Sorbic Acid Feed Composition for Sow Colostrum Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively increase colostrum production in pregnant sows and improve neonatal survival and average daily gain of their offspring, as existing supplements like betaine can sometimes reduce piglet growth rates.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising sorbic acid, its ester or salt, and betaine, optionally with ursolic acid, administered to pregnant animals, particularly sows, in specific dosage ranges to enhance mammary gland development and colostrum production, improving neonatal survival and growth rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If betaine is administered to sows in lactation diet, then colostrum production is improved, but piglet growth rate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the feed by replacing betaine with sorbic acid and its esters/salts. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by achieving both increased colostrum production and maintained/improved piglet growth rate, as sorbic acid provides the beneficial effects without the harmful impact on growth observed with betaine
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts betaine from the lactation diet formulation and replaces it with sorbic acid-based compounds. This removal of the problematic substance (betaine) eliminates the negative effect on piglet growth while maintaining the goal of increasing colostrum production through alternative means
2Quantity of substance
If sorbic acid is supplemented in sow diets, then colostrum production is increased, but piglet growth rate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different forms of sorbic acid compounds (acids, esters, salts) with potentially different bioavailability and metabolic effects. By selecting specific esters or salts rather than just the free acid, the patent aims to achieve the colostrum-enhancing effect locally in the mammary gland while minimizing negative systemic effects on piglet growth
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical form parameter of sorbic acid by using esters or salts instead of the free acid. This parameter change alters the properties of the compound to achieve better balance between increasing colostrum production and maintaining piglet growth rate, resolving the contradiction through chemical modification
3Quantity of substance
If mammary gland tissue mass is increased during development, then colostrum production is improved, but feed composition complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sorbic acid compounds (acids, esters, and salts) into a single feed formulation. By combining these related compounds that all share the core sorbic acid structure and mechanism of action, the patent achieves enhanced mammary gland development and colostrum production while managing feed composition complexity through the use of chemically related substances with similar properties
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention pertains to the field of maximizing performance of animals, particularly of pregnant animals and their offspring, particularly of pregnant sows and their offspring. Particularly the present invention is in the field of increasing the colostrum production of a sow, increasing average daily gain of the offspring, and/or improving neonatal survival of the offspring.