• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.235-239
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• 2005

This study was conducted to test whether the transgenic cattle pass the transgene to their progeny through germ cells, and whether the transgene is expressed in the mammary gland of ransgenic cows. Two male ransgenic calves were born from IVF-derived embryos injected with bovine $\beta-casein/human$ lactoferrin fusion gene and then grew up to be reproducible. Semen was collected from a transgenic bull after 18 mon of age and then frozen. Bovine oocytes matured in vitro were fertilized with spermatozoa of the transgenic bull and cultured in $50\;{\mu}L$ drops of CRlaa medium supplemented with 3 mg/mL BSA. After 48 h of culture, cleaved embryos were determined for the presence of transgenes by DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Proportion of transgene positives among bovine embryos fertilized with sperm of the transgenic bull was $20.9\%$ (28/134). One of transgenic bulls did not produce transgenic sperm. Out of 34 calves produced from recipient heifers inseminated with semen of the other bull, 3 $(8.8\%)$ were transgenic animals (2 females and 1 male). Thus, one transgenic bull showed a low transmission frequency below Mendelian levels in both the IVF-derived embryos and his progeny. It was demonstrated by Southern blot that copy numbers of the transgene in the transgenic progeny enhanced about 1.8 times as compared to those of the founder bull The results demonstrate that the transgenic bull carrying human lactoferrin gene could pass his transgene to the progeny through germ cells, although he is a germ-line mosaic.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.213-217
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• 2012

The decreased fertility is frequently thought to be problem of cattle production. However, studies figure out that number of these problems is related to bull factors especially in artificial insemination setting. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the fertility status of bull by their estimated relative conception rate of cows that were inseminated by frozen semen from Korean proven bulls. Here we use the non-return rate (NRR) to access the bull fertility whereas, the NRR was define as the proportion of bulls that semen were used to inseminate cows and the number of cows that did not return for another service within 60 days. The data from 54,388 artificial inseminations (AI) were analyzed from 88 KPN semen. The NRRs of highest and lowest fertile bull were 83.81 and 51.33%, respectively. And mean NRR was 68.27%. In comparison to previously reported study, our data shows 17.38% higher NRR and the absolute value of difference in 50%>NRR and 50%

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.201-208
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• 2017

BVDV causes significant infections in ruminants, resulting in reproductive disorders, diarrhea, reduced milk production and enormous damage to farms. In particular, identification and culling of persistent infectious calf is an important task to eliminate infectious nidus in cattle households. However, studies on physiological characteristics of PI bull are still insufficient to understand reproductive effects of BVDV. In this study, one PI bull was confirmed in herd and complete blood analysis was performed. The lymphocyte count of PI at age 4 was below the normal range and the number of WBCs was also in the lower level of normal range in blood. The sperm number produced by PI male becomes lower and the viability of fresh sperm comes to poor with ages (P<0.05). The sperm abnormality was also increased, especially in nuclear vacuoles of head and droplets of midpeace (P<0.05). The PI male becomes infertile due to poor semen quality at age 4. With these results, we concluded that BVDV in PI bull cause decreased sperm cell and abnormality in semen so causes infertility. However, it appears that BVDV could not be transmitted by indirect contact of PI bull, because there was no evidence of BVDV infection in the herd, when regular vaccination program was applied.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.203-209
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of the dilution ratio of Tris diluent, storage at 0℃, and long-distance transportation on the spermatozoa of Simmental cattle. It also validated the feasibility of the regional distribution of fresh semen. Methods: In experiment 1, semen was diluted at four dilution ratios (1:6, 1:9, 1:12, and 1:15) to determine the optimal dilution ratio of Tris diluent. In experiment 2, we assessed sperm viability, progressive motility (objectively assessed by computer-assisted sperm analyzer), and acrosome intactness in Tris dilutions kept at constant 0℃ for 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days. We compared them to Tianshan livestock dilutions (Commercial diluent). In experiment 3, semen was diluted using Tris diluent, and sperm quality was measured before and after long-distance transport. Artificial insemination of 177 Simmental heifers compared to 156 using Tianshan Livestock dilution. Results: The outcomes demonstrated that 1:9 was the ideal Tris diluent dilution ratio. The sperm viability, Progressive Motility, and acrosome integrity of both Tris and Tianshan dilutions preserved at 0℃ gradually decreased over time. sperm viability was above 50% for both dilutions on d 9, with a flat rate of decline. The decrease in acrosome integrity rate was faster for Tianshan livestock dilutions than for Tris dilutions when stored at 0℃ for 1 to 6 days. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in sperm viability between semen preserved in Tris diluent after long-distance transportation and semen preserved in resting condition. The conception rates for Tris dilution and Tianshan livestock dilution were 49.15% and 46.15% respectively, with no significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusion: This shows that Tris diluent is a good long-term protectant. It has been observed that fresh semen can be successfully preserved for long-distance transport when stored under 0℃ conditions. Additionally, it is feasible to distribute semen regionally.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2013

Alpha-tocopherol as an antioxidant acts in preservation of chilled semen by preserving cell membrane damage from lipid peroxidation. Optimum concentrations of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol in egg yolk-citrate (EYC) extender need to be studied in crossbred bull's semen. Different concentrations of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol viz. 0, 1, 2, 4 and 6mg per ml of extender were used. Semen was collected once a week from four bulls used to regular collection, aged 4 to 7 years, weighing 320 to 450 kg, and with body condition score 4 to 4.5 and scrotal circumference 23 to 32 cm. Semen was evaluated routinely and sperm morphology was viewed under light microscope at ${\times}1,000$ magnification after fixing with buffered formal saline. Over 90% had normal head, acrosome, mid-piece and tail. Semen was diluted with egg-yolk-citrate extender to produce $15{\times}10^6$ spermatozoa/ml and 0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 mg/ml ${\alpha}$-tocopherol were added. The semens amples were kept at $8^{\circ}C$. Sperm motility and viability were examined daily up to 5 days under light microscopy at ${\times}200$ magnification. Sperm viability was acceptable (${\geq}40%$) up to the $4^{th}$ day with all concentrations of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol and up to the $5^{th}$ day with 2 mg/ml ${\alpha}$-tocopherol. Sperm motility was acceptable (${\geq}40%$) up to the $3^{rd}$ day irrespective of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol concentration, and up to the $4^{th}$ day with 2 mg/ml ${\alpha}$-tocopherol. It is suggested that the lifespan of chilled semen may be extended up to 4 days by adding 2mg/ml ${\alpha}$-tocopherol.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.12
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• pp.1879-1885
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• 2021

Objective: Owing to the lack of a breeding index for efficient and quick fertility evaluations of Holstein bulls when using traditional or genome-wide detection methods, this study aimed to determine whether in vitro fertilization (IVF) could be used as an indicator of conception rate of artificial insemination (AI). Methods: Conventional and sexed frozen semen from nine bulls were used for IVF and AI. Results: The IVF and AI conception rates of each bull were confirmed to be positively correlated between the conventional frozen and sexed frozen semen. The correlation coefficient R values of nine bulls between IVF and AI methods were 0.73 and 0.97 for the conventional frozen and sexed frozen semen, respectively. The average conception rate of three bulls undergoing AI was 69.5% and 64.2%, 61.8% and 58.8%, and 48.2% and 46.2% in first-, second-, and third-born cows when conventional frozen and sexed frozen semen were used, respectively, which showed a positive correlation with the fertilization rate in the same parity. We propose an evaluation standard to assess the fertilization ability of bulls based on their IVF test results, which is categorized into three grades: grade one, normal fertility bull with an AI conception rate of 40%±5% and IVF rate of 45% to 60%; grade two, higher fertility bull with an AI conception rate of 50%±5% and IVF rate of 61% to 80%; and grade three, highest fertility bull with an AI conception rate of 60%±5% and IVF rate of >80%. Conclusion: These findings reveal that IVF results can be used as a breeding index for bulls to evaluate their AI conception ability, which may shorten the time required to select bulls for breeding.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.207-213
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• 1975

Skimmed goat milk heated at $92^{\circ}C$ for 10 minutes was used as a basal extender for bull semen. The extenders for liquid semen were prepared by adding simultaneously at various ratio of 5% dextrose solution and egg yolk to skimmed goat milk. After bull seven was diluted with the extenders at the rate of 20 million spermatozoa per ml of the extenders. The extenders were stored at $5^{\circ}C$ and the survival rates of spermatozoa were examined at 4 and 24 hours, and 3, 5 and 7 days after dilution. The extenders for frozen semen were prepared by adding various ratlo of glycerol to skimmed goat milk containing 20 parts of 5% dextrose solution and 3 parts of egg folk to 77 parts of skimmed goat milk. After bull semen was diluted with the extenders at the rate of 40 million spermatozoa per ml of the extenders, the extenders were frozen in liquid nitrogen tank. The frozen extenders were thawed at $40^{\circ}C$ for 2 minutes, and the revival rates of the spermatozoa in the extenders were examined. These thawed extenders were stored at $5^{\circ}C$ and the survival rates of the spermatozoa were examined at 10 minutes and 24 hours and 3 and 5 days after thawing. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Among the extenders stored at $5^{\circ}C$, the survival rate of the sperm was the highest in the extender including 20 parts of 5% dextrose solution and 3 parts of egg yolk to 77 parts of skimmed goat milk, and the survival rate was significantly higher that of the spermatozoa in egg folk-2.9% sodium citrate (1 : 4) extender. (P<0.05) 2.Among the extenders frozen in liquid nitrogen tank, the revival rate of the spermatozoa was the highest in the extender containing 7ml of glycerol per 100ml of the extender with consisted of 77 parts of skimmed goat milk, 20hparts of 5% dextrose solution and 3 parts of egg yolk, and the revival rate was significantly higher than that of the spermatozoa in egg yolk-2.9% sodium citrate (1 : 4) extender containing 8ml of glycerol per 100ml of the extender (p<0.01). 3. Among the extenders stored at $5^{\circ}C$ after thawing, the survival rate of the spermatozoa was the highest in the extender containing 7ml of glycerol per 100ml of extender which consisted of 77 parts of skimmed goat milk, 20 parts of 5% dextrose solution and 3 parts of egg yolk, and the survival rate was significantly higher than that of the spermatozoa in egg yolk -2.9% sodium citrate (1 : 4) extender containing 8ml of glycerol per 100ml of the extender (p<0.01).

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.112-119
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• 1988

These studies were conducted to investigate the effects of culture temperature and time on the in vitro maturation and semen type and media on the in vitro fertilization of bovine follicular oocytes, and to asses in vitro fertilization rate of oocytes cultured by extraffollicular method following fertilization in vitro, or transfer into the pseudopregnant rabbit oviduct or uterus. The bovine oocytes recovered from follicles were cultrued for 18 hrs or 72hrs at 38$^{\circ}C$ with 5% CO2 in moist air. Flesh-diluted(2 folds) and frozen-thawed semen in 0.5ml straw from a fertile bull were used. In order to obtain capacitation of spermatozoa were treated with bovine follicular fluids(BFF) and Inophore A(IA). The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. The oocytes were classified as "A, B, C, D and Degenerative" depending morphological integrity and those were 62.0%, 12.0%, 17.2%, 5.9% and 3.0% of the total oocytes harvested, respectively. 2. The oocytes matured to metaphase II were significantly increased between 24-48hrs of incubation and at 37-39$^{\circ}C$ with 5% CO2 in moist air. 3. The in vitro fertilization rate following transferred into rabbit oviduct or uterus with bull semen and in vitro matured oocytes were higher ligation than non-ligation of oviduct or uterus. 4. The in vitro fertilization rate of oocytes matured in vitro were higher neat than frozen semen and treatment of IA than BFF on the capacitation of spermatozoa. 5. The effects of semen types and media on in vitro fertilization of oocytes matured in vitro were higher fertilization rate of neat than friozen semen, and media was not significant.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.693-700
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• 2002

The objects of this study were to estimate gene frequencies of the bovine growth hormone(bGH), and to investigate the relationship between the bGH polymorphism and semen characteristics in Hanwoo bull. One hundred nine heads of Hanwoo bulls were used to identify bGH genotypes by the PCR-RFLP, followed by digestion with Alu I restriction enzyme. The frequencies of leucine(Leu) and Valine(Val) alleles were 0.88 and 0.12, respectively. Observed number of LL, LV and VV genotypes were 83, 25 and 1, respectively. Semen characteristics(semen volume, sperm concentration) were analyzed by GH genotypes in 25,559 ejaculates of 109 heads. Although bGH genotypes showed no significant effects on semen characteristics, those of bulls with VV genotype were tended to be lower than those of other bulls with LL or LV genotypes. And, in 1998, total sperm number(60.47${\times}$$10^8$) of VV bulls were significantly lower(P<0.05) than those(86.21${\sim}$92.22${\times}$$10^8$) of other genotypes bulls. This results provide that the VV bull in bGH locus may be worse, under the LL and LV bulls on semen characteristics. However, the number of examined VV bulls was only one and further investigations are needed to confirm the results.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.43-48
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• 1981

This experiment was carried out with the purpose to get some information about the properties of Simmental bull semen during summer season. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. Semen volume per ejaculation, sperm concentration and sperm viability were averaged 5.16ml, 6.6billion and 65%, respectively. 2. Percentage of motile sperm after dilution in skmmilk solution and trisbuffer for 5 days were 34.16% and 35.0%, respectively. 3. Viability of spermatozoa frozen in skimmilk extender and trisbuffer for 5 days were 20. 83% and 25.66%, respectively. 4. Percentage of live sperm, MRT and pH value were 71.8∼72.1%, 8.40∼8.21 minutes and 6.78, respectively. 5. Diluted semen showed strong resistance to the cold shock than that of fresh semen. 6. Rscovery of sperm motility after freezing for 24 hours was relatively weak.