• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1325-1335
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• 2018

Objective: This study investigated whether spermine supplementation could regulate cell cycle, apoptosis, and amino acid transporter-related genes expression in the thymus and spleen of early weaned piglets. Methods: Eighty female piglets were randomly distributed to receive adequate nutrients supplemented with spermine (0.4 mmol/kg body weight/24 h) or to be provided with restricted nourishment supplemented with normal saline for 7 h or 3, 6, or 9 d in pairs. Results: Regardless of administration time, spermine supplementation significantly up-regulated cyclin A2 gene expression but down-regulated p21 and cyclin D3 mRNA levels in the thymus and spleen and reduced cyclin E2 gene expression in the thymus of piglets (p<0.05). Irrespective of the treatment period, the reduced Bax and caspase-3 gene expressions and improved Bcl-2 mRNA level were observed in the thymus and spleen of spermine-administrated piglets (p<0.05). Regardless of supplementation time, spermine intake significantly enhanced the expressions of amino acid transporter-related genes (SLC1A1, SLC1A5, SLC7A1, SLC7A7, and SLC15A1) in both thymus and spleen, as well as SLC7A9 in the spleen of piglets (p<0.05). In addition, extended spermine administration also markedly promoted cell proliferation, depressed apoptosis and modulated amino acid transport (p<0.05), and such effects were the greatest during prolonged spermine supplementation (6 d) compared to the other time periods (p<0.05). Conclusion: Spermine supplementation may regulate cell cycle during the G1/S phase, suppress apoptosis and modulate amino acid transport. A period of 6 d of spermine supplementation is required to produce the optimal effects on nutritional implications.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.341-352
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• 2011

Colibacillosis in pigs remain a major swine industry bruden worldwide. Although some progress has been made in treating collibacillosis in pigs by using biosecurity and antimicrobials, it still remain a considerable problem. The use of host-specific bateriophages as a biocontrol is one possible alternative. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of bacteriophage against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88 infection in piglets. Twenty-eight piglets were randomly divided into four groups and each group was allocated with 7 pigs. Group B, C and D were inoculated with 5 ml of ETEC K88 ($1{\times}10^8$ CFU/ml) per head of piglet via oral. Group C and D were fed with bacteriophages (Group C, $1.0{\times}10^6$ PFU/g; Group D, $1.0{\times}10^8$ PFU/g; CJ CheilJedang Corp., Korea) orally as treatment. In piglets administrated bacteriophages and challenged with ETEC K88 (Group C and D), Clinical signs and the growth performance were improved and antibody titers were maintained low level compared with piglets challenged with ETEC K88 (Group B, P<0.05). Group B were shown high pH in the alimentary tracts compared with other piglets (P<0.05). In quantitative analysis by real-time PCR, the results of Group C and D were lower than those Group B in faecal and intestinal samples (P<0.05). Severe villus atrophy and crypt hyperplasia were observed in Group B consequently V/C ratio increased, compared with other piglets. These results indicate that feeding with bacteriophage has effect to prevent ETEC K88 infection in piglets and suggest that use of bacteriophage can be considered a valid antibiotic alternative.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.1734-1744
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• 2019

Objective: In this study, two glycosidases (XMosidases), ${\beta}$-xylosidase and ${\beta}$-mannosidase, were investigated on their in vitro hydrolysis activities of feed and on the improvement of growth performance in vivo in weanling pigs. Methods: Enzyme activities of XMosidases in vitro were evaluated in test tubes and simulation of gastric and small intestinal digestion, respectively, in the presence of NSPase. In vivo study was performed in 108 weaned piglets in a 28-d treatment. Pigs were allotted to one of three dietary treatments with six replicate pens in each treatment. The three treatment groups were as follows: i) Control (basal diet); ii) CE (basal diets+CE); iii) CE-Xmosidases (basal diets+ CE+${\beta}$-xylosidase at 800 U/kg and ${\beta}$-mannosidase at 40 U/kg). CE was complex enzymes (amylase, protease, xylanase, and mannanase). Results: In vitro XMosidases displayed significant activities on hydrolysis of corn and soybean meal in the presence of non-starch polysaccharide degrading enzymes (xylanase and ${\beta}$-mannanase). In vitro simulation of gastric and small intestinal digestion by XMosidases showed XMosidases achieved $67.89%{\pm}0.22%$ of dry matter digestibility and $63.12%{\pm}0.21%$ of energy digestibility at $40^{\circ}C$ for 5 hrs. In weanling pigs, additional XMosidases to CE in feed improved average daily gain, feed conversion rate (p<0.05), and apparent total tract digestibility of crude protein (p = 0.01) and dry matter (p = 0.02). XMosidases also altered the gut bacterial diversity and composition by increasing the proportion of beneficial bacteria. Conclusion: Addition of a complex enzyme supplementation (contained xylanase, ${\beta}$-mannanase, protease and amylase), XMosidases (${\beta}$-xylosidase and ${\beta}$-mannosidase) can further improve the growth performance and nutrient digestion of young pigs.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.397-412
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• 2021

In Experiment 1, the impact of using diets sufficient in P on the performance of weaned piglet growth with or without a super dose of phytase was investigated. One hundred and twelve piglets were randomized into four treatments with 7 replicates (4 piglets·cage^-1). Bodyweight (BW), daily gain (ADG), daily intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratios (FCR) were measured over three weeks. Treatments included a positive control (PC) with a Ca : P ratio of 0.80 : 0.50%. and the negative control (NC) had a Ca : P ratio of 0.60 : 0.50%. The PC plus phytase was denoted as PC+, and the NC with the phytase diet was designated as NC+. The PC diet was formulated to meet or exceed the NRC (2012) standards for pigs weighing 7 - 25 kgs. Better results were obtained with the PC diet (p > 0.1) compared to the NC diet. The super dose of phytase in the PC+ diet significantly improved the overall FCR (p < 0.1). For Experiment 2, the impact of different calcium (Ca)/phosphorous (P) ratios with or without supplementation of vitamin D₃ was determined. Ninety-six piglets were randomized into four treatments with 6 replicates (4 piglets·cage^-1). The PC, NC1 and NC2 diets had ratios of 0.80 : 0.50, 0.80 : 0.45, and 0.60 : 0.45%, respectively. The fourth diet (PCV) was the PC diet fortified with vitamin D₃. Improved results were observed with the PC diet (p > 0.1) compared to the NC diets. Supplementing dietary 25-OH-D₃ in the PCV diet led to numerically higher ADG and ADFI scores with lower FCR values at the early nursery stage (p = 0.0044), but the vitamin supplement did not significantly influence the growth.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.260-271
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• 2022

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effect of the differing amino acid (AA) release dynamics of two protein sources on the growth performance, nitrogen deposition, plasma biochemical parameters, and muscle synthesis and degradation of piglets when included in their diets at normal and low concentrations. Methods: Forty-eight piglets (Duroc×Landrace×Large White) with initial body weight of 7.45±0.58 kg were assigned to six groups and fed one of 6 diets. The 6 dietary treatments were arranged by 3×2 factorial with 3 protein sources and 2 dietary protein levels. They are NCAS (a normal protein content with casein), NBlend (a normal protein content with blend of casein and corn gluten meal), NCGM (a normal protein content with corn gluten meal), LCAS (a low protein content with casein), LBlend (a low protein content with blend of casein and corn gluten meal), LCGM (a low protein content with corn gluten meal). The release dynamics of AA in these diets were determined by in vitro digestion. The digestibility, utilization and biological value of nitrogen in piglets were determined by micro Kjeldahl method. Plasma insulin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The protein expression of mediators of muscle synthesis and degradation was determined by western blotting. Results: Although the consumption of a low-protein diet supplemented with crystalline AA was associated with greater nitrogen digestion and utilization (p<0.05), the final body weight, growth performance, nitrogen deposition, and phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 and eIF4E binding protein 1 in the muscle of pigs in the low-protein diet-fed groups were lower than those of the normal-protein diet-fed groups (p<0.05) because of the absence of non-essential AA. Because of the more balanced release of AA, the casein (CAS) and Blend-fed groups showed superior growth performance, final body weight and nitrogen deposition, and lower expression of muscle ring finger 1 and muscle atrophy F-box than the CGM-fed groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: We conclude that the balanced release of AA from CAS containing diets and mixed diets could reduce muscle degradation, favor nitrogen retention, % intake and improve growth performance in pigs consuming either a normal- or low-protein diet.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to estimate heritabilities and genetic correlations for reproductive and productive traits and to apply their estimates to selection strategies in a swine population. Reproductive and productive traits considered in this study were number of born alive piglet (NBA), number of weaned piglet (NW), loin eye area (LEA), days to 90 kg (D90KG), back fat thickness (BF), and lean meat content (LEAN). Data were collected from 9,886 litters on 2,447 sows for reproductive traits and 10,181 gilts and boars for productive traits from Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2008 in a swine GGP farm. The statistical model to estimate genetic parameters for considering traits was a multiple traits animal model with including animal and maternal additive effects and litter effects on reproductive traits and animal additive effects on productive traits as random as well as some of fixed effects. For estimating (co) variance components of several random effects, restricted maximum likelihood methodology was used on this assumed model. The estimated heritabilities by animal additive effects and maternal effects were 0.07 and 0.02 for NBA and 0.03 and 0.02 for NW, respectively. Genetic correlation estimate for direct genetic effects between NBA and NW was 0.14. Heritability estimates for direct genetic effects were 0.19, 0.39, 0.36, and 0.43 for LEA, D90KG, BF and LEAN, respectively. The genetic correlation of LEA with LEAN was 0.35. Productive traits were antagonistically correlated with reproductive traits. From these results it is concluded that, if selection is done for strong positive effects of reproductive traits, then this would decline productive performance.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2001

This study was conducted to develope an automatic liquid feeder for early weaning piglets and to test the efficacy of the system. The liquid feeder consists of water heating and discharge unit, dry diet storing and discharge unit, mixing and discharge unit, mixed liquid feed-delivering unit, and the central control part which control each unit, feeding frequency and the amount of feeding. For investigating the possibility of practical use, a feeding trial was carried out using eighteen three way crossbred piglets weaned on 19 days of age for the experimental period of six weeks. Experimental diet was provided in liquid form using the automatic liquid feeder for the first three weeks and in dry form for the later three weeks. The water heating and discharge unit exactly supplied warm water by 27 $m\ell$/s, into the mixing unit. The dry diet storing and discharge unit supplied dry feed by 3.7g/s, into the mixing unit. Being compared with the standard growth rate suggested by NRC, average daily gain of the piglets during the first three weeks of liquid feeding was lower by 10%, while it was higher during three weeks of dry feeding and over the whole experimental period by 24 and 17%, respectively. Feed/gain was 1.09, 2.14 and 1.89 for the first 3 weeks, later 3 weeks, and whole period, respectively. Diarrhea was observed for three days from day 3 to day 7 after feeding liquid diet, but no pig died of it. In conclusion, a preliminary test for the newly developed an automatic liquid feeder using 19 days of age weaning piglets showed that the unit was successfully operated without any major problems. Piglets raised on a liquid diet through the unit developed grew less during the first three weeks, but their growth and feed intake were greatly improved thereafter, indicating the developed automatic liquid feeder may be practically used in swine industry.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1485-1491
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• 2005

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of iron from an amino acid complex (Availa-$Fe^{\circledR}$) on the iron status of neonatal and suckling piglets. A total of 24 gestating sows (Landrace${\times}$Large White) were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments. The control diet contained 80 mg $kg^{-1}$ Fe from ferrous sulfate heptahydrate ($FeSO_4$.$7H_2O$), while the two experimental diets were supplemented with an additional 120 mg $kg^{-1}$ Fe from Availa-$Fe^{(R)}$ or $FeSO_4$.$7H_2O$, respectively. The lactating sows remained the same iron treatments as gestating sows, while neonatal piglets of 24 litters born from the above sows were allotted to another three treatments. Piglets from the sows of the control treatment were fed basal diet with no supplemental Fe as control treatment, but were injected with 100 mg Fe as Fe dextran at birth. Piglets from the sows of Availa-$Fe^{(R)}$ or $FeSO_4$.$7H_2O$ treatments were supplemented with 120 mg $kg^{-1}$ iron from Availa-$Fe^{(R)}$ or $FeSO_4$.$7H_2O$, respectively. The total born alive and weaned, and the average piglets weight at birth and at weaning were not significantly affected by the sow' dietary treatments (p>0.05). Iron from Availa-$Fe^{(R)}$ did not demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and plasma iron of sows on day 90 and 105 of pregnancy and the milk iron of sows during lactation (p>0.05). Neonatal piglets in the Availa-$Fe^{(R)}$ treatment had a significantly higher hemoglobin concentration (p<0.05) and higher hematocrit and plasma iron (p>0.05) than those in the other two treatments, respectively. The hemoglobin of suckling piglets in the Availa-$Fe^{(R)}$ treatment was higher than that of piglets in $FeSO_4$.$7H_2O$ treatment on day 28 (p<0.05). The total iron binding capacity of piglets in Availa-$Fe^{(R)}$ treatment was lower than that of piglets in the control and $FeSO_4$.$7H_2O$ treatment on day 14 (p<0.05), but there was not a statistically significant difference among three treatments on day 28 (p>0.05). However, the hemoglobin and hematocrit of suckling piglets injected with Fe were higher than those of piglets in the other two treatments (p<0.05). This study indicated that the addition of 120 mg $kg^{-1}$ iron from amino acid complex into the diets improved iron status of neonatal and nursing piglets more effectively than the addition of 120 mg $kg^{-1}$ iron from $FeSO_4$.$7H_2O$, however, this improvement of the organic Fe was not sufficient to replace the Fe injection for prevention of iron-deficiency anemia.