Bovine Osteopontin Peptide for Endometrial EGF Normalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dairy cows with abnormal endometrial epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentration profiles, known as repeat breeder (RB) cows, face significant economic losses due to low conception rates, as current treatments for normalizing EGF profiles are limited and ineffective.

Innovation Solution

Administering a peptide containing the integrin binding domain (SVAYGLK) from bovine osteopontin (OPN) or its recombinant protein to the vaginal fornix of ruminants during estrus or artificial insemination to normalize the endometrial EGF concentration profile and improve conception chances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If therapeutic treatment with hormonal formulations is used to normalize endometrial EGF concentration profile, then conception chance may be improved, but treatment stability and efficacy are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidtreatment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and utilizes osteopontin (OPN), a specific protein naturally present in bovine seminal plasma, as the active ingredient. By isolating this specific component with proven efficacy in normalizing endometrial EGF concentration profiles, the treatment achieves reliable and stable results without the complexity of hormonal formulations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of treatment composition from hormonal formulations to OPN-containing compositions. This parameter change results in more stable and reliable treatment outcomes, as OPN directly addresses the underlying endometrial dysfunction without the side effects and variability associated with hormonal treatments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If RB cows undergo repeated artificial inseminations, then conception may eventually occur, but significant time is lost and economic losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconception rateVSAvoidtime to pregnancy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by administering OPN-containing compositions to cows before artificial insemination to normalize their endometrial EGF concentration profiles. This preliminary treatment addresses the underlying uterine dysfunction that prevents conception, thereby improving conception rates and reducing the time required to achieve pregnancy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces OPN-containing composition as an intermediary substance that mediates between the artificial insemination process and the cow's reproductive system. This intermediary treatment prepares the endometrium to properly recognize and support the embryo, thereby improving conception outcomes without requiring repeated breeding attempts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the cause of non-conception in RB cows is investigated through detailed examination, then abnormalities can be identified, but the underlying cause remains unclear and countermeasures are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnosis accuracyVSAvoidtreatment availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables self-service treatment by providing a readily available OPN-containing composition that can be administered to RB cows without requiring complex diagnostic procedures. The treatment works directly on the identified endometrial EGF concentration profile abnormality, making effective treatment accessible and easy to implement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the treatment parameter from attempting to address unknown causes through complex examinations to directly normalizing the endometrial EGF concentration profile using OPN. This parameter change simplifies the treatment approach while maintaining high diagnostic accuracy for the specific endometrial dysfunction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The peptide effectively normalizes the endometrial EGF concentration profile, leading to improved conception rates in RB cows and postpartum ruminants, reducing economic losses in dairy management.

Implementation Method 1

a peptide containing the integrin binding domain (SVAYGLK) from bovine osteopontin (OPN)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntegrin binding:

Data Source

PatentEP4582093A1Ruminant conception chance-improving composition
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY
  • EP4582093A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4582093A1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP4582093A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention provides: a conception chance-improving composition for normalization of EGF concentration profile and conception chance improvement for a ruminant; and a method for improving ruminant conception chance using said composition. The present invention is: a ruminant conception chance-improving composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a peptide or polypeptide including the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1; a ruminant conception chance-improving composition having, as an active ingredient, bovine osteopontin protein, a mutant of bovine osteopontin protein, or a partial peptide of these proteins, in which the protein, the mutant, and the partial peptide include the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1; and a method for improving ruminant conception chance in which either of the conception chance-improving compositions is administered to the fornix vaginae, or the vicinity thereof, of the vaginal portion of a ruminant on an estrous day or the period immediately before/after such.