• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.178-203
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• 2024

Constipation, which refers to difficulties in defecation and infrequent bowel movement in emptying the gastrointestinal system that ultimately produces hardened fecal matters, is a health concern in livestock and aging animals. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of dairy-isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains to alleviate constipation as an alternative therapeutic intervention for constipation treatment in the aging model. Rats were aged via daily subcutaneous injection of D-galactose (600 mg/body weight [kg]), prior to induction of constipation via oral administration of loperamide hydrochloride (5 mg/body weight [kg]). LAB strains (L. fermentum USM 4189 or L. plantarum USM 4187) were administered daily via oral gavage (1 × 10 Log CFU/day) while the control group received sterile saline. Aged rats as shown with shorter telomere lengths exhibited increased fecal bulk and soften fecal upon administration of LAB strains amid constipation as observed using the Bristol Stool Chart, accompanied by a higher fecal moisture content as compared to the control (p < 0.05). Fecal water-soluble metabolite profiles showed a reduced concentration of threonine upon administration of LAB strains compared to the control (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis also showed that the administration of LAB strains contributed to a higher colonic goblet cell count as compared to the control (p < 0.05). The present study illustrates the potential of dairy-sourced LAB strains as probiotics to ameliorate the adverse effect of constipation amid aging, and as a potential dietary intervention strategy for dairy foods including yogurt and cheese.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.460-465
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• 1998

The effects of food restriction on the fecal microflora, moisture, pH, indole, ${\beta}$-glucosidas, and ${\beta}$-glucuronidase in rate were studied for 4 weeks. Four groups of rats for feeding was allocated to the following experimental trials : (1) control containing 1% cellulose, (2) control with food restriction, (3) treatment of diet containing butterbur, (4) treatment of butterbur combined with diet restriction. Treatment of butterbur combined food restriction significantly (p<0.05) reduced the growth of Bacteroides, Peptococus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Escherchia coli, respectively. No remarkable changes in the ${\beta}$-glucosidase and ${\beta}$-glucuronidase activities were observed but indole content significanlty decreased. Based on these results, treatment of butterbur combined with diet restriction in rats had a significantly effect for preventing the growth of those pathogenic microorganims.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.84-90
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• 2001

This study was performed to know the effect of depolymerized alginate obtained by hydrolysis of alginate through a heating process at $121^{\circ}C$ on intestinal environment, Rats were fed with diets containing $1\%$, $5\%$, and $10\%$ of each depolymerized alginate (HAG-10, HAG-50, HAG-100 and alginate) for 35 days, The changes of weight, moisture content, pH and volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) of fecal, and a short chain fatty acids (SCFA) were checked in the rats. The fecal weight and moisture content were the highest in rats fed with alginate diets (p<0.01), followed by HAG-100, HAG-50 and HAG-10 in order. The $5\%$ of HAG-50 diets induced a significant increase in contents of protein and lipid of feces, resulting in the decrease of apparent digestibility of protein and lipid (p<0.01). The pH and VBN content in feces of the rats decreased in $5\%$ and $10\%$ of HAG-50 diets, but $10\%$ of HAG-100 diets; $5\%$ and $10\%$ of alginate diets brought about an increase of fecal pH and VBN (p<0.01), The amount of n-butyric acid in feces was increased while propionic and acetic acid contents decreased significantly (p<0.01) in diets containing $5\%$ and $10\%$ HAG-50. However, the feces of rat fed diet containing $5\%$ and $10\%$ alginate showed a tendency to being opposite in results than that of HAG-50.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.1-7
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to compare fecal microbes survival in soil between compost surface application and soil incorporation. The survival experiment was conducted in six styrofoam beds ($510{\times}325{\times}305(mm)$ in size) filled with sandy loam soil. A half of six boxes were received by compost surface application, while the other half were treated with compost-soil mixture. Duplicated surface and surbsurface soil (20 cm depth) samples were collected at various interval up to 50 days and analyzed for the determination of fecal coliforms and E. coli numbers. As expected, surface applied beds demonstrated two to three magnitudes order greater in both the study microorganisms as compared to soil incorporated beds. Microbial inactivation rate of soil surface was twice as great as subsurface soil condition probably due to exposure to sun light and environmental conditions including moisture loss. When rainfall occurred, microbes on the surface were transported into soil along with water movement. It was concluded that surface compost application may be easier to apply but pose higher risk of human exposure to microbes. Winter compost application may be favorable in alleviating health risk by giving some time for inactivation compared to spring application.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.90-95
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• 2010

The application of livestock manure to cropland is a practice that has been used for centuries. Agricultural crops can utilize nutrients from manure, and the producer can utilize land for disposal, although in a "sustainable system" the concept is manure utilization and not waste disposal. However, meeting regulatory criteria regarding microbial quality remains an expensive and time consuming process. The purpose of this study was to quantify the level of environmental impact of soil moisture and temperature on fecal coliform (Escherichia coli or E. coli) survival in upland soils for sound application of livestock manure. Samples were collected up to 30 days depending on the given conditions. The inactivation rate of E. coli increased linearly with increased temperature while the inactivation rate gradually decreased with decreased soil moisture level. The overall findings of this study showed that the temperature was the limited factor on E. coli survival in soils over soil moisture content. This study will provide useful and practical guidelines to applicators of soil in deciding appropriate handling and time frames for land application for sustainable agriculture.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.381-384
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• 1998

Twenty-three crossbred (Yorkshire $\times$ Duroc $\times$ Hampshire $\times$ Chester White) primiparous sows were used to evaluate the effects of the mineral-salt laxative in lactation diets on sow and litter performance. The sows were fed a sorghum-extruded soybean-based diet with .85% lysine, .90% Ca, .80% P, and 3.2 Mcal ME/kg. Sow body weight (p > .54) and backfat loss (p > .61), average daily feed intake (p > .42), and litter weight gain (p > .74) were not affected by the mineral-salt laxative in the diet. However, survivability of piglets was greater (p < .06) for sows with the mineral-salt laxative in their diet and, thus, number of pigs weaned was increased. As expected, fecal moisture was increased (p < .09) in sows fed the mineral-salt laxative. Apparent digestibilities of DM, N, and GE were not affected by treatment (p > .26). After weaning, stomachs were collected and scored for ulcers and keratinization using a scoring system of 0 = normal to 3 = severe. Severity of ulceration and keratinization was not significantly affected by treatment (row mean scores differ test p > .25), but scores for sows fed the diet containing the mineral-salt laxative were numerically lower than sows fed the control diet. Thus, our data indicate that sows fed the mineral-salt laxative during lactation had improved piglet survivability, greater fecal moisture, and tended to have fewer lesions in the mucosa of the stomach.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1451-1456
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• 2012

A total of 144 ((Duroc${\times}$Yorkshire)${\times}$Landrace)) pigs with an average initial BW of $28.85{\pm}0.63$ kg were used in this 6-wk growth trial. Pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 treatments in a completely random block design. Each dietary treatment consisted of 9 replicate pens, with 4 pigs per replicate. Dietary treatments included: i) NC (basal diet), ii) PC (NC+apramycin 0.5 g/kg), iii) BPT1 (NC+bacteriophage 0.25 g/kg) and iv) BPT2 (NC+bacteriophage 0.5 g/kg). The inclusion of antibiotics and bacteriophages did not affect the (p>0.05) ADG, ADFI and G:F compared with the basal diet. Dietary antibiotics and bacteriophages supplementation led to a higher (p<0.05) DM digestibility than the NC treatment. Pigs fed the bacteriophage supplemented diet increased (p<0.05) the N digestibility compared with those fed NC treatment. Supplementation of antibiotics led to a higher (p<0.05) energy digestibility than the NC treatment. No difference (p>0.05) was observed in the RBC, WBC, lymphocyte concentration and fecal moisture among treatments. Pigs fed PC and BPT2 treatments reduced (p<0.05) the E. coli concentration compared with those fed NC treatment. The inclusion of BPT2 treatment led to a higher (p<0.05) lactobacillus concentration compared with NC and PC treatment. Dietary antibiotic and bacteriophage supplementation reduced (p<0.05) the Salmonella concentration compared with NC treatment. In conclusion, our study suggested that bacteriophage at the level of 0.5 g/kg could be used as an antibiotics alternative for growing pigs.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.536-546
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• 2024

Objective: This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of grain-based pecking blocks on productivity and welfare status at two commercial broiler welfare-certified farms. Methods: Production and welfare indicators were assessed at two farms (designated Farm A and B). Both farms had two windowless houses with forced tunnel-type ventilation and housed broilers at stocking densities of approximately 16.7 birds/m² (Farm A) and 16.8 birds/m² (Farm B). Each house was divided into two or three equal sections and was provided with or without pecking blocks. Grain-based pecking blocks, measuring 25 × 25 × 25 cm, were given to broilers in both farms at 1 block per 1,000 birds. Various parameters including productivity (body weight and flock uniformity), corticosterone levels (in fecal droppings and feathers), footpad dermatitis, hock burn, feather dirtiness, gait score, litter quality, body surface temperature, and volatile fatty acids in fecal samples were assessed at 26 days of age, whereas litter quality was analyzed at 13 and 26 days of age. Results: There were no significant effects of providing pecking blocks on productivity (body weight and uniformity), fecal and feather corticosterone, welfare indicators (i.e., footpad dermatitis, hock burn, feather cleanliness, and gait score), and litter quality (i.e., moisture, nitrogen, and pH). No differences in body surface temperature between the control and enrichment treatments were noted in Farm B, but body surface temperatures of the head (p = 0.029) and legs (p = 0.011) in the enrichment vs. control group were elevated in Farm A. Butyrate concentration in the enrichment vs control group was higher in Farm B (p = 0.023), but this effect was not detected in Farm A. Conclusion: It is concluded that grain-based pecking blocks did not affect performance and welfare indicators. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the potential impact of grain-based pecking blocks on gut health indicators.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.605-609
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• 2007

The effects of lactic acid fermented yam yogurt (Yam/YG) on colon mucosal tissue were investigated in a loperamide-induced constipation rat models. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed for 6 weeks with 3 types of diets (normal, supplemented with lactic acid bacteria, and supplemented with Yam/YG), and were then administered loperamide intraperitoneally twice daily for 5 days. Administration of loperamide decreased fecal excretion and the moisture content of feces with increasing of numbers of pellets in the colon. On the histopathologic findings from hematoxylin and eosin (H& E) and alcian blue stainings, supplementation with Yam/YG resulted in the recovery of depleted goblet cells and mucin, and increased the numbers of Ki-67 positive cells, indicating restoration of colonic mucosa through cell proliferation and crypt regeneration against damages observed in crypt epithelial cells of loperamide-induced rats. These results indicate that Yam/YG improves evacuation and mucus production in the gastrointestinal tracts of constipated-induced rats.

• 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.