• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.632-637
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• 2006

Oviduct-specific glycoprotein 1 (OVGP1) is implicated in playing a role in fertilization and early embryo development. In this study, we have obtained the sequence of intron 9 of OVGP1 gene in swine. Comparative sequencing of Meishan (a native Chinese breed) and Large White pig breeds revealed an A/T substitution at position 943. A PCR-EcoRI-RFLP assay was developed to detect this mutation. Polymorphism analysis in Qingping animals showed that pigs with BB genotype had lower number of piglets born alive (NBA) in multiple parities than pigs with AA (p<0.05) and AB genotype (p<0.01). In Large $White{\times}Meishan$ ($LW{\times}M$) $F_2$ offspring, the weight of both ovaries (OW) of the BB genotype was significantly lighter than that of AB (p = 0.05) and AA (p<0.01) genotypes. Analysis of the data also revealed that the mutation locus affected these two traits mostly by additive effects. These studies indicated that the polymorphism was associated with NBA and OW in two distinct populations and further investigations in more purebreds or crossbreds are needed to confirm these results.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.171-176
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• 2020

Advancing the estrous cycle of mares is an essential breeding strategy that is routinely conducted by Thoroughbred breeders to improve economic outcomes. For this purpose, Equilume light masks have been developed as an alternative to existing technologies such as artificial lighting or hormonal treatments because they are considered as valid as existing methods with additional animal welfare advantages. For example, with the Equilume light masks, horses can be let out into the pasture, whereas they have to be kept indoors during lighting treatment. Because the function of Equilume light mask on the estrous cycle of mares is influenced by environmental factors such as nutrition condition and temperature, Equilume light mask should be studied in various environments. The objective of the present study was thus to verify the effect of Equilume light masks on the onset of the estrous cycle in Thoroughbred mares in South Korea. Mares were randomly selected and separated into two groups at two Thoroughbred horse breeding farms. The mares in the treatment group were equipped with Equilume light masks from November 18 to February 10 the following year. The body condition, the number and size (> 35 mm) of uterine follicles, and the uterine horn score of the mares were assessed on January 6 and February 10. The body condition scores were not different between the two groups. The treatment with the Equilume light mask had no positive effects on developing follicles and the reproductive tract. In conclusion, the use of Equilume light masks did not influence the seasonal resumption of the estrus cycles in Thoroughbred mares in South Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1453-1461
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• 2016

Regarding 'mate' intake (infusion of Ilex paraguariensis herb, a staple beverage in temperate South American regions), most epidemiologic studies showed positive associations with risk of some cancers, (e.g. upper aerodigestive tract), but evidence on breast cancer (BC) risk is limited to a previous multi-site study, which reported a non significant odds ratio [OR]=0.85, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.67-1.09, p for trend=0.31) for the highest quartile of intake. The present study was conducted in order to further assess associations of 'mate' intake with BC risk. We combined two databases of women belonging to public and private healthcare hospitals. The sample included 572 BC incident cases and 889 controls interviewed with a specific questionnaire featured by socio-demographic, reproductive and lifestyle variables, and a food frequency questionnaire of 64 items, also analyzing 'mate' intake (consumer status, daily intake, age at start, age at quit, duration of habit, intensity of intake). ORs and their 95%CI were calculated through unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for relevant potential confounders. The highest quartile of 'mate' intake was inversely associated with BC risk (OR=0.40, 95%CI 0.26-0.57, p for trend <0.001). Stratified analyses also displayed strong significant inverse associations for 'mate' in frequent tea drinkers (OR=0.22), high energy intake (OR=0.23), high body mass index (OR=0.29) and in postmenopausal women (OR=0.36), among other results. As conclusions, we found evidence of a significant inverse association for 'mate' intake and BC risk.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.163-168
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• 2013

Embryo transfer (ET) technology is of high importance in modern cattle breeding programs. ET is one step in the process of removing one or more embryos from the reproductive tract of an outstanding donor female and transferring them to one or more recipient females. Embryos also can be produced in the laboratory via techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). But the actual transfer of an embryo is only one step in a series of processes that may include some or all of the following: superovulation and insemination of donors, collection of embryos, isolation, evaluation and short-term storage of embryos, micromanipulation and genetic testing of embryos, freezing of embryos and embryo transfer. Cryopreservation and direct transfer of frozen-thawed embryos is common-place with pregnancy rates near that of fresh embryos. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology is currently being used for sexing embryos, and this technology will be used for "embryo diagnostics" and "embryo genomics" in the future. Although, many limitations and problems remain to overcome, these and other new technologies promise to change livestock breeding drastically in the next decade.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.153-157
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the optimal artificial insemination (AI) time with diagnostic kit at ovulation time. We already applied the patent about the protein in the cow heat mucose in external reproductive tract. And we would examine the accuracy for detection of cow heat by the kit produced with the protein. Evaluation of optimal heat detection was tried two time at 12 hrs and 24 hrs after the heat. And then, AI service also performed two times with no relation to the results of heat diagnosis by heat detection kit and pregnancy rates were checked with rectal palpation on $60^{th}$ day after AI. Heat diagnostic results by kit in natural heat after 12 hrs in Hanwoo cows were showed 31.3~75.0% on positive in first heat detection and 33.3~100.0% on positve in second heat detection. In the $1^{st}$ positive results were significant different (p<0.05), but $2^{nd}$ positive were not. The results of heat detection showed different result on regional influence and individual cow effects. The pregnancy rates of first trial of heat detection were showed 34.4~78.7% on positive and 21.3~68.8% on negative after the diagnosis by heat detection kit. And the pregnancy rates of next trial of heat detection were showed 33.3~85.7% on positive and 14.3~66.6% on negative after the heat diagnosis. Both positive results of first trial and next trial also were showed significant different (p<0.05), but negative results were not. In positive result, first trial of total pregnancy rates was higher than the next trial of pregnancy, but there showed opposite results on negative results. In conclusion, the optimal heat detection kit is suitable to ordinary Hanwoo cows and it suggested that we have to improve the kit's accuracy by detecting the materials like proteins related optimal AI time.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.441-448
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• 2017

Bisphenol-A(BPA) is a member of alkylphenol family, and shows adverse effects including reduced fertility, reproductive tract abnormalities, metabolic disorder, cancer induction, neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity. In the present study, we conducted Hershberger assay to evaluate whether the two candidates to replace BPA have androgenic or antiandrogenic activity. The assay was carried out using immature castrated Sprague-Dawley male rats. After 7 days of the surgery, testosterone propionate (TP, 0.4 mg/kg/day) and test materials (low dose, 40 mg/kg/day; high dose, 400 mg/kg/day) were administered for 10 consecutive days by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection and oral gavage, respectively. Test materials were BPA, isosorbide (ISO) and cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM). The rats were necropsied, and then the weights of five androgen-dependent tissues [ventral prostate, seminal vesicle, levator ani-bulbocavernosus (LABC) muscle, paired Cowper's glands, and glans penis] and three androgen-insensitive tissues (kidney, spleen and liver) were measured. All test materials including BPA did not exhibit any androgenic activity in the assay. On the contrary, antiandrogen-like activities were found in all test groups, and the order of the intensity was CHDM > BPA > ISO in the five androgen-sensitive tissues. There was no statistical difference between low dose treatment and high dose treatment of BPA group as well as ISO group. In CHDM group, high dose treatment exhibited most severe weight reduction in all measured tissues. There was no statistical difference in androgen-insensitive tissue measurements, except BPA groups. Since the effects of ISO treatment on the accessory sex organs were much less or not present at all when compared to those of BPA, ISO could be a strong candidate to replace BPA. CHDM treatment brought most severe weight reduction in all of androgen-sensitive tissues, so this material should be excluded for further screening of BPA substitute selection.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.539-543
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• 2014

Vaginal tumors are the second most common types of tumor in canine female reproductive tract, and most of these tumor are diagnosed as leiomyoma. These tumors are categorized by intraluminal or extraluminal form, and tend to develop as hormone dependent manner. In this report, we describe two cases of extra-luminal form of vaginal tumor. Both tumors were located in abdominal cavity, and adhered to entire surrounding internal organs, including urinary bladder, rectum, and particularly a part of ureter. Surgical excision was performed via laparotomy without damage to the surrounding internal organs and ovariohysterectomy, as well. A diagnosis of vaginal leiomyoma was established based on histopathology.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.285-291
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• 2022

In 1951, Colin Russell Austin and Min Chueh Chang identified "capacitation", a special process involving ejaculated spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract. Capacitation is a phenomenon that occurs in vivo, but almost all knowledge of capacitation has been obtained from in vitro studies. Therefore, numerous trials have been performed to establish in vitro capacitation methods for various studies on reproduction. Although a series of studies have been conducted to develop an optimal protocol for inducing capacitation, most have focused on identifying the appropriate chemical compounds to induce the capacitation of boar spermatozoa in vitro. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the optimal incubation time for inducing capacitation in vitro. Duroc semen was incubated for various periods (60, 90, and 120 min) to induce capacitation. Sperm function (sperm motility, motion kinematic parameters, and capacitation status) was evaluated. The results showed that total sperm motility, rapid sperm motility, progressive sperm motility, curvilinear velocity, and average path velocity significantly decreased in a time-dependent manner. However, the capacitation status did not show any significant changes. Taken together, these results indicate that an incubation time of more than 60 min suppresses sperm motility and motion kinematic parameters. Therefore, we suggest that 60 min may be the best incubation time to induce capacitation without negative effects on sperm motility and motion kinematics in boar spermatozoa in vitro.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.52-52
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• 2003

Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is synthesized in the female reproductive tract and has been shown to play an important role in human and murine embryo development and implantation. However, the mechanism of GM-CSF on the embryo development is unknown. Recent studies suggested that GM-CSF may be increase the expression of implantation relented genes, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) system. Our aim of this study was to compare the interleukin-1$\alpha$ (IL-1$\alpha$), interleukin-1$\beta$ (IL-1$\beta$) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-lra) mRNA between the GM-CSF supplemented group and control group in mouse embryos. Mouse 2-cell embryos were cultured in P-1 medium supplemented with or without mouse GM-CSF (10 ng/ml). The number of total and apoptotic cell in blastocyst were assessed by TUNEL. And then, the expression of IL-1$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$ and IL-1ra mRNA in blastocyst were examined by RT-PCR.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.883-895
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of a fatty acid-balanced oil, instead of soybean oil, on reproductive performance, nutrient digestibility, blood indexes, milk composition in lactating sows, and fecal microbial composition in piglets. Methods: Twenty-four sows (Landrace×Yorkshire, mean parity 4.96) were randomly allotted to two treatments with twelve pens per treatment and one sow per pen based on their backfat thickness and parity. The experiment began on day 107 of gestation and continued until weaning on day 21 of lactation, lasting for 28 days. The control group (CG) was fed a basal diet supplemented with 2% soybean oil and the experimental group (EG) was fed the basal diet supplemented with 2% fatty acid-balanced oil. Results: The fatty acid-balanced oil supplementation increased (p<0.05) the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and gross energy in sows. The lower (p<0.05) serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and albumin levels of sows were observed in the EG on day 21 of lactation. Dietary supplementation with the fatty acid-balanced oil decreased the fat content, increased the immunoglobulin G level, and changed (p<0.05) some fatty acid content in milk. Moreover, the fatty acid-balanced oil supplementation changed (p<0.05) the fecal microbial composition of piglets, where the average relative abundance of Spirochaetota was decreased (p<0.05) by 0.55% at the phylum level, and the average relative abundance of some potentially pathogenic fecal microorganism was decreased (p<0.05) at the species level. Conclusion: The fatty acid-balanced oil improved nutrient digestibility, changed the serum biochemical indices and milk composition of sows, and ameliorated the fecal microbial composition of piglets.