• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.571-584
• /
• 2004

It is known widely that granulosa cell apoptosis leads follicular atresia and macrophages exert their effects directly and/or indirectly from the initiation to the completion of follicular atresia by phagocytosis of apoptotic bodies and secretion of various cytokines. However, the site of initiation, propagation routes and the elimination methods of apoptotic bodies, and the time and methods of penetration of macrophages into the follicles are not known completely. Using pig(Yorkshire-breed) ovary, immunohistochemical studies with TUNEL for apoptotic bodies and pig macrophage monoclonal antibody 4E9 for macrophages, and light and transmission electron microscopic observations were performed. In the pig, follicular atresia began with the granulosa cell apoptosis, and the apoptosis of theca intema cells occured at the same time. The apoptosis of granulosa cells initiated randomly within the granulosa cell layer and propagated rapidly into the whole layer. Ultrastructura1ly, apoptotic granulosa cells showed characteristic pyknotic and deformed nucleus and intracytoplasmic vesicles. Apoptotic bodies were eliminated by intact granulosa cells and macrophages. Intact granulosa cells ingested apoptotic bodies transiently, soon after they fell into the apoptosis. Finally, apoptotic bodies and degenerated oocyte were phagocytosed by macrophages. Macrophages entered the ovarian follicle at the time of initiation of granulosa cell apoptosis, and migrated with the progression of apoptosis. By elimination of theca cells, macrophages contributed the completion of follicular atresia These results will provide valuable informations on the study of the interrelation between macrophage and ovarian follicular atresia.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.747-758
• /
• 2006

A total of 30 pigs (average 60kg) were used to investigate the influence of breeds on meat quality. Pigs were alloted into one of three experimental groups [A (Landrace×Yorkshire×Duroc), B (England Berkshire), and C (Kagoshima Berkshire)]. Pigs were slaughtered at approximately 110kg of live weight for measurement of meat qualities. Crude protein was significantly higher in B than those of other pig breed groups. Shear force value was higher and pH was lower in A than those of other pig breeds. In color, C was significantly higher in a* of meat color and lower in b* of fat color and in brittleness, hardness, springiness, chewiness as compared with other pig breeds. Essential fatty acid were significantly higher in A and lower in B than those of other pig breeds. Aspartic, threonine, serine, glutamic and phenylalanine were higher in C, whereas glycine, alanine, cystine, valine, leucine, tyrosine, histidine, lysine and arginine were significantly higher in A. In sensory evaluation of fresh meat, color was significantly higher in C. However, moisture, crude fat, crude ash and drip loss, marbling score, overall acceptability of fresh meat and all items in sensory evaluation of cooked meat were not significant difference among the pig groups. In conclusions, loin from Kagoshima Berkshire had the lowest shear force and the highest a* value. In the current study few effects of pig breeds were observed. Further studies are needed on the relationship between physico-chemical properties and the pig breeds.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.62 no.3
• /
• pp.409-419
• /
• 2020

This study evaluated the effects of breed and gender in Duroc (D), Pietrain (P), and crossbred (DP) pigs. Loin samples were collected from D (n = 79), P (n = 42), and DP (n = 45) pigs. Intramuscular fat content was significantly lower in P (p < 0.001), and pH was lowest in DP pigs (p < 0.001). Gilts had higher intramuscular fat (IMF) and pH values than did castrated males (p < 0.05). Water-holding capacity was lower in DP pigs than that in D and P pigs (p < 0.001). Shear force in DP pigs was higher than that in D and P pigs (p < 0.001). Lightness and yellowness of meat in DP pigs was increased compared with coloring of P pig meat (p < 0.01). Meat from DP pigs was redder compared with meat from in D and P pigs, and it was higher in gilts than in castrates (p < 0.001). The C16:0 content was lower in P and DP pigs than in D pigs (p < 0.01). C18:2 content was higher in P and DP pigs than in D pigs (p < 0.001). Unsaturated and saturated fatty acids increased in P pigs compared with levels in D pigs (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that meat quality can be controlled by crossbreeding to increase or reduce selected properties. This study provides the basic data on the meat characteristics of F1 DP pigs. Thus, further study should be conducted to estimate the meat quality of various crossbreeds.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.9
• /
• pp.1244-1249
• /
• 2002

Myostatin (growth differentiation factor (GDF)-8), is one member of the transforming growth factor $\beta$ superfamily. Investigations of GDF-8 null mice and double-muscled cattle revealed that GDF-8 has a profound influence upon skeletal muscle growth. Therefore, the GDF-8 effect upon the productive performance of pigs is worth exploring. In the present study, the nucleotide sequences and expression levels of GDF-8 genes in European pigs (Landrace and Duroc) and Asian pigs (Taoyuan and Small-ear) were evaluated. Based upon their genetic background these breeds possess significantly distinct growth rate and muscle productionphenotypes. Our sequence data showed that the nucleotide sequences of European and Asian pigs were 100% similar. Postnatal expression of GDF-8 gene in skeletal muscles, from birth to 12 mo of age, among different breeds was measured. GDF-8 expression levels in the longissimus muscle of neonatal European breed littermates were the highest, however it declined significantly (p<0.05) at 1 and 3 mo, and then increased gradually at 6 to 12 mo. The Asian breeds, however, GDF-8 expression level increased markedly at 3 mo and maintained a constant level thereafter. The results indicate that rather than polymorphism within the GDF-8 functional sequence between European and Asia breeds, it was relative to the gene regulation in postnatal muscle growth.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.60 no.3
• /
• pp.6.1-6.5
• /
• 2018

Background: The meat quality of Korean native pigs (KNP) and crossbred pigs (LYD; Landrace ${\times}$ Yorkshire ${\times}$ Duroc) was examined to generate data useful for selecting native pigs for improved pork production. Methods: Fifty Korean native pigs (KNP) and 50 crossbred pigs (LYD) were tested. Loin samples (M. longissimus dorsi) of the two breeds were analyzed to determine meat quality and sensory properties. Result: KNP had a higher moisture content than LYD (p < 0.05); however, it had significantly lower crude fat and ash content than that of LYD (p < 0.001). KNP had significantly higher shear force than LYD (p < 0.01). KNP also showed significantly higher cooking loss than LYD (p < 0.05). KNP had a lower $L^*$ value than LYD (p < 0.05); however, it had a markedly higher $a^*$ and $b^*$ value than LYD (p < 0.001). KNP showed significantly higher linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid content than LYD (p < 0.05). Although KNP had significantly better flavor and overall palatability than LYD, it was less tender than LYD (p < 0.01). Conclusion: KNP had a markedly higher $a^*$ value than LYD. KNP had significantly higher shear force than LYD. The total unsaturated fatty acid content was higher in KNP than in LYD.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.595-606
• /
• 2022

Industrial pig breeding has used the Duroc breed and terminal sires in a three-way crossbred system in Korea. This study identified the gene variation patterns related to carcass quality in crossbred pigs ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) using whole-exome sequencing (WES). This study used crossbred pigs and divided them into two groups (first plus grade, n = 5; second grade, n = 5). Genomic DNA samples extracted from the loin muscles of both groups were submitted for WES. A set of validated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs: n = 102) were also subjected to the Kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) to confirm the WES results in the loin muscles. Based on the WES, SNPs associated with meat quality were found on chromosomes 5, 10, and 15. We identified variations in three of the candidate genes, including kinesin family member 5B (KIF5B), GLI family zinc finger 2 (GLI2), and KIF26B, that were associated with meat color, marbling score, and backfat thickness. These genes were associated with meat quality and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathways in the crossbred pigs. These results may help clarify the mechanisms underlying high-quality meat in pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.90-98
• /
• 2009

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a milling by-product diet and two sugar cane diets on the local Creole pig breed (CR). A total of 48 CR pigs (24 females and 24 castrated males) were randomly assigned to four different groups of 12 animals. Pigs were allotted to one of 4 dietary treatments: fed with a control soya-bean meal-corn diet containing 19.1% crude protein (CP) and 15.4 MJ DE/kg (diet 1), with an experimental milling by-product diet (soya-bean meal and wheat by-products) containing 19.4% CP and 13.0 MJ DE/kg (diet 2), with ground cane stalks (GCS) or with fresh sugar cane juice (SCJ). Both GCS and SCJ were supplemented with soya-bean meal complement (400 g/d of a 48.7% CP and 16.1 MJ DE/kg diet) in order to obtain diets 3 and 4, respectively. Pigs were fed close to ad libitum level and had free access to water. All the pigs were slaughtered at 65 kg BW. Between 30 and 65 kg BW, growth performance was significantly (p<0.001) affected by dietary treatments: average daily BW gain was 657, 530, 546 and 200 g/d for diets 1, 2, 4, and 3, respectively. Average daily DM intake was 1.8, 1.9, 2.5 and 1.4 kg/d for diets 1, 2, 4, and 3, respectively. Fat cuts (backfat+leaf fat) and backfat thickness were significantly lower on diet 3 than for other treatments (127 vs. 192, 166 g/kg of left half-carcass weight and 24.6 vs. 39.0, 35.3 mm for diet 3 vs. diets 1 and 4, and diet 2, respectively; p<0.001). The dressing weight was significantly lower on diets 2 (82.7 vs. 84.0%; p<0.001). The entire empty digestive tract (DT) weight was higher on diet 2 (73.1 vs. 66.7 g/kg empty BW). However, stomach and large intestine were more developed on diet 3: 12.8 vs. 9.3 g/100 g empty DT (p<0.001) and 26.4 vs. 23.8 g/100 g empty DT (p<0.05), respectively. In conclusion, this study suggests the CR pig has the ability to reach rather good growth and carcass performance with a well-formulated sugar cane meal and/or with a milling by-product diet refined according to its low requirements.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.157-165
• /
• 2017

One of the reasons to causing blood coagulation in the tissue of xenografted organs was known to incompatibility of the blood coagulation and anti-coagulation regulatory system between TG pigs and primates. Thus, overexpression of human CD73 (hCD73) in the pig endothelial cells is considered as a method to reduce coagulopathy after pig-to-non-human-primate xenotransplantation. This study was performed to produce and breed transgenic pigs expressing hCD73 for the studies immune rejection responses and could provide a successful application of xenotransplantation. The transgenic cells were constructed an hCD73 expression vector under control porcine Icam2 promoter (pIcam2-hCD73) and established donor cell lines expressing hCD73. The numbers of transferred reconstructed embryos were $127{\pm}18.9$. The pregnancy and delivery rate of surrogates were 8/18 (44%) and 3/18 (16%). The total number of delivered cloned pigs were 10 (2 alive, 7 mummy, and 1 died after birth). Among them, three live hCD73-pigs were successfully delivered by Caesarean section, but one was dead after birth. The two hCD73 TG cloned pigs had normal reproductive ability. They mated with wild type (WT) MGH (Massachusetts General Hospital) female sows and produced totally 16 piglets. Among them, 5 piglets were identified as hCD73 TG pigs. In conclusion, we successfully generated the hCD73 transgenic cloned pigs and produced their litters by natural mating. It can be possible to use a mate for the production of multiple transgenic pigs such as ${\alpha}-1,3-galactosyltransferase$ knock-out /hCD46 for xenotransplantation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.10
• /
• pp.1565-1574
• /
• 2018

Objective: The aim of the present study was to identify genetic variants based on RNA-seq data, obtained via transcriptome sequencing of muscle tissue of pigs differing in muscle histological structure, and to verify the variants' effect on histological microstructure and production traits in a larger pig population. Methods: RNA-seq data was used to identify the panel of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly related with percentage and diameter of each fiber type (I, IIA, IIB). Detected polymorphisms were mapped to quantitative trait loci (QTLs) regions. Next, the association study was performed on 944 animals representing five breeds (Landrace, Large White, Pietrain, Duroc, and native Puławska breed) in order to evaluate the relationship of selected SNPs and histological characteristics, meat quality and carcasses traits. Results: Mapping of detected genetic variants to QTL regions showed that chromosome 14 was the most overrepresented with the identification of four QTLs related to percentage of fiber types I and IIA. The association study performed on a 293 longissimus muscle samples confirmed a significant positive effect of transforming acidic coiled-coil-containing protein 2 (TACC2) polymorphisms on fiber diameter, while SNP within forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) locus was associated with decrease of diameter of fiber types IIA and IIB. Moreover, subsequent general linear model analysis showed significant relationship of FOXO1, delta 4-desaturase, sphingolipid 1 (DEGS1), and troponin T2 (TNNT2) genes with loin 'eye' area, FOXO1 with loin weight, as well as FOXO1 and TACC2 with lean meat percentage. Furthermore, the intramuscular fat content was positively associated (p<0.01) with occurrence of polymorphisms within DEGS1, TNNT2 genes and negatively with occurrence of TACC2 polymorphism. Conclusion: This study's results indicate that the SNP calling analysis based on RNA-seq data can be used to search candidate genes and establish the genetic basis of phenotypic traits. The presented results can be used for future studies evaluating the use of selected SNPs as genetic markers related to muscle histological profile and production traits in pig breeding.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.280-285
• /
• 2006

The current study was conducted to investigate the relationship between stress related gene and meat quality in pigs. A total number of 212 three-way cross bred (Landrace-$Yorkshire{\times}Duroc$) and 38 Duroc were sampled from the Korean pig industry to determine genotype frequency of porcine stress syndrome (PSS) and heat shock protein 70 kDa (HSP70) genes and their relationship with carcass traits and longissimus meat quality. Screen of HSP70 was performed by the single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique. Based on the analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1) gene, genetic disorder of PSS was related to a mutation at $18,168^{th}$ (C to T) of exon 17. There was no significant difference in ultimate meat pH and backfat thickness between HSP70 K1-AA type and -BB type in pure Duroc breed. In Landrace-$Yorkshire{\times}Duroc$ (L-$Y{\times}D$) cross bred pig, our results indicated that HSP70 derivate type in Duroc had a limited effect on backfat thickness, but L-$Y{\times}D$ type had a noticeable linkage with HSP70 K1-AA and K3-AB. This tendency was also observed in hot carcass weight where HSP70 K1-AA and K3-AB resulted in heavier weight with 86.3 kg compared to HSP70 K1-AB and K3-BB of 74.3 kg. Results imply that stress related HSP70 genotype has a potential association with backfat thickness and carcass weight.