Abstract: Provided herein are supplements that include free amino acids L-glutamine or a salt thereof, L-leucine or a salt thereof, nd L-arginine or a salt thereof, and active IGF-1. The L-glutamine or salt thereof, L-leucine or salt thereof, and L-arginine or salt thereof can be present at a ratio of approximately 3:1:1. Also provided are compositions that include the supplement, such as a food product. The disclosure also includes, but is not limited to, methods for using the supplements, including improving the performance of an animal, improving a processing factor of an animal, or increasing intestinal health of an animal, where the method includes administering to the animal a food product that has the supplement.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for treating an animal using a composition that includes active IGF. The methods include treating an animal at risk of having an infection caused by an infectious agent, treating an animal having an infection, and treating a symptom associated with an infection. In one embodiment, the infectious agent is a virus. In one embodiment, the administering includes daily administration of at least 0.05 nanograms of active IGF-1 per kilogram bodyweight of the animal daily (ng/kg), at least 0.1 ng/kg, at least 2 ng/kg, at least 5 ng/kg, or at least 10 ng/kg.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for treating an animal using a composition that includes active IGF. The methods include treating an animal at risk of having an infection caused by an infectious agent, treating an animal having an infection, and treating a symptom associated with an infection. In one embodiment, the infectious agent is a virus. In one embodiment, the administering includes daily administration of at least 0.05 nanograms of active IGF-1 per kilogram bodyweight of the animal daily (ng/kg), at least 0.1 ng/kg, at least 2 ng/kg, at least 5 ng/kg, or at least 10 ng/kg.

Abstract: Provided wherein are methods for treating inflammation. In one embodiment, the method includes administering an effective amount of a composition to a subject having or at risk of having a condition that includes inflammation. The condition can be arthritis, tendonitis, osteoarthritis, fibrosis, shingles, psoriasis, acne, or dermatitis. Examples of dermatitis include atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, and seborrhoeic dermatitis. In one embodiment, the method includes administering an effective amount of a composition to a subject having pain, heat, and/or redness associated with inflammation. In one embodiment, the composition administered can include active TGF-? at a concentration of at least 0.001 nanograms/gram (ng/g). Optionally, the active TGF-? can be at a concentration of no greater than 4000 ng/g.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for altering a characteristic of an offspring or a litter. The method can include administering an effective amount of a composition that includes active IGF-1 to a pregnant animal, wherein a characteristic of an offspring of the pregnant animal is altered compared to a control offspring. In another embodiment, the animal is a lactating animal, wherein a characteristic of an offspring nursed by the lactating animal is altered compared to a control offspring. Examples of characteristics that can be altered include increased survival of offspring before weaning, increased weight of offspring at weaning, increased weight of offspring at end of growing phase, increased average daily gain, and increased average daily food intake. In another embodiment, a characteristic of a litter can be altered, such as increased number of offspring born alive, increased litter birth weight, increased offspring birth weight, reduced number of stillborn offspring, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for increasing the concentration of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) in the serum of a subject. In one embodiment, the method includes administering active IGF-1 to a subject, wherein the concentration of IGF in the serum of the subject is increased. Also provided are methods for treating a condition in a subject, methods for improving or maintaining the health of a subject, and methods for improving a characteristic of a subject. Examples of conditions include a motor neuron disorder, Alzheimer's disease, myocardial infarction, hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, osteoporosis, skeletal muscle repair, and growth failure. Examples of characteristics include increased milk production, increased fertilization, increased reproduction, increased growth, increased oocyte quality in a ruminant undergoing superovulation, and increased embryo viability.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for treating an animal using a composition that includes active IGF. The methods include treating an animal at risk of having an infection caused by an infectious agent, treating an animal having an infection, and treating a symptom associated with an infection. In one embodiment, the infectious agent is a virus. In one embodiment, the administering includes daily administration of at least 0.05 nanograms of active IGF-1 per kilogram bodyweight of the animal daily (ng/kg), at least 0.1 ng/kg, at least 2 ng/kg, at least 5 ng/kg, or at least 10 ng/kg.