• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1307-1315
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• 2012

We evaluated the effect of dietary supplements with benzoic acid on intestinal beneficial bacteria concentration and immune response of weaning pigs. Supplementation with benzoic acid at 0.5% or control diet for 35 days resulted in a higher Lactobacillus casei concentration in the cecum. Supplementation with benzoic acid at 0.5% increased concentration of L. plantarum in the cecum. Pigs with the control diet and 0.5% benzoic acid had significantly increased concentration of B. subtillis in the cecum compared to the antibiotic group, while the concentration of B. subtillis in the rectum increased in pigs given 0.3 and 0.5% benzoic acid (p<0.05). Compared with the control group, the level of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ mRNA showed a significant decrease in the proximal small intestine in pigs fed diets supplemented with benzoic acid at 0.5% or antibiotic. Feeding 0.5% benzoic acid resulted in a marked reduction in the expression of IL-6 mRNA in the middle small intestine (p<0.05). Supplementation with benzoic acid at 0.5% or antibiotic resulted in a lower level of tumor necrosis factor-mRNA in the middle intestine. Up to 0.5% benzoic acid may be included in weaning diets for improvement of intestinal beneficial bacteria, thus modulating genes of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the gastrointestinal tract.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2008

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding diets supplemented with ${\beta}-glucan$ products on the performance, small intestinal microflora and immune response in laying hens. The ${\beta}-glucan$ products used in the experiment were $BetaPolo^{(R)}$ ; soluble ${\beta}-glucan$ of microbial cell wall origin, $HiGlu^{(R)}$ ; microbial cell wall origin, $OGlu^{(R)}$ ; oat origin, $BGlu^{(R)}$ ; barley origin. A total of 720 Hy-Line Brown laying hens of 40wks old were divided into 5 dietary treatments : T1 ; Control( C), T2 ; $BetaPolo^{(R)}$, T3 ; $HiGlu^{(R)}$, T4 ; $OGlu^{(R)}$, T5 ; $BGlu^{(R)}$. Each treatment was replicated 4 times with 36 birds/replicate housed in 2 bird cages, and arranged according to completely randomized block design. Feeding trial lasted 40ds under 16 h lighting regimens. There were significant differences among treatments in hen-house egg production feed intake and feed conversion. HiGlu treatment was significantly higher than OGlu treatments in hen-house egg production. ${\beta}-glucan$ supplemented treatments were lower than the control in feed intake and feed conversion ratio. All ${\beta}-glucan$ supplemented treatments were significantly higher than the control in eggshell strength. Eggshell color and Haugh unit tended to be lower in the supplemented group than the control. IgY concentration was not significantly affected by treatments. At $5^{th}$ week of experiment, however, IgY concentration tended to increase in the supplemented groups. Among the leucocytes parameters, WBC, heterophil, lymphocytes, monocyte and eosinophil concentration were lower in the supplemented groups than those of the control. Among erythrocytes, HCT(hematocrit) and MCV(mean corpuscular volume) were significantly affected by treatment. MCV of supplemented groups were higher than that of the control. Immunoglobulin concentrations in the birds were not significantly different among treatments. However, IgA concentration tended to be low in the supplemented groups than the control. The cfu of small intestinal microflora were not significantly different among treatments, but that of Cl. perfringens tended to be lower than the control. The result of this experiment indicateted that feeding ${\beta}-glucan$ to laying hens improve feed conversion ratio and eggshell strength. Also intestinal microflora and immune responses are modified.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.23-33
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• 2010

The current study was performed to develop natural bio-active substances as additives for the production of high quality broiler chickens. A total of 120 male 3 day-old broiler chicks were randomly allocated to CON (control), GK2.5 (ginkgo leaf 2.5%), GK5.0 (ginkgo leaf 5.0%), PK2.5 (pumpkin 2.5%) and PK5.0 (pumpkin 5.0%) of five groups in cages (24 birds per group). All birds were fed corresponding diets from 3 to 35 d of age and determined growth performance and biological parameters including blood biochemical profiles, antioxidant status and intestinal microflora. During the entire feeding trial, GK5.0 and PK5.0 groups resulted in a significantly (P<0.05) higher FCR than GK2.5 and PK2.5 groups. Plasma triglyceride significantly (P<0.05) increased in GK5.0 group compared with the other groups, and the level of alanine transaminase (ALT) increased (P<0.05) in GK5.0 and PK5.0 groups compared with that in PK2.5 group. Dietary addition of ginkgo leaf and pumpkin significantly (P<0.05) increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the small intestine. Also, the addition of 2.5% ginkgo leaf significantly (P<0.05) increased the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in the liver. Futhermore, muscle GST activity significantly (P<0.05) enhanced by dietary addition of ginko leaf and pumpkin. However, the level of lipid peroxidation (MDA) in the small intestine and muscle turned to be higher (P<0.05) in PK5.0 group. The colony forming units (CFU) of E. coli in intestinal digesta significantly (P<0.05) decreased in both ginko leaf and pumpkin supplemented groups compared with CON group. In conclusion, dietary addition of 2.5% ginko leaf and pumpkin as dietary sources can be applicable for the production of high quality broiler chickens.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.289-296
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• 2002

A broiler experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementing yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia pastoris) on the growth performance, small intestinal microflora and immune response in broiler chickens. One thousand hatched broiler chickens(Ross$^{(R)}$) were assigned to 6 treatments: control (basal diet), CTC; chlorotetracycline 100ppm, YC-SC; yeast culture(Saccharomyces cerevisiae) 0.3%, YC-PP; yeast culture(Pichia pastoris) 0.3%, RPPC-0.1; refined Pichia pastoris culture 0.1%, RPPC-0.3; refined Pichia pastoris culture 0.3%. There were no significant differences in growth, feed intake, feed efficiency and mortality among the treatments. However, chickens fed diets with yeast cultures showed numerically higher weight gain than those fed the control diets. Supplementation of yeast cultures and CTC improved feed efficiency and decreased mortality compared to control. Nutrient digestibilities were not affected by the dietary treatments. Total number of Lactobacilli in small intestine was higher while that of Cl. perfringens was lower with yeast culture treatments than control. Small intestine E. coli population of RPPC-0.3 treatment was significantly lower than that of the control. The serum IgG concentration tended to be higher in broilers fed yeast cultures than those fed the control and CTC diet. In conclusion, the supplementation of yeast culture products showed, although not significant but, numerical advantages in productivity and profile of microbial flora and serum IgG compared to the control and CTC supplementation.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 2006

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary acidifier($Lactacid^(R)$) and essential oil($Immunocin^(R)$) on the performance, nutrient metabolizability, small intestinal microflora, IgG level and leukocytes and erythrocytes in broiler chickens. Five hundred males and 500 females broiler chickens($Ross^(R)$) were divided into 20 pens of 50 chickens(25 birds in each sex). Five pens were assigned to each of four dietary treatments: control, diets containing antibiotics(Bacitracin methylene disalicilate), acidifier($Lactacid^(R)$) and essential oil($Immunocin^(R)$) dietary treatments. Birds were fed experimental diets ad libitum 5 wks. Weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion rate were significantly affected by dietary treatment(P<0.05). Overall weight gain($0{\sim}5$ wks) of $Lactacid^(R)$ treatment was significantly lower than the others. Feed intake was highest(P<0.05) in the control followed by antibiotics, $Lactacid^(R)\;and\;Immunocin^(R)$ treatment. Feed conversion rate of $Immunocin^(R)$ treatment was lowest(P<0.05) followed by antibiotics, $Lactacid^(R)$ treatment and the control. Production indices of $Immunocin^(R)$ and antibiotics treatments were significantly higher than those of the control and $Lactacid^(R)$ treatment(P<0.05). $Immunocin^(R)$ treatment was the highest and antibiotics was lowest in serum IgG level. The number of leukocytes and stress index(neutrophil/lymphocytes) tended to be lower in $Immunocin^(R)$ treatment than others. There were no significant differences in erythrocytes among the treatments. The cfu of E. coli was significantly lower in $Immunocin^(R)$ and antibiotics treatments than $Lactacid^(R)$ treatment and the control. Metabolizability of crude protein was significantly lower in the control than $Lactacid^(R)\;and\;Immunocin^(R)$ treatment while that of NFE was significantly lower in $Immunocin^(R)\;than\;Lactacid^(R)$ and antibiotics treatments. It was concluded that essential oil product $Immunocin^(R)$ is as effective as antibiotics in improving feed conversion efficiency and production index while $Lactacid^(R)$ is not.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 2006

In order to study the effects of supplementary $Safmannan^(R)$(Beta-glucan & MOS complex) and $World-Labs^(R)$ (multiple probiotics) on the performance, nutrient availability, small intestinal microflora and immune response in broiler chicks, one thousand hatched broilers ($Ross^(R)$ were assigned to 4 treatments: control(basal diet), $BMD^(R),\;Safmannan^(R)\;and\;World-Labs^(R)$. There were no significant differences in the performance and in serum IgG, ND titre. However parameters of leukocytes and erythrocytes were significantly different among treatments (p<0.05). Leukocytes and RBC of $World-Labs^(R)\;and\;Safmannan^(R)$ were mostly lower than $BMD^(R)$ and control whereby MCH and MCHC of $World-Labs^(R)\;and\;Safmannan^(R)$ were higher than other treatments. The cfu of intestinal microflora had no significant differences among treatments. The $BMD^(R)$ treatment was higher than others in amino acid and crude fat availability and $World-Labs^(R)$ was higher than others in crude fiber availability. It was concluded that supplements used in the present experiment did not significantly affect the production parameters. However, significant impact on blood parameters, especially on leucocytes, may need further investigation.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.227-233
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• 2014

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with the effective microorganism (EM) on the growth performance, blood parameter, small intestinal microflora, and noxious gas emission of broilers. A total 720 1-d old ROSS 308 was randomly assigned to 6 dietary treatment groups: control, virginiamycin (6 mg/kg), 0.1% PB 0.1% EM, 0.5% EM, and 1.0% EM. Each treatment was fed to 4 replicates of 30 birds per diet for d 35. Two-phase feeding program with a starter diet from 0 to 3 wk, and a finisher diet from 4 to 5 wk was used in the experiment. Within each phase, a diet was formulated to meet or exceed NRC requirements of broilers for macro- and micronutrients. The diet and water were available ad libitum. Result indicated that during overall periods of the experiment, final weight, body weight gain, and feed intake were not different among dietary treatments. Feed conversion ratio was less (P<0.05) for EM treatments than control, antibiotics, and PB. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TRG), glucose (GLU), total protein (TP), calcium (CA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were not different among dietary treatments. White blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), heterophils (HE), lymphocyte (LY), monocytes (MO), and eosinophils (EO) were not different among dietary treatments. HE:LY was less (P<0.05) for EM0.5 treatments than control, antibiotics, and PB. Lactobacillus was greater (P<0.05) for EM treatments than control and antibiotics. E. coli and Salmonella were not different among dietary treatments. $NH_3$ and $CO_2$ wereless (P<0.05) for EM treatments than control. These results indicated that EM treatments were effective feed conversion ratio, noxious gas emission and micro flora population on the cecum in broilers.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.303-311
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• 2008

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of Cu-methionine chelate(Cu-Met) and Cu-soy proteinate(Cu-SP) on the performance, small intestinal microflora and immune response in laying hens. A total of 960 Hy-line $Brown^{(R)}$ laying hens of 39 wks old were assigned to one of the following 6 dietary treatment: control(C), antibiotic(Avilamycine 6 ppm), Cu-Met 50 and Cu-Met 100(50 and 100 ppm Cu as Cu-methionine chelate), Cu-SP 50 and Cu-SP 100(50 and 100ppm Cu as Cu-soy proteinate). Each treatment was replicated 4 times with forty birds per replication, housed in 2 birds per cages. Forty birds units were arranged according to randomized block design. Feeding trial lasted 6 wks under 16 hours lighting regimen. Hen-day and hen-house egg production of groups treated with Antibiotic and Cu supplements tended to be higher than the control with significant difference (P<0.05) shown between Cu-Me 100 and control. Egg weight was significantly (P<0.05) heavier in antibiotic and Cu-SP treatments than Cu-Met treatments but they were not significantly different from the control. Eggshell strength, egg shell thickness, egg yolk color and Haugh unit were not significantly different among treatments. There were no significant differences in leukocytes and erythrocytes in the chicken blood. But mean corpuscular hemoglobin value(MCH) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Cu-SP 100 than antibiotic treatment. The concentrations of serum IgG and IgA were not significantly different among treatments. Copper concentration in the liver tended to increase as the level of copper supplementation increased, that of Cu-SP 100 being significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of the control and antibiotic treatment. Concentrations of iron and zinc of the liver were not significantly influenced by treatments. Populations of Cl. perfringens and Lactobacilli in the small intestinal content were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by treatments. Population of Cl. perfringens decreased and that of Lactobacilli increased in the copper supplemented groups. The result of this experiment showed that Cu-Met and Cu-SP are comparable to antibiotic in improving egg production in laying hens. Birds fed diets supplemented with Cu-SP produced heavier eggs than those fed diets with Cu-Met. There were no significant differences in the performances between 50 ppm and 100 ppm copper supplementation as organic forms.

• 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.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2009

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of organic acid mixture on growth performance, cecal microflora, blood characteristics and immune response in broiler chicks and to prove the possibility of organic acid mixture as an alternative to antibiotics growth promotor. A total of four hundred eighty, 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross$\times$Ross 308) were randomly divided into 4 groups with 4 replicates of 30 birds each. The treatments were NC (free antibiotics), PC (basal diet with virginiamycin 10 ppm and salinomycin 60 ppm), 0.3% organic acid, and 0.5% organic acid. The final body weight and body weight gain were significantly higher in organic acid 0.5% than NC (P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio in all treated groups were significantly improved as compared to that of NC (P<0.05). The carcass rate and relative organs weight were not significantly difference among the groups. The relative weight and length of small intestine in PC were significantly decreased than the other groups. The numbers of cecal coliform bacteria and Salmonella in all treated groups were significantly lower than NC (P<0.05). The number of cecal lactic acid bacteria was not different among the groups. No significant differences among the groups were observed in the contents of total cholesterol, triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in blood serum. The contents of total protein and globulin in blood serum of PC and organic acid treated groups were significantly increased as compared to those of NC (P<0.05). Therefore, albumin:globulin ratio of PC and organic acid treated groups was significantly lower than NC (P<0.05). The total white blood cell (WBC), heterophil, lymphocyte, and stress indicator (heterophil:lymphocyte ratio) were not significantly different among the groups. No significant difference was observed on the expression rate of splenic cytokines mRNA in organic acid treated groups compared to the control. Consequently, supplemental organic acid mixture improved the growth performance, and influenced positive effects on the intestinal microflora by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria without any adverse effects on relative weights of organs and blood biochemical parameters in broiler chicks.