Method of feeding ruminants

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of feeding a ruminant animal, preferably a pregnant ruminant animal, using a phytogenic composition. By feeding the composition pre-partum, the colostrum yield may be increased and colostrum quality is improved. Moreover, milk yield and milk fat percentage may be increased during lactation phase of the ruminant animal.

Description

[0001] Title: METHOD OF FEEDING RUMINANTS

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention pertains to the field of maximizing performance of animals, particularly of ruminant animals and their offspring, particularly of pregnant ruminant animals and their offspring, even more preferably of pregnant cows and their offspring, i.e., calves. Particularly the present invention is in the field of increasing the colostrum production as well as the colostrum composition of a pregnant ruminant animal, increasing body weight gain and passive immunity of the offspring, as well as the milk composition after parturition.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Maximizing the performance of ruminants such as pregnant cows and their offspring has been a major objective of nutritionists for a long time. One important aspect of maximizing reproductive performance is to optimize colostrum production in a pregnant ruminant.

[0006] Newborn calves are immunologically naive at birth. They have had no chance to enhance adaptive immunity by “experience” because of the protective environment in the womb, which also limits the activation of phagocytes and their entry into the tissues. Calves are further handicapped by maternal factors and the hormonal influences of parturition and by their lack of antibodies in circulation and in the tissues. The ingestion of colostrum is essential for providing newborn calves with immunologic protection during at least the first 2 to 4 weeks of life.

[0007] Colostrum is produced by the mammary glands of the pregnant cow, which means that the quality and degree of development of the mammary glands is of great importance for the colostrum yield. Colostrum provides high amounts of nutrient as well as non-nutrient factors that promote the immune system and intestinal maturation of the offspring, e.g., calves. The maturation and function of the neonatal intestine enable a calf to digest and absorb the nutrients provided by colostrum and milk. It is believed that the amount and quality of colostrum consumed by the offspring at the very beginning of life has a positive impact on its performance during the rest of life.

[0008] Antibodies are a critical component of colostrum and provides an immediate source of antibody for newborn calves. They are central to the immunological link that occurs when the mother transfers passive immunity to the offspring. Calves that ingest colostrum shortly after birth have significant concentrations of immunoglobulin in serum, whereas colostrum-deprived calves have only trace amounts of immunoglobulin during the first 3 days of life. An et al. (2022. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. DOI 10.3389 / fvets.2022.935634) supplemented Capsicum oleoresin prepartum to evaluate the effects on colostrum quality and growth performance in newborn buffalo calves. It was found that Capsicum oleoresin increased lactose in colostrum, and it tended to increase monounsaturated fatty acids. It did not affect colostrum yield and immunoglobulin G and M concentrations. At 7 days of age, buffalo calves birthed by mother that had received Capsicum oleoresin prepartum had higher immunoglobulin G levels compared with the control treatment.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of feeding a ruminant animal, preferably a pregnant ruminant animal, that may be suitable for altering colostrum yield and / or composition, e.g., increasing milk fat percentage and / or immunoglobulin levels, e.g., IgG levels and / or IgM levels, in colostrum, of said ruminant animal, and / or that could increase body weight gain and / or serum IgG and / or IgA levels of its offspring, e.g., calves, and that preferably also could increase milk fat percentage and / or milk yield in lactating ruminant animals.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The invention is as set forth in the claims.

[0012] The present disclosure provides a method of feeding a ruminant animal, said method comprising the step of administering to said ruminant animal a composition comprising Capsicum annuum oleoresin or extract, Curcuma longa oleoresin or extract and Piper nigrum oleoresin or extract.

[0013] In a further aspect, the present disclosure teaches a method of increasing milk fat yield and / or milk yield in lactating ruminant animals, said method comprising the step of administering to said lactating ruminant animals a composition comprising Capsicum annuum oleoresin or extract, Curcuma longa oleoresin or extract and Piper nigrum oleoresin or extract.

[0014] In an aspect, the present invention provides a method of increasing colostrum yield, colostrum fat yield, colostrum IgG levels and / or colostrum IgM levels, said method comprising the step of administering to a pregnant ruminant animal a composition comprising Capsicum annuum oleoresin or extract, Curcuma longa oleoresin or extract and Piper nigrum oleoresin or extract.

[0015] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of increasing serum IgG levels, serum IgA levels, and body weight gain in offspring of a pregnant ruminant animal, said method comprising the step of administering to a pregnant ruminant animal a composition comprising Capsicum annuum oleoresin or extract, Curcuma longa oleoresin or extract and Piper nigrum oleoresin or extract.

[0016] In an embodiment, the composition comprises Capsicum annuum oleoresin.

[0017] In an embodiment, the composition comprises Curcuma longa oleoresin.

[0018] In an embodiment, the composition comprises Piper nigrum oleoresin. In an embodiment, the composition is encapsulated, e.g., in a bead of hydrogenated fats or oils, e.g., hydrogenated vegetable oils.

[0019] In an embodiment, the composition is selected from a group consisting of a top dress formulation, an animal feed, a premix or supplement and an animal drinking water.

[0020] In an embodiment, the ruminant animal is a pregnant ruminant animal.

[0021] In an embodiment, the composition is administered to the pregnant ruminant animal in a period from about 20 days prior to parturition until parturition, preferably from about 25 days prior to parturition until parturition, more preferably from about 30 days prior to parturition until parturition.

[0022] In a suitable embodiment, the composition is administered in a period before parturition until parturition, and in a period after parturition.

[0023] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides use of a composition comprising Capsicum annuum oleoresin or extract, Curcuma longa oleoresin or extract and Piper nigrum oleoresin or extract in a diet for a pregnant ruminant animal, preferably a pregnant cow.

[0024] GENERAL DEFINITIONS

[0025] In the following description and examples, a number of terms are used. In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of the specification and claims, including the scope to be given to such terms, the following definitions are provided. Unless otherwise defined herein, all technical and scientific terms used have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The disclosures of all publications, patent applications, patents and other references cited herein are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

[0026] The term ‘ruminants’ or ‘ruminant animals’ as used herein refers to mammals that are able to acquire nutrients from plant-based food through fermentation in a specialized stomach chamber prior to digestion, principally through bacterial actions. The process typically requires regurgitation of fermented ingesta (known as cud) and chewing it again. The process of rechewing the cud to further break down plant matter and stimulate digestion is called "rumination". The primary difference between ruminant animals and non-ruminant animals is that ruminant animals have a four-chambered stomach.

[0027] Non-limiting examples of ruminants include bovine animals such as dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo, moose, elks, bison, giraffes, yak, deer, camels, antelopes, and the like. The term bovine animals further includes animals at any stage of life, such as cows, bulls, heifers, steers, stags, does, bucks, oxen, calves, and the like.

[0028] The term ‘lactating ruminant’ as used herein refers to a ruminant animal which is producing milk, i.e., which is post-partum. The term ’dairy ruminant’ as used herein refers to a ruminant animal, whose milk is used for commercial purposes.

[0029] The term ‘fat yield’ as used herein refers to the amount by weight of milk fat that is expressed from the mammary glands into colostrum or milk harvested from the lactating dairy ruminant on a daily basis. It is typically quantified in terms of g / day or kg / day.

[0030] The term ‘fat concentration’ as used herein refers to the amount of fat yield as a percentage of total milk yield or total colostrum yield, i.e. , the proportion of milk fat, by weight, in milk or colostrum.

[0031] The term ‘colostrum’, as used herein, refers to the milk secreted between parturition (dO) and 72 hours thereafter (d3).

[0032] The term ‘diet’ as used herein refers to the habitual nourishment of the animal, including feed (solid and liquid feed) and drinking water.

[0033] The term ‘supplement’, also known as ‘additive’, as used herein refers to a product intended for ingestion, which contains one or more ingredients intended to add nutritional value to the diet. The supplement may be added to a feed composition, and includes, without limitation, animal feeds, top dresses or premixes. It may also be added to the drinking water (in which case the supplement is often referred to as a drinking water additive).

[0034] The term ‘top dress’ as used herein refers to an animal feed which is added on the normal diet of the animal. A top dress can be used as a way to add one or more supplements to the diet. Next to the particular one or more supplements, a top dress typically contains materials like barley, wheat, corn, wheat bran, molasses, vegetable oil, and / or sugar.

[0035] The term ‘premix’ as used herein refers to a complex mixture of compounds like vitamins, minerals, trace elements, supplements and / or other nutritional additives, for incorporation into feed. The premix is typically incorporated at a level of between 0.2 and 2 % (micro premix) or between 2 to 8 % (macro premix) into the feed. It is usually mixed with feed in an early stage in the manufacturing and distribution process.

[0036] The terms 'to increase' and 'increased level' and the terms 'to decrease' and 'decreased level' refer to the ability to increase or decrease a particular amount or number. A level in a test sample may be increased or decreased when it is at least 5%, such as 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50% higher or lower, respectively, than the corresponding level in a control sample or reference sample.

[0037] The term ‘about’, as used herein indicates a range of normal tolerance in the art, for example within 2 standard deviations of the mean. The term “about” can be understood as encompassing values that deviate at most 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1 %, 0.5%, 0.1 %, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the indicated value.

[0038] The terms “comprising” or “to comprise” and their conjugations, as used herein, refer to a situation wherein said terms are used in their non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. It also encompasses the more limiting verb “to consist essentially of” and “to consist of”.

[0039] Reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements. The indefinite article "a" or "an" thus usually means "at least one".

[0040] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] This patent application has been drafted into sections. However, these sections should not be read in isolation. Unless otherwise specified, each section is to be read in combination with the other sections. The various optional and preferred features can also be combined, even when taken from different parts of the specification. Likewise, all “aspects” and “embodiments” can be combined. No separation of embodiments is intended, unless explicitly stated.

[0042] Composition

[0043] The present disclosure teaches a composition comprising a Capsicum annuum oleoresin or extract, Curcuma longa oleoresin or extract, and Piper nigrum oleoresin or extract.

[0044] The composition may comprise the various plants oleoresins or extracts in any ratio. For example, the composition may comprise 5-95 wt%, such as 10-90 wt%, or 15-85 wt%, 20- 80 wt%, 25-75 wt%, 30-70 wt%, 35-65 wt%, 40-60 wt%, or 45-55 wt%, Capsicum annuum oleoresin or extract; 5-95 wt%, such as 10-90 wt%, or 15-85 wt%, 20-80wt%, 25-75 wt%, 30- 70 wt%, 35-65 wt%, 40-60 wt%, or 45-55 wt%, Curcuma longa oleoresin or extract; and 5-95 wt%, such as 10-90 wt%, or 15-85 wt%, 20-80 wt%, 25-75 wt%, 30-70 wt%, 35-65 wt%, 40-60 wt%, or 45-55 wt%, Piper nigrum oleoresin or extract.

[0045] The composition may comprise oleoresin of all plants. Alternatively, it may comprise oleoresin of one or two plants, whilst it further comprises an extract of the other one or two plants contained therein. Alternatively, the composition may comprise an extract of all three plants. In a suitable embodiment, the composition comprises Capsicum annuum oleoresin, Curcuma longa oleoresin, and Piper nigrum oleoresin.

[0046] The Capsicum annuum, Curcuma longa, and Piper nigrum that may be used in the composition taught herein may be any variety or genotype of the respective plant species.

[0047] The composition may comprise additional components such as inert fillers.

[0048] In an embodiment, the composition further comprises fats, e.g., between 70 and 98 wt% of fats. The fats may be selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, glycerol mono stearate, hydrogenated palm stearin, and hydrogenated animal or vegetable oils. In a suitable embodiment, the fats are selected from animal oils and vegetable oils, preferably vegetable oils, which may be partly or fully hydrogenated. The vegetable oil may, without limitation, be selected from palm oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, and castor oil. In a suitable embodiment, the fats are rumen inert, i.e., are not or hardly degraded in the rumen. The Capsicum annuum oleoresin or extract, Curcuma longa oleoresin or extract, and Piper nigrum oleoresin or extract may be encapsulated in the fats.

[0049] In a suitable embodiment, the composition comprises about 70- 98 wt% of fats and about 0.1-15 wt%, preferably 0.5-10 wt%, Capsicum annuum oleoresin, about 0.1-15 wt%, preferably 0.5-10 wt%, Curcuma longa oleoresin, and about 0.1 -15 wt%, preferably 0.5-10 wt%, Piper nigrum oleoresin.

[0050] The composition taught herein may be included in animal feed in an amount of about 1 mg / kg to about 10000 mg / kg of feed, preferably about 5 mg / kg to about 8000 mg / kg of feed, more preferably about 10 mg / kg to about 6000 mg / kg of feed, even more preferably about 15 mg / kg to about 4000 mg / kg of feed, yet more preferably about 20 mg / kg to about 3000 mg / kg of feed, again more preferably about 25 mg / kg to about 2000 mg / kg of feed, such as about 30 mg / kg to about 1500 mg / kg of feed, about 40 mg / kg to about 1200 mg / kg of feed, about 50 mg / kg to about 1000 mg / kg of feed, or about 60 mg / kg to about 800 mg / kg of feed.

[0051] The present disclosure further provides a feed additive comprising the composition taught herein. Moreover, the present disclosure provides use of the composition taught herein as a feed additive.

[0052] Said feed additive may further comprise vitamins, minerals, organic acids, antioxidants, and / or pigments. Said feed additive may be provided in the form a premix. The feed additive is preferably intended for inclusion in feed for ruminant animals.

[0053] Said feed additive may be supplied with written instructions to include it into animal feed in an amount of the composition taught herein of about 1 mg / kg to about 10000 mg / kg of feed, preferably about 5 mg / kg to about 8000 mg / kg of feed, more preferably about 10 mg / kg to about 6000 mg / kg of feed, even more preferably about 15 mg / kg to about 4000 mg / kg of feed, yet more preferably about 20 mg / kg to about 3000 mg / kg of feed, again more preferably about 25 mg / kg to about 2000 mg / kg of feed, such as about 30 mg / kg to about 1500 mg / kg of feed, about 40 mg / kg to about 1200 mg / kg of feed, about 50 mg / kg to about 1000 mg / kg of feed, or about 60 mg / kg to about 800 mg / kg of feed.

[0054] The present disclosure also provides an animal feed suitable for ruminants comprising a composition as taught herein.

[0055] The animal feed may be in any form suitable for ingestion by a ruminant animal. In an embodiment, the animal feed is in the form of pellets, which pellets may be extruded or may be pressed. The animal feed generally comprises protein, fat, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. It may further comprise organic acids, and other feed additives. The skilled person knows how to formulate a suitable ruminant feed.

[0056] Methods and uses of the composition

[0057] The present disclosure provides a method of feeding a ruminant animal, said method comprising the step of administering to said ruminant animal a composition as taught herein.

[0058] The present disclosure further provides a method of increasing milk fat yield, milk fat concentration and / or milk yield in lactating ruminant animals, said method comprising the step of administering to said lactating ruminant animals a composition as taught herein.

[0059] The present disclosure also provides a method of increasing colostrum fat yield, colostrum fat concentration, colostrum yield, passive immunity, colostrum IgG levels and / or colostrum IgM levels, said method comprising the step of administering to a pregnant ruminant animal a composition as taught herein.

[0060] Additionally, the present disclosure provides a method of increasing serum IgG levels, serum IgA levels and / or body weight in offspring of a pregnant ruminant animal, said method comprising the step of administering to said pregnant ruminant animal a composition as taught herein.

[0061] In an embodiment, the composition is encapsulated, e.g., in a bead of hydrogenated fats or oils, e.g., hydrogenated vegetable oils. In an embodiment, the composition is selected from a group consisting of a top dress formulation, an animal feed, a premix or supplement and an animal drinking water.

[0062] In an embodiment, the ruminant animal is a pregnant ruminant animal. In an embodiment, the composition is administered to the pregnant ruminant animal in a period from about 20 days prior to parturition until parturition, preferably from about 25 days prior to parturition until parturition, more preferably from about 30 days prior to parturition until parturition. In an embodiment, the composition is administered in a period before parturition until parturition, as well as in a period after parturition. The period after parturition may be the lactation phase or at least a part thereof.

[0063] In another embodiment, the ruminant animal is a lactating ruminant animal. The composition taught herein may be administered in at least a part of the lactation phase of said ruminant animal.

[0064] In an embodiment, the composition as taught herein is administered in an amount of 50 mg / animal / day to 10000 mg / animal / day, preferably 100 mg / animal / day to 7500 mg / animal / day, even more preferably 200 mg / animal / day to 7000 mg / animal / day, such as 250 mg / animal / day to 7000 mg / animal / day, or 300 mg / animal / day to 5000 mg / animal / day. The exact amount will, for example, depend on the weight of the animal. It will be obvious to the skilled person that the amount to be fed to cows will be greater than the amount to be fed to sheep.

[0065] The methods taught herein are particularly suitable for beef cattle.

[0066] The present disclosure also provides use of a composition as taught herein in a diet for a pregnant ruminant animal, preferably a pregnant cow, even more preferably a pregnant beef cow.

[0067] The present invention is further illustrated, but not limited, by the following example. From the above discussion and the examples, one skilled in the art can ascertain the essential characteristics of the present invention, and without departing from the teaching and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. Thus, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0068] EXAMPLES

[0069] Example 1

[0070] Objectives were to determine the effects of a composition consisting of Capsicum annuum oleoresin, Curcuma longa oleoresin and Piper nigrum oleoresin, fed pre- and post-calving, on colostrum and milk yield and composition, cow-calf performance, and passive immunity.

[0071] Materials and Methods

[0072] Twenty-three (BW = 532.08 ± 9.13 kg; age 36 mo) crossbred Angus cows were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups: 1) Not supplemented (CON, n = 7); 2) supplemented with 250 mg / head / day (PHYT250, n = 8); or 3) supplemented with 500 mg / head / day (PHYT500; n = 8) of a phytogenic supplement consisting of Capsicum annuum oleoresin, Curcuma longa oleoresin and Piper nigrum oleoresin. Cows were individually fed the supplement from 30 days (± 5 days) pre-calving (d -30) to 60 days (d 60) post-calving. Total colostrum was collected on d 0 (pre-suckling), and d 1 , d 2, and d 3 post-calving. Total milk was collected on days 45 and 90 post-calving and at weaning. Colostrum and milk volumes were recorded, and samples (50 ml) were collected and analyzed for percentages of fat, protein, and lactose. Further, colostrum samples were analyzed for concentrations of IgG, IgA, and IgM and milk samples were analyzed for IgG concentration. Blood samples were collected from dams on d -30, 0, and 60, and calf blood was collected 24h after birth and on d 60. Serum was analyzed for concentrations of IgG (cows and calves) and IgA (calves). Cow BW was obtained on a biweekly basis from d -30 to d 60. Calf BW was measured on d 0, d 30, d 42, and d 60. Results

[0073] Colostrum and milk composition and volume

[0074] Table 1 shows the colostrum yield and composition on the first four days post-calving.

[0075] Table 1. Colostrum composition and colostrum volume on the first four days post-calving

[0076] Days

[0077] Component Treatment10 1 2 3

[0078] CON 3.81 3.10 3.46 2.77

[0079] Fat, % PHYT250 5.14 3.92 4.4 3.44

[0080] PHYT500 4.32 3.71 2.86 5.80

[0081] CON 14.65 6.97 5.03 4.56

[0082] Protein, % PHYT250 13.77 6.19 4.94 4.4

[0083] PHYT500 15.70 7.23 5.42 4.64

[0084] CON 2.88 3.67 3.96 4.14

[0085] Lactose, % PHYT250 2.98 3.34 3.75 4.19

[0086] PHYT500 3.01 3.36 3.69 3.87

[0087] CON 1434 1374 1537 1420

[0088] Volume, ml PHYT250 1830 800 1090 1405

[0089] PHYT500 1580 1540 1840 1775

[0090] Fat percentage or fat concentration in colostrum tended to be increased in colostrum (p=0.07) of cows that received PHYT treatment (at either dose) relative to the control. Moreover, colostrum volume and colostrum protein concentration was increased in the PHYT500 treatment at all days compared to the CON treatment.

[0091] Table 2 shows the milk composition and volume at 45 and 90 days post-calving and at weaning. Table 2. Milk composition and volume at 45 and 90 d post-calving and at weaning

[0092] Component Treatment Days

[0093] 45 90 Weaning

[0094] CON 4.07 3.66 3.79

[0095] Fat, % PHYT250 3.95 3.87 4.33

[0096] PHYT500 4.68 4.82 4.64

[0097] CON 3.19 3.18 3.70

[0098] Protein, % PHYT250 3.26 3.13 3.97

[0099] PHYT500 3.27 3.13 3.69 CON 4.76 4.71 3.59

[0100] Lactose, % PHYT250 4.74 4.71 3.48

[0101] PHYT500 4.73 4.42 3.71

[0102] CON 5925.00 4501.67 3491.67

[0103] Volume, ml PHYT250 6072.50 6321.25 4456.25

[0104] PHYT500 6345.00 5922.00 4426.25

[0105] Fat percentage or fat concentration in milk was increased in the PHYT500 treatment at 45 and 90 days post-calving and at weaning compared to the CON treatment. Moreover, milk yield was increased in all PHYT treatments compared to the CON treatment. in concentrations in colostrum, serum, and milk

[0106] Table 3 shows the concentrations of immunoglobulins in colostrum.

[0107] Table 3. Effects on concentrations of immunoglobulins G (IgG) , A (IgA), and M (IgM) in colostrum

[0108] Immunoglobulin _ Days _ mg / dL Treatments 0 1 2 3

[0109] CON 12232.0 1023.84 712.71 402.49

[0110] IgG PHYT250 10359.00 1098.30 788.51 396.19

[0111] PHYT500 9027.12 1090.30 992.74 493.31

[0112] CON 4199.62 3291.60

[0113] IgA PHYT250 3748.36 1671.75

[0114] PHYT500 3846.22 1455.04

[0115] CON 179.04

[0116] IgM PHYT250 170.79

[0117] PHYT500 218.30

[0118] Concentrations of IgA on days 2 and 3, and IgM on days 1 , 2, and 3 were too low to be detected.

[0119] The concentrations of IgG and IgM in colostrum were increased in the PHYT500 treatment compared to the CON treatment, particularly on days 1 , 2 and 3 for IgG, and on day 0 for IgM.

[0120] Table 4 shows the concentrations of immunoglobulins in serum of cows (d -30, d 0 and d 60) and calves (d 0 and d 60).

[0121] Table 4. Effects pre- and post-calving on concentrations of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and A (IgA) in serum of cows and calves

[0122] Immunoglobulin, mg / dL Treatment

[0123] Cows

[0124] IgG CON 2476.5 2396.21 1991.78 PHYT250 2752.31 2469.47 2189.86

[0125] PHYT500 2604.43 2310.06 2099.23

[0126] Calves

[0127] CON - 2923.86 1240.75

[0128] IgG PHYT250 - 3244.69 1147.89

[0129] PHYT500 - 3671.71 1483.85

[0130] CON - 96.91

[0131] IgA PHYT250 - 151.69

[0132] PHYT500 - 183.42

[0133] Blood samples from calves on dO were collected 24 h after birth to guarantee calves had ingested colostrum.

[0134] It was found that serum of cows receiving PHYT treatment had higher serum IgG levels, albeit only slightly. Moreover, calves birthed by cows receiving PHYT treatment had higher IgG and IgA levels in serum compared to those birthed by cows receiving CON treatment.

[0135] Cow and calf performance

[0136] Bodyweight of cows did not differ between treatments at time point. Bodyweight of calves birthed by cows that received PHYT treatment at either dose was slightly higher than bodyweight calves receiving the control treatment at all measured time points (d 0, d 30, d 42, d 56).

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Method of feeding a ruminant animal, said method comprising the step of administering to said ruminant animal a composition comprising Capsicum annuum oleoresin or extract, Curcuma longa oleoresin or extract and Piper nigrum oleoresin or extract.

2. Method of increasing milk fat yield, milk fat concentration and / or milk yield in lactating ruminant animals, said method comprising the step of administering to said lactating ruminant animals a composition comprising Capsicum annuum oleoresin or extract, Curcuma longa oleoresin or extract and Piper nigrum oleoresin or extract.

3. Method of increasing colostrum fat yield, colostrum yield, passive immunity, colostrum IgG levels and / or colostrum IgM levels, said method comprising the step of administering to a pregnant ruminant animal a composition comprising Capsicum annuum oleoresin or extract, Curcuma longa oleoresin or extract and Piper nigrum oleoresin or extract.

4. Method of increasing serum IgG levels, serum IgA levels and / or body weight in offspring of a pregnant ruminant animal, said method comprising the step of administering to a pregnant ruminant animal a composition comprising Capsicum annuum oleoresin or extract, Curcuma longa oleoresin or extract and Piper nigrum oleoresin or extract.

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises Capsicum annuum oleoresin.

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises Curcuma longa oleoresin.Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises Piper nigrum oleoresin.

8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is encapsulated, e.g., in a bead of hydrogenated fats or oils, e.g., hydrogenated vegetable oils.

9. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is selected from a group consisting of a top dress formulation, an animal feed, a premix or supplement and an animal drinking water.

10. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ruminant animal is a pregnant ruminant animal.11 . Method according to claim 10, wherein the composition is administered to the pregnant ruminant animal in a period from about 20 days prior to parturition until parturition, preferably from about 25 days prior to parturition until parturition, more preferably from about 30 days prior to parturition until parturition.

12. Method according to any one of claims 10 or 11 , wherein the composition is administered in a period before parturition until parturition, and in a period after parturition.

13. Use of a composition comprising Capsicum annuum oleoresin or extract, Curcuma longa oleoresin or extract and Piper nigrum oleoresin or extract in a diet for a pregnant ruminant animal, preferably a pregnant cow.

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