• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.951-970
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• 2023

This study utilized Italian ryegrass silage (IRGS) - based total mixed ration (TMR) as feedstuff and evaluated its effects on rumen fermentation, growth performance, blood parameters, and bacterial community in growing Hanwoo heifers. Twenty-seven Hanwoo heifers (body weight [BW], 225.11 ± 10.57 kg) were randomly allocated to three experimental diets. Heifers were fed 1 of 3 treatments as follows: TMR with oat, timothy, and alfalfa hay (CON), TMR with 19% of IRGS (L-IRGS), and TMR with 36% of IRGS (H-IRGS). Feeding high levels of IRGS (H-IRGS) and CON TMR to heifers resulted in a greater molar proportion of propionate in the rumen. The impact of different TMR diets on the BW, average daily gain, dry matter intake, and feed conversion ratio of Hanwoo heifers during the growing period did not differ (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the blood metabolites, total protein, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, glucose, and total cholesterol of the heifers were not affected by the different TMR diets (p > 0.05). In terms of rumen bacterial community composition, 264 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were observed across the three TMR diets with 240, 239, and 220 OTUs in CON, L-IRGS, and H-IRGS, respectively. IRGS-based diets increased the relative abundances of genera belonging to phylum Bacteroidetes but decreased the abundances of genus belonging to phylum Firmicutes compared with the control. Data showed that Bacteroidetes was the most dominant phylum, while Prevotella ruminicola was the dominant species across the three TMR groups. The relative abundance of Ruminococcus bromii in the rumen increased in heifers fed with high inclusion of IRGS in the TMR (H-IRGS TMR). The relative abundance of R. bromii in the rumen significantly increased when heifers were fed H-IRGS TMR while P. ruminicola increased in both L-IRGS and H-IRGS TMR groups. Results from the current study demonstrate that the inclusion of IRGS in the TMR is comparable with the TMR containing high-quality forage (CON). Thus, a high level of IRGS can be used as a replacement forage ingredient in TMR feeding and had a beneficial effect of possibly modulating the rumen bacterial community toward mainly propionate-producing microorganisms.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.1303-1315
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of increasing energy and protein levels in diets by including protected fat (PF), glycerol (GL), and soybean meal (SBM) on growth performance, physiological parameters, carcass characteristics, and behavioral measurements of late-fattening Hanwoo steers under heat stress conditions. Methods: Thirty-six steers (initial body weight, 724.9±58.3 kg; age, 25.5±0.4 month) were assigned into control (total digestible nutrient [TDN] 76%, crude protein [CP] 15%), PF (TDN 83.6%, CP 15%), PF+GL (TDN 83.6%, CP 15%) and PF+GL+SBM (TDN 83.6%, CP 16.5%) by randomized complete block design for a total of 16 weeks with division of 4-week periods. The average temperature-humidity index was 87.0 (1st period; severe), 82.8 (2nd; moderate), 71.4 (3rd; comfort), and 68.1 (4th; comfort). Results: The dry matter intake (DMI) showed no treatments differences during the whole experiment. However, DMI in 1st and 2nd period decreased by approximately 30% and 10% compared to 4th period, respectively. Higher average daily gain and feed conversion ratio were noted for treatments compared to control at both 1st and 2nd period (p<0.05). There were no treatment effects on rectal temperature (RT), cortisol, and behaviors during the entire experiment. However, both RT and cortisol in 0, 1st and 2nd period were higher than those of 3rd and 4th period (p<0.05). Carcass yield and grade remained unaffected by increasing TDN and CP levels. Behavioral changes in the hot season (1st period) included reduced lying (43%), increased standing (48%), decreased walking (62%), and decreased eating (38%) (p<0.05), with an increase in drinking by 54%. Rumination during standing was 53% higher, while rumination during lying was about 33% lower compared to the post-hot season (3rd period) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Dietary supplementation of protected fat in late-fattening Hanwoo steers under heat stress had a positive effect on preventing a reduction in performance.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.763-780
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• 2024

This study was conducted to supplement single and complex probiotics to investigate the effect on growing-finishing pigs and compost. In experiment 1, the 64 crossbred ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) pigs with an initial body weight of 18.75 ± 0.33 kg and a birth of 63 days were assigned to a completely randomized four treatment groups based on the initial body weight (4 pigs in a pen with 4 replicate pens for each treatment). For 13 weeks, the dietary treatments were provided: 1) Control (CON; basal diet), 2) T1 (CON + 0.2% Bacillus subtilis), 3) T2 (CON + 0.2% Saccharomyces cerevisiae), 4) T3 (CON + 0.2% Bacillus subtilis + 0.2% Saccharomyces cerevisiae). In experiment 2, the pig manure was obtained from Chungbuk National University (Cheongju, Korea) swine farm. For 12 weeks, the supplementary treatments were provided: 1) CON, non-additive compost; 2) T1, spray Bacillus subtilis 10 g per 3.306 m²; 3) T2, spray Bacillus subtilis 40 g per 3.306 m²; 4) T3, spray Saccharomyces cerevisiae 10 g per 3.306 m²; 5) T4: spray Saccharomyces cerevisiae 40 g per 3.306 m²; 6) T5, spray Bacillus subtilis 5 g + Saccharomyces cerevisiae 5 g per 3.306 m²; 7) T6, spray Saccharomyces subtilis 20 g + S. cerevisiae 20 g per 3.306 m² and there were 6 replicates each treatment. In experiment 1, During the overall experimental period, T3 showed significantly improved (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio and average daily gain compared to other groups. In average maturity score, T3 showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) than other groups. Supplementing complex probiotics group improved (p < 0.05) H2S emissions and fecal microflora compared to the non-supplementing group. In experiment 2, additive probiotics groups had no effect (p > 0.05) on moisture content than the non-additive group at 9 and 12 weeks. T6 showed a significantly improved (p < 0.05) average maturity score at all periods and ammonia emissions at 1 week and 4 weeks compared to other groups. In summary, supplementation complex probiotics induced positive effects on both pigs and compost.

• 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.

• 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.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.350-356
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• 2016

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different dietary corn levels in Total Mixed Rations (TMR) on growth and meat quality of castrated Korean black goats. For feeding trials, thirty-two castrated Korean black goats with similar age (average of 3 months) and body weight (average of 15.9 kg) were divided into the following four treatment groups: commercial feed (control), TMR containing 15% of corn (T1), TMR containing 25% of corn (T2), and TMR containing 35% of corn (T3) in a randomized complete block design. Final body weight was the highest in T2 (58.9 kg), followed by that in control group (53.1 kg). Average daily gain (ADG) and total dry matter intake (TDMI) were also the highest in T2 (100.2 g and 1,346 g, respectively). However, feed conversion ratio (13.4) was the lowest in T2. Carcass weight and dressing percentage in T2 and T3 were higher than those in the control. For meat quality characteristics, crude fat content was the highest in T2 (6.54%). Cooking loss (15.2%) was the lowest in the control. However, the control had the highest flavor value (5.3%). Oleic acid (C18:l) and palmitic acid (C16:0) were the highest in T2 (48.6% and 22.4%, respectively). Stearic acid (C18:0) was the highest in T1 (14.5%). Unsaturated fatty acid was the highest in the control (58.8%), followed by that in T3 (58.2%), T2 (57.8%), and T1 (54.4%). These results indicate that TMR containing 25% of corn could improve the growth performance and meat quality of castrated Korean black goats.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of Acanthopanax (A) senticosus and Eucommiaceae on the expression of lipogenic, myogenic and oxidative stress genes in broiler chickens. Birds were subjected (assigned) to one of the following 5 dietary treatments: control (CON), A. senticosus 0.5% (T1), 1.0% (T2), Eucommiaceae 0.5% (T3) and 1% (T4). Each treatment was replicated 8 times with 4 birds per replication, housed in 4 birds per cage. Birds were arranged according to randomized block design. Feeding trial was conducted from day 4 to 35th day of age. Liver and muscle tissues were collected for analysis. Broilers subjected to 1% A. senticosus had higher feed conversion ratio than the other treated birds whereas no significant differences were found in body weight, weight gain and feed intake. The gene expression levels of fatty acid synthase were not different among the treatments while the transcription factor $PPAR{\gamma}$ was highly expressed in Eucommiaceae but not in control and A. senticosus. The gene expression levels of myogenin were high in both A. senticosus and Eucommiaceae compared to control group. MyoD also showed high expression in treated groups furthermore, Eucommiaceae stimulated the expression of MyoD more than that of A. senticosus. The antioxidant gene expressions (SOD, CAT, SOD, GPX) generally were not much different among the treatments, however, SOD and GPX were stimulated in broilers consumed 1% Eucommiaceae diet. The result of this experiment showed that dietary supplementation of A. senticosus and Eucommiaceae in broiler may improve the antioxidant defence system through SOD and GPX without affect of growth performance in broilers.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.213-223
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of feeding various Lactobacillus on production performance, nutrients digestibility, intestinal microflora, and fecal $NH_{3}$ gas emission in laying hens. Three hundred and sixty ISA Brown layers, 21 weeks of age, were randomly allotted to nine treatments, with low replicates per treatment. Nine treatments consisted of Control(no Lactobacillus), Lactobacillus crispatus avibrol(LCB: KFCC-11195), Lactobaciilus reuteri avibro2(LRB: KFCC-11196), Lactobacillus crispatus avihenl(LCH: KFCC-11197), Lactobacillus vaginalis avihen2(LVH: KFCC-11198). Each Lactobacillus was added at two levels ($10^{4}$and $10^{7}$ cfu/g diets). Egg production, and egg weight were measured daily. A metabolism trial was conducted following the 12-week feeding trial, during which egg qualities, intestinal microflora and fecal $NH_{3}$ gas emission were examined. Egg production and daily egg mass improved significantly by the addition of various Lactobacillus(P<0.05), of which effect was more notable during the latter part of the feeding trial. But, no significant differences were found among Lactobacillus strains and between two levels of supplementation. Egg weight and feed intake showed no difference among all treatments. Feed conversion ratio of birds fed lactobacillus was significantly improved compared to that of the Control(P<0.05), but not different among lactobacillus treatments. Digestibility of crude protein, ether extract and crude ash improved significantly in lactobacillus treatments(P<0.05). However, there were not statistically different by adding levels and strains. Total counts of Lactobacillus spp. in ileum of layers fed Lactobacillus were significantly higher than that of the control, but no consistent trend was found in cecum. There were no significant differences in intestinal yeast and anaerobes counts among all treatments. The Lactobaciilus supplementation did not exert my effect on the eggshell quality and Haugh unit. Fecal $NH_{3}$ gas emission decreased significantly in Lactobacillus treatments, and showed no difference between the two supplementation levels. From the result of this study, it could be concluded that dietary supplementation of Lactobacillus, regardless of their species, Improves the laying performance and decreases the fecal ammonia gas emission. The proper level of supplementation appears to be $10^{4}$ cfu/g of diet.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2016

This research was carried out to determine the effect of Cudrania tricuspidata fruit (CTF) on the performance of laying hens, egg quality, yolk fatty acid composition, Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and blood composition. A total 288 Brown Nick laying hens of 48 weeks old replaced into 4 groups with 4 replicates of 18 birds in each. Treatments were added with 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0% CTF containing dried seed and pulp. Metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) were 2,800 kcal/kg and 16.0% in basal diets, respectively. Egg production and daily eggmass were significantly increased in 1.0% CTF addition treatment compared to those of other treatments (P<0.05). Egg weight and feed intake were not different among treatments. Feed conversion ratio showed the lower result in 1.0% CTF treatment than other treatments (P<0.05). Eggshell color was not influenced by the addition of CTF. Albumin height, Haugh unit and eggshell breaking strength was not statistically different, but seemed to be higher as dietary CTF addition increased. Yolk color was increased as dietary CTF increased and was the highest in 1.0% CTF group (P<0.05). Fatty acids were not shown the consistency in yolk. Blood cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) of birds fed CTF were significantly low compared to those of control. IgG was also statistically higher in CTF treatments than control (P<0.05). As the results of this experiment, the addition of 1% CTF would be the most effective on performance and egg quality, whereas the 0.25% CTF addition in basal diets seemed to be optimum to improve the blood cholesterol, TG,high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-CHOL), IgG in laying hens.