• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2009

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of organic acid mixture on growth performance, cecal microflora, blood characteristics and immune response in broiler chicks and to prove the possibility of organic acid mixture as an alternative to antibiotics growth promotor. A total of four hundred eighty, 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross$\times$Ross 308) were randomly divided into 4 groups with 4 replicates of 30 birds each. The treatments were NC (free antibiotics), PC (basal diet with virginiamycin 10 ppm and salinomycin 60 ppm), 0.3% organic acid, and 0.5% organic acid. The final body weight and body weight gain were significantly higher in organic acid 0.5% than NC (P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio in all treated groups were significantly improved as compared to that of NC (P<0.05). The carcass rate and relative organs weight were not significantly difference among the groups. The relative weight and length of small intestine in PC were significantly decreased than the other groups. The numbers of cecal coliform bacteria and Salmonella in all treated groups were significantly lower than NC (P<0.05). The number of cecal lactic acid bacteria was not different among the groups. No significant differences among the groups were observed in the contents of total cholesterol, triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in blood serum. The contents of total protein and globulin in blood serum of PC and organic acid treated groups were significantly increased as compared to those of NC (P<0.05). Therefore, albumin:globulin ratio of PC and organic acid treated groups was significantly lower than NC (P<0.05). The total white blood cell (WBC), heterophil, lymphocyte, and stress indicator (heterophil:lymphocyte ratio) were not significantly different among the groups. No significant difference was observed on the expression rate of splenic cytokines mRNA in organic acid treated groups compared to the control. Consequently, supplemental organic acid mixture improved the growth performance, and influenced positive effects on the intestinal microflora by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria without any adverse effects on relative weights of organs and blood biochemical parameters in broiler chicks.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.389-398
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of three strains of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) supplemented to diets on egg production, egg quality, egg yolk cholesterol levels, the profile of cecal microflora, and tibia characteristics in laying hens. One hundred sixty 76-week-old Hy-Line Brown layers were randomly divided into 4 groups with 4 replicates per group (10 birds per replicate). Birds in the control group were fed a corn-soybean meal based diet. The remaining three treated groups were fed the control diet containing either 0.05% B. subtilis Ch3 (T1), 0.05% B. subtilis Ch3 + B. subtilis W1 (T2) or 0.05% B. subtilis commercial product (T3) for 6 weeks, respectively. There were no differences in feed intake, egg weight, egg production and egg mass among the groups. The dietary supplementation of B. subtilis improved eggshell strength and Haugh units compared to those of control (P<0.05). The activities of GOT and GPT in serum were not also affected by the dietary treatments. The population of total microbes and lactic acid bacteria in cecum were significantly increased by the dietary B. subtilis (P<0.05), but not the coliforms. The cholesterol concentration in egg yolk and serum in the treated groups were significantly decreased compared to those of control (P<0.05). Also, The levels of phospholipids in serum were significantly decreased compared to those of control (P<0.05). The supplementation of three strains of B. subtilis to diets significantly increased the contents of tibia ash compared to that of control (P<0.05). Thus, this study showed significant improvements in egg quality, such as eggshell strength and Haugh unit, by dietary B. subtilis strains. The B. subtilis strains added to the diets modulated the profiles of cecal microflora, reflecting beneficial effects in laying hens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.1113-1125
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• 2020

Objective: This study was investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of Antrodia cinnamomea fermented product on modulation of antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and lipid metabolism in broilers. Methods: Functional compounds and in vitro antioxidant capacity were detected in wheat bran (WB) solid-state fermented by Antrodia cinnamomea for 16 days (FAC). In animal experiment, 400 d-old broiler chickens were allotted into 5 groups fed control diet, and control diet replaced with 5% WB, 10% WB, 5% FAC, and 10% FAC respectively. Growth performance, intestinal microflora, serum antioxidant enzymes and fatty acid profiles in pectoral superficial muscle were measured. Results: Pretreatment with hot water extracted fermented product significantly reduced chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells death induced by lipopolysaccharide and 2,2'-Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride. Birds received 5% and 10% FAC had higher weight gain than WB groups. Cecal coliform and lactic acid bacteria were diminished and increased respectively while diet replaced with FAC. For FAC supplemented groups, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased at 35 days only, with catalase elevated at 21 and 35 day. Regarding serum lipid parameters, 10% FAC replacement significantly reduced triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein level in chickens. For fatty acid composition in pectoral superficial muscle of 35-d-old chickens, 5% and 10% FAC inclusion had birds with significantly lower saturated fatty acids as compared with 10% WB group. Birds on the 5% FAC diet had a higher degree of unsaturation, followed by 10% FAC, control, 5% WB, and 10% WB. Conclusion: In conclusion, desirable intestinal microflora in chickens obtaining FAC may be attributed to the functional metabolites detected in final fermented product. Moreover, antioxidant effects observed in FAC were plausibly exerted in terms of improved antioxidant enzymes activities, increased unsaturated degree of fatty acids in chicken muscle and better weight gain in FAC inclusion groups, indicating that FAC possesses promising favorable mechanisms worthy to be developed.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.235-242
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• 2000

A feeding trial was carried out effect of supplemental Lactobacillus on productivity, egg quality and intestinal microflora in 320 21 weeks - old laying hens for 12 week. Supplemented Lactobacillus strains were Lactobacillus amylovorus LLA7(LA), Lactobacillus crispatus LLA9(LC) and Lactobacillus vaginalis LLA11(LV). Three strains mixed to basal diet which containing 2,800㎉/kg ME, 16% CP with none, LA, LC, LV, LA+LC, LA+LV, LC+LV and LC+LC+LV. Supplemental level was 10(sup)7 cfu/g diet. Egg production was tended to increase with adding Lactobacilus, but not difference significantly. Average egg weight was heavier in adding Lactobacillrs compared to the none, and heaviest in LA+LV, LC+LV(P〈0.05). In periodic observation, the gap of egg weight with adding Lactobacillus or not was severe persisting laying periods. The diet containg MC or LV was better than LA, which means the difference by Lactobacillus strains for egg weight. Daily egg mass also increased in adding Lactobacillus about 1.1 to 2.3 g/hen, but not difference significantly. Feed intake and feed conversion were not difference regardless Lactobacillus strains and laying periods. Haugh unit improved with adding Lactobacillus. Cecal Lactobacillus spp. was increased with adding Lactobacillus(P〈0.05), didn't observed E. coli depression. In summary, supplemental Lactobacillus could improve for egg production, egg weight, egg mass and egg white. And those of effect expect much beneficial with mixing Lactobacillus which established well as single strain.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.89-98
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• 2008

This experiment was carried out to investigate the combination feeding of β-glucan and multi-species probiotics on growth performance, various lipid concentrations of serum, antibody production and cecal microbial profiles in broiler chicks. A total of six hundred 1-d-old male broiler chicks were divided into five groups, placed into four pens per group(30 birds per pen) and fed one of five non-medicated experimental diets(T1, 0.15% multi-species probiotics; T2, 0.1% β-glucan+0.15% multi-species probiotics; T3, 0.3% multi-species probiotics; T4, 0.1% β-glucan+0.3% probiotics or devoid them as control) for 5 wk. There was no significant difference in feed intake among the groups. The average weight gains and FCR in groups fed diet containing 0.3% probiotics were significantly improved(p<0.05) than control in finisher period(22-35d). The concentration of serum cholesterol ester in groups fed 0.3% probiotics were significantly lowered(p<0.05) as compared to that of the control. Relative weights of liver, spleen, bursa of Fabricius, breast and leg were not influenced by the dietary treatments. The average ND or IB antibody titers in groups fed diets containing β-glucan and probiotics were tended to be increased, but not significantly. The number of cecal lactic acid bacteria was significantly increased(p<0.05) by the dietary β- glucan and probiotics. These results indicated that dietary β-glucan and probiotics exerted a growth- promoting and immune-enhancing effects on broiler chicks. In addition, yeast derived β-glucan, and multi-species probiotics modulated the profiles of cecal microflora, reflecting potential alternative substances to replace antibiotics for feeding broiler.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.113-122
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus, medicinal plant extracts, and plant extracts on growth performance, cecal microflora, relative organ weight, and lymphocyte profile in broiler chickens. One hundred broilers (5 wk old) were used and divided into five (treatment) ${\times}$ two (challenged Salmonella) groups containing 10 broilers. The treatments were as follows: no antibiotics group (NC), antibiotics group (PC), 0.1% lactic acid bacteria group (LB), 100 ppm medicinal plant extract group (MPE), and 100 ppm herb extract group (HE). A basal diet was formulated as 3,100 kcal/kg ME and 20% CP based on corn and soybean meal. Broilers were fed with the experimental diets with no challenge for 1 wk and with challenge of SG for 2 wk. SG were added in water as $1.0{\times}10^6cfu/L$. Final body weight and weight gain were significantly decreased following challenge with SG (P<0.05). However, with the addition of antibiotic alternatives, growth performance was improved and reduction of performance following challenge with SG was lowed compared with that of the NC treatment (P<0.05). Coliform bacteria and Salmonella but not lactic acid bacteria increased with the addition of antibiotic alternatives (P<0.05). Lactobacillus increased significantly with the addition of lactic acid bacteria compared with the NC and PC treatments (P<0.05). The weight of liver, spleen, and bursa of Fabricius increased with addition of antibiotic alternatives (P<0.05). WBC was highly reduced at 4 days after challenge with SG, but was normally maintained thereafter. There was no significant difference in coliform bacteria, Salmonella, organ weights, or WBC with the addition of antibiotic alternatives. Finally, Lactobacillus, medicinal plant extract, and herb extract can be used as antibiotic alternatives; but one alternative completely can't alternate as antibiotics. Therefore, further studies are needed to investigate the synergistic effects of two or more antibiotic alternatives.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.509-514
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• 2019

We investigated the beneficial effects of Ecklonia cava by-product (ECB), a residual product obtained after polyphenol extraction from Ecklonia cava, on normal rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following three groups: Control group (NC), received basal diet; ECB 0.1 group, received basal diet supplemented with 0.1% ECB for 21 days; ECB 0.5 group, received basal diet supplemented with 0.5% ECB for 21 days. The productivity, serum immunoglobulin level, expression levels of muscle-related genes, and cecal microflora were measured in all the treatment groups to evaluate the potential use of ECB as a feed additive. The ECB 0.1 group exhibited enhanced expression of Myod, Myog, and Igf1 genes, which increased the body weight of rats. Additionally, treatment with ECB increased the cecal Lactobacillus spp. counts and the serum immunoglobulin G levels in rats. Thus, ECB can effectively increase body weight and can be a potential feed additive for improving growth.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2001

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effents of feeding single or combined probiltics on performance and intestinal micreflora of broiler chicks for five weeks. Diets based on corn and soybean meal contained 21.50, 19% CP and 3,100, 3,150kcal/kg ME for starting and finishing period, respectively. Lactobacillus salvarius isolated from chicks intestine(LSC), Lactobacillus salvarius isolated from piglet(LSP), Bacillus polyfermenticus(BP) were fed with alone and mixed ones at the level of 0.21 and 0.1% in experiment 1 and 2, respectively. Three hundred eighty four chicks were randomly assigned to eight treatments with four replicates of 12 chicks each per treatment. Weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio(FCR) were weekly measured for 5 weeks. The number of intestinal micreflora was examined at the end of experiment. In both experiments, weight gain of chicks fed probiltics tended to be similar or higher than control, but was not in LSC+LSP treatment. Feed intake was not consistent among treatments. In experiment 1, FCR of chicks fed LSC alone was the lowest of all treatments, whereas it was significantly higher in LSC+LSP treatments than control(P〈0.05). In experiment 2, LSP supplemental groups tended to increase FCR compared to the control. The number of ileal E. coli was the lowest in LSP alone treatment of experiment 1, whereas cecal E. coli was higher concentration in probiotics supplemental groups than control. Total Lactobacillus of chicks fed probiotics was decreased in ileum, but was no consestency in cecum. In experiment 2, ileal total yeast tended to be higher in probiotics supplemental groups except LSP alone supplement than control. Total Lactobacillus of chicks fed LSC or LSP alone treatments was significantly higher than control(P〈0.05).

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.501-509
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• 2021

The aim of this was evaluate the efficacy of lysozyme on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, excreta microflora population, and blood profiles of weanling pigs under Escherichia coli (E. coli) challenge. A total of 30 piglets weaned at 25 days, 7.46 kg body weight, were assigned to three dietary treatments, composed of five replications, two piglets per replication, for 7 days. The dietary treatment groups were negative control (NC; without antibiotics and lysozyme), positive control (PC; NC + antibiotics), lysozyme (NC + 0.1% lysozyme). All piglets were challenged orally with 6 ml suspension, containing E. coli K88 (2 × 10⁹ CFU/mL). Dietary supplementation with lysozyme and PC resulted in no significant differences in average daily gain and gain to feed efficiency. Weanling pigs fed with E. coli challenge with lysozyme and PC treatments had significantly enhanced nutrient retentions of dry matter and energy (p < 0.05); however, there was a tendency to increase nitrogen digestibility. Furthermore, dietary inclusion of lysozyme and antibiotics treatment groups had a beneficial effect on excreta, ileal, and cecal of the fecal microbial population as decreased E. coli (p < 0.05) counts, without effects on lactobacillus counts. A significant effect were observed on a white blood cells, epinephrine and cortisol concentrations were reduced in piglets fed diets containing E. coli challenge with lysozyme and antibiotics supplementation comparison with the NC group. Therefore, the present data indicate that lysozyme in diet could ameliorate the experimental stress response induced by E. coli in piglets by decreasing intestinal E. coli, white blood cells and stress hormones and improving nutrient digestibility.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1575-1584
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• 2022

Objective: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of partially replacing soybean meal (SBM) with sunflower meal (SFM) with added exogenous multienzymes (MEs) on various biological parameters in broilers. Methods: One week-old, 400 broiler chicks were randomly divided into four treatments (control, 3SFM, 6SFM, and 9SFM) with 5 replicates/treatment (20 chicks/replicate). Control diet was without SFM and MEs, while diets of 3SFM, 6SFM, and 9SFM treatments were prepared by replacing SBM with SFM at levels of 3%, 6%, and 9%, respectively, and were supplemented with MEs (100 mg/kg). Feeding trial was divided into grower (8 to 21 day) and finisher phases (22 to 35 day). External marker method was used to measure the nutrient digestibility. At the end of trial, twenty birds (one birds per replicate) with similar body weight were slaughtered for samples collection. Results: No significant effect of dietary treatments was found on all parameters of growth performance and carcass characteristics, except relative weight of bursa. Weight (25.0 g) and length (15.80 cm) of duodenum were significantly (p<0.05) higher in 3SFM than control. Lowest (p<0.05) villus height/crypt depth ratio was found in 3SFM and 9SFM than control. Most of meat quality parameters remained unaffected, however, highest pH of breast meat (6.16) and thigh meat (6.44) were observed in 9SFM and 3SFM, respectively. Lowest (p<0.05) cook loss of thigh meat was found in 6SFM (31.76%). Ileal digestibility of crude protein was significantly (p<0.05) higher in 3SFM (72.35%) than control (69.46%). In addition, amylase (16.87 U/mg) and protease (85.18 U/mg) activities were significantly (p<0.05) higher in 3SFM than control. However, cecal microbial count remained unaffected. Conclusion: Partial replacement (up to 9%) of SBM with SFM, with added MEs can help to improve the nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, and digestive enzyme activities without affecting cecal microbial count and growth performance in broilers.