Effects of Dietary β-1,3 Glucan and Feed Stimulants in Juvenile Olive Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

Abstract.— The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of β‐1,3 glucan and a laboratory developed feed stimulant, BAISM, as feed additives for juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Eight experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric and to contain 50.0% crude protein and 16.4 kJ of available energy/g with or without dietary β‐1,3 glucan and BAISM supplementation. β‐1,3 glucan (G) and BAISM (B) were provided at 0% in the control diet (G₀B₀) and at 0.05% G + 0.45% B (G_0.05B_0.45), 0.05% G + 0.95% B (G_0.05B_0.95), 0.1% G + 0.90% B (G_0.1B_0.9), 0.10% G + 1.90% B (G_0.1B_1.9), 0.15% G + 1.35% B (G_0.15B_1.35), 0.15% G + 2.85% B (G_0.15B_2.85), and 0.30% G + 2.70% B (G_0.3B_2.7) in experimental diets. After the feeding trial, fish fed G_0.1B_0.9, G_0.1B_1.9, and G_0.15B_1.35 diets had higher percent weight gain (WG), feed efficiency ratio (FER), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and condition factor (CF) than those fed G₀B₀, G_0.05B_0.45, G_0.05B_0.95, G_0.15B_2.85, and G_0.3B_2.7 diets (P < 0.05); however, there was no significant differences among fish fed G_0.1B_0.9, G_0.1B_1.9, and G_0.15B_1.35 diets. Fish fed G_0.1B_0.9 and G_0.1B_1.9 diets had higher chemiluminescent responses (CL) than those fed the other diets (P < 0.05). Lysozyme activity of fish fed G_0.1B_0.9 diet was significantly higher than that of fish fed the other diets (P < 0.05). These results indicated that the optimum dietary supplementation level of β‐1,3 glucan and BAISM could be approximately 0.10% β‐1,3 glucan + 0.90% BAISM (G_0.1B_0.9) of diet based on WG, FER, SGR, PER, CF, CL, and lysozyme activity in juvenile olive flounder, P. olivaceus.     

Use of Fermented Fisheries By-products and Soybean Curd Residues Mixture as a Fish Meal Replacer in Diets of Juvenile Olive Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

A 10‐wk feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the potential use of fermented fisheries by‐products and soybean curd residues mixture (FFSM) as a partial replacement for fish meal (FM) in the diet of juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Five experimental diets were formulated with FFSM replacing 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60% of the FM protein (FFSM₀, FFSM₁₅, FFSM₃₀, FFSM₄₅, and FFSM₆₀, respectively). Juvenile olive flounder averaging 5.99 ± 0.08 g (mean ± SD) were randomly distributed into aquaria at 15 fish/aquarium, with three replicate aquaria for each experimental diet. Weight gain (WG) of fish fed FFSM₀, FFSM₁₅, and FFSM₃₀ was significantly higher than that of fish fed FFSM₄₅ and FFSM₆₀ (P < 0.05). Also, WG of fish fed FFSM₄₅ was significantly higher than that of fish fed FFSM₆₀ (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in WG among fish fed FFSM₀, FFSM₁₅, and FFSM₃₀ (P > 0.05). Specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed FFSM₁₅ was significantly higher than that of fish fed FFSM₄₅ and FFSM₆₀ (P < 0.05). Also, SGR of fish fed FFSM₀, FFSM₁₅, FFSM₃₀, and FFSM₄₅ was significantly higher than that of fish fed FFSM₆₀ (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in SGR among fish fed FFSM₀, FFSM₁₅, and FFSM₃₀ and among those fed FFSM₀, FFSM₃₀, and FFSM₄₅ (P > 0.05). Feed efficiency (FE) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) of fish fed FFSM₆₀ were significantly lower than those of fish fed FFSM₀, FFSM₁₅, FFSM₃₀, and FFSM₄₅ (P < 0.05); however, there were no significant differences in FE and PER among fish fed FFSM₀, FFSM₁₅, FFSM₃₀, and FFSM₄₅. Hepatosomatic index of fish fed FFSM₀, FFSM₁₅, and FFSM₃₀ was significantly higher than that of fish fed FFSM₆₀ (P < 0.05); however, there were no significant differences among fish fed FFSM₀, FFSM₁₅, FFSM₃₀, and FFSM₄₅ and among those fed FFSM₄₅ and FFSM₆₀. No significant differences were observed in condition factor and survival rate among all dietary groups tested. The whole‐body proximate composition averaged 75.0 (% dry matter basis [DM]), 8.66 (% DM), 16.38 (% DM), and 76.1%, for crude protein, crude lipid, ash, and moisture, respectively. Based on growth performance, the FFSM could replace up to 30% FM protein by the ANOVA test; however, broken‐line model analysis indicated 28.7% as an optimum replacement level in juvenile olive flounder diets.     

Evaluation of sulphur amino acid requirement of male Korean native ducklings from hatch to 21 day of age

1. A dose-response experiment was conducted with male Korean native ducklings (KND) to evaluate the total sulphur amino acid (TSAA) requirement from hatch to 21 d of age.

2. A completely randomised design with 7 dietary TSAA concentrations (0.62%, 0.65%, 0.68%, 0.71%, 0.74%, 0.77% and 0.80%) were used with 6 replications per treatment.

3. Body weight (BW) and feed intake were measured weekly to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). One duckling per pen (n = 6) was killed by cervical dislocation to weigh empty body and drumsticks at the conclusion of experiment.

4. BW was improved significantly with increasing TSAA content, in a non-linear manner. A significant decrease of FCR was shown with increasing TSAA contents. TSAA requirement was determined by taking a mean value after fitting the data to both a linear-plateau and a quadratic-plateau model. Estimated TSAA requirements were 0.70%, 0.70%, 0.66% and 0.70% for the maximum BW, ADG and ADFI and for the minimum FCR, respectively. Increasing TSAA content improved quantity of full body weight (FBW), empty body weight (EBW) and drumstick weight (DSW), but there was no effect on proportion of DSW in relation to EBW and proportion of EBW to FBW.

5. In conclusion, the growth of male KND during 1 to 21 d of age was improved with increasing TSAA content, suggesting optimal TSAA requirements estimated by two analysis models.     

Ribosomal protein s3 immunoreactivity in the young, adult and aged gerbil hippocampus

Ribosomal protein S3 (rpS3) is well known to participate in DNA repair mechanisms. In the present study, we compared rpS3 immunoreactivity and its protein levels in the hippocampus among young, adult and aged gerbils. In the postnatal month (PM) 3 group as the young, rpS3 immunoreaction was observed in pyramidal and non-pyramidal cells of the hippocampus proper and in granule and polymorphic cells of the dentate gyrus. In the PM 12 group as adult and 24 group as the aged, rpS immunoreactivity in the hippocampus was decreased compared to the PM 3 group. Western blot analysis showed that rpS3 levels were decreased with time; lowest at PM 24. These results indicate that rpS3 immunoreactivity and protein levels were markedly decreased in the aged gerbil hippocampus.     

Combination of cyclosporin A and prednisolone for juvenile cellulitis concurrent with hindlimb paresis in 3 English cocker spaniel puppies

Three 7-week-old, English cocker spaniel littermates were diagnosed as having juvenile cellulitis with concurrent neurologic signs based on history, histopathology, and therapeutic response. The puppies were treated with cyclosporin A and prednisolone. Skin lesions and hindlimb paresis improved following treatment.     

Development of multiplex polymerase chain reaction assays for detecting enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and their application to field isolates from piglets with diarrhea.

Fimbriae and enterotoxins are major virulence factors associated with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). In this study, 3 sets of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) assays targeting fimbriae, enterotoxins, and other adherence factors were developed for detecting ETEC. A total number of 188 E. coli field isolates were examined, and percentages of E. coli strains carrying each virulence factors were as follows: F4 (7.45%), F5 (29.79%), F6 (6.38%), F18 (15.43%), F41 (3.72%), STa (10.11%), STb (20.74%), LT (9.57%), Stx2e (2.13%), EAST1 (42.02%), F1 (67.55%), AIDA-I (2.66%), and pAA (7.45%). Of the 188 E. coli field isolates examined, 25.53% were found to be pathogenic ETEC, having both fimbriae and enterotoxins. However, the ratio increased to 44.68% when the presence of other adhesins was considered as criteria for virulence. Among the adherence factors, F1 was found to be the most prevalent. AIDA-I and pAA were also found with similar ratio as compared with other virulence factors. In addition, virulence patterns carrying these alternate adhesive genes with enterotoxins were detected with significant ratio. Therefore, it is desirable that alternate adhesins be considered as markers for diagnosis of ETEC.     

Age-related changes in calretinin-immunoreactive periglomerular cells in the rat main olfactory bulb

The changes of calretinin (CR)-immunoreactive periglomerular cells in the glomerular layer of the main olfactory bulb (MOB) were investigated in rats differing ages from postnatal month 1 (PM 1) to PM 24. The number of cresyl violet-positive periglomerular cells was similar between PM 1 and PM 12, but they decreased slightly in the PM 24 group. The size of CR-immunoreactive periglomerular cells in the glomerular layer increased with age, while their numbers did not change significantly in the PM 6-PM 24 groups. In the PM 24 group, numbers of CR-positive periglomerular cell bodies and their processes decreased, while the size of CR-positive cell bodies in the glomeruli was larger than that of the previous groups. These results suggest that CR-immunoreactive periglomerular cells in the rat MOB are well-developed in the PM 6 group, and that periglomerular cells in the PM 24 group show poor CR-immunoreactivity compared to those in the PM 6 group.     

Effects of single or carbohydrases cocktail in low-nutrient-density diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, and carcass traits in growing–finishing pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of single or carbohydrases cocktail in low-nutrient-density diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, and carcass traits of growing–finishing pigs. A total of 96 pigs with an average initial BW of 47.50 ± 1.25 kg were used in this 8-week growth trial. Pigs were randomly allocated to 1 of the 4 treatments according to its BW and sex (4 pigs/pen, 6 replicate pens/treatment). The diets included: 1) control (CON) corn–soybean meal diet (DE, 3400 kcal/kg; CP, 17%), 2) low-nutrient-density (LC) diet with 6% DDGS and 5% tapioca (DE, 3280 kcal/kg; CP, 15%), 3) LC + 0.05% β-mannanase (LCS), and 4) LC + 0.05% enzyme mixture (LCM). The LC treatment had a lower ADG, and G/F compared to the other treatments in 0–4 weeks and the overall period of the feeding trial (P < 0.05). The ADFI were decreased in LC, LCS, and LCM groups related to CON (P < 0.05). The LCS treatment had higher DM digestibility than pigs in both the LC and LCM groups (P < 0.05) on 4 weeks while LCM improved N and energy digestibility compared to LC treatment. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine values were not affected by the experimental treatments. After the feeding period, pigs (2 per pen) which reached marketing BW were collected meat samples from slaughter house. Backfat thickness was decreased in LC, LCS and LCM groups (P < 0.05). No numerical differences were observed in meat color, pH value and water holding capacity among four treatments. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that single or carbohydrases cocktail in low-density diets can partially improve ADG, G/F, nutrient digestibility, and meat quality in finishing pigs, which can counteract the negative effects caused by the decreased nutrient concentration.