thiamine derivative may be selected from the group consisting of benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, and dibenzoyl thiamine. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine.

[0040] According to the preparation method, the poultry may be a fast-growing chicken and the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine.

[0041] The preparation method may further comprise storing the composition at a temperature of 4-40 °C.

[0042] A package is provided. The package comprises (a) thiamine or a derivative thereof and (b) an instruction to raise a poultry according to the method of the present invention.

[0043] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] FIGs. la-b show prevalence of myopathic lesions grouped by severity score (0- 4) within a. fast-growing control (FGC) fast-growing treatment (FGT) and slower- growing (SG) chickens; b. wooden breast (WB) score categories (0-4) only in fastgrowing chickens (correlation between WB score and myopathic lesions score = 0.55).

[0045] FIGs. 2 shows prevalence of microscopic features in the p. major specimens from fast-growing control (FGC) fast-growing treatment (FGT) and slower-growing (SG) chickens. Prevalence of all the features except "Macrophages" were significantly different (P<0.01) between FGC and SG groups. Features denoted by had a significantly different prevalence between FGC and FGT groups. Features denoted by had a significantly different prevalence between FGT and SG groups.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows prevalence of microscopic features in the p. major specimens of fast-growing chickens within the wooden breast (WB) score categories (0-3). WB score had a statistically significant effect (p-value <0.01) on the prevalence of the features denoted by

[0047] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] The present invention relates to a poultry feed supplemented with a thiamine or a derivative thereof and its uses and preparation. The invention is based on the inventor's surprising discovery of the use of benfotiamine, a derivative of thiamine with higher bioavailability, as a chicken feed additive to prevent or diminish deleterious changes in the poultry muscle. A chicken feed supplemented with benfotiamine has been found to result in a significant reduction in the severity of both WB (mean WB severity score of 1.50 vs 1.01, respectively, in the control and treatment groups) and WS (mean WS severity score of 0.86 vs 0.67 respectively, in the control and treatment groups). The feed supplemented with benfotiamine had no significant effect on body weight until 42 days post-hatch. However, there was a slight but significant reduction (4.8%) in body weight at 55 days post-hatch in chickens receiving benfotiamine. Histologic analyses of pectoralis (p.) major muscle specimens showed that compared with control chickens, treatment birds exhibited decreased severity of myopathic lesions, as well as a lower incidence of vacuolations, lipogranuloma formation, myofiber splitting, myofiber regeneration, fibrosis and necrosis. These results are consistent with the decreased severity of clinical (palpable) WB in the treatment group and suggest beneficial effects of benfotiamine in reducing the severity and prevalence of muscle lesions in fast-growing broiler chickens.

[0049] The terms "wooden breast (WB)" and "woody breast (WB)" are used herein interchangeably and refers a condition characterized by the abnormal hardening of breast muscles in poultries, for example, chickens, resulting in a tough and fibrous texture. This condition adversely affects the quality of poultry meat, leading to reduced consumer satisfaction and economic losses for poultry producers. The WB chicken may have histological features such as fibrosis, necrosis, lipidosis, myodegeneration, phlebitis, myositis, myofiber vacuolation, hypereosinophilic and rounded myofibers, myofiber splitting, myofiber regeneration, lipogranuloma formation, edema, and gross features (e.g., diffuse firmness and pallor, subcutaneous and fascial edema, and petechial haemorrhages), and clinical features such as palpable firmness, swelling, walking abnormalities, rigidity in wing movement, inability to raise the wings to make contact with each other from behind, and / or reduced meat quality.

[0050] The term "white striping (WS)" as used herein refers to a myopathy affecting poultry, characterized by the appearance of white striations or lines running parallel to the muscle fibers on the surface of chicken breast meat. These white striations or lines are associated with reduced meat quality, including decreased tenderness and juiciness.

[0051] The term "poultry" as used herein refers to domesticated birds kept by humans for the purpose of harvesting useful animal products such as meat, eggs or feathers. Examples of the poultry include chickens, turkeys, quails, ducks and geese.

[0052] The term "fast-growing chicken" as used herein refers to a chicken with an Average Daily Gain (ADG) above 40 grams per day during the grow-out period (e.g., 1 to 56 days post hatch).

[0053] The present invention provides a composition for raising a poultry. The composition comprises a thiamine or a derivative thereof. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for reducing incidence or severity of an event in the poultry. The event may be selected from the group consisting of wooden breast (WB), white striping (WS), myopathic lesions, vacuolations, lipogranuloma formation, myofiber splitting, fibrosis, necrosis, and a combination thereof. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for improving meat quality of the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for supporting muscle health or healthy muscle growth in the poultry.

[0054] The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken.

[0055] Thiamine, also known as thiamin or vitamin Bl. The thiamine derivative may be selected from the group consisting of benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, and adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The thiamine derivative may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, or dibenzoyl thiamine. For example, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine.

[0056] The composition may comprise the thiamine or a derivative thereof in the amount of about 0.01-100,000, 0.1-100,000, 1-100,000, 10-100,000, 100-100,000, 1,000-100,000, 10,000-100,000, 0.01-10,000, 0.1-10,000, 1-10,000, 10-10,000, 100- 10,000, 1,000-10,000, 0.01-1,000, 0.1-1,000, 1-1,000, 10-1,000, 100-1,000, 0.01- 500, 0.1-500, 1-500, 10-500, 100-500, 0.01-100, 0.1-100, 1-100, 10-100, 20-100, 30-100, 40-100, 50-100, 60-100, 70-100, 80-100 or 90-100 mg.

[0057] According to the composition, the poultry may be a fast-growing poultry and the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine. -1-

[0058] In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of wooden breast (WB) in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the composition may comprise benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of wooden breast (WB) in a fast-growing chicken.

[0059] In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of white striping (WS) in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the composition may comprise benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of white striping (WS) in a fast-growing chicken.

[0060] In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myopathic lesions in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the composition may comprise benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myopathic lesions in a fast-growing chicken.

[0061] In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of vacuolations in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the composition may comprise benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of vacuolations in a fast-growing chicken. In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of lipogranuloma formation in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fastgrowing chicken. For example, the composition may comprise benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of lipogranuloma formation in a fast-growing chicken.

[0062] In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myofiber splitting in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the composition may comprise benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myofiber splitting in a fast-growing chicken.

[0063] In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of fibrosis in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the composition may comprise benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of fibrosis in a fast-growing chicken.

[0064] In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of necrosis in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the composition may comprise benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of necrosis in a fast-growing chicken.

[0065] In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for improving the meat quality of the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine- tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the composition may comprise benfotiamine in an amount effective for improving the meat quality of a fast-growing chicken.

[0066] In the composition, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be in an amount effective for supporting muscle health or healthy muscle growth in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the composition may comprise benfotiamine in an amount effective for supporting muscle health or healthy muscle growth in the fast-growing chicken.

[0067] The present invention also provides a feed method for raising a poultry. The feed method comprises administering to the poultry a thiamine or a derivative thereof in an amount effective for reducing incidence or severity of an event in the poultry, improving meat quality of the poultry, or supporting muscle health or healthy muscle growth in the poultry. The event may be selected from the group consisting of wooden breast (WB), white striping (WS), myopathic lesions, vacuolations, lipogranuloma formation, myofiber splitting, fibrosis, necrosis, and a combination thereof.

[0068] According to the feed method, the poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken.

[0069] According to the feed method, the thiamine derivative may be selected from the group consisting of benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, and adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The thiamine derivative may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, or dibenzoyl thiamine. For example, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine.

[0070] The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry at about 0.01-1,000, 0.1-1,000, 1-1,000, 10-1,000, 100-1,000, 0.01-500, 0.1-500, 1- 500, 10-500, 100-500, 0.01-100, 0.1-100, 1-100, 10-100, 20-100, 30-100, 40-100, 50-100, 60-100, 70-100, 80-100 or 90-100 mg per kg body weight per day. For example, the thiamine or a derivative thereof is administered to the poultry at about 80-100 mg per kg body weight per day. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry by adding the thiamine or a derivative thereof to a premix, feed, or water, or by injecting the thiamine or a derivative thereof.

[0071] The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry posthatch for a period of about 1-70, 1-63, 1-56, 1-49, 1-42, 1-35, 1-28, 1-21, 1-14 or 1-7 days. For example, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry post-hatch for a period of about 1-56 days.

[0072] The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry daily, one day per week, two days per week, three days per a week, four days per week, five days per week, or six days per week.

[0073] According to the feed method, benfotiamine may be administered to a fastgrowing chicken post-hatch daily at 80-100 mg per kg body weight per day for 1-56 days.

[0074] According to the feed method, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of wooden breast (WB) in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine- tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the feed method may comprise administering to a fast-growing chicken benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of wooden breast (WB) in the fastgrowing chicken.

[0075] According to the feed method, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of white striping (WS) in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro- furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the feed method may comprise administering to a fast-growing chicken benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of white striping (WS) in the fast-growing chicken.

[0076] According to the feed method, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myopathic lesions in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro- furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the feed method may comprise administering to a fast-growing chicken benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myopathic lesions in the fast-growing chicken.

[0077] According to the feed method, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of vacuolations in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro- furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the feed method may comprise administering to a fast-growing chicken benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of vacuolations in the fast-growing chicken.

[0078] According to the feed method, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of lipogranuloma formation in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine- tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the feed method may comprise administering to a fast-growing chicken benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of lipogranuloma formation in the fastgrowing chicken.

[0079] According to the feed method, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myofiber splitting in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro- furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the feed method may comprise administering to a fast-growing chicken benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myofiber splitting in the fast-growing chicken.

[0080] According to the feed method, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of fibrosis in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro- furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the feed method may comprise administering to a fast-growing chicken benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of fibrosis in the fast-growing chicken.

[0081] According to the feed method, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of necrosis in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro- furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the feed method may comprise administering to a fast-growing chicken benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of necrosis in the fast-growing chicken.

[0082] According to the feed method, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry in an amount effective for improving the meat quality of the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fastgrowing chicken. For example, the feed method may comprise administering to a fastgrowing chicken benfotiamine in an amount effective for improving the meat quality of the fast-growing chicken.

[0083] According to the feed method, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be administered to the poultry in an amount effective for supporting muscle health or healthy muscle growth in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro- furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the feed method may comprise administering to a fast-growing chicken benfotiamine in an amount effective for supporting muscle health or healthy muscle growth in the fast-growing chicken.

[0084] The present invention further provides a package. The package comprises a thiamine or a derivative thereof. The package further comprises an instruction to raise a poultry according to the feed method of the present invention.

[0085] The present invention further provides a method for preparing a composition. The preparation method comprises mixing a poultry feed with a thiamine or a derivative thereof in an amount effective for reducing incidence or severity of an event in a poultry, for improving meat quality of a poultry, or supporting muscle health or healthy muscle growth in a poultry. The event may be selected from the group consisting of wooden breast (WB), white striping (WS), myopathic lesions, vacuolations, lipogranuloma formation, myofiber splitting, fibrosis, necrosis, and a combination thereof.

[0086] According to the preparation method, the poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken.

[0087] The poultry feed may be mixed with the thiamine or a derivative thereof at a temperature of about 4-40 °C, 4-35 °C, 4-30 °C, 4-25 °C, 4-23 °C, 4-20 °C, 4-15 °C, 4-10 °C, 10-40°C, 10-35 °C, 10-30 °C, 10-25 °C, 10-23 °C, 10-20 °C, 10-15 °C, 15-40°C, 15- 35 °C, 15-30 °C, 15-25 °C, 15-23 °C, 15-20 °C, 18-40°C, 18-35 °C, 18-30 °C, 18-25 °C, 18-23 °C, or 18-20 °C.

[0088] According to the preparation method, the thiamine derivative may be selected from the group consisting of benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, and adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The thiamine derivative may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, or dibenzoyl thiamine. For example, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine.

[0089] According to the preparation method, the thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, and the poultry may be a fast-growing chicken.

[0090] According to the preparation method, the poultry feed may be mixed with the thiamine or a derivative thereof in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of wooden breast (WB) in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine- tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the preparation method may comprise mixing the poultry feed with benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of wooden breast (WB) in a fast-growing chicken.

[0091] According to the preparation method, the poultry feed may be mixed with the thiamine or a derivative thereof in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of white striping (WS) in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro- furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the preparation method may comprise mixing the poultry feed with benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of white striping (WS) in a fast-growing chicken.

[0092] According to the preparation method, the poultry feed may be mixed with the thiamine or a derivative thereof in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myopathic lesions in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro- furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the preparation method may comprise mixing the poultry feed with benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myopathic lesions in the fast-growing chicken.

[0093] According to the preparation method, the poultry feed may be mixed with the thiamine or a derivative thereof in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of vacuolations in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro- furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the preparation method may comprise mixing the poultry feed with benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of vacuolations in the fast-growing chicken.

[0094] According to the preparation method, the poultry feed may be mixed with the thiamine or a derivative thereof in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of lipogranuloma formation in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine- tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the preparation method may comprise mixing the poultry feed with benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of lipogranuloma formation in the fast-growing chicken.

[0095] According to the preparation method, the poultry feed may be mixed with the thiamine or a derivative thereof in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myofiber splitting in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro- furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the preparation method may comprise mixing the poultry feed with benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myofiber splitting in the fast-growing chicken.

[0096] According to the preparation method, the poultry feed may be mixed with the thiamine or a derivative thereof in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of fibrosis in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro- furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the preparation method may comprise mixing the poultry feed with benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of fibrosis in the fast-growing chicken.

[0097] According to the preparation method, the poultry feed may be mixed with the thiamine or a derivative thereof in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of necrosis in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro- furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the preparation method may comprise mixing the poultry feed with benfotiamine in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of necrosis in the fast-growing chicken.

[0098] According to the preparation method, the poultry feed may be mixed with the thiamine or a derivative thereof in an amount effective for improving the meat quality of the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fastgrowing chicken. For example, the preparation method may comprise mixing the poultry feed with benfotiamine in an amount effective for improving the meat quality of the fast-growing chicken.

[0099] According to the preparation method, the poultry feed may be mixed with the thiamine or a derivative thereof in an amount effective for supporting muscle health or healthy muscle growth in the poultry. The thiamine or a derivative thereof may be benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro- furfuryl-disulfide, dibenzoyl thiamine, thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine triphosphate, adenosine thiamine diphosphate, or adenosine thiamine triphosphate. The poultry may be a chicken, turkey, quail, duck or goose. The poultry may be a chicken. The chicken may be a fast-growing chicken. For example, the preparation method may comprise mixing the poultry feed with benfotiamine in an amount effective for supporting muscle health or healthy muscle growth in the fast-growing chicken. The preparation method may further comprise storing the composition at a temperature of about 4-40 °C, 4-35 °C, 4-30 °C, 4-25 °C, 4-23 °C, 4-20 °C, 4-15 °C, 4-10 °C, 10-40°C, 10-35 °C, 10-30 °C, 10-25 °C, 10-23 °C, 10-20 °C, 10-15 °C, 15-40°C, 15-35 °C, 15-30 °C, 15-25 °C, 15-23 °C, 15-20 °C, 18-40°C, 18-35 °C, 18-30 °C, 18-25 °C, 18-23 °C, or 18-20 °C.

[0100] The term "about" as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a percentage, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of ±20% or ±10%, more preferably ±5%, even more preferably ±1%, and still more preferably ±0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate.

[0101] Example 1. Use of benfotiamine to reduce incidence of wooden breast and white striping in commercial broiler chickens

[0102] Benfotiamine was tested for its effect on deleterious changes in the breast muscle.

[0103] Materials and Methods

[0104] Live animal experiment-. A novel experiment was conducted using slower- growing (SG; REDBRO M) and fast-growing (FG; Ross YP708) commercial broiler chicks at the University of Delaware. Day-old FG chicks were obtained from a hatchery in Salisbury, MD, and day-old SG chicks were obtained from a hatchery in Reinholds, PA. Chickens had free access to feed and water to express their maximum breast muscle growth potential, and hence maximize the chance for the development of WB. At placement, chicks were individually banded with a unique identifier (wing-band) and then weighed individually at 14, 28, 42 and 55 days of age.

[0105] At day 1 post-hatch, the FG chicks were placed in 4 chicken houses and were randomly assigned to control and treatment groups within each house. The FG treatment group (FGT) received feed supplemented with benfotiamine (on average 80- 100 mg x kg'1body weight x d'1) while the FG control group (FGC) did not receive benfotiamine. The SG chicks do not develop WB and were used as an untreated negative control group for the entire experiment, and hence they did not receive benfotiamine. The SG chicks were raised in the pens with FG control (FGC) chicks. Necropsy Tissue Collection-. At week 1 and 3, a subset of chickens (see Table 1) from each of the FG control and FG treatment groups and the SG group were euthanized by cervical dislocation for collecting tissue samples (liver, fat, pectoralis (p.) major muscle and pancreas) to use in subsequent histopathologic and gene expression analyses. The entire breast muscle (p. major) was removed, weighed, and samples from the p. major were taken from the cranial aspect of the right superficial pectoral muscle, the region most affected by WB. Two sets of tissue samples, one fixed for histopathologic analysis and another frozen for gene expression analysis, were collected from the same sampling location. All remaining FG and SG birds (Table 1) were euthanized by cervical dislocation at two time points at weeks 8 (FG and SG) and 14 (SG) post-hatch. After birds were euthanized, tissue samples (liver, fat, p. major muscle and pancreas) were collected for subsequent histopathologic and gene expression analyses, and the p. major muscle were palpated for characterization of the severity of Wooden Breast (WB) and White Striping (WS) using a 0-3 score, as described previously (Papah et al., 2017, Avian Pathology. 46(6):623-643; Lake et al., 2021, Scientific Reports. 24;11(1) :6785). During necropsy, the body weight and abdominal fat weight and weights of the p. major muscle were also recorded.

[0106] Table 1. Number of chickens sampled for necropsy at week 1, 3, 8 and 14

[0107] FGC: Fast-growing control; FGT: Fast-Growing Treatment; SG : Slower-Growing control

[0108] Histopathologic Analysis-. A total of 80 p. major muscle tissue samples harvested from 8 weeks-old FGC, FGT and SG chickens were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histologic analysis. Tissues were trimmed, embedded transversely and longitudinally in paraffin, sectioned to 4 pm thickness, and autostained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. Slides were analyzed microscopically in a blinded manner by an ACVP-board certified veterinary anatomic pathologist screening for lesions of vasculitis / phlebitis, abnormal lipid deposition, and WB (myofiber damage, myositis, regeneration, fibrosis, edema, etc.). Inflammatory and myopathic lesions were graded on severity based upon the following scale:

[0109] 0 = No significant histologic lesions; visually normal architecture with no significant inflammation or myopathic changes 1 = Minimal: Inflammatory infiltrates or myopathic changes are present, but limited in distribution and scarcely / rarely detectable

[0110] 2 = Mild : Inflammatory infiltrates or myopathic changes are limited in distribution and number, detectable in small scattered non-confluent regions 3 = Moderate: Inflammatory infiltrates or myopathic changes are readily detectable due to greater number or size, lesions are visible in multifocal to confluent affected regions throughout the tissue.

[0111] 4 = Marked / severe: Inflammatory infiltrates or myopathic changes are readily detectable with little to no normal tissue apparent, lesions are visible in extensive confluent regions or diffuse throughout the tissue.

[0112] All tissues were screened for general disease as well as etiologic agents and results were summarized by presence or absence of specific lesions, then by individual bird number and unique tissue / slide identifier. All microscopic findings were tabulated by individual slide and bird for statistical analysis.

[0113] Statistical Analysis. Statistical analyses were conducted using a linear regression model with JMP and the phenotypic means for the FGC and FGT and SG chickens were compared using Tuckey's HSD test and t-test. The differences in the prevalence of microscopic lesions among FGC, FGT and SG chickens (or WB scores) were tested using a logistic regression model in JMP. To focus the analysis on samples harvested at and before market age (8 weeks), SG chickens sampled at 14 weeks of age were not included in the statistical analysis.

[0114] Results and Discussion

[0115] Growth, p. major muscle weight, pHu, WB and WS scores

[0116] As expected, the mean live weight of the SG broiler chickens was significantly lower (P<0.0001) than the mean weights of the FG broiler chickens from both control and treatment groups (FGC and FGT) on Day 14 of the experiment (Table 2). This trend continued on both Days 28 and 42, where the SG broilers had significantly lower mean weights (P<0.0001 for both days) in comparison to both the treatment and control broilers. On Day 55, however, there was also a significant difference (P<0.0001) in the mean live weight between the FGC and FGT broilers, in addition to a significant difference between both these values and the mean live weight of the SG chickens. On Day 55, the FGC broilers had a significantly larger mean live weight in comparison to the FGT broiler chickens (Table 2). Overall, comparisons between FGC and FGT chickens indicated that feed supplemented with benfotiamine had no significant effect on body weight until 42 days post-hatch, but has led to a significantly lower body weight at day 55.

[0117] A similar pattern was also reflected in the p. major weight and yield (percentage of body weight) for the FG and SG broiler chickens. At week 1, all three groups of chickens did not have significantly different p. major weight values (P = 0.0706). Similarly, the three groups of broiler chickens at week 1 did not have significantly different values for p. major percentages (P = 0.4492). At week 3, both the control and treatment groups of FG broiler chickens had significantly larger p. major muscle weights in comparison to the SG chickens (PcO.0001). Similarly, at week 3, the FGC and FGT broilers had a significantly higher p. major percentage in comparison to the SG broiler chickens (P<0.0001). At week 5, there was a significant difference between all three groups of chickens, with the FGC chickens having a significantly larger mean p. major weight than the FGT chickens, and the SG chickens having a significantly lower p. major mean weight than both the FGC and FGT chickens (P<0.0001). At week 8, there was no significant difference between the p. major percentages of the FGC and FGT chickens. However, there was a significant difference between the p. major percentages of the two groups of fast-growing chickens (FGC and FGT) and the SG chickens (P<0.0001), with the FG birds having higher p. major percentage than SG birds. Overall, comparisons between FGC and FGT chickens indicated that feed supplemented with benfotiamine had no significant effect on the p. major muscle percentage.

[0118] In addition to measuring the weight of the mean p. major muscle and its percentage for the groups of chickens, the mean abdominal fat and its percentage (of body weight) were also measured. At week 8, there was a significant difference between the mean fat weight in the FGT chickens and the mean fat weight of the SG chickens. However, there was no significant difference between the FGC chickens and either of the previous two groups (P = 0.0588). For the abdominal fat percentage, there was a significant difference between the two FG groups of broilers and the SG broiler chickens, with the latter group having significantly more abdominal fat in comparison to the FGC and FGT chickens at week 8 (PcO.0001). Overall, comparisons between FGC and FGT chickens indicated that feed supplemented with benfotiamine had no significant effect on abdominal fat weight and percentage.

[0119] The mean pHu (ultimate pH) of the breast muscle was measured 24 hours postnecropsy. At week 1, there was no significant difference between the three groups of broiler chickens (P = 0.3946). Additionally, there was no significant difference between the mean pHu levels for all three groups at week 3 (P=0.0916). However, at week 8, there was a significant difference between the mean pHu of the FGC chickens and both the SG chickens and FGT chickens (P=0.0001). FGC chickens had significantly higher pHu than both FGT and SG chickens. This finding is notable, as previous studies have consistently showed that WB-affected muscle exhibits higher pHu than unaffected muscles, a WB feature that has been attributed to the lower glycolytic potential in the affected muscles. Therefore, this finding suggest that feed supplemented with benfotiamine may improve the glycolytic potential of the p. major muscle.

[0120] To measure the prevalence of WB in the broiler chickens, the FG chickens were scored at necropsy based on clinical signs of the disease, including palpably firm breast muscle. The FGC chickens had a mean severity score of 1.5, while the FGT chickens had a mean severity score of 1.01 (P<0.0001). Additionally, the chickens were scored based on the presence of White Striping in their breast muscles at time of necropsy. The FGC chickens had a mean score of 0.86, while the FGT chickens had a mean score of 0.67 (P=0.0057).

[0121] Collectively, these results suggest that feed supplemented with benfotiamine has resulted in a significant reduction in the severity of both WB (WB score of 1.50 in FGC vs 1.01 in FGT) and WS (WS score of 0.86 in FGC vs 0.67 in FGT). However, there was also a concurrent reduction (175 g or 4.8%) in body weight at 8 weeks of age in chickens receiving benfotiamine (Table 2). Considering prior gene expression studies from our laboratory showing increased expression of growth-related genes in WB- affected chickens, these results suggest that if indeed the rapid growth is partially due to the clinical expression of WB, attempts to reduce WB prevalence and severity would concurrently lead to a slight reduction in growth rate, as seen in the current study.

[0122] Table 2. Statistical differences in means of phenotypic traits between fastgrowing control (FGC), fast-growing treatment (FGT) and slower-growing (SG) chickens

[0123] Groups not sharing the same letter are significantly different from each other.

[0124] Histopathology

[0125] After removing one duplicate sample, data analysis and visualization were carried out using information from 79 specimens, including 24, 26 and 29 specimens from FGC, FGT and SG chickens, respectively. The following sections summarize comparisons among FGC, FGT and SG for the severity of the myopathic lesions as well as the prevalence of microscopic lesions.

[0126] Myopathic lesions Myopathic lesions, when present, included myofiber hypereosinophilia, rounding (shrinkage or swelling), degeneration and / or necrosis as well as variable internal leukocytes within myofibers. Chickens were grouped by severity of myopathic lesions into Normal (0), Minimal (1), Mild (2), Moderate (3) and Marked (4) groups, as described in the methods section. The mean severity scores of myopathic lesions for FGC, FGT and SG chickens were 1.67, 1.15 and 0.28, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that these means were significantly different from each other (P-value < 0.05). These results suggested that diet supplementation with benfotiamine has reduced the severity of myopathic lesions. However, the fast-growing chickens receiving the supplement (FGT) still exhibited higher mean severity of myopathic lesions than SG chickens.

[0127] Of 29 SG chickens, 23 (79%; FIG. la) showed no significant myopathic lesions, but 4 chickens (13.8%) showed minimal and 2 chickens (6.9%) showed mild myopathic lesions. Minimal to mild acute myofiber changes can sometimes be observed even in clinically normal muscle due to agonal hypercontraction or specimen collection artifact. As such, diagnosis of WB using microscopic analysis should include both myofiber changes and one or more of the following lesions: inflammation (myositis / internal leukocytes or phlebitis), regeneration, fibrosis, or lipogranuloma formation. As noted earlier, none of the SG chickens in the current study exhibited gross features of WB. Therefore, minimal or mild myopathic lesions in the SG chickens are likely to be artifactual. However, 2 SG chickens with minimal or mild myopathic lesions also exhibited phlebitis, or internal leucocytes with lipogranulomas. Therefore, these 2 SG chickens may be considered cases of subclinical WB, occurring at a low frequency in SG chickens (2 out of 29; or 6.9%). Similarly, some FG chickens with no gross features of WB (WB0 in FIG. lb) exhibited minimal or mild myopathic lesions concurrent with other lesions.

[0128] Prevalence of myofiber lesions

[0129] The prevalence of myofiber lesions within FGC, FGT and SG chickens as illustrated in FIG. 2 is summarized here. Numerous p. major specimens from the study exhibited microscopic lesions compatible with WB. The most characteristic lesion observed was lymphoplasmacytic phlebitis. Many muscle tissues examined exhibited myopathic changes of variable severity and distribution, typically myofiber hypereosinophilia, rounding, and degeneration or necrosis.

[0130] Myositis / internal leukocytes. Myositis / internal leukocytes within myofibers were observed in 25 specimens, including specimens from 2 SG, 10 FGT and 13 FGC birds. While the difference between FGT and FGC were not statistically significant for the prevalence of myositis / internal leukocytes, SG chickens exhibited significantly lower myositis / internal leukocytes than both FGT and FGC groups (p-value= 0.0011).

[0131] Myofiber vacuolation. Myofiber vacuolation was observed in 8 specimens: 1 FGT and 7 FGC birds. None of the 29 SG birds showed this feature. The difference between groups was statistically significant (p-value= 0.0013). Interestingly, analysis by the WB severity score showed that vacuolation is mostly present in specimens from chickens with severe WB (FIG. 3), suggesting association of this feature with the advanced stages of WB.

[0132] Necrosis. Necrosis was observed in in 14 specimens: 3 FGT and 11 FGC birds. None of the 29 SG birds showed this feature. The difference between groups was statistically significant (p-value< 0.0001).

[0133] Degeneration, Hypereosinophilic and Rounded (Swollen or Shrunken). Specimens from 34 birds showed myofiber degeneration. Of these, 4, 15 and 15 were from SG, FGT and FGC chickens, respectively. The difference between SG and the FG chickens (FGT and FGC) were statistically significant (p-value = 0.0002). A similar pattern of prevalence was also observed for hypereosinophilic and round / shrunken fibers in SG, FGT and FGC chickens (FIG. 2).

[0134] Myofiber splitting, Myofiber Regeneration, and Fibrosis (Tissue Response and Repair)

[0135] Myofiber splitting. Myofiber splitting, indicative of physiologic tissue response to increased or abnormal weight-loading and muscle fiber hypertrophy, was observed in three (3) FGC chickens. None of the FGT and SG birds showed myofiber splitting.

[0136] Fibrosis. Increased interstitial fibroblast / fibrocyte infiltration and collagen fiber deposition (fibrosis) indicative of tissue repair or replacement in chronic or ongoing injury was observed in 5 birds, all were FGC chickens. None of the FGT and SG birds showed fibrotic lesions. Analysis by WB severity scores showed fibrosis was strictly limited to specimens from chickens with severe WB (WB3 in FIG. 3), suggesting association of this feature with the advanced stages of WB.

[0137] Regeneration. Muscle specimens from 13 birds exhibited attempted myofiber regeneration, such as nuclear rowing and sarcoplasmic basophilia, consistent with repair following injury. Lesions within these muscle specimens are confirmed to be chronic (longstanding) or chronic-active (ongoing) in nature. Of these 13 birds, 10 were FGC and 3 were FGT chickens. No SG chickens showed attempted myofiber regeneration.

[0138] Myofiber regeneration and fibrosis are indicative of attempted repair or replacement of damaged fibers. These findings strongly support a diagnosis of WB when observed with myopathic changes. However, regeneration and fibrosis can occur in any type of myopathy or muscle injury and are not considered unique to WB.

[0139] Phlebitis

[0140] Nineteen (19) birds exhibited lymphoplasmacytic phlebitis lesions in p. major specimens. Of these 11, 7, and 1 were FGC, FGT and SG, respectively. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in prevalence of phlebitis between FGC and FGT groups. However, both FGC and FGT groups were significantly different from SG chickens in prevalence of phlebitis. Most of the phlebitis affected specimens exhibited concurrent myopathic changes, though some could be considered subclinical in nature.

[0141] Lipogranuloma Formation

[0142] Accumulations of perivascular lipid laden macrophages and / or free lipid typical of WB / WS were observed within p. major muscle specimens. Eighteen (18) birds exhibited lipogranuloma formation, of which 3, 4 and 11 were SG, FGT and FGC, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in prevalence of lipogranuloma formation between FGC and each of the FGT and SG groups. However, there was no significant difference in lipogranuloma formation between FGT and SG groups.

[0143] Serum leakage / edema

[0144] Serum leakage / edema fluid was variably observed in 45 specimens, 9, 7, and 19 specimens with this future were from FGT, SG and FGC, respectively. As fluid accumulation can sometimes even be observed in normal muscle due to specimen collection artifact, edema fluid should be interpreted in light of other microscopic findings. Chatter artifact related to specimen fixation and sectioning was frequently observed in specimens occasionally with specimen folding. These artifacts did not impair microscopic diagnosis.

[0145] It should be noted that a few lesions suggestive of potential background disease (serositis / polyserositis and cholangitis) were identified in pancreatic specimens from individual birds from the study. These disease entities occur naturally in poultry and are not likely related to experimental design / treatment. No etiologic agents were identified to suggest a specific cause, but recent or prior bacterial infection is suspected based upon the type and pattern of inflammation present. The presence of serositis or cholangitis can be a confounding factor in data analysis and interpretation of results for affected birds, as these conditions have the potential to incite regional or systemic inflammation.

[0146] In conclusion, histologic analyses of p. major muscle specimens showed that compared with FGC chickens, FGT birds exhibited decreased severity of myopathic lesions, as well as a lower incidence of vacuolations, lipogranuloma formation, myofiber splitting, myofiber regeneration, fibrosis and necrosis. These results are consistent with the decreased severity of clinical expression of WB in FGT chickens (Table 2) and suggest beneficial effects of benfotiamine in reducing the severity and prevalence of muscle lesions in FG broiler chickens. The decreased p. major muscle pHu in FGT birds suggest a beneficial effect of benfotiamine on muscle glycolytic potential and potentially improved meat quality compared to meat from FGC birds. The current study examined a single level (on average 80-100 mg x kg"1body weight x d”1) of benfotiamine in chicken feed throughout the entire growth period (from day 1 to week 8). Future optimization efforts may involve comparing various levels and durations to ascertain the most effective and beneficial level and timing for supplementing chicken feed with benfotiamine.

[0147] All documents, books, manuals, papers, patents, published patent applications, guides, abstracts, and / or other references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1. A method for raising a poultry, comprising administering to the poultry a thiamine or a derivative thereof in an amount effective for reducing incidence or severity of an event in the poultry, improving meat quality of the poultry, or supporting muscle health or healthy muscle growth in the poultry, wherein the event is selected from the group consisting of wooden breast (WB), white striping (WS), myopathic lesions, vacuolations, lipogranuloma formation, myofiber splitting, fibrosis, necrosis, and a combination thereof.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the poultry is a fast-growing chicken.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the thiamine derivative is selected from the group consisting of benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, and dibenzoyl thiamine.

4. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is benfotiamine.

5. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is administered to the poultry at 0.01-1,000 mg per kg body weight per day.

6. The method of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is administered to the poultry post-hatch for a period of 1-70 days.

7. The method of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is administered to the poultry daily.

8. The method of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the poultry is a fastgrowing chicken, and wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is benfotiamine and is administered to the poultry post-hatch daily at 80-100 mg per kg body weight per day for 1-56 days.

9. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of wooden breast (WB) in the poultry.

10. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of white striping (WS) in the poultry.

11. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myopathic lesions in the poultry.

12. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of vacuolations in the poultry.

13. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of lipogranuloma formation in the poultry.

14. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myofiber splitting in the poultry.

15. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is administered to poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of fibrosis in the poultry.

16. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is administered to the poultry in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of necrosis in the poultry.

17. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is administered to the poultry in an amount effective for improving the meat quality of the poultry.

18. A composition for raising a poultry, comprising a thiamine or a derivative thereof in an amount effective for reducing incidence or severity of an event in the poultry, for improving meat quality of the poultry, or supporting muscle health or healthy muscle growth in the poultry, wherein the event is selected from the group consisting of wooden breast (WB), white striping (WS), myopathic lesions, vacuolations, lipogranuloma formation, myofiber splitting, fibrosis, necrosis, and a combination thereof.

19. The composition of claim 18, wherein the poultry is a fast-growing chicken.

20. The composition of claim 18 or 19, wherein the thiamine derivative is selected from the group consisting of benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, and dibenzoyl thiamine.

21. The composition of claim 18 or 19, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is benfotiamine.

22. The composition of any one of claims 18-21, wherein the poultry is a fast-growing poultry and the thiamine or a derivative thereof is benfotiamine.

23. The composition of any one of claims 18-22, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of wooden breast (WB) in the poultry.

24. The composition of any one of claims 18-22, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of white striping (WS) in the poultry.

25. The composition of any one of claims 18-22, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myopathic lesions in the poultry.

26. The composition of any one of claims 18-22, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of vacuolations in the poultry.

27. The composition of any one of claims 18-22, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of lipogranuloma formation in the poultry.

28. The composition of any one of claims 18-22, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of myofiber splitting in the poultry.

29. The composition of any one of claims 18-22, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of fibrosis in the poultry.

30. The composition of any one of claims 18-22, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is in an amount effective for reducing the incidence or severity of necrosis in the poultry.

31. The composition of any one of claims 18-22, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is in an amount effective for improving the meat quality of the poultry.

32. A method for preparing a composition, comprising mixing a poultry feed with a thiamine or a derivative thereof in an amount effective for reducing incidence orseverity of an event in a poultry or for improving meat quality of a poultry, wherein the event is selected from the group consisting of wooden breast (WB), white striping (WS), myopathic lesions, vacuolations, lipogranuloma formation, myofiber splitting, fibrosis, necrosis, and a combination thereof.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the poultry is a fast-growing chicken.

34. The method of claim 32 or 33, wherein the poultry feed and the thiamine or a derivative thereof are mixed at a temperature of 4-40°C35. The method of any one of claims 32-34, wherein the thiamine derivative is selected from the group consisting of benfotiamine, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine hydrochloride, thiamine-tetrahydro-furfuryl-disulfide, and dibenzoyl thiamine.

36. The method of any one of claims 32-35, wherein the thiamine or a derivative thereof is benfotiamine.

37. The method of any one of claims 32-37, wherein the poultry is a fastgrowing chicken and the thiamine or a derivative thereof is benfotiamine.

38. The method of any one of claims 32-37, further comprising storing the composition at a temperature of 4-40 °C.

39. A package comprising (a) thiamine or a derivative thereof and (b) an instruction to raise a poultry according to the method of any one of claims 1-17.

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