• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.539-545
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• 2021

Objective: Endometritis is a major disease, that causes infertility in cattle, and is usually categorized as clinical or subclinical endometritis (SCE). The nutritional condition during the dry period is important for recovery after the last stage of the lactation period, and for postpartum production and reproduction. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between nutritional and metabolic characteristics in the dry period, and the risk of postpartum SCE. Methods: Multiparous Holstein dairy cows (n = 25, raised in a tied stall) were used. Endometrial cytological analysis was performed around 30 days post-partum, with 5% to 14% polymorphonuclear (PMN) as a cut-off point to define SCE. Serum levels of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), blood urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium were measured in the cows at the dry period to evaluate energy status, protein metabolism, and mineral metabolism. Results: The incidence of SCE in the cows was 60.0% (n = 15/25) and the mean PMN% in postpartum cows diagnosed as SCE was 8.05%±2.6%. Overall, 17 and 8 samples were collected from the cows in the far-off and close-up periods, respectively. The serum concentration of BHBA in the far-off period and serum glucose concentration in the closeup period were correlated with postpartum PMN% (r = 0.62, p<0.01; r = -0.74, p<0.05, respectively). Serum levels of calcium and magnesium in the dry period were associated with the incidence of postpartum SCE (healthy vs SCE cows, p<0.05). Conclusion: Blood levels of glucose, BHBA, calcium, and magnesium in dry periods could be useful parameters for predicting the risk of postpartum SCE. The present study also suggests that management in the close-up period is essential for promoting recovery from calving fatigue.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.375-382
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• 2006

From its initial colonization to causation of disease, Streptococcus pneumoniae has evolved strategies to cope with a number of stressful in vivo environmental conditions. In order to analyze a global view of this organism's response to heat shock, we established a 2-D electrophoresis proteome map of the S. pneumoniae D39 soluble proteins under in vitro culture conditions and performed the comparative proteome analysis to a 37 to $42^{\circ}C$ temperature up-shift in S. pneumoniae. When the temperature of an exponentially growing S. pneumoniae D39 culture was raised to $42^{\circ}C$, the expression level of 25 proteins showed changes when compared to the control. Among these 25 proteins, 12 were identified by MALDI-TOF and LC-coupled ESI MS/MS. The identified proteins were shown to be involved in the general stress response, energy metabolism, nucleotide biosynthesis pathways, and purine metabolism. These results provide clues for understanding the mechanism of adaptation to heat shock by S. pneumoniae and may facilitate the assessment of a possible role for these proteins in the physiology and pathogenesis of this pathogen.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1761-1767
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• 2016

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate effects of coated compound proteases (CC protease) on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nitrogen (N) and energy, and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of amino acids (AA) and nutrients in diets for pigs. In Exp. 1, 12 crossbred barrows (initial body weight: $20.79{\pm}1.94kg$) were housed in individual metabolism crates and allotted into 2 treatments with 6 piglets per treatment according to weight in a randomized complete block design. The 2 diets were corn-soybean meal basal diets with (0.2 g/kg) or without CC protease supplementation. The CC protease supplementation increased (p<0.05) the digestible and metabolizable N and energy values and the digestibility and retention rate of N in the diet. The ATTD of energy and nutrients had been improved (p<0.05) in the diet supplemented with CC protease. In Exp. 2, 12 crossbred barrows (initial body weight: $20.79{\pm}1.94kg$), fitted with T-cannulas at the distal ileum, were blocked by body weight into 2 groups with 6 pigs each. The diets were the same as those in Exp. 1. The CC protease increased (p<0.05) the AID of crude protein and some essential AA including arginine, isoleucine and leucine. The AID and ATTD of energy and nutrients had been improved (p<0.05) by supplemental CC protease, but the hindgut digestibility of nutrients was unaffected. Overall, the CC protease improved the ATTD of N and energy and AID of some indispensible AA and nutrients in the corn-soybean meal diet for pigs. Therefore, the CC protease supplement could improve the utilization of protein in the corn-soybean meal diet and thus contribute to lower N excretion to the environment.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.564-572
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• 2013

Two trials were conducted to investigate the effect of decreasing the crude protein (CP) content of diets for finishing pigs containing two levels of available lysine on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) balance and production performance. Ten finishing diets containing five levels of CP (on average 144, 155, 168, 182 and 193 g/kg fresh basis) and two levels of available lysine (6.9 and 8.2 g/kg fresh basis) were formulated. The diets were offered to pigs on a performance trial (n = 800 Large White (LW)${\times}$Landrace (LR) pigs) from 10 wk of age until finish at 21 wks+5 d of age. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. In addition, a digestibility/N balance trial was conducted using pigs (n = 80 $LW{\times}LR$) housed in metabolism crates. Digestibility of dry matter (DM), CP, oil, fibre and energy was determined. N balance values were determined through analysis of N content of urine and faeces ('as determined'). N balance values were also calculated using ADG values and assuming that 16% of growth is protein deposition ("as calculated"). Pig performance was poor between 10 and 13 wk of age which indicated that the dietary treatments were nutritionally inadequate for pigs less than 40 kg. There was a significant (p<0.01) quadratic effect of increasing CP level on feed intake, ADG and FCR from 10 to 13 wk which indicated that the lower CP levels did not supply adequate levels of essential or non-essential amino acids. There was no effect of increasing available lysine level throughout the early period, which in conjunction with the response in older pigs, suggested that both 8.2 and 6.9 g/kg available lysine were insufficient to drive optimum growth. There was a positive response (p<0.05) to increasing available lysine level from 13 wk to finish which indicated that 6.9 g/kg available lysine was not adequate for finishing pigs. Energy digestibility decreased with decreasing CP level of diets containing 6.9 g/kg available lysine which may be attributed to the higher fibre content of the lower CP diets. Nitrogen excretion (g/d) was lowered when dietary CP was reduced regardless of whether the values were determined through balance or calculated using ADG. Calculated N excretion decreased linearly (p<0.001) and quadratically (p<0.001) with decreasing dietary CP content. When the N balance figures calculated in this study were compared with those quoted in the Northern Ireland and English Nitrates Directive Action Programmes, N excretion was less per pig (wean to finish) offered a 169 g/kg CP, 8.2 g/kg available lysine diet (2.39 kg vs 3.41 kg (Northern Ireland) and 2.93 kg (England)).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.797-803
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• 2017

Objective: Effects of nitrogen supplementation associated with different levels of starch on voluntary intake, digestibility, and rumen and metabolic characteristics of cattle fed low-quality tropical forage (Brachiaria decumbens hay, 7.4% crude protein, CP) were evaluated using ruminal and abomasal cannulated steers. Methods: Five European${\times}$Zebu young bulls (186 kg body weight, BW) were distributed according to a $5{\times}5$ Latin square. The following treatments were evaluated: control, supplementation with 300 g CP/d (0:1), supplementation with 300 g starch/d and 300 g CP/d (1:1), supplementation with 600 g starch/d and 300 g CP/d (2:1), and supplementation with 900 g starch/d and 300 g CP/d (3:1). A mixture of nitrogenous compounds provided 1/3 from true protein (casein) and 2/3 from non-protein nitrogen (mixture of urea and ammonium sulphate, 9:1) was used as the nitrogen supplement. In order to supply energy a unique source of corn starch was used. Results: Supplements increased (p<0.05) dry matter intake, but did not affect (p>0.05) forage intake. There was a cubic effect (p<0.05) of starch on voluntary intake. This was attributed to the highest forage intake (g/kg BW) when using the 2:1 starch:CP ratio. Supplements increased (p<0.05) organic matter (OM) digestibility, but did not affect (p>0.05) neutral detergent fibre corrected for ash and protein (NDFap) digestibility. There was a positive linear effect (p<0.05) of the amount of starch supplemented on OM digestibility. Total NDFap digestibility was not affected (p>0.05) by the amount of supplemental starch. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentrations were higher (p<0.05) in supplemented animals, however, a negative linear effect (p<0.05) of amount of starch was observed. Supplements increased (p<0.05) the nitrogen balance (NB) and efficiency of nitrogen utilization. These effects were attributed to increased body anabolism, supported by higher (p<0.05) serum concentration of insulin-like growth factor 1. Increasing the amount of starch tended (p<0.06) to linearly increase the NB. In spite of this, there was a highest NB value for the 2:1 starch:CP ratio amongst the treatments with supplementation. Conclusion: Nitrogen supplementation in cattle fed low-quality tropical forage increases nitrogen retention in the animal's body. An additional supply of starch increases nitrogen retention by increasing energy availability for both rumen and animal metabolism.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.85-95
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• 1991

The investigation concerned an effect of the ground charcoal powder and organic acids on the digestibilities of protein and energy or the contents of uric acid, ammonia, creatine and urea in excreta of 113 week-old White Leghorn strain layers. Birds were fed basal (control) diet composed of mainly corn-soybean meal during a week of previous feeding and subsequent experimental diets during 12 weeks of experimental feeding . The experimental diets were the control diet(CON). diet(CPD) substituted 0.5% of the ground charcoal powder with the defatted rice bran of the CON, diet(PWV) added 0.1mM(based on the acetic acid) wood vinegar in the CPD and diet(PFA) added 0.1mM (based on the acetic acid) fermented acetic acid in the CPD. Birds fed CPD excreted significantly(P＜0.05) more fecal nitrogen(FN) and lower urinary nitrogen (UN) than those of birds fed CON. Digestibility of protein was lower significantly (P＜ 0.05) in CPB-fed bird than in bird fed CON. while birds fed CON. PWV and PFA showed similar values. Also urinary nitrogen per nitrogen intake (UN/NI) or absorbed nitrogen (UN/AN) was significantly (P＜0.05) lower in birds fed CPD compared with those in birds fed CON. And birds fed PWV tended to increase UN/NI and UN/AN, while PFA-fed birds excreted significantly (P＜0.05) higher UN/Nl and UN/Ah than those of birds fed CPD diet. The uric acid nitrogen (UAN) per nitrogen intake (UAN/NI) or absorbed nitrogen (UAN/AN) were lower significantly(P＜0.05) in CPD-fed birds and were tended to decrease in birds fed PWV compared with those in birds fed CON and PFA The ammoniacal nitrogen(AMN) per nitrogen intake (AMN/NI) or absorbed nitrogen (AMN/NI) was tended to increase in birds fed experimental diets and was increased significantly(P＜0.05) in birds fed PFA compared with those of birds fed CON. The excretion of creatine and urea nitrogen per nitrogen intake or absorbed nitrogen was shown similar values among birds fed experimental diets Digestibility of energy (DE/GE) was not shown any significant effect of experimental diet and were in the range of 80~84%. But metabolizability (ME/GE or MEn/GE) was increased in birds fed CPD and PWV and was decreased in birds fed PFA compared with those in birds fed CON. Although birds fed PWV showed significantly(P＜0.05) higher ME/GE than bird fed PFA, the MEn/GE were higher significantly (P＜0.05) in birds fed CON and CPD compared with that in birds fed PFA. Fecal energy affects 10~23% in the change of metabolizability though significant effect of fecal energy on the metabolizability were not found. But the effect of urinary energy on the metabolizability of diet was lowered as 2.3~3, 0% and the effect of experimental diets on the metabolizability of diets was due to change of urinary energy which also was originated from the change of uric acid energy.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.546-555
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• 1982

To evaluate the digestibility and absorbability of proteins, and the rates of energy and nitrogen(N) metabolism of the Korean native goats, studies were carried out with open type respiration apparatus based on the nitrogen-carbon method. The results on the nitrogen retention and the metabolic rate of energy, which was obtained with one male (10-month-old) and one female (24-month-old) goats, both weighing ${\simeq}20kg$, are summarized as follows. 1. When the goats were fed ad libitum the medium quality orchard grass hay, they consumed hay about 0.66 to 0.92% of body weight per day. The hay intake was remained the same even when high quality hay was provided. This amount of hay intake was relatively lower than that of dairy goat and sheep. It was believed to be partly due to the change in feeding enviroment. When fed with hay and soybean meal together, the goats ate hay about 1.06% and soybean meal about 0.60% of body weight, corresponding to 1.66% of body weight as fed basis. 2. The $CO_2$ gas produced from the goat in the open type respiration chamber and absorbed with KOH solution was estimated to be 99~117g/day. The difference in feed intake did not influence the $CO_2$ production; however, these seems to be a linea relationship between body weight and $CO_2$ production. 3. When fed orchard grass hay only, the goats showed protein digestibility of 24~41%. The protein digestibility incresed to 58.2% when fed hay and soybean meal together. A negative nitrogen balance(-0.16g N/day) was observed with goats fed 11.53g N originated from 212g hay and 150g soybean meal. Converting that nitrogen ingested to a crude protein, the amount of crude protein intake by the goats per day was 77.9g compared to 40~45g N known to be required in a day by goat weighing 20kg, indicating that the extra protein ingested was metabolized to provide energy. 4. When the male and female goats comsumed 624 kcal gross energy and 824 kcal gross energy by consuming 158g and 213g of hay, respectively, the digestible energy intake was calculated to be 260kcal for the male and 199kcal for the female goat. The daily heat production of male and female goats were 338kcal and 334kcal, respectively, when fed hay only. However, the female goat fed 212g hay and 150g soybean meal produced about 591kcal per day. Consequently, the energy requirment of the Korean native goats weighing ${\simeq}20kg$ was concluded to be $${\geq_-}$$600kcal net energy per day. 5. The fasting heat product ion of a male goat weighing 27.7kg was 412kcal per day when fasted for 2~3 days. When fasted for 3~4 days, the value decresed to 240kcal. The enviromental temperatures during the expreimental period were ranged from 19 to $34.5^{\circ}C$. The goats seemed to be panting when the chamber temperature rose to $32^{\circ}C$ or above. 6. When fed low levels of dietary protein, serum protein levels of the goats were decresed slightly ($${\leq_-}$$10%); however, urea content in the serum was observed to decrese to a great extent (3X).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1483-1489
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• 2016

Most of amino acid (AA) digestibility values for feed ingredients are obtained using pigs cannulated in the distal ileum. The ileal-cannulated pig model uses pigs older than six weeks due to difficulties related to implanting the T-cannula in distal ileum of younger pigs and complications during the post-surgical recovery. However, to properly formulate the diet of weaned pigs, the nutritive value of feed ingredients should be determined with younger pigs. Thus, 25 weaned pigs were used to determine the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, energy, and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) ileal AA digestibility of broken rice (BR), with or without multicarbohydrase (MC) and phytase (Phy) supplementation. Piglets were weaned at 23 d of age and individually housed in digestibility cages until 45 d of age. The trial consisted of 7 d of adaptation to the experimental diets and 3 d of excreta (feces and urine) collection. Ileal digesta was collected at slaughter (about 6 weeks of age). A completely randomized experimental design was used to determine the effects of MC and Phy. Reference diets (RD, 5% casein) was replaced by 30% of BR with or without MC, Phy, or MC+Phy. The RD was used to quantify endogenous AA losses. BR with Phy supplied had increased the ATTD of dry matter (p<0.05) and SID of histidine (p = 0.05), arginine, leucine, lysine, valine, alanine, and proline (p<0.05). BR with MC had been increased digestible energy and protein and SID for histidine (p<0.05). There was no interaction between Phy and MC on the BR nutrient digestibilities. Standardized amino acid digestibilities of BR, without enzymes, were lower than those values reported in the literature. The MC and Phy improved the digestibility of some nutrients and energy of BR in post-weaned piglet diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.917-925
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• 2014

An accurate feed formulation is essential for optimizing feed efficiency and minimizing feed cost for swine and poultry production. Because energy and amino acid (AA) account for the major cost of swine and poultry diets, a precise determination of the availability of energy and AA in feedstuffs is essential for accurate diet formulations. Therefore, the methodology for determining the availability of energy and AA should be carefully selected. The total collection and index methods are 2 major procedures for estimating the availability of energy and AA in feedstuffs for swine and poultry diets. The total collection method is based on the laborious production of quantitative records of feed intake and output, whereas the index method can avoid the laborious work, but greatly relies on accurate chemical analysis of index compound. The direct method, in which the test feedstuff in a diet is the sole source of the component of interest, is widely used to determine the digestibility of nutritional components in feedstuffs. In some cases, however, it may be necessary to formulate a basal diet and a test diet in which a portion of the basal diet is replaced by the feed ingredient to be tested because of poor palatability and low level of the interested component in the test ingredients. For the digestibility of AA, due to the confounding effect on AA composition of protein in feces by microorganisms in the hind gut, ileal digestibility rather than fecal digestibility has been preferred as the reliable method for estimating AA digestibility. Depending on the contribution of ileal endogenous AA losses in the ileal digestibility calculation, ileal digestibility estimates can be expressed as apparent, standardized, and true ileal digestibility, and are usually determined using the ileal cannulation method for pigs and the slaughter method for poultry. Among these digestibility estimates, the standardized ileal AA digestibility that corrects apparent ileal digestibility for basal endogenous AA losses, provides appropriate information for the formulation of swine and poultry diets. The total quantity of energy in feedstuffs can be partitioned into different components including gross energy (GE), digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and net energy based on the consideration of sequential energy losses during digestion and metabolism from GE in feeds. For swine, the total collection method is suggested for determining DE and ME in feedstuffs whereas for poultry the classical ME assay and the precision-fed method are applicable. Further investigation for the utilization of ME may be conducted by measuring either heat production or energy retention using indirect calorimetry or comparative slaughter method, respectively. This review provides information on the methodology used to determine accurate estimates of AA and energy availability for formulating swine and poultry diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.1299-1307
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• 2010

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary antioxidant and energy density on performance and antioxidative status in transition cows. Forty cows were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments in a $2{\times}2$ factorial design. High or low energy density diets (1.43 or 1.28 Mcal $NE_L$/kg DM, respectively) were formulated with or without antioxidant (AOX, a dry granular blend of ethoxyquin and tertiary-butylhydroquinone; 0 or 5 g/cow per d). These diets were fed to cows for 21 days pre-partum. During the post-partum period, all cows were fed the same lactation diets, and AOX treatment followed as for the pre-partum period. Feeding a high energy diet depressed the DMI, milk yield, and 4% fat-corrected milk (FCM) of cows. However, AOX inclusion in the diet improved the milk and 4% FCM yields. There was an interaction of energy density by AOX on milk protein, milk fat and total solids contents. Feeding a high energy diet pre-partum increased plasma glucose and ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate, whereas dietary AOX decreased plasma ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate value during the transition period. There were also interactions between time and treatment for plasma glutathione peroxidase activity and malondialdehyde content during the study. Cows fed high energy diets pre-partum had higher plasma glutathione peroxidase activity 3 days prior to parturition, compared with those on low energy diets. Inclusion of AOX in diets decreased plasma glutathione peroxidase activity in cows 3 and 10 days pre-partum. Addition of AOX significantly decreased malondialdehyde values at calving. Energy density induced marginal changes in fatty acid composition in the erythrocyte membrane 3 days post-partum, while AOX only significantly increased cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid composition. The increase in fluidity of the erythrocyte membrane was only observed in the high energy treatment. It is suggested that a diet containing high energy density pre-partum may negatively affect the anti-oxidative status, DMI and subsequent performance. Addition of AOX may improve the anti-oxidative status and reduce plasma ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate, eventually resulting in improved lactation performance; the response to AOX addition was more pronounced on the high energy diet.