• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of multiple probiotics on the performance, small intestinal microflora and immune response in laying hens and broilers. In Exp.1, a total of 800, 82 wk old Hy-line Brown$^{(R)}$ laying hens were assigned to one of the following five dietary treatment; Control, Antibiotics (avilamycin 6 ppm), Probiotics; PB-M (Micro-ferm$^{(R)}$ 0.2%), PB-L (Lacto-sacc$^{(R)}$ 0.1%), PB-Y (Y University probiotics 0.2%). Each treatment was replicated eight times with 20 birds in each replicate and two birds were housed in each cage. Twenty birds units were arranged according to completely randomized block design. Feeding trial lasted 6 wk under 16 h lighting regimen. The Exp. 2, was conducted with a total of 1,000 broilers chicks (Ross$^{(R)}$). They were divided into five treatments, same as those of Exp. 1. Birds were fed starter (0~3 wk) and grower (4~5 wk) diets. Each treatment was replicated four times with 50 birds per pen comprising of deep litter. In Exp. 1, egg production parameters, such as hen-day and hen-house egg production, egg weight, broken and soft shell egg production, feed intake and feed conversion were not significantly different among treatments. However, strength and thickness of eggshell were significantly (P<0.05) different. Among the probiotics, PB-Y showed the highest strength and thickness of eggshell. Eggshell color, egg yolk color and Haugh unit were not significantly influenced. In Exp. 2, overall weight gain (0~5 wk) and mortality were not significantly different among treatments. However, weight gain of birds from PB-Y treatment during starter (0~3 wk) was significantly lower than the birds from Control and Antibiotic treatment. During the whole period (0~5 wk), birds from Antibiotics treatment had higher feed intake and Production Index (PI) and lower feed conversion than birds from Control treatment. Probiotics treatments were not significantly different from the Control on feed intake and feed conversion. In Exp.1, there were significant (P<0.05) differences in leukocytes parameters, such as white blood cell (WBC), hetrophil (HE), lymphocytes (LY), monocyte (MO), eosinophil (EO) and stress index (SI; HE/LY) in the blood of layers. Birds from Antibiotics and probiotics treatments tended to increase these parameters. In Exp. 2, however, only SI was significantly (P<0.05) decreased in Antibiotics treatments. Concentration of serum immunoglobulin (IgG) were higher (P<0.05) in PB-M and PB-Y treatments when compared with Control treatment in Exp. 1. The population of E. coli significantly (P<0.05) decreased in birds from Antibiotics, PB-L and PB-Y treatments when compared with birds from Control treatment in Exp. 1. Metalbolizability of crude fat decreased significantly (P<0.05) in birds from probiotic treatments in Exp. 2. It was concluded that the response of probiotics on the productivity of layers and broilers were different. Probiotics increased strength and thickness of eggshell in layers, and decreased feed conversion and increased PI in broilers. Leukocytes and IgG tended to increase by supplementation of antibiotics and probiotics in layers. Intestinal E. coli tended to decrease in layers. Digestibility of crude fat of diet decreased in probiotics treatments broilers. Parameters of blood and microbial were more sensitive in layers than broilers.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.241-247
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• 2014

The objective of this experimental was to investigate the effect of dietary Cu-sulfate and Cu-soy proteinate on productive performance and small intestinal microflora. A total 1,000 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (35 weeks old) were randomly allotted to 1 of 5 dietary treatments: Control, Cu-sulfate 50, 100 (50, 100 ppm Cu supplementation as Cu-sulfate) and Cu-SP 50, 100 (50, 100 ppm Cu supplementation as Cu-soy proteinate). Each treatment was replicated 4 times with fifty birds per replication, housed in 2 birds cages. Fifty birds units were arranged according to randomized block design. Feeding trial lasted 5 weeks under 16L : 8D lighting regimen. Hen day egg production was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Cu treated groups than control. Feed intake, broken and shell-less egg production was not significantly influenced by treatment. Eggshell color, eggyolk color, haugh unit, and eggshell thickness were not significantly influenced by treatment. However, eggshell strength was significantly (P<0.05) greater in Cu treated groups than control. Concentration of copper of liver was significantly (P<0.05) greater in Cu treated groups than control. Concentration of zinc and iron of liver were not influenced by treatments. Population of Cl. perfrigens and Lactobacilli in the small intestinal content were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by treatments. Population of Cl. perfrigens decreased and that of Lactobacilli increased in the Cu supplement groups. In conclusion, dietary Cu sulfate and Cu-soy proteinate similarly improves egg production, eggshell strength, and favors intestinal microbial population of laying hens.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.667-674
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• 2008

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of germinated and fermented unmarketable soybean (GFS) on laying performance and egg quality in laying hens. A total of two hundred laying hens were divided into 5 groups (5 treatment $\times$ 4 replication $\times$ 10 birds each) and fed with the experimental diets for 8 wk as follows: control, GFS free; T1, GFS 0.15%; T2, GFS 0.3%; T3, GFS 1%; T4, GFS 2%. The laying performance, egg quality, blood profiles, cecal microbial population, isoflavone content in egg yolk were investigated. There were no significant differences laying performance, relative liver and spleen weights, egg yolk color, eggshell color among groups. Eggshell strength in groups fed with diets containing GFS increased, but not significantly. Eggshell thickness significantly increased in the GFS-supplemented group. No significant differences were observed in the blood profiles and intestinal microflora after supplementation. The decrease of Haugh unit during storage was alleviated by feeding of GFS (p<0.05). The concentrations of malondialdehyde in groups fed with GFS were decreased as compared with control (p<0.05). Isoflavones in the egg yolk were detected in group fed with diet containing 2% GFS. These results showed that unmarketable GFS could be used as a favorable feed additive and feedstuff for production of quality enhanced and isoflavone fortified eggs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.727-735
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• 1996

The effects of four factors-two dietary protein levels (12 and 16%), feeding methods(ad libitum and restricted), strains (A and B), and age of hens-on egg quality and laying performance were examined. Use of the 12% dietary protein level resulted in significantly lower (p < 0.05) hen-day egg production, higher feed intake to about 85% of the ad libitum intake decreased mean hen-day production. Significant feeding method-by-age interactions ($F{\times}A$) were obtained for all parameters. Restricted feeding had favorable effects on shell strength and Haugh unit values after 28 and 16 weeks of egg production, respectively. There was significant difference in shell strength between the two strain. Examination of the three-factor interaction among protein levels, feeding method and strain ($P{\times}F{\times}S$) disclosed that the favorable effect of the A strain on shell strength was significant only with the 16% protein-restricted fed group. The other treatment group did show a trend for greater shell strength of the A strain. Mean values for all the parameters examined changed significantly (p < 0.01) with the age of hens. Feed intake per dozen eggs tended to increase, with some fluctuation, as the hens aged. There was a linear decrease in Haugh unit scores and shell strength. The effect of restricted feeding on either shell strength or Haugh unit scores were favorable for the aged chickens.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.443-450
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• 2014

To determine Pb species in soils following the immobilization process, sequential extraction has been used despite the possibility of overestimating Pb species from unintended reactions during chemical extraction. Meanwhile, the application of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) has been shown to provide a more precise result than chemical extraction. In this study, the immobilization of Pb in contaminated soils treated with liming materials such as oyster shell (OS) or eggshell (ES) was evaluated with thermodynamic modelling and EXAFS analysis. Thermodynamic modelling by visual MINTEQ predicted the precipitation of $Pb(OH)_2$ in OS and ES treated soils. In particular, the values of saturation index (SI) for $Pb(OH)_2$ in OS (SI=0.286) and ES (SI=0.453) treated soils were greater than in the control soil (SI=0.281). Linear combination fitting (LCF) analysis confirmed the presence of $C_{12}H_{10}O_{14}Pb_3$ (lead citrate, 44.7%) by citric acid from plant root, Pb-gibbsite (Pb adsorbed gibbsite, 26.4%), and Pb-kaolinite (Pb adsorbed kaolinite, 20.3%) in the control soil. On the other hand, $Pb(OH)_2$ (16.8%), Pb-gibbsite (39.3%), and Pb-kaolinite (25.6%) were observed in the OS treated soil and $Pb(OH)_2$ (55.2%) and Pb-gibbsite (33.8%) were also confirmed in the ES treated soil. Our results indicate that the treatment with OS and ES immobilizes Pb by adsorption of Pb onto the soil minerals as a result of the increase in soil negative charge and the formation of stable $Pb(OH)_2$ under high pH condition of soils.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.840-846
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary corticosterone on egg quality. For 2 weeks hens received either control or experimental diet containing corticosterone at 30 mg/kg diet. Feed intake and egg production were monitored daily, and body weight measured weekly. Egg weights and egg quality were measured daily. Corticosterone treatment resulted in a remarkable increase in feed intake and sharp decrease in egg production compared with control (p<0.05) whereas body weight remained unchanged. Decreased albumen height, but no changes in egg weight, led to decreased Haugh unit (p<0.05). Corticosterone caused elevated eggshell thickness (p<0.05) without altering weight and strength, suggesting possible changes in shell structure. Yolk color and redness were increased by corticosterone (p<0.05) but lightness and yellowness were either not changed or inconsistent over the time period of measurements. Increased concentrations in plasma were also found for corticosterone, glucose, cholesterol, creatinine, uric acid, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, total protein, and amylase (p<0.05), suggesting that corticosterone increased protein breakdown, renal dysfunctions and pancreatitis. Together, the current results imply that dietary corticosterone affects egg quality such as yolk colors and shell thickness, in addition to its effects on feed intake and egg production.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 1996

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding split diets for a.m. and p.m. in laying hens on egg shell qualities, and to study the relationship among the methods of measuring shell quality with 480 ISA Brown layers during 32∼36, 52∼56 and 72∼76 wk of age, respectively. A total of 1,080 eggs were collected from 6 treatment groups in every laying period and weighed individually. Egg specific gravity, egg breaking strength, shell thickness and shell percentage of eggs were measured, and then correlation coefficients (r) and regression equations were calculated. By feeding the split diets for a.m. and p.m. differing in ME, CP, and Ca levels, and as the Ca level of the p. m. diet increased, eggshell qualities were improved(P<0.05). The correlation coefficient values indicate that shell percentage, shell thickness and egg specific gravity are highly correlated with the egg breaking strength(P<0.01).

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2016

This study aimed to determine the effect of different dietary level of rice bran extract (RBO) on the laying performance, egg quality, blood parameter, cholesterol, and fatty acids in yolk of Hy-Line Laying hens. In all, 144 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (29 weeks old) were randomly allocated to one of 4 dietary treatments, with 4 replicates per treatment. A commercial basal diet was used and three additional diets were prepared by supplementing 2.5, 5.0 or 10.0 g/kg of RBO to the basal diet. The experimental diets were fed on an ad libitum basis to the bird during 8 weeks. Hen-day egg production increased (quadratic, p<0.05) with inclusion level of RBO, but feed intake, egg weight, and egg mass were not influenced by inclusion of level of RBO in diet. However, the supplementation of RBO did not have an effect on eggshell strength, eggshell thickness, egg yolk color, and HU during the feeding trial. There were no significant differences in the level of leukocyte. However, heterophil and lymphocytes decreased (quadratic, p<0.01) with inclusion level of RBO. H:L ratio tended to decrease (linear p=0.08) with inclusion level of RBO. As expected, increasing inclusion level of RBO in diets decreased (linear, p<0.01) the concentrations of total cholesterol in plasma. AST, ALT, glucose, and albumin were not affected by inclusion of RBO in diets. Egg yolk cholesterol increased (linear and quadratic, p<0.05) with inclusion level of RBO in diet. The results of this study indicate that dietary supplementation of RBO improves laying performance and decreased total cholesterol and egg yolk cholesterol levels in laying hens. Therefore, dietary RBO is considered a valuable functional ingredient to improve the performance of birds.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.98-116
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• 2024

Epigenetic writers including DNA and histone lysine methyltransferases (DNMT and HKMT, respectively) play an initiative role in the differentiation and development of eukaryotic organisms through the spatiotemporal regulation of functional gene expressions. However, the epigenetic mechanisms have long been suspected in helminth parasites lacking the major DNA methyltransferases DNMT1 and DNMT3a/3b. Very little information on the evolutionary status of the epigenetic tools and their role in regulating chromosomal genes is currently available in the parasitic trematodes. We previously suggested the probable role of a DNMT2-like protein (CsDNMT2) as a genuine epigenetic writer in a trematode parasite Clonorchis sinensis. Here, we analyzed the phylogeny of HKMT subfamily members in the liver fluke and other platyhelminth species. The platyhelminth genomes examined conserved genes for the most of SET domain-containing HKMT and Disruptor of Telomeric Silencing 1 subfamilies, while some genes were expanded specifically in certain platyhelminth genomes. Related to the high gene dosages for HKMT activities covering differential but somewhat overlapping substrate specificities, variously methylated histones were recognized throughout the tissues/organs of C. sinensis adults. The temporal expressions of genes involved in eggshell formation were gradually decreased to their lowest levels proportionally to aging, whereas those of some epigenetic tool genes were re-boosted in the later adult stages of the parasite. Furthermore, these expression levels were significantly affected by treatment with DNMT and HKMT inhibitors. Our data strongly suggest that methylated histones are potent epigenetic markers that modulate the spatiotemporal expressions of C. sinensis genes, especially those involved in sexual reproduction.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.189-197
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• 2022

This study was conducted to compare the egg productivity, egg quality, and blood characteristics of laying hens with different laying rates, and the frequency and cumulative duration of the sitting behavior observed before laying was investigated. Twelve 45-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were randomly assigned to two treatment groups with three replicates. Treatment groups were classified as layers laying over 80%(high egg performance layers; HEP) and layers laying below 50%(poor egg performance layers; PEP). The experiment lasted 4 weeks. HEP showed higher hen-house egg production ratio and egg mass and lower feed conversion ratio(FCR) (P<0.05) compared with PEP, although egg weight was higher in PEP (P<0.05). In terms of egg quality, PEP showed differences in eggshell quality (eggshell color, eggshell thickness, and eggshell weight) (P<0.05). Additionally, HEP showed high triglycerides(TG), and PEP showed high alanine transaminase(ALT) level (P<0.05) in serum collected in the morning. In the afternoon, the HEP showed higher lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) levels (P<0.05). No differences in the Ca: P ratio were observed between layers with different laying rates. One hour before egg laying, HEP exhibited sitting behavior 4 times on average, each lasting 25 minutes. In conclusion, egg production and quality differ between HEP and PEP, and HEP showed frequent sitting behavior before egg laying. However, additional research is necessary to explore approaches other than specific behavioral observation to distinguish poor layers in the flock for application in farms.