T-00006: Carbohydrate Ruminant Feed Energy Supplement and Method

Summary of Technology

This invention relates to feed supplements for ruminant animals that aids in replenishing negative energy balance in ruminant animals by providing ruminally protected carbohydrate to a ruminant animal. Ketosis is a common disease of adult cattle. Most notably, dairy cows experience ketosis during early lactation due to high milk production. A moderate case of ketosis decreases milk production, but a severe case can result in anorexia and significant weight loss. To prevent ketosis, an SDSU-invented feed supplement is given to dairy cows during the immediate post-parturient period. Objectives of this invention include providing a feedstuff and method that provides sparing of glucose utilization, prevention of fatty liver and ketosis, higher milk production, and quicker weight gain postpartum.

Inventor: Arnold Hippen, Ph.D.

Description of Technology

Ketosis is a disease associated with the metabolic process and occurs most frequently in high producing dairy cows. The basic problem in ketosis is a deficiency of glucose in the blood and body tissues. Glucose is produced by the cow from carbohydrates. In late pregnancy, glucose is directed from normal bodily functions to the nutrition of the developing calf. As lactation starts, glucose is essential for the formation of lactose and milk synthesis. During the post-parturient (recuperation following pregnancy), dairy cows and other ruminant animals often suffer from carbohydrate insufficiency which is due to low feed intake and fat mobilization during the milk generation process. The modern dairy cow has been genetically selected to produce maximum milk. As a result, dairy cows are frequently unable to replenish nutrients fast enough to keep pace with milk production which ultimately leads to mobilization of body fat to provide enrgy for milk production. This mobilization of body fat will collect in the liver creating susceptibility to fatty liver syndrome and ketosis, creating significant health risks for the cow. The goal of this invention is to supply a dairy cow or other ruminant animal a source of energy in the form of fructose. The supplement restrains glucose utilization and prevents body fat mobilization.

Fructose is a simple sugar typically fermented in the rumen. SDSU research has shown fructose as an important factor in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism in mammalian tissues.
Cows can’t be directly fed fructose in their diet because of the microbes contained within the ruminant stomach which break down the sugar. Instead, fructose can be enrobed in a material that bypasses the rumen. The fructose is then capable of being absorbed postruminally. Tests of the invention yielded positive results in which cows fed rumen inert fructose had higher blood glucose levels than controls and also showed consistently higher dry food intake. Dry food intake is indicative of heath in agriculture animals, so the supplement shows improved health more reliably compared with existing products.

Market

The need remains for a feed and a method that is readily absorbed by the animal, reduces stress on the liver and does not require  insulin for absorption and utilization by tissues. Objectives of this invention are to provide a feedstuff and method that provides prevention of ketosis, higher milk production, and quicker weight gain postpartum.

Based on various reports, the incidence of clinical ketosis can range from 2 to 15 percent and subclinical ketosis from 9 to 34 percent. Chance of ketosis increases wherever high producing dairy cows are raised. Cows with subclinical ketosis have slightly low blood sugar levels, slightly elevated blood ketone levels, decreased milk production, and various degrees of hormonal stress. The greatest economic loss in ketosis is probably due to lowered milk production of subclinical cases. Clinical cases are usually more easily detected and treated promptly and successfully.

Many treatments for ketosis have been advocated. Most treatments are used in attempt to raise blood sugar levels of affected cows. Regardless of the type of therapy used, favorable results follow only if the cow’s appetite is improved and feed intake is increased. By increasing blood sugar levels, a cow can obtain an appetite needed to sustain long term glucose levels. Glucose injected intravenously has traditionally been the treatment of choice. However, blood sugar levels are only raised for two to three hours.

Propylene glycol, glycerol, and sodium propionate given orally have been used to treat ketosis. Since all are glucose precursors in bovine, blood sugar levels are raised. According to an article titled Ketosis in Cattle, many practitioners use 500 cc. of 50 percent glucose intravenously followed by four to eight ounces of propylene glycol daily for four days or longer as a routine treatment. One study showed eighty-five percent recovery of clinical cases of ketosis when the combinational treatment was used compared with only fifty percent recovery when only the injection of glucose was used.

ACTH, cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, prednisolone trimethyl acetate, dexamethasone, and other hormones have also been used in the treatment of ketosis. All of these raise blood sugar levels by gluconeogenesis or glycogenolysis (formation of glucose in animals from a non-carbohydrate source) which helps to overcome the negative energy balance present.

Although many forms of treatments exist for ketosis, a preventative supplement could provide cost savings to large milk production companies. SDSU research showing fructose as an improved supplement could cause the supplement to have increased effectiveness percentage compared with other products. Further, the SDSU product can be mixed in feed as a preventative measure instead of a treatment after diagnosis. The following products seem to currently have the market share. Fat supplement is also linked to increase energy balance for cattle. Although different in scope, companies manufacturing fat supplements or having technology for fat enrobment as a form of ruminal protection of nutrients might have interest in the SDSU invention.

Products in the Ketosis Market

Company	Product Name	Type of Product	Website
Bimeda sold by Vet One and Durvet	Dextrose 50%	Dextrose Injection	http://www.vetone.net/images/pdf/dextrose_inj_sellsheet.pdf http://www.durvet.com/DS/112_DS.pdf
Bimeda sold by Vet One and Durvet	Keto Gel	300cc single dose cartridge: Propylene Glycol, Vitamins A, E, D3, B12, Ascorbic Acid, Folic Acid, Niacin, Riboflavin, Choline, Pyridoxine HCI	http://www.vetone.net/images/pdf/KetoGel_SS.pdf http://www.durvet.com/DS/147_DS.pdf
Durvet	CMPK D3 Drench	Liquid oral supplement providing calcium, phosphorus, potassium, propylene glycol, and vitamin D3	http://www.durvet.com/dl/Durvet-Cattle-Brochure.pdf
Durvet	Niacin Energy Drench	Niacin, propylene glycol, and vitamin D	http://www.durvet.com/dl/Durvet-Cattle-Brochure.pdf
Bimeda sold by Vet One and Durvet	Propylene Glycol	100% propylene glycol used mixed with feed or as a drench	http://mwi.naccvp.com/view.php?prodnum=1315039&u=country&p=msds
Bimeda	Rapidexon	Sodium phosphate ester of deamethazone injection	www.bimeda.ie/categories/injectables/item/download/51
Kemin Industries	NutroCAL brand 100 gluconeogenic	Calcium propionate used as feed supplement before and after calving	http://sas-origin.onstreammedia.com/origin/keminindustriesinc/kemin/KANA_Productcatalog2009.pdf
National Feed Company – Centralys	Glucotek	Formulated from monopropyle glycol, propionic acid, and niacin mixture	http://www.feedco.com.sa/Products/FeedAdditives.aspx

Types of Specialty Fats Available in the Market

The following data used in the table was found from the following website:
http://learningstore.uwex.edu/assets/pdfs/a3540.pdf

Company	Product Name	Ingredient Composition	Fat %
Church & Dwight Co.	Megalac	Calcium salts of palm oil fatty acids	82
Milk Specialties Co.	Energy Booster	Relatively saturated free long-chain fatty acids - prilled fat	99
Balanced Energy Co.	Booster Fat	Tallow plus soybean meal treated with sodium alginate	90
Alifet USA	Alifet	Hydrogenated tallow mixed with wheat starch and crystallized	92
Morgan Mfg.	Dairty 80	Hydrogenated tallow - prilled. Contains some phospholipid, flavor, and coloring agents	80
Carolina Byproducts	Carolac	Hydrogenated tallow - prilled	98
National Feed Company - ALLGREEN	Super SP-200	Fat from vegetable source	99