• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제66권1호
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• pp.103-114
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• 2024

This study was done to investigate the effects of the incorporation of Achyranthes japonica extracts (AJE) in diet on the production parameters of growing pigs. Exp 1: Total, 105 crossbred pigs (average body weight: 24.47 ± 2.46 kg) were used in a 6-week feeding trial. Pigs (seven replicates, five pigs per pen) were allotted randomly to three treatments. Dietary treatments: CON (basal diet); basal diet with 0.025% AJE, and basal diet + 0.050% AJE). Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial count, and fecal noxious gas were assessed in this study. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio (G:F) were not affected by the addition of up to 0.05% AJE. In the case of apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), and digestible energy (DE) were not changed in 3rd and 6th weeks of the feeding trial through the addition of AJE up to 0.05% in the growing pig diet. In microbial count, Lactobacillus and Escherichia coli count at 3rd and 6th week was similar in all the treatment diets. The inclusion of AJE at levels up to 0.05% in growing pig diet had no effect on the production of NH3, H2S, acetic acid, and CO₂ in the feces. After ending the Exp 1, a total of nine pigs were divided into three treatment groups. Treatment diets were included, TRT1, basal diet + powder quercetin 30 g; TRT2, basal diet + powder quercetin 150 g; TRT3, basal diet + powder quercetin 300g. Rate of absorption in blood was increased with the higher dose of quercetin. The results suggested incorporation of AJE up to 0.05% has no significant effect on ADG, ADFI, and G:F, as well as DM, N, and DE digestibility, fecal microbial count, and fecal noxious gas emission in growing pigs, even though no negative effect was found.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.683-690
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• 2013

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of resveratrol and essential oils from medicinal plants on the growth performance, immunity, digestibility, and fecal microbial shedding of weaned piglets. A total of 48 weaned piglets (8 kg initial weight, 28-d-old) were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments with 3 replications of 4 piglets each. The dietary treatments were NC (negative control; basal diet), PC (positive control; basal diet+0.002% apramycin), T1 (basal diet+0.2% resveratrol), and T2 (basal diet+0.0125% essential oil blend). All piglets were orally challenged with 5 ml culture fluid containing $2.3{\times}10^8$ cfu/ml of Escherichia coli KCTC 2571 and $5.9{\times}10^8$ cfu/ml Salmonella enterica serover Typhimurium. The PC group (p<0.05) showed the highest average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) throughout the experimental period, although feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved in the T1 group (p>0.05). Serum IgG level was increased in the T1 group, whereas TNF-${\alpha}$ levels was reduced in the supplemented groups compared to control (p<0.05). The PC diet improved the dry matter (DM) digestibility, whereas PC and T2 diets improved nitrogen (N) digestibility compared to NC and T1 diets (p<0.05). Fecal Salmonella and E. coli counts were reduced in all treatment groups compared to control (p<0.05). Fecal Lactobacillus spp. count was increased in the T2 group compared to others (p<0.05). Dietary treatments had no significant effect on fecal Bacillus spp. count throughout the entire experimental period. Based on these results, resveratrol showed strong potential as antibiotic alternatives for reversing the adverse effects of weaning stress on growth performance, immunity and microbial environment in E. coli and Salmonella-challenged piglets.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.189-196
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• 2002

The direct detection of intestinal pathogens and viruses often requires costly, tedious, and time-consuming procedures. These requirements developed a test to show that the water was contaminated with sewage-borne pathogens by assessing the hygienic quality of water based on indicator microorganisms whose presence indicates that pathogenic microorganisms may also be present. Various groups of microorganisms have been suggested and used as indicator microorganisms. Proposed and commonly used microbial indicators are total coliforms, fecal coliforms, fecal streptococci, Clostridium perfringens, heterotrophic plate count, bacteriophage, and so on. Unfortunately, most, if not all, of these indicators are not ideal because of the sensitivity and resistance to environment stresses and disinfection. However, the development of gene probes and PCR technology may give hope for the discovery of rapid and simple methods toy detecting small number of fecal pathogens in various environments.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제66권1호
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• pp.178-203
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• 2024

Constipation, which refers to difficulties in defecation and infrequent bowel movement in emptying the gastrointestinal system that ultimately produces hardened fecal matters, is a health concern in livestock and aging animals. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of dairy-isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains to alleviate constipation as an alternative therapeutic intervention for constipation treatment in the aging model. Rats were aged via daily subcutaneous injection of D-galactose (600 mg/body weight [kg]), prior to induction of constipation via oral administration of loperamide hydrochloride (5 mg/body weight [kg]). LAB strains (L. fermentum USM 4189 or L. plantarum USM 4187) were administered daily via oral gavage (1 × 10 Log CFU/day) while the control group received sterile saline. Aged rats as shown with shorter telomere lengths exhibited increased fecal bulk and soften fecal upon administration of LAB strains amid constipation as observed using the Bristol Stool Chart, accompanied by a higher fecal moisture content as compared to the control (p < 0.05). Fecal water-soluble metabolite profiles showed a reduced concentration of threonine upon administration of LAB strains compared to the control (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis also showed that the administration of LAB strains contributed to a higher colonic goblet cell count as compared to the control (p < 0.05). The present study illustrates the potential of dairy-sourced LAB strains as probiotics to ameliorate the adverse effect of constipation amid aging, and as a potential dietary intervention strategy for dairy foods including yogurt and cheese.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.99-111
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to assess the qualities of cook/chilled soy sauce-glazed soybean curd with various packaging conditions as a trial to develop health-oriented convenience foods. The effects of three packaging methods, linear low density-polyethylene (LLD-PE), top sealing, and modified atmosphere packaging(MAP) on the shelf-life of HACCP-based cook/chilled soy sauce-glazed soybean curd were evaluated during 20 days of chilled storage in terms of time-temperature, microbiological (total aerobic plate count, psychrotrophic plate count, coliform, and fecal coliform count), chemical(pH and peroxide value(POV)), and sensory evaluation. The results of microbiological and chemical analyses were within the limits of the microbial and chemical standards for all phases after cooking. No significant differences were detected in microbial counts of the samples for all three packaging methods. However, sensory evaluation indicated that the top sealing and MAP methods showed a longer shelf-life than LLD-PE packaging. Recommended shelf-life of the product was 12 days for LLD-PE packaging, and 16 days for both top sealing and MAP. In conclusion, MAP was considered as the most effective packaging method for assuring microbial and sensory quality of this cook/chilled product.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제51권4호
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• pp.321-328
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• 2009

A total of fourteen, 1-wk-old male Holstein calves were allotted into two groups consisted of control (CON) and IGY which was orally administrated with immunoglobulin yolk (IgY) for 1wk. Calves in both groups were provided with milk replacer according to feeding program and had ad libitum access to timothy hay for the entire experimental period (7wks). At 0, 7 and 49 day of experiment, blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of calves to investigate blood biochemical profiles and the differential count (%) of white blood cell (WBC). We also monitored growth performance and colony forming unit (CFU) of fecal microbial population in calves. The adminstration of IgY in calves did not affect body weight and weight gain during 49 days feeding trial compared with control group. The CFU of E. coli and Lactobacilli in the feces of calves were not significantly affected by IgY treatment, whereas the score of the calf scours during day 43 to 49 in IgY group showed a significant (P<0.05) solid type. There were no differences in plasma biochemical components including total protein, albumin, immunoglobulin and the other indicators. As for WBC differential count (%), there was no statistical difference in the percentages of neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil and basophil at 0, 7 and 49 days after the oral supplementation of IgY. In conclusion, the oral supplementation of IgY as an immunostimulant did not affect growth performance, fecal microbial population, blood biochemical profile and WBC differential count in Holstein calves.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.93-100
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• 2014

The banning of the use of antibiotics as feed additive has accelerated investigations of alternative feed additives in animal production. This experiment investigated the effect of pure citric acid or acidifier blend supplementation as substitute for antibiotic growth promoters on growth performance, fecal microbial count, and humoral immunity in weaned piglets challenged with Salmonella enterica serover Typhimurium and Escherichia coli KCTC 2571. A total of 60 newly weaned piglets (crossbred, 28-d-old; average 8 kg initial weight) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. Dietary treatments included NC (negative control; basal diet), PC (positive control; basal diet+0.002% apramycin), T1 (basal diet+0.5% pure citric acid), and T2 (basal diet+0.4% acidifier blend). All piglets were orally challenged with 5 mL of culture fluid containing $2.3{\times}10^8$ cfu/mL of E. coli KCTC 2571 and $5.9{\times}10^8$ cfu/mL of S. typhimurium at the beginning of the experiment. The PC group showed the highest ADG and ADFI, whereas gain:feed was improved in the PC and T1 group (p<0.05). All dietary treatments showed significant reduction in fecal counts of Salmonella and E. coli, compared to NC (p<0.05), with PC being better than T1 and T2. Significant elevation in fecal Lactobacillus spp. counts was shown by treatments with T1, T2, and PC, whereas Bacillus spp. counts were increased by treatment with T1 and T2 compared to NC and PC diet (p<0.05). Serum IgG concentration was increased by T1 diet (p<0.05), whereas IgM and IgA were not significantly affected by any of the dietary treatments (p>0.05). From these above results, it can be concluded that, as alternatives to antibiotics dietary acidification with pure citric acid or acidifiers blend did not fully ameliorate the negative effects of microbial challenges in respect of growth performance and microbial environment, however improved immunity suggested further research with different dose levels.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.305-314
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• 2002

For the Exp. 1, a total of seventy two pigs (10.53${\pm}$0.02kg average initial body weight) were used in a 38-d growth assay to determine the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) supplementation on growth performance and fecal microbial populations. Dietary treatments included 1) CON (corn-dried whey-SBM based diet), 2) SC0.2 (CON diet+0.2% SC) and 3) SC0.4 (CON diet+0.4% SC). Through the entire experimental period, ADG, ADFI and gain/feed were not significantly different among the treatments. At d 7 and 14 after the onset of the experiment, fecal Lactobacilli sp. count increased as the concentration of SC in the diets was increased (linear effect, P$<$0.01). At d 7 after the onset of the experiment, fecal Escherichia coli count decreased as the concentration of SC in the diets was increased (linear effect, P$<$0.02, quadratic effect, P$<$0.03). For the Exp. 2, forty five pigs (49.71${\pm}$0.45kg average initial body weight) were used in a 28-d growth assay to determine the effects of complex probiotics (CPB, Phichia anomala ST, Galactomyces geotrichum SR59, Thiobacillus sp.) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and fecal $NH_3$-N and volatile fatty acid concentrations. Dietary treatments included 1) CON (corn-SBM based diet), 2) CPB0.2 (CON diet+0.2% CPB) and 3) CPB0.3 (CON diet+0.3% CPB). Through the entire experimental period, pigs fed CPB0.3 diet significantly increased their ADG compared to pigs fed CON and CPB0.2 diets (P$<$0.05). Also, apparent digestibility of DM and N in pigs fed CPB0.3 diet was greater than for pigs fed CON diet (P$<$0.05). Fecal $NH_3$-N decreased (P$<$0.05) in the pigs fed CPB diet compared to pigs fed CON diets. Also, pigs fed CPB0.3 diet significantly decreased their fecal propionic acid compared to pigs fed CON diets (P$<$0.05). In conclusion, the results obtained from these feeding trials suggest that the dietary SC for nursery pigs affects fecal microbial population. In finishing pigs, supplemental CPB was effective to improve ADG and nutrient digestibility but to decrease fecal noxious gas emission.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제66권1호
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• pp.125-134
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• 2024

In this research, the growth efficiency, nutritional utilization, fecal microbial levels, and fecal score of weaned pigs were evaluated using therapeutic zinc oxide (ZnO) and zinc aspartic acid chelate (Zn-Asp). In a 42-day feeding trial, 60 weaned pigs ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc) were arbitrarily allotted (age: 21 days; 7.01 ± 0.65 kg preliminary body weight) to 3 different treatment groups with 5 repetitions (2 male and 2 female piglets) in each pen. The trial had 2 different phases, including 1-21 days as phase 1, and 22-42 days as phase 2. The nutritional treatments were: basal diet as control (CON), basal diet incorporated with 3,000 ppm ZnO as TRT1, and basal diet incorporated with 750 ppm Zn-Asp as TRT2. In comparison to the CON group, the pigs in the TRT1 and TRT2 groups had greater (p < 0.05) body weight on day 42; an average daily gain, and an average daily feed intake on days 22-42. Furthermore, during days 1-42, the average daily gain in the treatment groups trended higher (p < 0.05) than in the CON group. Additionally, the fecal score decreased (p < 0.05) at week 6, the lactic acid bacteria count tended to increase (p < 0.05), and coliform bacteria presented a trend in reduction (p < 0.05) in the TRT1 and TRT2 groups compared to the CON group. However, there was no difference in nutrient utilization (p > 0.05) among the dietary treatments. Briefly, the therapeutic ZnO and Zn-Asp nutritional approaches could decrease fecal score and coliform bacteria, increase lactic acid bacteria, and improve growth efficiency; moreover, Zn-Asp (750 ppm) can perform a comparable role to therapeutic ZnO (3,000 ppm). So we can use Zn-Asp (750 ppm) instead of therapeutic ZnO (3,000 ppm) for the better performance of weaning pigs and the reduction of environmental pollution, as therapeutic ZnO is responsible for environmental pollution.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.252-261
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• 2008

Two experiments were conducted to compare the effects of feeding organic acids and antibiotic growth promoters in weaned pigs. In Exp. 1, 96 nursery pigs (Large White$\times$Landrace; initial weight $7.80{\pm}0.07kg$) were randomly allotted into one of four dietary treatments. Pigs in treatment 1 were fed a complex starter diet. Treatments 2 to 4 were the same as treatment 1 but supplemented with antibiotics (200 ppm chlortetracycline plus 60 ppm Lincospectin), 0.5% potassium diformate or 0.5% dry organic acid blend ACTIVATE Starter DA (ASD). During the 4-week post-weaning period, pigs fed ASD or antibiotics had better gain (p = 0.03) and feed efficiency (p = 0.04) than pigs fed the control diet. On d 14 post-weaning, pigs fed the control diet had the lowest fecal lactobacilli count among all dietary treatments (p = 0.02), whereas pigs fed ASD or antibiotics had a trend for lower fecal E. coli count compared to the control pigs (p = 0.08). Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) of pigs fed ASD did not differ from pigs fed the control diet (p>0.05) at d 14 after weaning. In Exp. 2, 24 weaned pigs (Large White$\times$Long White; initial weight $5.94{\pm}0.33kg$) were allotted into four groups and housed individually. Pigs were fed a control diet or diets supplemented with antibiotics (100 ppm colistin sulfate, 50 ppm Kitasamycin plus 60 ppm Olaquindox), 0.5% or 1% ASD. All pigs were orally challenged with E. coli $K88^+$ on d 5. During d 5 to 14 after challenge, pigs fed antibiotics, 0.5% or 1% ASD had better gain (p = 0.01) and feed efficiency (p = 0.03) than pigs fed the control diet. On d 14, compared to the control pigs, pigs fed 0.5% ASD had higher lactobacilli in the duodenum and pigs fed 1% ASD and antibiotics had a trend for higher lactobacilli in the ileum (p = 0.08). Pigs fed antibiotics, 0.5% or 1% ASD diets tended to have decreased ileal E. coli count compared to those fed the control diet (p = 0.08). Serum interleukin-6 and cortisol and digesta pH values were not affected by treatment or time. These results indicate that feeding ASD can improve the growth performance of weaning pigs, mainly via modulating intestinal microflora populations without affecting gastrointestinal pH or immune indices.