• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제14권11호
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• pp.1610-1615
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• 2001

Three studies were conducted to determine the effect of sex on pre- and post-weaning performance of pigs. These studies were conducted in response to observations that female pigs appear to grow faster than male pigs after weaning. In addition, female pigs have been found to grow faster than male pigs when supplied with supplemental milk before weaning. The aims of the present work were to further characterise the ontogeny of sex differences growth of nursing and growing pigs. In the first study, piglets sucking 32 sows were crossfostered to produce litters of 10 boars (n=9), 10 gilts (n=l 1) or 5 boars and 5 gilts (n=12). Liveweight of the sucking pigs was then measured weekly until weaning at 4 weeks of age. In the second study, 80 boars and 80 gilts were weaned at 26 days of age and growth performance measured until 21 days post-weaning. In the third experiment, 40 boars and 40 gilts were weaned into groups of 5 pigs at either 17 or 25 days of age and pigs were weighed until they were approximately 90 kg liveweight. All-boar litters grew more slowly than the all-gilt and mixed litters such that by 14 days of age the all-boar litters were 10% lighter than the all-gilt or mixed litters (39 vs. 43.8 kg, p=0.050). The proportional difference in litter weight appeared to be maintained at 21 days of age (53.9 vs. 59.4 kg, p=0.063) but was diminished by 28 days of age (66.5 vs. 70.8 kg, p=0.28). In the second study, gilts grew more quickly than boars over the first 7 and 21 days post-weaning and as a consequence were 10% heavier than boars at 21 days after weaning (13.7 vs 12.48 kg, p=0.001). In the third study, gilts grew more quickly than boars in the immediate 7 days post-weaning (40 vs. 5 g/day, p=0.014) whereas from 7 until 35 days post-weaning there was no significant difference in growth rate (381 vs. 360 g/day, p=0.19). Gilts also grew more quickly than boars over the 14 days after being moved into the grower (631 vs. 570 g/day, p=0.013) and finisher (749 vs. 688 g/day, p=0.038) sheds. However, these differences were not maintained over the entire period in each shed. These data support the hypotheses that gilts handle the stresses of weaning and other transitions better than boars.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.53-60
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• 2020

Objective: The current study was carried out to examine the response of different levels of fat and protein in calf starter on nutrient utilisation, nitrogen metabolism, weight gain, blood parameters, and immunity level in pre-ruminant calves. Methods: Twenty four calves (5 days old) were divided into six groups in a 2×3 factorial design, with two levels of fat (10% and 14%) and three levels of protein (18%, 21%, and 24%). The calves were kept in individual pens for 120 days and fed with whole milk (1/10th of body weight) and calf starter ad-libitum. Daily dry matter intake was recorded; whereas body weight was taken on fortnightly basis to calculate average daily gain. During the growth trial blood samples were collected at 30 days interval to estimate blood glucose, albumin, total protein, total leucocyte count, total immunoglobulins and immunoglobulin G levels. A metabolic trial of seven days was carried out to find out the digestibility of different nutrients. Results: The dry matter intake was reduced (p<0.05) with higher fat and protein levels whereas feed conversion efficiency was improved (p<0.05) with higher protein level. Different levels of fat and protein in calf ration did not affect average daily gain in calves. The dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein digestibility were significantly (p<0.01) higher with increased level of protein. The nitrogen retention was also significantly higher (p<0.05) at 24% protein level, similarly the total immunoglobulin was significantly (p<0.05) high in higher protein fed groups, showed better immunity. Conclusion: The present finding suggested that 10% fat and 18% protein level of calf starter could be used in Sahiwal calves for optimum performance in terms of weight gain and immunity.

• 대한영양사협회학술지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.32-46
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• 2011

This study was conducted in order to improve nutritional support based on analysis of the eating habits and training schedule of junior and senior high school fencers. A survey was conducted on 30 fencers (junior boys=9, girls=7; senior boys=4, girls=10) using a questionnaire. Total daily calorie intakes were 2325.7${\pm}$1168.5 kcal (boy), 2344.0${\pm}$786.3 kcal (girl) for junior fencers and 2183.3${\pm}$726.6 kcal (boys), 2654.4${\pm}$1043.6 kcal (girls) for senior fencers. Nutrients below the RDIs were riboflavin and vitamin C for junior boy fencers and vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C for senior boy fencers. The rates of the participants who had obtained nutritional information were 44.4% (boys) and 14.3% (girls) for junior fencers and 50.0% (boys) and 80.0% (girls) for senior fencers. Approximately half of the fencers had meals twice a day (55.6% for junior boy fencers, 57.1% for junior girl fencers, and 50.0% for senior fencers). The number of the fencers who were interested in nutrition varied: 66.7% and 28.6% of the junior boy and girl fencers answered they were interested in nutrition, while 25% and 60% of the senior boy and girl fencers showed interest in nutrition issues. Recommendations of total calories were 2,874 kcal (boys) and 2,377 kcal (girls) for junior fencers and 3,398 kcal (boys) and 2,375 kcal (girls) for senior fencers respectively. A dietary plan for the fencing players during training periods was designed to improve their health and performance. Athletes can simultaneously refuel and repair their bodies while contributing to their rehydration goals by consuming fluids that are sources of carbohydrates and protein, e.g., flavored milk and liquid meal supplement. Specific sport nutrition education applicable to athletes, especially young athletes, is recommended under professional support. Professionals may then target particular categories of athletes for the development of educational programs aimed at improving growth and athletic performance.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.204-216
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with a multi-strain probiotic (MSP) product containing of Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus faecalis, and Bacillus cerevisiae on growth, health, and fecal bacterial composition of dairy calves during the first month of life. Methods: Forty Holstein calves (24 female and 16 male) at 2 d of age were grouped by sex and date of birth then randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: milk replacer supplementation with 0 g (0MSP), 2 g (2MSP), 4 g (4MSP), and 6 g (6MSP) MSP per calf per day. Results: Supplementation of MSP did not result in any significant differences in parameters of body measurements of calves during the 30 d period. As the dosage of MSP increased, the average daily gain (p = 0.025) and total dry matter intake (p = 0.020) of calves showed a linear increase. The fecal consistency index of the 2MSP, 4MSP, and 6MSP group calves were lower than that of the 0MSP group calves (p = 0.003). As the dosage of MSP increased, the concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.068) and aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.081) in serum tended to decrease, whereas the concentration of total cholesterol increased quadratically (p = 0.021). The relative abundance of Dorea in feces was lower (p = 0.011) in the 2MSP, 4MSP, and 6MSP group calves than that in the 0MSP group calves. The relative abundance of Dorea (p = 0.001), Faecalibacterium (p = 0.050), and Mitsuokella (p = 0.030) decreased linearly, whereas the relative abundance of Prevotella tended to increase linearly as the dosage of MSP increased (p = 0.058). Conclusion: The MSP product can be used to reduce the diarrhea, improve the performance, and alter the composition of the fecal bacteria in neonatal dairy calves under the commercial conditions.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제35권7호
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• pp.999-1009
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• 2022

Objective: To improve the feeding value of rice straw (RS), this study evaluated the potential of rice straw fermented with Pleurotus sajor-caju (FRS) as dairy goat feed. Methods: Spent Pleurotus sajor-caju mushroom substrate was used as fungi inoculum to break the lignocellulose linkage of rice straw, which was solid-fermented at 25℃ to 30℃ for 8 weeks. The ruminal degradation of pangolagrass hay (PG), FRS, and RS were measured in situ for 96 hours in three dry Holstein cows, respectively. Effect of fungi fermented RS on milking performance was studied in feeding trials. A total of 21 Alpine goats a trial were divided into 3 groups: a control group in which PG accounted for 15% of the diet dry matter, and FRS or RS was used to replace the PG in the control group. Goats were fed twice a day under two 28-day trial in individual pens. Meanwhile, a 3×3 Latin square trial (14 days/period) was conducted to study the rumen digestion of three diets by using three fistulated dry goats. Rumen contents were collected for metabolite analyses every one to three hours on the last two days. Results: In situ study showed that fermentation could elevate the rumen degradable fraction and effective degradability of RS (p<0.05). Effective degradability of FRS dry matter was significantly increased from 29.5% of RS to 41.7%. Lactating trial results showed that dry matter intake and milk yield in the PG group and FRS group were similar and higher than those in RS group (p<0.05). The concentration of propionic acid and total volatile fatty acid in the RS group tended to be lower than those in PG group (p<0.10). There were no differences in rumen pH value and ammonia nitrogen level among the groups tested. Conclusion: Fermentation of rice straw by spent Pleurotus sajor-caju mushroom substrate could substantially enhance its feeding value to be equivalent to PG as an effective fiber source for dairy goat. The fermented rice straw is recommended to account for 15% in diet dry matter.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.14-18
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• 2004

본 연구는 인공감미료의 사용확대에 따른 실태 파악 및 실제 섭취량 조사를 통해 현행 사용기준의 안전수준에 대한 안전성을 확보하는 연구의 기초자료로서 우리나라에서 식품첨가물로 허용되어 있는 인공감미료인 삭카린나트륨, 아스파탐, 아세설팜칼륨 및 수크랄로스에 대한 식품 중 분석법을 확립하였으며 결과는 다음과 같다. 먼저 투석이나 정제과정 없이 보다 간편하고 짧은 시간에 효율적으로 시료를 전처리할 수 있는 방법을 시료의 성상에 따라 확립하였다. 고속액체크로마토그래프(HPLC)의 최적 분석조건을 검토한 결과, 삭카린나트륨, 아스파탐 및 아세설팜칼륨의 3종 인공감미료의 분석에 컬럼은 Symmetry $C_{18}(3.9mm\;i.d{\times}150mm,\;5{\mu}m)$, 이동상은 0.005M tetrapropylammonium hydroxide가 함유된 0.01M $KH_{2}PO_{4}$: acetonitrile(9:1, pH 3.5). 측정파장은 210mm로 설정하였다. 수크랄로스의 분석조건은 컬럼은 Symmetry $C_{18}(3.9mm\;i.d{\times}150mm,\;5{\mu}m)$, 이동상은 water: methanol(7:3)을 사용하였고 검출기는 굴절율 검출기(RI), sensitivity=16호 설정하였다. 검출한계는 삭카린나트륨, 아스파탐 및 아세설팜칼륨은 각각 0.1ppm, 수크랄로스는 25ppm으로 측정되었다. 이와 같이 결정된 인공감미료의 최적 분석조건으로 회수율을 측정한 결과 아스파탐 92.5%, 아세설팜칼륨 97.3%, 삭카린나트륨 96.5%, 수크랄로스 93.4%로 양호한 결과를 얻었다. 시중에서 유통되고 있는 제품 중 총 17종 151품목을 다상으로 4종의 인공감미료 함량을 정량한 결과, 아스파탐은 탄산음료 2품목에서 $180.8{\mu}g/g$, 발효음료 4품목에서 $65.3{\mu}g/g$, 껌 2품목에서 $232.5{\mu}g/g$, 사탕 1품목에서 $1,672.0{\mu}g/g$, 혼합제제식품첨가물 2품목에서 $5,259.0{\mu}g/g$이 검출되었으며 아세설팜칼륨은 탄산음료 2품목에서 $110.8{\mu}g/g$, 껌 3품목에서 $250.3{\mu}g/g$, 혼합제제식품첨가물 1품목에서 $2,362.1{\mu}g/g$, 삭카린나트륨은 어묵 1품목에서 $42.3{\mu}g/g$, 수크랄로스는 껌 1품목에서 $120.1{\mu}g/g$이 검출되었으며 검출된 인공감미료는 표시사항과 일치하였다.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제28권6호
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• pp.812-813
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• 1995

Lactococcal cells are nutritionally fastidious and thus, generally cultured either in milk or M17 medium (Terzaghi and Sandine, 1975). In this study, Lactococcus cremoris wild-type (KH) and its less­proteolytic mutant (KHA1) cells were grown on the M17 medium or with modified M17 medium by replicated parallel experiments. The modified M17 medium had the same composition as M17 medium, except that lactose was replaced by glucose. Analyses of culture-broth samples, in which the M17 and the modified M17 media were used, were conducted by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). But, working with these media created noisy problems in analyses of samples. Therefore, a new semi-synthetic medium was developed on the basis of nutritional requirements (Morishita et al., 1981). The composition of the semi-synthetic medium determined on the basis of the nutritional requirements and the composition of milk, is presented in Table 1. The composition of M17 medium is also presented and compared in the table. L. cremoris KH and KHA1 cells were grown again on the new synthetic medium containing glucose or lactose. The broth samples were then drawn and analyzed by HPLC. Clearer separations of fermented products were achieved from the new medium than those with the M17 and the modified M17 media. In comparison with the M17 or the modified M17 media, growth on the new medium was good (Kim et al, 1993). Additional fermentations were also carried out at a controlled pH of 7.0, where enhanced growth of lactococcal cells was obtained. In the fermentations, samples were also analyzed for the concentrations of sugar and lactic acid. The results showed that the new synthetic medium was as good as or better than the M 17 and the modified M 17 media. This is because casein hydrolysate in the synthetic medium provided a ready supply of amino acids and peptides for L. cremoris KH and KHA1 cells. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) including Lactococcal cells have been known to be an effective means of preserving foods, at the same time as giving particular tastes in fields of dairy products. LAB also have always occupied an important place in the technology of sea products, and marine LAB have known to be present in traditional fermented products (Ohhira et al, 1988). To apply the new synthetic medium to marine LAB, two different LAB were isolated from pickled anchovy and pollacks caviar and were grown on the new media in which various concentrations of NaCl $(3, 5, 7 and 10\%)$ added. They were also grown on the medium solution in natural seawater $(35\%o\;salinity)$ and on the solution of natural seawater itself, too. As seen in Fig. 1, Marine LAB were grown best on the synthetic medium solution in natural seawater and the higher concentrations of NaCl were added to the medium, the longer lag-phase of growth profile appeared. Marine LAB in natural seawater were not grown well. From these results, the synthetic medium seems good to cultivate cells which are essential to get salted fish aged. In this study, it showed that the new synthetic medium provided adequate nutrition for L. cremoris KH and KHA1 cells, which have been used as cheese starters (Stadhouders et al, 1988). Using this new medium, the acid production capability of starter cultures could be also measured quantitatively. Thus, this new medium was inferior to the M17 or the modified M17 medium in culturing the cheese starters and in measuring fermentation characteristics of the starter cells. Moreover, this new medium found to be good for selected and well-identified marine LAB which are used in rapid fermentations of low-salted fish.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.410-418
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• 2010

황색포도상구균은 사람과 동물에서 화농성 질환과 위장관계 질환을 일으키는 세균으로 자연계에 널리 상재하며 식품으로의 감염이 일어날 수 있어 식중독의 원인이 된다. 이에 신속하고 정확한 황색포도상구균의 검출이 요구되는 실정이다. 본 연구에서는 상재균의 오염도가 다른 다양한 축산 가공식품과 비가공식품에서 황색포도상구균의 검출을 위해 표준 시험법인 배지법과 자체 개발한 real-time PCR법의 검출도를 비교하였고 황색포도상구균 coagulase 확인시험과 real-time PCR법을 활용한 colony PCR 확인 시험을 비교하여 균 동정 능력을 비교하였다. 상재균 수가 적은 식품인 우유와 소시지 그리고 상대적으로 상재균수가 많은 생 돼지고기와 야채 샐러드를 샘플로 선정하여 인위적으로 500 g 혹은 mL의 샘플을 25 g씩 20개의 시료샘플로 나누어 실험하였을 때에 최소한 한 개 이상 양성 결과가 나오도록 황색포도상구균을 접종하여 배지법과 realtime PCR법을 시행하여 검출능력을 비교하였다. 배지법에서 획득한 의심 집락의 확인 동정은 coagulase 시험과 realtime PCR법을 활용한 colony PCR 확인시험을 병행하여 비교하였으며 각각의 결과를 real-time PCR법으로 신속 검출한 결과와 비교하였다. 식품 내 상재균 수가 적은 축산 가공식품인 우유나 소시지 등에서 황색포도상구균을 검출할 경우에는 배지법의 coagulase 확인시험과 colony PCR 확인시험과의 유의차가 없었으며 colony PCR 확인시험을 이용한 확인동정 결과와 real-time PCR법을 사용한 24시간 신속 검출 결과 사이에도 역시 유의차가 없었다. 반면에 상대적으로 상재균수가 많은 비가공식품인 생 돼지고기나 야채 샘플에서는 coagulase 시험법을 사용한 황색포도상구균의 확인동정은 유효성이 매우 떨어졌으며 colony PCR 확인시험 결과와 유의적인 차이를 보였다. Real-time PCR법을 사용한 24시간 신속 검출법은 배지법의 coagulase 시험법의 양성 수보다 낮은 검출률을 보였으나 colony PCR 확인시험보다 높은 검출률을 보여 상재균 수가 높은 샘플에서도 배지법을 대체해서 사용할 수 있는 효율적인 방법임을 보여주었다. 이러한 결과를 종합해 볼 때 본 연구에서 개발한 realtime PCR법은 기존 배지법을 대체하여 24시간 이내에 신속하게 황색포도상구균을 검출할 수 있고 coagulase 확인 시험을 대체할 수 있는 방법으로 여겨진다.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제41권6호
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• pp.861-869
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• 2012

향후 학교급식 식재료 공급업체에 대한 합리적인 관리 및 평가 체계 구축을 위한 기초 자료를 제공하고자 본 연구에서는 공급업체 선정방법(경쟁입찰계약, 수의계약)에 따른 학교급식 식재료 구매실태와 공급업체 수행도를 비교 분석하고자 하였다. 본 연구의 목적을 달성하기 위해 창원시 관내 초 중 고등학교 영양(교)사를 대상으로 설문 조사를 실시하였다. 2010년 6월 29일부터 9월 28일까지 총 190부를 배부하여 167부(회수율: 87.9%)가 회수되었고, 이 중 응답 내용이 불충분한 16부를 제외하고 총 151부(분석율: 79.5%)를 최종 분석 자료로 사용하였다. 첫째, 조사대상자의 일반 사항으로서, 영양(교)사는 전부 여성이었으며 평균연령은 36.87세로 31~40세 이하가 49.0%로 가장 많았고, 직위는 영양교사가 52.3%로 약간 더 많았으며 54.3%가 초등학교에 근무하고 있었다. 학교근무경력은 평균 10.86년이었으며, 평균 1일 식수인원은 931.17명이었고 78.8%가 1일 1식을 급식하고 있었으며, 평균 1식 순수 식재료비는 1,937.50원이었다. 둘째, 경쟁입찰계약을 이용한 식재료 구매실태 조사 결과, 91.4%의 학교에서 경쟁입찰계약에 의해 식재료를 구매하고 있었고, 그중 제한경쟁입찰 계약 방법을 주로 사용하고 있었다. 경쟁입찰계약으로 구매하는 식재료는 일반 농산물, 일반 가공품, 친환경 농산물(과일), 친환경 가공품, 일반 가금류, 수산물, 친환경 곡류, 무항생제 가금류, 일반 곡류, 김치류, 육류, 우유류 순으로 많았다. 셋째, 수의계약 방법을 이용한 식재료 구매실태를 조사한 결과 78.8%의 학교에서 식재료를 수의계약으로 구매하고, 단일견적 계약이 59.7%로 조금 많았다. 수의계약을 사용하는 식재료는 육류 84.9%, 김치류 47.9%, 수산물 42.0%의 순으로 많이 이용하였다. 넷째, 식재료 구매 품목별로 경쟁입찰계약과 수의계약에 의한 구매 방법의 차이를 분석한 결과 김치류를 제외한 전 품목에서 유의한 차이가 있었다. 즉 육류(p<0.001)와 우유류(p<0.001)와 같은 단일품목은 주로 수의계약방법에 의해 구매가 이루어지고 있었으며, 일반 농산물(p<0.001), 수산물(p<0.001), 일반 가금류(p<0.001), 무항생제 가금류(p<0.001), 친환경 곡류(p<0.001), 친환경 농산물(과일)(p<0.001), 친환경 가공품(p<0.001), 일반 가공품(p<0.001), 일반 곡류(p<0.001)의 품목들은 주로 경쟁입찰계약에 의해 구매가 이루어지고 있었다. 다섯째, 경쟁입찰계약과 수의계약의 학교급식 공급업체의 수행도를 비교 분석한 결과 경쟁입찰계약이 수의계약보다 제품의 가격에 대한 수행도만 유의적으로 높았고(p<0.001) '전반적인 수행도(p<0.01)'와 '제품의 포장 상태(p<0.01)', '납품 시 제품 품질(p<0.001)', '제품의 위생(p<0.001)', '현품설명서와의 일치도(p<0.001)', '반품 및 교환의 신속함(p<0.001)', '비상시 배송 능력(p<0.001)', '배송직원의 서비스(p<0.05)', '불만사항에 대한 처리(p<0.001)'의 세부 항목에서 수의계약에 의한 공급업체의 수행도가 경쟁입찰계약에 의한 공급업체의 수행도 수준보다 높았다. 본 연구 결과를 토대로 향후 학교급식 식재료 공급업체의 공정한 선정과 합리적인 평가를 위해 제언을 하면 다음과 같다. 첫째 학교급식에 있어서 구매 관리에 대한 인식 전환이 필요하다. 즉 학교급식에서 구매 관리를 단순히 급식에 필요한 식재료를 구매하는 활동으로 인식하는 것이 아니라 급식 품질 경영도구 및 급식 운영의 핵심적인 기능으로써 인식되어야 할 것이다. 둘째, 학교급식 식재료 공급업체에 대한 합리적인 평가 기준과 평가 체계가 이루어져야 할 것이다. 기존의 위생관리 위주의 단면적인 평가에서 벗어나 학교급식 식재료 공급업체 수행도에 대한 다각적 측면에서의 평가를 하여야 할 것이다. 즉 현재 주로 이루어지고 있는 시설 설비 위주의 평가에서 벗어나 학교급식 식재료 공급 능력에 대한 전반적인 평가로 범위를 넓혀가야 할 것이다. 즉 조달 및 배송 능력(식재료 조달 능력, 배송 체계, 비상시 배송 능력 등), 식재료(품질, 가격, 위생, 포장상태, 구매명세서와의 일치도 등), 서비스(배송 직원의 서비스, 입고시간 준수, 반품 및 교환의 신속함, 불만사항에 대한 처리 등), 행정 사무(회계 관련 서류, 위생 관련 서류 등)의 다양한 측면에서의 평가가 이루어져야 하겠다. 그와 함께 주기적인 평가를 실시하여 학교급식 식재료의 공급이 안정적이고 효율적으로 이루어질 수 있도록 하여야 할 것이다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.202-210
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• 2013

This study elucidated the effects of limited concentrate feeding on growth, plasma profile, and gene expression of gluconeogenic enzymes and visfatin in the liver of Hanwoo beef calves. The purpose of this study was to test that reducing the amount of concentrate would partially be compensated by increasing the intake of forage and by altering the metabolic status. The study utilized 20 Korean native beef calves (Hanwoo; 60 to 70 d of age) divided into two groups of 10 calves each for 158 d. Control group calves received the amount of concentrate as per the established Korean feeding standards for Hanwoo, whereas calves in the restricted group only received half the amount of concentrate as per standard requirements. Good quality forage (Timothy hay) was available for ad libitum consumption to both groups. Since calves were with their dam until 4 months of age in breeding pens before weaning, the intake of milk before weaning was not recorded, however, the concentrate and forage intakes were recorded daily. Body weights (BW) were recorded at start and on 10 d interval. Blood samples were collected at start and at 50 d interval. On the final day of the experiment, liver biopsies were collected from all animals in each group. The BW was not different between the groups at all times, but tended to be higher (p = 0.061) only at final BW in control than restricted group. Total BW gain in the control group was 116.2 kg as opposed to 84.1 kg in restricted group that led to average BW gain of 736 g/d and 532 g/d in respective groups, and the differences were significant (p<0.01). As planned, the calves in the control group had higher concentrate and lower forage intake than the restricted group. The plasma variables like total protein and urea were higher (p<0.05) in control than restricted group. The mRNA expressions for the gluconeogenic enzymes such as cytosolic phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.32) and pyruvate carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.1), and visfatin measured by quantitative real-time PCR in liver biopsies showed higher expression (p<0.05) in restricted group than control. Overall, restricting concentrate severely reduced the growth intensity and affected few plasma indices, and gene expression in liver was increased indicating that restricting concentrate in the feeding schemes during early growth for beef calves is not advocated.