This study was conducted to investigate effects of feeding fermented milk on growth, intestinal microorganisms and fecal noxious gas emission in suckling pigs. A total of a hundred birth piglets (Landrace×Yorkshire×Duroc) were randomly assigned into feeding group and control group during suckling period that ten pigs per sow. Fermented milk contained 3.0×108/g of Bacillus and 3.5×108/g of Lactobacillus, and was supplied by top dressing method. Fermented milk fed to the sulking pigs indicated tendency to increase weaning body weight (p=0.052) and average daily gain (p=0.094). Total microbial flora and Escherichia coli in the feces were lower (p<0.05) in the feeding group than the non-feeding group. Reversely, Lactobacillus was higher (p<0.01) in feces of the pigs fed fermented milk than the pigs of the control group. Hydrogen sulfide emitted in feces was decreased in feeding group compared with control group (p<0.05). Similarly, fecal total mercaptans was diminished in the feeding group than the control group (p<0.01). Therefore, the fermented milk fed to the sulking pigs may improved growth and can influence positively intestinal microorganisms and fecal noxious gas emission.

본 연구는 고온기 때 사료 내 다른 에너지 수준 및 비테 인 첨가 급여가 육성돈의 영양소 소화율 및 생리학적 변화 에 미치는 영향을 구명하기 위해 실시하였다. 실험동물은 삼원교잡종(L×Y×D; initial body weight, 73.5±0.5kg) 거세 수퇘지 12두를 사용하였고 대사틀에 배치하였다. 실험기간 은 고온기인 7~8월에 실시하였다. 실험계획은 에너지 2수 준(3,300 및 3,400kcal/kg)과 비테인 2수준(0 및 0.5%)이며 4×4 Latin square로 하였다. 조단백질 소화율은 고에너지 사료(3,400kcal/kg)가 저에너지 사료보다 유의적으로 높았 다(p<0.01). 그러나, 비테인급여는 영양소소화율에 영향을 미치지 않았다. 혈액생화학적 분석 결과에서는 에너지 수 준 및 비테인 첨가가 육성돈 내 생리적 변화를 보이지 않 았다. 면역반응을 나타내는 혈중 IgG에서는 고에너지 사료 가 저에너지사료보다 높았으나(p<0.05) 스트레스 지표를 나타내는 cortisol농도에서는 차이가 나지 않았고, 비테인 첨가급여는 IgG 및 cortisol 농도 변화를 나타내지 않았다. 결론적으로 사료 내 비테인 첨가급여보다 에너지 수준을 높이는 것이 돼지 체내에 더 긍정적인 효과를 보이며, 여 름철 고온스트레스를 받는 돼지 사료 내 고에너지를 급여 했을 때 어떠한 결과가 나오는지 추후 더 연구해 볼 만한 것으로 사료된다.

For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility is an important parameter because the movement of sperm indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Phospholipase C zeta (PLCz) is important enzyme in spermatogenesis, but the effect has not been confirmed in pigs yet. Therefore, this study was aimed to analyze their association with sperm motility and kinematic characteristics. DNA samples from 124 Duroc pigs with records of sperm motility and kinematic characteristics [total motile spermatozoa (MOT), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL), the ratio between VSL and VCL (LIN), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH)] were subjected. A SNP in non-coding region of PLCz g.158 A > C was associated with MOT (p < 0.05), VCL (p < 0.01), LIN (p < 0.01) and ALH (p < 0.05) in Duroc population. Therefore, we suggest that the intron region of the porcine PLCz gene may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar semen quality, although its functional effect was not defined yet. Whether the association is due to the candidate gene or not require further verification. Thus, it will be of interest to continue association studies in the regions surrounding those genes.

For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility (MOT) is an important parameter because the movement of spermatozoa indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Estrogen receptors 2(ESR2) is involved in estrogen related apoptosis in cell cycle spermatogenesis, but their functions have not been confirmed in pig until now. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze their association with sperm motility and kinematic characteristics. DNA samples from 105 Duroc pigs with records of semen motility and kinematic characteristics [Total motile spermatozoa (MOT), Curvilinear velocity(VCL), Straight-line velocity(VSL), the ratio between VSL and VCL(LIN), Amplitude of Lateral Head displacement(ALH)] were analyzed. A SNP in coding region of ESR2 g.35547A > G in exon 5 was associated with MOT (p < 0.05) in Duroc population. Therefore, we suggest that the porcine ESR2 gene may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar semen quality, although its functional effects were not defined yet. These results might shed new light on the roles of ESR2 in spermatogenesis as candidate gene for boar fertility, but still the lack of association across populations should be considered.

Cluster-of-differentiation antigen 9 (CD9) gene expressed in the male germ line stem cells is crucial for sperm–egg fusion, and was therefore selected as a candidate gene to investigate Duroc boar semen motility and kinematic characteristics. This study was performed to investigatetheir association with semen motility and kinematic characteristics. DNA samples from 96 Duroc pigs with records of sperm motility and kinematic characteristics [Total motile spermatozoa (MOT, 82.27±5.58), Curvilinear velocity(VCL, 68.37±14.58), Straight-line velocity(VSL, 29.06±6.58), the ratio between VSL and VCL(LIN, 47.36±8.42), Amplitude of Lateral Head displacement(ALH, 2.88±0.70)] were used in present study. A single nucleotide polymorphism (g.358A>T) in intron 6 was associated with MOT, VCL, VAP and ALH in Duroc population (p<0.05). Therefore, we suggest that the porcine CD9 may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar semen quality, although its functional effect was not clear yet. These results will improve the understanding of the functions of the CD9 in spermatogenesis within the reproductive tracts, and will shed light on CD9 as a candidate gene in the selection of good sperm quality boars.

Value of excellent breeding animals is important in livestock industry, but their economic life time is limited. And, many countries have been trying procuration of genetic resource in good animals. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine embryo production and to test efficiency of embryo transfer via non-surgical artificial insemination (AI) in different breed of superior sows. A total of 17 sows were used in this experiment (Duroc, n=10; Landrace, n=4; Yorkshire, n=3). The sows were artificially inseminated by semen of same breed boars. After 4 or 5 days following the AI, the embryos were obtained from the sows and then transferred to Landrace and Yorkshire recipients (n=3, respectively) by non-surgical method. The corpora lutea tended to be increased in Yorkshire and Landrace than Duroc(28 and 26 vs. 17, respectively). The recovery of embryo was 78.8% in Landrace, 65.4% in Duroc and 51.4% in Yorkshire. Duroc showed lower morulaes and early blastocyst embryos than 2, 4 ,8 and 16 cell. The morula in Yorkshire was higher (P<0.05) than that of Duroc (4.7 vs. 3.4). Similarly, the morulaes and early blastocyst embryos presented greater (P<0.05) in Landrace compared with other breed sows. The recipient sows were pregnant in a Landrace only. This reason may be due to little embryos inserted in the recipients. In addition, pregnancy results were limited because of the little sows. In conclusion, ovulated ovum in sows can be affected by different breed. Also, further study needed pregnant test by using the many embryo in each breed.