• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1794-1799
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• 2008

This preliminary feeding trial was conducted to study the effects of different dietary selenium (Se) levels on growth performance and toxicity in juvenile black seabream, Acanthopagrus schlegeli (Bleeker). Fish averaging $7.0{\pm}0.1g$ ($mean{\pm}SD$) were fed one of the five semi-purified diets containing 0.21, 0.30, 0.52, 1.29 and 12.3 mg sodium selenite ($Na_2SeO_3$)/kg diet (Se 0.21, Se 0.30, Se 0.52, Se 1.29 or Se 12.3) for 15 weeks. After the feeding trial, weight gain (WG), feed efficiency (FE), specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) of fish fed Se 0.21, Se 0.30, Se 0.52 and Se 1.29 diets were not significantly different, however fish fed Se 12.3 diet showed significantly lower WG, FE, SGR and PER than those of fish fed the other diets (p<0.05). Fish fed Se 0.21, Se 0.30, Se 0.52, Se 1.29 and Se 12.3 diets showed no significant differences in hematocrit (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cells (RBC), however fish fed Se 12.3 diet showed lower values of PCV, Hb and RBC than those of fish fed the other diets. Histopathological lesions such as tubular necrosis and polycystic dilation of tubules in the kidney tissues were observed in fish fed Se 12.3 diet. Se was accumulated in a dose-dependent manner in the liver, kidney, muscle and gill tissues. Based on the results of this preliminary feeding trial, a dietary Se level of 0.21 mg $Na_2SeO_3/kg$ diet could be optimal for proper growth performances, and a dietary Se level of 12.3 mg $Na_2SeO_3/kg$ diet may ultimately be toxic to juvenile black seabream, Acanthopagrus schlegeli.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1156-1168
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• 2007

The somatotropic (GH-IGF-I) axis consists of many hormonal and nutritional factors that control GH release from the somatotrophs in the anterior pituitary. The GH-releasing substances are GHRH and GHS (GHRP or ghrelin), while the GH release-inhibiting substances are somatostatin (SRIF), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), leptin and glucocorticoids. However, there is evidence showing that nutrition is involved in the control of the somatotropic axis. In addition, weaning is a drastic event for neonates because their alimentary and endocrine circumstances are changed due to the switch, even if gradual, from a liquid milk diet to one composed of such solids as hay and grains. The biological role of ghrelin is one of the hormonal factors that have been focused on ever since ghrelin was discovered at the end of the last century. A 27-amino acid peptide that is mainly synthesized and released from the abomasum epithelium, ghrelin has not been fully evaluated in relation to the somatotropic axis of the ruminant. It has also proven difficult even to investigate the cellular mechanisms of ghrelin action, because this hormone exerts animal-species-dependent actions via a complex set of intracellular signaling pathways. This is also the case for the action of leptin. Another substance, IGF-I, shows a partial inhibitory action on GH secretion in the ruminant. The effect of nutrition is also different among animal species. This is evident by the fact that undernutrition suppresses the circulating GH levels in rodents, but increases it in ruminants and humans. Recently, weaning has been shown to change the postprandial GH responses in ruminants; milk feeding increases, but hay and concentrate feeding suppress, the postprandial circulating GH levels. Even if the postprandial GH level is increased, the ghrelin level is decreased by milk feeding. Macronutrients also possess stimulatory and inhibitory actions on GH secretion in vivo and in vitro. These findings indicate the complexity of the control mechanisms of the somatotropic axis. In the present review, we summarize recent findings on the factors controlling the axis of the ruminant.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.281-286
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• 2009

We found previously that Undaria pinnatifida extract has an effect of lowering blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. Therefore, an effect of Undaria pinnatifida extract on the insulin secretion directly from the pancreas was examined in this study. Neonatal diabetes were induced by intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin (100 mg/kg body weight) at age of day 1. Rats were fed a rodent pellet diet until they were grown to adults (age of 7 weeks). Rats having a fasting serum glucose level over 250 mg/dL were used in this feeding study and they were divided into two diet groups as follows; a diet with Undaria pinnatifida extract (5%) and a diet without this extract (control group). Fasting (12 hr) blood glucose and serum insulin levels were measured before and after feeding a diet with Undaria pinnatifida extract for 4 weeks. At the last day of feeding, in vitro pancreas perfusion was performed. Pancreas was stimulated with a perfusate without glucose during a period of 0~10 minutes and with a perfusate containing 200 mg/dL glucose during a period of 11~40 minutes. Insulin amount was measured using a radioimmuno assay. In results, amount of the insulin secreted from the pancreas in the diabetic rats fed Undaria pinnatifida extract was significantly greater than that in the diabetic control group during the periods of the equilibration period (0~10 min) and the first phase (11~20 min) of the insulin secretion (P<0.05). It is concluded that Undaria pinnatifida extract increases insulin secretion from the pancreas in the neonatal diabetic rats. Therefore, the blood glucose lowering effect of the Undaria pinnatifida extract may be elucidated by mechanisms with promoted insulin secretion from the pancreas in diabetic rats.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.1143-1146
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• 2003

Rickets is a nutritional disorder which is caused either by deficiency of vitamin D or by a defective activation of vitamin D. In these days, even though the incidence of rickets has decreased through adequate nutritional support, we sometimes experience rickets in babies receiving a prolonged special diet as therapy for chronic diarrhea, or those subject to a in receiving the prolonged elimination of milk because of allergy. But there are no reports about rickets caused by absolute elimination of milk because of allergies in Korea. We report here a case of rickets developed after feeding on Sunsik( a mixture of several grain and fruits powder) during a seven months period in an 8-month-old male patient. This male infant manifested vomiting, poor feeding, decreased serum calcium and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels, and markedly increased serum alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone levels. Skeletal X-rays showed cupping and fraying in distal metaphyses of radius and ulna, and generalized osteopenia. The patient improved with vitamin D and calcium therapy.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.1667-1673
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• 2000

The climate and marketing system of raw milk in Taiwan create problems in balance feeding of protein and energy in lactating cows in Taiwan. Level of urea nitrogen both in bulk milk and serum reflects ruminal protein degradation and post-ruminal protein provision, whereas milk protein concentration responds to dietary energy intake and bacterial protein production in the rumen. Establishment of a range of reference standards in milk protein and urea nitrogen levels can be applied as a noninvasive economical feeding guide to monitor the balance of protein and energy intake. Standard reference levels of 3.0% milk protein and 11-17 mg/dL milk urea nitrogen (MUN) were established. Level of milk protein below 3.0% is regarded as indicating inadequate dietary energy whereas MUN below or above the range is regarded as a deficiency or surplus in dietary protein. Results from analysis of bulk a milk samples collected from 174 dairy herds over Taiwan showed that only one quarter (25.29%) of the herds received a balanced intake of protein and energy, 33.33% adequate protein with energy inadequate, 22.99% herds in protein surplus with energy inadequate, 10.35% herds in protein surplus with energy adequate, 4.6% protein deficiency with energy adequate, and 3.45% herds with both protein and energy inadequate. Energy inadequate herds accounted for 60% of the total dairy herds in Taiwan with 56% adequate, 38% surplus and 6% inadequate in protein. In comparing milk sampled from bulk milk on different seasons from Lee-Kang area in the southern Taiwan, the concentrations of milk fat and milk protein were significantly higher in the cool season (February) than in the warm season (August) (p<0.05), whereas the urea nitrogen in the milk was significantly lower in the cool season than in the warm season (p<0.05). This indicated that lactating cows had excess protein and/or inadequate energy intake in the warm season in this area. It appears that the major problem feeding in lactating cows is energy intake shortage, especially during the warm season in Taiwan.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.1297-1302
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• 2003

To determine whether the feeding of different species of hay affects the dry-matter intake and the serum cortisol level of sheep, 6 non-pregnant, non-lactating ewes were offered alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay (Al), oats (Avena sativa) hay (Ot) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) hay (Pr) under 6 kinds of treatment including 1) change from Al to Ot, 2) Al to Pr, 3) Ot to Al, 4) Ot to Pr, 5) Pr to Al, and 6) Pr to Ot. The experimental design was a 6${\times}$6 Latin square with a 14 day period of which 9 days were a preliminary period and 5 days as a digestion trial period. The change in hay feeding was done abruptly on the first day of each period without an adaptation period. The blood from the jugular vein was collected on the first, third and the last day of each period through a sterile catheter for the analysis of cortisol. The dry-matter intake was recorded daily throughout the period. The mean daily intake of dry matter (DM, g/kg live weight) was significantly different among the 3 species of hay (Al>Ot>Pr; p<0.05). The digestibility of DM for Al and Ot was the same, but that for Pr was significantly lower than Al and Ot (p<0.05). The mean serum cortisol levels were significantly different among the hays (p<0.05). The level for Pr was the highest and that for Al was the lowest. The abrupt change of hay feeding of 6 treatments produced a significant change in the serum cortisol levels. The DM intake was inversely related to the change of the cortisol level. It is suggested that the animal' intake response to different species of hay may be partly motivated by the psychological feelings toward the hay offered.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.1444-1449
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• 2001

Two feeding trials were conducted to determine the effect of inclusion levels or deletion of vitamin-trace mineral (VM) premixes on growth performance and pork quality in finishing pigs. In exp. 1, a total of ninety-six crossbred pigs $(Landrace\;{\times}\;Yorkshire\;{\times}\;Duroc,\;85.09{\pm}3.12kg)$ were used for a 4-week feeding triaL Treatments were premix supplementation at the level of 50% (Control), 100%, 150%, and 200% of NRC (1998) requirements for vitamins and trace minerals. In exp. 2, a total of one hundred and eight crossbred pigs $(Landrace\;{\times}\;Yorkshire\;{\times}\;Duroc,\;84.76{\pm}0.58kg)$ were used for a 4-week feeding trial. Treatments were premix supplementation at the level of 0% (Control), 200% VM, and 200% vitamin E and Se listed in NRC (1998) requirements. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed/gain (F/G) were the highest at 150% VM addition level (quadratic, p<0.05) among treatments. Dressing percentage and backfat thickness in pigs were not affected by different addition levels of VM premixes. Pork stability in terms of TBARS was linearly (p<0.05) improved as dietary VM premix was increased (exp. 1). ADG, F/G and pork stability (TBARS) were also reduced (p<0.05) when VM premixes were deleted. However, supplementation of vitamin E and Se improved (p<0.05) ADG and pork stability when pigs were fed diets without VM premixes (exp. 2). In conclusion, deleting dietary VM premixes gave negative effects on growth performance and pork quality for the last 4 weeks of finishing period.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.599-602
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• 1997

Fluctuation of fungal zoospores on agar strips were observed in the rumen of sheep fed three different levels of dietary concentrate, timothy hay: concentrate = 3:0 (AF diet), timothy hay: concentrate = 2:1 (MC diet), timothy hay : concentrate = 1:2 (HC diet) respectively. The number of zoospores on the strip was drastically decreased after morning feed with AF diet. The number was the highest at 0 h ($1.34{\times}10^2/cm^2$), then declined to $2.0{\times}10^3/cm^2$ at 9 h after feeding. In the rumen of animals fed MC diet, the number of zoospores decreased with time after feeding, although the decrement was slower than that with AF diet. During 0-3 h after feeding, number of zoospores was $1.6{\times}10^4/cm^2$. Although the number slightly decreased at 6 and 9 h, relatively high levels were maintained. It seems that the inducers for zoospore-release were maintained at relatively high concentration throughout incubation period. The fluctuation pattern of number of germinated zoospores was different in the rumen of animals fed HC diet from those of AF and MC diets. The number of zoospores was constantly maintained at lower level ($1.0{\times}10^3/cm^2$) than the other diets. For MC diet, continuous high number of germinated zoospores may be due to the continuous release of zoospores by hemes in timothy hay and concentrate feed, and by unknown mechanisms. Unlike AF diet which promoted relatively rapid decline of zoosporogenesis, supplementation of concentrate feed to the timothy hay did not promote such rapid decline of zoosporogenesis. It was suggested that release of inducers for zoosporogenesis from concentrate feed persisted longer time than from timothy hay. HC diet promoted the lowest zoospore production, suggested the lowest fungal population size in this experiment. These results show that an appropriate amount of concentrate may support fungal growth and stimulate zoosporogenesis in the rumen.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1610-1615
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• 2008

Natto is a Japanese traditional soybean product fermented by Bacillus natto. The effects of dried fermented soybean (natto) supplement on egg production and egg qualities of layer chickens was studied with regard to the effective use of various waste foods in Japan. Dried natto, prepared by heating at $60^{\circ}C$, was added to a basic diet at a level of up to 3%. Forty 166-wk-old layer chickens (Rhode Island Red) were randomly divided into 4 groups and five layer chickens were used in each group with two replicates. Layer chickens in group 1 were fed a basic diet as the control. The remaining 3 groups were fed the basic diet supplemented with dried natto at levels of 1, 2, and 3% (w/w), respectively. The result did not show improvements in egg production or feed conversion ratio of layer chickens even when 3% dried natto was added to the control diet. The egg qualities including egg weight, eggshell strength and thickness, yolk color, yolk weight, albumen height, and Haugh unit were also not improved. However, the feeding of dried natto changed the cholesterol content in the egg yolk. The supplementation of dried natto showed the tendency to decrease the yolk cholesterol after 12-wk of feeding compared to the control diet though it did not change plasma cholesterol levels in the blood. On the other hand, yolk cholesterol decreased significantly after 12-wk of feeding 3% dried natto (p<0.05).

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.4.1-4.7
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• 2014

The effect of sodium and sodium salts on carcass and body organ characteristics of broilers under a four phase feeding program were investigated. A basal diet (0.08% dNa with NaCl) was formulated and one of two sources of dNa ($NaHCO_3$ and $Na_2SO_4$) were supplemented to obtain four different percentages of dNa (0.17, 0.26, 0.35, and 0.44%) for each treatment. There was a linear decrease in dressing percentage (DP) with source ${\times}$ level interaction ($p{\leq}0.001$), while there was a linear increase in breast yield and thigh yield with increasing dNa supplementation ($p{\leq}0.001$). Chicks fed 0.35% $NaHCO_3$ and 0.44% dNa $Na_2SO_4$ supplemental salts had lower abdominal fat ($p{\leq}0.04$). Chicks that received increasing levels of dNa (from 0.17 to 0.44%) showed increasing gizzard weight ($p{\leq}0.02$) and decreasing spleen weight ($p{\leq}0.02$). When both salts were supplemented at 0.26% dNa, the chicks showed their lowest bursa weight ($p{\leq}0.001$). Consequently, chicks at higher dNa showed an increase in breast and thigh meat yield, and increasing capacity of their digestive organ. The higher levels of dNa should be tested with other cations and anions to fully understand acid base homoeostasis.