METHOD OF IMPROVING REPRODUCTIVE POTENTIAL OF FEMALE MAMMAL USING ULTRA-WEAK PHOTON
20210346138 · 2021-11-11
Assignee
Inventors
- Mi-Jung PARK (Seoul, KR)
- Won-You LEE (Namyangju-si, KR)
- Sang-Ik YUN (Seoul, KR)
- Hye-Lim JANG (Gunpo-si, KR)
Cpc classification
A01K13/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61D19/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method of improving a reproductive potential of a female mammal using an ultra-weak photon. In the method of improving a reproductive potential of a female mammal using an ultra-weak photon according to the present invention, an ultra-weak photon is in a visible light spectrum but is transmitted as weak light that is not visually recognized so that the ultra-weak photon does not provoke stress and can be irradiated safely for a long time, thereby improving the reproductive potential of female mammals. Unlike an existing material feeding method of improving a reproductive potential, in which a material is supplied wastefully and environmental pollution problems are caused due to tolerance and misuse, the method of improving a reproductive potential of a female mammal is a useful alternative technology that can be used for a long time and ensure the sustainability of livestock industries.
Claims
1. A method of improving a reproductive potential of a female mammal excluding a human, the method comprising irradiating a female mammal excluding a human with an ultra-weak photon.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the irradiating is performed on a female mammal that is pregnant or has given birth.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the female mammal is any one selected from among a pig, a goat, a sheep, a dairy cow, a cow, a horse, a deer, a roe deer, a dog, a cat, a two-humped camel, a rhinoceros, a hippopotamus, a giraffe, an elephant, a bear, a tiger, a lion, a leopard, a hyena, a badger, a fox, a wolf, a weasel, a rat, a squirrel, a hamster, a guinea pig, a beaver, a rabbit, a koala, a kangaroo, a monkey, a chimpanzee, and an orangutan.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the ultra-weak photon has a wavelength of 300 nm to 870 nm.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein a light source having an irradiance of 10.sup.−18 W/cm.sup.2 to 10.sup.−13 W/cm.sup.2 is used for irradiating the ultra-weak photon.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the ultra-weak photon is irradiated for 24 hours a day.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein an improvement in reproductive potential is any one selected from an improvement in fetal survival rate, a reduction in non-pregnancy period, a reduction in mummy rate, an improvement in number of weaning piglets per female mammal, and an improvement in delivery recovery.
8. A method of increasing a total litter size, the method comprising irradiating a female mammal excluding a human with an ultra-weak photon.
9. A method of increasing a suckling survival rate, the method comprising irradiating a female mammal excluding a human with an ultra-weak photon.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020]
[0021]
[0022]
[0023]
[0024]
[0025]
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The present invention provides a method of improving a reproductive potential of a female mammal excluding a human, which includes irradiating a female mammal excluding a human with an ultra-weak photon.
[0028] In the present invention, the irradiating may be performed on a female mammal that is pregnant or has given birth. In this case, the female mammal is, for example, any one selected from among a pig, a goat, a sheep, a dairy cow, a cow, a horse, a deer, a roe deer, a dog, a cat, a two-humped camel, a rhinoceros, a hippopotamus, a giraffe, an elephant, a bear, a tiger, a lion, a leopard, a hyena, a badger, a fox, a wolf, a weasel, a rat, a squirrel, a hamster, a guinea pig, a beaver, a rabbit, a koala, a kangaroo, a monkey, a chimpanzee, and an orangutan, but the present invention may be applied without being limited thereto.
[0029] In the present invention, the term “litter size” refers to the number of offspring delivered through one delivery by a female mammal, the term “stillbirth rate refers to the proportion of offspring delivered in a state of being dead in a womb during pregnancy, and the term “pre-weaning mortality rate refers to the proportion of offspring that are delivered and die until weaning after a suckling period. Meanwhile, the term “mummy rate refers to the proportion of mummies among offspring delivered by a female mammal, and the term “mummy” refers to offspring that are delivered by being fossilized due to a disease or the like during delivery of a pregnant female mammal. The term “turnover” refers to the number of times a female mammal gives birth per year and is calculated as 365/(pregnancy days+weaning age+non-production days), and the term “piglets weaned per sow per year (PSY)” refers to the number of weaning piglets per female mammal per year and refers to the number of piglets weaned by one female mammal per year. Meanwhile, the term “underweight” refers to the proportion of underweight offspring.
[0030] The ultra-weak photon is a type of light useful for living things, and the light useful for living things refers to light that is incident on living things and has positive effects on living things, such as activation of biometabolism, improvement of immunity, promotion of cell growth, and the like. The ultra-weak photon has characteristics such as polychromatic, coherence, visible range, and polarized characteristics.
[0031] Since irradiance of an ultra-weak photon generated from living things is very weak, ultra-weak photon emission is referred to as ultra-weak photon emission or biophoton emission. The biophoton emission is related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) that occurs in a normal metabolic process of living things. The ROS is formed of natural by-products from normal metabolism of oxygen and plays important role in cellular signaling and homeostasis.
[0032] When nutrients are digested and absorbed by living things and oxygen is inhaled, the nutrients absorbed by living organisms and the inhaled oxygen are transported to tissue cells of the entire body. Mitochondria within the cells convert the nutrients and oxygen transported to the tissue cells into adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In living things, such ATP energy is used to produce proteins (enzymes, hormones, and the like), maintain homeostasis, regulate metabolism, perform immune functions, and regulate reactive oxygen. Accordingly, when an ultra-weak photon is irradiated onto living things, electrons may be provided to an electron transfer system (ETS) that produces ATP energy in mitochondria, thereby increasing ATP energy production, and the providing of electrons may reduce an ROS from being generated in the ETS. That is, when living things are irradiated with an ultra-weak photon having characteristics similar to those of a biophoton, the ultra-weak photon is transmitted to the living things through resonance absorption between the ultra-weak photon and the living things and used in the living things.
[0033] In the present invention, the ultra-weak photon may have a wavelength of 300 nm to 870 nm. In one embodiment of the present invention, the ultra-weak photon has a wavelength of 380 nm to 780 nm, a peak wavelength is 704.47 nm, a centroid wavelength is 676.10 nm, and a dominant wavelength of 588.45 nm.
[0034] In addition, in the present invention, the ultra-weak photon may have an irradiance of 10.sup.−18 W/cm.sup.2 to 10.sup.−13 W/cm.sup.2 and more preferably have an irradiance of 10.sup.−15 W/cm.sup.2 to 10.sup.−13 W/cm.sup.2. Any type of light source may be provided without limitation as long as the light source can satisfy the irradiance and can irradiate the ultra-weak photon for a long time without side effects. Preferably, the light source may include a laser, a light-emitting diode (LED) light source, and the like which are used for phototherapy. In the present invention, the ultra-weak photon may be irradiated for 24 hours a day.
[0035] In addition, in the present invention, the ultra-weak photon may be preferably irradiated at a distance of 1 m to 5 m from a female mammal.
[0036] Furthermore, in the present invention, the ultra-weak photon may reduce the number of fetal mummies and a fetal stillbirth rate, improve a suckling survival ratio, and reduce a pre-weaning mortality rate.
[0037] In females, increases in fetal stillbirth rate and mummy rate cause a lot of economic loss. In particular, sows and dairy cows are known to be most affected by stress, and thus, in the following experiments, reproductive potential was investigated by representatively using sows and dairy cows.
[0038] In addition, in the present invention, the improvement in reproductive potential may be, for example, any one selected from an improvement in fetal survival rate, a reduction in non-pregnancy period, a reduction in mummy rate, an improvement in number of weaning piglets per female mammal, and an improvement in delivery recovery.
[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, when sows were irradiated with an ultra-weak photon for 24 hours a day, it was confirmed that the number of offspring was increased, a stillbirth rate of offspring was reduced, and in particular, the number of mummies was reduced and healthy offspring were produced so that a suckling capability of female mammals was improved. In addition, it was confirmed that, due to an increase in robustness of offspring, a mortality rate was reduced until a weaning period.
[0040] Furthermore, it was confirmed that a somatic cell count showing a health condition of dairy cows was reduced, a non-pregnancy period related to reproduction was reduced by 15 days, and an economic calving number was increased by 0.04. In particular, it was confirmed that delivery recovery was increased through a decrease in somatic cell count within 60 days after delivery, and thus, it was confirmed that immunity and delivery recovery were increased so that reproductive potential was increased.
[0041] That is, unlike that of other light sources that can be used only for a short time during bio-irradiation, a method of improving a reproductive potential of a female mammal according to the present invention can be used 24 hours a day to improve the reproductive potential of a female mammal in a eco-friendly and safe manner, thereby considerably improving pig productivity.
[0042] Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of increasing a total litter size or a method of increasing a suckling survival rate which includes irradiating a female mammal excluding a human with an ultra-weak photon. The term “suckling survival rate” refers to the proportion of the number of offspring surviving until an end of weaning among the number of offspring starting to suckle.
[0043] Although the following experiments were performed on only sows and dairy cows, an effect of improving reproductive potential is not limited thereto and is commonly applied to females of other mammals.
[0044] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail through the following Experimental Examples and Examples. However, the following Experimental Examples and Examples are merely provided for the purpose of illustration for a better understanding of the present invention but are not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Examples 1 to 3: Selection of Ultra-Weak Photon Source of the Present Invention
[0045] In order to select an optimal light source for irradiating pregnant female mammals with an ultra-weak photon, a spectroscopic analysis was performed on three different ultra-weak photon sources. Results of the spectroscopic analysis are shown in Table 1 below.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Type CFL LED LED Spectral range 380 nm to 780 nm 380 nm to 780 nm 380 nm to 780 nm Dominant WL 585.13 nm 588.45 nm 587.83 nm Irradiance 4.282 × 10.sup.−10 52.39 × 10.sup.−10 29.06 × 10.sup.−10 W/cm.sup.2 W/cm.sup.2 W/cm.sup.2 Lumen 85% 90% 90% maintenance rate Luminous 64.50 lm/W 85 lm/W 80 lm/W efficiency
[0046] Based on the above results, a modulated LED for an ultra-weak photon of Example 2 having a wavelength of 380 nm to 780 nm as a dominant wavelength length, a lumen maintenance rate of 90%, and a luminous efficiency of 85 lm/W was selected and used for breeding sows.
[0047] In this case, light sources of Examples 1 to 3 had an irradiance that was too weak for a value to be measured using a spectrometer, and thus, an irradiance value was measured 2 cm in front of a cross section of an end of a light irradiator. Meanwhile, since irradiance of light is attenuated in inverse proportion to (distance).sup.2, a light irradiator was installed at a radius of about 2 m from sows when actually installed in a pig house. In this case, it was confirmed that a final irradiance of a light source was in a range of 1×10.sup.−15 W/cm.sup.2 to 1×10.sup.−13 W/cm.sup.2.
Example 4: Irradiation of Sows with Ultra-Weak Photon
[0048] Landrace breed sows were used as sows, were bred in a pregnancy house for about 90 days, and were bred in a delivery house for about 28 days. A light irradiator (PHOTONIA manufactured by Biolight Corporation in Korea) for generating an ultra-weak photon of Example 2 was installed in each of the pregnancy house and the delivery house. Specifically, by using a separate cradle, a feeding pipe, a ceiling structure, and the like, one light irradiator per three stalls were installed in the pregnancy house, and one light irradiator per stall was installed in the delivery house. A separate individual circuit breaker (220 v/60 Hz) was installed along with the light irradiator. An installation state of the light irradiators in a pig house is shown in
[0049] The ultra-weak photon was continuously irradiated for 24 hours a day during an experiment, and a distance (irradiation distance) of the light irradiator from the sow was maintained within about 2 m.
Experimental Example 1: Analysis of Reproductive Potential of Sows Before and after Irradiation of Ultra-Weak Photon—1
[0050] According to a method of Example 4, breeding performance according to a total number of births, a number of live births, a stillbirth rate, a mummy rate, a number of weaning piglets, an average weaning age, a sow turnover, and a PSY for sows raised on a farm in Inji-myeon, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea were checked to analyze reproductive potential according to irradiation of an ultra-weak photon. Results of the analysis are shown in Table 2 below.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Before installation After installation (6 months, winter) (6 months, summer) Number of sows (head) 275.33 263.92 Total number of births 11.93 11.67 (head) Number of live births 10.9 10.97 (head) Stillbirth rate (%) 6.35 5.27 Mummy rate (%) 2.47 0.78 Number of weaning 10.35 9.92 piglets (head) Average weaning age 27.43 24.35 Turnover (times) 2.17 2.3 PSY (head) 22.43 22.8
[0051] As shown in Table 2, it was confirmed that a fetal stillbirth rate and a mummy rate were considerably reduced after irradiation of an ultra-weak photon.
Experimental Example 2: Analysis of Reproductive Potential of Sows Before and after Irradiation of Ultra-Weak Photon—2
[0052] According to a method of Example 4, breeding performance according to a total number of births, a survival rate, a stillbirth rate, and a mummy rate for sows raised on a farm in Hallim-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, Korea were checked to analyze reproductive potential for 6 months before and after installation of a light irradiator.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Total Num- num- Still- ber ber Survival birth Mummy of of rate rate rate Period sows births (%) (%) (%) After 2017 January 42 484 89 7 1.9 instal- 2017 February 34 322 92.9 3.1 3.1 lation 2017 March 31 350 90.6 1.7 2.6 2017 April 42 361 87.8 4.4 2.5 2017 May 44 477 94.1 2.1 1.7 2017 June 30 337 95 1.5 0.9 2017 July 27 254 91.3 5.1 3.5 2017 August 31 366 91.5 3.8 0.3 Total 281 2,951 91.5 3.6 2.1 Before 2017 September 33 392 93.1 3.1 0 instal- 2017 October 34 409 91.4 3.4 0 lation 2017 November 38 358 96.6 1.1 0 2017 December 42 451 95.1 2.4 0 2018 January 33 351 95.2 2 0.6 2018 February 28 285 93.7 3.9 0 2018 March 30 372 92.7 3 1.3 Total 238 2,618 94.0 2.7 0.3
[0053] As shown in Table 3, it was confirmed that a survival rate was increased and a stillbirth rate and a mummy rate were considerably reduced after irradiation of an ultra-weak photon.
Experimental Example 3: Analysis of Reproductive Potential of Sows Before and after Irradiation of Ultra-Weak Photon—3
[0054] According to a method of Example 4, breeding performance according to an average total number of births, an average number of live births, a PSY, and a post-wearing mortality rate for sows raised on a farm in Daejeong-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, Korea were checked to analyze reproductive potential according to irradiation of an ultra-weak photon. Breeding performance results for 6 months before and after installation of a light irradiator are shown in
[0055] As shown in
Experimental Example 4: Analysis of Reproductive Potential of Female Mammals Before and after Irradiation of Ultra-Weak Photon—4
[0056] Except that one light irradiator was installed per three sows, the robustness of sows raised on a farm in Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea was checked in the same manner as in Example 4 to analyze reproductive potential according to irradiation of an ultra-weak photon. Breeding performance results for 8 months before and after irradiation of an ultra-weak photon are shown in Table 4 below.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Total Number number Accident at birth of Number Calving Pregnancy of Stillbirth live Classification of head number days births Mummy rate births Malformation Underweight Control 46 1 114.2 11.9 0.3 0.4 11.0 1.0 1.2 group Treatment 30 1 114.0 13.0 0.3 0.4 12.2 — 1.7 group Comparison — — — 1.1 0.0 0.0 1.1 −1.0 0.5 of results
[0057] As shown in Table 4, as a result of irradiation of an ultra-weak photon, the robustness of sows was maintained during pregnancy so that deliveries of primiparous sows were smooth. An accident rate after delivery was decreased according to the robustness of offspring so that piglet production was increased by 1.1 piglets per sow.
[0058] This means that, when sows give birth 2.3 times a year and a total litter size is increased by 2.5 piglets, 2,277 piglets can be additionally produced per year when 900 sows are raised on an experimental farm.
Example 5: Irradiation of Dairy Cows with Ultra-Weak Photon
[0059] A light irradiator (PHOTONIA manufactured by Biolight Corporation in Korea) for generating an ultra-weak photon of Example 2 was installed in each of a pregnancy house and a delivery house. Specifically, by using a separate cradle, a feeding pipe, a ceiling structure, and the like, one light irradiator per three stalls were installed in the pregnancy house, and one light irradiator per stall was installed in the delivery house. A separate individual circuit breaker (220 v/60 Hz) was installed along with the light irradiator. An installation state of the light irradiators in a cow house is shown in
[0060] An ultra-weak photon was continuously irradiated for 24 hours a day during an experiment, and a distance (irradiation distance) of the light irradiator from a dairy cow was maintained within about 5. The cow house was designed such that the dairy cows could eat feed and ruminate while resting. In addition, the cow house was designed such that the dairy cows were within an irradiation range of the light irradiator wherever the dairy cows were.
Experimental Example 5: Analysis of Reproductive Potential of Dairy Cows Before and after Irradiation of Ultra-Weak Photon—1
[0061] According to a method of Example 5, breeding performance according to a somatic cell count, a 305-day average milk yield, a non-pregnancy period, and a calving number for dairy cows raised on six farms in Imsil-gun, Jeonbuk, Korea was checked to analyze reproductive potential according to irradiation of an ultra-weak photon. Breeding performance results for 12 months before and after installation of a light irradiator are shown in
[0062] As shown in
Experimental Example 6: Analysis of Reproductive Potential of Dairy Cows Before and after Irradiation of Ultra-Weak Photon—2
[0063] According to a method of Example 5, for 23 dairy cows raised on a Seongbo farm in Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea and 22 dairy cows raised on a Bethel farm in Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea, a change in immune components was investigated and breeding performance according to a change in milk yield which is a productivity improvement item and a change in somatic cell count were checked to analyze reproductive potential according to irradiation of an ultra-weak photon. Breeding performance results for 4 months before and after installation of a light irradiator are shown in
[0064] As shown in
[0065] In summary, according to a method of improving a reproductive potential of a female mammal according to the present invention, due to use of an ultra-weak photon which can considerably reduce a fetal stillbirth rate and a mummy rate, can improve immunity and delivery recovery, can be safely used for a long period of time, and can be continuously irradiated, it was confirmed that offspring productivity could be improved in an economical and eco-friendly manner by lowering farm personnel manpower and also significantly improving the reproductive potential of female mammals.
[0066] In a method of improving a reproductive potential of a female mammal using an ultra-weak photon according to the present invention, an ultra-weak photon is in a visible light spectrum but is transmitted as weak light that is not visually recognized so that the ultra-weak photon does not provoke stress and can be irradiated safely for a long time, thereby improving the reproductive potential of female mammals. Unlike an existing material feeding method of improving a reproductive potential, in which a material is supplied wastefully and environmental pollution problems are caused due to tolerance and misuse, the method of improving a reproductive potential of a female mammal is a useful alternative technology that can be used for a long time and ensure the sustainability of livestock industries. The useful alternative technology is a simple, practical, and eco-friendly method and is applied to smart farming to safely improve the reproductive potential of female mammals, thereby considerably improving the productivity of farmhouses.