• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.465-479
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• 2020

Objective: This study performed a meta-analysis of published trials to determine the effects of zinc on the immune response and production performance of broilers. Methods: A database was built from published literature regarding the addition of zinc forms or doses and their relation to the immune response and production performance of broilers. Different doses or forms of zinc were identified in the database. The recorded parameters were related to the immune response and production performance. The database contained a total of 323 data points from 41 studies that met the criteria. Then, the data were processed for a meta-analysis using a mixed model methodology. The doses or different forms of zinc were considered fixed effects, different studies were treated as random effects, and p-values were used as the model statistics. Results: An increase in zinc dose increased (p<0.05) pancreas metallothionein (MT) and zinc concentrations in the plasma, tibia and meat, all in quadratic patterns, but linearly decreased (p<0.05) the heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio. Regarding the different zinc forms, both inorganic and organic zinc increased (p<0.05) the zinc concentrations in the plasma and tibia, the calcium and phosphorus contents in the tibia, and the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase in meat as compared to control. An increase in zinc dose increased average daily gain (ADG) and decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) following a quadratic pattern (p<0.05). Inorganic and organic zinc decreased (p<0.05) FCR and H/L ratio than that of control, but these two forms were similar for these parameters. Conclusion: Zinc addition has a positive impact on immunity and broiler production. Zinc can suppress stress and inhibit the occurrence of lipid peroxidation in broilers, and it can also improve ADG, FCR, and the quality of broiler carcasses.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.961-966
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• 2008

Direct and maternal genetic parameters for production traits in 1,642 pigs and maternal genetic correlations among production (1,642 pigs) and feed efficiency (380 boars) traits were estimated in 7 generations of a Duroc population. Traits studied were daily gain (DG), intramuscular fat (IMF), loineye area (LEA), backfat thickness (BF), daily feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and residual feed intake (RFI). The RFI was calculated as the difference between actual and predicted feed intake. The predicted feed intake was estimated by adjusting the initial test weight, DG and BF. Data for production traits were analyzed using four alternative animal models (including direct, direct+maternal permanent environmental, or direct+maternal genetic+maternal permanent environmental effects). Direct heritability estimates from the model including direct and all maternal effects were $0.41{\pm}0.04$ for DG, $0.27{\pm}0.04$ for IMF, $0.52{\pm}0.06$ for LEA and $0.64{\pm}0.04$ for BF. Estimated maternal heritabilities ranged from $0.04{\pm}0.04$ to $0.15{\pm}0.05$ for production traits. Antagonistic relationships were observed between direct and maternal genetic effects ($r_{am}$) for LEA (-0.21). Maternal genetic correlations of feed efficiency traits with FI ($r_g$ of FI with FCR and RFI were $0.73{\pm}0.06$ and $0.90{\pm}0.05$, respectively) and LEA (rg of LEA with FCR and RFI were $-0.48{\pm}0.05$ to $-0.61{\pm}0.05$, respectively) were favorable. The estimated moderate genetic correlations between direct and maternal genetic effects for IMF and LEA indicated that maternal effects has an important role in these traits, and should be accounted for in the genetic evaluation system.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.261-265
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• 1999

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of feeding Angelica gigas Nakai by-products on performance and meat quality of Korean native chicks(KNC). Five hundred forty KNC were placed into 0, 0.2, and 0.4% Angelica gigas supplements with four replications between males and females. Weight gain, feed conversion ratio(FCR), breast meat lipid, fatty acid and protein contents were measured from 17 to 20 weeks old. Egg production, feed intake and FCR were examined from 22 to 29 weeks at four weeks at four weeks intervals. Basal diets based on corn and soybean meal contained 15% crude protein and 2,850㎉/kg ME for the growing period, 16.5% and 2,800㎉/kg for the laying period. Experiments were designed in a one way analysis. Weight gain of female chicks fed 0.2% Angelica gigas by-products increased significantly compared to that of other treatments for the growing period, but was not consistency in male groups. Moisture, protein, fat content were not statistically different among all treatments. Fatty acid composition(C16:0, C18:0) of chicks fed 0.2% Angelica gigas by-products was higher than other treatments. In laying period, hens fed 0.2 or 0.4% Angelica gigas Nakai by-products seemed to increase the egg production and significantly improved FCR compared to that of control(P〈0.05). Birds fed 0.4% treatment showed significantly the lowest feed intake and FCR of all treatments(P〈0.05). The results of these studies indicated that dietary supplemental Angelica gigas by-products may have a role to improve the performance of KNC.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.687-694
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• 2018

This study was conducted to investigate the laying performance of six strains of Korean domestic chickens (KDC 1A, 2A, 3A, 1B, 2B and 3B). A total of 288 20-week-old KDC hens were allocated in a completely randomized design to give 12 replicates per each strain (4 chickens per pen). The chickens were fed commercial diets (i.e., week 20 - 32, crude protein [CP] 18.0% and metabolizable energy [ME] 2,850 kcal/kg; week 32 - 40, CP 17.0% and ME 2,800 kcal/kg) ad libitum together with fresh water during the 20-week experiment. Body weight, age of sexual maturity, egg weight, hen-day egg production (HDP) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured during the experiment period (week 20 - 40). Our results show that strain 3B had an improved (p < 0.05) HDP and FCR compared with the other strains on week 24 - 28. However, strain 3A had an improved (p < 0.05) HDP and FCR compared to the other strains on week 28 - 40. Similarly, strain 3A had a higher egg weight (p < 0.05) compared to the other strains on week 28, 32 and 40. In conclusion, the higher laying performance of strain 3A indicates its potential in the development of a KDC strain with improved commercial laying performance.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.1881-1891
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• 2022

Objective: The present study aimed to quantify the effects of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on broiler chickens' performance by employing a meta-analysis approach. Methods: A total of 16 studies were included in the database after being systematically selected using a PRISMA protocol. Hedges' g effect size was used to quantify pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) using random-effects models at 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Publication bias among studies was computed with Egger's test and visualized using funnel plots. Results: Results indicated that dietary FSBM inclusion increased final body weight (BW) (SMD = 0.586, 95% CI: 0.221 to 0.951, p = 0.002) of broiler chickens, particularly in starter period (SMD = 0.691, 95% CL: 0.149 to 1.233, p = 0.013) while in the finisher period, the effect was weaker (SMD = 0.509, 95% CI: 0.015 to 1.004, p = 0.043). Average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not affected with FSBM inclusion when compared to control. Subgroup analysis revealed that FI increased in starter period (SMD = 0.582, 95% CI: 0.037 to 1.128, p = 0.036). When considering types of microorganism as moderating variables in the subgroup analysis, we found that Aspergillus oryzae, mixed probiotics+bromelain protease, Bacillus subtilis, and Lactobacillus bacteria significantly increased ADG and FI (p<0.01). Additionally, either Bacillus subtilis+protease or Bacillus subtilis alone decreased FCR (p<0.001). However, meta-regression analysis showed that levels of FSBM inclusion had no effects on final BW (p = 0.502), ADG (p = 0.588), FI (p = 0.861), and FCR (p = 0.462). Conclusion: Substituting SBM in broiler chickens' diet with FSBM improved BW of broiler chickens, especially in the starter period whereas the effects on ADG, FI, and FCR were mostly dependent on microbial strains used for fermentation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1401-1406
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• 2018

Objective: The uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) is a member of the mitochondrial anion carrier superfamily and has crucial effects on growth and feed efficiency in many species. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to examine the association of polymorphisms in the UCP3 gene with feed efficiency in meat-type chickens. Methods: Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the UCP3 gene were chosen to be genotyped using matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry in meat-type chicken populations with 724 birds in total. Body weight at 49 (BW49) and 70 days of age (BW70) and feed intake (FI) in the interval were collected, then body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated individually. Results: One SNP with a low minor allele frequency (<1%) was removed by quality control and data filtering. The results showed that rs13997809 of UCP3 was significantly associated with BWG and FCR (p<0.05), and that rs13997811 had significant effects on BW70 and BWG (p<0.05). Rs13997812 of UCP3 was strongly associated with BW70, FI, and FCR (p<0.05). Furthermore, individuals with AA genotype of rs13997809 had significantly higher BWG and lower FCR (p<0.05) than those with AT genotype. The GG individuals showed strongly higher BW70 and BWG than AA birds in rs13997811 (p<0.05). Birds with the TT genotype of rs13997812 had significantly greater BW70 and lower FCR compared with the CT birds (p<0.05). In addition, the TAC haplotype based on rs13997809, rs13997811, and rs13997812 showed significant effects on BW70, FI, and FCR (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results therefore demonstrate important roles for UCP3 polymorphisms in growth and feed efficiency that might be used in meat-type chicken breeding programs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 1996

Effects on feed intake, liveweight gain and economic benefits of supplementing lambs with urea molasses blocks, were studied. Forty eight crossbred lambs were divided into 6 groups and assigned randomly to grazing on native pasture (CONT) or along with supplements of Commercial ration (COM) and urea molasses blocks (UMBs) containing two levels of cement and calcium oxide as a binding agent. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant (p<0.01) differences in dry matter (DMI, g/day), crude protein (CPI, g/day) and metabolizable energy (MEI, MJ/day) intakes. Differences in liveweight gain (LWG, g/day), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and net economic benefit of supplementation were also highly variable. The intake of DM, CP and ME varied from 974 to 1002, 66-70 and 7.6-8.4 in lambs supplemented with UMBs, significantly (p<0.01) greater than 848, 52.5 and 5.6 in lambs supplemented with COM or FCR and net economic benefits (54.3; 57.8; 17.1 and 1.96; 2.4) in lambs supplemented with COM and UMB-2, were CONT or supplemented with UMB-1, UMB-3 and UMB-4 respectively. Factors responsible for differences in feed intake, liveweight gain and economic benefits, are discussed.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.195-205
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• 2024

Amphipoda is a benthic fauna occupying aquatic environments that can be used as a live feed for mud crabs. The abundance of amphipods in the water is thought to impact the preying capacity of crablets, which in turn will affect their growth performance. This study aims to determine the preying capacity of the crablet stage of Scylla tranquebarica exposed at different densities (20, 30, and 40 amphipods / 0.5 L) of amphipod, Grandidierella megnae. The preying capacity was estimated by counting the number of amphipods ingested by an individual crablet during the 60-day rearing period. The main parameters measured were daily consumption rate (DCR), Cumulative molting (CM), Feed conversion ratio (FCR), and the specific growth rate of weight (SGR-W). The results showed that the DCR and FCR were not affected by amphipod densities but the higher the amphipod density the higher the SGR-W and CM. Based on this study, 30 amphipods / 0.5 L is recommended as the optimal density to optimize the DCR and improve the growth performance of crablets. It is also proposed that surplus live feed will potentially reduce the cannibalism rate of crablets during weaning. However, more research needs to be carried out to elucidate the benefits of crablet-feeding amphipods in communal systems.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.63-65
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• 2000

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of feeding single or combined probiotics on performance and intestinal microflora of broiler chicks for five weeks. Diets based on corn and soybean meal contained 21.50, 19.0% CP and 3,100, 3,150 kcal/kg ME for starting and finishing period, respectively. Lactobacillus salvarius isolated from chicks intestine(LSC), Lactobacillus salvarius isolated from piglet(LSP) Bacillus polyfermenticus(BP) were fed with alone and mixed ones at the level of 0.21 and 0.1% in experiment 1 and 2. Three hundred eighty four chicks were randomly assigned to eight treatment with four replicates of 12 chicks each per treatment. Weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio(FCR) were weekly measured for 5 weeks. The number of intestinal microflora was examined at the end of experiment. There were no significant different weight gain of all treatment in both experiments. Feed consumption were not shown consistency. Chicks fed LSC alone showed the lowest feed conversion ratio of all treatment in experiment 1, but was not consistency in experiment 2. The number of Lactobacillus spp. tended to increase in chicks ileum fed probiotics treatments, whereas it was not consistency in cecum. The number of ileal E. coli was not decreased in BP treatment.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2001

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effents of feeding single or combined probiltics on performance and intestinal micreflora of broiler chicks for five weeks. Diets based on corn and soybean meal contained 21.50, 19% CP and 3,100, 3,150kcal/kg ME for starting and finishing period, respectively. Lactobacillus salvarius isolated from chicks intestine(LSC), Lactobacillus salvarius isolated from piglet(LSP), Bacillus polyfermenticus(BP) were fed with alone and mixed ones at the level of 0.21 and 0.1% in experiment 1 and 2, respectively. Three hundred eighty four chicks were randomly assigned to eight treatments with four replicates of 12 chicks each per treatment. Weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio(FCR) were weekly measured for 5 weeks. The number of intestinal micreflora was examined at the end of experiment. In both experiments, weight gain of chicks fed probiltics tended to be similar or higher than control, but was not in LSC+LSP treatment. Feed intake was not consistent among treatments. In experiment 1, FCR of chicks fed LSC alone was the lowest of all treatments, whereas it was significantly higher in LSC+LSP treatments than control(P〈0.05). In experiment 2, LSP supplemental groups tended to increase FCR compared to the control. The number of ileal E. coli was the lowest in LSP alone treatment of experiment 1, whereas cecal E. coli was higher concentration in probiotics supplemental groups than control. Total Lactobacillus of chicks fed probiotics was decreased in ileum, but was no consestency in cecum. In experiment 2, ileal total yeast tended to be higher in probiotics supplemental groups except LSP alone supplement than control. Total Lactobacillus of chicks fed LSC or LSP alone treatments was significantly higher than control(P〈0.05).