• Proceedings of the Korean Aquaculture Society Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.379-380
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• 2004

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.199-208
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• 2007

The gonad index, gonadosomatic index, the condition index, reproductive cycle, first sexual maturity, and sex ratio of the hard shelled mussel, Mytilus coruscus were investigated by using histological analysis and morphometric data. Specimens were collected monthly in Kyeokpo, western Korea from January to December, 2006. The gonad index reached a maximum in February, and minimum in September. Both the monthly variations of the gonad index (GI) and the gonadosomatic index (GSI) reached a maximum in February. After that, their values continually decreased between March and April because of spawning. The monthly variation of the condition index coincides with the GI and the GSI. The spawning period was from February to April, with the main spawning occurring between February and March. The reproductive cycle of this species could be classified into six stages: early active stage (November to January), late active stage (November to February), ripe stage (December to April), partially spawned stage (February to April), degenerative stage (April to October), and resting stage (June to December ). Percentages of sexual maturity was over 50% for the female and male hard shelled mussels that ranges from 40.1 to 50.0 mm in shell length. The percentage was 100% for those that are over 50.1 mm. The sex ratios of females to males over 40.1 mm in shell length were not significantly different from a 1:1 sex ratio $(x^2\;=\;0.63,\;p\;>\;0.05)$. No evidence of hermaphroditism was found in histological sections of any hard shelled mussel examined.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.222-236
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• 1994

Sexual maturation and spawning of the spottybelly greenling, Hexagrammos agrammus were histologically studied under photomicroscopy by considering changes in gonadosomatic index, hepatosomatic index and fatness, egg diameter composition, first sexual maturity and fecundity. The fish samples were collected monthly at the coastal area of Tongbaeksom, Pusan, Korea from July 1991 to July 1992. The gonadosomatic index(GSI) increased in September and reached the maximum value(female 4.31, male 1.61) in November when the gonad was mature and ripe. The values were decreased suddenly during the spawning season from December, and declined from January to August. The annual variations of hepatosomatic index(HSI) appeared to be correlated with those of GSI in female but were not significantly correlated in male. HSI in female began to increase in autumn with the increase of GSI, and reached the maximum in winter when the ovary was mature. Percentages of first sexual maturity in female and male fish were 50 % in 11.0~11.9 cm and 100 % in 13.0~13.9 cm groups. Both sexes participated in reproduction from one year old. H. agrammus was considered as a polycyclic species and spawns 3 times or more in the spawning season. Number of total and mature eggs in the absolute fecundity were proportional to standard length and body weight, respectively. Number of total and mature eggs in relative fecundity were also proportional to standard length, but rather decrease with increasing of body weight. Fatness coefficients reached the maximum value(female 15.32, male 15.14) in September(growing stage), and the values were sharply decreased after spawning. Thereafter, fatness values were gradually increased, therefore, the monthly changes in fatness coefficient closely correlated with the reproductive cycle. Sex ratios of female and male sexes of this species are showed 54.18 %, 45.82 %, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2013

This work was carried out to investigate the performance of early laying period of large-type Korean native ducks. One hundred sixty eight ducks were used in this work and divided into A and B strains (6 replications/strain, 14 birds/replication). The days at first egg of A and B strains were the age of 154.5 and 154.7 days, egg weights were 69.1 g and 65.5 g, and body weights were 3,187 g and 3,105 g at the period of laying the first egg, respectively. The days at sexual maturity of A and B strains were the age of 175.8 and 171.5 days, egg weights were 75.2 g and 74.9 g, and body weights were 3,245 g and 3,225 g at the period of laying the first egg, respectively. There were no significant differences on the day of first egg, the day of sexual maturity, egg weight and body weight at first egg and the sexual maturity, average body weight, and daily feed intake between A and B strains (P>0.05). The day of the sexual maturity of B strain was earlier than that of A strain (P<0.05). However, weekly body weight was the highest at the age of 28 weeks (P<0.05), and weekly feed intake increased after 26 weeks old (P<0.05). Egg production (%) of B strain was higher than that of A strain at the age of 22~24 weeks (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference on egg production (%) the other weeks. A number of egg laid of B strain was higher than A strain at 22~24 weeks old (P<0.05). Feed conversion ratio of A and B strains were 10.7 and 6.53 at 24~24 weeks old, respectively, so feed conversion ratio of A strain was higher than that of B strain (P<0.05). Weekly feed conversion ratio wes the highest at 20~22 weeks old, and significantly decreased until 24~24 weeks old, but were lowly maintained from the age of 24 weeks to the age of 30 weeks. These results provided the basic data on the record of early laying period of large-type Korean native ducks.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2003

The gonad index (GI), reproductive cycle with gonad developmental phases, first sexual maturity and the sex ratio of the jedo venus, Protothaca jedensis, on the coastal waters of Boryeong, Korea were investigated by histological study. Samples were collected from the subtidal zone of Boryeong, Korea from January to December, 1999. Monthly changes in the gonad index in femal and male clams gradually increased from February and reached the maximum in May, and then the values rapidly decreased from June and reached the minimum in November as seen in variations of the reproductive cycle. The spawning period of this species was once a year between May and July, there was a spawning peak between June and July when seawater temperature was over 20$^{\circ}C$. The reproductive cycle of this species in female and male clams can be classified into five successive stages: early active stage (December to March), late active stage (February to June), ripe stage (April to July), partially spawned stage (May to July) and spent/inactive stage (July to January). Percentages of first sexual maturity of female and male clams of 30.1-35.0 mm in shell length were 52.6% and 60.0%, respectively, and 100% for the clams over 45.1 mm in shell length. The sex ratio of individuals > 30.1 mm in shell length was 1:1 (X$^2$ = 0.40, p > 0.05).

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 1982

Data pertaining to the first generation of a Synthetic White Leghorn flock were used to estimate the heritabilities of and genetic correlation between partial egg production(egg number or percentage) or diversely segmented part records and other traits such as age at sexual maturity, residual and annual egg production, and to compare the expected genetic gain from selection on partial egg number or partial percent production with correlated response in other traits. The estimated heritabilites for six measures of egg Production were ranged from 29 to 35, while heritability for age at sexual maturity (SM) was intermediate (48). Genetic correlations between partial egg number (P) and annual egg number. (A), and partial percent production (P') and annual percent production (A') were 51 and 72, respectively. Genetic correlation between P and SM was estimated largely negative (-.64), while correlation bettween P' and SM was positively intermediate(34). In comparing direct response from selection on partial production (P or P') with another response in correlated trait, selection on P would be 25% more efficient than selection of P' for improving A, while selection of P' would be 94% more efficient than selection P for improving A' For shortening SM selection of P would be 98% more efficient than selection on P'.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.139-153
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• 2014

We investigated fecundities in egg capsules and sizes at 50% of group sexual maturities in female Rapana venosa in three different salinity concentration regions (S-1, S-2, and S-3). In three different salinities, egg capsule heights, the number of egg capsules and the number of eggs and embryos were remarkably increased with the increase of female shell heights (or ages) and also increased with the increase of salinity concentrations. Heights of egg capsules, the number of egg capsules and fecundities (the number of eggs and embryos) were the maximum at S-1 (Gwangyang Bay (average 31.5 psu)) and the minimum at S-3 (the upper reaches of Seomjin River (average 15.5 psu)). Total numbers of fecundities of R. venosa $individual^{-1}year^{-1}$ were about $1{\times}10^6$ at S-1 region, about $8{\times}10^5$ at S-2 region, and about $2{\times}10^5$ at S-3 region. Rates (50%) of individuals reaching first sexual maturities in three different salinity regions (S-1, S-2 and S-3) were over 50% in females measuring 7.1-8.0 cm in shell height (considered to be two years old), and 100% in those > 10.1 cm (considered to be five years old). Biological minimum sizes ($RM_{50}$) in females in three different regions are 72.0 mm SH at S-1 region, 70.9 mm SH at S-2 region, and 74.6 mm SH at S-3 region, respectively. Exceptionally, smaller individuals (considered to be one year old) were participated in reproduction.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.150-159
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• 1995

First sexual maturity, monthly changes in gonadosomatic index and reproductive cycle of viviparous teleost surfperch, Ditrema temmincki were investigated under photomicroscopy. Samples were collected from May 1992 to August 1993 in the vicinity of Suyoung Bay, Pusan, Korea. Body length at the first sexual maturity in female and male were 12.5cm and 13.5cm, respectively. Gonadosomatic index(GSI) in female reached the maximum in June(just before parturition) and male GSI reached the maximum in October(just before copulation). The testis is composed of a number of seminiferous tubules, and spermatogonia are originated from the germinal epithelium on the seminiferous tubule. The ovary consists of several ovigerous folds, and oogonia are originated from the inner surface of the germinal epithelium within the ovigerous fold. Annual reproductive cycle was classified into the following successive periods : in male, growing period from May to August, maturation period from September to October, copulation period from November to December, and degeneration and resting period from January to April, and in female, growing period from September to October, copulation and maturation period from November to December, gestation period from January to June, and resting period from July to August. Hepatosomatic index(HSI) in male appeared to be negatively correlated with gonadosomatic index, but that in female showed to be positively correlated.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.501-508
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• 1987

Gonadal development, the annual reproductive cycle and the first sexual maturity of hen clam, Mactra chinensis were studied histologically. Sexuality of the species was dioecious. The gonads were irregularly arranged from the subregion of mid-intestinal 91an4 in visceral cavity to the reticular connective tissue of the foot. The ripe eggs were about $50-60\;{\mu}m$ in diameter, and they were surrounded by gelatinous membrane. The spawning period was from May to September when the water temperature ranged $18.5-27.0^{\circ}C$, with the peak in June and July. The annual reproductive cycle of Mactra chinensis could be classified into five successive stages; multiplicative, growing, mature, spent, and degenerative and resting. The monthly changes of the fatness coefficient closely correlated with the annual reproductive cycle. Percentages of the first sexual maturity of female and male clams were over $50\%$ among those individuals ranging from 3.5 to 3.9cm, and $100\%$ in those over 5.0cm in shell length.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.1338-1350
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• 2012

This review focuses on the nutritional effects from birth until age at first calving on growth, mammary developmental changes, and first-lactation milk yield in heifer calves. The advancement in the genetic potential and the nutritional requirements of the animals has hastened the growth rate. Genetic selection for high milk yield has suggested higher growth capacity and hence increasing nutritional inputs are required. Rapid rearing by feeding high energy or high concentrate diets not only reduces the age of sexual maturity but also lowers the time period of attaining the age of first calving. However, high energy diets may cause undesirable fat deposition thereby affecting future milk yield potential. Discrepancies exist whether overfed or overweight heifers at puberty can influence the mammary development and future milk yield potential and performance. The data on post-pubertal nutritional management suggested that body weight at calving and post-pubertal growth rate is important in first lactation milk yield. There is a continuous research need for strategic feeding that accelerates growth of dairy heifers without reduction in subsequent production. Nutritional management from birth, across puberty and during pregnancy is critical for mammary growth and for producing a successful cow. This review will mostly highlight studies carried out on dairy breeds and possible available opportunities to manipulate nutritional status from birth until age at first calving.