• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.94-98
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• 2007

This study was to investigate the effects of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol on the attenuation of renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in pigs. Ten pigs were subjected to 60 minutes of warm unilateral renal ischemia followed by removal of contralateral kidney and then divided into two groups. Treatment group was performed ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol pretreatment 2 days before operation and ascorbic acid with heparin-saline solution irrigation-aspiration. Otherwise, control group used only irrigation-aspiration of heparin-saline solution. Blood samples were collected from these pigs for measurement of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine values, antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) at pre, day 1, day 3, day 7 and day 14. The kidneys were taken for histopathologic evaluation after euthanasia on postoperative day 14. The levels of BUN were significantly increased in the control group on day 1, day 3 and day 7 (P<0.05). And the level of creatinine was significantly increased in the control group on day 3 (p<0.05). Activity of antioxidant enzymes in plasma revealed significant difference (p<0.05) between control and treatment group at day 14. In histopathologic findings, treatment group was showed less damage than that of control group on the basis of renal tubular damage. It was concluded that ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol attenuated renal I/R injury in the pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.371-377
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• 2009

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the effects of different dietary ratios of whole-crop corn silage and alfalfa hay on nitrogen (N) digestion, duodenal flow and metabolism across the portal-drained viscera (PDV) of growing beef steers, and to elucidate their relationships. Four steers (236${\pm}$7 kg BW) fitted with duodenal cannulae and chronic indwelling catheters into the portal and mesenteric veins and abdominal aorta were used in a 4${\times}$4 Latin square design. Animals were fed (at 12-h intervals) the 4 diets consisting of whole-crop corn silage (C) and alfalfa hay (A) in 80:20 (C8A2), 60:40 (C6A4), 40:60 (C4A6) and 20:80 (C2A8) ratios of which dietary crude protein (CP) was 10.5, 12.0, 13.5 and 15.0% of dry matter (DM), respectively. Feeding level was restricted to 95% of ad libitum intake to measure N digestion, blood flow and net flux of N across the PDV. Digestibility of DM and neutral detergent fiber and digestible energy intake linearly increased as the ratio of alfalfa hay increased. The N intake, duodenal flow and intestinal disappearance increased linearly with increasing alfalfa hay. Arterial and portal concentrations of ${\alpha}$-amino N showed a quadratic response to increasing levels of alfalfa hay and were the highest in steers fed the C6A4 diet. The net PDV release of ${\alpha}$-amino N and ammonia N increased linearly with increasing alfalfa hay, but urea N uptake by PDV did not differ among diets. As a percentage of apparently digested N in the total gut, net PDV release of ${\alpha}$-amino N linearly decreased from 66 to 48% with increasing alfalfa hay. Conversely, net PDV recovery of ${\alpha}$-amino N to intestinal N disappearance varied with increasing alfalfa hay accounting for 49, 50, 58 and 61% on C8A2, C6A4, C4A6 and C2A8 diets, respectively. Net PDV uptake of urea N, relative to apparently digested N, linearly decreased from 81 to 25% as alfalfa hay increased from 20 to 80% of DM intake. Considering PDV uptake of urea N, microbial efficiency and conversion of total tract digested N to PDV ${\alpha}$-amino N net supply, a diet consisting of 80% whole-crop corn silage and 20% alfalfa hay (10.5% CP) was the best, while considering the quantities of intestinal N disappearance and ${\alpha}$-amino N absorption, a diet of 20% whole-crop corn silage and 80% alfalfa hay (15% CP) would be preferred. The proportion of ${\alpha}$-amino N recovered by PDV relative to the intestinal N disappearance may vary with energy intake level of mixed forage diets.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.258-265
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• 2018

We aimed to identify the relationships between puerperal metritis (PM) and serum metabolites, uterine health, milk yield, and reproductive performance in dairy cows. Blood samples from 150 Holstein dairy cows were collected just after calving, and at 1, 2, and 4 weeks postpartum to measure serum concentrations of ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), urea nitrogen, total cholesterol (TCH), albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), calcium, and magnesium. PM was diagnosed by the presence of fever (${\geq}39.5^{\circ}C$) and a watery, fetid uterine discharge during the first 14 days after calving. Cows were divided into two groups on the basis of the presence or absence of the disease: a control group (n = 83) and a PM group (n = 67). The cows diagnosed with PM were subcutaneously administered with 2.2 mg/kg ceftiofur for 3-5 days. The serum concentrations of BHBA tended to be higher (P = 0.06) and AST was higher (P < 0.05) in the PM group than in the control group 1 week after calving, whereas serum concentrations of urea nitrogen, TCH, albumin, calcium, and magnesium were lower (P < 0.05-0.0001) after calving in the PM group than in the control group. The probability of clinical endometritis was higher (odds ratio = 5.40, P < 0.001) in the PM group than in the control group. Moreover, the proportion of neutrophils in the uterus was also higher in the PM group than in the control group 4, 6, and 8 weeks after calving (P < 0.001). The mean milk yield 1 and 2 months after calving was lower (P = 0.05) in the PM group than in the control group. The hazard of pregnancy by 180 days after calving tended to be lower (hazard ratio = 0.60, P = 0.07) in the PM group than in the control group, which led to an extended mean interval between calving and pregnancy (19 days) in the PM group (P < 0.01). In conclusion, PM is associated with higher postpartum concentrations of BHBA and AST, and lower concentrations of urea nitrogen, TCH, albumin, calcium, and magnesium. Moreover, PM is associated with subsequent poor uterine health, lower milk yield, and poorer reproductive performance in dairy cows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1435-1441
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of adding water to total mixed ration (TMR) on fresh water intake, nutrient digestibility, wool cortisol, and blood indices in Corriedale ewes under hot and humid conditions. Methods: Nine non-pregnant Corriedale ewes (ave. body weight = $41{\pm}3.5kg$) were individually fed diets based on maintenance requirements in metabolic crates. Ewes were assigned to three treatment groups according to a triplicate $3{\times}3$ Latin Square design for 3 periods of 21 days duration each (9 ewes per treatment, 27 replications). Treatments were TMR (crude protein [CP] = 16.1, total digestible nutrients = 69.1%) moisture levels for 40%, 50%, and 60%. Results: No differences were found in body weight gain among all treatment groups (p>0.05). Nitrogen balance including digestible N, retained N, and urinary and fecal N showed no change among the treatment groups (p>0.05). Fresh water intake was the lower in 50% TMR moisture group than in the other groups (p<0.05). Other than ether extract which was higher in 60% TMR moisture group (p<0.05) the differences among nutrient digestibilities including CP, organic matter, dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and non-fiber carbohydrate were not significant (p>0.05). No significant difference was observed for serum protein, blood urea nitrogen, glucose, and triglyceride among the treatment groups (p>0.05). Wool and blood cortisol were not different among the treatment groups (p>0.05). Blood hematology including red blood cell, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, basophils, and eosinophils were not different among the treatment groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: It is concluded that TMR moisture at 40%, 50%, and 60% had no effects on N balance parameters, and nutrient digestibilities except for the ether extract under hot and humid conditions. Additionally there were no effects on stress conditions include wool cortisol, as well as blood cortisol levels of ewes.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.200-204
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• 2009

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of reduced L-glutathione on the oxidant/antioxidant status(superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT), glutathione peroxidase(GPx), protein carbonyl and lipid hydroperoxide(LPO) concentration), renal function(blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and serum creatinine levels), and microscopy of renal tissues in pigs undergoing unilateral renal ischemia-reperfusion(I/R). Sixteen Landrace and Yorkshire mixed-breed pigs were divided randomly into two groups: untreated control group and reduced L-glutathione-treated group(4 mg/kg IV). Each group had 8 pigs. Pigs were unilaterally nephrectomized and the kidney was subject to 30 min of renal pedicle occlusion. Blood samples for biochemical assay were collected on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 post nephrectomy. Renal I/R injury were evaluated histopathologically by the microscopic observation of renal tissue sections and biochemically by the measurement of the plasma creatinine and urea levels. Parameters of oxidative stress such as SOD, GPx, CAT, protein carbonyl and LPO were measured. The elevation of creatine and BUN levels was lower in the treated group, compared with the control group. The activities of antioxidant-enzyme were higher in the treated group, compared with the control group. In histological findings, the severity of damage in the reduced L-glutathione treated group was less when compared to the control group.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.341-350
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• 2008

This trial was conducted to investigate effects of different feeding types of conventional or total mixed rations (TMR) provision on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen retention and blood metabolite characteristics in different breeds of native and cross bred Korean black goats. Ten Korean native male goats and 10 Korean crossbred black male goats (Korean native $\times$ Australian feral crossbred, 50:50), average 18 kg of BW, were used in this trial, and each breed of Korean black goats was separated into conventional and TMR diets treatments in a randomized complete block design. Conventional diet was based on forages and commercial diet. All animals were housed in individual metabolism crates and were fed ad libitum. Water was available at all times. Experimental period totally lasted for 38 days, consisting of 14 days of adaptation, 10 days of preliminary period and 14 days of sample collection period. Daily dry matter intake was significantly (p<0.05) higher in TMR treatments of the crossbred goats. Within breeds, crossbred rather than native-bred consumed more highly, and within the feeding type, TMR diets were more fed in comparison with conventional diet. Average daily gain ranked the highest in crossbred : TMR, followed by crossbred: conventional diet, native-bred: TMR, and native-bred: conventional diet (p<0.05). Dry matter digestibility was significantly (p<0.05) higher for TMR than for conventional diets, and it was higher in crossbred than in native-bred Korea black goats. Nitrogen retention was highest in TMR treatments of crossbreed, whereas it was lowest in conventional diet of native breed (p<0.05). Plasma glucose and urea nitrogen concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) higher in crossbred than in native-bred Korean black goats. Overall, the results indicated that feeding total mixed ration to crossbred rather than native-bred Korean black goats had more favourable influences on their performances, intakes, digestibility, nitrogen retention and blood metabolite characteristics. In conclusion, it is conceived that the results may contribute to economical benefit to farms producing Korean black goats together with establishment of an efficient feeding management system.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.660-665
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the effects of increasing levels of metabolizable protein (MP) on lactation performance and nitrogen (N) efficiencies in lactating dairy cows. Methods: Nine multiparous cows in mid lactation [$113{\pm}25$ days in milk] received three treatments in a $3{\times}3$ Latin square design with a period length of 21 days. The treatments were three diets, designed to provide similar energy and increasing supply of MP (g/d) (2,371 [low], 2,561 [medium], and 2,711 [high] with corresponding crude protein levels [%]) 15.2, 18.4, and 20.9, respectively. Results: Increasing MP supplies did not modify dry matter intake, however, it increased milk protein, fat, and lactose yield linearly. Similarly, fat corrected milk increased linearly (9.3%) due to an increase in both milk yield (5.2%) and milk fat content (7.8%). No effects were observed on milk protein and lactose contents across the treatments. Milk nitrogen efficiency (MNE) decreased from 0.26 to 0.20; whereas, the metabolic efficiency of MP decreased from 0.70 to 0.60 in low to high MP supplies, respectively. The concentration of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) increased linearly in response to increasing MP supplies. Conclusion: Increasing MP supplies resulted in increased milk protein yield; however, a higher BUN and low MNE indicated an efficient utilization of dietary protein at low MP supplies.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.57-61
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• 2002

The renoprotective activities of white ginseng radix and rootlet were compared in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) with diabetes. During oral administration of white ginseng radix (Ginseng Radix Alba, GRA) and white ginseng rootlet (Ginseng Radix Palva, GRP) for four weeks, arterial blood pressure and blood glucose levels were determined at every 10 days. In both GRA- and GRP-treatment groups, arterial blood pressures started to go down after 10 days of administration and maintained throughout the study period. After four weeks administrations of GRA and GRP, diastolic blood pressures were significantly decreased with 17% and 9%, respectively. GRA treatment also decreased blood glucose levels after 10 days of administration when compared with diabetic SHR group. At the end of the experiment, serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were not significantly different between the groups, except 62% higher value of BUN in diabetic SHR group when compared with SHR group. In the diabetic SHR group, the excretion of urinary albumin was increased significantly when compared with SHR. The level of urinary albumin in GRA treated group was markedly reduced when compared with diabetic SHR group $(67.8{\pm}4.7\;vs.\;131.3{\pm}13.5\;mg/24\;h).$ To examine the effects of ginseng radices on an overt diabetic nephropathy, index of kidney hypertrophy and transforming growth $factor-{\beta}1\;(TGF-{\beta}1)$ protein levels were evaluated. The glomerular and tubular cells stained positive for $TGF-{\beta}1$ seemed to be more abundant in diabetic SHR than in those with SHR, and GRA treated rats showed somewhat less $TGF-{\beta}1$ protein in glomerular and tubular cells when compared with diabetic SHR. Our results suggest that GRA might be a useful antihypertensive and antidiabetic agent with renoprotective effect.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.827-835
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• 2009

Insulin has crucial roles in energy metabolism in all mammals but has been less studied in ruminants. An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of hypoinsulinemia induction on appetite, performance, carcass composition and blood metabolite levels in sheep. Treatments were intravenous injection of four doses of streptozotocin; 0, 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg BW named C, L, M and H, respectively. Twenty male lambs were divided into four treatment groups. Animals in group H could not continue the experiment because of abnormalities. The duration of the experiment was eight consecutive weeks, and injection was performed at the end of week 3. Feed and water intakes were measured weekly and weight changes of animals were recorded and used for calculation of other growth parameters. Blood samples were collected weekly via venipuncture at fasting and 2.5 h post-prandial and analyzed for hormones and blood metabolites. Results showed a marked hypoinsulinemia in group M with significant decrease in fasted and postprandial insulin concentrations and also fasted leptin concentrations vs. the control group C (p<0.05). Group M showed significant increases in blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein, blood urea nitrogen and ketone body levels vs. group C (p<0.05). After injection, animals in group M showed diabetic hyperphagia and enhanced water intake as compared to group C (p<0.05) but, despite increased feed intake, they did not gain more weight than controls (p<0.05), and consequently, their feed conversion ratio was greater. Protein and fat contents of meat and liver were not significantly different among groups (p>0.05). In conclusion, the results suggested a regulatory role of insulin in energy metabolism of ruminants by exerting two opposing effects; central catabolic and peripheral anabolic.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1562-1568
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• 2013

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of indigenous herbal supplements on growth, blood metabolites and carcass characteristics in the late fattening period of Hanwoo steers. In a 6 month feeding trial, thirty Hanwoo steers ($647{\pm}32$ kg) were allotted to one of 5 treatment groups, control (basal diet contained lasalocid), licorice, clove, turmeric and silymarin, with six steers per pen. All groups received ad libitum concentrate and 1 kg rice straw/animal/d throughout the feeding trial. Blood samples were collected at the beginning, middle, and the end of the experiment and the steers were slaughtered at the end. Blood glucose, triglyceride, total protein, and albumin concentrations were higher in the turmeric treatment compared with other treatments. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations were highest (p<0.003 and p = 0.071, respectively) in steers treated with silymarin. Alanine aminotransferase activity was lower (p<0.06) for licorice and silymarin compared with the control group. There were no alterations in serum aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamyltransferase activities as a consequence of herb treatments (p = 0.203 and 0.135, respectively). Final body weight, body weight gain, average dairy gain and dry matter intake were not significantly different among treatments. Yield grade, marbling score and quality grade were higher for silymarin group than those of the control group (p<0.05). Therefore, the results suggest that silymarin can be used an effective dietary supplement as an alternative to antibiotic feed additive and a productivity enhancer, providing safe and more consumer acceptable alternative to synthetic compounds during the late fattening period of steers.