• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.748-758
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• 2023

This study was conducted to investigate the change in activity and mounting behavior in Hanwoo (Korean Native Cattle) during the peri-estrus period and its application to estrus detection. A total of 20 Hanwoo cows were fitted with a neck-collar accelerometer device, which measured the location and acceleration of cow movements and recorded the number of instances of mounting behavior by the altitude data. The data were analyzed in three periods (24-, 6-, and 2-h periods). Blood samples were collected for 5 days after the prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) injection, and the concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Activity and mounting behavior recorded over 2-h periods significantly increased as estrus approached and were more efficient at detecting estrus than over 24- and 6-h periods (p < 0.05). Endocrine patterns did not differ with the variation of individual cows during the peri-estrus period (p > 0.05). Activity was selected as the best predictor through stepwise discriminant analysis. However, activity alone is not enough to detect estrus. We suggest that a combination of activity and mounting behavior may improve estrus detection efficiency in Hanwoo. Further research is necessary to validate the findings on a larger sample size.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.481-486
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• 2001

To increase the production efficiency in dairy industry, proper artificial insemination is the most important operation. For the successful artificial insemination, accurate estrus detection is required. The Korean dairy farmers usually depended on visual observation for estrus detection of cows. Mounting behaviour is one of major inidications observed when cows are at an estrus. A mounting activity detection system for cows using radiotelemetry was developed. This system included a transmitter with a pressure switch, a receiver, a serial communication interface, a personal computer and a computer software. All components and a whole system were tested both in a laboratory and in a farm. The results of this study are as follows: 1. All components including transmitter, receiver and serial interface were operated according to the design specification. 2. A whole system tested with simulated mounting activity of 400 times showed 100% of success rate. 3. In the farm test for 4 days with three cows expecting estrus, one cows experiencing mounting activities showed correct response with this system. However two cows did not show mounting activities because of weak estrus and cold weather during the testing period.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.579-587
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• 2023

In this study, rumen temperature and environment in estral and non-estral Korean Native breeding cattle were evaluated by using a bolus sensor. Behavioral and physiological changes in study animals were also assessed. To assess the rumen temperature and environment, we inserted bolus sensors into 12 Korean Native cattle with an average age of 35.5 months, then measured temperature and activity within the rumen using the wireless bolus sensor. Drinking, feeding and mounting behavior, and measured vaginal temperature and levels of intravaginal mucus resistance were recorded. We found that cattle in estrus exhibited more acts of mounting (37.4 vs. 0 times/day), increased vaginal temperature (39.0℃ vs. 38.4℃), and decreased vaginal mucus resistance (136.3 Ω vs 197.4 Ω), compared with non-estral animals. Furthermore, increased levels of rumen activity were most significant in estrus cattle at the highest activity levels (p < 0.01). Overall, the estrus group exhibited increased rumen temperature (p = 0.01), compared with the non-estrus group. In conclusion, the results of this study not only provide basic physiological data related to estrus in improved Korean Native breeding cattle, but also suggest that monitoring of rumen temperature and activity might be used as an effective smart device for estrus detection.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.825-832
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• 2020

The detection of estrus is very important for the successful reproductive efficiency of cattle. This has prompted the development of electronic estrus detection techniques by using the characterization of estrus behavior. The objective of this study was to investigate the changes in physical activity, mounting behavior and vocalization during estrus in Hanwoo (Korean native cattle). Bio-telemetry devices were attached to 4 multiparous Hanwoo and physical activity was compared, namely mounting behavior and vocalization for 6 days (from 2 days before the day of estrus to 3 days after the day of estrus). Physical activity rapidly increased on the day of estrus (p<0.001) and was frequently observed at night time. Mounting behavior gradually increased, starting from 2 days before the day of estrus and reached its highest level on the day of estrus (p<0.01). The circadian rhythm showed irregularities during this entire period (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in vocalization during the experiment period (p>0.05). In conclusion, we assumed that mounting behavior is an early indicator to detect estrus in Hanwoo and if both mounting behavior and physical activity are considered together it would be possible to detect estrus with a higher probability. Further studies with more information from different sources regarding the measuring of estrus in Hanwoo are needed.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.395-398
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy analysis and the effect of field application of a newly developed automatic heat detector in dairy cows. From 2009 to 2010, we used 48 Holstein cows (mounting cows : 38 heads, standing cows : 10 heads) raised in experimental barn of National Livestock Research Institute (RDA) for the accuracy analysis of automatic heat detector, and 14 Holstein cows raised in three commercial dairy farms of Cheonan and Pochun area for comparison of the effect of field application. The accuracy of response in cows attached with automatic heat detector was 86.8% (33/38) displayed on board when mounting activity observed, and 100% (10/10) when standing activity observed, and on average, 90.0% (43/48) displayed on board. The accuracy of automatic heat detector in on-farm test was 85.7% (12/14), and conception rate was 75.0% (9/12).

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.329-337
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• 2008

Src-family kinases are critically involved in the control of cytoskeleton organization and in the generation of integrin-dependent signaling responses, inducing tyrosine phosphorylation of many signaling and cytoskeletal proteins. Activity of the Src family of tyrosine kinases is tightly controlled by inhibitory phosphorylation of a carboxy-terminal tyrosine residue, inducing an inactive conformation through binding with its SH2 domain. Dephosphorylation of C-ter tyrosine, as well as its deletion of substitution with phenylalanine in oncogenic Src kinases, leads to autophosphorylation at a tyrosine in the activation loop, thereby leading to enhanced Src activity. Beside this phophorylation/dephosphorylation circuitry, cysteine oxidation has been recently reported as a further mechanism of enzyme activation. Mounting evidence describes Src activation via its redox regulation as a key outcome in several circumstances, including growth factor and cytokines signaling, integrin-mediated cell adhesion and motility, membrane receptor cross-talk as well in cell transformation and tumor progression. Among the plethora of data involving Src kinase in physiological and pathophysiological processes, this review will give emphasis to the redox component of the regulation of this master kinase.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.259-265
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• 2002

Phthalate analogues are a plasticizer and solvent used in industry. Phthalates were reported to be a potential carcinogen classified in the category of suspected endocrine disruptors. Most common human exposure to these compounds may occur with contaminated food. They may migrate into food from plastic wrap or may enter food from general environmental contamination. Since these substances are not limited to the original products, and enter the environment, they have become widespread environmental pollutants, thus leading to a variety of phthalates that possibly threaten the public health. Concern about their use has been mounting. To screen and elucidate the endocrine disrupting activity and their mechanism of phthalate analogues, first of all, E-screen assay was performed in MCF7 human breast cancer cells with seven phthalate analogues. In this cell proliferation assay, only dibutyl phthalate (DBP) showed weak estrogenic activity. Also the yeast-based transcription assay to assess the interactions of DBP with the estrogen, androgen, and progesterone receptors was conducted. DBP in the concentration ranges from 10$^{-16}$ to 10$^{-11}$ M was active in the estrogen transcriptional assay, but it did not show the effect on $\beta$-galactosidase activity in the progesterone and androgen transcriptional assays. These data indicate that DBP shows estrogenic potential and can be classified as weak and/or suspected endocrine disrupting chemicals.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.249-252
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• 2007

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of administration of Prostaglandin $F_2{\alpha}$ ($PGF_2{\alpha}$) on semen collection training and semen characteristics in sexually inexperienced boars. Boars were moved individually to a semen collection pen and were trained to mount dummy sow. During the first and second semen collection secessions, 4 out of 17 boars and 4 out of remaining 13 boars allowed collection of semen. The 9 boars that failed semen collection from first 2 attempts received immediately 15 mg of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ i.m. (intramuscular injection) upon entering the collection pen for semen collection resulted in successful semen collection from all 9 boars. Total numbers of spermatozoa were higher in $PGF_2{\alpha}$ treated boars but there was no significant difference in % motility kinematics characteristics between control and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ treated groups during 72 hr period. Overall, administration of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ in sexually inexperienced boars increased the sex drive and facilitated the mounting activity to the dummy sow for semen collection.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.277-288
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• 2014

T cells are central players in the regulation of adaptive immunity and immune tolerance. In the periphery, T cell differentiation for maturation and effector function is regulated by a number of factors. Various factors such as antigens, co-stimulation signals, and cytokines regulate T cell differentiation into functionally specialized effector and regulatory T cells. Other factors such as nutrients, micronutrients, nuclear hormones and microbial products provide important environmental cues for T cell differentiation. A mounting body of evidence indicates that the microbial metabolites short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have profound effects on T cells and directly and indirectly regulate their differentiation. We review the current status of our understanding of SCFA functions in regulation of peripheral T cell activity and discuss their impact on tissue inflammation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.12
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• pp.869-876
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• 2022

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a dicarbonyl compound formed in cells mainly by the spontaneous degradation of the triose phosphate intermediates of glycolysis. MG is a powerful precursor of advanced glycation end products, which lead to strong dicarbonyl and oxidative stress. Although divergent functions of MG have been observed depending on its concentration, MG is considered to be a potential antitumor factor due to its cytotoxic effects within the oncologic domain. MG detoxification is carried out by the glyoxalase system. Glyoxalase 1 (Glo1), the ubiquitous glutathionedependent enzyme responsible for MG degradation, is considered to be a tumor promoting factor due to it catalyzing the removal of cytotoxic MG. Indeed, various cancer types exhibit increased expression and activity of Glo1 that closely correlate with tumor cell growth and metastasis. Furthermore, mounting evidence suggests that Glo1 contributes to cancer stem cell survival. In this review, we discuss the role of Glo1 in the malignant progression of cancer and its possible use as a promising therapeutic target for tumor therapy. We also summarize therapeutic outcomes of Glo1 inhibitors as prospective treatments for the prevention of cancer.