• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.567-576
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• 2016

Poultry industry has always been a dynamic and integral part of national economies in many countries. Economic losses incur especially in large-scale rearing facilities, often attributed to the deterioration of environmental conditions, poultry exposure to stressors and development of diseases. While antibiotics have been commonly used for prophylactic purposes and as growth stimulants, extensive documentation of antimicrobial resistance among pathogenic bacteria due to indiscriminate utilization of antibiotic in the industry has led to public and governmental outcries. Elimination of antibiotics from poultry production has thus encouraged intensive search for alternatives. In this review, we discuss the immense potential of probiotics to fill the gap as alternative growth promoters and evidences of beneficial effects of probiotic application in poultry production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.309-319
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• 2019

Phytochemicals which exist in various plants and fungi are non-nutritive compounds that exert numerous beneficial bioactive actions for animals. In recent years following the restriction of antibiotics, phytochemicals have been regarded as a primal selection when dealing with the challenges during the producing process in the poultry industry. The selected fast-growing broiler breed was more fragile when confronting the stressors in their growing environments. The disruption of oxidative balance that impairs the production performance in birds may somehow be linked to the immune system since oxidative stress and inflammatory damage are multi-stage processes. This review firstly discusses the individual influence of oxidative stress and inflammation on the poultry industry. Next, studies related to the application of phytochemicals or botanical compounds with the significance of their antioxidant and immunomodulatory abilities are reviewed. Furthermore, we bring up nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) for they are respectively the key transcription factors involved in oxidative stress and inflammation for elucidating the underlying signal transduction pathways. Finally, by the discussion about several reports using phytochemicals to regulate these transcription factors leading to the improvement of oxidative status, heme oxygenase-1 gene is found crucial for Nrf2-mediated $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibition.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.274-283
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• 2024

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties (nutrient composition, pH, water content and activity, sorption properties) and mechanical properties (compression force and energy) of granulated feed mixtures with various inclusion levels of crude fibre concentrates ARBOCEL and VITACEL for broiler chickens, i.e. +0.0% (control group - group C), +0.3%, +0.8%, +1.0%, +1.2%. Methods: The feed mixtures were analyzed for their physicochemical properties (nutrient composition by near-infrared spectroscopy, pH with the use a CP-401 pH meter with an IJ-44C glass electrode, water content was determined with the drying method and activity was determined with the Aqua Lab Series 3, sorption properties was determined with the static method) and mechanical properties (compression force and energy with the use TA-HD plus texture analyzer). The Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) model applied in the study correctly described the sorption properties of the analyzed feed mixtures in terms of water activity. Results: The fibre concentrate type affected the specific surface area of the adsorbent and equilibrium water content in the GAB monolayer (p≤0.05) (significantly statistical). The type and dose of the fibre concentrate influenced the dimensionless C and k parameters of the GAB model related to the properties of the monolayer and multilayers, respectively (p≤0.05). They also affected the pH value of the analyzed feed mixtures (p≤0.05). In addition, crude fibre type influenced water activity (p≤0.05) as well as compression energy (J) and compression force (N) (p≤0.001) (highly significantly statistical) of the feed mixtures. Conclusion: The physicochemical analyses of feed mixtures with various inclusion levels (0.3%, 0.8%, 1.0%, 1.2%) of crude fiber concentrates ARBOCEL or VITACEL demonstrated that both crude fiber types may be used in the feed industry as a feedstuff material to produce starter type mixtures for broiler chickens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.239-246
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• 2015

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the dietary supplementation of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens-based direct-fed microbial (DFM) on growth performance, nutrient utilization, intestinal morphology and cecal microflora in broiler chickens. A total of two hundred and eighty eight 1-d-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly allocated to one of four experimental treatments in a completely randomized design. Each treatment was fed to eight replicate cages, with nine birds per cage. Dietary treatments were composed of an antibiotic-free basal diet (control), and the basal diet supplemented with either 15 mg/kg of virginiamycin as antibiotic growth promoter (AGP), 30 mg/kg of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens-based DFM (DFM 30) or 60 mg/kg of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens-based DFM (DFM 60). Experimental diets were fed in two phases: starter (d 1 to 21) and finisher (d 22 to 42). Growth performance, nutrient utilization, morphological parameters of the small intestine and cecal microbial populations were measured at the end of the starter (d 21) and finisher (d 42) phases. During the starter phase, DFM and virginiamycin supplementation improved the feed conversion ratio (FCR; p<0.01) compared with the control group. For the finisher phase and the overall experiment (d 1 to 42) broilers fed diets with the DFM had better body weight gain (BWG) and FCR than that of control (p<0.05). Supplementation of virginiamycin and DFM significantly increased the total tract apparent digestibility of crude protein (CP), dry matter (DM) and gross energy during both starter and finisher phases (p<0.05) compared with the control group. On d 21, villus height, crypt depth and villus height to crypt depth ratio of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were significantly increased for the birds fed with the DFM diets as compared with the control group (p<0.05). The DFM 30, DFM 60, and AGP groups decreased the Escherichia coli population in cecum at d 21 and d 42 compared with control group (p<0.01). In addition, the population of Lactobacillus was increased in DFM 30 and DFM 60 groups as compared with control and AGP groups (p<0.01). It can be concluded that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens-based DFM could be an alternative to the use of AGPs in broilers diets based on plant protein.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.1750-1757
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• 2000

A total of 864 broiler chicks were used at Kansas State University and the University of Nebraska to determine the effects of heat treatment of two soybean genotypes on the growth performance. The soybeans were Williams 82 variety with (+K) and without (-K) gene expression for the Kunitz trypsin inhibitor. Heat treatment (autoclaving at $121^{\circ}C$ and $1.1kg/cm^2$) was applied for 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 min, resulting in a $2{\times}6$ factorial arrangement of treatments. Station and station treatment effects occurred, indicating that response in nutritional value of the soybean genotypes to heat treatment varied from year to year and location to location. However, the interactions were in magnitude of response rather than direction of response, with greater reductions in trypsin inhibitor concentrations for the soybeans heat processed at the Nebraska location. Pooled data indicated that -K supported greater (p<0.001) ADG, ADFI and gain/feed than the +K genotype. As the length of heat treatment increased, the ADG, ADFI, and the gain/feed ratio increased for chicks fed both soybean genotypes (p<0.0001). However, heating the -K soybeans resulted in a greater response in ADG, ADFI, and gain/feed than heating the +K soybeans (genotype heat treatment interaction, p<0.001). Pancreatic weights (mg pancreas/g of BW) of chicks fed -K soybeans were reduced compared to those from chicks fed +K (p<0.001). Increasing heat treatment decreased pancreas weights in chicks fed both soybean genotypes (p<0.001). Chicks fed heated soybeans in the Nebraska experiment had lower pancreatic weights than chicks fed heated soybeans in the Kansas experiment (station heat treatment interaction, p<0.0001). Chick growth performance was improved and pancreatic weights decreased by feeding raw -K soybeans versus raw +K soybeans, and by increasing heat treatment of both soybean genotypes. However, the response to heat treatment was not independent of genotype. Both +K and -K soybeans heated for 24 min supported similar ADG, ADFI, gain/feed, and pancreas weights, although chicks fed raw +K soybeans had lower growth performance than chicks fed -K soybeans. In conclusion, raw -K soybeans supported greater growth performance in broiler chicks than raw +K soybeans, although this advantage was lost when both soybean genotypes were heated for 24 min. Heat treatment of +K soybeans supported similar growth performance to heated -K soybeans, even though +K soybeans supported lower rates and efficiencies of gain than -K soybeans when fed raw.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.2_spc
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• pp.332-346
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• 2022

Shortage of protein feed resources is the major challenge to the world farm animal industry. Insects are known as an alternative protein source for poultry. A wide range of insects are available for use in poultry diets. Insect larvae thrive in manure, and organic waste, and produce antimicrobial peptides to protect themselves from microbial infections, and additionally these peptides might also be functional in poultry feed. The feed containing antimicrobial peptides can improve the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal health, and immune function in poultry. Insect meal contains a higher amount of essential amino acids compared to conventional feedstuffs. Black soldier fly, mealworm, housefly, cricket/Grasshopper/Locust (Orthoptera), silkworm, and earthworm are the commonly used insect meals in broiler and laying hen diets. This paper summarizes the nutrient profiles of the insect meals and reviews their efficacy when included in poultry diets. Due to the differences in insect meal products, and breeds of poultry, inconsistent results were noticed among studies. The main challenge for proper utilization, and the promising prospect of insect meal in poultry diet are also addressed in the paper. To fully exploit insect meal as an alternative protein resource, and exert their functional effects, modes of action need to be understood. With the emergence of more accurate and reliable studies, insect meals will undoubtedly play more important role in poultry feed industry.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.60-67
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• 2018

Recently, environment-friendly cultivation technology is popular. A cultivator is useful for turning over the stall bedding in a poultry farm. In this study, a rotary-based cultivator with a rechargeable battery was developed for eco-friendly management of broiler chickens. From the results of the test run, the clustered stall bedding was approximately divided into up and down layers. Through experimental evaluation, the working width was more than 60 cm, and the noise was less than 80 dB. The output of the motor was 400 W, and the speed of rotation was 3000 rpm. Electric battery type cultivators are expected to be widely used in the livestock industry.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.403-408
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• 2021

Avian coccidiosis has a major economic impact on the poultry industry, it is caused by 7 species of Eimeria, and has been primarily controlled using chemotherapeutic agents. Due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains, alternative control strategies are needed. We assessed anticoccidial effects of berberine-based diets in broiler chickens following oral infection with 5 Eimeria species (E. acervulina, E. maxima, E. tenella, E. mitis, and E. praecox). When 0.2% berberine, a concentration that does not affect weight gain, was added to the diet, the 4 groups infected with E. acervulina, E. tenella, E. mitis, or E. praecox showed significant reductions in fecal oocyst shedding (P<0.05) compared to their respective infected and untreated controls. In chickens treated 0.5% berberine instead of 0.2% and infected with E. maxima, fecal oocyst production was significantly reduced, but body weight deceased, indicating that berberine treatment was not useful for E. maxima infection. Taken together, these results illustrate the applicability of berberine for prophylactic use to control most Eimeria infections except E. maxima. Further studies on the mechanisms underlying the differences in anticoccidial susceptibility to berberine, particularly E. maxima, are remained.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.532-537
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• 2005

Increasing of body weight has been one of the important economic factors in the poultry industry. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I is a polypeptide that serves to regulate muscle development and body growth. Moreover, IGF-I is related to feed efficiency. However, there are few studies regarding the regulatory roles of chicken IGF-I/-II compared with that of mammals. Especially, the Korean Native Ogol Chicken (KNOC) has a lean body growth and its body weight is generally lighter than the broiler chicken. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate associations among serum IGF-I/-II concentration, feed efficiency, and body growth in KNOC. The body weight and feed intake of KNOC were recorded from 20 to 36 weeks at 2 weeks intervals, and blood was taken every 2 weeks. Serum IGF-I/-II were measured by RIA. Chickens were divided into two groups, high and low serum IGF-I concentration. Generally, feed efficiency and growth performance (body weight and weight gain) in the high serum IGF-I group were higher than those of the low group during the experimental period. In particular, the body weight of the IGF-I high group were significantly different from those of the IGF-I low group at 34 and 36 weeks, respectively (p<0.05). Moreover, body weight, weight gain, and feed efficiency had a significant correlation with serum IGF-I at several weeks (p<0.05 and p<0.01). These results show that IGF-I plays an important role in body growth and suggests a possibility that serum IGF-I could be used as a selection marker for body growth in KNOC.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.550-558
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• 1998

The experiment was conducted to evaluate CM (Cell Mass from Lysine Fermentation), which is used to produce synthetic lysine in industry, as an alternative protein source in broiler diets. Three different production conditions were employed to produce CMs (CM I, II, III). Treatments were control, CM I -1 (1 % of CM in the diet), CM I -3 (3% of CM in the diet), CM I -5 (5% of CM in the diet), CM II (3% of CM in the diet), and CM III (3% of CM in the diet). It was found that CM products were all high in crude protein content and especially high in lysine and methionine contents, while very low in minerals. For the starter period, all CM groups showed better weight gain, chicks fed CM I -1 diets were especially high in weight gain (p < 0.05). CM groups consumed 14.4 to 18.0% more feed than chicks fed control diets (p < 0.05). The best FCR was found in CM I -1 groups (p < 0.05), but as CM level was increased, FCR was also increased. For the finisher period, weight gain was similar through all treatments. Through whole experimental period, weight gain and feed intake were higher in all CM groups than control group (p < 0.05), however, as CM level was increased, FCR was also increased. Generally chicks fed CM diets showed higher utilizabilities of gross energy, dry matter, crude protein and crude fat. The best nutrients utilizability was obtained in CM I -1 group, and the worst was found in the control group. During the finisher period, the utilizabilities of crude protein, crude ash and phosphorus were not affected by the dietary treatments. Amino acids utilizability was not significantly affected by the treatments except CM I -5 group. In all amino acids tested, chicks did not show the big difference in utilizabilities. Only in the CM I -5 group, amino acids utilizability was significantly lower than control group. However, among CM I groups, the mean value of the amino acids utilizability was decreased as the level of CM inclusion in the diet was increased. During the finisher period, similar trend was found in amino acids utilizability.