Pharmacokinetics of a sustained-release bovine somatotropin in lactating cows

Bovine somatotropin is known to improve the growth rate and lactation in cattle. In this study, we examined the concentration-time profiles of a sustained-release formulation of bovine somatotropin (BST) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in plasma and milk in cows. In addition, the possible effect of co-administrated vitamin ADE complex on the pharmacokinetic parameters of BST and IGF-1 was evaluated. 1. Plasma BST and IGF-1 levels reached the peak at 12~24 and 48 hours after the administration of BST, and plasma half-lives ranged 100 to 137 and 201 to 310 hours, respectively. To 8th day after administration, BST and IGF-1 levels in milk were not significantly different from the control levels. 2. Plasma BST levels showed cyclic pattern with high concentrations in early stage after each injection and following gradual declining during repeated administrations at 2 week intervals, while plasma IGF-1 levels in treated animals did not show such a cyclic pattern, but remained higher than the control levels. 3. Milk BST and IGF-1 levels during repeated treatments were not significantly different from the control levels. 4. Co-administration of vitamin ADE complex yielded slightly increased AUC of plasma BST for high dose group, but such effect was not evident in the IGF-1 levels. Co-administration of ADE complex tended to increase plasma BST levels and decrease the elimination half-life of IGF-1. 5. These results suggest that the BST formulation tested is one of the ideal sustained-release formulation for long term use in dairy industry. As for the co-administration of vitamin ADE complex, the benefit of co-administration with BST is needed to be further evaluated.