• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제23권10호
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• pp.1340-1347
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• 2010

To study the effects of ${\alpha}$-galactosidase (${\alpha}$-Gal) supplementation on performance and energy metabolism, 216 Arbor Acres male broilers were placed in 36 cages of 6 birds each and allotted to 4 diets for 42 d, with 0-21 d as starter period and 22-42 d as grower period. The 4 diets were based on corn non-dehulled soybean meal in a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement, with 2 levels of ${\alpha}$-Gal (0 vs. 60 U/kg feed) and 2 levels of ME (normal metabolizable energy (NME) and low metabolizable energy (LME)). Bird performance was obtained at 21 and 42 d of age with samples of feces collected for nutrient digestibility from 19-21 d and 40-42 d. At 21 and 42 d, 1 bird from 6 cages of each treatment was killed to determine liver weight, intestinal pH and chyme viscosity. With the addition of ${\alpha}$-Gal the 42 d body weight (BW) and 0-42 d average daily gain (ADG) were significantly improved (p<0.05). Average daily feed intake (ADFI) of birds fed the LME diet was significantly increased compared to those fed the NME diet during starter (p<0.01) and grower (p<0.05) periods and overall (p<0.01). There was an interaction of ${\alpha}-Gal{\times}ME$ on 0-21 d ADFI (p<0.01). Supplementation of ${\alpha}$-Gal significantly improved (p<0.01) feed efficiency during the grower period and overall. Feed efficiency of birds fed the LME diet was significantly decreased (p<0.05) compared to those fed the NME diet during the starter period and overall. With the addition of ${\alpha}$-Gal apparent metabolizable energy (AME) was improved (p<0.01) by 2.1% and 1.8% during starter and grower periods, respectively. There was a main effect (p<0.05) of ${\alpha}$-Gal on the digestion of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) during the starter period and crude protein (CP), NDF and acid detergent fiber (ADF) during the grower period. With the addition of ${\alpha}$-Gal, the relative weight of liver was reduced (p<0.01) during the two phases. The duodenal and jejunal pH were significantly decreased (p<0.01) with the supplementation of ${\alpha}$at the two phases. ${\alpha}$-Gal addition reduced (p<0.01) chyme viscosity of the ileum during the starter and grower periods. Overall, ${\alpha}$-Gal showed a major effect on nutrient efficiency, improved ADG and feed efficiency, whereas LME decreased feed efficiency. The incorporation of ${\alpha}$-Gal into a LME diet could at least partially offset ME deficiency of non-dehulled soybean meal.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.537-544
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• 2013

This study examined whether pre-treating palm kernel expeller (PKE) with exogenous enzyme would degrade its fiber content; thus improving its metabolizable energy (ME), growth performance, villus height and digesta viscosity in broiler chickens fed diets containing PKE. Our results showed that enzyme treatment decreased (p<0.05) hemicellulose and cellulose contents of PKE by 26.26 and 32.62%, respectively; and improved true ME (TME) and its nitrogen corrected value ($TME_n$) by 38% and 33%, respectively, compared to the raw sample. Average daily gain (ADG), feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of chickens fed on different dietary treatments in the grower period were not significantly different. Although there was no difference in feed intake (p>0.05) among treatment groups in the finisher period, ADG of chickens in the control (PKE-free diet) was higher (p<0.05) than in all treatment groups fed either 20 or 30% PKE, irrespective of with or without enzyme treatment. However, ADG of birds fed with 20% PKE was higher than those fed with 30% PKE. The FCR of chickens in the control was the lowest (2.20) but not significantly different from those fed 20% PKE diets while birds in the 30% PKE diets recorded higher (p>0.05) FCR. The intestinal villus height and crypt depth (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) were not different (p>0.05) among treatments except for duodenal crypt depth. The villus height and crypt depth of birds in enzyme treated PKE diets were higher (p<0.05) than those in the raw PKE groups. Viscosity of the intestinal digesta was not different (p>0.05) among treatments. Results of this study suggest that exogenous enzyme is effective in hydrolyzing the fiber (hemicellulose and cellulose) component and improved the ME values of PKE, however, the above positive effects were not reflected in the growth performance in broiler chickens fed the enzyme treated PKE compared to those received raw PKE. The results suggest that PKE can be included up to 5% in the grower diet and 20% in the finisher diet without any significant negative effect on FCR in broiler chickens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제30권5호
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• pp.690-699
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• 2017

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effect of sodium butyrate (SB) on growth performance, immune status, organs weights, and microarchitecture of lymphoid organs and small intestine. Methods: A total of 120, 1-d-old broiler chicks were distributed into the following four treatment groups: corn-soy based basal diet (BD) without supplement (control), or the same BD supplemented with 0.1 g/kg zinc bacitracin (ZnB), 0.5 g/kg SB (SB-0.5), or 1.0 g/kg SB (SB-1), respectively. Six birds/group were killed on d-21 and d-35, and samples were collected. Results: Cell-mediated immune response at 48 h post-Phytohemagglutinin-P injection, and antibody titer against Newcastle disease vaccine and sheep red blood cells on d-35 was noted higher (p<0.05) in SB-1 compared to ZnB and control. Lower (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) was attained by the supplemented groups. Thymus and spleen weighed more (p<0.05) in SB-1, and bursa registered more (p<0.05) weight in both SB groups compared to control. On d-21, areas of thymus medulla and spleen germinal centers were noted higher (p<0.05) in SB-1 group. The villus height and villus surface area increased (p<0.05) in duodenum and jejunum in both SB groups on d-21, and in SB-1 on d-35, respectively compared to ZnB and control. On d-21, number of goblet cells containing mucins of acidic nature increased (p<0.05) in all the segments of small intestines in SB-1 group compared to control, and on d-35 in ileum compared to other groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, SB improved growth performance and immunity as well as modulated morphology of lymphoid organs and gut mucosa in broiler chickens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제19권6호
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• pp.892-897
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• 2006

An experiment was designed to study the nutritional value of Chinese brown rice and maize for growing pigs. Six male grower pigs (Duroc${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Large White, $24.3{\pm}1.26$ kg average initial BW) were surgically fitted with a simple T-cannula at the terminal ileum and allotted within a $2{\times}2$ Latin square design. The pigs were fed either a maize or brown rice diet in a direct method to determine their digestibility. The brown rice used in this experiment was husked from one kind of early, long grain, and non-glutinous rice (ELGNR, indica rice: non-waxy rice, containing amylopectin and amylose) in southern China. Chromic oxide was used as a marker. The diets were supplied at about 4.0% of body weight in dry matter/d. Total faeces and urine were collected on days 4 and 5; digesta was collected on days 6-8 in each period. The average body weight was 24.3 kg at the start of the experiment and 27.6 kg at the end. The results showed that the apparent ileal digestibilities of most amino acids of brown rice were significantly higher than those in maize (p<0.01), as were the apparent ileal digestibilities of crude protein (CP), digestible energy (DE), organic matter (OM) and dry matter (DM) (p<0.05). However, the apparent ileal starch digestibilities of the two treatments were similar (p>0.05). The values of the apparent faecal digestibilities derived from the two methods, marker and total faecal-collection methods, were very similar and also correlated with each other. The difference in absolute value of the apparent faecal digestibilities between brown rice and maize was smaller compared to that of the apparent ileal digestibilities. The net protein utilization was higher (p = 0.07) and the DE metabolizable rate was significantly higher (p<0.01) for brown rice than for maize. The metabolizable energy (ME) of brown rice is similar to that of maize, while the DE of brown rice was relatively lower. It can be concluded that Chinese brown rice are better than maize not only in apparent ileal digestibilities, but also in metabolizable rate of amino acids and gross energy under the present study conditions.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제10권6호
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• pp.643-651
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• 1997

This experiment was conducted to determine apparent ileal and fecal digestibilities of protein sources for young pigs (15.6 kg BW) which were fitted with simple ileal T-cannulas. Experimental diets included one of the followings as a sole protein source: spray-dried plasma protein (SDPP), spray-dried blood meal (SDBM), soybean meal (SBM), isolated soy protein (ISP), dried skim milk (DSM), and fish meal (FM). The digestibilities of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE) and crude protein (CP) in DSM-based diet were the highest (p < 0.05), and those of SDBM and SBM diets were the lowest at the terminal ileum. The average ileal digestibilities of essential amino acids (AAs) were 88.3, 84.7, 84.6, 83.4, 83.0 and 77.7% for pigs fed the DSM, ISP, SDBM, SBM, SDPP and FM diets, respectively. There were no significant differences in overall apparent ileal AAs digestibilities in DSM and ISP diets. Digestibilities of essential AAs in DSM, however, were significantly higher than those of ISP (p < 0.05). Among the essential AAs, the digestibility of arginine was higher except for SDBM or DSM, than other AAs. The ileal digestibilities of lysine, methionine and threonine were higher (p < 0.05) in pigs fed SDBM or DSM diet than in those fed SBM diet. Digestibilities for SDPP or ISP diet in these AAs were similar except for threonine which was higher (p < 0.05) for SDPP diet. The apparent ileal digestibilities of lysine and methionine ranged from 79.6 (FM) to 92.5 (DSM) and 75.4 (SDPP) to 88.7 (DSM), respectively. The apparent fecal digestibilities of average essential AAs were 90.4, 89.1, 86.0, 84.4, 84.2 and 80.8% in pigs fed the DSM, ISP, SDBM, SDPP, SBM and FM diets, respectively. The fecal digestibilities of essential AAs were higher (p < 0.05) in pigs fed the DSM and ISP. Lysine digestibility in pigs fed the DSM or ISP diet was higher (p < 0.05) than that of pigs fed SBM diet. Apparent essential AAs digestibility was the highest (p < 0.05) in pigs fed DSM diet, and was the lowest (p < 0.05) in pigs fed FM diet. Digestiibilities of essential AAs and nonessential AAs were higher when measured over the total digestive tract than at the end of the small intestine except for several AAs in SDPP, SDBM and SBM diets. In conclusion, whether it is fecal or ileal, the digestibilities of proximate nutrients and AAs in pigs fed DSM and ISP diet were the highest, and those of pigs fed FM was the lowest.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제21권9호
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• pp.1330-1338
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• 2008

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Acanthopanax senticosus extract (ASE) as a dietary additive on gut microflora in weaned piglets. A total of sixty pigs were weaned at 21 d of age (BW = $5.64{\pm}0.23kg$) and allocated on the basis of BW and litter to three dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. The dietary treatments were: control group (basal diet), antibiotics group (basal diet+0.02% colistin), and ASE group (basal diet+0.1% ASE). On d 7, 14 and 28 after consuming the experimental diets, five piglets per group were sacrificed and then the contents from the jejunum, ileum and cecum were collected to determine changes in the microbial community by using a polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) technique and estimating the contents of Lactobacillus and E. coli by in vitro culturing methods. The results showed that the ASE promoted the microflora diversity in the cecum. Enumeration of bacteria in the gut contents showed that the number of Lactobacillus increased (p<0.05), while that of E. coli decreased (p<0.05) when compared with the other 2 groups as the days of age progressed post-weaning. These findings suggested that the ASE, as a substitute for dietary antimicrobial products, could improve the development of the normal gut microflora and suppress bacterial pathogens, and effectively promote a healthy intestinal environment.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제28권6호
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• pp.847-854
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of graded inclusions of wheat bran (0%, 9.65%, 48.25% wheat bran) and two growth stages (from 32.5 to 47.2 kg and 59.4 to 78.7 kg, respectively) on the apparent ileal digestibility (AID), apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and hindgut fermentation of nutrients and energy in growing pigs. Six light pigs (initial body weight [BW] $32.5{\pm}2.1kg$) and six heavy pigs (initial BW $59.4{\pm}3.2kg$) were surgically prepared with a T-cannula in the distal ileum. A difference method was used to calculate the nutrient and energy digestibility of wheat bran by means of comparison with a basal diet consisting of corn-soybean meal (0% wheat bran). Two additional diets were formulated by replacing 9.65% and 48.25% wheat bran by the basal diet, respectively. Each group of pigs was allotted to a $6{\times}3$ Youden square design, and pigs were fed to three experimental diets during three 11-d periods. Hindgut fermentation values were calculated as the differences between ATTD and AID values. For the wheat bran diets, the AID and ATTD of dry matter (DM), ash, organic matter (OM), carbohydrates (CHO), gross energy (GE), and digestible energy (DE) decreased with increasing inclusion levels of wheat bran (p<0.05). While only AID of CHO and ATTD of DM, ash, OM, CHO, GE, and DE content differed (p<0.05) when considering the BW effect. For the wheat bran ingredient, there was a wider variation effect (p<0.01) on the nutrient and energy digestibility of wheat bran in 9.65% inclusion level due to the coefficient of variation (CV) of the nutrient and energy digestibility being higher at 9.65% compared to 48.25% inclusion level of wheat bran. Digestible energy content of wheat bran at 48.25% inclusion level (4.8 and 6.7 MJ/kg of DM, respectively) fermented by hindgut was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that in 9.65% wheat bran inclusion level (2.56 and 2.12 MJ/kg of DM, respectively), which was also affected (p<0.05) by two growth stages. This increase in hindgut fermentation caused the difference in ileal DE (p<0.05) to disappear at total tract level. All in all, increasing wheat bran levels in diets negatively influences the digestibility of some nutrients in pigs, while it positively affects the DE fermentation in the hindgut.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.544-550
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• 2015

This study was conducted to investigate effects of heat-oxidized soy protein isolate (HSPI) on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, apparent nutrient digestibility and digestive function of broiler chickens. A total of 320 1-day-old Arbor Acres chicks were randomly divided into 4 groups with 8 replicates of 10 birds, receiving diets containing soy protein isolate (SPI, control group) or the same amount of SPI heated in an oven at $100^{\circ}C$ for 1, 4, or 8 h, for 21 days, respectively. The results indicated that compared with the control group, body weight gain and feed intake of birds fed diet containing SPI heated for 8 h were significantly lower (p<0.05). Serum urea nitrogen concentration was higher in the broilers fed diet containing SPI heated for 4 or 8 h at d 21 (p<0.05). In contrast, serum glucose content was decreased by HSPI substitution at d 21 (p<0.05). The relative pancreas weight in HSPI groups was higher than that in the control group at d 21 (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the opposite effect was observed for relative weight of anterior intestine and ileum in broilers fed a diet containing SPI heated for 8 h (p<0.05). Birds fed diets containing SPI heated for 4 or 8 h had a decreased lipase activity in anterior intestinal content at d 14 and 21 (p<0.05), respectively. In addition, the same effect was also noted in broilers given diets containing SPI heated for 1 h at d 21 (p<0.05). Similarly, amylase, protease and trypsin activity in anterior intestinal content were lower in broilers fed diets containing SPI heated for 8 h at d 21 (p<0.05). The apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM) from d 8 to 10 and DM, crude protein (CP), and ether extract from d 15 to 17 were lower in broilers fed diets containing SPI heated for 8 h (p<0.05). Besides, birds given diets containing SPI heated for 4 h also exhibited lower CP apparent digestibility from d 15 to 17 (p<0.05). It was concluded that HSPI inclusion can exert a negative influence on the growth performance of broilers, which was likely to result from the simultaneously compromised digestive function.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제22권7호
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• pp.1016-1025
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• 2009

Two experiments were conducted to determine energy and nutrient digestibility in four sources of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) produced from corn and fed to growing pigs. The objective was to test the hypothesis that energy and nutrient digestibility in DDGS does not vary if samples are procured from ethanol plants that use similar production technologies and use corn that is grown within a narrow geographical area. The four sources of DDGS that were used were procured from ethanol plants that were less than 10 yr old and located within 250 km of each other. In Exp. 1, five growing barrows (initial BW = 71.4 kg) that were fitted with a T-canula in the distal ileum were allotted to a 5${\times}$5 Latin square design and used to measure apparent (AID) and standardized (SID) ileal digestibility of AA in the four sources of DDGS. Results of this experiment showed that the SID of CP and all AA except Cys and Pro were greater (p<0.05) in two of the DDGS sources than in the other two sources. Exp. 2 was conducted to measure the concentration of DE and ME and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy, N, P, ether extract, NDF, and ADF in corn and in the same four sources of DDGS as used in Exp. 1. Five pigs (initial BW = 29.7 kg) that were placed in metabolism cages and allotted to a 5${\times}$5 Latin square design were used. Results of Exp. 2 showed that the average DE and ME in DDGS were 4,072 and 3,750 kcal/kg DM, respectively, which was less (p<0.01) than the DE and ME in corn (4,181 and 4,103 kcal/kg DM, respectively). The average ATTD for P in DDGS was 56.1%, which was greater (p<0.01) than the ATTD for P in corn (31.9%). The ATTD for ADF in DDGS was also greater (p<0.05) than in corn, but the ATTD for ether extract and NDF were greater (p<0.05) in corn than in DDGS. It is concluded that energy and nutrient digestibility vary among sources of DDGS even when the DDGS is procured from ethanol plants that use corn grown within a narrow geographical region. Thus, factors other than corn growing region are responsible for the variability of energy and nutrient digestibility in DDGS.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제24권8호
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• pp.1120-1127
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• 2011

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of Bacillus subtilis LS 1-2 grown on citrus-juice waste and corn-soybean substrate on growth performance, nutrient retention, caecal microbial population and intestinal morphology in broilers. Three hundred twenty d-old Ross chicks were randomly allotted to 4 treatments on the basis of BW in a randomized complete block design. Each treatment had 4 replicates of 20 chicks in each. Experimental diets were fed in 2 phases, starter (d 0 to 21) and finisher (d 21 to 35). Dietary treatments were; negative control (NC: basal diet without any antimicrobial), positive control (PC: basal diet added with 20 mg/kg Avilamycin), basal diet added with 0.30% Bacillus subtilis LS 1-2 grown on corn-soybean substrate (P1), and basal diet added with 0.30% Bacillus subtilis LS 1-2 grown on citrus-juice waste substrate (P2). Overall BW gain, feed intake and FCR were better (p<0.05) in PC, P1 and P2 treatments as compared to NC. Moreover, overall BW gain and FCR in PC and P2 treatments were greater than P1. Retention of CP, GE (d 21, d 35) and DM (d 35) were increased (p<0.05) in treatments PC, P1 and P2 compared with NC. At d 35, caecal Clostridium and Coliform counts were lower (p<0.05) in treatments PC, P1 and P2 than NC. Moreover, Clostridium and Coliform counts in treatment PC was lower (p<0.05) than P1. Villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in both duodenum and ileum were increased (p<0.05) in treatments PC, P1, P2 as compared to NC. However, retention of nutrients, caecal microbial population and intestinal morphology remained comparable among treatments P1 and P2. It is concluded that Bacillus subtilis LS 1-2 inclusion at 0.30% level had beneficial effects on broilers' growth performance, nutrient retention, caecal microflora and intestinal morphology. Additionally, citrus-juice waste can be used as substrate for growth of probiotic Bacillus subtilis LS 1-2.