Animal feed compositions capable of reducing the incidence of fescue toxicosis in mammals

Abstract

Animal feed compositions having utility in reducing the incidence of and treating the symptoms of fescue toxicosis in mammals that consume endophyte-infected fescue are disclosed. Methods of reducing the incidence of fescue toxicosis and making animal feed compositions are further disclosed.

1 . An animal feed composition comprising: 
 a coated or encapsulated plant extract consisting of a vasodilator; and    an ingredient selected from the group consisting of feed matter, a mineral, a vitamin, an amino acid, an antibiotic, and combinations of any thereof    
     
     
         2 . The animal feed composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an adsorbent selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, a clay, and combinations thereof,  
     
     
         3 . The animal feed composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an oligosaccharide source selected from the group consisting of a yeast product, a yeast culture, a yeast culture presscake, a citric acid yeast culture presscake, an ethanol yeast culture presscake, a spray dried yeast culture, a spray dried bacterial culture, a yeast extract, a modified yeast extract, a yeast enzyme, a bacterial enzyme, and combinations of any thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The animal feed composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an antioxidant selected from the group consisting of a tocopherol, a vitamin E, a vitamin E containing composition and combinations of any thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The animal feed composition of  claim 1  wherein the vasodilator is selected from the group consisting of capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, capsaicinoids, piperine, vanilloid, zingerone, capsicum, macerated hot peppers, ground hot peppers, hot pepper extract, berberine, niacin, arginine, cocoa flavanols, a capsicum containing plant material, and combinations of any thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The animal feed composition of  claim 1 , wherein the vasodilator is a vanilloid receptor activator.  
     
     
         7 . The animal feed composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises 0.005% to 1.0% by weight of the vasodilator.  
     
     
         8 . The animal feed composition of  claim 1 , wherein the animal feed composition is configured as at least one of a feed supplement, a feed additive, a loose meal, a liquid, a cube, a cooked tub, a mineral, an agglomeration, and a pressed tub.  
     
     
         9 . The animal feed composition of  claim 1  wherein the animal feed composition is placed in a container and associated with indicia configured to instruct an amount of the animal feed composition to feed animals associated with a fescue toxicosis condition or environment.  
     
     
         10 - 17 . (canceled)  
     
     
         18 . An animal feed composition comprising: 
 a capsaicin containing product; and    at least one of a yeast product, a yeast culture, a yeast culture presscake, a citric acid yeast culture presscake, an ethanol yeast culture presscake, a spray dried yeast culture, a spray dried bacterial culture, a yeast extract, a modified yeast extract, a yeast enzyme, and a bacterial enzyme    
     
     
         19 . The animal feed composition of  claim 18 , further comprising an adsorbent selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, a clay, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         20 . The animal feed composition of  claim 18 , further comprising an ingredient selected from the group consisting of feed matter, a mineral, a vitamin, an amino acid, an antibiotic, a plant extract, a plant botanical, and combinations of any thereof.  
     
     
         21 . The animal feed composition of  claim 18 , wherein the animal feed composition is configured as one of a feed supplement, a feed additive, a loose meal, a liquid, a cube, a cooked tub, a mineral, an agglomeration, and a pressed tub.  
     
     
         22 . The animal feed composition of  claim 18 , wherein the capsaicin containing product is coated or encapsulated.  
     
     
         23 . An animal feed composition comprising: 
 at least one of an adsorbent and an oligosaccharide; and    at least one of an antioxidant and a vasodilator    
     
     
         24 . The animal feed composition of  claim 23 , wherein the animal feed composition comprises a vasodilator selected from the group consisting of capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, capsaicinoids, piperine, vanilloid, zingerone, capsicum, macerated hot peppers, ground hot peppers, hot pepper extract, berberine, niacin, arginine, cocoa flavanols, a capsicum containing plant material, and combinations of any thereof  
     
     
         25 . The animal feed composition of  claim 23 , wherein the animal feed composition comprises an oligosaccharide selected from the group consisting of a yeast product, a yeast culture, a yeast culture presscake, a citric acid yeast culture presscake, an ethanol yeast culture presscake, a spray dried yeast culture, a spray dried bacterial culture, a yeast extract, a modified yeast extract, a yeast enzyme, a bacterial enzyme, and combinations of any thereof.  
     
     
         26 . (canceled)  
     
     
         27 . The animal feed composition of claim  15  wherein the animal feed composition is capable of at least one of improving digestive system function, binding aflatoxins, supporting immune function, improving the ability to dissipate heat for animals that consume endophyte-infected forage and treating animals that suffer from fescue toxicosis.  
     
     
         28 . The animal feed composition of  claim 18 , wherein the animal feed composition is capable of at least one of improving digestive system function, binding aflatoxins, supporting immune function, improving the ability to dissipate heat for animals that consume endophyte-infected forage and treating animals that suffer from fescue toxicosis.  
     
     
         29 . The animal feed composition of  claim 23 , wherein the animal feed composition is capable of at least one of improving digestive system function, binding aflatoxins, supporting immune function, improving the ability to dissipate heat for animals that consume endophyte-infected forage and treating animals that suffer from fescue toxicosis.