This study was designed to evaluate the possibility of increase through dairy female offspring's ratio by transfer of pre-selected transferrable blastocyst that was produced by pre-selected X-bearing semen with OPU derived oocytes. Elite dairy female cow is demanded strongly compared with male, the so called, farmer wants to produce only an elite female dairy offspring as a candidate female dairy cow for producing milk. In our study, we selected 2 elite dairy bull semen from National Agricultural Cooperative Federation to pre-select X-bearing semen and 5 elite dairy female cows as donor for collecting of OPU derived oocytes. OPU derived embryo production system was carried out an aspiration of immature oocytes from 5 donor cows 2 times per week, total 200 times for 2 to 7 months by an ultrasonographic guided follicular aspiration system and then produced in vitro-produced blastocysts by in vitro maturation, fertilization and culture. Dairy donor semen selected H-319, 320 bull in National Agricultural Cooperative federation was sorted X-bearing semen by flow-cytometer and frozen for using IVF with OPU derived oocytes. Donor cows were selected 5 elite dairy cows from Gyeongju Dairy Cow Community and then disease tests such as 4 kinds of disease before selecting was checked. Oocyte proportion of grade 1 to 3 from total collected oocytes was significantly lower in donor A and B than those in donor C, D and E (82.16 and 70.03% vs. 90.0, 91.78 and 93.57%), respectively (p<0.05). However, number of oocytes per session in donor A, C and E was significantly higher than those in donor B and D ($7.77{\pm}3.26$, $5.85{\pm}2.10$ and $7.03{\pm}2.14$ vs. $4.68{\pm}2.61$ and $5.21{\pm}1.97$ oocytes), but donor A was significantly higher than donor C (p<0.05). Development to blastocyst in donor B, C and E was significantly higher than those in donor A and D (31.0, 25.0 and 25.0% vs. 14.3 and 4.5%), but donor A was not different in donor C and E (p<0.05). Nine out of 10 blastocysts (90.0%) derived from OPU blastocysts were confirmed male embryos that was induced with Y-bearing semen to confirm sex ratio only. Total 96 blastocysts derived from female bearing semen were transferred into synchronized recipients and then confirmed 42 recipients (43.8%) pregnancy rate, 36 offspring (37.5%) and 91.7% female sex ratio (33 female vs. 3 male offspring). Taken together all data, elite dairy female offspring could be produced effectively by in vitro production system between pre-selected x-bearing semen and OPU derived oocytes that would be influential breeder in the breeding of dairy farm to increase effectively elite dairy offspring ratio as well as net income in the dairy farmer.

The sexual maturation occurred by the changes of steroid hormones was known to sex-dependently and/or age-dependently regulate the lipid metabolism in various animal species. Our current study demonstrates that lipid and its functional fatty acids can be changed depending on the status of sexual maturation. Of the functional fatty acids, ${\gamma}$-linolenic acid (GLA; 18:3n-6) is an important factor for maintaining human health. The purpose of our study was to investigate the level of GLA in mice with different stages of sexual maturation. To this end, the longissimus muscle (LM) of immature (3-week-old) and mature (7-week-old) female mice was analysed for the fatty acid composition by gas chromatography. Furthermore, both gene and protein level of ${\Delta}6$ desaturase (FADS2) which is involved in GLA metabolism by real time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Mature females showed greater (P<0.05) serum $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2) level and LM GLA contents than immature group. The mRNA and protein levels of FADS2, which converts precursor linoleic acid into GLA, were higher (P<0.05) in mature female mice than in immature mice. In conclusion, these results show that sexual maturation of female mice induces GLA and FADS2 contents in LM.

Amphiregulin (AREG), a glycoprotein that is a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family, is expressed by the porcine conceptus and endometrium. AREG genotypes were determined based on an SNP in the intron 3 of the gene. Contradictory effects of AREG genotypes on reproductive traits in different pig breeds were reported previously. G allele had undesirable effect on reproductive trait in Meishan breed, while it had favorable effects in Polish Landrace and Large White. We determined AREG genotypes of 179 pigs including the Duroc, Landrace, Yorkshire, Korean native pig (KNP), and Meishan breeds. Two new SNPs were identified near the previously reported SNP in the intron 3 of AREG. Frequencies of AREG alleles among the Duroc, Landrace, Yorkshire, and KNP sows were significantly different (p<0.001), indicating association between AREG genotypes and pig breeds. The first parity litter size was significantly affected by the breeds (p=0.014), but not by AREG genotypes (p=0.148). However, there were breed and AREG genotype associated trends in the first parity litter size. The first parity litter size appeared to be higher in Duroc and KNP sows with G allele, while it appeared to be lower in Landrace sows with G allele. Significant variability of AREG alleles among pig breeds, for the first time in Duroc and KNP sows, was identified. AREG genotypes may influence reproductive traits differentially for each breed and thus, AREG genotypes may need to be considered when sows are bred to increase litter size.

The aim of the present study was to identify coat color associated genes that are differentially expressed in mature Korean brindle cattle (KBC) with different coat colors and in Hanwoo cows. KBC calves, before and after coat color appearance, were included. Total cellular RNA was isolated from the tail hair cells and used for microarray. The number of expressed coat color associated genes/probes was 5813 in mature KBC and Hanwoo cows. Among the expressed coat color associated genes/probes, 167 genes were the coat color associated genes listed in the Gene card database and 125 genes were the pigment and melanocyte genes listed in the Gene ontology_bovine database. There were 23 genes/probes commonly listed in both databases and their expressions were further studied. Out of the 23 genes/probes, MLPH, PMEL, TYR and TYRP1 genes were expressed at least two fold higher (p<0.01) levels in KBC with brindle color than either Hanwoo or KBC with brown color. TYRP1 expression was 22.96 or 19.89 fold higher (p<0.01) in KBC with brindle color than either Hanwoo or KBC with brown color, respectively, which was the biggest fold difference. The hierarchical clustering analysis indicated that MLPH, PMEL, TYR and TYRP1 were the highly expressed genes in mature cattle. There were only a few genes differentially expressed after coat color appearance in KBC calves. Studies on the regulation and mechanism of gene expression of highly expressed genes would be next steps to better understand coat color determination and to improve brindle coat color appearance in KBC.

Cryopreservation of boar semen is continually researched in reproductive technologies and genetic resource banking in breed conservation. For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility (MOT) is an important parameter because the movement of spermatozoa indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Various researches have been trying to improve the quality of semen post-thawed in boar. Recently, polymorphism (g.358A>T) of cluster-of-differentiation antigen 9 (CD9) gene reported to be significant association with MOT. Also, CD9 gene was expressed in the male germ line stem cells is crucial for sperm-egg fusion, and was therefore selected as candidate gene for boar semen. This study was conducted to evaluate the pig SNP (g.358A>T) of CD9 gene as a positional controlling for semen parameters of post-thawed boar semen. To results, the g.358A>T SNP of the CD9 gene was significantly associated with the traits such as MOT, curve linear velocity, straight line velocity, average path velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement. Particularly, the g.358A>T SNP significantly has the highest association with MOT and animals with AA genotype (p<0.001). Therefore, we suggest that the g.358A>T in the intron 6 region of the porcine CD9 may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar Post-thawed semen quality, although its functional effect was not defined yet.

The study was carried out to assess the production performances of Japanese quail parent stock raised under open housing system and the study was conducted in a local farm with 2000 Japanese parent stock quail birds (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Observed body weight gain was recorded in each weekend up to 7 weeks of their age; birds gained weight 15.73, 31.45, 47.20, 90.80, 125.27, 153.14 and 175.20 grams, respectively. There have been observed sharp decline of fertility and hatchability of birds with increase of their age. Optimum fertility was recorded at third week and optimum hatchability at fifth week of their age. Average flock uniformity was found 83.68%. The hen day egg production of the flock was recorded 81, 83, 85, 86, 89, 89, 89, 89 and 88% in each weekend, respectively. It may therefore be concluded that Japanese quail parent stock performs well under open housing system in Bangladesh and future study can be taken to better understand their production performances.