• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1507-1519
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• 2020

Objective: The current research was aimed to profile the transcriptomic picture of the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) associated with immunity in Chinese Holsteins supplemented orally with coated folic acid during the periparturient period. Methods: The total of 123 perinatal cows were selected for this study and divided into three groups; group A (n = 41, 240 mg/500 kg cow/d), group B (n = 40, 120 mg/500 kg cow/d) and group C (n = 42, 0 mg/cow/d) based on the quantity of folic acid fed. Three samples of PBLs were selected from each folic acid treated group (high, low, and control) and RNA sequencing method was carried out for transcriptomic analysis. Results: The analysis revealed that a higher number of genes and pathways were regulated in response to high and low folic acid supplementation compared to the controls. We reported the novel pathways tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling, antigen processing and presentation, Staphylococcus aureus infection and nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B signaling pathways) and the key genes (e.g. C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10, TNF receptor superfamily member 1A, cluster difference 4, major histocompatibility complex, class II, DQ beta, NF-kappa-B inhibitor alpha, and TNF superfamily 13) having great importance in immunity and anti-inflammation in the periparturient cows in response to coated folic acid treatment. Conclusion: Collectively, our study profiled first-time transcriptomic analysis of bovine lymphocytes and compared the involved cytokines, genes, and pathways between high vs control and low vs control. Our data suggest that the low folic acid supplementation (120 mg/500 kg) could be a good choice to boost appropriate immunity and anti-inflammation as well as might being applied to the health improvement of perinatal dairy cows.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 2017

4-Nonylphenol (NP) is a surfactant that is a well-known and widespread estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC). Although it has been known that the affinity of NP to ERs is low, it has been suggested that low-dose NP has toxicity. In the present study, the endocrine disrupting effects on reproduction, and the weight of gonads, epididymis, and uterus were evaluated with the chronic lower-dose NP exposing. This study was designed by following the OECD test guideline 443 and subjected to a complete necropsy. In male, NP had an effect on the weight of the testis and epididymis in both $F_0$ and $F_1$. In females, NP decreased the weight of ovary and uterus in $F_0$ but not in pre-pubertal $F_1$ pubs. Fertility of male and female in $F_0$ or $F_1$ was no related with NP administration. The number of caudal-epididymal sperm by body weight (BW) was not different between groups in both $F_0$ and $F_1$. Besides, the difference of the sperm number between generations was not detected. The number of ovulated oocytes was similar between groups in $F_0$, but significantly decreased in NP 50 group of $F_1$. The litter size and sex ratios of offspring in $F_1$ and $F_2$ were not different. The accumulated mating rate and gestation period were not affected by the NP administration. Those results shows that chronic lower-dose NP administration has an effect of endocrine disruptor on the weight of gonads and epididymis of $F_0$ and $F_1$ but not in reproduction. Based on the results, it is suggested that chronic lower-dose NP exposing causes endocrine disruption in the weight of gonad and epididymis but not in the reproductive ability of next generations.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.339-347
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the development of bovine nuclear transfer (NT) embryos cultured in serum-free conditions. Bovine NT embryos cultured in various culture conditions were compared blastocyst development, total cell number and apoptosis using TUNEL assay. In experiment 1, blastocyst rates of NT embryos were significantly higher (P<0.01) in FBS (22.0％) and BSA (26.6％) groups than in PVA (6.3％) group. Total cell number was significantly higher in FBS (78.4$\pm$19.4) and BSA (90.9$\pm$29.1) groups than in PVA group (46.0$\pm$0.0). Apoptotic cell number was significantly fewer in FBS (3.1$\pm$1.4) and BSA (1.7$\pm$1.4) groups than in PVA group (7.0$\pm$20.0) However, all of results were not different between the FBS and BSA group. In experiment 2, blastocyst rates of NT embryos were significantly higher (P<0.05) in fatty acid free-BSA (FAF-BSA) group (26.8％) than in fraction V-BSA group (11.2％). Total cell number were somewhat higher in FAF-BSA group (89.8$\pm$30.7) than in fraction V-BSA group (88.1$\pm$19.3). Apoptotic cell number were somewhat fewer in FAF-BSA (1.7$\pm$1.5) group than in fraction V-BSA group (4.2$\pm$2.9). These findings suggest that serum free condition were effective for the in vitro development of bovine NT embryos. Therefore, we concluded that fatty acid free-BSA has beneficial effect in development bovine NT embryos and can be use as a serum substitute.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.217-228
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• 1994

These experiments were carried out to establish the optimal condition of electrostimulatin inducing cell fusion and oocyte activation for nuclear transplantation in mouse embryos. Eggs selected for cell fusion or activation by electrostimulation were equilibrated for 5~10 min. in 0.3M sucrose solution and electrostimulated for 60$\mu$sec using 1 pulse of 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 volts DC with electrodes 0.2 mm apart. Then they were cultured in 20${mu}ell$ dropsof Tyrode's solution. The results of these experiments are as follows : 1. When one pulse of 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 volts DC for 60$\mu$sec were applied to 2-cell embryos for fusion of blastomeres, fusion rates were 50.0, 81.7, 91.7, 100 and 100%, respectively ; and developmental rates of fused embryos to blastocyst were 76.7 to 81.5%. Higher fusion rates were observed in 90V and 100V. 2. The average cell number in fused embryos developed to blastocyst was about half of the cell number in diploid controls; and the cell number decreased with increasing of voltages. 3. When pulse numbers were increased, fusion rates improved, but developmental rates were not signficiantly different from the group for which the number of pulse was not increased. And the cell number of blastocyst decreased even more. 4. Oocytes aged for 6hrs after ovulation were electrostimulated for oocyte activation by the same method used for cell fusion. Rates of oocyte activated by electrostimulation were 45.3 to 60.4%, and fragmentation rates were 7.5~15.1%. The lysis rates were 17.0~34.0%. The results of these experiments indicate that the optimal condition for achieving cell fusion and activation is 1 pulse, duration 60$\mu$sec in 90 Volt. The results also show that this condition is suitable for nuclear transplantation using mouse eggs.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 1985

This study was carried out with 46 cows to investigate the ovarian response to the administration of PMSG, PGF2$\alpha$ and hCG, and the developmental stage of embryos recovered. Superovulation was induced by the injection of 2,000IU to 3,000IU PMSG on the days of 7-13 of the estrus cycle followed 48 hours later by the injection of 22.5mg PGF2$\alpha$. Of 29 cows treated with 3,000IU PMSG and 22.5mg PGF2$\alpha$ 18 cows were given 2,000IU hCG at the onset and 7 after artificial insemination. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. The number of developed follicles per cow after an injection of 2,000, 2,500, 3,000IU of PMSG and 3,000 PMSG-2,000IU hCG in combination with 22.5mg PGF2$\alpha$ were 12.6, 19.6, 21.5 and 29.3, respectively. This result indicated that the no. of developed follicles per cow was increased according to the increase of PMSG dosage and the combination with hCG injection. 2. The highest number of ovulation was 17.1 in cows treated with PMSG-hCG and the number of matured corpus luteum was increase as the dosage of PMSG was higher. 3. Ovulation rate from cows treated with 2,500IU PMSG was 71.0% and this reulst was higher than the average of ovulation rate (59.3%). 4. Average recovery rate was 36.8%(232/631), and the number of ova per cow was 5.0. 5. Of 232 recovered embryos, the number of morulae and blastocysts were 76 (32.8%) and 83 (35.8%), respectively. 6. 28.4% of total recovered embryos was abonormal morphologically.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.67-78
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• 1986

With Economic Development Plan, the Korean National Family Plan Program was introduced in early 1960's. The program, which has been a way for constraining population increase, has obtained excellent results. In other word, it has had an important role in controlling the increase in population. The purpose of this study is to analyze the change of fertility rates since 1970 and the lever of completed fertility of Korean women since 1960. There are Age-specific Fertility Rate(ASFR), Total Fertility Rate(TFR), Gross Reproduction Rate(GRR) and Net Reproduction Rate(NRR) etc. in indices of period fertility. It is also possible to be seen the completed fertility rates by using Parity Progression Ratio. The data necessary for this study were obtained from Population & Housing Census Report from the year of 1960 to 1980 and Vital Statistics from 1980 to 1984, which conducted by Economic Planning Board, Republic of Korea. The summarized results of this study were as follows : 1. Age-specific Fertility Fertility Rate(ASFR) has been continuously decreasing till now. The ASFR for the women aged 25 to 29 was higher than those of any other groups and the ASFR for the women aged 20 to 24 was higher than that of the women aged 30 to 34 since the mid 1970's. 2. There are Total Fertility Rate(TFR), Gross Reproduction Rate(GRR) and Ney Reproduction Rate(NRR) etc. in reproduction rates. First of all, TFR and GRR have been declining except late of 1970's and TFR showed 2.23 per ever-married women, GRR was 1.05 in 1982. Next, the change of NRR could not be found without life table by year and only NRR for the time of census was to be found. In 1980, NRR showed 1.27 per ever-married women and the level was still out of reach at replacement level of population. 3. Specific Fertility Rate by Birth Order(SFRBO) showed to be declined continually since 1972. Especially the SFRBO of the third live birth was decreased from about 22 per 1,000 ever-married women in 1972 to 12 or so in 1982. 4. To know the level of completed fertility, the mean number of completed live births per ever-married women was calculated from 1960 to 1980. The number of completed live births was more than 5 per ever-married women by the year of 1975 but have been declining and resulted in 4.69 in 1980.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.789-793
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• 2003

An investigation was conducted on 729 Hariana cows maintained at Government Livestock Farm, Hisar, from 1973 to 1999, with an objective to compare the efficiency of various selection indices for attaining desired genetic gains in the index traits. The various traits included were age at first calving (AFC), service period (SP), calving interval (CI), days to first service (DFS), number of services per conception (NSPC), lactation milk yield (LY), peak yield (PY), dry period (DP). Except for LY, PY and AFC the heritabilities of all other traits were low. Desirable associations among reproductive traits are supportive of the fact that any one of these traits incorporated in simultaneous selection is expected to cause correlated response in other traits. Production traits (LY and PY) were positively correlated, while DP had low negative genetic correlation with LY, and high genetic correlation with PY. Thus, DP can be taken as additional criteria in selection index for better over all improvement. Almost all production traits except DP had low negative correlation with AFC, SP, DFS and CI meaning that reduction in reproduction traits up to certain level may increase production performance. While, the correlation of NSPC with LY and PY was moderate positive. Among four trait indices I23: incorporating PY, AFC, SP and NSPC and among three trait indices I1: incorporating LY, AFC and SP were the best as these required least number of generations (4.87 and 1.35, respectively) to attain desired goals. Next in order of preference were PY or LY along with DP and SP as the best indices (I20 and I16) of which, index with PY may be preferred instead of LY as it produced considerably high correlated response in LY and reduction in NSPC as well.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.313-322
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• 2014

To investigate the effects of octylphenol and nonylphenol on the reproduction of the striped field mouse, the mice were subcutaneousely injected with 4-t-octylphenol 800 mg/kg (OP800), nonylphenol 900 mg/kg (NP900) or OP800 + NP900 (OPNP), respectively, in two times a week for 2 months. As the results, there were no differences between the control and the compound-treated groups in the body weight in both sexes, and the GSI (gonadosomatic index) and SVI (seminal vesicles index) in the adult males. But histological abnormalities of the reproductive organs in the mice seems to be related to the compound. This suggestion is supported by the facts that most mice treated with the compounds had only a small number of spermatozoa in the shrunken epididymal tubules. In addition, the shrunken reproductive organ in one mouse treated with the NP, suggests that the abnormalities in the wild striped field mice might be induced by the compound. Furthermore, it is indicated that the compounds must be toxicants to inhibit pregnancy, judging from the fact that all the mice treated with the compounds had failed to deliver.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.155-161
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• 2015

The number of wild animal species is gradually decreasing due to poaching, hunting and habitat loss. While several endangered animal species have been successfully preserved at the zoo, assisted reproductive technology (ART) must be applied to restore wild animals. In the case of critically endangered animals, somatic cell cloning is considered the most appropriate method of ART. Somatic cell cloning can be beneficial for the reproduction of endangered species with limited female populations. However, gene and cell banks, and understanding of reproductive physiology and optimization of ART for wild animals are urgently required for further activation of artificial reproduction of endangered species, which enlarges its application and maintains biodiversity. Care should also be taken to consider ethical and legal issues associated with somatic cell cloning for conservation of endangered animals.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 1996

Morphology and reproduction of Polysiphonia atlantica Kapraun et J. Norris were studied on the basis of field and laboratory cultured materials collected from the coast of Korea. The plants consisted of prostrate and erect axes with an extremely soft flaccid texture. Axes were ecorticated and had four pericentral cells. The plants except for female gametophytes had few trichoblasts. Branches in the upper portion of the thallus grew to the same level, resulting in a flat-top form. Tetrasporangia were arranged in straight series. Spermatangial branches replaced whole trichoblasts and had a 1-2 celled serile tip. The procarp had a four celled carpogonial branch. After fertilization, the carpogonium contancted the surface of the supporting cell. The formation of the auxiliary cell from the supporting cell was somewhat delayed P. atlantica from Korea was similar to P. subtilissima Montagne in some features. However, the taxonomic differences between the two species were identified in the development of branches and the number of sterile cells at the tip of spermatangial branches.