• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.204-210
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• 1986

As a part of in vitro fertilization(IVF) for farm animals, IVF experiment was conducted using New Zealand white rabbits with their sperm capacitated in vivo. The effect of uterine conditions on sperm capacitation and effect of sperm concentration and fertilization media on IVF rate and implantation of in vitro fertilized ova were studied. The results obtained are summarized as follows; 1. Acrosomal reaction, noted after staining, of sperm recovered from ligated and intact uterus of capacitators was 83.0% and 65.7%, respectively. 2. IVF rate of ova inseminated with sperm from ligated uterus tended to be higher in DM or with higher concentration of sperm than in the modified F12 medium or with lower sperm concentration. Cleavage rate of fertilized ova for 48hr in DM was 31.5% for 106/ml and 30.0% for 104/ml of sperm and that in modified F12 medium was 26.0% for 106/ml and 22.3% for 104/ml of sperm. 3. Using the sperm from intact uterus, cleavage rate of fertilized ova showed same tendency as those shown with ligated uterus. The rate was 82.0% for 106/ml and 66.5% for 104/ml of sperm in DM and was 69.0% for 106/ml and 56.5% for 104/ml of sperm in the medium. 4. When normal ova up to 48hr after IVF were cultured for 4 days in either DM or modified F12 medium, ova developed to blastocyst stage showed higher rate in the groups of higher sperm concentration in the both media. The rate was 80.9% and 60.0% for 106/ml and 104/ml of sperm in DM and 91.7% and 71.4% for 106/ml and 104/ml of sperm in the modified F12 medium, respectively. 5. Rate of implantation after transfer of 4- or 8-cell embryos was 36.8%.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.73-83
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• 1990

These studies were carried out to find the proper conditions for in vitro maturation and fertilization of bovine follicular oocytes and culture methods capable of further developing early embryos. For these objectives, the cleavage rate of oocytes matured and fertilized in vitro was investigated under medium supplemented with hormones and estrous cow serum and season of oocytes collection as well as different cumulus cell stage before insemination. Finally, 2~8 cell embryos were cultured in in vitro and in vitro culture system to investigate developmental capacity into morula. 1. Cleavage rate of oocytes matured in vitro was 27%(20/73) for A(LH＋FSH＋estradil-17$\beta$＋10% FBS), 38%(27/71) for B(LH＋10% ECS) and 27%(15/56) for C(10% ECS), respectively. Supplement B showed more higher rate and 4~8 cell embryos were also obtained much more in this group(67%, 18/27). In vitro maturation rate of follicular oocytes cultured in TCM 199 supplemented withLH and 10% ECS was 88%(75/85). 2. Cleavage rate(15%, 10/65) of oocytes collected in summer was significantly lower than in fall(47%, 42/89). 3. Cleavage rate(15%, 10/65) of oocytes collected in summer was significantly lower than in fall(47%, 42/89). 3. Cleavage rate(15%, 10/65) of oocytes with partially removed cumulus cell before insemination was more higher than that(44%, 27/62) of oocytes with intact cumulus cell. 4. The frequency of development from early cleaved embryos into morula was 6%(4/65), 12%(4/33) for co-culture of cumulus cell monolayer and bovine oviduct epithelial cell monolayer, respectively and 25%(6/25) in ligated rabbit oviduct.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.283-289
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• 2008

Lepidium meyenii, known as Maca, is traditionally employed in the Andean region for its supposed properties to improve energy and fertility. In the present study, we investigated the effects of gelatinized and fermented Maca on improvement of physical stamina and epididymal sperm counts, and on blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue and tissue injury: creatine phosphokinase, aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen, glucose, total cholesterol and total proteins. Adult male mice was divided at random into two main groups (resting and excercise groups). The excercise group was separated into three subgroups (exercise only, exercise with gelatinized Maca and fermented Maca-treatment groups). Gelatinized or fermented Maca (800 mg/kg) were orally administered for 30 days. All animals in exercise groups were subjected to daily 30-min swimming for 28 days 30 min after Maca treatment. Daily exercise decreased the body weight gain, and fermented Maca further attenuated the body weight increase. Gelatinized and fermented Maca significantly increased the maximum swimming time on 14 and 28 days of treatment (p<0.05), respectively, suggestive of a long-term stamina-enhancing effect of fermented Maca. Both Maca fully or significantly recovered blood parameters of energy as well as muscular and hepatocytic injuries changed by repeated exercise and maximum swimming performance (p<0.01). Moreover, gelatinized and fermented Maca increased epididymal sperm counts 22.0% and 32.0%, respectively. In conclusion, the results indicate potential benefits of Maca for improving both physical stamina by minimizing muscular and hepatic damage and preserving energy during swimming exercise and male reproductive function by increasing epididymal sperm counts.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.259-265
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• 1992

A study was conducted to improve the reproductive performance of Korean native goats. The length of estrous cycle and plasma progesterone concentrations during each cycles were determined by both radioimmunoassay and estrus behaviours, and the results were used in the early pregnancy diagnosis. The estrous cycles were classified into the short(l8 days or shorter, average 16.7 days), normal(19 to 22 days, average 20.9 days) and long(23 days and longer, average 23.8 days)cycle. The average length of the 19 estrous cycles was 20.8 days. Plasma progesterone concentrations in 12 normal cycles were the lowest(0.10 ng/ml) at estrus, remained high from 6 to 16 days(range : 4.43~7.93 ng/ml) and drastically decreased thereafter to reach minimal concentrations at the next estrus. Plasma progesterone concentrations were measured for early pregnancy diagnosis at 0, 10 and 20 days after mating in the 12 Korean native goats. Plasma progesterone concentrations in the pregnant goats at 20 days after mating were significantly higher than in the non-pregnant goats(p<0.001). Of the 12 goats, 10 were confirmed pregnancy by both progesterone concentrations and kidding. The accuracy of the pregnancy diagnosis based on plasma progesterone concentrations was 100% for positive as well as for negative.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.737-742
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• 2004

Garole, a prolific small sized sheep breed of West Bengal, was introduced in the Mutton project of the Institute in 1997 to explore the possibility of incorporating fecundity gene(s) into monotocus Malpura sheep of Rajasthan. Results of reproduction and production traits in respect of Garole${\times}$Malpura (G${\times}$M) half-breds have been obtained. Of 35 lambing obtained so far from the ewes of Garole${\times}$Malpura, 45.71% were twin lambing, whereas, Malpura sheep produced mostly single lamb except 2.55% twin lambing on an average. Other reproduction traits in G${\times}$M ewes such as lambing rate, litter size at birth and weaning were considerably improved over Malpura ewes. Results revealed that the fecundity genes responsible for increasing ovulation rate and litter size have been incorporated in to the G${\times}$M genotype and it might prove a valuable germ plasm towards evolving a new prolific strain of sheep. Interestingly, survivability of G${\times}$M half-breds was almost at par with the local Malpura sheep in harsh climatic conditions of semi-arid tropics. The body weights at different ages of G${\times}$M half-breds were on little lower side compared to contemporary Malpura lambs. Average kilogram of lambs weaned/ewe lambed in Malpura and G${\times}$M genetic group was 11.86 and 11.07 kg respectively. In view of minimizing the differences in body weights and kg of lambs weaned/ewe lambed between the two genetic groups, G${\times}$M ewes has to be backcrossed with Malpura rams to raise the inheritance of latter up to 75% level. However, further research is needed to reach on certain conclusions regarding net returns from such crosses.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1135-1155
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• 2007

Selenium is considered to be one of the most controversial trace elements. On the one hand, it is toxic at high doses and there is a great body of information related to environmental issues of Se contamination. On the other hand, Se deficiency is a global problem related to an increased susceptibility to various diseases of animals and humans and decreased productive and reproductive performance of farm animals. Optimisation of Se nutrition of poultry and farm animals will result in increased efficiency of egg, meat and milk production and even more important, will improve quality. From the data presented in the review it is clear that the main lesson which we have to learn from nature is how to use organic selenium in animal and human diets. Selenium-enriched yeast (Sel-Plex) is the result of such a lesson and it is just a matter of time before animal nutrition moves completely from using ineffective sodium selenite to organic selenium. Other lessons from nature will follow. Recent advances in genomics and proteomics, in association with descriptions of new selenoproteins, will be a driving force in reconsidering old approaches related to Se nutrition. Probably 90% of all Se research has been conducted with sodium selenite and we now understand that the natural form of selenium is different. The main advances in Se status assessment and Se requirements were established based on the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), an enzyme which for many years was considered to be the main selenoprotein. Recently it was discovered that it is only one of at least 25 various selenoproteins. Se research and practical applications are developing quickly and they are very exciting and promising.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.121-123
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• 1990

A CRD experiment with unequal numbers of hens were assigned at random to three treatment groups, 1) separation of chicks from hen at 21 days after hatching 2) separation of chicks from hen at 7 days and 3) hens were allowed to brood the chicks(no separation) up to 10 weeks of age, to determine the productive and reproductive performance of hens and their chicks. The mean cycle length (one hatch to another) was 72.8 days for the 7-day group as compared with 87.7 days and 83.4 days for the 21-day and the no separation groups, respectively (p<.0l). The broody period was 28.5 days for the 7-day group compared with 43.9 and 42.6 days for the 21 days and the no separation groups, respectively (p<.0l). The end of the broody period to the start of lay varied from 8.0 to 8.7 days. The number of eggs laid per clutch were 12.3 for the 21-day group, compared with 11.5 and 10.1 for the 7-day and no separation groups, respectively (p<.05). This is due to the longer (p<.05) clutch length of the 21-day group as compared with the 7-day and no separation groups, respectively. The chicks separated from the hens at 21 and 7 days were heavier (p<.01) than the chicks not separated from the hens. Mortalities were highest (p<.05) for chicks separated at 7 days as compared with chicks separated at 21 days and those not separated. We concluded that separating chicks at 7 days from the hen gave the shortest cycle length and broody period, separating the chicks at 21 days gave the longest clutch length and the maximum number of eggs, separating the chicks at 21 and 7 days resulted in heavier chicks and separating the chicks at 7 days resulted in the highest mortality.

• 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.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.247-253
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• 2013

Neospora caninum is the etiologic agent of bovine neosporosis, which affects the reproductive performance of cattle worldwide. The transmembrane protein, NcSRS2, and dense-granule protein, NcGRA7, were identified as protective antigens based on their ability to induce significant protective immune responses in murine neosporosis models. In the current study, NcSRS2 and NcGRA7 genes were spliced by overlap-extension PCR in a recombinant adenovirus termed Ad5-NcSRS2-NcGRA 7, expressing the NcSRS2-NcGRA7 gene, and the efficacy was evaluated in mice. The results showed that the titer of the recombinant adenovirus was $10^9TCID_{50}/ml$. Three weeks post-boost immunization (w.p.b.i.), the IgG antibody titer in sera was as high as 1:4,096. IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-4 levels were significantly different from the control group (P<0.01). This research established a solid foundation for the development of a recombinant adenovirus vaccine against bovine N. caninum.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1491-1495
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• 2004

Small Tail Han Sheep has significant characteristics of high prolificacy and non-seasonal ovulatory activity and is an excellent local sheep breed in P. R. China. Recently a novel member of the transforming growth factor $\beta$ (TGF$\beta$) superfamily termed bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) was shown to be specifically expressed in oocytes and to be essential for female fertility. Therefore, BMP15 is a candidate gene for reproductive performance of Small Tail Han Sheep. The whole genomic nucleotide sequence of BMP15 gene in Small Tail Han Sheep was searched for polymorphisms by PCR-SSCP and direct sequencing, and only one polymorphism was found. The polymorphism was a result of a 3 base pair deletion, which eliminated a single Leu codon (CTT). The allelic frequencies for A (without deletion) and B (with a codon deletion) are 0.73 and 0.27 respectively. The effects of BMP15 genotype on litter size were evaluated using the least squares model. This indicated that there was a significant association between litter size of Small Tail Han Sheep and a deletion in BMP15 gene (p=0.02<0.05). Small Tail Han Sheep ewes with AA and AB genotype produce on average 0.5 and 0.3 more lambs per litter than those ewes with BB genotype.