The purpose of this experiment was to compare the pregnancy rate (PR) according to the state of the ovaries and uterus, according to the number of embryos transferred from cows and heifers and to investigate the method of artificial twin induction with Hanwoo in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos by embryo transfer (ET). Looking at the PR according to the condition of the ovaries and uterus, the result was not influenced by the condition of the ovaries, but was significantly influenced by the state of the uterus. The PR according to the number of embryos transferred from cows was 36.8%, 53.0%, 50.5% for 1, 2, and 3 embryos, respectively and although there was a higher frequency of twin calves with 3 embryos than 2, the calving rate was the highest with 2 embryos. In case of heifers, the transfer of 1 embryo showed the best pregnancy and calving rate, and although the PR was similar with 2 embryos (67.7 versus 66.4), in case of 2 embryos transferred there was high frequency of embryonic loss (6.1%) occurred when a cow was diagnosed at 28 and 53 d after ET, total loss (21.3%); sum of fetal death, abortion and stillbirth after pregnant diagnosis at 60 day.
Anestrus is one of the most important production limiting disorders in dairy buffaloes and its underlying causes have been a current topic of studies. The objectives of this study were to explore the causes of anestrus in buffaloes with the application of ultrasonography. Two examinations were performed by transrectal ultrasonography at 12 days apart in buffalo cows that were not seen in oestrus at 60 or more days postpartum. As high as 54.5% buffaloes had silent ovulation and 45.5% suffered from the true anestrus with ovarian dysfunction. The duration of anestrus after calving was 60~90, 91~120, 121~180 and 181~365 days in 27%, 32%, 18% and 23% buffalo cows, respectively. Treatment with prostaglandin of cyclic buffalo cows with a corpus luteum (72.7%) resulted in higher estrous rate as compared with close observation of estrus (23.1%) by the farmer (p=0.021). Acyclic buffalo cows without any corpus luteum on ovaries were successfully treated with gonadotropin releasing hormone (70%), resulting in higher estrous detection rate than those treated with a vitamin-mineral mixture (20%) (p=0.035). In conclusion, poor heat detection due to silent ovulation is the most important cause of apparent anoestrus in buffaloes; however the percentage of the true anestrous is also quite high in postpartum buffaloes.
We prepared the polyclonal antibody anti-20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (anti-20α-HSD) against the recombinant full-length protein bovine 20α-HSD in Escherichia coli. The specificity of anti-20α-HSD was demonstrated using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with recombinant bovine 20α-HSD and bovine placental tissues. According to western blot analysis, anti-20α-HSD specifically recognizes the 37-kDa protein bovine 20α-HSD. The protein is not present in untransfected CHO cells. Anti-20α-HSD also recognizes a specific protein in the ovaries and placenta of other animals. Immunostaining was used to detect expression of bovine 20α-HSD protein in the cultured luteal cells during the estrous cycle later.
This study was conducted to examine the optimal concentration and treatment time of antioxidants for inhibition of the ROS generation in bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. Bovine oocytes were activated parthenogenetically, during which oocytes were treated with various antioxidants to determine the optimal concentrations and kind of antioxidants. Determined antioxidants were applied to oocytes during in vitro maturation (IVM) and/or SCNT procedures. Finally, antioxidant-treated SCNT embryos were compared with in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos. H2O2 levels were analyzed in embryos at 20 h of activation, fusion or insemination by staining of embryos in 10 μM 2'7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) dye, followed by fluorescence microscopy. H2O2 levels of parthenogenetic embryos were significantly lower in 25 μM β- mercaptoethanol (β-ME), 50 μM L-ascorbic acid (Vit. C), and 50 μM L-glutathione (GSH) treatment groups than each control group (24.0±1.5 vs 39.0±1.1, 29.7±1.0 vs 37.0±1.2, and 32.9±0.8 vs 36.3±0.8 pixels/embryo, p<0.05). There were no differences among above concentration of antioxidants in direct comparison (33.6±0.9~35.2±1.1 pixels/embryo). Thus, an antioxidant of 50 μM Vit. C was selected for SCNT. H2O2 levels of bovine SCNT embryos were significantly lower in embryos treated with Vit. C during only SCNT procedure (26.4±1.1 pixels/embryo, p<0.05) than the treatment group during IVM (29.9±1.1 pixels/embryo) and non-treated control (34.3±1.0 pixels/embryo). Moreover, H2O2 level of SCNT embryos treated with Vit. C during SCNT procedure was similar to that of IVF embryos. These results suggest that the antioxidant treatment during SCNT procedures can reduce the ROS generation level of SCNT bovine embryos.
After spermatogenesis, spermatozoa come in contact with fluids in the epididymis where they mature. During ejaculation, spermatozoa are mixed with secretions from prostate gland, vesicular glands, and bulbourethral glands. During natural mating, seminal plasma is deposited in the female reproductive tract eliciting various physiological and immunological responses. With the advances in proteomics, the components of seminal plasma have been identified and the information may be valuable in identifying markers for fertility. Components of seminal plasma that affect fertility have been discovered and the mechanism of action of these factors has been determined. The objective of this study was to determine the specific seminal plasma proteins from Korean native cattle, Hanwoo, and Korean native brindle cattle (KNBC) with the long term goal of improving fertilization rate. After SDS-PAGE and 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis, proteins were identified by Q -ToF analysis. They include plasma serine protease inhibitor precursor and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase after SDS-PAGE. Number and density of the spots in 2-dimensional gels were higher in KNBC than Hanwoo. Proteins identified from the paired spots of both breeds include chain A, bull seminal plasma PDC-109 Fibronectin Type II module, BSP-30 kDa precursor, and Spermadhesin Z13 or its precursor. Interestingly, some proteins were identified from multiple spots. The functional differences of these diverse forms of the proteins may require further studies. With their previously reported roles in sperm capacitation by these proteins, the studies on the mechanism of action, ligand interaction and the variation in the genome may help improving fertility in cattle.
This study aims to examine the effect of Genetically Modified β -Carotene Biofortified Rice rice developed by simultaneous expression technology in NAAS on biological immunity. Accordingly, this study added Genetically Modified β-Carotene Biofortified Rice 25, 50% and general rice 50% as control group into diet and provided rats with the prescribed feeds and then measured the contents of immunoglobulin and cytokine in blood. As a result, male and female IgM, IgE, male IgG1, female IgG2a and TNF-a, IL5 and IL12 showed no significant difference; male IgG2a tended to decrease dependently on the combined concentration of Genetically Modified β-Carotene Biofortified Rice; female IgG1 showed significance with control group, but its association with diet was not found. The higher the dietary mixing ratio, the more the male and female IFN-a and female IL-4 contents, regardless of rice variety, and it was found that female IL6 content decreased significantly, but its association with diet was not found. The risk of beta carotene-enriched rice into environment and human body has not been reported yet. The digestion of Genetically Modified β-Carotene Biofortified Rice can be seen as "safe" as this test result showed no big difference between general rice and Genetically Modified β-Carotene Biofortified Rice, and its usability is full of suggestions.