• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.494-499
• /
• 2002

The objectives of this study were to document the reproductive traits of mares as influenced by the month of the year in Taiwan. Reproductive records, lactation traits, foal birth weight (FBW) and foal height (FBH) were collected from Holi Equine Station of Taiwan. The effects of month on these parameters were analyzed. The length of estrus (LE) was shortest in December each year. The increasing trend was recorded from January to September with a significantly (p<0.05) longer period of $12.4{\pm}0.4$ days in September than in January and February. A gradual shortening in LE was observed from September to December ($10.1{\pm}0.6$ days, p<0.05), when the shortest period of the year was observed. Mares showed signs of estrus throughout the year, but more than 80% were found in estrus during March through October. The FBW was significantly (p<0.05) affected by the breeding month of the year. The lowest foal weights were recorded in both September ($36.7{\pm}0.7$ kg) and December ($36.8{\pm}0.9$ kg), which were also significantly lower than those in other months except in March, August, and November. A trend of lower FBH from September to December (93.5-93.8 cm) than those from January to August was observed. The greatest FBH was in June (96.2 cm). Breeding months and onset of estrus of the mares exerted a significant effect on the incidence of agalactia during the lactation period. These analyses provide fundamental information on adaptive processes in respect to reproductive characteristics of mares, which indicated an extent of acclimation by these animals in subtropical Taiwan.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.33 no.9
• /
• pp.1369-1377
• /
• 2020

Objective: The main objectives of the present study were to assess the genetic diversity, population structure and to appraise the efficiency of ongoing selective breeding program in the closed nucleus herd of Nellore sheep through pedigree analysis. Methods: Information utilized in the study was collected from the pedigree records of Livestock Research Station, Palamaner during the period from 1989 to 2016. Genealogical parameters like generation interval, pedigree completeness, inbreeding level, average relatedness among the animals and genetic conservation index were estimated based on gene origin probabilities. Lambs born during 2012 and 2016 were considered as reference population. Two animal models either with the use of F_i or ΔF_i as linear co-variables were evaluated to know the effects of inbreeding on the growth traits of Nellore sheep. Results: Average generation interval and realized effective population size for the reference cohort were estimated as 3.38±0.10 and 91.56±1.58, respectively and the average inbreeding coefficient for reference population was 3.32%. Similarly, the effective number of founders, ancestors and founder genome equivalent of the reference population were observed as 47, 37, and 22.48, respectively. Fifty per cent of the genetic variability was explained by 14 influential ancestors in the reference cohort. The ratio f_e/f_a obtained in the study was 1.21, which is an indicator of bottlenecks in the population. The number of equivalent generations obtained in the study was 4.23 and this estimate suggested the fair depth of the pedigree. Conclusion: Study suggested that the population had decent levels of genetic diversity and a non-significant influence of inbreeding coefficient on growth traits of Nellore lambs. However, small portion of genetic diversity was lost due to a disproportionate contribution of founders and bottlenecks. Hence, breeding strategies which improve the genetic gain, widens the selection process and with optimum levels of inbreeding are recommended for the herd.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.17 no.7
• /
• pp.973-979
• /
• 2004

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the digestible energy intake and energy expenditure in yearling horses on different training protocols (uphill- and level-track exercise training protocols). Twenty-four thoroughbred yearlings (12 males and 12 females, aged 27.0$\pm$0.9 months) were divided into two groups based on their training on two different tracks: the uphill (with a gradient of about 3%) training group (uphill training) and the level training group (level training). The digestible energy (DE) intake and energy expenditure (EE) during exercise were measured in both the groups. It was found that the DE intake in the uphill training and the level training groups was 5.1$\pm$3.1 and 36.9$\pm$4.8 Mcal/day, respectively. The EE during exercise in the two groups was 3.05$\pm$0.51 and 2.07 $\pm$0.56 Mcal, respectively. Thus, there was a significant difference in the EE (p<0.05), but not in the DE intake between the animals of the two training groups. The EE for a given intensity of exercise was greater in the uphill training group than in the level training group, but the DE intake was not affected by the exercise intensity. The DE intake was not generally affected by the intensity of exercise in this study, but a daily negative gain of body weight was observed in the uphill training group, particularly in the females. Thus, the energy requirement may be higher in yearlings undergoing uphill training than in those undergoing level training.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.5.1-5.7
• /
• 2016

The study was conducted to know the cyclic changes in gonadal maturation and to investigate the developmental stages of oocytes and testicular germ cells of an air-breathing fish, Channa striata. Fish were sampled monthly from lentic and lotic environments of three geographical locations of Bangladesh from December to November and the histological analysis of their gonad was done to evaluate the objectives. The highest mean GSI was $5.95{\pm}0.20$ for female in July and $0.14{\pm}0.01$ for male also in July showing that the gonadal development reached its peak during this month. The highest mean oocyte diameter was $1257.50{\pm}24.17{\mu}m$ observed in July implying that the oocyte reached maturity in this month. Histological study of ovary revealed the evidence of early yolk granule stage and late yolk granule stage from April to July. In case of male four stages of spermatogenesis were distinguished and spermatozoa were highly abundant in June and July. So the monthly pooled values of GSI and the analysis of gonadal histology indicated that the peak breeding season of C. striata occurred in July in the lentic and lotic environments. Samples collected from lentic and lotic habitats are suggestive of no difference in the development of the gonad. The results of the present study will be useful for selective breeding programme, conservation and sustainable fishery management of C. striata in its natural habitat.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.730-737
• /
• 1999

A national animal health monitoring system(NAHMS) in Gyeongnam area was started from 1997 to develop statistically valid data for use in estimating disease frequencies in dairy cattle, and the associated costs. The objectives of this study were to : (1) discribe what was done to implement and maintain the system in Gyeongnam ; (2) present selected disease frequencies ; (3) discuss the epidemiological consideration of what was done and implications for the results obtained. Veterinary Medical Officers(VMOs-professors and graduate students from Gyeongsang National University, Faculty of Gyeongnam Livestock Promotion Institute, and Clinic veterinarians) served as data collectors. After training on current disease and management problems of dairy cattle, interview techniques, sampling methods, and data collection instruments, the VMOs participated in selection of the sample herds and data gathering. Forty of 167 dairy herds were selected randomly and the VMOs visited farms once a month for 12 months to collect data about management, disease, inventory, production, preventive treatment, financial and any other relevant data. Strict data quality control devices were used. Specific feed-back was developed for the producers and data collectors. Of the three age groups studied, cows had the greatest number of disease problems. The six disorders found most frequently were (from the highest to the lowest) breeding problems, clinical mastitis, birth problems, gastrointestinal problems. metabolic problems, and lameness. In young stock, respiratory, multiple system, breeding problems, and gastrointestinal problems were pre dominant, whereas in calves, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and integumental problems were major.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
• /
• v.42 no.5
• /
• pp.470-480
• /
• 2010

The objectives of this study were to identify QTLs for agronomic traits using introgression lines from a cross between a japonica weedy rice and a Tongil-type rice. A total of 75 introgression lines developed in the Tongil-type rice were characterized. A total of 368 introgressed segments including 285 homozygous and 83 heterozygous loci were detected on 12 chromosomes based on the genotypes of 136 SSR markers. Each of 75 introgression lines contained 0-9 homozygous and 0-8 heterozygous introgressed segments with an average of 5.8 segments per line. A total of 31 quantitative and 2 qualitative loci were identified for 14 agronomic traits and each QTL explained 4.1% to 76.6% of the phenotypic variance. Some QTLs were clustered in a few chromosomal regions. A first cluster was located near RM315 and RM472 on chromosome 1 with QTLs for 1,000 grain weight, culm length, grain width and thickness. Another cluster was detected with four QTLs for 1,000 grain weight, grain length, grain width and grain length/width ratio near the SSR marker RM249 on chromosome 5. Among the 31 QTLs, 9 (28.1%) Hapcheonaengmi3 alleles were beneficial in the Milyang23 background. ILs would be useful to confirm QTLs putatively detected in a primary mapping population for complex traits and serve as a starting point for map-based cloning of the QTLs. Additional backcrosses are being made to purify nearly isogenic lines (NILs) harboring a few favorable Hapcheonaengmi3 alleles in Milyang23 background.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.193-201
• /
• 2022

Subgroups of sperm which share similar motility features documented in mammals indicate between-subject variations that might be related to fertilizing potential of the respective ejaculates. The objectives of this study were to define subpopulations of motile sperm in Gyr falcon semen using kinematic parameters driven by Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) and to investigate the subject-related variations in these subpopulations. A total of 24 fresh ejaculates from 6 falcons were used to assign each of the 20473 sperms into 3 subpopulations by a multivariate cluster analysis. The proportion of sperms in different sub-populations were compared among subjects by a generalized linear model and repeatability of sperm frequency in different subpopulations was investigated by corelation analysis. The resulting 3 categories of sperm indicated significant differences in all kinematic parameters (p < 0.05). Subpopulation 1 (15.91%) contained sperms with the highest velocity and progressiveness of movement trajectory while subpopulation 3 (6.4%) included the least progressively motile sperms. Proportion of rapid and medium progressive sperm were consistently higher in the ejaculate of three falcons compared to the two other birds which also had the highest proportion of slow non-progressive sperms (p < 0.05). Respective proportion of sperms in each subpopulations indicated significant repeatability over multiple measurements (p < 0.05). In conclusion, subpopulations of motile sperm in Gyr falcon can be identified using kinematic parameters generated by CASA. Individual differences in the proportion of these subpopulations might have potential application for identifying the males with higher fertilizing capacity.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.462-469
• /
• 1982

Since 1962, varietal development and dissemination for summer upland crops have been actively initiated by the Crop Experiment Station, Office of Rural Development, Suweon, Korea. The major breeding objectives of soybeans have been to develop varieties which are early maturing, disease resistant, and adaptable to late planting for after-barley cropping. Development of eleven new soybean varieties including Hwangkeumkong, Jangyeobkong, Danyeobkong, and Kwangkyo has greatly increased the soybean yield throughout country. For com, after development of Hwangok #2, a synthetic, in early 1960's, nine corn hybrids-single crosses, double-crosses, and three-way crosses-such as Jecheon-ok, Hoengseong-ok, Kwangok, Suweon #19, etc., have been disseminated mainly to Kangweon province, a major corn producing area in Korea, and drew up the yield over 4 tons per hectare. The major breeding objectives of sweet potato have been to develop varieties which have high starch content and root yield. Hwangmi, Hongmi, and Shinmi are three sweet potato varieties developed and disseminated by the Crop Experiment Station, Office of Rural Development and are grown most widely in Korea. Most of researches on cultural practices of upland crops have begun on a full scale from early 1960's. In soybeans, for example, no fertilizer but for barley was applied although the effects of phosphate and potassium fertilizers were great on soybeans in after-barley soybean croppings. The effects of heavy application of phosphate and calcium fertilizers on soybeans in newly reclaimed soils were recognized. Recently a mixed fertilizer for soybean (N; 40, P:70, K:60 kg/㏊) was developed and sold for soybean growers. The optimum planting densities of 220, 000 plants/ha in full-season cropping and 330, 000 pts/ha in after-barley cropping of soybeans were known from repeated experiments. For higher yield, a means of cultural practices such as transplanting-pinching, direct planting-pinching, and hilling-up, etc., were developed along with barley-stubble planting with no tillage and integrated herbicide application for labour savings. For sweet potato, cultural practices for planting date, harvesting date, fertilizer, and planting density were fully established. For early marketing, a technique of vinyl-mulching on sweet potato has also fully developed. For com, planting density of 37, 000 pts/ha in early 1960's has been changed to 55, 000 pts/ha for grain production and 67, 000 pts/ha for silage. The amounts of fertilizers have also been changed from 120-120-120kg/ha (N-P-K) in early 1960s to 180-150-150 kg/ha. These increases in number of plants per unit area and fertilizer levels have resulted in greater production for both grain and silage. At the same time, the production techniques of F1 seeds have also improved.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.48-72
• /
• 2011

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the effects of Yongdamsagantang on the polycystic ovary(PCO) induced by estradiol valerate(EV) in rats. Methods: After administrating Yongdamsagan-tang to PCO induced rats, we measured the weight of body, ovaries, adrenal glands, and uterus of rats. The observation through naked eye and histopathological observation of ovaries were evaluated. Also, the number of follicle and corpora lutea and content of androstenedione(ADD) and total estrogen were evaluated. The expressions of nerve growth factor(NGF) and corticotropin releasing factor(CRF) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The breeding rate and number of implantation with normal male rats were evaluated. Results: - The weight(mg) of ovaries in YST treated group($73.8{\pm}7.6$) was significantly increased(p<0.001) compared with control group($54.3{\pm}4.5$). - The number of mature follicles in YST treated group($7.3{\pm}2.4$) was significantly increased(p<0.01) compared with control group($3.5{\pm}1.2$). - The number of atretic follicles in YST treated group($9.0{\pm}1.5$) was significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group($13.4{\pm}3.8$). - The number of cystic follicles in YST treated group($3.1{\pm}1.1$) was significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group($6.0{\pm}2.0$). - The number of corpora lutea in YST treated group($3.8{\pm}2.1$) was significantly increased(p<0.001) compared with control group($0.3{\pm}0.7$). - The expression of NGF-immunoreactive cells in the ovarian granulosa cells in YST treated group was lesser observed than control group. - The expression of NGF-immunoreactive cells in the adrenal cortex in YST treated group was lesser observed than control group. - The breeding rate in YST treated group(100 %) was significantly increased (p<0.05) compared with control group(50 %). - The number of implantation in YST treated group($6.4{\pm}4.7$) was significantly increased(p<0.05) compared with control group($1.4{\pm}2.6$). Conclusions: We concluded that Yongdamsagan-tang activates the maturation of follicles, normal ovulation, breeding rate and number of implantation. Therefore, this may be effective for the treatment of anovulation, amenorrhea and sterility of PCOS patients.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.23 no.7
• /
• pp.848-854
• /
• 2010

The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters for the carcass price and carcass traits contributing to carcass grading and to investigate the influence of each carcass trait on the carcass price using multiple regression and path analyses. Data for carcass traits and carcass prices were collected from March 2003 to January 2009 on steers of Korean cattle raised at private farms. The analytical mixed animal model, including slaughter house-year-month combination, linear and quadratic slaughter age as fixed effects and random animal and residual effects, was used to estimate genetic parameters. The effects of carcass traits on the carcass price were evaluated by applying multiple regression analyses. Heritability estimates of carcass traits were $0.20{\pm}0.08$ for carcass weight (CWT), $0.33{\pm}0.10$ for back fat thickness (BFT), $0.07{\pm}0.05$ for eye-muscle area (EMA) and $0.25{\pm}0.10$ for marbling score (MS), and those of carcass prices were $0.21{\pm}0.10$ for auction price per 1 kg of carcass weight (AP) and $0.13{\pm}0.07$ for total price (CP). Genetic correlation coefficients of AP with CWT and MS were $-0.35{\pm}0.29$ and $0.99{\pm}0.04$, respectively, and those of CP with CWT and MS were $0.59{\pm}0.22$ and $0.39{\pm}0.29$ respectively. If an appropriate adjustment for temporal economic value is available, the moderate heritability estimates of AP and CP might suggest their potential use as the breeding objectives for improving the gross incomes of beef cattle farms. The large genetic correlation estimates of carcass price variables with CWT and MS implied that simultaneous selection for both CWT and MS would be also useful in enhancing income.