Animal feed composition

Abstract

Disclosed is an animal feed composition that comprises free indole acetic acid (free IAA) or a derivative thereof. Also disclosed is a method for enhancing animal growth by feeding the animal with a composition according to the invention. Further disclosed is the use of free IAA or a derivative thereof in a method of therapy of animals in need of a growth-promoting treatment, such as immunocompromised animals, animals with a growth deficit or slow-growing animals. Disclosed is the use of free IAA or a derivative thereof for the preparation of a therapeutical composition for increasing the growth rate and/or the feed conversion rate and/or the immunity of animals in need of such a treatment, in particular, immunocompromised or slow-growing animals. A composition may be in the form of a food or feed supplement.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of treating a pig with a history of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), the method comprising:
 identifying a pig with a history of PRRSV; and   administering to the pig with a history of PRRSV free indole acetic acid (IAA) or a derivative thereof wherein the derivative is selected from the group consisting of 4-hydroxy-IAA, 4-methoxy-IAA, 5-hydroxy-IAA, 5-methoxy-IAA, 6-hydroxy-IAA, 6-methoxy-IAA, 7-hydroxy-IAA, and 7-methoxy-IAA.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to claim  1 , wherein administering to the pig with a history of PRRSV free IAA or a derivative thereof comprises feeding to the pig a therapeutic composition comprising free IAA or the derivative thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to claim  1 , wherein the pig has at least one of a growth deficit or a weakened immune system. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to claim  2  wherein the pig has at least one of a growth deficit or a weakened immune system. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to claim  1 , wherein administering to the pig with a history of PRRSV free IAA or a derivative thereof comprises administering to the pig a feed composition comprising free IAA or a derivative thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to claim  1 , wherein administering to the pig with a history of PRRSV free IAA or a derivative thereof comprises administering to the pig with a history of PRRSV free IAA or a derivative thereof for at least 2 weeks. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to claim  1 , wherein administering to the pig with a history of PRRSV free IAA or a derivative thereof comprises administering to the pig with a history of PRRSV free IAA or a derivative thereof for at least 3 weeks. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to claim  1 , wherein administering to the pig with a history of PRRSV free IAA or a derivative thereof comprises administering to the pig with a history of PRRSV free IAA or a derivative thereof for at least 4 weeks. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to claim  1 , wherein administering to the pig with a history of PRRSV free IAA or a derivative thereof comprises administering to the pig with a history of PRRSV free IAA or a derivative thereof for at least 6 weeks. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to claim  6 , wherein the feed composition comprises from 240 micrograms/kilogram to 40 grams/kilogram of the free IAA or derivative thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to claim  6 , wherein the feed composition comprises from 100 mg/kg to 1000 mg/kilogram of the free IAA or derivative thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to claim  1 , wherein the administering the pig with a history of PRRSV free IAA or a derivative thereof comprises administering to the pig with a history of PRRSV an amount selected from the group consisting of 25 to 1000, 50 to 500, 150 to 500, 50 to 1000, 250 to 1000, 400 to 1000, and 750 to 1000 micrograms/kg life weight/day of the free IAA or derivative thereof.