• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.205-209
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• 2008

Impact of food plant on reproductive and commercial parameters in Antheraea mylitta, a polyphagous insect of economic importance was studied upon feeding the insect larvae on the same host plants for six continuous generations. A. mylitta larvae were fed upon Terminalia tomentosa, Terminalia arjuna and Zizyphus jujuba and restricted them to the same host plant for six generations to document the quantitative improvement in reproductive and commercial parameters. The parameters showed significant improvement in all the host plants studied over their respective controls. Fecundity among the reproductive parameters was highly improved than others (85.9% in T. tomentosa; 58% in T. arjuna and 49.7% in Z. jujuba). Likewise in commercial parameters, the shell weight in male showed the highest improvement (by 52.9%, 45.8% and 42.1% in T. tomentosa; T. arjuna and Z. jujuba respectively). On the other hand, the shell ratio percentage in female recorded the lowest improvement. The values for all characters were recorded a decline in T. arjuna and Z. jujuba fed ones over T. tomentosa, except that of shell ratio percentage in female has registered an increase in Z jujuba fed. The study thus revealed the comparative superiority of T. tomentosa over T. arjuna and Z. jujuba.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.949-956
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• 2005

The weekly ultrasound scanner (US) observations of reproductive organs in a commercial dairy herd with the popular stanchion style management were conducted for over 26 months. Based on reproductive records, the following were evaluated: 1) the effect of postpartum period commencement of US monitoring on herd reproductive efficacy, and 2) the effectiveness of a US monitoring-based diagnosis and subsequent treatments of reproductive disorders on postpartum reproductive efficiency. The reproductive parameters of cows, which were subjected to US monitoring between Days 30-40 (Day 0 = day of parturition), Days 41-50, Days 51-60, and above Day 61, were compared. The reproductive parameters of cows diagnosed as having reproductive disorders (RD) with US monitoring before or after the first artificial insemination (AI) were also compared. It was found that the day of commencement of US monitoring in cows diagnosed with and without RD significantly affected the period towards the first AI and the open period. In particular, cystic follicles and anoestrus detected either before or after the first AI significantly affected herd reproductive efficiency. The implementation of US monitoring improved reproductive efficiency by reducing the open period and increasing the number of milking cows in the herd. The results of this field trial indicate that the postpartum reproductive management of dairy cows with the use of the US monitoring system is one strategy to improve reproductive efficiency, especially in a high-yielding dairy herd reared stanchion management style.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.145-151
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• 1996

The origin and present status of research and commercial production of Korean Ogol chicken are reviewed. The Yeonsan Ogol chicken was designated as a National Monument (No.265) at April 1, 1980. After that, researches have been done on the various aspects of Ogol chicken, i.e., external characteristics, growth and reproductive performance, chemical composition of egg and meat, and carcass characteristics. In addition, several genetic parameters of Ogol chicken have been estimated.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.196-201
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• 2022

Objective: This prospective consecutive study investigated the variation in sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in multiple semen samples from patients with cancer. Methods: Eighty-one patients with various cancers underwent multiple semen collections on 3 consecutive days for sperm cryopreservation prior to cancer treatment. A commercial Halosperm kit was used to measure SDF. Within- and between-subject coefficients of variation were estimated via random-effects analysis of variance to assess the consistency of semen parameters and SDF. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to assess the magnitude of the between-subject component of variance relative to the total variance. Results: The volume of semen in the day-2 and day-3 samples was significantly lower compared with the day-1 sample. Most parameters showed high ICC values, suggesting that within-subject fluctuations were small relative to the between-subject variability. The highest ICC values were identified for the SDF (ICC, 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45-0.84) and semen volume (ICC, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.45-0.84). Conclusion: Our findings showed that repeated ejaculates from patients with cancer had stable SDF levels.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.69-75
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• 2021

Cryopreservation is a widely-used efficient means of long-term sperm preservation. However, unlike other types of semen, cryopreserved boar semen has reduced fertility and the efforts continue to optimize post-thawing sperm recovery. In this study, we evaluated the effects of various washing solutions (Hulsen solution, lab-made DPBS and commercial DPBS) on post-thawing porcine sperm kinematics (CASA system), viability (SYBR-14/PI) and acrosome integrity (PSA/FITC). We also examined the effect of washing-centrifugation on frozen-thawed semen kinematics. The results indicate that type of washing solution and post-thawing centrifugation alters parameters linked to sperm quality (total motility, progressive motility, viability and acrosome integrity). Significantly higher (p < 0.05) motility and progressive motility were obtained when cryopreserved semen was processed with Hulsen solution. The post-thaw percentage of live and intact acrosomal sperm was significantly higher in group 1 (Hulsen solution) as compared to other groups. Following thawing-centrifugation, the results showed significantly higher motility and progressive motility in group 1 than other groups. However, the latter two DPBS groups did not differ statistically. Taken together, Frozen-thawed spermatozoa motility, acrosome integrity and viability can be affected by the type of washing solution used. Moreover, centrifugation of frozen-thawed semen has an unfavorable effect on total motility and progressive motility.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.1785-1795
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• 2023

Objective: This study was to estimate heritabilities, additive genetic correlations, and phenotypic correlations between number of piglets born alive (NBA), litter birth weight (LTBW), number of piglets weaned (NPW) and litter weaning weight (LTWW) in different parities of Landrace (L), Yorkshire (Y), Landrace×Yorkshire (LY), and Yorkshire×Landrace (YL) sows in a commercial swine operation in Northern Thailand. Methods: Two models were utilized, a single trait repeatability model (RM) and a multiple trait animal model (MTM). The RM assumed reproductive records from different parities to be repeated values of the same trait, whereas the MTM assumed these records to be different traits. The two models accounted for the fixed effects of farrowing year-season, genetic group of the sow, heterosis, and age at first farrowing, and the random effects of sow, boar, and residual. Results: Heritability estimates from RM were 0.02±0.01 for NBA, 0.10±0.01 for LTBW, 0.04±0.01 for NPW, and 0.11±0.01 for LTWW. Heritability estimates from MTM fluctuated across parities, ranging from 0.04±0.01 in parity 2 to 0.09±0.02 in parity 4 for NBA, 0.07±0.02 in parity 2 to 0.16±0.02 in parity 3 for LTBW, 0.04±0.02 in parity 4 to 0.08±0.01 in parity 1 for NPW, and 0.16±0.02 in parity 1 to 0.20±0.02 in parity 2 for LTWW. Additive genetic correlation estimates from MTM were also variable, ranging from 0.29±0.24 between NBA in parity 1 and NBA in parity 2 to 0.99±0.05 between LTWW in parity 3 and LTWW in parity 4. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the advantage of using MTM for the genetic improvement of reproductive traits in swine and contribute to the development of sustainable swine breeding programs in Thailand.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.1744-1751
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• 2022

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) administration on egg production, reproductive hormones, serum lipids and adipokines of hens at the late cycle of reproduction. Methods: Four treatments included control (basal diet) and XOS addition at 2.0 (XOS-2), 4.0 (XOS-4), or 6.0 (XOS-6) g/kg of diet using 288 commercial Hy-Line brown hens from 73 to 84 wk of age. Egg production, body fat deposition, reproductive tract and hormones, lipid metabolism and adipokines were determined. Results: At 84 wk, compared to the control, XOS supplementation at the three doses increased (p<0.001) egg-laying rates by 13.2% averagely, which led to a higher egg mass by 131 g/hen throughout the whole trial period. Abdominal fat and skinfold of XOS treatments were decreased (p<0.001) by 26.1% and 18.6%, respectively; large follicles and ovary weight were increased (p<0.001) by 0.73 follicle/hen and 18.6%, respectively. For serum parameters, cholesterol and triglyceride were decreased (p<0.001) by 17.5% and 29.2%, respectively; luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and progesterone were increased (p≤0.001) by 16%, 31%, 29%, respectively; adiponectin and visfatin were increased (p<0.001) by 34% and 44%, respectively; but chemerin and leptin were decreased (p≤0.001) by 22% and 14%, respectively. With the increased XOS doses, linear decreases (p<0.05) were found on abdominal skinfold and serum triglyceride. Conclusion: The obtained data indicate that XOS can be used as an additive to improve fecundity by beneficially modulating fat deposition, lipid metabolism, reproductive hormones, and adipokines of hens at the late cycle of reproduction.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.6
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• pp.1169-1179
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• 2023

Korean native pigs (KNPs) have been one of the traditional livestock primarily raised in rural areas of Korea for centuries. KNPs have adapted to the climate and geography of the Korean Peninsula for a long time, exhibiting excellent adaptability even in challenging environments. For these reasons, the preservation and purification of KNPs are crucial in securing unique genetic resources. Therefore, this review covers the characteristics, production status, commercial value and potential breeding directions of KNPs. Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go for the improvement of KNPs. It is crucial to acknowledge the current challenges, identify the issues, and dedicate efforts to the breed's improvement. Each section of this comprehensive review will play an important role in integrating related research and data into the overall findings. In-depth discussions on the genetic diversity, productivity, genetic conservation, ecological roles, and sustainability of KNPs will be crucial components in the future of KNP business.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.1224-1232
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• 2020

Objective: The QingYu pig is well known for its excellent meat quality attributes in Sichuan province, China. In order to improve its production efficiency, the determination of genetic factors contributing to quantifiable economic traits of livestock is important. Moreover, the cross-breeding of QingYu pigs with western breeds possessing strong growth attributes is an efficient way to improve the performance of this breed. Methods: Here, the genetic parameters of several important reproductive traits of QingYu pigs were estimated, include total number born (TNB), number born alive, litter birth weight, individual birth weight, number of piglets weaned, litter weaning weight, and individual weaning weight. The data was analyzed using the ASReml 3.0 software (NSW Inc., Sydney, Australia). Furthermore, the effects of crossing Berkshire with QingYu (BQ) pigs on carcass and meat quality traits, as well as the effects of slaughter weight on carcass and meat quality of BQ were characterized. Results: QingYu pigs exhibited superior reproductive traits. The TNB available to QingYu pigs was more than 8 per parity. The observed repeatability of the reproductive traits of the QingYu pigs was between 0.10 and 0.23. The significantly correlated genetic and phenotypic of reproduction traits were consistent. Interestingly, the BQ pigs exhibited improved carcass quality, with a significant increase in loin muscle area, lean percentage and reduction in sebum percentage. As a result, BQ had higher L_45min, lower cooking scores, and lower drip loss. In addition, the loin muscle area, body length, and sebum percentage were significantly higher in 90 and 100 kg animals. Cooking loss showed a significant increase at 80 kg, and marbling increased significantly from 90 kg. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that QingYu pigs exhibit excellent reproductive properties and heritability of these traits. Crossing with Berkshire is an efficient strategy to improve the carcass and meat quality of QingYu pigs for commercial operations. Furthermore, it appears as though the optimal slaughter weight of BQ pigs is at approximately 90 kg.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.479-483
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of E. coli isolated from porcine semen on sperm viability, motility, and semen pH. Semen samples were prepared using commercial extender, $Seminark^{Pro}$ (Noahbio Tech, Korea) that did not contain antibiotics. And 4 different levels of E. coli were artificially innoculated to semen with following concentrations; 4,000 of sperms with 1 of E. coli (T1), 400 with 1 (T2), 40 with 1 (T3), and 4 with 1 (T4). Semen samples were preserved at $17^{\circ}C$ for 5 days in semen storage box until analyzed by flowcytometer. Aliquots were subjected to measure the sperm viability (Live/$Dead^{(R)}$ stain), motility (mitochondrial function), and semen acidity (pH) from day 0 (day of semen collection) to day 5. Sperm motility and viability were significantly decreased (p<0.05) on day 0 (4 hrs after preservation at $17^{\circ}C$) in T3 and T4 compared to control groups and were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in all groups from day 3. Sample pH was acidic in T3 (6.90~6.86) and T4 (6.86~6.65) from day 3 to day 5 (p<0.05). On the other hand, sample pH was maintained 7.0~7.1 in control, T1, and T2 during the experimental period. Sperm motility and viability were significantly decreased from day 0 to day 5 compared to control in samples contaminated with E. coli above a value of 40:1 ($20{\times}10^6$ sperm cells/ml : $5{\times}10^5$ cfu/ml). Even on day 1 in T4 and on day 3 in T3, semen pH was acidic probably due to the acidification of dead spermatozoa. These results suggest that E. coli contamination has a concentration-dependent detrimental effect on extended porcine semen quality.