• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1686-1695
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• 2015

Molecular marker selection has been an acceptable tool in the acceleration of the genetic response of desired traits to improve production performance in chickens. The crossbreds from commercial parent stock (PS) broilers with four Thai synthetic breeds; Kaen Thong (KT), Khai Mook Esarn (KM), Soi Nin (SN), and Soi Pet (SP) were used to study the association among chicken growth hormones (cGH) and the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) genes for growth and carcass traits; for the purpose of developing a suitable terminal breeding program for Thai broilers. A total of 408 chickens of four Thai broiler lines were genotyped, using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. The cGH gene was significantly associated with body weight at hatching; at 4, 6, 8, 10 weeks of age and with average daily gain (ADG); during 2 to 4, 4 to 6, 0 to 6, 0 to 8, and 0 to 10 weeks of age in $PS{\times}KM$ chickens. For $PS{\times}KT$ populations, cGH gene showed significant association with body weight at hatching, and ADG; during 8 to 10 weeks of age. The single nucleotide polymorphism variant confirmed that allele G has positive effects for body weight and ADG. Within carcass traits, cGH revealed a tentative association within the dressing percentage. For the IGF-I gene polymorphism, there were significant associations with body weight at hatching; at 2, 4, and 6 weeks of age and ADG; during 0 to 2, 4 to 6, and 0 to 6 weeks of age; in all of four Thai broiler populations. There were tentative associations of the IGF-I gene within the percentages of breast muscles and wings. Thus, cGH gene may be used as a candidate gene, to improve growth traits of Thai broilers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.1065-1074
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• 2016

Growth factors play an important role during early ovarian development and folliculogenesis, since they regulate the migration of germ cells to the gonadal ridge. They also act on follicle recruitment, proliferation/atresia of granulosa cells and theca, steroidogenesis, oocyte maturation, ovulation and luteinization. Among the growth factors, the growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and the bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), belong to the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-${\beta}$) superfamily, have been implicated as essential for follicular development. The GDF9 and BMP15 participate in the evolution of the primordial follicle to primary follicle and play an important role in the later stages of follicular development and maturation, increasing the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein expression, plasminogen activator and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR). These factors are also involved in the interconnections between the oocyte and surrounding cumulus cells, where they regulate absorption of amino acids, glycolysis and biosynthesis of cholesterol cumulus cells. Even though the mode of action has not been fully established, in vitro observations indicate that the factors GDF9 and BMP15 stimulate the growth of ovarian follicles and proliferation of cumulus cells through the induction of mitosis in cells and granulosa and theca expression of genes linked to follicular maturation. Thus, seeking greater understanding of the action of these growth factors on the development of oocytes, the role of GDF9 and BMP15 in ovarian function is summarized in this brief review.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.108-113
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to develop predictive models for the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in pork Bulgogi at various storage temperatures. A two-strain mixture of L. monocytogenes (ATCC 15313 and isolated from pork Bulgogi) was inoculated on pork Bulgogi at 3 Log CFU/g. L. monocytogenes strains were enumerated using general plating method on Listeria selective medium. The inoculated samples were stored at 5, 15, and $25^{\circ}C$ for primary models. Primary models were developed using the Baranyi model equations, and the maximum specific growth rate was shown to be dependent on storage temperature. A secondary model of growth rate as a function of storage temperature was also developed. As the storage temperature increased, the lag time (LT) values decreased dramatically and the specific growth rate of L. monocytogenes increased. The mathematically predicted growth parameters were evaluated based on the modified bias factor ($B_f$), accuracy factor ($A_f$), root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of determination ($R^2$), and relative errors (RE). These values indicated that the developed models were reliably able to predict the growth of L. monocytogenes in pork Bulgogi. Hence, the predictive models may be used to assess microbiological hygiene in the meat supply chain as a function of storage temperature.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.1010-1021
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• 2023

Objective: Growth performance and growth-related traits have a crucial role in livestock due to their influence on productivity. This genome-wide association study (GWAS) in Pakistani dromedary camels was conducted to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with growth at specific camel ages, and for selected SNPs, to investigate in detail how their effects change with increasing camel age. This is the first GWAS conducted on dromedary camels in this region. Methods: Two Pakistani breeds, Marecha and Lassi, were selected for this study. A genotyping-by-sequencing method was used, and a total of 65,644 SNPs were identified. For GWAS, weight records data with several body weight traits, namely, birthweight, weaning weight, and weights of camels at 1, 2, 4, and 6 years of age were analysed by using model-based growth curve analysis. Age-specific weight data were analysed with a linear mixed model that included fixed effects of SNP genotype as well as sex. Results: Based on the q-value method for false discovery control, for Marecha camels, five SNPs at q<0.01 and 96 at q<0.05 were significantly associated with the weight traits considered, while three (q<0.01) and seven (q<0.05) SNP associations were identified for Lassi camels. Several candidate genes harbouring these SNP were discovered. Conclusion: These results will help to better understand the genetic architecture of growth including how these genes are expressed at different phases of their life. This will serve to lay the foundations for applied breeding programs of camels by allowing the genetic selection of superior animals.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.295-301
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• 2013

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of chelated Cu and Zn on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, and fecal noxious gas emission in weanling pigs. A total of 90 weanling pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of $5.27{\pm}0.04kg$ were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments for 42 d. Pigs were then fed a control diet (CON) or a Zinpro diet (CON + 0.1% chelate copper and zinc). There were nine replicate-pens with five pigs in each pen. During d 0 to 14 and d 14 to 28, the ADFI decreased (p<0.05) and the G/F increased (p<0.05) in pigs fed the Zinpro diet compared with those that received the CON diet. During d 28 to 42, the ADFI increased (p<0.05) in pigs fed the Zinpro diet relative to those fed the CON diet. Additionally, the apparent total tract digestibility of DM, N, and energy increased (p<0.05) in the Zinpro group when compared to the CON group on d 14 and 28. The lymphocyte percentage was also greater (p<0.05) in the Zinpro group than in the CON group. Overall, dietary supplementation with 0.1% chelate copper and zinc improved the growth performance and nutrient digestibility in weanling pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.227-230
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• 1991

A comparative study was conducted in total thirty six large while weaner pigs of about 15 kg body weight namely boars, barrows and gilts to evaluate best sex and economic slaughter weight with one standard ration. In 159 days study period feed consumption, growth, feed conversion ratio and carcass quality were judged in all sexes of pigs at 50, 70 and 90 kg body weight. It was noted that upto 70 kg body weight the growth in boars and gills 46.0 and 49.0 kg and feed conversion ratio 4.83 and 4.81 were superior and economical over the barrows, which were 45.5 kg and 4.95. Later on there were too many fluctuations in growth and feed conversion ratio in all sexes of pigs, which would be uneconomical. Carcass quality was also better in boars and gilts than barrows, No boar taint was noted in most of the boar carcasses. Hence it is concluded that boars and gilts can be raised upto the 70 kg body weight for economic pork production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.371-377
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• 1997

Objective of the present study were to investigate effects of different levels of concentrate in complete rations on nutrient digestibilities and ruminal fermentation in sheep and growth performance in Korean native bulls. Increasing levels of concentrate (35, 50, 65, and 80% of complete rations) improved digestibilities of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) without affecting digestibility of neutral detergent (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). Increasing levels of concentrate decreased ruminal fluid pH but increased concentrations of $NH_3-N$, propionic acid, and total volatile fatty acids (VFA). Both the disappearance rates of DM and nitrogen (N) in an in sacco study were linearly increased as the levels of concentrate in complete rations increased. Meanwhile, increasing levels of concentrate in complete rations improved growth rate and feed conversion ratio in Korean native bulls. In conclusion, the complete rations containing 80% concentrate showed better digestibility and energy supply than those of the lower levels (35, 50 and 65%) of concentrate of the rations, resulting in improved growth performance of Korean native bulls.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.1565-1572
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• 2019

Objective: This study was aimed to investigate the effects of brewer's yeast hydrolysate (YH) on growth performance, nutrients digestibility, blood profiles and meat quality of growing pigs. Methods: A total of 200 growing pigs ($[Landrace{\times}Yorkshire]{\times}Duroc$) (initial body weight, $25.31{\pm}1.29kg$) were allotted to 5 treatments as follow: CON, basic diet; and YH treatment, CON+0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1.0% of YH, respectively. Results: On wk 11, 16 and overall phase, pigs fed YH diet showed a linear improvement in average daily body gain and gain/feed (p<0.05). The pigs that received YH linearly increased the digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and energy on wk 11 and 16. The concentration of serum urea nitrogen was linearly increased in YH treatments on wk 16. However, the carcass weight, back fat and lean muscle percentage of pigs receiving YH had no significant change. Besides, no difference was observed in creatinine and total protein in the blood among treatments. Conclusion: The pigs fed a graded YH diet had improved growth performance and nutrient digestibility, meanwhile, the YH increased the serum urea nitrogen in the growing pigs.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.931-940
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• 2021

Objective: Light is a significant component of housing environment in commercial poultry industry. This study was conducted to investigate whether Pekin ducks perform better under monochromatic lights than under white light with respect to their growth performance, carcass quality, eyeball development, oxidation resistance, and cecal bacterial communities. Methods: A total of 320 one-day-old male Pekin ducklings were randomly distributed into five rooms with different light treatments, white, red, yellow, green, and blue light. Each room consisted of 4 replicated pens with 16 ducklings per pen. Results: Blue light significantly decreased fat deposition by decreasing abdominal fat. Long wavelength light, such as red, green, and yellow light, considerably increased the back-to-front eyeball diameter and the red light potentially enlarged the side-to-side eyeball diameter. Besides, the blue light had adverse effects on the oxidation resistance status in terms of increasing the product malonaldehyde of lipid oxidation and decreasing the plasma concentration of total superoxide dismutase. The phyla of Firmicutes had the greatest abundance in the green and blue treatments, while Bacteroidetes in blue treatment was the least. The genus of Faecalibacterium was significantly lower under the red light. Conclusion: The high risk of cecal health status and decreased anti-oxidation activity were observed under blue light. Red, yellow, and green light might increase the risk of oversized eyeball and cecal illness. Therefore, monochromatic lights compared to white light did not show advantages on the performance of housing ducks, it turns out that the white light is the best light condition for grow-out ducks.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.730-738
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• 2010

We developed predictive growth models for Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus on various food matrices consisting primarily of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods. A cocktail of three S. aureus strains, producing enterotoxins A, C, and D, or a B. cereus strain, were inoculated on sliced bread, cooked rice, boiled Chinese noodles, boiled bean sprouts, tofu, baked fish, smoked chicken, and baked hamburger patties at an initial concentration of 3 log CFU/g and stored at 8, 10, 13, 17, 24, and $30^{\circ}C$. Growth kinetic parameters were determined by the Gompertz equation. The square-root and Davey models were used to determine specific growth rate and lag time values, respectively, as a function of temperature. Model performance was evaluated based on bias and accuracy factors. S. aureus and B. cereus growth were most delayed on sliced bread. Overall, S. aureus growth was significantly (p<0.05) more rapid on animal protein foods than carbohydrate-based foods and vegetable protein foods. The fastest growth of S. aureus was observed on smoked chicken. B. cereus growth was not observed at 8 and $10^{\circ}C$. B. cereus growth was significantly (p<0.05) more rapid on vegetable protein foods than on carbohydrate-based foods. The secondary models developed in this study showed suitable performance for predicting the growth of S. aureus and B. cereus on various food matrices consisting of RTE foods.