• Animal cells and systems
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.161-168
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• 2011

Siberian chipmunks, Tamias sibiricus, are one of several popular companion animals found in the pet shops of South Korea. At present, however, there have been no studies done in South Korea examining their origin even though they could be potential carriers of zoonotic diseases, and are a species of concern for efficient conservation and management strategies. Sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (1140 bp) were determined to investigate the origin of Siberian chipmunks sold in four South Korean pet shops through comparison with sequence data from animals of known locality. Nine Siberian chipmunks were collected from pet shops in South Korea, which resulted in nine haplotypes. One (AR) of these coincided with the haplotype previously described. Phylogenetic and network analyses using 53 haplotypes including 45 haplotypes from GenBank showed three phylogenetic groups in South Korea, almost concordant to locality, designated as northern, central, and southern parts as described in a previous study. Of the nine individuals examined from the pet shops, eight were clustered into the northern phylogroup but one (cgrb9153) was grouped with the southern phylogroup, implying that at least the Siberian chipmunks examined in this study did not originate from other countries. It is likely that most individuals sold in the pet shops of Seoul were caught in the wild in Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do, or are maternal descendants of captive-bred individuals originating from the northern part of South Korea. It is recommended that conservation and management units of Korean chipmunks should be examined in further detail.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.106-115
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• 2021

Sperm cryopreservation is an important method of assisted reproductive techniques and storing genetic resources. It plays a vital role in genetic improvement, livestock industrial preservation of endangered species, and clinical practice. Consequently, the cryopreservation technique is well organized through various studies, especially on Korean native cattle (Hanwoo). However, the cryopreservation technique of Korean native brindled cattle, which is one of the native cattle species in Korea, is not well organized. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a Supplementary Table technique for the cryopreservation of Korean native brindled cattle. For this purpose, it is important to first evaluate the quality of the currently produced cryopreserved sperm of Korean native brindled cattle. In this study, we randomly selected 72 individual Korean native brindled cattle semen samples collected from 8 different region research centers and used them to evaluate sperm functions. We focused on the quality evaluation of cryopreserved Korean native brindled cattle semen following the measurement of motion kinematics, capacitation status, intracellular ATP level, sperm motility, and cell viability. Then, the values of each of the eight groups were derived from various sperm parameters of nine individual samples, including sperm motility, kinematics, cellular motility, and intracellular ATP levels, which were used to compare and evaluate sperm function. Overall, differences in various sperm parameters were observed between most of the research centers. Particularly, the deviations of motility and motion kinematics were high according to the sample. Therefore, we suggest that it is necessary to develop a standard method for the cryopreservation of Korean native brindled cattle semen. We also suggest the need for sperm quality evaluation of the cryopreserved semen of Korean native brindled cattle before using artificial insemination to attain a high fertility rate.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.341-356
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• 1975

This study was carried out to evaluate three winter active synthetic varieties in a succeeding generations of improvement and polycross progenies of seven genotypes selected at the cool and wet climate of the Western Oregon, in their performance of the polycross progeny test comparing with a control variety, high yielding 'Fawn', at Daejon, Korea. Various plant and leaf characteristics, especially related to photosynthesis, and forage production during the first summer after the establishment were examined. The important conclusions of this study are summarized as follows: 1. The differences of leaf fresh weight among groups and control exhibit genetic differences. The a verage of leaf fresh weight of polycross progeny group was the heaviest and those of winter active synthetic varieties in the succeeding generations of improvement was heavier than variety 'fawn'. Within polycross progeny group the genotypes exhibit genetic differences for leaf dry weight. 2. The leaf area exhibited genetic differences among groups and control. The average of winter active synthetic varieties in a succeeding generation was larger than variety 'Fawn'. Those oi the polycross progeny group was the largest among groups and control. 3. Differences of specific leaf weight(S. L. W.) among and within varieties, genotypes and control were not significant. Further investigation in this respect is necessary through the study of the diurnal change in S. L. W. 4. Differences of leaf width among groups and control exhibited genetic differences. The average leaf width of winter active varieties was larger than those of 'Fawn' variety. And those of polycross progenies of genotypes was the largest. 5. Plant height of 'fawn' variety in the first measurement was higher than those of winter active tall fescue varieties and genotypes. The deviation in plant height among polyeross progenies of seven genotypes gave a great deviation. The regrowth ability of plant height was not different suggesting that this characteristics was about the same among and within groups and control. 6. Plant width, spreading ability, improved through the succeeding generations of the improvement of the winter active synthetic varieties for the first measurement. Differences of plant width at the second measurement among genotypes within polycross progeny group were big enough to show the genetic difference. 7. Tiller number of the winter active synthetic varieties and the average of genotypes in polycross progeny was more than those of the control 'Fawn' in the first measurement. On the second measurement, the differences of tiller number appeared among three synthetic varieties indicating improvement, and there were genetic differences among seven genotypes in polycross progeny test. 8. Forage yield on the first cutting showed a considerble improvement of forage yield in the more advanced generation of synthetic varieties and genetic differences among seven genotypes in the polycross progeny test. The average of polycross progeny group was higher than those of the control or three winter active varieties. It was suggested that we could make a further improvement for the forage yield. 9. The regrowth ability of these winter active varieties and genotypes was about the same capacity at least on the measurement of the regrowth in forage yield and plant height during summer. 10. On the whole, the averages of the polycross progeny group was in the highest value and those of synthetic varieties were higher than the control variety, 'Fawn', for the most characteristics except S. L. W. and the plant height on the first measurement even though the differences were not always significant. And there were genetic differences among seven gentypes in their performance of the polycross progeny. 11. Although it was not always sgnificant, the most advanced winter active variety, '1002', had in the highest value for all plant characteristics and forage yield measurements than the other two varieties, '1001'. 12. The results of the association study among various characteristics were quite agreeable and would be useful in the selection of desirable genotypes for the development of a better variety.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1483-1503
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• 2011

To advance the effectiveness of the current Hanwoo improvement system, we developed a general simulation that compared a series of breeding schemes under realistic user circumstances. We call this system the Integrated General Model (IGM) and it allows users to control the breeding schemes and selection methods by manipulating the input parameters. The Current Hanwoo Performance and Progeny Test (CHPPT) scheme was simulated with a Modified Hanwoo Performance and Progeny Test (MHPPT) scheme using a Hanwoo Breeding Farm cow population of the Livestock Improvement Main Center (LOMC) of the National Agricultural Cooperatives Federation (NACF). To compare the two schemes, a new method, the Simple Hanwoo Performance Test (SHPT), which uses ultrasound technology for measuring the carcass traits of live animals, was developed. These three models, including the CHPPT, incorporated three types of selection criteria: phenotype (PH), true breeding value (TBV), and estimated breeding value (EBV). The simulation was scheduled to mimic an actual Hanwoo breeding program; thus, the simulation was run to include the years 1983-2020 for each breeding method and was replicated 10 times. The parameters for simulation were derived from the literature. Approximately 642,000 animals were simulated per replication for the CHPPT scheme; 129,000 animals were simulated for the MHPPT scheme and 112,000 animals for the SHPT scheme. Throughout the 38-year simulation, all estimated parameters of each simulated population, regardless of population size, showed results similar to the input parameters. The deviations between input and output values for the parameters in the large populations were statistically acceptable. In this study, we integrated three simulated models, including the CHPPT, in an attempt to achieve the greatest genetic gains within major economic traits including body weight at 12 months of age (BW12), body weight at 24 months of age (BW24), average daily gain from 6 to 12 months (ADG), carcass weight (CWT), carcass longissimus muscle area (CLMA), carcass marbling score (CMS), ultrasound scanned longissimus muscle area (ULMA), and ultrasound scanned marbling score (UMS).

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2020

Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, the causal agent of a bacterial canker disease in kiwifruit, is subdivided into five genetically distinct populations, namely biovars 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6. Of these, strains belonging to biovar 3 are responsible for a pandemic bacterial canker of kiwifruits since 2008. This study aimed to characterize the structure of the biovar 3 population and investigate the origin of biovar 3 strains isolated in Korea. The genetic variability of fifteen biovar 3 strains, thirteen Korean and two Chinese, were evaluated through random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR. The RAPD results revealed the presence of eight lineages, designated as subgroups I-VIII, across the biovar 3 strains used in this study. As the strains in subgroups II and III from China were not found in the Korean examples, we concluded that six genetically different biovar 3 subgroups (I, IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII) are present in Korea. In PCR analysis using primers specific to the strains of New Zealand and Europe, Korean strains in subgroups V and VI amplified the relevant DNA bands, suggesting that these were introduced from these two origins, respectively. PCR primers specific to subgroup VIII were developed to monitor the spread of the first biovar 3 strain in Korea, and investigations revealed that this strain was not found in Korea after its first occurrence.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.125-129
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• 2006

Two herbal medicines of the Polygonatum genus, namely Polygonati Rhizoma and Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma, are difficult to distinguish from each other through exterior morphologic aspects. Furthermore, because the standard components for physiochemical distinction have not yet been standardized, the identification of these medicines through botanic taxology is based on genetic methods of random amplified microsatellite polymorphism (RAMP). For the RAMP evaluation, we used five sets of UBC microsatellite primers 811, 818, 834, 836, 842 and random primer M1. Although no specific band that could clearly distinguish Polygonati Rhizoma from Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma was found, 11 Polygonatum plants could be divided into two groups by this method. P. sibiricum and P. stenophyllum were classified to group I and the others were to group II. As P. sibiricum and P. stenophyllum were very similar in genetic and morphologic perspective, the results suggest that P. stenophyllum belongs to the Polygonati Rhizoma family.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.78-83
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• 2017

Microsatellite SSR markers were developed and utilized to reveal the genetic diversity of 32 strains of Flammulina velutipes collected in Korea, China, and Japan. From the SSR-enriched library, 490 white colonies were randomly selected and sequenced. Among the 490 sequenced clones, 85 (17.35%) were redundant. Among the remaining 405 unique clones, 201 (49.6%) contained microsatellite sequences. We used 12 primer pairs that produced reproducible polymorphic bands for four diverse strains, and these selected markers were further characterized in 32 Flammulina velutipes strains. A total of 34 alleles were detected using the 12 markers, with an average of 3.42 alleles, and the number of alleles ranged from two to seven per locus. The major allele frequency ranged from 0.42 (GB-FV-127) to 0.98 (GB-FV-166), and values for observed ($H_O$) and expected ($H_E$) heterozygosity ranged from 0.00 to 0.94 (mean = 0.18) and from 0.03 to 0.67 (mean = 0.32), respectively. SSR loci amplified with GB-FV-127 markers gave the highest polymorphism information content (PIC) of 0.61 and mean allele number of five, whereas for loci amplified with GB-FV-166 markers these values were the lowest, namely 0.03 and two. The mean PIC value (0.29) observed in the present study with average number of alleles (3.42). The genetic relationships among the 32 Flammulina velutipes strains on the basis of SSR data were investigated by UPGMA cluster analysis. In conclusion, we succeeded in developing 12 polymorphic SSRs markers from an SSR-enriched library of Flammulina velutipes. These SSRs are presently being used for phylogenetic analysis and evaluation of genetic variations. In future, these SSR markers will be used in clarifying taxonomic relationships among the Flammulina velutipes.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.461-466
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• 2011

In genetic and molecular breeding studies of plants, researchers need to design various kinds of primers based on their research purposes. So far many kinds of web- or script-based non-commercial programs for primer design are available. Because most of them do not include user interface for multipurpose usage including gene structure prediction and direct target selection on sequences, it has been a laborious work to design primers targeting on the exon or intron regions of interesting genes. Here we report a primer designing graphic user interface program, Pickprimer, that includes gene structure prediction and primer design modules by combining source codes of the Spidey and Primer3 programs. This program provides simple graphic user interface to input sequences and design primers. Genomic sequence and mRNA or coding sequence of genes can be copy and pasted or input as fasta or text files. Based on alignment of the input sequences using the Spidey module, a putative gene structure is graphically visualized along with exon-intron sequences of color codes. Primer design can be easily performed by dragging mouse on the displayed sequences or input primer targeting position with desirable values of primers. The output of designed primers with detailed information is provided by the Primer3 module. PCR evaluation of 24 selected primer sets successfully amplified single amplicons from six Brassica rapa cultivars. The Pickprimer will be a convenient tool for genetic and molecular breeding studies of plants.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2004

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, as defined by the ATP III report, in some Korean adults and use the Asian-Pacific proposed waist circumference to investigate waist circumference in some Korean adults using ROC curves. Methods : Study subjects were seventy-five thousands and ninety one persons(47,979 men and 27,111 women) who were selected among the patients who visited hospital for health evaluation from January 2000 to December 2001. All subjects were measured by height, weight, waist and hip circumferences, blood pressure and blood chemistry(lipid profile). Results : The mean age was $41.6{\pm}8.5$ years in men, $41.1{\pm}10.4$ years in women(p<0.05). Body mass index was in the normal range in 35.3% of men, and 55.9% of women. In both men and women, blood pressure, blood sugar, total cholesterol and triglyceride were positively correlated with BMI. waist circumference, and Broca's index(p<0.01). However HDL. choloesterol was correlated negatively (p< 0.01). Using ROC curve, the calculated waist circumferences were 84 cm in men(sensitivity 61.4% and specificity 64.1%) and 74 cm in women(sensitivity 65.0% and specificity 73.2%). The age adjusted prevalences of the metabolic syndrome as defined by NCEP ATP III were different for men(6.4%) and women(14.6%). The prevalence increased from 1.2% among participants aged 20 through 29years to 15.0% among participants aged over 60years in men(p<0.05) and from 1.6% to 27.4% respectively, in women. The age adjusted prevalences, as defined by using the waist circumference that was recommended by WHO's regional office for the western Pacific, were 10.6% in men and 18.5% in women. The age adjusted prevalences, as defined by using the waist circumference that was calculated by the ROC curves, were 17.1% in men and 22.4% in women. And All prevalences were increased following increased BMI and Broca's index. Conculsions : The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in some Korean adults was lower than that in western adults. Nevertheless because waist circumference was differed among race and region, application of the same criteria was not proper. Morcover, a higher awareness was required in women, because the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was rapidly increased with increment of age.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.149-158
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• 2017

Variant surface antigens (VSAs) encoded by pir families are considered to be the key proteins used by many Plasmodium spp. to escape the host immune system by antigenic variation. This attribute of VSAs is a critical issue in the development of a novel vaccine. In this regard, a population genetic study of vir genes from Plasmodium vivax was performed in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Eighty-five venous blood samples and 4 of the vir genes, namely vir 27, vir 21, vir 12, and vir 4, were selected for study. The number of segregating sites (S), number of haplotypes (H), haplotype diversity (Hd), DNA diversity (${\pi}$ and ${\Theta}_w$), and Tajima's D test value were conducted. Phylogenetic trees of each gene were constructed. The vir 21 (S=143, H=22, Hd=0.827) was the most genetically diverse gene, and the vir 4 (S=6, H=4, Hd=0.556) was the opposite one. Tajima's D values for vir 27 (1.08530, P>0.1), vir 12 (2.89007, P<0.01), and vir 21 (0.40782, P>0.1) were positive, and that of vir 4 (-1.32162, P>0.1) was negative. All phylogenetic trees showed 2 clades with no particular branching according to the geographical differences and cluster. This study is the first survey on the vir genes in ROK, providing information on the genetic level. The sample sequences from vir 4 showed a clear difference to the Sal-1 reference gene sequence, whereas they were very similar to those from Indian isolates.