The present invention provides a composition comprising HMB and Vitamin D. Methods of administering HMB and Vitamin D to an animal are also described. Vitamin D and HMB are administered to increase muscle mass, strength, and functionality. The combination of Vitamin D and HMB together has a synergistic effect, which results in a surprising and unexpected level of improvement in muscle mass, strength and functionality.

The present application provides methods to promote growth and improve feed conversion in animals by administering to the animal an effective amount of a composition comprising PGN, MDP or an MDP analog, or a combination thereof.

The present invention discloses rumen bypass composition containing rumen bypass coating/encapsulation matrix and biologically active substances. More particularly, the present invention discloses rumen stable/rumen bypass coating or encapsulation matrix for biologically active substances.

The present invention provides methyl- and trifluoromethyl-substituted pyrrolopyridines, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, methods of modulating ROR activity and/or reducing the amount of IL-17 in a subject, and methods of treating various medical disorders using such pyrrolopyridines and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

The present invention provides methyl- and trifluoromethyl-substituted pyrrolopyridines, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, methods of modulating ROR activity and/or reducing the amount of IL-17 in a subject, and methods of treating various medical disorders using such pyrrolopyridines and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

A butyrate-producing bacterium belonging to Anaerostipes hadrus is provided. The amount of butyrate produced is at least 1.5 times that of Anaerostipes hadrus YIT 10092.sup.T (DSM 3319.sup.T) and is measured by thawing a frozen stock solution of the bacterial strain (a 10% (w/v) skim milk-2% sodium glutamate solution with suspended bacterial cells) (cell count: 2.0 to 5.510.sup.10 cells/mL), inoculating the solution at 1% to 4 mL of a PY liquid medium supplemented with 33 mM sodium acetate and 0.5 (w/v) % glucose (PYGA medium), followed by anaerobic culture at 37 C. for 24 hours, then inoculating the culture solution at 1% to a PYGA medium, followed by anaerobic culture at 37 C. for 24 hours, then inoculating the culture solution at 1% to a PY medium containing 33 mM sodium acetate and 0.5 (w/v) % L-sorbose, followed by anaerobic culture at 37 C. for 24 hours, and then measuring the butyrate concentration.

A butyrate-producing bacterium belonging to Anaerostipes hadrus is provided. The amount of butyrate produced is at least 1.5 times that of Anaerostipes hadrus YIT 10092.sup.T (DSM 3319.sup.T) and is measured by thawing a frozen stock solution of the bacterial strain (a 10% (w/v) skim milk-2% sodium glutamate solution with suspended bacterial cells) (cell count: 2.0 to 5.510.sup.10 cells/mL), inoculating the solution at 1% to 4 mL of a PY liquid medium supplemented with 33 mM sodium acetate and 0.5 (w/v) % glucose (PYGA medium), followed by anaerobic culture at 37 C. for 24 hours, then inoculating the culture solution at 1% to a PYGA medium, followed by anaerobic culture at 37 C. for 24 hours, then inoculating the culture solution at 1% to a PY medium containing 33 mM sodium acetate and 0.5 (w/v) % L-sorbose, followed by anaerobic culture at 37 C. for 24 hours, and then measuring the butyrate concentration.

This invention relates to oral veterinary compositions for combating ectoparasites and endoparasites in animals, comprising at least one systemically-acting active agent in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention also provides for improved methods for eradicating, controlling, and preventing parasite infections and infestations in an animal comprising administering the compositions of the invention to the animal in need thereof.

This invention relates to oral veterinary compositions for combating ectoparasites and endoparasites in animals, comprising at least one systemically-acting active agent in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention also provides for improved methods for eradicating, controlling, and preventing parasite infections and infestations in an animal comprising administering the compositions of the invention to the animal in need thereof.

Palatable food products are provided with low bulk density of about 4-12 lb/ft.sup.3 and comprise an expanded matrix of intercommunicated pores defined by a skeletal structure of gelatinized starch. The products produce an audible crunch sound when crushed by applied force and include low calorie, energy-dense characteristics of about 2-6 Kcal/g. The total weight of the product comprises about 20-60% starch, about 30% or less flowable fat, about 2-12% water, and a coating of flavorants and/or aromants. The product can optionally comprise health promoting ingredients. The products are manufactured by extruding batched ingredients including starch and water under processing conditions to promote starch gelatinization to form a substantially homogenous dough that, after extrusion, expands into a porous matrix. The porous matrix can undergo vacuum infusion to fill the matrix with flowable fat, dry palatant, and wet palatant. After infusion, the porous matrix can be dust coated with dry palatant.