Background: Porcine pluripotent stem cells (pPSCs) would provide enormous potential for agriculture and biomedicine. However, authentic pPSCs have not established yet because standards for pPSCs-specific markers and culture conditions are not clear. Therefore, the present study reports comparative pluripotency characteristics in porcine induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSCs) derived from different viral transduction and reprogramming factors [Lenti-iPSCs (OSKM), Lenti-iPSCs (OSKMNL) and Sev-iPSCs (OSKM)]. Methods: Porcine fibroblasts were induced into Lenti-iPSCs (OSKM) and Lenti-iPSCs (OSKMNL) by using Lentiviral vector and Sev-iPSCs (OSKM) by using Sendaiviral vector. Expressions of endogenous or exogenous pluripotency-associated genes, surface marker and in vitro differentiation in between Lenti-piPSCs (OSKM), Lenti-iPSCs (OSKMNL) and Sev-piPSCs (OSKM) were compared. Results: Colonial morphology of Lenti-iPSCs (OSKMNL) closely resembles the naïve mouse embryonic stem cells colony for culture, whereas Sev-iPSCs (OSKM) colony is similar to the primed hESCs. Also, the activity of AP shows a distinct different in piPSCs (AP-positive (+) Lenti-iPSCs (OSKMNL) and Sev-iPSCs (OSKM), but AP-negative (-) LentiiPSCs (OSKM)). mRNAs expression of several marker genes (OCT-3/4, NANOG and SOX2) for pluripotency was increased in Lenti-iPSCs (OSKMNL) and Sev-iPSCs (OSKM), but Sev-iPSCs (OSKM). Interestingly, SSEA-1 of surface markers was expressed only in Sev-iPSCs (OSKM), whereas SSEA-4, Tra-1-60 and Tra-1-81 were positively expressed in Lenti-iPSCs (OSKMNL). Exogenous reprogramming factors continuously expressed in Lenti-iPSCs (OSKMNL) for passage 20, whereas Sev-iPSCs (OSKM) did not express any exogenous transcription factors. Finally, only Lenti-iPSCs (OSKMNL) express the three germ layers and primordial germ cells markers in aggregated EBs. Conclusions: These results indicate that the viral transduction system of reprograming factors into porcine differentiated cells display different pluripotency characteristics in piPSCs.

The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters and breeding values of four carcass traits of the Hanwoo cattle breed: carcass weight (CWT), back fat thickness (BFT), eye-muscle area (EMA), and marbling score (MAR). Genetic parameters and breeding values were estimated based on data (“estimating dataset”) collected from September 2004 to March 2019. Predictability of parental breeding value estimates (EBVs) for the performances of progeny of the control group was evaluated on another dataset (“testing dataset”) using linear model equations involving parental EBVs classified into sex and age groups. The parental EBVs of animals in the testing dataset were traced by pedigree relationships of animals in the estimating dataset. Heritability estimates of CWT, BFT, EMA, and MAR were 0.53, 0.43, 0.38, and 0.54, respectively. Genetic correlation coefficients of CWT with BFT, EMA, and MAR were +0.32, +0.59, and +0.11, respectively. Environmental correlation coefficients of CWT with BFT, EMA, and MAR were +0.46, +0.55, and +0.29, respectively. In the testing dataset, partial regression coefficients of phenotypic values of progeny on sire EBVs ranged from +0.43 to +0.60 depending on traits fit into the models, while those on dam EBVs ranged from +0.54 to +0.67. All partial regression coefficients were statistically significant and were approximated to the expected value of +0.5. Together, these values validate the use of parental EBVs for predicting progeny carcass phenotypes in the Hanwoo herd.

본 연구는 한우 도체형질에서 거세우 자료로 실시한 유전능력 평가결과가 암소 자료로 실시한 평가결 과와 차이가 있는지를 알아보기 위해서 도축 자료를 암소 자료와 거세우 자료로 분리해서 유전모수와 육종가를 추정함과 동시에 동일 형질의 암소 측정치와 거세우 측정치를 각각 다른 형질로 간주하고 각 형질 내에서 두 측정치간의 유전 상관계수를 추정하였다. 도체중, 등지방 두께, 등심 단면적 및 근내지 방도의 유전력은 암소 자료 추정치들이 각각 0.60, 0.46, 0.47 및 0.59 그리고 거세우 자료 추정치들이 각각 0.62, 0.54, 0.41 및 0.58로 도체중과 근내지방도에서는 두 자료의 추정치 간 차이가 없었으나 등지방 두께 유전력은 암소자료 추정치가 거세우 자료 추정치에 비해 8% 더 작고 등심 단면적 유전력은 암소자료 추정치가 6% 더 큰 것으로 나타났다. 그리고 같은 형질 내에서 추정한 암소 측정치와 거 세우 측정치간의 유전 상관계수는 도체중이 0.77, 등지방 두께가 0.79, 등심 단면적이 0.79, 그리고 근 내지방도가 0.87이었다. 한편 각 형질별로 계산한 암소 자료의 추정 육종가와 거세우 자료의 추정 육종 가간 순위 상관계수는 도축우 아비들이 0.45(도체중)에서 0.65(근내지방도)의 범위, 그리고 도축우 어미들이 0.29(도체중)에서 0.40(근내지방도)의 범위로 낮은 편이었다. 이러한 결과는 추정된 자료에 따라 씨수소나 씨암소의 선발 순위가 달라질 가능성이 있음을 시사한다.

본 연구는 2006년부터 2016년 사이에 강원도 축산기술연구소에서 출생한 한우 송아지 1,069두로부터 조사된 이유시 체중과 임신기간, 생시체중 및 포유기 일당증체량 및 이유시 체중을 이용하여 단순상관, 다중 회귀 및 경로분석 등을 통해 이유시 체중과 임신기간, 생시체중 및 포유기 일당증체량 간의 상관 관계를 규명하였다. 통계분석은 조사된 원 성적을 이용하여 실시하는 동시에 조사된 원 성적을 송아지 출생 연도-계절, 송아지의 성, 어미의 산차 및 이유일령(포유기 일당증체량과 이유시 체중에만 해당) 등과 같은 환경효과에 대해 보정한 값인 잔차를 이용해서도 실시하였다. 조사된 형질들 간의 상관계수는 모두 양수였는데, 임신기간은 생시체중과의 잔차상관계수가 +0.315로서 중정도 크기였던 반면 포유 기 일당증체량이나 이유시 체중과의 잔차상관계수는 각각 +0.039와 +0.130으로서 작거나 0에 가까운 값이었다. 이유시 체중은 포유기 일당증체량과의 잔차상관계수가 +0.949로서 생시체중과의 상관계수인 +0.323보다 컸다. 잔차를 이용한 경로분석 결과 이유시 체중의 변이에 미치는 임신기간, 생시체중 및 포유기 일당증체량의 전체 기여도는 각각 0, 0.095 및 0.892로 나타났다. 본 연구 결과, 임신기간, 생시 체중 및 포유기 일당증체량 중에서 포유기 일당증체량이 이유시 체중의 변이에 가장 큰 영향력을 미치는 형질인 것으로 나타났다.

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.

This study was conducted to analyze the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the equine chromosomes (ECA) 3 for the body conformations of 12 month of age in Jeju crossbred (Jeju horses × Thoroughbred). A total of 199 Jeju crossbred horse samples were obtained from the National Institute of Subtropical Livestock Research Institute for this study. To correctly estimate the body conformations, we measured thirteen elements relevant to the body conformation such as body weight, wither height, body length for all the 199 horses at 12 month of age. Furthermore, all the horses were genotyped using four SNPs including the BIEC2-808466, BIEC2-808543, BIEC2-808967, BIEC2-809370, of which genomic coordinates range approximately from 105.1Mbp to 110 Mbp in the ECA3. For the phenotypic data sets, the average body weight was 193.7 ± 24.5㎏ and the height was 124.5 ± 4.0㎝. As for the genotypic data, the miner allele frequencies of the SNPs were shown to be varied from 0.01 to 0.291. Using the phenotypic and genotypic data sets, analysis of covariance was performed to find any association between those SNP genotypes and body conformations, using year of birth, month of birth, sex, and parity as the covariance components. The result showed that alternative genotypes in the BIEC2-808967 and BIEC2-809370 SNPs were significantly associated with the body length (P<0.05) and the wither height (P<0.05) respectively in the Jeju crossbred horses. Therefore, it is estimated that there are significant associations in the body conformation of 12 month of age of Jeju crossbred for those two SNPs used in this study.

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.

The role of Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) gene is critical for lipid metabolism and for maintaining homeostasis in adipocytes. Association between Hanwoo carcass traits and FABP4 gene g.7516G>C SNP has been reported previously, however, its association and how does it influence Korean brindle and black cattle has not been demonstrated and established till date. For this purpose, the study was planned to analyze the SNP association (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) (g.7516G>C) in FABP4 gene and gather genetic information on economic traits of Korean brindle cattle and black cattle. As per sequence of bovine FABP4 gene available (Genbank accession No. NC_007312.4), one pair of primers (5’-ATA TAG TCC ATA GGG TGG CAA AGA-3’ and 5’-AAC CTC TCT TTG AAT TCT CCA TTC T-3’) was designed to amplify a 452bp product of the FABP4 gene including the region of 7417–7868. The SNP, detected by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods using restriction enzyme MspA1I, was genotyped in 117 animals of brindle cattle and 24 animals of black cattle population. Statistical analysis revealed that the FABP4 genotype significantly (p<0.05) affect with carcass weight, but there was no significant association with any other economic traits was observed in brindle as well as in black cattle. In conclusion, these results suggested that SNP (g.7516G>C), located in FABP4 gene, could be used as important DNA marker of economic traits in Korean brindle cattle. Furthermore, we suggest that additional samples needs to further analysed to make related data exclusively authentic.

Since the Bovine sequencing and HapMap projects, there have been millions of genetic variations particularly including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) available throughout the cattle genome. While cataloguing substantial amounts of SNPs, copy number variation (CNV) has recently become getting great attention as an another form of genetic variation which is extensively distributed across the cattle genome. As it has been well known that CNVs can account for substantial proportions of phenotypic variance in other species including human, CNVs are highly expected to explain genetic variations of diverse economically important traits in cattle. Currently, two main approaches such as hybridization-based microarray and massively parallel sequencing-based method have been successfully applied to detect CNVs throughout the cattle genome. Although there is obvious difference of capabilities to detect genome-wide CNVs at fine scales between different platforms applied, all currently completed investigations exhibited that CNVs are extensively spread throughout the cattle genome as observed in other species. Despite these successes, there are still severe lacks of researches to identify multiple levels of CNVs from diverse cattle or multiple individuals, suggesting that there are a number of CNVs remained undiscovered. Furthermore, there are almost few investigations available to elucidate how each CNV is associated with traits of interest in cattle, so such functional study should be followed along with saturating most of potential CNVs on cattle genome.

Today, as interest in the importance of urban parks increases, many citied internationally are actively creating small parks, but their maintenance systems remain ineffective. Accordingly, in this study, the limitations and problems in the operation and management of urban parks were derived by examining previous studies on overall urban park maintenance and management. Based on this, the study tried to understand the actual state of maintenance and management of small parks through data surveys and field surveys related to budget execution on case sites. Then, we sought to clarify the actual state of maintenance and management of small parks through data surveys and field surveys regarding the budget execution of case sites as a basis for research to prepare an efficient and systematic improvement plan for the maintenance management system of city parks.

This study aimed to compare th effect of viewing forest and urban landscapes on the physiological responses and the psychological status of radiologists. An experiment was conducted among 10 healthy raiologists (n=10, 24±2.9 years old). They were instructed to view forest and urban landscapes, and their HRV (Heart Rate Variability) was measured to assess their physiological responses, and POMS (Profile of Mood States), and SD (Semantic Differential) questionnaires were also conducted to assess their psychological status. The collected data were analyzed with Wilcoxon signed-rank test using the SPSS 21.0. The results showed that viewing the forest landscape stimulated the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system more than viewing the urban landscape, which reduced stress and stabilized the psychological status of participants, and that viewing the forest landscape also increased the levels of positive feelings among POMS and SD subscales. Therefore, it was concluded in this study that viewing forest landscapes can contribute to the reduction of stress, emotional stability, and positive psychological status of those who work in a closed space like radiologists.