• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.437-450
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• 2024

Objective: Vanin-1 (VNN1) is a pantetheinase that catalyses the hydrolysis of pantetheine to produce pantothenic acid and cysteamine. Our previous studies have shown that the VNN1 is specifically expressed in chicken liver which negatively regulated by microRNA-122. However, the functions of the VNN1 in lipid metabolism in chicken liver haven't been elucidated. Methods: First, we detected the VNN1 mRNA expression in 4-week chickens which were fasted 24 hours. Next, knocked out VNN1 via CRISPR/Cas9 system in the chicken Leghorn Male Hepatoma cell line. Detected the lipid deposition via oil red staining and analysis the content of triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein-C (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein-C (HDL-C) after VNN1 knockout in Leghorn Male Hepatoma cell line. Then we captured various differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between VNN1-modified LMH cells and original LMH cells by RNA-seq. Results: Firstly, fasting-induced expression of VNN1. Meanwhile, we successfully used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to achieve targeted mutations of the VNN1 in the chicken LMH cell line. Moreover, the expression level of VNN1 mRNA in LMH-KO-VNN1 cells decreased compared with that in the wild-type LMH cells (p<0.0001). Compared with control, lipid deposition was decreased after knockout VNN1 via oil red staining, meanwhile, the contents of TG and LDL-C were significantly reduced, and the content of HDL-C was increased in LMH-KO-VNN1 cells. Transcriptome sequencing showed that there were 1,335 DEGs between LMH-KO-VNN1 cells and original LMH cells. Of these DEGs, 431 were upregulated, and 904 were downregulated. Gene ontology analyses of all DEGs showed that the lipid metabolism-related pathways, such as fatty acid biosynthesis and long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis, were enriched. KEGG pathway analyses showed that "lipid metabolism pathway", "energy metabolism", and "carbohydrate metabolism" were enriched. A total of 76 DEGs were involved in these pathways, of which 29 genes were upregulated (such as cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily A member 1, ELOVL fatty acid elongase 2, and apolipoprotein A4) and 47 genes were downregulated (such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1) by VNN1 knockout in the LMH cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that VNN1 plays an important role in coordinating lipid metabolism in the chicken liver.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.274-283
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• 2024

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties (nutrient composition, pH, water content and activity, sorption properties) and mechanical properties (compression force and energy) of granulated feed mixtures with various inclusion levels of crude fibre concentrates ARBOCEL and VITACEL for broiler chickens, i.e. +0.0% (control group - group C), +0.3%, +0.8%, +1.0%, +1.2%. Methods: The feed mixtures were analyzed for their physicochemical properties (nutrient composition by near-infrared spectroscopy, pH with the use a CP-401 pH meter with an IJ-44C glass electrode, water content was determined with the drying method and activity was determined with the Aqua Lab Series 3, sorption properties was determined with the static method) and mechanical properties (compression force and energy with the use TA-HD plus texture analyzer). The Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) model applied in the study correctly described the sorption properties of the analyzed feed mixtures in terms of water activity. Results: The fibre concentrate type affected the specific surface area of the adsorbent and equilibrium water content in the GAB monolayer (p≤0.05) (significantly statistical). The type and dose of the fibre concentrate influenced the dimensionless C and k parameters of the GAB model related to the properties of the monolayer and multilayers, respectively (p≤0.05). They also affected the pH value of the analyzed feed mixtures (p≤0.05). In addition, crude fibre type influenced water activity (p≤0.05) as well as compression energy (J) and compression force (N) (p≤0.001) (highly significantly statistical) of the feed mixtures. Conclusion: The physicochemical analyses of feed mixtures with various inclusion levels (0.3%, 0.8%, 1.0%, 1.2%) of crude fiber concentrates ARBOCEL or VITACEL demonstrated that both crude fiber types may be used in the feed industry as a feedstuff material to produce starter type mixtures for broiler chickens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.1760-1764
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• 2002

In order to elucidate the physiological function of circulating IGF-I on muscle protein synthesis in the chicken under malnutritional conditions, we administrated recombinant chicken IGF-I using a osmotic mini pump to fasted young chickens and measured the rate of muscle protein synthesis and plasma metabolite. The pumps delivered IGF-I at the rate of $22{\mu}g/d\{300{\mu}g{\cdot}(kg\;body\;weight{\cdot}d)^{-1}\}$. Fractional rate of protein synthesis in the muscle was measured using a large dose injection of L-[$2,6-^3H$]phenylalanine. Constant infusion of chicken IGF-I did not affect plasma glucose level. Significant interaction between dietary treatment and IGF-I infusion was observed in plasma NEFA and total cholesterol concentrations. When chicks were fasted, IGF-I infusion decreased plasma NEFA and total cholesterol concentrations. On the other hand, IGF-I administration did not affect plasma levels of both metabolites. Fasting reduced plasma triglyceride concentration significantly. IGF-I infusion also decreased the level of plasma triglyceride. Plasma IGF-I concentration of young chickens was halved by fasting for 1 d. IGF-I infusion using an osmotic minipump for 1 d increased plasma IGF-I concentration in fasted chicks to the level of fed chicks. Fasting decreased body weight and the loss of body weight was significantly ameliorated by IGF-I infusion. There was a significant interaction between dietary treatment and IGF-I infusion in the fractional rate of breast muscle protein synthesis. There was no effect of IGF-I infusion on muscle protein synthesis in fed chicks. Muscle protein synthesis reduced by fasting was ameliorated by IGF-I infusion, but did not reach to the level of fed control. Muscle weight of fasted chicks infused with IGF-I was similar to fasted birds without IGF-I infusion, which suggests that muscle protein degradation would be increased by IGF-I infusion as well as protein synthesis in fasted chicks.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.467-473
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• 2001

The internal humoral factors in the central regulation of dry feed intake during water deprivation in sheep were investigated by measurement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) constituents. Five animals were fed dried alfalfa chaff for 2 hours once a day. Sheep in the water deprivation treatment were deprived of water for 28 hours, while the sheep in the control treatment were given free access to water. During the first hour of the 2 hour feeding period, a rapid reduction in blood volume occured in both treatments (water deprivation and free access to water). The CSF concentrations of Na, Cl and osmolality during the second hour of the 2 hour feeding period in both treatments were greater (p<0.01) than those during the first hour. The drinking behaviors in sheep were concentrated during the second hour of the 2 hour feeding period in periods of free access to water. Water intake during feeding in periods of free access to water was 1110 ml/2 h. The levels of increase in CSF osmolality with feeding during water deprivation were greater (p<0.01) than during periods of free access to water. The changes in CSF osmolality with feeding during water deprivation produced more vigorous thirst sensations in the brain compared to during periods of free access to water. The eating rates for the first hour of the allotted 2 hour feeding period were the same under both treatments. However, the eating rates for the second hour during water deprivation periods decreased significantly (p<0.05) compared to those during periods of free access to water. The decreased eating rates for the second hour during water deprivation may be due to the vigorous thirst sensations produced in the brain. The results suggest that the increase in CSF osmolality with feeding during water deprivation acts as a thirst and satiety factor in brain mechanisms controlling feeding to decrease dry feed intake in water-deprived sheep.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.831-837
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• 2013

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of Rhodobacter capsulatus KCTC-2583 on egg-yolk and serum cholesterol, egg production and quality parameters during the late laying periods in hens. A total of 160 Hy-Line Brown layers (54 wk-old) were randomly allotted to 4 treatment groups on the basis of laying performance. Each treatment had 4 replicates with 10 birds each (40 birds per treatment). Two hens were confined individually with cage size $35{\times}35{\times}40$ cm and each 10 birds (5 cages) shared a common feed trough between them forming one experimental unit. Dietary treatments were; basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15% R. capsulatus KCTC-2583. Experimental diets were fed in meal form for 56 d. Dietary supplementation of increasing levels of R. capsulatus KCTC-2583 reduced (linear, p<0.05) egg-yolk cholesterol and triglycerides (d 28, 42 and 56) concentrations. Also, serum cholesterol and triglycerides (d 21, 42 and 56) concentrations were linearly reduced (p<0.05) with increasing dietary R. capsulatus KCTC-2583. Laying hens fed a diet supplemented with increasing levels of R. capsulatus KCTC-2583 had increased (linear; p<0.05) overall egg production, egg weight, egg mass and feed efficiency. However, dietary treatments had no effect (linear or quadratic; p>0.05) on feed intake of laying hens. At d 28 and 56, breaking strength and yolk colour of eggs were linearly improved (p<0.05) in laying hens fed dietary increasing levels of R. capsulatus KCTC-2583. Dietary treatment had no effects (linear or quadratic; p>0.05) on albumin height, shell thickness and shell weight at any period of experiment. These results indicate that dietary supplementation of R. capsulatus KCTC-2583 has the potential to improve the laying hen performance and lead to the development of low cholesterol eggs during late laying period in Hy-Line Brown hens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.811-815
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of electric fan installation for milk production improvement of dairy cattle in Thailand. The study was conducted using 2 small-holder dairy farms in Chiang Mai province, during April to August 2004. Electric fans were installed in front of each row of cows. Each of the two rows of cows in the barn was defined as an experimental unit, thus each farm had two experimental units. The fans were operated alternately in 7-day intervals between rows of cows within each farm during the day or between 8.00 am to 8.00 pm. Non-operation periods were used as control. Milk yields were recorded. Data on environmental temperature and humidity were obtained from Chiang Mai Meteorological Center. Result from statistically analysis of milk record suggested an interaction between lactation period and fan installation. Therefore, this interaction term of lactation period and fan installation (PERIOD_FAN) was added as a variable to the regression model. Due to the repeated data collection of milk yield from the same cow (alternate week), milk yield was analyzed by repeated measure analysis (Mixed model). Least square means were calculated for all levels and used to compare between each pair-wise values. The final data were collected from the total of 18 cows with 2,072 data. Overall means and SEM of milk yields and days in milk separated into farm were $14.7{\pm}0.06kg/day$ and $176.3{\pm}2.2days$, and $15.2{\pm}0.22kg/day$ and $202.5{\pm}3.7$ days for farm A and farm B, respectively. For multivariable analysis, only PERIOD_FAN and humidity were significantly associated with milk yield. Only the first period of lactation showed that the amount of milk yields during fan installation was higher than that of non-fan installation (p<0.05). Cows with fan installation produced approximately 1.2 kg/cow more milk than cows without fan installation during this period. In conclusion, the use of electric fan operated during the day time increased milk production of cows during the first period of lactation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.794-800
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• 2008

In the present study, two trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of hyper- and hypothyroid status on the redox balance of broiler chickens. In Trial 1, 3 groups of broiler chickens were randomly subjected to one of the three treatments: subcutaneous administration of triiodothyronine (T3, $150{\mu}g/kg$ BW), methimazole (MMI, 150 mg/kg BW), or saline. The blood, liver and heart were sampled at 3 h after injection. In Trial 2, three groups of 20 broiler chickens were randomly fed with one of the three diets: control, dietary supplementation of T3 (1.5 mg/kg diet) or MMI (1 g/kg diet) for 7 days. In trial 1, the plasma concentrations of T3 and T3 to thyronine ratio (T3/T4) were significantly increased by T3 injection. Plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) tended to be increased (p = 0.067) by both T3 and MMI treatments while the ferric reduced/antioxidant capacity (FRAP) was increased only by MMI treatment. Acute T3 treatment had no significant effect on the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the concentrations of FRAP and TBARS in either liver or heart tissue. In contrast, the hepatic activities of SOD were decreased (p<0.05) while the cardiac levels of FRAP were significantly increased (p<0.0001) by MMI treatment. In chronic treatments, the rectal temperature of chickens was significantly decreased (p<0.05) by MMI treatment. The circulating T3 levels were significantly increased (p<0.05) by long-term T3 treatment, and showed a trend to decrease in MMI treatment. The plasma concentrations of TBARS were significantly (p<0.05) increased by MMI treatment. All the redox parameters measured in either liver or heart were not significantly altered by either long-term T3 or MMI treatment except that the hepatic SOD activities were significantly augmented by T3 treatment. The result showed that neither acute nor long-term elevation of circulating T3 levels induced lipid peroxidation in broiler chickens. The enhanced enzymatic antioxidant system (SOD in cardiac tissue) may be involved in the protection of the bird to increased oxidative challenge. The responses of redox balance to changed thyroid state seem to be tissue specific.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2006

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of selenium (Se) sources and levels on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and Se retention in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 56 crossbred pigs ([$Landrace{\times}Yorkshire$]${\times}$Large White) with average $28.5{\pm}0.2kg$ BW were allotted to 7 treatments on the basis of sex and weight in two replicates and four pigs per pen. A $2{\times}3$ factorial arrangement of treatments was used in a randomized complete block (RCB) design. Two sources of Se (selenite Se or Se-enriched yeast) were added at 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 mg/kg to each treatment diet. A basal diet without Se supplementation was the seventh treatment group. Three pigs per treatment were randomly selected and samples of loin, liver, pancreas and a kidney were collected, frozen and later analyzed for Se. The digestibility trial was conducted to evaluate the apparent absorption and retention of Se and availability of other nutrients. Growth performance was not affected by dietary sources and levels of Se. No growth retardation was observed in the 0.5 mg/kg dietary Se treatment group regardless of Se sources. The Se concentration of serum in Se supplemented groups was increased compared with the control group (p<0.01). During the growing and finishing phase, Se in serum was clearly increased when organic Se was provided (p<0.01). Interaction of Se source ${\times}$ Se level was observed in Se concentration of loin, liver and pancreas of the pigs at the end of experiment. Selenium retention in the liver, kidney, pancreas and loin of pigs was increased as dietary Se level increased and was higher when pigs were fed organic Se resulting in an interaction response (p<0.01). Nutrient digestibilities were not affected by dietary Se sources or levels. No dietary Se source ${\times}$ Se level interaction was observed in nutrient digestibility. The results from this experiment indicated that dietary Se sources and levels affected the distribution of Se in the body of growing-finishing pigs. Organic source of Se, such as Se-enriched yeast resulted in higher serum and tissue Se concentration compared to inorganic form, while no beneficial effects on nutrient digestibility were observed from dietary Se supplementation in growing-finishing pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.116-122
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• 2018

Objective: This experiment was to evaluate the effect of different inclusion levels and adaptation periods on digestible energy (DE) and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of chemical constituents in diets supplemented with wheat bran. Methods: Thirty-six crossbred barrows with an initial body weight of $85.0{\pm}2.1kg$ were allotted to 6 diets in a completely randomized block design with 6 pigs per diet. Diets included a cornsoybean basal diet and 5 additional diets which were formulated by replacing corn and soybean meal in control diet with 15%, 25%, 35%, 45%, or 55% wheat bran. The experiment lasted for 34 d, and feces were collected from d 8 to 13, 15 to 20, 22 to 27, and 29 to 34 respectively. Results: The results showed no interaction effects between inclusion level and adaptation period on the concentration of DE and the ATTD of gross energy (GE) and crude protein (CP) in wheat bran. The DE value and ATTD of GE in wheat bran decreased (p<0.05) significantly as the inclusion level of wheat bran increased, but no difference in the ATTD of CP was observed. The ATTD of CP in wheat bran increased (p<0.10) significantly as the adaptation period for pigs was prolonged. In addition, the concentration of DE and the ATTD of GE in wheat bran decreased linearly (p<0.05) when pigs were fed either an increased level of wheat bran or given an increased adaptation period to the diets. Conclusion: Wheat bran showed a negative effect on the concentration of DE and ATTD of GE and CP as the inclusion level increased. A longer adaptation period can gradually increase the DE value and ATTD of GE and CP in wheat bran, and at least 14 to 21 d of adaptation might be recommended for growing-finishing pigs fed the high-fiber diets with wheat bran.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1930-1938
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• 2018

Objective: The present study attempted to determine safe and sufficient growth promoters in poultry feeding. Methods: A total of 520 seven-day-old quail chicks were randomly allotted to eight treatment groups in a $4{\times}2$ factorial design experiment to evaluate the effect of different levels of humic acid (HA) and black cumin (BC) seed and their interactions on growth, carcass traits, gut microbes, and blood chemistry of growing quails. Quails were randomly distributed into 8 groups in a $4{\times}2$ factorial design, included 4 HA levels (0, 0.75, 1.5, and 2.25 g/kg diet) and 2 BC levels (0 or 5 g/ kg diet). Results: Increasing HA level associated with a gradual increase in final weight, feed intake and body weight gain along with an improvement in feed conversion ratio. Dietary addition of 5 g BC powder/kg diet gave similar results. The highest level of HA (2.25 g/kg diet) recorded the best values of carcass weight, breast yield, intestinal length, and intestinal weight comparing with the control and other HA levels. Total viable microbial counts decreased (p<0.05) with increasing levels of HA except the intermediate level (1.5 g/kg diet). The concentration of serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (excluding that 0.75 g HA) decreased (p<0.05) and high density lipoprotein increased (p = 0.034) along with increasing HA level. The interaction between the $2.25g\;HA{\times}5g$ gave the best results regarding most studied parameters. Conclusion: These findings indicated that HA combined with BC could be used as effective growth promoters, with the recommended level being 2.25 g HA+5 g BC/kg of quail diet.