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This study was conducted to estimate the body weight of Korean cattle (Hanwoo) using three-dimensional image. A time-of-flight camera and a stereo vision camera were used to acquire top-view images for Hanwoo. Multiple linear regression model incorporating body dimensions and age was developed to estimate the body weight. The prediction models with or without age variable were determined. Incorporating age variable that correlates with body weight improved the coefficient of determination for both TOF images and stereo vision images. The weight estimation error was greatly reduced under the condition that calves less than 6 months old were excluded. It was concluded that 3-D image is a promising technique for estimating the body weight of Hanwoo cattle.

Domestic goats (Capra hircus) are classified into six different mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups (A, B, C, D, F, and G), of which haplogroup A shows worldwide distribution. However, there is currently no key for genetic and geographic classification of haplogroup A. In this study, we determined the complete sequences of the mtDNA control region from Korean native goat breeds. In addition, we compared these sequences with those of other domestic goat breeds/populations globally. A distinct variation site was found at position 717. Of two types (C and T) from this variation, C type sequences were found only in haplogroup A, and were specific to Eastern Asia. On the other hand, T type sequences were distributed in all haplogroups. Phylogenetic analysis divided the two types according to different phylogenetic locations. These results suggest that a variation in position 717 is a key for geographical classification of mtDNA haplogroup A. Moreover, these distribution patterns might provide for identification of the maternal origin of goat genetic resources, including Korean native goat breeds.

We sought to provide a method for freezing and preserving primordial germ cells, or an avian germ cell of a bird, as a material for developmental engineering or species preservation. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of slow freezing with a vitrification method for the cryopreservation of chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs). PGCs obtained from the germinal gonad of day 5.5-6 day (stage 28) cultured chick embryos, using the MACS method, were classified into two groups: slow freezing and vitrification. We examined the viability of PGCs after Cryopreservation. Four freezing methods were compared with each other, including the following: Method 1: The PGCs were frozen by a programmed freezer in a plastic straw, including 2.0 M ethylene glycol (EG) as cryoprotective additive (slow freezing) Method 2: The PGCs were vitrified in a plastic straw, including 8.0 M EG, plus 7% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) (rapid freezing). Method 3: The slow freezing was induced with a cryotube including 2.0 M EG Method 4: The PGCs were frozen in a cryotube including 10% dimethyl suloxide (DMSO) (rapid freezing). After freezing and thawing, survival rates of the frozen-thawed PGCs from Method 1 to 4were 76.4%, 70.6%, 80.5% and 78.1% (p

This study was conducted to establish methods for preserving chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs) for long-term storage in liquid nitrogen and for developmental engineering or preservation of species. The purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of fetal bovine serum (FBS) or chicken serum (CS) treatment on the viability of cryopreserved PGCs from Korean Native Chicken (Ogye). PGCs separated from a germinal gonad of an early embryo at day 5.5-6 (stage 28) were suspended in a freezing medium containing freezing and protective agents (dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG) and glycerol). The values from 0, 5, 10, and 15 % DMSO plus FBS treatment were 21.6, 30.36, 36.42, 50.39, and 48.36 %, respectively. The viability of PGCs after freeze-thawing was significantly higher for 10% EG plus FBS treatment than for 10% EG + FCS treatment (p

Differentially regulated proteins within porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-derived conceptuses were compared with conceptuses that were derived from natural matings on day 14 of pregnancy. Proteins that were expressed prominently on day 14 were identified in SCNT-derived conceptuses using 2-D PAGE and MALDI-TOF MS. Sixty eight proteins were identified as being differentially regulated in the SCNT-derived conceptuses. Among these, 62 were down-regulated whereas the other six proteins were up-regulated. Glycolytic proteins, such as pyruvate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase, were down-regulated in the SCNT-derived conceptuses whereas apoptosis-related genes as annexin V, Hsp60, and lamin A were up-regulated. Thus, apoptosis-related genes are expressed at significantly higher levels in the SCNT-derived conceptuses than in the control conceptuses, whereas metabolism-related genes are significantly reduced.

Microsatellite markers have been a useful genetic tool in determining diversity, relationships and individual discrimination studies of livestock. The level of genetic diversity, relationships among two Korean indigenous chicken brand populations (Woorimatdag: WR, Hanhyup3: HH) as well as two pure populations (White Leghorn: WL, Rhode Island Red: RIR) were analyzed, based on 26 MS markers. A total of 191 distinct alleles were observed across the four chicken populations, and 47 (24.6%) of these alleles were unique to only one population. The mean HExp and PIC were estimated as 0.667 and 0.630. Nei's DA genetic distance and factorial correspondence analysis (FCA) showed that the four populations represented four distinct groups. However, the genetic distance between each Korean indigenous chicken brand (WR, HH) and the pure population (WL, RIR) were threefold that among the WR and HH. For the STRUCTURE analyses, the most appropriate number of clusters for modeling the data was determined to be three. The expected probabilities of identity among genotypes of random individuals (PI) were calculated as 1.17×10 49 (All 26 markers) and 1.14×10 15 , 7.33×10 20 (9, 12 with the highest PI value, respectively). The results indicated that the brand chicken breed traceability system employing the own highest PI value 9 to 12 markers, and might be applicable to individual identification of Korean indigenous chicken brand. (Key words : Microsatellite, Genetic relationship, Korean indigenous chicken brand, Identification)

The goal of this study was to verify the phylogenetic status of the Korean native goats (KNG). We determined the complete sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene in 48 goats among four populations. We also analyzed genetic variability within goats, and a phylogenetic analysis was performed by comparison with other country's goats. Three nucleotide substitutions were detected, and two of these were missense mutations that occurred due to a substitution of amino acid. Four haplotypes were defined from KNG. Three of these haplotypes were only found in the Chinese goat. However, the other haplotype was KNG-specific. In the phylogenetic analysis, four clades (A~D) were classified among domestic goats, and the KNG was classified into clade 1 that estimated as lineage A based on the D-loop sequence. Each haplotype from the KNG was clustered closely with that of the Chinese goat. The results of haplotype distribution and phylogenetic location suggest that strong gene flow occurred from China to the Korean Peninsula. (Key words : Korean native goat, Phylogenetic analysis, Cytochrome b, Haplotype, Gene flow)

Sloan-Kettering virus gene, a product of a cellular protooncogene c-Ski is a unique nuclear pro-oncoprotein and belongs to the Ski/Sno proto-oncogene family. The aim of the present study was to locate Ski protein in rat ovaries in order to find insights into the possible involvement of Ski in follicular development and atresia. Ovaries obtained on the day of estrus were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for Ski and PCNA in combination with TUNEL. Ski was expressed in granulosa cells that were positive for TUNEL, but negative for PCNA, regardless of the shape and size of the follicles. Expression of Ski in (TUNEL)-positive granulosa cells, but not in (PCNA)-positive granulosa cells, was verified in immature hypophysectomized rats having a single generation of developing and atretic follicles by treatment with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). These results indicate that Ski is profoundly expressed in the granulosa cells of atretic follicles, but not in growing follicles. Based on the present findings, Ski has maybe played plays a role in apoptosis of granulosa cells during follicular atresia.

The study was conducted to select and optimize microsatellite (MS) markers for evaluation of Korean native pig (KNP) populations in order to provide standard for the classification and breed definition of the indigenous breeds. The study also aimed to characterize and classify each KNP populations. A total of 648 pigs from 17 pig populations including six KNP, four Chinese native pig and four commercial pig populations were analyzed with 26 MS markers. KNP populations formed separate cluster from those of Chinese native pig and introduced pig populations. Expected heterozygosity (He) of KNP populations were 0.48~0.55 except two populations with 0.65. Genetic distances between KNP populations were relatively shorter: 0.12-0.34. Among six KNP populations, three showed high genetic uniformity, two showed lower uniformity and one showed high level of impurity and heterozygosity. The results can be used to evaluate and manage animal genetic resources at national scale.

Ninety Hanwoo steers (initial BW = 167.2±13.4 kg) were used to determine the effect of energy concentrations in concentrates and slaughter age on performance, carcass characteristics. Steers were allotted by BW to one of eighteen pens. Eighteen pens were randomly allotted to a low (70-70-71-72% for the growing, the early, the middle or the late fattening periods), medium (70-71-72-73%) or high (70-72- 73-74%) TDN level of concentrates. Five steers for each treatment of energy level were slaughtered every one month from 26 month of age to 31 month of age. Concentrates was fed restrictedly to achieve a predicted gain of 0.7~0.9 kg from growing stage to middle fattening stage. All steers were fed orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata L.) hay as roughage during the growing period, fed rice straw gradually substituted for orchard grass hay during the early fattening period, and fed rice straw only thereafter. Overall body weight and feed intake were not affected by TDN levels of concentrates. Average daily gain for all treatments was higher than 0.9 kg/d during the 19~21 month of age and decrease thereafter, but sustained above 0.7 kg/d. Mean concentrates intake for all treatments was 1.0~1.3% of live BW during the growing period and 1.5% during the early fattening. Thereafter, it decreased up to 1.4% during the middle fattening and 1.0% during late fattening period. Delay of slaughter end point resulted in a gradual increase of rib-eye area, back fat thickness and marbling score, especially after slaughter age of 29 month there was significant increases (P

J. H. Kim*, S. C. Kim** and Y. D. Ko**Korea Applied Microorganism Industrial Research*,College of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University**ABSTRACTThis study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of zeolite on growth performance,carcass characteristics and fecal ammonia gas release in the finishing pigs. A total of 120 crossbred finishingpigs (50.2±1.4kg, Landrace×Yorkshire×Duroc) were assigned to 4 treatments and randomly divided into 12groups. They were divided between early finishing period (50~80kg) and late finishing period (80~120kg).Finishing pigs were fed on a basal diet supplemented with 0, 1, 2 and 4% levels of zeolite. Average daily gainand feed conversion were significantly (P

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary wormwood powder (Artemisia montana Pampan; WP) supplementation on growing performance and fecal noxious gas emission in weanling pigs. One hundred and twelve pigs were alloted into four treatments and offered for 4 weeks one of the diets supplemented with 0% (control), 0.5% (0.5), 1.0% (1.0) and 2.0% (2.0) WP. Each treatments has four replicate with 7 pigs per replicate. ADG, ADFI and F/G were improved by 1.0 and 2.0 WP supplementation during 0 dq14d feeding. Feed intake of 1.0 WP diet was higher (Px 0.05) than any other diet during 15dq28d feeding. But there were no differences among the other treatments in the weight gain and feed conversion. During the whole feeding period, daily weight gain and feed intake of pigs fed 1.0 and 2.0 treatments were higher than those of pigs fed control and 0.5 diet. DM digestibility was significantly (Px 0.05) higher in weanling pigs fed 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 WP than that of the control. The protein digestibility was significantly improved in 1.0 WP treatment and the phosphorus digestibility was improved in 2.0 WP treatment. Excretion of nitrogen and phosphorus was significantly (Px 0.05) decreased by 2.0 treatment than control. Emission of fecal ammonia after 48 hours storage in vinyl bag dramatically decreased by all the treatments except control. However, there was no statistical difference in fecal hydrogen sulfide emission among treatments. In conclusion, this study suggested that the dietary 1.0q2.0 supplementation of WP can improve productivity of pigs decrease fecal NH3 and H2S gas emission.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of probiotics on the performance, nutrients digestibility, noxious gas emission and microflora population on the cecum of broilers. A total of 120 broilers, consisted of 4 treatments X 3 replicates X 10 broilers per replicates, were fed the experimental diets containing 0, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5C� probiotics for 5 weeks. Broilers fed the diets containing 0.1 and 0. 3C� probiotic had higher (px 0.05) body weight gain and feed conversion than those of the others from the 3rd to 4th week. Broilers fed 0.3C� probiotic had higher (px 0.05) body weight gain and feed conversion than those of the other levels from the 5th to 6th week. Broilers fed the diets containing 0.1% and 0.3C� probiotic had higher (px 0.05) body weight gain and feed conversion than those of the others from the 2nd to 6th week. Dry matter digestibility was significantly (px 0.05) improved with 0.3% probiotic. Emission of ammonia and sulfate hydrogen gas was significantly (px 0.05) decreased at 6th week. However, there was no (px 0.05) difference at the levels of 0, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5% at the 4th weeks. There was an increase in the lactobacillus sp, but there was a decrease in the microflora population of coliforms in the cecum of broiler with 0.1% and 0.3% probiotics. These results indicated that the compound probiotics of 0.1q0.3% were effective in the body weight gain, feed conversion, nutrients digestibility, noxious gas emission and microflora population on the cecum

Background Obesity is a health hazard that is associated with a number of diseases and metabolic abnormalities, such as type-2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and coronary heart disease. In the current study, we investigated the effects of Citrus aurantium flavonoids (CAF) on the inhibition of adipogenesis and adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. Methods During adipocyte differentiation, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with 0, 10, and 50 μg/ml CAF, and then the mRNA and protein expression of adipogenesis-related genes was assayed. We examined the effect of CAF on level of phosphorylated Akt in 3T3-L1 cells treated with CAF at various concentrations during adipocyte differentiation. Results The insulin-induced expression of C/EBPβ and PPARγ mRNA and protein were significantly down-regulated in a dose-dependent manner following CAF treatment. CAF also dramatically decreased the expression of C/EBPα, which is essential for the acquisition of insulin sensitivity by adipocytes. Moreover, the expression of the aP2 and FAS genes, which are involved in lipid metabolism, decreased dramatically upon treatment with CAF. Interestingly, CAF diminished the insulin-stimulated serine phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473) and GSK3β (Ser9), which may reduce glucose uptake in response to insulin and lipid accumulation. Furthermore, CAF not only inhibited triglyceride accumulation during adipogenesis but also contributed to the lipolysis of adipocytes. Conclusions In the present study, we demonstrate that CAF suppressed adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our results indicated that CAF down-regulates the expression of C/EBPβ and subsequently inhibits the activation of PPARγ and C/EBPα. The anti-adipogenic activity of CAF was mediated by the inhibition of Akt activation and GSK3β phosphorylation, which induced the down-regulation of lipid accumulation and lipid metabolizing genes, ultimately inhibiting adipocyte differentiation.