• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 1994

The morphological changes of Sertoli cells of the Korean native pheasant were studied in the active and inactive spermatogenic phases. Twenty-four male of the pheasants were studied in the active (April~June) and inactive(August~March) phase. These data are useful in studying the male genital organs of the Korean native pheasant. Light microscopic morphological changes of the Sertoli cells were studied on paraffin-embedded sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin stain. Ultrastructural changes of Sertoli cells were investigated of ultrathin section using electron microscope. Results are summarized as follows: During the active phase, the average diameter of seminiferous tubule was $245.33{\pm}29.93{\mu}m$ and was largely decreased by $94.50{\pm}14.10{\mu}m$, and the thickness of interstitial tissue was comparatively increased during the inactive phase. During the active phase, in the cytoplasmic process of Sertoli cell and lipid droplets appeared disperse. Well-developed smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum and microtuble were observed in the cytoplasmic process. The nuclei of Sertoli cells were adjacent to the basement membrane. The size of nuclei was reduced and nuclei of Sertoli cells were densely packed within the tubule. Few collagen fibers, fibroblast and various sizes of lipid droplets were observed in the interstitial cell of the seminiferous tubule.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.351-359
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• 2014

Phasianus colchicus is not only a beautiful bird but also a great value in science and under the threat of endanger. Hence, the aim of this study was to isolate the pheasant male germ cells (mGCs) and then induce them into elongated sperm-like cells in vitro. The mGCs were purified and enriched by a two-step plating method based on the different adherence velocities of mGCs and somatic cells. The percentage of the c-kit positive cells and c-kit negative cells examined by flow cytometry analysis (FCA) was 92.87% and 2.57%, respectively. Subsequently, the mGCs were induced for 48h in DMEM/F12 medium supplemented factors such as retinol acid, testosterone and bovine FSH, followed by 5 weeks in culture. We found that some elongated sperm-like cells appeared initially in vitro under inducement of stimulated factors. The elongated sperm-like cells showed in the expression of changed morphology and post-transcriptional marker such as spermatid associated (SPERT), spermatid perinuclear RNA binding protein (STRBP), round spermatid basic protein 1 (RSBN1) and SPER1L. Moreover, in DNA content identified assay, induced cells showed that the 1C DNA population markedly increased in differentiated group but it was not change in undifferentiated group. Successful in vitro differentiation of pheasant testicular germline cells into spermatids appears to offer extremely attractive potential for the conservation of endangered birds and treatment of male infertility.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.267-274
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• 2001

The pineal gland of the bird occupies a key position in the phylogenetic evolution of this organ. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the developmental changes of the pineal gland during post-hatching period in Korean pheasant. The pheasants were sacrificed at 1-day-, 1-month-, 2-month-, and 6-month-old after hatching. The morphological characteristics of a pineal glands were determined in all pheasants using light microscope, and transmission electron microscope. Connective tissue originated from the capsule divided the pineal parenchyma into incomplete lobules. The parenchyma was consisted of pinealocytes and supportive cells. These parenchymal cells were arranged in the forms of solid lobules as well as incomplete follicles. At the follicular lumen, membraneous lamellar complexes and blob -like structures were present. Pinealocyte, a predominent cell type, had euchromatic nucleus, and showed the segmental organization. The bulbous apical portion had scanty free ribosomes and occasional cilia associated with basal bodies. The constricted neck, transitional portion from apical to pericarya had junctional complexes with adjacent supportive cells, and had microtubules. Cell body contained abundant mitochondria, well-developed Golgi complex, rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and free ribosomes. Basal processes extended from the base of the cell soma toward the basal lamina and contained 60∼90 nm dense cored vesicles. Supportive cells, another major type of the parenchyma, were characterized by the dense and elongated nucleus, and contained moderate number of mitochondria, RER, developed Golgi complex, free ribosomes and a few dense bodies in the perinuclear cytoplasm. Slender processes of supportive cells interposed between the pinealocytes and often bordered the basal region of the parenchyma. These results indicate that the pinealocytes of the pheasant are not rudimentary photoreceptor cells, and appear to have secretory function. Further studies will be required to confirm the morphological characteristics of pineal gland in adult pheasant during breeding and nonbreeding season.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.299-308
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• 2002

The purpose of this morphometric study was to obtain detailed quantitative information on all cell types in the testis interstitium of Korean ring-necked pheasants combined with data on changes in the steroidogenic function of the testis during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. Animals collected during the breeding season, testis weights, sperm production, serum testosterone levels, leuteinizing hormone-stimulated testosterone secretion, and the length of the seminiferous tubules were significantly (p < 0.05) increased as compared to the nonbreeding season. Seminiferous tubules occupied 93.25% of testis volume in the breeding season. Leydig cells constituted 0.82% of the testicular volume. The mean volume of an Leydig cell was $1039{\mu}m^3$, and each testis contained about 24.53 million Leydig cells. Testes of the pheasants during the nonbreeding season displayed a 98% reduction in testis volume that was associated with a decrease in the absolute volume of seminiferous tubules (98% reduction), tubular lumen(100%), interstitium(90%), blood vessels(84%), lymphatic spaces(97%), Leydig cells(79%), mesenchymal cells(51%), and myoid cells(61%). The number of Leydig cells, mesenchymal cells, myoid cells per testis in the breeding season was higher (p < 0.05) than in the nonbreeding season. Although the average volume of a Leydig cell was 74% lower in the nonbreeding season, the average volume of a myoid and mesenchymal cell remained unchanged. These results demonstrate that there are a striking differences in the testicular structure of the Korean ring-necked pheasant in the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. Every structural parameter of the Leydig cell was pasitively correlated with both serum and LH-stimulated secretion concentrations of testosterone. Correlation of changes in hormonal status with morphometric alterations of all Leydig cell suggests that the Korean-ring necked pheasant may be used as a model to study structure-function relations in the avian testis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.665-678
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• 1994

This study was undertaken to investigate histological changes according to the radiosensitivity in the spermatogenic cells in Korean native pheasants. During spermatogenetic period, testes wete collected from male adult Korean native pheasant and they were used as experimental and control birds. The experimental group was divided into a single-dose whole body irradiation group(400, 600, 800 and 1000 rads) and a split-dose whole body irradiation groups(400/2, 600/2, 800/2 and 1000/2 rads). A Henseky's $^{60}Co$ ${\gamma}$-radiotherapy machine was used for this experiment and the dose rate of $^{60}Co$ ${\gamma}$-ray was 104 rads/min. The experimental birds were sacrificed at 24 and 72 hrs after irradiation and the control pheasants were sacrificed at the same time. General histological changes of seminiferous epithelial cells were observed by hematoxylin-eosin stain with light microscope. The results obtained are summarized as follows ; 1. In the single-dose and the split-dose irradiation groups, the average diameter of the seminiferous tubule was decreased compared with control group. 2. Seminiferous epithelial cells were more severely damaged after 72 hrs than after 24 hrs of single-dose irradiation of 400, 600 and 800 rads but the difference of cell injury was almost not observable with the elapsed time in the group of the single-dose irradiation of 1000 rads. 3. The damage of spermatogenic cells were more severe after 24 hrs than after 72 hrs of the split-dose irradiation of 400 rads but the split-dose irradiation of 600, 800 and 1000 rads were more severe after 72 hrs than after 24 hrs.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 1999

The image analyser was used for the measurement of the morphological changes of the spermatogenic cells and seminiferous tubules in the pheasant during the breeding and non breeding season. 1. The seminiferous tubules were enlarged 2.57 times during the breeding season than during the non breeding season. Only Sertoli cells and spermatogonia in the seminiferous tubules can be found during the non breeding season. 2. There is no significantly difference in the ratio of nucleus area against that of cell size in the spermatogonium between breeding and non breeding season. The ratio of area was 28.71% and 29.11%, respectively. However, the enlargement of spermatogonium was noticed during the non breeding season. 3. The highest value of the ratio of the nucleus area against that of cell size among the germ cells was measured 37.40% in the pachytene phase of the spermatocyte during the breeding season. 4. The ratio of nucleus area against that of cell size in the spermatid was 22.53%.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1995

A total of 514 birds were used to investigate the influence of body weight and shank length at hatch on the body weights at various ages in growing pheasant. Statistical model included the terms of hatch and sex as fixed effects and the two covariates of body weight and shank length at hatch. In this model, the effects of hatch and sex on the body weights at the age of 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 wk, and the average daily gains from hatch to 8 wk and from 8 to 16 wk of age were highly significant(P<0.01). All the regression coefficients of body weights and average daily gains on the body weight at hatch were also significant(P<0.01). Their estimates were 3.05.7.21. 13.89, 15.18 and 15.33 for the body weights at 4. 8, 12, 16 and 20 wk of age ; 0.111 and 0.142 for the average daily gains from hatch to 8 wk, and from 8 to 16 wk of age, respectively. On the shank length, only the regression coefficients of the body weights at 4 and 8 wk of age and the average daily gains from hatch to 8 wk of age were significant(P<0.01). Results of this study suggest that body weight at hatch do significantly affect the body weights in the growing periods up to' the 20 wk of age, but the shank length at hatch influences the body weights only at early age.1)

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.197-201
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• 1993

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of hatch and sex on the body weight and shank length of growing pheasant. Least squares means of body weight at the age of 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 wks were 17.9, 96.0, 296.4, 563.4, 709.0 and 757.4 g for female, and 18.3, 104.4, 349.1, 728.5, 1001.4 and 1101.6 g for male, respectively. The hatch effect on body weight was significant at the age of 4, 8, 12 and 16 wks (P＜0.05), but the effects on shank length were significant at the age of birth and 8 wks only. There was no significant hatch effect on both the body weight and shank length at the age of 20 wks(P＞0.05). Least squares mean differences between female and male were significant(P＜0.01) over all wks of age except at hatch.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 1994

Studies on the food-safety of pheasant and mallard, which belong to wild fowl as new meat resources. were carried out. The results were summarized as follows : 1. Food poisoning bacteria including Salmonella spp, was not detected from the inspections of small intestine, cecum, and rectum. 2. Parasite inspection tests on blood, feces, digestive organ, and thoracic organs were negative. 3. Antibiotic residues from the carcass muscle by simplified disk methods were not detected. 4. Seven different pesticide residue tests, such as DDT and BHT, on the muscle and liver were negative. 5. Four different kinds of toxic heavy metals such as Cd were much lower than the permissible concentration. Studies on the food safety tests and inspections from the pheasant and mallard were revealed that from taking this new food resources, the toxicities would be very low for the human health by the direct influences.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.153-160
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• 1997

This study was carried out to estimate the heritability and genetic correlation for body weight, shank length and shank width at various wk of age in growing Korean pheasant. All the measurements were done from one day to 20 wk of age with 4 wk interval. The heritability estimates for body weight were in the range of 0.54~0.59 for male and of 0.49~0.81 for female from 4 to 20 wk of age. The heritability estimates of male and female were in the range of 0.38~0. 82 and 0.41~0.67 for shank length, and of 0.48~0.88 and 0.49~0.71 for shank width, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlation coefficients between the measurements at different ages in each trait of body weight, shank length and shank width were medium to high positive values. Because the estimates of heritabilities and genetic correlations were high, the genetic gain for body weight is expected by either a direct selection or an early selection based on the record of early growing stage.