• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.920-928
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• 2023

Objective: Angora rabbits fed a low-protein diet exhibit decreased hair production performance. This study was set out to evaluate the effects of methionine on hair properties and nitrogen metabolism in Angora rabbits fed a low-protein diet and to investigate the gene expression related to hair follicle development to determine the possible molecular mechanism of methionine effects on hair follicle development. Methods: An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of DL-methionine addition on a low-protein diet on hair development in Angora rabbits. Angora rabbits were divided into 5 groups: fed a normal diet (control), fed a low-protein diet (LP), or fed an LP supplemented with 0.2%, 0.4%, or 0.6% DL-methionine (Met). Results: The results showed that rabbits in the LP group had lower wool yield than the control rabbits, but the addition of 0.4% to 0.6% Met to LP attenuated these effects (p<0.05). Dietary addition of 0.4% to 0.6% Met to LP increased the apparent nitrogen digestibility, nitrogen utilization rate, and feed efficiency (p<0.05). Feeding LP decreased the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), keratin-associated protein (KAP) 3.1, and KAP 6.1 mRNA levels compared with the control, but the addition of 0.4% Met in LP attenuated these effects (p<0.05). Relative to the LP or control group, dietary addition of 0.4% Met increased versican mRNA levels. Conclusion: In conclusion, the addition of Met to LP could improves wool production performance and feed efficiency and reduce nitrogen emissions in Angora rabbits. Met can promote hair follicle development, which may be associated with IGF1, KAP, and the versican signaling.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2010

The present study aimed to examine the effects of ${\gamma}$-linolenic acid (GLA) supplementation to in vitro culture (IVC) medium on in vitro developmental competence, freezability and morphology of in vitro matured and fertilized bovine embryos. In vitro produced (IVP) bovine zygotes were cultured in IVC medium supplemented with 0 (negative control), 15, 31, 62, 125, 250, 500 or 1,000 ppm GLA, 250 ppm linoleic acid albumin (LAA) and without any supplement as a control. Day 6 blastocysts derived from culture control were cultured in IVC medium containing either 62, 250 GLA or 250 LAA for 24 h, and at Day 7 were subjected to freezing or morphological examination by electron microscope. GLA 15 showed a tendency to have a higher cleavage rate at Day 2 (70.3%) than other groups. The hatching rate at Day 9 in LAA (38.2%) was significantly higher than the control and all treatment groups (p<0.05), while the blastocyst rate in LAA (32.4%) did not differ from those of 15 (30.5%), 31 (27.1%), and 62 GLA (33.1%) or the control (35.1%). GLA in concentrations of 125, 250, 500, and 1,000 ppm had significantly detrimental effect on the blastocyst rate compared to 15, 31 and 62 ppm GLA, LAA, and control groups (p<0.05). In contrast, the highest post-thaw survival rate (100%) was observed in the control group (p<0.01). Large lipid droplets were observed in the cytoplasm of trophoblastic cells, even in the control, but were abundant in GLA groups. Taking the results of the study into consideration, the addition of GLA to the culture medium for IVP bovine embryos at the dose of 15 ppm increased the developmental competence of zygotes and enhanced the cleavage rate up to Day 2. However, blastulation rate and post-thaw survival were not increased when GLA was added to the culture media.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.71-77
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• 1998

The experiment was conducted to evaluate Bio-V-Pro as an alternative protein source in broiler diets. Treatments were control, Bio-V-Pro 1% (BP 1), Bio-V-Pro 3% (BP 3), and Bio-V-Pro 5% (BP 5). During the starter period, all treated groups showed beter performance than control group in weight gain and feed intake (p < 0.05). The best FCR was observed in BP 1 group and the worst was found in BP 5 group. For the overall period, chicks fed BP 1 and BP 3 diets gained more than the chicks fed the control and BP 5 diets. All Bio-V-Pro fed groups consumed more feed than the control group (p < 0.05). FCR were similar between the control and BP 1 group, but BP 3 and BP 5 groups showed higher FCR than the control group. During the starter period, all BP groups showed better utilizability of crude protein, crude ash and phosphorus than the control group (p < 0.05). For the finisher period, except for the BP 5 group, the nutrient utilizability was not significantly different in most nutrients. Nutrients utilizability had a tendency (not significant) to decrease as the level of Bio-V-Pro in the diet was increased. Lysine utilizability was not affected by the dietary treatment, however, methionine utilizability was higher in BP 1 and BP 3 group than in the control group. From the results of this experiment, it seems that Bio-V-Pro is a good alternative protein source which can replace fish meal in starter diet up to 3% of the diet effectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.1773-1780
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• 2013

This study was performed to compare physicochemical and sensory properties of cholesterol-removed Gouda cheese (CRGC) and Gouda cheese made in the laboratory during ripening. Composition, short-chain free fatty acids (SCFFA), texture, color, and sensory properties were measured. In chemical composition analyses, moistures were significantly different between control cheeses (42.86%) and sample cheese (48.32%) (p<0.05). But fat and protein in the control and the sample were 32.77, 22.45 and 31.35, 20.39%, respectively, and were not significantly different (p>0.05). The amount of cholesterol in control was 82.52 mg/100 g and the percentage of cholesterol removal was 90.7%. SCFFA increased gradually during ripening and its level of CRGC increased and significantly different from that of control (p<0.05). The texture, hardness, gumminess, and chewiness were significantly increased, but cohesiveness and springiness were not increased in both cheeses during ripening periods (p>0.05). In comparison of the control and sample cheeses, hardness, and springiness were not significantly different, but cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness were different (p<0.05). In color measurement, all color values were not different between CRGC and control (p>0.05). However, $L^*$ value decreased, while $a^*$ and $b^*$ values tended to increase significantly (p<0.05). In sensory properties, appearance, aroma, flavor and taste, and texture were significantly increased except buttery and nutty in aroma and sweetness in taste in both cheeses, and were not significantly different between the control and sample cheeses during ripening (p>0.05). Therefore, this study suggests that the quality of cholesterol-removed Gouda cheese is not different from the control cheese.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.102-108
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• 2004

The present experiment was conducted to assess the efficacy of methionine hydroxy analogue free fatty acid (MHAFA) in comparison to DL-methionine (DL-Met) utilizing day-old commercial broiler chicks (n=300). The chicks were randomly distributed into 30 groups of 10 chicks each. Three dietary treatments, viz. D1-maize-soybean meal based basal diet (Control), D2- control diet supplemented with DL- methionine to meet its requirements and D3-control supplemented with MHA-FA @ 1.54 times of DL-methionine used in D2, were formulated. Each dietary treatment was offered to 10 replicated groups of chicks following completely random design (CRD). The chicks fed on supplemental DL-Met had significantly higher (p<0.01) gain in body weight, followed by MHA-FA group and control during 0-3 weeks of age. During overall growth period (0-6 weeks), chicks in DL-Met and MHA-FA groups grew better (p<0.01) than those in control. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved (p<0.01) on supplementation of either DL- Met or MHA-FA in the basal (Control) diet during 0-3 weeks of age. The FCR for overall period, however, did not differ statistically (p>0.05) amongst the treatments. The eviscerated yields emanated from diets with DL-Met or MHA-FA were higher (p<0.01) than that in Control. Abdominal fat pad was also more (p<0.01) in broilers fed control diet than in DL-Met or MHA-FA supplemented group. Breast yield was higher (p<0.05) in MHA-FA fed broilers than those fed DL-methionine supplemented or un-supplemented diets. The efficacy of MHA-FA in comparison to DL-Met for growth was 62.11, 64.82 and 63.88% and for feed efficiency was 62.98, 67.73 and 64.01% at 0-3, 3-6 and 0-6 weeks of age, respectively, while it was 65.85, 71.40 and 67.49% for eviscerated yield, abdominal fat pad reduction and breast yield at 6 weeks of age, respectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.386-393
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• 2004

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding dried leftover food (DLF) on growth, body composition and feed conversion of broiler chicks. One hundred ninety-six of one-day old Ross broiler chicks were assigned to 7 treatments in a completely randomized design. Each treatment had four replications with seven chicks per replication. The treatments groups included control without DLF, dietary 10% level of DLF, dietary 20% level of DLF and dietary 30% level of DLF, 5% higher protein level of diet containing 10% DLF, 10% higher protein level of diet containing 20% DLF and 15% higher protein level of diet containing 30% DLF than control diet. Body weight gain was slightly higher in control group than that of DLF-fed groups. However, there were no significant differences in body weight gain among those groups fed diets containing different levels of DLF. In general, increasing dietary level of DLF resulted in decreasing feed conversion. Content of crude protein in whole broiler body was slightly higher in control group although any significant difference was not found among treatments (p>0.05). Content of crude fat in whole broiler body was lowest in groups fed diets containing 30% DLF with 15% higher protein level than control diet, showing significant difference from groups fed diets containing 20% DLF (p<0.05). Contents of total cholesterol, free cholesterol, cholesterol ester and LDL- cholesterol in blood of broilers fed DLF-containing diets generally appeared to be higher compared with control group without significant difference (p>0.05). Fatty acid contents in broiler meat were higher in the order of oleic acid, palmitic acid and linoleic acid without significant differences among treatments. Content of DHA in broiler meat was higher in groups fed diets containing DLF than that of control group although there were no significant differences among treatments (p>0.05).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.348-353
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• 1999

Ten Australian Stock Horses colts (five yearling and five 3-year old colts) of which 2 yearlings and 2 three year old colts served as control animals while 3 yearlings and 3 three year old colts received two GnRH immunizations within 4 weeks interval were used in this study. By the 5th to 6th week after immunization, the GnRH antibody titres in the plasma rose above 1:1000 and attained peak levels of 1:6500 by the 8th week and gradually declined to about 1:3000 by the 10th week in both the age groups. The testosterone and androstenedione concentrations of the control colts in both age groups were significantly greater (p<0.05) than that of the vaccinated groups. During the immunosuppression period, the vaccinated colts behaved like geldings. Semen could not be collected from 2 of the 3 three-year old vaccinated colts. The testicular dimensions, testicular weight, parenchymal weight, seminiferous tubule volumes, interstitial space volumes, Leydig cell volume, seminiferous tubule % of the control colts were significantly greater than those of the vaccinated colts in both the age groups. The 3-year old control colts had a significantly (p<0.05) greater % of Leydig cells than the control and vaccinated 1-year old colts. There was arrest of spermatogenesis with complete absence of sperm in the testes of the vaccinated colts while there was various stages of spermatogenesis in those of the control colts. Morphometric analysis demonstrated that the 3-year old colts had significantly (p<0.05) greater DSP/gm of testis and DSP/testis than those of the 1-year old control colts. This study elucidated that the GnRH immunization could suppress the testicular function of the 3-year old and yearling colts.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.1781-1784
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• 2001

We have examined the influence of antisense oligo deoxynucleotide (ODN) of IGFBP-2 on tissue IGFBP-2 gene expression in chicks. Antisense IGFBP-2 ODN was directly injected into the liver or cerebroventricle. Control birds were injected with vehicle. The hepatic IGFBP-2 gene expression was decreased to approximately 30% of the control at 2 h after injection of antisense ODN. In the brain of chickens injected with antisense ODN, IGFBP-2 mRNA level did not change after 2 h of injection and decreased to approximately 60% of the control after 6 h of injection. These results showed that the expression of IGFBP-2 gene in the liver and brain was successfully suppressed by administrating antisense ODN and that hepatic IGFBP-2 gene expression was quickly suppressed by antisense ODN compared with the brain.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.200-205
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• 2001

The effects of dietary supplementation with the sodium salt of isobutyric acid in a low protein (10% CP) wheat straw based diet on nutrient utilization, blood metabolites and growth performance were studied with male crossbred calves. The calves were divided into two equal groups of 6 each. The animals of the control group were fed a basal diet consisting of wheat straw, concentrate mixture and green oat fodder in 40:40:20 proportion whereas BCFA supplemented group received the basal diet+isobutyric acid at 0.75 percent of basal diet. The duration of study was 120 days. The feed intake between experimental groups did not differ significantly and the average total DMI (% BW) was 1.99 and $1.95kg\;day^{-1}$ in control and BCFA supplemented diets. The dietary supplementation of BCFA improved (p<0.01) the DM, OM, CP (p<0.05), NDF and cellulose digestibilities by 8.50, 9.01, 5.39, 17.78 and 18.44 per cent over those fed control diet. The total N retention on BCFA supplementation was improved (p<0.01) due to the decreased (p<0.05) faecal N excretion. The BCFA supplementation did not alter the blood circulatory levels of glucose, total protein, albumin, urea N and amino acids. However after 120 days of experimental feeding a significant (p<0.05) increase in the concentrations of non-esterified fatty acid was observed in control group. The DCP intake and the DCP content of experimental diets was similar in both groups. However, the TDN content of BCFA supplemented diet was significantly (p<0.01) higher (64.35%) than that of control (59.60%). The total live weight gain in BCFA supplemented diet increased by 15.94% over control. The average daily gain and efficiency of feed conversion were also improved in BCFA fed calves by 13.38 and 26.71% respectively, compared to control. It is concluded that dietary supplementation with isobutyric acid improved the digestibility of nutrients and growth performance of calves.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.518-522
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• 2004

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of dried leftover food (DLF) in the diet on feed utilization and egg-laying performance of hens. One hundred sixty-eight, 18 week old Tetra brown commercial layers, were assigned to 7 treatments in a completely randomized design. Each treatment has four replications per treatment with six animals per replication. All the experimental animals were fed diets for 7 weeks. The treatments included 1) control group without DLF, 2) diet with 10% DLF, 3) diet with 20% DLF, 4) diet with 30% DLF, 5) 10% higher protein level of diet with 10% DLF, 6) 20% higher protein level of diet with 20% DLF and 7) 30% higher protein level of diet with 30% DLF. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) tended to be improved with DLF feeding. ADFI of group fed diets with 20% was significantly higher than that of control (p<0.05). Feed conversions of DLFfed groups were higher than that of control. Egg production tended to be higher in groups fed diets with 10% DLF than control diet without significant differences (p>0.05). However, those of groups fed diets containing 20 and 30% DLF were lower than that of control. Supplementing protein source to DLF-containing diets improved egg production (p<0.05). Increasing level of DLF in the diet for layer decreased egg weight and egg mass compared to control without significant differences (p>0.05). Protein supplementation to DLF-containing diets increased egg mass without significant difference (p>0.05). The range of egg cholesterol concentration of DLF-fed groups was 11.94-14.10 mg/g while that of control group was 12.31 mg/g although there was no significant difference among treatments (p>0.05).