• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.1137-1146
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• 2000

This study was carried out to establish an optimum number of phase feeding regimen which enable to reduce nutrients excretion without affecting growth performance and to investigate the effects of different feeding regimens on growth performance, nutrients excretion and carcass characteristics in finishing pigs. A total of 120 finishing pigs (an average initial body weight of 54.3 kg) were assigned to the feeding trial and 12 pigs were assigned to the metabolic trial. Treatments included one phase (54 to 104 kg), two phase (54 to 80 and 80 to 104 kg), three phase (54 to 70, 70 to 90 and 90 to 104 kg) and four phase (54 to 65, 65 to 80, 80 to 95, 95 to 104 kg) feeding regimens. Experimental diets were formulated to contain 16% crude protein for one phase feeding regimen, 16% and 12% crude protein for two phase feeding regimen, 16%, 14% and 12% crude protein for three phase feeding regimen, and 16%, 14.7%, 13.4% and 12% crude protein for four phase feeding regimen, respectively. Although there were no significant differences in any criteria measured during the entire experimental period, pigs reared in three phase feeding regimen grew slightly faster than those reared in other feeding regimens and showed a tendency to increase ADFI during the whole experimental period. The metabolic trial indicated that there were no significant differences in DM (dry matter), CP (crude protein) and P (phosphorus) digestibilities. However, fecal nutrient excretion except P was significantly influenced by feeding regimens. DM excretion of one phase feeding group was significantly higher than that of three phase feeding group and daily fecal N (nitrogen) excretion of one phase feeding group was higher than that of other phase feeding groups (p<0.05). Three and four phase feeding regimens resulted in 12% lower fecal N and DM excretion than one phase feeding regimen. Blood urea concentrations were lower for pigs reared in two, three and four phase feeding regimens than for those reared in one phase feeding regimen (p<0.05). Three phase feeding regimen for the finishing period showed better carcass grade than one phase feeding regimen, though the difference was not significant. The tenth rib fat thickness of pigs fed on four phase feeding regimen was reduced most and there was a trend that backfat thickness decreased as the number of phases increased. Feed cost per kg weight gain was significantly low in four phase feeding group than one phase feeding group (p<0.05). In summary, it seemed that producers generally oversupply the expensive nutrients for the finishing pigs. High nutrient diets do not always guarantee high growth rate of pigs and cause more unwanted nutrient excretion. It rather seems that meeting nutrient requirements for the each growth phase is more important for the reduction of pollutants and economical pork production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1585-1592
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• 2016

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of simulated heat stress on digestibility and methane ($CH_4$) emission. Four non-lactating crossbred cattle were exposed to $25^{\circ}C$, $30^{\circ}C$, $35^{\circ}C$, and $40^{\circ}C$ temperature with a relative humidity of 40% to 50% in a climatic chamber from 10:00 hours to 15:00 hours every day for 27 days. The physiological responses were recorded at 15:00 hours every day. The blood samples were collected at 15:00 hours on 1st, 6th, 11th, 16th, and 21st days and serum was collected for biochemical analysis. After 21 days, fecal and feed samples were collected continuously for six days for the estimation of digestibility. In the last 48 hours gas samples were collected continuously to estimate $CH_4$ emission. Heat stress in experimental animals at $35^{\circ}C$ and $40^{\circ}C$ was evident from an alteration (p<0.05) in rectal temperature, respiratory rate, pulse rate, water intake and serum thyroxin levels. The serum lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase activity and protein, urea, creatinine and triglyceride concentration changed (p<0.05), and body weight of the animals decreased (p<0.05) after temperature exposure at $40^{\circ}C$. The dry matter intake (DMI) was lower (p<0.05) at $40^{\circ}C$ exposure. The dry matter and neutral detergent fibre digestibilities were higher (p<0.05) at $35^{\circ}C$ compared to $25^{\circ}C$ and $30^{\circ}C$ exposure whereas, organic matter (OM) and acid detergent fibre digestibilities were higher (p<0.05) at $35^{\circ}C$ than $40^{\circ}C$ thermal exposure. The $CH_4$ emission/kg DMI and organic matter intake (OMI) declined (p<0.05) with increase in exposure temperature and reached its lowest levels at $40^{\circ}C$. It can be concluded from the present study that the digestibility and $CH_4$ emission were affected by intensity of heat stress. Further studies are necessary with respect to ruminal microbial changes to justify the variation in the digestibility and $CH_4$ emission during differential heat stress.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.1624-1632
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• 2020

Objective: A total of three hundred unsexed ducks were utilized to estimate net energy requirements of maintenance (NE_m) and weight gain (NE_g) for 2 to 3-week-old Cherry Valley ducks and to establish a model equation to predict NE requirements using the factorial method. Methods: To determine the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) of the diet, fifty 7-day-old ducks at approximately equal body weights (BWs) were randomly assigned into five groups that were fed at different levels (ad libitum, 85%, 75%, 65%, and 55% of ad libitum intake), and the endogenous acid-insoluble ash as indigestible marker. The two hundred and fifty 7-day-old ducks were used for a comparative slaughter experiment. At the beginning of the experiment, ten ducks were sacrificed to determine the initial body composition and energy content. The remaining ducks were randomly assigned into five groups (same as metabolic experiment). Ducks of the ad libitum group were slaughtered at 14 and 21-day-old. At the end of the experiment, two ducks were selected from each replicate and slaughtered to determine the body composition and energy content. Results: The results of the metabolizable experiment showed AME values of 13.43 to 13.77 MJ/kg for ducks at different feed intakes. The results of the comparative slaughter experiment showed the NE_m value for 2 to 3-week-old Cherry Valley ducks was 549.54 kJ/kg of BW^0.75/d, and the NE_g value was 10.41 kJ/g. The deposition efficiency values of fat (K_f) and crude protein (K_p) were 0.96 and 0.60, respectively, and the values of efficiency of energy utilization (K_g) and maintenance efficiency (K_m) were 0.75 and 0.88, respectively. Conclusion: The equation for the prediction of NE requirements for 2 to 3-week-old Cherry Valley ducks was the following: NE = 549.54 BW^0.75+10.41 ΔW, where ΔW is the weight gain (g).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.682-686
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• 2002

Ten growing male buffalo calves (aged 6-8 months, average body weight $88.2{\pm}0.57$ kg were divided randomly into two groups. Animals in group I were fed on concentrate mixture A (CP 20.2%, TDN 77.4%) and urea- ammoniated wheat straw (UAWS) while the animals in group II were fed on concentrate mixture B (CP 17.9%, TDN 77.6%) and HCl plus urea treated wheat straw (HCl UAWS) to meet their nutrient requirement for 500 g gain/d as per Kearl (1982). This feeding practice lasted for 120 days, during which fortnightly body weight were recorded to assess their growth rate. A metabolism trial was conducted after 90 days of experimental feeding to compare the digestibility of nutrients, their balance, plane of nutrition and relative cost of feeding in two groups of animals. Results revealed a significant increase in the CP content of ammoniated wheat straw due to addition of HCl viz 12.1% from 7.5%. There was a decrease in the intake of DM (p<0.05), OM (p<0.05), EE (p<0.05), NDF (p<0.01), ADF (p<0.01), cellulose (p<0.01) and hemicellulose (p<0.01) in group II as compared to group I. The digestibility (%) of DM, OM and CP was significantly (p<0.01) more in group II, whereas the digestibility (%) was significantly more for NDF (p<0.05) and hemicellulose (p<0.01) in group I than group II. There was no significant difference in the N, Ca and P balance in two groups. Intake of total DM (g/d) or (g/kg $W^{0.75}$) was significantly (p<0.01) more in group I as compared to group II, whereas the intake of DCP and TDN (g/d or g/kg $W^{0.75}$) was alike in two groups. The total body weight gain (kg), average daily gain (g/d) and feed conversion efficiency were significantly (p<0.01) more in UAWS fed group as compared to HCl UAWS fed group. Feeding cost (Rs./kg. weight gain) was significantly (p<0.05) more in group II as compared to group I. It is concluded that HCl UAWS is not suitable for the feeding of growing buffalo calves as it reduced the growth rate in comparison to UAWS fed buffalo calves.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.807-817
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• 2008

Steers with ad libitum access to rice straw were assigned to four diets to evaluate the effects of maize or soybean hull supplementation on intake, in vivo digestibility, ruminal pH, VFA, ammonia-nitrogen ($NH_3-N$) and in situ ruminal disappearance of feed nutrients by cattle consuming rice straw. Supplement treatments were: no supplement (RS); soybean meal at 0.127% BW (SBM); cracked maize at 0.415% BW plus 0.044% BW soybean meal (MAIZE); or soybean hulls at 0.415% BW plus 0.044% BW soybean meal (HULLS). The MAIZE and HULLS diets were formulated to provide approximately 4 MJ of $NE_m$ per kg of diet. Rice straw DMI was not affected (p = 0.34) by supplement. Apparent dry matter (DM) digestibility was greater (p<0.001) for MAIZE and HULLS (56.6 and 60.0%, respectively) than for steers consuming SBM or RS (51.8 and 44.4%, respectively). Apparent NDF digestibility was greater (p<0.0004) for HULLS than MAIZE (61.7 vs. 58.0%, respectively) and apparent ADF digestibility was greater (p<0.0008) for HULLS than MAIZE (61.1 vs. 49.2%, respectively). There was no difference in apparent hemicellulose digestibility (p = 0.43). Analysis of ruminal fluid collected 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h post-feeding revealed ammonia-nitrogen was greatest (p<0.05) for steers on SBM and HULLS diets at 2 h (24.08 and 22.57 mg/dl, respectively) and total volatile fatty acids was greatest (p<0.05) for HULLS at 4 h (230 mM/L). In situ disappearance, measured at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16 and 24 h, indicated that SBM, MAIZE and HULLS tended to enhance the digestibility of DM and fiber components of rice straw. In situ disappearance of rice straw DM was greatest for SBM and/or HULLS from 4 to 24 h (p = 0.03). Rice straw NDF and ADF disappearance was enhanced by supplementation from 16 to 24 h (p<0.02). Rice straw DM, NDF and ADF disappearances at 24 h were similar for MAIZE and HULLS treatments. When feeding cattle rice straw diets, energy and protein-based supplements are essential. This study showed that fiber-based supplements are just as, if not more, effective as starch-based supplements in rice straw utilization. This study shows that soybean hulls, in spite of their high fiber content, are as efficient as maize for supplementing rice straw primarily because fiber in soybean hulls is highly digestible as shown by in vivo digestibility and in situ disappearance.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.671-675
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• 2002

The present study was conducted to elucidate functional properties of sulfated polysaccharides from ascidian tunics, In physical properties of the crude polysaccharides, emulsion ability and foaminess were more excellent compared with chitin and chitosan, particular dye binding capacity was prominent. Anti-blood coagulation of partially purified sulfnted polysaccharides showed with respect to APTT (Activated partial thromboplastin time). Especially, active fraction $(F_4)$ obtained by DEAE-cellulose ion exchange chromatography showed highest activity, which was approximately $20\%$ of the activity of heparin. ACE inhibitory activity also similar to anticoagulant activity. Active fraction $(F_4)$ obtained by DEAE-cellulose ion exchange chromatography showed about $34\%$, in ACE inhibitory activity.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.651-662
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• 1996

A 15-week growth trial was conducted in flow-through aquarium system to develop practical feeds for growing Korean rockfish. Two replicate groups of the fish averaging 114 g were fed one of nine diets containing $45\~50\%$ crude protein from various practical ingredients such as fish meal, meat meal, feather meal, blood meal, soybean meal, corn gluten meal, and wheat flour with or without supplemental essential amino acids (EAA) or enzyme mixture. The dietary EAA were adjusted by considering EAA composition of each dietary protein source, A/E ratio (each essential amino $acid\times1000/total$ essential amino arid including Cys and Tyr) calculated using Ah composition of the Korean rockfish whole body and the EAA requirement of other fish. Results indicate that animal and plant protein sources could substitute for fish meal up to $50\%$ in the diets, and the supplementation of amino acids and enzyme mixture have no beneficial effects on fish performance. Fish growth, body composition, nutrient utilization, and cost of fish production are discussed in relation to nutritional values of the protein sources used in diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.1255-1262
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• 2000

A total of 80 pigs ($5.68{\pm}0.61kg$ BW; 21 d of age) were used to evaluate the effect of fat sources in weaned pigs. Pigs were allotted into five treatments based on body weight, in a completely randomized block design. Treatments consisted of diets representing different ratio between soy oil or corn oil and tallow; 1) S100 (soy oil 100%), 2) S75 (soy oil:tallow=75:25), 3) S50 (soy oil:tallow=50:50), 4) C75 (corn oil:tallow=75:25), 5) C50 (corn oil:tallow=50:50). During d 0 to 14, pigs were fed diets containing 3,400 kcal ME, 23% crude protein, 1.65 % lysine and for the period of d 15 to 28, pigs were fed diets supplying 3,400 kcal ME, 20.5% crude protein, 1.355% lysine. For d 0 to 14, a significant differences in ADG and ADFI were observed among treatments, pigs fed animal-vegetable fat blends gained more than pigs fed the S100. As tallow addition was increased from 25% to 50% replacing soy or corn oil, ADG was improved from 6.32% to 28.38%. In phase II (d 15 to 28) period, ADG, ADFI and FCR were not significantly different among treatments. For overall period (d 0 to 28), pigs fed 50% animal:50% vegetable fat blends diets consumed more feed and grew faster than pigs fed control diet and 75% vegetable oil:25% tallow groups, but the differences was not significant among treatments. Apparent DM, CP and fat digestibility were increased with time postweaning for each treatment. There were no differences in digestibilities of total amino acid during overall period. The combination of soy oil or corn oil with tallow produced slightly higher serum triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) combination compared with the soy oil alone. In conclusion, tallow:soy (or corn) oil blends diets improved growth rate and the ratio of 50% tallow plus 50% soy (or corn) oil blends diets were favorable for growth and nutrient digestibilities of weaned pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.494-501
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• 2015

A digestibility study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementing mulberry foliage and urea rice-bran as a source of fermentable energy and protein to 12 sheep fed diets based on urea-treated rice straw (TRS). The three dietary treatments were: T1, TRS with mulberry; T2, TRS with 50% mulberry replaced with rice bran and urea; and T3, TRS with rice bran and urea. The study was arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications for each treatment. The sheep were fed one of the three diets and the supplements were offered at 1.2% of the body weight (BW) and the TRS was provided ad libitum. There were no differences (p>0.05) among the three treatment groups with respect to dry matter (DM) intake ($76.8{\pm}4.2g/kg\;BW^{0.75}$) and DM, organic matter (OM), and crude protein (CP) digestibility ($55.3{\pm}1.22$; $69.9{\pm}0.85$; $46.3{\pm}1.65%$ respectively for DM, OM, and CP). The digestibility of fiber (neutral detergent fiber [NDF] and acid detergent fiber) was significantly lower (p<0.05) for T3 (46.2 and 46.6 respectively) compared to T1 (55.8 and 53.7 respectively) and T2 (54.1 and 52.8 respectively). Nitrogen (N) intake by sheep on diet T3 was significantly (p<0.05) higher than sheep fed diet T1. However, N balance did not differ among the three diets ($3.0{\pm}0.32g/d$). In contrast, the rumen ammonia ($NH_3-N$) concentrations in sheep fed T2 and T3 were significantly (p<0.05) higher than in sheep fed T1. The $NH_3-N$ concentrations for all three diets were above the critical value required for optimum rumen microbial growth and synthesis. Total volatile fatty acid concentrations were highest (p<0.05) in T1 (120.3 mM), whilst the molar proportion of propionic acid was highest in T3 (36.9%). However, the microbial N supply in sheep fed T1 and T3 was similar but was significantly (p<0.05) higher than for sheep fed T2. It was concluded that mulberry foliage is a potential supplement of fermentable energy and protein for sheep fed TRS based diet. The suggested level of supplementation is 1.2% of BW or 32% of the total diet since it resulted in similar effects on the intake of DM, OM, and NDF, digestibility of DM, OM, and CP, N utilization and microbial supply when compared to rice bran and urea supplementation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.166-176
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• 2020

Objective: An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of L-arginine (L-Arg) and N-carbamoylglutamic acid (NCG) on the growth, metabolism, immunity and community of cecal bacterial flora of weanling and young rabbits. Methods: Eighteen normal-grade male weanling Japanese White rabbits (JWR) were selected and randomly divided into 6 groups with or without L-Arg and NCG supplementation. The whole feeding process was divided into weanling stage (day 37 to 65) and young stage (day 66 to 85). The effects of L-Arg and NCG on the growth, metabolism, immunity and development of the ileum and jejunum were compared via nutrient metabolism experiments and histological assessment. The different communities of cecal bacterial flora affected by L-Arg and NCG were assessed using high-throughput sequencing technology and bioinformatics analysis. Results: The addition of L-Arg and NCG enhanced the growth of weanling and young rabbit by increasing the nitrogen metabolism, protein efficiency ratio, and biological value, as well as feed intake and daily weight gain. Both L-Arg and NCG increased the concentration of immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgM, and IgG. NCG was superior to L-Arg in promoting intestinal villus development by increasing villus height, villus height/crypt depth index, and reducing the crypt depth. The effects of L-Arg and NCG on the cecal bacterial flora were mainly concentrated in different genera, including Parabacteroides, Roseburia, dgA-11_gut_group, Alistipes, Bacteroides, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005. These bacteria function mainly in amino acid transport and metabolism, energy production and conversion, lipid transport and metabolism, recombination and repair, cell cycle control, cell division, and cell motility. Conclusion: L-Arg and NCG can promote the growth and immunity of weanling and young JWR, as well as effecting the jejunum and ileum villi. L-Arg and NCG have different effects in the promotion of nutrient utilization, relieving inflammation and enhancing adaptability through regulating microbial community.