• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.339-345
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• 2002

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of season on semen characteristics, frozen-thawed sperm viability and testosterone concentration in Yorkshire boars. There were no significant differences in the semen volume and sperm concentration on Yorkshire boars among spring, summer, autumn and winter. However, the pH of sperm-rich and sperm-poor fractions in winter season was higher than in spring, summer and autumn season in Yorkshlre boars. Sperm motiliy and normal acrosome of raw semen in Yorkshire boars did not differ significantly among spring, summer, autumn and winter. However, motility and normal acrosome of frozen-thawed sperm were higher in spring season than in summer, autumn and winter. Serum testosterone concentrations in Yorkshire were higher in spring than summer, autumn and winter. In conclusion, we found out that serum testosterone concentrations were very important role for frozen-thawed sperm viability in Yorkshire boars.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.201-206
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• 2001

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of spring (March~May) and summer (June~August) influencing semen characteristics, frozen-thawed sperm viability and serum testosterone concentration in Yorkshire boars. Results of this study were as follows: 1. There were no significant differences in the semen volume, pH and sperm concentration of sperm-poor fraction of Yorkshire boars between spring and summer. However, sperm concentrations of sperm-rich fractions in spring were higher than those in summer (P＜0.05). 2. Sperm motility and normal acrosome of raw semen in Yorkshire boars did not differ significantly between spring and summer, However, motility and normal acrosome of frozen-thawed sperm were higher in spring season than in summer season (P＜0.05). 3. Serum testosterone concentrations in Yorkshire boars were 4.04 ng/$m\ell$ in spring and 2.85 ng/$m\ell$ in summer. Serum testosterone concentrations in spring were higher than those in summer (P＜0.05). 4. In conclusion, when serum testosterone concentrations in Yorkshire boars were higher, frozen-thawed sperm viability was higher.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2005

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of semen characteristics, frozen-thawed sperm viability and serum FSH, LH, estradiol-17β and testosterone concentrations between breeds and among seasons in boars. In all seasons, Yorkshire boars produced higher semen volume compared with Duroc boars, whereas sperm concentration did not differ significantly between Duroc and Yorkshire boars. Semen volume in spring was higher compared with summer, autumn and winter in both Duroc and Yorkshire boars, but sperm concentration did not differ significantly among seasons. Sperm motility and normal acrosome rate of frozen-thawed sperm produced in spring were higher than those in summer, autumn and winter in both Duroc and Yorkshire boars. Sperm motility of frozen-thawed sperm in Yorkshire boars was higher than that in Duroc boars regardless of seasons. However, normal acrosome rate did not differ significantly between Duroc and Yorkshire boars. Serum FSH concentration in Yorkshire boars was lower than that in Duroc boars in all seasons. However, there were no significant differences on serum FSH concentration of Duroc and Yorkshire boars among seasons. Serum LH and estradiol-17β concentrations did not differ significantly between Duroc and Yorkshire boars. Also, there were no significant differences in serum LH and estradiol-17β concentrations of Duroc and Yorkshire boars among seasons. Serum testosterone concentration in Yorkshire boars was higher than that in Duroc boars in all seasons. In both breeds, serum testosterone concentrations were higher in spring than in summer, autumn and winter. In conclusion, when serum FSH concentrations were low, semen volumes were high, and when serum testosterone concentrations were high, sperm motility and normal acrosome rate of frozen-thawed sperm were high.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.121-132
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• 2008

A total of 100 pigs were used to investigate the effects of pig breed on proximate, physicochemical, cholesterol, amino acid, fatty acid and sensory properties of loins. Crossbred pigs were alloted into one of five experimental groups [×Duroc(LYD), ×Berkshire (YBB), British Berkshire(BB), Kagoshima Berkshire(KB), Korean native black pig×Wild boars(KW; Sus coraanus)]. Pigs were slaughtered at 110 kg live weight. Moisture content was significantly(p<0.05) higher in KW than those of other pig breeds. Crude protein content was significantly(p<0.05) higher in YBB and KW than in LYD, BB, and KB. Cholesterol content was significantly(p<0.05) higher in YBB than those of other pig breeds. WHC and pH value had lower and shear force had higher(p<0.05) in YBB than those of other pig breeds. In color, LYD was significantly(p<0.05) higher in L* than those of other pig breeds. There was no significant different in a* and brittleness value among the breeds. In fatty acid and amino acid composition, KW had a higher(p<0.05) UFA/SFA, EFA/UFA ratio and EAA content but lower (p<0.05) SAAA. Total amino acid content was significantly(p<0.05) higher in LYD(20.44%) and BB (20.81%) than those of other pig breeds. In fresh meat, breeds affected meat color, drip loss, marbling score, and overall acceptability(p<0.05). Nevertheless, no significant differences were found among the breeds in the sensory parameters evaluated in the cooked meat, except for flavor

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.612-616
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• 2004

This study was carried out to compare the semen characteristics, frozen-thawed sperm viability and testosterone concentration and in vitro fertilization (IVF) and development of in vitro matured pig oocytes between two Yorkshire boars. Semen and blood samples were collected once per week from October to November 2002 from two adult Yorkshire boars at 18 months of age with 170 kg body weight. Sperm were deep frozen in 5 ml maxi-straws with lactose-egg yolk and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (LEN) diluent and stored in liquid nitrogen. Blood samples were obtained at 10 a.m. by inserting a 21 gauge, hypodermic needle attached to 10 ml syringe into surface veins in the ear. The concentration of testosterone was determined by Competitive Enzyme Immunoassay. Ovaries were collected from prepubertal gilts at a local slaughter house. Cumulus oocyte complexes were aspirated from antral follicles (3 to 6 mm in diameter). The medium used for oocyte maturation was modified TCM 199. After about 22 h of culture, oocytes were cultured without cysteamine and hormones for 22 h at $38.5^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ in air. For IVF, one frozen 5 ml straw was thawed at $52^{\circ}C$in 40 sec and was diluted with 20 ml Beltsville thawing solution at room temperature. Sperm were washed 2 times in mTLP-PVA and inseminated without preincubation after thawing. Oocytes were inseminated with $2{\times}10^7$/ml sperm concentration. Oocytes were coincubated for 6 h in 500 ${\mu}$l mTBM fertilization medium. At 6 h after IVF, oocytes were transferred into 500 ${\mu}$l NCSU-23 culture medium for further culture of 48 and 144 h. There were no significant differences in the semen volume, motility, normal acrosome morphology and sperm concentration of raw semen between A and B of Yorkshire boar. However, motility and normal acrosome of boar A were higher than those of boar B at 0.5, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 h incubations of frozen-thawed sperm. Testosterone concentration (3.75 ng/ml) of boar A was higher than that (2.34 ng/ml) of boar B. The rate of blastocyst formation (15.1%) of boar A was higher than that (10.4%) of boar B. In conclusion, serum testosterone concentration of boar showed very important role for the frozen-thawed sperm viability and the blastocyst formation of pig oocytes matured in vitro.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1634-1640
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to compare pork characteristics and to determine consumer acceptability of pork chops from antibiotic free Yorkshire crossbreds sired by Berkshire (BY), Large Black (LBY), Tamworth (TY) or Yorkshire (YY) boars and reared in hoop houses. The experiments were conducted at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA&TSU) Farm in Greensboro, NC and the Cherry Research Station Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) Alternative Swine Unit in Goldsboro, NC (source of antibiotic free Yorkshire sows used at both places). Twenty-four sows were artificially inseminated at each location in each of three trials. Litters were weaned at 4 wks old, and reared within deep-bedded outdoor hoop houses. To compare pork characteristics, 104 randomly selected animals were harvested at a USDA-inspected abattoir at approximately 200 d of age. Variables measured included pH, color score, $L^*$, $a^*$, $b^*$, marbling score, drip loss, hot carcass weight, backfat thickness (BF), loin muscle area (LMA), and slice shear force. Sensory panel tests were also conducted at two time periods. The data was analyzed with GLM in SAS 9.01 including location, trial, and sire breed as fixed effects. Backfat thickness, LMA, color score and $a^*$ were different among breeding groups (p<0.05). The LBY pigs had thicker backfat and smaller LMA than the other breed types. The TY and YY had less backfat than all other breed groups. Color score was lower for YY than BY and LBY but intermediate for TY. The $a^*$ was lower for TY than other breeds except LBY which was intermediate. For one sensory panel test, YY pork was more preferred overall as well as for juiciness and texture compared to BY and LBY (p<0.05), but no impact of breed type was noted for the other test, with values similar for BY, LBY, TY and YY pork. This information may help small farmers make decisions about breed types to use for outdoor production.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.149-154
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was the analysis of sperm ability in Specific Pathogen Free (SPE) miniature pig for production of bio-organ. The collected semen was diluted with extender and stored at $17^{\circ}C$t for up to 7 days. The semen samples were evaluated at 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 days of storage for analysis of sperm ability. Sperm ability was evaluated by examining viability, progressive motility, sperm abnormality and intensity of the sperm membrane. Also, the semen was processed according to the convenient freezing method, and frozen-thawed sperm was evaluated by examining viability, capacitation and acrosome reaction using chlortetracycline (CTC) staining. Motility of spermatozoa of SPF miniature pig was significantly (P<0.05) lower on 3 days or later compared to the Duroc, Yorkshire and Landrace in domestic boar. The percentage of abnormal spermatozoa of Landrace were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in SPF miniature pig, Duroc and Yorkshire that had a similar percentage on 5 or 7 days of sperm storage. The percentage of spermatozoa with coiled tail decreased during the storage period but there were no significant difference. On the other hand, viability of frozen-thawed spermatozoa had a significantly (P<0.05) lower in SPF miniature pig than in other domestic boars. CTC patterns had no significant difference, but SPF miniature pig had higher percentage of capacitated spermatozoa and lower percentage of acrosome-reacted it than domestic boars. Therefore, this study suggest that it is necessary to develop the suitable extender and freezing methods methods for the high viable rate and fertilizing ability in vitro.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1351-1356
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to compare body weight, ADG, and feed:gain ratio of antibiotic-free pigs from Yorkshire dams and sired by Yorkshire (YY), Berkshire (BY), Large Black (LBY) or Tamworth (TY) boars. All the crossbred pigs in each of three trials were raised as one group from weaning to finishing in the same deep-bedded hoop, providing a comfortable environment for the animals which allowed rooting and other natural behaviors. Birth, weaning and litter weights were measured and recorded. From approximately 50 kg to market weight (125 kg), feed intake and body weights were recorded manually (body weight) or using a FIRE (Feed Intake Recording Equipment, Osborne Industries Inc. Osborne, Kansas) system with eight individual feeding stations. Feed intake data for 106 finishing pigs between 140 and 210 d of age and the resulting weights and feed conversion ratios were analyzed by breed type. Least square means for body weights (birth, weaning and to 240 d) were estimated with Proc Mixed in SAS 9.2 for fixed effects such as crossbreed and days of age within the sire breed. The differences within fixed effects were compared using least significant differences with DIFF option. Individual birth weights and weaning weights were influenced by sire breed (p<0.05). For birth weight, BY pigs were the lightest, TY and YY pigs were the heaviest but similar to each other and LBY pigs were intermediate. For weaning weights, BY and LBY pigs were heavier than TY and YY pigs. However, litter birth and weaning weights were not influenced by sire breed, and average daily gain was also not significantly different among breed types. Tamworth sired pigs had lower overall body weight gain, and feed conversion was lower in TY and YY groups than BY and LBY groups (p<0.05), however, number of observations was somewhat limited for feed conversion and for Tamworth pigs. Overall, no convincing differences among breed types were noted for this study, but growth performance in the outdoor environment was satisfactory.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 1991

The data on reproductive performance of 1065 purebred Landrace, 1254 purebred Yorkshire. 553 purebred Duroc and 327 purebred Pietrain sows bred to farrow purebred litters and data from 3413 Landrace $\times$ Yorkshire, 487 Duroc $\times$ Pietrain and 3191 commericial litters were udsed in this study. The data were collected form litters farrowed form January 1986 to December 1988 in Holiday Hills Stock and Breeding Farms, San Prero, Laguna. The crossbred sows and litters were better in most traits associated with sow productivity than their contemporary purebred sows and litters. The Duroc $\times$ Pietrain crossbred litters showed 16.67% improvement in litter size at weaning, 10.11% improvement in survival rate form birth to weaning and 16.21% more pigs per sow pre year than the averages of their parental breeds. The litters from the Landrace $\times$ Yorkshire crossbred sows sired by either Duroc or Duroc $\times$ Pietrain boars had 11.01% bigger litter size at birth, 20.74% increase in litter size at weaning and 22.86% more pigs weaned per sow per year than the averages of the four parental breeds. Very little improvement in most traits evaluated were observed form the Landrace $\times$ Yorkshire crossbred litters compared with their parental breeds. Year of birth of litter had litter influence on sow productivity. However, the reproductivity performance declined when sows farrowed in June up to September. The best Months of farrowing were found to be from January to April. The breed $\times$ year, breed $\times$ month and year $\times$ month had no significant effects on all traits evaluated.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.215-219
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• 2016

Value of excellent breeding animals is important in livestock industry, but their economic life time is limited. And, many countries have been trying procuration of genetic resource in good animals. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine embryo production and to test efficiency of embryo transfer via non-surgical artificial insemination (AI) in different breed of superior sows. A total of 17 sows were used in this experiment (Duroc, n=10; Landrace, n=4; Yorkshire, n=3). The sows were artificially inseminated by semen of same breed boars. After 4 or 5 days following the AI, the embryos were obtained from the sows and then transferred to Landrace and Yorkshire recipients (n=3, respectively) by non-surgical method. The corpora lutea tended to be increased in Yorkshire and Landrace than Duroc(28 and 26 vs. 17, respectively). The recovery of embryo was 78.8% in Landrace, 65.4% in Duroc and 51.4% in Yorkshire. Duroc showed lower morulaes and early blastocyst embryos than 2, 4, 8 and 16 cell. The morula in Yorkshire was higher (P<0.05) than that of Duroc (4.7 vs. 3.4). Similarly, the morulaes and early blastocyst embryos presented greater (P<0.05) in Landrace compared with other breed sows. The recipient sows were pregnant in a Landrace only. This reason may be due to little embryos inserted in the recipients. In addition, pregnancy results were limited because of the little sows. In conclusion, ovulated ovum in sows can be affected by different breed. Also, further study needed pregnant test by using the many embryo in each breed.