• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.147-154
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• 2012

This study was designed to determine whether low-density lipoproteins (LDL) from egg yolk and taurine, hypotaurine and trehalose as antioxidant in extender improve the freezability and fertility of Korean Jeju Black Bull semen. The semen was cryopreserved with tris egg yolk extenders containing 7% glycerol and treated 4% LDL, 20 mM taurine, hypotaurine and trehalose. Frozen-thawed sperm were evaluated motility, viability, membrane, and acrosome integrity and sperm penetration ability. The results were compared to semen cryopreserved in tris egg yolk extender only as control. Frozen-thawed semen evaluation cleary indicated that the addition of LDL and LDL-antioxidants (taurine, hypotaurine and trehalose) combination were significantly improved (p<0.05) the viability (%; with staining test using eosin-Y) compared to control spermatozoa. Also, in membrane integrity (%; with supravital hypo-osmotic swelling test), not only LDL-antioxiants combination but also LDL were significantly increased (p<0.05) the swelled sperm using HOST compared to control. Sperm acrosome integrity state was classified by CTC (chlortetracycline) staining test. F pattern was significantly increased in LDL-antioxidant combination than control (p<0.05) and B pattern was not significantly differences among all treatments and control. However, AR pattern was significantly decreased in LDL-antioxidants combination than control (p<0.05). Pronucleus formation and sperm penetration index (SFI) were significantly increased in LDL and LDL-antioxidants combination than control (p<0.05). Especially, LDL-taurine significantly improved pronucleus fomation and SFI than LDL (p<0.05). It was concluded that LDL and LDL-antioxidants in extender improved the freezability and fertility of Korean Jeju Black bull spermatozoa.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.377-383
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to examine effect of ethylene glycol for semen cryopreservation in Korean Jeju Black Bull. The semen was cryopreserved with extenders containing cryoprotectants (7% glycerol and 3%, 5%, 7% ethylene glycol) and packed to 0.5 ml straws. The semen straws were located above 3 cm of liquid nitrogen for 5 min, 5 cm for 10 min and 8 cm for 10 min. And then frozen straw was plunged into $LN_2$. Post-thawed sperm motility, viability and membrane integrity were significantly higher in 5% ethylene glycol ($72.5{\pm}5.00%$, $54.88{\pm}0.66%$ and $46.00{\pm}2.40%$; p<0.05). Motility and viability were similar between 7% glycerol and 5% ethylene glycol. However, the membrane integrity was significantly higher in 5% ethylene glycol ($34.69{\pm}4.64%$ vs $46.00{\pm}2.40%$; p<0.05). The viability and membrane integrity were significantly higher in 5 cm for 10 min and 8 cm for 10 min than 3 cm for 5 min (viability: $55.81{\pm}2.94$, $55.19{\pm}3.34$ vs $47.94{\pm}3.48%$; p<0.05 and membrane integrity: $44.94{\pm}3.51$, $46.06{\pm}2.25$ vs $40.38{\pm}1.03%$; p<0.05). The percentage of capacitated sperm assessed by CTC staining, percentage of F pattern was higher in 7% glycerol, 5% and 7% ethylene glycerol, and AR pattern was significantly higher in 3% ethylene glycol. F pattern was significantly increased in 5 cm for 10 min and 8 cm for 10 min (p<0.05), but AR pattern was significantly increased in 3 cm for 5 min (p<0.05).

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.369-375
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol on blastocysts development and subsequent cryosurvival of the vitrification. The ${\alpha}$-tocopherol(0, 100, 200, 400 ${\mu}M$) was added in to culture medium for the bovine embryos. The blasocysts from the ${\alpha}$-tocopherol and untreated control groups were then frozen-thawed, and their cryosurvival was assessed by in vitro culture for 48 h. There were no differences in the overall cleavage rate($56.14{\pm}4.66$, $58.18{\pm}4.70$, $62.97{\pm}6.86$ and $51.17{\pm}7.28$) among four treatment groups. However, in blastocyst development and total cell number were significantly higher in ${\alpha}$-tocopherol 200 ${\mu}M$ ($38.60{\pm}7.12$; $106.33{\pm}3.50$) to culture medium than other treatment groups($29.30{\pm}5.24$, $31.60{\pm}7.12$ and $26.37{\pm}4.18$; $101.36{\pm}5.12$, $97.27{\pm}2.87$, and $91.23{\pm}7.52$ respectively). Before and after vitrification, the total cell number and blastocyst development of embryo were significantly higher in July to August than September to October. In conclusion, addition of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol 200 ${\mu}M$ to in vitro bovine embryo culture medium was beneficial for improving embryo quality by decreasing the embryo damage blsstocysts cell number and improving the tolerance of the embryos to cryopreservation.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.247-250
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to find out candidate genes associated with litter size trait in pigs of inbred Large Yorkshire and Landrace populations. 86 sows were screened for candidate genotypes along with litter size data recordings. Association of litter size with genotypes of candidate genes were investigated to verify the usefulness of each gene's genotypes as markers for the trait. For the lines of Large Yorkshire, PRLR3 and RBP4 genes were genotyped. Frequency distribution of PRLR3 with genotypes AA, AB and BB were each 0.14, 0.44 and 0.42. And the average litter size by PRLR3 genotypes were 8.83, 10.81 and 10.70 piglets per litter, the average estimated breeding values of which were 0.243, 0.332, 0.365, respectively for AA, AB and BB genotypes. Genotypic frequencies of RBP4 by AA, AB and BB genotypes were 0.10, 0.44 and 0.46. The average litter size by genotypes of RBP4 were 10.40, 10.57 and 10.35 piglets per litter and their corresponding average estimated breeding values were 0.451, 0.353 and 0.261, respectively for genotypes AA, AB and BB. Significance in differences among genotypes were not observed, but B allele of RBP4 seems to be associated with litter size. In Landrace lines, frequencies of RBP4 genotypes, AA, AB and BB were 0.29, 0.55 and 0.16. And the average litter size of these genotypes were 10.50, 11.08 and 11.00 piglets per litter. The corresponding averages of estimated breeding values of each genotypes were 0.172, 0.135 and 0.104. In Landrace lines, allele A was more likely to be associated with litter size, even if differences among average litter size were not significant. We conclude that genotyping of two candidate genes is a helpful tool to identify genetic potentials of litter size in pigs.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.199-206
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• 2012

Cryopreservation induces sublethal damage to the spermatozoa, which leads to their reduced fertile life. This study was designed to determine effect of glycerol and ethylene glycol as cryoprotectant in extender on improve the freezability of Jeju horse semen. The semen was cryopreserved with glucose-EDTA extender containing each 5% glycerol, 5% ethylene glycol, 8% glycerol or 8% ethylene glycol, respectively. Post-thawed sperm were evaluated motility, viability, Membrane integrity and acrosome integrity. Post-thawed sperm motility were not significantly differences among treatments. However, sperm viability were significantly higher (p<0.05) in 8% glycerol ($39.85%{\pm}11.41$) than in 5% glycerol treatment ($18.08%{\pm}1.61$). In membrane integrity, swelling sperm ratio was significantly higher (p<0.05) in 8% glycerol ($34.12%{\pm}11.02$) than other treatments. In the percentage of capacitated sperm assessed by CTC staining, F pattern was significantly higher in 8% ethylene glycol than 5% glycerol and 5% ethylene glycol (p<0.05). B pattern ratio was significantly increased in 5% ethylene glycol compared with 8% glcerol and 8% ethylene glycol (p<0.05). Moreover, 8% ethylene glycol treatment was significantly decreased AR pattern ratio compared with other treatments (p<0.05). It is concluded that treatment of 8% glycerol was improved the sperm viability and 8% ethylene glycol was improved the sperm ascrosome integrity after thawing. However, they were not significantly difference between 8% glycerol and 8% ethylene glycol on post-thawed sperm viability. Therefore, 8% ethylene glycol was more effective sperm cryoprotectant than 8% glycerol in Jeju Horse.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.343-349
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• 2013

Data including 1,372,050 milk records pertaining to 438,019 cows from 1983 to 2011 collected during performance tests conducted by the National Livestock Cooperative Dairy Improvement Center were used to calculate milk income and profit of individuals and investigate the effects of production levels of early lactation (parity 1 and 2, respectively). Individuals with a moderate level of early lactation stayed longer in herds. Among parity 1, the 9,000 kg or higher group had a lower mean number of lactations than the overall mean of 3.13. The 7,000 kg or lower and 10,000 kg or higher groups had lower mean life time milking days than the overall mean of 1,076.8 days. Standard deviations of lifetime traits tended to decrease as production levels increased. For parity 2, the 11,000 kg or higher group had a lower mean number of lactation than the overall mean of 3.43. The lifetime milking days was highest in the 12,000 kg group (1,212.0 days), and generally smaller in the lower groups. Profit increased as the production level of groups increased for both parity 1 and 2. In groups with low production levels, profit of parity 1 was higher than that of parity 2, while the reverse was true in groups with high production levels. These results suggest that individuals in the low production groups had a greater likelihood to be culled due to reproductive or other problems. Furthermore, the accuracy of the prediction of lifetime profit of individuals with a milk yield of 305 days seems to be higher for parity 2 than parity 1; therefore, it is desirable to predict lifetime profit using the 305d milk yield of parity 2. In conclusion, breeding goals are based on many factors in functions for the estimation of profit; however, production levels during early lactation (parity 1 and 2) can be used as indicators of profit to extend profitability.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 1986

The blue-light effect on the grown as well as on the physiological activity of some major horticultural plants in Korea has been investigated. The light quality used for the work was obtained from sunlight filtered by an orangecolored polyethylene film which removed about 70% of visible light in the spectral region of $350㎚{\sim}500㎚$. The film was developed in this laboratory especially for the work and named BCR film meaning blue color-removing film. The light environment in the plastic house which was built with BCR film provided plants with the blue color-deficient sunlight. Thus, the photobiological effect of blue light could be examined conversely by comparing with the effect of white sunlight in a conventional plastic house built with colorless polyethylene film. In a sense of applicability to horticulture, two remarkable effects of the blue color-deficient sunlight on plant physiology were observed: First, it enhanced to a great extent the growth activity of plants-pepper, cucumber, zucchini, tomato, and leaf lettuce at the vegetative stage as well as at the reproductive stage, as demonstrated by their yield which were in average $40{\sim}50%$ increased compared with the control (under white sunlight). Second, it improved significantly the cold tolerance of plants, as exhibited with their resistance to chilling during treatment in a cold chamber maintained at a temperature which caused chilling injury to the plants of control. The visualized effects were reflected on the physiological activity of cells on organelle level. Chloroplast isolated from the plant leaves grown under BCR film showed considerably stronger photosynthetic activity, as judged by the increased electron transport rate of illuminated chloroplast, than that from leaves grown under white PE film. Mitochondria from leaves grown under BCR film maintained normal respiration activity until temperature decreased to a few degree($^{\circ}C$) lower than the temperature which caused respiratory inhibition to mitochondria obtained from leaves of the control.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.76-90
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• 1993

To clarify the relations between photoperiodism and x-organ of eyestalks to the control of gonadal maturation in a freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense, the present investigation was performed with following examinations: 1) the influence of water temperature and daylength on the control of gonadal maturation, 2) the effect of eyestalk ablation on the gonadal maturation, 3) the seasonal variation of histology of MEX-organ (medulla externa X-organ) in the eyestalk. In previtellogenesis period (December${\sim}$March) and vitellogenesis period (April${\sim}$May), gonadal maturation was considerablely influnced by water temperature. In these periods, GSI increased and gonads were matured with water temperature rising without regard to photoperiod conditions (12L/12D and 15L/9D). In spawning period (June${\sim}$August), however, gonadal maturation was influenced by photoperiod condition. While high value of GSI was kept at long photoperiod regime (15L/9D), GSI was decreased at short photoperiod regime (12L/12D). In resting period (September${\sim}$November), no rematuration was occurred at all the experimental regimes combinated with water temperatures ($16^{\circ}C,\;22^{\circ}C,\;28^{\circ}C$) and photoperiod (12L/12D, 15L/9D). Effect of X-organ which inhibite the gonadal maturation was stronger in resting period than that in previtellogenesis and ealy spawning periods by observations on the effectiveness of eyestalk ablation on the gonadal maturation. In MEX-organ of eyestalk, the number of neurosecretory cells of which size was over $20{\mu}m$ in diameter varied according to the reproductive cycle. The number of cells increased $77{\pm}12$ in resting period, and decreased $55{\pm}7$ in vitellogenesis period. Volume of Bellonci's organ, however, increased in vitellogenesis period in comparison with that in resting period.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.44-54
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• 2013

Objectives : To investigate the frequency and clinical characteristics of premenstrual syndrome(PMS)/premenstrual dysphoric disorder(PMDD) in high school students, and determine the correlates of PMS/PMDD in association with comorbid depression and anxiety. Methods : A total of 1688 students were recruited from 5 high schools in Seoul, Korea. Subjects completed the questionnaire composed of scales to measure premenstrual symptoms, depression, and anxiety, as well as sociodemographic and reproductive variables. Subjects were categorized into 3 groups by using the Premenstrual Symptom Screening Tool(PSST) to determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of PMS/PMDD. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the correlates of PMS/PMDD. Results : The frequency of moderate to severe PMS and PMDD was 20.1% and 6.4%, respectively. Irritability(78.8%), fatigue(76.4%), and emotional sensitivity(69.8%) were common premenstrual symptoms, and functional impairment in academic performance(67.1%) was dominant. Dysmenorrhea[odd ratio(OR)=3.68, 95% confidence interval(CI) 2.45-5.55], family history of PMS(OR=1.91, 95% CI 1.35-2.71), and use of oral contraceptive (OR=1.85, 95% CI 1.16-2.94) were associated with the increased risk of PMS/PMDD after adjustment for depression and anxiety. Negative attitude to menses(OR=15.60, 95% CI 3.61-67.42) was associated with the increased risk of PMS/PMDD, particularly in subjects without depression and anxiety. Conclusions : PMS was common, as the frequency of PMS more than moderate severity including PMDD exceeded 25%, and disrupted daily functioning in adolescents. PMS is associated with various sociodemographic and menstrual characteristics, and these associations are affected by comorbid depression and anxiety.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.263-267
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• 2007

Parabens are used in nearly all types of cosmetics and toiletries because they are formulated well and have broad spectrum of activity, interness, low costs and excellent chemical stability in relation to pH. 2-phenoxyethanol and chlorphenesin are common preservatives which are usually used in combination with parabens in cosmetics. Toxicity of parabens is generally low but application of parabens to damaged or broken skin has resulted in sensitization. Moreover, the possibility of their estrogenic potential, anesthetic effects and reproductive toxicity has been reported. Consequently there are some regulations in use of parabens. And the maximum permitted concentrations of chlorphenesin and 2-phenoxyethanol in cosmetic products are authorized by the same reasons. So it is important to control and estimate the amount of parabens in products. In this article, we proposed a valid method for the simultaneous determination of 8 preservatives including parabens in a short time using ultra performance liquid $chromatography^{TM}\;(UPLC^{TM})$. Separation of eight components was achieved in less than 10 min and resolutions were reasonable (USP resolution ${\geqq}\;2$). And limit of detection and quantification were evaluated. The method was suitably validated for specificity, linearity, precision (repeatability, intermediate precision) and accuracy for assay (recovery) based on International conference on harmonisation (ICH) guideline. The method was applicable to analysis of preservatives in cosmetic products.