• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.354-362
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• 2018

Objective: Wheat is an alternative to corn silage for ruminant feeding in northern China. This study examined the effects of harvest time and added molasses on nutritional content, ensiling characteristics and in vitro degradation of whole crop wheat (WCW). Methods: Fresh WCW at the milk-ripe stage was harvested at 0700 h (i.e., in the morning [Mo]) and 1700 h (i.e., in the afternoon [Af]), and then immediately used to prepare silage and make hay. Commercial molasses was added to Af WCW at 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% (fresh weight) proportions. The WCW treated with molasses was mixed thoroughly prior to ensiling. Results: Dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber, water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content (p<0.01), accumulative gas production in 72 h ($GP_{72h}$, 77.46 mL/g vs 95.15 mL/g) and dry matter disappearance in vitro (69.15% vs 76.77%) were lower (p<0.05), while crude protein (CP) content was higher for WCW silage (WCWS) compared to WCW (p<0.01). The propionic acid and butyric acid concentrations in WCWS from Mo WCW were 1.47% and 0.26%, respectively. However, the propionic and butyric acid concentrations were negligible, while the ammonia nitrogen/total nitrogen ($NH_3-N/TN$, p<0.01) concentration was lower and the rate of gas production at 50% of the maximum (17.05 mL/h vs 13.94 mL/h, p<0.05) was higher for Af WCWS compared to Mo WCWS. The incubation fluid's $NH_3-N$ concentration was lower in WCWS and Af WCW compared to Mo WCW (p<0.05). The CP and WSC content increased with increasing molasses levels (p<0.05). Furthermore, the pH (p<0.01) and time when gas production was 50% of the maximum (2.78 h vs 3.05 h, p<0.05) were lower in silage treated with 4% molasses than silage without molasses. Conclusion: Harvesting wheat crops in the afternoon and adding molasses at 4% level to WCW optimally improved ensiling characteristics, leading to well-preserved silage.

• 한국유기농업학회지
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.569-586
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• 2017

We inoculated a spent mushroom substrate from Flammulina velutipes (SMSF) with a microbial additive and assessed the effects on chemical composition, ruminal fermentation parameters, and total-tract nutrient digestibility. In Exp. 1, three cannulated Hanwoo steers were used in an in situ trial to determine the degradation kinetics of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP). In Exp. 2, three Hanwoo steers were randomly assigned to experimental diets according to a $3{\times}3$ Latin square for a 3-week period (2 weeks for adaptation and 1 week for sample collection). Experimental diets included the control diet (3.75 kg/d formulated concentrate mixture + 1.25 kg/d rice straw), SMSF diet (3.19 kg/d formulated concentrate mixture + 1.25 kg/d rice straw + 0.56 kg/d SMSF), and inoculated SMSF (ISMSF) diet (3.19 kg/d formulated concentrate mixture + 1.25 kg/d rice straw + 0.56 kg/d ISMSF). The chemical composition of ISMSF did not differ from that of SMSF. Microbial additive inoculation decreased pH (P<0.05) and improved preservation for SMSF. The percentages of DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in ISMSF were slightly lesser than those in SMSF. Ruminal fermentation characteristics and total-tract nutrient digestibility were not affected by diet. Overall, microbial additive inoculation improved preservation for SMSF and may allow improved digestion in the rumen; however, the total digestible nutrients (TDN) of SMSF and ISMSF diets were slightly lesser than the control diet. The ISMSF can be used as an alternative feedstuff to partially replace formulated concentrate feed.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제23권9호
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• pp.1184-1189
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• 2010

This work was conducted to examine the variation of immunoglobulins (Igs) in serum, immune milk, normal milk and colostrum upon implantation of a new Antigen Releasing Device (ARD). The core of each ARD housed an immunostimulating complex (ISCOM) that was made of adjuvant Quil A and type XIII lipase from a Pseudomonas sp. Each ARD was coated with polylactic acid, known as polylactide, that controls antigen release. Twenty lactating Chinese Holstein cows were divided into 2 groups (n = 10): test group and control group. All cows in the test group were implanted with a single injection in the right iliac lymph node with 3 types of ARDs, which were designed to release the antigens at d 0, 14 and 28 post-implantation. Blood and milk samples were collected from both groups, and colostrum samples were also collected from other post-partum cows in the same farm. Concentrations of $IgG_1$, IgA and IgM in whey and serum were measured by sandwich ELISA. The results showed that the $IgG_1$, IgA and IgM concentrations in serum and whey from the test group were higher than from the control group. Among the three Igs measured, the $IgG_1$ concentration in serum was significantly higher at d 40 after ARD implantation, and the $IgG_1$ concentration in whey peaked at d 9, 17 and 30, which corresponded with release of the antigen. Based on Pearson's correlation between Ig concentration and production parameters, IgA concentration in normal milk was positively correlated with lactation period, which reflected IgA changes during the lactation period in immune milk. In colostrum, $IgG_1$, IgA and IgM decreased abruptly from d 0 to 3, and then decreased slightly. In conclusion, serum $IgG_1$ concentration can be affected by controlled release of the ARD, while whey IgA levels are primarily affected by lactation period. These results may be useful in future studies designed to regulate concentrations of Igs in immune milk.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제33권7호
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• pp.1156-1166
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• 2020

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of compound organic acid calcium (COAC) on growth performance, hepatic antioxidant status and intestinal barrier of male broilers under high ambient temperature (32.7℃). Methods: Nine hundred healthy one-d-old Cobb-500 male broiler chicks were randomly assigned into three groups with six replicates of 50 birds each. A basal diet supplemented with 0% (control), 0.4% and 0.8% COAC, respectively were fed to birds for 6 weeks. All treatments were under high ambient indoor temperature of 32.7℃, and had a constant calcium and available phosphorus ratio. Results: The results showed that, compared with control, the average daily gain of broilers in 0.4% and 0.8% was significantly increased and the ratio of feed to gain in in 0.4% and 0.8% was significantly decreased at 1 to 21, 22 to 42 and 1 to 42 days of age (p<0.05). Compared with control, 0.8% COAC slightly decreased (p = 0.093) the content of malondialdehyde in liver at 42 days of age while 0.4% COAC significantly decreased (p<0.05) the activity of alkaline phosphatase. Furthermore, 0.4% COAC significantly enhanced the intestinal barrier function via increasing jejunal and ileal ocln transcription, promoting jejunal mucin 2 transcription at 42 days of age (p<0.05), and decreasing jejunal toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) and ileal TLR-15, inducible nitric oxide synthase compared with control group (p<0.05). Whereas, no significant differences on the transcription of interleukin-1β in jejunum and ileum were observed among three treatments (p>0.05). Overall, heat stress caused by high natural environment temperature may induce the damage to hepatic antioxidation and intestinal barrier. Conclusion: Dietary inclusion of COAC can improve the tolerance of broilers to thermal environment through the modification of antioxidative parameters in liver and the mRNA expression of genes in intestinal barrier, resulting in an optimal inclusion level of 0.4%.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.456-464
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• 2020

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of oral spray with probiotics on the intestinal development and microflora colonization of hatched ducklings. Methods: In Exp. 1, an one-way factorial design was used to study the antibacterial activity of the probiotics and metabolites on Escherichia coli (E. coli) without antimicrobial resistance. There were four experimental groups including saline as control and Lactobacillus, Bacillus subtilis, combined Lactobacillus and Bacillus subtilis groups. In Exp. 2, 64-day-old ducklings were allotted to 2 treatments with 4 replicated pens. Birds in the control group were fed a basal diet supplemented with Lactobacillus fermentation in the feed whereas birds in the oral spray group were fed the basal diet and administrated Lactobacillus fermentation by oral spray way during the first week. Results: In Exp. 1, the antibacterial activities of probiotics and metabolites on E. coli were determined by the diameter of inhibition zone in order: Lactobacillus>combined Lactobacillus and Bacillus subtilis>Bacillus subtilis. Additionally, compared to E. coli without resistance, E. coli with resistance showed a smaller diameter of inhibition zones. In Exp. 2, compared to control feeding group, oral spray group increased (p<0.05) the final body weight at d 21 and average daily gain for d 1-21 and the absolute weight of the jejunum, ileum and total intestine tract as well as cecum Lactobacillus amount at d 21. Conclusion: Lactobacillus exhibited a lower antibacterial activity on E. coli with resistance than E. coli without resistance. Oral spray with Lactobacillus fermentation during the first week of could improve the intestinal development, morphological structure, and microbial balance to promote growth performance of ducklings from hatch to 21 d of age.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.351-359
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• 2015

Twelve multiparous Holstein dairy cows in mid-lactation were selected for a replicated $4{\times}4$ Latin square design with a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement to investigate the effects of corn and soybean meal (SBM) types on rumen fermentation, N metabolism and lactation performance in dairy cows. Two types of corn (dry ground [DGC] and steam-flaked corn [SFC]) and two types of SBM (solvent-extracted and heat-treated SBM) with different ruminal degradation rates and extents were used to formulate four diets with the same basal ingredients. Each period lasted for 21 days, including 14 d for adaptation and 7 d for sample collection. Cows receiving SFC had a lower dry matter (DM) and total N intake than those fed DGC. However, the milk yield and milk protein yield were not influenced by the corn type, resulting in higher feed and N utilization efficiency in SFC-fed cows than those receiving DGC. Ruminal acetate concentrations was greater and total volatile fatty acids concentrations tended to be greater for cows receiving DGC relative to cows fed SFC, but milk fat content was not influenced by corn type. The SFC-fed cows had lower ruminal ammonia-N, less urea N in their blood and milk, and lower fecal N excretion than those on DGC. Compared with solvent-extracted SBM-fed cows, cows receiving heat-treated SBM had lower microbial protein yield in the rumen, but similar total tract apparent nutrient digestibility, N metabolism measurements, and productivity. Excessive supply of metabolizable protein in all diets may have caused the lack of difference in lactation performance between SBM types. Results of the present study indicated that increasing the energy degradability in the rumen could improve feed efficiency, and reduce environmental pollution.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제31권10호
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• pp.1643-1653
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• 2018

Objective: This study investigated the effect of dietary crude protein (CP) supplementation on nutrient intake, nitrogen (N) utilisation, blood metabolites, ruminal fermentation and growth performance of young Holstein bulls. Methods: Twenty-one young bulls weighing $277{\pm}11.2kg$ were equally divided into three groups and were offered diets formulated with low CP (LCP; 10.21% CP and 4.22% rumen degradable protein [RDP]), medium CP (MCP; 12.35% CP and 5.17% RDP) and high CP (HCP; 14.24% CP and 6.03% RDP). Yellow corn silage was used as a unique forage source and was mixed with concentrate. This mixed feed was given ad libitum to the young bulls included in the study. Results: Results showed that CP intake, blood urea nitrogen, N intake, total N excretion and N balance increased linearly with an increase in dietary CP level (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in nutrient digestibility among the bulls receiving the different diets. Ruminal pH (p<0.05) and ammonia nitrogen ($NH_3-N$) concentration (p<0.01) were significantly higher in the bulls receiving the MCP and HCP diets than in those receiving the LCP diet. The bulls receiving the HCP diet showed significantly higher ruminal bacterial protein level, propionate, acetate and total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentrations than bulls receiving the LCP diet (p<0.05). Moreover, dietary CP level exerted a significant positive effect on the final body weight, average daily gain and gain-to-feed ratio of the bulls (p<0.05). Conclusion: High dietary CP level is optimal for achieving maximum growth and high profitability without exerting a negative effect on the physiology of growing Holstein bulls.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.132-138
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate the effects of low-dose trace mineral proteinates on reproductive performance, mineral status, milk immunoglobulin contents and fecal mineral excretion of sows. Methods: Eighty crossbred sows (Landrace×Large White) were randomly allocated to two groups in a 135-day trail, from breeding through 21 d postpartum. The two treatments were inorganic trace minerals (ITM): a basal diet+inorganic iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) at 90, 15, 25 and 90 mg/kg, respectively and organic trace minerals (OTM): a basal diet+proteinates of Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn at 72, 12, 20, and 72 mg/kg, respectively. Results: Compared with ITM, OTM significantly increased (p<0.05) the number of piglets with birthweight >1 kg, the litter weaning weight, and milk Fe, Cu contents. No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed on sow hair mineral contents or immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG, and IgA contents in colostrum and milk. In comparsion to ITM, OTM decreased fecal Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn contents of gestating sows (p<0.01) and Fe, Mn, and Zn in lactating sows (p<0.01). Conclusion: These results indicate that low-dose mineral proteinates can increase the number of piglets with birthweight >1 kg, the litter weaning weight and certain milk mineral concentrations while reducing fecal mineral excretion.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.588-596
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• 2020

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of low doses of organic trace minerals (iron, copper, manganese, and zinc) on productive performance, egg quality, yolk and tissue mineral retention, and fecal mineral excretion of laying hens during the late laying period. Methods: A total of 405 healthy hens (HY-Line White, 50-week-old) were randomly divided into 3 treatments, with 9 replicates per treatment and 15 birds per replicate. The dietary treatments included feeding a basal diet + inorganic trace minerals at commercial levels (CON), a basal diet + inorganic trace minerals at 1/3 commercial levels (ITM), and a basal diet + proteinated trace minerals at 1/3 commercial levels (TRT). The trial lasted for 56 days. Results: Compared to CON, ITM decreased (p<0.05) egg production, daily egg mass, albumen height, eggshell strength, yolk Fe concentration, serum alkaline phosphatase activity and total protein, and increased (p<0.05) egg loss and feed to egg ratio. Whereas with productive performance, egg quality, yolk mineral retention, and serum indices there were no differences (p>0.05) between CON and TRT. The concentrations of Fe and Mn in the tissue and tibia were changed notably in ITM relative to CON and TRT. Both ITM and TRT reduced (p<0.05) fecal mineral excretion compared to CON. Conclusion: These results indicate that dietary supplementation of low-dose organic trace minerals reduced fecal mineral excretion without negatively impacting hen performance and egg quality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제32권9호
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• pp.1397-1406
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• 2019

Objective: Feed energy required for pigs is first prioritized to meet maintenance costs. Additional energy intake in excess of the energy requirement for maintenance is retained as protein and fat in the body, leading to weight gain. The objective of this study was to estimate the metabolizable energy requirements for maintenance ($ME_m$) by regressing body weight (BW) gain against metabolizable energy intake (MEI) in growing pigs. Methods: Thirty-six growing pigs ($26.3{\pm}1.7kg$) were allotted to 1 of 6 treatments with 6 replicates per treatment in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were 6 feeding levels which were calculated as 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% of the estimated ad libitum MEI ($2,400kJ/kg\;BW^{0.60}\;d$). All pigs were individually housed in metabolism crates for 30 d and weighed every 5 d. Moreover, each pig from each treatment was placed in the open-circuit respiration chambers to measure heat production (HP) and energy retained as protein ($RE_p$) and fat ($RE_f$) every 5 d. Serum biochemical parameters of pigs were analyzed at the end of the experiment. Results: The average daily gain (ADG) and HP as well as the $RE_p$ and $RE_f$ linearly increased with increasing feed intake (p<0.010). ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate concentration of serum tended to increase with increasing feed intake (p = 0.080). The regression equations of MEI on ADG were MEI, $kJ/kg\;BW^{0.60}\;d=1.88{\times}ADG$, g/d+782 ($R^2=0.86$) and $ME_m$ was estimated at $782kJ/kg\;BW^{0.60}\;d$. Protein retention of growing pigs would be positive while REf would be negative at this feeding level via regression equations of $RE_p$ and $RE_f$ on MEI. Conclusion: The $ME_m$ was estimated at $782kJ/kg\;BW^{0.60}\;d$ in current experiment. Furthermore, growing pigs will deposit protein and oxidize fat if provided feed at the estimated maintenance level.