• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.437-443
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• 2010

To be economically profitable, the poultry industry demands an increase in stocking density, which could adversely affect chicken welfare. The current study was performed to investigate the effect of stocking density on stress-related, heat shock protein genes (HSP70 and HSP90), 3-hydroxyl-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) gene and telomere length in broiler chickens. Seven-day-old broiler chickens were housed at High (0.0578 $m^2$/bird), Standard (0.077 $m^2$/bird) and Low (0.116 $m^2$/bird) stocking densities with 8 replicates each until 35 d of age. The growth performance, such as body weight gain and average daily feed intake, was found to be significantly (p<0.05) higher in the Low density group, but these parameters did not show any difference between the High and Standard groups. Other growth performance, such as feed conversion ratio and final feed intake, showed no difference among the treated groups. The expression levels of HSP70 and HMGCR were found to be elevated with the increase of stocking density. The expression level of these genes was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the High density stocked group compared with the other groups, whereas the expression levels were not significantly different between the Low and Standard groups. The expression levels of HSP90 did not show any significant changes among the treated groups. The telomeric length of the birds housed in High density was reduced significantly (p<0.05) when compared to that of the birds in Low density. These results clearly indicate that birds stocked at high density show physiological adaptive changes indicative of stress at gene transcriptional and telomere levels.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.116-121
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• 2004

It is known that the transportation stress of market pigs can affect their carcass quality and that blood concentrations of glucose, creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) are indicators of the transportation stress. Fifty-seven gilts and 57 barrows weighing approximately 110 kg were randomly assigned into six groups in a 3 [high (0.31 $m^2/100$ kg BW)-, medium (0.35 $m^2$)- and low (0.39 $m^2$)-stocking densities]${\times}2$[1 h vs. 3 h transportation time] arrangement of treatments. Blood samples were taken during transportation and after 2 h lairage. The percentage of "standing" animals during transportation was less in the low- than in the mediumor high-stocking density; the opposite was true for the "sitting" posture. Plasma concentrations of glucose, CK and LDH increased after loading and declined to the resting levels after lairage. Concentrations of CK and LDH were greater in the 3 h vs. 1 h transportation group. Moreover, the LDH concentration was less in the low- than in the medium- or high-density group. Also detected was a significant interaction between the stocking density and transportation time in all of these blood variables. The incidence of pale, soft and exudative (PSE) carcass was greatest in the high-stocking density group. Interestingly, the PSE incidence increased following the 3 h vs. 1 h transportation at the low-density, but not at the medium-density. Results suggest that the medium-density may be preferable to the lowdensity in the long-distance transportation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1714-1720
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• 2018

Objective: This study was conducted to analyze the effects of stocking density on growth and carcass quality, and behavior of Hanwoo cattle to conform with global trends, targeting animal welfare production through the practice of environmentally friendly condition. Methods: Thirty six steers were randomly assigned to three treatment groups (C: 5 heads, T1: 4 heads, T2: 3 heads) and reared in separate pens with a constant stocking density of $50m^2$ (C: $10m^2/head$, T1: $12.5m^2/head$, T2: $16.67m^2/head$) per group from 12 to 30 month of age. Growth performance, behavior and carcass quality traits of each steer were recorded and compared between the treatment groups. Results: In general, the average daily gain during the fattening period was lower in group T2 than in T1 and the control groups. However, carcass weight and dressing percentage was lower in the control group than in T1 or T2 groups (p<0.05). Also, marbling score at 30 months of age was the lowest in the control group (p<0.05), while the three heads group (T2) had the greatest longissimus muscle area and marbling score (p<0.05). The behavior of walking time was the greatest in T2 group, while self-grooming and fighting occurred with the most frequency in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results show that the steers in more spacious stocking density had better carcass quality and wellbeing related behaviors, indicating that a lower density has a positive effect on raising management and carcass quality. Thus it is a need to install appropriate pens fitted to welfare-oriented management practices from growing to fattening period in Hanwoo cattle.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.314-321
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• 2015

We performed three sets of feeding trials to establish the optimal feed size (Exp-I), stocking density (Exp-II), and dissolved oxygen level (DO) (Exp-III) for olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. In Exp-1, four replicate groups of fish ($53.6{\pm}0.9g$) were fed commercial diets with three particle sizes (small, medium, and large). In Exp-II, fish ($30.0{\pm}0.1g$) were reared at four stocking densities (1.8, 3.5, 5.3, and $7.1kg/m^3$). In Exp-III, fish ($187{\pm}1.48g$) were reared under two different DO levels (2-3 and 6-7 mg/L). In Exp-I, fish fed the large-particle diet gained significantly more weight and had a lower feed conversion ratio than fish fed the small- and medium-particle diets. In Exp-II, fish reared at 1.8 and $3.5kg/m^3$ gained slightly more weight and had lower feed conversion ratios than fish reared at 5.3 and $7.1kg/m^3$, although these differences were not significant. In Exp-III, negative effects were observed in the low DO groups. Therefore, under our experimental conditions, the optimal feed particle size, stocking density, and DO level for olive flounder were 9-9.4 mm, $3.5kg/m^3$, and 6-7 mg/L, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.747-752
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• 2011

The parrotfish Oplegnathus fasciatus is a sub-tropical species that is difficult to culture during the winter in South Korea. As a result, a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) was developed to rear parrotfish. This study investigated the effects of stocking density and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration on the growth and hematology of the parrotfish in the RAS. The experimental stocking densities were 5 (SD05), 10 (SD10), 15 (SD15), and 20 kg/m3 (SD20) total body weight to tank water volume. As the stocking density increased, the mean weight gain, feed efficiency, and specific growth rate tended to decrease. However, SD10 and SD15 did not differ statistically from SD05 in feed efficiency (P>0.05). Although better growth was achieved in SD05, SD10 and SD15 appeared to be acceptable, practically and economically, in terms of feed efficiency. The experimental DO concentration ranges were 3-4 (DO3), 5-6 (DO5), and 7-8 mg/L (DO7). The mean weight gain and survival tended to increase with the DO concentration, but there were no differences among treatments (P>0.05). Although the feed efficiency did not differ among the treatments, the specific growth rates and daily feed intake increased with the DO concentration and were the highest in DO7 (P<0.05). The cortisol concentration was the highest in DO3 (P<0.05), while there was no difference between DO5 and DO7 (P>0.05).

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.205-215
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of stocking density and strain on the performance and physiological adaptive responses including the plasma corticosterone content and the level of mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant enzymes in broiler chicks. A total of 300 birds of two strains (150 Ross strain vs. 150 Cobb strain) aged 3-d old were allotted into two stocking densities (standard stocking density,$0.046m^2/bird$ vs. high stocking density, $0.023m^2/bird$) in battery cages by $2{\times}2$ factorial designs with ten replicates until 35 d of age. There was no significant strain effect on body weight, feed intakes and feed to gain ratio and the relative organ weights. However body weight, feed intakes and relative organ weight were found to be significantly (P<0.05) affected by the effect of stocking density. Plasma corticosterone level was not affected by both stocking density and strain effects. Hepatic mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-6, IL-18 and interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) was not significantly changed by the effects of strain and stocking density. However, the mRNA expression of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) was affected by strain, showing that Ross strain decreased (P<0.05) the GPX expression. With respect to the effect of stocking density, there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and GPX mRNA expression in the liver from high stocking density group. Splenic pro-inflammatory cytokine expression was not also affected by stocking density and strain, except that IL-18 mRNA significantly (P<0.05) decreased in Cobb strain under high stocking density. The mRNA expression of SOD and CAT was significantly (P<0.05) affected by the effects of stocking density and strain. In conclusion, growth performance was not affected by strain but stocking density. Although mRNA expression of major pro-inflammatory cytokines was not changed by stocking density and strain, antioxidant enzyme was significantly affected by stocking density, strain or even organ in birds under summer conditions. More detailed studies still needed to be explored to elucidate the effects of environmental conditions and genetic background on physiological responses in birds.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.4 s.92
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• pp.358-365
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• 2000

To evaluate the influences of stocking and removal of silver carp on plankton communities and physicochemical parameters, fish biomanipulation was conducted in six enclosures constructed on the coast of a hypertrophic lake during the summer of 1997. Of these, three enclosures were established for the fish-stocking experiment; one fishless enclosure used as a control and two enclosures with high and low densities of fish. The other three enclosures for the fish-removal experiment were prepared in an entirely converse process compared to that for fish stocking. The results of randomized intervention analysis (${\alpha}=0.05$) showed significant changes in several physicochemical parameters and plankton communities after fish stocking and removal. Fish stocking decreased water transparency, DO, pH and chi-a (> $40\;{\mu}m$), while increasing the concentration of nitrogen and chi-a (<$2\;{\mu}m$). However, water transparency did not increase by fish removal. Small plankton communities, such as picocyanobacteria, eukaryotic picoplankton and ciliates (<$2\;{\mu}m$) showed significant reciprocal changes after both fish treatments: increase by the presence of fish and decrease by the absence of fish. No count of large sized phytoplankton and zooplankton showed significant change in the presence of fish, while large zooplankton, Diaphanosoma, Cyclopida and nauplii were significantly increased by fish removal. Although the frequent heavy-winds and endless supply of phosphorus from the lake sediment strongly disturbed the fish behavior and enclosure management, the stocking and removal of silver carp showed an obvious reciprocal influences on plankton communities and its physico-chemical parameters in a shallow-hypertrophic lake.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2010

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of temperature and stocking density on daily patterns and rates of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) excretion in juvenile red seabream Pagrus major (mean body weight: 29.0 g) under fasting and feeding conditions. Fish were acclimated over 7 days under four different temperatures (10, 15, 20, and $25^{\circ}C$) and at two different densities (5.5 and $11.0\;kg\;m^{-3}$). Each treatment had three replicates and a total of 216 fish were used. After 72 hours starvation, endogenous TAN excretion was measured for each temperature and density. To investigate exogenous TAN excretion, fish were handfed a commercial diet containing 51.6% crude protein twice a day for 7 days, at 08:00 and 16:00. Water was sampled from both inlets and outlets of chambers every 2 hours over a 24 hour period. Both endogenous and exogenous TAN excretion increased with increases in temperature and density (P<0.05). Mean daily endogenous TAN excretion rates at 10, 15, 20, and $25^{\circ}C$ were 88.8, 101.1, 125.0, and $143.3\;mg\;TAN\;kg^{-1}\;d^{-1}$ at low density, and 105.2, 119.2, 141.5, and $168.8\;mg\;TAN\;kg^{-1}\;d^{-1}$ at high density, respectively. Mean daily exogenous TAN excretion rates at 10, 15, 20, and $25^{\circ}C$ were 343.5, 403.7, 535.7, and $601.7\;mg\;TAN\;kg^{-1}\;d^{-1}$ at low density, and 391.9, 479.7, 611.9, and $683.4\;mg\;TAN\;kg^{-1}\;d^{-1}$ at high density, respectively. The exogenous TAN excretion rate peaked 10~12 hours after the first feeding under all temperatures and densities. The TAN loss for ingested nitrogen increased with increases in temperature and density (P<0.05), ranging from 27.9 to 50.1% at low density and 31.7 to 56.9% at high density. This study provides empirical data for estimating ammonia excretion and managing the culture of red seabream under the given temperatures and densities.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.380-387
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• 2023

Stocking density is associated with Paralichthys olivaceus growth; thus, fish should be rapidly reared at high densities for commercial reasons. Studies have reported that high stocking density retards growth; however, few have investigated the malformations caused by stocking density stress. This study compared the growth and malformation rates of P. olivaceus at different densities and stress- and immune-related gene expression between malformed and normal fish. Forty days post-hatching, fish (total length, 1.49±0.02 cm) were reared at 800 (low density; LD), 1500 (medium density; MD), and 4000 (high density; HD) fish/m², and the growth rate was measured weekly. On day 30, RNA was extracted from the kidneys, and the expression of stress-, immune-, and malformation-related genes was analyzed using qRT-PCR. The malformation rate in the HD groups was approximately three times higher (62%) than that in the LD and MD groups (approximately 20%), and growth was lower regarding length and weight. The stress-related (HSP70 and GPX) and immune-related (PIR and IgM) genes showed higher mRNA expression in the HD group and malformed fish than in the LD group and normal fish. However, TLR3 showed the opposite results. In summary, high stocking density suppressed growth and increased malformation risk in P. olivaceus.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2021

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of stocking density on the growth performance, immune status, and meat quality of broilers. In total, 385 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to one of four distinct stocking densities: 26 birds/㎡, 22 birds/㎡, 19 birds/㎡, and 16 birds/㎡. They were fed the diet ad libitum for 5 weeks. Immunoglobulin (Ig) and corticosterone levels were evaluated, and growth performance, blood parameters, and breast meat quality were determined. It was observed that the weight gain and feed intake of growers (21~35 d) and broilers (0~35 d) were significantly reduced as the stocking density increased (P<0.05). However, the feed intake of starters (0~21 d) significantly increased as the stocking density increased (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the biochemical profiles among the four different stock densities. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in the stress parameters: (heterophils / lymphocytes ratio and corticosterone), IgA, and IgM; however, IgG significantly increased with stocking density (P<0.05). The pH, water holding capacity, and cooking loss of the muscle were all unaffected by the stocking density, but the shear force (tenderness) increased slightly as the density increased. The findings of this study suggest that a lower stocking density (16 birds/㎡) significantly improved the shear force of breast meat and IgG in broilers.