Compositions and methods for improving lactation

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the use of pharmaceutical agents to manipulate serotonin in animal mammary glands. Use of the serotonin agents results in increased PTHrP levels, resulting in the release of calcium from the bone, which improves lactation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for the prevention and/or treatment of periparturient hypocalcemia in lactating female mammals wherein the lactating female mammal is selected from the group consisting of bovine, ovine, porcine, avian and humans, the method comprising administering to a female mammal in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical agent that increases serotonergic signaling wherein the pharmaceutical agent is administered at the onset of lactation, wherein the pharmaceutical agent is a serotonin (5-HT) agonist selected from the group consisting of serotonin (5-HT) receptor agonist, a 5-HT releasing agent, a 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, an inhibitor of 5-HT degradation, and a precursor thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical agent is a serotonin receptor agonist. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the serotonin agonist is a natural or synthetic analog of 5-HT. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical agent is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the pharmaceutical agent administration causes an overall increase in ruminant serum calcium concentration in the periparturient period. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the pharmaceutical agent comprises 2-70 wt % 5-HT agonist. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the pharmaceutical agent comprises 2-70 wt % serotonin reuptake inhibitor. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the pharmaceutical agent further comprises one or more additional ingredients selected from the group consisting of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, a supplemental constituent, a foodstuff, a stabilizer, a bulking agent, a disintegration agent and a coated carrier. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the pharmaceutical agent further comprises at least one supplementary constituent selected from the group consisting of polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, free and esterified fatty acids, amino acids, proteins, pharmaceuticals, bioactive agents, nutrients, minerals, vitamins, and antibiotics. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the effective daily dosages of 5-HT agonist range between about 5 mg to about 5000 mg. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the pharmaceutical agent is administered in a sustained-release formulation. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the pharmaceutical agent is administered to the mammal until at least day 4 of the treatment. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the pharmaceutical agent is administered by intra-mammary infusion. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the steps of producing a final feed by mixing a composition containing serotonin agonist or a salt thereof and a stabilizer with a suitable premix, which is a component of the final feed. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the 5-HT agonist is a natural or synthetic analog of 5-HT and is used in the manufacture of a medicament to increase lactation in a ruminant animal. 
     
     
         16 . A method for maintaining calcium homeostasis in periparturient female mammals, the method comprising treating the female mammal with an effective amount of a pharmaceutical agent that increases serotonergic signaling wherein the pharmaceutical agent is administered at the onset of lactation, wherein the pharmaceutical agent is a serotonin (5-HT) agonist selected from the group consisting of a serotonin (5-HT) receptor agonist, a 5-HT releasing agent, a 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, an inhibitor of 5-HT degradation, and a precursor thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pharmaceutical agent is a 5-HT receptor agonist. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the pharmaceutical agent is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  or  18 , wherein the pharmaceutical agent further comprises at least one or more additional ingredients selected from the group consisting of a foodstuff, a stabilizer, a bulking agent, a disintegration agent and a coated carrier. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the serotonin agonist is a natural or synthetic analog of 5-HTP and is used in the manufacture of a medicament to increase lactation in a ruminant animal.