• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.152-158
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• 2019

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of water restriction (WR) on physiological and blood parameters in lactating dairy cows reared under Mediterranean climate. Methods: The trial lasted 16 days preceded by two weeks of adaptation to the experimental condition in spring 2014 on 6 dairy cows in mid-lactation. These cows were allowed water ad libitum for 4 days (W100) (hydration period), then split into 2 groups, one group has received 25% and the other 50% of water compared to their mean water consumption during the hydration period; then rehydrated for 4 days. Feed intake and physiological parameters: respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), and rectal temperature (RT) were recorded twice a day. Blood was collected once a day and analyzed for serum concentration of glucose (Glc), triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (Chol), urea (Ur), creatinine (Crea), and total protein (TP) by enzymatic colorimetric method and cortisol (Cort) by radioimmunoassay. Results: Total dry matter intake (TDMI) was affected by WR. A decrease in TDMI was observed in WR groups compared to W100 group (effect, group, period, day, $group{\times}day$, $period{\times}day$: p<0.001). Also, WR resulted in a significant increase in RR, HR, RT in WR groups than in W100 group (effect, group: p<0.001). In addition, an increase in the serum concentration of Glc, TG, Chol, Ur, Crea, TP, and Cort was noted in WR groups (effect, group, period, day: p<0.001). Conclusion: This study has shown the ability of cows raised in a Mediterranean climate to cope with different levels of WR and thus reach a new equilibrium. As result, elucidates the important role of water as a limiting factor for livestock in environments with low water availability.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.170-181
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• 2019

This study aimed to investigate the effects of temperature and retention time of the pressurized steam chamber on the ruminal fermentation characteristics and nutrient degradability of corn flakes in three Korean native Hanwoo cows and three Holstein cows implanted with a ruminal fistula. Corn kernels were categorized into 13 groups based on the chamber temperature (range, $100^{\circ}C-116^{\circ}C$) and retention time (range, 700-950 s). The pH value was lowest in T1 regardless of breed. Propionate concentration was the highest in T2 (p < 0.05). Total-volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration was slightly but not significantly greater in T2 than in other conditions. Dry matter (p < 0.05), starch, and crude protein (p < 0.05) degradability were the highest in T1. At different incubation times and with different breeds, dry matter, starch, and crude protein degradability of corn flakes were the highest in T1. Thus, the present results indicate that the optimal temperature and retention time of the pressurized steam chamber should be $100^{\circ}C-105^{\circ}C$ and 700-720 s.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.229-236
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• 2007

This study was conducted to determine effects of different selenium (Se) sources on performance, carcass characteristics, blood measures (whole blood Se concentration and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity), and Se concentrations in tissues of finishing Hanwoo steers (Korean native steers). Twenty finishing Hanwoo steers (average body weight=536${\pm}$23.4 kg, average age=approximately 20 months) were allotted to treatments in four groups of five steers per pen for 16 weeks preceding slaughter. Treatments were control (CON), spent mushroom composts from Se-enriched mushrooms (Se-SMC), selenized yeast (Se-Y), and sodium selenite (SS). Dietary Se levels of all treatments except CON were 0.9 mg Se/kg on the dry matter basis. Body weight was measured at the first and final day of trial, and blood samples were collected to analyze whole blood Se concentration and plasma GSH-Px activity at 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks. At the end of trial, steers were slaughtered to collect muscle and liver samples for their Se analyses, and carcass data were recorded. In terms of dry matter intake, body weight gain and carcass characteristics, no significant differences among treatments were observed. Whole blood Se concentrations were significantly higher (p<0.05) for Se-SMC and Se-Y treatments than for CON at each collection period, with no significant difference between SS and CON. For weeks 2 and 8, there was no significant difference for whole blood Se concentration between Se-SMC and Se-Y, but for weeks 4 and 16, Se-Y treatments were significantly higher (p<0.05) than Se-SMC. No differences were observed for plasma GSH-Px activity between Se-SMC and Se-Y. The Se concentrations in hind leg and liver were significantly different among treatments (p<0.05) and those in both tissues ranked the greatest in Se-Y, followed by Se-SMC, SS, and CON treatments. However, tissue Se concentration for SS was not different from that for CON. These results showed that feeding organic Se sources such as Se-SMC and Se-Y enhanced Se concentration in tissues, while SS, the most common supplement of inorganic Se, was inefficient in Se deposition. Even though Se-Y had a higher Se concentration in tissues than Se-SMC, replacing Se-Y with Se-SMC in diets of beef steers would be an inexpensive way to increase Se concentration in beef.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.124-128
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• 2016

The objective of this research was to determine the effects of harvesting frequency and fertilization levels on botanical composition, dry matter yield, and forage feed compositions of Alpine grassland at 800 m altitude. This research lasted for three years at National Alpine Agricultural Research Institute in Pyeongchang with two harvesting frequency schedules (two and three times annually) and two levels of fertilizer application (conventional level of fertilizer at 280-200-240 kg/ha and a lower level of fertilizer at 200-200-200 kg/ha for N, $P_2O_5$, and $K_2O$). Mixture combinations with seeding rate (kg/ha) were as follows: Orchardgrass 18, Tall fescue 9, Timothy 8, Kentucky bluegrass 3, and Ladino Clover 2. The gramineae ratio ranged from 93.2 to 95.3%. Therefore, gramineae forage was considered as the dominant plant in this experiment. No significant (p>0.05) difference was observed in forage dry matter yield between the two harvesting frequency treatments (two times at 9.8 ton/ha and three times at 8.6 ton/ha). However, forage dry matter yield in the two times of harvesting frequency tended to be greater than that in the three times of harvesting frequency. Significantly (p<0.05) higher forage dry matter yield in the standard fertilization level group than the lower fertilization level group (9.8 ton/ha vs. 8.7 ton/ha) was observed. However, there was no significant (p>0.05) difference in forage crude protein concentration between the two harvesting frequency treatment groups, although the concentration in the group with three times of harvesting frequency tended to be higher. In contrast, crude fiber concentration in the group with two times of harvesting frequency tended to be higher, although the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber, and organic matter concentrations were not significantly (p>0.05) different between the two groups with different fertilization levels. Based on these results, it was concluded that the group with two times of harvesting frequency with conventional fertilization level might be proper for obtaining better forage productivity for Alpine grassland at 800 m altitude.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.40-50
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• 1978

Effects of Zn, P and Fe on Cd uptake and accumulations by tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) and also their interactions on the uptake of Zn, Fe, Mn, P and Cd were investigated using batch type solution culture technique. Experiment 1 was a factorial scheme with 3 levels of Zn (0, 0.5, 2.5 ppm) and 3 levels of Cd (0, 0.2, 1.0 ppm). At 1.0 ppm Cd, significant yield reduction of dry matter and visual toxicity symptoms (yellowing and necrosis) of Cd was observed for all zinc levels. At this Cd level, increasing Zn treatment from 0 to 2.5 ppm increased Cd concentration from 199 to 235 ppm in leaves and from 124 to 145 ppm in stems. Similarly, Cd treatment did not suppress Zn uptake in leaves, and rather significantly increased in stems. Fe concentrations in leaves and stems were significantly reduced due to Cd treatment while Mn were increased by both Zn and Cd treatment. The results of experiment 2 with 3 levels of P (0.5, 2.0, 4.0m Mol) and 3 levels of Cd (0, 1.0, 2.0 ppm) in a factorial scheme also showed a growth reduction and visual toxic symptons from 1.0 ppm Cd level. Increasing P treatment tend to increase Cd concentrations in leaves and stems although it was not statistically significant. Increasing P concentration due to Cd treatment could be the 'concentration' effect as a result of reduced growth, while there was significant decrease in Fe concentration due to Cd treatment in spite of possible 'concentration' effect. Mn concentration was increased at 1.0 ppm Cd level and then dropped at 2.0 ppm Cd level. Zu concentration in leaves and stems showed significant increase as Cd treatment increased as observed in experiment 1. Experiment 3 had 3 levels of Fe (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 ppm) and 3 levels of Cd (0, 0.8, 1.6 ppm) treatments in a factorial design. Significant growth reduction and visual toxic symptoms as observed in experiment 1 and 2 were also observed from 0.8 ppm Cd level. Increasing Fe treatment obviously alleviated toxic symptoms, improved growth and significantly increased dry matter yield. At 0.8 ppm Cd treatment level, increasing Fe treatment from 0.5 to 2.0 ppm significantly decreased Cd concentration from 141 to 92 ppm in leaves and from 101 to 46 ppm in stems. At 1.6 ppm Cd treatment level the decrease was from 224 to 167 ppm in leaves and from 124 to 109 ppm in stems. As in the case of experiment 1 and 2, Fe concentration in leaves and stems were reduced as Cd treatment increased to 1.6 ppm at 0.5 and 1. 0 Fe treatment levels, whereas at 2.0 ppm Fe level, Cd treatment increased Fe concentration in leaves and stems showing significant interactions of Fe and Cd on Fe uptake. Cd effect on Zn and Mn showed similar results to experiment 1 and 2 and Fe treatments reduced Zn and Mn concentrations in plant tissue. The results of 3 experiments show that P and Zn did not manifest suppressive effect on Cd uptake, Fe significantly demonstrated it. Fe also alleviated Cd toxicity symptoms significantly in terms of visual symptoms and dry matter yield. Visual toxicity symptoms were definitely related to Fe status in plant tissue as well as possible physiological effect of Cd itself, and the results suggest that Fe requirement for normal growth increase as Cd element is present in plant tissue. Zn accumulated more in stems than in leaves whereas Cd, Fe and Mn showed the opposite trend in all experiments.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.370-378
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• 2017

Objective: An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of a specific mixture of essential oils (MEO), containing thyme, clove and cinnamon EO, on rumen microbial fermentation, nutrient apparent digestibility and blood metabolites in fistulated sheep. Methods: Six sheep fitted with ruminal fistulas were used in a repeated measurement design with two 24-d periods to investigate the effect of adding MEO at 0 (control), 0.8, and 1.6 mL/d on apparent nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics, rumen microbial population and blood chemical metabolites. Animals were fed with a 50:50 alfalfa hay:concentrate diet. Results: Ruminal pH, total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration, molar proportion of individual VFA, acetate: propionate ratio and methane production were not affected with MEO. Relative to the control, Small peptides plus amino acid nitrogen and large peptides nitrogen concentration in rumen fluid were not affected with MEO supplementation; while, rumen fluid ammonia nitrogen concentration at 0 and 6 h after morning feeding in sheep fed with 1.6 mL/d of MEO was lower (p<0.05) compared to the control and 0.8 mL/d of MEO. At 0 h after morning feeding, ammonia nitrogen concentration was higher (p<0.05) in sheep fed 0.8 mL/d of MEO relative to 1.6 mL/d and control diet. Ruminal protozoa and hyper ammonia producing (HAP) bacteria counts were not affected by addition of MEO in the diet. Relative to the control, no changes were observed in the red and white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, glucose, beta-hydroxybutyric acid, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, blood urea nitrogen and aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase concentration. Apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, crude proten, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber were not influenced by MEO supplementation. Conclusion:The results of the present study suggested that supplementation of MEO may have limited effects on apparent nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation and protozoa and HAP bacteria count, blood cells and metabolites.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.363-368
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• 2018

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the effect of fermented spent coffee ground (FSCG) on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilization in sheep. Methods: Fermentation of spent coffee ground (SCG) was conducted using Lactobacillus plantrum. Fermentation was performed at moisture content of 70% and temperature of $39^{\circ}C$ with anaerobic air tension for 48 h. Four adult rams (initial body weight = $56.8{\pm}0.4kg$) were housed in a respiration-metabolism chamber and the treatments were: i) control (Basal diet; 0% SCG or FSCG), ii) 10% level of SCG, iii) 10% level of FSCG, and iv) 20% level of FSCG in $4{\times}4$ Latin square design. Each dietary experiment period lasted for 18-d with a 14-d of adaptation period and a 4-d of sample collection period. Results: In SCG fermentation experimental result, acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN) concentration of FSCG (64.5% of total N) was lower than that of non-fermented SCG (78.8% of total N). Digestibility of dry matter and organic matter was similar among treatment groups. Although crude protein (CP) digestibility of the control was greater than FSCG groups (p<0.05), the 10% FSCG group showed greater CP digestibility and nitrogen retention than non-fermented 10% SCG group (p<0.05). Body weight gain and average daily gain were linearly decreased with increasing FSCG feeding level (p<0.05). When the feeding level of FSCG was increased, water intake was linearly increased (p<0.05). With an increasing FSCG level, dry matter intake did not differ among groups, although the gain to feed ratio tended to decrease with increasing level of FSCG (p<0.10). Conclusion: Microbial fermentation of SCG can improve protein digestibility, thereby increasing CP digestibility and nitrogen utilization in sheep. Fermentation using microorganisms in feed ingredients with low digestibility could have a positive effect on improving the quality of raw feed.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.5
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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.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.5-11
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• 1993

First crop of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was harvested, wilted and ensiled with or without NaOH or $NH_3$, and fed to three rumen fistulated goats in a $3{\times}3$ Latin-square design. Each alkali treatment (2.44% of alfalfa dry matter) was made by spraying its solution prior to ensiling. Silage pH, $NH_3-N$ and butyric acid concentration were increased with each alkali addition, and NaOH-treated silage showed the lowest chemical quality. Compared with untreated silage, digestibilities of organic matter, ADF and cellulose were depressed by both alkali treatments, and the reductions in NaOH-treated silage were significant. Crude protein digestibility was also significantly decreased in NaOH-treated silage, but the goats receiving the silage excreted less nitrogen in urine than those on the other two silages. Nitrogen retention of goats was not different among the treatments. Ruminal solubility and potential degradability of dry matter and nitrogen determined with the in situ bag technique were reduced, and rate of degradation of the two components were increased by the NaOH treatment. Addition of $NH_3$ provided ruminal soluble nitrogen to the silage, but the rate of degradation was similar to that of untreated silage. These results suggest that NaOH treatment would denature the protein and reduce the susceptibility to microbial degradation in the rumen, while no positive effect of alkali treatment on fiber digestion and nitrogen utilization was observed in this study.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1738-1746
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of the experiment was to assess the effect of increasing amounts of Leucaena leucocephala forage on dry matter intake (DMI), organic matter intake (OMI), enteric methane production, rumen fermentation pattern and protozoa population in cattle fed Pennisetum purpureum and housed in respiration chambers. Methods: Five crossbred heifers (Bos taurus${\times}$Bos indicus) (BW: $295{\pm}6kg$) were fed chopped P. purpureum grass and increasing levels of L. leucocephala (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of dry matter [DM]) in a $5{\times}5$ Latin square design. Results: The voluntary intake and methane production were measured for 23 h per day in respiration chambers; molar proportions of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were determined at 6 h postprandial period. Molar concentration of VFAs in rumen liquor were similar (p>0.05) between treatments. However, methane production decreased linearly (p<0.005), recording a maximum reduction of up to ~61% with 80% of DM incorporation of L. leucocephala in the ration and no changes (p>0.05) in rumen protozoa population were found. Conclusion: Inclusion of 80% of L. leucocephala in the diet of heifers fed low-quality tropical forages has the capacity to reduce up to 61.3% enteric methane emission without affecting DMI, OMI, and protozoa population in rumen liquor.