• Title/Summary/Keyword: Production efficiency

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Effect of Sucrose and Polybrene on the Gene Transfer into Porcine Oocytes using Retroviral Vector (레트로 바이러스 벡터를 이용한 돼지난자에의 유전자 전이에 있어 Sucrose와 Polybrene의 효과)

  • Kim, . K.S.;M.S. Kwon;J.Y. Ju;Kim, K.S.;Kim, T.;Lee, H.T.;K.S. Chung
    • Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.153-163
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    • 2002
  • In vitro matured porcine oocytes have very small volume of perivitellinspace (PVS). In these respect, the effect of sucrose and polybrene on the efficiency of gene transfer was investigated. As a gene (hGH) transfer vehicle, vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein pseudotyped retroviral vector (VSV-G) was used. Sucrose treatment has no detrimental effect on the rates of cleavage and resulted in the enlargement of PVS for the efficient introduction of retroviral vector stocks. Introduction rates of retrovirus in 0.5, 1, 2, 3 % sucrose treatment group were higher than that of the non-treatment group (39.3, 43.3, 35.7, 40.7 % vs. 8.3 %), respectively. In addition, we observed that sucrose pretreatment during injection procedure significantly reduce the frequency of polyspermy. In general, polybrene is a polycation essential for retrovirus transduction. The groups with the addition of 0.5, 5, 50$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ polybrene exhibited a significant effect on gene transfer compared to that of the non-addition group (56.5, 50.0, 57.1 % vs. 34.6 %), respectively But, when the oocytes were co-injected with retrovirus and 50$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ polybrene, the rates of cleavage and blastocyst development were 43.3 and 4.6%, respectively. This rates were lower than those of the non-addition group (70.0 and 17.3 %). In conclusion, sucrose pretreatment have increased efficiency of retroviral mediated gene transfer in porcine oocytes with no damage on in vitro fertilization and embryo development. In addition, sucrose pretreatment was beneficial in polyspermy inhibition. Presence of polybrene during microinjection showed a beneficial effect on the gene transfer in porcine oocytes, in low concentration. And these results will provide an useful tool for production of transgenic pigs by retroviral mediated gene transfer.

Effects of Feed Additive as an Alternative for Antibiotics on Growth Performance and Feed Cost in Growing-finishing Pigs (항생제 대체제로서 첨가제가 육성 및 비육돈의 성장능력과 사료비에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Jong-Duk;Abuel, Sherwin J.;Shim, Keum-Seob
    • Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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    • v.18 no.2
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    • pp.233-244
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    • 2010
  • This experiment was conducted to evaluate two different types of feed additive as an alternative for antibiotics on growth performance and feed cost in growing and finishing pigs. One additive is an herb extract, with Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) as the main component, while the other feed additive contains aminolevulinic acid (ALA). In the first experiment, 128 grower pigs were allotted to 4 different treatment groups and replicated 4 times with 8 pigs per replicate; the trial lasted for 28 days. The positive control group (PC) which is the control group supplemented with antibiotics was significantly higher (p<0.05) in growth rate (580.6 g/d) followed by the ALA group (532.0 g/d), there was no significant differences in terms of feed intake and feed efficiency. There were marginal reductions in feed costs measured as feed cost per head in ALA and HE added diet. However, the feed cost per weight gain of ALA treatment was higher than the control group (PC) supplemented with antibiotics. In the second experiment, 80 finisher pigs were allotted to 4 treatment groups and replicated 4 times with 5 pigs per replicate; the trial lasted for 70 days. The treatment group supplemented with an herb extract (HE) had a significantly higher (p<0.05) feed intake (2,415.8 g/d) compared to the other treatment groups, but there was no significant differences in terms of growth rate and feed efficiency. Feed cost per head in HE and ALA treatments were higher than PC treatment, and feed cost per weight gain of HE was higher than PC treat (p<0.05). The results from these experiments suggests that these two types of feed additives can both be used as an alternative for antibiotics without having a negative effect on the performance of the animals. And aminolevulinic acid was good in performance and production cost of grower and finisher pigs.

Effect of Corn Silage and Soybean Silage Mixture on Rumen Fermentation Characteristics In Vitro, and Growth Performance and Meat Grade of Hanwoo Steers (옥수수 사일리지와 대두 사일리지의 혼합급여가 In Vitro 반추위 발효성상 및 거세한우의 성장과 육질등급에 미치는 영향)

  • Kang, Juhui;Lee, Kihwan;Marbun, Tabita Dameria;Song, Jaeyong;Kwon, Chan Ho;Yoon, Duhak;Seo, Jin-Dong;Jo, Young Min;Kim, Jin Yeoul;Kim, Eun Joong
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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    • v.42 no.2
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    • pp.61-72
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    • 2022
  • The present study was conducted to examine the effect of soybean silage as a crude protein supplement for corn silage in the diet of Hanwoo steers. The first experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing corn silage with soybean silage at different levels on rumen fermentation characteristics in vitro. Commercially-purchased corn silage was replaced with 0, 4, 8, or 12% of soybean silage. Half gram of the substrate was added to 50 mL of buffer and rumen fluid from Hanwoo cows, and then incubated at 39℃ for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. At 24 h, the pH of the control (corn silage only) was lower (p<0.05) than that of soybean-supplemented silages, and the pH numerically increased along with increasing proportions of soybean silage. Other rumen parameters, including gas production, ammonia nitrogen, and total volatile fatty acids, were variable. However, they tended to increase with increasing proportions of soybean silage. In the second experiment, 60 Hanwoo steers were allocated to one of three dietary treatments, namely, CON (concentrate with Italian ryegrass), CS (concentrate with corn silage), CS4% (concentrate with corn silage and 4% of soybean silage). Animals were offered experimental diets for 110 days during the growing period and then finished with typified beef diets that were commercially available to evaluate the effect of soybean silage on animal performance and meat quality. With the soybean silage, the weight gain and feed efficiency of the animal were more significant than those of the other treatments during the growing period (p<0.05). However, the dietary treatments had little effect on meat quality except for meat color. In conclusion, corn silage mixed with soybean silage even at a lower level provided a greater ruminal environment and animal performances, particularly with increased carcass weight and feed efficiency during growing period.

Next Generation Lightweight Structural Composite Materials for Future Mobility Review: Applicability of Self-Reinforced Composites (미래모빌리티를 위한 차세대 경량구조복합재료 검토: 자기강화복합재료의 적용 가능성)

  • Mi Na Kim;Ji-un Jang;Hyeseong Lee;Myung Jun Oh;Seong Yun Kim
    • Composites Research
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    • v.36 no.1
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    • pp.1-15
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    • 2023
  • Demand for energy consumption reduction is increasing according to the development expectations of future mobility. Lightweight structural materials are known as a method to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency. In particular, fiber reinforced polymer composite (FRP) is attracting attention as a material that can replace existing metal alloys due to its excellent mechanical properties and light weight. In this paper, industrial applications and research trends of carbon fiber reinforced composites (CFRP, carbon FRP) and self-reinforced composites (SRC) were reviewed based on the reinforcement, polymer matrix, and manufacturing process. In order to overcome the expensive process cost and long manufacturing time of the epoxy resin-based autoclave method, which is mainly used in the aircraft field, mass production of CFRP-applied electric vehicles has been reported using a high-pressure resin transfer molding process including fast-curing epoxy. In addition, thermoplastic resin-based CFRP and interface enhancement methods to solve the recycling issue of carbon fiber composites were reviewed in terms of materials and processes. To form a perfect matrix-reinforcement interface, which is known as the major factor inducing the excellent mechanical properties of FRP, studies on SRC impregnated with the same matrix in polymer fibers have been reported. The physical and mechanical properties of SRC based on various thermoplastic polymers were reviewed in terms of polymer orientation and composite structure. In addition, a copolymer matrix strategy for extending the processing window of highly drawn polypropylene fiber-based SRC was discussed. The application of CFRP and SRC as lightweight structural materials can provide potential options for improving the energy efficiency of future mobility.

Biochemical Methane Potential Analysis of Mushroom Waste Medium (버섯 폐배지의 생화학적 메탄퍼텐셜 분석)

  • Kim, Chang-Gyu;Lee, Jun-Hyeong;Yoon, Young-Man
    • Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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    • v.30 no.1
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    • pp.13-21
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    • 2022
  • Mushroom waste medium refers to the waste biomass generated after mushroom cultivating. And, the burden of treatment on mushroom farmhouse is increasing due to the absence of appropriate treatment method and increase of treatment costs of the mushroom waste medium. In this study, in order to assess the energy value of mushroom waste medium by an anaerobic digestion, methane potential and anaerobic organic matter decomposition characteristics were investigated. The theoretical methane potential(Bth) of mushroom medium(MM) was 0.481 Nm3-CH4/kg-VSadded, and the Bth of mushroom waste medium(MWM) was 0.451 Nm3-CH4/kg-VSadded. The biochemical methane potential(Bu-exp) of MWM was increased by 18% from 0.155 for MM to 0.183 Nm3-CH4/kg-VSadded for MWM. In the reaction kinetics analysis by the Modified Gompertz model, the maximum methane production rate(Rm) was increased from 4.59 for MM to 7.21 mL/day for MWM and the lag growth phase time(λ) was decreased from 2.78 for MM to 1.96 days for MWM. In the reaction kinetics analysis by the parallel first order kinetics model, the easily degradable organic matter(VSe) content was increased by 5.89% and the persistently degradable organic matter(VSp) content was 2.03% in MWM, and the non-degradable organic matter(VSNB) content was decreased by 7.85%. Therefore, it was evaluated that the anaerobic digestion efficiency of MWM was increased. The anaerobic digestion efficiency of MWM was assessed to be more improved than that of MM.

The Effects of Cattle Slurry Application and Mixed Sowing with legumes on Productivity and Feed Values of Barley and Rye (액상우분뇨와 콩과식물 혼파재배가 보리, 호밀의 생산성과 사료가치에 미치는 영향)

  • Jo, IK-Hwan
    • Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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    • v.17 no.3
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    • pp.371-380
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    • 2009
  • This study was conducted to assess effects of supplying different types of nitrogen sources as fertilizers on productivity and feed values of barley and rye as winter forage crops, and ultimately done to get good quality of organic forages with higher fertilization of soil. For barley, N+P+K plots were significantly (P<0.05) higher in annual dry matter (DM) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) yields than other plots. However, cattle manure plots had significantly (P<0.05) higher annual DM and TDN than P+K and non-fertilizer plots. Plots of 50%-cattle manure and mixed sowing with hairy vetch or forage pea were higher than only 50%-cattle manure plot, particularly, these were significantly higher than non-fertilizer, and their crude protein (CP) yields were much higher than other plots. Crude protein contents were significantly higher in N+P+K and 50%-cattle manure slurry plots than non-fertilizer and P+K plots, and plots of mixed sowing with hairy vetch or forage pea in application of 50%-cattle manure had higher CP content than other plots. ADF content was lowest in 50%-cattle manure+forage pea plots, but highest in 100%-cattle manure plots. NDF content was lowest in legumes-mixed sowing, but highest in 100%-cattle manure plots. TDN content was the highest in forage pea plots, and plots of 50%-cattle manure and legumes-mixed sowing had high RFV, but cattle manure plots rich in ADF and NDF content had the lowest TDN and RFV. For rye, plots of 50%-cattle manure+hairy vetch mixed sowing, and N+P+K application had significantly higher annual DM, CP and TDN than other plots except for cattle manure. DM productive efficiency to nitrogen fertilization was markedly higher for cattle manure plots than for chemical fertilizer. This tendency was more conspicuous in plots of 50% cattle manure+legumes-mixed sowing. CP content was higher for N+P+K plot than for all plots, and plots of 50%-cattle manure + legumes-mixed sowing were significantly higher than other plots. On the contrary, forage pea-mixed sowing plot had the lowest ADF and NDF, but TDN and RFV were significantly (P<0.05) higher than other plots. Grass crop cultivation together with legumes by applying livestock manure to soil may lead to higher palatability of livestock, and better quality of forage. Furthermore, cattle manure application increased production yield per ha and CP contents. Thus, when applying forage crops produced by cattle manure application and mixed sowing to organic livestock production, it was conceived that forages produced might become a substitute for foreign organic grain as protein sources.

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Geology of Athabasca Oil Sands in Canada (캐나다 아사바스카 오일샌드 지질특성)

  • Kwon, Yi-Kwon
    • The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.1-11
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    • 2008
  • As conventional oil and gas reservoirs become depleted, interests for oil sands has rapidly increased in the last decade. Oil sands are mixture of bitumen, water, and host sediments of sand and clay. Most oil sand is unconsolidated sand that is held together by bitumen. Bitumen has hydrocarbon in situ viscosity of >10,000 centipoises (cP) at reservoir condition and has API gravity between $8-14^{\circ}$. The largest oil sand deposits are in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. The reverves are approximated at 1.7 trillion barrels of initial oil-in-place and 173 billion barrels of remaining established reserves. Alberta has a number of oil sands deposits which are grouped into three oil sand development areas - the Athabasca, Cold Lake, and Peace River, with the largest current bitumen production from Athabasca. Principal oil sands deposits consist of the McMurray Fm and Wabiskaw Mbr in Athabasca area, the Gething and Bluesky formations in Peace River area, and relatively thin multi-reservoir deposits of McMurray, Clearwater, and Grand Rapid formations in Cold Lake area. The reservoir sediments were deposited in the foreland basin (Western Canada Sedimentary Basin) formed by collision between the Pacific and North America plates and the subsequent thrusting movements in the Mesozoic. The deposits are underlain by basement rocks of Paleozoic carbonates with highly variable topography. The oil sands deposits were formed during the Early Cretaceous transgression which occurred along the Cretaceous Interior Seaway in North America. The oil-sands-hosting McMurray and Wabiskaw deposits in the Athabasca area consist of the lower fluvial and the upper estuarine-offshore sediments, reflecting the broad and overall transgression. The deposits are characterized by facies heterogeneity of channelized reservoir sands and non-reservoir muds. Main reservoir bodies of the McMurray Formation are fluvial and estuarine channel-point bar complexes which are interbedded with fine-grained deposits formed in floodplain, tidal flat, and estuarine bay. The Wabiskaw deposits (basal member of the Clearwater Formation) commonly comprise sheet-shaped offshore muds and sands, but occasionally show deep-incision into the McMurray deposits, forming channelized reservoir sand bodies of oil sands. In Canada, bitumen of oil sands deposits is produced by surface mining or in-situ thermal recovery processes. Bitumen sands recovered by surface mining are changed into synthetic crude oil through extraction and upgrading processes. On the other hand, bitumen produced by in-situ thermal recovery is transported to refinery only through bitumen blending process. The in-situ thermal recovery technology is represented by Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage and Cyclic Steam Stimulation. These technologies are based on steam injection into bitumen sand reservoirs for increase in reservoir in-situ temperature and in bitumen mobility. In oil sands reservoirs, efficiency for steam propagation is controlled mainly by reservoir geology. Accordingly, understanding of geological factors and characteristics of oil sands reservoir deposits is prerequisite for well-designed development planning and effective bitumen production. As significant geological factors and characteristics in oil sands reservoir deposits, this study suggests (1) pay of bitumen sands and connectivity, (2) bitumen content and saturation, (3) geologic structure, (4) distribution of mud baffles and plugs, (5) thickness and lateral continuity of mud interbeds, (6) distribution of water-saturated sands, (7) distribution of gas-saturated sands, (8) direction of lateral accretion of point bar, (9) distribution of diagenetic layers and nodules, and (10) texture and fabric change within reservoir sand body.

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Interpretation and Meaning of Celadon Inlaid with Sanskrit Mantras in the late Goryeo Dynasty (고려 후기 범자 진언명 상감청자의 해석과 의미)

  • Lee Jun-kwang
    • MISULJARYO - National Museum of Korea Art Journal
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    • v.104
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    • pp.70-100
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    • 2023
  • The celadon made in the Goryeo era, a time when Buddhism was flourishing in Korea, naturally contains many elements of Buddhist culture. Among them, inlaid celadon with Sanskrit inscriptions bears a close relationship with esoteric Buddhism. However, the research on deciphering the Sanskrit inscriptions has made little progress due to the small number of extant examples. However, the four recent excavations at the No. 23 kiln site in Sadang-ri, Gangjin have yielded new materials that allow the existing materials to be categorized into several types. The results obtained through the reading and interpretation of the inscriptions are as follows: First, the Sanskrit characters inlaid on the celadon were parts of mantras. Inscriptions where only one character is apparent cannot be deciphered, but scholars have revealed that others are written in the manner of a wheel mantra represent the "Mantra for Purifying the Dharma-Realm," "Six-Syllable Mantra of the Vidyaraja," "Sweet Dew Mantra," "Jewel Pavilion Mantra," "Mantra of the Savior Bodhisattva," "Dharani of the Mind of the Budha of Infinite Life," and "Mantra for Extinguishing Evil Rebirth." Each mantra was written in Siddham script. Second, they are believed to have been produced during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries based on the arrangement of the inscriptions and the way the "Sweet Dew Mantra" is included in the "40 Hands Mantra." In particular, the celadon pieces with a mantra inlaid in a concentric manner are dated to the late thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries based on their production characteristics. Third, the interpretation of the inlaid mantras suggests that they all refer to the "Shattering Hell" and "Rebirth in the Pure Land." Based on this, it can be concluded that some of these inlaid celadon wares with mantras may have been used in Buddhist rituals for the dead, such as the ritual for feeding hungry ghosts (施餓鬼會). Also, because the Sadang-ri No. 23 kiln site and the "ga" area of the site are believed to have produced royal celadon, it is likely that these rituals were performed at the royal court or a temple under its influence. Fourth, this inlaid Goryeo celadon with Sanskrit mantras was not a direct influence of the ceramics of Yuan China. It emerged by adopting Yuan Chinese Buddhist culture, which was influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, into Goryeo Korea's existing esoteric practices. Fifth, the celadon wares inlaid with a Sanskrit mantra reveal a facet of the personal esoteric rituals that prevailed in late Goryeo society. Changes in esotericism triggered by the desire for relief from anxieties can be exemplified in epitaph tablets and coffins that express a shared desire for escaping hell and being born again in paradise. Sixth, the inlaid celadon with Sanskrit mantras shares some common features with other crafts. The similarities include the use of Siddham Sanskrit, the focus on Six-Syllable Mantra of the Vidyaraja, the correspondence with the contents of the mantras found on Buddhist bells, wooden coffins, and memorial tablets, and their arraignment in a similar manner with rooftiles. The major difference between them is that the Mantra for Extinguishing Evil Rebirth and the Sweet Dew Manta have not yet been found on other craftworks. I believe that the inscriptions of Sanskrit mantras are found mainly on inlaid celadon vessels due to their relatively low production cost and efficiency.

Studies on Calcium Availability in Various Sources by Chicken (닭에 대(對)한 칼슘 공급원별(供給源別) 효율(?率)에 관(關)한 연구(硏究))

  • Chiang, Yun-Hwan
    • Applied Biological Chemistry
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    • v.18 no.3
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    • pp.145-166
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    • 1975
  • The calcium balance study was carried out to determine the availability of calcium in different sources for chicks and laying hens. The sources of calcium were calcium carbonate (CC), dicalcium phosphate-dihydrate (DCPH), and dicalcium phosphate-anhydride (DCPA) for chicks and calcium carbonate (CC) and oyster shell (OS) for laying hens. The radioisotope dilution method was employed to measure the endogenous excreta calcium during the period of balance study following preliminary feeding. A. Experimental results with chicks: No significant difference was found among feed consumption of chicks fed diets containing different sources of calcium. Body weight gain of chicks was dependent upon the source of calcium. The gain decreased in the order of DCPH, DCPA and CC (P<0.01). The feed conversion efficiency in chicks fed DCPH was better than those in chicks fed CC or DCPA. The average tibia ash contents for chicks fed different sources of calcium were similar. The DCPH was superior to CC or DCPA regarding the calcium content in tibia ash. There were no significant differences among the average calcium contents in plasma trichloracetic acid filtrate in chicks irrespective of calcium sources. The mean apparent retention of calcium by chicks fed DCPH, CC and DCPA were 65.9, 64.0 and 59.9% respectively. The calcium to phosphorus ratios in tibia ash and plasma trichloracetic acid filtrate for chicks fed different sources of calcium were similar. The chicks fed DCPH showed the partition of endogenous excreta calcium in total excreta calcium as 35.6% which was higher than 31.0 or 31.4% for chicks fed CC or DCPA. The endogenous excreta calcium per day per chick in group fed DCPH, DCPA or CC were 17.2, 16.1 and 14.6mg respectively. The true retained calcium per day per chick in group fed DCPH were 109.9 mg which was higher than those observed with CC or DCPA group (P<0.01). The true retention of calcium by the birds fed diets containing DCPH, CC or DCPA were 78.1, 75.1 or 72.6% respectively. B. Experimental results with laying hens: The feed consumption, egg production and feed converion efficiency of laying hens fed diets containing different sources of calcium were similar. Calcium concentration in plasma trichloracetic acid filtrate in laying birds fed CC was equivalent to the value obtained by feeding OS. The apparent calcium retention by laying birds fed CC was 61.6% and it was significantly more than that of hens fed OS of 51.6% (P<0.05). The partition of endogenous excreta calcium in total excreta calcium of laying hens fed CC was 23.5% and this was higher than that of birds fed OS of 15.6%. The laying hens fed CC showed 310 mg of endogenous excreta calcium per day per bird while birds fed OS showed 261mg. The true retention of calcium by layers fed CC was 70.7% against 59.2% for birds fed OS (P<0.05).

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Growth Efficiency, Carcass Quality Characteristics and Profitability of 'High'-Market Weight Pigs ('고체중' 출하돈의 성장효율, 도체 품질 특성 및 수익성)

  • Park, M.J.;Ha, D.M.;Shin, H.W.;Lee, S.H.;Kim, W.K.;Ha, S.H.;Yang, H.S.;Jeong, J.Y.;Joo, S.T.;Lee, C.Y.
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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    • v.49 no.4
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    • pp.459-470
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    • 2007
  • Domestically, finishing pigs are marketed at 110 kg on an average. However, it is thought to be feasible to increase the market weight to 120kg or greater without decreasing the carcass quality, because most domestic pigs for pork production have descended from lean-type lineages. The present study was undertaken to investigate the growth efficiency and profitability of ‘high’-market wt pigs and the physicochemical characteristics and consumers' acceptability of the high-wt carcass. A total of 96 (Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc-crossbred gilts and barrows were fed a finisher diet ad laibtum in 16 pens beginning from 90-kg BW, after which the animals were slaughtered at 110kg (control) or ‘high’ market wt (135 and 125kg in gilts & barrows, respectively) and their carcasses were analyzed. Average daily gain and gain:feed did not differ between the two sex or market wt groups, whereas average daily feed intake was greater in the barrow and high market wt groups than in the gilt and 110-kg market wt groups, respectively(P<0.01). Backfat thickness of the high-market wt gilts and barrows corrected for 135 and 125-kg live wt, which were 23.7 and 22.5 mm, respectively, were greater (P<0.01) than their corresponding 110-kg counterparts(19.7 & 21.1 mm). Percentages of the trimmed primal cuts per total trimmed lean (w/w), except for that of loin, differed statistically (P<0.05) between two sex or market wt groups, but their numerical differences were rather small. Crude protein content of the loin was greater in the high vs. 110-kg market group (P<0.01), but crude fat and moisture contents and other physicochemical characteristics including the color of this primal cut were not different between the two sexes or market weights. Aroma, marbling and overall acceptability scores were greater in the high vs. 110-kg market wt group in sensory evaluation for fresh loin (P<0.01); however, overall acceptabilities for cooked loin, belly and ham were not different between the two market wt groups. Marginal profits of the 135- and 125-kg high-market wt gilt and barrow relative to their corresponding 110-kg ones were approximately -35,000 and 3,500 wons per head under the current carcass grading standard and price. However, if it had not been for the upper wt limits for the A- and B-grade carcasses, marginal profits of the high market wt gilt and barrow would have amounted to 22,000 and 11,000 wons per head, respectively. In summary, 120~125-kg market pigs are likely to meet the consumers' preference better than the 110-kg ones and also bring a profit equal to or slightly greater than that of the latter even under the current carcass grading standard. Moreover, if only the upper wt limits of the A- & B-grade carcasses were removed or increased to accommodate the high-wt carcass, the optimum market weights for the gilt and barrow would fall upon their target weights of the present study, i.e. 135 and 125 kg, respectively.