• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.8 no.6
• /
• pp.587-594
• /
• 1995

In order to estimate the nutritive value of roasted full-fat soybean (FFS) in carp diet, growth performance and excretion of protein and phosphorus were examined using carps having mean body weight of 111 g. Growth trial was conducted for 4 weeks using the fishes fed 5 diets (Control, $F_{24}S_{13}$, $F_{16}S_{27}$, $F_8S_{40}$ and $F_0S_{56}$) containing 32%, 24%, 16%, 8% and 0% of fish meal (F) and 0%, 13%, 27%, 40% and 56% of full-fat soybean, respectively. A total of 800 fishes were allotted randomly by groups of 40 to 5 treatments with 4 replicates per treatment. Fishes were fed to station eight times daily. Feeding trial was conducted for 4 weeks. As dietary FFS increased from 0% to 56%, weight gain of fish decreased from 91 g to 39 g and feed conversion ratio increased from 1.06 to 1.95. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) was highest (2.35) in control group which had the highest protein intake, while PER significantly decreased with decrease in protein intake as dietary FFS level increased. Although dietary protein and energy levels were maintained constant, protein excretion per kg weight gain varied from 273 g to 579 g for the groups control and $F_0S_{56}$, respectively. However, the value for control group was not significantly different to those for the groups $F_{24}S_{13}$ and $F_{16}S_{27}$. On the other hand, the highest protein retention efficiency was found in group fed the diet $F_{24}S_{13}$. Fish fed the diet $F_8S_{40}$ excreted the lowest phosphorus (P) based on kg weight gain showing the highest P retention efficiency of 62%. P excretion per kg feed intake was in the range of 5 g to 10 g for the groups $F_8S_{40}$ and $F_{24}S_{13}$, respectively. The present results indicated that as dietary FFS level increased, growth performance and feed utilization decreased while excretion of protein and phosphorus increased. Therefore, it was concluded that more than 25% substitution by FFS for fish meal could exert negative effects on growth and feed utilization of carp.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.16 no.9
• /
• pp.1254-1260
• /
• 2003

The purpose of this study firstly was conducted to establish a radioimmunoassay (RIA) of estrone sulfate ($E_1S$), secondly to monitor the reproductive status of dairy cows using their urine samples. Urine and blood samples were collected in series within a day from four pregnant Holstein-friesian cows to evaluate the relationship between $E_1S$ levels in blood and urine with or without urinary creatinine basis. The urine was then collected biweekly from three cows in estrous and those artificially inseminated; collection from pregnant cows was made on a monthly basis. Results indicated that sensitivity for the $E_1S$ RIA was 5 pg/tube and the recovery rate was 100%. The daily urinary creatinine concentrations fluctuated within a day, but changes were slighter in midday, whereas the changes of concentrations of $E_1S$ in urine were relatively smaller. The concentrations of serum $E_1S$ during the estrous cycle were undetectable due to the limitation of assay, but the urinary $E_1S$ level could be measured with no obvious changes during the cycle. The urinary $E_1S$ levels increased remarkably around 7.7 to 8.3 ng/ml, 80 to 100 days after pregnancy but the serum $E_1S$ levels did not elevate until 120 to 150 days. The level of $E_1S$ increased gradually during pregnancy and eventually reached its peak before parturition at around 40 ng/ml and finally decreased to its basal level 2 days postparturition. During pregnancy, $E_1S$ concentrations of urine increased earlier than those in blood. The correlation coefficients between urinary and serum $E_1S$ concentration during pregnancy and postparturm were higher than those adjusted with creatinine (creatinine ratio). The concentrations of $E_1S$ in urine could be maintained unchanged for 8 days storing the samples in room temperature, which was extended to 8 days when the samples were pretreated by boiling for 30 minutes or treated with autoclave. In conclusion urinary $E_1S$ concentrations can be used directly for monitoring the pregnant status and fetal viability of dairy cows and can assist accurate confirmation of pregnancy in cows at least 80 to 100 days after insemination much earlier than by serum $E_1S$.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.12
• /
• pp.1760-1764
• /
• 2002

In order to elucidate the physiological function of circulating IGF-I on muscle protein synthesis in the chicken under malnutritional conditions, we administrated recombinant chicken IGF-I using a osmotic mini pump to fasted young chickens and measured the rate of muscle protein synthesis and plasma metabolite. The pumps delivered IGF-I at the rate of $22{\mu}g/d\{300{\mu}g{\cdot}(kg\;body\;weight{\cdot}d)^{-1}\}$. Fractional rate of protein synthesis in the muscle was measured using a large dose injection of L-[$2,6-^3H$]phenylalanine. Constant infusion of chicken IGF-I did not affect plasma glucose level. Significant interaction between dietary treatment and IGF-I infusion was observed in plasma NEFA and total cholesterol concentrations. When chicks were fasted, IGF-I infusion decreased plasma NEFA and total cholesterol concentrations. On the other hand, IGF-I administration did not affect plasma levels of both metabolites. Fasting reduced plasma triglyceride concentration significantly. IGF-I infusion also decreased the level of plasma triglyceride. Plasma IGF-I concentration of young chickens was halved by fasting for 1 d. IGF-I infusion using an osmotic minipump for 1 d increased plasma IGF-I concentration in fasted chicks to the level of fed chicks. Fasting decreased body weight and the loss of body weight was significantly ameliorated by IGF-I infusion. There was a significant interaction between dietary treatment and IGF-I infusion in the fractional rate of breast muscle protein synthesis. There was no effect of IGF-I infusion on muscle protein synthesis in fed chicks. Muscle protein synthesis reduced by fasting was ameliorated by IGF-I infusion, but did not reach to the level of fed control. Muscle weight of fasted chicks infused with IGF-I was similar to fasted birds without IGF-I infusion, which suggests that muscle protein degradation would be increased by IGF-I infusion as well as protein synthesis in fasted chicks.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.9 no.5
• /
• pp.583-590
• /
• 1996

The purpose of this study was to evaluate some factors in the bovine embryonic development from one-cell to blastocyst using modified synthetic oviduct fluid medium (mSOFM), after maturation and in vitro fertilization of the oocytes. The embryonic development to the blastocyst stage was assessed at 7-10 days after in vitro fertilization, and the total cells in the blastocysts were counted by staining nuclei with fluorochrome. Some commercial calf sera (CS) and a superovulated cow serum had different effects on the embryonic development to the blastocyst stage (8.6-21.4%), dependent upon their product lots, although the development might not be affected at least by serum progesterone levels. ${\beta}$-Mercaptoethanol (${\beta}$-ME) supplemented into mSOFM was effective to the embryonic development (27.8%), as well as the co-culture system with cumulus cells (19.5%). In a serum- and feeder cell-free culture using mSOFM containing several growth factors and ${\beta}$-ME instead of CS plus co-cultured cumulus cells, bovine serum albumin (BSA, fraction V), but not polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), was highly effective in embryonic development to the blastocyst stage, almost comparable to CS in the serum-contained culture (CS, BSA and PVA; 27.8, 19.5 and 5.7%, respectively). However, fatty acid free BSA rather reduced the number of developed blastocysts, compared with fraction V BSA (7.3 vs 29.4%). In the serum- and feeder cell-free culture, supplement of glucose to the medium (final 2.0 mM) stimulated the cell proliferation of developing embryos 120 hr after in vitro fertilization. These results indicated that a serum-free medium supplemented with ${\beta}$-ME could successfully support the development of bovine one-cell embryos to the blastocyst stage. Moreover, supplement of glucose and fatty acids to the medium might support preferably the development and cell proliferation of embryos.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.86-94
• /
• 2015

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition and amino acid (AA) digestibility of sunflower seed meal (SFSM) and to use this data to develop prediction equations for estimating AA digestibility for growing pigs. Ten SFSM were collected from five provinces in China. Twelve barrows ($38.8{\pm}4.6kg$), fitted with ileal T-cannula were allotted into two $6{\times}6$ Latin square designs. Each of six experimental periods comprised a 5-d adaption period followed by a 2-d collection of ileal digesta. The ten test diets contained 50% SFSM as the sole source of AA. Another nitrogen-free diet was used to measure the basal endogenous losses of crude protein (CP) and AA. Chromic oxide (0.3%) was used as an inert marker in each diet. There was considerable variation (CV>10%) among the ten SFSM in chemical composition (dry matter [DM]). The concentration of CP and ether extract (EE) ranged from 29.33% to 39.09% and 0.88% to 11.33%, respectively. Crude fibre (CF), neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre ranged from 21.46% to 36.42%, 38.15% to 55.40%, and 24.59% to 37.34%, respectively. There was variation among the ten SFSM in apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) for lysine and threonine, which ranged from 63.16 to 79.21 and 55.19% to 72.04% for AID and 67.03% to 82.07% and 61.97% to 77.01% for SID, respectively. The variation in CP and methionine ranged from 60.13% to 74.72% and 74.79% to 88.60% for AID and 66.70% to 79.31% and 77.16% to 90.27% for SID, respectively. Methionine was a good indicator to predict AA digestibility. These results indicate that conventional chemical composition of SFSM was variable (CV>10%) among the ten SFSM (DM). The results of AID, SID and prediction equations could be used to evaluate the digestibility of SFSM in growing pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.175-181
• /
• 2010

The effects of corticosterone (CORT) administration on the weight of small intestine and the expression of nutrient transporter mRNA in the small intestine of broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) were investigated. One hundred and eight sevenday-old birds were randomly divided into two equal groups comprising a control group (CTRL) and an experimental group (CORT). CTRL birds were fed a basal diet and the CORT birds were fed a basal diet containing 30 mg corticosterone/kg from d 8 to 21. At 21 d of age, average daily feed intake (ADFI), serum corticosterone level, small intestinal absolute wet weight and relative weight, and relative abundance of SGLT1, CaBP-D28k, PepT1 mRNA in the duodenum and L-FABP mRNA in the jejunum were determined. The results showed that serum corticosterone level, liver weight and small intestinal relative weight (small intestinal wet weight/body weight) of CORT chickens were about 30.15%, 26.72% and 42.20% higher, respectively, than in the CTRL group (p<0.05). CORT birds had relative mRNA abundance of CaBP-D28k and PepT1 in the duodenum, and L-FABP in the jejunum which was 1.77, 1.37 and 1.94 fold higher, respectively, than in the CTRL group (p<0.05); the relative abundance of SGLT1 was 1.67 fold higher than in the CTRL group (p = 0.097). ADFI, small intestinal wet weight and length in CORT-treated broiler chickens was about 29.11%, 31.12% and 12.35% lower, respectively, than in the CTRL group (p<0.05). In conclusion, corticosterone administration lowered the wet weight but increased the relative weight of the small intestine and the expression of intestinal nutrient transporter mRNA of broiler chickens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.507-515
• /
• 2009

A series of experiments were conducted to determine the suitable freezing and thawing temperatures for the freezing of boar semen in 5 ml maxi-straws. The ultrastructure, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and artificial insemination (AI) of frozen-thawed semen were also be evaluated. The 5 cm freezing height gave the best results not only in post-thaw motility rate (54.00%), but also in normal acrosome morphology rate (NAR) (80.23%). There was no significant difference in the post-thaw motility between different thawing temperatures and corresponding thawing times (p>0.05); the group of $52^{\circ}C$ and 25 s gave the highest motility rate (45.00%). As a whole, not only from the motility but also the NAR, thawing at $42^{\circ}C$ was better than the other two treatments. In the freezing packages, 5 ml maxi-straw gave a little lower mobility (40%), viability rate (49.58%), plasma membrane integrity rate (53.91%) and NAR (52.65%) than the 0.25 ml straw, but there was no significant difference between the two straw volumes (p>0.05). The IVF capacity of frozen-thawed semen in this experiment was similar to fresh semen. From ultrastructure observation, the main damage to boar spermatozoa after freezing was seen in the acrosome, such as swelling and formation of vesicles. After AI in recipient Shanghai White sows, frozen-thawed semen from 5 ml maxi-straws and pellets produced 72.2% and 80% conception rate and 7.8 and 8 litter sizes, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the 5 ml maxi-straw and the pellet (p>0.05).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.23 no.10
• /
• pp.1354-1363
• /
• 2010

This study compared the effect of four different feeding methods for gestating gilts on reproductive performance and growth of their progeny. A total of 40 F1 primiparous sows (Yorkshire${\times}$Landrace) were allotted to four treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD). For treatments, gestating period of sows was divided into three trimesters (0-35 d, 36-90 d and 91-110 d) and different amounts of feed were provided to each treatment group by Flat, Down-Up-Down (DUD), Up-Down-Up (UDU) and Down-Up-Up (DUU) feeding methods. The experimental diet was formulated to meet or exceed the standards of NRC (1998). Body weight gain of gestating gilts from d 0 to 110 was affected by feeding method (p<0.05). When gilts were fed constant feed ration (Flat feeding), less body weight loss was observed during lactation (-0.9 kg, p<0.05) and desirable backfat thickness (average 19.5 mm) was acquired at 110 days of gestation. Feed intake of lactating sows tended to be greater (4.22, 3.60, 3.97 and 4.13 kg/d, p>0.05) as sows in Flat feeding treatment had lower backfat thickness during gestation compared with other treatments (p<0.05). When gestating gilts were fed higher amount of feed during mid-trimester, the number of stillborn (1.4 piglet per litter, p<0.05) and mummies (0.8 piglet per litter, p = 0.25) were increased compared to other treatments. Feeding methods for gestating gilts had no effect on litter weight and gain of litter weight during the nursing period. Flat feeding method resulted in decreased plasma glucose concentration at 7 d postpartum (p<0.05), and increased LH concentration at 21 d postpartum (p<0.01) compared to other treatments. These results suggested that higher feed intake of gestating gilts resulted in detrimental effects on body condition and reproductive performance of sows. When gestating gilts consumed constant feed during gestation (2 kg/d), better reproductive performance and less body weight loss in lactation were observed because sows consumed more feed during the whole lactation period. Consequently, Flat feeding will be a desirable feeding strategy for gestating gilts to maximize reproductive performance, and better body condition of sows without any negative influence on the growth of their progeny.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.569-576
• /
• 2012

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the potential for Forsythia suspensa extract (FSE) to substitute for antibiotic in broiler chicken. First, a well-diffusion assay procedure and a 2-fold dilution method were used to determine the bacteriostatic activity of FSE on Escherichia coli K88, staphylococcus aureus, and salmonella was assayed. An inhibitory effect of FSE was observed on the growth of these bacteria. This effect seems to be dose depended, which disappeared after 25.00, 12.50, 1.56 mg/ml. Second, a 42-d trial with 252 broiler chickens (d 1, $38.7{\pm}1.1$ g BW) was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of FSE in broiler chicken. The feeding program consisted of a starter diet from d 1 to 21 and a finisher diet from d 22 to 42. Dietary treatments included were: i) NC: negative control fed a corn-soybean meal based diet; ii) PC: positive control group fed based diet with chlortetracycline; and iii) FC: a test group fed with 100 mg FSE/kg diet. In this study growth performance did not differ among treatments during the starter period. However, dietary supplemental chlortetracycline and FSE increased (p<0.05) average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) compared with NC during the finisher and overall phase. Apparent digestibility of calcium on d 21, digestibility of energy and calcium on d 42 of FC was greater (p<0.05) than NC. Moreover, cecal Escherichia coli counts for birds from FC were lower (p<0.05) than NC. Dietary FSE supplementation also improved (p<0.05) villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratios in both duodenum and ileum and decreased (p<0.05) crypt depth in the duodenum. Duodenum villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in both duodenum and ileum from the FC group were also greater (p<0.05). Serum growth hormone and IGF-1 were not influenced by different treatments. Apparently, FSE has the potential to substitute for antibiotic in broiler chicken.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.12
• /
• pp.1843-1848
• /
• 2007

Thirty-six 1.5 year-old Inner Mongolian White Cashmere wether goats (body weight $28.14{\pm}1.33$ kg) were used to determine the effects of dietary copper (Cu) concentration on ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility and cashmere fibre characteristics. Wethers were fed a basal diet (containing 7.46 mg Cu/kg DM) that was supplemented with either 0 (control), 10, 20 or 30 mg Cu/kg DM. To ensure full consumption, animals were fed restrictedly with 0.75 kg feed (DM) in two equal allotments per day. The results indicated that: (1) supplemental 10 mg Cu/kg DM in the basal diet significantly (p<0.05) decreased ruminal fluid pH value and total VFA concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) increased on all Cu treatment groups. (2) Cu supplementation had no influence on DM intake and digestibility of DM, CP and ADF (p>0.05); however, NDF digestibility of groups supplemented with 10 and 20 mg Cu/kg DM were significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05). Apparent absorption and retention of copper were decreased with increasing level of supplementation. (3) 20 mg Cu/kg DM treatment significantly (p<0.05) improved cashmere growth rate, but cashmere diameter was not affected by Cu supplementation (p>0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of cashmere goats with Cu at the rate of 10 to 20 mg/kg DM in the basal diet resulted in some changed rumen fermentation and was beneficial for NDF digestibility, while supplementation of 20 mg Cu/kg DM improved cashmere growth. Collectively, the optimal supplemental Cu level for cashmere goats during the fibre growing period was 20 mg/kg DM (a total dietary Cu level of 27.46 mg/kg DM).