• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.1079-1084
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• 2006

To determine whether a link exists between reproductive seasonality and the structure of the melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) gene, the latter was studied in nonseasonal estrous breeds (Small Tail Han and Hu ewes) and seasonal estrous breeds (Dorset, Suffolk and German Mutton Merino ewes). A large fragment of the exon 2 of the MTNR1A gene was amplified and a uniform fragment of 824 bp was obtained in 239 ewes of five breeds. The 824 bp PCR product was digested with restriction endonucleases Mnl I and Rsa I, and checked for the presence of restriction sites. The presence (allele M) or absence (allele m) of an Mnl I site at base position 605 led to three genotypes MM (236 bp/236 bp), Mm (236 bp/303 bp) and mm (303 bp/303 bp) in five sheep breeds. The presence (allele R) or absence (allele r) of a Rsa I site at base position 604 led to three genotypes RR (267 bp/267 bp), Rr (267 bp/290 bp) and rr (290 bp/290 bp) in five sheep breeds. Frequencies of MM and RR genotypes were obviously higher, and frequencies of mm and rr genotypes were obviously lower in nonseasonal estrous sheep breeds than in seasonal estrous sheep breeds. Sequencing revealed four mutations (G453T, G612A, G706A, C891T) in mm genotype compared to MM genotype and one mutation (C606T) in rr genotype compared to RR genotype. For polymorphic Mnl I and Rsa I cleavage sites, the differences of genotype distributions were very highly significant (p<0.01) between Small Tail Han ewes and seasonal estrous sheep breeds. In each group, no significant difference (p>0.05) was detected. These results preliminarily showed an association between MM, RR genotypes and nonseasonal estrus in ewes and an association between mm, rr genotypes and seasonal estrus in ewes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.1701-1704
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• 2003

Melatonin regulates circadian rhythms and reproduction changes in seasonally reproductive mammals through binding to high-affinity, G-protein-coupled receptors. Small Tail Han sheep that has significant characteristics of high prolificacy and nonseasonal ovulatory activity is an excellent local sheep breed in P. R. China. The exon 2 of the ovine melatonin receptor 1a (MTNR1A) gene was amplified and a uniform fragment of 824 bp was obtained in 150 ewes of Small Tail Han sheep. The 824 bp PCR product was digested with restriction endonucleases Mnl I and Rsa I, and genetic polymorphism was detected by PCR-RFLP. Polymorphic Mnl I site was detected at base position 605 of the exon 2 of the MTNR1A gene. There were two kinds of genotypes in Small Tail Han sheep, AB (303 bp, 236 bp/67 bp) and BB (236 bp/67 bp, 236 bp/67 bp). The results indicated that genotype AA (303 bp, 303 bp) at Mnl I-RFLP site did not exist in non-seasonal estrous Small Tail Han sheep, which suggested that there was an association between genotype AA (303 bp, 303 bp) and reproductive seasonality in sheep. Polymorphic Rsa I site was detected at base position 604 of the exon 2 of the MTNR1A gene. Three kinds of genotypes were found in Small Tail Han sheep, AA (290 bp, 290 bp), AB (290 bp, 267 bp/23 bp) and BB (267 bp/23 bp, 267 bp/23 bp). Least squares means of litter size in the first parity and the second parity for genotype AA (290 bp, 290 bp) at Rsa I-RFLP site were 0.43 and 1.06 more than those for genotype AB (290 bp, 267 bp/23 bp) in Small Tail Han sheep.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.124-131
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• 2007

There is worldwide interest in buffalo as an animal for meeting the growing demands of meat, milk and work in the developing countries. One of the major constraints to full exploitation of the productive potential of buffalo has been its inherently low reproductive efficiency as reflected by late maturity, poor expression of oestrus, silent oestrus, irregular oestrous cyclicity, seasonality in breeding, anoestrus, low conception rate, long postpartum interval, repeat breeding etc. Ovarian cyclicity is regulated by endocrine and neuroendocrine mechanisms namely hypothalamic hormones, gonadotropins and ovarian steroids. Detailed endocrine investigations are suggested with special reference to the hypothalamo-hypophysial-ovarian axis to gain a better understanding of reproduction in buffalo and to modify it to derive the maximum benefit from this animal.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.13.1-13.8
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• 2016

Reproductive phenological pattern on tetrasporophytes and carposporophytes of Grateloupia subpectinata thalli were observed at Yangyang, on the middle east coast of Korea from January to December 2013. DNA sequences of cox1 gene from 48 selected samples were compared to assure that sample collection is single species, and they were all identical G. subpectinata. Density, length and width of thalli were significantly changed monthly. The maximum of density, length and fresh weight occurred in September, and continuous growth was observed during the autumn and winter. Tetrasporophytes were grown dominantly in October and November, whereas carposporophytes were dominated in September and March. Upright thalli disappeared in June and July and then juveniles were abundant in August. There was a significant difference in length between tetrasporophytes and carposporophytes. These reproductive pattern and seasonality together with phenological data of G. subpectinata would provide valuable information about successful seedling supply for aquaculture of the species in the future.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.395-399
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• 2015

We observed seasonality and other characteristics of spawning in the greenling Hexagrammos agrammus off the coast of Tongyeong. Eleven spawning grounds were identified between November, 2013 and January, 2014. The fertilized eggs of H. agrammus were assigned to developmental stages I, II, III, and IV. Based on this classification, we showed that the spawning season extended from the end of October to mid-January. H. agrammus used diverse seaweed species attached to shallow bedrock as spawning substrata that provided good camouflage. Two to seven egg masses were fertilized around the holdfasts of individual seaweeds at depths of 1.2-4.0 m. We identified species-specific reproductive traits of H. agrammus during the spawning season, including strong parental care of the fertilized eggs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.1071-1086
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• 2003

Reproductive biotechnologies continue to be developed for genetic improvement of both river and swamp buffalo. Although artificial insemination using frozen semen emerged some decades back, there are still considerable limitations. The major problem appears to be the lack of efficient methods for estrus detection and timely insemination. Controlled breeding experiments in the buffalo had been limited and similar to those applied in cattle. Studies on multiple ovulation and embryo transfer are essentially a replica of those in cattle, however with inherent problems such as lower number of primordial follicles on the buffalo ovary, poor fertility and seasonality of reproduction, lower population of antral follicles at all stages of the estrous cycle, poor endocrine status and a high incidence of deep atresia in ovarian follicles, the response in terms of transferable embryo recovery has remained low with 0.51 to 3.0 per donor and pregnancy rates between 15 to 30%. In vitro production of buffalo embryos is a valid alternative to recovery of embryos by superovulation. This aspect received considerable attention during the past decade, however the proportion of embryos that develops to the blastocyst stage is still around 25-30% and hence the in vitro culture procedures need substantial improvement. Embryo cryopreservation procedures for direct transfer post thaw need to be developed for bubaline embryos. Nuclear transfer and embryo cloning is a technique that has received attention in various species during recent years and can be of immense value in buffaloes as they have a low rate of embryo recoveries by both in vitro and in vivo procedures. Gender pre-selection, genome analysis, gene mapping and gene transfer are a few of the techniques that have been studied to a limited extent during recent years and are likely to be included in future studies on buffaloes. Very recently, reproductive biotechnologies have been applied to feral buffaloes as well, but the results obtained so far are modest. When fully exploited they can play an important role in the preservation of endangered species.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to compare both the performance of litters derived from two sire genetic origins (SGO), Vienna Blue (VB) and Burgundy Fawn (BF), along successive seasons of birth (SB; winter, spring, summer and autumn), and doe reproductive performance in an organic production system. A total of fifty-eight does consisting of a mixture of crosses of several medium-large size breeds at different parity order (P, 1 = nulliparous; 2 = primiparous; ${\geq}3$ = multiparous) and twelve males (6 VB and 6 BF) were housed indoors at environmental conditions that followed seasonality. An extensive reproductive rhythm was used and kits were weaned at $46{\pm}6$ d of age. Doe reproductive performance and the data of 105 litters (55 from VB and 50 from BF SGO) were recorded throughout the SB. No statistically significant differences related to SGO effect were observed. As regards parity order, multiparous does showed higher live weights (LW) (p<0.05), total born (p<0.01), total born alive (p<0.05) per delivery, and litter weight of born alive (p<0.05), but lower milk output at 21st d than primiparous does (p<0.05). The extensive reproductive rhythm mainly increased litter performance at birth in multiparous does but was not sufficient to permit a complete recovery of body reserves lost during lactation. Autumn SB negatively affected doe LW variation between deliveries. The number of pups born and born alive per delivery (p<0.05) and litter size at 21 d of age and at weaning (p<0.01) were lower during hot SB. Due to the lower litter size of pups born in summer and autumn, their individual weight at 21st d of age and daily individual growth rate 0 to 21 d were higher than those of pups born in winter (p<0.001). Litter performance at 21st d of age and individual pup pre-weaning growth rate were poorer for those born in spring than in other seasons due to the harmful effects of increased environmental temperatures. SB affected most of the performance traits of does and young rabbits reared under the organic farming system. The rabbits seemed better suited to organic rearing conditions during winter than in other seasons. The worst results overall were obtained in the spring SB, whereas the hot SB negatively affected both doe energy balance and prolificacy. In conclusion, the pups of the 2 SGO showed good pre-weaning performance and seemed suited to the organic rabbit production system.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.1025-1030
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• 1999

Fifth one Nili-Ravi dairy buffaloes in their last two months of gestation, were selected in NWFP Pakistan. Rectal palpation was carried out fortnightly, until the occurrence of first estrus. Ovulation was confirmed per rectum and milk progesterone levels (MPL). Body condition score (BCS)was recorded weekly. Milk samples were collected weekly for MPL and blood samples fortnightly for metabolites analysis. Milk yield was recorded and samples were collected for milk fat. The buffaloes calving during the normal breeding season (NBS, August to January)had short (p<0.01) postpartum estrus interval of $55.95{\pm}4.90$ days versus $91.15{\pm}11.61 $ days in the buffaloes calving during the low breeding season (LBS, February to July). MPL in the LBS calvers remained lower than NBS calves (p<0.01). The incidence of silent ovulation was higher during LBS as compared to NBS (70.6% versus 29.4%). MPL showed a pattern opposite to atmospheric temperature. In NBS calvers serum glucose levels were higher (p<0.01) and magnesium levels were lower (p<0.01) than LBS calvers. Higher serum urea was found in summer and spring than that autumn and winter (p<0.05). The reproductive performance in buffaloes calving in the LBS coincided with a low BCS (p<0.01). Fat corrected milk production (FCM) was higher in NBS than LBS (p<0.01) calvers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.1019-1024
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• 1999

Fifth one Nili-Ravi dairy buffaloes were studied in North-west Frontier Province of Pakistan. Rectal examination of reproductive organs was carried out on days 14 and 21 and then fortnightly. Milk samples were collected and analyzed for progesterone levels (MPL). Feed samples were collected fortnightly and analyzed. The buffaloes calving during the normal breeding season (NBS, August to January) (p<0.01) postpartum estrus interval of 55.95 days versus 91.15 days in those calving during the low breeding season (LBS, February to July). MPL in the LBS remained lower than the NBS (p<0.01). Shortest postpartum ovulation interval was noted during autumn(August to October), followed by winter (November to January), summer (May to July) and spring (February to April). The incidence of silent ovulations was during LBS than NBS (70.6% versus 29.4%). In autumn there was minimum intake of crude protein (CPI) and maximum intake of metabolizable energy (MEI, p<0.01). Calcium intake was higher in NBS than LBS calving buffaloes (p<0.01). Phosphorus, copper and magnesium intake was lower (p<0.05) and zinc intake was higher (p<0.01) in autumn, It was (p<0.05) and zinc intake was higher (p<0.01) in autumn, It was concluded that onset of breeding season was associated with increasing MEI and decreasing CPI and minerals intake.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.4
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• pp.102-108
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• 1986

This study was carried out to examine the effects of seasonality, age, abnormalities of reproductive tract and the frequency of superovulatory treatments on the superovulatory responses and rate of pregnancy in repeat breeder for embryo transfer. Thirty eight eggs were obtained from 6 donors by flushing the uterine horns and 33 embryos were transfered to 33 recipients. (29 holstein heifers, 3 holstein cows and 1 Korean native heifer). From this study, the following results could be obtained: 1. It seemed that spring (Feb.-Apr.) was the better season than any others to produce good embryos. Rate of pregnancy decreased significantly after August because of low heating rate. 2. Rate of pregnancy in the cows with normal reproductive tract showed much better superovulatory responses (80%) than the cows with abnormal reproductive tract (33%), as expected. 3. 8 years old cows produced higher rater of pregnancy than 4 years old cow (79.3 vs 50), and also in superovulatory responses, 8 years old cows showed slightly better results than 4 years old cow. 4. The number of ovulated eggs and rate of pregnancy in the repeated superovulatory treatment more than once were 41 eggs and 85.7%, and those of the donors treated the first superovulatory treatment were 32 eggs and 68.4%, respectively. 5. These results are showing the possibility that utilizing the repeat breeders as donors in embryo transfer could be able to elevate their economic values.