What is Bovine Somatotropin?
Bovine Somatotropin (bST) is being in use in Pakistan in commercial dairies. Here it is commonly used by the brand name of "BOOSTIN" which is the research product of Monsanto and in USA Monsanto has a marketing rights and market it with the name of "POSILAC"whereas in other part of world Eli Lilly (Elanco animal Health) has marketing rights and available with the brand name "SOMATECH". Currently in Pakistan Elanco's product "SOMATECH" is being marketed by ICI Pakistan Limited Animal Health division.
Bovine somatotropin is a growth hormone found in cattle. The word bovine refers to cattle, and the word somatotropin refers to the name of the hormone. Hormones are chemicals that are secreted by glands within the body. They are natural substances that affect the way the body operates. Bovine somatotropin, abbreviated as bST, is a protein hormone produced in cattle by the pituitary gland located at the base of the animals brain.
A hormone similar to bST is produced in all species of animals. This hormone is important for growth, development, and other bodily functions of all animals. In the 1930s, it was discovered that injecting bST into lactating (milk-producing) cows significantly increased milk production.
The science of biotechnology makes it possible to work with DNA, the part of a cell that contains the genetic information for an animal or a plant. Scientists have determined which gene in cattle controls or codes for the production of bST. They have removed this gene from cattle and inserted it into a bacterium called Escherichia coli. This bacterium, which is found in the intestinal tract of humans and animals, acts like a tiny factory and produces large amounts of bST in controlled laboratory conditions. The bST produced by the bacteria is purified and then injected into cattle.
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Studies show that bovine somatotropin is inactive in humans. During the 1950s, natural bST produced by cows was injected into children with growth defects in an attempt to encourage growth. There was no effect, probably because the bovine somatotropin protein molecule differs from human somatotropin (human growth hormone) by about 30 percent of the amino acid sequences.
ReplyDeleteThe characteristics of milk from bST-treated cows are within the normal range of variation of milk from untreated cows. During the first 28 days of treatment, milk fat increases and milk protein decreases slightly. After longer treatment, cows adjust their nutrient intake and the normal balance is re-established. An increase in non-protein nitrogen and whey protein and a decrease in casein have been observed aft er long-term bST administration. This difference is not always significant, and the effect on cheese yield would probably be minor, if any. One study showed a slight increase in unsaturated compared to saturated fat. The difference was small, but suggested a healthier product from bST treatment. No differences in free fatty acids have been observed. Cholesterol levels are in the range of normal milk composition. Insulin-like growth factor I increases by up to two-fold in milk from treated cows, but it is still well within the range for both bovine and human milk. No differences in flavor have been found.
ReplyDeleteSomatech & Boostin injection alternate?
ReplyDeleteWhat's it's price
ReplyDelete