• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.432-442
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effects of light colour on rabbit reproductive performance and the expression of key follicular development genes. Rabbits (n = 1,068, 5 months old, 3.6-4.4 kg live body weight) were divided randomly into four groups, housed individually in wire mesh cages and exposed to red, green, blue, and white light-emitting diode (LED) light (control). The lighting schedule was 16 L : 8 D-15 d / 150 lx / 6:00 am-22:00 pm (3 d preartificial insemination to 12 d postartificial insemination). Red light and white light affected the conception rate and kindling rate and increased the total litter size at birth (p < 0.05). The effects of red light on litter size at weaning, litter weight at weaning, and individual weight at weaning increased compared with the green and blue groups. The effects of red light on live litter size at birth were increased compared with those in the blue group (p < 0.05). Compared to white light, green and blue light reduced the number of secondary follicles (p < 0.05). Compared to red light, green and blue light reduced the number of tertiary follicles (p < 0.05). Compared with white light, red LED light resulted in greater ovarian follicle stimulating hormone receptor and luteinizing hormone receptor mRNA expression (p < 0.05). Compared with green and blue LED light, red LED light resulted in greater B-cell lymphom-2 mRNA expression (p < 0.05). Compared with green LED light, red LED light inhibited FOXO1 mRNA expression in rabbit ovaries (p < 0.05). Red light can affect the reproductive performance of female rabbits and the expression of key genes for follicular development.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.1796-1805
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• 2023

Objective: This study aims to identify heat shock protein70-2 (HSP70-2) and protamine-1 (PRM1) mRNA and protein in Madura bull sperm and demonstrate their relation as bull fertility biomarkers. Methods: The Madura bull fertility rates were grouped based on the percentage of first service conception rate (%FSCR) as high fertility (HF) (79.04%; n = 4), and low fertility (LF) (65.84%; n = 4). mRNA of HSP70-2 and PRM1 with peptidylprolyl isomerase A (PPIA) as a housekeeping gene were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, while enzyme-linked immunoassay was used to measure protein abundance. In the post-thawed semen samples, sperm motility, viability, acrosome integrity, and sperm DNA fragmentation index were analyzed. Data analysis was performed on the measured parameters of semen quality, relative mRNA expression, and protein abundance of HSP70-2 and PRM1, among the bulls with various fertility levels (HF and LF) in a one-way analysis of variance analysis. The Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between semen quality, mRNA, proteins, and fertility rate. Results: Relative mRNA expression and protein abundance of HSP70-2 and PRM1 were detected and were found to be highly expressed in bulls with HF (p<0.05) and were associated with several parameters of semen quality. Conclusion: HSP70-2 and PRM1 mRNA and protein molecules have great potential to serve as molecular markers for determining bull fertility.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.203-209
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of the dilution ratio of Tris diluent, storage at 0℃, and long-distance transportation on the spermatozoa of Simmental cattle. It also validated the feasibility of the regional distribution of fresh semen. Methods: In experiment 1, semen was diluted at four dilution ratios (1:6, 1:9, 1:12, and 1:15) to determine the optimal dilution ratio of Tris diluent. In experiment 2, we assessed sperm viability, progressive motility (objectively assessed by computer-assisted sperm analyzer), and acrosome intactness in Tris dilutions kept at constant 0℃ for 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days. We compared them to Tianshan livestock dilutions (Commercial diluent). In experiment 3, semen was diluted using Tris diluent, and sperm quality was measured before and after long-distance transport. Artificial insemination of 177 Simmental heifers compared to 156 using Tianshan Livestock dilution. Results: The outcomes demonstrated that 1:9 was the ideal Tris diluent dilution ratio. The sperm viability, Progressive Motility, and acrosome integrity of both Tris and Tianshan dilutions preserved at 0℃ gradually decreased over time. sperm viability was above 50% for both dilutions on d 9, with a flat rate of decline. The decrease in acrosome integrity rate was faster for Tianshan livestock dilutions than for Tris dilutions when stored at 0℃ for 1 to 6 days. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in sperm viability between semen preserved in Tris diluent after long-distance transportation and semen preserved in resting condition. The conception rates for Tris dilution and Tianshan livestock dilution were 49.15% and 46.15% respectively, with no significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusion: This shows that Tris diluent is a good long-term protectant. It has been observed that fresh semen can be successfully preserved for long-distance transport when stored under 0℃ conditions. Additionally, it is feasible to distribute semen regionally.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.952-961
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• 2003

In the first part of the study, rates of estrus occurrence and success of A.I. service in the Thai-native and Friesian crossbred, and purebred Friesian cows fed in the National Dairy Training and Applied Research Institute in Chiang Mai, Thailand were traced monthly throughout a year. An electric fan and a water sprinkler cooled the stall for the purebred cows during the hot season (March-September). Both rates in pure Friesians were at their highest in the cold-dry season (October- February), but they decreased steadily during the hot-dry season (March-May) and were at their lowest in the hot-wet season (June-September). Seasonal change of a similar pattern was observed in the incidence of estrus, but not in the success rate of insemination in the crossbred cows. By the use of reproductive data, compiled in the same institute, on the 75 % cross- and purebred Friesian cows, and climatological data in Chiang Mai district, effects of ambient temperature and humidity on the reproductive traits of cows were examined by regression analysis in the second half of the study. Significant relationships in the crossbred, expressed by positive-linear and parabola regressions, were found between reproductive parameters such as days to the first estrus (DTFE), A.I. service (DTFAI), and conception, the number of A.I. services required for conception and some climatic factors. However, regarding this, no consistent or intelligible results were obtained in purebred cows, perhaps because electric fans and water sprinklers were used for this breed in the hot season. Among climatic factors examined, the minimum temperature (MINT) in early lactation affected reproductive activity most conspicuously. As the temperature during one or two months prior to the first estrus and A.I. service rose, DTFE and DTFAI steadily became longer, although, when MINT depleted below $17-18^{\circ}C$, the reproductive interval tended to be prolonged again on some occasions. The maximum temperature also affected DTFE and DTFAI, but only in limited conditions. The effect of humidity was not clear, although the inverse relationship between DTFE and minimum humidity during 2 months before the first estrus in the crossbred seemed to be significant. Failure to detect any definite effect of climate on the reproductive traits of pure Friesians seemed to indicate that forced ventilation by electric fans and water sprinklers were effective enough to protect the reproductive ability of this breed from the adverse effects of a hot climate.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.49-53
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• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of repetition usage of various estrus synchronization and seasonal breeding in Hanwoo. Body weight(kg) at birth and weaning in calves produced by seasonal breeding are 24.0kg, 75.6kg in female, 24.9kg, 78.3kg in male, respectively. Changes of birth weight(kg) by parity in Hanwoo increased gradually. Raising rates of calves by raising experience of farmer higher than in more 10 years as $88.4\%$ and in more 6 years as $84.0\%$. Delivering rates by induced estrus methods in $PGF_{2}{\alpha}$, PRID, CIDR and $GnRH-PGF_{2}{\alpha}-GnRH$ were $87.0\%$, $87.3\%$, $91.6\%$ and $96.0\%$, respectively. Conception days of post-partum following to induced estrus methods in Control, $PGF_{2}{\alpha}$ PRID, CIDR and $GnRH-PGF_{2}{\alpha}-GnRH$ were 137.1, 147.6, 141.3, 116.6 and 118.0 days, respectively. The results show that repetition usage of various estrus synchronization were not effective on postpartum reproduction in Hanwoo.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2004

The environmental impact of nutrient waste from agriculture has become an area of concern as ways to produce more food and of offspring. In dairy cattle, as the genetic capacity for milk production has increased, decreased fertility has become a severe problem by feeding high dietary protein, resulting in high concentration of blood urea nitrogen (BUN). There are numerous reports on BUN which is associated with reduced conception rates and closely related to body condition score (BCS) in lactating cattle, but not in Korean native cattle. This study was therefore performed to investigate the relation of BUN to both BCS and conception rates in Korean cattle. A total of 400 female Korean cattle (2∼5 years) in Daewanryong were used for this experiment. Feeding condition divided into two groups depending on grazing and darn feeding period. In grazing period, the mixture of Timothy, Orchard grass and Tall fescue, and concentrates (2.5 kg/day) was fed whereas hay (6.5 kg/day) and corn silage (20 kg/day) were fed while barn feeding period. Average BUN concentration at grazing and barn feeding were 7.39$\pm$2.65 mg/㎗ and 12.36$\pm$2.92 mg/㎗, respectively. During grazing period, high rates of pregnancy showed at 4∼8 mg/㎗ BUN concentration. In barn feeding period, 66%, of cattle were in pregnant at 8∼l4 mg/㎗ BUN concentration. The BCS for obtaining high rate of pregnancy raged at 2.5∼3.5. However, BUN did not directly relate to BCS in Korean cattle.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.719-729
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• 1996

To investigate changes of estrus signs and genital organs in the bitch by hormonal induction of estrus, fourteen bitches of nulliparous and multiparous(2nd-5th) were grouped into diestrus and anestrus according to their estrus cycle. The hormonal treatments were divided into four groups: group A($PGF_2{\alpha}+PMSG+hCG$) and group B(PMSG+hCG) in diestrus bitches and group C(GnRH+FSH+hCG) and group D(PMSG+hCG) in anestrus bitches. The external signs of proestrus and estrus as well as the vaginal smear findings and natural breeding as estrus detection were investigated in all the experimental groups. Also, genital organs were examined at two months after the hormone treatment. The bitches in anestrus showed 100% of male attraction, vaginal bleeding and vulvar swelling as proestrus signs after the hormonal treatment for estrus induction and they showed higher numerical value of signs than the bitches in diestrus. The group A showed the lowest value in proestrous signs of all the groups. The bitches in anestrus treated with GnRH+FSH showed 100% of positive estrus by vaginal smear findings and 75% of natural breeding as estrus detection index and these values were the highest of all the groups. Pregnancy was recognized in only group C and the conception rate was 7.14% in al the experimental animals. Of the side effects after the hormone treatment, external findings of continous male attraction, continous external swelling and purulent exudate were recognized in all the experimental groups and the bitches in diestrus showed higher value of the findings than the bitches in anestrus. Of the changes of genital organs after the hormone treatment, hypertrophy of uterine horn, sanguineous exudate and purulent exudate as uterine findings were recognized in all the groups and these findings were shown more in the bitches in diestrus than in those in anestrus. These results indicated that group C showed the highest value of all the experimental groups in external signs of estrus and estrus detection and also pregnancy was recognized only in that group, consequently, that the hormonal treatment of group C would be the most effective for estrus induction, and also indicated that bitches in anestrus were more suitable than bitches in diestrus for the induction of estrus. In addition, side effects in external genital organs and uteri after hormone treatment were shown more in the bitches in diestrus than in those in anestrus, indicating that bitches in anestrus would be of choice for estrus induction.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.384-394
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• 2004

This study was carried out to monitor the response of ovaries and cyst according to treatment with GnRH or combination of GnRH and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ in dairy cows with ovarian follicular cysts. Thirty cows were diagnosed as having follicular cysts by rectal palpation, ultrasonography and progesterone (P4) assays. Ten cows were treated with GnRH (control), and the other twenty were treated with $PGF_2{\alpha}$ at 10 days after GnRH treatment. All the animals were re-examined by ultrasonography and blood was collected for the measurement of plasma P4 concentration at day 0 (the day of treatment), day 7, day 10, day 13, day 24 and day 34, respectively. In 30 cows that were diagnosed with follicular cysts, mean plasma P 4 concentrations on day -II and day -I were 0.3 ng/ml and 0.4 ng/ml. On day 10 increased as 2.7$\pm$0.2 ng/ml. Mean cystic wall thickness by ultrasonography on day -11 and day -I were 2.1 mm and 2.2 mm. In 9 cows responded on luteinization of cystic wall, cystic wall thickness was 3.9$\pm$0.5 mm at day 10 after GnRH treatment. The responses of ovaries until day 10 after GnRH treatment included development of corpus luteum in the ovary bearing the cyst or in the contralateral ovary (12 cows), luteinization of cystic wall (6 cows) and clouding of the anechoic antrum of cysts (2 cows). The ovarian responses according to the combination of GnRH and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ included regression of the corpus luteum (12 cows), increase (1 cow) and no change (1 cow) of cyst size until last examination, and complete disappearance on day 13 (6 cows), 23 (6 cows) and 34 (4 cows). Combination treatment group of GnRH and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ showed a higher pregnancy rate within 100 days after initial treatment (40.0 vs 65.0%) and shorter intervals from the treatment to conception (45.4$\pm$25.8 vs 53.5$\pm$31.4 days) compared with control. It was concluded that the administration of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ following GnRH treatment is effective in shortening the interval from treatment to conception in cows with follicular cyst. Also, this study suggested that the response of the cyst according to treatment revealed various types. Therefore, veterinarians should pay attention to monitor of the response of cystic ovaries after treatment, specially no change, slowly decrease or increasement of cyst size after treatment.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.443-450
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• 2007

This study was designed to investigate the seasonal variation in semen characteristics and the change of motility during semen frozen/thawed, and conception rates were observed following AI at the different times after estrus synchronization. Semen collected from March to May showed significantly lower semen quality than the other months (P<0.05) and semen characteristics (volume, total sperm and motility) were significantly higher in October. Sperm motility after thawing in frozen semen were significantly lower in non-breeding season than in breeding season (P<0.05). Conception rate after treatment of estrus synchronization and AI different time after CIDR device removal, at 60 hour was higher than those of any other times through AI but there was no significantly difference between AI times. Semen characteristics change gradually during the breeding and non-breeding season. These results were considered as a model for the use of assisted reproductive techniques for AI of deer in Korea.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.957-962
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• 2002

In July, three trials were conducted to evaluate the best sponge type and optimum PMSG dose to be administered to sheep under the Jordanian Badia (arid) conditions. In trial 1, three flocks (n=77, n=18 and n=47 for flocks 1, 2 and 3, respectively) were administered with 40 mg fluorogestone acetate (FGA) intravaginal sponges for 12 days before receiving 600 IU of PMSG at the time of sponge removal. In trial 2, 95 ewes were assigned to 4 groups to receive 300 (n=25), 450 (n=27), 600 (n=22) or 750 (n=21) IU of PMSG following a 12 d FGA 40 mg sponge insertion period. In trial 3, 60 ewes were assigned to 3 groups (n=20) to receive either FGA 30 mg, FGA 40 mg or medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) 60 mg intravaginal sponges all followed by an administration of 600 IU of PMSG at sponge removal. In all trials, rams were isolated 1 day before sponge insertion and were allowed back with the ewes at sponge removal. Estrual responses and lambing data were collected. The effects of treatment, milking status and face color on estrual responses and lambing data were examined. In trial 1, greater first cycle conception rate (p<0.05), twinning rate (p<0.01) and the number of lambs born/served ewe (p<0.01) were observed in flock 2 compared with flocks 1 and 3. Neither face color nor milking status had any influence on the measured parameters (p>0.05). Despite low lambing rate in trial 2, ewes receiving 600 IU of PMSG had greater (p<0.05) number of lambs born/served ewe compared with ewes receiving 450 IU of PMSG. Regardless of PMSG dose, intervals to detected estrus occurred 10 h earlier (p<0.01) in dry than lactating ewes. Similar to trial 2, lambing rate was depressed in trial 3. The expression of estrus was advanced (p<0.05) in ewes receiving MAP 60 mg sponges compared with those receiving FGA 30 and FGA 40 mg sponges (42$\pm$3.1, 49$\pm$3.1 and 49$\pm$3.1 h post sponge removal in ewes receiving MAP 60 mg, FGA 30 mg and FGA 40 mg sponges, respectively). Other parameters were not influenced (p>0.05) by sponge type, milking status and face color. Data show that a 600 IU dose of PMSG tends to give the best lambing results. In addition, results indicate that the use 60 mg MAP sponges for estrus synchronization may be more appropriate under the Jordanian Badia conditions during late seasonal anestrus.