• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.77-88
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• 2005

The effect of different particle sizes of scoria inclusion in weanling-growing-finishing diets on growth performance and carcass quality was investigated in this study. Treatments were the control (basal diet), and 3 scoria treatments with different partical sizes (500, 1,000, 1,700 ${\mu}m$, respectively) in which $3\%$ of basal diet was replaced by scoria. This study was carried out for 143 days using 84 pigs. Each treatment has 3 replicates (4 gilts and 3 barrows per pen). 1. During nursery period, all scoria treatment levels showed poor Average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency compared to the control. During growing period, The ADG and feed efficiency of pigs fed the $1,000\;{\mu}m$ swine treatment tended to improve. For the whole growth period (d 0-143), $1,000\;{\mu}m$ scoria treatment showed significantly higher (P<0.05) ADG and feed efficiency than the $1,700\;{\mu}m$ scoria treatment. 2. Carcass weight was higher in all of scoria treatment levels Either the control (P<0.05), while backfat thickness was unaffected among treatments. Carcass Grade A or B grade appearance was more evident in all of scoria treatments compared to the control. 3. Hunter L value was numerically higher in the control while there was no significant differences among the control, $1,000\;{\mu}m$ scoria and $1,700\;{\mu}m$. Hunter a value was highest (P<0.05) in $1,000\;{\mu}m$ scoria, while Hunter b values were not influenced by the scoria treatment levels. 4. The different scoria treatment levels reduced N and P excretion. For growing period, $1,000\;{\mu}m$ scoria was most efficient in reducing N excretion, while during the finishing period, $1,700\;{\mu}m$ scoria was the best. The P excretion was affected by scoria particle size during growing-finishing periods rather than weanling period. The above findings indicated that the inclusion of different scoria partical sizes in nursery diet resulted to adverse effects on growth performance in contrast to the growing finishing diets wherein the growth performance and carcass quality were not affected. Finally, scoria regardless of particle size proved to be effective in reducing N and P excretion and can be considered an environment friendly mineral source for growing-finishing hog diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.1154-1161
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• 2000

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of cupric citrate (Cu-citrate) relative to cupric sulfate $(CuSO_4)$ as a Cu source for weanling and grow-finish pigs. In addition, the use of liver and bile Cu concentrations as indices of the bioavailability of Cu sources was investigated. Experiment one consisted of a nursery phase (35 d; initial BW=6.4 kg, final BW=21.4 kg) followed by a grow-finish phase (103 d; initial BW=21.5 kg, final BW=111.7 kg). Experiment two only consisted of a nursery phase (35 d; initial BW=6.3 kg, final BW=18.6 kg). Dietary treatments were identical for both experiments and consisted of: control (10 ppm $CuSO_4$); control+66 or 225 ppm $CuSO_4$; control+33, 66, or 100 ppm Cu-citrate. An antibiotic was included in diets for Exp. 1 but not Exp. 2. In both experiments, growth performance variables were similar for pigs receiving Cu-citrate and $CuSO_4$; however, growth performance was not improved by high concentrations of $CuSO_4$. Liver and bile Cu were increased (p<0.05) by 225 ppm $CuSO_4$; however, lower dietary concentrations of Cu from either $CuSO_4$ or Cu-citrate did not affect the Cu concentration of liver or bile relative to that observed in the control pigs. Irrespective of Cu source, there was no linear (p>0.10) increase in plasma Cu with increasing Cu concentrations in the diet for both experiments. However, the plasma Cu concentrations were highest (p<0.10) in pigs receiving diets supplemented with 225 ppm $CuSO_4$. Sixteen randomly chosen pigs per treatment in Exp. 1 were continued through the grow-finish phase. Body weight gain and feed intake were improved (p<0.10) by 66 ppm $CuSO_4$, but other dietary Cu treatments did not alter pig performance compared to the control diet. Plasma Cu concentrations were increased (p<0.10) by 225 ppm $CuSO_4$ in the growing phase and by 225 ppm $CuSO_4$ and 100 ppm Cu-citrate in the finishing phase. These data reveal no consistent effect of $CuSO_4$ on performance; therefore, it is difficult to assess the efficacy of these two Cu sources. In addition, these studies demonstrate that liver and bile Cu are not good indicators of Cu bioavailability in pigs fed adequate to pharmacological concentrations of Cu.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.558-564
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• 1999

A series of experiments were conducted to determine the effects of standard (ST), long-term (LT), and expander (EX) conditioners on nutritional value of phase-three nursery and finishing swine diets. In Exp. 1, 180 pigs (average initial BW of 11.7 kg) were fed com-soybean meal based diets (1.3% lysine) during a 28 d growth assay. Gain/feed was improved (p<0.004) with pelleting and pellet durability index (PDI) increased with degree of conditioning (LT>ST). However, there was no advantage for LT vs ST conditioning in rate or efficiency of gain (p>0.5). In Exp. 2, 180 pigs (average initial BW of 10.4 kg) were fed con-soybean meal based diets (0.9% lysine) during a 28 d growth assay, Pelleted diets tended to support greater ADG (p<0.08) and gain/feed (p<0.002) with no marked advantage from EX vs ST conditioning. In Exp 3, a total of 70 barrows (average initial BW of 54 kg) was used in a growth assay to determine the effects of feeding a com-soybean meal based diet processed with a standard (ST) steam conditioner, a long-term (LT) steam conditioner, and an expander (EX) conditioner. The conditioned diets were fed as mash (M) or pellets (P) to give a $2{\times}3$ factorial plus a meal control. PDI increased with degree of conditioning (EX>LT>ST). There was a trend (p<0.07) for greater ADG in pigs fed diets that had been thermally conditioned. Also, there was a general advantage in gain/feed with pelleting (p<0.04), but this advantage was pronounced only with standard conditioning. Indeed, the greatest gain/feed was observed for pigs fed the expander treatments (p<0.03) and the expander mash was used as efficiently as the expander pellets. There was no difference in backfat thickness among pigs fed the treatments (p>0.3). but the more extreme the processing technique. the greater the incidence and severity of stomach lesions (p<0.04). These results suggest maximum rate and efficiency of growth with pelleting after standard steam conditioning or simply feeding an expanded mash.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1985-1990
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• 2020

Objective: The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of fat-soluble vitamin injection on plasma and tissue vitamin status in nursery pigs. Methods: A total of 16 pigs (initial body weight: 7.15±1.1 kg) were allotted to 2 treatments at d 7 post-weaning. Pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal-based basal diet with no supplemental vitamin A and i.m. injected with 300,000 IU of retinyl palmitate, 900 IU of d-α-tocopherol and 30,000 IU of vitamin D₃ with control pigs having no vitamin injection. Blood (d 0, 3, 7, and 14 post-injection) and tissue samples (liver, brain, heart, lung, and muscle; d 7 and 14 post-injection) were collected from pigs. Retinyl palmitate, retinol, and α-tocopherol concentrations were analyzed in plasma and tissues, while plasma was assayed for 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD₃). Results: Plasma retinol and 25-OHD₃ concentrations increased by the vitamin injection from d 3 to 14 post-injection (p<0.05) whereas plasma retinyl palmitate was detected only in the vitamin treatment at d 3 and 7 post-injection (115.51 and 4.97 ㎍/mL, respectively). Liver retinol, retinyl palmitate, and retinol+retinyl palmitate concentrations increased by retinyl palmitate injection at d 7 and 14 post-injection (p<0.05) whereas those were not detected in the other tissues. The d-α-tocopherol injection increased α-tocopherol concentrations in plasma at d 3 and 7 post-injection (p<0.05) and in liver, heart (p<0.10), and muscle (p<0.05) at d 7 post-injection. Conclusion: Fat-soluble vitamin injection increased plasma status of α-tocopherol, retinol, retinyl palmitate and 25-OHD₃. As plasma levels decreased post-injection, vitamin A level in liver and vitamin E level in muscle, heart and liver increased. The α-tocopherol found in plasma after injection was distributed to various tissues but retinyl palmitate only to the liver.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1874-1879
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• 2007

A total of one hundred and forty four weaned pigs with an average BW of $8.09{\pm}0.05$ kg were used in a 28 day study to investigate the effects of fermented soy protein on growth performance, blood urea nitrogen and total protein concentrations in serum and nutrient digestibility in weaner pigs. Pigs were blocked by initial body weight and randomly allocated to one of four dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. There were six replications per treatment. Dietary treatments included: SBM (corn-soybean meal basal diet), F 5, 10 and 15 (fermented soy product was used at 5, 10 and 15% to replace soybean meal in basal diet, respectively). ADG (average daily gain) and ADFI (average daily feed intake) were not affected (p>0.05) by dietary treatments during the entire 4-wk study period. There were linear increments in feed efficiency (p<0.01) as the dietary FSP level increased during the entire feeding period. No significant differences were observed for dry matter and nitrogen digestibility during the experimental period (p>0.05). Digestibilities of histidine, lysine and methionine were increased as the FSP level increased (linear effect, p<0.05, p<0.01). Among non-essential amino acids, alanine, glutamic acid, serine, tyrosine and total non essential amino acid digestibilities were increased linearly (p<0.05, p<0.01). There were quadratic effects in protein digestibility (p<0.05). Total amino acid digestibility of the F15 diet was improved compared with the F5 diet (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in fecal consistency score among the treatments (p>0.05). At the end of experiment, BUN (blood urea nitrogen) concentration was increased as the FSP level increased (linear effect, p<0.01) and total protein concentration was lowest (p<0.05) for pigs fed the SBM diet among treatments. In conclusion, the feeding of 10 or 15% FSP to nursery pigs improved feed efficiency, amino acid digestibility and blood urea nitrogen and total protein concentrations in blood.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.305-314
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• 2002

For the Exp. 1, a total of seventy two pigs (10.53${\pm}$0.02kg average initial body weight) were used in a 38-d growth assay to determine the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) supplementation on growth performance and fecal microbial populations. Dietary treatments included 1) CON (corn-dried whey-SBM based diet), 2) SC0.2 (CON diet+0.2% SC) and 3) SC0.4 (CON diet+0.4% SC). Through the entire experimental period, ADG, ADFI and gain/feed were not significantly different among the treatments. At d 7 and 14 after the onset of the experiment, fecal Lactobacilli sp. count increased as the concentration of SC in the diets was increased (linear effect, P$<$0.01). At d 7 after the onset of the experiment, fecal Escherichia coli count decreased as the concentration of SC in the diets was increased (linear effect, P$<$0.02, quadratic effect, P$<$0.03). For the Exp. 2, forty five pigs (49.71${\pm}$0.45kg average initial body weight) were used in a 28-d growth assay to determine the effects of complex probiotics (CPB, Phichia anomala ST, Galactomyces geotrichum SR59, Thiobacillus sp.) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and fecal $NH_3$-N and volatile fatty acid concentrations. Dietary treatments included 1) CON (corn-SBM based diet), 2) CPB0.2 (CON diet+0.2% CPB) and 3) CPB0.3 (CON diet+0.3% CPB). Through the entire experimental period, pigs fed CPB0.3 diet significantly increased their ADG compared to pigs fed CON and CPB0.2 diets (P$<$0.05). Also, apparent digestibility of DM and N in pigs fed CPB0.3 diet was greater than for pigs fed CON diet (P$<$0.05). Fecal $NH_3$-N decreased (P$<$0.05) in the pigs fed CPB diet compared to pigs fed CON diets. Also, pigs fed CPB0.3 diet significantly decreased their fecal propionic acid compared to pigs fed CON diets (P$<$0.05). In conclusion, the results obtained from these feeding trials suggest that the dietary SC for nursery pigs affects fecal microbial population. In finishing pigs, supplemental CPB was effective to improve ADG and nutrient digestibility but to decrease fecal noxious gas emission.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.872-876
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to evaluate Biocom (a protein source containing a high level of glutamine and alanyl-glutamine) as a replacement for glutamine (Gln) in nursery pig diets. Forty-two pigs (fourteen pigs per treatment) weaned at 28 d of age were used in a 28-d performance trial using three dietary treatments: control (no Gln), control supplemented with Gln or Biocom. The control diet was composed of corn, soybean meal, whey and fish meal. Individual body weight, pen feed disappearance and diarrhea were monitored. On d 0, 2, 7 and 14 postweaning, respectively, five pigs per treatment were selected and bled from the anterior vena cava to obtain five replicate samples of blood on each dietary treatment for determination of blood biochemical index. Dietary supplementation of Gln and Biocom did not influence performance, plasma Gln and total serum protein concentration (p>0.05). However, the addition of Gln and Biocom could prevent serum urea nitrogen and serum cortisol from increasing on d 2 postweaning (p<0.05). There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in any of the examined parameters between Gln- and Biocom-supplemented diets. In conclusion, dietary Gln did not influence the performance of early-weaned piglets owing to the complex diet containing whey, but could prevent the increase of serum urea and cortisol. Biocom could be used as a replacement for free pure Gln without any negative effect on early-weaned piglets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.974-979
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• 2000

A total of 80 weaned piglets (Landrace $\times$ Yorkshire $\times$ Large White) were used in a 28-day growth assay to detennine the optimal inclusion level of sodium sulfite ($Na_{2}SO_{3}$) as an extrusion enhancer of soybean meal for nursery piglets. piglets (21 d of age, 6.04 kg of BW) were grouped into 4 treatments in a completely randomized block design. Treatments were: 1) Extruded SBM (Control), 2) Extruded SBM with 0.5% $Na_{2}SO_{3}$ (0.5 ESBM), 3) Extruded SBM with 1.0% $Na_{2}SO_{3}$ (1.0 ESBM) and 4) Extruded SBM with 1.5% $Na_{2}SO_{3}$ (1.5 ESBM). Each treatment has 4 replicates of 5 heads per pen. In phase I (d 0 to 14), diets supplied 3,400 kcal ME/kg, 23% crude protein, 1.65% lysine, 0.50% methionine, 0.9% Ca and 0.8% P. Phase II (d 14 to 28) diets contained 3,300 kcal ME/kg, 21% crude protein, 1.45% lysine, 0.45% methionine, 0.9% Ca and 0.8% P. For d 0 to 14, piglets fed 1.5 ESBM had greater ADG, ADFI and FCR compared to piglets fed control and 0.5 ESBM diet. ADG was significantly higher in piglets fed 1.5 ESBM diet than other groups (p<0.05) except 1.0 ESBM. In phase II (d 14 to 28), there was no significant differences in production traits among treatments. For overall period (d 0 to 28), piglets fed diets with high sodium sulfite grew faster than piglets fed control and 0.5 ESBM diets. The highest ADG and the best FeR were obtained in piglets fed diets with 1.5 ESBM during the entire period. Piglets fed 1.5 ESBM diet showed significantly higher crude protein digestibility than 0.5 ESBM (p<0.05) at d 14 post-weanling, but not at d 28 post-weanling. There were no significant differences in digestibilities of total amino acids. In conclusion, the addition level of 1~1.5% sodium sulfite for SBM extrusion could be favorable for rate and efficiency of growth in weaning pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.987-992
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• 2015

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of palm kernel expellers on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood profiles of weaned pigs. A total of 88 weaned pigs ($6.94{\pm}0.76kg$ body weight [BW]; 28 d old) were randomly allotted to 2 dietary treatments (4 pigs/pen; 11 replicates/treatment) in a randomized complete block design (sex as a block). The dietary treatments were a typical nursery diet based on corn and soybean meal (CON) and CON added with 20% of palm kernel expellers (PKE). Pigs were fed for 6 wk using a 3-phase feeding program with declining diet complexity and with phases of 1, 2, and 3 wk, respectively. Blood was collected from randomly selected 2 pigs in each pen before weaning and on d 7 after weaning. Pigs were fed respective dietary treatments containing 0.2% chromic oxide from d 29 to 35 after weaning. Fecal samples were collected from randomly selected 2 pigs in each pen daily for the last 3 days after the 4-d adjustment period. Measurements were growth performances, digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and energy, white and red blood cell counts, packed cell volume, and incidence of diarrhea. The PKE increased average daily gain (ADG) (246 vs 215 g/d; p = 0.06) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (470 vs 343 g/d; p<0.05) and decreased gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) (0.522 vs 0.628 g/g; p<0.05) during phase 2 compared with CON, but did not affect growth performance during phase 1 and 3. During overall experimental period, PKE increased ADG (383 vs 362 g/d; p = 0.05) and ADFI (549 vs 496 g/d; p<0.05) compared with CON, but did not affect G:F. However, no differences were found on digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and energy between CON and PKE. The PKE reduced frequency of diarrhea (15% vs 25%; p = 0.08) for the first 2 wk after weaning compared with CON. Similarly, PKE decreased white blood cells (8.19 vs $9.56{\times}10^3/{\mu}L$; p = 0.07), red blood cells (2.92 vs $3.25{\times}10^6/{\mu}L$; p = 0.09), and packed cell volume (11.1% vs 12.6%; p = 0.06) on d 7 after weaning compared with CON. In conclusion, addition of 20% palm kernel expellers to nursery diet based on corn and soybean meal had no negative effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood profiles of weaned pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.1266-1270
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• 2004

Humic substances include several biological active and inactive compounds that are commonly used for improving soil fertility. Use of humic substances in swine diets is a novel concept. Humic substances contain 8,700 mg/kg of iron but its bioavailability is unknown. This study was conducted to test the bioavailability of iron in humic substances for nursery pigs. One hundred twenty five pigs (Newsham, Colorado Springs, CO) were not given supplemental iron while nursing for 21 d. Pigs were weaned on d 21 and allotted to one of five treatments (four control treatments with different levels of supplemented iron; 0, 30, 70 and 88 mg/kg from ${FeSO}_4$ and one treatment with 70 mg/kg iron from humic substances). Pigs were fed diets for 5 wk ad libitum and water was accessible freely. Body weight and feed intake were measured weekly. Blood samples were taken from pigs on d 28 to measure the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin concentration. Pigs fed a diet with the humic substances grew faster (p<0.05) during the first week postweaning, but performance was not different during the entire 5 wk period. Feed intake and gain/feed were the same among treatments. The slope ratio technique was used to estimate relative iron bioavailability. The concentration of blood hemoglobin did not respond to dietary iron levels using this model. However, the number of red blood cells (106/$\mu$l) was modeled by 4.438+0.017${\times}$ 'ron (mg/kg) from ${FeSO}_4$'0.012${\times}$'ron (mg/kg) from the humic substances' Based on the comparison between the slopes (0.012 from humic substances and 0.017 from ${FeSO}_4$), iron in humic substances was 71% as available as the iron in ${FeSO}_4$. The slopes for dietary feed intake of ${FeSO}_4$ and the iron in humic substances did not differ (p>0.05). Humic substances can replace ${FeSO}_4$ as an alternative iron source for pigs at 71% relative bioavailability.