• Title/Summary/Keyword: Sexual maturation

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Genetic correlations between behavioural responses and performance traits in laying hens

  • Rozempolska-Rucinska, Iwona;Zieba, Grzegorz;Kibala, Lucyna;Prochniak, Tomasz;Lukaszewicz, Marek
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.30 no.12
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    • pp.1674-1678
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    • 2017
  • Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate genetic correlations between the behavioural profile and performance in laying hens as an indirect answer to the question whether the observed behavioural responses are associated with increased levels of stress in these birds. Methods: The assessment of birds' temperament was carried out using the novel objects test. The behavioural test was conducted in two successive generations comprising 9,483 Rhode Island White (RIW) birds (approx. 4,700 individuals per generation) and 4,326 Rhode Island Red (RIR) birds (approx. 2,100 individuals per generation). Based on the recorded responses, the birds were divided into two groups: a fearful profile (1,418 RIW hens and 580 RIR hens) and a brave/curious profile (8,065 RIW hens and 3,746 RIR hens). The birds were subjected to standard assessment of their performance traits, including SM, age at sexual maturity; ST, shell thickness; SG, egg specific gravity; EW, mean egg weight; IP, initial egg production; and HC, number of hatched chicks. The pedigree was three generations deep (including two behaviourrecorded generations). Estimation of the (co)variance components was performed with the Gibbs sampling method, which accounts for the discrete character of the behavioural profile denotation. Results: The analyses revealed negative correlations between the performance traits of the laying hens and the behavioural profile defined as fearful. In the group of fearful RIW birds, delayed sexual maturation (0.22) as well as a decrease in the initial egg production (-0.30), egg weight (-0.54), egg specific gravity (-0.331), shell thickness (-0.11), and the number of hatched chicks (-0.24) could be expected. These correlations were less pronounced in the RIR breed, in which the fearful birds exhibited a decline in hatchability (-0.37), egg specific gravity (-0.11), and the number of hatched chicks (-0.18). There were no correlations in the case of the other traits or they were positive but exhibited a substantial standard error, as for the egg weight. Conclusion: To sum up the results obtained, it can be noted that behavioural responses indicating fearfulness, i.e. escape, avoidance, and approach-avoidance may reflect negative emotions experienced by birds. The negative correlations with performance in the group of fearful hens may indirectly indicate a high level of stress in these birds, especially in the white-feathered birds, where stronger performance-fearfulness correlations were found. Fearful birds should be eliminated from breeding by inclusion of the behavioural profile in the selection criterion in the case of laying hens.

Reproductive Ecology of the Freshwater Melania Snail, Semisulcospira coreana (v. Martens) in Bukhan River (북한강 참다슬기, Semisulcospira coreana (v. Martens) 의 번식생태)

  • Kim, Dae-Hee;Bang, In-Chul;Lee, Wan-Ok;Baek, Jae-Min
    • The Korean Journal of Malacology
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    • v.28 no.2
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    • pp.175-185
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    • 2012
  • To clarify reproductive ecology of the melania snail Semisulcospira coreana (v. Martens, 1886) in Bukhan River, gonad development, fatness, gonad index, sex ratio, first sexual maturity of population, monthly change of larvae number and developmental stages in brood pouches were investigated by six identification methods. As maturation progrsses, the sex of the snali can be distinguishable easily by color:: the ovary being blue-green and testis light yellow. The sex ratio of female to male individuals over 13.95 mm shell height was significantly different from 1:1 (${\chi}^2$ = 38.45, p < 0.05). The sex ratio of female to male individuals changed drastically according to the season, Based on the monthly variations of fatness, gonad index and histological analysis, spawning occurred twice a year (spring and autumn) and the mean size of matured eggs was $450{\mu}m$ in diameter. The monthly change of larval number in brood pouch showed also two distinct peaks in March and September during the year. The average number of larvae in brood pouches was 286 - 862 individuals. In this study, the number of larvae in the brood pouches were a minimum in December and a maximum in March (975 larvae). The biological minimum size (the size at 50% of group sexual maturity) of the melania snail was 13.95 mm in shell height in females and males. All females over 15 mm in shell height possesed brood pouches.

An Ethnographic Research Study on Childbearing Process of Mother with Children in Korea (자녀를 둔 어머니의 출산과정 경험)

  • Kim, Young-Hee
    • Women's Health Nursing
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    • v.7 no.3
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    • pp.271-283
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    • 2001
  • The childbearing process is a sociocultural phenomenon of a woman who gives birth to a child as well as a biological phenomenon. The purpose of this ethnographic research study was to explore the experience of childbearing process of mothers with children from pregnancy to the 3 months postpartum in Korea and to understand deeply the perspectives of childbearing women reflected on Korean sociocultural values. A convenient sample of 10 childbearing women were observed from January to October 2000 through field work in Seoul, Korea. Data analysis was accomplished under ongoing process. The results of this study were as follows : The mothers with children experienced self-reflection, family relation, and physical adaptation during pregnancy. In self-reflection, all mothers experienced universality and diversity in their self-discovering process. The universal experiences were maturation, life with family and priority on maternal value between being a mother and a woman. The diverse experiences were taking a dual role of working mother, emotional drift of a resigned mother, and disheartened life of a mother who has two daughters. In family relation, the foundation of the new marital relationship were attained during childbearing process and sexual life were changed for the benefit of a healthy mother and a healthy baby. All mothers established friendly relations with their mothers, but established friendly or conflicting or constraining relations with their mother-in-laws due to husband based family culture. In physical adaptation, the informants endured well the physical discomfort and recognized general appearance change. Also maternal-fetal interaction occurred and mothers realistically felt motherhood and accepted themselves as mother-to-be. The mothers prepared for the best delivery, look for a safe childbirth center, newborn goods, endorsed family coping during hospitalization and responded labor pain to make it more endurable, less painful, fast passed owing to labor recognition of the natural process to be a mother. After childbirth, they felt emancipation, satisfaction, accomplishment, more easiness, actually feeling as mother-to-be, emptiness, and showed response to the sex of newborn. Their Sanhujori practice was different according to the Sanhujori environment including provider, place, time in postpartum and reflected on Sanhubyung. The mothers felt actually mother-to-be and happiness during lactation regardless of feeding pattern. These mothers had a different maternal image about rearing subjecthood through their child-rearing experience. But all mothers felt need for family support and social support. The universal rearing response were actual feeling of mother-to-be, a strenuous experience, a pride on child-rearing, confusion, reflecting marital relationship, and wondering rivalry among children. In conclusion, mother of all with children went through self-discovery, self-reflection and made connections with the family as a mother and as a woman simultaneously during the childbearing process. Therefore it is suggested when harmony and balance between a mother and a woman is accomplished, the woman will lead a healthy and high quality of life. Also, this study sought to confirm the sociocultural factors affecting the childbearing process from the perspectives of the women with children. Therefore health care providers must understand deeply the childbearing women with children based on this finding of and try a integrative approach with new ideology of maternity with biocultural perspectives in a clinical setting.

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Alterations of mRNA and lncRNA profiles associated with the extracellular matrix and spermatogenesis in goats

  • Chen, Haolin;Miao Xiaomeng;Xu, Jinge;Pu, Ling;Li, Liang;Han, Yong;Mao, Fengxian;Ma, Youji
    • Animal Bioscience
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    • v.35 no.4
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    • pp.544-555
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    • 2022
  • Objective: Spermatozoa are produced within the seminiferous tubules after sexual maturity. The expression levels of mRNAs and lncRNAs in testicular tissues are different at each stage of testicular development and are closely related to formation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and spermatogenesis. Therefore, we set out to study the expression of lncRNAs and mRNAs during the different developmental stages of the goat testis. Methods: We constructed 12 RNA libraries using testicular tissues from goats aged 3, 6, and 12 months, and studied the functions of mRNAs and lncRNAs using the gene ontogeny (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) databases. Relationships between differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed by lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network and protein-protein interaction network (PPI). Finally, the protein expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 6 (IGFBP6) were detected by western blotting. Results: We found 23, 8, and 135 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 161, 12, and 665 differentially expressed mRNAs that were identified between 3 vs 6, 6 vs 12, and 3 vs 12 months, respectively. GO, KEGG, and PPI analyses showed that the differential genes were mainly related to the ECM. Moreover, MMP2 was a hub gene and co-expressed with the lncRNA TCONS-0002139 and TCONS-00093342. The results of quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction verification were consistent with those of RNA-seq sequencing. The expression trends of MMP2, IGF2, and IGFBP6 protein were the same as that of mRNA, which all decreased with age. IGF2 and MMP2 were significantly different in the 3 vs 6-month-old group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in sexual maturation of the goat testis.

Sexual Maturation of the Turban Shell, Lunella coronata coreensis (Gastropoda: Turbinidae), on the West Coast of Korea (눈알고둥 (Lunella coronata coreensis)의 성 성숙)

  • LEE Ju Ha
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.33 no.6
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    • pp.533-540
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    • 2000
  • Gonadal development, gametogenesis, reproductive cycle, gonad index, flesh weight rate, and first sexual maturity of the turban shell, Lunella coronata coreensis were investigated by histological observation. The materials used were collected monthly from the rocky intertidal zone of Daehang-ri, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do, on the west coast of Korea, from July 1998 to June 1999. Sex of L coronata coreensis was separate. The gonad was widely located in the spirals of the visceral mass buried in the digestive gland. The ovary and testis were composed of a number of oogenic follicles and speymatogenic follicles, respectively. Monthly variations in the gonad index increased from March ($23.86{\pm}3.73$) when the water temperature increased and reached the maximun in July ($49.76{\pm}6.47$). And then, the gonad index sharply decreased in September ($15.58{\pm}2.33$). The flesh weight rate ranged from $25.2{\%}$ to $32.3{\%}$, and its variation showed a similar pattern to the gonad index. Individuals $<5.9 mm$ in shell height could not take part in reproduction in both sexes. Percentages of first sexual maturity of female and male specimens ranging from $7.0{\~}7.9 mm$ in shell heights were $84.6{\%}\;and\;91.7{\%}$, respectively, and $100{\%}$ in those over 8.0 mm in shell height in both sexes took part in reproduction. By studying the monthly changes of the morphological features and sizes of germ cells during gametogenesis in the gonad, the reproductive cycle of this species could be devided into five successive stages: early active (December to April), late active (January to July), ripe (May to August), spawning (July to September), and recovery (September to March). The spawning period of this species was once a year between July and September, and the main spawning occurred in July when the seawater temperature reached above $24.8^{\circ}C$. The fully ripe eggs were $150{\~}160\;{\mu}m$ in diameter.

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Formation Models of Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Clothing Attitudes as Related to Pubertal Physical Growth (여고생의 신체발달에 따른 신체이미지 및 자기존중감 의복태도 형성모델)

  • Koh Ae-Ran;Lee Soo-Gyoung
    • Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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    • v.42 no.11
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    • pp.189-203
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    • 2004
  • The purposes of this study were to identify 1) the effect of physical growth on body criticism from others and body image,2) the effect of body criticism from others on sociocultural attitude toward appearance, body image, and self-esteem, 3)the effect of sociocultural attitude toward appearance on body image, 4)the effect of body image on self=esteem and clothing attitude, and 5) the effect of self-esteem on clothing altitude on Korean female teenagers. The data were collected from 436 high school girls living in Seoul, Korea, via self-administered questionnaires, and were analyzed by factor analysis and LISREL models. The result of this study were as follows: 1) Among three measurement variables of physical growth, the height had a negative effect on body criticism from others. Sexual maturation positively influenced the affective aspect of body image. 2) Body criticism from others had a positive effect on the sociocultural attitude toward appearance and a negative effect on the affective aspect of body image. 3) The sociocultural altitude toward appearance had a negative effect on the affective aspect of body image and a positive effect on the cognitive/behavioral aspect of body image.4) The affective aspect of body image had a positive effect on the cognitive/behavioral aspect of body image, self-esteem, and clothing attitude. However, the cognitive/behavioral aspect of body image had a positive effect on clothing attitude.5) Self-esteem had no significant effect on clothing attitude.

Reproductive Cycle of Surf Clam, Spisula sachalinensis (북방대합(Spisula sachalinensis)의 생식주기)

  • LEE Jeong Yong;CHANG Young Jin;LEE Chae Sung
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.30 no.1
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    • pp.132-138
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    • 1997
  • In order to obtain the basic information for seedling production of surf clam, Spisula sachalinensis, annual reproductive cycle was investigated from March 1994 to May 1995. S. sachalinensis was dioecious. The gonads are located between the digestive diverticula and muscle tissue of the foot. The condition factor was reached its maximum (0.19) in June, and then decreased to 0.16 in July. In November, the value was the lowest and then increased slowly. The age and minimum size for sexual maturation were 2 years old and about 50 mm in shell length, respectively. However, less than $10\%$ of sexually undifferentiated individuals were larger than 80 mm in shell length. On the other hand, the size of mature oocytes was ranged to $50\~60{\mu}m$ in diameter and testis-ova was observed in testis of the mature stage. Annual reproductive cycle could be classified into five successive stages : multiplicative (October to January), growing (February to April), mature (April to June), spawning (June and July) and degenerative and resting (August and September) stages.

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Histological Changes of Androgenic Gland According Reproductive Cycle in Macrobrachium nipponense (De Haan, 1849) (징거미새우, Macrobrachium nipponense 생식주기에 따른 Androgenic Gland의 조직학적 변화)

  • Kim Dae Hyun;Kang Jung Ha;Lee Jae Young;Jeong Jee Hyun;Kim Byung Ki;Han Chang Hee
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.35 no.3
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    • pp.253-258
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    • 2002
  • The androgenic gland secretes a hormone, androgenic gland hormone, which is believed to act on the differentiation of the primary, secondary, and behavioral sex characteristics in most malacostracan crustaceans. Based on the changes in gonado-somatic indexe and histological observation of testis and androgenic gland cell, testicular maturation and spermatogenesis of M. nipponense occurred early in summer (May to July), and generally spermatogenesis was absent in August. It could be, concluded that May to July is the period when adult males of this species are sexually active, and androgenic gland showed signs of increased secretory activity.

Sexual Maturation and Spawning in the Sandfish Arctoscopus japonicus in the East Sea of Korea (한국 동해산 도루묵 (Arctoscopus japonicus)의 성성숙과 산란)

  • Lee, Hae-Won;Kim, Jin-Hee;Kang, Yong-Joo
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.39 no.4
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    • pp.349-356
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    • 2006
  • Gonad development in the sandfish Arctoscopus japonicus was investigated using a histological method. Specimens were collected monthly from April 2003 to March 2004, in the East Sea of Korea. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) of females began to increase in August, reached a maximum in November, and declined sharply in December. By contrast, in males, the GSI began to increase in June and reached a maximum in August. The annual reproductive cycle of A. japonicus can be divided into four successive stages in females: the early growing (January-March), late growing (April-August), ripe and spent (September-November), and recovery (December) stages. Males passed through early growing (January-April), late growing (May-July), ripe and spent (August-November), and recovery (November-December) stages. These results indicate that the spawning season was from October to December. The egg diameter of mature oocytes was 3.12$\pm$0.02 mm. The relationship between fecundity (F$_e$) and body length (BL) was F$_e$=0.4693BL$^{2.6825}$. Fecundity ranged from 483-2,254 eggs in a body length of 14.3-22.9 cm and increased with body length. The body length at 50% maturity was 14.80 cm, which corresponded to an age of 2.40 years.

Characterization of Pubertal Development Phases in Female Longtooth Grouper, Epinephelus bruneus via Classification of Bodyweight

  • Ryu, Yong-Woon;Hur, Sang-Woo;Hur, Sung-Pyo;Lee, Chi-Hoon;Lim, Bong-Soo;Lee, Young-Don
    • Development and Reproduction
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    • v.17 no.1
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    • pp.55-62
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    • 2013
  • Puberty is the developmental period which animals obtain the ability of reproducing sexually for the first time in life. In commercially important aquaculture fish species, the onset of puberty is a matter of major interest due to controlling of sexual maturation to improve broodstock management. To investigate pubertal characteristics of female longtooth grouper (Epinephelus bruneus), specimens were classified into three groups by the bodyweight, including 1, 2, and 3 kg group. Thereafter, we focused on ovarian development and level changes of endocrine regulation factors (GnRH, GTHs, steroid hormone). In the non-breeding season (April), the levels of endocrine regulation factors showed increasing trends in accordance with bodyweight gaining; nevertheless, the oocytes were growth phase belongs to almost peri-nucleous stages in all groups. In the breeding season (June), the levels of endocrine regulation factors were fluctuated that decreases in levels of sbGnRH and $FSH{\beta}$ mRNA expressions along with serum $E_2$ concentrations in 3 kg of group. However, $LH{\beta}$ mRNA expression levels sustained increasing trends by the bodyweight. Moreover, the oocytes developed that 2 kg and 3 kg groups obtained plentiful vitellogenic oocytes while 1 kg group was still composed with greater part of pre-vitellogenic oocytes. Especially, the oocytes of 3 kg group reached over 450 ${\mu}m$ of diameters that indicating possibility to enter the final maturations. These results suggest that the progress of pubertal development in female E. bruneus could be classify into three phases via bodyweight, including pre-puberty (1 kg), early-puberty (2 kg) and puberty (3 kg).