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Investigations for hematologic values and the differential count of WBC for Korean indigenous cattle (KIC) and Stripped Cattle (SC) are rarely performed. Therefore, when the index of complete blood counts (CBC) analysis of KIC and SC were requested, it had many difficulties to make the results for blood condition since the standard hematologic values of KIC and SC are lacking. The objective of this study was to investigated the hematologic values and the differential count of WBC for blood of total 19 striped cattle (SC) and 187 KIC as a control by estimation analysis of hematologic characteristics. As a result, the mean values of RBC and platelet of KIC were significantly decreased by age (p

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.

The present study was designed to explore the antioxidant effect of Bamboo powder and its immunoreactivity in pigs. We investigated the functional properties of Bamboo extracts by means of measuring the contents of total polyphenols and flavonoid as well as determining ABST, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and anticancer activity. The total phenolic compound and flavonoids contents of Bamboo extracts were 171.25 mg/g and 127.5 mg/g, respectively. The DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, ABST radical scavenging activity of Bamboo extracts were 17.3%, 12.5% and 21.5%, respectively. Evidenced by MTT and cell cycle assay, Bamboo dose-dependently inhibited the cell proliferation and induced G0/G1-phase arrest in CHO cells at concentrations of 100, 250, and 500 μg/ml Bamboo extracts. More than 80% of apoptotic cells were observed by staining with annexin V in 500 μg/ml Bamboo-treated CHO cells, indicating that Bamboo had potent anticancer activities. Next, to investigate the effect of Bamboo on cytokine, immunoglobulin concentration, and blood compositions, flatting pigs were fed with Bamboo powder for 38 days. Flatting pigs were divided into 4 groups; basal diet (control), basal diet supplemented with 1% Bamboo powder (T1), 2% Bamboo powder (T2), and 3% Bamboo powder (T3). The level of hemoglobin increased in the all Bamboo-fed groups compared with the normal control group. In particular, platelet levels in the all Bamboo-treated groups increased by approximately 90% compared with the levels from pig on a normal control. Serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA) in the pigs fed Bamboo powder were modestly increased, and the interferon-γ level also was strongly increased in 2% or 3% Bamboo-fed groups compared with the levels in control groups. Together, these results demonstrated that Bamboo extracts had an effective capacity of scavenging for ABTS, DPPH, and hydroxyl radicals and showed correlation with potent phenol and flavonoid contents, thus suggesting its antioxidant potential. Moreover, administration of Bamboo in 2∼3% improved blood parameters and platelets, and especially immunity-related ones such as IgG, IgA, and interferon-γ, leading to be potential feed additives in flatting pigs.

The aim of the current study is to examine the improving effect of Sasa borealis stem (SBS) extract extracts on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis in rats. To determine the hepatoprotective effect of SBS, we fed rats a normal regular diet (ND), HFD, and HFD supplemented with 150 mg/kg body weight (BW) SBS extracts for five weeks. We found that the body weight and liver weight of rats in the HFD + SBS group were significantly lower than those in the HFD group. Significantly lower serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) concentrations were observed in the SBS-supplemented group compared with the HFD group. We also found that the HFD supplemented with SBS group showed dramatically reduced hepatic lipid accumulation compared to the HFD alone group, and administration of SBS resulted in dramatic suppression of TG, TC in the HFD-induced fatty liver. In liver gene expression within the SBS treated group, PPAR alpha was significantly increased and SREBP-1c was significantly suppressed. SBS induced a significant decrease in the hepatic mRNA levels of PPAR gamma, FAS, ACC1, and DGAT2. In conclusion, SBS improved cholesterol metabolism, decreased lipogenesis, and increased lipid oxidation in HFD-induced hepatic steatosis in rats, implying a potential application in treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Poutry Science Division, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Seonghwan 330-801, KoreaABSTRACT To preserve chicken genetic materials like cryopreserved spermatozoa, various kinds of freezing agents like glycerol, dimethylsuloxide, dimethylformamide or dimethylacetamide have been used for rooster semen preparation. Recently, the usage of N-methylacetamide (MA) for Ogye rooster semen preservation resulted in hatched chicken successfully. In this study, we investigated the effects of 7, 9 and 11% of MA on the viability, fertility and hatchability of frozen-thawed rooster semen using artificial insemination. The results of viability, fertility and hatchability in frozen semen with 7%, 9% or 11% MA were 35.16±6.12%, 67.83±15.3% and 66.2±16.3% of motile sperm rate, 21.5%, 34.7% and 25% of fertility rate, and 100%, 89.5% and 87.5% of hatchability rate. The results of control group with frozen semen were 96.0% of fertility rate and 92.2% of hatchability rate. With these results, the concentration range of MA as a freezing agent of rooster semen could be 79% of media. The higher concentration of 9 % MA could decrease the fertility rate of thawed semen not the rate of hatchability rate. So the use of MA without affecting fertility rate would be a key point of freezing method of rooster semen for poultry genetic resource preservation.(Key words : Ogye, cryopreservation, N-methylacetamide, semen)

The aim of the study was to investigate the anti-obesity effect of Coprinus comatus (CC) in high-fat diet-fed Zucker rat (fa/fa). Obesity was induced by feeding on high-fat diet (HFD) containing 60% kcal fat for 10 weeks, in which CC extracts were administrated through the gastrointestinal tract at a concentration of 200 mg/kg BW/day for 10 weeks. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of CC extracts were found to be 18.5±1.1 mg of catechin equivalent/g, and 5.24±0.54 mg of quercetin equivalent/g extract, respectively. The DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities of CC extracts were 15.34 %, 17.25%, and 16.18%, respectively. In animal study, CC administration significantly reduced the body weight, while there were no significant differences in the daily food intake between the HFD-fed Zucker rats and HFD plus CC-fed rats. CC treatment decreased epididymal and perirenal fat weights in HFD-fed Zucker rats. Significant decreases in the levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol in the serum and liver were observed in the CC-treated group compared with HFD-fed Zucker rats. Serum HDL-cholesterol levels in the CC-treated group were increased compared with the HFD-fed groups. Serum AST and ALT activities in the CC group were significantly lower than those of the HFD-fed group. Taken together, these data demonstrated that CC has potential in preventing high-fat diet induced obesity and is a good candidate for an anti-obesity agent.

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has generally demonstrated that a differentiated cell can convert into a undifferentiated or pluripotent state. hi the SCNT experiment, nuclear reprogramming is induced by exposure of introduced donor nuclei to the recipient cytoplasm of matured oocytes. However, because the efficiency of SCNT still remains low, a combination of SCNT technique with the ex-ovo method may improve the normal development of SCNT embryos. Here we hypothesized that treatment of somatic cells with extracts prepared from the germinal vesicle (GV) stage Siberian sturgeon oocytes prior to their use as nuclear donor for SCNT would improve in vitro development. A reversible permeability protocol with 4 mu g/mL of digitonin for 2 min at 4 degrees C in order to deliver Siberian sturgeon oocyte extract (SOE) to porcine fetal fibroblasts (PFFs) was carried out. As results, the intensity of H3K9ac staining in PFFs following treatment of SOE for 7 h at 18 degrees C was significantly increased but the intensity of H3K9me3 staining in PFFs was significantly decreased as compared with the control (p

Schisandra chinensis (SC), a traditional herbal medicine, has been prescribed for patients suffering from various liver diseases, including hepatic cancer, hypercholesterolemia, and CCl₄-induced liver injury. We investigated whether SC extract has a protective effect on alcohol-induced fatty liver and studied its underlying mechanisms. Rats were fed with ethanol by intragastric administration every day for 5 weeks to induce alcoholic fatty liver. Ethanol treatment resulted in a significant increase in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels and caused fatty degeneration of liver. Ethanol administration also elevated serum TG and total cholesterol (TC) and decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. However, after administration of ethanol plus SC extracts, the ethanol-induced elevation in liver TC and TG levels was reversed. Elevation in serum TG was not observed after treatment with SC. Moreover, compared with the ethanol-fed group, the rats administered ethanol along with SC extracts for 5 weeks showed attenuated fatty degeneration and an altered lipid profile with decreased serum TC and TG, and increased HDL cholesterol levels. Chronic ethanol consumption did not affect peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) levels, but it decreased PPARα and phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) levels in the liver. However, SC prevented the ethanol-induced decrease in PPARα expression and induced a significant decrease in sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 expression and increase in phospho-AMPK expression in rats with alcoholic fatty liver. SC administration resulted in a significant decrease in intracellular lipid accumulation in hepatocytes along with a decrease in serum TG levels, and it reversed fatty liver to normal conditions, as measured by biochemical and histological analyses. Our results indicate that the protective effect of SC is accompanied by a significant increase in phospho-AMPK and PPARα expression in hepatic tissue of alcoholic rats, thereby suggesting that SC has the ability to prevent ethanol-induced fatty liver, possibly through activation of AMPK and PPARα signaling.

The development of embryos reconstructed by nuclear transfer (NT) is dependent upon numerous factors. Central to development is the quality and development of the recipient cytoplast. Typically oocytes Corresponding author: Joon-Hee Lee Tel: +82-55-772-1886 Fax: +82-55-772-1889 E-mail: sbxjh@gnu.ac.kr 168 ... Journal of Agriculture & Life Science 47(6) at either AI/TI or MII are potential candidates used as recipient cytoplasts for NT, because they contain active MPF, which causes NEBD and PCC in the transferred nucleus and may be essential for nuclear reprogramming. In vitro maturation of porcine oocytes generally spend longer times (44-48h), progress asynchronously from immature stage and also present insufficient MPF for NEBD and PCC. Here, we have developed three stages establishment of in vitro porcine oocyte maturation to select good quality of oocytes used as recipient cytoplasts for NT. Firstly, oocytes were assessed by the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) before in vitro oocyte maturation. Positively BCB stained oocytes reached to MII (67.0% vs. 58.4%) and produced more parthenogenetic blastocysts (50.2% vs. 29.6%) as compared with negatively BCB stained oocytes (P < 0.05). Secondly, positively BCB stained oocytes were treated with 5 μg/ml CHXM to block meiotic progression for synchronizing the cell cycle of oocytes for 16 hr. All of oocytes (130/130) were efficiently synchronized at GV stage by treatment with CHXM, whereas most of oocytes (w/o CHXM) were passed through GV stage (80/176). In addition, retrieval from treatment of CHXM could reversibly induce meiotic resumption and progresses synchronously in porcine oocytes. However, there was no difference between CHXM treated and non-treated group (21.9% vs. 22.3%) in the developmental rate to the blastocyst stage of parthenogenetic embryos. Following treatment of 5 mM caffeine (a phosphatase inhibitor) for 12 hr, all of oocytes were significantly increased the activity of MPF (P < 0.05). Finally, a piglet was produced from NT embryos reconstructed by using non-caffeine treated recipients.

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

Department of Animal Science, Division Applied Life Institute Agriculture and Graduate School Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, KoreaABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sperm viability, normal acrosome and mitochondrial activity in the frozen-thawed fowl semen by different cryoprotectants. The experiment was carried out on 10 sexually adult roosters of Ogye. The semen was collected twice a week and pooled semen was diluted 1:1 EK extender containing no cryoprotectant at 5. After equilibration for 30 minutes, diluted chicken semen was diluted 1:1 extender containing either 7% dimethyl- acetamide (DMA), 7% dimethylformamide (DMF) or 7.5% methylacetamide (MA) at final concentration and was put in 0.5 mL plastic straws and frozen for 30 minutes by exposure to liquid nitrogen vapor 4 cm above the surface of liquid nitrogen, followed by plunging into liquid nitrogen. Frozen semen was thawed in water bath at 5for 2 minutes. For cytometric analysis, the frozen-thawed semen was diluted with EK extender to a final concentration of 90 million spermatozoa per mL. Sperm membrane integrity was evaluated as SYBR-14 and propidium iodide (PI). Acrosome integrity was assessed with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled PSA and PI. The percentage of mitochondrial function was estimated by using Rhodamine123 (R123) and PI. In conclusion, freezing rooster semen by using 7% DMF as cryoprotectant was significantly highest in rates of survival and mitochondrial function while its rate of damage of acrosome was significantly lowest. As a result, DMF is the cryoprotectant that has the lowest influences on sperm membranes and acrosome integrity. Therefore it could be used for freezing method of animal genetic conservation method for poultry diversity.(Key words : semen, FACS, Dimethylacetamide, Dimethylformamide, N-Methylacetamide)

Cryopreservation of poultry semen has been reported, but preservation of female genetic material has not been possible because of the unique anatomical and physiological characteristics of the avian egg. Thus an alternative strategy for conservation of oviparous species of animals must be developed. Recent technological developments for producing germline chimeras by the transfer of primordial germ cells (PGCs) into recipient embryos has enabled the conservation and retrieval of chicken genetic resources in their complete form. In the present study, fertilized eggs were incubated for about 5.5 days to obtain embryos at stage 28. The whole embryo was collected from the germinal gonad using a fine glass micro pipette under a microscope. The PGCs were then purified using MACS method. Two commercially available cryoprotectants (A and B) were used to preserve the PGCs, and EG were used as a control. The average recovery rate of PGCs after thawing was 35.5% and 60.5% with the A and B treatments, respectively. There was no significant difference between B treatments and control, which showed an average recovery rate of 52.8%. However, the recovery rate obtained using A cryoprotectant (35.5%) was significantly lower than using treatment control and B. The average viability of the PGCs after thawing were 77.9% and 77.4% for cryoprotectants A and B, respectively, and the control were was 81.6%. There was no statistically significant difference between the two treatments and control. It was concluded that all of the available cryoprotectants examined in this study could be used for preservation of PGCs from embryos. Further experiments to produce germline chimera from PGCs preserved using this techniques are strongly recommended.

This study was conducted to establish the method for preserving PGCs that enables long-term storage in liquid nitrogen for developmental engineering or preservation of species. The purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of freeze- thaw treatment on viability of PGCs in chickens. PGCs were collected separately from a germinal gonad of an early embryo of 5.5 6 day (stage 28) of Isa brown, Korean Oge (KO), White Leghorn and Commercial breeds. PGCs separated from a germinal gonad of an early embryo of 5.5 6 day (stage 28) are suspended in a freezing medium containing a freezing and protecting agents (e.g. dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG) and glycerol). The PGCs were then purified using magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) method. The viability of PGCs after thawing was 87.4±0.4% and 89.4±0.2% with the 10% EG treatments with no significant difference between the Isa brown and Commercial breeds. The viability of PGCs after freeze- thawing was significantly higher for Isa brown (87.4 ± 0.4%) and Commercial breeds (89.4 ± 0.2%) than Korean Oge (KO) (77.6 ± 1.1%) and White Leghorn (76.2 ± 0.9%)(p

This study was carried out to investigate synthetic extender for semen cryopreservation of Jeju Native Black Bull. The semen was collected using an artificial vagina and transported to the laboratory. The semen was diluted 1:1 by Tris-Egg yolk extender and contrifuged in 1,500 rpm for 15 minutes. The supernatant was removed. The pellect was diluted to final sperm concentration of 2×108/ml by doubling in every 30 minutes at 4℃ cold chamber. The semen was equilibrated for 4 hours at cold chamber and packed to 0.5 ml straw. The semen straws were located above 5 cm for 10 minutes. The height and duration affect the freezing speed by temperature. The frozen straw was plunged to LN2. The presented straws were examined the viability and motility after thawed at 37℃ water bath. Frozen-thawed sperm were evaluated sperm viability, membrane integrity and acrosome integrity. Post-thawed sperm viability has been significantly higher (p

) for preservation of the species. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of Ethylene Glycol (EG) and Propylene Glycol (PG) on viability of cryopreserved PGCs with vitrification in Korean Native Chicken (Ogye), and to fine should be find or to the optimal protocol for PGCs freezing. One of the important components of cryopreservation process is cryopreservation medium that plays a vital role in preventing cellular injury during freeze-thawing. Cryoprotective agents have been known to improve cell viability after freeze-thawing. PGCs obtained from the germinal gonade of 5.56 day (stage 28) chick embryos, using the MACS method were suspended in a freezing medium containing a freezing and protecting agents. Gonads were harvested from stage 28 chick embryos and pooled in groups of 10E embryos, contributing gonads to the cell suspension. The gonadal cells, including PGCs, were then frozen in 1 of the following cryoprotectant treatments: 2.5% EG, 5% EG, 10% EG, 2.5% PG, 5% PG, 10% PG, and 0% cryoprotectant as a control. Effects of exposure to vitrification solution and vitrification, with different concentrations of the cryoprotectant solution, were examined. After freezing and thawing, survival rates of the frozen-thawed PGCs from the 0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 15% EG plus FBS treatment were 44.24%, 64.51%, 85.63%, 80.51% and 73.52% (p

This study was conducted to investigate whether administration of IH901, a ginseng intestinal metabolite, ameliorates exercise-induced oxidative stress while preserving antioxidant defense capability in rat skeletal muscles and lung. Eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats per group were randomly assigned to the resting control, exercise control, resting with IH901 (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) consumption (R/IH901), or exercise with IH901 (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) consumption (E/IH901) group. The trained groups ran 35 min 2 days/week for 8 weeks. To analyze the IH901-training interaction, serum biochemical analysis, lipid peroxidation, citrate synthase, protein oxidation, antioxidant and superoxide dismutase in skeletal muscles and lung tissue were measured. Compared to the exercise control group, animals that consumed IH901 had significantly increased exercise endurance times (p < 0.05) and decreased plasma creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels (p < 0.05), while those in the E/IH901 groups had increased citrate synthase and anti-oxidant enzymes and decreased lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, IH901 consumption in aging rats after eccentric exercise has beneficial effects on anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities through down-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators, lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation and up-regulation of anti-oxidant enzymes.

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 abnormal development of embryos reconstructed by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is considered to be associated with consequent changes in gene expression following errors in epigenetic reprogramming. In this study, we carried out SCNT using donor fibroblast cells derived from 3-way hybrids (Landrace × Duroc × Yorkshire). A total of 655 SCNT embryos were transferred, and 6.97 ± 2.3 cloned fetuses were successfully recovered from three surrogates at gestational day 30. An analysis of the 6.97 ± 2.3 cloned embryos revealed that most had severe extraembryonic defects. The extraembryonic tissue from the SCNT embryos was abnormally small compared with that of the control. To investigate the differentially expressed genes between the SCNT and control extraembryonic tissues, we compared the gene expression profiles of the extraembryonic tissues from gestational day 30 cloned pig embryos with those from the control using an annealing control primer-based GeneFishing polymerase chain reaction. As a result, we found that a total of 50 genes were differentially expressed by utilizing 120 ACPs, 38 genes of which were known. Among them, 26 genes were up-regulated, whereas 12 genes were down-regulated. Real-time RT-PCR showed that apoptosis-related genes were expressed significantly higher in SCNT extraembryonic tissue than in the control, whereas metabolism-related genes were expressed at significantly lower levels in the SCNT extraembryonic tissue. These observations strongly indicate that early gestational death of SCNT embryo is caused, at least in part, by the disruption of developing extraembryonic tissues as a result of aberrant gene expression, which results in abnormal apoptosis and metabolism.

DNA methyltransferase1o (Dnmt1o), which is specific to oocyte and preimplantation embryo, plays a role in maintaining DNA methylation in mammalian cells. Here, we investigated the methylation status of CpGs sites in the Dnmt1o 5'-flanking region in germ cells at different stages of oogenesis or spermatogenesis. The methylation levels of the CpG sites at the 5'-flanking regions were hypermethylated in growing oocytes of all follicular stages, while the oocytes in meiotic metaphase II (MII) were demethylated. The methylation pattern within the CpGs sites in the 5'-flanking region, however, was dramatically changed during spermatogenesis. We observed that there was significant non-CpG methylation both in MII oocytes and spermatocytes. Although a low methylation level in non-CpG sites was observed in primary and secondary oocytes, the CpA site of position 25 and CpT site of position 29 within the no-CpG region in the 5'-flanking region of Dnmt1o was highly methylated in MII oocytes. During spermatogenesis, the low degree of methylation at CpG sites in spermatocytes increased to a higher degree in sperm, while the high ratio of methylation in non-CpG sites in spermatocytes decreased. Together, germ cells showed inverted methylation patterns between CpG and non-CpG sites in the Dnmt1o 5'-upstream region, and the methylation pattern during oogenesis did not drastically change, remaining generally hypomethylated at the MII stage.

In order to analyze the genetic diversity and phylogenetic status of the Korean Chikso breed, we determined sequences of mtDNA cytochrome b (cyt b) gene and performed phylogenetic analysis using 239 individuals from 5 Chikso populations. Five non-synonymous mutations of a total of 15 polymorphic sites were identified among 239 cyt b coding sequences. Thirteen haplotypes were defined, and haplotype diversity was 0.4709 ranging from 0.2577 to 0.6114. Thirty-five haplotypes (C1-C35) were classified among 9 Asia and 3 European breeds. C2 was a major haplotype that contained 206 sequences (64.6%) from all breeds used. C3-C13 haplotypes were Chikso-specific haplotypes. C1 and C2 haplotypes contained 80.5% of cyt b sequences of Hanwoo, Yanbian, Zaosheng and JB breeds. In phylogenetic analyses, the Chikso breed was contained into B. taurus lineage and was genetically more closely related to two Chinese breeds than to Korean brown cattle, Hanwoo. These results suggest that Chikso and Hanwoo have a genetic difference based on the mtDNA cyt b gene as well as their coat color, sufficient for classification as a separate breed.

Several biomarkers are routinely used clinically for predicting preterm labor; however, these factors are either nonspecific or detected too late. Here, we performed protein profiles in preterm- and term-derived human umbilical cord by using 2DE. Approximately 200 different proteins were identified between preterm- and term-delivered umbilical cords. Among them, 48 proteins were identified. A comparison of preterm proteome to that of term proteome revealed potential candidates for biomarkers, such as hypoxia-inducible proteins, phosphorylated heat-shock protein 27 (HSP27), transgelin, vimentin, and transferrin that are specific to preterm umbilical cords. Especially, HSP27 in preterm-derived umbilical cords shows a significant increase in the mono- and tetra-phosphorylation. The real importance of all of HSP27 phosphorylation as well as hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha, and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase require further validation in vitro and in vivo; nevertheless, we believe that they could represent promising diagnostic targets for detection of sudden early delivery. In conclusion, the results of the current study may provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying umbilical cord development.

The purpose of this study was to identify genetic polymorphisms of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (mtDNA cyt b) gene in Korean black (KB) cattle breed and to analyze the genetic relationship between the KB and other breeds. We determined the complete sequence of the mtDNA cyt b gene in 38 KB cattle. We also analyzed their genetic diversity, and phylogenetic analysis was performed by comparison with Korean cattle (KC, called Hanwoo) and breeds from China and Japan. A nucleotide substitution was detected in the KB cattle, and two haplotypes were defined. In the neighbor-joining (NJ) tree, the haplotypes of KB were located in Bos taurus lineage with those of KC, Japanese black (JB), Yanbian and Zaosheng breeds. However, the haplotypes of Chinese breeds, excluding Yanbian and Zaosheng, were separated into B. taurus and B. indicus lineages. In the NJ tree of breeds based on Dxy genetic distances, Chinese breeds mixed with B. taurus and B. indicus lineages were located between B. indicus and B. taurus lineages. KB was contained within B. taurus lineage and was determined to be genetically more closely related to two Chinese (Yanbian and Zaosheng) breeds than to KC and JB. The haplotype distribution and the results of the phylogenetic analysis suggest that KB and KC have genetic differences in their mtDNA cyt b gene sequences.

Department of Animal Science, Institute Agriculture and Life Graduate School Gyengsang National University, Jinju 660-701, KoreaABSTRACT The use of methylacetamide (MA) as a cryoprotective agent for freezing Korean Native Black rooster Ogye semen was examined with artificial insemination. The diluted Ogye semen with HS-1 was subjected for 2 step dilution method of cryopreservation in which the final concentration of MA was adjusted to 7.5%. The sperm viability after thawing was reduced from 95.17±0.93% to 55.93±1.38% which was confirmed by live-death analysis based on Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS). The rates of fertilized eggs with fresh or frozen-thawed semen were reduced from 94.98±3.93% to 66.36±8.43% at day 7 with significant difference. However, the hatching rates of experiments at day 21 did not shown difference between 92.64±2.33% and 90.45±8.05% (P

This study was conducted to examine the effect of feeding levels of concentrate feed on growth performance, meat quality and economic evaluation of Korean black goats. The 40 male Korean native goat were divided into four treatment groups T1 (1.5%), T2 (2.0%), T3 (2.5% feeding of concentrate feed body weight per day) and T4 ( ab libitum ) with ab libitum rice straw. Rice straw intake decrease as against feeding levels, however average daily gains were 22, 50, 69 and 94 g/day in T1, T2, T3 and T4 groups respectively levels (p

The technique of SCNT is now well established but still remains inefficient. The in vitro development of SCNT embryos is dependent upon numerous factors including the recipient cytoplast and karyoplast. Above all, the metaphase of the second meiotic division (MII) oocytes have typically become the recipient of choice. Generally high level of MPF present in MII oocytes induces the transferred nucleus to enter mitotic division precociously and causes NEBD and PCC, which may be the critical role for nuclear reprogramming. In the present study we investigated the in vitro development and pregnancy of White-Hanwoo SCNT embryos treated with caffeine (a protein kinase phosphatase inhibitor). As results, the treatment of 10 mM caffeine for 6 h significantly increased MPF activity in bovine oocytes but does not affect the developmental competence to the blastocyst stage in bovine SCNT embryos. However, a significant increase in the mean cell number of blastocysts and the frequency of pregnant on 150 days of White-Hanwoo SCNT embryos produced using caffeine treated cytoplasts was observed. These results indicated that the recipient cytoplast treated with caffeine for a short period prior to reconstruction of SCNT embryos is able to increase the frequency of pregnancy in cow.

본 연구는 30개의 MS 마커를 이용하여 한국재래염소 3개 집단(당진, 장수, 통영)과 1개 농가집단을 대상으로 집단 내 및 집단간의 유전적 다양성, 계통유전학적 유연관계 분석 및 한국재래염소 3개 집단간의 유전적 균일성을 검증하여 우리 고유유전자원으로서의 가치를 구명하고자 실시하였다. 대립유전자형 분석 결과, 총...

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.

Ski protein is implicated in proliferation/differentiation in a variety of cells. We had previously reported that Ski protein is present in granulosa cells of atretic follicles, but not in preovulatory follicles, suggesting that Ski has a role in apoptosis of granulosa cells. The alternative fate of granulosa cells other than apoptosis is to differentiate to luteal cells; however, it is unknown whether Ski is expressed and has a role in granulosa cells undergoing luteinization. Thus, the aim of the present study was to locate Ski protein in the rat ovary during luteinizationto predict the possible role of Ski. In order to examine the expression pattern of Ski protein along with the progress of luteinization, follicular growth was induced by administration of equine chorionic gonadtropin to immature female rats, and luteinization was induced by human chorionic gonadtropin treatment to mimic luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. While no Ski-positive granulosa cells were present in preovulatory follicle, Ski protein expression was induced in response to LH surge, and was maintained after the formation of the corpus luteum (CL). Though Ski protein is absent in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicle, its mRNA (c-Ski) was expressed and the level was unchanged even after LH surge. Taken together, these results demonstrated that Ski protein expression is induced in granulosa cells upon luteinization, and suggests that its expression is regulated post-transcriptionally.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) derived from Pleurotus eryngii on the hematological and biochemical blood properties of elk. A total of 18, two and three-year-old elk were fed three different levels of SMS (0, 15 and 20%) in a corn-wheat bran diet for 80 days. The results indicated significantly high levels of blood monocytes, hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (HCT) in elk fed 15% or 20% SMS (p

The study was conducted to select and optimize microsatellite (MS) markers for evaluate Korean Native Chicken (KNC) breeds in order to provide standard for the classification and breed definition of the indigenous breeds. The study also aimed to characterize and classify each KNC populations for inventory and management of avian genetic resources. A total of 462 chickens from 11 populations of chicken breeds including eight KNC breeds and three commercial chicken breeds were analyzed with 19 MS markers. KNC breeds, especially Long-Tail Chicken breeds, formed separate cluster from those commercial chicken breeds. Genetic distances between KNC populations (0.11~0.18) were relatively shorter. Genetic uniformity of KNC (except KNCR breed) (0.86~0.88) were higher than that of commercial breeds (except Cornish) (0.95~0.97). On the other hand, genetic uniformity of KNC Long Tail (KNCLT) were relatively higher (0.91~0.97). The result can be used to evaluate and manage animal genetic resources at national scale.

In this study, we analyzed the mitochondrial DNA D-loop region of Korean native chicken to clarify their phylogenetic relationships, possible maternal origin and routes of introduction into Korea. A 1231-1232 bp DNA fragment from the mtDNA D-loop region was sequenced in 315 chickens from 11 populations, Thirty-five variable sites that defined 21 haplotyes were observed. In Korean native chicken, diversity accounted for 90% of the variation, little differentiation among the strains. The 21 haplotypes clustered into 5 clades which were A, B, C, D and E. These results indicate that Korean chickens were derived from China with multiple origins.

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.

This study estimated the effect of fermented persimmon (Diospros kaki L.) extract (FPE) supplement on feed intake, digestibility, nitrogen (N) balance, and rumen fermentation characteristics in sheep. Five male sheep (Corriedale×Polwarth) with average body weight of 48.6±1.3 kg were housed in metabolism crates and assigned to a 5×5 Latin square design with five consecutive 20-d periods which consisted of 14-d adaptation and 6-d data collection. The sheep were fed ad libitum a diet containing concentrate and rice straw (3:7). The five treatments were FPE supplemented at 0 (Control), 5, 10, 20, and 30 g/kg of concentrate. Intakes of dry matter (DM, p

Imprinted genes are essential for fetal development, growth regulation, and postnatal behavior. However, little is known about imprinted genes in livestock. We hypothesized that certain putatively imprinted genes affected normal peri-implantation development such as embryo elongation, initial placental development, and preparation of implantation. The objective of the present study was to investigate the mRNA expression patterns of several putatively imprinted genes during the porcine peri-implantation stages from day 6 to day 21 of gestation. Imprinted genes were selected both maternally (Dlk1, IGF2, Ndn, and Sgce) and paternally (IGF2r, H19, Gnas and Xist). Here, we report that the maternally imprinted gene IGF2 was expressed from day 6 (Blastocyst stage), but Dlk1, Ndn, and Sgce were not expressed in this stage. These genes were first expressed between days 12 and day 14. All the maternally imprinted genes studied showed significantly high expression patterns from day 18 of embryo development. In contrast, paternally imprinted genes IGF2r, H19, Gnas, and Xist were first expressed from day 6 of embryo development (BL). Our data demonstrated that the expression of H19 and Gnas genes was significantly increased from day 14 of the embryo developmental stage, while IGF2r and Xist only showed high expression after day 21. This study is the first to show that the putatively imprinted genes were stage-specific during porcine embryonic development. These results demonstrate that the genes studied may exert important effects on embryo implantation and fetal development.

This study examined whether high osmolarity of culture medium at the early culture stage affects development and expression of apoptosis related genes (Bax-alpha and Bcl-xl) of porcine nuclear transfer (NT) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos. NT and IVF embryos were divided into three groups and the basic medium was PZM-3 (260-270 mOsmol, control group). The control group of embryos was cultured in PZM-3 for whole culture period. Other two groups of embryos were cultured in a modified PZM-3 with 0.05 M sucrose (300-320 mOsmol, sucrose group) or increased NaCl to 138 mM (300-320 mOsmol, NaCl group) for the first 2 days, and then cultured in PZM-3 for 4 days. NT embryos cultured in NaCl group showed a significantly higher developmental rate to the blastocyst stage with a decreased apoptosis rate compared to the control (P < 0.05). There was no difference in blastocyst formation and apoptosis incidence among the three culture treatments for IVF-derived embryos. Bax-alpha mRNA expression was significantly higher in the control than sucrose or NaCl group for both NT and IVF embryos (P < 0.05). Moreover, the relative abundance of Bax-alpha/Bcl-xl was higher in the control than the treatment groups. These results indicate that the higher osmolarity at the early embryonic stage of porcine NT and IVF embryos can improve the in vitro development with reduced apoptosis through regulating the Bax-alpha/Bcl-xl gene expression.

SummarySloan-Kettering virus gene, a product of a cellular proto-oncogene c-Skiis 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. First, expression of c-SkimRNA in the ovaries of adult female rats was confirmed by RT-PCR. Then, ovaries obtained on the day of estrus were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for Ski and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in combination with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). RT-PCR andin situhybridization revealed that c-SkimRNA was expressed in the ovaries of the adult rat on the day of estrous and localized mainly in the granulose cells. Ski was expressed in granulosa cells that were positive for TUNEL, but negative for PCNA, regardless of the shape and size of follicles. Expression of Ski in TUNEL-positive granulosa cells, but not in PCNA-positive granulosa cells, was also verified in rats having atretic follicles with double staining. 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 may play a role in the apoptosis of granulosa cells during follicular atresia.

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

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of weekly administration of implant type recombinant porcine somatotropin (rpST) on the performance and carcass characteristics in finishing pigs. A total of 120 crossbred (Landrace× Yorkshire×Duroc) pigs were employed for 11 weeks in a growth trial in experiment. A rpST designed to implant every 7 d was used. Forty pigs, each weighing 75 kg, were allocated into three rpST treatments; control (CONT), implant of rpST from 75 kg (TRT1) or 90 kg (TRT2) of body weight. The CONT pig and pigs in TRT2 from 75 kg to 90 kg were treated without rpST but with placebo. In rpST- treated pigs, each 100 mg and 125 mg of the equivalent rpST was implanted from live weight of 75 kg to 90 kg and from 90 kg to market weight, respectively. Half of the pigs from each treatment were marketed at live weight of 110 kg and the rest at 130 kg. All pigs were allowed ad libitum access to a commercial feed containing 0.94% and 0.88% of lysine from 75 to 110 kg, 110 to 130 kg of body weights, respectively. rpST had no effect on daily gain, while feed efficiency was improved by 7 to 13% (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

There exists considerable evidence that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is involved in the regulation of ovulation rate and follicle development. IGF-I is believed to modulate the effects of gonadotropins on follicular growth and cell differentiation via paracrine and autocrine mechanisms. Therefore, this study was performed to relate the expression of IGF-I on ovaries and follicles with egg productivity at 60 wk. The egg productivity of 70 KNOC was recorded from 20 to 60 wk. Blood was taken every 10 wk and ovaries and follicles were taken at 60 wk. Serum IGF-I and IGF-I of ovaries and follicles were measured by radioimmunoassay. Based on egg production levels up to 60 wk and ovarian IGF-I expression at 60 wk, respectively. Chickens were divided into two groups, high and low. Egg production and serum IGF-I in the high IGF-I group were higher than those in the low group. Moreover, the IGF-I expression of follicles in the high ovarian IGF-I expression group was higher than that in the low group. These finding are consistent with the report that IGF-I indirectly regulates ovulation in chickens, suggesting that this regulation may play an important role in improved egg productivity.

An experiment was conducted to examine the performance and carcass characteristics of Hanwoo (Korean native beef cattle) heifers and the fatty acid composition of muscle tissues of the heifers when the animals fed diets containing four levels of dried wormwood (Artemisia sp.). For the experiment the animals were given a basal diet consisting of rice straw and concentrate mixed at 3:7 ratio (on DM basis). The treatments were designed as a completely randomized design with two feeding periods. Heifers were allotted in one of four dietary treatments, which were designed to progressively substitute dried wormwood for 0, 3, 5 and 10% of the rice straw in the basal diet. There was no difference in body weight gain throughout the entire period between the treatment groups. Feed conversion rate was improved (p

Two experiments were conducted to study the performance and carcass characteristics of Hanwoo (Korean native beef cattle) steers (Experiment 1) and the nutrient digestibility of sheep (Experiment 2) when the animals fed diets containing four levels of dried wormwood (Artemisia sp.). For both experiments the animals were given a basal diet consisting of rice straw and concentrate mixed at 3:7 ratio (on DM basis). In Experiment 1, the treatments were designed as a completely randomized design with two feeding periods. Steers were allotted in one of four dietary treatments, which were designed to progressively substitute dried wormwood for 0, 3, 5 and 10% of the rice straw in the basal diet. Bodyweight gain and average daily gain (ADG) of Hanwoo steers fed diets containing the 5 and 10% wormwood inclusion were greater (p