• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.653-661
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• 2023

Phytase enhances phosphorus availability in pig diets by breaking down phytic acid, which is challenging for animals to digest. This study aimed to assess the impact of dietary phytase supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and fecal score of growing pigs. Sixty-four growing pigs ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc, average body weight 21.20 ± 0.18 kg) were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. The dietary treatments were CON, basal diet, and PHY, basal diet + 0.0025% phytase. Results indicated a tendency for increased average daily gain in the phytase-supplemented diet group (p < 0.10) compared to the control diet group. The average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not affected by the addition of 0.0025% phytase. Furthermore, dry matter digestibility, nitrogen content, and digestible energy were not influenced (p > 0.05) by phytase supplementation. Fecal score remained similar (p > 0.05) in growing pigs fed phytase-supplemented and control diets. These findings suggest that supplementing the diet of growing pigs with 0.0025% phytase may lead to improved average daily gain without adverse effects on nutrient digestibility and fecal score. This implies the potential to enhance growth performance without compromising overall health or digestion in pigs. Further investigations into the optimal levels of phytase supplementation for growing pigs are recommended.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.461-468
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• 2023

Supplying an appropriate amount of feed is an economical and environmentally friendly by increasing the nutrient digestibility of livestock and reducing nutrients released from overfeeding. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the nutrient digestibility according to dietary feeding levels of Hanwoo steers. Three treatments in feeding trial were used feeding amount based on the maintenance energy level of the Korean feeding standard for Hanwoo (2022): 100% (control, CON), 140% (treatment 1, TRT1), and 190% (treatment 2, TRT2). The experiment was designed in replicate 3×3 balanced Latin square designs using six Hanwoo steers. In this study, energy value was predicted according to treatment groups. In addition, nutrient digestibility and energy value were measured through a feeding trial to Hanwoo steers. All energy values, including total digestible nutrients and digestible energy, were predicted to decrease linearly with increasing feeding levels. TRT2 showed lower digestibility than CON for dry matter, crude protein, non-fiber carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients in the feeding trial (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between CON and TRT1. Total digestible nutrients (TDN) and digestibility of feed are set based on the maintenance energy. However nutrient digestibility and TDN decreased when feeding level increased by more than 190% compared to maintenance energy in this study. Therefore, it is necessary to correct the TDN by considering the feeding level when mixing the feed.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.1407-1413
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• 2000

Oil palm frond (OPF) is a new non-conventional fibrous feed for ruminants. Evaluation on the nutritive values and digestibility of OPF was carried out using goats. In a completely randomised design, 20 local male goats were assigned to evaluate fresh and different types of processed OPF. A 60 day feeding trial was done to determine the digestible nutrient intake of fresh, ensiled and pelleted OPF and its response on live weight gain of goat. The pelleting of OPF increased (p<0.05) intake compared to fresh or ensiled OPF. The OPF based mixed pellet (50% OPF with 15% palm kernel cake, 6% rice bran, 6% soybean hull, 15% molasses, 2% fishmeal, 4% urea, 1.5% mineral mixture and 0.5% common salt) increased (p<0.05) nutrient intake, digestibility and reduced feed refusals. The mixed pellet also increased digestible dry matter intake (DDMI) and digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) at 80% and 63% level respectively than the fresh OPF. The increased digestible nutrient intake on the OPF based mixed pellet, resulted in increased live weight gain of goats. Furthermore, OPF has a good potential as a roughage source when it is used with concentrate supplement. OPF based formulated feed in a pelleted form could be used as a complete feed for intensive production of goat and other ruminants.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.229-237
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• 2020

This study assessed the effects of a dietary non-genetically modified organism (non-GMO) source on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of grower-finisher pigs. The dietary treatments were 1) rice-soybean meal-based control diet and 2) rice and non-GMO soybean meal-based diet. In the experiment 1, 60 growing pigs (initial body weight [BW] = 23.76 ± 3.42 kg) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 dietary treatments with 6 pigs·pen^-1 (5 replications) for 6 weeks. In experiment 2, 48 finishing pigs (initial BW = 64.31 ± 6.17 kg) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups with 4 pigs·pen^-1 (6 replications) for 6 weeks. Measurements were the average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), gain-to-feed ratio (G : F), and nutrient digestibility. The growth performance was measured at the beginning and end of each period. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) was determined by chromium oxide as an indigestible marker during the last 7 days of each experiment. During the grower period, pigs fed the diet containing the non-GMO soybean meal had a higher (p < 0.05) ADFI than those fed the control diet; however, there were no differences between the dietary treatments in the ADG, G : F, and ATTD. Moreover, the dietary treatments did not affect the ATTD and growth performance of the finishing pigs. In conclusion, the inclusion of non-GMO soybean meal in the diet had no negative effects on the growth rate and nutrient digestibility, indicating that non-GMO soybean meal can be used in diet formulations with other feed ingredients and be a substitute for conventional soybean meal.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.95-101
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• 2021

This study investigated the influence of sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL) emulsifier on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of growing pigs. For this 56-day long-duration experiment, 80 heads of cross-bred ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) pigs with an initial body weight of 23.80 ± 4.87 kg were divided into two (2) treatment groups each fed a different diet: with and without an emulsifier. Each treatment group had 8 replication pens with 5 pigs per pen. Feed treatments were as follows: 1) CON: Basal diet, and 2) SSL: CON + 0.05% SSL. Body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured for three periods: 0 - 4, 5 - 8, and 0 - 8 weeks. The nutrient digestibility parameters consisting of dry matter (DM) digestibility and nitrogen (N) digestibility were calculated on the 4^th and 8^th week. Based on the results, the SSL supplementation did not show any significant influence on the growth performance parameters during the 0 to 4 and 5 to 8 week phases. For the overall performance, only the FCR (p = 0.048) was significantly different in the emulsifier fed group (SSL) compared to the CON group (T1). DM and N digestibility was also not influenced by the SSL addition in the growing pig diet. Overall, the SSL supplementation showed a limited effect on the growth performance of growing pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.948-956
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• 2000

The effect of high and low level of feed intakes on nutrient digestibility, nutrient losses through methane, energy and protein utilization by goats fed on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) pellets based diets was investigated in this study. Twelve castrated Japanese goats were employed in two subsequent digestion and metabolism trials. The goats were divided into three groups, offered three diets. Diet 1 consisted of 100% alfalfa pellet, Diet 2 was 70% alfalfa pellet and 30% corn, and Diet 3 was 40% alfalfa pellet and 60% corn. The two intake levels were high (1.6 times) and low (0.9 times) the maintenance requirement of total digestible nutrients (TON). Rumen ammonia nitrogen ($NH_3$-N) level of Diet 1 was lower (p<0.001) compared to Diets 2 and 3, but the values were always above the critical level (I50 mg/liter), The pH values of rumen liquor ranged from 6.02 to 7.30. Apparent digestibility of nutrient components did not show differences (p>0.05) between the two intake levels but inclusion of corn significantly altered the nutrient digestibility. Diet 3 had highest (p<0.001) dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), ether extract (EE) and nitrogen fee extract (NFE) digestibility followed by the Diet 2 and Diet 1. The crude protein (CP) digestibility values among the three diets were in a narrow range (70.1 to 70.8%). Crude fiber (CF) digestibility for Diet 3 was slight higher (p>0.05) than that for other two diets. When alfalfa was replaced by corn, there were highly significant (p<0.001) increases in DM, OM, EE and NFE apparent digestibility and a slight increase in the CF digestibility (p>0.05). There were no differences (p>0.05) in energy losses as methane ($CH_4$) and heat production among the diets but energy loss through urine was higher for the Diet 1. The total energy loss as $CH_4$ and heat production were higher for the high intake level but the energy loss as $CH_4$ per gram DM intake were same (0.305 kcal/g) between the high and low intake level. Retained energy (RE) was higher for Diet 3 and Diet 2. Nitrogen (N) losses through feces and urine were higher (p<0.001) for Diet 1. Consequently, N retention was lower (p>0.05) for Diet 1 and higher in Diets 3 and 2. It is concluded that inclusion of corn with alfalfa increased the metabolizable energy (ME) and RE, and retained N through reducing the energy and N losses. The high level of intake reduced the rate of nutrient losses through feces and urine.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1635-1641
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• 2008

This study investigated the effects of solid-state fermentation of a compound pig feed on its microbial and nutritional characteristics as well as on pig performance and nutrient digestibility. A mixed culture containing Lactobacillus fermentum, Saccharomyces cerevisae and Bacillus subtilis was used for solid-state fermentation and solid-state fermented feed samples were collected on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 and 30 for microbial counts and chemical analysis. Lactic acid bacteria increased rapidly during the first three days of fermentation and then slowly declined until day 10 and, thereafter, the counts were maintained at about 6.7 log cfu/g for the duration of the fermentation period. Enterobacteria also increased during the first two days, and then fell below the detectable level of the analysis (3.0 log cfu/g). The pH of the fermentation substrate declined from 6.1 at the start of fermentation to 5.7 by day 30. The water-soluble protein content increased from 8.2 to 9.2% while the concentration of acetic acid increased from 16.6 to 51.3 mmol/kg over the 30-day fermentation. At the end of the 30-day fermentation, the solid-state fermented feed was used in a pig feeding trial to determine its effects on performance and nutrient digestibility in growing-finishing pigs. Twenty crossbred barrows ($14.11{\pm}0.77kg\;BW$) were allotted into two dietary treatments, which comprised a regular dry diet containing antibiotics and a solid-state fermented feed based diet, free of antibiotics. There was no difference due to diet on pig performance or nutrient digestibility. In conclusion, solid-state fermentation resulted in high counts of lactic acid bacteria and low counts of enterobacteria in the substrate. Moreover, feeding a diet containing solid-state fermented feed, free of antibiotics, can result in similar performance and nutrient digestibility in growing-finishing pigs to a regular diet with antibiotics.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.849-855
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• 2019

Objective: This study was conducted to compare growth performance, nutrient digestibility and meat quality of broilers fed a genetically modified organism (GMO) diet or a non-GMO diet. Methods: A total of 840 broilers with an initial body weight of 43.03 g per chick were randomly allocated into 1 of the following 2 dietary treatments lasted for 32 days (15 broilers per pen with 28 replicates per treatment): i) Trt 1, GMO maize-soybean meal based diet; ii) Trt 2, non-GMO maize soybean meal based diet. Both diets were maize-soybean meal diets. The GMO qualitative analysis, proximate analysis and amino acid analysis of the feed ingredient samples were carried out. Diets were formulated based on a nutrient matrix derived from analysis results. Growth performance was measured on day 0, 7, 17, and 32. And all other response criteria were measured on day 32. Results: The analysis results showed that the total Lys, Met, Thr of non-GMO grains were lower than that of GMO grains, the protein content of GMO soybean meal was higher than that of non-GMO soybean meal. Feed intake and feed conversion rate (FCR) were greater (p<0.05) in broilers provided with non-GMO diet than that of the GMO group from d 17 to 32. A decrease in FCR was observed in birds fed the GMO diet through the entire experiment (p<0.05). No significant impacts on blood profile, meat quality and nutrient digestibility were found in response to dietary treatments throughout the experimental period (p>0.05). Conclusion: These results indicated that non-GMO diet showed a negative effect on growth performance but nutrient digestibility, blood profile, carcass weight and meat quality were not affected by non-GMO diets.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.605-613
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• 2022

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of increasing supplementation of Yarrowia lipolytica (YL) up to 3.0% replacing 1.6% poultry fat and 0.9% blood plasma for growth performance, intestinal health and nutrient digestibility of diets fed to nursery pigs. Methods: Twenty-four pigs weaned at 24 d of age (initial body weight at 7.2±0.6 kg) were allotted to three dietary treatments (n = 8) based on the randomized complete block. The diets with supplementation of YL (0.0%, 1.5%, and 3.0%, replacing poultry fat and blood plasma up to 1.6% and 0.9%, respectively) were fed for 21 d. Feed intake and body weight were recorded at d 0, 10, and 21. Fecal score was recorded at every odd day from d 3 to 19. Pigs were euthanized on d 21 to collect proximal and distal jejunal mucosa to measure intestinal health markers including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-8, immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G. Ileal digesta was collected for apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of nutrients in diets. Data were analyzed using Proc Mixed of SAS. Results: Supplementation of YL (1.5% and 3.0%) replacing poultry fat and blood plasma did not affect growth performance, fecal score and intestinal health. Supplementation of YL at 1.5% did not affect nutrient digestibility, whereas supplementation of YL at 3.0% reduced AID of dry matter (40.2% to 55.0%), gross energy (44.0% to 57.5%), crude protein (52.1% to 66.1%), and ether extract (50.8% to 66.9%) compared to diets without supplementation. Conclusion: Yarrowia lipolytica can be supplemented at 1.5% in nursery diets, replacing 0.8% poultry fat and 0.45% blood plasma without affecting growth performance, intestinal health and nutrient digestibility. Supplementation of YL at 3.0% replacing 1.6% poultry fat and 0.9% blood plasma did not affect growth performance and intestinal health, whereas nutrient digestibility was reduced.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.462-470
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• 2022

The addition of dietary proteases (PRO) to weaner diets hydrolyzes soybean-based anti-nutritive factors and improves weaned pig's dietary digestibility and growth performance. Therefore, this study explores the effects of PRO in a lower crude protein (CP) level diet than that in a commercial diet on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal morphology of weaned pigs. A total of 90 weaned pigs were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments with 6 pigs per pen and 5 replicated pens per treatment using a randomized complete block design (block = body weight [BW]): 1) a commercial weaner diet as a positive control (PC; phase1 CP = 23.71%; phase2 CP: 22.36%), 2) lower CP diet than PC as a negative control (NC; 0.61% less CP than PC), and 3) an NC diet with 0.02% PRO. Pigs fed PC and PRO had higher (p < 0.05) final BW, average daily gain, and/or gain to feed ratio for the first three weeks and the overall experimental period than NC. The PC and PRO groups had greater (p < 0.05) apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter, CP, and energy than the NC group. Moreover, pigs fed PC and PRO increased (p < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility of CP compared with those fed NC. In addition, the PRO group had a higher number of goblet cells than the PC and NC groups. However, pig fed PC and PRO increased (p < 0.05) villus height and height to crypt depth ratio in the ileum compared with those fed NC. In conclusion, PRO supplementation in a commercial weaner diet with low CP levels improves growth rate and nutrient digestibility by modulating the intestinal morphology of weaned pigs.