• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.42-48
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• 2009

An in vitro incubation study was conducted to investigate effects of 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid (BES) on ruminal fermentation characteristics and methanogen population. BES at the final concentration of 0, 1 and 5 mM with two different substrates having a different ratio of timothy and concentrate (100% timothy vs. 40% timothy-60% concentrate) was incubated for 0, 24, 48 and 72 h in a $39^{\circ}C$ incubator. Total DNA extracted from culture fluid was used as a template for real-time PCR to measure the population of methanogens. Four different primer sets were used for amplification of total bacteria, total methanogens, the order Methanobacteriales and the order Methanomicrobiales. BES reduced (p<0.01) total gas and methane production in a dose-dependent manner. BES at 5 mM inhibited methane production by more than 95% compared to the control. An interaction between substrate and level of BES in total gas and methane was detected (p<0.01). The decrease of methane production with increasing BES level was more pronounced on mixed substrate than on timothy alone. However, hydrogen production was increased by BES treatment (p<0.01). Total VFA concentration was not affected, but molar percentage of propionate and butyrate was increased and acetate to propionate ratio was reduced by BES treatment (p<0.01). BES did not affect the population density of total bacteria but reduced (p<0.01) the population of total methanogens, the order Methanobacteriales and the order Methanomicrobiales in a dose-dependent manner. The type of substrate did not influence the trend, although the magnitude of response was different between all-roughage and 40% roughage substrate.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제25권10호
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• pp.1381-1388
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• 2012

An in vitro experiment was conducted to examine the effects of defaunation (removal of protozoa) on ruminal fermentation characteristics, $CH_4$ production and degradation by rumen microbes when incubated with cereal grains (corn, wheat and rye). Sodium lauryl sulfate as a defaunation reagent was added into the culture solution at a concentration of 0.000375 g/ml, and incubated anaerobically for up to 12 h at $39^{\circ}C$. Following defaunation, live protozoa in the culture solution were rarely observed by microscopic examination. A difference in pH was found among grains regardless of defaunation at all incubation times (p<0.01 to 0.001). Defaunation significantly decreased pH at 12 h (p<0.05) when rumen fluid was incubated with grains. Ammonia-N concentration was increased by defaunation for all grains at 6 h (p<0.05) and 12 h (p<0.05) incubation times. Total VFA concentration was increased by defaunation at 6 h (p<0.05) and 12 h (p<0.01) for all grains. Meanwhile, defaunation decreased acetate and butyrate proportions at 6 h (p<0.05, p<0.01) and 12 h (p<0.01, p<0.001), but increased the propionate proportion at 3 h, 6 h and 12 h incubation (p<0.01 to 0.001) for all grains. Defaunation increased in vitro effective degradability of DM (p<0.05). Production of total gas and $CO_2$ was decreased by defaunation for all grains at 1 h (p<0.05, p<0.05) and then increased at 6 h (p<0.05, p<0.05) and 12 h (p<0.05, p<0.05). $CH_4$ production was higher from faunation than from defaunation at all incubation times (p<0.05).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제31권5호
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• pp.755-762
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• 2018

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the influence of varying fibrous diets on fecal characteristics of growing pigs. Methods: A total of 104 pigs (initial weight $18{\pm}2.0kg$) were used in the study. They were housed in individual pens and fed on diets containing maize cob, grass hay, lucerne hay, maize stover, and sunflower husk. These fibers were included at 0, 80, 160, 240, 320 and 400 g/kg. Fecal and urine samples were collected. Results: Fecal output was largest amongst pigs fed on diets containing grass hay and maize stover (p<0.05). Nitrogen content was highest in feces from pigs fed on sunflower husk (p<0.05). Pigs fed on diets containing maize stover and maize cobs produced the largest concentrations of short chain fatty acids. Acetate concentration was high in feces of pigs fed maize stover than those fed grass hay and lucerne hay (p<0.05). As the level of fiber inclusion increased, fecal consistency and nitrogen content increased linearly (p<0.05). Urea nitrogen decreased as the inclusion level increased across all the fibers (p<0.05), with maize cobs containing the largest content of urea nitrogen. As dietary fiber content increased, fecal nitrogen content also increased (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that different fiber sources influence fecal characteristics, thereby having different implications on pig waste management. It is vital to monitor fiber inclusion thresholds so as to easily manage environmental pollutants such as butyrate that contribute to odors.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제33권6호
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• pp.941-948
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• 2020

Objective: This study was carried out to determine the effects of elevated dietary cation and anion difference (DCAD) on dry matter intake (DMI) and ruminal fermentation pattern in lactating dairy goats under tropical conditions. Methods: Ten dairy goats were divided into two groups of five animals each. The groups received diets at different DCAD levels, either a control diet (22.81 mEq/100 g dry matter [DM], DCAD-23) or a DCAD-39 diet (39.08 mEq/100 g DM, DCAD-39). After parturition, DMI and water intake were recorded daily. Ruminal fluid and urine were collected, and nutrient digestibility measurements were carried out at 8th weeks postpartum (PP-8). Blood samples were collected at PP-4 and PP-8 to measure plasma leptin. Results: Dry matter intake/body weight (DMI/BW) at PP-8 of the animals fed the DCAD-39 diet was significantly higher than those fed with DCAD-23 diet (p<0.05). Animals fed with DCAD-39 consumed more water than those fed DCAD-23 over 24 h, particularly at night (p<0.05). Ruminal pH, acetate concentration, and urinary allantoin excretion increased with the DCAD-39 diet, whereas ruminal butyrate concentration was lower with the DCAD-39 diet. On the other hand, other ruminal parameters, such as total volatile fatty acid concentration, propionate molar proportion and acetate/propionate average ratio, were not affected by increased DCAD supplementation. Apparent digestibility was improved by increased DCAD supplementation. Plasma leptin concentration was higher with DCAD supplementation. Conclusion: When feeding goats with DCAD-39 under tropical conditions, an increase in DMI was associated with improved apparent digestibility of nutrients, ruminal fermentation and microbial protein synthesis. An increase in plasma leptin concentration could not explain the effect of high DCAD on DMI.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제59권6호
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• pp.15.1-15.5
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• 2017

Background: The horse intestinal tract is sensitive and contains a highly complex microbial population. A shift in the microbial population can lead to various issues such as inflammation and colic. The use of nutraceuticals in the equine industry is on the rise and curcumin is thought to possess antimicrobial properties that may help to minimize the proliferation of opportunistic bacteria. Methods: Four cecally-cannulated horses were utilized to determine the optimal dose of liposomal-curcumin (LIPC) on reducing Streptococcus bovis/equinus complex (SBEC), Escherichia coli K-12, Escherichia coli general, Clostridium difficile, and Clostridium perfringens in the equine hindgut without adversely affecting cecal characteristics. In the first study cecal fluid was collected from each horse and composited for an in vitro, 24 h batch culture to examine LIPC at four different dosages (15, 20, 25, and 30 g) in a completely randomized design. A subsequent in vivo $4{\times}4$ Latin square design study was conducted to evaluate no LIPC (control, CON) or LIPC dosed at 15, 25, and 35 g per day (dosages determined from in vitro results) for 9 days on the efficacy of LIPC on selected bacterial strains, pH, and volatile fatty acids. Each period was 14 days with 9 d for acclimation and 5 d withdrawal period. Results: In the in vitro study dosage had no effect ($P{\geq}0.42$) on Clostridium strains, but as the dose increased SBEC concentrations increased (P = 0.001). Concentrations of the E. coli strain varied with dose. In vivo, LIPC's antimicrobial properties, at 15 g, significantly decreased (P = 0.02) SBEC when compared to 25 and 35 g dosages. C. perfringens decreased linearly (P = 0.03) as LIPC dose increased. Butyrate decreased linearly (P = 0.01) as LIPC dose increased. Conclusion: Further studies should be conducted with a longer dosing period to examine the antimicrobial properties of curcumin without adversely affecting cecal characteristics.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.465-474
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• 2010

The effects of four types of tropical protein-rich trees on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) balance, urinary purine derivative (PD) excretion and blood metabolites in four Thai Brahman cattle (290${\pm}$2.5 kg) were studied. The animals were fed twice daily, with each feeding consisting of 1 kg (fresh weight) rice straw and one of the four dietary supplements: i) 1.98 kg oven-dried rain tree pods (RTP) and 20 g premix (RTPP), ii) 980 g RTP and 1 kg sun-dried leucaena leaves and 20 g premix (LLRT), iii) 980 g RTP and 1 kg sun-dried cassia leaves and 20 g premix (CLRT) and iv) 980 g RTP and 1 kg sun-dried mulberry leaves and 20 g premix (MLRT). The apparent dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) digestibilities were higher (p<0.05) in cattle fed the CLRT supplement than in those fed the other supplements, whilst the apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) was higher (p<0.05) in cattle fed the CLRT and MLRT supplements than in those fed the other supplements. The N-balance of cattle fed LLRT and CLRT supplements was higher (p<0.05) than in cattle fed RTPP and MLRT supplements, whilst the apparent digestibility of N was highest (p<0.05) in cattle fed RTPP supplement, compared to the other supplements. Allantoin and PD excretion in the urine, and the ratios of allantoin/DOMI and PD/DOMI were higher (p<0.05) in cattle fed RTPP and MLRT than for those fed LLRT and CLRT supplements. Plasma ${\beta}$-hydroxy butyrate (${\beta}$-HBA) and insulin concentrations were higher (p<0.05) in cattle fed RTPP supplement than in those fed the other supplements. The study demonstrated the value of using local multipurpose trees (MPTs) to improve Brahman cattle feeding systems in the tropics.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제26권7호
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• pp.935-944
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• 2013

Essential oils have been shown to favorably effect in vitro ruminal fermentation, but there are few in vivo studies that have examined animal responses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of thyme (THY) and cinnamon (CIN) essential oils on feed intake, growth performance, ruminal fermentation and blood metabolites in feedlot calves fed high-concentrate diets. Twelve growing Holstein calves ($213{\pm}17kg$ initial BW) were used in a completely randomized design and received their respective dietary treatments for 45 d. Treatments were: 1-control (no additive), 2-THY (5 g/d/calf) and 3-CIN (5 g/d/calf). Calves were fed ad libitum diets consisting of 15% forage and 85% concentrate, and adapted to the finishing diet by gradually increasing the concentrate ratio with feeding a series of transition diets 5 wk before the experiment started. Supplementation of THY or CIN did not affect DMI and ADG, and feed efficiency was similar between treatment groups. There were no effects of additives on ruminal pH and rumen concentrations of ammonia nitrogen and total VFA; whereas molar proportion of acetate and ratio of acetate to propionate decreased, and the molar proportion of propionate increased with THY and CIN supplementation. Rumen molar concentration of butyrate was significantly increased by adding CIN compared to control; but no change was observed with THY compared with control group. No effects of THY, or CIN were observed on valerate, isobutyrate or isovalerate proportions. Plasma concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, urea-N, ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were not changed by feeding THY or CIN. Results from this study suggest that supplementing a feedlot finishing diet with THY or CIN essential oil might be useful as ruminal fermentation modifiers in beef production systems, but has minor impacts on blood metabolites.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.763-769
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• 2020

Objective: The experiment was conducted to study the effect of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) fruit peel powder (RP) on feed consumption, digestibility of nutrients, ruminal fermentation dynamics and microbial population in Thai breed cattle. Methods: Four, 2-year old (250±15 kg) beef bull crossbreds (75% Brahman×25% local breed) were allotted to experimental treatments using a 4×4 Latin square design. Four dietary supplementation treatments were imposed; non-supplementation (control, T1); supplementation of RP fed at 2% of dry matter intake (DMI) (low, T2); supplementation of RP fed at 4% of DMI (medium, T3) and supplementation of RP fed at 6% of DMI (high, T4). All cattle were given a concentrate supplement at 1% of body weight while Napier grass was provided as a free choice. Results: The findings revealed that RP supplementation did not negatively affect (p>0.05) DMI of Napier grass, while RP intake and total DMI were the greatest in the RP supplementation at 4% and 6% DMI. Nevertheless, the nutrients (dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber) digestibilities were not changed in the RP supplementation groups. Rumen fermentation parameters especially those of total volatile fatty acids, acetate and butyrate were not significantly changed. However, the propionate concentration was remarkably increased (p<0.05) in the RP supplementation. Notably, the ratio of acetate to propionate, the number of protozoa, as well as the methane estimation were significantly reduced in the RP supplemented groups (4% and 6% of DMI), while the counts of bacteria was not altered. Conclusion: Supplementation of RP (4% of DMI) improved rumen propionate production, reduced protozoal population and methane estimation (p<0.05) without a negative effect on feed consumption and nutrients total tract digestibilities in beef cattle. Using dietary rambutan fruit peel powder has potential promise as a rumen regulator.

• BMB Reports
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.588-594
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• 2007

A novel hot spring thermophile, Anoxybacillus gonensis A4 (A. gonensis A4) was investigated in terms of capability of tributyrin degradation and characterization of its thermostable esterase activity by the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl butyrate (PNPB). It was observed that A. gonensis A4 has an esterase with a molecular weight of 62 kDa. The extracellular crude preparation was characterized in terms of substrate specificity, pH and temperature optima and stability, kinetic parameters and inhibition/activation behaviour towards some chemicals and metal ions. Tributyrin agar assay showed that A. gonensis A4 secreted an esterase and $V_{max}$ and $K_m$ values of its activity were found to be 800 U/L and 176.5 ${\mu}M$, respectively in the presence of PNPB substrate. The optimum temperature and pH, for A. gonensis A4 esterase was $60-80^{\circ}C$ and 5.5, respectively. Although the enzyme activity was not significantly changed by incubating crude extract solution at $30-70^{\circ}C$ for 1 h, the enzyme activity was fully lost at $80^{\circ}C$ for same incubation period. The pH-stability profile showed that original crude esterase activity increased nearly 2-fold at pH 6.0. The effect of some chemicals on crude esterase activity indicated that A. gonensis A4 produce an esterase having serine residue in active site and -SH groups were essential for its activity.

• BMB Reports
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• 제42권10호
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• pp.655-660
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• 2009

The potential anti-metastasis and anti-invasion activities of early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) and claudin-3, a tight junction (TJ)-related protein, were evaluated using histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors in human hepatocarcinoma cells. The results of wound healing and Transwell assays showed that HDAC inhibitors such as trichostatin A and sodium butyrate inhibited cell migration and invasion. HDAC inhibitors markedly induced Egr-1 expression during the early period, after which expression levels decreased. In addition, the down-regulation of snail and type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) in HDAC inhibitor- treated cells induced the upregulation of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), E-cadherin and claudin-3. Cells transfected with Egr-1 and claudin-3 siRNA displayed significant blockage of HDAC inhibitor-induced anti-invasive activity. Collectively, these findings indicate that the up-regulation of Egr-1 and claudin-3 are crucial steps in HDAC inhibitor-induced anti-metastasis and anti-invasion.