• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.36-40
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to evaluate hippological differences between Jeju ponies and Jeju Pony crossbreds population. This is the first repot of the differences use an anhidrosis in Korean native horses. The precise prevalence of anhidrosis is unknown; however, it has been estimated that 6-20% of horses may be affected. However, there is no report about the incidence of the disease in pony breeds. We performed diagnosis by clinical signs (sweating) to investigate the incidence of anhidrosis in Jeju Ponies(n=340) and Jeju Pony crossbreds (n=536) at Jeju Race Park from July to September in 2012 as a way of find of hippological difference. Results of this study showed that 74 (21.8%) of the 340 examined Jeju Ponies and 61 (11.4%) of the 536 examined Jeju Pony crossbreds had anhidrosis. So, the former had almost two times higher than the later. Among 74 Jeju Ponies those had the disease, 50 were male (23.1%) and 24 were female (19.4%). Among 61 Jeju Pony crossbreds those had the disease, 22 were male (9.5%) and 39 were female (12.8). In Jeju Ponies, anhidrosis were most common in above the age of 5, followed by 4, 2, 3-years-old. For Jeju Pony crossbreds, the disease were most common in 2-years-old, followed by above the age of 5, 4, 3-years-old. In two breeds, 3-year-old animals were most rare respectively. There was no predilection of age and sex which is correlated with another study. In conclusion, the incidence of anhidrosis in the ponies were considerably similar foreign countries. However, the authors thought that causes of the difference of the breeds were origin and genetic differences.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.1121-1128
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to identify the genetic diversity and population structure of Mongolian horse populations according to the province of residence (Khentii, KTP; Uvs, USP; Omnogovi and Dundgovi, GOP; Khovsgol, KGP) using 14 microsatellite (MS) markers. Methods: A total of 269 whole blood samples were obtained from the four populations (KTP, USP, GOP, KGP) geographically distinct provinces. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted using 14 MS markers (AHT4, ASB2, ASB17, ASB23, CA425, HMS1, HMS2, HMS3, HMS6, HMS7, HTG4, HTG6, HTG7, and VHL20), as recommended by the International Society for Animal Genetics. Capillary electrophoresis was conducted using the amplified PCR products, alleles were determined. Alleles were used for statistical analysis of genetic variability, Nei's DA genetic distance, principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), factorial corresponding analysis (FCA), and population structure. Results: On average, the number of alleles, expected heterozygosity (H_Exp), observed heterozygosity (H_Obs), and polymorphic information content among all populations were 11.43, 0.772, 0.757, and 0.737, respectively. In the PCoA and FCA, GOP, and KGP were genetically distinct from other populations, and the KTP and USP showed a close relationship. The two clusters identified using Nei's DA genetic distance analysis and population structure highlighted the presence of structurally clear genetic separation. Conclusion: Overall, the results of this study suggest that genetic diversity between KTP and USP was low, and that between GOP and KGP was high. It is thought that these results will help in the effective preservation and improvement of Mongolian horses through genetic diversity analysis and phylogenetic relationships.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.62.1-62.10
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• 2022

Background: The corneal and limbal morphology relevant to corneal epithelial maintenance in ten different species was examined using histological methods. Objectives: The presence of a Bowman's layer, limbal epithelial cell, and superficial stromal morphology was examined in the following species to evaluate the differences in corneal thickness and epithelium: Java sparrows, frogs, macaws, spoonbills, red pandas, penguins, horses, Dobermans, orangutans, and humans. Methods: Corneal sections (4 ㎛) were obtained from ten ocular globes from three different animal classes: Aves, Amphibia, and Mammalia. All sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-Schiff reaction. After microscopy, all stained slides were photographed and analyzed. Results: Significant morphological differences in the corneal and limbal epithelia and their underlying stroma between species were observed. The number of corneal epithelial cell layers and the overall corneal epithelial thickness varied significantly among the species. The presence of a Bowman's layer was only observed in primates (orangutans and humans). Presumed supranuclear melanin caps were noted in four species (orangutans, macaws, red pandas, and horses) in the limbal basal epithelial layer (putative site of corneal epithelial stem cells). The melanin granules covered the apex of the cell nucleus. Conclusions: Supranuclear melanin capping has been described as a process within the epidermis to reduce the concentration of ultraviolet-induced DNA photoproducts. Similarly, there may be a relationship between limbal stem cell melanin capping as a protective mechanism against ultra-violet radiation.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.105-113
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• 2014

Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is an economically important pathogen of horses and exerts its major impact by inducing abortion storms and sporadic abortions in pregnant mares, early neonatal death in foals, and respiratory disease in young horses. Although equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) rarely causes clinical manifestations of disease in organs other than the respiratory track, isolated cases of myeloencephalopathy and sporadic abortions have been reported in EHV-4 infections. Here, we report an abortion storm in Thoroughbred breeding farms in Jeju island, South Korea. It occurred for 16 days from first abortion to last one. There were no clinical signs prior to abortion and stillbirth in broodmares. Two PCR-primers were made on glycoprotein B gene of EHV-1 and EHV-4 to amplify specific common regions of the viruses. We could detect the virus specific genes in aborted samples by PCR, and concluded that the cause of abortion storm was EHV infection. This report describes the first abortion storm case caused by EHV in Thoroughbred breeding farms in South Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.37.1-37.14
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• 2023

Background: Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists have been used as adjuvants to modulate immune responses in both animals and humans. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of the TLR 4 agonist monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and the TLR 3 agonist polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) on equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs), and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs). Methods: The PBMCs, MoDCs, and BM-MSCs collected from three mixed breed horses were treated with MPL, Poly I:C, and their combination. The mRNA expression of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p40, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The combination of MPL and Poly I:C significantly upregulated immunomodulatory responses in equine cells/ without cytotoxicity. The combination induced greater mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-6 than MPL or Poly I:C stimulation alone in PBMCs. In addition, the combination induced significantly higher mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12p40 in MoDCs, and IL-8, MCP-1, and VEGF in BM-MSCs compared to stimulation with a single TLR agonist. Conclusions: The combination of MPL and Poly I:C can be used as a potential adjuvant candidate for vaccines to aid in preventing infectious diseases in horses.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.8
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• pp.355-363
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• 2017

Jeju-do was designated as the 'first horse industry special zone' in 2014, followed by additional designation of horse industry special zones in Icheon, Yongin of Gyeonggi-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do in 2015. As a result, horses have become no more synonymous with Jeju-do. Jeju-do may see its competitive edge becoming blunt, compared to other local governments, due to its environmental characteristics and accessibility. The Korean proverb, "Send people to Seoul and horses to Jeju-do", has become an old saying that does not match reality. However, Jeju-do, designated as the first horse industry special zone, is expected to play a leading role in cultivation of domestic horse industry and faces a challenge of creating exemplary cases of success in transforming horse industry into the senary (6th) industry. In addition, KRW 114.2 billion is planned to be invested into 35 projects covering 9 sectors, including supply of elite domestic racing horses, expansion of demand basis for horse-riding, cultivation of horse meat industry, etc., by 2017 as envisioned by the horse industry special zone promotion plan. Despite expansion of facilities and demand base for horse-riding, those at the sites point out that government support at policy level has not come home to their hearts and criticism has been mounting that project efficiency remains low. Factors hindering the growth of horse industry, which have come to the fore, include inadequate supply of horse-riding facilities, limitation to expansion of demand for horse-riding, etc., due to excessive regulation. Advancement of horse industry requires wide-ranging deregulation on investment related to horse industry, including horse breeding and horse-riding facility installation, etc. Regulation which is deemed to be the biggest stumbling block to advancement of horse industry is related to the regulation requiring formation of farmland at horse-riding facilities in farming and fishery villages. Along with improvement in such regulations, horse-riding facilities without license should be legalized to promote qualitative growth of horse-riding industry. Moreover, efforts should be made to develop and deploy instructors with horse-riding license in order to develop horse-riding into a full-fledged leisure beyond simple experience auxiliary to tourism, thus ensuring that people can enjoy leisure style horse-riding regularly in safe and healthy manners. It would be necessary to add fresh momentum into efforts to turn Jeju-do into the hub of well-being leisure horse-riding by pooling our wisdom.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.210-220
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• 2015

Athletic performance is an important criteria used for the selection of superior horses. However, little is known about exercise-related epigenetic processes in the horse. DNA methylation is a key mechanism for regulating gene expression in response to environmental changes. We carried out comparative genomic analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in the blood samples of two different thoroughbred horses before and after exercise by methylated-DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeDIP-Seq). Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in the pre-and post-exercise blood samples of superior and inferior horses were identified. Exercise altered the methylation patterns. After 30 min of exercise, 596 genes were hypomethy-lated and 715 genes were hypermethylated in the superior horse, whereas in the inferior horse, 868 genes were hypomethylated and 794 genes were hypermethylated. These genes were analyzed based on gene ontology (GO) annotations and the exercise-related pathway patterns in the two horses were compared. After exercise, gene regions related to cell division and adhesion were hypermethylated in the superior horse, whereas regions related to cell signaling and transport were hypermethylated in the inferior horse. Analysis of the distribution of methylated CpG islands confirmed the hypomethylation in the gene-body methylation regions after exercise. The methylation patterns of transposable elements also changed after exercise. Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) showed abundance of DMRs. Collectively, our results serve as a basis to study exercise-based reprogramming of epigenetic traits.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.887-896
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• 2004

The present study was carried out to investigate the blood markers of Mongolian horses. The blood redcell types and blood protein types(biochemical polymorphisrns) were tested from 19 Mongolian horses by serological and electrophoretic procedure, and their phenotypes and gene frequencies were estimated. The blood group and biochemical polymorphism phenotypes observed with high frequency were $A^{af}$(42.1%), $C^a$(89.5%), $K^-$(84.2%), $U^a$(63.2%), $P^a$(42.1%) $P^-$42.1%), $Q^c$(31.6%) $Q^-$(31.6%), $AL^{AB}$((52.6%), AI$B^K$(89.5%), $ES^1$(63.2%), $GC^F$(78.9%), $HB^BI$1(68.4%), PG$D^F$(84.2%), $TF^{FIR}$(21.1%), $TF^{F2R}$(21.1%)(21.1%), and genotypes $D^{cgm/dghm}$(15.8%), $D^{dghm/dghm}$(15.8%), $D^{ad/dghm}$(10.5%), $D^{ade/dghm}$(10.5%), in Mongolian horses, respectively. Alleles observed with high frequency were $A^a$(0.4211), $C^a$(0.8947), $K^-$(0.8421), $U^a$(0.6316), $P^a$(0.4474), $Q^c$(0.4474), $D^{dghm}$(0.4211), $AL^B$(0.6579), $AIB^K$(0.9211), $ES^I$(0.7895), $GC^F$(0.8947), $HB^{BI}$(0.7895), $PGD^F$(0.8421) and $TF^R$(0.3421) in Mongolian horses. These results present basic information for estimating the genetic relationships between the Korean native horse, and developing a system for parentage verification and individuals identification in Mongolian horse.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.183-188
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• 2015

This study analyzed the coat color-related genes of MC1R, ASIP, ECA3-inversion, and STX17 of 1,462 Jeju horses administered by the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. This was done to investigate the distributional characteristics of coat color-related genes in the Jeju horse group and the changes of its coat color-related genes by generation. The genotype frequency of the MC1R gene of $E^+/E^+$ and $E^+/E^e$ related to black coat color was 0.122 and 0.447, respectively, while $E^e/E^e$ of the chestnut genotype was 0.429. The genotype frequency of the ASIP gene of $A^A/A^A$, $A^A/A^a$, and $A^a/A^a$ was 0.46, 0.448, and 0.091, respectively, where the genotype frequency of $A^a/A^a$ turned out to be relatively low. The To/To and +/To genotype that manifests the Tobiano shape was 0.001 and 0.119, respectively, with the share of Tobiano shape around 12%. The genotype frequency of G/G and G/g of STX17 related to grey coat color was 0.002 and 0.680, respectively, with the share of grey horses among the Jeju horse group at 68.2%. As for the change of coat color genes by generation, no large changes were observed in the MC1R and ASIP genes. In ECA3-inversion, the To allele that manifests Tobiano significantly decreased following the generational change (p<0.05), while the STX17 G allele related to grey coat color significantly increased following the generational change (p<0.05). It will be necessary to examine the coat color genes when selecting breeding horses so that the diversity of coat colors among the Jeju horse group can be maintained.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.840-848
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• 2021

This study was conducted to estimate annual trends and the environmental effects in the racing records of Jeju horses. The Korean Racing Authority (KRA) collected 48,645 observations for 2,167 Jeju horses from 2002 to 2019. Racing records were preprocessed to eliminate errors that occur during the data collection. Racing times were adjusted for comparison between race distances. A stepwise Akaike information criterion (AIC) variable selection method was applied to select appropriate environment variables affecting racing records. The annual improvement of the race time was -0.242 seconds. The model with the lowest AIC value was established when variables were selected in the following order: year, budam classification, jockey ranking, trainer ranking, track condition, weather, age, and gender. The most suitable model was constructed when the jockey ranking and age variables were considered as random effects. Our findings have potential for application as basic data when building models for evaluating genetic abilities of Jeju horses.