Method for supplying bioavailable methionine to a cow

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for supplying bioavailable methionine to a cow which comprises supplying to the cow an ester of methionine or methionine amide and/or an ester of the hydroxy analogue of methionine or a salt thereof.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for supplying bioavailable methionine to a cow, which comprises administering to the cow at least one of an ester of methionine, an ester of methionine amide, and an ester of the hydroxy analogue of methionine, or which comprises administering to the cow a salt of at least one of the esters.  
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the at least one ester or its salt is administered to the cow by feeding to the cow a feed containing the at least one ester or its salt as a supplement.  
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the at least one ester is an alkyl ester having 1 to 12 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the alkyl ester has 1 to 10 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the at least one ester is an alkyl ester and is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tertriary-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, n-hexyl or isohexyl.  
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the alkyl ester has 1 to 4 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 6 , in which the alkyl ester is branched.  
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , in which the alkyl ester is the isopropyl ester.  
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 8 , in which the alkyl ester is the isopropyl ester of the hydroxy analogue of methionine.  
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , in which the alkyl ester is the tertiary-butyl ester.  
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , in which the alkyl ester is the tertiary-butyl ester of methionine.  
     
     
         12 . A method of supplying at least 50% bioavailable methionine to a cow, which comprises administering to the cow the tertiary butyl ester of methionine or the isopropyl ester of the hydroxy analogue of methionine.  
     
     
         13 . A method of improving milk obtained from a dairy cow, which comprises supplying to the cow at least one of an ester of methionine, an ester of methionine amide, and an ester of the hydroxy analogue of methionine, or which comprises administering to the cow a salt of at least one of the esters.  
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the improvement in the milk comprises increased protein content in the milk.  
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the improvement in the milk comprises increased fat content in the milk.  
     
     
         16 . A ration comprising a grain portion, a concentrate portion and a supplement, said supplement comprising at least one of an ester of methionine, an ester of methionine amide, and an ester of the hydroxy analogue of methionine, or said supplement comprising a salt of at least one of the esters.  
     
     
         17 . A ration as claimed in  claim 16 , in which the supplement comprises an amount of the at least one ester calculated as methionine equivalent of up to 75 g.  
     
     
         18 . A ration as claimed in  claim 17 , comprising an amount of the at least one ester calculated as methionine equivalent of 10 to 30 g.  
     
     
         19 . A ration as claimed in  claim 16 , in which the at least one ester is the isopropyl ester of the hydroxy analogue of methionine.  
     
     
         20 . A ration as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the isopropyl ester is present in an amount of from 7 to 65 g per cow per day.  
     
     
         21 . A ration as claimed in  claim 16 , in which the at least one ester is the tert-butyl ester of methionine.  
     
     
         22 . A ration as claimed in  claim 21 , in which the tert-butyl ester is present in an amount of from 7 to 65 g per cow per day.  
     
     
         23 . A unit dosage form, comprising an amount of at least one of an ester of methionine, an ester of methionine amide, and an ester of the hydroxy analogue of methionine, or comprising a salt of at least one of the esters, suitable for dosage for one cow for one day.  
     
     
         24 . A method of improving the condition of a cow, which comprises supplying to the cow at least one of an ester of methionine, an ester of methionine amide, and an ester of the hydroxy analogue of methionine, or which comprises administering to the cow a salt of at least one of the esters.  
     
     
         25 . A method as claimed in  claim 24 , in which the at least one ester is an alkyl ester having 1 to 12 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         26 . A method as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the improvement in condition of the cow comprises improved fertility.  
     
     
         27 . A method as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the improvement in condition of the cow comprises improved liver function.  
     
     
         28 . A method as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the improvement in condition of the cow comprises an increase in energy.