• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.167-172
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• 2004

This study was performed to examine the correlations among dog sperm viabilities evaluated by flow cytometry, by microscopic evaluation (ME), by carbo-xifluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide (CFDA/PI) and by hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test. Semen were collected from 5 dogs ranging in age from 2 to 4 years. Each ejaculate was divided into 3 aliquots and different proportions of freeze-killed cells were added to each aliquot (1:0, 1:1 and 1:3). In the other experiment, semen was extended with Sweden extender containing 5% glycerol and equex STM paste, and frozen using liquid nitrogen vapor. Fresh and frozen-thawed dog sperm viability were assessed by flow cytometry using PI staining method. The accuracy of flow cytometry was evaluated by comparing with other classic assessments, microscopic evaluation, epifluorescence microscopic analysis using CFDA/PI, and HOS test. High correlations of sperm viabilities were found among flow cytometry, epifluorescence evaluation, HOS test (p<0.01) in fresh semen. Especially, sperm viability assessed by HOS test was highly correlated with viability by flow cytometry in all the ratios of live and dead spermatozoa, 1:0, 1:1 and 1:3 (p<0.01). The viability evaluated by ME were significantly correlated with that by flow cytometry in ratios of 1:0 and 1:3 (p<0.05) however, there was no significance in ratio of 1:1. The viability evaluated by C/p were highly correlated with that by flow cytometry in ratio of 1:0 and 1:1 (p<0.01) and significantly correlated in ratio of 1:3 (p<0.05). In frozen-thawed spermatozoa, the viability determined by HOS test was considerably correlated with that by flow cytometry (p<0.01). There was significant correlation between the viabilities by ME and by flow cytometry (p<0.05). But the viability evaluated by CFDA/PI was not correlated with viability by flow cytometry. The result from this study validate the use of flow cytometry as a precise method for assessing the viability of fresh and frozen-thawed dog spermatozoa.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.69-78
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• 2008

A total of 360 Berkshire(hog) weighing 25kg were fed experimental diets containing either dehulled soybean meal(DSBM) or non-dehulled soybean meal(NDSBM) as a major protein source until they reach 80kg. The pigs were then fed the finisher diets either high(3,265 kcal/kg) or low(2,940 kcal/kg) in ME to evaluate the effects of dietary energy level for finisher phase on the growth performances, carcass and meat quality parameter. In growth performance, daily weight gain(kg/day) was higher(P<0.05) in T1 than in other groups. Feed conversion(feed/gain) was lower(P<0.05) in other groups. In carcass parameter, carcass percentage was higher(P<0.05) in T2 than in T1 and T4. Backfat thickness was lower(P<0.05) in T2 than in T1 and T3. The ratio of up B grade in carcass grade tender to be higher in T2 than in other groups. In meat quality, chemical composition was similar between groups. WHC was slighter higher in T1 than in other groups. Shear force was tender to be higher in T1 than in other groups. Hunter L and a in meat color were tender to be higher in T2 than in other groups. Hunter L in backfat color was thender to be higher in T1 than in other groups. The results indicate that growth performance and carcass parameter of Berkshire were improved by the dehulled soybean meal as comparison with non-dehulled soybean meal during growing and finishing periods.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.451-466
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• 2009

While substorms are known to generally occur under southward IMF conditions, they can sometimes occur even under northward IMF conditions. In this paper, we studied the substorms that occurred in May, 2000 to 2002 to examine some statistical characteristics of the IMF and solar wind associated with northward IMF substorms. We focused on the cases where two or more substorms occurred successively under northward IMF conditions. Also, by checking Sym-H index associated with each of the substorms we determined whether or not there is any association of such northward IMF substorm occurrence with storm times. We also examined statistical properties at geosynchronous altitude in terms of magnetic field dipolarization and energetic particle injection. The following results were obtained. (i) Most of the northward IMF substorms occurred under average solar wind conditions. The majority of them occurred within 2 hrs duration of northward IMF Bz state, but there are also a nonnegligible number of substorms that occurred after a longer duraiton of northward IMF Bz state. (ii) While most of the substorms occurred as isolated from a magnetic storm time, those that occurred in a magnetic storm time show a higher average value of IMF and solar wind than that for the isolated substorms. (iii) About 55% of the substorms were associated with the IMF clock angle that can possibly allow dayside reconnection, and the other 45% were associated with more or less pure northward IMF conditions. Therefore, for the latter cases, the energy input from the solar wind into the magnetosphere should be made by other way than the dayside reconnection. (iv) For most of the substorms, the magnetic field dipolarizations and energetic particle injections at geosynchronous altitude were identified to be generally weak. But, several events indicated strong magnetic field dipolarizations and energetic particle injections.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.316-321
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• 2005

A total of ninety six pigs ($L{\times}Y{\times}D$, 20.92(2.13kg average initial body weight) were used in a 16-week performance growth assay to determine the effect of supplemental medicinal plane (Artemisia, Acanthopanax and Garlic) on growth performance, IGF-1 of serum and carcass characteristics in finishing pigs. The dietary treatments were included 1) CON (basal diet; Control), 2) MP1 (basal diet added $0.02\%$ of medicinal plant mixtures), 3) MP2 (basal diet added $0.04\%$ of medicinal plant mixtures) and 4) MP3 (basal diet added $0.06\%$ of medicinal plant mixtures). Through entire experimental period, as medicinal plants mixture (MP) increased, there was a decrease (linear, P<0.08) in average daily feed intake and an increase (linear, P<0.02; quadratic, P<0.08) in gain/feed. The backfat thickness tended to decrease in pigs fed MP diet compared to pigs fed CON diet (linear, P<0.09; quadratic, P<0.01). Increasing medicinal plane mixture tended to increase in IGF-1 content in serum (linear, P<0.09). The hunter $a^{*}$ (redness) (linear, P<0.01) and $b^{*}$ (yellowness) (linear, P<0.02) values of longissimus muscle were affected by the dietary MP treatments. The color of longissimus muscle was higher in the dietary MP treatments than that of the muscle in the control diet (linear, P<0.03). In conclusion, the result obtained from this feeding triad suggest that the medicinal plants mixture supplementation below $0.06\%$ in diets for growing-finishing pigs can be improved growth performance, IGF-1 and meat quality.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.835-840
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• 2003

Two hundreds and twenty three pork carcasses of commercial breeds were studied for comparing to technical quality characteristics of pork identified by National Pork Producers Council(NPPC) scale. pH and conductance(C) were taken in 1(pH$_1$, C$_1$), 3(pH$_3$, C$_3$), 6(pH$_6$, C$_6$) and 24hr(pHu, Cu) postmortem on 4~5th thoracic vertebrae. Visual color and CIE value were estimated in longissimus dorsi(LD) muscle in 24hr postmortem on the two sites(4~5th thoracic vertebrae and last vertebrae) using National Pork Producers Council(NPPC) scale and color difference meter. Significant differences were observed in pH$_1$, pHu, Cu, CIE L$^{*}$ value, water holding capacity(WHC) and juiciness at all scales(p〈0.05). But, pH and CIE L$^{*}$value were considerably affected by postmortem time and measuring site. NPPC scale was highly related with CIE L$^{*}$(R$^2$=0.77) and WHC(R$^2$=0.66), and moderately related with C$_{u}$(R$^2$=0.59) and pH$_{u}$(R$^2$=0.54), and poorly related with pH$_3$(R$^2$=0.32), pH$_6$(R$^2$=0.28) and C$_1$～C$_6$(R$^2$=0.03~0.18).

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.147-156
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to supply excellent genetic resources to livestock farms by transferring embryos produced by genetically superior Korean cows (Hanwoo). Eighty Hanwoo donors were superovulated with gonadotropin ($Folltrpin^(R)\;or\;Antorin^(R)$) for 4 days combined with or without progesterone releasing intravaginal device (CIDR) insertion. The collected fresh or frozen-thawed embryos were transferred to 226 farm recipients. In this study, the effect of CIDR insertion in combination with gonadotropin ($Folltrpin^(R)$) treatments initiated at the random stage of estrous cycle on embryo production was evaluated and compared to conventional superovulation protocol. Moreover, the effect of gonadotropin ($Antorin^(R)$) dose in CIDR-treated Hanwoo donors on the embryo yield was determined. In addition, the effects of embryos (fresh vs. frozen-thawed), embryo transfer person, seasons and farms on the pregnancy rate were evaluated. In Hanwoo donors, CIDR insertion in combination with $Folltrpin^(R)$ treatments regardless of estrous detection resulted in increased numbers of total ova (6.5 vs. 5.8) and transferable embryos (3.9 vs. 3.2) compared to the conventional superovulation protocol (p<0.01). In CIDR-treated Hanwoo donors, the higher dose of $Antorin^(R)$ (36 vs. 28 mg) resulted in the increased number of transferable embryos (8.3 vs. 5.4, p<0.05). The embryos (fresh 43.9% vs. frozen-thawed 23.1%) and embryo transfer person (53.9 vs. $0{\sim}16.7%$) significantly affected the pregnancy rate after embryo transfer (p<0.01). These results suggest that CIDR-based superovulation protocol may be effectively used for production of superior Hanwoo embryos and, multiple ovulation and embryo transfer in Hanwoo might be effectively applied for livestock improvement if pregmancy rate with frozen-thawed embryos and embryo transfer skill would be improved.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.491-500
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• 2007

Two experiments were used to determine the effects of environment-friendly diets on growth performance, fecal excretion, nitrogen excretion and emission gases in manure for growing pigs. In experiment 1, ninety six crossed pigs(Landrace×Yorkshire×Duroc) were allocated into four treatments. Treatments were AME(adequate ME diet, 3,265 kcal/kg), LME(lower ME diet, 3,100 kcal/kg), LME 0.05(lower ME diet+α- galactosidase & β-mannanase 0.05%) and LME 0.10(lower ME diet+α-galactosidase & β-mannanase 0.10%). Pigs fed AME diet had lower ADFI(Average Daily Feed Intake) than pigs fed other diets(p<0.05). DM(Dry Matter) digestibility in pigs fed AME and LME 0.10 diets had greater than pigs fed LME diet(p<0.05). Energy digestibility is higher in pigs fed AME and LME 0.10 diets than other treatments(p<0.05). In experiment 2, twenty four crossbred pigs(33.71 kg average BW) were used in a 14-d metabolism experiment. The pigs were housed in individual cages equipped with plastic bed flooring. Treatments were CP(Crude protein) 18% without Bacillus sp., CP 18% diet+Bacillus sp. 0.05%, CP 14% without Bacillus sp. and CP 14% diet+Bacillus sp. 0.05%. Nitrogen intake was higher for CP 18% diets than CP 14% diets(p<0.05). DM, N(Nitrogen) and energy digestibility were affected by probiotics(p<0.05). With the high CP in diets, Energy and N digestibility, urine N percent, urine N excretion and total N excretion were increased significantly compared to low CP in diets(p<0.05). Among the treatments, DM and N digestibilities, feces N excretion, N absorption were decreased significantly(p<0.05), however, feces excretion, feces N, urine N percent, urine N excretion and total N excretion were increased significantly(p<0.05) when pigs fed without probiotics diets compare to pigs fed with probiotics diets. DM and N digestibility, feces excretion, feces N excretion, urine N percent, urine N excretion, total N excretion, N absorption and N adsorption ratio were CP×probiotic interactions in p<0.05. Ammonia(p<0.01) and H2S(p<0.05) in manure were lower in CP 14% diets than CP 18% diets. Also, ammonia and H2S in manure were CP×probiotic interactions in p<0.05. In conclusion, low energy and reduction of CP dietary added enzyme and probiotics improved nutrient digestibility and reduced odors emission in manure for growing pigs.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.939-948
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• 2003

The objective of this study was to identify the quantitative traits loci(QTL) for economically important traits such as growth, carcass and meat quality on pig chromosome 6. A three generation resource population was constructed from cross between Korean native boars and Landrace sows. A total of 240 F$_2$ animals were produced using intercross between 10 boars and 31 sows of F$_1$ animals. Phenotypic data including body weight at 3 weeks, backfat thickness, muscle pH, shear force and crude protein level were collected from F$_2$ animals. Animals including grandparents(F$_0$), parents(F$_1$) and offspring(F$_2$) were genotyped for 29 microsatellite markers and PCR-RFLP marker on chromosome 6. The linkage analysis was performed using CRI-MAP software version 2.4(Green et al., 1990) with FIXED option to obtain the map distances. The total length of SSC6 linkage map estimated in this study was 169.3cM. The average distance between adjacent markers was 6.05cM. For mapping of QTL, we used F$_2$ QTL Analysis Servlet of QTL express, a web-based QTL mapping tool(http://qtl.cap.ed.ac.uk). Five QTLs were detected at 5% chromosome-wide level for body weight of 3 weeks of age, shear force, meat pH at 24 hours after slaughtering, backfat thickness and crude protein level on SSC6.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.937-946
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• 2005

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary Bacillus subtilis on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, immunological cells change, fecal noxious gas and carcass meat quality characteristics in finishing pigs. The dietary treatments were 1) CON(basal diet), 2) BS0.1(basal diet+ 0.1% Bacillus subtilis) and 3)BS0.2(basal diet+0.2% Bacillus subtilis). Sixty crossbred(Landrace$\time$ Yorkshire$\time$Duroc) pigs(89.5$\pm$0.11kg average initial body weight) were used in a 42 days growth trial. The pigs were assigned to the treatments according to body weight and each treatment had 5 replicates of 4 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design. Through the entire experimental period, average daily gain(ADG) and average daily feed intake(ADFI) were not significantly different among the treatments. Pigs fed BS0.1 diet significantly increased their gain/feed compared to pigs fed CON and BS0.2 diets(P<0.05). Also, dry matter(DM) and nitrogen(N) digestibilities were greater in the pigs fed BS0.1 diet than those fed CON diet(P<0.05). There were no significant differences in fecal NH3-N concentration among the treatments. In blood assay for immunological cells change investigations, red blood cells(RBC) counts increased in the pigs fed BS0.2 diet compared to pigs fed CON and BS0.1 diets. There were no significant differences in carcass pH, drip loss, marbling and firmness. However, sensual color and a*(redness) value of meat in the pigs fed BS0.2 diet were higher than in pigs fed CON diet(P<0.05). Therefore, this experiment suggested that Bacillus subtilis supplementation could improve nutrient digestibility, RBC counts and carcass meat color of pigs.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2004

The aims of this study are 1) to test oocytes and embryos collected from in-vitro to achieving the valuable protocol by culturing, vitrifying and thawing of oocytes/embryos, and 2) to transfer them to recipient, and finally have resulted in pregnancies from recipient females after surgical or nonsurgical transfer. In vitro maturation and fertilization were performed according to Funahashi et al (1994). Glucose-free NCSU 23 supplemented with 5 mM sodium pyruvate, 0.5 mM sodium lactate and 4 mg/ml bovine serum albumin for 2 days at $39^{\circ}C$, and 10% fetal bovine serum albumin was added to the culture medium thereafter. Embryos were treated with 7.5 ${\mu}g/ml$ cytochalasin-B for 30 min, centrifuged at 13,000 rpm for 13 min and then exposed sequentially to an ethylene glycol(EG) vitrification solution, aspirated into OPS, and plunged/thawed into/from liquid nitrogen. In vivo embryos were surgically collected from three dornors after AI for control group. Forty-nine embryos were washed 3 times in mPBS + 10% FBS, followed treatments : cultured, centrifuged, vitrified, recovered and transferred to recipients as in vitro prepared embryos. Three recipients were transferred individually with 100, 100 frozen embryos derived from abattoir and 34 fresh embryos by surgically, and another three recipients were transferred individually with 150, 150 frozen embryos and 100 fresh embryos by nonsurgically, respectively. all recipient sows exhibited delayed returns to estrus. To our knowledge, theses results suggest that required an improved techniques, more vigorous embryos preparation and substitute to gilt with cleaner uterous condition.