LICENSEE | This data is not available for free |
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LITERATURE REF. | This data is not available for free |
PATENT NUMBER | This data is not available for free |
PATENT GRANT DATE | June 2, 1998 |
PATENT TITLE |
Use of CLA to reduce the incidence of valgus and varus leg deforomities in poultry |
PATENT ABSTRACT |
Methods of treating a bird to prevent skeletal problems consist of administering to the bird a safe and effective amount of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid). |
PATENT INVENTORS | This data is not available for free |
PATENT ASSIGNEE | This data is not available for free |
PATENT REFERENCES CITED |
Bruce A. Watkins, American Institute of Nutrition 1991 Symposium, pp. 1475-1485. Bruce A. Watkins, American Institute of Nutrition 1993 Symposium, pp. 299-300. Steven D. Bain and Bruce A. Watkins American Institute of Nutrition 1993 Symposium, pp. 317-322. Bernhard Henning et al., American Institute of Nutrition, 1993 Symposium, pp. 1205-1216. M. E. Cook, P. H. Patterson and M. L. Sunde, Poultry Science, 63:620-627 (1984). M. E. Cook, W. T. Springer, K. M. Kerr and J. A. Hebert, Avian Diseases vol. 28, No. 5 (1984). M. E. Cook, M. L. Sunde, J. L. Stahl and L. E. Hanson, Avian Diseases, vol. 28, No. 5 (1984). P. H. Patterson, M. E. Cook, T. D. Crenshaw and Mr. L. Sunde, Poultry Science 65:1357-1364 (1986). Tom Sullivan, Poultry Science 73:879-882 (1994). M. E. Cook, Y. Bai, Poultry Science 73:889-896 (1994). Michael S. Lilburn, Poultry Science 73:897-903 (1994). Patricia Y. Hester, Poultry Science 73:904-915 91994). R. M. Leach and W. O. Twal, Poultry Science 73:883-888 (1994). |
PATENT PARENT CASE TEXT | This data is not available for free |
PATENT CLAIMS |
We claim: 1. A method of preventing skeletal problems in a bird predisposed to developing skeletal problems, said method comprising administering to said bird a safe amount of CLA which is effective to prevent skeletal problems. 2. The method of claim 1 in which the CLA is a non-toxic salt of a conjugated linoleic acid. 3. The method of claim 1 in which the CLA is a triglyceride of a conjugated linoleic acid. 4. The method of claim 1 in which the bird is a chicken. 5. The method of claim 1 in which the bird is a turkey. 6. The method of claim 1 in which the bird is a duck. 7. The method of claim 1 in which the CLA is administered orally. 8. The method of claim 1 in which the CLA is administered parenterally. 9. The method of claim 1 in which the skeletal problems are leg deformities. 10. A method of improving growth and feed efficiency in birds and reducing losses due to culls, condemnation and mortality caused by leg problems, the method comprising administering to said birds a safe amount of CLA which is effective to prevent leg deformities and other skeletal problems. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
PATENT DESCRIPTION |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present application generally relates to methods of treating poultry. More particularly, it relates to methods of treating poultry to prevent skeletal problems, especially valgus and varus leg deformities i.e., twisted or bowed legs. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Skeletal problems are recognized as one of the four major factors limiting the performance of meat-type birds. The fast-growing broilers and turkeys that reach market weights at earlier ages appear to have more leg problems and suffer greater losses than slower growing birds. There is survey data in the literature that indicates that the body weight of broilers is highly correlated to the severity of leg problems. The leading causes of leg problems in broilers include nutritional disorders, such as rickets; infectious diseases, such as viral arthritis, metabolic conditions, such as tibial dyschondroplasia; conformational problems, such as varus and valgus deformities; and toxins, such as mycotoxins. Leg problems in broilers can increase mortality and increase the number of culls; they also can increase condemnations from septicemia-toxemia, and increase downgrades from trimming breasts and legs. In addition decreased feed consumption and increased disease also can occur. It has been estimated that the annual losses due to leg problems in broilers is about $80 to $120 million. In turkeys, the cost estimates of annual production losses due to skeletal defects in the United States are as high as $32 million. Leg problems also cause losses for the growers of other birds, such as pheasants, emus, ostriches, rhea and other ratites. Obviously, it would be advantageous to have methods of treating poultry to prevent skeletal deformities, especially leg deformities. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to disclose a method of preventing skeletal problems in poultry. We have discovered a method of preventing skeletal problems in poultry which comprises administering to a bird susceptible to skeletal problems a safe and effective amount of a conjugated linoleic acid, such as 9,11-octadecadienoic acid and 10,12-octadecadienoic acid, a non-toxic salt of a conjugated linoleic acid, an active ester of a conjugated linoleic acid, active isomers, active metabolites or a mixture thereof. The conjugated linoleic acids, their non-toxic salts, active esters, active isomers, active metabolites, and mixtures thereof are referred to herein as "CLA". It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the forementioned objects and other advantages may be achieved by the practice of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the preferred method of the present invention, CLA is orally administered to a bird in a safe amount which is effective to prevent skeletal problems, especially leg deformities. Because of the differences in ages, size and nature of birds, the amounts which are safe and effective may vary considerably. Since CLA is a natural food ingredient and it is relatively non-toxic, the amounts which can be administered in the methods of the invention are not critical as long as they are enough to be effective. |
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PATENT PHOTOCOPY | Available on request |
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