This study aimed to investigate the effect of using corn flakes, produced by pressurized steam chamber, on nutrient disappearance rate and energy value in three Hanwoo and three Holstein cows, implanted with a ruminal fistula. Corn flakes were categorized in 2 groups based on the chamber type: control (corn flakes produced using a steam chamber) and treatment (corn flakes produced using a pressurized steam chamber). Dry matter (DM) disappearance rate was 5.17% higher in treatment than in control (p<0.01). Starch disappearance rate was also higher in the treatment than in the control (p<0.01). Nitrogen free extract (NFE) and non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC) disappearance rates were 6.08 and 5.71% higher in treatment compared to control, respectively (p<0.01). In comparison by breed and incubation time, DM, starch, NFE, and NFC disappearance rates were higher in treatment than in control. The mean total digestible nutrients (TDN) was higher in treatment than in control (p<0.05). In comparison between Hanwoo and Holstein, TDN of corn flakes was slightly but not significantly higher in Holstein than in Hanwoo. Thus, these results indicate that the use of the pressurized steam chamber is recommended to increase the nutrient (starch, NFE, NFC etc.) disappearance rate and TDN.

Reproductive disorders in cows cause economic loss in livestock farms. Reproductive diseases, such as follicular cyst, luteal cyst, endometritis, pyometra, and repeat breeding cause infertility. Among these diseases, endometritis and pyometra are uterine infections that are leading causes of infertility. This study was performed to investigate the causative agents of uterine diseases using bacterial culture. Bacteria were obtained from the reproductive organs (vagina, uterine cervix, and uterine horn) of dairy cow diagnosed with endometritis or pyometra, and cultured on blood agar. The colonies obtained from cultivation for 24 hours were passaged. To identify the bacteria, the colonies grown in passaged culture Gram stained and applied to an automatic biochemical microbial identification system. Escherichia coli were commonly detected in vagina, uterine cervix, and uterine horn of dairy cows diagnosed to pyometra. The cows having endometritis showed not only Escherichia coli but also Pantoea spp. and Klebsiella spp. strains. Dairy cows that were infected with Escherichia coli in uterus caused mastitis or digestive disease. These results suggest that sanitary feeding and management beforehand are needed to prevent bacterial infections.

The occurrence of mastitis in diary cattle has been caused by genetic, physiological, managemental and environment factors accounted for the highest percentage of worldwide disease in dairy cattle. The purpose of this study was to analyze the occurrences and causative bacteria of subclinical mastitis in milking cows and also examine the distribution of bacteria in milk by isolating and identifying bacteria both in whole milk and quarter milk. 31.4% of the milking cows suffered subclinical mastitis, and 9.5% had it in terms of quarter milk. According to the results of analyzing bacteria in quarter milk of which somatic cell count (SCC) was over 500 thousand, 15 kinds of bacteria were isolated, and among them, Pantoea spp. formed the biggest part as 15.8%. From whole milk, 37 kinds of bacteria were identified, and among them, Klebsiella oxytoca showed the highest identification rate as 30.1%. According to the results of bacteria analyzed from the quarter milk of entire milking cows, 52 kinds of bacteria were identified. Among them, 17 kinds of Staphylococci were isolated, and CNS (Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci) formed a large part as 44.9%. The findings of this study showed that various kinds of bacteria were isolated from cows having subclinical mastitis; therefore, when managing specifications about milking or such, dairy farm will have to take proper action like performing sanitary control or counting somatic cells regularly in order to do their best for reducing mastitis.

The objective of this study was to analyze the accuracy of estrus detection of heat detector and analysis of estrus behavior (mounting and mounted), and the evaluation of conditions required for improving reproductive efficiency in Holstein dairy cows fitted with a estrous detector. The heat detection system consists of estrous detector based on wireless sensor and an electric bulletin board displayed estrus behavior data. When cow mounting other cows, the accuracy of estrus behavior displayed an electric bulletin board were 87.5% (mounting other cows only), 100% (mounting other cows but not standing), 80.0% (mounting other cows with standing for 1∼4 seconds), 90.0% (mounting other cows but not standing for 1∼4 seconds), 80% (mounting other cows with standing for more than 5 seconds) and 90.0% (mounting other cows but not standing for more than 5 seconds). When cow mounted other cows, the accuracy of estrus behavior displayed an electric bulletin board were 100% (mounted other cows but not standing), 100% (mounted other cows with standing for 1∼4 seconds), 100% (mounted other cows but not standing for 1∼4 seconds) and 100% (mounted other cows with standing for more than 5 seconds). Circadian distribution of first observed in estrus were 59.1% (am 8∼pm 6) and 40.9% (pm 6∼am 8). Distribution for the number of estrus behavior were 40.9% (less than 3 times), 36.4% (4∼6 times) and 22.7% (more than 4 times). The conception rates relative to interval from first estrus behavior to insemination for estrus periods were 23.1% (less than 11 hours) and 55.6% (12∼20 hours).

Embryo transfer (ET) technology is of high importance in modern cattle breeding programs. ET is one step in the process of removing one or more embryos from the reproductive tract of an outstanding donor female and transferring them to one or more recipient females. Embryos also can be produced in the laboratory via techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). But the actual transfer of an embryo is only one step in a series of processes that may include some or all of the following: superovulation and insemination of donors, collection of embryos, isolation, evaluation and short-term storage of embryos, micromanipulation and genetic testing of embryos, freezing of embryos and embryo transfer. Cryopreservation and direct transfer of frozen-thawed embryos is common-place with pregnancy rates near that of fresh embryos. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology is currently being used for sexing embryos, and this technology will be used for “embryo diagnostics” and “embryo genomics” in the future. Although, many limitations and problems remain to overcome, these and other new technologies promise to change livestock breeding drastically in the next decade.

This study aimed to improve the reproductive efficiency of dairy herds by comparison and analyzing estrous appearance rate, conception and non-conception rate according to the stage of lactation using the lactation and reproductive records of average (less than 10,000 liters milk in 305 days) and high yielding (more than 10,000 liters milk in 305 days) Holstein cows (n=102). Milk production and reproduction data were collected between January 2010 and December 2012 from Holstein cows kept in the commercial dairy farms. Average (n=32) and high yielding (n=24) Holstein cows used to analyze the relationship between milk yield and reproductive performance. Our results showed that estrous appearance rate according to the stage of lactation was 25.0% (30∼59d), 40.6% (60∼ 89d), 25% (90∼110d) and 9.4% (>111d) in average yielding cows and 16.7% (30∼59d), 20.8% (60∼89d), 12.5% (90 ∼110d) and 50.0% (>111d) in high yielding cows, respectively. Conception rate according to the stage of lactation was 87.5% (30∼59d), 61.5% (60∼ 89d), 75.0% (90∼110d) and 66.7% (>111d) in average yielding cows and 25.0% (30∼59d), 0% (60∼89d), 33.3% (90∼ 110d) and 50.0% (>111d) in high yielding cows, respectively. Days between parturition and conception was 23.7% (<149d), 0% (150∼209d) and 0% (>210 d) in average yielding cows and 69.0% (<149 d), 77.8% (150∼209d) and 38.9% (>210d) in high yielding cows, respectively. Conception rate from 110 days postpartum in high yielding cows was 41.7% (110∼150d), 50.0% (151∼180d) and 50.0% (>181d). Body condition score (BCS) in 120 days postpartum was 2.64±0.1 in average yielding cows and 2.28±0.1 in high yielding cows, respectively.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of abnormal ovarian cycles after superovulation treatment of Holstein Donor Cows. CIDRs were inserted into the vaginas of twenty two head of Holstein cows, regardless of estrous cycle. Superovulation was induced using folliclar stimulating hormone (FSH). For artificial insemination, donor cows were injected with PGF2α and estrus was checked about 48 hours after the injection. Then they were treated with 4 straws of semen 3 times, with 12-hour intervals. Embryos were collected by a non-surgical method 7 days after the first artificial insemination. The cows were considered to have resumed ovarian cyclicity on the day of ovulation if followed by regular ovarian cycles. Seventy two point seven percentage of the cows(16/22) had normal resumption of ovarian cyclicity(resumption within 40 days after superovulation), and 27.3%(6/22) had delayed resumption(resumption did not occur until＞40 days after superovulation). Delayed resumption Type Ⅱ(first ovulation did not occur until ≥40 days after superovulation, i.e. delayed first ovulation 13.6%) were the most common types of delayed resumptions. The mean numbers of total ova from < 10 and 10≤ of corpora lutea(CL) was 7.8±1.8 and 12.7±2.7, respectively. The number of transferable embryos differed between < 10 and 10≤ CL was 5.4±1.3 and 8.1±3.4, respectively. Four point five percentage of the cows(1/22) did not resumption their ovarian cyclicity until 60 days after superovulation treatment. Diverse researches on the superovulation treatment method that is suitable for high-producing Holstein donor cows would contribute to preventing ovarian cyclicity disorder, as well as to the early multiplication of cows with superior genes by increasing the utilization value of donor cows.

The objective of this work was to analyze the concentrations of progesterone (P4) and estrogen (E2) hormones changed during estrus synchronization in dairy heifers. Estrus synchronization was carried out with CIDRⓇ (Controlled Intravaginal Drug Release) devices. Corpus luteum (CL) was classified into three grades based on its size and palpable characteristics. The concentrations of P4 and E2 were measured by enzyme-amplified chemiluminescence. Serum P4 concentration was markedly low at the estrus stage (36 hrs after removal of CIDR) compared to other stages, while E2 concentration was kept high during estrus stage. The serum P4 concentration was highest in the CL classified into gradeⅠ. These results indicate that P4 concentration could be used as a criteria for determining recipients for artificial insemination or embryo transfer in dairy cattle.

This study was performed to analyze the causative agents of disease occurred in Korean black goat. Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) known as main causative agents of diarrhea and abortion in cattle were founded in Korean black goats. Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens are the main causes underlying diarrhea in Korean black goats as well as other animals. In addition, the orf virus was found as a causative agent of contagious ecthyma that shows frequent occurrence in Korean black goats. Leptospirosis was found in Korean black goats with low occurrence rate. However, unlike the reports from many other countries, we could not detect the antibodies for Johne’s disease and Neospora caninum in Korean black goats. These results are likely to contribute to improving the productivity of raising black goats as a field of livestock farming.

today's dairy production management systems, reproductive efficiency affects the income of any farm by influencing overall milk production, genetic gain, amount of replacement heifers, and wise cullling decisions. Nutrition, management, and genetics play a major role achieving this maximum herd-reproductive performance. Several reports using trace minerals on the diet of cattle have shown reproductive effects. The main justification for using blocks, to provide deficient nutrients is, therefore, their convenience for packaging, storage, transport and ease of feeding. Dairy cattle are annually exposed to prolonged periods of elevated humidity and heat which reduce feed intake and reproductive performance. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of mineral on reproductive performance of dairy cows during Summer. The experimental group of cows had access ad libitum to the mineral lick in the following composition : Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, I, Co, Se. Environmental heat load was described using the THI (temperature humidity index) because thermoregulation in cows is affected by both Temp and RH. The THI was calculated: THI=(0.8×Temp)+[RH×(Temp— 14.4)]+ 46.4. All cows were monitored for estrus twice daily in the morning and late afternoon. And any animal found in estrus was artificially inseminated. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed via ultrasonography at 45 to 70 d after insemination. The visitation and intake of mineral were higher with the maximum THI. The mean intake of mineral block was 23.1 kg in Summer and 17.7 kg in other seasons. The reproductive performance was considerably improved by mineral supplementation. The factors influencing consumption of mineral mixtures include: soil fertility and forage type, available energy and protein, individual requirements, salt content of the water, palatability of mineral mixture, availability of fresh minerals and physical form of minerals. These results show that minerals have a great impact on animal's reproductive physiology.

Culture of preantral follicles has important biotechnological implications through its potential to produce large quantities of oocytes for embryo production and transfer. The objective of this study was to determine the comparison of different isolation method of mouse preantral follicles, and to examine in vitro development of mouse preantral follicles isolated by different method. Preantral follicles were mechanically or enzymatically extracted from mouse ovaries. Mechanical isolation method used fine gauge needles and enzymatic method of isolating follicles used 1 mg/ml collagenage (Type IA) and 0.2 mg/ml DNase Ⅰ in Leibovitz L-15 medium. The solution containing Leibovitz L-15 medium, enzyme and ovary fragments was incubated at 37℃ for 30 min. The selection criteria are as follows: primary follicle of 75 to 99 μm, early secondary follicle of 100 to 125 μm and late secondary follicle of 126 to 150 μm in diameter. The recovered preantral follicles were cultured for 10 days in alpha-minimal essential medium (α-MEM) + 5% FBS + ITS + 100 mIU/ ml FSH. The collected primary follicles by enzymatic treatment were higher than mechanical method. Others stage preantral follicle by mechanical isolation were higher than enzymatic method. After 10 days of culture, no statistical differences were shown in survival rates of preantral follicle among the 2 culture groups. The metaphase Ⅱ rates of the oocytes were significantly higher (p<0.05) in mechanical method (17.8%) than in enzymatic method (5.1%). These results suggest that the isolation method of choice depends on the target stage preantral follicles and mechanical isolation is an optimal method of preantral follicles in a culture of mouse preantral follicle.

The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy analysis and the effect of field application of a newly developed automatic heat detector in dairy cows. From 2009 to 2010, we used 48 Holstein cows (mounting cows : 38 heads, standing cows : 10 heads) raised in experimental barn of National Livestock Research Institute (RDA) for the accuracy analysis of automatic heat detector, and 14 Holstein cows raised in three commercial dairy farms of Cheonan and Pochun area for comparison of the effect of field application. The accuracy of response in cows attached with automatic heat detector was 86.8% (33/38) displayed on board when mounting activity observed, and 100% (10/10) when standing activity observed, and on average, 90.0% (43/48) displayed on board. The accuracy of automatic heat detector in on-farm test was 85.7% (12/14), and conception rate was 75.0% (9/12).

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between estrous expression, body condition score (BCS), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and number of transferable embryos for the purpose of improving reproductive performance in blood of Hanwoo donors. Sixty, at random stages of the estrous cycle, received a CIDR. Four days later, the animals were superovulated with a total of 28AU FSH (Antorin, 2AU=1 ml) administered twice daily in constant doses over 4 days. On the 3th administration of FSH, CIDR was withdrawn and 25 mg PGF2α was administered. Cows were artificially inseminated twice after estrous detection at 12 hr intervals. The cows received 100 μg GnRH at the time of 1nd insemination. Embryos were recovered 7 or 8 days after the 1st insemination. The estrous inducement rate and estrous expression rate were significantly lower for cows with BCS below 2.25 than for cows with BCS above 2.25. There was 50.0% of rate of mounting in cows with BCS below 2.25 whereas the rate of mounting was markedly increased in cows with BCS above 2.25 (94.1% and 89.5% for BCS 2.25～2.75 and BCS above 2.75 cows, respectively). Cows with BCS ＜2.25, 2.25～2.75 and ≥2.75 had number of transferable embryos of 4.5±0.7, 5.9±1.8 and 5.6±2.3 respectively.

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between concentration of urea nitrogen, glucose, cholesterol and number of transferable embryos for the purpose of improving reproductive performance in blood of Hanwoo donors. Fifty five, at random stages of the estrous cycle, received a CIDR. Four days later, the animals were superovulated with a total of 28AU FSH (Antorin, 2AU=1 ml) administered twice daily in constant doses over 4 days. On the 3th administration of FSH, CIDR was withdrawn and 25 mg PGF2α was administered. Cows were artificially inseminated twice after estrous detection at 12 hr intervals. The cows received 100μg GnRH at the time of 1nd insemination. Embryos were recovered 7 or 8 days after the 1st insemination. Cows with BUN ＜10, 11～18 and ≥19 mg/dl had number of transferable embryos of 4.3±1.3, 5.8±1.8 and 4.7±2.1 respectively. The mean numbers of total ova from < 10 and 10≤ of corpora lutea(CL) was 8.9 and 14.3, respectively. The number of transferable embryos differed between < 10 and 10≤ CL was 4.8 and 5.6, respectively.