• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.674-680
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• 2016

This study investigated the effects of feeds naturally contaminated with mycotoxins on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, carcass traits, and splenic heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) mRNA expression levels in broiler chickens. The efficacy of yeast cell wall (YCW) adsorbent in preventing mycotoxicosis was also evaluated. Three hundred 1-d-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 3 treatments in completely randomized design for 42 d. Each treatment group had 5 replicate pens with 20 birds. The treatments were as follows: i) basal diet (control), ii) naturally contaminated diet (NCD), and iii) NCD+0.2% YCW adsorbent (NCDD). The NCD decreased average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.01) of 0 to 21 d, 22 to 42 d, and 0 to 42 d, and increased feed conversion ratio (p<0.01) of 22 to 42 d and 0 to 42 d. Both the breast meat percentage and thigh meat percentage of the NCD group were significantly higher (p<0.01) than that of the control group on d 21. The NCD group showed significantly increased levels of triglycerides (p<0.05) and cholesterol (p<0.05) on both d 21 and d 42 compared to the control group. However, the NCD significantly reduced (p<0.01) the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) on d 42 compared to controls. Compared with the NCD, supplementation with YCW significantly improved (p<0.01) the ADG of 0 to 21 d and 0 to 42 d, and increased (p<0.01) concentrations of HDL on d 42, and on d 21, and triglycerides (p<0.05) on d 21 and d 42. Supplementation with YCW reduced (p<0.01) the breast meat percentage, the thigh meat percentage, the concentrations of cholesterol (p<0.01) and the low-density lipoprotein (p<0.05) on d 21, and improved (p<0.01) the splenic Hsp70 mRNA expression levels compared with the NCD group. The results of this study indicated that feeding NCD for 42 d had adverse effects on broiler chickens, and that YCW might be beneficial in counteracting the effects of mycotoxins.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.251-255
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• 2008

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with CLA (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0%) on the proximate composition, sensory evaluation, pH, TBARS, cooking loss, WHC, shear force and objective color of chicken meat. Two hundred broiler chickens (Arbor Acre Broiler, male) were randomly assigned to five groups, fed for five weeks, and slaughtered. The proximate composition and crude protein of thigh muscle from the 1.5% and 2.0% CLA groups were significantly higher than the other groups (p<0.05), however there was no difference in moisture, crude fat, and crude ash. Based on sensory evaluation, tenderness, juiciness, and flavor were not significantly different among the treatment groups. The pH of thigh muscle from the CLA treated groups was higher than the control, and significantly increased with the increasing levels of CLA in the broiler diets (p<0.05). TBARS values were significantly lower in the CLA treated groups, and decreased with increasing CLA levels in the diet (p<0.05). Therefore, CLA may improve the shelf life of chicken meat. WHC, shear force, and meat color did not show any significant variation in this study. In conclusion, the accumulation of CLA and the production of fresh chicken meat without changes in meat quality can be achieved through supplementation with 2% CLA. Accumulation of CLA in chicken meat significantly increased with increasing CLA levels in the diet.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.195-202
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• 1998

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplemental dry powder of Rehmannia radix (RR) root on the growth performance and physiological status of broiler chicks. The treatments consisted of corn-soybean meal control diet, and RR 0.5, 1, and 2％ diets. A total of 160 Arbor Acre male broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 16 pens ; four pens per treatment and 10 birds per pen. The growth performance, feed intake and carcass weight did not show any differences among the treatment groups, but feed conversion was significantly lower (P< 0.05) in RR 1％ group than that of the control group. The muscle color was lighter (P < 0.05) in RR lof group than those of the other treatment groups. The blood concentrations of protein, glutamic-oxaloacetic-transaminase (GOT) and glutamic- pyruvic-transaminase (GPT) were not different (P > 0.05) among the treatment groups, but the blood total cholesterol content was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in RR 2％ group than those the other treatment groups. The blood concentration of sugar was lower (P <0.05) in RR 2％ group than those of the other treatment groups, and hemoglobin concentration was decreased (P <0.05) by addition RR. Crude fat content of thigh muscle was higher in RR 1％ group than those of the other treatment groups, and bone hardness of broiler chicks fed RR was higher (P < 0.05) than that of the control group. The saturated fatty acid content of the thigh muscle tende to be high in control and RR 0.5％ groups, and unsaturated fatty acid content tende to be high in RR 1 and 2％ groups than those of the other treatment groups

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of the inoculated diet with Paecilomyces japonica on weight gain, feed efficiency and cordycepin contents in the breast and thigh meats of broilers. One hundred and twenty broiler chicks were divided into four dietary groups ; 1) control (basal diet), 2) T1 (substituted with 5% inoculated diet), 3) T2 (substituted with 10% inoculated diet) 4) T3 (substituted with 20% inoculated diet) during 4 weeks. Cordycepin contents of inoculated diet with Pacilomyces japonica was significantly higher than before inoculation (P<0.05). Body weight gain and feed efficiency were highest in T1 group when fed starter diet (P<0.05) but these were lowest in T3 group fed when fed finished diet (P<0.05). Body weight gain and feed efficiency were the lowest in T2 group for overall period than other groups. Cordycepin contents of breast and thigh meats were significantly higher in Pacilomyces japonica groups than control at 5 weeks of age (P<0.05). However, it was similar among the T1, T2 and T3 groups. These results indicated that body weight gain and feed efficiency tended to increase in birds fed replaced 5% inoculation diet Cordycepin contents of breast and thigh meats would be increased significantly in birds fed inoculated diet (P<0.05).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1639-1644
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• 2010

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and lipid metabolism in broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments (0, 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg dietary ALC supplementation, respectively). Compared with the control treatment, addition of ALC resulted in lower (linear effect, p<0.05) ADG and AFI. Abdominal fat percentage decreased (linear effect, p<0.05) as dietary ALC was increased, but there was no effect on dressing percentage, breast muscle percentage or thigh muscle percentage. Breast muscle pH value 24 h post-mortem increased (linear effect, p<0.05), but there were no significant differences among treatments. However, thigh muscle pH value increased (linear effect, p<0.05) as dietary ALC was increased. Breast and thigh muscle $a^*$ values increased (linear effect, p<0.05), and breast and thigh muscle $b^*$ values decreased (linear effect, p<0.05) with increased ALC in the diet. In addition, breast and thigh muscle shear force value decreased (linear effect, p<0.05) as dietary ALC was increased. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein lipase decreased (linear effect, p<0.05) and free fatty acid and lipase in serum increased (linear effect, p<0.05) with increased ALC in diets.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.145-153
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• 1995

The root powder of Angelicae gigantis Radix (RPAGR) is known to he beneficial for liver and blood circulation. In a 6-wk broiler feeding trial, the RPAGR was added at levels of 0, 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0%, respectively. The RPAGR was found to be palatable as birds consumed moreof the test diets than the control(0% RPAGR) diet. The BW gain of 1.0% RPAGR group was higher than the control group. The feed efficiency(F/G) was improved significantly(P<0.01) by feeding 1.0% RPAGR. The RPAGR also caused beneficial effects in various carcass characteristics, i.e., carcass weight, dressing percentage, breast muscle, and thigh meat production. There was no consistent trend in various organ weights by the addition of RPAGR. Also, no consistent trend was found in abdominal fat weight. The serum cholesterol level tended to decrease as the BW increased. No consistent trend was detected in serum triglyceride contents.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.557-564
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• 2009

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of various levels of full-fat sunflower seeds (FFSS) on broiler performance and carcass characteristics. In the first experiment, FFSS was included in a basal diet at 70, 140, and 210 g/kg and the $AME_n$ values of the experimental diets were determined. The linear regression equation of $AME_n$ values on rate of inclusion was calculated. Extrapolation value for the $AME_n$ of FFSS at 100% inclusion was 14.22 MJ/kg. In the second experiment, diets containing various levels (0, 70, 140, and 210 g/kg) of FFSS were given to broilers (Ross strain) from 0 to 49 d. At 28 days of age, blood parameters and digestive enzyme activities were determined and carcass parameters were evaluated at 49 days of age. Weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were improved (p<0.05) when broilers were fed various levels of FFSS in the starter and finisher diets. Breast, thigh, gastrointestinal tract and gizzard weight percentages were not affected by dietary treatments; however, liver weight percentage was decreased significantly (p<0.05) and weight of abdominal fat decreased but this effect was not significant. The activities of digestive enzyme (protease and ${\alpha}$-amylase) were not influenced by the treatments. Activity of alkaline phosphatase, concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, glucose, triglyceride, protein, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were not affected by incorporation of FFSS in the broiler diet. Although concentration of HDL increased and LDL decreased, these effects were not significant. The results of this study indicate that FFSS can be used at up to 21% in broiler diets without adverse effects on performance or other parameters of chickens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.681-685
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• 2009

L-carnitine promotes mitochondrial ${\beta}$-oxidation of long chain fatty acids and their subsequent transport across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Although the role of L-carnitine in fatty acid metabolism has been extensively studied, its role in live performance and carcass responses of commercial broilers is less understood. The objective of this research was to determine if Lcarnitine fed at various levels in diets differing in CP and amino acids impacted on live performance and carcass characteristics of commercial broilers. Two floor pen experiments were conducted to assess the effect of dietary L-carnitine in grower diets. In Exp. 1, Ross${\times}$Hubbard Ultra Yield broilers were placed in 48 floor pens (12 birds/pen) and fed common diets to d 14. A two (0 or 50 ppm Lcarnitine) by three (173, 187, and 202 g/kg CP) factorial arrangement of treatments was employed from 15 to 35 d of age (8 replications/treatment). An interaction (p<0.05) in carcass yield indicated that increasing CP (187 g/kg) resulted in improved yield in the presence of L-carnitine. Increasing CP from 173 to 202 g/kg increased (p<0.05) BW gain and decreased (p<0.05) feed conversion and percentage abdominal fat. Feeding dietary L-carnitine increased back-half carcass yield which was attributable to an increase (p<0.05) in thigh, but not drumstick, yield relative to carcass. In Exp. 2, $Ross{\times}Ross$ 708 broilers were fed common diets until 29 d. From 30 to 42 d of age, birds were fed one of seven diets: i) 200 g/kg CP, 0 ppm L-carnitine; ii) 200 g/kg CP, 40 ppm L-carnitine; iii) 180 g/kg CP, 0 ppm L-carnitine; iv) 180 g/kg CP, 10 ppm L-carnitine; v) 180 g/kg CP, 20 ppm L-carnitine; vi) 180 g/kg CP, 30 ppm L-carnitine; and vii) 180 g/kg CP, 40 ppm L-carnitine (6 replications of 12 birds each). BW gain, feed conversion, mortality (30 to 42 d), and carcass traits (42 d) were measured on all birds by pen. There were no treatment differences (p<0.05). However, the addition of 40 ppm L-carnitine in the 200 g CP/kg diet increased (p = 0.06) thigh yields relative to BW in comparison to birds fed diets without L-carnitine, which was further confirmed via a contrast analysis (0 vs. 40 ppm L-carnitine in the 200 and 180 g CP/kg diets; p<0.05). These results indicated that dietary L-carnitine may heighten metabolism in dark meat of commercial broilers resulting in increased relative thigh tissue accretion without compromising breast accretion.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.681-688
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• 2016

The present study was conducted to compare the supplementation of natural (D-${\alpha}$-tocopherol) and synthetic (DL-${\alpha}$-tocopherol acetate) vitamin E on the growth performance, meat quality, muscular antioxidant capacity and genes expression related to oxidative status of broilers. A total of 144 1 day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly allocated into 3 groups with 6 replicates of 8 birds each. Birds were given a basal diet (control group), and basal diet supplemented with either 20 IU D-${\alpha}$-tocopherol or DL-${\alpha}$-tocopherol acetate for 42 days, respectively. The results indicated that treatments did not alter growth performance of broilers (p>0.05). Compared with the control group, concentration of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol in the breast muscle was increased by the supplementation of vitamin E (p<0.05). In the thigh, ${\alpha}$-tocopherol content was also enhanced by vitamin E inclusion, and this effect was more pronounced in the natural vitamin E group (p<0.05). Vitamin E supplementation increased the redness of breast (p<0.05). In the contrast, the inclusion of synthetic vitamin E decreased lightness of thigh (p<0.05). Dietary vitamin E inclusion reduced drip loss at 24 h of thigh muscle (p<0.05), and this effect was maintained for drip loss at 48 h in the natural vitamin E group (p<0.05). Broilers given diet supplemented with vitamin E showed decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the breast (p<0.05). Additionally, natural rather than synthetic vitamin E reduced MDA accumulation in the thigh (p<0.05). Neither natural nor synthetic vitamin E supplementation altered muscular mRNA abundance of genes related to oxidative stress (p>0.05). It was concluded that vitamin E supplementation, especially the natural vitamin E, can enhance the retention of muscular ${\alpha}$-tocopherol, improve meat quality and muscular antioxidant capacity of broilers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.80-84
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• 2005

An experiment was conducted to study the performance, carcass traits, serum lipid profile and immune competence in commercial broilers (2 to 42 d of age) fed graded levels (25, 50, 75 and 100%) of finger millet (FM) (Elusine coracana) in place (w/w) of yellow maize (YM). Each diet was fed to eight replicates (five female Vencobb broilers/replicate) housed in stainless steel battery brooders. The estimated metabolizable energy content of FM was about 540 kcal less than the YM. FM contained more protein (10.42 vs. 9.05%) and fibre (9.52 vs. 2.24%) compared to YM. Body weight gain, ready to cook yield, relative weights of giblet, liver, intestine and length of intestine at 42 d of age was not affected due to replacing YM with FM. But, the feed efficiency decreased in broilers fed diets containing 75 and 100% FM in place of YM at both 21 and 42 d of age. The amount of fat deposited in abdominal area decreased and the relative weight of gizzard increased with increase in level of FM in the diet. The serum HDL cholesterol at 21 and 42 d of age and serum triglycerides at 42 d of age decreased with increase in level of FM in diet. The relative weight of spleen and antibody titers against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) at 5 d post inoculation (PI) decreased in broilers fed FM at 100% of YM. However, the relative weight of bursa, SRBC titers at 10 d PI, antibody titers against ND virus and mortality were not affected due to incorporation of FM in place of YM in diet. The fat content in thigh muscle and liver decreased, while the protein content in these tissues increased with increase in the level of FM in broiler diet. Based on the results, it may be concluded that YM can be replaced with FM up to 25% on weight basis without affecting weight gain, carcass yields and immunity in commercial broiler diet (up to 42 d of age). Further, inclusion of finger millet reduced the fat deposition in thigh muscle, liver and in abdominal area compared to those fed maize as the principal source of energy.