• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2004

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary herbal plant mixture on the performance in laying hens under heat stress. One hundred ninety two 54-weeks-old ISA Brown commercial layers, were used in 56 d experimental assay. Dietary treatments included CON (control; basal diet), HPM0.05 (basal diet ＋ 0.05% herbal plant mixture), HPM0.1 (basal diet ＋ 0.1% herbal plant mixture), and HPM0.2 (basal diet ＋ 0.2% herbal plant mixture). For overall period, the hens fed with HPM0.1 and HPM0.2 diets showed lower in the hen day egg production than the hens fed with CON diet(P＜0.05). At the end of the experimental period, egg weight was heavier in HPM 0.1 treatment than in CON (P＜0.05). There were no significant differences among the treatments in egg shell breaking strength, egg shell thickness, Haugh unit, and yolk color unit. Total cholesterol concentration of yolk tended to decrease as the level of herbal plant mixture in the diet increased. Total protein of blood was higher in the hens fed with herbal plant mixture than in the hens fed with CON diet (P＜0.05). Albumin concentration of blood was increased in HPM0.05 and HPM0.1 treatments compared with CON(P＜0.05). Red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) concentrations in serum were increased in HPM0.1 and HPM0.2 treatments compared with CON treatment (P＜0.05). In conclusion, dietary herbal plant mixture in laying hens under heat stress adversely affected egg production but increased total protein, albumin, RBC and WBC in blood.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.275-280
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• 2003

This study conducted to investigate the effect of dietary germanium biotite by protein level in laying hen diets. One hundred forty four, 51 weeks old ISA brown commercial layer, were used in experiment. Dietary treatments were 1) low protein diet(LPD), 2) high protein diet(HPD), 3) LPD-GB(LPD + 1.0% germanium biotite) and 4) HPD-GB(HPD + 1.0% germanium biotite). Henday egg production tended to be increased as the concentration of protein in diets increased with significant difference(P<0.01). Egg weight tended to decrease by increasing of supplementation germanium biotite in the diets(P<0.01). Egg shell breaking strength was not influenced by germanium biotite supplementation(P>0.05). Large band of egg decrease as increasing of supplementation germanium biotite in the diets(P<0.02). Sharp and middle band of egg were not influenced by germanium biotite supplementation. Egg yolk index tended to decrease as increasing of supplementation germanium biotite in the diets(p<0.01). Fecal propionic acid(P<0.01) and butyric acid(P<0.03) were decrease as the concentration of germanium biotite in the diet was increased. Also, butyric acid increased as the concentration of protein in diets increased with significant difference(P<0.02). Supplementation germanium biotite in the diet reduced the fecal acetic acid(P<0.01). Fecal $NH_3$-N of hens fed HPD-GB diet was decreased(P<0.05) compared to that LPD-GB diet. In conclusion, germanium biotite supplementation to layer diets can reduce fecal volatile fatty acid compabebts.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.610-615
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• 2008

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of drinking of Rhus tree-extract on laying performance and egg quality in hens. Four hundred eighty, 55-wk-old ISA brown, laying hens were divided into six groups, control, Rhus tree-extract 500 ppm, 1,000 ppm, 2,000 ppm, 3,000 ppm and 5,000 ppm. The hens were fed a supplemented drink containing Rhus tree-extract for 12 weeks. Egg production and egg mass increased by drinking Rhus tree-extract (p<0.05) and the feed conversion ratio also improved in Rhus tree-extract groups. Cecal numbers of Lactobacillus spp., E. coli and Salmonella were not different in treatments. Availability of protein and ash improved in the Rhus extract groups. The eggshell breaking strength and egg shell thickness were significantly increased in Rhus tree-extract 3,000 ppm and Rhus tree-extract 2,000 ppm groups compared to the other groups. Also, egg yolk color and Haugh unit were significantly improved by the dietary Rhus tree-extract (p<0.05).

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.271-278
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• 2007

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of fermented wild-ginseng culture by-product on egg production, egg quality and blood characteristics in laying hens. A total of 216 ISA Brown laying hens, 55 wk of age, were used in the 6-wk feeding trial. Experimental diets were consisted of basal diet (CON), 2.5% fermented wild-ginseng culture by-product replaced lupin in basal diet (WG1) and 5.0% fermented wild-ginseng culture by-product replaced lupin in basal diet (WG2). Birds were randomly allotted to 18 replicate pens. There were 6 replicates per treatment, and 12 laying hens per replicate. Through the 6-wk feeding trial, egg production was significantly increased in WG1 and WG2 treatments compared to CON (P<0.05). Egg weight was significantly higher in WG2 than CON (P<0.05). WG1 resulted higher yolk color than CON (P<0.05). Albumen height and Haugh unit were significantly improve in WG1 compared to WG2 (P<0.05). Red blood cell was significantly lower in WG2 than CON (P<0.05). LDL-cholesterol was significantly decreased in CON compared to WG2 (P<0.05). In conclusion, fermented wild-ginseng culture by-product could improve egg production and egg weight in laying hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.229-233
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• 2016

This study was conducted to compare three commercially available egg testing devices for measuring egg quality. The devices used were a Laser-type (automatic), a Ultrasonic-type (automatic), and a Probe-type (manual). Fresh eggs weighing 60~68 grams were obtained from a commercial hen farm. Three trials were conducted. In Trial 1, a total of 50 eggs were successively analyzed by the three egg testing devices. In Trial 2, fresh eggs were successively analyzed by a combination of two egg testing devices. In Trial 3, a total of 600 eggs (weighing 60~68 grams) laid by same flock were selected, further divided into three sub-groups with a total of 200 eggs, and analyzed by an egg testing device. In Trials 1 and 2, no apparent difference was observed in egg weight between egg testing devices. However, albumin height was scored highest in the Ultrasonic-type egg tester followed by the Probe-type and Laser-type (Trials 1 and 2). Consequently, the Haugh unit was similarly altered. Yolk color was highest in the Laser-type egg tester followed by the Ultrasonic-type and Probe-type (Trials 1 and 2). When fresh eggs laid by a single flock were independently analyzed by three devices, egg weight did not differ, but albumin height and Haugh unit were higher (p<0.05) in the Ultrasonic-type egg tester than in the Probe-type or Laser-type testers. However, Laser-type testers produced higher (p<0.05) yolk color values than the Ultrasonic-type or Probe-type egg testers. In conclusion, the commercially available egg testing devices exhibited performance differences in measuring egg qualities, which warrants further consideration as to whether the magnitude of bias and precision between the devices could be acceptable in the egg grading system, especially when assessing eggs stored for certain durations.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.189-197
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• 2020

This study was conducted to compare the production performance and stress response of chickens kept in the conventional cages and floor pens. 491 female White Leghorns were used in this study, and their production characteristics and stress response indicators were analyzed from 34 to 43 weeks of age. The results showed that there was no significant difference in survival rate, hen-day egg production, and body weight between the chickens kept in the conventional cages and those kept in the floor pens. The chickens kept in the conventional cages had a significantly higher egg weight and egg quality compared with those kept in the floor pens (P<0.01). The amount of telomeric DNA in lymphocytes was significantly higher in the chickens kept in floor pens than in those kept in conventional cages (P<0.05). The heterophil-lymphocyte ratio, HSP-90β gene expression level, and DNA damage rate significantly increased in chickens kept in the conventional cages, as compared to the chickens kept in floor pens (P<0.01). In conclusion, there seems to be no difference in the production performance between chickens kept in conventional cages and those kept in floor pens. Furthermore, chickens kept in conventional cages had higher stress response values than those kept in floor pens for all stress response indicators. Therefore, conventional cage types are considered to be a more stressful environment for chickens than floor pens, regardless of the production performance of the chickens.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.494-500
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• 1996

Uptake of hen metal ions by water dropwort (Oenanthe stolonifera DC.) and its cadmium-binding protein were studied to probe for good method to remove heavy metal contaminants from environments. The plant was cultured in the culture medium (pH 7.0) containing the various concentrations of $Cd^{2+}$, $Cr^{3+}$ or $Pb^{2+}$, for 3 and 7 days. The residual heavy metals deposited in roots linearly increased as the metal ions concentration increased up to 17 ppm for $Cd^{2+}$, 20 ppm for $Cr^{3+}$ and 50 ppm for $Pb^{2+}$. Above these concentrations, the plant growth was inhibited and the uptake rates of the metal ions decreased. The heavy metals absorbed by the plant were mostly deposited in roots. In particular, the residual concentration of lead in roots was about four times higher than those of cadmium and chromium. When cultured in the medium containing 20 ppm of each metal ion, 80% of cadmium, 90% of cromium and 96% of lead were deposited in roots out of the total residual metal ions in the plant. These values correspond to 6.1 mg of cadmium, 5.2 mg of chromium and 23.6 mg of lead per one gram of roots tissue on a dry weight basis. A cadmium-binding protein was partially purified by extraction, gel filtration and DEAE-Cellulose chromatography from water dropworts that was grown in the medium containing 20 ppm $Cd^{2+}$. The purified protein was a single band on SDS- and non-denaturing- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Its molecular mass was estimated to be ca. 5,000 dalton by gel filteration. Analysis of amino acid composition of the protein indicated that it had a typical amino acid composition of heavy metal-binding protein in that it contained 27% of acidic amino acids and 9.9% of cysteine. However, it is likely that the protein is a new plant metal-binding protein, since its amino acid composition is somewhat different from those of phytochelatins that have been known so far.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.391-398
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding probiotics(gene modified yeast) on the egg quality in laying hens. The laboratory method of this study is as follow: In hens, 300, 36 weeks old ISA brown commercial layer, were employed in 13weeks feeding trial with a 7 days adjustment period. Dietary treatments are 1) control (basal diet) 2) Y0.3 (basal diet+0.3% probiotics), 3) Y0.5% (basal diet+0.5% probiotics), 4) PY0.3% (basal diet+0.3% plasmid modified probiotics), 5) PY0.5% (basal diet+0.5% plasmid modified probiotics). For overall period, hen-day egg production, egg weight (p<0.05) by dietary probiotic supplementation were recorded. Eggs were collected and weighed every day. Egg production number and egg production rate, egg weight, failure egg ratio and trouble egg ratio were recorded for 13weeks days. Diets PY0.3 and PY0.5 improved Egg production rate, egg production number and egg weight, compared to control diet (linear effect. p<0.05). And, diets PY0.3 and PY0.5 improved Egg production rate, egg production number, compared to Y0.3 and Y0.5 (linear effect. p<0.05). But, in Inferior egg and cracked egg, diets PY0.3 and PY0.5 did not tended to increase by dietary probiotic supplementation compared to control diet and Y group (0.3, 0.5) (linear effect. p<0.05). The productivity enhance on the egg quality in laying hens is considered from the effects of feeding probiotics(gene modified yeast).

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.69-75
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the reliability of automatic cracked and bloody egg detector according to the age of the hens and the level of the detector. The results of this study are expected to be helpful in the implementation of the Korean egg grading system, which is expected to improve egg quality for consumers. An official egg grader randomly selected 1,000 eggs for each experiment (total 36,000 eggs), ran them through the automatic detector, and conducted labor inspection using the eggs that were classified by the detector as cracked, bloody, and normal eggs. The results showed that more cracked eggs were laid by hens aged 40-60 weeks than by hens aged 30 weeks (p<0.05). Also, when the detector level increased from four to seven (i.e., when it became less sensitive), its cracked eggs detection rate dropped, and the total rate of cracked eggs was consistent after the labor inspection of the classified eggs. The automatic detector achieved over 97 percent accuracy. The bloody eggs constituted only 0.005 percent of all the samples, and all the detector-detected eggs were bloody eggs after the labor inspection of both the bloody and normal egg lines. Therefore, it can be concluded that the automatic cracked and bloody egg detector was reliable and can be used in the egg grading system. Considering that cracked eggs should be less than 9 percent of first-grade eggs in the present egg grading system, the use of an automatic crack detector may help provide better-quality eggs to consumers by producing less than 5.5 percent cracked eggs.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2005

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the effects of varying levels of dietary oil containing conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the egg production and fatty acid composition of egg yolk. Seventy-two 59-wk-old ISA Brown laying hens were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments, each consisting of three replicates with six birds per replicate. There were four treatments that consist of diets containing 0, 1, 2, or $3\%$ commercial CLA-containing oil. Egg production was not significantly different among the dietary treatments at 0, 2, 4, and 6 week. The proportion of saturated fatty acids such as C16:0 and C18:0 in egg yolk were increased, but that of monounsaturated fatty acid C18:1 was decreased by feeding CLA-containing oil supplementation. However, the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as C18:2 and C18:3 in egg yolk were not different among dietary treatments at 2 and 4 wk of the experiment. At 6 week, the proportion of C18:2 in egg yolk was decreased by feeding CLA-containing oil compared with the control. Polyunsaturated fatty acid:saturated fatty acid (P:S) ratio and n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio were similar across the treatments between 2 and 4 week. The P:S ratio was decreased by dietary CLA-containing oil supplementation at 6 week. The proportion of CLA in egg yolk was linearly increased with increasing levels of CLA-containing oil supplementation. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of CLA-containing oil to laying hens increased beneficially increased CLA content in their egg yolk.