RESEARCH FOCUS: Livestock nutrition. Assessment of a proprietary feed additive (TPM), to improve the uptake of dietary vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Various projects targeting pig, poultry & dairy cattle, assessing an array of performance and health benefits, including: feed efficiency improvements, live weight gain, inflammatory and immune markers, amongst others.
RESEARCH BACKGROUND:
Vitamin E is a well-established micro-nutrient for all animal species. Vitamin E-based additives are used globally in animal nutrition, and have been for decades. Many animal species, including pigs, poultry and cattle, require vitamin E for normal reproduction, muscle integrity, erythrocyte stability and several other biochemical and physiological processes.
In addition to naturally occurring and synthetic α-tocopherol (α-T), a number of other tocopherol derivatives are
prepared commercially for use as antioxidants in food. Mixed tocopherol concentrates, and natural and
synthetically derived ester forms such as α-tocopheryl acetate (α-TA) and α-tocopheryl succinate (α-TS) are produced from edible vegetable oils and their by-products.
A vitamin E phosphate mixture, derived from vitamin E, known as TPM® is manufactured in a proprietary process optimized & patented by Phosphagenics Ltd. TPM® (Tocopheryl Phosphate Mixture), is made up of α-TP (α-tocopheryl phosphate) and α-T2P (di-α-tocopheryl phosphate), in an approximate 2:1 ratio (w/w). In addition to inhibitory effects on vascular and immune cell (stimulated) proliferation, gene expression and
inflammatory markers, Phosphagenics has also demonstrated the amphipathic properties of the mixture, and its
ability to encapsulate lipophilic/poorly soluble nutrients/compounds, thereby improving their uptake.
Although the mechanism of action is not fully understood, the potential improved solubilization, activity, and stability
(over the free form α-T), are attractive attributes that can be utilized in various applications – including oral, dermal and transdermal applications. Although antioxidants, including Vitamin E, are widely used to supplement a variety of animals from laboratory animals, to companion and livestock/production animals, the poor stability and/or uptake from the diet, may be limited in high performance livestock, where significant metabolic stress is high. Performance livestock (i.e. pigs, poultry & cattle) are potentially subject to significant metabolic stress due to high growth rates, change of diet, and social stress due to mixing, and are a group likely to slip into production limitation as a result of relative shortage of fat soluble vitamins – thus making them an ideal target group to assess the effects/potential benefits of TPM® supplementation.
There are a number of experiments which are being designed and/or underway to assess if TPM® supplemented in pigs (young weaners & older grower/finisher pigs), and poultry to improve LWG and feed conversion.
Studies in dairy cattle are designed to assess potential benefits in immune support, with lowered somatic cell
counts and improvements in fertility. Assessments, regardless of species, will be made compared with a base
control groups.
Phosphagenics TPM® is thought to improve the uptake of nutrients (formulating TPM in a vitamin & mineral
pre-mix), to maximize feed/nutrient uptake/in to feed conversion. Additionally overall health/immunity effects
of the TPM, to maximize the genetic potential of the livestock – aspects of which have been alluded to in the previously published work on α-TP. The POC studies outlined are designed to strengthen a data package, and provide well-controlled, designed and appropriately powered studies to demonstrate the potential of the TPM’s application as a feed additive in livestock..
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