• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1104-1111
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of G protein-coupled receptor 54 (GPR54) gene and explore association of this candidate gene with reproductive traits in Jiaxing Black sows. Methods: Six pairs of primers of the gene were designed to amplify all exons thus sequences of which were detected by means of direct sequencing and then SNP loci were scanned. The effects of SNPs on total number of piglets born (TNB), number of piglets born alive (NBA), number of still born piglets (NSB), and litter weight at birth (LWB) of Jiaxing Black sows were analyzed. Results: Three SNP loci, including T3739C, C3878T and T6789C, were identified via comparison of sequencing and two genotypes (AB, BB) at each SNP site were observed. T3739C resulted in the change of amino acid ($Leu{\rightarrow}Pro$) in corresponding protein, and C3878T resulted in synonymous mutation ($Ile{\rightarrow}Ile$). Statistical results demonstrated that allele B was the preponderant allele at the three SNP loci and Genotype BB was the preponderant genotype. Meanwhile, Chi-Square test of these three SNPs indicated that all mutation sites fitted in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p>0.05). For GPR54-T3739C locus, Jiaxing Black sows with genotype BB had 1.23 TNB and 1.28 NBA (p<0.01) that were more than those with genotype AB, respectively. Jiaxing Black sows that had the first two parities with genotype BB had additional 2.23 TNB, 2.27 NBA (p<0.01), and 1.94 LWB (p<0.05) compared to those with genotype AB, respectively. However, for other two loci, no significant difference was found between TNB, NBA, NSB, and LWB, and different genotypes of Jiaxing Black sows. Conclusion: In conclusion, the polymorphisms of GPR54-T3739C locus were significantly associated to TNB, NBA, and LWB and could be used as a potential genetic marker to improve reproductive function of Jiaxing black sows.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2010

To evaluate agronomic characteristics for the use of biodiesel crop, 328 collections of sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) were obtained from Genebank in Rural Development Adminstration (RDA). The necessary days from seeding to emergence of collections were from 7 to 12 days, and the days to flowering were widely distributed from 55 to 86 days. Stem length ranged from 131 to 345 cm with a mean of 259 cm, and the mean maturing days were 35 days. The number of head flower was 1~23 ea per plant, and the mean size of head flower was 17.6 cm with a range from 14.7 to 21.3 cm (72.8%). The mean seed number per head flower was 1,430 ea, and the weight of seed per plant ranged from 23 to 379 g with a mean of 91.4 g. The mean seed length was 11.7 mm with a range from 9.0 to 21.5 mm, and the mean diameter was 6.4 mm. The mean weight of seed per litter, 1000 grain weight and seed weight per plant were 322.5 g, 63.3 g and 204 g, respectively. Variation of number of head per plant was largest and weight of grain per plant was large in next among growth and grain characteristics. At the results of correlation analysis among characteristics, the seed diameter was getting bigger and the days for flowering dates were prolonged in the higher stem length plant, but the days to maturing and growth duration was shortened.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.120-126
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• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with Pediococcus acidilactici (P. acidilactici) ZPA017 as a probiotic on reproductive performance, fecal microbial flora and serum indices in sows during late gestation and lactation. Methods: A total of 94 sows (Large White×Yorkshire, average 4.50 parities) were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments: control diet and the diet supplemented with P. acidilactici ZPA017 (2.40×10⁹ colony-forming unit/kg of diets). The study started at d 90 of gestation and conducted until d 28 of lactation. Results: Compared to sows fed the control diet, supplementation of P. acidilactici ZPA017 increased the number of weaning piglets, weaning weight of litter and piglets, survival rate of piglets at weaning (p<0.05), and decreased diarrhea rate of piglets in lactation (p<0.05). Dietary P. acidilactici ZPA017 increased fecal Lactobacillus populations (p = 0.030) and reduced fecal Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus populations (p<0.05) of sows at weaning. Moreover, the supplementation of P. acidilactici ZPA017 increased serum concentrations of immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin A and total protein (p<0.05), while decreased serum haptoglobin concentration and alanine aminotransferase activity (p<0.05) of sows at weaning. Conclusion: Administration of P. acidilactici ZPA017 in diets during late gestation and lactation had positive effects on the reproductive performance, intestinal microflora balance and immunity of sows.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.89-97
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• 2008

Based on the former researches, this article studied the influence of cone harvesting of Korean pine on the regeneration of Korean pine trees and the life of animals in Mt. Changbai Nature Reserve. When the cone matures, scales of the cone do not open so the seeds can not be released automatically. And the seeds, if left inside, are hard to germinate and can not grow further into seedlings. The seeds of Korean pine have deep dormancy characteristics. Natural regeneration of Korean pine is very poor under mother trees. Hoarding behavior of dispersing animals not only helps animals for food shortage period but also contributes to the dispersion of seeds of Korean pine. Among those hoarding animals, squirrel and Eurasian nutcrackers are found to be the most important dispersing agents for the seeds of Korean pine. After cone harvesting, the number of those dispersers reduced a lot since the seeds of Korean pine are very important food for them. Seed quantity of Korean pine on surface layer became very few and most of them only showed single distribution. Most of the seeds were buried under litter layer and showed a single or 2-4 seeds/cluster distribution. The case of more than 4 seeds in one cluster was few. The seed quantity of Korean pine forest on steep slopes of the research area was only 0.3% of the seed quantity in 1980 for the same forest type. If seed source of Korean pine are not protected, Korean pine forest in Mt. Changbai Nature Reserve would not maintain present feature in the future.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.1223-1226
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• 2004

Previously candidate gene approach revealed estrogen receptor (ESR) locus was associated with increased litter size. In this study, PvuII polymorphisms of ESR gene was detected by PCR-RFLP, and ESR locus was evaluated for its association with reproductive tracts components in the Large $White{\times}Meishan$ ($LW{\times}M$) F2 offspring. Ninety seven gilts with reproductive tracts components records and 136 offspring with performance traits records were genotyped and the results were used to estimate allele substitution effects. The results showed that two alleles (A and B) were identified, and 121 bp fragments were observed for the AA genotype and 65 bp and 56 bp fragments for the BB genotype; the length of uterine body (LUB) of BB gilts were significantly shorter than AA gilts', the additive effect was -1.762 cm; the uterine weight (UW) of AB gilts were significantly lighter than AA gilts' with the additive effect -18.058 g; no significant associations of ESR alleles with ovulation rate (OR), length of uterine horn (LUH), length of uterine cervix (LUC), weight of two ovaries (OW), volume of uterine lumen (VUL), length of oviduct (LO) were observed. BB genotypes gilts need significantly less days to 100 kg ($D_{100kg}$) than AA genotypes (p<0.01), the additive effect was per copy of B allele. Allele B is also favorable for average daily gain (ADG), with additive effect 0.015 kg/d (p<0.05). There was no difference between genotypes for backfat thickness at the 13th rib (SF13), loin meat height (ELMH), and loin meat percentage was estimated (ELMP), individual birth weight (IBW) and teat number (TN).

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.251-254
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• 2003

Phosphorous removal rate and emergent plant growth were examined of a surface-flow constructed treatment wetland system, whose dimensions were 31 meter in length and 12 meter in width. The system was established on floodplain in the down reach of the Kwangju Stream in Korea in one and half months from May to June 2001. Cattails(Typha angustiflora) were transplanted in the system. They were dug out of natural wetlands and stems were cut at about 40 cm height from their bottom ends. Water of the Kwangju Stream were funneled into it via a pipe by gravity flow and its effluent were discharged back into it. The stems of cattails grew from 45.2 cm in July 2001 up to 186 cm in September 2001 and the number of cattail stems per square meter increased from 22 in July 2001 to 53 in September 2001. The early establishment of cattails was good. Volume and water quality of inflow and outflow were analyzed from July 2001 through December 2001. Inflow averaged $40\;m^3/day$ and hydraulic retention time was about 1.5 days. The concentration of total phosphorous in influent and effluent was 0.85 mg/L, 0.41 mg/L, respectively. The average removal rate of total phosphorous in the system was about 52%. The retention efficiency was slightly lower, compared with that in surface-flow wetlands operating in North America, whose retention efficiency was reported to be about 57%. The lower abatement rate could result from the initial stage of the system and inclusion of two cold months into the six-month monitoring period. Root rhizosphere in wetland soils and litter-soil layers on bottoms were not properly developed. Increase of standing density of cattails within a few years will establish both root zones and substrates beneficial to the removal of phosphorous, which may lead to increase of the phosphorous retention rate. The system was submerged one time by heavy storm during the monitoring period. The inundation, however, scarcely disturb its environment.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.764-773
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• 2004

The soil in wildfire area Sacheon-myeon, Gangneung, Gangweon Province, Korea, were investigated to clarify pattern of the soils. The soils were classified into 5 types on the basis of vegetation, types of organic matter. thickness of soil horizons, and completeness of soil profile. Each type showed different erosion pattern and Landsat ETM image. Coverage of plant leaves, litter, root, ash and other organic matter was an important component that affected soil color and reflectance of Landsat image (digital number). Although the NDVI (Normalized Distribution Vegetation Index) method in the wildfire area did not show much difference in soil types, the applied supervised classification method showed characteristic pattern of Landsat ETM image of soil types. This study showed that the applied supervised Landsat TM image classification in wildfire area is an effective way to estimate the distribution of erosion pattern of soil in wildfire area.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.133-143
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• 2009

Pivotal roles of steroid hormones in uterine endometrial function are well established from the mouse models carrying the null mutation of their receptors. Literally androgen belongs to male but interestingly it also detected in female. The fluctuations of androgen levels are observed during reproductive cycle and pregnancy, and the functional androgen receptor is expressed in reproductive organs including uterus. Using high throughput methodology, the downstream genes of androgen have been isolated and revealed correlations between other steroid hormones. In androgen-deficient mice, uterine responses to exogenous gonadotropins are impaired and the number of pups per litter is reduced dramatically. As expected androgen has important role in decidual differentiation through AR. It regulates specific gene network during those cellular responses. Recently we examined the effects of steroid hormonal complex containing high level of androgen. Interestingly, on the contrary to the androgen-alone administration, the hormonal complex did not disturb the decidual reaction and the pubs did not show any morphological abnormality. It is suspected that the complexity of communication between other steroid hormone and their receptors are the reasons. In summary, androgen exists in female blood and it suggests the importance of androgen in female reproduction. However, the complex interactions with other hormones are not fully understood compared with estrogen and progesterone. The further studies to evaluate the possible role of androgen are needed and important to provide the in vivo rational for the prevention of associated pregnancy complications and help human's health.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.228-233
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• 2004

Nitrate removal was examined from May to October 2003 of a surface flow treatment wetland cell, which was a part of a treatment wetland system composed of four wetland cells and a distribution pond The system was established on rice paddy near the Kohung Estuarine Lake located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. Effluent from a secondary-level night soil treatment plant was funneled into the system. The investigated cell, 87 m in length and 14 m in width, was created in April 2003. An open water was designed at its center, which was equivalent to 10 percent of its total area. Cattails (Typha angustifolia) were transplanted from natural wetlands into the cell and their stems were cut at about 40cm height from their bottom ends. Average $25.0\;m^3/day$ of effluent from the treatment plant was funneled into the cell by gravity flow and average $24.1\;m^3/day$ of its treated effluent was discharged into the Sinyang Stream flowing into the lake. Its water depth was maintained about 0.2 m and its hydraulic detention time averaged 5.2 days. Average height of the cattail stems was 42.5 cm in May 2M3 and 117.7 cm in September 2003. The number of stems averaged $9.5\;stems/m^2$ in May 2003 and $16.4\;stems/m^2$ in September 2003. The growth of cattails was good. Temperature of influent and effluent averaged 25.9 and $26.7^{\circ}C$, respectively. $NO_3$-N loading rate of influent and effluent averaged 176.67 and $88.09\;mg/m^2\;day$, respectively. Removal of rf03-N averaged $89.58\;mg/m^2\;day$ and its removal rate by mass was about 50%. Considering its initial operating stage in which cattail rhizomes and litter layer on the bottom were not Idly established, the $NO_3$-N removal rate of the cell was rather good.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.170-175
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• 2016

The objective of this study was to assess variance components and genetic parameters for fat and protein content in Tsigai sheep using multivariate animal models in which fat and protein content in individual months of lactation were treated as different traits, and univariate models in which fat and protein content were treated as repeated measures of the same traits. Test day measurements were taken between the second and the seventh month of lactation. The fixed effects were lactation number, litter size and days in milk. The random effects were animal genetic effect and permanent environmental effect of ewe. The effect of flock-year-month of test day measurement was fitted either as a fixed (FYM) or random (fym) effect. Heritabilities for fat content were estimated between 0.06 and 0.17 (FYM fitted) and between 0.06 and 0.11 (fym fitted). Heritabilities for protein content were estimated between 0.15 and 0.23 (FYM fitted) and between 0.10 and 0.18 (fym fitted). For fat content, variance ratios of permanent environmental effect of ewe were estimated between 0.04 and 0.11 (FYM fitted) and between 0.02 and 0.06 (fym fitted). For protein content, variance ratios of permanent environmental effect of ewe were estimated between 0.13 and 0.20 (FYM fitted) and between 0.08 and 0.12 (fym fitted). The proportion of phenotypic variance explained by fym effect ranged from 0.39 to 0.43 for fat content and from 0.25 to 0.36 for protein content. Genetic correlations between individual months of lactation ranged from 0.74 to 0.99 (fat content) and from 0.64 to 0.99 (protein content). Fat content heritabilities estimated with univariate animal models roughly corresponded with heritability estimates from multivariate models: 0.13 (FYM fitted) and 0.07 (fym fitted). Protein content heritabilities estimated with univariate animal models also corresponded with heritability estimates from multivariate models: 0.18 (FYM fitted) and 0.13 (fym fitted).