• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1696-1702
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of body weight growth adjustment methods on genetic parameters of body growth and tissue among three pig breeds. Data collected on 101,820 Landrace, 281,411 Yorkshire, and 78,068 Duroc pigs, born in Korean swine breeder farms since 2000, were analyzed. Records included body weights on test day and amplitude (A)-mode ultrasound carcass measures of backfat thickness (BF), eye muscle area (EMA), and retail cut percentage (RCP). Days to 90 kg body weight (DAYS90), through an adjustment of the age based on the body weight at the test day, were obtained. Ultrasound measures were also pre-adjusted (ABF, EMA, AEMA, ARCP) based on their test day measures. The (co)variance components were obtained with 3 multi-trait animal models using the REMLF90 software package. Model I included DAYS90 and ultrasound traits, whereas model II and III accounted DAYS90 and pre-adjusted ultrasound traits. Fixed factors were sex (sex) and contemporary groups (herd-year-month of birth) for all traits among the models. Additionally, model I and II considered a linear covariate of final weight on the ultrasound measure traits. Heritability ($h^2$) estimates for DAYS90, BF, EMA, and RCP ranged from 0.36 to 0.42, 0.34 to 0.43, 0.20 to 0.22, and 0.39 to 0.45, respectively, among the models. The $h^2$ estimates of DAYS90 from model II and III were also somewhat similar. The $h^2$ for ABF, AEMA, and ARCP were 0.35 to 0.44, 0.20 to 0.25, and 0.41 to 0.46, respectively. Our heritability estimates varied mostly among the breeds. The genetic correlations ($r_G$) were moderately negative between DAYS90 and BF (-0.29 to -0.38), and between DAYS90 and EMA (-0.16 to -0.26). BF had strong $r_G$ with RCP (-0.87 to -0.93). Moderately positive $r_G$ existed between DAYS90 and RCP (0.20 to 0.28) and between EMA and RCP (0.35 to 0.44) among the breeds. For DAYS90, model II and III, its correlations with ABF, AEMA, and ARCP were mostly low or negligible except the $r_G$ between DAYS90 and AEMA from model III (0.27 to 0.30). The $r_G$ between AEMA and ABF and between AEMA and ARCP were moderate but with negative and positive signs, respectively; also reflected influence of pre-adjustments. However, the $r_G$ between BF and RCP remained non-influential to trait pre-adjustments or covariable fits. Therefore, we conclude that ultrasound measures taken at a body weight of about 90 kg as the test final should be adjusted for body weight growth. Our adjustment formulas, particularly those for BF and EMA, should be revised further to accommodate the added variation due to different performance testing endpoints with regard to differential growth in body composition.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.207-212
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the genotypes and frequencies of Melanocortin 1 Receptor(MC1R) genes in pigs which plays a central role in regulation of eumelanin (black/brown) and phaeomelanin(red/yellow) pigment synthesis within the mammalian melanocytes. Four different breeds of pigs(20 Landrace, 20 Yorkshire, 20 Duroc, and 93 Jeju native black pigs) were used and PCR-RFLP analysis of MC1R gene was also carried out. Two regions of MC1R genes (428bp and 405bp) were amplified using two specific primers (MERL1-EPIG2, EPIG1-EPIG3), respectively and MC1R allele were determined using 2 restriction enzymes (BspHⅠ, AccⅡ). The results of this experiment indicated that MC1R allelic type in Landrace, Large Yorkshire and Duroc were MC1R *2 (Ep), MC1R *2 (Ep), MC1R *4 (e), respectively. However, various allelic types of MC1R genes were detected in Jeju native black pigs. MC1R allelic type of Jeju black pigs was MC1R*2 type as in Meishan and Large black breeds or MC1R*3 type as in Hampshire and Berkshire breeds and the gene frequencies of ED1 and ED2 were 0.554 and 0.446 in average.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.95-105
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• 2020

This study presents the production characteristics and physiological characteristics of five Korean native chicken (KNC) breeds consisting of Hwanggalsaek Jaeraejong (HJ), Korean Rhode Island Red (KR), Korean White Leghorn (KL), Korean Brown Cornish (KC), and Korean Ogye (KO). We investigated their production performances, vitalities, and stress responses. We measured the survival rate, body weight, age at first egg-laying, hen-day egg production, egg weight, amount of telomeric DNA, heterophil-lymphocyte ratio (H/L ratio), and heat shock protein (HSP)-70, HSP-90α and HSP-90β gene expression levels for 493 KNCs. The survival rate was highest in KR, and lowest in KO. Body weights were steadily high in the order of KC, KR, HJ, KO and KL. Average hen-day egg production was highest in KL, and lowest in KC. While the amount of telomeric DNA was highest in KR, and lowest in KC. Furthermore, both the H/L ratio and the HSP-90β gene expression level were highest in KC, and lowest in KR. These results indicated that the KR breed was highly resistant to stress, whereas KC was more susceptible to stress. Taken together, it is considered that with improvements the KC breed would be more suited to be used as a Korean broiler breed while KL would be more appropriately used as a Korean layer breed. In addition, it is considered that the KR breed is appropriate to be used as a maternal chicken breeder based on good production capacity and excellent robustness, while the HJ breed is desirable to be improved as a high-quality Korean meat breed based on its excellent meat quality.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.457-466
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• 2013

Since the early 1980s, the National Institute of Horticultural & Herbal Sciences has been breeding and collecting diverse radish breeds to select those samples with better horticultural characteristics, to ultimately expand and develop as good radish produce. Genetic diversity is a crucial factor in crop improvement and therefore it is very important to obtain various variations through sample collection. The collected samples were compared with one another in order to assess the level of diversity among the collections, and this procedure allowed for increased application of the gathered resources and aided in determining the direction to secure further samples. Towards this end, this experiment was conducted in order to examine whether the SSR markers derived from Chinese cabbage samples could be transferred to the radish samples. Among the radish breeding lines and introduced resources, 44 lines were used as materials to analyze the genotype using 22 SSR markers selected. As a result, the analysis showed that among all the selected markers, 'cnu_m139' and 'cnu_m289' were the most useful markers for diversity evaluation. The genetic relationship of the radish genetic resources showed that the geographic origins affected the diversity. Furthermore, the different types of radish groups were also determined by the year they were bred. This result demonstrated that there are differences between the older radish breeds and the more recently developed radish breeds. Even though a relatively small number of markers were used in the analysis, it was possible to distinguish whether the radish was bred 30 years ago or in the 2000s, and that the similar physical shapes comprised a particular group, showed that the SSR markers can indeed be successfully applied to to study the diversity within radish breeding lines. Through the results of this study, it can be concluded that the SSR marker developed for the Chinese cabbage can be applied to examine the genetic diversity and analyze the relationship (genetic resource determination) of radish.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.467-475
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• 2015

Improvement for carcass traits related to beef quality is the key concern in beef production. Recent reports found that epigenetics mediates the interaction of individuals with environment and nutrition. The present study was designed to analyze the genetic effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in seven epigenetic-related genes (DNMT1, DNMT3a, DNMT3b, DNMT3L, Ago1, Ago2, and HDAC5) and two meat quality candidate genes (CAPN1 and PRKAG3) on fourteen carcass traits related to beef quality in a Snow Dragon beef population, and also to identify SNPs in a total of fourteen cattle populations. Sixteen SNPs were identified and genotyped in 383 individuals sampled from the 14 cattle breeds, which included 147 samples from the Snow Dragon beef population. Data analysis showed significant association of 8 SNPs within 4 genes related to carcass and/or meat quality traits in the beef populations. SNP1 (13154420A>G) in exon 17 of DNMT1 was significantly associated with rib-eye width and lean meat color score (p<0.05). A novel SNP (SNP4, 76198537A>G) of DNMT3a was significantly associated with six beef quality traits. Those individuals with the wild-type genotype AA of DNMT3a showed an increase in carcass weight, chilled carcass weight, flank thicknesses, chuck short rib thickness, chuck short rib score and in chuck flap weight in contrast to the GG genotype. Five out of six SNPs in DNMT3b gene were significantly associated with three beef quality traits. SNP15 (45219258C>T) in CAPN1 was significantly associated with chuck short rib thickness and lean meat color score (p<0.05). The significant effect of SNP15 on lean meat color score individually and in combination with each of other 14 SNPs qualify this SNP to be used as potential marker for improving the trait. In addition, the frequencies of most wild-type alleles were higher than those of the mutant alleles in the native and foreign cattle breeds. Seven SNPs were identified in the epigenetic-related genes. The SNP15 in CAPN1 could be used as a powerful genetic marker in selection programs for beef quality improvement in the Snow Dragon Beef population.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.367-374
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• 2010

Telomeres at the end of chromosomes consist of tandem repeats of (TTAGGG)n DNA sequence and associated proteins. Telomeres have the essential functions in chromosome stability and genome integrity and are hence related to cell senescence and cancer. This study was carried out to quantify the amount of telomeric DNA and establish age prediction equations by using the quantity of telomeric DNA for cattle. Analysis of the telomere quantity of the lymphocytes was performed at different age, across breeds and between different sexes of cattle. We quantified the amount of telomeric DNA by the Q-FISH technique using the telomeric DNA probe in 460 cattle at age of 1~166 months in Korean Cattle and Holstein breeds. In results, we found that the amount of telomeric DNA decreased gradually with age. The amount of telomeric DNA of Korean Cattle was significantly higher than that of Holstein breed (P<0.01). In addition, the amount of telomeric DNA in male was significantly higher than that in female (P<0.01). Using the relationship between age and the amount of telomeric DNA in cattle, age predicting equations were established as a result of regression analysis. Because sex and breeds influenced telomeric DNA quantity, the age prediction equations were estimated separately in Korean Cattle females and Holstein females. The regression equations were $\hat{Y}$=$38.102X^2$-220.103X + 318.309 (P<0.0001, $R^2$=0.8019) in Korean Cattle females and $\hat{Y}$ = $42.799X^2$ - 199.682X + 242.106 (P<0.0001, $R^2$ = 0.8379) in Holstein females, where the X was quantity of telomeric DNA and Y was predicted age in months. These equations predicted the age of cattle with high significance and accuracy and have high R square values. Thus, it could be possible to scientifically predict the age using the above equations for Korean Cattle and Holstein females.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.157-164
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• 2004

The objective of this study was to investigate the association of growth rate with body weight or shank length at birth in broiler chickens. Cobb and Ross breeds were used as experimental stocks and four groups were assigned in each breed; thirteen-male and twelve-female chicks(25 birds) were allocated in each group. The heavier body weight group(HBW) and the lighter body weight group(LBW) were established by birth weight. Whereas, the longer shank length group(LSL) and the shorter shank length group(SSL) were established by shank length at birth. The heavier group chicks in birth weight were significantly(P < 0.05) the longer in shank length at birth. The differences between HBW and LSL or between LBW and SSL in the mean 5-wk body weight of Cobb were not significantly different in each other; however, HBW and LSL were significantly(P < 0.05) heavier than LBW or SSL. Whereas, there were no significant differences in the mean 5-wk body weight of Ross although HBW was heavier by 13.1 g than LBW and LSL was heavier by 68.0 g than SSL. In the mean 5-wk shank length, the LSL of Cobb and Ross was longer by 2.9 mm and 1.3 mm than SSL, respectively; however, the significant(P < 0.05) difference was showed in Cobb only. In both breeds, the differences in the mean 5-wk shank length between HBW and LBW were not great. By the results of correlation analysis, the associations of the overall mean birth weights with the overall mean shank length at birth or the association of the 0～5 wk growth rate with the change of shank length during 0～5 wk showed highly significant(P < 0.01～0.001) in both breeds. The present study suggested that the selection based on birth weight could be at advantage due to easier and more accurate tool in using for the improvement growth rate in broiler chickens because the measurement of shank length takes individually longer and less accurate than the measurement of body weight.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.289-295
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate the relationship between Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) gene polymorphism and in vitro fertilization(IVF) embryo development in the pigs. The single strand conformation polymorphism(SSCP) genotypes from HSP70 K1, K3 and K4 PCR products were detected different patterns. In cleavage rate of oocyte fertilized in vitro, HSP70 K1-AA genotype($73.1\%$) and K1-AB genotype($62.3\%$) showed significantly higher oocyte cleavage rate than HSP70 K1-BB genotype($49.3\%$)(p<0.05). And HSP70 K3-AA genotype ($72.4\%$) and K3-AB($62.2\%$) also showed significantly higher oocyte cleavage rate than HSP70 K3-BB genotype($49.1\%$)(p<0.05). The IVF embryo development of 2-cell stage according to HSP70 genotypes of sperm and pig breeds also showed a significant difference. The number of embryos developed to 2-cell stage in Landrace(28.8) and Duroc(29.8) were significantly higher than in Yorkshire(10.9)(p<0.05). And also HSP70 K4-AB genotype group(29.6) higher than HSP70 K4-AA genotype group(10.6)(p<0.05). However, the number of embryos developed to blastocyst stage did not showed significant differences among breeds as well as HSP70 genotypes. These resrults suggest that in vitro development in porcine early embryos may be affected by HSP70 genotypes and breeds.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2013

This study was conducted to establish the method for preserving PGCs that enables long-term storage in liquid nitrogen for developmental engineering or preservation of species. The purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of freeze-thaw treatment on viability of PGCs in chickens. PGCs were collected separately from a germinal gonad of an early embryo of 5.5~6 day (stage 28) of Isa brown, Korean Oge (KO), White Leghorn and Commercial breeds. PGCs separated from a germinal gonad of an early embryo of 5.5~6 day (stage 28) are suspended in a freezing medium containing a freezing and protecting agents (e.g. dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG) and glycerol). The PGCs were then purified using magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) method. The viability of PGCs after thawing was $87.4{\pm}0.4%$ and $89.4{\pm}0.2%$ with the 10% EG treatments with no significant difference between the Isa brown and Commercial breeds. The viability of PGCs after freeze- thawing was significantly higher for Isa brown ($87.4{\pm}0.4%$) and Commercial breeds ($89.4{\pm}0.2%$) than Korean Oge (KO) ($77.6{\pm}1.1%$) and White Leghorn ($76.2{\pm}0.9%$)(p<0.05) using 10% EG cryoprotectant. This study established a method for pre- serving chicken PGCs that enables systematic storage and labeling of cryopreserved PGCs in liquid ($LN_2$) at agermplasm repository and ease of entry into a data base. In the future, the importance for this new technology is that poultry lines can be conserved while work is being conducted on improving the production of germline chimeras.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.145-154
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• 2004

This study was conducted to estimate genetic parameter of Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire breeds based on the on-farm performance tested records of 57,316 pigs under the supervision of Korean Animal Improvement Association from 1992 to 1999. Genetic parameters were estimated with a multiple trait animal model by using DF - REML. The result obtained in this study was summarized as follow ; The estimated heritabilities of Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire were 0.46${\sim}$0.65 for the average backfat thickness, 0.28${\sim}$0.31 for loin depth, 0.50～0.60 for percent lean, 0.45${\sim}$0.55 for the average daily gain, 0.38${\sim}$0.50 for age at 90kg, respectively. Phenotypic correlation of average backfat thickness with loin depth, percent lean, average daily gain and age at 90㎏ for the three breeds were -0.12${\sim}$-0.01, -0.81${\sim}$-0.76, 0.34${\sim}$0.46, and -0.41${\sim}$-0.33, respectively. Phenotypic correlation of loin depth with percent lean, average daily gain and age at 90kg were 0.12${\sim}$0.23, 0.03${\sim}$0.21, and -0.17${\sim}$-0.03, respectively. Phenotypic correlation of percent lean with average daily gain and age at 90kg were -0.37${\sim}$-0.26 and 0.26～0.35, respectively. Phenotypic correlation of average daily gain with age at 90kg was -0.97${\sim}$-0.95. The estimated genetic correlation coefficients of average backfat thickness with loin depth, percent lean, average daily gain and age at 90kg estimated for the three breeds were -0.17${\sim}$0.03, -0.79${\sim}$-0.69, 0.24${\sim}$0.45 and -0.41${\sim}$-0.19, respectively. The estimated genetic correlation coefficients of loin depth with percent lean, average daily gain and age at 90kg were 0.11～0.19, 0.23 and -0.30～-0.20, respectively. The estimated correlation coefficients of percent lean with average daily gain and age at 90kg were -0.36${\sim}$-0.13 and 0.10～0.34, respectively. The estimated genetic correlation coefficients of average daily gain with age at 90㎏ was -0.96${\sim}$-0.95.