• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1325-1335
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• 2018

Objective: This study investigated whether spermine supplementation could regulate cell cycle, apoptosis, and amino acid transporter-related genes expression in the thymus and spleen of early weaned piglets. Methods: Eighty female piglets were randomly distributed to receive adequate nutrients supplemented with spermine (0.4 mmol/kg body weight/24 h) or to be provided with restricted nourishment supplemented with normal saline for 7 h or 3, 6, or 9 d in pairs. Results: Regardless of administration time, spermine supplementation significantly up-regulated cyclin A2 gene expression but down-regulated p21 and cyclin D3 mRNA levels in the thymus and spleen and reduced cyclin E2 gene expression in the thymus of piglets (p<0.05). Irrespective of the treatment period, the reduced Bax and caspase-3 gene expressions and improved Bcl-2 mRNA level were observed in the thymus and spleen of spermine-administrated piglets (p<0.05). Regardless of supplementation time, spermine intake significantly enhanced the expressions of amino acid transporter-related genes (SLC1A1, SLC1A5, SLC7A1, SLC7A7, and SLC15A1) in both thymus and spleen, as well as SLC7A9 in the spleen of piglets (p<0.05). In addition, extended spermine administration also markedly promoted cell proliferation, depressed apoptosis and modulated amino acid transport (p<0.05), and such effects were the greatest during prolonged spermine supplementation (6 d) compared to the other time periods (p<0.05). Conclusion: Spermine supplementation may regulate cell cycle during the G1/S phase, suppress apoptosis and modulate amino acid transport. A period of 6 d of spermine supplementation is required to produce the optimal effects on nutritional implications.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.397-412
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• 2021

In Experiment 1, the impact of using diets sufficient in P on the performance of weaned piglet growth with or without a super dose of phytase was investigated. One hundred and twelve piglets were randomized into four treatments with 7 replicates (4 piglets·cage^-1). Bodyweight (BW), daily gain (ADG), daily intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratios (FCR) were measured over three weeks. Treatments included a positive control (PC) with a Ca : P ratio of 0.80 : 0.50%. and the negative control (NC) had a Ca : P ratio of 0.60 : 0.50%. The PC plus phytase was denoted as PC+, and the NC with the phytase diet was designated as NC+. The PC diet was formulated to meet or exceed the NRC (2012) standards for pigs weighing 7 - 25 kgs. Better results were obtained with the PC diet (p > 0.1) compared to the NC diet. The super dose of phytase in the PC+ diet significantly improved the overall FCR (p < 0.1). For Experiment 2, the impact of different calcium (Ca)/phosphorous (P) ratios with or without supplementation of vitamin D₃ was determined. Ninety-six piglets were randomized into four treatments with 6 replicates (4 piglets·cage^-1). The PC, NC1 and NC2 diets had ratios of 0.80 : 0.50, 0.80 : 0.45, and 0.60 : 0.45%, respectively. The fourth diet (PCV) was the PC diet fortified with vitamin D₃. Improved results were observed with the PC diet (p > 0.1) compared to the NC diets. Supplementing dietary 25-OH-D₃ in the PCV diet led to numerically higher ADG and ADFI scores with lower FCR values at the early nursery stage (p = 0.0044), but the vitamin supplement did not significantly influence the growth.