Bovine somatotropin

Bovine somatotropin (abbreviated bST and BST for bovine somatotropin English ) is a peptide hormone that is produced in the pituitary gland of cattle and acts as a growth hormone. It is therefore also known as bovine growth hormone ( BGH, bovine growth hormone ) called. The amino acid sequence of the protein is identical to about 70 percent with the human somatotropin.

History

In 1937 the administration of BST had led to increased milk production in dairy cows, as it prevents death of mammary cells during lactation. The use of BST in agriculture was limited until the 1980s, as cattle carcasses were the only source of supply.

Monsanto in 1994 brought recombinant bovine somatotropin ( rBST ) under the trade name Posilac on the market. This is from genetically altered bacteria (Escherichia coli) produced bearing the BST gene on a vector.

Monsanto sold in August 2008 Posilac and all rights related to Elanco Animal Health, a subsidiary of Eli Lilly. Posilac has been approved either in Canada or Europe. The call to U.S. consumers against the use of artificial growth hormones in 2009 led to a domino effect in milk production, these produce rBST -free.

Application of Posilac

Growth hormones which are injected dairy cows for increasing the milk production, are known by a variety of labels. In general, however, these terms refer to the product of the Monsanto Group. According to the package insert Monsanto injection of dairy cows can increase the average 300 -day performance of milk production by 10 %.

Posilac prevents the death of mammary cells in dairy cows. As such, it does not increase the daily milk production, but instead prevents their reduction over time. This results in a higher overall production during the lactation. As the milk production of the cow during the lactation according to a known curve increases and decreases, the use of Posilac can selectively improve the result.

The normal cow produces with her lactation a limited amount of milk. The production increases daily until around day 70, the maximum production is reached. From this point on until the cow is dry, production slowly decreased. In part, causes the number of milk-producing cells in the udder this increase and decrease milk production. The number of cells is low at the beginning, increases during the first period of Laktationphase, then decreases, while the lactation continues. Once dead, these cells grow normally not new until the next lactation.

In order to achieve maximum effect with Posilac, farmers are stopped, the first dose of Posilac to the 50th day of lactation the cow use, shortly before the maximum production. Posilac then obtains the difference at that date milk production cells alive. Thus, the reduction of production to the maximum power is limited. After the high performance decreases production with or without Posilac, but more slowly with Posilac than without. This reduction in the rate of production achieved a higher milk yield over the period of lactation. In the best case, these earnings are increased by the use of Posilac to seven or eight liters of milk more per day.

Side effects of artificial growth hormones

As a side effect can be produced by a caused by this ignition udder of the cow pus, which is secreted in the milk. As a countermeasure, an increased use of antibiotics is recommended. In addition, go hormone ingredients, and antibiotics directly into the cow's milk.

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