• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.171-177
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• 2014

L-Carnitine is an antioxidant for the transport of fatty acids in mitochondria and breakdown of lipids for metabolic energy. Some studies have suggested that carnitine improves sperm motility in mammals. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of L-carnitine on the characteristics in fresh semen of miniature pigs. The collected fresh semen was stored in modena B medium with L-carnitine (0, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mg/ml) for 10 days at $18^{\circ}C$. The semen quality of viability, acrosome reaction and mitochondria integrity was analyzed on 0, 3, 7, and 10 day of semen storage. The percentages of live and dying sperm were not different among treatment groups with different concentrations of L-carnitine during the storage period. In acrosome reaction analysis, when the sperm stored for 7 day, the percentages of live sperm with acrosome reaction were significantly (p<0.05) lower in 1 ($9.0{\pm}0.9%$), 2 ($7.6{\pm}0.2%$) or 4 mg/ml ($7.9{\pm}0.8%$) L-carnitine-treated groups than the control group (0 mg/ml L-carnitine) ($11.12{\pm}0.2%$). However, there were no difference in percentages of live sperm with acrosome reaction for 3 and 10 days of storage with each concentrations of L-carnitine. When sperm was stored for 3 and 10 days, the percentages of live sperm with mitochondria integrity were significantly higher in 2 mg/ml of L-carnitine-treated group than control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, the L-carnitine has a positive effect on acrosome reaction and mitochondria integrity in liquid state of fresh semen in miniature pigs.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.77-84
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• 2010

This study was carried out the normal serial ultrasonographic appearance of the postpartum uterine involution with small pet bitches. Postpartum changes in uterine shape, architecture, echogenicity and diameter were monitored with ultrasonography in small pet bitches (Miniature Schnauzer, Cocker Spaniel and Shih-tzu). In the Miniature Schnauzer bitches, uterine diameter of the placental sites and interplacental sites were decreased from $24.31{\pm}1.65\;mm$ at 1 day to $13.56{\pm}0.76\;mm$at 7 day, and $15.19{\pm}1.28\;mm$ at 1 day to $10.41{\pm}0.76\;mm$ at 7 day postpartum. In the Cocker Spaniel, the placental sites and interplacental sites were decreased from $24.90{\pm}1.62\;mm$ at 1 day to $14.14{\pm}1.21\;mm$at 7 day, and $15.33{\pm}1.47\;mm$ at 1 day to $10.19{\pm}0.83\;mm$ at 7 day postpartum. In the Shih-tzu, the placental sites and interplacental sites were decreased from $23.96{\pm}1.55\;mm$at 1 day to $13.84{\pm}0.94\;mm$ at 7 day, and $14.93{\pm}1.29\;mm$ at 1 day to $9.98{\pm}0.84\;mm$ at 7 day postpartum. And uterine diameter was no statistically significant difference among bitches (p>0.05). At 67 days, the uterine diameter in Miniature Schnauzer bitches were 6~7 mm both placental and interplacental sites, and the uterine horns showed uniform hypoechoic, tubular structures without enlargement. In present study, the involution of the uterus was completed at 67 days after parturition in Miniature Schnauzer, and 65 days in Cocker Spaniel and the Shih-tzu. There were no significant differences of normal postpartum uterine involution between small pet bitches (p>0.05). In conclusion, the postpartum involution of small pet bitches appeared to be completed normally at 65~67 days after parturition and could be identified by gross findings such as vaginal discharges and ultrasonographic findings of uterine shape and echogenicity.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2009

The objectives of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the bacteria eliminated sperm by percoll gradient method on sperm quality and embryo cleavage in vitro in pig. The semen of miniature pig collected by gloved-hand method pre-warmed ($37^{\circ}C$) in thermos bottle, and separated by 65% percoll. Analysis of sperm ability was estimated by examining viability, capacitation and acrosome reaction using chlortetracycline (CTC) and the abnormality. Also, fertility of sperm was monitored with cleavage rate of embryo after IVF using separated and un-separated sperm by percoll. The result, viability of separated sperm was significantly(p<0.05) higher($83.6{\pm}$2.0 vs $59.0{\pm}4.4%$) than un-separated sperm. The results of CTC analysis showed the percentage of F- and B-patterned separated sperm was higher in separated that than un-separated sperm. On the contrary, the percentage of AR-patterned form unseparaed sperm was significantly(p<0.05) higher($13.6{\pm}0.8$ vs $8.1{\pm}0.6%$) than separated sperm. Also, abnormality of un-separated sperm was significantly(p<0.05) higher($2.2{\pm}0.4$ vs $16.8{\pm}2.8%$) than separated sperm. However, the cleavage rates of embryo using separated sperm by percoll and un-separated sperm had not significantly difference on 2 cell stage(9.25 vs 11.88%), 4 cell stage(26.76 vs 24.51%) and >4 cell stage(63.99 vs 63.61%) at 48h of IVF. Therefore, the sperm separated by percoll method showed improvement in sperm quality than un-separated sperm in miniature pig.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.349-354
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• 2012

In this experiment, two inclusion levels (15 and 30% of diets, as-fed basis) of brown rice (BR) were tested against a control diet with 0% BR (51% wheat flour of diet). Six female Miniature Poodles (8~9 months age, initial mean body weight of 3.5 kg) were assigned to treatments in replicated $3{\times}3$ Latin square design. Total tract digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, acid hydrolyzed fat and gross energy increased linearly (P<0.05), and observed digestible energy and metabolizable energy values also increased linearly (P<0.001 and P=0.007, respectively) with increasing BR inclusion levels. Wet and dry fecal output decreased linearly (P=0.001) with increasing BR inclusion levels in the diets. Linear (P<0.05) effects was observed in fecal score for dogs fed BR and fecal ammonia concentration increased linearly (P<0.05) in response to increasing BR inclusion level. It seems that the increase in fecal ammonia concentration may be partially related to the decrease in short-chain fatty acid concentration (P<0.01). This study clearly demonstrates that BR improves nutrients digestibility and fecal characteristics of dog.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.193-200
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• 2019

Blood test is a useful tool in establishing medical treatment for livestock. It provides information such as disease diagnosis, treatment effects, prognostic judgment, and health status. This study compared the value of erythrocytes and leukocytes among conventional, transgenic miniature, and transgenic conventional pigs aged six months to 24 months. Further, it analyzed the aspects of hematological value changes according to the pigs' ages. As a result, the number of red blood cells (RBC), which include hemoglobin, and hematocrit, and the number of white blood cells (WBC), which include neutrophils, and lymphocyte, were high among transgenic miniature pigs, compared with the conventional and transgenic conventional pigs. Conventional pigs showed similar values of RBC and WBC regardless of transgenesis. In comparing their age, the RBC decreased as the age increased compared with the pigs among all the three groups aged of 6~12 months. On the other hand, WBC and neutrophils showed no significant difference regardless of different ages among all the three groups. However, various counts in RBC and WBC were mostly found to be higher in each age in transgenic miniature pigs than in conventional and transgenic conventional pigs. The results of this study show that the values of RBC and WBC were generally higher in transgenic miniature pigs than in conventional and transgenic conventional pigs. Based on this research, hematological values can be widely used in diagnosing diseases or checking the health status of transgenic pigs that are used as disease models, organ transplant source and alike.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2018

Hematological and serum biochemical analyses are routinely used to screen dogs for disease and monitor their clinical progression. These values in dogs may be affected by internal factors, such as breed and age, and external factors like environment, diet, and lifestyle. Apparently, subclinical breed-related variations in hematologic and serum biochemical results have been characterized for Bernese Mountain dogs, Alaskan Malamutes, English Setters, and Golden Retrievers. It is possible that some breed-related differences in clinical pathology analyses may reflect evidence of underlying disease and impact clinical decision plan. In this study, we estimated hematologic and serum biochemical parameters in small breed dogs and compared among four different breed dogs. Blood samples were collected from 38 domestic dogs that were 10 Beagles, 9 Malteses, 10 Poodles, and 9 Miniature Schnauzers. In terms of RBC count, Beagle ($7.2{\pm}0.24{\times}10^3cells/{\mu}L$) showed significantly (P<0.05) higher count than other breeds (Maltese, $6.51{\pm}0.25{\times}10^3cells/{\mu}L$; Poodle, $6.35{\pm}0.24{\times}10^3cells/{\mu}L$; and Miniature Schnauzer, $6.35{\pm}0.25{\times}10^3cells/{\mu}L$). For MCV, Miniature Schnauzer ($67.05{\pm}0.84fl$) results were significantly (P<0.05) higher than Beagle with $64.33{\pm}0.8fl$. For cholesterol value, Beagle ($163.3{\pm}9.15mg/dl$) had significantly (P<0.05) higher values than Miniature Schnauzer with $119.12{\pm}9.64mg/dl$. There was no statistically difference among breeds in terms of enzyme markers of liver diseases. In conclusion, data obtained from this study may be valuable as breed-related variability for interpretation of the results in hematologic and serum biochemical analysis among four small breed dogs.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2008

Vaginal cytology with behavioral observation was performed in 34 estrous cycles in 16 Miniature Schnauzer dogs to evaluate the its usefulness. The mean duration of proestrus and estrus in Miniature Schnauzer based on behavioral observation and vaginal cytology was $7.58{\pm}1.50$ (Mean ${\pm}$S.D., range: $5{\sim}10$) and $8.46{\pm}2.82\;(6{\sim}17)$ days for proestrus, and $6.97{\pm}1.66\;(4{\sim}10)$ and $10.29{\pm}2.61\;(6{\sim}19)$ days for estrus, respectively. The duration of each phase of the estrous cycle was not significantly different based on between behavioral observation and vaginal cytology. The gestational length from the first day of male acceptance was $66.55{\pm}2.91\;(64{\sim}76)$ days, $57.70{\pm}1.92\;(54{\sim}62)$ days from the first male refusal, and $56.90{\pm}1.62\;(54{\sim}60)$ days from the onset of cytologic diestrus, respectively. Vaginal cytology during the estrous cycle were significantly characteristic of large intermediate cells in proestrus, anuclear cells in estrus, small intermediate cells in diestrus, and parabasal cells and small intermediate cells in anestrus (p<0.001), respectively. Cornification index (CI) by vaginal cytology was higher in proestrus ($69.90{\pm}1.44%$) and estrus ($91.35{\pm}1.09%$), then it was decreased in diestrus ($13.53{\pm}1.28%$) and anestrus ($1.16{\pm}1.26%$).

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.429-434
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• 2011

The objectives of this research were to determine the effects of brown rice (BR) on food intake, digestion, energy value, and fecal characteristics. Three replacement levels which BR replaced 0, 15 and 30% of wheat flour were tested. Six female Miniature Schnauzer (8~9 month age, initial mean body weight 5.0 ${\pm}$ 0.3 kg) were assigned to treatments in replicated $3{\times}3$ Latin square design. Total tract digestibilities of DM, OM, acid hydrolyzed fat and gross energy except CP increased linearly (P<0.01), and observed digestible energy and metabolizable energy values also increased linearly (P=0.001 and P=0.006, respectively) with increasing BR replacement level. Wet and dry fecal output decreased linearly (P<0.001, P=0.004) with increasing BR inclusion to the diets and BR 30% treatment reduced wet fecal output up to 21% of that of control. Quadratic (P<0.01) effects was observed in fecal score for dog fed BR and fecal ammonia concentration tended to increase linearly (P=0.07) in response to increasing BR replacement level. It seems that the increase in fecal ammonia concentration may be partially related to the decrease in shortchain fatty acid concentration (P=0.001). This study clearly demonstrates that BR improves nutrients digestibility and fecal characteristics of dog.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.372-376
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• 2012

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious problem associated with high morbidity and mortality. Ischemia-reperfusion is an important cause of acute kidney injury. This study was performed to ascertain clinically useful biomarkers for the diagnosis of AKI. In three miniature pigs, AKI were induced by 60 minutes of bilateral renal ischemia by the clamping renal artery. Blood and urine samples were collected from the pigs prior to clamping (baseline) and 0, 1, 3 and 5 days post-clamping. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, sodium and uric acid were measured in serum and urine samples. Fractional excretion of sodium ($FE_{Na}$) and fractional excretion of uric acid ($FE_{UA}$) were calculated. Also, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18, liver type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were detected by Western immunoblotting. Serum BUN and creatinine levels were increased significantly at day 1 post-clamping in all three miniature pigs. However, $FE_{Na}$ and $FE_{UA}$ showed marked individual differences. Western immunoblotting revealed significantly increased levels of IL-6, IL-18, L-FABP and GST in post-ischemic urine, compared to pre-clamping. While more research concerning the variance of $FE_{Na}$ and $FE_{UA}$ is needed, serum BUN, creatinine, IL-6, IL-18, L-FABP and GST may be sensitive urine biomarkers for diagnosis of AKI together with other biomarkers in the porcine ischemia-reperfusion model.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.107-113
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to develop a miniature imaging gamma probe with high performance that can detect small or residual tumors after surgery. Gamma probe detector system consists of NaI(Tl) scintillator, position sensitive photomultiplier tube (PSPMT), and collimator. PSPMT was optically coupled with 6.5 mm thick, 7.62 cm diameter of NaI(Tl) crystal and supplied with -1000V for high voltage. Parallel hexagonal hole collimator was manufactured for characteristics of 40-mm hole length, 1.3-mm hole diameter, and 0.22 mm septal thickness. Electronics consist of position and trigger signal readout systems. Position signals were obtained with summing, subtracting, and dividing circuit using preamplifer and amplifier. Trigger signals were obtained using summing amplifier, constant fraction discriminator, and gate and delay generator module with preamplifer. Data acquisition and processing were performed by Gamma-PF interface board inserted into pentium PC and PIP software. For imaging studies, flood and slit mask images were acquired using a point source. Two hole phantom images were also acquired with collimator. Intrinsic and system spatial resolutions were measured as 3.97 mm and 5.97 mm, respectively. In conclusion, Miniature gamma probe images based on the PSPMT showed good image quality, we conclude that the miniature imaging gamma probe was successfully developed and good image data were obtained. However, further studies will be required to optimize imaging characteristics.