Feed Additive Restoring Vitamin A in Immune-Stressed Pigs
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Solution Overview
Problem
In commercial swine operations, nutritional insufficiency of vitamin A occurs despite adequate dietary supplementation, particularly under immunological stresses such as infections and weaning, leading to reduced growth and survivability.
Innovation Solution
A feed additive composition comprising beta-glucan, yeast cell wall, direct fed microbials (Yeast+DFM), and L-carnitine is orally administered to improve the nutritional status of immunologically stressed animals by restoring insufficient levels of circulating vitamin A.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If dietary supplementation of vitamin A is provided at adequate levels, then nutrient requirement is met, but vitamin A insufficiency still occurs under immunological challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The composition is administered to animals before or during immunological challenges to prevent vitamin A depletion. The beta-glucan, yeast cell wall, and L-carnitine work together in advance to protect against the nutrient diversion that occurs during immune responses, maintaining adequate vitamin A levels before stress occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition acts as an intermediary system that mediates between the immune system's nutrient demands and the animal's growth requirements. By using beta-glucan and yeast cell wall as immunomodulators, the system reduces the intensity of immune responses, thereby reducing nutrient diversion while still providing protection.
2Reliability
If immune response is upregulated to combat infections, then disease resistance improves, but growth performance deteriorates due to nutrient diversion
Solution Approach 1:
The composition changes the physiological parameters of the immune response by using beta-glucan and yeast cell wall to modulate immune activity. This creates a more balanced immune response that provides disease resistance without excessive nutrient consumption, allowing growth to continue alongside immune protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition provides targeted support by using L-carnitine specifically for energy metabolism and nutrient utilization in growth tissues, while beta-glucan and yeast cell wall provide targeted immune modulation. This localized action allows different body systems to function optimally without competing for the same resources.
3Use of energy by moving object
If feed consumption is reduced during stress, then energy is conserved for immune function, but nutrient intake becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The composition enables the animal's body to efficiently utilize the limited nutrients it consumes during stress. L-carnitine enhances fatty acid oxidation and energy production, allowing the animal to generate sufficient energy from reduced feed intake. The beta-glucan and yeast cell wall also improve gut health and nutrient absorption efficiency, ensuring maximum utilization of available nutrients.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are compositions comprising a composition comprising beta-glucan, yeast cell wall, direct fed microbials (Yeast+DFM), and L-carnitine and methods of using the compositions for improving the nutritional status, improving growth performance and survivability in an animal by administering the composition to the animal. Importantly, administering the Yeast+DFM in combination with L-carnitine results in a synergistic restoration of the insufficient level of circulating vitamin A in the animal.