• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.207-212
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• 2017

Infections of Toxoplasma gondii and Babesia microti are reported in many wild animals worldwide, but information on their incidence and molecular detection in Korean wild fields is limited. In this study, the prevalence of T. gondii and B. microti infection in blood samples of 5 animal species (37 Chinese water deer, 23 raccoon dogs, 6 roe deer, 1 wild boar, and 3 Eurasian badgers) was examined during 2008-2009 in Gangwon-do (Province), the Republic of Korea (=Korea) by using serological and molecular tests. The overall seropositivity of T. gondii was 8.6% (6/70); 10.8% in Chinese water deer, 4.3% in raccoon dogs, and 16.7% in roe deer. PCR revealed only 1 case of T. gondii infection in Chinese water deer, and phylogenic analysis showed that the positive isolate was practically identical to the highly pathogenetic strain type I. In B. microti PCR, the positive rate was 5.7% (4/70), including 2 Chinese water deer and 2 Eurasian badgers. Phylogenetic analysis results of 18S rRNA and the ${\beta}$-tubulin gene showed that all positive isolates were US-type B. microti. To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. microti detected in Chinese water deer and Eurasian badger from Korea. These results indicate a potentially high prevalence of T. gondii and B. microti in wild animals of Gangwon-do, Korea. Furthermore, Chinese water deer might act as a reservoir for parasite infections of domestic animals.

• Journal of KIBIM
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.72-79
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• 2018

Rapid developments around the world have resulted in urban expansion, habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation, and pollution problems, which are the main reasons for the decline in biological diversity. The United Nations warns that many animals and plants will die out in the near future if this continues. This study was performed to propose a map of eco-corridor suitability analysis of Korean water deer(Hydropotes Inermis) to enhance biodiversity in Chuncheon city. Eight factors affecting habitat suitability were elevation, aspect, slope, forest type, distance to the road, distance to the stream, land use and green connectivity. Previous study analysis on the mobility behaviour of the Korean water deer(Hydropotes Inermis) produced a habitat suitability map by determining the threshold and assigning a value between 0 and 1 depending on the habitat suitability using the fuzzy function. A method of analysis was proposed for a number of eco-corridor through comparative analysis of the data from the produced habitat suitability map and the road-kill point. The previous studies were focused on Backdudaegan region and national parks except for urban cities. The potential habitat map of Korean water deer could be helpful as a way to prevent habitat disconnection and increase species diversity in urban areas.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.60-64
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• 2024

This case report documents the rescue, clinical presentation, treatment, and recovery of pneumothorax in a female Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) following a vehicular collision. Severe injuries, including a confirmed rib fracture, prompted an extensive treatment plan. Computed tomography imaging confirmed pneumothorax, particularly in the left lung, necessitating thoracocentesis to alleviate the accumulated air. Post-procedural monitoring demonstrated gradual recovery, with the water deer exhibiting restored appetite after the 2nd day of thoracocentesis. Successful recovery marked by natural pneumothorax resolution allowed for treatment cessation on the 13th day after injury.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.540-543
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• 2015

A Korean water deer was rescued with non-weight-bearing lameness of the right hind limb. Clinical and radiographic examination revealed a craniodorsal coxofemoral luxation. The cause of the right coxofemoral luxation (CL) was unknown. We performed minimally invasive arthroscopic-assisted reduction with toggle pin fixation (mini TightRope$^{(R)}$). Craniodorsal CL in the water deer was reduced and stabilized successfully. At 60 days after admission, the water deer was successfully released back into the wild. This minimally invasive surgical technique can be used to correct coxofemoral luxation in wild animals.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.653-659
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in the Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus). Pathogens were identified using PCR which included Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, and Theileria. Rickettsia was not detected, whereas Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Theileria infections were detected in 4, 2, and 8 animals, respectively. The most prevalent pathogen was Theileria. Of the 8 Theileria-positive animals, 2 were mixed-infected with 3 pathogens (Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Theileria) and another 2 animals showed mixed-infection with 2 pathogens (Anaplasma and Theileria). Sequencing analysis was used to verify the PCR results. The pathogens found in this study were identified as Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, and Theileria sp. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report identifying these 3 pathogens in the Korean water deer. Our results suggest that the Korean water deer may serve as a major reservoir for these tick-borne pathogens, leading to spread of tick-borne diseases to domestic animals, livestock, and humans. Further studies are needed to investigate their roles in this respect.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.127-135
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• 2004

Hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow form all kinds of blood cells. In traditional medicine, functions of bone marrow cells are very similar to those of Essence(精) which is a fundamental factor of physical development and reproduction. Our experiment examined the effect of deer blood on aplastic anemia induced mouse using cyclophosphamide 150 mg/kg i.p injection before experiment and then another cyclophosphamide 120 mg/kg i.p injection on day 10. Then we administrated dried deer blood in distilled water for 5 days, 9 days and 10 days. We examined blood and marrow samples. In results, deer blood showed a trend of effectiveness on recovery of red blood cells and erythropoietin although they were not statistical significant. And deer blood did not show changes in CD34.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2022

The Yezo sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) is a subspecies of sika deer originated from Hokkaido, Japan. This paper is a study on the ecological impact caused by large mammals invading the ecosystem. Two pairs of deer were donated to the Agency for Defense Development in Taean in the late 1980s, and the population expanded to over 280 in 2018. The thermal imaging camera showed that the population ranged from 8 to 53 herds, divided into approximately 10 groups. It was confirmed that some of the herds had escaped the management area and invaded the nearby natural ecosystem, causing damage to cultivated land and natural vegetation. Herds of over 50 individuals have been studied in large grassland areas near drinking water sources such as streams and ponds. In places with excessive deer concentration, 1) feeding damage to herbs, shrubs and sub-trees, 2) tree withering due to antler-rubbing, and their habit of migrating along forest edges 3) excessive soil loss on slopes, 4) destruction of herbaceous layers due to compaction, and finally 5) damage to infrastructure were also investigated. As such, it is expected that the results of this study on the ecological and economic damage of Yezo sika deer can be used to predict the impact of other exotic sika deer in South Korea with similar behavioral characteristics and to establish a management plan.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.283-292
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• 2015

The total global emission of $CO_2$ from soils is recognized as one of the largest fluxes in the global carbon cycle. Especially it is necessary to quantify the amount of $CO_2$ emitted by the organic material decomposition processes of microorganisms in the soil, because it becomes one of a factor for determining the carbon stocks in the soil. This study was conducted to estimate the impact of the Korean water deer(Hydropotes inermis)' feces to the soil organic matter. Also, effects of Korean water deer' feces on $CO_2$ emissions of soil and land use pattern dependent $CO_2$ flux quantification are studied. The organic materials in the Korean water deer' feces significantly changed organic matter content of soil and influenced the activity of soil microorganisms, both changing of respiration of the soil and physical chemical components in soil. In particular, C/N ratio and the $CO_2$ flux of soil of four regions (Rice paddy, Fallow ground, Salix koreensis community, Phragmites australis community) showed a statistically highly significant correlation (P<0.01) with the presence or absence of feces. $CO_2$ flux of soil affected by the feces was 2-20 times higher than the soil unaffected by the feces. This study has great significance to quantify the extent of the material circulation and its impact to the terrestrial ecosystem and soil zone throughout Korean water deer' feces. Feces of wildlife can affect soil and soil material circulation.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.623-635
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• 2021

The effect of deer antler extract on muscle differentiation and muscle atrophy were evaluated to minimize muscle loss following aging. Various deer antler extracts (HWE, hot water extract of deer antler; FE, HWE of fermented deer antler; ET, enzyme-assisted extract of deer antler; UE, extract prepared by ultrasonication of deer antler) were evaluated for their effect on muscle differentiation and inhibition of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR)-induced muscle atrophy in C2C12 cells. Morphological changes according to the effect of antler extracts on muscle differentiation were confirmed by Jenner-Giemsa staining. In addition, the expression levels of genes related to muscle differentiation and atrophy were confirmed through qRT-PCR. In the presence of antler extracts, the length and thickness of myotubes and myogenin differentiation 1 (MyoD1) and myogenic factor 5 (Myf5) gene expression were increased compared to those in the control group (CON). Gene expression of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), MyoD1, and myogenin, along with the muscle atrophy factors muscle RING finger-1 (MuRF-1) and forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) upon addition of deer antler extracts to muscle-atrophied C2C12 cells was determined by qRT-PCR after treatment with AICAR. The expression of MuRF-1 and FoxO3a decreased in the groups treated with antler extracts compared to that in the group treated with AICAR alone. In addition, gene expression of MyoD1 and myogenin in the muscle atrophy cell model was significantly increased compared that into the CON. Therefore, our findings indicate that antler extract can increase the expression of MyoD1, Myf5 and myogenin, inhibit muscle atrophy, and promote muscle differentiation.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.259-263
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• 2011

Wildlife has been recognized that has important role as reservoir hosts of disease affecting both people and livestocks. However, information intestinal helminths of Korean water deer were limited. We obtained 20 feces from Korean water deers that were transferred to veterinary hospital in Chungbuk National University from May 2010 to June 2011. Parasite ova were collected using saturated zinc sulfate floatation method. Parasite eggs were examined and measured using light microscope. The identification of parasitic eggs was done by morphological characters. The overall infection rate of parasite was 85% (n=17). The eggs were observed as being Nematodirus spp. (n=14), strongyles egg (n=11), Capillaria spp. (n=9), Trichuris spp. (n=7), Eimeria spp. (n=4), Ogmocotyle spp. (n=3), and Strongyloides (n=1). Mixed infection rate was observed as being single 15% (n=3), double 20% (n=3), triple 15% (n=3), quadruple 30% (n=6), and quintuple 5% (n=1). The Ogmocotyle spp. was first reported in Korea.