• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.598-604
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• 2007

The current study was conducted to evaluate carcass characteristics, objectives and sensory meat qualities of Hanwoo longissimus muscle as affected by ultimate pH. Twenty-four steers and bulls ($556{\pm}53$ kg and $0.63{\pm}0.32$cm for live weight and backfat thickness, respectively) were used. As there was a linear relationship (r = 0.77) between lean meat color and ultimate pH, cattles were thus segregated into normal $pH{\leq}5.8$, Normal, n = 13) and DFD (pH>5.8, n = 11) groups. Normal pH group had significantly (p<0.05) higher carcass weight, marbling score and backfat thickness than those for high pH group, while fat color and lean meat color were inverse. In principle component analysis for co-ordinates of DFD and normal meats, fat color, lean meat color, texture, time to pH 6.2 and pH at 24 h postmortem were associated with the positive range of the first factor (67.5%) while backfat thickness marbling score and temperature at 24 h were placed in negative values. The rate constant of decline in pH (pH k) did not differ between the two groups, implying that initial pH (i.e., pH at slaughtering) differed between two groups. Contour mapping of pH k between pH at 1 and 24 h postmortem indicated that high pH k was related to lower pHs at 1 and 24 h postmortem. This suggested that the high pH cattles (i.e., DFD cattle) resulted from their own potential. Although the time to reach pH 6.2 was significantly (p<0.05) shorter for normal meat (i.e., 3.2 h) than that for DFD one (i.e., 19.8 h), there were no significantly differences in both WB-shear force and sensory attributes. Given that the experimental animals were sampled from a similar group, which implies a similar myoglobin pigment content, the current data suggested that pre- and post-slaughter animal handling likely had a significant effect on ultimate pH and consequently meat color of Hanwoo longissimus muscle, and also small animals with lower marbling score and backfat thickness had a higher risk for DFD meat.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제20권12호
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• pp.1798-1804
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• 2007

The objective of this study was to assess the association of polymorphisms in MSTN and MYF5 genes with growth traits in three Chinese cattle breeds. Only one homozygous animal with BB genotype at MSTN locus was observed in Jiaxian population which was at Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium (p<0.05). The frequencies of allele A at MSTN locus and allele B at MYF5 locus in the three Chinese breeds were 0.9550/0.9730/0.9720 and 0.8275/0.7581/0.7523, respectively. Allele A at MSTN locus and allele B at MYF5 locus were dominant in these three populations. No statistically significant differences in growth traits were observed between the genotypes of the Jiaxian breed at MSTN and MYF5 loci and the Nanyang breed at MYF5 locus. However, there were statistically significant differences between the genotypes at MSTN locus of the Nanyang breed for WH, HG, HGI and HGBLR (p<0.05), and of the Qinchuan breed for BLI (p<0.05). The SNP in MYF5 had significant effects on WH and HHC of Qinchuan animals (p<0.05). These results suggest that MSTN and MYF5 are strong candidate genes that influence growth traits in cattle. Other SNPs of MSTN and MYF5 or other linked genes should also be studied, which could lead to the development of selection plans to improve the performance of Chinese cattle and also promote the breeding of genuine beef cattle in China.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.197-204
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• 2010

Two studies were conducted to determine the effects of replacing 30% (% in diet DM) of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) hay with citrus pulp in Merino ewe diets: i) an in vitro study which measured ruminal fermentation; and ii) an in vivo study in which twelve Merino ewes pre- and post-lambing were fed experimental diets in a cross-over design over 120 days to evaluate effects on ewe performance (i.e. DM intake, average daily gain (ADG) and wool growth). In both the in vitro and in vivo studies, the control treatment consisted of lucerne (91.3% in diet DM), lupins (8.3% in diet DM) and phosphate (0.42% in diet DM), while the citrus pulp treatment consisted of lucerne (57.7% in diet DM), lupins (9.5% in diet DM), phosphate (0.48% in diet DM) and fresh citrus pulp (32.3% in diet DM). Data were analysed using the mixed model procedure of SAS. In the in vitro study, gas production, total volatile fatty acid (VFA) yield, proportion of propionic acid to total VFA and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were higher (p<0.02) in the citrus pulp treatment compared to the control treatment. In contrast, in vitro ammonia production, pH and the acetate to propionate ratio were lower (p<0.03) for the citrus pulp treatment compared to the control treatment. In the in vivo study, DM intake of ewes fed the citrus pulp diet was lower than their control ewe counterparts throughout both the pre- and post-lambing periods (928.9 vs. 1,115.0 g/d pre-; 1,285.0 vs. 1,620.3 g/d post-lambing, p<0.01), however ADG was similar (p = 0.12). Wool growth parameters and lamb performance did not differ (p>0.32) between treatments. In summary, the in vitro study demonstrated that the replacement of 30% of a lucerne diet with fresh citrus pulp improved total VFA yield, increased total gas production and improved IVDMD, while decreasing the production of ammonia, acetic acid and rumen pH. In addition, the in vivo study demonstrated that the replacement of 30% of a lucerne diet with fresh citrus pulp pre- and post-lambing decreased intake but did not affect ewe performance in terms of ADG and wool growth. These findings, of course, would be of significant interest to sheep producers endeavouring to control cost of feed ingredients whilst maintaining productivity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.410-420
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• 2012

A trial was conducted to: i) evaluate the BW growth, energy intakes and energetic efficiency of pigs fed high and low density diets from 27 to 141 kg BW, ii) evaluate sire line and sex differences when fed both diets, and iii) to compare ME to NE as predictor of pig performance. The experiment had a replicated factorial arrangement of treatments including four sire lines, two sexes (2,192 barrows and 2,280 gilts), two dietary energy densities and a light or heavy target BW, 118 and 131.5 kg in replicates 1 to 6 and 127 and 140.6 kg in replicates 7 to 10. Pigs were allocated to a series of low energy (LE, 3.27 Mcal ME/kg) corn-soybean meal based diets with 16% wheat midds or high energy diets (HE, 3.53 to 3.55 Mcal ME/kg) with 4.5 to 4.95% choice white grease. All diets contained 6% DDGS. The HE and LE diets of each of the four phases were formulated to have equal lysine:Mcal ME ratios. Pigs were weighed and pen feed intake (11 or 12 pigs/pen) recorded at 28-d intervals. The barrow and gilt daily feed (DFI), ME (MEI) and NE (NEI) intake data were fitted to a Bridges function of BW. The BW data of each sex were fitted to a generalized Michaelis-Menten function of days of age. ME and NE required for maintenance (Mcal/d) were predicted using functions of BW (0.255 and 0.179 BW^0.60 respectively). Pigs fed LE diets had decreased ADG (915 vs. 945 g/d, p<0.001) than pigs fed HE diets. Overall, DFI was greater (p<0.001) for pigs fed the LE diets (2.62 vs. 2.45 kg/d). However, no diet differences were observed for MEI (8.76 vs. 8.78 Mcal/d, p = 0.49) or NEI (6.39 vs. 6.44 Mcal/d, p = 0.13), thereby indicating that the pigs compensated for the decreased energy content of the diet. Overall ADG:DFI (0.362 vs. 0.377) and ADG:Mcal MEI (0.109 vs. 0.113) was less (p<0.001) for pigs fed LE compared to HE diets. Pigs fed HE diets had 3.6% greater ADG:Mcal MEI above maintenance and only 1.3% greater ADG:Mcal NEI (0.152 versus 0.150), therefore NEI is a more accurate predictor of growth and G:F than MEI.Pigs fed HE diets had 3.4% greater ADG:Mcal MEI and 0.11% greater ADG:NEI above maintenance than pigs fed LE diets, again demonstrating that NEI is a better predictor of pig performance than MEI. Pigs fed LE diets had similar daily NEI and MEI but grew slower and less efficiently on both ME and NE basis than pigs fed HE diets. The data suggest that the midds NE value (2.132 Mcal/kg) was too high for this source or that maintenance was increased for pigs fed LE diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.531-540
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• 2012

Pigs from four sire lines were allocated to a series of low energy (LE, 3.15 to 3.21 Mcal ME/kg) corn-soybean meal-based diets with 16% wheat midds or high energy diets (HE, 3.41 to 3.45 Mcal ME/kg) with 4.5 to 4.95% choice white grease. All diets contained 6% DDGS. The HE and LE diets of each of the four phases were formulated to have equal lysine:Mcal ME ratios. Barrows (N = 2,178) and gilts (N = 2,274) were fed either high energy (HE) or low energy (LE) diets from 27 kg BW to target BWs of 118, 127, 131.5 and 140.6 kg. Carcass primal and subprimal cut weights were collected. The cut weights and carcass measurements were fitted to allometric functions (Y = A $CW^B$) of carcass weight. The significance of diet, sex or sire line with A and B was evaluated by linearizing the equations by log to log transformation. The effect of diet on A and B did not interact with sex or sire line. Thus, the final model was cut weight = (1+$b_D$(Diet)) A($CW^B$) where Diet = -0.5 for the LE and 0.5 for HE diets and A and B are sire line-sex specific parameters. Diet had no affect on loin, Boston butt, picnic, baby back rib, or sparerib weights (p>0.10, $b_D$ = -0.003, -0.0029, 0.0002, 0.0047, -0.0025, respectively). Diet affected ham weight (bD = -0.0046, p = 0.01), belly weight (bD = 0.0188, p = 0.001) three-muscle ham weight ($b_D$ = -0.014, p = 0.001), boneless loin weight (bD = -0.010, p = 0.001), tenderloin weight ($b_D$ = -0.023, p = 0.001), sirloin weight ($b_D$ = -0.009, p = 0.034), and fat-free lean mass ($b_D$ = -0.0145, p = 0.001). Overall, feeding the LE diets had little impact on primal cut weight except to decrease belly weight. Feeding LE diets increased the weight of lean trimmed cuts by 1 to 2 percent at the same carcass weight.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.488-500
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the protocols for superstimulation of follicular growth in Thai native heifers. Heifers (n = 20) were randomly divided into four groups of five heifers/group. Heifers were given a single dose by i.m. administration of 100 mg Follicle Stimulating Hormone dissolved in polyvinylpyrrolidone (FSHp) at 24 h. Ovum pick up (OPU) occurred at 72 h ($F_{24}O_{72}$ protocol; Group 1) or 96 h ($F_{24}O_{96}$ protocol; Group 2), and at 36 h and OPU at 72 h ($F_{36}O_{72}$ protocol; Group 3) or 96 h ($F_{36}O_{96}$ protocol; Group 4) after follicular ablation. The dynamics of ovarian follicular growth were monitored by twice-daily ultrasonographic examinations. Blood sample collections were performed every 12 h after initiation of treatment for assessment of FSH, E2 and P4 profiles. All heifers were subjected to eight repeated sequential sessions of OPU. The follicular deviation commenced $24{\pm}5.32$ h after follicular ablation in all groups. The circulatory FSH surged quickly from 24 to 36 h (>0.8 ng/ml) after follicular ablation and circulatory estrogen levels steadily increased from 36 h until OPU in all groups. At the end of the OPU sessions, the mean number of aspirated follicles/heifer/session in $F_{36}O_{72}$ protocol (Group 3) and $F_{36}O_{96}$ protocol (Group 4) were higher than in the two other groups (p<0.05). The number of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), cleaved and day 8 blastocysts rates in the $F_{36}O_{72}$ protocol (Group 3) were higher than in the other groups (p<0.05). It can be concluded that a single dose i.m. administration of 100 mg FSHp at 36 h and OPU at 72 h after follicular ablation ($F_{36}O_{72}$ protocol; Group 3) was the most effective protocol for superstimulation of follicular growth for repeated OPU and subsequent in vitro embryo production in Thai native heifers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.654-660
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• 2013

Three Korean native steers ($779{\pm}24$ kg) fitted with duodenal cannulas were used in a $3{\times}3$ Latin square design to investigate the influence of oral administration of soluble proteins, intact casein (IC) and acid hydrolyzed casein (AHC), on gastro-intestinal hormone (GIH) secretion in the blood and pancreatic ${\alpha}$-amylase activity in the duodenum. Oral treatment consisted of a basic diet (control), IC (C+100% protein), or AHC (C+80% amino acid, 20% peptide) for 21 d. Blood and duodenum samples were collected for measurement of serum GI hormones, and pancreatic ${\alpha}$-amylase activity was determined at 900, 1030, 1330, 1630, and 1930 h after feeding on d 21 of treatment. The levels of serum cholecystokinin (CCK) and secretin in the IC treatment group were higher compared to the other treatment groups (p<0.05). In addition to the changes in CCK and secretin levels upon IC treatment, the pancreatic ${\alpha}$-amylase activity in the duodenum was higher in the IC group compared to the control diet group (p<0.05). The response of serum ghrelin to IC and AHC treatment was in accordance with the response of serum secretin. The level of peptide fragments flowing in the duodenum was higher in the IC treatment group than the other treatment groups (p<0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that an increase in duodenal CCK and secretin upon IC oral administration increased pancreatic ${\alpha}$-amylase secretion. In addition, ghrelin may be associated with GI hormone secretion in Korean native steers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제29권11호
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• pp.1555-1561
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• 2016

Shank skin color of Korean native chicken (KNC) shows large color variations. It varies from white, yellow, green, bluish or grey to black, whilst in the majority of European breeds the shanks are typically yellow-colored. Three shank skin color-related traits (i.e., lightness [$L^*$], redness [$a^*$], and yellowness [$b^*$]) were measured by a spectrophotometer in 585 progeny from 68 nuclear families in the KNC resource population. We performed genome scan linkage analysis to identify loci that affect quantitatively measured shank skin color traits in KNC. All these birds were genotyped with 167 DNA markers located throughout the 26 autosomes. The SOLAR program was used to conduct multipoint variance-component quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses. We detected a major QTL that affects $b^*$ value (logarithm of odds [LOD] = 47.5, $p=1.60{\times}10^{-49}$) on GGA24 (GGA for Gallus gallus). At the same location, we also detected a QTL that influences $a^*$ value (LOD = 14.2, $p=6.14{\times}10^{-16}$). Additionally, beta-carotene dioxygenase 2 (BCDO2), the obvious positional candidate gene under the linkage peaks on GGA24, was investigated by the two association tests: i.e., measured genotype association (MGA) and quantitative transmission disequilibrium test (QTDT). Significant associations were detected between BCDO2 g.9367 A>C and $a^*$ ($P_{MGA}=1.69{\times}10^{-28}$; $P_{QTDT}=2.40{\times}10^{-25}$). The strongest associations were between BCDO2 g.9367 A>C and $b^*$ ($P_{MGA}=3.56{\times}10^{-66}$; $P_{QTDT}=1.68{\times}10^{-65}$). However, linkage analyses conditional on the single nucleotide polymorphism indicated that other functional variants should exist. Taken together, we demonstrate for the first time the linkage and association between the BCDO2 locus on GGA24 and quantitatively measured shank skin color traits in KNC.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.80-85
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• 2004

The purpose of this experiment was to assess seasonal variation of feed utilization by feed sources and to obtain information on the use of feed resources by comparing seasonal changes of dry matter intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and feeding behavior in spotted deer (Cervus nippon) fed forest by-product silage (FBS) and corn silage (CS). Dry matter intake (DMI) of FBS was higher than that of CS in both winter and summer. While DMI of both diets was higher in summer, this was not significant at the 5% level. In contrast to DMI, digestible dry matter intake (DDMI) was higher for CS than for FBS in both seasons, but the difference was not significant. Digestibility of dry matter and crude protein was significantly higher (p<0.01) for CS than for FBS, whereas digestibility of crude fiber was significantly higher (p<0.01) for FBS than for CS in both seasons. Seasonal digestibility of dry matter and crude fiber for FBS was significantly greater (p<0.01) in summer than in winter: In summer, seasonal digestibility was 57.2% for dry matter and 55.5% for crude fiber, and in winter, 50.8% for dry matter and 30.7% for crude fiber. On the other hand, seasonal digestibility of crude protein was higher (p<0.01) in winter (42.1%) than in summer (32.3%). No significant difference (p>0.05) was found between the two seasons and diets for nitrogen intake (NI), 18.7 g/d in summer and 19.4 g/d in winter for FBS, 17.7 g/d in summer and 17.7 g/d in winter for CS. Fecal nitrogen was higher (p<0.01) for FBS than for CS and varied little seasonally. There was significant difference (p<0.01) between two seasons in urinary nitrogen, which was little difference between two diets. Retained nitrogen (RN) was different significantly (p<0.01) between two diets in both seasons, but there was little difference between seasons. Deer usually spent longer time on eating FBS than eating CS. Eating FBS took 221 min in summer and 187 min in winter, whereas eating CS took 113 min in summer and 109 min in winter. Deer spent less time on eating food in winter than in summer. Time spent on rumination was longer for FBS than for CS: for FBS, 504 min in summer and 456 min in winter, for CS, 423 min in summer and 279 min in winter. Time varied seasonally with both diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.203-208
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• 1999

An 8 week feeding trial was conducted with 864 ISA Brown laying hens, 48 weeks old, to determine if microbial phytase $(Natuphos^{(R)})$ supplementation can reduce non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) level in laying diets. The experiment consisted of four dietary treatments: T1, control diet with 0.26% NPP (0.55% total P) wand no supplementary phytase; T2, 0.21% NPP (0.50% total P) diet with 250 U of phytase/kg of diet; T3, 0.16% NPP (0.45% total P) diet with 250 U of phytase/kg of diet; and T4, 0.11% NPP (0.40% total P) diet with 250 U of phytase/kg of diet. T3 showed the highest egg production and egg weight and the lowest feed conversion while T4 gave the lowest egg production and the highest feed conversion and mortality. Daily feed consumption ranged from 130.4 g (T4) to 132.7 g (T2). T1 and T2 were not significantly different in the production parameters. Eggshell strength, egg specific gravity, and eggshell thickness were not significantly different among treatments. However, broken egg ratio was significantly lower in T2 and T4 than in T1. Retentions of Ca, P, Mg, and Cu were greater in phytase supplemented treatments (T2, T3, and T4) than the control (T1), and those in T3 and T4 were greater than in T2. Excretions of P in phytase supplemented treatments (T2, T3, and T4) were significantly (p<0.05) smaller than in T1 but excretions of N were not significantly different among the treatments. Contents of ash in tibiae were not significantly affected by treatments, but contents of Ca, P, Mg, and Zn was increased and that of Cu decreased by phytase supplementation. It is concluded that the NPP concentration in the diet of Brown layers consuming about 130 g/d of feed can be safely lowered from 0.26% (0.55% total P) to 0.16% (0.45% total P). The excretion of P was reduced by the inclusion of 250 U phytase/kg of diet.