• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.174-179
• /
• 1999

The effect of a chronic inflammation (cell-mediated immune response) on energy metabolism and growth performance was assessed in weanling piglets. Twenty four barrows of 4 wk of age were assigned to one of two immunization treatments : Control group [CON: immunized with Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant (lFA)] or Immunization group [IMMU: immunized with Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA)]. On d0, piglets were weaned and subcutaneously immunized at the medial side of the femur with 2 ml of IFA or CFA, respectively. Energy and nitrogen balances were measured per group during 13-d balance period, and total $(HP_{tot})$, activity-related ($(HP_{act})$) and non-activity-related $(HP_{cor})$ heat production were determined every 9-min by indirect calorimetry. Ig total titers to Mycobacterium butyricum, which is present in CFA, were higher (p<0.01) in IMMU than in CON on d13 (2.5 vs 1.8) and d20 (2.9 vs 1.8) after immunization. There were no differences (p>0.10) between treatments in rectal temperature, performance, feed intake, and availability and partitioning of energy during the balance period. Average daily feed intake was numerically higher in IMMU than in CON (0.34 vs 0.32 kg/d), but there was no difference (p>0.10) in metabolizability of the dietary energy between treatments. $HP_{act}/HP_{tot}$ was 16.24 and 16.89%, and retained energy was 251 and 268 $268\;kJ{\cdot}kg^{0.75}{\cdot}d^{-1}$ for CON and IMMU, respectively. Numerically, maintenance requirement of IMMU was even lower than that of CON $(419\;vs\;427\;kJ{\cdot}kg^{0.75}{\cdot}d^{-1})$. The present study suggests that a chronic inflammation has no effect on energy metabolism and growth performance, in spite of the difference in systemic antibody responses. The reason was considered to be due to locally induced immune response, resulting from the possible encapsulation at the site of injection, and/or to a low systemic immune stress which is within a functionally acceptable physiological range for the piglets.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Pathology Conference
• /
• 2002.11a
• /
• pp.5-6
• /
• 2002

In a comprehensive summary use and supplementation of some well defined natural herbal formulations in the European swine breeding and fattening is documented. Along with this data also the quality assurance, hygenic as well as the standards of efficacy of the formulations are presented. Series of experimental and development work over the last several years with universities, research institutes, veterinarians and feed industry proved that the application of such phylo-components (feed supplementation) result in to optimizing swine breeding practices. On the basis of 4 specific formulations tested and used in the European veterinary field most of the common problems of pig breeding and rearing can be successfully handled. Precisely, problems of fertility, respiration, diarrhea and stress; which are directly related to imerse losses in production, with poor quality of piglets associated with immune suppressions. Besides curing common symptoms, one of the most important aspect is of improvement in the self defence mechanism which results ultimately in to increased immunity, vitality and health of the animals; of course, thereby reducing the mortality which is the most economical problem observed in the animal health. Moreover, data presented here reflects on the fact that the use of such high quality alternative formulations successfully replace conventionally used antibiotics or hormonal therapies. They also work synergestically of as complementary in vaccination program or act as growth promoting agents on natural basis.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.52 no.3
• /
• pp.199-204
• /
• 2010

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the different types and levels of prebiotics on intestinal microflora and fermentation products in the in vitro fermentation model. The prebiotcs used in this study were IMO (iso-malto oligosaccharide), CI (partially digested chicory-inulin), RA (raffinose) and CD (cyclodextrin). Experimental diet for growing pigs was predigested by digestive enzymes and this hydrolyzed diet was mixed with buffer solution containing 5% fresh swine feces. Then, the mixture was fermented with or without prebiotics at the concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0% for 24 h. Samples were taken at 24 h, and viable count of micoflora, gas, pH, volatile organic compounds and short-chain fatty acids were determined. The viable count of Enterobacteriaceae was significantly decreased (p<0.001) in all treatments added with prebiotics in comparison to control without prebiotics. However, the increase of lactic acid bacteria was observed in the prebiotics treatment. Gas production increased as the level of prebiotics increased. The pH values in the fermentation fluid decreased in a dose-dependent manner with increasing the concentration of prebiotics. The fermentation with prebiotics resulted in the reduction of malodorous compounds such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, indole and skatole. The increase in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production was observed in the treatments with prebiotics. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrated that the fermentation with prebiotics was effective in reducing the formation of malodorous compounds and increasing lactic acid bacteria and SCFA. These effects depended on the concentration of prebiotics. Moreover, further study is needed to determine whether the in vitro efficacy on the reduction of malodorous compounds and increase of SCFA would also be observed in animals.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.437-444
• /
• 2008

Pneumonia is one of the important diseases in commercial pig. In order to delineate the relationships with pneumonia and productions traits, five different economic traits including carcass weight(CW), backfat thickness(BF), meat quality(MQ), carcass characteristics(CC) and pork belly thickness(PB) were measured in 6,362 commercial pigs. Significant differences were observed in all the traits with pneumonia(P<0.01). Carcass weight and backfat thickness decreased significantly as the symptom of pneumonia was severed (P<0.01). Also, when the pneumonia was severed, the carcass characteristics and meat quality became worse compared with normal unaffected animals(P<0.01). In case of pork belly thickness, the significant decrease was observed in pneumonia infected animals compared with normal animals(P<0.01). Based on this study, the pneumonia infection affects most of the important economic traits in pigs and it is ultimately needed to pay more attention to prevent this disease.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.206-215
• /
• 2010

A total of 582 gilts and barrows were analyzed to investigate the regressive relationships to slaughter weight (SW) of variables related to production efficiency and pork quality. Average initial weights and SW were 88.6 and 122.5 kg, respectively, for gilts and 88.7 and 121.4 kg, respectively, for barrows. Average daily gain and gain:feed ratio were not affected by SW. Backfat thickness, which was significantly greater (p<0.01) in barrows (23.3 mm) than in gilts (20.7 mm), increased with increasing SW (0.21 mm/kg; p<0.001). When the 4-notch carcass yield and quality grades were quantified according to an arbitrary 1 point-per-1 notch scale, the former, but not the latter, regressed on SW (-0.64/10 kg; p<0.01). The percent yield of the belly per total lean (overall mean=20.7%) increased with increasing SW (0.37%/10 kg; p<0.001), whereas in other cuts, the SW effect was negligible. The redness of the loin also increased with increasing SW (p<0.05), but other physicochemical characteristics were minimally influenced by SW. In sensory evaluation, effects of SW for fresh and cooked loin, ham, and belly were mostly considered insignificant in terms of quality, albeit statistically significant in several cases. However, positive regressions on SW (p<0.01) of the marbling and acceptability scores of fresh loin as well as the fat:lean ratio of fresh belly were noteworthy. Collectively, SW of approximately 125 kg was maximal for both sexes under the current carcass yield grading, in which 94 kg is the upper weight limit for grade A carcass. However, if the carcass weight limit of the grading was to be removed or broadened, the SW for gilts (but not that for barrows because of their excessive fat content at above 125-kg SW) could be increased to 135 kg or greater without compromising carcass quality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.9
• /
• pp.1397-1406
• /
• 2019

Objective: Feed energy required for pigs is first prioritized to meet maintenance costs. Additional energy intake in excess of the energy requirement for maintenance is retained as protein and fat in the body, leading to weight gain. The objective of this study was to estimate the metabolizable energy requirements for maintenance ($ME_m$) by regressing body weight (BW) gain against metabolizable energy intake (MEI) in growing pigs. Methods: Thirty-six growing pigs ($26.3{\pm}1.7kg$) were allotted to 1 of 6 treatments with 6 replicates per treatment in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were 6 feeding levels which were calculated as 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% of the estimated ad libitum MEI ($2,400kJ/kg\;BW^{0.60}\;d$). All pigs were individually housed in metabolism crates for 30 d and weighed every 5 d. Moreover, each pig from each treatment was placed in the open-circuit respiration chambers to measure heat production (HP) and energy retained as protein ($RE_p$) and fat ($RE_f$) every 5 d. Serum biochemical parameters of pigs were analyzed at the end of the experiment. Results: The average daily gain (ADG) and HP as well as the $RE_p$ and $RE_f$ linearly increased with increasing feed intake (p<0.010). ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate concentration of serum tended to increase with increasing feed intake (p = 0.080). The regression equations of MEI on ADG were MEI, $kJ/kg\;BW^{0.60}\;d=1.88{\times}ADG$, g/d+782 ($R^2=0.86$) and $ME_m$ was estimated at $782kJ/kg\;BW^{0.60}\;d$. Protein retention of growing pigs would be positive while REf would be negative at this feeding level via regression equations of $RE_p$ and $RE_f$ on MEI. Conclusion: The $ME_m$ was estimated at $782kJ/kg\;BW^{0.60}\;d$ in current experiment. Furthermore, growing pigs will deposit protein and oxidize fat if provided feed at the estimated maintenance level.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.574-584
• /
• 2019

Objective: Research was conducted to test the effect of including fiber-rich feedstuffs in practical pig diets on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance and ammonia emissions from slurry. Methods: Three Vietnamese fiber sources were screened, namely cassava leaf meal (CL), cassava root residue (CR), and tofu by-product (TF). Accordingly, a control diet (Con) with 10% of dietary non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and three test diets including one of the three fiber-rich feedstuffs to reach 15% of NSP were formulated. All formulated diets had the same level of crude protein (CP), in vitro ileal protein digestible and metabolisable energy, whereas the in vitro hindgut volatile fatty acid (VFA) production of the test diets was 12% to 20% higher than the control diet. Forty growing barrows with initial body weight at $28.6{\pm}1.93kg$ ($mean{\pm}standard$ deviation) were allocated to the four treatments. When pigs reached about 50 kg of body weight, four pigs from each treatment were used for a nitrogen balance trial and ammonia emission assessment, the remaining six pigs continued the second period of the feeding trial. Results: The TF treatment increased fecal VFA by 33% as compared with the control treatment (p = 0.07), suggesting stimulation of the hindgut fermentation. However, urinary N was not significantly reduced or shifted to fecal N, nor was slurry pH decreased. Accordingly, ammonia emissions were not mitigated. CR and CL treatments failed to enhance in vivo hindgut fermentation, as assessed by fecal VFA and purine bases. On the contrary, the reduction of CP digestibility in the CL treatment enhanced ammonia emissions from slurry. Conclusion: Dietary inclusion of cassava and tofu byproducts through an increase of dietary NSP from 10% to 15% might stimulate fecal VFA excretion but this does not guarantee a reduction in ammonia emissions from slurry, while its interaction with protein digestibility even might enhance enhanced ammonia emission.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.64 no.2
• /
• pp.353-364
• /
• 2022

The present study aimed to assess the feasibility of increasing the slaughter weight (SW) of non-lean finishing pigs to improve their meat quality. A total of 36 (Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc gilts and barrows were slaughtered at 115 (Av), 125 (Hi), or 135 (XHi) kg, followed by physicochemical analyses and sensory evaluation on their longissimus dorsi (LD) and Semimembranosus (SM) muscles. Backfat thickness was greater (p < 0.05) for the XHi (31.2 mm) and Hi (29.3 mm) groups than for Av (25.0 mm). Dressing percentage and yield of the belly per whole carcass were also slightly greater for XHi and Hi vs. Av. The intramuscular fat (IMF) content of SM was greater for XHi (2.64%) than for Av (1.83%) and Hi (2.04%) and also was correlated with SW (r = 0.55). The pH value, lightness, redness, drip loss, shear force, and moisture and protein contents of LD and SM, as well as IMF content of LD, were unaffected by SW. Percentages of 14:0, 16:0, and total saturated fatty acids (FA) were less for Hi and XHi vs. Av in SM, those of total unsaturated FA, 18:2, 20:4, and n-6 being opposite; FA composition of LM was not influenced by SW except for a reduced 18:0 percentage for XHi vs. Av. The sensory score was less for XHi vs. Av for odor in fresh LD and SM, and less for Hi and XHi vs. Av for aroma in fresh LM; scores for color, drip loss, marbling, and acceptability were unaffected by SW. As for cooked muscles, none of the scores for color, aroma, flavor, juiciness, tenderness, and acceptability was affected by SW, except for a greater LD color score for Hi and XHi vs. Av. Collectively, the results suggested that the increased yield of the carcass and belly due to increased SW is outbalanced negatively by excessive backfat deposition in production efficiency, whereas the SW increase exerts little influence on overall sensory quality of fresh or cooked meat. Production of non-lean market pigs overweighing 115 kg therefore will be uneconomical unless consumers pay a substantial premium for the over-fattened pork.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.65 no.6
• /
• pp.1124-1150
• /
• 2023

This study aimed to analyze the leading research materials and research trends related to livestock food in Asia in recent years and propose future research agendas to ultimately contribute to the development of related livestock species. On analyzing more than 200 relevant articles, a high frequency of studies on livestock species and products with large breeding scales and vast markets was observed. Asia possesses the largest pig population and most extensive pork market, followed by that of beef, chicken, and milk; moreover, blood and egg markets have also been studied. Regarding research keywords, "meat quality" and "probiotics" were the most common, followed by "antioxidants", which have been extensively studied in the past, and "cultured meat", which has recently gained traction. The future research agenda for meat products is expected to be dominated by alternative livestock products, such as cultured and plant-derived meats; improved meat product functionality and safety; the environmental impacts of livestock farming; and animal welfare research. The future research agenda for dairy products is anticipated to include animal welfare, dairy production, probiotic-based development of high-quality functional dairy products, the development of alternative dairy products, and the advancement of lactose-free or personalized dairy products. However, determining the extent to which the various research articles' findings have been applied in real-world industry proved challenging, and research related to animal food laws and policies and consumer surveys was lacking. In addition, studies on alternatives for sustainable livestock development could not be identified. Therefore, future research may augment industrial application, and multidisciplinary research related to animal food laws and policies as well as eco-friendly livestock production should be strengthened.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.593-600
• /
• 2006

The effects of breed and sex on individual growth performance and feeding behaviour were studied between 45 and 90 kg BW in two replicates of forty group-housed pigs. The first and the second replicates were carried out during the warm season (i.e. between February and April 2003) and during the hot season (i.e. between August and October 2003), respectively. During the warm season, ambient temperature and relative humidity averaged $25.3^{\circ}C$ and 86.0%. The corresponding values for the hot season were $27.9^{\circ}C$ and 83.6%. The pigs were grouped in pens of 10 animals on the basis of breed (Creole or Large White) and sex (gilt or castrated male) and given ad libitum access to a grower diet (9.0 MJ/kg net energy and 158 g/kg crude protein) via feed intake recording equipment (Acema 48). An ear-tag transponder was inserted into each pig and this allowed the time, duration, and size of individual visits to be recorded. The growth performance and feeding pattern were significantly affected by breed, sex, and season. The Creole pigs (CR) had a lower average daily gain (ADG) (642 vs. 861 g/d, p<0.01) and carcass lean content ($LC_{90kg}$) (35.4 vs. 54.5%; p<0.01) and a higher backfat thickness at 90 kg BW ($BT_{90kg}$) (23.4 vs. 10.4 mm; p<0.01) than Large White pigs (LW) whereas the average daily feed intake (ADFI) was not affected by breed (2.34 vs. 2.22 kg/d, respectively for CR and LW pigs; p>0.10). Consequently, the food:gain ratio was higher in CR than in LW (3.65 vs. 2.58; p<0.01). CR had less frequent meals but ate more feed per meal than LW (5.9 vs. 8.8 meals/d and 431 vs. 279 g/meal; p<0.01). The rate of feed intake was lower (27.6 vs. 33.9 g/min; p<0.01) and the ingestion time per day and per meal were higher in CR than in LW (87.1 vs. 69.7 min/d and 15.8 vs. 8.4 min/meal; p<0.01). The ADFI and BT90 kg were higher (2.38 vs. 2.17 kg/d and 18.1 vs. 15.9 mm; p<0.05) and LC90 kg was lower (43.5 vs. 46.4%; p<0.01) in castrated males (CM) than in gilts (G) whereas ADG was not affected by sex (p = 0.12). The difference in lean content between CM and G was greater in CR than in LW. The ADFI and ADG were reduced during the hot season (2.18 vs.2.38 kg/d and 726 vs. 777 g/d, respectively; p<0.05) whereas feed conversion and carcass lean content were not affected by season (p>0.05). Average feeding time per meal and meal size decreased during the hot season (10.9 vs. 13.2 min/meal and 316 vs. 396 g/meal; p<0.01) whereas the rate of feed intake was not affected by season (p = 0.83). On average, 0.69 of total feed intake was consumed during the diurnal period. However, this partition of feed intake was significantly affected by breed, sex, and season. In conclusion, the breed, sex and season significantly affect performance and feeding pattern in growing pigs raised in a tropical climate. Moreover, the results obtained in the present study suggest that differences observed in BW composition between CR and LW are associated with difference in feeding behaviour, in particular, the short-term regulation of feed intake.