• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.389-398
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of three strains of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) supplemented to diets on egg production, egg quality, egg yolk cholesterol levels, the profile of cecal microflora, and tibia characteristics in laying hens. One hundred sixty 76-week-old Hy-Line Brown layers were randomly divided into 4 groups with 4 replicates per group (10 birds per replicate). Birds in the control group were fed a corn-soybean meal based diet. The remaining three treated groups were fed the control diet containing either 0.05% B. subtilis Ch3 (T1), 0.05% B. subtilis Ch3 + B. subtilis W1 (T2) or 0.05% B. subtilis commercial product (T3) for 6 weeks, respectively. There were no differences in feed intake, egg weight, egg production and egg mass among the groups. The dietary supplementation of B. subtilis improved eggshell strength and Haugh units compared to those of control (P<0.05). The activities of GOT and GPT in serum were not also affected by the dietary treatments. The population of total microbes and lactic acid bacteria in cecum were significantly increased by the dietary B. subtilis (P<0.05), but not the coliforms. The cholesterol concentration in egg yolk and serum in the treated groups were significantly decreased compared to those of control (P<0.05). Also, The levels of phospholipids in serum were significantly decreased compared to those of control (P<0.05). The supplementation of three strains of B. subtilis to diets significantly increased the contents of tibia ash compared to that of control (P<0.05). Thus, this study showed significant improvements in egg quality, such as eggshell strength and Haugh unit, by dietary B. subtilis strains. The B. subtilis strains added to the diets modulated the profiles of cecal microflora, reflecting beneficial effects in laying hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2005

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the effects of varying levels of dietary oil containing conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the egg production and fatty acid composition of egg yolk. Seventy-two 59-wk-old ISA Brown laying hens were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments, each consisting of three replicates with six birds per replicate. There were four treatments that consist of diets containing 0, 1, 2, or $3\%$ commercial CLA-containing oil. Egg production was not significantly different among the dietary treatments at 0, 2, 4, and 6 week. The proportion of saturated fatty acids such as C16:0 and C18:0 in egg yolk were increased, but that of monounsaturated fatty acid C18:1 was decreased by feeding CLA-containing oil supplementation. However, the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as C18:2 and C18:3 in egg yolk were not different among dietary treatments at 2 and 4 wk of the experiment. At 6 week, the proportion of C18:2 in egg yolk was decreased by feeding CLA-containing oil compared with the control. Polyunsaturated fatty acid:saturated fatty acid (P:S) ratio and n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio were similar across the treatments between 2 and 4 week. The P:S ratio was decreased by dietary CLA-containing oil supplementation at 6 week. The proportion of CLA in egg yolk was linearly increased with increasing levels of CLA-containing oil supplementation. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of CLA-containing oil to laying hens increased beneficially increased CLA content in their egg yolk.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.69-80
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• 2021

We conducted a 4 × 4 diallel cross-mating test using 934 chickens from four grandparent stock lines to develop a new synthetic breed of Korean native chicken. The mean values, combining ability, and reciprocal effects on survival rate, body weight, and hen-day egg production were analyzed. In phenotypes, most chickens have yellowish-brown, reddish-brown and mixed color feathers. The average survival rate was 86.8±12.3%, with the highest in YH combination. Specific combining ability (SCA) had a greater effect on survival rate than general combining ability (GCA), and the SCA of HY combination was the highest. The 16 cross-combinations were distinctly divided into three weight groups according to their genetic characteristics. At 12 weeks of age, GCA showed a greater effect on weight than SCA, and the SCA of FH combination was the highest. The age at first egg laying was 157 days, and the crosses reached sexual maturity faster than the pure lines. The egg production rate was highest in SY at 79.5±2.1%. The GCA and SCA for hen-day egg production were similar, and the SCA was highest in the HS and FY combinations. The reciprocal effect showed that the offspring's egg production rate was high when S and Y were maternal parents in almost all combinations. In conclusion, FH and HF combinations, which have excellent growth performance, are the most desirable paternal parent stock strains, and FY, FS, HY, and SY combinations, which have excellent laying performance with moderate weight, are the preferred maternal strains.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.517-524
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• 2006

We investigated the effect of different kinds of dietary fats on the fatty acid composition, cholesterol content and quality of hens' eggs. The Haugh units, breaking strength, shell thickness and yolk color were not significantly different among the test groups. The type of dietary fat fed each test group notably altered the polyunsaturated fatty acid composition and cholesterol content of egg yolk. The n-6 fatty acid content of egg yolk was highest in the corn oil fed group being 31.61%, and this tended to decrease in the tallow, linseed oil and fish oil fed groups(P<0.05) in that order. The n-3 fatty acid content of egg yolk tended to increase in the linseed oil and fish oil fed groups with values of 9.74% and 5.16%, respectively(p<0.05). The increase of n-3 fatty acids in the yolk resulted in a reduced cholesterol content of the eggs. The cholesterol content ranged from $15.98{\sim}18.37mg/g$ of yolk or $227{\sim}261mg/60g$ of egg(p<0.05). The cholesterol content of egg yolk was highest in the tallow fed group, and significantly reduced to 13.01% in the fish oil group, 11.49% in the linseed oil group and 6.91% in the corn oil group(p<0.05). This result suggests that it is possible to reduce the cholesterol content or to increase the n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid contents in eggs by the manipulation of dietary fats.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.333-339
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• 2005

To increase IgY in egg yolks, hens were fed a feed supplemented with kelp meal $4\%$ cinnamon $0.3\%$ and mint $2\%$ respectively, and immunized 5 times with Streptococcus mutans(S. mutans) at 2 week intervals. Groups fed experimental feeds without immunization showed higher laying rate than the control group, without supplementary feed and immunization. After the immunization, the laying rates had been decreasing due to the stress of immunization. The laying rate was recovered after the termination of immunization. Egg weight was not affected by the immunization but diets. Feed intake was dependent on the laying rate. Total IgY concentration in eggs laid from hens fed feeds containing supplementary feeds was higher than that of control. Especially, total IgY was increased up to $7.9\%$ in eggs laid from hens fed feeds supplemented with $4\%$ of kelp meal. Anti-S. mutans IgY was detected at 4 weeks after first immunization. Activity of anti-S. mutans IgY was sustained at 5 week after the final immunization. As the average concentration of specific IgY during the experimental period showed that eggs from hens fed the feed containing $4\%$ of kelp meal increased the specific IgY by $8.5\%$ kelp meal supplement improved specific IgY production by immunization.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.975-980
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• 2004

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis(Glutinicus) on the performance and egg quality of layers. A total of 360 ISA Brown layers at 72 weeks old were assigned to one of the following 6 diets: control, 25 ppm$\beta$-carotene, 0.50%0, 1%0, 2% and 4% Glutinicus supplemented diets. Each treatment was replicated three times with 20 birds housed in 2 bird cage units. Glutinicus supplementation at the level of 0.5% significantly(p < 0.05) improved egg production and FCR Soft and broken egg production rate decreased as the level of Glutinicus supplementation increased. Eggshell strength was highest in 4 % Glutinicus supplementation. Egg yolk color increased linearly as the level of Glutinicus supplementation increased up to 2% of the diet. It was concluded that Glutinicus supplementation at the level of 0.5% can be recommended for the improvement of egg production while 2.0% can be recommended for egg yolk pigmentation.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of multiple probiotics on the performance, small intestinal microflora and immune response in laying hens and broilers. In Exp.1, a total of 800, 82 wk old Hy-line Brown$^{(R)}$ laying hens were assigned to one of the following five dietary treatment; Control, Antibiotics (avilamycin 6 ppm), Probiotics; PB-M (Micro-ferm$^{(R)}$ 0.2%), PB-L (Lacto-sacc$^{(R)}$ 0.1%), PB-Y (Y University probiotics 0.2%). Each treatment was replicated eight times with 20 birds in each replicate and two birds were housed in each cage. Twenty birds units were arranged according to completely randomized block design. Feeding trial lasted 6 wk under 16 h lighting regimen. The Exp. 2, was conducted with a total of 1,000 broilers chicks (Ross$^{(R)}$). They were divided into five treatments, same as those of Exp. 1. Birds were fed starter (0~3 wk) and grower (4~5 wk) diets. Each treatment was replicated four times with 50 birds per pen comprising of deep litter. In Exp. 1, egg production parameters, such as hen-day and hen-house egg production, egg weight, broken and soft shell egg production, feed intake and feed conversion were not significantly different among treatments. However, strength and thickness of eggshell were significantly (P<0.05) different. Among the probiotics, PB-Y showed the highest strength and thickness of eggshell. Eggshell color, egg yolk color and Haugh unit were not significantly influenced. In Exp. 2, overall weight gain (0~5 wk) and mortality were not significantly different among treatments. However, weight gain of birds from PB-Y treatment during starter (0~3 wk) was significantly lower than the birds from Control and Antibiotic treatment. During the whole period (0~5 wk), birds from Antibiotics treatment had higher feed intake and Production Index (PI) and lower feed conversion than birds from Control treatment. Probiotics treatments were not significantly different from the Control on feed intake and feed conversion. In Exp.1, there were significant (P<0.05) differences in leukocytes parameters, such as white blood cell (WBC), hetrophil (HE), lymphocytes (LY), monocyte (MO), eosinophil (EO) and stress index (SI; HE/LY) in the blood of layers. Birds from Antibiotics and probiotics treatments tended to increase these parameters. In Exp. 2, however, only SI was significantly (P<0.05) decreased in Antibiotics treatments. Concentration of serum immunoglobulin (IgG) were higher (P<0.05) in PB-M and PB-Y treatments when compared with Control treatment in Exp. 1. The population of E. coli significantly (P<0.05) decreased in birds from Antibiotics, PB-L and PB-Y treatments when compared with birds from Control treatment in Exp. 1. Metalbolizability of crude fat decreased significantly (P<0.05) in birds from probiotic treatments in Exp. 2. It was concluded that the response of probiotics on the productivity of layers and broilers were different. Probiotics increased strength and thickness of eggshell in layers, and decreased feed conversion and increased PI in broilers. Leukocytes and IgG tended to increase by supplementation of antibiotics and probiotics in layers. Intestinal E. coli tended to decrease in layers. Digestibility of crude fat of diet decreased in probiotics treatments broilers. Parameters of blood and microbial were more sensitive in layers than broilers.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.143-151
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• 2008

This study was conducted to identify the correlation of bacterial phytase ($Transphos^{(R)}$) to the calcium level in feed. Of all 21-week-old 720 HyLine brown laying hens, 2 birds of similar weight were placed on each individual cage. The experiment was conducted by $3{\times}2{\times}3$ factorial design with including 3 different levels of phytase (0, 300, and 1,000 DPU/kg), 2 different levels of calcium (3.5% and 4.0%), and 3 different levels of no NPP addition 0% (0.095 NPP), 0.5% (0.185% NPP), and 1.0% (0.275% NPP). The feeding trial maintained the ME level of 2,800 kcal/kg and 16% for crude protein. The diet was fed ad libitum and 17 hours of lighting was provided throughout the experimental period. Egg production seemed to increase, in the 300 DPU of bacterial phytase added group and the cracked egg tended to reduce in Transphos added group. The egg productivity between treatment groups did not show significant difference by dietary calcium level, whereas non NPP added group (0.095% NPP) was found to be low compared to NPP added groups (P<0.05). The highest mean egg weight and the highest daily egg mass were detected in 300 DPU phytase added group. Although the mean egg weight was significantly higher in treatment groups fed with 3.5% calcium containing feeds (P<0.05), daily egg mass was no among treatment groups. The mean egg weight and daily egg mass were the lowest in non NPP added group (0.095% NPP) compared to other treatment groups (P<0.05). The feed intake showed similar pattern regardless of the bacterial phytase and calcium levels in the diet. However, the treatment groups fed diets containing NPP level of 0.275% and 0.165% showed significantly higher feed intake than the group fed with 0.095% NPP (P<0.05). Although the feed conversion was not affected by calcium and NPP levels in the diet, the most improved result was obtained from 300 DPU phytase added group (P<0.05). The eggshell breaking strength and thickness increased as dietary calcium level increase the level of calcium increases in diet. The treatment groups fed diet containing 0.275% and 0.165% NPP revealed to show improvement in eggshell breaking strength and yolk color index compared to the NPP non added (0.095% NPP) treatment group. The result of the present study suggests that the appropriate level of microbial phytase is 300 DPU and at this level, tricalciumphosphate supplementation in feed can be reduced to 40% of NRC recommendation. Higher calcium level in feed fail to show synergistic effect by adding microbial phytase.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.183-191
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• 2018

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of Lactobacillus, medicinal plants extract, and essential oil on laying performance, cecal microflora, relative organic weight, leucocyte profiles in laying hens against Salmonella gallinarum. A total of 100 Hy-Line Brown laying hens of 65 weeks of age were assigned into 5 dietary treatments supplemented with no antibiotic (negative control), antibiotic (positive control), Lactobacillus 0.1% (LB), medicinal plants extract 100 ppm (MPE), herb extract 100 ppm (EO). After 7 days of treatment, the 20 hens in each treatment group were divided into challenge group (n=10) and non-challenge group (n=10) for oral administration of Salmonella gallinarums, and were maintained in the same dietary treatments for two additional weeks. Laying hens were selected 20 by each treatment, splitting up into oral Salmonella group and nontreated group. The feeding trial lasted for one weeks and Salmonella gallinarum was orally administered for two weeks. Egg production, egg weight, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio were calculated and cecal microflora, relative organ, and blood were collected at the end of experiment. Compared with the control, laying hens fed Lactobacillus, medical plant extract, and essential oil were not observed to change of laying performance. Salmonella count increased significantly when Salmonella gallinarum was orally administered (P<0.05) but coliform bacteria and Lactobacillus counts were not affected. The relative organs weight was not different in hens with oral administration of Salmonella gallinarum and also in hens fed Lactobacillus, medical plant extract, and essential oil. H/L ratio was not significantly different, but total leucocyte level was somewhat increased in the treatment with oral administration of Salmonella gallinarum and more leucocyte increased in laying hens fed Lactobacillus, medical plant extract, and essential oil than control.