• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.1559-1568
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• 2021

Objective: Bedding materials directly contact hooves of dairy cows and they may serve as environmental sources of lameness-associated pathogen. However, the specific composition of bacteria hidden in bedding materials is still not clear. The aim of this study was to determine the effect bedding material and its bacterial composition has on lameness of Holstein heifers. Methods: Forty-eight Holstein heifers with similar body weights were randomly assigned into three groups including sand bedding (SB), concrete floor (CF), and compost bedding (CB). Hock injuries severity and gait performance of dairy cows were scored individually once a week. Blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment and bedding material samples were collected once a week for Illumina sequencing. Results: The CF increased visible hock injuries severity and serum biomarkers of joint damage in comparison to SB and CB groups. Besides, Illumina sequencing and analysis showed that the bacterial community of CB samples had higher similarity to that of SB samples than CF samples. Bacteria in three bedding materials were dominated by gastrointestinal bacteria and organic matter-degrading bacteria, such as Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and norank JG30-KF-cM45. Lameness-associated Spirochaetaceae and Treponeme were only detected in SB and CB samples with a very low relative abundance (0% to 0.08%). Conclusion: The bacterial communities differed among bedding materials. However, the treponemes pathogens involved in the pathogenesis of lameness may not be a part of microbiota in bedding materials of dairy cows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.672-678
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to investigate whether milk performance is impacted by the housing of heifers from the second to the seventh day of life, the method of feeding milk from the second week of life to weaning, the sire lineage and by the season of birth and season of calving. From 32 Holstein heifer-calves, which spent their first day of life in a loose housing maternity pen with their mother, 19 heifers were randomly placed in hutches (IH), and 13 stayed in a loose housing maternity pen (MP). At the seventh day IH heifers were assigned to one of two treatments, 10 heifers were randomly taken from IH and relocated to a loose housing pen with an automatic feeding station (AD), 9 calves stayed in hutches with bucket drinking (BD). MP heifers were moved to a group pen with nursing cows (UD). All animals were weaned at the age of 8 weeks (56 days) and kept in group pens. After calving, they were in free-stall housing. Trial cows were divided according to the sire, season of birth and calving. The five-factorial ANOVA revealed that among all the factors taken into account in this study, only sire lineage and season of birth had significant effects. The production of milk, FCM and protein were higher in the MP group than in the IH group. The UD group tended to have the highest production of milk, FCM, protein, lactose, SNF and total solids (TS) and the AD group the lowest. The content of fat and TS were highest in the AD group. Effects of the sire were significant for average daily gains (ADG) from birth to weaning ($0.55{\pm}0.03kg$, p<0.05), contents of fat ($3.81{\pm}0.08%$, p<0.05), protein ($3.13{\pm}0.02%$, p<0.05), and TS ($12.67{\pm}0.12%$, p<0.05). In the season of birth evaluation, statistical difference was found only in the content of protein ($3.13{\pm}0.13%$, p<0.05). Cows born in March-May had the highest % protein and cows born in June-August the lowest ($3.21{\pm}0.04$ vs. $3.06{\pm}0.05%$). Dairy cows born and subsequently calving in December-February had the highest production of milk, protein and TS, and dairy cows born in June-August the lowest. FCM and fat yields were highest in the group born in September-November and lowest in the group born in June-August.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.375-384
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• 2008

This study was performed to establish the discrimination of the corpus albicans that were formed after normal parturition and abortion in Holstein, The corpus albicans were obtained from 504 cows and 506 heifers slaughtered in the Agricultural Cooperative's Livestock Products Joint Market of Seoul City from March 2007 to October 2007. The difference in a gross examination (morphology, fibrogenesis, deposit state, color, and size) among the fixtures that exist in their ovaries was investigated. All of the cows had corpus albicans in their ovaries: 423 cows (83.9%) had less than three corpus albicans, 81 (16.1%) had more than four. In the heifers, however, 463 (91.05%) had no corpus albicans, 39 (7.7%) had one, and four (0.8%) had more than two. In the types of corpus albicans 73.2% of the cows had oval-type, 14.4% had circular-shaped, 12.4% had irregular-type. In the aborted heifers, however, oval-type appeared in 88.6% and circular-shaped appeared in 11.4%, and no irregular-type was found. There was no significant difference in the fibrogenesis and size of corpus albicans between cows and aborted heifers. However, slight difference in the color of the corpus albicans was observed between two types. In conclusion, it is not easy to discriminate by gross examination of ovary between cows and aborted heifers in the slaughter house.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.382-389
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• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to test the efficiency of genomic selection for milk production traits in a Korean Holstein cattle population. Methods: A total of 506,481 milk production records from 293,855 animals (2,090 heads with single nucleotide polymorphism information) were used to estimate breeding value by single step best linear unbiased prediction. Results: The heritability estimates for milk, fat, and protein yields in the first parity were 0.28, 0.26, and 0.23, respectively. As the parity increased, the heritability decreased for all milk production traits. The estimated generation intervals of sire for the production of bulls (L_SB) and that for the production of cows (L_SC) were 7.9 and 8.1 years, respectively, and the estimated generation intervals of dams for the production of bulls (L_DB) and cows (L_DC) were 4.9 and 4.2 years, respectively. In the overall data set, the reliability of genomic estimated breeding value (GEBV) increased by 9% on average over that of estimated breeding value (EBV), and increased by 7% in cows with test records, about 4% in bulls with progeny records, and 13% in heifers without test records. The difference in the reliability between GEBV and EBV was especially significant for the data from young bulls, i.e. 17% on average for milk (39% vs 22%), fat (39% vs 22%), and protein (37% vs 22%) yields, respectively. When selected for the milk yield using GEBV, the genetic gain increased about 7.1% over the gain with the EBV in the cows with test records, and by 2.9% in bulls with progeny records, while the genetic gain increased by about 24.2% in heifers without test records and by 35% in young bulls without progeny records. Conclusion: More genetic gains can be expected through the use of GEBV than EBV, and genomic selection was more effective in the selection of young bulls and heifers without test records.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.113-118
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• 1995

Eighteen Holstein Friesian ${\times}$ Native heifers with an average live weight of $175.4{\pm}27.8kg$ were allotted to 3 dietary groups. All animals were kept individually in a stanchion barn with free access to water and urea-treated rice straw (UTS). The supplemented feeds were as follows: Group (Gr) 1 - concentrate mixture (15% CP) at 1% body weight (BW), Gr 2 - concentrate mixture at 0.7% BW + free licking of multinutrient block (MNB), Gr 3 - as Gr 2 + 0.3% BW ground com. Multinutrient block composed of 20% mineral mixture, 10% urea, 18% molasses, 20% soybean meal, 22% sesame meal, 10% cement, 0.15 million IU and 50 IU/kg MNB of vitamin A and E. The experimental period lasted 12 weeks. The result revealed that MNB enhanced intake of UTS and total dry matter intake. Animals in Gr 3 consumed a higher amount of feed than the other 2 groups, thus resulting in the highest live weight gain and tended to possess the best feed conversion ratio. Heifers in Gr 2 also performed better than Gr 1 although the difference was not significant. Average MNB intake found to be 0.65 kg/day. Feed cost per kg gain was not significantly different amon groups. However if the cost of MNB could be lower, it would benefit the production cost of animals. The advantage of MNB is the safety of using a high level of urea. Although it was supplemented to UTS which also contained non-protein nitrogen (NPN), no toxic sign was shown. The results indicated that MNB could be partially substituted to concentrate mixture and it was even better when used incombination with soluble carbohydrate feed.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1286-1295
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• 2008

Leptin is produced by adipocytes and its role in the regulation of lipid metabolism, feed intake, productive and reproductive performance of domestic animal species has been greatly stressed and extensively investigated in recent years. This study was conducted to develop a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the estimation of plasma bovine leptin and to determine plasma leptin concentration in fattening Japanese Black cattle (Wagyu) and its crossbreds at commercial farms. Relationships of plasma leptin with plasma vitamin A and age of crossbred cattle were also determined. Recombinant bovine leptin (rbleptin) was produced by the E. coli overexpressed leptin as a GST (glutathione S-transferase)-fusion protein. Then antiserum against bovine leptin was obtained by its immunization in rabbits. Using this antiserum, a bovine specific RIA was developed and plasma leptin level was determined in 120 crossbred fattening cattle (WagyuHolstein, 50:50) at commercial farms. The plasma leptin level increased with the age of cattle and its level was greater in the crossbred heifers than in the steers. Plasma vitamin A level was negatively correlated with plasma leptin level in crossbred heifers and steers. This relationship was stronger in heifers than in steers. Plasma leptin was gradually increased with advancing age in fattening Wagyu cattle. In conclusion, development of a bovine specific RIA to estimate plasma leptin will contribute to better understanding of the role of leptin in cattle.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.185-190
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• 2007

The objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics of various estrous behavior and ovulation time in dairy cows and heifers. In total, 73 ovulations and 61 estrous detection were observed in 89 Holstein cows. Various estrous behavior were observed during 72 hours from two days after $PGF_2{\alpha}$ injection and their relation with the time of ovulation(ultrasound examinations at 4-h intervals) was investigated. In estrous periods, the rate of sniffing, chin resting, mounting and standing heat was 81%, 78%, 78% and 56%, respectively in cows. In heifers, the rate of sniffing, chin resting, mounting and standing heat was 61%, 68%, 82% and 76%, respectively. Ovulation in cows and heifers occurred $25.58{\pm}7.94\;and\;25.55{\pm}5.72h$ after onset of estrus, and $13.42{\pm}7.14\;and\;7.48{\pm}7.41h$ after end of estrus, respectively. Interval between onset of estrus and ovulation time was significantly (p<0.05) shorter for standing heat ($17.33{\pm}5.83\;h$) than for mounting, sniffing and chin resting ($23.58{\pm}5.12\;h,\;24.25{\pm}6.09\;h,\;23.42{\pm}6.04\;h$) in cows but not significantly different in heifers. Interval between end of standing heat and ovulation time was significantly (p<0.05) shorter for heifer($6.38{\pm}4.80$) than for cows($13.05{\pm}4.53$). Our results show that characteristics of estrous behavior and ovulation in dairy heifers are different to that of cows.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.123-132
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• 2006

This study was conducted to determine the volume of Holstein heifers manure excreted and its characteristics. The average dry matter intake of heifers was 6.7 kg/head/day. The intake rate was lowest in spring among four seasons. The average dry matter intake rate during spring, summer, fall, and winter was 4.6, 8.3, 7.1, and 6.8 kg/head/day, respectively. The average water intake of heifers was $19.3{\ell}/head/day$. The wale. consumption was highest value ($21.8{\ell}/head/day$) in summer and lowest values ($18.3{\ell}/head/day$) in spring and winter. Values were found not to be statiscally different for the four seasons. The average manure production of heifers (average live weight was 363.1 kg) was 20.3 kg/head/day and it was 5.6% of live animal weight. The manure production during spring, summer, fall, and winter was 13.7, 23.5, 25.0, and 20.2 kg/head/day, respectively. Production during spring was lower than the other seasons (p<0.05). A higher correlation between live weight and manure production ($R^2=0.7816$) and between live weight and feed intake ($R^2=0.7296$) was observed for heifers. Correlations between manure production and water intake and between manure production and feed intake were found to be relatively low for heifers. The moisture content of feces was 83.5% and that of urine 94.6%. The pH of feces and urine were in the ranges of 7.4 and 7.5, respectively. The $BOD_5$, COD, SS, T-N, T-P concentrations of the heifer feces were 18,048, 50,114, 119,833, 2,519, and $427mg/{\ell}$, respectively. Heifer urine showed lower levels of $BOD_5(5,434mg/{\ell})$, COD$(6,550mg/{\ell})$, SS$(825mg/{\ell})$, T-N$(3,616mg/{\ell})$, and $T-P(28mg/{\ell})$ than feces. The fertilizer nutrient concentrations of heifer feces was 0.25% N, 0.1% $P_2O_5$ and 0.14% $K_2O$. Urine was found to contain 0.36% N, 0.006% of $P_2O_5$ and 0.31% $K_2O$.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.140-147
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• 1985

Seventy four Holstein heifers were randomly assigned over three trials to PRID-7+PG-6 and Synchromate B-9 regimens to synchronize estrus cycle for embryo transfer. Sexual behaviors; moounting, standing, orientation, chin-resting, sniffing, licking, rubbing and butting, vaginal swelling and mucus discharge were observed between 06-08, 12-14 and 18-20 h on 1st day and 00-02, 06-08, 12-14 and 18-20 h on 2nd day after removal of hormones. Synchromate-B treatment (81.6%) showed higher synchronized estrus rate than PRID treatment (77.8%) during observation period. Standing estrus was observed within 74 h after PG injection in PRID and within 52 h after removal of implant in Synchromate-B. About 68% of heifers in PRID and 74% of heifers in Synchromate-B showed standing estrus between 0-14 h on 2nd day after removal of the hormones. Synchromate-B resulted in a tighter synchrony of standing estrus than PRID. Incidence of average mounting and standing per head during observation period was 22.3 and 16.6 in PRID and 28.1 and 13.6 in Synchromate-B. The PRID showed peak in active mounting at 18-20 h on 1st day, however, the Synchromate-B showed at 0-2 h on 2nd day after removal of hormone. Active standing was shown between 18 h on 1st day to 20h on 2nd day in PRID, however, between 0-14 h on 2nd day after removal of hormone is Synchromate-B. There was slight difference in pattern of active mounting and standing during estrus between PRID and Synchromate-B. Conception rate of synchronized heifers transferred with fresh and frozen embryos by non-surgical and surgical methods was higher in synchromate-B (62.5%) than in PRID (38.5%). Chin-resting showed highest incidence among 6 sexual behavioral components in the both treatments. Synchromate-B showed higher incidence of chin-resting (16.6) than PRID (10.7). Synchromate-B group showed also higher incidence of orientation, sniffing and butting than PRID group. Synchromate-B resulted in more active sexual behaviors than PRID. The pattern of incidence of chin-resting, licking and butting was almost symmetrical in PRID with their peak values at 6-8 h on 2nd day, however in Synchromate-B chin-resting and sniffing was symmetrical with their peak values at 12-14 h on 2nd day after removal of hormone. There was tendency to increase vaginal swelling according to time passage of synchronized estrus in the both treatments. Incidence of mucus discharge in Synchromate-B was slightly higher than in PRID. Twenty to 40% was false negative in conception rate by tall painting before re-estrus day as judged by rectal palpation.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 1994

The objective of this study was to produce Korean native calves following transfer of in vitro matured, fertilized and cultured embryos into Holstein cows. The ovaries of Korean native cows or heifers were obtained from an abattoir and kept on 25 to 28$^{\circ}C$ and transported to laboratory within 2 hrs. The oocytes were matured in vitro (IVM) for 24 hrs in TCM-199 supplemented with 35$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml FSH, 10$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml LH, 1$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml estradiol-17$\beta$ and granulosa cells at 39$^{\circ}C$ under 5% CO2 in air. They were fertilized in vitro (IVF) by epididymal spermatozoa treated with heparin for 24 hrs., and then the zygotes were co-cultured in vitro (IVC) with bovine oviductal epithelial cells for 7 to 9 days. Late morulae and blastocysts produced in vitro were nonsurgically transferred to recipient cows by unilaterial. Recipients were monitored for estrus and for pegnancy by rectal plapation in 60 days after embryo transfer. One of them was pregnant to term and produced a female weighing 42.5kg at birth.