• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.265-271
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• 2004

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the influence of feeding Lactobacillus reuteri culture (LR) on productive performance, intestinal microflora and availability in laying hens. Four hundred and eighty, Isa-Brown layers, 49 weeks of age, were fed diets supplemented with LR at the level of 0 (control), 0.1, 0.2, and $0.4\%$ of the diets for eight weeks. Egg production and egg weight were measured daily. Feed intake was weighed every two weeks. Egg quality was measured three times at the start, mid-term, and end of the experiment. Intestinal microflora were examined for Lactobacillus spp., E. coli and Salmonella at the end of the experiment. Overall egg production was the highest in $0.2\%$ LR (P<0.05), but that of $0.1\%$ or $0.4\%$ LR treatments did not significantly differ from that of control. Egg weight was significantly higher in LR feeding group than the control (P<0.05). Daily egg mass was significantly higher in $0.2\%$ and $0.4\%$ LR treatments compared to the control and $0.1\%$ LR (P<0.05). The number of jumbo and extra large eggs were increased in LR supplemented groups, especially in $0.1\%$ LR. Feed intake of layers fed LR supplemented diets tended to be lower than the control. However, feed conversion ratio significantly improved in LR supplemented groups (P<0.05). Availability of dry matter and crude protein improved significantly in $0.4\%$ LR treatment (P<0.05). But, those of ether extract and crude ash were not significantly different among treatments. Eggshell breaking strength and eggshell thickness were not significantly influenced by LR supplementation, and Haugh unit and yolk index were also similar to the control. Total number of Lactobacillus spp. in ileum and cecum fed LR supplemented diets were significantly higher than those of the control (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in intestinal E. coli and Salmonella in all treatments. Therefore, it is concluded that dietary supplementation of Lactobacillus reuteri culture can improve the laying performance, feed efficiency and intestinal Lactobacillus.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.389-398
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of three strains of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) supplemented to diets on egg production, egg quality, egg yolk cholesterol levels, the profile of cecal microflora, and tibia characteristics in laying hens. One hundred sixty 76-week-old Hy-Line Brown layers were randomly divided into 4 groups with 4 replicates per group (10 birds per replicate). Birds in the control group were fed a corn-soybean meal based diet. The remaining three treated groups were fed the control diet containing either 0.05% B. subtilis Ch3 (T1), 0.05% B. subtilis Ch3 + B. subtilis W1 (T2) or 0.05% B. subtilis commercial product (T3) for 6 weeks, respectively. There were no differences in feed intake, egg weight, egg production and egg mass among the groups. The dietary supplementation of B. subtilis improved eggshell strength and Haugh units compared to those of control (P<0.05). The activities of GOT and GPT in serum were not also affected by the dietary treatments. The population of total microbes and lactic acid bacteria in cecum were significantly increased by the dietary B. subtilis (P<0.05), but not the coliforms. The cholesterol concentration in egg yolk and serum in the treated groups were significantly decreased compared to those of control (P<0.05). Also, The levels of phospholipids in serum were significantly decreased compared to those of control (P<0.05). The supplementation of three strains of B. subtilis to diets significantly increased the contents of tibia ash compared to that of control (P<0.05). Thus, this study showed significant improvements in egg quality, such as eggshell strength and Haugh unit, by dietary B. subtilis strains. The B. subtilis strains added to the diets modulated the profiles of cecal microflora, reflecting beneficial effects in laying hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate the feeding effect of $bio-silverlite^{(R)}$ on growth performance, organ phenomenon and cecum microflora in broiler chicks. The $bio-silverlite^{(R)}$ was made by an ion exchange between illite and $silver(Ag^+)$. There were four treatment groups: negative control group(non-treatment), antibiotic supplement group (positive control), 0.5% $bio-silverlite^{(R)}$ supplment group and 1.5% $bio-silverlite^{(R)}$ supplement group. Total 200 birds was assigned for this five replication tests, allocating 10 birds into each treatment. Experimental diets were formulated on isocalories and isonitrogen for the whole experimental period. Body weight gain was higher in antibiotic supplementation (+C) and $bio-silverlite^{(R)}$ supplement groups(S 0.5% and 51.5%) than the negative control group(-C), and feed efficiency was significantly enhanced with increase of the level of $bio-silverlite^{(R)}$ supplement. The length of small intestine was longer in +C than in -C and $bio-silverlite^{(R)}$ supplement groups (P<0.05), and the weight of small intestine was proportional to the level of $bio-silverlite^{(R)}$ supplement. Crop weight was lower in $bio-silverlite^{(R)}$ supplement group than in -C and +C groups (P<0.05), and the cecum weight was heavier in $bio-silverlite^{(R)}$ supplementation group. Intestinal villi height was longer in 51.5% group at 3 weeks and 6 weeks of age than in -C and +C groups. With the respect of the formation of intestinal microflora, TBC and CBC was not affected by age and feed additive. However, the number of LAB was slightly higher in $bio-silverlite^{(R)}$ supplement group than in -C and +C groups.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2007

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary softwood by-products extract on growth performance, organ weight and intestinal microbes in organic broiler chicks. Five treatments were assigned to 200 broiler chicks with four replication, allocating 10 broiler chicks in each replication. Dietary treatments included control(Organic diet), +C(Organic diet + antibiotics), T1(Organic diet + softwood by-product powder 3.0%), T2(Organic diet + softwood by-product extract 0.05%) and T3(Organic diet + softwood by-product extract 0.1%). Body weight gain was higher in +C and T3 for overall period than control and T1. Feed efficiency of were slightly improved in +C and T3 groups compared with that of control and T1. The small intestine weight tended to be higher in control and +C, but it's length showed high in only T1 group. Gizzard weight was significantly higher in T2 compared with other treatments(P<0.05). In contrast, spleen weight was significantly lower in control group(P<0.05), whereas the weight of cecum and liver were not significantly different by dietary treatment. Intestinal microflora was significantly lower or/and seemed to be low in softwood by-products treatment groups than control. Digestibility of energy and protein were statistically lower in control and T1 than other treatments(P<0.05). The IgG concentration of birds fed antibiotics, softwood by-product extract was higher than control and T1, but was no significance. The results of this experiments indicated that softwood by-product extract would be possible to apply for the feed additive in organic broiler diets.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.593-602
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• 2004

A feeding trial was carried out to investigate the effect of supplemental complex probiotics on performances, physio-chemica1 properties of meat and inetestinal microflora in broiler chicks. Four hundred eighty broiler chickens, one days old with mixed sexes were fed one of four diets containing 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4% complex probiotics for 7 weeks. There were four replicates with thirty chicks per pen. Diet contained ME 3,100, 3,l00kcal/kg, and CP 22.0, 20.0% for starting and finishing period, respectively. Body Weight gain of chicks fed the complex probiotics tended to increase from the frist week and all complex probiotics higher than control from the 4th week. Chickens fed the diets containing 0.2% probiotics had higher(P<0.05) than those fed the other levels from the 4th week to 5th week. Feed conversion also improved significantly(P<0.05) in the supplemental 0.2% probiotics from the 4th week to 5th week. In physio-chemica1 properties of meat, carcass rate increased significantly(P<0.05) in the supplemental 0.4% probiotics compared to that of control at 7 weeks overall means and abdominal fat pad rate increased significantly(P< 0.05) in the supplemental 0.2% probiotics compared to that of control. Cooking loss decreased significantly(P<0.05) in the supplemental all probiotics. But shear force increased significantly(P<0.05) in the supplemental 0.4% probiotics. The number of ileum and cecum Lactobacillus spp. tended to increase in the supplemental complex probiotics at 7 week of age, but was not significantly different. As the result, supplemental complex probiotics increased performance and physio-chemica1 properties of meat and the number of intestinal Lactobacillus of broiler chicks.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.203-209
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• 2003

This experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of dietary supplementation of two different types of multiple probiotics in broiler chicks. Four hundred one day old male broiler chicks(Ross ${\times}$ Ross) were raised in the floor pen with five treatments(0, A: 0.10, 0.20%, B: 0.10, 0.20% of probiotics), consisting of 5 replicates for 5 weeks. Weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion were measured weekly, Total Lactobacillus, yeast, E. coli, Salmonella were examined from ileum and cecum at the end of experiment. Sera protein, cholesterol and ND vaccine titer were measured and fecal COD, CO$_2$ and NH$_3$ were detected in 24 hours after collection. Weight gain of chickes fed both types of probiotics increased for the first three weeks and showed significantly higher for the rest two weeks. Feed intake tended to be high in probiotics treatments compared with contro(P<0.05)1. Feed conversion improved significantly in B types of 0.2% probiotics compared with control. Total number of Salmonella was not consistent in ileum among treatments, whereas E. coli tended to be decreased in both types of probiotics compared with control. NH$_3$ and CO$_2$ emission of feces were decreased in both types of probiotics, but it was not statistically different(p>0.05). COD of chicks fed both probiotics was lower than control. There were no significantly different breast meat(P>0.05). Total cholesterol decreased in probiotics groups regardless of it's type. ND antibody vaccine titer was prone to be a small increments.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.556-562
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• 2007

A total of 126 crossbred weanling pigs (average body weight of $6.3{\pm}0.3$ kg) were used to investigate the effect of chito-oligosaccharide (COS) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, pH of gastro-intestinal tract (GI), intestinal and fecal microflora of young piglets. Pigs were allocated to three dietary treatments based on body weight and gender in a single factorial arrangement. Treatments were control (No COS), T1 (0.2% COS during starter (6-13 kg) and 0.1% COS during grower (13-30 kg) phases, and T2 (0.4% COS during starter (6-13 kg) and 0.3% COS during grower (13-30 kg) phases, respectively. Each treatment had 3 replicates and 14 pigs were raised in each pen. COS is a low molecular weight water-soluble chitosan that can be obtained from chitin of the crab shell after deacetylation with concentrated sodium hydroxide at high temperature and then further decomposition by chitosanase enzyme in the presence of ascorbic acid. For the starter and grower periods, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in average daily gain (ADG) and feed to gain ratio among treatments. However, during the overall period (6-30 kg), T2 showed better (p<0.05) feed to gain ratio than other treatments. A digestibility study was conducted at the end of grower phase which showed improvement (p<0.05) in DM and crude fat digestibility in T2 over the control. At 25 kg body weight, 6 pigs per treatment (2 per replicate) were sacrificed to determine the effect of diets on pH and microbial count at different sections of the GI tract. The pH of the cecal contents in pigs fed 0.1% COS was higher (p<0.05) than in the other treatments. Total anaerobic bacterial number increased from cecum to rectum in all treatments. The weekly total bacterial counts showed higher (p<0.05) in feces of pigs fed COS than that of untreated pigs at the $8^{th}$ week. The number of fecal E. coli in untreated pigs at $4^{th}$ wk was 7.35 log CFU/g compared to 6.71 and 6.54 log CFU/g in 0.1 and 0.3% COS-treated pigs, respectively. Similarly, at $8^{th}$ wk, fecal clostridium spp. were lower in pigs fed 0.3% COS (5.43 log CFU/g) than in untreated pigs (6.26 log CFU/g). In conclusion, these results indicated that chito-oligosaccharide could improve feed efficiency in young pigs and inhibited the growth of harmful bacteria.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1617-1626
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding essential oils to the diet of weaned pigs on performance, nutrient utilization, immune response and intestinal health. A total of 96 weaning pigs ($8.37{\pm}1.58$ kg) were allotted to one of three dietary treatments. The treatments consisted of an unsupplemented basal diet (negative control, NC) or similar diets supplemented with 0.01% of an essential oil product which contained 18% thymol and cinnamaldehyde (EOD) as well as a diet supplemented with 0.19% of an antibiotic mixture which provided 150 ppm chlortetracycline, 80 ppm colistin sulfate and 50 ppm kitasamycin (positive control, PC). Each treatment was provided to eight pens of pigs with four pigs per pen. Over the entire 35 d experiment, ADG and fecal score were improved (p<0.05) for pigs fed the PC and EOD compared with the NC. Dry matter and crude protein digestibility as well as lymphocyte proliferation for pigs fed the PC and EOD diets were increased significantly compared with NC (p<0.05). IGF-I levels in plasma were significantly increased (p<0.05) in pigs fed the PC diet compared with pigs fed the NC diet. Interleukin-6 concentration was lower (p<0.05) and the tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ level was higher (p<0.05) in the plasma of pigs fed the EOD diet than the NC diet. Plasma total antioxidant capacity level increased (p<0.05) in pigs fed the EOD diet compared with pigs fed the NC. Villus height to crypt depth ratio in the jejunum was greater (p<0.05) in pigs fed the PC and EOD diets than the NC. The numbers of E. coli in the cecum, colon and rectum were reduced (p<0.05) in pigs fed the PC and EOD diets compared with the control. In the colon, the ratio of Lactobacilli to E. coli was increased (p<0.05) in pigs fed the EOD diet compared with NC diet. Total aerobe numbers in the rectum were decreased (p<0.05) in pigs fed the PC and EOD diets compared with the control. Collectively, these results indicate that blends of essential oils could be a candidate for use as an alternative to traditional antibiotics in weaning pig diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.1313-1319
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• 2013

This study investigated the effects of low levels of water-soluble pentosans (WSP), alkaline-extractable pentosans (AEP), and xylanase on the growth and organ development of broiler chicks. Three hundred and fifty 1-d-old female broiler chicks were randomly allocated into seven experimental groups of five pen replicates, with ten chicks per replicate. The control group consumed a corn-soybean meal-based diet. Six dietary treatment groups consumed the basal diet supplemented with one of the following: WSP at 50 mg/kg (WSP50) or 100 mg/kg (WSP100); AEP at 50 mg/kg (AEP50) or 100 mg/kg (AEP100); or xylanase at 3 mg/kg (Xase3) or 6 mg/kg (Xase6). Data including the body weight, digestive organ weights, gut length, rectal digesta viscosity, and gut microflora and pH were collected on d 5, 10, and 15. When compared to the control group, WSP50 promoted body weight gain and organ growth throughout the study, calculated as 3-d averages (p<0.05). WSP100 increased weight gain and enhanced organ development (proventriculus, gizzard, and gut) on d 10 (p<0.05), but the 3-d averages were not different from the control group except for the weight of gizzard. Both Xase3 and Xase6 increased the 3-d average weight gain and the growth of the gizzard (p<0.05). WSP50 increased the digesta viscosity compared to Xase3 on d 10 and 15 (p<0.05). WSP50, Xase3, and Xase6 increased the concentration of Lactobacillus in the rectum when compared to the control group (p<0.05), but only Xase3 lowered the digesta pH in the ileum and cecum on d 10 and 15. AEP had minimal influence on the growth and organ development of broilers. The results showed that low levels of WSP, AEP, and xylanase had different effects and underlying mechanisms on the growth and organ development of broiler chicks. WSP50 could increase the growth performance of broilers fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 2015

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of by-products of herbal medicines on performance, enteric microflora and blood biochemical profiles and immunological parameters in broiler chicks. A total of ninety-six, 3-d-old birds were assigned to a basal diet (CON) or a basal diet supplemented with 0.15 % (HM1), 0.3% (HM2) or 0.5% (HM3) by-products of herbal medicines. There was a significantly (p<0.05) improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) in birds fed diet supplemented with 0.15% by-products of herbal medicines (HM1) compared with the control birds during starter period (3~21 days). However, no difference in body weight, feed intake, total gain and FCR among treatment groups was observed during the entire feeding period (3~35 days). The colony forming units (CFU) of E. coli and Lactobacilli in the digesta of ileo-cecum was not also affected by dietary treatment. Serum AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and glucose decreased (p<0.05) in birds fed diets supplemented with herbal medicines compared with those fed the basal diet. In particular, the birds fed diets supplemented with herbal medicines showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in blood mean corpuscular volume (MCV) level compared with the control birds. However, the most of blood biochemical and hematological parameters and immunoglobulins (IgG and IgA) were not affected by the dietary treatment. In conclusion, the low level of dietary herbal medicines showed beneficial effects on FCR during starter period and liver functions, suggesting that by-products of herbal medicines may be applicable as functional feed additives in birds.