• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.266-273
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• 2020

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of diet supplementation with complex probiotics (CPB), on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites, noxious gas, and fecal microflora in weaning pigs. On the basis of body weight, a total of 234 weaned pigs (Landrace×Yorkshire×Duroc, 6.14±0.78kg) were randomly allotted to 3 treatments and 6 replicates (13 pigs per pen). The experimental diets were fed in a meal form for 28 days (days 0-14, PhaseI, and days 15-28, PhaseII). The dietary treatment groups were as follows: T1 (basal diet), T2 (T1+0.13% CPB) and T3 (T1+0.25% CPB). The CPB supplement contained Bacillus subtilis 1.0×10⁶ CFU/g, Enterococcus faecium 1.0×10⁶ CFU/g, Saccharomyces cerevisiae 1.0×10⁶ CFU/g, Bacillus licheniformis 3.0×10⁸ CFU/g, and Bacillus polyfermenticus 3.0×10⁸ CFU/g. Pigs fed the T3 diet showed an increase (p<0.05) in the overall average daily gain and average daily feed intake, increased (p<0.05) crude protein digestibility in PhaseI, and greater (p<0.05) dry matter and gross energy digestibility in PhaseII. Supplementation of CPB had no effect on the blood profile. Furthermore, pigs fed the T3 diet had lower (p<0.05) NH₃ emission and overall count of fecal Clostridium spp. In conclusion, we believe that CPB supplementation has a beneficial effect on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, noxious gas, and fecal microflora in weaning pigs.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.543-552
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• 2020

For efficient prevention and treatment of enteric colibacillosis, understanding about latest virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli is essentially needed. The aim of this study was to survey antimicrobial resistance and determine the prevalence of fimbriae and enterotoxin genes among 118 pathogenic E. coli isolates obtained from Korean pigs with diarrhea between 2016 and 2017. The genes for the toxins and adhesins were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The susceptibility of the E. coli isolates to antimicrobials were tested using the standard Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. The most prevalent fimbrial antigen was F18 (40.7%), followed by F4 (16.9%), and the most prevalent combinations of toxin genes were Stx2e (21.2%), STb:EAST-1 (19.5%), and STa:STb (16.9%), respectively. Among the pathotypes, enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) was the most predominant (67.8%), followed by Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC, 23.7%). We confirmed high resistance rates to chloramphenicol (88.1%), tetracycline (86.4%), streptomycin (86.4%), and ampicillin (86.4%). And the majorities of isolates (90.7%) showed multi-drug resistance which means having resistance to 3 or more subclasses of antimicrobials. Results of this study can be a source of valuable data for investigating the epidemiology of and control measures for enteric colibacillosis in Korean piggeries.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.817-823
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• 1997

Suckling piglets and weaned pigs showed anorexia, dehydration, severe abdominal breathing, emaciation and paresis from Oct. 1993. to Nov. 1993. Five 2-week-old piglets were submitted for diagnosis in Kangwon National University. At necropsy, the pin-point well demarcated yellowish white foci were scattered on the surface of the lung, heart, liver, spleen and kidney. Histologically, multifocal areas of necrosis with mononuclear cells infiltration were found in the lung, heart, liver, lymph node, spleen, kidney and small intestine. These lesions tended to be associated with blood vessels. Variable round to ovoid tachyzoites were located at the periphery of the lesions. The organisms were demonstrated as Toxoplasma gondii by immunohistochemical staining method. Ultrastructurally, this parasite was surrounded with parasitophorous vacuole in alveolar macrophage. The parasite was crescent-shaped and $6{\sim}8{\times}1{\sim}2{\mu}m$ in size. It was enclosed by an thick outer membrane and an underlying thin inner membrane. Several club-shaped paired organelles and conoids lay in the cytoplasm at the anterior. Numerous round body and one to several mitochondria were presented in the cytoplasm. Based on the gross findings, histopathology, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic findings, this case was diagnosed as toxoplasmosis in piglets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.238-242
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• 2002

Seventy-four piglets were used to investigate the effects of dietary glutamine (Gln) and glutamate (Glu) on the mucosal structure and active absorption of small intestinal, DNA and RNA concentrations of skeletal muscle tissue in piglets during d 28 to 42 of age. Postweaning piglets were fed for 14 d corn- and soybean meal-based diets supplemented with 0.0 or 1.0% L-Gln or L-Glu. On d 7 and 14 postweaning, pigs' small intestinal sections and longissimus dorsi were collected, at the same time, the D-xylose absorption test was conducted. The results suggested that in comparison to control piglets, jejunal atrophy during the first week postweaning was prevented by the glutamine and glutamate supplementation (1%) and the capability of small intestine to absorb Dxylose was improved. Furthermore the RNA concentration in skeletal muscle tissue was increased. These results provide an experimental basis for use of glutamine and glutamate on alleviating the weaning stresses and improving piglets' growth performance.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Pathology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.125-134
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• 1997

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus infection (PRRSV) was confirmed by serology histopathology immunohistochemistry and bacteriologic examination in young pigs. Four suckling and six weaned piglets submitted from three different farms showed coughing sneezing labored rapid abdominal respiration lethargy and anorexia. Grossly apical and cardiac lung lobes appeared mottled with pale to dark tan discoloration. Submandibular and bronchial lymph nodes were tan and enlarged. All piglets were seropositive for PRRSV antibodies by the indirect immunofluorescent antibody(IFA) test. Microscopically lung lesions were characterized by hyperplasia and hypertrophy of type 2 pneumocytes infiltration of mononuclear cells in alveolar intersitium accumulation of necrotic debris in alveolar spaces accompanied by proliferation of alveolar multinucleated syncytial cells. Using immunohistochemical technique PRRSV antigens were demonstrated in alveolar macrophages and type 2 pneumocytes in histologic lung tissue sections. Also PRRSV antigens were detected in brain lymph nodes spleen and heart. Additionally piglets showed nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis mandibular necrotic lymphadenopathy splenic atrophy and myocardial necrosis.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.645-653
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• 2018

Twenty-five sows and 265 piglets (Landrace ${\times}$ Yorkshire) were used to evaluate the effects of dietary energy level on the pre-weaning and post-weaning performance of piglets and first parity sows. Sows with an average initial B.W. of $217.54{\pm}25.47kg$ were randomly assigned to 2 treatments. The treatments consisted of a T1 diet containing 3,100 kcal, and the T2 diet contained 3400 kcal of metabolizable energy (ME)/kg, respectively. Data were analyzed using Duncan statements to test the effect of the dietary energy levels on growth performance in lactating sows and piglets. In this study, Dietary T2 sows had a greater number of weaned piglets per litter (p < 0.05). Dietary T2 had a higher (p < 0.05) body weight than that of T1 in the weanlings, meanwhile it had a higher total average daily gain (p < 0.05) than that of T1. Dietary T1 had a higher average feed intake than that of T2 in gestation and lactation. There were no significant differences on the litter size or litter birth weight. No differences (p > 0.05) were noted in the survival of the piglets as well as in the backfat thickness and body weight loss in sows. In conclusion, these results show that high-energy diets had no effect on the body weight and backfat thickness of sows during gestation and lactation but influenced the body weight and average daily gain of weanling pigs during the lactation period.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.441-450
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• 2022

This study explored the effects of milk flavor (MF) supplementation on growth efficiency, nutrient absorption, fecal score, and blood profiles in weaning piglets. A total of 80 (21 days old) crossbred ([Yorkshire × Duroc] × Landrace) healthy weaned piglets with an initial body weight (BW) of 7.05 ± 1.22 kg were randomly allotted to one of two nutritive treatments with 8 repetitions and five pigs (2 female and 3 male) per pen. The experiment was divided into 2 phases (d 0 - 21, and d 21 - 42), and the dietary treatments consisted of TRT1, basal diet, TRT2 and basal diet + 1.0 g·kg^-1 MF. At days 21 - 42 and the overall period, the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) increased (p < 0.05) by receiving the MF added feed. However, MF inclusion did not impact (p > 0.05) the feed efficiency (G : F) throughout the entire experiment. Piglets consuming the MF supplemented diet showed that the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and energy (E) did not vary significantly (p > 0.05) between the treatments. All through the experiment, the fecal score and blood profile of the piglets fed the flavor diet also remained unaffected (p > 0.05). In conclusion, MF addition to the diet of the piglets increased their body weight and had no adverse effects on nutrient utilization, fecal score, and blood profile. Thus, MF addition could improve the performance outcomes of weaning piglets.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1079-1088
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• 2003

This study was conducted to test the efficacy of the automatic liquid feeder(designated as NLRI) developed by National Livestock Research Institute, Korea for 7-day old early-weaning piglets. The other automatic liquid feeder imported from USA(designated as IALF) was used for a comparative purpose. A total of sixty piglets of 7 days of age were allotted to three treatments. The control group of 20 piglets was raised by their own sows until 21 days of age, while others were shifted to automatic liquid feeders of either NLRI or IALF on 7 days of age and reared during 14 days post-weaning. After then, all the piglets were fed nutritionally identical mash diets until 70 days of age. Compared with control group, body weight of piglets reared on automatic liquid feeders were lighter(P〈0.05) at 21 days of age [5.55kg (control) vs 4.97 (NLRI) and 4.98kg (IALF)], while heavier(P〈0.05) at 70 days of age(24.82kg vs 30.17 and 29.42kg). The results indicated that pigs reared on liquid feeding showed higher(P〈0.05) average daily gain than control pigs during the whole experimental period [346.7g (control) vs 425.8 (NLRI) and 416.1g (IALF)], while no difference was found in feed/gain (1.67 vs 1.78 and 1.84). There was no difference in growth performance and incidence of diarrhea between two automatic liquid feeders, NLRI and IALF. Compared with control group, intestinal villi tended to be shorter in liquid feeding group during the first week, but were recovered within two weeks. The results suggest that the automatic liquid feeder newly developed by National Livestock Research Institute, Korea can be successfully used for rearing young piglets weaned at very early age.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2009

This study was conducted to determine the effects of probiotics supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, occurrence of diarrhea and immune response in weaning pigs. Treatments were 1) NC (basal diet), 2) PC (basal diet + 0.12% avilamycin) and 3) A (basal diet + 0.2% Aspergillus oryzae), 4) B (basal diet + 0.2% Lactobacillus casei), 5) C (basal diet + 0.2% Bacillus subtilis), 6) D (basal diet + 0.2% Lactobacillus crispatus). A total of 120 pigs ($7.16\pm0.01$ kg average body weight, weaned at $23\pm3$days of age) were assigned to 6 treatments, 5 replicates and 4 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block (RCB) design. During the whole experimental period, body weight (P<0.01), average daily gain (ADG; P<0.01), and average daily feed intake (ADFI; P<0.05) of treatment PC were higher than other treatments. However, the probiotics treatments tended to increase ADG and G:F ratio compared to treatment NC. The G:F ratio in treatment A (Aspergillus oryzae) was similar to treatment PC during the whole experimental period (P<0.05). The supplementation of probiotics in the diet of weaning pig did not change nutrient digestibility (dry matter, crude protein, crude fat and ash) and nitrogen retention of weaning pigs. In blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration, treatment B had lower value than other treatments at 2 and 4 weeks (P<0.05). Treatments PC and C tended to decrease diarrhea score than other treatments (P=0.18). At 3h after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection, treatments NC and PC had higher count of $CD^{4+}$ T-cells than probiotics treatments, and treatment C showed the lowest value (P<0.01). There were no differences on count of $CD^{8+}$ T-cells and $CD^{4+}:CD^{8+}$ ratio among all treatments (P>0.10). These results suggest that the dietary probiotics are likely able to improve the growth performance, occurrence of diarrhea and immune response although they do not have similar effects like antibiotics in weaning pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.749-754
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of farrowing month (FM), parity and sex on the growth performance of Berkshire swine raised in alternative production systems. Methods: A total of 40 farrowing records from 27 sows and 1,258 body weight (BW) records from 274 piglets collected over a two-year period were used for the analysis. The BWs were recorded at birth, weaning (28 d), 56, 84, 112, and 140 days. Any BW not recorded on schedule was recalculated to conform the days of age among corresponding BW records, using growth curves drawn with polynomial functions whose power was determined by the number of existing observations for each individual. Results: The mean parity (${\pm}$standard deviation) of the sows was $3.42{\pm}2.14$. The sows that farrowed in June had the lowest number of total born with an average of $6.25{\pm}2.22$ piglets per sow. However, the lowest average number of piglets weaned at day 28 was found in sows that farrowed in May, as well as the highest number recorded for the stillborn piglets with an average of 2.67 piglets per sow. Moreover, the smallest increase in weight from birth to weaning occurred in piglets that were farrowed in May, which also corresponds with the average daily gain (ADG) of 0.29 kg and the last recorded weight measurement on day 140 of $41.69{\pm}1.45kg$. Contrastingly, the highest growth rate was found among pigs farrowed in June, with the largest increase in weight of 7.55 kg from birth to weaning, the highest ADG of 0.51 kg from birth to 140 day of age and the highest BW of $74.70{\pm}1.86kg$ recorded on day 140. Conclusion: Pigs farrowed in June also had the least number of piglets that died between birth and weaning. The zone of thermal comfort found in sows reared in indoor confinement systems did not improve the reproductive performance of the sows reared in an outdoor, alternative production system, while the growth performance of the piglets was improved when the ambient temperature was consistently hot or consistently cold.