• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2003

The present study was conducted to determine whether administration of heat extract of Lepidii Semen has an inhibitory effect on neutrophil-derived oxidative injury following dermal scald burn in rats. Acute lung injury was induced by scald burn (15% of TBSA) in rats. To identify acute edematous lung injury, protein concentrations and numbers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) at 5 h after skin burn. In addition, the level of lung KC (neutrophil chemoattractant cytokine) and activity of lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured, and histopathological changes were observed as well. Lung weight and concentration of BAL protein, the index of lung injury, were clearly increased at 5 h postburn compared with those of sham-operated group. Administration of heat extract of Lepidii Semen after scald burn inhibited the production of KC in lung tissue and decreased the activity of lung MPO related to infiltration of neutrophils. In histopathological changes in lung tissue, infiltration of inflammatory cells and pulmonary edema induced by skin burn were decreased by administration of heat extract of Lepidii Semen after scald burn. These results suggest that Lepidii Semen may be an effective medical stuff for acute lung injury induced by skin burn.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.793-798
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• 2006

The quality characteristics of semen are important indicators of the fertility of a boar. Development of genetic markers for the semen quality in boars will be beneficial to the improvement of porcine fertility. We investigated the relationship between the polymorphisms of epidermal growth factor (EGF), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) and prolactin receptor (PRLR) genes, and semen quality traits in boars. The genomic DNA of 233 boars (157 Duroc and 86 Landrace) from a central testing station was subjected to genotyping for surveying gene frequency. The EGF, PTGS2 and PRLR genotypes were determined using the restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Thirty-seven normal, mature Duroc boars from an AI center were also genotyped and their semen quality traits were collected. The effect of genotype on semen quality traits was analyzed by the least-squares means method using data corrected for season. The frequencies of the AA genotype of EGF, PTGS2 and PRLR in Duroc boars were 0.14, 0.01 and 0.66, respectively. In Landrace, the frequencies of the AA genotype were 0.03, 0.09 and 0.62, respectively. Boars with the BB genotype in EGF, with the AB genotype in PTGS2 and with the AA genotype in PRLR had significantly better semen quality with a higher percentage of normal sperm and a lower percentage of immature sperm than those with other genotypes. These findings imply that polymorphisms of EGF, PTGS2 and PRLR genes might be used as markers for improving the semen quality of boars.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2008

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of dietary fish oil supplementation on the semen characteristics of the Markhoz buck. Sixteen bucks were randomly allocated into 4 groups and received four different diets: unsupplemented control diet, supplemented with fish oil at 2.50% dry matter (DM), supplemented with fish oil (2.50% DM) and vitamin E (0.30 g/kg DM), and supplemented with vitamin E (0.30 g/kg DM). All experimental diets were formulated according to AFRC (1998). Semen was collected at 14 d intervals from June 17, 2006 to September 2, 2006. Semen characteristics were evaluated. Significant effects (p<0.05) of the week (sampling time) were observed for all parameters except semen volume. Also a significant effect (p<0.05) of dietary treatment was observed for all parameters except for percent sperm with normal morphologies and semen volume. Fish oil supplementation with excess vitamin E had a significant effect (p<0.05) on total number and sperm density, motility and progressive motility, percentage viability and dead sperm. The interaction between fish oil feeding and sampling time was significant (p<0.05) for all of the parameters. The bucks that received fish oil in association with vitamin E, effect fish oil showed the greatest improvement in semen characteristics compared with the other groups (p<0.05). This study showed that fish oil supplementation with vitamin E may have a beneficial effect on the semen quality and fertility of Markhoz bucks.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.403-414
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• 2000

To improve the semen production, the selenium(Se) and vitamin E(Vit. E) were administrated into Hanwoo young sire for intensification an antioxidant system and the taurine were supplemented into semen extender for improving the semen characteristics. The 16 heads ranging from twenty to thirty two months of age were randomly assigned to control group, Se-admistrated group(Se-group), Vit. E-administrated group(Vit. E-Group) and Se and Vit. E administrated group(Se and Vit. E-group). Se and Vit. E dministrated 3 times every 30 days by intramuscular injection. The administration of Se, Vit. E, and Se and Vit. E didn't affect on semen volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm number among all groups(p>0.05). Adiministration of Se improved sperm motility and viability. Motility of Se-group and control were 26.01% and 19.20%, respectively(p<0.05). Viability of Se-group(47.07%) was higher than control group(35.73%), Vit. E group(36.55%)(p<0.05). The administration of Se and Vit. E didn't affect sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction. The 100mM taurine supplement into semen extender increased the motility of frozen/thawed semen in the Vit. E-group(p<0.05) and had a beneficial effects on decreasing abnormality of frozen/thawed semen in all groups(p<0.05). These results indicate that Se administration improve sperm motility and viability, and the taurine supplement into semen extender decrease abnormality in Hanwoo young sire.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.207-212
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• 2009

The aim of present experiment was to examine commercial synthetic extender(AndroMed) for semen cryopreservation of Korean Black Bull. Semen was collected from a Korean Black Bull using an artificial vagina and transported to the laboratory. The semen was diluted 1:1 by AndroMed. The pellect was diluted to final sperm concentration of $5{\times}10^5/ml$ by doubling in every 10 minutes at $4^{\circ}C$ cold chamber. The semen was equilibrated for 1 hr at cold chamber and packed to 0.5 ml straw. The semen straws were located above 5 cm of liquid nitrogen for 5 minutes, above 5 cm for 10 minutes and above 10 cm for 10 min. And then the frozen straw was plunged to $LN_2$. The presented straws were examined the viability and motility after thawed at $37^{\circ}C$ water bath. Hanwoo semen was used as KPN (Korea Proven Bull Number) in this experiment. The survival rates was significantly higher in fresh semen than frozen semen ($80{\pm}14%\;and\;43{\pm}11%$). However, the motility rates was similar (80.7% and 66.4%). The survival and motility rates were higher in 5cm, 10 min treatment group than the other two groups in straw-located height and duration above $LN_2$ ($50{\pm}14%$ and 70.7% vs, 33.18% and $65{\pm}7%$ vs, 30.14% and 65.7%, respectively). The development rates to cleavage was higher in Black Cow than Hanwoo semen (62.2%, 64.4%), However, The development rates to blastocyst was higher in Hanwoo than Black cow semen (25.9%, 23.0%). In conclusion. The present results that acceptable fertilization and cryopreservation could be obtained by in vitro fertilization with frozen-thawed semen using a synthetic semen extender (AndroMed).

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.41-58
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• 2013

Objectives: The object of this study was to observe the in vitro anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of three single aqueous herbal extracts(Trichosanthes Semen, Gardeniae Fructus, and Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), traditionally used for treating various gynecological diseases including mastitis in Korea, against Staphylococcus aureus and lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-activated Raw 264.7 cells. Methods: Anti-bacterial activities of three single aqueous herbal extracts against S. aureus were detected using standard agar microdilution methods. In addition, the effects on the cell viability, $PGE_2$, NO, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 productions of LPS activated Raw 264.7 cells. The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects were compared with lincomycin and piroxicam, respectively in the present study. Results: MIC of three single aqueous herbal extracts against S. aureus were detected as over 25, $4.063{\pm}2.096$ and $1.641{\pm}0.972$ mg/ml, respectively. MIC of lincomycin was detected as $0.469{\pm}0.297{\mu}g/ml$ at same conditions. In addition, $ED_{50}$ against LPS-induced cell viabilities and cytokine releases of three single aqueous herbal extracts were as follows - cell viability: 7.635, 13.761, 6.986 mg/ml, NO production : 4.808, 22.015, 2.949 mg/ml, $PGE_2$ production : 3.040, 4.312, 0.821 mg/ml, TNF-${\alpha}$ production : 9.563, 54.931, 1.240 mg/ml, IL-$1{\beta}$ production : 1.362, 1.801, 0.534 mg/ml, IL-6 production : 0.371, 0.797, 0.202 mg/ml, respectively. $ED_{50}$ of piroxicam against LPS-induced cell viabilities, NO, $PGE_2$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 were detected as 35.179, 6.552, 1.162, 7.273, 7.101 and 5.044 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively at same conditions. Conclusions: The results of the study showed anti-bacterial effects against S. aureus in the order of Gardeniae Fructus and Angelicae Dahuricae Radix aqueous extracts, except for Trichosanthes Semen. They also showed anti-inflammatory effects against LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells in the order of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, Trichosanthes Semen, and Gardeniae Fructus aqueous extracts. These three herbs are expected to be great substitutes to reduce side-effect of lincomycin and piroxicam, if the amount of those three single aqueous herbal extracts is adjusted appropriately.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.924-929
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• 2004

The objective of this study were to investigate the effect of ejaculation frequency on semen characteristics and to establish a method for quick assessment of sperm concentration in TCC using packed cell volume (PCV) as the parameter (Trial 1). Eighty senior roosters, averaging 61 wk-old, were used and the sperm concentrations were determined using a hemacytometer. The PCV value was measured in a capillary (0.75 mm in inner diameter) by centrifugation. A simple linear regression analysis suggested that the sperm concentrations were significantly correlated with PCV values (r=0.62, p<0.001). Trial 2 was conducted to determine the optimal ejaculation frequency of TCC roosters in a weekly semen collection program. The male birds were subjected to 1, 2, 3 or 6 ejaculations per week for four consecutive weeks and semen characteristics including ejaculation volume (EV, mL), sperm motility (%), PCV (%), sperm concentration (ESC, $\times$10$^{9}$/mL), weekly sperm production (WSP, $\times$10$^{9}$/wk) and average motile sperm numbers (AMSN, $\times$10$^{9}$/ejac) were determined. Average EV was greater in the group with 3 ejac/wk than with only 1 ejac/wk in weeks 1 and 3 of the collection period. WSP increased with ejaculation frequency during the first 3 weeks of collection (p<0.05). Sperm motility was better in the birds with 6 ejac/wk than in single ejaculation group for the first 2 wk and no significant differences were found for the last 2 wk of study. In contrast, the PCV value showed a trend of reduction for the first 2 wks in the 6 ejac/wk group. Surprisingly, no significant differences were detected in the AMSN among treatment groups. The weekly motile sperm production (WMSP) increased with ejaculation frequency. Based on our observation, PCV values could be used for a quick estimation of sperm concentration and an intensive semen collection program enhanced weekly sperm production in TCC roosters.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.253-261
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• 2002

This study was carried out to investigate the semen characteristic, motility and viability and sperm motion characteristic by CASA test for establishing the Jindo-dog's semen freezing system. The results obtained are as follow: 1. The semen was collected 63 times. Average volume of semen, concentration of sperm, total number of sperm, progressive motility and viability were 3.8 $m\ell$ 145.6$\times$10$^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$, 396.2 x10$^{8}$ cells, 79.7% and 89.5%, respectively. Also, Fawn (Yellow) Jindo-dog comparing with White Jindo-dog showed better concentration of sperm, total number of sperm, progressive motility and viability. Among all dogs, the results of No. 2 Fawn Jindo-dog were the best. 2. The average progressive motility and viability of semen from 46 times were 73.5%, 82.3% before freezing and 51.1%, 64.9% after freezing. So, the freezing of semen has affected the progressive motility and viability. The progressive motility and viability of Fawn Jindo-dog's semen, before and after freezing, were better than White Jindo-dog. And No. 2 Fawn Jindo-dog showed the best results and showed significantly different among all dogs (P<0.05). 3. The 44 times-tested .esults by CASA system were as follow; MOT (motility) 65.6%. PROG (progressive motility) 54.8%, VAP (average path velocity) 75.3 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$/sec, VCL (curve linear velocity) 90.0 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$/sec, VSL (straight-line velocity) 69.4 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$/sec and ALH (amplitude of lateral head displacement) 4.4 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. Although the motion characteristic of frozen semen were not significantly different between White and Fawn Jindo-dog, No. 2 Fawn Jindo-dog showed the best results and was significantly different among all dogs (P<0.05). 4. The success rate of frozen semen production between White and Fawn Jindo-dog were 43% (13/28), 94% (33/35), respectively, and the total success rate was 73% (46/63). The freezing-ability of Fawn Jindo-dog's semen was better than the other. Conclusively, the present results indicated that the characteristic and motility of Jindo-dog') semen were suitable for processing frozen semen, artificial insemination and mass production system. Also, the selection of suitable dog-breed was so important because the characteristic and freezing-ability of semen were significantly different between White and Fawn Jindo-dogs and among all individual dogs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1411-1420
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• 2020

Objective: The aim of study was to investigate the effects of season and single layer centrifugation (SLC) before cryopreservation on post-thaw bull sperm quality in Thailand. Methods: Semen was collected from 6 bulls (Bos indicus) in summer, rainy season and winter 2014 through 2016. Semen characteristics, sperm morphology, sperm kinematics, viability, chromatin structure and mitochondrial membrane were evaluated. Meteorological data were available from the local meteorological station; Results: Season had an effect on semen characteristics in the raw ejaculate, with higher proportions of normal spermatozoa and lower abnormalities in winter than in the other two seasons. Sperm kinematics, viability, DNA fragmentation index, and mitochondrial membrane potential were not different between seasons. Sperm samples selected by SLC had greater normal morphology and a lower proportion with bent tails than controls and higher values of progressive motility (PRO), beat cross frequency, linearity, straightness, wobble (WOB), and lower values of slow motility, velocity average path (VAP), velocity curved line, and amplitude of lateral head displacement than controls. In addition, SLC-selection had a favorable effect on PRO, VAP, and WOB that differed among seasons. Conclusion: Our results suggested that these bulls were well adapted to their location, with season having an effect on sperm morphology. Moreover, SLC could be used prior to cryopreservation, regardless of season, to enhance normal morphology and kinematics of bull sperm samples without adversely affecting other parameters of sperm quality. However, there was considerable variation among bulls in DNA fragmentation index, mitochondrial membrane potential and sperm viability. In addition, SLC had a positive effect on sperm morphology and sperm kinematics, which could be expected to influence fertility.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.340-345
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• 2008

Oxidative stress is one of the major causes of failure of in vitro storage of boar semen. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are one of the important mediators of oxidative stress during in vitro storage of boar semen. Our study examined the effects of taurine on sperm characteristic and on in vitro developmental embryos during in vitro storage of boar semen for 7 days. Semen was randomly aliquoted into 3 centrifuge tubes and treated with different concentrations of taurine (25-100 mM). The characteristics of boar sperm were analyzed for motility by light microscopy, viability by using a Makler counting chamber and membrane integrity by a hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST). The percentages of motile spermatozoa in taurine groups after 5 days were significantly higher compared to the control. Sperm viability in the control was lower than in taurine groups after 7 days irrespective of different taurine concentration. In the hyoosmotic swelling test (HOST), significantly higher results were obtained in taurine groups after 3 days. Also, the developmental rates of IVM/IVF porcine embryos from semen treated with pyruvate and taurine were significantly increased when compared with the control (p<0.05). These results indicate that supplementation of taurine as an antioxidant in boar semen extender can improve the semen quality.