• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.881-887
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• 2018

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary cashew nut testa (CNT) as an alternative feed ingredient to wheat bran on reproductive performance, litter performance, milk composition, and blood profiles of gestating sows. Methods: Forth multiparous sows ($Yorkshire{\times}Landrace$) were fed experimental diets starting at 35 days of pregnancy and an initial average body weight (BW) of $211.53{\pm}8.86kg$. Each sow was assigned to a treatment based on BW, backfat thickness (BF) and parity with 10 sows per treatment. Treatments were as follows: i) corn-soybean meal based diet with 6% of wheat bran (C0); ii) basal diet with 2% of CNT and 4% of wheat bran (C2); iii) basal diet with 4% of CNT and 2% of wheat bran (C4); and iv) basal diet with 6% of CNT (C6). Results: There were no statistically significant differences in BW and BF of gestating sows throughout the experimental period. However, changes in BF (p = 0.09) and the daily feed intake of sows (p = 0.09) tended to linearly increase during the lactation period. The weaning to estrus interval (WEI) showed a quadratic response to CNT treatment (p = 0.02), and the C2 diet showed the shortest WEI. Litter birth weight (p = 0.04) and piglet birth weight (p = 0.06) were linearly decreased with increase in CNT. Furthermore, there had no significant differences in piglet weight and litter weight in 21 day. Insulin concentration at day 70 of gestation was linearly reduced with increasing CNT level in diets (p = 0.03). Conclusion: When 6% CNT replaced wheat bran in gestating sow diets, there were no negative effects on sow performance, but litter birth weight and piglet birth weight were decreased when CNT level increased in gestating sow diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1080-1088
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• 2010

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary energy levels of gestating gilts on physiological parameters and reproductive performance for primiparous sows. A total of 40 F1 gilts (Large White${\times}$Landrace) were allocated to 4 treatments using a completely randomized design (CRD). Four different experimental diets contained 3,165, 3,265 3,365 and 3,465 kcal of ME/kg and each diet was provided to gilts at 2.0 kg/d during gestation. Consequently, energy intake of each treatment of gestating gilts was 6,330, 6,530, 6,730 and 6,930 kcal ME/kg, respectively. During the whole gestation period, body weight, fat mass gain and backfat thickness of gilts were increased in proportion to dietary energy levels (p<0.01). However, estimated protein mass gain of gilts was not affected by dietary energy level (p>0.10). At farrowing, the total number of pigs born per litter did not show any significant difference among treatments. However, the number of pigs born alive per litter in treatment 6,730 kcal ME/d was significantly higher than that of other treatments (p<0.05). Moreover, litter weight at birth was improved as dietary energy level was increased (p<0.05). Feed intake of sows during lactation tended to decrease as dietary energy level of gestation was increased, but litter weight gain was not affected by dietary treatment during the gestation period. Fat content in colostrum was higher as dietary energy level was increased during gestation. The concentration of blood estradiol-$17{\beta}$ was increased and was higher at the first trimester of gestation in 6,730 kcal ME/d treatment compared to other treatments. These results suggested that increased dietary energy level during gestation resulted in higher body weight and backfat thickness of sows. In addition, reproductive performance of the sow, such as litter weight at farrowing and the number of pigs born alive, was improved when 6,730 kcal of ME/d treatment diet was provided. Consequently, the NRC (1998) recommendation of energy for gestating gilts (6,015 to 6,150 kcal of ME/d) should be reevaluated to maximize reproductive performance because recent high-producing sows require much more energy to produce a large litter size and heavier piglets from the first parity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.237-244
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• 2018

Objective: Piglet pre-weaning mortality is an important variable indicating the efficacy of farrowing management and animal well-being during lactation. The present study determined the association of newborn traits measured soon after birth with piglet pre-weaning mortality and growth. Methods: In total, 805 piglets born from 57 multiparous sows were investigated. Their blood oxygen saturation, blood glucose and rectal temperature at 24 h after birth (RT24h) were monitored. Birth order, sex, skin color, integrity of the umbilical cord, attempts to stand and birth intervention were monitored. Piglets were weighed at day 0, 7, and 21 to evaluate average daily gain (ADG). Results: Piglet pre-weaning mortality for lactation period was 12.6% and cumulative mortality during the first 7 days of age was 8.6%. A higher proportion of piglets with pale skin color died compared to piglets with normal skin color (26.7% vs 7.7%, p<0.001). A higher (p<0.001) proportion of piglets that attempted to stand after 5 min (38.5%) died compared to piglets that attempted to stand within 1 min (6.3%) after birth. Piglet body weight at birth ($BW_B$), blood glucose and the number of piglets born alive (BA) were correlated with ADG (p<0.05). Piglets with $BW_B$ <1.30 kg had higher (p<0.001) mortality rate than piglets with $BW_B{\geq}1.80 kg$ (19.0% vs 3.3%) and piglets with $BW_B$ 1.30 to 1.79 kg (4.0%). Piglet with RT24h <$37.0^{\circ}C$ had higher (p<0.001) mortality rate (86.2%) than piglets with RT24h >$38.5^{\circ}C$ (3.9%). Conclusion: Low $BW_B$ and low RT24h compromise piglet survival during the lactation period in the tropical conditions. Piglets in the litters with a high BA, low $BW_B$ and low blood glucose have reduced ADG.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1485-1491
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• 2005

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of iron from an amino acid complex (Availa-$Fe^{\circledR}$) on the iron status of neonatal and suckling piglets. A total of 24 gestating sows (Landrace${\times}$Large White) were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments. The control diet contained 80 mg $kg^{-1}$ Fe from ferrous sulfate heptahydrate ($FeSO_4$.$7H_2O$), while the two experimental diets were supplemented with an additional 120 mg $kg^{-1}$ Fe from Availa-$Fe^{(R)}$ or $FeSO_4$.$7H_2O$, respectively. The lactating sows remained the same iron treatments as gestating sows, while neonatal piglets of 24 litters born from the above sows were allotted to another three treatments. Piglets from the sows of the control treatment were fed basal diet with no supplemental Fe as control treatment, but were injected with 100 mg Fe as Fe dextran at birth. Piglets from the sows of Availa-$Fe^{(R)}$ or $FeSO_4$.$7H_2O$ treatments were supplemented with 120 mg $kg^{-1}$ iron from Availa-$Fe^{(R)}$ or $FeSO_4$.$7H_2O$, respectively. The total born alive and weaned, and the average piglets weight at birth and at weaning were not significantly affected by the sow' dietary treatments (p>0.05). Iron from Availa-$Fe^{(R)}$ did not demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and plasma iron of sows on day 90 and 105 of pregnancy and the milk iron of sows during lactation (p>0.05). Neonatal piglets in the Availa-$Fe^{(R)}$ treatment had a significantly higher hemoglobin concentration (p<0.05) and higher hematocrit and plasma iron (p>0.05) than those in the other two treatments, respectively. The hemoglobin of suckling piglets in the Availa-$Fe^{(R)}$ treatment was higher than that of piglets in $FeSO_4$.$7H_2O$ treatment on day 28 (p<0.05). The total iron binding capacity of piglets in Availa-$Fe^{(R)}$ treatment was lower than that of piglets in the control and $FeSO_4$.$7H_2O$ treatment on day 14 (p<0.05), but there was not a statistically significant difference among three treatments on day 28 (p>0.05). However, the hemoglobin and hematocrit of suckling piglets injected with Fe were higher than those of piglets in the other two treatments (p<0.05). This study indicated that the addition of 120 mg $kg^{-1}$ iron from amino acid complex into the diets improved iron status of neonatal and nursing piglets more effectively than the addition of 120 mg $kg^{-1}$ iron from $FeSO_4$.$7H_2O$, however, this improvement of the organic Fe was not sufficient to replace the Fe injection for prevention of iron-deficiency anemia.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 2011

The study evaluated whether a transgenic carrot vaccine could induce a K88-specific immune response in sows and whether the resultant maternal antibody could protect piglets against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88ac infection. Sows (n = 15) selected randomly from a farm in Korea were assigned to three groups (n = 5 per group: control [untreated]), group A (orally inoculated with a nontransgenic and transgenic carrot vaccines at 2 and 4 weeks ante partum, respectively), and group B (conventionally vaccinated according to the manufacturer's instructions). After 7 days of lactation, 5 piglets selected randomly from each group were challenged with $1{\times}10^{10}$ colony forming units/mL ETEC K88ac. Group C had the lowest mean fecal consistency score on post-challenge days 1 and 7. Histiologically, On post-challenge day 7, group C showed an increased duodenum and ileum villus:crypt ratio, compared to group A in the duodenum, with group B displaying the highest ratio. Groups B and C had more increased villus width than group A in the jejunum. Group C displayed the greatest increase in villus width in the ileum. The colostrums and serum from groups B and C displayed higher concentrations of IgA and IgG against ETEC K88, compared to group A. Based on the results, it was concluded that the transgenic carrot vaccine in sow per oral may have an effect on preventing piglet diarrhea as good as commercial recombinant vaccine.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.1469-1474
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• 2002

This study was designed to evaluate the influence of a single or double dose of Fe dextran with organic trace mineral supplementation on the performance of piglets from dams fed diets with either inorganic (ITM) or organic trace minerals (OTM). It also determined the effect of the source of the trace minerals on the reproductive performance of sows. The trace mineral premixes were prepared using metal proteinates and the corresponding inorganic salts for the OTM and the ITM, respectively. Each mineral premix provided 100 ppm Fe/175 ppm Fe, 35 ppm Cu/170 ppm Cu, 90 ppm Zn/120 ppm Zn, and 40 ppm Mn/35 ppm Mn when added at 0.20% in sows /weaned pigs' diets, respectively. The first dose of Fe dextran was administered to piglets at 3 d and the second dose at 10 d after birth. One dose of Fe dextran supplied 100 mg of Fe. A total of 16 gestating sows (Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire) in parities 2 to 4 were randomly allocated to four treatments: 1) diet with ITM/one dose of Fe dextran to piglets, 2) diet with ITM/two doses of Fe dextran to piglets, 3) diet with OTM/one dose of Fe dextran to piglets, and 4) diet with OTM/two doses of Fe dextran to piglets. The total born alive, weaned, body weight at birth and at weaning were not affected by the sow's dietary treatment. Although organic trace mineral supplementation tended to increase the milk Fe content (p<0.10) at 7 d postpartum, piglets in all treatments performed equally from birth to weaning. The double doses of Fe dextran neither improved the average daily gain (ADG) nor influenced the survival of piglets from birth to weaning (21 d). Results suggest that a single dose of Fe dextran given to suckling pigs is adequate to sustain their needs for growth throughout the lactation period (21 d). Furthermore, there was a 21% improvement in both the ADG and the average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p<0.05) in weaned pigs fed diets with OTM. Cu and Fe in the liver (p<0.01), and Zn in both the bone (p<0.01) and the serum (p<0.01) were higher in piglets fed OTM than in those fed ITM. It would be concluded that single dose of Fe dextran administration with organic trace mineral supplementation show similar growth performance compared to 2 dose Fe dextran administration with inorganic mineral supplementation in young pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.517-524
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• 2011

The effect on sow milk of variable levels of cassava in lactating sow diets was analyzed in an attempt to explain the beneficial effects reported by producers of including cassava as a basal feed. Twenty crossbred lactating sows were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments. The treatments were: i) broken rice (BR) as the basal feed (BR100), ii) 50% of BR replaced with cassava chip meal (CCM) (CM50), iii) 75% of BR replaced with CCM (CM75), iv) CCM as the basal feed (CM100), and v) dried boiled cassava chips (CCB) as the basal feed (CB100). The hydrocyanide (HCN) content of CCB was reduced to be intermediate between HCN in the no cassava (BR100) and the 50% cassava (CB50) diets. Hydrocyanide was 0.54, 3.24, 4.41, 5.43 and 1.77 ppm in the BR100, CM50, CM75, CM100 and CB100 diets, respectively. Increasing cassava did not affect feed intake (p>0.05), but increased HCN intake (p<0.01). Milk composition was analyzed for protein, fat, lactose, solids not fat (SNF) and total solids (TS). Milk quality was analyzed for total microbes, coliform bacteria, thiocyanate ($SCN^-$), lactoperoxidase (LPO), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. At farrowing, sow milk composition was not affected by experimental diets (p>0.05), but milk $SCN^-$ increased as the intake of HCN increased in sows diets (p<0.01), $r^2$ = 0.96. At mid-lactation (day 14), milk composition was not affected (p>0.05). The milk quality levels of $SCN^-$ were 9.4, 10.3, 10.5, 11.6 and 9.1 ppm for the BR100, CM50, CM75, CM100 and CB100 diets, respectively (p = 0.01). The LPO contents were 16.41, 42.13, 51.42, 53.94 and 22.81 unit/L, respectively (p = 0.03). There was no GPx activity found in sow milk. When BR was replaced with cassava meal, total microbes and coliforms were reduced 78% and 87%, respectively, by the influences of HCN. The reported beneficial effects of cassava chip meal as a basal feed in lactating sow diets is manifested by improved performance of suckling pigs. This is due to beneficial, non-toxic levels of HCN in the diets. Besides passing HCN to suckling pigs in the form of $SCN^-$, sow milk may also benefit suckling pigs with the observed (day 14) increase in lactoperoxidase content and reduction in coliform bacteria.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.193-197
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• 1986

This experiment was carried out to find out the effect of piglet anemia prevention of the chelated iron with amino acids fed to the sows during the late gestation and early lactation as compared with oral iron administration, intramuscular iron-dextran injection and control (receiving no iron supplement) groups. Twenty crossbred sows (Landrace ${\times}$ Large White) bred purebred Large White boars were used to evaluate four treatments. The results obtained in this experiment were as follows: 1. There were no significant differences among the average body weights at birth in all the treatment groups. But the average body weight at 15 days of age was heaviest in the chelated iron group. At 35 days of age, the control group was lightest in the treatment groups. 2. The survival rates at weaning were not recognized significantly among all the treatment groups. 3. At birth and 15 days of age, the levels of hemoglobin, red blood cell and hematocrit of the chelated iron group were higher (P<.05) than those of the control group. But at 35 days of age, they were not recognized significantly.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.160-165
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• 2007

Dispersion parameters for the number of piglets born alive were estimated using a repeatability and random regression model. Six sow breeds/lines were included in the analysis: Swedish Landrace, Large White and both crossbred lines between them, German Landrace and their cross with Large White. Fixed part of the model included sow genotype, mating season as month-year interaction, parity and weaning to conception interval as class effects. The age at farrowing was modelled as a quadratic regression nested within parity. The previous lactation length was fitted as a linear regression. Random regressions for parity on Legendre polynomials were included for direct additive genetic, permanent environmental, and common litter environmental effects. Orthogonal Legendre polynomials from the linear to the cubic power were fitted. In the repeatability model estimate of heritability was 0.07, permanent environmental effect as ratio was 0.04, and common litter environmental effect as ratio was 0.01. Estimates of genetic parameters with the random regression model were generally higher than in the repeatability model, except for the common litter environmental effect. Estimates of heritability ranged from 0.06 to 0.10. Permanent environmental effect as a ratio increased along a trajectory from 0.03 to 0.11. Magnitudes of common litter effect were small (around 0.01). The eigenvalues of covariance functions showed that between 7 and 8 % of genetic variability was explained by individual genetic curves of sows. This proportion was mainly covered by linear and quadratic coefficients. Results suggest that the random regression model could be used for genetic analysis of litter size.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.825-832
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• 2010

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity defines biotechnology as "Any technological application that uses biological systems, dead organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use" Biotechnology has made tremendous contributions to improve production efficiency of agriculture during the last century. This article reviews successful examples of application of bio-fermentation in improving swine nutrition efficiency mainly based on the authors'z own research experience. Production of feed grade supplemental amino acids by bio-fermentation allowed nutritionists to formulate accurate feed for optimal lean growth and reduced nitrogen excretion. Recent issues with high feed grain prices caused potential feed quality problems. Bio-fermentation allowed nutritionists to use exogenous supplemental enzymes such as phytase and NSPases in swine diets, thereby improving nutrient utilization and reducing nutrient excretion to the environment. Yeast metabolites are also produced by bio-fermentation and have been repeatedly shown to improve milk production of sows during early lactation even though actual mechanisms are still to be investigated. Bio-fermentation technology also allowed nutritionists to prepare vegetable protein sources with large protein molecules and anti-nutritional factors suitable for feeding newly weaned piglets, as selected microorganisms significantly reduce specific anti-nutritional factors and size of peptides. Preparations of vegetable protein sources suitable for newly weaned pigs will greatly contribute to swine nutrition by providing efficient alternatives to the use of animal protein sources that are often expensive and somewhat against societal preference. Considering the few examples listed above, biotechnology has closely influenced improvement of production efficiency in the swine industry. As we have limited resources to produce meat to satisfy ever-increasing global demands, extensive adaptation of biotechnology to enhance production efficiency should be continued. However, at the same time, wise and careful application of bio-technology should be considered to ensure production of safe food and to meet the expectations of our society.