• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.164-170
• /
• 1989

These experiments were carried out to develop the practical technique for the production of identical twins in cattle. Morula and blastocyst stage embryos collected from superovulated donors were bisected into halves by micromanipulation. The resulting demi-embryos were transferred to the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum of synchronous recipients. The viability of demi-embryos after splitting was also evaluated by culturing demi-embryos with and without a zona-pellucida. The results obtained in these experiments were summarized as follows : 1. Of total 132 embryos collected by superovulation from 29 donors, 37 embryos were morular and 30 at blastocyst stages. 2. Total 111 demi-embryos were produced from 67 embryos by bisection and 98% of those were normal in morphology. 3. The viability of the demi-embryos cultured with zona-pellucida ranged from 70 to 76.5% and that of the demi-embryos without from 53.8 to 69.2%. 4. The viability of demi-embryos obtained from morula was 63.6% and that of demi-embryos from blastocyst was 73.3%, respectively. 5. 35 demi-embryos were transferred to 21 recipients, 7 of which were confirmed to be pregnant by rectal palpation at 55∼60 days after embryo transfer. One of them produced a calf and 6 are still on pregnancy.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.249-253
• /
• 1990

Plasma progesterone concentrations were measured in 24 Korean native cows by a radioimmunoassay at 0, 6 and 20 days after insemination. As a result, 23 cows (95.8%) were judged to be in estrus with ovulation and one cow (4.2%) was judged to be in estrus without ovulation. Plasma progesterone concentrations at 20 days after insemination were $5.11{\pm}1.33$ (mean${\pm}$SD, range 3.20~7.86) ng/ml in pregnant cows and $0.35{\pm}0.10$ (range 0.30~0.50) ng/ml in nonpregnant cows. Of the 20 cows, 18 cows were confirmed the pregnant by rectal palpation at 60 days after insemination. The accuracy of the pregnancy diagnosis based on plasma progesterone concentration was 90 % for positive case and 100% for negative case.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.316-319
• /
• 2016

A 12-year-old thoroughbred mare with four days history of anorexia and high fever was submitted to the Equine Hospital. She failed to conceive in the following the breeding season in spring. In rectal palpation, mass could be palpable surrounding ovary. Because of the poor prognosis, full necropsy for mare was decided. The mass is located between right large and small colon, cranial to ovary using ultrasonography. Grossly, the mass was about $5{\times}3.5{\times}4cm$ in size, and the cut surface of mass showed brownish yellow in color with red-to orange granular areas Histopathologically, neoplastic cells were mixed with well differentiated spindle shape cells arranged in interlacing, interwoven pattern and poorly differentiated spindle cells. Neoplastic cells had abundant pink cytoplasm and bland and cigar-shaped nuclei with low mitotic figures. Many arteriole-like blood vessels with thick muscular wall were present throughout the mass. Masson's trichrome staining revealed muscle origin tumors in this case. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic spindle cells showed positive reactions for smooth muscle actin and desmin. In our best knowledge, this is the first report of uterine angioleiomyoma in mare in Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.199-203
• /
• 2021

A 4-year-old Thoroughbred mare was brought to the Korea Racing Authority Equine Hospital with heightened sensitivity to touch of the hindquarter, reluctance to step forward, frequent urination even during training, clitoral winking, tail swinging, tail lifting, and training difficulties due to being in constant heat. The trainer claimed that she was in heat and exhibited reduced performance. Physical and lameness examinations revealed no abnormality. Rectal palpation and transrectal ultrasonography revealed normal reproductive organs and estrus. As she exhibited typical estrous behavior without any other physical conditions, the mare was considered to express undesirable estrous behavior. An intrauterine glass ball was inserted into the mare on ovulation day. However, the estrous behaviors were reduced unsatisfactorily. Additionally, 1 mL of peanut oil was administered on the 10th day after the intrauterine device insertion. The mare returned to training and expressed no undesirable estrous behavior over 30 days after the peanut oil treatment. However, further follow-ups were not conduct as the mare was retired to a farm after a limb injury occurred during training. This is the first report of undesirable estrous behavior in a Thoroughbred mare under the rules of racing in Korea. It is recommended that equine clinicians in Korea consider peanut oil as a therapeutic agent to control mares' estrous behavior-related problems.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.123-126
• /
• 2024

A seven-month pregnant 15-year-old Thoroughbred mare presented with acute abdominal pain to Jeju National University Equine Hospital. At presentation, a nasogastric intubation revealed 10 L of gastric reflux; rectal palpation and ultrasound revealed dilated loops and thickening of the walls of the small intestine. An exploratory laparotomy revealed strangulation of the small intestine due to a large abdominal mass. The mass was double-ligated and resected blindly due to the short pedicle. An enterectomy was not performed as intestinal motility was detected following the mass removal. Histopathological examination confirmed that the mass was a lipoma, measuring 24 cm × 16 cm × 16 cm in size. On day 8 post-surgery, the mare was discharged without complications. This case report describes the diagnosis and treatment of strangulation of the small intestine by a pedunculated lipoma, thus providing useful information on lipoma in horses.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.263-267
• /
• 2008

This study was conducted to compare the expression pattern of the specific factors associated with pregnancy and angiogenesis during early pregnancy in Hanwoo. Synchronized female Hanwoo ($4{\sim}6$ year-old) were inseminated artificially. After 10 weeks after artificial insemination (AI), the pregnancy was tested by rectal palpation method. Three pregnant and non-pregnant Hanwoo were used in this experiment, respectively. The plasma progesterone level was measured by ELISA. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of pregnancy associated glycoprotein (PAG) or angiogenic factors (VEGF, B-FGF, ANP-1, and TIE-2). The plasma P4 level was increase gradually in pregnant group and maintained high level. The concentration of PAG was significantly higher from $5^{th}$ weeks in pregnant group compared to that of non-pregnant group (p<0.05). The concentrations of the VEGF (p<0.05), B-FGF (p<0.05), and ANP-1 (p<0.05) were significantly increased from $6^{th}\;or\;7^{th}$ week after AI in pregnant group, respectively. And the intensity of TIE-2, ANP-1 receptor, was well matched with ANP-1 (p<0.05). Taken together, it can be postulated that the blood vessels connected with fetus and dam were formed dramatically around 40 days after AI, because the expression levels of the angiogenic factors were increased significantly from this time in pregnant Hanwoo.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.299-302
• /
• 1996

Milk samples(n = 78) were taken 19d, 20d, 21d, 22d after artificial insemination(AI) for early pregnancy diagnosis by using the Enzyme immunoassay(EIA) kit. The progesterone ($P_4$) concentration in the whole milk was measured on the same day of pregnancy diagnosis. Rectal palpation(RP) was accomplished between 60d and 70d after AI to estimate the ovary condition and pregnancy status. Milk progesterone concentrations measured by Radio-immunoassay(RIA) method, in the pregnant cows at 17d, 19d, 21d after insemination were $17.10{\pm}0.91$, $17.60{\pm}0.46$, and $18.43{\pm}0.79nmol/l$, whereas those in the not-pregnant cows were $6.57{\pm}1.03$, $2.63{\pm}0.29$, and $0.67{\pm}0.08nmol/l$, respectively. When the progesterone concentration was less than 7 nmol/l, the color of the EIA kit was lighter and when the progesterone concentration was ${\geq}16nmol/l$, the color of the EIA kit was darker compared to the standard color. The detection rates of error by judging the color differences were 5.1% and 20.7%, respectively. In the early pregnancy diagnosis by the EIA kit and RIA method, the accuracy rates in the pregnancy of cows were 82% and 87%, and those in not-pregnant cows were 86% and 91%, respectively. For ovarian status estimated by the RIA method and certified by RP, the accuracy rates of the ovarian atrophy, follicular cyst and luteal cyst were 80, 91 and 83% and the progesterone concentrations were 2.51, 2.03, and 26.7 nmol/l, respectively.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.35-49
• /
• 1986

Recipients are an integral part of embryo transfer and they are expensive to maintain as a good recipient. Recipient management is one of the most important components in a successful embryo transfer program. Management includes selection and subsequent care of the animals. A good recipient is basically on "open" cows or heffers whose reproductive tract is capable of receiving one or two embryos and incubating it to term. Potential recipients should be always be healthy and cycling normally ranging from 18 to 23 days. A thorough veterinary examination is recommended for candidate of recipients and cattle for questionable health should be eliminated from the recipient herd. Age and size of recipients are particularly important considerations when heifers are used, because of most embryos available for transfer are from large dams and sires. Body condition can influence a recipient's production, reproduction and health. Obese and underconditioned cattle should be avoided for use. Transfer of fresh embryos especially requires precise synchronization of donors and recipients. For estrus synchronization, PGF$_2$$\alpha$ is injected twice 10 to 12 days apart and short4erm progestagen treatment is applied to potential recipient cattle by coil into vagina (PRID) or ear implant (Synchro-Mate-B). The highest pregnancy results are achieved in recipients at exact synchrony with donors or 12 to 24 hr earlier than donors. Estrus detection is a major factor in breeding efficiency. High accuracy can be achieved by use of heat mount detection alds or by obserbing cattle for 30-minute peroids 3 times daily. Assay progesterone in milk can be used to discrIminate between pregnant and nonprenant recipients. Rectal palpation on day 35 to 70 after is an accurate and safe method of pregnancy diagnosis. Embryonic mortality in recipients may be associated with factors such as high environmental temperature and nutritional or lactational stress in early lactation period. Achievement of short calving interval requires concentrated management activity during the first 90 days following calving. Acceptable candidate for a recipient should be routinely vaccinated for infectious diseases. Proper nutritional programs according to NRC requirements and body condition scoring system for recipient cattles are vital to the ultimate success of an embryo transfer program.r program.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.33-36
• /
• 2011

The objective of this work was to determine the effect of corpus luteum (CL) grade on pregnancy rate after embryo transfer in Korean cattle and we found that CL development was linked to pregnancy rate. The in vivo derived blastocyst-stage embryos were transferred to 15 recipients synchronized in the estrus cycles. Based on size and palpable characteristics, CLs were categorized into three grade. The grade three CL is not to be identified by rectal palpation. The pregnancy rates tended to increase with the increase in CL size of recipients. In grade one, two, and three, the pregnancy rates were 62.5%, 50.0%, and 0%, respectively. This result suggests that pregnancy rates after embryo transfer might be affected by the CL status of recipients.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.154-160
• /
• 2004

This study was carried out to monitor the response of ovaries and cyst according to treatment with dinoprost or fenprostalene in dairy cows with ovarian luteal cyst. Twenty cows were diagnosed as luteal cysts by rectal palpation, ultrasonography and progesterone analysis. The cystic cows were treated with dinoprost or fenprostalene. All the animals were re-examined by ultrasonography and blood was collected for the measurement of plasma progesterone concentration at day 0 (the day of treatment), 3, 13 and 24, respectively. Mean plasma progesterone concentrations on day -11 and day -1 before treatment were 2.1$\pm$0.2 ng/ml and 2.8$\pm$0.3 ng/ml, respectively. On day 3 and day 13 were 0.3$\pm$0.1 ng/ml and 4.3$\pm$0.2 ng/ml, respectively. Mean cystic wall thickness on day -11 and day -1 were 3.2$\pm$0.2 mm and 3.9$\pm$0.2 mm, respectively. And on day 3 was 2.4$\pm$0.3 mm. The responses of luteal cyst after treatment noted during ultrasonography included dramatical degeneration of the luteal tissue of cystic wall on day 3 (all cows), slowly reduction of cyst size (cyst resolution) until last examination (8 cows), complete disappearance on day 13 (7 cows) and no changes of cyst size (5 cows). A group of 10 cows with luteal cysts injected fenprostalene compared with another 10 cows treated dinoprost showed a slightly higher pregnancy rate on first service after initial treatment (50.0 vs 30.0%). But treatment effects of dinoprost or fenprostalene did not significantly different results for each groups. This study suggested that the response of the cyst according to treatment revealed various types. Therefore, veterinarians should have attention on monitoring of the response of cystic ovaries after treatment, specially on no change of cyst size after treatment.