Animal & Dairy Science: Personnel
R Acie C. Murry, Jr.
Acie C. Murry, Jr. B.S., Tennessee State University Edgar L. Rhodes Center for ADS |
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Description of Research Interests
Dr. Murry's research is focused on dietary manipulation to alter intestinal microflora and reduce fecal odor-causing compounds in swine and dogs. Dr. Murry has investigated the effect of complex carbohydrate (Lactosucrose) supplementation in pig's and dog's diets. Results show that lactosucrose does not affect growth performance and nutrient digestibility in pigs. Also, results show that lactosucrose altered fecal microbial activity resulting in reduced odor causing compounds in pigs and dogs.
Dr. Murry also focuses on minimizing the antimicrobial use in food animals to ensure that animals are healthy and are not a reservoir for antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Studies that investigate optimal uses of antimicrobials (dose, interval, duration) in animals in hopes of minimizing bacterial resistance development are being conducted. Dr. Murry is currently investigating the effects of lactic acid bacteria (probiotic) as a strategy to decrease the therapeutic use of antimicrobials in swine and poultry. The results from swine studies show that probiotics containing Lactobacilli can be supplemented without antibiotics in diets of weanling and growing pigs without negatively effecting growth performance. Also, fecal microflora can be affected by the inclusion of probiotics during different stages of the growth period.
Results from studies with chickens suggest that diets supplemented with a probiotic containing Lactobacilli supports growth for broilers similar to the basal diet supplemented with coccidiostat and antibiotic, and with lower feed to gain ratio. Also, probiotic supplementation increased the population Lactobacilli in the ceca of broilers.
Courses Taught
ADSC 2300—Companion Animal Care
ADSC 3300-3300L—Animal Nutrition and Metabolism
Selected Recent Publications
Murry, A. C., R. D. Lewis, and H. E. Amos. 1997. The effect of microbial phytase in a pearl millet-soybean meal diet on apparent digestibility and retention of nutrients, serum mineral concentration, and bone mineral density of nursery pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 75:1284-1289.
Murry, A. C. Jr. 1998. Growth performance and nutrient digestibility of pearl millet in diets for nursery pigs. Prof. Anim. Sci. 14:147-151.
Murry, A. C., and M. O. Downs. 1998. An introductory level companion animal care course: student perception and subsequent performance. J. Anim. Sci. 76:1976-1982.
Murry, A. C. Jr., G. W. Jesse, T. L. Veum, and B. N. Day. 1998. Nitrogen retention, ovulation rate, and hormonal profiles in gilts fed a high-protein diet. Prof. Anim. Sci. 14:95-101.
Murry, A. C. Jr., S. Gelaye, J. M. Casey, T. Foutz, B. Kouakou, and D. Arora. 1999. Type of milk consumed can influence plasma concentrations of fatty acids, minerals and body composition in infant and weanling pigs. J. Nutr. 129:132-138.
Murry, A. C. Jr., Susan Sanchez, and Parshall Bush. 2000. Progress Report. Diet manipulation using lactosucrose and lactic acid to reduce fecal and urine phenolic metabolites and fecal microflora in nursery pigs. The University of Georgia, Animal and Dairy Science, Annual Report.
Murry, A. C. Jr., S. Sanchez, and P. Bush. 2001. Effect of lactic acid and lactosucrose supplementation in diets for nursery pigs. Journal of Animal Science, Volume 79, Supplement 1.
Murry, A. C. Jr., P. Bush, and A. Hinton, Jr. 2002. Effect of lactosucrose on performance, fecal odorous compounds, and fecal microflora in growing pigs. The University of Georgia, Animal and Dairy Science, Annual Report.
Murry, A. C. Jr. and A. Hinton, Jr. 2003. Use of probiotics in the diet of weanling and growing pigs. Journal of Animal Science, Volume 81, Supplement 1.
Murry, A. C., A. Hinton, Jr., and J. Buhr. 2004. Effect of a probiotic containing two Lactobacillus strains on growth performance and population of bacteria in the ceca and carcass rinse of broiler chickens. Poultry Science, Volume 82, Supplement 1.