• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.8
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• pp.1263-1272
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• 1999

The effects of carnitine in diets with or without added fat (5% lard or soybean oil) were evaluated in 72 Large White ${\times}$ Landrace ${\times}$ Duroc pigs weaned at 35 days of age. Pigs were fed a 1.30% lysine corn-soybean basal diet+15% dried whey+4% fish meal with carnitine at 0 or 50 mg/kg and either 0% added fat, 5% soybean oil or 5% lard for 6 weeks in a $2{\times}3$ factorial trial (6 treatments, 3 pens per treatment, 4 pigs per pen). Addition of carnitine increased average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) in the second two weeks of the six-week trial and overall, but had no significant effect on feed per gain (F/G). Lard alone depressed ADG (p<0.05) in the last two weeks of the trial and overall, but the ADG for pigs fed lard+carnitine was similar to the control. Lard reduced feed intake in the first two weeks of the trial (p<0.05). Carnitine reduced the percentage of pigs with poor (ADG<375 g/d) growth (15 vs 40%; p<0.05). The greater uniformity of growth was most evident in low-weaning-weight pigs in the second period (16 vs 62%, p<0.005). Addition of fat did not produce any positive effect on uniformity and had no interaction with carnitine on uniformity. Carnitine addition increased serum total carnitione and short-chain acyl-carnitine levels (p<0.05), but did not modify free carnitine levels. Serum carnitine levels were lower at weaning than at 14, 28, or 39 days after weaning (p<0.05). Carnitine increased serum protein levels on day 14 (p<0.05). Addition of fat in the form of soybean oil or lard did not improve piglet growth performance. Addition of 50 mg/kg of carnitine to the diet of weanling pigs enhanced postweaning performance.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.1881-1891
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• 2022

Objective: The present study aimed to quantify the effects of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on broiler chickens' performance by employing a meta-analysis approach. Methods: A total of 16 studies were included in the database after being systematically selected using a PRISMA protocol. Hedges' g effect size was used to quantify pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) using random-effects models at 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Publication bias among studies was computed with Egger's test and visualized using funnel plots. Results: Results indicated that dietary FSBM inclusion increased final body weight (BW) (SMD = 0.586, 95% CI: 0.221 to 0.951, p = 0.002) of broiler chickens, particularly in starter period (SMD = 0.691, 95% CL: 0.149 to 1.233, p = 0.013) while in the finisher period, the effect was weaker (SMD = 0.509, 95% CI: 0.015 to 1.004, p = 0.043). Average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not affected with FSBM inclusion when compared to control. Subgroup analysis revealed that FI increased in starter period (SMD = 0.582, 95% CI: 0.037 to 1.128, p = 0.036). When considering types of microorganism as moderating variables in the subgroup analysis, we found that Aspergillus oryzae, mixed probiotics+bromelain protease, Bacillus subtilis, and Lactobacillus bacteria significantly increased ADG and FI (p<0.01). Additionally, either Bacillus subtilis+protease or Bacillus subtilis alone decreased FCR (p<0.001). However, meta-regression analysis showed that levels of FSBM inclusion had no effects on final BW (p = 0.502), ADG (p = 0.588), FI (p = 0.861), and FCR (p = 0.462). Conclusion: Substituting SBM in broiler chickens' diet with FSBM improved BW of broiler chickens, especially in the starter period whereas the effects on ADG, FI, and FCR were mostly dependent on microbial strains used for fermentation.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.601-608
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• 2023

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of energy and protein levels in the diet of Hanwoo heifers on growth response and animal behavior. Methods: Forty heifers were randomly allocated into three experimental groups according to the target daily weight gain in 8 pens (T-0.2, 2 replications; T-0.4 and -0.6, 3 replications) based on similar body weight (BW) and age in months. The target average daily gain (ADG) was set at 0.2 (T-0.2), 0.4 (T-0.4), and 0.6 kg/d (T-0.6), and feed was based on National Institute of Animal Science (NIAS, 2017). In order to minimize hunger stress of T-0.2 and -0.4, the feeding ratio of rice straw was set to 55%, 50%, and 45% for T-0.2, -0.4 and T-0.6, respectively, so that the dry matter (DM) intake for all treatment groups was uniform but the energy and protein levels in the diet were adjusted differently. A total of 6 items (lying, standing, eating, rumination, walking and drinking) of animal behavior were analyzed. Results: During the whole period of the experiment, the ADG of the T-0.2, -0.4 and -0.6 treatments were 0.48, 0.56, and 0.65 kg/d (p<0.05), respectively, showing higher gain than the predicted value, especially for the low target ADG group. Based on these results, regression equations for the total digestible nutrient (TDN) and crude protein (CP) requirements were derived. No behavioral differences were found according to the energy and protein levels in the diet because the DM intake was kept constant by adjusting the roughage and concentration ratio. However, eating time was longer (p<0.05) at T-0.2 than T-0.6 during the whole day. Conclusion: Through this study, it was possible to derive regression equations for predicting TDN and CP requirements according to the target ADG and BW.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1524-1534
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• 2022

Objective: The objective was to test if creep feeding (CF) improves the average daily gain (ADG) and weaning weight of calves submitted to temporary weaning (TW) and if the combination of CF and TW improves conception and pregnancy rates of cows. Methods: Primiparous (n = 74) and primiparous and multiparous (n = 104) cows grazing native grasslands were used in experiment 1 and 2; respectively. The experimental design was in plots divided into complete random blocks with two replications. The CF was the big plot and TW the small plot, thus four experimental groups were formed: i) -CF-TW (n = 21 and 27); ii) -CF+TW (n = 16 and 24); iii) +CF-TW (n = 20 and 26); iv) +CF+TW (n = 17 and 27) with cow-calf pairs for experiments 1 and 2; respectively. Nose plate application for TW had a duration of 14 and 15 days for experiment 1 and 2: respectively. In experiment 1, calves were fed at 1% of live weight for 112 days using a commercial supplement with 18.4% crude protein. In experiment 2, the supplementation lasted 98 days, and was carried out with corn dried distillers grains with soluble (DDGS) at 40% of the potential intake on a daily basis. Results: The TW reduced ADG during the TW period and the following 14 days, but the negative effect of TW was maintained until the final weaning only in experiment 2. The CF increased ADG during TW period in both experiments. The TW promoted an earlier conception of the dams (12 days in -CF treatment and 19 days in +CF treatment, p<0.01) and CF increased pregnancy rate in experiment 1, being the effects not consistent between experiments. Conclusion: The CF consistently promoted an increase in ADG during the period of TW and increased final weaning weight of calves, therefore it is economically viable.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.927-932
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• 2005

A total of 130 Chinese Meishan piglets were scored for their genotypes at five gene loci and five microsatellite loci. The average gene heterozygosity was 0.3338 and the average microsatellite heterozygosity was 0.2954, and the heterozygosity of the overall ten loci was 0.3146. The data of birth weight (BW) and body weight on day 35 (W35) were collected, average daily gain (ADG) for each individual was computed as the slope from the regression of weight on age. There was no significant correlation between individual heterozygosity and birth weight (p>0.05). Significant regressions were observed between ADG and the heterozygosity of loci (p<0.01). Similar results were observed in W35 and loci heterozygosity (p<0.01). Heterozygosity at these ten loci explained 43.62% of the total variation in ADG and 45.48% in W35. Significant correlations existed not only in the function of gene loci but also in neutral microsatellite loci, so it indicated that associative overdominance affected piglet growth significantly.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.160-164
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• 2006

Currently, boars selected for commercial use as AI sires are evaluated on grow-finish performance and carcass characteristics. If AI sires were also evaluated and selected on semen production, it may be possible to reduce the number of boars required to service sows, thereby improving the productivity and profitability of the boar stud. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic correlations between production and semen traits in the boar: average daily gain (ADG), backfat thickness (BF) and muscle depth (MD) as production traits, and total sperm cells (TSC), total concentration (TC), volume collected (SV), number of extended doses (ND), and acceptance rate of ejaculates (AR) as semen traits. Semen collection records and performance data for 843 boars and two generations of pedigree data were provided by Smithfield Premium Genetics. Backfat thickness and MD were measured by real-time ultrasound. Genetic parameters were estimated from five four-trait and one five-trait animal models using MTDFREML. Average heritability estimates were 0.39 for ADG, 0.32 for BF, 0.15 for MD, and repeatability estimates were 0.38 for SV, 0.37 for TSC, 0.09 for TC, 0.39 for ND, and 0.16 for AR. Semen traits showed a strong negative genetic correlation with MD and positive genetic correlation with BF. Genetic correlations between semen traits and ADG were low. Therefore, current AI boar selection practices may be having a detrimental effect on semen production.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.489-496
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• 2019

A study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and fecal score in growing pigs. Ninety Duroc ${\times}$ (Landrace ${\times}$ Large Yorkshire) growing pigs with an average initial body weight (BW) of $25.51{\pm}1.63kg$ were randomly allotted to three treatment groups with 6 replications of 5 pigs per replicate pen for each treatment in a 6-week trial period. The treatments were as follows: 1) basal diet (CON); 2) basal diet with 0.05% GABA and 3) basal diet with 1% of a 10% HCl solution. The results showed that GABA supplementation significantly increased the average daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.05) compared with the control during week 4 and the overall experiment period (0 to 6 weeks). However, HCl supplementation had a numerical increase in the ADG compared with the control. The total tract digestibility of dry matter (DM) was greater in GABA group than the CON (p < 0.05). The supplementation of GABA and HCl in the diet of growing pigs had no significant effect on the fecal scores compared with the CON. Experimental results show that supplementation of 0.05% GABA in the diet of growing pigs had a positive effect on the ADG and DM digestibility in growing pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.791-794
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• 2000

Two hundred sixteen crossbred ($Landrace{\times}Yorkshire$) castrates with an average weight of $7.4{\pm}0.3kg$ were used in a $3{\times}3$ factorial treatment array. The treatments were three levels of Herb mixture (HM; 0, 0.40 and 0.80 g/kg BW/day) and three levels of dietary nutrient (17.30% CP, Level-1; 17.90% CP, Level-2; and 18.50% CP, Level-3). The influence of HM intake and nutrient level on growth performance and ADG in 0.40- and 0.80-HM pigs increased significantly (p<0.01) as nutritional level was elevated. Although very little enhancement of ADG was observed at Level-1, peak ADG occurred in 0.8-HM treated pigs at Level-3. Feeding of 0.80 g HM/kg/d to pigs consuming Level-1 diet resulted in a 8.7% increase in ADG compared with control pigs, whereas the increase in ADG as a result of 0.80-HM with Level-3 treatment was 39%. ADFI in Level-2 pigs improved linearly (p<0.01) as HM level was increased. Treatment with HM resulted in a 12.0% increase ranging 4.7 to 20% in the ADFI compared with respective controls. ADFI at all nutritional level was significantly higher in 0.80-HM pigs (p<0.02). F/G in Level-2 pigs improved significantly as HM was fed (p<0.01), and in HM-0.80 pigs was also significantly improved as nutritional level was increased (p<0.05). Pigs fed HM had higher bone mineral density (BMD) at Level-1, longer dorsal spine length (DSL) at level-2 (p<0.05) than pigs fed basal diets. Pigs fed HM tended to higher BMD and DSL than those fed basal diets. The level of GH secretion declined with age. There was no difference between treatments (p>0.05) in the serum growth hormone at the same age. The GH was higher in pigs fed HM than those fed basal diets and increased in all pigs after 2wks feeding. A positive effect of added Herb-Mix on growth performance in weaned pigs was demonstrated by measuring the serum growth hormone, bone mineral density and length of dorsal spine.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.968-978
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• 2003

The effects of monensin, Tween 80 and exogenous fibrolytic enzymes on ruminal fermentation and animal performance were studied in vitro and in vivo. In Expt 1, the effects of the surfactant Tween 80 (0.2% wt/wt, DM basis) on ruminal fermentation of alfalfa, corn and orchardgrass silages were investigated using in vitro gas production techniques. Tween 80 did not affect (p>0.05) cumulative gas production at 24 h, but it reduced (p<0.05) the lag in fermentation of all three silages. With corn silage and orchardgrass silage, gas production rates and concentrations of total volatile fatty acids (VFA) were increased (p<0.05) by Tween 80; with alfalfa silage, they were reduced (p<0.05). Tween 80 increased (p<0.05) the proportion of propionate in total VFA, and reduced (p<0.05) acetate to propionate ratios (A:P) with all three silages. In Expt 2, exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (E; at 0, 37.5 or 75 g/tonne DM), monensin (M; at 0 or 25 ppm and Tween 80 (T; at 0 or 2 L/tonne DM) were added alone or in combination to backgrounding and finishing diets fed to 320 crossbred steers in a feeding trial with a $3{\times}2{\times}$2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The backgrounding and finishing diets contained barley grain and barley silage in ratios of 57.8:42.2 and 93.5:6.5 (DM basis), respectively. Added alone, none of the additives affected DM intake (p>0.1) in the backgrounding or in the finishing period, but interactive $M{\times}T$ effects were observed in the finishing period (p=0.02) and overall (p=0.04). In the finishing period, T without M tended to reduce DM intake (p=0.11), but T with M increased (p=0.05) DM intake. Monensin increased average daily gain (ADG) during backgrounding (p=0.07) and finishing (p=0.01), and this ionophore also improved overall feed efficiency (p=0.02). Warm carcass weight was increased (p<0.001) by M, but dressing percentage was reduced (p=0.07). In the backgrounding period, T increased ADG by 7% (p=0.06). Enzymes increased (p=0.07) ADG by 5 and 6% (low and high application rates, respectively) during backgrounding, but did not affect (p>0.10) ADG during finishing, or overall feed efficiency. Whereas T enhanced the positive effects of M on ADG during backgrounding (p=0.04) and overall (p=0.05), it had no impact (p>0.1) on the effects of E. Interactions between M and T suggest that the surfactant may have potential for enhancing the positive effects of monensin on beef production, but this requires further research.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.1354-1360
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• 2006

Maize-soybean meal diets with 0, 100, 200 and 300 g/kg double zero rapeseed meal ('00' RSM) with and without an enzyme mixture (xylanase, pectinase, cellulase) at a level of 1.6 g/kg were evaluated with 624 day-old broiler chicks for 5 weeks. The birds were randomly allocated to eight dietary treatments with three replicates of 26 birds each. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed intake (FI) were recorded weekly and ileal viscosity, organ weights, serum enzyme activity, hormonal profile and hematological parameters were measured at the end of week 5. Average daily gain during the weekly periods was significantly influenced by the dietary level of '00'RSM (p<0.01). Inclusion of '00' RSM improved the ADG up to day 28 with the increased level; beyond that time no improvement was recorded when compared to control groups. However, ADG from 1-35 days was significantly different between 300 g/kg inclusion level of '00' RSM and the control diet. Inconsistent decline in feed intake and feed conversion ratio was observed up to day 21 and the trend was reversed thereafter. The proportion of '00' RSM in the diet had a significant ($p{\leq}0.05$) influence on thyroid weight but had no effect on the relative weights of liver and heart, serum enzyme activities (${\gamma}$-glutamyl transferase, alanine amino transferase and aspartate amino transferase), thyroid hormones ($T_3$ and $T_4$), hemoglobin level and hematocrit. Significant improvement in ADG was recorded during the 2nd week of age with the addition of enzyme, whereas for all other periods, including the whole period of the trial, higher but non-significant ADG was observed. FI and FCR were not affected by the addition of enzyme but there was a numerical reduction in FCR during the whole period. The addition of enzyme reduced the ileal viscosity at all levels of '00' RSM inclusion. The results suggest that '00' RSM can be included up to 300 g/kg in broiler diets without any adverse effects on health and performance. The addition of commercial enzyme mixture containing xylanase, pectinase, cellulase to broiler diets containing '00'RSM has some effect on growth rate and feed conversion efficiency.