• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.104-113
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the efficiency of a microencapsulated mixture of organic acids (MOA) with low protein in piglet feed on growth performance, diarrhea score, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial counts, and blood profiles in weaning pigs. A total of 80 pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc; 6.8 ± 0.48 kg] were randomly assigned to four dietary treatment groups: high protein (HP); low protein (LP); MOA1, LP + 0.2% MOA; and MOA2, LP + 0.3% MOA. The MOA2 group had higher average daily weight gains (during days 0-14 and days 0-28), diarrhea score (during days 0-14, during days 14-28 and days 0-28) and greater digestibility of dry matter (days 14 and 28) compared to the LP group (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the pigs fed diets with the MOA1 and MOA2 in blood profiles and fecal microflora. In conclusion, this study indicates that piglets fed 0.3% MOA in low protein diets maintained similar growth performance and nutrient digestibility, but alleviated the incidence of diarrhea compared to piglets fed high protein diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.597-604
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• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of zinc aspartic acid chelate (Zn-ASP) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, fecal microbial and fecal gas emission in growing pigs. Methods: A total of 160 crossbred ([Landrace×Yorkshire]×Duroc) growing pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of 25.56±2.22 kg were used in a 6-wk trial. Pigs were randomly allocated into 1 of 4 treatments according to their sex and BW (8 replicates with 2 gilts and 3 barrows per replication pen). Treatments were as follows: i) CON, basal diet, ii) TRT1, CON+0.1% Zn-ASP, iii) TRT2, CON+0.2% Zn-ASP, and iv) TRT3, CON+0.3% Zn-ASP. Pens were assigned in a randomized complete block design to compensate for known position effects in the experimental facility. Results: In the current study, BW, average daily gain, and gain:feed ratio showed significant improvement as dietary Zn-ASP increased (p<0.05) in growing pigs. Apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter was increased linearly (p<0.05) in pigs fed with Zn-ASP diets. A linear effect (p<0.05) was detected for the Zn concentration in blood with the increasing levels of Zn-ASP supplementation. Lactic acid bacteria and coliform bacteria were affected linearly (p<0.05) in pigs fed with Zn-ASP diets. However, no significant differences were observed in the ATTD of nitrogen, energy and Zn. And dietary Zn-ASP supplementation did not affect fecal ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and total mercaptans emissions in growing pigs. Conclusion: In conclusion, dietary supplementation with Zn-ASP of diet exerted beneficial effects on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles and fecal microbes in growing pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.108-115
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• 2013

The effects of dietary Coptis chinensis herb extract (CHE) on growth performance, blood characteristics, nutrient digestibility and meat quality of growing-finishing pigs were investigated in an 18-wk feeding trial. A total of 36 Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire-Duroc pigs with an initial body weight of $20{\pm}1.0$ kg were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments with 6 replications per treatment and 2 pigs per pen. A maize-soybean meal-based diet was formulated as a control diet and other treatment diets were supplemented with 0.5, or 1 g CHE/kg, respectively. After the feeding period, meat samples were collected from those pigs that had reached the market BW. During the experimental periods, growth performance and apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen were unaffected (p>0.05) by the dietary supplementation of CHE. Plasma erythrocytes counts were increased (Linearly, p<0.05) in response to application of CHE at the end of the experiment. Moreover, pigs fed the CHE diets had better (p<0.05) meat color, pH and water holding capacity (WHC) than pigs fed the control diet. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with CHE could increase blood erythrocytes counts and improve meat quality in growing-finishing pigs but not improve growth performance.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.235-243
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• 2017

A total of 112 crossbred pigs [(Yorkshire ${\times}$ Landrace) ${\times}$ Duroc] with an average body weight (BW) of $27.98{\pm}1.28kg$ were used to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with rapeseed meal (RSM) as a source of protein on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, and fecal noxious gas emission in growing pigs. The pigs were blocked and stratified based on BW into one of four dietary treatments in a 6-week trial. Each treatment consisted of 7 replicate pens with 4 pigs per pen (2 barrows and 2 gilts). Treatments were 1) maize-SBM based diet, 2) diet containing 2% RSM, 3) diet containing 4% RSM, and 4) diet containing 6% RSM. Supplementation with RSM resulted in no differences in growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and noxious gas emission, as compared with SBM supplementation during the experimental period (p > 0.05). Pigs fed with increased dietary RSM (0, 2, 4, and 6% of feed) had linear decreases in average daily gain (ADG) (p = 0.010) and nitrogen digestibility (p = 0.036) and a linear increase in blood creatinine concentration. In conclusion, RSM fed pigs had no detrimental effects on their growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, and fecal noxious gas emissions, as compared with SBM fed pigs. Thus, RSM is a good alternative to SBM as a protein source in growing pigs' diets.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.257-261
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• 2013

A total of 96 pigs [(Landrace ${\times}$ Yorkshire) ${\times}$ Duroc] with an initial BW of $27.94{\pm}0.92kg$ were used in a 6-week experiment to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with fruit by-product extracts on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in growing pigs. Pigs were randomly allotted to four treatments : 1) CON (basal diet), 2) PRO (CON + 0.5% procyanidin), 3) HES (CON + 0.5% hesperidin), 4) TAN (CON + 0.5% tannin). There were six replications per treatment with four pigs per pen. Supplementation had no effect (p>0.05) on average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and G/F. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter and nitrogen was increased (p<0.05) in the HES treatment relative to the PRO treatment. Pigs fed the HES and TAN diets had greater (p<0.05) ATTD of energy than pigs fed PRO diet. The ATTD of ash was greatest (p<0.05) in HES treatments. In addition, the ATTD of calcium was greater (p<0.05) in HES treatments than in CON and PRO treatments. Overall, the results of this study indicated that dietary supplementation with 0.5% fruit by-products did not affect growth performance, but inclusion of 0.5% hesperidin increased nutrient digestibility in growing pigs.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.289-293
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of dietary carbohydrases on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood characteristics in finishing pigs. A total of 90 pigs [(Landrace ${\times}$ Yorkshire) ${\times}$ Duroc] (initial BW = $56.15{\pm}1.26kg$) were used for a 35 d feeding trial. The dietary treatments included: 1) CON (control diet), 2) MIX (CON + mixture with ${\alpha}$-galactosidase and ${\beta}$-mannanase 0.05%) and 3) MAN (CON + ${\beta}$-mannanase 0.05%). There were six replications per treatment with five pigs per pen. The average daily gain (ADG) in MIX was higher than in CON (p<0.05). No significant differences were noted in the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed efficiency (G:F) among dietary treatments (p>0.05). Apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM) and energy (E) in MIX increased (p<0.05) relative to CON and MAN. The ATTD of nitrogen (N) in MIX was higher (p<0.05) than in CON. No differences in red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), lymphocytes and IgG concentrations were observed among dietary treatments (p>0.05). In conclusion, the addition of the mixture of carbohydrases (${\alpha}$-galactosidase and ${\beta}$-mannanase 0.05%) increased ADG and nutrient digestibility in finishing pigs.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.185-192
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of condensed molasses fermentation solubles (CMS) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and backfat thickness of growing pigs. In an eight-week trial, a total of 120 cross-bred ([Landrace × Yorkshire]× Duroc) growing pigs with an average initial body weight (BW) of 25.84 ± 1.60 kg were used. The pigs were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments based on body weight and sex. The dietary treatments were as follows: CON - corn-soybean meal-based basal diet (CON) + 2% molasses; and TRT1 - CON + 2% CMS. Each treatment had 12 replicates with five pigs (three gilts and two castrated barrows) per pen. Though there were no significant differences observed in terms of the growth performance and nutrient digestibility (p < 0.05), the backfat thickness in pigs fed 2% CMS tended to increase in week 4 (p < 0.1). Thus, 2% CMS could be optimal to replace molasses given that it does not exert any adverse effects on the performance of growing pigs.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.859-865
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• 2020

A total of 100 growing pigs (25.66 ± 1.55 kg) were used in a 16-week feeding trial. Pigs were randomly distributed into two treatment groups on the basis of body weight and sex. There were ten replicate pens per treatment, with five pigs (three barrows and two gilts) per pen. The dietary treatments for this trial were as follows: 1) Basal diet (CON) and 2) T1 (γ-aminobutyric acid, GABA), CON + 100 mg·kg-1 GABA. During weeks 0 to 6, the feed efficiency (G : F) in the T1 group was higher (p < 0.05) than that in the CON group, but no improvements in the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG) were noted (p > 0.05). During the experimental period, the final body weight (BW) was improved (p < 0.05). However, no differences (p > 0.05) were noted in the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM) nitrogen (N). Meanwhile, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) observed in the backfat thickness among the treatment groups. These results therefore indicate that supplementation with GABA may improve the overall growth performance but may not lead to differences in the nutrient digestibility and backfat thickness in growing-finishing pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.1447-1451
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• 2004

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different dietary crude protein (CP) levels on growth performance, nutrient utilization, small intestine protease activity and immunity index of weaner to 2 month-old New Zealand rabbits. Eighty weaner rabbits were allocated in individual cages to five treatments in which they were fed diets with CP at 14%, 16%, 18%, 20% and 22%, respectively. The growth performance and nutrient digestibility of rabbits increased firstly when dietary CP increased, then decreased. The average daily gain was the highest and feed conversion rate was the lowest when dietary CP reached 20%, namely 34.9 g/d and 2.74:1, respectively. Maximum CP digestibility was 72.1% in the 18% CP group, maximum crude fiber digestibility of 28.4% occurred in the 16% CP group and was significantly different from other treatments (p<0.01), apparent digestibility of Lys and Val followed the same trend as CP digestibility, and reached their maximum when dietary CP was 18%. Apparent digestibility of Cys, Tyr, Leu and Thr also had a similar trend to CP digestibility. Nitrogen retention (RN) increased with CP level (p>0.05), and was highest for 20% CP treatment (1.5 g/d). The effect of CP level on the rate of digestible nitrogen (DN) converted RN was small. The spleen index, thymus index, chymotrypsin and trypsin activities in small intestine were highest when dietary CP was 16%, which were 1.0, 2.8, 15.7 U/g and 125.7 U/g, respectively. There was no significant difference among treatments (p>0.05). According to the above results, the appropriate dietary CP level from weaner to 2 month-old meat rabbits was 18-20%.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.523-532
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• 2004

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of microbial phytase ($Natuphos^{R}$) supplementation in combination with enzyme complex (composed of enzymes targeted to SBM dietary components such as $\alpha$-galactosides and galactomannans; $Endo-Power^{R}$) to diet with low nutrient levels on growth performance and ileal nutrient digestibility of weaned pigs. A total of 210 crossbred weaned pigs (Landrace$\times$Yorkshire$\times$Duroc), 6.68$\pm$0.98 kg of initial body weight, were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments, based on weight and age, according to a randomized complete block design. There were three pens per treatment and 14 pigs per pen. The dietary treatments were 1) CON (Control diet with no phytase and enzyme complex (EC)), 2) LP+EC 100 (Control diet with 0.15% unit lower available phosphorus (aP) level+0.1% phytase (500 FTU/kg diet) and 0.1% enzyme complex), 3) LP+EC 80 (Control diet with 0.15% unit lower aP level+0.08% phytase (400 FTU/kg diet) and 0.08% enzyme complex, 4) LPEA+EC 100 (Control diet with 0.15% unit lower aP and 3% lower ME and amino acid levels (lysine, methionine, threonine and typtophan)+0.1% phytase (500 FTU/kg diet) and 0.1% enzyme complex), 5) LPEA+EC 80 (Control diet with 0.15% unit lower aP and 3% lower ME and amino acid levels+0.08% phytase (400 FTU/ kg diet) and 0.08% enzyme complex). For the determination of ileal nutrients digestibility, a total of 15 T-cannulated pigs (initial body weight; 7.52$\pm$1.24 kg; 3 replicates per treatment) were used in the present study. Piglets were weighted and allotted into same dietary treatments as one in growth trial and phase I experimental diets were provided for ileal digestibility study. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) among dietary treatments during the whole experimental period (0 to 5 weeks). However, piglets in LP+EC 100 group had a significantly higher gain/feed ratio (G:F) than piglets had in control (p<0.05). Crude protein, energy and phosphorus digestibilities were significantly improved when both of phytase and enzyme complex were supplemented at the revel of 0.1%, respectively to diets with low nutrient level (aP or (and) ME and amino acids) (p<0.05). Piglets in LP+EC 100 and LPEA+EC 100 groups showed significantly higher phosphorus content (%) in bone than that of piglets in control group (p<0.05). Supplementation of both of phytase and enzyme complex at 0.1%, respectively, to diet with low nutrient levels (aP or (and) ME and amino acids) significantly improved total ileal essential amino acid and nonessential amino acid digestibilities compared to control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, the results from the present study suggest that the simultaneous inclusion of phytase and enzyme complex to diets at recommended level is advantageous with respect to improving growth performance and nutrient digestibility of weaned pigs and may contribute to increased economic return when added to corn-soy based weaned pig diets.