• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.486-494
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• 2006

In order to protect the spermatozoa against cold shock, hen egg yolk is widely used as a cryoprotective agent in semen freezing extenders for domestic animals. The protective action of yolk is largely presumed to be due to low density lipoproteins (LDL). The effects of LDL on sperm quality of bull and northern pike (Esox lucius) after freezing-thawing have been reported, but no study has been made to evaluate the effect of LDL on boar sperm motility and other characteristics. The experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of LDL on the freezing of boar sperm in 0.25 ml straws. The aim was to evaluate the quality of boar spermatozoa cryopreserved in the presence of LDL. Motility of semen cryopreserved in LDL was analyzed and compared to semen cryopreserved with Tris-citric acid-glucose (TCG) and Tris-citric acid-fructose (TCF), two basic freezing extenders containing egg yolk. Similarly, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity were also evaluated and compared to semen cryopreserved with TCG and TCF. Analysis of sperm quality after freeze-thaw showed that the motility, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity were improved with LDL in the extender, as compared to the TCG and TCF. The highest post-thaw integrity of acrosome and plasma membrane and motility were obtained with 9% LDL (w/v). Consequently, the optimum LDL concentration in the extender was 9%. It is also suggested that the concentration of LDL addition is important for the effect on boar sperm protection during freezing and thawing. The percentage of motile spermatozoa was significantly higher after freezing in 9% LDL than in TCG and TCF 54.4% versus 30.4% and 30.1% (p<0.05), respectively. The integrity of acrosome and plasma membrane were also significantly higher at 70.3% and 50.5% respectively with semen frozen in 9% LDL extender compared to TCG at 37.8% and 30.3% and TCF at 36.4% and 29.9%, respectively (p<0.05),. In conclusion, we propose that extender containing LDL extracted from hen egg yolk could be used as a cryoprotective media with a better efficiency than TCG and TCF. LDL improved boar semen quality, allowing better spermatozoa motility, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity after the freeze-thaw process. Furthermore, we found out that the extender with 9% LDL concentration significantly enhanced motility, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity of boar sperm after freezing and thawing.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1766-1772
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• 2018

Objective: This experiment was to investigate the effect of increasing levels of apparent metabolizable energy ($AME_n$) on the laying performance, egg quality, blood parameters, blood biochemistry, intestinal morphology, and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy and nutrients in diets fed to laying hens. Methods: A total of three-hundred twenty 33-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens (Gallus domesticus) were evenly assigned to four experimental diets of 2,750, 2,850, 2,950, and 3,050 kcal $AME_n/kg$ in pens with floors covered with deep litter of rice hulls. There were four replicates of each treatment, each consisting of 20 birds in a pen. Results: $AME_n$ intake was increased (linear, p<0.05) with inclusion level of $AME_n$ in diets increased. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio were improved (linear, p<0.01), but hen-day egg production tended to be increased with an increasing level of $AME_n$ in diets. During the experiment, leukocyte concentration and blood biochemistry (total cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, total protein, calcium, asparate aminotransferase, and alanine transferase were not influenced by increasing level of $AME_n$ in diets. Gross energy and ether extract were increased (linear, p<0.01) as the inclusion level of $AME_n$ in diets increased. Conclusion: Laying hens fed high $AME_n$ diet (i.e., 3,050 kcal/kg in the current experiment) tended to overconsume energy with a positive effect on feed intake, feed conversion ratio, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal morphology but not on egg production and egg mass.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 1984

In order to investigate the effect of temperature variation in winter season on the egg production and energy utilization of poultry, 30week-old Warren layers were reared during 17 weeks of experimental period, from Nov. 1st, 1980 to Feb. 27th. 1981. The effect of temperature change on the body weight, feed intake and feed conversion was not found. But the outdoor average and the indoor minimum temperature had changed Positively 0.46 and 0.24% of henday egg production per 1$^{\circ}C$ fluctuation, respectively. Daily metabolizable energy utilized during 32 (Nov.15th), 34(Dec.1st) and 46(Feb. 27th) week-old reached to, respectively, 358, 385 and 419 kcal per bird, and 159, 173 and 176 kcal per kg body weight. Also the metabolizable energy utilization correlated negatively with the ambient temperature fluctuation, while the equation by NRC(1981) for metabolizable energy requirement estimation were well in accord with these results when the indoor minimum temperatures were based. And the metabolizable energy requirements per kg body weight were 1.7, 1.6 and 2.1 kcal, respectively, according as 1C fluctuation of outdoor, indoor maximum and indoor maximum and indoor minimum temperatures. Thus it is appeared that indoor temperatures fluctuated by outdoor temperatures will affect the egg Production and metabolizable energy utilization of hen in winter season of Korea.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.209-216
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• 1993

This study was conducted to classify Korean native chicken(KNC) and imported chicken by phenotypic performances and DNA fingerprinting. Two lines, KNC and White Leghorn(WL) , of chicken were maintained in the laboratory of Yeungnam University. Economic traits (body weight, sexual maturity, hen-day egg production, egg weight) and phenotypic characteristics (body-type, head, feather, shank) were checked. The DNA fingerprinting was analyzed for both breeds. The growth rate of the KNC was similar to WLS and sexual maturity of the KNC came later than WL. Hen-day egg production of the KNC was also slightly lower than the WL. The egg weight was about 10g lighter than WL. There was no difference in body weight of female KNC compared to the WL after 28 weeks. The study confirms difference between KNC and WL in DNA fingerprinting as well as its outlook. Thus, we suggest that these should be tested in nationwide districts about chickens known as the KNC using DNA fingerprinting. Then, the confirmed KNC populations should be maintained and used for the genetic improvement. Finally, only confirmed KNC should be in market which induce consumer to seek the KNC by its favorite.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1987

Three experiments were conducted to investigate effects of dietary energy and protein levels on performance of laying hens. A total of 360 hens each of 352-day old Manina Brown (Exp.1), 280-day old Brown Warren (Exp.2) or 3174ay old Brown Warren (Exp.3) was divided into 20 pens of 18 birds. Each pen was assigned to one of the four dietary treatments with 5 replications according to a 2${\times}$2 factorial design, consisting of all possible cominations of two levels of metabolizable energy (2,500 and 2,800 kcal/kg of diet) and two levels of crude Protein (13 and 16%). All hens were housed two birds per cage. Exp.1 and 2 were conducted for four weeks and hens were fed experimental diets ad libitum, and Exp.3 lasted two weeks and feed consumption was restricted to 130g/hen/day. In Exp.1 and 2, increasing either energy or protein level in the diet numberically improved egg production. However, in Exp. 3, where feed consumption was restricted, egg Production was affected significantly 〈0.05) by the energy levies and numerically by the protein levels. Neither protein nor energy level influenced egg weight in Exp. 1 and 2, but in Exp. 3 the higher level of energy improved egg weight numerically, In all three experiments increasing either protein or energy level increased egg mass. Higher levels of either protein and energy tended to decrease feed consumption and improve feed conversion rate numerically. It should also be noted that the higher level of energy improved egg mass produced per unit intake of protein and the higher level of Protein improved egg mass produced per unit intake of energy.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.151-156
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• 2002

The objective of this study was to compare the two different eggshell lines of commercial layers on egg traits and egg production rate. Hy-line W-98 (white shell line; WSL) and Hy-line Brown (brown shell line; BSL) were used as experimental stocks. The birds in each line were allocated to three floor pens each containing 25-birds. They were fed a ration containing 15.5% CP and 2,700 ㎉/kg ME, and were supplied 16 h of light per day throughout the experimental Periods. The egg traits and egg Production rate were measured from 53 to 56-wk-old and 20 to 56-wk-old, respectively. The mean egg weight and the mean percentage albumen were significantly heavier and higher (P<0.05) in the BSL than in the WSL, respectively. The mean eggshell thickness and the mean percentage shell were also significantly thicker and higher (P<0.05) in the BSL than those in the WSL, respectively. However, the mean percentage yolk and the yolk to albumen ratio showed a reverse trend as shown in the mean percentage albumen or percentage eggshell. Although the WSL birds started laying 4 d earlier than the BSL ones, the overall mean egg Production rate for BSL during 20 to 56 wk of age was significantly higher (P<0.05) by 6.6% than the WSL. It was concluded that the eggs of brown eggshell line had heavier egg weight and thicker shell, and they had more percentage of albumen, but less percentage of yolk than those of the white eggshell line. These results suggest that the brown eggshell line raised on the floor might be more beneficial than the white eggshell line not only for the preference of the table egg consumers, but also for the efficient production of the eggs.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.127-131
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• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of expanding feed processing technologies on the egg characteristics and nutrient digestibility in laying hens. A total of two hundred seventy laying hens were randomly allocated into three treatments with fifteen replications for six weeks. Dietary treatments include 1) MS(mash), 2) EC(expanded crumble) and 3) EP(expanded pellet). In the egg production, the EC and EP treatments were significantly higher than MS treatment(p<0.05). However, no significant difference was founded in egg weight(p>0.05). Egg shell breaking was increased in EC and EP treatments compared with MS treatment(p<0.05), however, egg shall thickness showed no significant difference(p>0.05). Egg production and egg shell breaking were significantly higher in EC and EP treatments than MS treatment(p<0.05), but egg weight and egg shell thickness were no significantly difference among treatment(p<0.05). Yolk color was increased in EC treatment compared with other treatments(p<0.05). Also, yolk index was significantly improved in EC and EP treatments compared with MS treatment(p<0.05). Haugh unit was increased in EC treatment compared with MS treatment(p<0.05). EC treatment had improved DM, Ca and P digestibility. In conclusion, Expanded crumble and pellet processing could improve the egg characteristic and nutrient digestibility in laying hens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.1009-1014
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• 2012

Environmental stress boosts the levels of stress hormones and accelerates energy expenditure which subsequently imbalance the body's homeostasis. L-ascorbic acid (L-AA) has been recognized to mitigate the negative impact of environmental stress on production performances in birds. The present investigation was carried out to elucidate the effect of different dietary levels of L-AA on production performance, egg quality traits and fertility in Japanese quail at low ambient temperature. Sixty matured females (15 wks) were equally divided into three groups (20/group) based on the different dietary levels of L-AA (0, 250 and 500 ppm) and coupled with an equal number of males (1:1) obtained from the same hatch. They were managed in uniform husbandry conditions without restriction of feed and water at 14 h photo-schedule. Except for feed efficiency, body weight change, feed consumption and hen-day egg production were recorded highest in 500 ppm L-AA supplemented groups. Among the all egg quality traits studied, only specific gravity, shell weight and thickness differed significantly (p<0.05) in the present study. Fertility was improved significantly ($p{\leq}0.01$) to a dose dependent manner of L-AA. The findings of the present study concluded that dietary L-AA can be a caring management practice at least in part to alleviate the adverse effect of cold induced stress on production performance in Japanese quail.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.373-377
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• 2002

Allergens in processed foods may place persons with food allergies at significant risk when the labels do not Provide sufficient warnings or identification of high-risk ingredients. Because egg proteins are common food allergens, this study was carried out to identify hen's egg albumin (ovalbumin, OVA) in five commercially processed foods containing egg (custayd, cookie and pasta), and chicken meat (sausage and meatball) by immunological methods using commercially produced murine monoclonal immunoglobulin G (M-IgG), immunoblotting and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sample buffer with chelating and reducing agents was prepared and used for the preparation of the protein fractions from the foods. Most bands in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) profile (5~15% gradient gel) presented at 75 kDa below. OVA (43 kDa) in the sample lanes could not be visually observed on the gel. However, OVA in solutions prepared from custard and cookie could be detected by M-IgG, but were not detected in sausage and pasta. OVA in all samples could be quantitatively determined by the equation obtained from the standard curve by ELISA. Cookie and custard containing egg white and egg, respectively, contained very high concentrations of OVA. OVA in the other products were present in relatively low concentrations, but sufficiently high to pose possible risk of allergy, ELISA is a very sensitive and precise method for the identification and quantification of allergens in food products including allergy-inducible materials.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1450-1455
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of dietary ${\beta}-mannanase$ on productive performance, egg quality, and utilization of dietary energy and nutrients in aged laying hens raised under hot climatic conditions. Methods: A total of 320 84-wk-old Hy-line Brown aged laying hens were allotted to one of four treatments with eight replicates in a completely randomized design. Two dietary treatments with high energy (HE; 2,800 kcal/kg nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy [$AME_n$]) and low energy (LE; 2,700 kcal/kg $AME_n$) were formulated. Two additional diets were prepared by adding 0.04% (MN4) or 0.08% ${\beta}-mannanase$ (MN8) to LE treatment diets. The feeding trial was conducted for 28 d, covering a period from July to August in South Korea. The average daily room temperature and relative humidity were $29.2^{\circ}C$ and 83%, respectively. Results: Productive performance, egg quality, and cloacal temperature were not influenced by dietary treatments. The measured $AME_n$ values for MN8 diets were similar to those for HE diets, which were greater (p<0.05) than those for LE and MN4 diets. However, the $AME_n$ values for MN8 diets did not differ from those for LE and MN4 diets. Conclusion: The addition of ${\beta}-mannanase$ to low energy diets increases energy values for diets fed to aged laying hens. However, this increase has little positive impacts on performance and egg quality. These results indicate that dietary ${\beta}-mannanase$ does not mitigate the heat stress of aged laying hens raised under hot climatic conditions.