Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the reality of the suffering as infertile women who are doing repeated ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) for pregnancy and childbirth. Methods: The data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s (1978) phenomenological method. Nine women receiving repetitive ART participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews for this study. Results: Data analysis yielded sixteen themes which were grouped into four theme clusters: ‘Being demoted to a tool only for pregnancy’, ‘Struggling for the happiness hard to get’, ‘Standing loneliness alone on a solitary island’, and ‘Ongoing yearning for recognition by pregnancy and childbirth’. Conclusion: The findings provide further understanding of complex experiences of women receiving ART who were struggling with practical, psychological, and relational issues in their everyday lives. Based on the results of this study, health professionals are urged to support those women receiving repetitive ART by providing comprehensive caring programs that employ personal, social, and psychological approaches so that they can resolve such issues.

The aim of the current study was to compare the effects of season and breed on the reproductive performance of male and female sheep using 12 rams and 318 ewes of Assaf and Awassi breeds under the seasonal environmental condition of United Arab Emirates for two years. The blood level of testosterone hormone was measured monthly. Semen was collected twice a month from each male using artificial vagina and evaluated for volume, motility, livability, abnormality and concentration. The scrotal circumference and thickness as well as the left testicular length, width, height and volume were measured at one-month intervals. The level of testosterone in Assaf breed was significantly higher in autumn than winter and summer. The scrotal circumference and thickness as well as the left testicular length were significantly higher in Assaf breed than Awassi breed. While, left testicular width and volume were significantly higher in Awassi breed than Assaf breed. Scrotal circumference which was higher in spring and summer than in autumn and winter season in both breeds. The SCC of semen was significantly higher in autumn than in other seasons in both breeds. The sperm abnormality was significantly higher in summer than other seasons in both breeds. The livability was significantly lower in summer in both breeds. Fecundity and prolificacy were significantly higher in Assaf than Awassi breed during autumn season. Assaf breed showed the superior reproductive performance in the autumn season when compared with Awassi breed in the same season and other seasons. The Assaf breed tolerated the climatic conditions in UAE and kept the litter size of 1.72 in comparison to Awassi breed which showed litter size of 1.09. in conclusion, the results showed the superiority of Assaf over Awassi breed and offer a good model of breeding with increased fecundity and prolificacy specially in autumn season.

큰열매모자반은 제주도 연안 생태계에서 수관층을 형성하는 중요한 다년생 갈조류이다. 이 연구는 2018년 5월부터 2019년 6월까지 제주연안에서 큰열매모자반 개체군의 생장 및 생식패턴을 밝히기 위하여 수행되었다. 큰열매 모자반 개체군의 정량조사를 통해 월별 형질분석, 밀도 및 현존량 분석을 실시하였다. 또한 큰열매모자반의 생식자원 배분 특성을 조사하기 위하여 전체 엽체길이 및 엽중량에 대한 생식엽길이와 중량비율을 측정하였다. 조사지역에서 큰열매모자반의 최대 엽장은 6월에 135.3±20.0 cm, 최대 엽중량은 5월에 평균 3.6±2.1 kg·wet-wt., 평균밀도는 4.5 individuals·m-2 및 평균현존량은 4.6 kg·wet-wt.·m-2였다. 생식기탁의 형성은 4~8월 (수온 16.1~25.0°C)까지 관찰되었으며, 난방출 시기는 6~7월 (수온 19.3~22.9°C)이 었다. 엽체의 발달은 수온 14.1°C 이상의 조건에서 이루어졌으며, 성숙에 요구되는 유효 적산온도는 726.3 degreedays였다. 큰열매모자반의 생식배분은 6월에 최대 69.3% 로 나타났다. 큰열매모자반의 생장과 성숙패턴은 생장기 (10~1월), 생식시작기 (2~4월), 성숙기 (5~6월), 난 방출기 (6~7월) 및 휴지기 (8~9월)로 구분되었다.

동소동속종인 팥나방(Matsumuraeses phaseoli)과 어리팥나방(M. falcana)(나비목: 잎말이나방과) 사이에 교잡 가능성을 알아보기 위해서 실험실에서 인위적으로 두 종을 교잡시켰다. 두 종의 암수를 교차하여 교미시켰을 때, F1 잡종세대가 발생하였다. 두 잡종세대 집단을 집단 내 및 집단 간 암수를 교차하여 교미시킨 경우들에서, 팥나방 암컷과 어리팥나방 수컷이 교잡되어 생성된 F1 잡종세대 집단(H집단)의 암컷이 같은 집단의 수컷 혹은 다른 집단의 수컷과 교미되었을 때, F2 후대를 거의 생성하지 못했다. 다른 집단으로 만들어진 F2 세대는 집단 내 교미에서 F3 세대를 생성시켰다. F1 잡종세대 집단 암수와 팥나방 혹은 어리팥나방 암수를 각각 교차하여 교미시킨 역교잡 8개 집단 중에서도 H집단의 암컷과 짝지어진 어미세대 수컷 집단 2개는 전혀 산란하지 못했다. 후대가 생성된 다른 6개 집단은 모두 집단 내 암수 교미에서 역교잡 F2 세대를 생성하였다. 이 결과는 팥나방 암컷과 어리팥나방 수컷이 교미하였을 경우 F1 후대잡종을 생성할 수 있으나, 이 F1 후대잡종 암컷은 불임이 되는 것을 나타냈다. 결과적으로 두 종 사이에 접합후 생식단계에서 부분적인 생식격리가 발생할 수 있는 것을 나타냈다.

Reproductive ecology of rabbit fish, Siganus fuscescens were investigated from samples collected monthly in the coastal waters off Jeju Island of Korea from February to December 2014. In male and female of S. fuscescens, the values of GSI were reached high values between July to August in which the water temperature was high, and then decreased until December. The occurrence of individuals which have mature eggs in ovary were higher from July to August. Therefore, a main spawning season was estimated from July to August, with the highest peak in July. Throughout histological observation of the ovary in the spawning period, S. fuscescens belong to an group-synchronous and has a one spawning season a year. Fecundity of ovary ranged from 380,000 to 2,600,000 during the spawning period. Size at 50% sexual maturity, determined from logistic equation, were 25.1 cm TL which is over two years.

한국에 있어서 한우는 경제 동물일 뿐 만 아니라 중요한 유전자원 중 하나이다. 그러나 현재 한우의 번식 능력 개량을 위한 연구는 매우 미흡한 실정이다. 한우의 번식 능력에 대한 기초 자료를 확보하기 위해 전북지역(정읍시)에서 인공수정 된 암소 총 33,281두에 대한 105,017개의 번식기록(2010-2017)을 이용하여 임신기간(GP), 분만 후 첫 종부기간(CFSI), 분만 후 임신간격(CCI), 수태당 종부회수(NAIPC), 첫 종부 임신율 (FSCR)을 계산하여 분석에 활용하였다. 전체적으로 GP 는 287.602±4.797일, CFSI와 CCI는 각각 77.513±34.417 및 88.433±42.194일 이였다. 또한 FSCR는 62.365%였으며, NAIPC 는 1.411회로 나타났다. 2017년의 FSCR과 NAIPC는 각각 67.497% 및 1.344회로 2013년 62.366% 및 1.402에 비해 유의적으로 증가하였다(p<0.05). 가을과 겨울에는 번식기간이 더 길었으며, NAIPC는 봄과 여름에 비해 유의적으로 증가하는 것으로 나타났다(p<0.05). 3~7산차 암소의 경우 NAIPC가 1.323±0.669~1.339±0.689회로 다른 그룹에의 1.401±0.772~1.446±0.854회 보다 우수한 것으로 나타났다. 반면, 1산차 암소의 경우 FSCR와 NAIPC가 각각 60.217% 및 1.506±0.937회로 가장 저조한 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구 결과 한우의 번식효율은 산차에 따라, NAIPC는 계절에 따라 영향 받는 것으로 나타났으며, 전체적인 번식효율은 과거에 비해 지속적으로 향상되고 있는 것으로 나타났다.

We investigated the sexual maturity time of B. ignitus. In investigating ovary development, the time of sexual maturity of queen was 10 days after eclosion. In case of male, the number of sperm was 246 thousand at immediately after eclosion, and was highest as 480 thousand at 9 days, and tended to show a dramatic decline at 35 days (87 thousand). In consideration of number of sperms, the time of sexual maturity of male was 3-15 days after eclosion. In the sexual maturity time of queen in mating, the queen was not mated at immediately after eclosion, and showed a decrease in 20 days. On the other hand, the male showed 3.3% of mating at immediately after ecolosion, showed the highest of 43.3% at 6 days after eclosion, and tended to decrease in 25 days. In summary, sexual maturity time of B. ignitus in reproductive organs and mating is most favorable in 9-12 days after eclosion for queen and 6-9 days for male.

장수풍뎅이는 우리나라 곤충 산업에서 학습𐤟애완곤충으로 활용도가 매우 높으며 전국적으로 많은 농가에서 사육 되고 있다. 최근 식용, 약용으로도 허가가 되어 농가의 수가 확대되고 있고, 대부분 번식 개체 암수 비율 증가(2:1 이상), 대형 상자, 대량의 발효톱밥을 이용하여 번식을 한다. 이는 몇몇 농가들에게는 경제적 비용을 늘리는 요인이 되어 왔다. 본 연구에서는 비용 절감 방안을 모색하고자, 칸막이 사육 상자를 고안하여 한 쌍으로만 실내 번식(온도 25℃, 습도 60%)을 실시하였다. 조사 결과, 칸막이가 없는 사육 상자에서 평균 산란수는 93.6개였고, 칸막이가 있는 처리구의 경우에는 평균 산란수가 121.3개로 칸막이가 없는 것보다 알을 더 많이 낳는 경향을 보였다. 또한, 발효톱밥의 경도가 높은 처리구에서 산란을 더 많이 하는 경향을 보였다.

기후변화에 따른 양서류 번식계절학 및 양서류 군집다양성 변동에 대한 연구는 다수 수행되었지만, 개별 종의 번식개 체군 크기의 변동에 대한 연구결과는 여전히 부족하다. 본 연구에서는 기후변화가 국내 산간계곡에서 번식하는 무미류인 계곡산개구리(Rana huanrenensis)와 유미류인 도롱뇽(Hynobius leechii) 번식개체군 크기에 영향을 미치는지를 평가하기 위하여 2005년부터 2012년 사이 8년간의 야외개체군 변동과 주변 기후변화 요인들과의 관련성을 분석하였다. 야외에서 두 종은 각각 약 3.5년을 주기로 번식개체군의 크기가 증감하고 있었다. 특별히, 도롱뇽 번식개체군의 크기는 8년에 걸쳐 유의하게 감소하였다. 기후요인들 중, 기온은 계곡산개구리, 강수량은 도롱뇽 번식개체군의 크기와 더 밀접한 관련성을 가지고 있었다. 특별히, 해당지역에서는 8년에 걸쳐 년간평균최고기온 및 봄철평균일교차가 일관되게 감소하였으며, 후자는 도롱뇽 번식개체군 크기의 의미 있는 감소와 관련되었다. 이러한 결과는 최근의 기후변화가 산간계곡에서 번식하는 국내 양서류, 특별히 도롱뇽, 번식개체군 크기의 감소로 직접적으로 이어질 수 있음을 보여준다.

화분매개곤충인 호박벌(B. ignitus)의 교미율을 높이기 위하여 생식기관 발육과 교미에 의한 성적 성숙시기를 조사하였다. 난소 소관 당 알 수와 수정낭 크기 등 난소 발육으로 볼 때, 여왕벌의 성적 성숙시기는 우화 10일 이내이었다. 수벌의 정자수는 우화당일에 24.6만개이었고, 우화 9일째가 48.0만개 정도로 가장 많았으며, 우화 35일(8.7만개) 이후 정자수가 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 또한 교미횟수가 증가함에 따라 정자수가 줄어드는 것을 알 수 있었다. 수벌의 정자수에 의한 성적 성숙시기는 우화 3~15일이었다. 교미에 의한 성적 성숙시기 조사결과, 여왕벌은 우화직 후에는 전혀 교미를 하지 않았으며, 우화 20일 이후에는 교미율이 떨어지는 경향을 보였다. 교미율과 산란율 등으로 볼 때 여왕벌의 교미에 적합 한 시기는 우화 9~20일이었다. 반면에 수벌은 우화 직후에도 3.3% 교미하였으며, 우화 6일째가 43.3%로 가장 높았으며, 우화 25일 이후부터는 감소하는 경향이었다. 교미율과 산란율 등으로 볼 때, 수벌의 교미 성숙시기는 우화 6~20일이었다. 이상의 생식기관 발육과 교미에 의한 봉세발 달 등으로 볼 때 호박벌 여왕벌의 최적 성적 성숙시기는 우화 9~12일, 수벌은 우화 6~9일로 판단된다.

본 연구는 Canada에서 수입한 동결정액으로 인공수정된 모돈의 번식성적을 조사하여 동결정액을 이용한 인공수정(동결정액 인공수정)의 효율을 개선할 수 있는 통찰력을 얻기 위해 수행되었다. 이를 위해 A(GGP) 농장에서 2016년 5월과 9월 사이 총 626회의 동결정액 인공수정과 B(GGP) 농장에서 2015년부터 2017년 기간 동안 수행한 총 2,429 동결정액 인공수정의 결과 기록을 분석하였다. A종 돈장에서 동결정액을 썼을 때 총산자수 및 실산자수는 9월 보다 5월에 높았다(p<0.05). B종돈장의 분만율, 총산자수 및 실산자수는 조사연도 간에 차이가 없었다. A종돈장 결과와 B종돈장 결과를 통합하여 분석했을 때, 분만율은 A종돈장이 높았으나(p<0.01) 총산자수와 실산자수는 두 종돈장간에 차이가 없었고, 동결정액 인공수정을 했을 때가 액상정액 인공수정을 했을 때보다 낮았다(동결정액:액상정액 인공수정에 대한 총산자수와 실산자수는 각각 10.9±0.3:13.4±0.1두 및 10.0±0.3:12.0±0.1두 이었음; p<0.01). 결론적으로, 이상의 결과는 동결정액 인공수정이 액상정액 인공수정보다 번식 효율이 낮긴 하지만 연중 적절한 시기에 동결정액 인공수정을 실시하면 번식 효율이 증가될 수도 있음을 시사한다.

Basic reproductive biology of the daggertooth pike conger, Muraenesox cinereus were investigated based on the samples from August 2015 to December 2017 in Korean waters. A total of 2,328 samples was collected (1,593 females and 735 males) during the study period. The mean anal lengths (AL) were 33.5 ± 9.2 cm in females and 26.2 ± 7.3 cm in males respectively. The females were larger than males in AL (p < 0.05). Sex ratio was 2.2:1 in female to male (p < 0.05). The gonadosomatic index (GSI) varied monthly. GSI of female reached the maximum in July 2016 and June 2017 and the minimum in October 2016 and September 2017 respectively. The spawning period was from June to October. The size at sexual maturity (L50) of females was estimated at 24.9 cm in AL (63.5 cm in TL).

This study was conducted to investigate effect of feeding beet pulp on reproductive performance, colostrum composition and microbiological characteristics in sows. A total of 12 sows(Landrace×Yorkshire) were randomly allotted three dietary treatments at gestating 90 days. The diets were prepared by adding 0, 5 and 10% of the beet pulp in basal diets. The pigs fed 5% beet pulp showed higher litter size than the 0 and 10% beet pulp treatments, although there was not significant among the treatments. Similarly, birth and 21days weight in piglet were not different among the treatments. In colostrum fat, protein, lactose, citric acid, solid, ffa, true protein were ranged to reference values, but not difference among the treatments. E.coli of feces was lower(P<0.01) in the 5% beet pulp than the 0 and 10% beet pulp treatments. But no effect was observed on Lactobacilli of feces among dietary treatments. These our results indicate the beet pulp has no significant effect of reproductive performance and colostrum composition in sows. But, 5% level beet pulp is effective for reduction of intestinal pathogenic microorganisms.

Prolactin is an anterior pituitary hormone involved in various physiological phenomenon including reproduction. The prolactin receptor (PRLR) is detected in diverse tissues such as brain, ovary, placenta and uterus in several mammalian species. A total of 227 pigs [Korean native pigs (KNP) 27; Landrace pigs 29; Korean native pigs x Landrace F1 91; Nanchuckmacdon pigs 80] were used to investigate the allele frequency difference of the prolactin receptor (PRLR) gene among the four pig lines. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) with Alu I restriction enzyme was used to determine the genotypes of PRLR. Frequencies of PRLR alleles among the four different pig lines were not significantly different (Chi-square=3.94, DF=3, P=0.27). A total of 40 Nanchuckmacdon pigs were used to investigate the effect of the prolactin receptor (PRLR) gene on total number of piglets born (TNB), number of piglets of alive (NBA) using general linear model implemented in MINITAB software. For TNB, the AB genotype had higher genotypic value (10.61) than the values of AA (9.83) and BB (10.30). Likewise, the AB genotype had higher genotypic value (8.96) than the values of AA (8.18) and BB (8.90) for NBA. However, these associations of the PRLR gene with TNB and NBA were not statistically significant. In conclusion, it is necessary to increase the sample size for investigating the effect of the PRLR gene on TNB and NBA in pigs.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of freeze dried placenta supplementation on reproductive performance, colostrum and plasma biochemical composition in pregnant sows. Eleven Landrace × Large white sows were fed with corn-soybean meal diets supplemented with or without 1% freeze dried placenta powder from 10 days before their expected farrowing dates until 10 days postpartum. The colostrum protein content was significantly higher(P=0.043) in the treatment group than in the control group. Compared to the control group, the immunoglobulin G(IgG) concentration in the colostrum was significantly higher(P=0.004) in the treatment. In day 25 piglets plasma, the IgG concentration was higher(P=0.184) in the treatment than the control. The mortality rate was lower(P=0.102), and the piglet weight gain was higher(P=0.35) in the treated group. Overall, the treatment group showed greater levels of protein and IgG concentration in the colostrum, when compared to control group. Therefore, the freeze dried placenta supplementation on pregnant sows can enhance its colostrum composition, hence decrease the mortality and increase the growth rate of piglets.

Pigs have been extensively used as mediators of xenotransplantation research. Specifically, the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) miniature pig was developed to fix major histocompatibility antigens for use in xenotransplantation studies. We generated transgenic pigs for xenotransplantation using MGH pigs. However, it has not been studied yet whether these pigs show similarity of reproductive physiological characteristics to wild types of MGH miniature pig. In this study we analyzed the estrous cycles and pregnancy characteristics of wild type (WT) and transgenic MGH miniature pigs, which were α1,3-galactosyltransferase (GalT) heterozygous and homozygous knock-out, and membrane cofactor protein (MCP) inserted in its locus, GalT-MCP/+ and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs. Estrous cycles of WT, GalT-MCP/+ and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs were 20.9±0.74, 20.1±1.26, and 17.3±0.87 days, respectively, and periods of estrous were 3.2±0.10, 3.1±0.12, and 3.1±0.11 days. The periods of gestation of WT, GalT-MCP/+ and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs were 114.2±0.37, 113.3±0.67, and 115.4±0.51 days, respectively. Litter sizes of WT, GalT-MCP/+ and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs were 4.8±0.35, 4.8±1.11 and 3.0±0.32 respectively. There were no significant differences on estrous cycle, periods of estrous and gestation, and litter size among WT, GalT-MCP/+ and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs, meaning that GalT knock-out and additional expression MCP of the MGH miniature pig did not effect on reproduction traits. These results provide relevant information to establish breeding system for MGH transgenic pig, and for propagation of GalT-MCP/-MCP pig to supply for xenotransplantation research.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of estrus synchronization to altrenogest regumate (progesterone), PMSG/hCG, and artificial insemination (AI) on galectin-3, FGF-9 gene and protein expression. The morpho-metrical parameters of the endometrium and the number of corpora lutea (CL) were recorded. RNA was isolated from endometrial, oviduct and ovary tissues of non-synchronized (Control; n = 7) and AI synchronized (regumate, PMSG/hCG; n = 7) sows. The total number of CL was higher (P<0.05) in pigs treated with regumate/PMSG/hCG. The content of gelactin-3 and FGF-9 mRNA in pre-embryonic development stages increased on particular days, in control and studied in regumate/PMSG/hCG administered pigs. Gelactin-3 and FGF-9 were affected by regumate/PMSG/hCG treatment in the both pre-embryonic development stages (P<0.001, P<0.05) and encdometrial tissue (P<0.001, P<0.01). The regumate/PMSG/hCG treatment resulted in elevated expression of gelactin-3 (P<0.001) and FGF-9 (P<0.005) in oviduct and ovary tissues in comparison to control sows. Moreover, oviduct amount of gelectin-3 mRNA was higher in regumate/PMSG/hCG sows in comparison to the control group (P<0.05), whereas, expression characteristics of gelactin-3 and FGF-9 were investigated by hematoxylin and eosin stained and immunohistochemical staining. The results showed that galectin-3 and FGF-9 were significantly shown in the endometrium, oviduct and ovary tissues of the regumate/PMSG/ hCG. Presented data show that exogenous hormones administration can affect gene and protein expression in the sow reproductive tract.

This study determined diagnostic threshold of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) for cytological endometritis (CEM) and its impacts on reproductive performance in dairy cows. Uterine cytology using 407 Holstein cows was performed at 4 weeks postpartum and proportion of endometrial cells and PMN was evaluated. A receiver operating characteristics curve was built to assess the cutoff level above which the PMN proportion affected the hazard of pregnancy by 200 days postpartum. The cutoff level for CEM was set at ≥14% PMN (sensitivity = 31.3%, specificity = 81.7%, P < 0.05). Cows with CEM had a lower probability of resumption of cyclicity (OR = 0.58 P < 0.05) and lower hazard of pregnancy by 200 days postpartum (hazard ratio = 0.58, P = 0.0001) than cows without CEM. Cows with CEM tended to have a lower probability of pregnancy to the first insemination (OR = 0.65, P < 0.1) and a greater number of insemination per conception (2.3 vs 2.2, P < 0.1) than cows without CEM. In conclusion, the threshold level of PMN was 14% to define CEM at 4 weeks postpartum and CEM decreased subsequent reproductive performance in dairy cow