• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.249-258
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• 1996

To improve the efficiency of in vitro production of embryos with follicular oocytes in Korean Native cows, the recovery rates, in vitro maturation, fertilization and development, and the time required for collecting and processing oocytes by aspiration with or without slicing were evaluated comparatively. The ovaries were obtained from a local abattoir and placed in physiological saline at 25~28$^{\circ}C$ and brought to the laboratory within 3 hrs. The oocytes were collected by aspiration of follicles(2~6mm) with or without slicing ovaries after aspiration, and classified into Grade I, Grade II, Denuded, Expanded oocytes by the morphology of cumulus cells attached and the homogeneity of cytoplasmic granules. Also the time required for each step of collecting and processing oocytes were measured. The cumulus cells were removed in some Grade I oocytes to measure their size and nuclear configuration before and after in vitro maturation. The Grade I oocytes were matured in vitro(IVM) for 24 hrs. in TGM-199 supplemented with 35$\mu$g /ml FSH, 10$\mu$g /ml LH, 1 $\mu$g /ml at 39$^{\circ}C$ under 5% C02 in air. They were fertilized in vitro(IVF) by epididymal spermatozoa treated with heparin for 24hrs. and then the zygotes were cocultured in vitro (IVC) with bovine oviductal epithelial cells for 10 days. The results obtained were as follows: The number of oocytes recovered per ovary was averaged 6.6 by aspiration and 11.2 by slicing post aspiration, which summed to 17.8. The number of Grade I oocytes recovered per ovary was averaged 3.1 by aspiration and 3.6 by slicing, which summed to 6.7. The percentage of Grade I to total oocytes recovered was significantly(P<0.05) higher as 48.0 % in aspiration than 31.6% in slicing post aspiration. The time requlred for recovering a Grade I oocyte by aspiration and slicing was 1.1 and 2.5 min, respectively. The mean diameter of Grade I oocytes by aspiration and slicing was similar as 148.7 and 151.5$\mu$m, respectively. The percentage of Metaphase II stage oocytes after IVM for 24 hours was significantly (P

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.1197-1206
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• 2016

Adipose tissue in the loin muscle area of beef cattle as a marbling factor is directly associated with beef quality. To elucidate whether properties of proteins involved in depot specific adipose tissue were sex-dependent, we analyzed protein expression of intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) and omental adipose tissue (OMAT) from Hanwoo cows, steers, and bulls of Korean native beef cattle by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based proteomic analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot analysis. Two different adipose depots (i.e. intramuscular and omental) were collected from cows (n = 7), steers (n = 7), or bulls (n = 7). LC-MS/MS revealed a total of 55 and 35 proteins in IMAT and OMAT, respectively. Of the 55 proteins identified, 44, 40, and 42 proteins were confirmed to be differentially expressed in IMAT of cows, steers, and bulls, respectively. In OMAT of cows, steers, and bulls, 33, 33, and 22 were confirmed to be differentially expressed, respectively. Tropomyosin (TPM) 1, TPM 2, and TPM3 were subjected to verification by quantitative PCR and western blot analysis in IMAT and OMAT of Hanwoo cows, steers, and bulls as key factors closely associated with muscle development. Both mRNA levels and protein levels of TPM1, TPM2, and TPM3 in IMAT were lower in bulls compared to in cows or steers suggesting that they were positively correlated with marbling score and quality grade. Our results may aid the regulation of marbling development and improvement of meat quality grades in beef cattle.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.110-118
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the physiology of optimal reproductive age in Hanwoo for protection to decrease of reproductivity and improvement of production of offspring. Thirty two cows were devided into 4 groups of treatments : T1(12 months of age and 0.5kg daily gain), T2(12 months of age and 0.8kg daily gain), T3(15 months of age and 0.5kg daily gain) and T4(18 months of age and 0.5kg daily gain). The days of the first heat of treated cows were 263.3±6.4 days and average weight was 181.1±11.3kg. The conception rates of first insemination were 25%(T1) and 75%(T4), and the number of insemination of T3 and T4(both 1.5) was lower than those of T1 and T2(2.3 and 2.4), respectively. With regard to estrus return after the first parturition, T1, T2, T3 and T4 showed 66.2,76.7, 62.4 and 68.5 days, respectively, indicating the average days of estrus return was 65.7. Plasma progesterone(P4) concentration was nearly the same during the observation periods of treated cows and P4 began to be detected after 12months. Only 5(15.6%) out of 32cows showed normal estrus cycle and ovulation before 12 months. During the peri-parturition period, P4 concentration was rapidly decreased and there was no detection of P4 from parturition to 40 days after milking. P4 would be released again on 45 day after parturition. The results imply that the optimal reproductive age of Hanwoo heifers would be around at the 14 months of age, 110cm height and 265kg weight.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2003

The present study was performed to investigate the first polar body(PB) extrusion during in-vitro maturation(IVM) and to examine the effect of different maturation time on the embryo development of Korean Native Cows(KNC) with regard to blastocyst(BL) cell numbers and pregnancy rates. PB extrusion did not take place for the first 12 hours(hr) of IVM, and most of KNC oocytes extruded PB from 14 to 20 hr after the onset of maturation. There was no significant difference in cleavage and 8-cell stage rates among the treatment groups, but BL and BL/8-cell rates were significantly higher(P<0.05) in 18 hr maturation group(31.0$\pm$5.7 and 82.0$\pm$5.1%) than 22 and 24 hr maturation group. The proportion of BL formed on day 7 and 8 was significantly higher(P<0.05) in 18 hr maturation group(85%) than in 24 hr maturation group(55%). There was a significant difference(P<0.05) in inner cell mass, trophectoderm and total cell number between day 7 BL produced by in-vivo and IVM 18 hr and day 8 BL produced by IVM 18 hr and 24 hr. Pregnancy rates are also significantly higher(P<0.05) in in-vivo(56.3%) and IVM 18 hr day 7(50.0%) group than day 8 treatment groups(18 hr: 16.7%, 24 hr: 10.5%). These results suggest that KNC oocytes achieve developmental competency within 20 hr of IVM, and "short" IVM (18 hr) is more effective than "long" IVM(24 hr) in embryo development rates, BL cell numbers and pregnancy rates.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.757-762
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• 1993

The ovaries of Korean Native cows or heifers were obtained from an abattoir and kept on 20 to $25^{\circ}C$ and transported to laboratory within 2 hrs. The follicular oocystes were collected from 2~6mm follicles in diameter and classified into 3 grades by the morphology of cumulus cells attached. The oocytes were matured in vitro(IVM) for 24 hrs. in TCM-199 supplemented with $23{\mu}g/ml$ FSH, $10{\mu}g/ml$ LH, $1{\mu}g/ml$ estradio-17 ${\beta}$ and granulosa cells at $39^{\circ}C$ under 5% $CO_2$ in air. They were fertilized in vitro(IVF) by incubation for 12 hrs. of epididymal spermatozoa pretreated with heparin, and then the zygotes were co-cultured in vitro(IVC) with oviductal epithelial cells for 7 to 9 days. Assessment of maturation revealed that 93.0%(147/158) of grade I oocytes had expanded of cumulus cells, which was higher(p<0.05) than the 79.4%(85/107) of grade II oocytes. Compared to epididymal sperm(32.9%), the insemination with frozen and thawed sperm resulted in slightly lower(20.5%), but not significant, development to morulae and blastocysts from grade I oocytes. Co-culture of bovine IVF embryos with oviductal epithelial cells improved the development to transferable embryos significantly(38.1%), compared to co-culture with granulosa cells(20.0%). When VF bovine embryos were vitrified at blastocyst, the post-thaw survival rate was obtained higher resulf for 1 min. equilibration time(82.6%) or 2 min.(73.9%) than 3 min.(18.2%) in EFS solution.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1691-1695
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• 2006

The identification method that inflects real time ultrasound (RUT) and the potential application of marker assisted selection (MAS) for improvement of a cow population of Hanwoo (Korean Native cattle) was studied. The averages of RUT longissimus muscle area, RUT fat thickness, and RUT marbling score scanned at the 13th rib were 55.78 $cm^2$, 3.70 mm and 3.83 scores, respectively. We investigated the effects of the two SNPs (Kpn2 I and Msp I) in the leptin gene on carcass traits for Hanwoo cows by using ultrasound measurements. Genotype CC of the Kpn2 I had a significantly higher effect on back fat thickness (4.23 mm) and longissimus muscle area (57.57 $cm^2$) than genotype TT (3.14 mm, 53.93 $cm^2$, respectively, p<0.05). Genotype AA of the Msp I had a significantly higher effect only on marbling score (5.37) than genotype AB (3.57, p<0.05) and BB (3.37, p<0.05). Significant effects of SNPs in the leptin gene were found for the ultrasound measures of body composition in live cattle.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.341-346
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• 2004

Recent livestock people concern not only increase of production, but also superior quality of animal-breeding environment. So far, the optimization of the breeding and air environment has been focused on the production increase. In the very near future, the optimization will be emphasized on the environment for the animal welfare and health. Especially, cattle farming demands the precision livestock farming and special attention has to be given to the management of feeding, animal health and fertility. The management of individual animal is the first step for precision livestock farming and animal welfare, and recognizing each individual is important for that. Though electronic identification of a cattle such as RFID(Radio Frequency Identification) has many advantages, RFID implementations practically involve several problems such as the reading speed and distance. In that sense, computer vision might be more effective than RFID for the identification of an individual animal. The researches on the identification of cattle via image processing were mostly performed with the cows having black-white patterns of the Holstein. But, the native Korean and Japanese cattle do not have any definite pattern on the body. The purpose of this research is to identify the Japanese black cattle that does not have a body pattern using computer vision technology and neural network algorithm. Twelve heads of Japanese black cattle have been tested to verify the proposed scheme. The values of input parameters were specified and then computed using the face images of cattle. The images of cattle faces were trained using associate neural network algorithm, and the algorithm was verified by the face images that were transformed using brightness, distortion, and noise factors. As a result, there was difference due to transform ratio of the brightness, distortion, and noise. And, the proposed algorithm could identify 100% in the range from -3 to +3 degrees of the brightness, from -2 to +4 degrees of the distortion, and from 0% to 60% of the noise transformed images. It is concluded that our system can not be applied in real time recognition of the moving cows, but can be used for the cattle being at a standstill.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.104-115
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• 2003

A series of experiments was carried out to determine the possibility for the non-ionic surfactant (NIS) as a feed additive for ruminant animals. The effect of the NIS on (1) the enzyme distribution in the rumen fluids of Hereford bulls, (2) the growth of pure culture of rumen bacteria and (3) rumen anaerobic fungi, (4) the ruminal fermentation characteristics of Korean native cattle (Hanwoo), and (5) the performances of Holstein dairy cows were investigated. When NIS was added to rumen fluid at the level of 0.05 and 0.1% (v/v), the total and specific activities of cell-free enzymes were significantly (p<0.01) increased, but those of cell-bound enzymes were slightly decreased, but not statistically significant. The growth rates of ruminal noncellulolytic species (Ruminobacter amylophilus, Megasphaera elsdenii, Prevotella ruminicola and Selenomonas ruminantium) were significantly (p<0.01) increased by the addition of NIS at both concentrations tested. However, the growth rate of ruminal cellulolytic bacteria (Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens) were slightly increased or not affected by the NIS. In general, NIS appears to effect Gram-negative bacteria more than Gram-positive bacteria; and non-cellulolytic bacteria more than cellulolytic bacteria. The growth rates of ruminal monocentric fungi (Neocallimastix patriciarum and Piromyces communis) and polycentric fungi (Orpinomyces joyonii and Anaeromyces mucronatus) were also significantly (p<0.01) increased by the addition of NIS at all concentrations tested. When NIS was administrated to the rumen of Hanwoo, Total VFA and ammonia-N concentrations, the microbial cell growth rate, CMCase and xylanase activities in the rumen increased with statistical difference (p<0.01), but NIS administration did not affect at the time of 0 and 9 h post-feeding. Addition of NIS to TMR resulted in increased TMR intake and increased milk production by Holstein cows and decreased body condition scores. The NEFA and corticoid concentrations in the blood were lowered by the addition of NIS. These results indicated that the addition of NIS may greatly stimulate the release of some kinds of enzymes from microbial cells, and stimulate the growth rates of a range of anaerobic ruminal microorganisms, and also stimulate the rumen fermentation characteristics and animal performances. Our data indicates potential uses of the NIS as a feed additive for ruminant animals.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.209-215
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• 1991

Serological survey were conducted on the leptospiral antibody in domestic animals which were fed in the three rural village occurred human leptospirosis. Names of three villages are Shinnam-li, Shinjeop-li and Jinai-li which are located in near the northeastern part of Yeoju town in Kyunggi province. Total 66 serum samples were collected from the domestic animals in which 12 dairy cows, 10 Korean native cattle, 12 pigs and 32 dogs were included. Leptospiral antibody were detected with 4 different serovars of leptospira living antigens, such as Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae, L. pomona, L. canicola and L. tarassovi by microscopic agglutination test for each serum sample. The results are obtained as follow. 1. All 66 sera collected from the domestic animals at three villages showed negative reaction with 4 different serovars of leptospiral antigen. 2. Only one serum sample taken from a dairy cow in Shinjeop-li showed a weak positive reaction with Leptospira tarassovi. It is suggest that this positive case is not infected with L. tarassovi, but with vaccination. 3. It is indicated that all domestic animals which wen, fed in the villages occured human leptospirosis were not infected with above 4 different serovars of leptospira at least.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 1994

To verify in vivo viability of IVF-derived bovine embryos, morula and blastocysts that developed from in vitro matured and fertilized ova were transferred to the uteri of recipient cows and normal calves were produced. To produce IVF-derived bovine morula or blastocysts, ova matured and fertilized in vitro were cultured in culture medium for 7~8 days at 39$^{\circ}C$ under the humicified atmosphere of 5% CO2. Two different culture systems, a co-culture system with TCM-199 and bovine epithelial cells (BOEC) and CR1aa without somatic cell support, were compared. Cleavage rates to 2~8 cell stage and developmental rates of IVF-derived bovine embryos to blastocyst stage were not different between co-culture system (51.3 and 14.0%) and CR1aa medium (60.4 and 22.1%), respectively. Embryos were classified into three grades by embryo quality and then one or two embryos in higher quality(A and B grades) were transferred to the uterus of recipients. In this study Korean Native calf was first born after transfer of IVF-derived embryos. Total four live calves were normally developed to term from IVF-derived bovine blastocysts and one female fetus was still-born approximatedly 8 months of gestation, but there was no pregnancy after transfer of morula. Therefore, normal calves could be produced after transfer of IVF-derived bovine embryos cultured in CR1aa medium without somatic cell support. In addition, our results suggest that in transfer of IVF-derived bovine embryos blastocyst stage is better than morula.