• 한국생태학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.08a
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• pp.107-111
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• 2002

During the breeding season of 1998, breeding ecology of the Great Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus orientalis) was studied at Yangsoo-ri and Yongdam-ri of the Yangpyung-gun, Kyunggi province, Korea. Egg-weight (CV: 6.25) was more variable than either length or breadth, and breadth was the least variable of the measures. Significant variations In overall egg-weight occurred between clutches, and that more of the total variation in egg-weight and shape are due to inter-clutch variation as to intra-clutch variation when the data were pooled. The last egg tends to be larger than the remaining eggs in the clutch of the Great Reed-Warbler, suggest- ing the Great Reed-Warbler may adopt the brood-survival strategy. When method 3 was used, the most common incubation period is 12 days. In the Great Reed-Warbler, the length of the incubation period was related to clutch-size when method 1 (r=0.485, p<0.05) and method 2 (r=0.621, p<0.01) were employed, but not related to egg weight. The average number of days of hatching asynchrony was 2.5, raging 0.5∼2.5. Asynchronous hatching was related to the clutch size (r=0.66, p<0.01). Hatching sequence was closely related to the laying sequence (r=0.93, p<0.001), suggesting Great Reed-Warblers incubate their eggs before clutch completion. The effect of egg weight on hatching asynchrony was found in Great Reed-Warblers (t-test, p<0.01).

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.212-217
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• 2007

The chicken oviduct is a dynamic organ that produces secretory proteins such as ovalbumin during the laying period. In this study, we identified oviduct-specific proteins in hens during the egg-laying period by proteomic analysis. Proteins extracted from the magnum of hens of different ages (5, 35, and 65 weeks) were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to compare the intensity of proteins among samples. Approximately 300 spots were detected on each gel. Based on the comparison of image gels, we found that the intensity of eight spots in 35-week magnums was increased at least by 2-fold compared with the others. Five of the eight spots were identified as calumenin, acidic ribosomal phosphoproteins (ARP), prohibitin, heart fatty acid-binding protein, and anterior gradient-2 (AGR-2). In particular, ARP and AGR-2 were highly expressed in 35- week magnums compared with 5- and 65-week magnums. In addition, the level of these proteins was consistent with their RNA levels. Expression of AGR-2 mRNA was detected in the mature magnum, whereas no signal was observed in premature tissue. Among various tissues, expression of AGR-2 mRNA was highest in the magnum, high in the isthmus, and five fold lower in muscle. It was undetectable in the liver and in other tissues (heart and kidney). However, the mRNA levels of other proteins were ubiquitous among tissues. In transcriptional activity of AGR-2, a 3.0 kb fragment of promoter region containing potential estrogen receptor binding sites had enhanced its activity strongly. In conclusion, these results suggest that AGR-2 has functional regulatory roles in the chicken oviduct during the egglaying period.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 1992

In order to compare the intraspecific variation in host-parasite relationship of Clonorchis sinensis, six strains of inbred mice, ICR, DDY, GPC, BALB/c, nude and DS, were infected orally with 20 metacercariae of C. sinensis. The biologic incubation period of C. sinensis was the shortest in DDY mice, 21.2 days in average, followed by GPC 21.4, BALB/c and DS 23.2, ICR and nude 23.4 days, respectively. The fertile period of the cuke was also the longest in the DDY strain, 164 days on average, followed by GPC 132, BALB/c 97, nude 37, DS 32 and ICR 28 days. The egg-laying capacity of the cuke in DDY and GPC was relatively high and stable compared with the other four strains of mice. It was found that there are intraspecific variations in biologic incubation period, fertile period, and fecundity of C. sinensis. The DDY mouse is likely to be the most suitable experimental animal among the six strains of the mice tested. Key words: Mouse strain, Clonorchis sinensis, egg-laying capacity.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2013

This work was carried out to investigate the performance of early laying period of large-type Korean native ducks. One hundred sixty eight ducks were used in this work and divided into A and B strains (6 replications/strain, 14 birds/replication). The days at first egg of A and B strains were the age of 154.5 and 154.7 days, egg weights were 69.1 g and 65.5 g, and body weights were 3,187 g and 3,105 g at the period of laying the first egg, respectively. The days at sexual maturity of A and B strains were the age of 175.8 and 171.5 days, egg weights were 75.2 g and 74.9 g, and body weights were 3,245 g and 3,225 g at the period of laying the first egg, respectively. There were no significant differences on the day of first egg, the day of sexual maturity, egg weight and body weight at first egg and the sexual maturity, average body weight, and daily feed intake between A and B strains (P>0.05). The day of the sexual maturity of B strain was earlier than that of A strain (P<0.05). However, weekly body weight was the highest at the age of 28 weeks (P<0.05), and weekly feed intake increased after 26 weeks old (P<0.05). Egg production (%) of B strain was higher than that of A strain at the age of 22~24 weeks (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference on egg production (%) the other weeks. A number of egg laid of B strain was higher than A strain at 22~24 weeks old (P<0.05). Feed conversion ratio of A and B strains were 10.7 and 6.53 at 24~24 weeks old, respectively, so feed conversion ratio of A strain was higher than that of B strain (P<0.05). Weekly feed conversion ratio wes the highest at 20~22 weeks old, and significantly decreased until 24~24 weeks old, but were lowly maintained from the age of 24 weeks to the age of 30 weeks. These results provided the basic data on the record of early laying period of large-type Korean native ducks.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.573-581
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• 2006

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of supplemental methionine, lysine, choline, and sulfur on laying performance, metabolic parameters, and egg quality of hens fed diets containing sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) during the peak laying period. Lohman layers (n = 144), 30-wk of age as 6 replicate cages of 4 hens, were allocated randomly to receive basal diets containing either 22% corn (B) or 22% sorghum (BS) and diets BS plus 0.57% methionine, 0.66% lysine, 0.47% choline, or 0.05% sulfur for 98 d. Feed intake (FI) and egg production (EP) were recorded daily, egg weight (EW) was measured bi-weekly, and body weight (BW) was measured monthly. A sample of 12 eggs from each experimental group was collected every month to evaluate egg quality. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for metabolite concentrations. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA as repeated measures and significant differences between the experimental groups were assessed using Duncan's Multiple Range test. Partial replacement of corn with sorghum in the basal diet did not affect BW, EP, and FCR but increased FI by 5.7% and EW by 2.4%. The effects of additives on laying performance were variable. Except for serum total protein (STP) concentration, other metabolic parameters were not affected by partial replacement of corn with sorghum in the basal diet. Hens fed diet BS had lower SPT concentration than hens fed diet B. Except for methionine supplementation, other supplements ameliorated depression in STP concentration. The additives did not affect other metabolic parameters. Egg quality responses to the experimental diets were also variable. Partial replacement of corn with sorghum in the basal diet did not affect eggshell characteristics (both thickness and stiffness), whereas it had variable effects on inner egg quality parameters (increased yolk index, depressed yolk color, and unaltered albumen index and Haugh unit). In conclusion, laying hen diets could include low-tannin sorghum (0.26%) up to 22% without necessitating extra supplements to overcome compromised performance.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.463-470
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• 1996

The red yeast Phaffia rhodozyma, which contains astaxanthin(3, 3'-dihydroxy-$\beta$, $\beta$-carotene-4, 4'-dione) as its primary carotenoid, was tested as a dietary pigment source for egg yolks of laying hens. When the yeast was fed to laying hens at several concentrations, the intensity of redness in egg yolks was dependent on the yeast concentration in the feed and the deposition period. Addition of P rhodozyma in feed did not cause any visible adverse effect on laying hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.19-23
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• 2002

This studs was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary carbohydrase (multi-enzyme: $\alpha$-galactosidase and mannanase) on egg quality and nutrient digestibility in laying hens. One hundred forty four, 47-wk-old, ISA Brown commercial layers were used in a 28-d feeding trial after a 7-d adjustment period. Dietary treatments were 1) CON(basal diet), 2) ME 0.1 (basal diet +0.1% multi -enzyme), 3) ME 0.2 (basal diet + 0.2% multi-enzyme). Fer overall Period, hen-day egg Production, egg weight, egg shell breaking strength and egg shell thickness were not influenced by the multi-enzyme. As the adding levels of multi-enzyme increased in the diet, egg Yolk color and egg Yolk index tended to increase with significant differences. Digestibility of DM was not affected by multi-enzyme. However, digestibility of N increased significantly as the concentration of multi-enzyme in the diet was increased. In conclusion, supplemental carbohydrase in laying hen diets nay have some roles in improving the egg Yolk color and N digestibility.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.980-985
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• 2000

Influences of Japanese green tea powder (GTP) supplementation to commercial diet on laying performance and egg quality were studied by using 60 laying hens. The experimental diet with or without 0.6% GTP was given ad libitum to the birds during the period from 6 to 71 weeks of age. The birds started egg production from 21 wk of age regardless GTP feeding. Body weight, feed intake, egg weight tended to decrease with GTP supplementation, while egg production rate tended to increase. Haugh unit score was significantly increased with GTP, which accompanied with the increased albumen height. These were observed almost throughout the laying period over 50 wk. Gel proportion in thick albumen was decreased as storage time is prolonged, then higher values of the gel proportion were recorded in the eggs from GTP group. Thick albumen of the eggs from GTP-fed layers had more carbohydrate than that from control layers. All these indicate physical stability of thick albumen in the eggs from GTP group. Thiobarbituric acid content of egg yolk tended to remain lower in the eggs from GTP group during 5-10 days of storage at room temperature. Levels of egg yolk cholesterol and yolk lipid were significantly reduced by GTP feeding. There were no significant differences in eggshell weight, shell thickness and shell strength between the two groups. Thyroid gland and liver from hens slaughtered at 71 wk of age did not differ in weight irrespective of GTP feeding. The present results suggest that GTP could modify components of edible part of egg, leading to the characteristics favourable to consumers such as high durability of thick albumen and less cholesterol in yolk, without altering general performance of the layers throughout this year round experiment.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.687-694
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• 2018

This study was conducted to investigate the laying performance of six strains of Korean domestic chickens (KDC 1A, 2A, 3A, 1B, 2B and 3B). A total of 288 20-week-old KDC hens were allocated in a completely randomized design to give 12 replicates per each strain (4 chickens per pen). The chickens were fed commercial diets (i.e., week 20 - 32, crude protein [CP] 18.0% and metabolizable energy [ME] 2,850 kcal/kg; week 32 - 40, CP 17.0% and ME 2,800 kcal/kg) ad libitum together with fresh water during the 20-week experiment. Body weight, age of sexual maturity, egg weight, hen-day egg production (HDP) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured during the experiment period (week 20 - 40). Our results show that strain 3B had an improved (p < 0.05) HDP and FCR compared with the other strains on week 24 - 28. However, strain 3A had an improved (p < 0.05) HDP and FCR compared to the other strains on week 28 - 40. Similarly, strain 3A had a higher egg weight (p < 0.05) compared to the other strains on week 28, 32 and 40. In conclusion, the higher laying performance of strain 3A indicates its potential in the development of a KDC strain with improved commercial laying performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.717-724
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• 2012

Color is one of the perch properties. This study was conducted to investigate the general behaviors and perching behaviors in laying hens under different group size (stocking density), and to understand the perch color (black, white or brown) preference of hens during the night. A total of 390 Hyline Brown laying hens was used, and randomly allocated to three treatments: individual group (G1), group of four hens (G4), and group of eight hens (G8), respectively. There were 30 replicates in each group. The hens in G1, G4 and G8 groups were put into the test cages in which three colored perches were simultaneously provided and allowed for four days of habituation in the new cages. Hens behaviors were recorded using cameras with infrared light sources for the following periods: 8:00 to 10:00; 14:00 to 16:00; 19:00 to 21:00; 23:30 to 0:30 on the fifth day after transferring the birds into the test cages. The behaviors of hens in every time period were collected and analyzed, and hens positions on the test perches during mid-night were recorded. The results showed that, group size (stocking density) had significant effect on most of the general behaviors of laying hens except exploring behavior. There were great differences in most of the general behaviors during different time periods. In the preference test of perch color during night, the hens showed no clear preference for white, black or brown perches. For perching behaviors, perching time and frequency of transferring from one perch to another was higher on black perches than on white or brown perches in individual groups. In G4 groups, the hens spent more time on white perches during daytime and more frequent transferring during night compared with black or brown perches. The frequency of jumping upon and down from white perches was higher in G8 groups. It can be concluded that although the group sizes in the cage significantly affected most of the general behaviors, we found that no preference of perch color was shown by the caged laying hens in the different group sizes tested in this study.