• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.333-339
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• 2011

The present study was performed to investigate the effects of pre- and post-weaning feeding programs on growth of pigs. A total of 24 litters (avg. 10.6 piglets/litter) born from multiparous (Yorkshire ${\times}$ Landrace) dams ${\times}$ Duroc sires were provided with neither creep feed (CF) nor milk replacer ("CON"), 200 gm CF/litter/d from the 15th day of lactation ("MIN"), or CF and milk replacer ad libitum for 7 h during the daytime from the 7th day ("MAX") through weaning at d 21 of age. Sixty-eight weanling pigs selected randomly from each of CON and MIN were provided with phases 1, 2 and 3 nursery diets for 7, 14, and 13 days, respectively, in two pens; an equal number of piglets from MAX received the same diets for 6, 10, and 18 days, respectively. Subsequently, all pigs were fed grower 1 and 2 diets sequentially up to d 95 and 135, respectively. The entire pre- and post-weaning feeding trial was repeated three times under a split-plot design of experiment. Initial and final weights and ADG of the suckling pigs did not differ between MAX/MIN and CON. However, final wt of MAX adjusted for initial wt, which was 0.17-kg less in MAX than in CON, was greater than that of CON by 0.31kg, whereas the difference between MIN and CON in final wt barely changed after the adjustment. Growth of the animals during the nursery and growing phases was not affected by the feeding program, whereas d 55 and 135 BW, as well as d 6 BW, were highly correlated with weaning weight (r=0.81, 0.57, and 0.76; P<0.001, <0.05, and <0.001, respectively). In conclusion, results suggest that provision of creep feed and milk replacer from early lactation may be effective for increasing weight gain of light piglets, but that limited provision of creep feed during late lactation or extension of the duration of phases 1 and 2 vs. 3 nursery diets for several days is unlikely to influence the growth of pigs during the corresponding and subsequent periods.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.278-286
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• 2018

Objective: Two experiments were conducted to evaluate vitamin $D_3$ administration to nursery pigs by injection or in drinking water on serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol ($25-OHD_3$) concentrations. Methods: At weaning, 51 pigs (27 and 24 pigs in experiments 1 and 2, respectively) were allotted to vitamin $D_3$ treatments. Treatments in experiment 1 were: i) control (CON), no vitamin administration beyond that in the diet, ii) intramuscular (IM) injection of 40,000 IU of vitamin $D_3$ at weaning, and iii) water administration, 5,493 IU of vitamin $D_3/L$ drinking water for 14 d post-weaning. Treatments in experiment 2 were: i) control (CON), no vitamin administration, and ii) water administration, 92 IU of $d-{\alpha}-tocopherol$ and 5,493 IU of vitamin $D_3/L$ drinking water for 28 d post-weaning. The lightest 2 pigs within each pen were IM injected with an additional 1,000 IU of $d-{\alpha}-tocopherol$, 100,000 IU of retinyl palmitate, and 100,000 IU of vitamin $D_3$. Results: In both experiments, serum $25-OHD_3$ was changed after vitamin $D_3$ administration (p<0.05). In experiment 1, injection and water groups had greater values than CON group through d 35 and 21 post-administration, respectively (p<0.05). In experiment 2, serum values peaked at d 3 post-administration in the injection groups regardless of water treatments (p<0.05) whereas CON and water-only groups had peaks at d 14 and 28 post-administration, respectively (p<0.05). Even though the injection groups had greater serum $25-OHD_3$ concentrations than the non-injection groups through d 7 post-administration regardless of water treatments (p<0.05), the water-only group had greater values than the injection-only group from d 21 post-administration onward (p<0.05). Conclusion: Serum $25-OHD_3$ concentrations in pigs increased either by vitamin $D_3$ injection or drinking water administration. Although a single vitamin $D_3$ injection enhanced serum $25-OHD_3$ concentrations greater than water administration in the initial period post-administration, a continuous supply of vitamin $D_3$ via drinking water could maintain higher serum values than the single injection.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.463-469
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• 2003

Eight nursery to grower pigs exhibiting weight loss and sudden death were diagnosed as postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) based on the results of gross findings, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, fluorescent antibody test, virus isolation, PCR, serology, and electron microscopy. Groosly, the pigs had a rough hair coats and were severely emaciated. And moot lymph nodes were pale and enlarged. Lungs were not fully collapsed and exhibited 10 to 40% pale red cranioventral consolidation. Histopathologically, typical lymphohistiocytic interstitial to bronchointerstitial pneumonia, chronic lymphadenitis, severe lymphoid depletion, and basophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions were noted in the most lymphoid tissues. Porcine circovirus panicles were observed in the inguinal lymph node of the pigs by electron microscopy. Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) antigens or viral DNAs were detected in the lesions of all pigs using immunohistochemistry or PCR. Two PCV2 were isolated from a homogenate of pooled lung and lymph node in 2 of the 5 pigs. Additionally, antigens of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and Hemophilus (H.) parasuis were also detected by immunofluorescent antibody test. Serologically, 55% of randomly selected sows and fattening pigs was serum antibody positive to PCV2 by an indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test and approximately 18 % of animals in the herd were serologically pooitive by the ELISA kit for PRRSV. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PMWS co-infected with PCV-2, PRRS, and H. parasuis in Korea.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.1326-1331
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• 2003

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of Toyocerin, a probiotic containing Bacillus toyoi spores, on the health status and productivity of pigs, during nursery, growing and finishing phases. On a commercial farrow-to-finish farm in Greece, 3 experimental groups were formed, each of 72 weaned piglets. The pigs of the first group (T1 group; negative controls) received normal feed with no antimicrobials or probiotics, the pigs of the second group (T2 group) received the same type of feed but supplemented with 1.0${\times}$10$^9$, 0.5${\times}$10$^9$ and 0.2${\times}$10$^9$ spores per kg of feed at weaning, growing and finishing stage, respectively, and the pigs of the third group (T3 group) were fed with Toyocerin at the dose of 1.0${\times}$10$^9$ spores per kg of feed during the entire fattening period (weaning, growing and finishing stages). The results have shown that, compared to the controls, Toyocerin treated pigs had reduced incidence of postweaning diarrhoea (p<0.05). Enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli were detected in faecal samples of 0% to 25% of pigs of the treated groups, but in 33.5% to 50% of pigs of the non-treated group (p<0.05). Over the negative controls, a significant improvement of weight gain (4.5% and 8.3% for T2 and T3 groups, respectively), and of feed conversion ratio (6.6% and 13.0% for T2 and T3 groups, respectively) was observed. The 76.5% of the carcasses of the T3 group was classified in the top three categories of the EUROP scale (S, E and U), whilst the respective figures were 47.8% for T2 group and only 10.5% for T1 group (p<0.05).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.252-261
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• 2008

Two experiments were conducted to compare the effects of feeding organic acids and antibiotic growth promoters in weaned pigs. In Exp. 1, 96 nursery pigs (Large White$\times$Landrace; initial weight $7.80{\pm}0.07kg$) were randomly allotted into one of four dietary treatments. Pigs in treatment 1 were fed a complex starter diet. Treatments 2 to 4 were the same as treatment 1 but supplemented with antibiotics (200 ppm chlortetracycline plus 60 ppm Lincospectin), 0.5% potassium diformate or 0.5% dry organic acid blend ACTIVATE Starter DA (ASD). During the 4-week post-weaning period, pigs fed ASD or antibiotics had better gain (p = 0.03) and feed efficiency (p = 0.04) than pigs fed the control diet. On d 14 post-weaning, pigs fed the control diet had the lowest fecal lactobacilli count among all dietary treatments (p = 0.02), whereas pigs fed ASD or antibiotics had a trend for lower fecal E. coli count compared to the control pigs (p = 0.08). Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) of pigs fed ASD did not differ from pigs fed the control diet (p>0.05) at d 14 after weaning. In Exp. 2, 24 weaned pigs (Large White$\times$Long White; initial weight $5.94{\pm}0.33kg$) were allotted into four groups and housed individually. Pigs were fed a control diet or diets supplemented with antibiotics (100 ppm colistin sulfate, 50 ppm Kitasamycin plus 60 ppm Olaquindox), 0.5% or 1% ASD. All pigs were orally challenged with E. coli $K88^+$ on d 5. During d 5 to 14 after challenge, pigs fed antibiotics, 0.5% or 1% ASD had better gain (p = 0.01) and feed efficiency (p = 0.03) than pigs fed the control diet. On d 14, compared to the control pigs, pigs fed 0.5% ASD had higher lactobacilli in the duodenum and pigs fed 1% ASD and antibiotics had a trend for higher lactobacilli in the ileum (p = 0.08). Pigs fed antibiotics, 0.5% or 1% ASD diets tended to have decreased ileal E. coli count compared to those fed the control diet (p = 0.08). Serum interleukin-6 and cortisol and digesta pH values were not affected by treatment or time. These results indicate that feeding ASD can improve the growth performance of weaning pigs, mainly via modulating intestinal microflora populations without affecting gastrointestinal pH or immune indices.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.787-796
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• 2003

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of germanium biotite (GB) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and fecal gas emission in pigs. In Exp 1., a total of one hundred nursery pigs (initial body weight 13.12${\pm}$0.15kg) were used in a 21 d growth assay. The five treatments were control (CON, basal diet), GB0.5-200 (basal diet + 0.5% GB, 200mesh), GB1.0-200 (basal diet + 1.0% GB, 200mesh), GB0.5-325 (basal diet + 0.5% GB, 325mesh), GB1.0-325 (basal diet + 1.0% GB, 325mesh). Each treatment had four replicates with five pigs per replicate. ADG, ADFI and gain/feed were not significantly different among the treatments. Fecal NH3-N concentration of pigs fed the GB325 diet was lower than that of pigs fed the GB200 diet (P=0.01). The GB treatments reduced fecal volatile fatty acids significantly compared to the CON (propionic acid, P=0.01; butyric acid, P=0.01; acetic acid, P=0.02). Especially, fecal propionic acid concentration of pigs fed the GB325 diets was lower than that of pigs fed the GB200 diets (P=0.02). In Exp 2., a total of seventy five pigs (initial body weight 21.18${\pm}$0.15kg) were used in a 28 d growth assay. The treatments were same as described for Exp. 1. Each treatment had five replicates with three pigs per replicate. The GB1.0 treatments significantly increased the ADG compared to the GB0.5 treatments (P=0.03). The DM and N digestibility of pigs fed the GB1.0 diets were higher than that for pigs fed the GB0.5 diets (P=0.01). Also, the Ca digestibility of pigs fed the GB diets was higher than that for pigs fed the CON diets (P=0.01). The fecal NH3-N concentrations for the GB treatments were lower than that for the CON (P=0.01). The GB325 treatments significantly decreased the fecal NH3-N concentration compared to the GB200 treatments (P=0.03). The fecal butyric acid concentration for the GB325 treatments was lower than that for the GB200 treatment (P=0.04). In conclusion, the results obtained from these feeding trials suggest that the dietary GB for nursery pigs affects fecal noxious gas emission. In growing pigs, dietary GB was effective to improve ADG and decrease fecal noxious gas emission.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.211-218
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• 2003

For the Exp. 1, a total of sixty pigs (10.57$\pm$0.30kg average initial body weight) were used in a 15-d growth assay to determine the effect of dietary $\alpha$-1,6-galactosidase and $\beta$-1,4-mannanase on growth performance and nutrient digestibility. Dietary treatments included 1) CON (corn-dried whey-SBM based diet), 2) EC0.1 (CON diet+0.1% enzyme complex of $\alpha$-1,6-galactosidase and $\beta$-1,4-mannanase). Through the entire experimental period, gain/feed of pigs fed EC0.1 diet was higher (0.43 vs 0.52) than that of pigs fed CON diet (P<0.05). Pigs fed EC0.1 diet showed significant (P<0.05) improvement in dry matter (74.82% vs 82.41%) and nitrogen (70.59% vs 77.88%) digestibilities compared to pigs fed CON diet. For the Exp. 2, a total of thirty six pigs (22.30$\pm$0.45kg average initial body weight) were used in a 30-d growth assay to determine the effects of dietary $\alpha$-1,6-galactosidase and $\beta$-1,4-mannanase in low energy diet on growth performance and nutrient digestibility. Dietary treatments included 1) AME (adequate ME diet), 2) AME+EC0.1 (AME diet+0.1% enzyme complex) and LME+EC0.1 (low ME diet + 0.1% enzyme complex). Through the entire experimental period, average daily feed intake of pigs fed enzyme complex supplemented diets was higher than that of pigs fed CON diet (P<0.05). Also, pigs fed AME+EC0.1 diet showed significant (P<0.05) increase in ADFI (1,401g vs 1,733g) compared to pigs fed CON diet. Pigs fed enzyme complex supplemented diet showed significant (P<0.05) improvement in dry matter and nitrogen digestibilities compared to pigs fed CON diet. In conclusion, the results obtained from these feeding trials suggest that the supplementation of $\alpha$-1,6-galactosidase and $\beta$-1,4-mannanase was an effective means for improving growth performance and dry matter and nitrogen digestibilities in nursery and growing pigs.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.201-205
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• 2015

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of pathogenic Escherichia coli on diarrhea, growth performance, and blood profile of weaned pigs. A total of 48 pigs were used and housed in individual pens of disease containment chambers for 16 d (4 d before and 12 d after the first challenge [d0]). The treatments were with or without the pathogenic E. coli challenge (F-18 E. coli strain; heat-labile, heat-stable, and Shiga-like toxins). Pigs were orally inoculated with a dose of $10^{10}cfu$ E. coli per 3 mL PBS daily for 3 days. The common nursery diet and water were available at all times. The ADG, ADFI, G:F, diarrhea score, ratio of fecal ${\beta}$-hemolytic coliforms from total coliforms (RHT), and blood profile were measured. The pathogenic E. coli reduced (P < 0.05) ADG from d0 to 6 (117 vs. 297 g/d) and from d0 to 12 (377 vs. 238 g/d) compared with the control. Meanwhile, the pathogenic E. coli increased (P < 0.05) diarrhea score (average 3.4 vs. 1.4) and RHT (average 82 vs. 11%) on d3, 6, and 9 and the number of white blood cells (17.59 vs. $13.48{\times}10^3/{\mu}L$) on d6 compared with the control. No differences were found on ADFI and others in the blood profile (total protein and hematocrit). In conclusion, pathogenic E. coli used in this experiment successfully caused mild diarrhea, increased number of white blood cells, and adversely affected growth rate of weaned pigs.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2005

Serum samples of 1,175 pigs from 148 Korean swine farms not using Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) vaccines were collected for seroepidemiological study of M. hyo infection by indirect ELISA method. Informations of each farm were provided about province where the farm was located and season when blood samples were collected. Then, the selected farms were divided into farm units which had 5 serum samples according to production stages : sow, suckling piglet (<30 days old), nursery pig (30-70 days old), and growing pig (>70 days old). Seroprevalence of M. hyo infection according to production stages, province, and season was investigated by using ELISA-positve rate of the selected samples for each study. This study showed that 85.34% (78.94-91.78%, 95% CI) of farms were positive to M. hyo infection and 34.81% (32.09-37.53%, 95% CI) among pigs were sero-positive to M. hyo infection in Korean swine farms. In the study of seroprevalence by production stage, most farms had sows and growing pigs which were sero-positive to M. hyo infection (sow: 83.05%, growing pigs: 87.72%) and most pigs seemed to be naturally infected by M. hyo at 8-10 weeks of age. Also, M. hyo infection showed seasonal pattern that most pigs were infected in late fall to early winter. However, in the study of seroprevalence by province, there was no significant correlation between province and M. hyo sero-positive rate.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.1491-1498
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• 2021

Objective: This research was carried out to investigate the effects of corn particle size on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy and nutrients fed to pigs at four different growth stages and therefore to provide basis for better application of corn in pig feeds. Methods: Eighteen weanling piglets, 18 growing barrows, 24 gestating sows and 24 lactating sows were used in this study. Within each stage, pigs were allotted to 1 of 3 or 4 corn-soybean meal diets which were formulated with different corn particle size in a completely randomized design with 6 replicate pigs per diet. Each stage lasted for 19 days, including 7 days for cages adaptation, 7 days for adaptation to diets and followed by 5 days for total collection of feces and urine. Results: For nursery and growing stages, the results showed that digestible energy content and ATTD of gross energy (GE), dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) was increased (p<0.05) as the corn particle size reduced. Meanwhile, the metabolizable energy content and ATTD of crude protein (CP) tended to increase. For gestating sows, no differences were found in the ATTD of nutrients among dietary treatments. As for lactating sows, there were linear and quadratic increases (p<0.05) in the ATTD of DM, GE, NDF as the corn being finer milled. Quadratic response in ATTD of ADF and CP (p<0.05) were observed as sows fed with four different diets. Conclusion: Reducing corn particle size can increase digestibility of nutrients fed to young pigs and lactating sows. No effects were observed in present experiment when gestating sows were fed with different particle sized corn.