• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.199-203
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• 2008

This study was performed to analyze the characterization of plasma hormonal levels during pregnancy in the Hanwoo recipients pregnant by artificial insemination (AI) or somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. The synchronized recipients pregnant by SCNT embryos produced by Hanwoo fetal fibroblast cells (n=8) and by AI (control, n=5) were used. The plasma hormonal levels were measured by RIA (P4 and E2) and ELISA (cortisol), respectively. In control, the increase of E2 and the decrease of P4 were occurred immediately before the initiation of parturition. The expression pattern of plasma P4 was similar in both groups from 50 to 10 days before parturition, however, it did not decrease even at the expected date of labor in the SCNT recipients. The plasma cortisol was expressed a lower level during pregnancy in the SCNT recipients. But, the cortisol was increased in the cow aborted around 100 days of pregnancy (n=1). Based on these results, it can be postulated that the failure of the hormonal changes immediately before parturition in the SCNT recipients may be one of the most important reasons for a delayed parturition in clone calving.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.3
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• pp.174-180
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• 1985

This study is designed to evaluate serum free unsaturated fatty acid, phospholipid, creatinine and prostaglandin concentrations to provide normal values for physiological barometers and preliminary information related to these chemical components on the stages of pregnancy and parturition in female rats. Forty female rats are devided into 8 groups. One control group contains 5 intact, nonpregnant female rats and the other 5 pregnancy groups contains each of 5 pregnant rats which are 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21days after pregnancy. The remaining 2 parturition groups contain each of 5 postparturient rats which are 12 and 36 hours after parturition. The results obtained are as follows ; 1. The mean concentrations of free unsaturated fatty acid in serum of the female rats ranges from 6.47 to 8.22 mg/dl. The level of pregnancy group that is 21 days being lower. 2. The mean concentrations of phospholipid in serum of the female rats ranges from 86 to 105 mg/dl. There is no marked difference between all of these groups, especially the levels of 12 days after pregnancy group and 36 hours after parturition group are lower than those of other groups. 3. The mean concentrations of crecatinine in serum of the female rats ranges from 0.64 to 0.84 mg/dl. There is no marked difference between all of 8 groups and the levels of 21 days after pregnancy group are higher than those of other groups. 4. The mean concentrations of prostaglandin in blood of the female rats rarges from 324 to $1208pg/m{\ell}$ and increases from $736pg/m{\ell}$ (18 days after pregnancy) to maximal levels of $1208pg/m{\ell}$ immediately after parturition. and then decreased progressively. Especially, each mean concentration of prostaglandin on 9, 12, or 15 days after pregnancy and mean concentrations of 5 pregnant groups are lower than those of nonpregnant female rats. 5. It is suggested that serum concentrations of free unsaturated fatty acid, phospholipid and creatinine in female rats are not related to the stages of pregnancy and parturition but prostaglandin concentrations influence the initiation of parturition in this species.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.1 s.17
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• pp.61-79
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• 1975

The recent knowledge about the effects and the biological roles of prostaglandins(PGs) in the female reproductive system were reviewed on the following view points in detail and the authors also argued on the efficacy and reliability for the induction of labour and therapeutic abortions in midtrimester pregnancy. 1. The actions of PGs on the myometrium in vivo and in vitro and the effects of ovarian hormones on the actions of PGs. 2. The actions of PGs on the fallopian tube. 3. The role of PGs in the initiation of menstrual bleeding and dysmenorrhea. 4. The biological action of PGs on the mechanism of labour and parturition. 5. The efficacy and reliability of PGs for therapeutic abortion in the first and midtrimester pregnancy. 6. The biological role of PGs in the activity and life-span of corpus luteum.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.182-187
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• 2000

Forty-two Holstein cows (21 multiparous) were assigned by calving date and parity to three dietary sequences to evaluate the effect of time of initiating fat supplementation to diets on lactation and reproductive performance. The dietary sequences were: 1) control, no supplemental fat from 1 to 98 days in milk (DIM) ; 2) control diet from 1 to 28 DIM then 3% supplemental fat (calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids) from 29 to 98 DIM; or 3) 3% supplemental fat from 1 to 98 DIM. Feeding supplemental fat did not enhance mean milk and 4% fat corrected milk (FCM) yields, but efficiency of FCM production was higher for cows fed supplemental fat. Milk fat percentage was unchanged whereas milk protein percentage was depressed with fat supplementation. Feeding supplemental fat reduced DMI and energy balance but there were no differences among treatments on time to resumption of ovarian cyclicity or conception rate to first service. Concentrations of progesterone during the first two ovulatory cycles tended to be greater in the fat-supplemented groups. Feeding supplemental fat starting at either parturition or 29 DIM increased efficiency of FCM production, but did not greatly enhance reproductive performance.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2006

Black rockfish larvae and juveniles were reared for 95 days after parturition (DAP) in order to determine four enzyme activities (trypsin, pepsine-like enzyme, lipase, amylase) during ontogeny. Larvae were fed rotifers Brachionus plicatilis from 1 to 25 DAP, Artemia nauplii from 10 to 78 DAP and then gradually changed to pelleted feed from 30 DAP. Temperature was kept between $13.5{\sim}14.9^{\circ}C$. Trypsin and lipase activities were found in 2 DAP larvae ($7.0{\pm}1.5$ unit and $4.5{\pm}1.4$ unit, $mean{\pm}SD$, respectively). The evolution of both enzymes activities showed a profile marked by drastic increases between postflexion and juvenile stage. There is an increment on specific trypsin activity at 10 DAP, corresponding with the beginning of Artemia feeding. Pepsin-like enzyme activity was found at 11 DAP and increased drastically from 56 DAP, cor-responding with the initiation of juvenile stage. Amylase activity was also found at 11 DAP and maintained at a low level up to 38 DAP followed by a drastic increase from 39 DAP to 50 DAP. Considering our results of both trypsin and pepsin-like enzyme activities, it might be concluded that higher somatic growth of Sebastes inermis could be possible with the initiation juvenile of stage and the early juvenile stage is a suit-able period for feeding an artificial diet for fish.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.739-745
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• 2017

In all mammalian species, progesterone is essential in the preparation for and maintenance of pregnancy. $20{\alpha}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase ($20{\alpha}$-HSD) predominantly converts progesterone into its biologically inactive form $20{\alpha}$-hydroxyprogesterone ($20{\alpha}$-OHP), and plays a crucial role in the termination of pregnancy and initiation of parturition. In this study, we characterized the expression and localization of $20{\alpha}$-HSDinthe testis of MediKinetics $Micropigs^{(R)}$. The testes were collected at days 6, 9, 12, 18, and 21 after birth. The $20{\alpha}$-HSD mRNA was found to be expressed in the testis at day 6 after birth by RT-PCR. The highest level of mRNA expression in the testis was detected on day 21 after birth. However, the mRNA was not detected in the placenta after parturition. Western blot for $20{\alpha}$-HSD reveal that the specific 37-kDa band was detected in immature pig testis. However, this band was not detected in testis tissue at day 6 after birth. In the immunohistochemical analysis of the testis, $20{\alpha}$-HSD was detected in the Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. Taken together, our study shows for the first time that the $20{\alpha}$-HSD mRNA and protein are expressed in pig testis after birth. Further investigation is required to elucidate the functional mechanisms of $20{\alpha}$-HSD in pig testis after birth.