• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1279-1287
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• 2009

Concentrated livestock production has led to soil nutrient accumulation concerns. To reduce the environmental impact, it is necessary to understand current recommended livestock feeding practices. Two experiments were conducted to compare the effects of trace mineral supplementation on performance, carcass composition, and fecal mineral excretion of phase-fed, grow-finish pigs. Crossbred pigs (Experiment 1 (Exp. 1), (n = 528); Experiment 2 (Exp. 2), (n = 560)) were housed in totally-slatted, confinement barns, blocked by weight, penned by sex, and randomly assigned to pens at approximately 18 kg BW. Treatments were allocated in a randomized complete block design (12 replicate pens per treatment) with 9 to 12 pigs per pen throughout the grow-finish period. In Exp. 1, the control diet (Io100) contained Cu as $CuSO_{4}$, Fe as $FeSO_{4}$, and Zn (of which 25% was ZnO and 75% was $ZnO_{4}$) at concentrations of 63 and 378 mg/kg, respectively. Treatment 2 (O100) contained supplemental Cu, Fe, and Zn from organic sources (Bioplex, Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY) at concentrations of 19, 131, and 91 mg/kg, respectively, which are the commercially recommended dietary inclusion levels for these organic trace minerals. Organic Cu, Fe, and Zn concentrations from O100 were reduced by 25% and 50% to form treatments 3 (O75) and 4 (O50-1), respectively. In Exp. 2, treatment 5 (Io25) contained 25% of the Cu, Fe, and Zn (inorganic sources) concentrations found in Io100. Treatment 6 (O50-2) was identical to the O50-1 diet from Exp. 1. Treatment 7 (O25) contained the experimental microminerals reduced by 75% from concentrations found in O100. Treatment 8 (O0) contained no trace mineral supplementation and served as a negative control for Exp. 2. In Exp. 1, tenth-rib backfat, loin muscle area and ADG did not differ (p>0.05) between treatments. Pigs fed the control diet (Io100) consumed less feed (p<0.01) compared to pigs fed diets containing organic trace minerals, thus, G:F was greater (p = 0.03). In Exp. 2, there were no differences among treatment means for loin muscle area, but pigs fed the reduced organic trace mineral diets consumed less (p<0.05) feed and tended (p = 0.10) to have less tenth-rib backfat compared to pigs fed the reduced inorganic trace mineral diet. Considering that performance and feed intake of pigs was not affected by lower dietary trace mineral inclusion, mineral excretion could be reduced during the grow-finish phase by reducing dietary trace mineral concentration.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.1143-1149
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of the present study was to determine whether mango saponin (MS) could be used as a feed additive in broiler chicks by evaluating growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and plasma biochemical indices. Methods: A total of 216 1-d-old Arbor Acres male broiler chicks were randomly assigned into three dietary treatments supplemented with 0 (control), 0.14% (MS 0.14%), or 0.28% (MS 0.28%) MS. Each treatment had six replicates (cages) with 12 chicks each. The feeding trial lasted for six weeks. Results: Compared with the control, dietary supplemented with 0.14% or 0.28% MS increased average daily weight gain of chicks in the grower (22 to 42 d) and the whole (1 to 42 d) phases, and the final body weight of chicks on d 42 was higher in MS supplemented groups (p<0.05). Lower $L_{45min}{^{\star}}$ (lightness) and $L_{24h}{^{\star}}$ values, lower $b_{24h}{^{\star}}$ (yellowness) value, and higher $a_{45min}{^{\star}}$ (redness) and $a_{24h}{^{\star}}$ values of the breast muscle were observed in chicks fed with 0.28% MS on d 42 (p<0.05). The total antioxidant capacity in plasma increased in MS 0.14% group on d 21 (p<0.001). Lower contents of plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride were observed in chicks fed with 0.28% MS on d 21 and d 42, whereas the group supplemented with 0.14% MS only decreased plasma triglyceride content on d 21 (p<0.05). The glucose content in plasma decreased in MS 0.28% group on d 42 (p<0.001). Conclusion: Overall, MS could be used as a feed additive in broiler chicks, and the supplemental level of 0.28% MS in diet could improve growth performance, meat quality, and plasma lipid metabolism in broiler chicks.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.145-150
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• 2003

A feeding trial was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary complex probiotics on performance. egg qualities and intestinal microflora in laying hens. Three hundred twenty ISA Brown laying hens, 34 weeks of age, were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments containing 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4% complex probiotics for 12 weeks. There were four replicates per treament. Total egg production, soft and broken egg number tended to improve as dietary complex probiotics increased, but was not significantly different. Average egg weight was significantly higher in the 0.1% and 0.2% complex probiotics than the control(P<0.05). Daily egg mass also increased by adding complex probiotics compared to that of control, but was not statistically different. No significant difference was found in feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Eggshell breaking strength and thicknes were not significantly different, whereas yolk color was significantly lower in the supplemental 0.2% probiotics than the comtrol at 12 weeks of age(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in Haugh unit. Total number of cecum Lactobacillus and naerobes were significantly higher in the complex probiotics than control(p.0.05). However, the number of ileal Lactobacillus and naerobe were not significantly different. It was concluded that dietary complex probiotics could improve the egg weight and intestinal beneficial microbes.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.122-123
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• 2002

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplemental protease on performance, blood components, organ weight and protein digestibility. Two hundred and fifty, one day old cobb x cobb male broiler chicks were assigned to 4 treatments with 4 replicates. Four levels of protease were supplemented with 0, 40, 80 and 160U. Weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion were weekly measured for 5 weeks. Blood components and organ weight were examined at the end of experiment. Metabolic feeding trial was carried out to investigate the protein digestibility for one week at five weeks of age. Basal diets contained 21.5, 19.0% CP and 3,100, 3,200kca1/kg ME for starter and finisher, respectively. Weight gain of chicks fed 80U protease was significantly higher than other treatments for starting period(P〈0.05). Feed conversion of chicks fed protease addition diets was improved as dietary protease increased. It showed significant difference between 80U and control groups(P〈0.05). Sera protein tended to be lowered in protease added groups. HDL-cholesterol was decreased at the maximum level of protease. However, organ weight and protein digestibility were not influenced significantly by dietary protease level. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that protease addition in broiler diets improved the feed conversion.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.161-167
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• 2003

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementing earthworm meal (EWM) on the performance of laying hens and fatty acid composition in egg yolks. A total of 360 laying hens at 55 weeks of age were fed the experimental diets containing 0.0% (Control), 0.1% and 0.2% of EWM for 5 weeks. Eggs were collected and weighted every day and egg production and feed conversion were recorded every weeks during the experimental period. However fatty acid composition of egg yolk were measured at last week of experimental period. Amount of feed intake tended to increase by supplemental EMW, but feed conversion ratio of birds fed EWM was not different among three groups. Average egg production seemed to increase and significantly improved (P<0.05) when fed a 0.1% EWM and 0.2% EWM, respectively. Average egg weight was prone to decrease when fed a 0.1% EWM compared to that fed a 0% (control) or 0.2% EWM. Average daily egg mass tended to improve by the addition of EWM. It was more increased in 0.2% EWM treatment than 0.1% EWM. The ratio of egg yolk n-6/ n-3 fatty acids contents was 5:1 fed a 0.1% and 0.2% EWM. But these ratio was 10:1 in control group. It is concluded that 0.2% earthworm meal supplementation in the 55 weeks old laying hens diet, improves the laying performance and ratio of egg yolk n-6/ n-3 fatty acids contents (P<0.05).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.396-403
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• 2009

Male broiler chicks were fed graded levels of organic zinc (zinc-methionine) supplementation to investigate the effects of partial or complete substitution of the organic zinc source for inorganic ones on the development of lymphoid organs and immunological responses. A total of 450 day-old male broilers were distributed into groups of 10 chicks and randomly assigned to nine experimental diets during a 42-day feeding trial. Dietary treatments consisted of two basal diets supplemented with 40 mg/kg added zinc as feed-grade Zn sulfate or Zn oxide in which, Zn was replaced with that provided from zinc-methionine (ZnMet) complex at the levels of 25, 50, 75 or 100%. Two randomly-selected birds from each pen replicate were bled and then slaughtered by cervical cutting on the final day of the trial to measure leukocyte subpopulations and relative weights of lymphoid organs. Among lymphoid organs, only thymus weight was affected (p<0.05) by dietary treatments. The sulfate-supplemented birds were heavier (p<0.01) in relative weight of thymus than oxide-supplemented birds. The 10 days of age-assessed cutaneous hypersensivity reaction was stronger in chicks fed ZnMet-containing diets. Dietary ZnMet supplementation caused (p<0.05) an increase in proportion of lymphocytes and consequently a decrease in heterophil to lymphocyte ratio. Diet fortification by zinc-methionine complex increased (p<0.01) Newcastle antibody titer at 19 days of age. Also, a similar response was observed in antibody titers at 6 and 12 d after infectious bronchitis vaccine administration. There was no significant effect of replacement of dietary zinc on antibody titer against infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) at the 6th d post-vaccine inoculation; however, at d 12 after vaccination, ZnMet-fortified diets improved antibody titer against IBDV. Although dietary inclusion of ZnMet had no marked effect on primary antibody titer against sheep erythrocytes, effective responses were observed during secondary reaction from the viewpoint of both total antibody and immunoglobulin Y (IgY) titers. From the present findings, it can be concluded that dietary supplementation with organic zinc improves both cellular and humoral immune responses. It is necessary to replace 75% of supplemental inorganic zinc with organic ZnMet complex to achieve the optimum immunological responses in broiler chicks.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.58-62
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• 2015

A 3-weeks feeding trial with 288 laying hens were conducted to determine the efficacy of lecithin-free egg yolk at different levels of dietary Ca on performance and Ca absorption. Laying hens were divided into 6 groups according to calcium level and testing agent; 0% calcium feed (A), 0.2% calcium feed (B), 0.4% calcium feed (C, normal feed), 0.6% calcium feed (D), 0.4% calcium feed + 0.2% egg byproduct (C+0.2), 0.4% calcium feed + 0.4% egg byproduct (C+0.4). The final body weight gain of C+0.2 and C+0.4 groups were higher by 1.5% and 7.4% respectively than group C. Tibia ash contents did not show significantly difference, but calcium contents increase (p<0.05) in C+0.2 and C+0.4 groups. Parallel undecalcified tibia joint sections were stained for calcium absorption by the von Kossa's stain. This result show that lecithin free egg byproduct supplementation to normal calcium feed improved growth performance and calcium utilization in laying hens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1273-1279
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• 2016

The objectives of this study were to determine an optimal cultivation time for populations of yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) co-cultured in fermented milk and effects of soybean meal fermented milk (SBMFM) supplementation on rumen degradability in beef cattle using nylon bag technique. The study on an optimal cultivation time for yeast and LAB growth in fermented milk was determined at 0, 4, 8, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h post-cultivation. After fermenting for 4 days, an optimal cultivation time of yeast and LAB in fermented milk was selected and used for making the SBMFM product to study nylon bag technique. Two ruminal fistulated beef cattle ($410{\pm}10kg$) were used to study on the effect of SBMFM supplementation (0%, 3%, and 5% of total concentrate substrate) on rumen degradability using in situ method at incubation times of 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h according to a Completely randomized design. The results revealed that the highest yeast and LAB population culture in fermented milk was found at 72 h-post cultivation. From in situ study, the soluble fractions at time zero (a), potential degradability (a+b) and effective degradability of dry matter (EDDM) linearly (p<0.01) increased with the increasing supplemental levels and the highest was in the 5% SBMFM supplemented group. However, there was no effect of SBMFM supplement on insoluble degradability fractions (b) and rate of degradation (c). In conclusion, the optimal fermented time for fermented milk with yeast and LAB was at 72 h-post cultivation and supplementation of SBMFM at 5% of total concentrate substrate could improve rumen degradability of beef cattle. However, further research on effect of SBMFM on rumen ecology and production performance in meat and milk should be conducted using in vivo both digestion and feeding trials.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.205-212
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• 2010

The effects of chromium (Cr), dietary crude protein (CP) level, and potential interactions of these two factors were investigated in term of energy metabolism in lambs. Forty-eight 9-week-old weaned lambs (Dorper${\times}$Small-tail Han sheep, male, mean initial body weight = 22.96 kg${\pm}$2.60 kg) were used in a 2${\times}$3 factorial arrangement of supplemental Cr (0 ${\mu}g$/kg, 400 $\mu{g}$/kg or 800 ${\mu}g$/kg from chromium yeast) and protein levels (low protein: 157 g/d to 171 g/d for each animal, or high protein: 189 g/d to 209 g/d for each animal). Blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of the feeding trial. The lambs were then sacrificed and tissue samples were frozen for further analysis. Chromium at 400 ${\mu}g$/kg decreased fasting insulin level and the ratio of plasma insulin to glucagon, but these differences were not statistically significant; in contrast, chromium at 800 ${\mu}g$/kg increased the ratio significantly (p<0.05). Protein at the high level increased plasma tumor necrosis factor $\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) level (p = 0.060). Liver glycogen content was increased significantly by Cr (p<0.05), which also increased liver glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) and adipose hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) activity. At 400 ${\mu}g$/kg, Cr increased muscle hexokinase (HK) activity. High protein significantly increased G-6-Pase activities in both the liver (p<0.05) and the kidney (p<0.05), but significantly decreased fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity in subcutaneous adipose tissue (p<0.05). For HSL activity in adipose tissue, a Cr${\times}$CP interaction (p<0.05) was observed. Overall, Cr improved energy metabolism, primarily by promoting the glycolytic rate and lipolytic processes, and these regulations were implemented mainly through the modulation by Cr of the insulin signal transduction system. High protein improved gluconeogenesis in both liver and kidney. The interaction of Cr${\times}$CP indicated that 400 $\mu{g}$/kg Cr could reduce energy consumption in situations where energy was being conserved, but could improve energy utilization when metabolic rate was increased.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.569-576
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• 2012

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the potential for Forsythia suspensa extract (FSE) to substitute for antibiotic in broiler chicken. First, a well-diffusion assay procedure and a 2-fold dilution method were used to determine the bacteriostatic activity of FSE on Escherichia coli K88, staphylococcus aureus, and salmonella was assayed. An inhibitory effect of FSE was observed on the growth of these bacteria. This effect seems to be dose depended, which disappeared after 25.00, 12.50, 1.56 mg/ml. Second, a 42-d trial with 252 broiler chickens (d 1, $38.7{\pm}1.1$ g BW) was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of FSE in broiler chicken. The feeding program consisted of a starter diet from d 1 to 21 and a finisher diet from d 22 to 42. Dietary treatments included were: i) NC: negative control fed a corn-soybean meal based diet; ii) PC: positive control group fed based diet with chlortetracycline; and iii) FC: a test group fed with 100 mg FSE/kg diet. In this study growth performance did not differ among treatments during the starter period. However, dietary supplemental chlortetracycline and FSE increased (p<0.05) average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) compared with NC during the finisher and overall phase. Apparent digestibility of calcium on d 21, digestibility of energy and calcium on d 42 of FC was greater (p<0.05) than NC. Moreover, cecal Escherichia coli counts for birds from FC were lower (p<0.05) than NC. Dietary FSE supplementation also improved (p<0.05) villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratios in both duodenum and ileum and decreased (p<0.05) crypt depth in the duodenum. Duodenum villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in both duodenum and ileum from the FC group were also greater (p<0.05). Serum growth hormone and IGF-1 were not influenced by different treatments. Apparently, FSE has the potential to substitute for antibiotic in broiler chicken.