• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.1418-1427
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Bacillus-based probiotics supplemented at two different levels to modulate the productive performance, egg quality, tibia traits, and specific cecal bacteria counts of Hy-Line Brown layers from 25 to 37 weeks of age. Methods: A total of 216 twenty-five-week-old hens were randomly distributed into 3 experimental diets with 12 replicates of 6 birds per cage. Diets included basal diet supplemented with 0 (CON), 3×10⁸ (PRO1), or 3×10⁹ (PRO2) colony-forming unit (CFU) of the test probiotic containing Bacillus subtilis PB6, Bacillus subtilis FXA, and Bacillus licheniformis G3 per kilogram of feed. Results: Improved egg weights and mass at 29 weeks; and feed intake at 31 weeks (p<0.10) were noticed with the probiotic-supplemented PRO1 and PRO2 diets. Considering egg quality, the shell thickness, Haugh units, and yolk color were improved; but yolk cholesterol was lowered (p<0.05) with PRO1 and PRO2 diets at 29 weeks. At both 33 and 37 weeks, the egg-breaking strength, shell color and thickness, albumen height, Haugh units, and yolk color were improved; but yolk cholesterol was similarly lowered (p<0.05) with the PRO1 and PRO2 diets. Improved tibia Ca, ash, weights, and density; and raised cecal counts of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli (p<0.05) were noticed with PRO1 and PRO2 diets. Improved tibia P but reduced Clostridia counts (p<0.10) were also observed with the PRO1 and PRO2 diets. Conclusion: Probiotic supplementation of Bacillus subtilis PB6, Bacillus subtilis FXA, and Bacillus licheniformis G3 at 3×10⁸ CFU/kg of feed is adequate to significantly improve egg quality, lower yolk cholesterol, enhance several tibia traits, and raise the populations of beneficial cecal bacteria. Modest improvements in several productive parameters and tibia P but reduced Clostridia were also observed; and could warrant further investigation of probiotic effects beyond the current test period.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.203-212
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• 2004

A total of 1,200 eggs obtained from 312-day-old Hy-line Brown laying breeder hens and 319-day-old Hy-line Brown commercial laying hens (600 eggs obtained from each one) at same day were used to investigate the effects of egg storage, storage temperature, and insemination of hens on the change of albumen height, Haugh unit(HU), albumen pH, shell strength, and yolk color. Eggs were stored up to 14 days after lay at $3^{\circ}C$ or $10^{\circ}C$ and sampled one day after stored and then 24 hours interval. Longer periods of storage resulted in lower albumen height and HU at both storage temperatures, but in higher albumen pH. The eggs stored at $3^{\circ}C$ were significantly (P<0.05) higher in HU and lower in albumen pH than the ones stored at $10^{\circ}C$. The eggs obtained from the non-inseminated-hens were significantly (P<0.05) higher in albumen height, HU, and albumen pH than the eggs obtained from the inseminated-hens. Whereas, the eggs obtained from the non-inseminated-hens in the mean albumen pH of eggs stored at $3^{\circ}C$ were significantly (P<0.05) higher than the ones obtained from the inseminated-hens, but the mean albumen pH of eggs stored at 10^{\circ}C did not differ each other. The mean shell strength of the eggs obtained from the inseminated-hens was significantly (P<0.05) stronger than that of the eggs obtained from the non-inseminated-hens at both storage temperatures. Albumen height and albumen pH were negatively correlated $(P<0.01\~0.001)$ in both inseminated and non-inseminated-hen's egg groups. The degree of yolk colors was not significantly changed overall of the experimental periods in both storage temperatures. The study suggests that the change of egg freshness such as albumen height and HU is relatively more associated with storage period and storage temperature than insemination or non-insemination of hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.95-100
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• 2002

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of taurine supplementation on lipid metabolism in laying hens. In experiment 1, 19-wk-old laying hens were given one of four taurine supplemented diets (0 (control), 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2% taurine) fur 10 weeks. Abdominal fat weight was lower in the 1.2% diet by 29.2% compared to the control. Serum concentrations of triacylglycerol and HDL-cholesterol were not different among the treatments. However, seam concentration of total cholesterol was higher by 22.4% in the 1.2% diet compared to the control. Concentration of triacylglycerol or total cholesterol in the liver were decreased by 26.1% or 26.4% and 28.2% or 26.4%, respectively in the 0.8% and 1.2% diets compared to the control. The concentration of HDL-cholesterol in liver was also lower by 33.9% in the 1.2% diet compared to the control. In experiment 2, 81-wk-old laying hens were allocated to one of three taurine supplemented diets (0 (control), 1 and 2% taurine) fur 6 weeks. Abdominal fat weight was lower by 25% in 1% taurine supplementation compared to the control. Serum concentrations of triacylglycerol, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol of hens fed with 1% diet were not different from those of control group. However, sew concentrations of triacylglycerol and total cholesterol were lower by 44.0% and 19.8%, respectively in the 2% diet compared to the control. Furthermore, serum concentration of HDL -cholesterol in the 2% diet was higher by 75% compared to the control. Concentrations of triacylglycerol and total cholesterol in the liver in the 2% diet were decreased in the 1% diet by 36.8 and 23%, respectively, but increased by 78.4% and 70%, respectively, compared to the control. The concentration of HDL-cholesterol in the liver was not different between the 1% diet and the control, but higher by 62.8% in the 2% diet compared to the control. These results indicated that taurine supplementation decreased the fat storage in abdominal cavity, which was accompanied by the changes in triacylglycerol and cholesterol metabolisms of laying hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of multiple probiotics on the performance, small intestinal microflora and immune response in laying hens and broilers. In Exp.1, a total of 800, 82 wk old Hy-line Brown$^{(R)}$ laying hens were assigned to one of the following five dietary treatment; Control, Antibiotics (avilamycin 6 ppm), Probiotics; PB-M (Micro-ferm$^{(R)}$ 0.2%), PB-L (Lacto-sacc$^{(R)}$ 0.1%), PB-Y (Y University probiotics 0.2%). Each treatment was replicated eight times with 20 birds in each replicate and two birds were housed in each cage. Twenty birds units were arranged according to completely randomized block design. Feeding trial lasted 6 wk under 16 h lighting regimen. The Exp. 2, was conducted with a total of 1,000 broilers chicks (Ross$^{(R)}$). They were divided into five treatments, same as those of Exp. 1. Birds were fed starter (0~3 wk) and grower (4~5 wk) diets. Each treatment was replicated four times with 50 birds per pen comprising of deep litter. In Exp. 1, egg production parameters, such as hen-day and hen-house egg production, egg weight, broken and soft shell egg production, feed intake and feed conversion were not significantly different among treatments. However, strength and thickness of eggshell were significantly (P<0.05) different. Among the probiotics, PB-Y showed the highest strength and thickness of eggshell. Eggshell color, egg yolk color and Haugh unit were not significantly influenced. In Exp. 2, overall weight gain (0~5 wk) and mortality were not significantly different among treatments. However, weight gain of birds from PB-Y treatment during starter (0~3 wk) was significantly lower than the birds from Control and Antibiotic treatment. During the whole period (0~5 wk), birds from Antibiotics treatment had higher feed intake and Production Index (PI) and lower feed conversion than birds from Control treatment. Probiotics treatments were not significantly different from the Control on feed intake and feed conversion. In Exp.1, there were significant (P<0.05) differences in leukocytes parameters, such as white blood cell (WBC), hetrophil (HE), lymphocytes (LY), monocyte (MO), eosinophil (EO) and stress index (SI; HE/LY) in the blood of layers. Birds from Antibiotics and probiotics treatments tended to increase these parameters. In Exp. 2, however, only SI was significantly (P<0.05) decreased in Antibiotics treatments. Concentration of serum immunoglobulin (IgG) were higher (P<0.05) in PB-M and PB-Y treatments when compared with Control treatment in Exp. 1. The population of E. coli significantly (P<0.05) decreased in birds from Antibiotics, PB-L and PB-Y treatments when compared with birds from Control treatment in Exp. 1. Metalbolizability of crude fat decreased significantly (P<0.05) in birds from probiotic treatments in Exp. 2. It was concluded that the response of probiotics on the productivity of layers and broilers were different. Probiotics increased strength and thickness of eggshell in layers, and decreased feed conversion and increased PI in broilers. Leukocytes and IgG tended to increase by supplementation of antibiotics and probiotics in layers. Intestinal E. coli tended to decrease in layers. Digestibility of crude fat of diet decreased in probiotics treatments broilers. Parameters of blood and microbial were more sensitive in layers than broilers.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.225-231
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• 2006

To investigate the effect of feeding rare earth (RE) on the performance of breeder hens a feeding trial with sixteen thousands of 158 day old Ross broiler breeder hens was conducted for thirty weeks. A mixture of RE- chlorides containing mainly La, Ce, and Pr was mixed into corn-soy based diet at two levels, 300 and 600 mg/kg, All the hens were housed in flat layer houses and the ratio of male to female was maintained at one to ten. Dietary supplementation of the of RE at a level of 300 mg/kg made the hens reach egg production peak higher by about 6% and earlier by about two weeks. As a result, it made higher hatchable egg production by 3.5%. It also reduced dramatically the mortality of both male and female breeders(P<0.05). Egg weight was slightly increased but egg qualify was not much influenced by dietary supplementation of RE. Egg albumin hight and Haugh unit were significantly improved while egg shell thickness, egg breaking strength and yolk color were similar to those of the control. Experimental results appeared to show a good possibility that egg fertility and hatchability were improved by feeding RE. Dietary supplementation of RE at a level of 300 mg/kg should be acceptable but not the 600 mg/kg level for breeder hens. Further studies on the effect of RE on egg fertility and hatchability appears to be necessary.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2012

This study was conducted to determine the possible use of Red Ginseng marc as stress inhibiter in thermal stress (temperature humidity index 86) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) - exposed laying hens by investigating their effects on laying performance, blood biochemical parameters, immunoglobulin concentration and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) like ability. A total of forty-five 52-wk-old laying hens (ISA Brown) were divided into 3 treatment groups with 5 replicates of 3 birds in each group. NC (negative control, no immune substances), PC (positive control, ${\beta}$-glucan 25 ppm) and RGM (Red Ginseng Marc 3%) were added in feed with respective substance. Egg production in RGM was significantly increased in comparison with NC groups for 8 weeks (P<0.05). On blood biochemical parameters, effects of ambient temperature is definite by showing significant difference in aspartate aminotransferase and others (P<0.05), but RGM both before and after thermal stimulation have no significant difference in comparison with other groups. And for 3 weeks after thermal stimulation, laying performance was also not significantly different among treatments. Immunoglobulin M content and SOD like activities after challenge with LPS were higher in the RGM and PC than NC (P<0.05). In conclusion, although ineffective as inhibiter in thermal stress, dietary supplementation of Red Ginseng marc improved SOD like activity and immune system by regulating immunoglobulin content in laying hens. These findings have laid the foundation for future studies of immunomodulation in laying hens fed Red Ginseng Marc and of evaluation of heat stress inhibitor.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2010

To investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) and Eucommia ulmoides (EU) on antioxidant defense system in laying hens, a total of three hundreds sixty 20-wk old Hyline brown commercial laying hens were assigned to five dietary groups for 10-wk: (1) control diet, (2) control diet supplemented with AS at 0.5%, (3) control diet supplemented with AS at 1.0%, (4) control diet supplemented with EU at 0.5% and (5) control diet supplemented with EU at 1.0%. Total antioxidant status (TAS) in blood and antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), gluthathione -S- transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and lipid peroxidation in the small intestine and liver were measured. There were no changes in body weight for 10-wk dietary treatment. TAS in blood significantly (P<0.05) increased in birds fed the diet supplemented with 1% AS and 0.5 and 1.0% EU compared with those fed control diet. Especially, dietary EU showed much higher (P<0.05) TAS compared with AS. In the antioxidant defense enzymes, GST activity of the small intestine was shown to be significantly (P<0.05) increased in birds fed the diets supplemented with 0.5 and 1.0% EU compared with those fed the control diet. In addition, intestinal SOD activity significantly (P<0.05) increased in birds fed the diets supplemented with 0.5% of AS and EU. However, we could not observe any significant dietary treatment effect of those antioxidant parameters in the liver. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 0.5% AS and EU in a laying hen diet could be applied as a potential antioxidant source to improves bio-activity of antioxidant and economical aspect in laying hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 2008

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of herbs and plant extracts (PE) on the performance, small intestinal microflora and immune response in laying hens. A total of 1,440 Hy-Line Brown laying hens of 67 wks old were assigned to one of the following 9 dietary treatments : T1 : Control (C), T2 : C + Avilamycine 6 ppm, T3 : C + Herb $Mix^{(R)}$ 0.2%, T4 : C + Biostrong $510^{(R)}$ 0.02%, T5 : C + $APEX^{(R)}$ 0.02%, T6 : C + $Digestarom^{(R)}$ 0.02%, T7 : C + $Phellozyme^{(R)}$ 0.1%, T8 : C + $Galicin^{(R)}$ 0.05%, T9 : C + CRINA $Poultry^{(R)}$ 0.05%. Each treatment was replicated 8 times with twenty birds housed in 2 bird cages. Twenty bird units were arranged according to completely randomized block design. Feeding trial lasted 6 wks under 16 hours lighting regimen. Hen-day egg production was not significantly different among the treatments, but that of supplemented groups tended to be higher than the control. There were significant differences among treatments in feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Feed intake was higher in the supplemented groups than the control. Feed conversion ratio was higher in T8 than other treatments. Egg shell color index and egg yolk color index were significantly different among treatments. Egg shell color was affected by supplements and egg yolk color index of T9 (PE-CRINA) was significantly higher than the control. Haugh unit was not significantly different among treatments. There were significant differences in leukocytes and erythrocytes parameters. The level of serum WBC and stress index (heterophil/lymphocyte) were higher in supplemented groups than the control. The level of RBC tended to be lower in the herb or PE groups than the control. The concentration of serum IgG was not significantly different among the treatments, but all those of the supplemented groups were higher than the control. The number of Lactobacilli spp. tended to increase and that of Cl. perfrigens decrease in the supplemented groups. The number of E. coli significantly decreased in the supplemented groups. The results of this experiment showed that feeding herbs and plant extracts to laying hens tended to improve the egg production and affect positively on the level of blood parameters and small intestinal microflora.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2008

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of single or mixed supplementation of bacterial and fungal phytase using 45-wk-old 450 Hy-Line Brown laying hens housed in individual cages for 12-wk period. The birds were reallocated to have similar egg productivity by examining the egg production for one wk before starting the experiment. Two sources of phytase, bacterial (BP) and fungal (FP), were used either in single or mixture to determine the effects of these phytase. Five dietary treatments consisted of control (BP 0, FP 0), T1 (BP 300, FP 0), T2 (BP 300, FP 300), T3 (BP 300, FP 3000), and T4 (BP 0, FP 3000). The DPU was used for phytase activity in this experiment. The nonphytate phosphorus (NPP) content of control was 0.30%, and those of phytase treatments were set to 60% of the Control. Experimental diets were fed ad libitum throughout the experimental period. The lighting schedule of 17L7D was employed. The egg production was not different between control and bacterial phytase treatments, but the T4 showed significantly low productivity compared to control (P<0.05). No difference was found in average egg weight among all treatments. The daily egg mass did not show any statistical differences among all treatments: however, it was significantly low in T4 compared to ther control during the latter half of the experiment (P<0.05). No significant difference was found among treatments in terms of feed intake, feed conversion and egg quality. The digestibilities of dry matter, crude protein, and fat digestibility were similar regardless of the treatments. No significant trends were detected in Ca and P availability. In conclusion, the BP level of 300 DPU contributed to achieve 40% reduction of recommended nonphytate phosphorus addition. The synergistic effect of bacterial and fungal phytase was not confirmed.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2008

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and oil containing unsaturated fatty acid supplementation on egg production and quality in laying hens. Two hundred-eighty eight, 36 week old ISA brown commercial layer, were employed in a 5 week feeding trial. Dietary treatments are 1) BO (basal diet + 1% soybean oil + 1% oat), 2) BS (basal diet + 1% safflower oil + 1% oat), 3) BF (basal diet + 1% free fatty acid + 1% oat), 4) CD (basal diet + 1% CLA containing diglyceride + 1% oat), 5) CT (basal diet + 1% CLA containing triglyceride + 1% oat) and 6) CP (basal diet + 1% CLA by-product + 1% soybean oil). For overall period, hen-day egg production was not significant among treatments (P>0.05). Egg shell breaking strength at 3 weeks in CP treatment was significantly lower than BS, BF, CD and CT treatments (P<0.05) and that at 4 weeks in BO and CP treatments was significantly lower than others (P<0.05). Egg shell thickness at 3 and 4 weeks in CP treatment was significantly lower than BS, BF, CD and CT treatments (P<0.05). Egg weight at 3 and 4 weeks in CP treatment was significantly lower than others (P<0.05). Yolk height at 4 weeks in BF and CT treatments was significantly highest compared to BO, CD and CP treatments (P<0.05) and among BO, CD and CP treatments, that in BO and CD treatments was significantly higher than CP treatment (P<0.05). At 4 weeks, yolk color in CP treatment was significantly higher than BO and BS treatments (P<0.05). Haugh unit at 3 and 4 weeks in BO and CP treatments was significantly lower than others (P<0.05). In conclusion, supplementing CLA and oil containing unsaturated fatty acid for laying hens improved egg shell breaking strength, egg shell thickness, egg weight, yolk height, yolk color and haugh unit.