• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.30-40
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• 2018

To evaluate potential impacts of shallow groundwater by the leachate from buried carcass, we investigated hydrochemical characteristics of both leachate and shallow groundwater from monitoring wells and surrounding shallow groundwater wells in an area potentially affected by pig carcass burial. The hydrochemical survey was conducted before and after the relocation of a burial pit. The leachate samples and the groundwater affected by leachate showed the hydrochemistry of $Ca-HCO_3$ type with high $NH_4{^+}$ concentrations, while unaffected groundwater was mostly the $Ca(Na)-Cl+NO_3$ type due to pervasive impacts from agrochemicals. The results of factor analysis on hydrochemical data showed the followings: 1) contamination of groundwater from agro-livestock farming and livestock burial are coexisting in the study area, 2) among ionic species, $HCO_3{^-}$, $NH_4{^+}$, $NO_3{^-}$ and Mn are very useful to differentiate the groundwater contamination from leachate, and 3) groundwater contamination by leachate has been recognized around the monitoring wells even after the relocation of a burial pit, likely due to residual contaminants in surrounding soils. Therefore, it is suggested that continued monitoring of groundwater contamination should be conducted after the relocation of carcass burial pits.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.231-235
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• 2013

Carcass weight (CW) is one of the most important economic traits in pigs, directly affecting the income of farmers. In this study, a genome wide association study was performed to detect significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) affecting CW in pigs derived from a $F_2$ intercross between Landrace and Korean native pig (KNP). Using high-density porcine SNP chips, highly significant SNPs were identified on SSC12. Two candidate genes, LOC100523510 and LOC100621652, were subsequently selected within this region and further investigated. Within these candidate genes, five SNPs were identified and genotyped using the VeraCode GoldenGate assay. The results revealed that one SNP in the LOC100621652 gene and four SNPs in the LOC100523510 gene are highly associated with CW. These SNP markers can thus have significant applications for improving CW in KNP. However, the functions of these candidate genes are not fully understood and require further study.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1542-1547
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• 2005

The Melanocortin-4 Receptor (MC4R) and Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 (IGF2) are two important candidate genes related to fat deposition and carcass traits. MC4R was found on study on human obesity and then was studied as candidate gene affecting food intake and fat deposition traits in mice and pigs. Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 (IGF2) gene plays an important role on tumor cell proliferation and muscle growth. It also affects fat traits and live weight in pigs. In this paper, MC4R and IGF2 were studied as two candidate genes associated with important economic traits such as fat deposition and carcass traits in five different pig populations. Taq I-PCR-RFLP and Bcn I-PCR-RFLP were respectively used to detect the polymorphism of genotypes of MC4R and IGF2 genes. Different MC4R genotype frequencies were observed in four populations. IGF2 genotype frequencies were also different in two populations. The results of association analysis show both MC4R and IGF2 genes were significantly associated with fat deposition and carcass traits in about 300 pigs. This work will add new evidence of MC4R and IGF2 affecting fat deposition and carcass traits in pigs and show that two genes can be used as important candidate genes for marker assistant selection (MAS) of growth and lean meat percentage in pigs.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.569-576
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• 2007

receptor(MC4R) gene and carcass traits was examined in randomly selected commercial pigs. A porcine MC4R gene was genotyped for Asp298Asn(nt. 892G>A) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP). A total of three genotypes, A/A, A/G, and G/G, were found with 28.8, 22.8, and 48.4% frequencies, respectively. In the whole population, pigs containing 892A/- showed significantly higher marbling score than those of homozygotes G/G(P<0.05). Two homozygotes, A/A and G/G showed lower in meat color score but higher in water holding capacity than those of heterozygotes A/G(P<0.01). However, the carcass weight of the barrows containing wild type -/G was significantly higher(i.e. more than 2.5kg) than those of homozygotes A/A(P<0.05). The effects of each genotype on carcass traits in the gilts were similar to those of the whole population, but not in barrows, suggesting an unknown sex-related effect on carcass traits. This study suggested that the genotype MC4R A/- could improve the meat quality in the commercial pig production. However, since the genetic polymorphism of MC4R gene differentially affected the carcass traits in sex-related manner, therefore, both parameters, the sex and genotype, should be considered for marker-assisted selection in commercial pig production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.1594-1599
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• 2007

Plasma membrane proteins from pig adipocytes, brain, heart, kidney, liver and spleen were isolated using a 32% sucrose gradient. An adult male sheep was immunized three times at 3-wk intervals with the purified pig adipocyte plasma membrane (APM) proteins. Blood samples were taken from the immunized sheep 12 d after the third immunization. Antiserum showed strong reactivity with APM proteins determined by ELISA, and the reactivity could be detected at dilutions in excess of 1:128,000. Antiserum showed very low binding affinity with proteins isolated from brain, heart, kidney, liver or spleen. Ninety weanling pigs were allocated randomly to three treatment groups and were injected i.p. with 40 ml of antiserum (n = 30) or 20 ml of lyophilized antiserum (21.5 mg/ml; n = 30). A control group (n = 30) received 40 ml of saline, and all pigs were slaughtered at 24 wk of age. The polyclonal antiserum did not change BW or ADG. Carcass percentage of pigs was numerically increased by the antiserum treatment compared with control. Both antiserum treatments did not significantly (p>0.05) affect body composition, including body fat content, relative to the control group.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.425-430
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• 1999

Complex environmental control systems were developed, which control properly the pig's environment in windowless pig-housing based on the thermoregulatory behaviors of pigs and concentrations of noxious gases (CO2 and NH3). The this study was conducted to assess the performance of complex environmental control systems by raising weaned piglets and growing pigs under different seasonal conditions. Average daily gain of pigs in the experimental pig-housing was slightly higher than that of pigs in the conventional pig-housing. Average daily gain was not significantly different in winter and spring(P＞0.05), but was significantly different in summer(P＜0.05). Feed conversion rate of pigs in the experimental pig-housing was smaller than that of pigs in the conventional pig-housing. Feed conversion rate was not significantly different in environment for weaned piglets and growing pigs resulted in the improved daily gain, feed conversion rate, and carcass quality of the finishing pigs. These results showed that the performance of the complex environmental control systems in windowless pig-housing was excellent for weaned piglets and growing pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.585-591
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• 2019

Objective: This study investigated carcass characteristics and meat quality of purebred Pakchong 5, crossbred pigs sired by Pakchong 5, and crossbred pigs sired by Duroc. Methods: Forty-eight pigs (average body weight of 22.25 kg) were composed of three groups as purebred Pakchong 5 (PP), Large $White{\times}Landrace$ pigs sired by Pakchong 5 (LWLRP), and Large $White{\times}Landrace$ pigs sired by Duroc (LWLRD). Each group consisted of eight gilts and eight barrows. At 109-day-raising period, pigs were slaughtered, and carcass characteristics were evaluated. Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscles from left side of carcasses were evaluated for meat quality and chemical composition. Data were analyzed using general linear model procedure, where group, sex, and their interaction were included in the model. Results: The PP had greater carcass, total lean, and ham percentages than crossbred pigs (p<0.05). LWLRP had thicker backfat and more carcass fat percentage than LWLRD (p<0.05). There were no differences (p>0.05) on cutting percentages from tender loin, loin, boston butt, and picnic shoulder among groups. The PP and LWLRP had larger loin eye area (LEA) than LWLRD (p<0.05). Gilts had more loin percentage and lower $L^*$ value than barrows (p<0.05). No meat color parameters ($L^*$, $a^*$, and $b^*$) were affected by groups (p>0.05). PP and LWLRP had larger muscle fiber diameters than LWLRD (p<0.05). However, water holding capacity, Warner-Bratzler shear force values, and chemical composition of LT were not affected by group or sex (p>0.05). Conclusion: Pakchong 5 purebred has good carcass and lean percentages. Compared to Duroc crossbred pigs, Pakchong 5 crossbreds have similar carcass and lean percentages, larger LEA, and slightly more carcass fat, with comparable meat quality and chemical composition. Pakchong 5 boars are more affordable for very small- to medium-scale pig producers.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.412-426
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• 2023

Currently, pigs breed in Korea are LYD (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) crossbred pigs. Pigs used as fresh meat are gilts and barrows. However, the current supply of pork is not satisfying Korean consumers. In addition, the comparison of carcasses between gilts and barrows only studies carcass weight, backfat thickness, or meat quality, and there are very few studies comparing carcass characteristics. The purpose of this study was to compare characteristics of 7 primal cuts of gilts and barrows as measured by AutoFom III. A total of 350,179 pigs were used, including 176,461 gilts and 173,718 barrows. Characteristics of seven primal cuts were measured using AutoFom III. In the case of carcass weight, there was no significant difference in grade 1+. For all other survey items except for grade 2, gilts showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher values. For all grades except for pork belly, amounts of the remaining six primal cuts were higher in gilts (all p < 0.05,). In addition, the ratio of intermuscular fat in the pork belly of barrows showed a higher value than that in the pork belly of gilts (p < 0.05). The amount of pork belly, which is the most popular among consumers in Korea, not only produced more production than gilts in barrows, but also showed a higher value than gilts in barrows for the ratio of intermuscular fat affecting taste. In summary, gilts produced higher yields than barrows in all parts except pork belly. For the production of only pork belly, barrows showed higher production than gilts.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.203-210
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• 2013

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the decreased carcass grade due to overweight on meat quality traits of the loin and belly. Out of 500 carcasses from 85- to 150-kg market pigs, seven average-size $1^+A$ carcasses, seven 1A and twelve 1B carcasses almost weighing the upper limits allowed for the A (95 kg) and B (99 kg) grades, respectively, and 12 1B carcasses weighing 100 kg or greater were selected for the present study. Marbling score was greater in the $1^+A$ grade than in any other grade, whereas color and textural properties of the muscle and fat of the carcass did not differ among the four carcass grades. Physicochemical characteristics of the loin including the color, pH, chemical composition, and others pertaining to the textural properties changed minimally with decreasing carcass grade. Off-odor of the fresh loin and belly was not influenced by the carcass grade whereas dripping was lowest in the $1^+A$ grade; color and marbling were not influenced or minimally influenced by the carcass grade. Overall acceptability of the fresh primals, however, did not differ among the carcass grades. In cooked loin and belly, a trend of decreased taste and acceptability with decreasing carcass grade was evident, albeitat a low slope, with a significant difference detected between $1^+A$ and 2C grades. In conclusion, the decreased pig carcass grade due to overweight is accompanied by a slightly decreased meat quality, suggesting that the yield grade of pig carcass is also somewhat reflective of meat quality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1292-1302
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• 2017

Objective: This experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of rapeseed meal (RSM) supplementation in weaning pig diet on growth performance, blood profile, carcass characteristics and economic analysis on weaning to finishing pigs. Methods: A total of 120 cross bred ([Yorkshire${\times}$Landrace]${\times}$Duroc) weaning pigs were allotted to 5 treatments in a randomized complete block design. Each treatment had 4 replications with 6 pigs per pen. Five different levels of RSM (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%) were used as dietary treatments. Results: Overall, no treatment showed significant differences in growth performance with increased dietary RSM levels. The concentration of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) decreased as dietary RSM levels increased in 6 weeks (linear response, p<0.01). Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine showed no significant differences, neither were there any significant differences in the immune response (IgG and IgA). As the dietary RSM levels of weaning pig diet were increased, no differences were found among dietary treatments upon performing proximate analyses of the pork after finishing. The influence of RSM supplementation on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention were not affected by dietary RSM levels either. With increased dietary RSM levels in the weaning pig diet, no differences among dietary treatments were found after performing proximate analyses of the pork's physiochemical properties. In addition, there were no significant differences observed in pork colors, pH levels, and economic benefits. Conclusion: Consequently, this experiment demonstrated that weaning pig's diet containing RSM influenced BUN concentration, but there were no detrimental effects on the growth performance of weaning pigs with up to 8% RSM in the diet.