• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.247-253
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• 2013

Here, we present an approach of blood plasma proteome profiling and their comparisons between the young and the adult pigs as prerequisite for the identification of bio-markers related to the health conditions, growth performance and meat quality. To profile the proteome in porcine plasma, blood samples were collected from 19 young piglets and 20 adult male barrows and the plasma was retrieved. Then, protein profiling was initiated using one and two-dimensional electrophoresis. Proteins were spotted and then identified by MALDI-TOF-TOF and LC-MS-MS. In the results, more than thirty-six and twenty eight protein spots were selected in young piglets and adult pigs, respectively and twenty three proteins were identified. The proteome profile images were compared between those ones using Image Master Version 7.0. The image of expressed proteome showed that most of proteins from plasma of young piglet separated clearly and concentrated in 2DE display compared to ones from adult. Image analysis in detail was carried out to look for the specific proteins related to age progression. It demonstrated that the characteristics of proteome expression could be distinct to their age stages. Further investigations needed to proceed to understand the age dependent change of protein conformation and biological meaning of those differences in proteome expression between young and mature adult pigs.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 2005

We have developed a small bore x-ray CT for small animal imaging with a linear x-ray detector array and small-scale slip rings. The linear x-ray detector array consists of 1024 elements of 400□m×400□m with a gadolinium oxysulfide (GOS) scintillator on top of them. To avoid use of expensive large diameter slip rings for projection data transmission from the X­ray detector to the image reconstruction system, we used the wireless LAN technology. The projection data are temporally stored in the data acquisition system residing on the rotating gantry during the scan and they are transmitted to the image reconstruction system after the scan. With the wireless LAN technology, we only needed to use small-scale slip rings to deliver the AC electric power to the X-ray generator and the power supply on the rotating gantry. The performances of the small animal CT system, such as SNR, contrast, and spatial resolution, have been evaluated through experiments using various phantoms. It has been experimentally found that the SNR is almost linearly proportional to the tube current and tube voltage, and the minimum resolvable contrast is less than 30 CT numbers at 40kVp/3.0㎃. The spatial resolution of the small animal CT system has been found to be about 0.9Ip/㎜. Postmortem images of a piglet is also presented.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.776-782
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• 2022

Corn-soybean meal diets are commonly used in the pork industry as a primary source of energy and protein. However, such a diet generally contains non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) which present a challenge in finding ways to improve their availability and digestibility. Dietary multi-carbohydrases (MCs) have been proposed as an efficient approach to utilize NSPs, and can result in improved growth performance and host intestinal fitness. In this study, we evaluated the effects of MC in lactation diets on gut microbiota composition of lactating sows and their litters. The experimental design contained two dietary treatments, a diet based on corn-soybean meal (CON), and CON supplemented with 0.01% multigrain carbohydrases (MCs). Sow and piglet fecal samples were collected on days 7 and 28 after farrowing. Based on the results from 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, MC led to changes in species diversity and altered the microbial compositions in lactating sows and their piglets. Specifically, the MC treatment induced an increase in the proportions of Lactobacillus in piglets. Clostridium and Spirochaetaceae showed a significantly reduced proportion in MC-treated sows at day 28. Our results support the beneficial effects of dietary carbohydrases and their link with improved production due to better host fitness outcomes and gut microbiota composition.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.33-44
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters and trend of Landrace and Yorkshire pigs, which were raised on private farms from 1999 to 2005 and tested for their reproductive performance by the Korea Animal Improvement Association. Prior to analysis, records without pedigree or having value with larger than±3×standard deviation for the Total number of born were excluded. The effects of breed and environmental factors were estimated with least square method(Harvey, 1979), and estimation of breeding values and genetic parameters were performed on the data of 1’st litter only with GIBBSF90(Misztal, 2001) which was programmed according to Gibbs Sampling method based on Bayesian Inference by Gianola and Fernando(1986), Jensen(1994) and others. Gibbs sampling was performed 50,000 times for each parameter, and the first 5000 samples were regarded as those in burn-in period and thus, excluded for post hoc analysis. Total number of born and total number of accident were statistically significant(p<0.01) for the breed, farrowing year, farrowing season and parity effects, and the number born alive at birth was statistically significantp<(0.01) for the breed, farrowing year, farrowing season and parity effects. No particular trend was observed in the genetic and phenotypic improvement of the total number of born and number born alive at birth before 2001, when the piglet registration system started, but the tendencies of increasing for the total number of born and number born alive and decreasing for the total number of accident were observed since 2001. Somewhat higher heritability estimates of our study seems to be attributed to the situations that first parity records with poor farrowing performances were used in the analyses and it was impossible to obtain accurate reproductive performance due to the absence of criteria for record keeping at the level of individual farms.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.791-794
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• 2000

Two hundred sixteen crossbred ($Landrace{\times}Yorkshire$) castrates with an average weight of $7.4{\pm}0.3kg$ were used in a $3{\times}3$ factorial treatment array. The treatments were three levels of Herb mixture (HM; 0, 0.40 and 0.80 g/kg BW/day) and three levels of dietary nutrient (17.30% CP, Level-1; 17.90% CP, Level-2; and 18.50% CP, Level-3). The influence of HM intake and nutrient level on growth performance and ADG in 0.40- and 0.80-HM pigs increased significantly (p<0.01) as nutritional level was elevated. Although very little enhancement of ADG was observed at Level-1, peak ADG occurred in 0.8-HM treated pigs at Level-3. Feeding of 0.80 g HM/kg/d to pigs consuming Level-1 diet resulted in a 8.7% increase in ADG compared with control pigs, whereas the increase in ADG as a result of 0.80-HM with Level-3 treatment was 39%. ADFI in Level-2 pigs improved linearly (p<0.01) as HM level was increased. Treatment with HM resulted in a 12.0% increase ranging 4.7 to 20% in the ADFI compared with respective controls. ADFI at all nutritional level was significantly higher in 0.80-HM pigs (p<0.02). F/G in Level-2 pigs improved significantly as HM was fed (p<0.01), and in HM-0.80 pigs was also significantly improved as nutritional level was increased (p<0.05). Pigs fed HM had higher bone mineral density (BMD) at Level-1, longer dorsal spine length (DSL) at level-2 (p<0.05) than pigs fed basal diets. Pigs fed HM tended to higher BMD and DSL than those fed basal diets. The level of GH secretion declined with age. There was no difference between treatments (p>0.05) in the serum growth hormone at the same age. The GH was higher in pigs fed HM than those fed basal diets and increased in all pigs after 2wks feeding. A positive effect of added Herb-Mix on growth performance in weaned pigs was demonstrated by measuring the serum growth hormone, bone mineral density and length of dorsal spine.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.1285-1293
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• 2005

The present study was conducted to evaluate and compare the effects of various animal and plant protein sources on piglet' performance, digestibility of amino acids and gut morphology in weaned pigs until 28 days after weaning. The plant protein sources used were soybean meal (SBM), fermented soy protein (FSP), rice protein concentrate (RPC); and animal protein sources tested were, whey protein concentrate (WPC) and fishmeal (FM). Iso-proteinous (21%) diets were formulated and lysine (1.55%) content was similar in all the diets. The level of each protein source added was 6% by replacing SBM to the same extent from the control diet containing 15% SBM. The ADG was higher (p<0.05) in the groups fed animal proteins as compared with plant proteins at all the levels of measurement, except during 15-28 days. The highest ADG was noted in WPC and FM fed diets and lowest in SBM fed diet. The feed intake was higher in animal protein fed groups than plant proteins at all phases, but the feed:gain ratio was not affected by protein sources except during overall (0 to 14 day) measurement which was improved (p<0.05) in animal protein fed diets compared to plant protein sources. The digestibilities of gross energy, dry matter and crude protein were higher in animal protein fed groups than for plant protein fed sources. The apparent ileal digestibilities of essential amino acids like Leu, Thr, and Met were significantly (p<0.05) higher in animal proteins fed animals as compared with plant protein fed animals. But the apparent fecal digestibilities of essential amino acids like Arg and Ile were significantly higher (p<0.05) in plant protein diets than animal protein sources. The villous structure studied by scanning electron microscope were prominent, straight finger-like, although shortened and densely located in FM fed group as compared with others. The lactic acid bacteria and C. perfringens counts were higher in caecal contents of pigs fed plant proteins than the animal proteins. Overall, it could be concluded that animal protein sources in the present study showed better effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and gut morphology than plant protein sources.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.775-783
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• 2007

To elucidate the efficacy of different soy protein sources on piglet's performance, a total of 280 weaned piglets ($Duroc{\times}Yorkshire{\times}Landrace$, $23{\pm}3$ d of age, $5.86{\pm}0.45$ kg initial BW) were allotted to 5 treatment diets comprising soybean meal (SBM), soy protein concentrate (SPC), Hamlet protein (HP300), fungal (Aspergillus oryzae) fermented soy protein (FSP-A), and fungal plus bacterial (A. oryzae+Bacillus subtilis) fermented soy protein (FSP-B), respectively. Experimental diets for feeding trial were formulated to contain each soy protein sources at 8% level to corn-whey powder basal diet. There were 14 pigs per pen and 4 pens per treatment. Experimental diets were fed from 0 to 14 d after weaning and then a common commercial diet was fed from 15 to 35 d. Also for ileal digestibility studies, 18 pigs were assigned to 6 dietary treatments as N-free, SBM, SPC, HP300, FSP-A and FSP-B with T-canulation at distal ileum for 6 days. At $14^{th}$ d of experimental feeding, the ADG was significantly higher (p<0.05) in SPC fed diet as compared with others. Similar trend was noticed during the 15-35 d and overall study (0-35 d). All the processed soy protein sources tested in this experiment improved (p<0.05) growth than SBM during overall study. The nutrient digestibility of GE, DM, CP and Ca showed lower (p<0.05) values in SBM and FSP-A fed groups than SPC and FSP-B treatments. The apparent ileal digestibility of TEAA, non-TEAA and TAA showed lower (p<0.05) in SBM treatments compared with other soy protein sources. The true ileal digestibility of TEAA, non-TEAA and TAA were lower (p<0.05) in SBM fed group than SPC and HP300 treatments, and lower than FSP treatments though they didn't achieve significant difference (p>0.05). Villous height and crypt depth was not affected by dietary treatments. In conclusion, the growth and digestibility of nutrients in weaned pigs fed SPC was superior to others. Also FSP-A and FSP-B showed improved performance than those fed SBM.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.397-412
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• 2021

In Experiment 1, the impact of using diets sufficient in P on the performance of weaned piglet growth with or without a super dose of phytase was investigated. One hundred and twelve piglets were randomized into four treatments with 7 replicates (4 piglets·cage^-1). Bodyweight (BW), daily gain (ADG), daily intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratios (FCR) were measured over three weeks. Treatments included a positive control (PC) with a Ca : P ratio of 0.80 : 0.50%. and the negative control (NC) had a Ca : P ratio of 0.60 : 0.50%. The PC plus phytase was denoted as PC+, and the NC with the phytase diet was designated as NC+. The PC diet was formulated to meet or exceed the NRC (2012) standards for pigs weighing 7 - 25 kgs. Better results were obtained with the PC diet (p > 0.1) compared to the NC diet. The super dose of phytase in the PC+ diet significantly improved the overall FCR (p < 0.1). For Experiment 2, the impact of different calcium (Ca)/phosphorous (P) ratios with or without supplementation of vitamin D₃ was determined. Ninety-six piglets were randomized into four treatments with 6 replicates (4 piglets·cage^-1). The PC, NC1 and NC2 diets had ratios of 0.80 : 0.50, 0.80 : 0.45, and 0.60 : 0.45%, respectively. The fourth diet (PCV) was the PC diet fortified with vitamin D₃. Improved results were observed with the PC diet (p > 0.1) compared to the NC diets. Supplementing dietary 25-OH-D₃ in the PCV diet led to numerically higher ADG and ADFI scores with lower FCR values at the early nursery stage (p = 0.0044), but the vitamin supplement did not significantly influence the growth.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.75-86
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• 2022

Objective: The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of dietary glucose oxidase (GOD), catalase (CAT), or both supplementation on reproductive performance, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in sows. Methods: A total of 104 multiparous sows were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 26) with each group given a basal diet, basal diet plus GOD at 60 U/kg, basal diet plus CAT at 75 U/kg, and basal diet plus GOD at 60 U/kg and CAT at 75 U/kg. Sows were fed the experimental diets throughout gestation and lactation. Results: Dietary GOD supplementation increased average daily feed intake of sows and litter weight at weaning (p<0.05). Dietary CAT supplementation reduced the duration of parturition, stillbirth, and piglet mortality and increased growth performance of weaned piglets (p<0.05). Dietary GOD and CAT supplementation enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and lessened oxidative stress product levels in plasma of sows and elevated antioxidant capacity of 14-day milk and plasma in weaned piglets (p<0.05). Dietary GOD supplementation increased fecal Lactobacillus counts and reduced Escherichia coli counts of sows (p<0.05). Compared with the basal diet, the GOD diet reduced fecal Escherichia coli counts of sows, but the addition of CAT did not reduce Escherichia coli counts in the GOD diet. Dietary GOD and CAT supplementation reduced the apoptosis rate of the liver, endometrium, and ovarian granulosa cells in sows (p<0.05). In the liver, uterus, and ovary of sows, the mRNA expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 was downregulated by dietary GOD and CAT supplementation (p<0.05). Conclusion: Dietary GOD and CAT supplementation could improve the antioxidant capacity of sows and weaned piglets, and alleviate hepatic, ovarian and uterine apoptosis by weakening apoptosis-related gene expression. Glucose oxidase regulated fecal microflora of sows, but supplementation of CAT to GOD could weaken the inhibitory effect of GOD on fecal Escherichia coli.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.1643-1652
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• 2021

Objective: Two experiments were conducted to provide a new approach for evaluating feed nutritional value by metabolizable glucose (MG) in piglet diets with different levels of starch and crude fiber. In Exp 1, a regression equation for MG was generated. In Exp 2, the equation was verified, and the optimal growth performance of piglets under appropriate MG levels was tested. Methods: In Exp 1, 20 weaned piglets (7.74±0.81 kg body weight [BW]) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments, including the basal diet containing different levels of MG (starch, 25.80%, 31.67%, 45.71%, 49.36%; crude fiber, 1.23%, 1.35%, 1.80%, 1.51%). The piglets were implanted with an ileal fistula, cannulation of the carotid artery, portal vein, and mesenteric artery. The chyme from the ileum fistula and blood samples were collected. In Exp 2, 30 weaned piglets (8.96±0.50 kg BW) were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatments, including the experimental diets with different levels of MG (37.6, 132.5, 300.0, 354.3, and 412.5 g/kg). The piglets' BW, and feed consumption were recorded to calculate growth performance during the 28-d experiment. Results: In Exp 1, the MG levels in 4 diets were 239.62, 280.68, 400.79, and 454.35 g/kg. The regression equation for the MG levels and dietary nutrients was: Y (MG) = 12.13×X₁ (starch)+23.18×X₂ (crude fiber)-196.44 (R² = 0.9989, p = 0.033). In Exp 2, treatments with 132.5 and 300.0 g/kg MG significantly (p<0.05) increased average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency of weaned piglets, increased digestibility of crude fat, and had no effect on digestibility of crude protein compared to 300.0 to 412.5 g/kg MG. Conclusion: The pig model combining the ileum fistula and cannulation of blood vessels was successfully used to determine the dietary MG levels. The recommended MG level in weaned pig diets is 132.5 to 300.0 g/kg.