• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.1142-1158
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• 2021

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are metabolic products produced during the microbial fermentation of non-digestible fibers and play an important role in metabolic homeostasis and overall gut health. In this study, we investigated the effects of supplementation with multispecies probiotics (MSPs) containing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Limosilactobacillus reuteri, and Levilactobacillus brevis on the gut microbiota, and fecal SCFAs and lactate levels of weaned pigs. A total of 38 pigs weaned at 4 weeks of age were fed either a basal diet or a diet supplemented with MSPs for 6 weeks. MSP administration significantly increased the fecal concentrations of lactate (2.3-fold; p < 0.01), acetate (1.8-fold; p < 0.05), and formate (1.4-fold; p < 0.05). Moreover, MSP supplementation altered the gut microbiota of the pigs by significantly increasing the population of potentially beneficial bacteria such as Olsenella, Catonella, Catenibacterium, Acidaminococcus, and Ruminococcaceae. MSP supplementation also decreased the abundance of pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia and Chlamydia. The modulation of the gut microbiota was observed to be strongly correlated with the changes in fecal SCFAs and lactate levels. Furthermore, we found changes in the functional pathways present within the gut, which supports our findings that MSP modulates the gut microbiota and SCFAs levels in pigs. The results support the potential use of MSPs to improve the gut health of animals by modulating SCFAs production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.103-109
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of enzymolytic products of soybean meal (ESBM), as one of the protein sources in the diet, on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and immune function of weaned piglets. Soybean meal produced by bioprocessing with fermentation and enzymolysis contains reduced anti-nutritional factors and improved protein utilization. A total of 240 weaned piglets (Duroc${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire, $9.01{\pm}0.22\;kg$ body weight) were randomly allocated to 4 treatments with 6 pens per treatment and 10 piglets per pen. The diets were based on corn-soybean meal and ESBM partially replaced soybean meal and soybean protein isolate at the inclusion level of 5, 10 or 15% in the basal diet. Feed intake and body weight were measured weekly. On days 24 to 27, faeces of each replicate were proportionally collected to determine the nutrient digestibility. On day 28 of the experiment, one piglet from each replicate was slaughtered humanely to collect immune organs. The results showed that inclusion of ESBM increased (p<0.05) the final weight, daily feed intake and daily gain of weaned pigs compared with the control diet, and ESBM at the inclusion levels of 10 and 15% improved (p<0.05) the feed/gain compared with the control diet. There were no differences (p>0.05) in daily feed intake among the levels of ESBM, but increasing the levels of ESBM from 5 to 15% improved (p<0.05) the final weight, average daily gain of pigs and feed/gain. The inclusion of ESBM at 5 to 15% increased (p<0.05) the digestibility of crude protein (CP) by 5 to 16%, and ESBM at 15% increased (p<0.05) the digestibility of digestible energy (DE), Ca and P compared with the control diet. ESBM increased (p<0.05) the relative weights of thymus and mandibular lymph nodes by 57.7 and 29.6%, respectively. The percentages of T lymphocytes, CD4+ and CD8+ in peripheral blood of weaned piglets were also increased (p<0.05) by feeding ESBM. The results suggest that ESBM can be a better protein source in improving growth performance, nutrient digestibility and immune function of weaned piglets.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2001

The protective effects of egg yolk atibodies obtained from chickens immunized with fimbrial antigens from ETEC 987P were evaluated in 14 and 21 d old pigs in which ETEC diarrhea was induced. For the Exp. 1, eight early-weaned pigs($5.00{\pm}0.5kg$ average BW and 14 d average age) and eight weaned pigs($6.00{\pm}0.5kg$ average BW and 21 d average age) were used to examine influence of egg yolk antibodies on growth performance and resistance to ETEC 987P infection. Dietary treatments included 1) administered of commercial egg yolk(14 d of age; CEY14), 2) administered of egg yolk antibodies(14 d of age; EYA14), 3) administered of commercial egg yolk(21 d of age; CEY21), 4) administered of egg yolk antibodies(21 d of age; EYA21). The 14 and 21 d old pigs were challenged with 2 ml of ETEC 987P at a dose of $10^{10}\;CFU\;ml^{-1}$ per weaned pigs. Weaned pigs treated with egg yolk antibodies recovered and pigs treated with egg yolk antibodies tended to increase average daily gain(P<0.05). Also, EYA12 and EYA21 treatments were reduced coli-form bacteria concentration and increased Lactobacilli sp. concentration from feces. For the Exp. 2, sixteen weaned pigs($6.00{\pm}0.5kg$ average daily gain BW and 21 d average age) were used to examine influence of yolk or white from egg containing antibodies on growth performance and resistance to ETEC 987P infection. Dietary treatments included l) administered of commercial egg yolk(CEY), 2) administered of commercial egg white(CEW), 3) administered of egg yolk antibodies(EYA), 4) administered of egg white antibodies(EWA). Pigs treated only with EYA showed signs of recovery. Also, EYA treatment showed the best average daily gain without significant differences (P>0.05). EYA treatment was reduced coli-form bacteria concentration increased and Lactobacilli sp. concentration from feces. In conclusion, egg yolk antibodies have protective effects from pigs in which ETEC diarrhea was induced.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2019

Enterovirus species G (EV-G) is highly diverse, and is ubiquitous in pig populations, usually without diarrhea. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of novel EV-G recombinants with the torovirus papain-like cysteine protease (PLCP) in Jeju pig herds. EV-G1-PLCP mono-infections were most prevalent in diarrheic weaned piglets. The PLCP genes of the Jeju isolates varied in size and junction sequences, and were greatly heterogeneous, with 77.0-90.7% homology amongst all recombinants. Our results suggest that the exogenous PLCP gene has undergone continuous rapid mutation in the individual EV-G genomes following cross-order recombination, thereby causing clinical disease in swine.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.523-532
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• 2004

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of microbial phytase ($Natuphos^{R}$) supplementation in combination with enzyme complex (composed of enzymes targeted to SBM dietary components such as $\alpha$-galactosides and galactomannans; $Endo-Power^{R}$) to diet with low nutrient levels on growth performance and ileal nutrient digestibility of weaned pigs. A total of 210 crossbred weaned pigs (Landrace$\times$Yorkshire$\times$Duroc), 6.68$\pm$0.98 kg of initial body weight, were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments, based on weight and age, according to a randomized complete block design. There were three pens per treatment and 14 pigs per pen. The dietary treatments were 1) CON (Control diet with no phytase and enzyme complex (EC)), 2) LP+EC 100 (Control diet with 0.15% unit lower available phosphorus (aP) level+0.1% phytase (500 FTU/kg diet) and 0.1% enzyme complex), 3) LP+EC 80 (Control diet with 0.15% unit lower aP level+0.08% phytase (400 FTU/kg diet) and 0.08% enzyme complex, 4) LPEA+EC 100 (Control diet with 0.15% unit lower aP and 3% lower ME and amino acid levels (lysine, methionine, threonine and typtophan)+0.1% phytase (500 FTU/kg diet) and 0.1% enzyme complex), 5) LPEA+EC 80 (Control diet with 0.15% unit lower aP and 3% lower ME and amino acid levels+0.08% phytase (400 FTU/ kg diet) and 0.08% enzyme complex). For the determination of ileal nutrients digestibility, a total of 15 T-cannulated pigs (initial body weight; 7.52$\pm$1.24 kg; 3 replicates per treatment) were used in the present study. Piglets were weighted and allotted into same dietary treatments as one in growth trial and phase I experimental diets were provided for ileal digestibility study. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) among dietary treatments during the whole experimental period (0 to 5 weeks). However, piglets in LP+EC 100 group had a significantly higher gain/feed ratio (G:F) than piglets had in control (p<0.05). Crude protein, energy and phosphorus digestibilities were significantly improved when both of phytase and enzyme complex were supplemented at the revel of 0.1%, respectively to diets with low nutrient level (aP or (and) ME and amino acids) (p<0.05). Piglets in LP+EC 100 and LPEA+EC 100 groups showed significantly higher phosphorus content (%) in bone than that of piglets in control group (p<0.05). Supplementation of both of phytase and enzyme complex at 0.1%, respectively, to diet with low nutrient levels (aP or (and) ME and amino acids) significantly improved total ileal essential amino acid and nonessential amino acid digestibilities compared to control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, the results from the present study suggest that the simultaneous inclusion of phytase and enzyme complex to diets at recommended level is advantageous with respect to improving growth performance and nutrient digestibility of weaned pigs and may contribute to increased economic return when added to corn-soy based weaned pig diets.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.409-415
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementation of fermented wheat bran (FWB) on growth and blood characteristics in weaned pig. A total of 36 weaned pigs ($Landrace{\times}Yorkshire{\times}Duroc$; BW, $7.78{\pm}0.04kg$) were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments with different FWB concentrations (0, 0.5, and 1.0%), and each treatment had 3 replicate pens with 4 pigs per pen. The FWB was obtained from a mixture of wheat bran and two microbes (Lactobacillus plantarum M10 and Saccaromyces cerevisiae) and was determined to contain $10.19{\pm}0.27log\;CFU/g$ of L. plantarum and $7.73{\pm}0.38log\;CFU/g$ of S. cerevisiae. Experimental diets were prepared by mixing 0 (control), 0.5, or 1.0% of the FWB to the basal diet, and fed to the weaned pigs for 7 weeks. During the experimental period, the pigs had access to the diet and water ad libitum. Feed intake increased significantly in the 1.0% FWB group compared to the control and 0.5% FWB groups (p < 0.05), whereas the other growth parameters were not different among the treatment groups. White blood cells and lymphocytes were significantly decreased in the FWB treatment groups compared to the control group, but other blood corpuscles were not different among the treatment groups (p < 0.05). The pigs fed 0.5% FWB showed greater serum IgG than the control and 1.0% FWB groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the FWB fed to weaned pigs did not negatively affect their growth performance, but rather reduced mortality by fortifying immunity.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.1314-1327
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• 2021

Bacillus is characterized by the formation of spores in harsh environments, which makes it suitable for use as a probiotic for feed because of thermostability and high survival rate, even under long-term storage. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Bacillus-based probiotics on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, immune response, and intestinal microbiota of weaned pigs. A total of 40 weaned pigs (7.01 ± 0.86 kg body weight [BW]; 28 d old) were randomly assigned to two treatments (4 pigs/pen; 5 replicates/treatment) in a randomized complete block design (block = BW and sex). The dietary treatment was either a typical nursery diet based on corn and soybean meal (CON) or CON supplemented with 0.01% probiotics containing a mixture of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis (PRO). Fecal samples were collected daily by rectal palpation for the last 3 days after a 4-day adaptation. Blood, ileal digesta, and intestinal tissue samples were collected from one pig in each pen at the respective time points. The PRO group did not affect the feed efficiency, but the average daily gain was significantly improved (p < 0.05). The PRO group showed a trend of improved crude protein digestibility (p < 0.10). The serum transforming growth factor-β1 level tended to be higher (p < 0.10) in the PRO group on days 7 and 14. There was no difference in phylum level of the intestinal microbiota, but there were differences in genus composition and proportions. However, β-diversity analysis showed no statistical differences between the CON and the PRO groups. Taken together, Bacillus-based probiotics had beneficial effects on the growth performance, immune system, and intestinal microbiota of weaned pigs, suggesting that Bacillus can be utilized as a functional probiotic for weaned pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters between first and later parities as different traits in reproductive traits of pigs using multiple trait animal model procedures. Data related to reproductive traits from a total of 2,371 individuals maintained at a farm were taken from the pedigree file. Sires and dams were consisted of Duroc, Landrace, and Yorkshire breeds, respectively. The first and later parity records were considered as different traits. Traits included in analyses were total pigs born (TB1), number of pigs born alive (NBA1), number of pigs weaned (NW1), and litter weaning weight (LWT1) in the first parity, and total pigs born (TB2), number of pigs born alive (NBA2), number of pigs weaned (NW2), litter weaning weight (LWT2) and interval between farrowing events (FTF) in later parities. Heritability estimates of TB1, NBA1, NW1 and LWT1 in the first parity were 0.27, 0.25, 0.16 and 0.20, respectively. For TB2, NBA2, NW2, LWT2 and FTF in later parities, heritabilities were estimated as 0.15, 0.15, 0.08, 0.11 and 0.07, respectively. Genetic correlations between sow reproductive traits in the first parity and in the second and later parity were estimated to be 0.89, 0.77, 0.58 and 0.66, respectively, between TB1 and TB2, NBA1 and NBA2, NW1 and NW2, and LWT1 and LWT2. While phenotypic correlations between TB1 and TB2, NBA1 and NBA2, NW1 and NW2, and LWT1 and LWT2 were estimated as 0.18, 0.15, 0.06 and 0.10, respectively. Genetic correlations between reproductive traits of first and later parities were not high indicating that reproductive traits for sows should be analyzed while considering the parities as different traits.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.49-59
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• 1986

This paper deals with the distribution, reservoir and mode of spread of salmonella infection on 7 pig farms in Taegu, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam and Chungnam and a slaughter house in Teagu during the period from May 1984 to May 1985. Isolated salmonella were examined for serotypes and biotyping of S. typhimurium. The results obtained were summarised as follows; 1. Of total 7,995 samples from 7 pig farms and a slaughter house, 319 salmonella were isolated from 234 samples (2.9%) and their serovar strains were S. derby 77, S. infantis 41, S. enteritidis 20, S. typhimurium 18, S. bredeney 16, S. london 14, S. paratyphi B 9, S. anatum 8, S. montevideo 8, S. senftenberg 7, S. thompson 6, S. pullorum 4, S. paratyphi A 1 and untypable 70. 2. The incidence rate of diarrhea of piglets, weaned pigs and fattening pigs was 9.8%, 2.3% and 0.5%, respectively whereas the rate by salmonella infection was 4.2%, 1.2% and 11.3%, respectively. 3. The isolation rate of salmonella was higher in summer and autumn. 4. The isolation rate of salmonella varied from 1.1% to 4.5% in 7 pig farms, it was higher in sewages(4.4%), weaned pigs(3.7%), boars(3.7%) and other(3.7%) included soils, manure and wild rats according to samples. Three out of 7 pig farms were contaminated heavily with various serovars of salmonella. 5. The isolation rate of salmonella from pigs slaughtered was 8.1%, it was 13.6% in rectal contents and 1.6% in mensenteric lymph nodes. 6. Eighteen strains of S. typhimurium were classified into 3 different biovars(1, 10 and 10a) by the method of Brandis and were subdivided into 6 different full biovars(1a, 1d, 1dh, 3d, 26i and 26ei) by the method described by Duguid et al. Appearance of different biovars indicated the occurrence of different exotic infection sources on the farms.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.733-742
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• 2014

The glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) that is expressed in intestine epithelial cells of mammals, is important for intestinal barrier function and regulation of tight junction (TJ) proteins. However, there is little known about the intracellular mechanisms of GLP-2 in the regulation of TJ proteins in piglets' intestinal epithelial cells. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that GLP-2 regulates the expressions of TJ proteins in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in piglets' intestinal epithelial cells. The jejunal tissues were cultured in a Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium/high glucose medium containing supplemental 0 to 100 nmol/L GLP-2. At 72 h after the treatment with the appropriate concentrations of GLP-2, the mRNA and protein expressions of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin and claudin-1 were increased (p<0.05). U0126, an MAPK kinase inhibitor, prevented the mRNA and protein expressions of ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1 increase induced by GLP-2 (p<0.05). In conclusion, these results indicated that GLP-2 could improve the expression of TJ proteins in weaned pigs' jejunal epithelium, and the underlying mechanism may due to the MAPK signaling pathway.