• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.1238-1244
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• 2001

Two calorimetric experiments were performed to investigate the effects of two diets with same concentrate: roughage ratio (70:30) but varying in composition on energy metabolism and methane production in faunated (F) and defaunated (DF) Muzaffarnagari sheep. For experiment I, ten animals were divided equally into two groups of which one was kept normally F as such while other was DF using 10% sodium lauryl sulphate. All the animals were offered diet I which comprised of oat hay and concentrate mixture I (CM I) containing maize grain (93%) as a major ingredient in 70:30 ratio. Similarly, the experiment II was conducted for which four F and four DF sheep (same as used for experiment I) were switched to diet II that consisted of maize hay and CM II (maize grain 59% + molasses 36%). Through diet II, DM intake in DF sheep was significantly (p<0.05) lower. Intake of GE through both the diets was similar in F and DF sheep. Digestibility of DM, OM, CP and GE and also metabolisability (ME/GE) was similar in F and DF sheep on both the diets. Total urinary energy loss did not differ in F and DF on both the diets, but methane energy loss as a percent of GE in DF was significantly (p<0.05) lower on diet I (3.75 vs 2.48), while it did not differ on diet II (3.20 vs 3.60). Heat production was significantly (p<0.01) reduced in DF on both the diets. Although, efficiency of utilisation of ME for maintenance calculated as per ARC (1984) did not differ in F and DF on both the diets, efficiency for maintenance and growth was higher (0.60 vs 0.672) on diet I in DF. It was inferred that methane production in DF sheep reduces on good quality hay-based diet supplemented with slowly fermentable carbohydrate (maize grain) but supplementation of molasses (rapidly fermentable CHO) nullify this effect when sheep were fed diets with concentrate: roughage ratio of 70:30.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.1003-1009
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• 2000

Four young swamp buffalo cows of similar age ranging in body weight (W) between 280 to 380 kg and trained for doing physical exercise were used in two consecutive experiments, each using a latin square design, to determine energy expenditure for draught. The experiments consisted of field trials using 4 levels of work load, i.e. no work as control and loads amounting 450 to 500 Newton (N) continuous traction for respectively 1, 2 and 3 h daily for 14 consecutive days for experiment 1, and no work, traction loads equaling 5, 10 and 15% of W for 3 h daily for 14 days for experiment 2. Heart rate during rest and exercise was monitored using PE-3000 HR monitor. Cows were fed only king grass (Penisetum purpuroides) ad libitum and were subjected to balance trials. Body composition was estimated in vivo by the body density method and daily energy expenditure (EE) was calculated from ME minus RE. RE was calculated from the changes in body-protein and -fat measured before and immediately after the 14 d experimental period assuming an energy equivalent of 39.32 MJ/kg fat and 20.07 MJ/kg protein. $E_{exercise}$ ($EE_{work}\;-\;EE_{resting}$), which was the energy spent for doing the traction during 1, 2 and 3 h was 7.13, 15.45 and 19.90 MJ, respectively. $EE_{work}$ for the 1 h treatment group was 39.75 MJ/d equivalent to 1.30 times $EE_{resting}$. The values for the 2 and 3 h treatment groups were 1.75 and 1.86 times resting energy requirement, respectively. Absolute efficiency of work in all exercise trials of experiment 2 was around 27.28%. The increases of daily $E_{exercise}$ values were correlated to elevation of heart rate (HR) according to the equation $E_{exercise}=(0.270HR^{0.363}\;-\;1)$ MJ, while draught force related to heart rate according to the equation DF (N)=6.66 HR - 361.62. Blood glucose and triglyceride levels were gradually elevated with time during the course of exercise. Mean values of blood glucose were 91.7, 115.0 and 116.2 mg/dl for cows after 1, 2 and 3 h pulling loads at 15% W respectively as compared to 88.2 mg/dl prior to work. In the same order and treatment, mean blood triglyceride concentrations were 13.5, 13.3 and 14.8 mg/dl, and 11.5 mg/dl for control. For blood lactate, the values were 1.68, 1.63 and 1.66 mM, and 0.80 mM for control. Glucose was used as the major source of energy during the initial phase of exercise, but for prolonged work, fat will replace carbohydrate as the main substrate. Accumulation of lactate persisted for some time at the end of the exercise trials.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.503-510
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• 2009

This study investigated the effects of tannic acid (TA) in the diets for weanling pigs prepared with/without supplemental Fe on performance, hematology, fecal microflora and diarrhea incidence. Limestone and calcium phosphate used in Experiment 1 and 2 were of semi-synthetic and feed-grade quality, respectively; while the trace-mineral premix used in both the experiments was prepared without any added Fe source. In Experiment 1, 108 weaned pigs (Landrace ${\times}$ Yorkshire ${\times}$ Duroc, initially 6.46 ${\pm}$ 1.04 kg BW) were allotted to 3 treatments including control (diet added with $FeSO_4$ and antibiotic), T1 (diet devoid of $FeSO_4$ and antibiotic) and T2 (T1 diet added with 125 mg/kg TA). Each treatment had 4 replicates with 9 pigs in each pen. Feeding of T1 diet had a negative effect on the performance and plasma Fe status of pigs, while addition of TA to T1 diet resulted in performance of pigs comparable to pigs fed the control diet, reduced diarrhea incidence but had a negative influence on the hematological and plasma Fe indices. Additionally, pigs fed T2 diet had fewer (p<0.05) total anaerobic bacteria, Clostridium spp. and coliforms than pigs fed T1 diet, and greater number of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. in feces when compared with pigs fed control and T1 diets. In Experiment 2, 144 weaned pigs (Landrace ${\times}$ Yorkshire ${\times}$ Duroc, initially 6.00 ${\pm}$ 1.07 kg BW) were allotted to 4 dietary treatments including control (diet added with $FeSO_4$ and antibiotic) and diets devoid of supplemental Fe added with antibiotic (An), TA and both (AnTA). Each treatment had 4 replicates with 9 pigs in each pen. Addition of An, TA or both to diets devoid of supplemental Fe did not have any effect on performance, blood hematology and plasma Fe but resulted in reduced (p<0.05) diarrhea incidence and lower (p<0.05) fecal coliform population than pigs fed the control diet. These results suggest that TA has a negative influence on blood hematology and plasma Fe status when diets are inadequate in Fe; however, TA reduced diarrhea incidence and might have antimicrobial activity.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 2020

In the present study, we examined the effect of straw size on spermatozoa motility, viability, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, and plasma membrane integrity after freezing-thawing. Hanwoo semen was collected from three bulls and diluted with an animal protein-free extender, divided into two groups, namely, 10 million spermatozoa in 0.25 mL and 20 million spermatozoa in 0.5 mL straw, and cryopreserved. In Experiment 1, the motility and motility parameters of the frozen-thawed spermatozoa were evaluated. After freezing-thawing, the spermatozoa motility parameters fast progressive, straight line velocity, and average path velocity were compared between the 0.25 mL straw and 0.5 mL straw groups. They were 35.2 ± 1.0 and 32.3 ± 0.7%, 34.6 ± 0.7 and 31.8 ± 0.5 μm/s, 51.4 ± 1.3 and 47.1 ± 1.1 μm/s, 0.25 mL straw and 0.5 mL straw groups, respectively. In Experiment 2, the viability, acrosome membrane integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential of the frozen-thawed spermatozoa were assessed. After freezing-thawing, the percentages of spermatozoa with live, intact acrosomes and high mitochondrial membrane potential were compared between the in 0.25 mL straw and 0.5 mL straw groups. They were 48.0 ± 2.6% and 35.6 ± 2.8% between the 0.25 mL straw and 0.5 mL straw groups. In Experiment 3, the plasma membrane integrity of frozen-thawed spermatozoa was compared. After freezing-thawing, the plasma membrane integrity was higher for the in 0.25 mL straw group than the 0.5 mL straw group. They were 62.0 ± 2.2 and 54.1 ± 1.3% between the 0.25 mL straw and 0.5 mL straw groups. In conclusion, our results suggest that freezing semen in 0.25 mL straw improves the relative motility, viability, and acrosomal, mitochondrial membrane potential, and plasma membrane integrity of Hanwoo bull spermatozoa.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.1911-1920
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• 2022

Objective: This study was performed to determine the apparent metabolizable energy (AME_n) content of tannin-free red/bronze, white/tan and U.S. No. 2 varieties of grain sorghum for feeding Japanese quail and validate their nutrient profile by evaluating effects on performance and carcass traits with full-substitution of corn. Methods: Experiment 1 determined the AME_n content of red/bronze, white/tan, and U.S. No. 2 grain sorghum varieties fed to mixed-sex Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) (n = 314) at 3 and 6-weeks of age. Analyses were based on a 2×4 factorial treatment design with age and grain types defining the treatments, and a randomized complete block experiment design with cage and trials defining the block. AME_n values were validated by evaluating the performance and carcass traits of Japanese quail (n = 644) from 1 to 40 days of age in Experiment 2 with birds were fed 1 of 4 complete diets. Statistical analyses were conducted on performance data and select individual carcass trait measurements. Results: Determined AME_n values at 3-weeks of age were 3,524±122.03 (red/bronze), 3,252±122.03 (white/tan), and 3,039±123.44 (U.S. No. 2) kcal/kg. At 6-weeks of age, determined AME_n were 3,373±297.35 (red/bronze), 3,279±297.35 (white/tan), and 2,966±298.64 (U.S. No. 2) kcal/kg. Carcass traits showed live body weight (p = 0.0409) and hot carcass weight (p = 0.0234) were greatest in U.S. No. 2; however, carcass yield (p<0.0001) was lowest. No significant differences were observed among treatments for feed intake, feed conversion ratio, breast weight and breast yield (p>0.05). Conclusion: These studies demonstrated that tannin-free grain sorghum varieties may be a potential alternative to corn in quail diets while maintaining growth performance and carcass parameters.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1721-1727
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• 2008

Four experiments were conducted to study the following: i) the influence of different concentrations of sucrose (0.15, 0.3 and 0.5 M with osmolality of 308, 500 and 760 mOsm/kg, respectively) in diluents and control diluent (370 mOsm/kg) on intensity of motility and progressive motility of goat sperm without rehydration and freezing step in four incubation periods (0, 0.5, 2 and 4 h after dilution); ii) the influence of gradual dilution (in 3 steps) on improvements in ascertained results of the first experiment; iii) cryoprotective effects of different concentrations of sucrose (0.15, 0.22, 0.29 and 0.37 M with osmolality of 450, 560, 740 and 920 mOsm/kg, respectively) plus 7% glycerol and 20% egg yolk in basic diluent (Tris-Citric acid-Fructose) and iv) the effect of two concentrations of sucrose (0.15 and 0.22 M) with and without glycerol (7%). In experiment 1, we obtained better results for control diluent, 0.15 and 0.3 M sucrose supplemented diluents with 0 and 0.5 h incubation periods. In experiment 2, apart from a slight improvement, similar tendencies to experiment 1 were observed. In experiment 3, we obtained the best result for diluent with 0.22 M sucrose with regard to intensity of motility, progressive motility, live sperm and normal acrosomes ($40{\pm}4%$, $3.1{\pm}0.2$, $37{\pm}4%$ and $37{\pm}4%$, repectively). In experiment 4, we obtained the best result for diluent with 0.22 M sucrose plus 7% glycerol in regard to intensity of motility, progressive motility and live sperm ($39{\pm}3%$, $3.6{\pm}0.4$ and $41{\pm}4%$, respectively). The characteristic normal acrosomes in diluents without glycerol, i.e. diluents with 0.15 and 0.22 M sucrose showed better results ($39{\pm}8$ and $42{\pm}6%$ respectively). With regard to the release of hyaluronidase enzyme there were no significant differences between diluents (p>0.05). The results of the diluents with 0.15 and 0.22 M sucrose without glycerol were slightly lower than those with glycerol ($69{\pm}11$ and $70{\pm}11$ vs. $72{\pm}11$ and $70{\pm}11{\times}120{\times}10^6$ units $ml^{-1}$, respectively). In conclusion, the use of concentrated sucrose solutions showed that goat sperm can tolerate osmolality up to 560 mOsm (0.22 M) in the freezing period. In addition, glycerol proved to be a necessary cryoprotective agent in the cryopreservation of goat sperm, particularly for intensity of motility, progressive motility and live sperm.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1039-1048
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• 2007

Two experiments were conducted to determine whether leptin is a metabolic signal for gonadotropin secretion in ewes. In the first experiment, twenty-eight cyclic Chal ewes were assigned randomly to an energy restricted, no leptin group (ERNL) (60% of maintenance; n = 14) and an energy normal, no leptin group (ENNL) (100% of maintenance; n = 14) for 71 days (6 estrous cycles). Estrus was synchronized with seven consecutive injections of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ Biweekly, body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were determined and blood samples were collected to measure plasma leptin concentration. Blood samples were also taken to determine plasma progesterone concentration twice weekly. After each PG injection from the second injection to the end of experiment, four ewes were selected and blood samples were collected at 20 minutes and at hourly intervals for 3 h to detect plasma LH and FSH concentration. In the second experiment, after the ceasing of the estrous cycle caused by energy restriction, six acyclic ewes were selected and randomly allotted to two groups (n = 3) and received the following treatment for four days. Ewes in an energy restricted, leptin group (ERL) were fed with a ration which provided 60% of maintenance energy requirements and intravenously injected with $4{\mu}g$ leptin/kg BW daily. Ewes in an energy excess, no leptin group (EENL) were fed with a ration that provided 180% (120%+60%) of maintenance energy requirements and intravenously injected with 1 ml saline daily. In both groups, blood samples were collected at 20 minutes and at hourly intervals for 3 h before feeding on d 0 and d 5, and for 3 h before and after injections as above on d 2 and d 4 to detect plasma LH and FSH concentration. In the first experiment, BW and BCS from the $2^{nd}$ estrous cycle, and leptin from the $3^{rd}$ estrous cycle to the end of the experiment significantly (p<0.05) decreased. In ERNL ewes, mean plasma concentrations of FSH significantly (p<0.01) decreased from the $4^{th}$ estrous cycle to d 71 and LH pulsatile secretion was suppressed on d 71, so that, mean plasma concentrations of LH (p<0.05), LH pulse frequency (p<0.01) and LH pulse amplitude (p<0.05) significantly decreased. In the second experiment, injection of leptin significantly increased mean circulating concentrations of LH (p<0.05), LH pulse frequency (p<0.01), LH pulse amplitude (p<0.05) and mean circulating concentrations of FSH (p<0.01) and leptin (p<0.01). High energy intake significantly (p<0.05) stimulated pulsatile secretion of LH and leptin secretion (p<0.01), but non-significantly increased plasma FSH concentration. The results of this study indicate that leptin is a metabolic signal for the GnRH-LH/FSH axis in feed-restricted fat-tailed ewes.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2002

PCR-RFLP analysis was carried out to investigate the genotype of Melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) gene in Korean Brindle Cattle and Korean Cattle with dark muzzle, which are coat color and muzzle pigmentation variants of Korean Cattle, respectively. Allelic variants of MC1R in cattle were analyzed by digestion with BsrFⅠ, AciⅠ. Among six genotypes, $E^D/E^D,\;E^D/E^+,\;E^D/e,\;E^+/E^+,\;E^+$/e and e/e, detected in cattle, only two genotypes, $E^+/E^+\;and\;E^+$/e, were observed in Korean Brindle Cattle, probably reflecting the necessary of $E^+$ allele for the expression of black brindle coat color. As in Korean Cattle with light muzzle, the $E^+$/e and e/e genotypes were detected in Korean Cattle with dark muzzle. The $E^+$ and e alleles frequencies in two populations of Korean Cattle with dark muzzle and with light muzzle were 0.37, 0.63 and 0,11, 0.89, respectively. Although the frequency of $E^+$ allele in Korean Cattle with dark muzzle was higher than in Korean Cattle with light muzzle, the $E^+$ allele was not completely associated with dark muzzle pigmentation. The results of this experiment indicate that the difference of MC1R genotype and frequency may be useful for fixation of coat color in Korean Cattle as well as Korean Brindle Cattle.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.182-187
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• 2010

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the levels of hormones (progesterone, IGF-I and IGFBP-3) in blood plasma, growth, carcass traits and their interactions of sexually immature (n = 18) and sexually mature (n = 17) gilts. To calculate average daily weight gain (ADG), gilts were individually weighed at the beginning of the trial and at slaughter (110${\pm}$10 days old). Blood concentrations of progesterone, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were determined by RIA. The right hot carcass sides were dissected and the individual basic parts from carcasses were weighed to record the carcass traits. IGFBP-3, ADG and carcass traits were not affected by pubertal maturation. Compared to sexually immature gilts, mature gilts had higher blood concentrations of progesterone and IGF-I. High correlations were noted between levels of some hormonal substances, productive performance and carcass traits of sexually immature and mature gilts.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.151-157
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• 1992

An experiment was conducted to investigate effects of fiber source on growth performance, N and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility, and utilization of energy in chicks fed an isocaloric low-energy diet from 7 to 21 days of age. Two fiber sources, cellulose and corn dietary fiber (CDF), were included in a diet at 10, 20 and 30% at the expense of kaolin, an inert diluent. The CDF contained 76.5% NDF consisting mainly of hemicellulose. The results showed that growth performance, N and NDF digestibility, dietary DE and ME values, energy deposition, and NE for production in birds fed CDF were inferior to those in birds fed cellulose. It can be concluded, from the present study, that chicks can utilize cellulose more efficiently than CDF up to a level of 30%.