• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.403-409
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• 2018

Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of a lipid-coated zinc oxide (ZnO) supplement Shield Zn (SZ) at the sub-pharmacological concentration on intestinal morphology and gene expression in weanling pigs, with an aim to gain insights into the mechanism of actions for SZ. Methods: Forty 22-day-old weanling pigs were fed a nursery diet supplemented with 100 or 2,500 mg Zn/kg with uncoated ZnO (negative control [NC] or positive control [PC], respectively), 100, 200, or 400 mg Zn/kg with SZ for 14 days and their intestinal tissues were taken for histological and molecular biological examinations. The villus height (VH) and crypt depth (CD) of the intestinal mucosa were measured microscopically following preparation of the tissue specimen; expression of the genes associated with growth and immune function was determined using the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: There was no difference in daily gain, gain:feed, and diarrhea score between the SZ group and either of NC and PC. The VH and VH:CD ratio were less for the SZ group vs NC in the jejunum and duodenum, respectively (p<0.05). The jejunal mucosal mRNA levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and interleukin (IL)-10 regressed and tended to regress (p = 0.053) on the SZ concentration with a positive coefficient, respectively, whereas the IL-6 mRNA level regressed on the SZ concentration with a negative coefficient. The mRNA levels of IGF-I, zonula occludens protein-1, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, IL-6, and IL-10 did not differ between the SZ group and either of NC and PC; the occludin and transforming growth $factor-{\beta}1$ mRNA levels were lower for the SZ group than for PC. Conclusion: The present results are interpreted to suggest that dietary ZnO provided by SZ may play a role in intestinal mucosal growth and immune function by modulating the expression of IGF-I, IL-6, and IL-10 genes.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.159-168
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• 1999

Swine whipworm(Trichuris suis) is cosmopolitan nematode which can cause serious pathology in immature stage(larva2~larva5) of infected pigs, such as anorexia, diarrhea, anemia, and death in heavy infections. In this larval stages, it is very difficult to diagnose the infection of whipworm and to differentiate from other common swine gastrointestinal disorders such as 21 day scours which are associated with TGE virus, rota virus, coccidium, and the stress of weaning. In this experiment, the isolated antigens of Trichuris spp. were carried out to examine the structure and specificity of antigens and to select the reasonable antigens which would be used in serological diagnosis by electrophoresis, Western blotting, ELISA. The results of this experiment were as follows; 1. The common fractions of each Trichuris suis antigen were identified 28,32,45, 80kDa by SDS-PAGE with silver stain and four major fractions could be detected in positive swine sera by Western blot analysis. 2. The OD(optical density) values of somatic and excretory-secretory antigens which were reacted against positive(negative) sera from pigs infected with Trichuris suis by ELISA reader were; 1) OD values($mean{\pm}SD$) of adult somatic antigen against positive(negative) sera were $0.30{\pm}0.12(0.09{\pm}0.006)$ and third-stage larva of somatic antigen were $0.28{\pm}0.038(0.10{\pm}0.005)$. And OD values of excretory-secretory antigens of adult and third-stage larva were $0.24{\pm}0.031(0.11{\pm}0.005)$ and $0.08{\pm}0.013(0.10{\pm}0.003)$, respectively. 2) OD values of adult somatic, larval somatic antigen and adult excretory-secretory antigen response to positive sera were significantly (p<0.01) associated with negative swine sera. And the Cut-off OD values(minimum positive value) were determined to be mean negative value plus 3 SD that would minimized the risk of false positives. 3. The OD values of somatic antigens of T suis and T vulpis against swine positive(negative) sera were $0.30{\pm}0.120(0.09{\pm}0.006)$ and $0.25{\pm}0.141(0.09{\pm}0.003)$. These data mean that the somatic antigens of T suis and T vulpis were able to diagnose T vulpis infection in dogs as well as T suis infection in pigs. These results suggest that somatic antigen of third-stage larva and excretory-secretory antigen of adult T suis could be used the diagnostic antigen by serological test(ELISA) in immature Trichuris spp. infection.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.221-228
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• 2010

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of Fe-soy proteinate chelate (Fe-SP) on sows milk, piglet blood parameters and performance. A total of 15 sows of 3 wk before parturition and pigs after births to 3 wk were assigned to three dietary treatments: control (sow-basal diet, piglets with Fe injection); Fe-SP 100 (Fe 100 ppm as Fe-SP in sow and piglet diet); Fe-SP 200 (Fe 200 ppm as Fe-SP in sow and piglet diet). Each treatment had 5 replicates (sows) of six piglets per sow randomly selected from the same offspring. For this experiment, Fe-SP was manufactured. There were no significant differences among treatments in number of pigs born in total or alive per litter, birth weight, number of pigs weaned per litter and weaning weight. However, weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio significantly (p<0.05) decreased as the supplementation level of Fe-SP increased. There were no significant differences among treatments in Fe content at 3 wk before parturition in sow blood. However, Fe content at 2 wk before parturition in sow blood significantly (p<0.05) increased as the supplementation of Fe-SP. While there were no significant differences among treatments in Fe content at 1 wk before parturition in sow blood, it tended to increase as the supplementation level of Fe-SP increased. There were no significant differences among treatments in Fe content of sow milk. However, it tended to increase as the supplementation level of Fe-SP increased. Iron content in the blood of piglets was significantly (p<0.05) higher in control (Fe injected) than Fe-SP 100 and Fe-SP 200 treatments at $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ wk but it was significantly higher in Fe-SP 200 than others in $3^{rd}$ wk. Zinc content in the blood also significantly (p<0.05) increased as the Fe-SP supplementation level increased in $3^{rd}$ wk. In conclusion, Fe-SP supplementation significantly affected Fe content in the blood of piglets. Iron injection was more effective at $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ wk, while Fe-SP 200 supplementation was effective at $3^{rd}$ wk in improving blood Fe level in piglets.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2010

This study was conducted to determine the effect of supplemental medicinal plants (Artemisia, Acanthopanx and Garlic) on productive parameters in pigs. In experiment 1, a total of 90 multiparous sows were used in a 21-d performance study. The diets included: 1) CON (basal diet; Control), 2) BM1 (CON + 0.1% medicinal plants) and 3) BM2 (CON + 0.2% medicinal plants). Backfat thickness from farrowing to weaning was higher (P<0.05) in CON compared with sows fed treatments diets. The piglets weight gain was higher in the medicinal plants treatments (P<0.05). ADFI, nutrient digestibility and survivability were not affected by the experimental treatments. In experiment 2, a total of 60 finishing pigs (Landrace ${\times}$ Yorkshire ${\times}$ Duroc, $65.21\;{\pm}\;0.04\;kg$ average initial body weight) were used in a 56-d performance assay to determine the effects of supplemental medicinal plants (Artemisia, Acanthopanx and Garlic) on growth performance and carcass characteristics in finishing pigs. The dietary treatments included: 1) CON (basal diet ; Control), 2) BM1 (CON + 0.1% medicinal plants) and 3) BM2 (CON + 0.2% medicinal plants). For 4~8 weeks and overall period, ADG was higher (P<0.05) in the pigs fed medicinal plants. CON treatment was higher 24 pH loin and cooking loss than BM1 treatment (P<0.05). Water holding capacity and drip loss after 1day were affected by the dietary treatments (P<0.05). No numerical differences were observed in sensory evaluation, meat color, TBARS and loin area among three treatments. In conclusion, the results obtained from this feeding trial suggest that the medicinal plants mixture supplementation in diets for finishing pigs can improve ADG, water holding capacity, cooking loss and it improved backfat loss in sow and, litter weight gain.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.51-63
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• 1981

The results of a crossbreeding experiment with a total of 315 litters and 325 pigs of Berkshires, Hampshires, Durocs, Landraces, Large Whites, eight different two-breed crosses and twelve different three-breed crosses, produced at Livestock Experiment Station from 1975 through 1979, are summarized as follows. 1. Number born alive per litter was largest in the D♂${\times}$(Lw♂${\times}$L♀) $F_1$ ♀ mating, followed by the D♂${\times}$(H♂${\times}$L♀) $F_1$ mating, and smallest in the Hampshires. The pigs in the 3rd-6th parities had larger litter size at birth than those in other parities. 2. Birth weight of pig was heaviest in L♂${\times}$Lw♀ mating and lightest in the Large White. The total litter weight at birth was heaviest in the D♂${\times}$(Lw♂${\times}$L♀) $F_1$ ♀ mating, followed by D♂${\times}$(H♂${\times}$L♀) $F_1$ ♀ and Lw♂${\times}$L♀ matings, and was smaller in Hampshires and Birkshires. 3. Litter size at weaning was largest in the D♂${\times}$(Lw♂${\times}$L♀) $F_1$ ♀ mating, followed by D♂${\times}$(H♂${\times}$L♀) $F_1$ ♀ and Lw♂${\times}$L♀ matings, and was smaller in Durocs and Hampshires. The pigs in the 3rd-6th parities had larger litter size at weaning than those in other parities. 4. The total litter weight at weaning was heaviest in the D♂${\times}$(Lw♂${\times}$L♀) $F_1$ ♀ mating, followed by H♂${\times}$(Lw♂${\times}$L♀) $F_1$♀ and Lw♂${\times}$L♀ matings, and was lighter in Durocs and Hampshires. The weaning weight of pig was largest in D♂${\times}$(Lw♂${\times}$L♀) $F_1$ ♀ mating and lightest in L♂${\times}$H♀ mating. 5. Survival rate at weaning was highest in L♂${\times}$Lw♀ mating, followed by D♂${\times}$(L♂${\times}$H♀) $F_1$ ♀ and D♂${\times}$(H♂${\times}$L♀) $F_1$ ♀ mating, and was lowest in Durocs. 6. The three-breed cross from D♂${\times}$(H♂${\times}$L♀) $F_1$ ♀ mating had the highest average gain and lowest feed requirement per unit gain, followed by the D♂${\times}$(Lw♂${\times}$L♀) $F_1$ ♀ and H♂${\times}$(Lw♂${\times}$L♀) $F_1$ ♀ matings. The Birkshires and Landraces ranked lowest among the 25 mating groups compared for both of the traits. Males had higher average daily gain than females by about 0.06kg and had lower feed requirement by about 0.14. 7. The three-breed crosses from D♂${\times}$(H♂${\times}$L♀) $F_1$ ♀, D♂${\times}$(Lw♂${\times}$L♀) $F_1$ ♀ and H♂${\times}$(Lw♂${\times}$L♀) $F_1$ ♀ matings reached 90kg body weight at younger age than the other groups. The D♂${\times}$(H♂${\times}$L♀) $F_1$ ♀ group reached 90kg at younger age than the Landrace by 39 days. 8. The dressing percentage and lean meat percentage tended to be higher in H♂${\times}$(Lw♂${\times}$L♀) $F_1$ ♀, H♂${\times}$L♀ and L♂${\times}$B♀ matings compared to the other mating groups. The loin-eye area was largest in the Lw♂${\times}$L♀ mating and smallest in the B♂${\times}$L♀ mating. Males had higher dressing percentage, higher lean meat percentage and lion-eye area than females. The backfat was thinnest in purebred Hampshire and was thickest in B♂${\times}$L♀ mating. 9. The results obtained in this study suggest that the two-breed cross from Lw♂${\times}$L♀ mating, and the three-breed crosses from D♂${\times}$(Lw♂${\times}$L-♀) $F_1$ ♀ and D♂${\times}$(H♂${\times}$L♀) $F_1$♀ matings are superior crossbreds for reproductive and pork prodnction performance.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

This study was conducted to analyze the effects of sow breeding environment on the reproduction in the first litter in a large-sized hog farm, located in Dangjin-gun, Chungnam from July 1st, 2007 to June 30th, 2008 and provide basic information to improve the sow productivity in a family farming sows. The results obtained were as follows; 1. The gestation periods were proved to be similar without significant differences between indoor and outdoor breeding grounds, The average of farrowing rate was 91.91%, and 92.54% farrowing rate of out-door ground breeding sows was slightly greater than 91.57% of group-housed sows, but there was no significance between two groups. 2. The average of total litter size and the number of born alive per litter were 9.81 and 9.02, respectively. The number of total number was 0.98 and the number of born alive per litter was 1.18 in the outdoor-ground breeding sows, which was significantly greater than group-housed sows(p<0.001). 3. The number(rate) of piglets stillborn was 0.22(2.10%) from the outdoor-ground breeding sows was significantly greater, compared with 0.33(3.53%) from group-housed sows(p<0.01). The number of piglets culled was 0.23(2.27%) and 0.26(2.77%), in the out-door ground breeding sows and in group-housed sows, respectively and it was not significantly similar between two groups. And, the number of mummies was 0.21(2.1%) and 0.28(2.29%), in the out-door ground breeding sows and in group-housed sows, respectively, which showed no significance. 4. The weaning number in the playground breeding sows was 9.48 and it was significantly greater than that in the group-housed sows(p<0.001). The average of weaned age was observed to be 22.91 days. The weaned age in the out-door ground breeding sows was 22.39 days, and it was significantly smaller than that in group-housed sows(p<0.001). The breeding rate for the weaning of pigs was satisfactory as 96.82%, but there was no significant difference between two groups.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.499-508
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• 2008

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of bio-starch from corn processing to replace dried whey in weaned pigs. A total of 120 crossbred [(Landrace×Yorkshire)×Duroc] pigs were weaned at 21 days of age weighing 6.01±0.34 kg in average. Five week feeding trial consisted of phase 1(0~2 wks) and phase 2(3~5 wks). Dietary treatments included 1) CON(basal diet), 2) BS5(whey 5%, partial substitution of bio-starch), 3) BS10(whey 10%, partial substitution of bio-starch) and 4) BS15(whey 15%, partial substitution of bio-starch). There were four dietary treatments with six replicate pens per treatment and five pigs per pen. During the overall period, there were no significant differences in the ADG(average daily gain) and gain/feed ratio among the treatments(P>0.05). However, the ADFI(average daily feed intake) was higher in BS5 and BS15 treatments than in CON treatment(P<0.05). At the 2nd week, dry matter and nitrogen digestibility were increased(quadratic effect, P=0.03 and P=0.01, respectively; cubic effect, P<0.001 and P=0.01, respectively) with the highest at 10% of bio-starch inclusion in the diets. At the last week of the experiment, dry matter, nitrogen and energy digestibility were increased(P<0.05) with the highest at 5% of bio-starch inclusion in the diets. At the 2nd week total protein concentration was increased(linear effect, P=0.04; cubic effect, P=0.01) with the highest at 10% of bio-starch inclusion in the diets. Also, BUN(blood urea nitrogen) was increased(linear effect, P=0.01) as the level of bio-starch inclusion increased in the diets. Fecal consistency score was inclined to lowers CON treatment than other treatments. In conclusion, the result of trial indicates that bio-starch can be included at the level of 5~10% of weaning pig diet replacing part of the dried-whey, and digestibilities were positively affected by bio-starch at growth stage.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.375-382
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• 2015

In the present study, offsprings of 14 sows were used to evaluate the effect of fermented milk substituted for creep feed to analyze its effect on growth performance, diarrhea score and blood profiles. The piglets of sows were randomly allocated into 1 of 2 treatments (1 treatment separated piglets of 7 sows). The dietary treatments includes: CF (creep feed) and FM (fermented milk). The CP and FM diets were given from 3 d after piglets were born to the day of weaning (21 d after piglets were born). No significant difference (P>0.05) were observed in number of born piglets, weaning pigs, survival rate, body weight of piglets at d 0, 7, 14, and 21, ADG and ADFI. At d 21, piglets fed with CP had a higher (P<0.05) IgG compared with piglets fed with FM. No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in WBC among the treatments at d 21. At d 6, piglets fed with CP had a lower (P<0.05) number of diarrhea piglets compared to piglets fed with FM. In conclusion, FM substituted for CP had no adverse effect on growth performance in lactating piglets.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.231-236
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• 2010

Antibiotics in veterinary medicine have been used to treat disease, promote growth rate and improve feed efficiency. However, alternative sources are needed because of of bacterial resistance to antibiotics and residues of antibiotics. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of CS682, a fermentation product of Korean soil bacteria, on safety, growth rate and feed efficiency, and to evaluate its value as an alternative for antibiotics used as a feed additive. Two dosages of CS682 (0.1% and 1%) were fed to chickens for 28 days. The results showed that, when compared to chickens in the control group, growth and feed efficiency was improved. Also, mortality, hematology, general clinical signs and necropsy were examined. Chickens in the treatment groups showed no adverse effects. A total of 72 weaning pigs were used to confirm the effects of CS682 at one dose level (0.1%) regarding feed efficiency. Supplementation with 0.1% CS682 also resulted in improved weight gain and feed efficiency ratio. Based on these results, CS682 may be effective in improving feed efficiency safely as a feed additive.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.886-894
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• 2012

Well-designed housing systems are important from the viewpoint of animal welfare and improvement of meat production. In this study, we investigated the effects of outdoor housing of pigs on their behavior, cortisol levels, and meat characteristics. Two groups that were born and raised in a spacious outdoor pen ($4{\times}10$ m for every two sows) or a minimum-sized standard pen in a piggery ($1.9{\times}2.2$ m for every sow) were studied. When their behaviors at the age of 2 to 3 wk were observed, the number of rooting episodes tended to be larger (p = 0.0509) and the total time of rooting tended to be longer (p = 0.0640) in the outdoor-housed piglets although the difference was not significant. Basal salivary cortisol levels of the outdoor piglets at the age of 4 wk were significantly lower than those of the indoor piglets ($5.0{\pm}0.59$ ng/ml vs. $11.6{\pm}0.91$ ng/ml, 30 min after treatment), although their plasma cortisol levels were similar ($53.3{\pm}3.54$ ng/ml vs. $59.9{\pm}4.84$ ng/ml, 30 min after treatment). When the ears were pierced at weaning, plasma and salivary cortisol levels were increased in both groups, even at 15 min after piercing. However, the increase in the outdoor-housed group was significantly less than that in the indoor-housed group. Throughout their lives, body weight and daily gain of the pigs were not significantly different between the two groups. In a meat taste preference test taken by 20 panelists, saltiness, flavor, and color of the outdoor-housed pork were found to be more acceptable. Moreover, when an electronic taste-sensing device was utilized, the C00 and CPA-C00 outputs ($3.78{\pm}0.07$ and $-0.20{\pm}0.023$), which correspond to compounds of bitterness and smells, respectively, were significantly lower in the outdoor-housed pork ($5.03{\pm}0.16$ and $-0.13{\pm}0.009$). Our results demonstrate that the outdoor housing system for piglets induces natural behaviors such as rooting and suppresses the strongest stress reaction of piglets, which could be important for animal welfare. Moreover, the outdoor housing system might change muscle characteristics and improve pork bitterness, flavor, and color. These changes may be preferred by consumers, increasing the sale of these meats.