• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제21권11호
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• pp.1659-1664
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• 2008

To study the working mechanisms for non-starch polysaccharidases to improve the growth performance of broiler chickens, a 21-day feeding trial was conducted. Two dietary treatments were included: 1) wheat diet (the control); 2) wheat+xylanase diet (xylanase, Allzyme PT, Alltech, Kentucky, USA). There were 8 replicates with 8 birds each for each treatment and the experimental diets were given to birds from hatch. Feed intake and body weight were measured on days 7 and 21. At the same ages, samples were taken for the determination of selected groups of luminal and mucosa-associated bacteria, mucosal morphology, brush-border membrane (BBM) bound enzyme activity and ileal nutrient digestibility. The xylanase supplement increased (p<0.05) body weight gain (BWG) and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) at the end of the experiment but protein and starch digestibilities were not affected (p>0.05) by xylanase. Up to day 7, xylanase increased the counts of C. perfringens in the ileum and total anaerobic bacteria (TAB) in the caeca (p<0.05, p=0.07, respectively). By day 21, the counts of ileal lactobacilli (p<0.05) and TAB (p=0.07) were lower in birds given the xylanase-supplemented diet than in those on the control diet. No significant differences were observed in the counts of mucosa-associated lactobacilli and coliforms between xylanase treatment and the control at both ages. Villus height at the jejunum was not affected (p>0.05) by the supplement but crypt depth at the same site was reduced at day 7. Also, xylanase tended to increase the concentration of BBM protein (p = 0.09) and the specific activity of sucrase (p = 0.07) at day 21.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.399-404
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• 2007

To elucidate the efficacy of different levels of microbial-fermented soy proteins (FSP) on piglet performance, a total of 240 weaned piglets ($L{\times}Y{\times}D$, $22{\pm}3$ d of age, $5.16{\pm}0.07$ kg initial BW) were allotted to 4 treatment diets comprising control, FSP-3%, FSP-6% and FSP-9%. The fermented soybean product named $Pepsoygen^{(R)}$ was utilized for the study. There were 15 pigs per pen and 4 pens per treatment. The control diet contained 15% soybean meal (SBM), and SBM for the treatment diets was replaced at 3, 6 and 9% with FSP, respectively. Experimental diets were fed from 0 to 14 d (phase-I) after weaning and then a common commercial diet was fed from 15 to 35 d (phase-II). There was a linear (p<0.05) increase in ADG and ADFI at both phases of measurement. The feed to gain ratio was also improved, showing a linear (p<0.01) trend as the level of supplementation increased. Except for phosphorus, the digestibility of all other nutrients was improved linearly (p<0.05) in the FSP added diets. However, villous height and crypt depth were not affected by dietary treatments. No special effect on intestinal morphology was noticed between FSP-added and control diets. In conclusion, the growth, digestibility of nutrients and morphological changes in weaned pigs fed FSP showed improved performance at higher levels of supplementation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제21권11호
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• pp.1604-1609
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• 2008

A series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of the mixture of Tween 80 and cellulolytic enzymes (xylanase and cellulase) on total tract nutrient digestibility and rumen cellulolytic bacterial adhesion rates in Holstein steers. Ground timothy hay sprayed with various levels of Tween 80 and cellulolytic enzymes was used as substrates in an in vitro experiment to find out the best combinations for DM degradation. The application level of 2.5% (v/w) Tween 80 and the combination of 5 U xylanase and 2.5 U cellulase per gram of ground timothy hay (DM basis) resulted in the highest in vitro dry matter degradation rate (p<0.05). Feeding the same timothy hay to Holstein steers also improved in vivo nutrient (DM, CP, CF, NDF and ADF) digesibilities compared to non-treated hay (p<0.05). Moreover, Tween 80 and enzyme combination treatment increased total ruminal VFA and concentrations of propionic acid and isovaleric acid with decreased acetate to propionate ratio (p<0.001). However, adhesion rates of Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens determined by Real Time PCR were not influenced by the treatment while that of Ruminococcus albus was decreased (p<0.05). The present results indicate that a mixture of Tween 80 and cellulolytic enzymes can improve rumen environment and feed digestibility with variable influence on cellulolytic bacterial adhesion on feed.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.580-587
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• 2010

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary water-soluble carbohydrate extract from Renga renga lily (Arthropodium cirratum) and a commercial product, $Frutafit^{{\circledR}}$ (both fructans) on the performance, organ weights, ileal digestibility and gut morphology of male Cobb broiler chickens. There were six treatment groups: a negative control with no supplements, a positive control supplemented with 45 ppm Zn-bacitracin, and four test diets each supplemented with Renga renga lily extract or Frutafit at 5 or 10 g/kg diet. Supplementation with low levels of Renga renga lily extract and Frutafit in the diet did not affect productive parameters, whereas the inclusion of a high level of Frutafit had a negative effect on BWG and FI compared with birds fed the negative control diet. The addition of an antibiotic to the diet significantly improved (p<0.05) the BWG and FCR of broilers. Apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter, starch, protein and fat was not affected (p>0.05) by supplementation with both levels of lily extract and the low level of Frutafit. The apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter, protein and fat was decreased (p<0.05) by the high level of Frutafit. The apparent metabolisable energy (AME) of the diets fed the high level of Frutafit was approximately 0.2 MJ/kg DM lower than that of the negative control group. The addition of Zn-bacitracin increased (p<0.05) the apparent ileal digestibility of fat. The relative weight of the liver was higher (p<0.05) in broilers supplemented with the high level of Frutafit than for negative control birds at 14 and 35 d of age. Feeding Renga renga lily extract or Frutafit had no effect on the gut morphology of birds on d 14 and 35. It can be concluded that dietary inclusion of fructans from the two sources used in this study affected broiler performance differently and in a dose-dependent manner.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.825-832
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• 2010

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity defines biotechnology as "Any technological application that uses biological systems, dead organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use" Biotechnology has made tremendous contributions to improve production efficiency of agriculture during the last century. This article reviews successful examples of application of bio-fermentation in improving swine nutrition efficiency mainly based on the authors'z own research experience. Production of feed grade supplemental amino acids by bio-fermentation allowed nutritionists to formulate accurate feed for optimal lean growth and reduced nitrogen excretion. Recent issues with high feed grain prices caused potential feed quality problems. Bio-fermentation allowed nutritionists to use exogenous supplemental enzymes such as phytase and NSPases in swine diets, thereby improving nutrient utilization and reducing nutrient excretion to the environment. Yeast metabolites are also produced by bio-fermentation and have been repeatedly shown to improve milk production of sows during early lactation even though actual mechanisms are still to be investigated. Bio-fermentation technology also allowed nutritionists to prepare vegetable protein sources with large protein molecules and anti-nutritional factors suitable for feeding newly weaned piglets, as selected microorganisms significantly reduce specific anti-nutritional factors and size of peptides. Preparations of vegetable protein sources suitable for newly weaned pigs will greatly contribute to swine nutrition by providing efficient alternatives to the use of animal protein sources that are often expensive and somewhat against societal preference. Considering the few examples listed above, biotechnology has closely influenced improvement of production efficiency in the swine industry. As we have limited resources to produce meat to satisfy ever-increasing global demands, extensive adaptation of biotechnology to enhance production efficiency should be continued. However, at the same time, wise and careful application of bio-technology should be considered to ensure production of safe food and to meet the expectations of our society.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제22권7호
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• pp.1038-1042
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• 2009

Fifty-four cross-bred ((Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire)${\times}$Duroc) pigs (13.47${\pm}$0.03 kg average initial BW) were evaluated in a 42 d growth assay to determine the effects of the fermented soy product (FSP). The dietary treatments were: FSP 0 (corn-soybean basal diet), FSP 2.5 (FSP 0 amended with 2.5% FSP), and FSP 5 (FSP 0 amended with 5% FSP). The body weight at the end of the experiment increased linearly (p = 0.05) as the FSP levels in the diets increased. In addition, the ADG and G/F ratio also increased (linear effect, p = 0.06) as the levels of FSP increased. However, there was no effect of FSP on ADFI or DM digestibility (p>0.05). Furthermore, the N digestibility increased as the FSP levels increased (linear effect, p = 0.003), although the total protein concentration in the blood was not affected by FSP (p>0.05). Additionally, the albumin concentration was higher in pigs fed diets that contained 2.5% FSP than in pigs in the control group or the FSP 5 group (quadratic effect, p = 0.07). The creatinine concentrations were also evaluated at d 42 and found to be greater in pigs that received the FSP 2.5 diet (quadratic effect, p = 0.09). Moreover, the creatinine concentration increased linearly in response to FSP treatment (p = 0.09). Finally, although the BUN concentration on the final day of the experiment was greater in pigs that received the FSP 2.5 diet (quadratic effect, p = 0.10), there were no incremental differences in BUN concentrations among groups (p>0.05). Taken together, the results of this study indicate that feeding FSP to pigs during the late nursery phase improves growth performance and N digestibility.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.567-572
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• 2010

The objective was to assess the concentrations of Vitamins A and E in blood of growing lambs infected or not with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and fed a diet containing clinoptilolite. Twenty-four male lambs were used. A $2{\times}2$ factorial design consisting of two feeding treatments (B and Z) and two levels of parasitic status, infected (I) and uninfected (U) was used. Lambs were randomly assigned to one of four (n = 6), groups: BU (basal-uninfected), BI (basal-infected), ZU (zeolite-uninfected) and ZI (zeoliteinfected). Lambs of groups BI and ZI were infected with a single dose of 15,000 $L_3$ larvae of GIN. Blood samples were collected from individual animals at the start of the experiment and, thereafter, at 15-day intervals. The average blood serum vitamin A and vitamin E, concentration in lambs (mean${\pm}$SD) was 0.25${\pm}$0.090 ${\mu}g/ml$ and 1.59${\pm}$0.769 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Lambs fed Z diet had higher values of vitamin A (p<0.001), but lower values of vitamin E (p<0.01) when compared with those fed B diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.622-629
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• 2010

The effects of dietary supplementation of feather meal (FM) and pyridoxine ($B_6$) on the taurine content of egg yolk and performance of laying hens were investigated. A feeding trial was conducted in nine hundred 31-wk-old $Hy-Line^{\circledR}$ Brown layers over 4 wk. The hens received 6 dietary treatments: Control, FM 3% supplemented diet (FM 3%), FM 3%+$B_6$ supplemented diet (FM 3%+$B_6$), FM 6% supplemented diet (FM 6%), FM 6%+$B_6$ supplemented diet (FM 6%+$B_6$), and synthetic taurine 0.25% supplemented diet (Taurine). Parameters of production were significantly (p<0.05) affected by treatments. The egg production of hens fed FM 3% was the highest and hens fed FM diets were more productive than the Taurine and Control groups. The egg weights of the Taurine group were significantly lower than those of the FM 3% and FM 6% groups, but not significantly different from those of other treatments. The feed intake of the Control group was highest among all groups. The feed conversion ratio of the Control group was higher than in groups receiving other treatments of which FM 6% was the lowest. The broken egg production of the Taurine group was highest, while that of the Control group was lowest among treatments. The taurine content of egg yolk was significantly (p<0.01) increased by supplementation of taurine (64.7%), FM 6%+$B_6$ (57%), FM 3%+$B_6$ (32.1%), and FM 6% (16.6%) over a 4 wk average. Sensory evaluation data of the Taurine group showed the highest score in all of the sensory attributes and those of other treatments were not significantly (p<0.05) different. In conclusion, taurine can be enriched in egg yolk by supplementation of 6% FM and $B_6$, as well as 0.25% synthetic taurine.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제24권8호
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• pp.1136-1141
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• 2011

Effect of dietary essential oils on growth, feed utilization and meat yields of white leg shrimp L. vannamei was investigated. White shrimp fry weighing 0.62 g were kept in one of 12 tanks (75 head/500 L holding tank) in a closed recirculation system. Four experimental diets, a commercial diet (control), phytoncide oil (PO), oregano oil (OO) and fermented garlic liquid (GL) were fed for 16 weeks. The mean water quality values for the whole experimental period were $27.8{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, $7.6{\pm}0.3$, $15.5{\pm}0.3$ g/L and $6.1{\pm}0.3$ mg/L for water temperature, pH, salinity and dissolved oxygen, respectively. At the end of the trial, 10 shrimp per tank were randomly sampled and meat yields (%) were evaluated after peeling the shell and removing the head. After a 16 week feeding trial, final weight of shrimp ranged from 21.9 g to 23.6 g. Feed conversion was not significantly different among groups (p>0.05), which was the lowest (1.95) in the control and highest (2.30) in the PO. Specific growth rate was also not significantly different (p>0.05) and ranged from 3.18% to 3.25%. Average daily gain of 0.2 g was obtained in all treatments. Mortality varied from 35.1% for control to 44.9% for OO. Meat yields maintained constant at 52.1% for control to 53.0% for PO. The study suggested that natural essential oils could not exert any improvement in growth performance, mortality and meat yields of white leg shrimp.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.767-777
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• 2014

Characterizing local chicken types and their mostly rural production systems is prerequisite for designing and implementing development and conservation programs. This study evaluated the management practices of small-scale chicken keepers and the phenotypic and production traits of their chickens in Oman, where conservation programs for local livestock breeds have currently started. Free-range scavenging was the dominant production system, and logistic regression analysis showed that socio-economic factors such as training in poultry keeping, household income, income from farming and gender of chicken owners influenced feeding, housing, and health care practices (p<0.05). A large variation in plumage and shank colors, comb types and other phenotypic traits within and between Omani chicken populations were observed. Male and female body weight differed (p<0.05), being $1.3{\pm}0.65$ kg and $1.1{\pm}0.86$ kg respectively. Flock size averaged $22{\pm}7.7$ birds per household with 4.8 hens per cock. Clutch size was $12.3{\pm}2.85$ and annual production $64.5{\pm}2.85$ eggs per hen. Egg hatchability averaged $88{\pm}6.0%$ and annual chicken mortality across all age and sex categories was $16{\pm}1.4%$. The strong involvement of women in chicken keeping makes them key stakeholders in future development and conservation programs, but the latter should be preceded by a comprehensive study of the genetic diversity of the Omani chicken populations.