• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.392-399
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• 2017

Objective: The objectives were to assess the effects of purified lignin from wheat straw (sodium hydroxide dehydrated lignin; SHDL) on in vitro ruminal fermentation and on the growth performance of feedlot cattle. Methods: In vitro experiments were conducted by incubating a timothy-alfalfa (50:50) forage mixture (48 h) and barley grain (24 h) with 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/mL of rumen fluid (equivalent to 0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 g SHDL/kg diet). Productions of $CH_4$ and total gas, volatile fatty acids, ammonia, dry matter (DM) disappearance (DMD) and digestion of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) or starch were measured. Sixty Hereford-Angus cross weaned steer calves were individually fed a typical barley silage-barley grain based total mixed ration and supplemented with SHDL at 0, 4, 8, and 16 g/kg DM for 70 (growing), 28 (transition), and 121 d (finishing) period. Cattle were slaughtered at the end of the experiment and carcass traits were assessed. Results: With forage, SHDL linearly (p<0.001) reduced 48-h in vitro DMD from 54.9% to 39.2%, NDF disappearance from 34.1% to 18.6% and the acetate: propionate ratio from 2.56 to 2.41, but linearly (p<0.001) increased $CH_4$ production from 9.5 to 12.4 mL/100 mg DMD. With barley grain, SHDL linearly increased (p<0.001) 24-h DMD from74.6% to 84.5%, but linearly (p<0.001) reduced $CH_4$ production from 5.6 to 4.2 mL/100 mg DMD and $NH_3$ accumulation from 9.15 to $4.49{\mu}mol/mL$. Supplementation of SHDL did not affect growth, but tended (p = 0.10) to linearly reduce feed intake, and quadratically increased (p = 0.059) feed efficiency during the finishing period. Addition of SHDL also tended (p = 0.098) to linearly increase the saleable meat yield of the carcass from 52.5% to 55.7%. Conclusion: Purified lignin used as feed additive has potential to improve feed efficiency for finishing feedlot cattle and carcass quality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2018

Objective: To examine the effects of Rhodobacter sphaeroides (R. sphaeroides) supplementation as a direct-fed microbial (DFM) on rumen fermentation in dairy cows and on coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) transition into milk, an in vitro rumen simulation batch culture and an in vivo dairy cow experiment were conducted. Methods: The characteristics of in vitro ruminal fermentation were investigated using rumen fluids from six cannulated Holstein dairy cows at 2 h post-afternoon feeding. A control treatment was included in the experiments based on a typified total mixed ration (TMR) for lactating dairy cows, which was identical to the one used in the in vivo study, plus R. sphaeroides at 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5% TMR dry matter. The in vivo study employed six ruminally cannulated lactating Holstein cows randomly allotted to either the control TMR (C-TMR) treatment or to a diet supplemented with a 0.5% R. sphaeroides culture (S-TMR, dry matter basis) ad libitum. The presence of R. sphaeroides was verified using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) applied to the bacterial samples obtained from the in vivo study. The concentration of CoQ10 in milk and in the supernatant from the in vitro study was determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Results: The results of the in vitro batch culture and DGGE showed that the concentration of CoQ10 significantly increased after 2 h of R. sphaeroides supplementation above 0.1%. When supplemented to the diet of lactating cows at the level of 0.5%, R. sphaeroides did not present any adverse effect on dry matter intake and milk yield. However, the concentration of CoQ10 in milk dramatically increased, with treated cows producing 70.9% more CoQ10 than control cows. Conclusion: The CoQ10 concentration in milk increased via the use of a novel DFM, and R. sphaeroides might be used for producing value-added milk and dairy products in the future.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.437-450
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• 2013

Miscanthus sacchariflorus var. No. 1 has been newly developed in Korea. This study was conducted to assess the feed value of M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1 at different growth and harvesting time. Total 3 different miscanthus - 1y4m (first shoot and harvested at 4 month), 2y4m (second shoot and harvested at 4 month) and 2y8m (second shoot and harvested at 8 month). Two experiments were carried out, In vitro rumen simulated fermentation and In situ dry matter digestibility (DMD). Ruminal pH at in vitro fermentation were higher in M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1 treatments compared to the rice straw (RS). In volatile fatty acid production, 1y4m resulted in higher acetate production than the other M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1 at higher maturity stages. Significant differences among treatments were observed in propionate and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) productions at 9, 24 and 48 h of incubation times. Higher ammonia nitrogen productions were found as increased maturity of M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1. At In situ experiment, high DMD was detected in the order of RS (60.51%) > 1y4m (57.65%) > 2y4m (57.63%) > 2y8m (46.28%). The results from this study indicate that young and early harvested M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1 are able to improve its nutrient values in the ruminant animal.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.1705-1714
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• 2019

Objective: Reducing roughage feeding without negatively affecting rumen health is of interest in ruminant nutrition. We investigated the effects of roughage sources and concentrate types on growth performance, ruminal fermentation, and blood metabolite levels in growing cattle. Methods: In this 24-week trial, 24 Hanwoo cattle ($224{\pm}24.7kg$) were fed similar nitrous and energy levels of total mixed ration formulated using two kinds of roughage (timothy hay and ryegrass straw) and two types of concentrate mixes (high starch [HS] and high fiber [HF]). The treatments were arranged in a $2{\times}2$ factorial, consisting of 32% timothy-68% HS, 24% timothy-76% HF, 24% ryegrass-76% HS, and 17% ryegrass-83% HF. Daily feed intakes were measured. Every four weeks, blood were sampled, and body weight was measured before morning feeding. Every eight weeks, rumen fluid was collected using a stomach tube over five consecutive days. Results: The mean dry matter intake (7.33 kg) and average daily gain (1,033 g) did not differ among treatments. However, significant interactions between roughage source and concentrate type were observed for the rumen and blood parameters (p<0.05). Total volatile fatty acid concentration was highest (p<0.05) in timothy-HF-fed calves. With ryegrass as the roughage source, decreasing the roughage inclusion rate increased the molar proportion of propionate and decreased the acetate-to-propionate ratio; the opposite was observed with timothy as the roughage source. Similarly, the effects of concentrate types on plasma total protein, alanine transaminase, Ca, inorganic P, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and creatinine concentrations differed with roughage source (p<0.05). Conclusion: Decreasing the dietary roughage inclusion rate by replacing forage neutral detergent fiber with that from non-roughage fiber source might be a feasible feeding practice in growing cattle. A combination of low-quality roughage with a high fiber concentrate might be economically beneficial.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.657-664
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• 2019

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate whether cold ambient temperature and dietary rumen-protected fat (RPF) supplementation affect growth performance, rumen fermentation, and blood parameters in Korean cattle steers. Methods: Twenty Korean cattle steers (body weight [BW], $550.6{\pm}9.14kg$; age, $19.7{\pm}0.13months$) were divided into a conventional control diet group (n = 10) and a 0.5% RPF supplementation group (n = 10). Steers were fed a concentrate diet (1.6% BW) and a rice straw diet (1 kg/d) for 16 weeks (January 9 to February 5 [P1], February 6 to March 5 [P2], March 6 to April 3 [P3], and April 4 to May 2 [P4]). Results: The mean and minimum indoor ambient temperatures in P1 ($-3.44^{\circ}C$, $-9.40^{\circ}C$) were lower (p<0.001) than those in P3 ($5.87^{\circ}C$, $-1.86^{\circ}C$) and P4 ($11.18^{\circ}C$, $4.28^{\circ}C$). The minimum temperature in P1 fell within the moderate cold-stress (CS) category, as previously reported for dairy cattle, and the minimum temperatures of P2 and P3 were within the mild CS category. Neither month nor RPF supplementation affected the average daily gain or gain-to-feed ratio (p>0.05). Ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentrations were higher (p<0.05) in cold winter than spring. Plasma cortisol concentrations were lower (p<0.05) in the coldest month than in the other months. Serum glucose concentrations were generally higher in colder months than in the other months but were unaffected by RPF supplementation. RPF supplementation increased both total cholesterol (p = 0.004) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Korean cattle may not be significantly affected by moderate CS, considering that the growth performance of cattle remained unchanged, although variations in blood parameters were observed among the studied months. RPF supplementation altered cholesterol and HDL concentrations but did not affect growth performance.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.603-612
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• 2021

Objective: We have tested our hypothesis that inclusion of purified glycerol as a replacer of portions of dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) would affect growth performance, rumen fermentation and blood parameters, carcass and sensory traits, reducing sugar and glycogen contents, and volatile compound profiles in longissimus thoracis (LT) in Korean cattle steers. Methods: A total of 20 Korean cattle steers (27.0±0.2 months old; 647±10.5 kg body weight [BW]) were assigned to a conventional control group or a glycerol group (3.17% purified glycerol addition as a replacement for DDGS and molasses). The steers were individually allowed to receive the experimental concentrate at the daily amount of 1.5% of their individual BW and a total 1.0 of kg/d of rice straw twice daily. The feeding trial was conducted for a period of 20 weeks. Results: Glycerol supplementation (GS) increased (p = 0.001) concentrate intake. However, GS did not affect (p>0.05) average daily gain, feed efficiency, and ruminal volatile fatty acid concentrations. GS tended to increase (p≤0.10) serum glucose concentrations at the 16th and 20th weeks. GS decreased (p = 0.001) LT pH. GS did not affect (p>0.05) carcass traits and the chemical or physicochemical compositions, reducing sugar or glycogen contents, sensory traits, and most of volatile compounds in the LT. Conclusion: The inclusion of purified glycerol as a replacement for DDGS in the finishing diet did not affect growth performance, rumen fermentation parameters, and carcass quality in Korean cattle. The purified glycerol could be used as a substitute for other energy sources such as DDGS in beef cattle, depending on the price.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.999-1009
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• 2022

Objective: To improve the feeding value of rice straw (RS), this study evaluated the potential of rice straw fermented with Pleurotus sajor-caju (FRS) as dairy goat feed. Methods: Spent Pleurotus sajor-caju mushroom substrate was used as fungi inoculum to break the lignocellulose linkage of rice straw, which was solid-fermented at 25℃ to 30℃ for 8 weeks. The ruminal degradation of pangolagrass hay (PG), FRS, and RS were measured in situ for 96 hours in three dry Holstein cows, respectively. Effect of fungi fermented RS on milking performance was studied in feeding trials. A total of 21 Alpine goats a trial were divided into 3 groups: a control group in which PG accounted for 15% of the diet dry matter, and FRS or RS was used to replace the PG in the control group. Goats were fed twice a day under two 28-day trial in individual pens. Meanwhile, a 3×3 Latin square trial (14 days/period) was conducted to study the rumen digestion of three diets by using three fistulated dry goats. Rumen contents were collected for metabolite analyses every one to three hours on the last two days. Results: In situ study showed that fermentation could elevate the rumen degradable fraction and effective degradability of RS (p<0.05). Effective degradability of FRS dry matter was significantly increased from 29.5% of RS to 41.7%. Lactating trial results showed that dry matter intake and milk yield in the PG group and FRS group were similar and higher than those in RS group (p<0.05). The concentration of propionic acid and total volatile fatty acid in the RS group tended to be lower than those in PG group (p<0.10). There were no differences in rumen pH value and ammonia nitrogen level among the groups tested. Conclusion: Fermentation of rice straw by spent Pleurotus sajor-caju mushroom substrate could substantially enhance its feeding value to be equivalent to PG as an effective fiber source for dairy goat. The fermented rice straw is recommended to account for 15% in diet dry matter.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.241-256
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• 2021

The current study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of Phyllostachys bambusoides (PHB) as a feed additives and investigate whether its antioxidant activity could be helpful for increasing rumen fermentation characteristics and methane reduction. The antioxidant activity results showed that total polyphenols and flavonoids contents were 43.54 ± 8.68 mg CE/g and 17.13 ± 0.45 mg QE/g, respectively, and the IC₅₀ values for 1,1-diphenyl-2-prcrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3- ethylbenzthiazoline-6- sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity were 163.13 ± 19.25 ㎍/mL and 97.07 ± 4.46 ㎍/mL, respectively. Two heads of cannulated Hanwoo (450 ± 30 kg), consuming timothy hay and a commercial concentrate (60:40, w/w) twice daily (at 09:00 and 17:30) at 2% of body weight, with free access to water and a mineral block, were used as rumen fluid donors. An in vitro incubation experiment was performed after 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hr with PHB added at concentration of 2, 4, and 6% of timothy hay basis. Total gas emission decreased as the amount of PHB addition increased at 6 and 24 hr of incubation. However, PHB addition did not affect total volatile fatty acid production, and methane and carbon dioxide emission also decreased as the amount of addition increased at 48 hr of incubation. Therefore, PHB was expected to be used as methane reducing additives in the ruminants.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.801-818
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• 2007

This study was carried out to determine the effects of processing methods of barley as a proper source of grain in diets of Hanwoo on fermentation pattern in the rumen fluid and digestibility of the diets, the growth performance and carcass characteristics of Hanwoo. The degree of ruminal pH change in the cows fed diets of the Corn(corn basis) and GDRB(ground and dry-rolled barley) tended to be greater than those in the cows fed other two diets (ground barley, GB and dry-rolled barley, DRB). The diet of GDRB showed the lowest ruminal pH(5.5), indicating the rapid degradation of the diet in the rumen. Although ammonia concentration was not affected by diet, the GR and DBR diets maintained the low concentrations of ruminal ammonia compared with other two treatments. And the effects of feeding processed barley grain on body weight gain and meat quality of Hanwoo steers were as follows. Steers fed DRB diet had the highest body weight, 683.0kg at 28 months old, while those fed the GDRB showed the lowest body weight, 653.3kg. The average daily gain(ADG) was similar between the steers fed Corn and GR throughout the whole period, but the GDRB showed the lowest ADG. The steers fed the DRB showed the significant increase in ADG(0.89kg/d from 19 to 23 months old and 0.43kg/d from 24 to 28 months old) compared with those fed other diets. Feeding diets containing corn and/or barley did not influence live body weight, cold carcass weight, carcass yield, back-fat thickness and carcass grade of Hanwoo steers.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.169-178
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• 2010

The present study was conducted with four ruminally fistulated cattle to examine the fermentation characteristics and effective degradability (ED) in the rumen, and whole tract digestibility and TDN values of various silages (whole crop rye, RS; whole crop barley, BS; Italian ryegrass, IRGS and sudangrass, SGS) which were produced in Korea. The pH of rumen fluid were not greatly affected by silage at most times after feeding but SGS decreased (p<0.049) the ruminal ammonia-N concentration as 7.28 mg/100 ml at 3h after feeding compared to other silages. An acetate proportion from SGS feeding was higher at 1h (p<0.018), 3h (p<0.004) and 6h (p<0.019) after feeding than those from other silages. The propionate ($C_2$) proportion, however, was greater (p<0.001~p<0.042) for the RS and BS than the corresponding values of other silages up to 6h after feeding while the lowest $C_2$ proportion was observed from SGS. The butyrate proportion was lowest (p<0.007~p<0.027) in the cattle fed BS at 1~6h after feeding among silages. An ED of dry matter (DM) in the rumen was highest (P<0.048) for RS as 59.64%, and was reduced in the order of BS (56.12%), IRGS (55.64%) and SGS (54.02%). Similar tendency was observed in the EDs of crude protein (p<0.014) and organic matter (OM, p<0.039). The whole tract digestibility of DM (p<0.032), neutral detergent fiber (NDF, p<0.034) and OM (p<0.041) of SGS was greatly reduced. The TDN value based on whole tract digestibility of silages was highest for RS as 61.1%, and TDN values of BS, IRGS and SGS were 57.1%, 57.9% and 50.7%, respectively. Based on the results obtained from the present study, components in various whole crop silages produced in Korea might affect the ruminal VFA proportion, and especially, NDF content could greatly influence on the TDN value of silage calculated based on the NDF content.