These studies were conducted to establish the practical Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) improvement system through the combining of embryo transfer technology and confirming individual Hanwoo oocyte culture system and to investigate that correlation of Hanwoo carcass classification (intramuscular marbling) and oocyte donor for blastocyst production in vitro. In case of Hanwoo, the carcass meat quality grades were divided to grade 1⁺⁺, 1⁺, 1, 2, and 3 depends on fat distribution of longest muscle cross-sectional surface. As results, the numbers of follicular oocytes collected from individual fundamentally-registered Hanwoo yielded 1⁺⁺, 1⁺, 1, 2 and 3 meat quality were 9.5, 9.4, 8.5, 8.8 and 8.8 per ovary, respectively. The numbers of retrieval oocyte from follicles were significantly higher in the cattle yield 1⁺⁺, 1⁺ meat quality than in the cattle yield 1, 2 and 3 meat quality (p<0.05). The rates of blastocyst formation were 18.2, 21.3, 29.4, 30.9, and 31.5% in the cattle yield 1⁺⁺, 1⁺, 1, 2 and 3 meat quality of after in vitro maturation, respectively. It was significantly lower in the cattle yield 1⁺⁺ and 1⁺ meat quality than in the cattle yield 1, 2 and 3 meat quality (p<0.05). In order to evaluate embryos quality, TUNNEL assay was conducted for each meat quality grade using blastocyst stage embryo on day 8. The results showed that apoptosis cell number was higher tendency in the cattle yield 1⁺⁺and 1⁺ meat quality (81 and 79, respectively) than in the cattle yield 1, 2 and 3 meat quality (51, 48 and 50, respectively) but there was no statistical significance in each group. After embryo transfer, the conception rate of recipient was 53.5 (23 out of 43), 52.1 (38 out of 73) and 58.0% (58 out of 100) in the meat quality of 1, 1+ and 1++, respectively. These results showed that the conception rate was significantly higher in the cattle yield 1 meat quality than in the cattle yield 1⁺⁺, 1⁺ , 2, and 3 meat quality (p<0.05). In summary, these results indicate that the application of confirming Hanwoo individual oocyte culture system and embryo transfer technology can make good use of the genetic resources conservation and improvement of Hanwoo. Relevance of the meat quality grade and reproductive ability of carcasses of Hanwoo will be considered to be one of the effective means for the associated research with obesity and reproduction.

The aim of the present study was to identify coat color associated genes that are differentially expressed in mature Korean brindle cattle (KBC) with different coat colors and in Hanwoo cows. KBC calves, before and after coat color appearance, were included. Total cellular RNA was isolated from the tail hair cells and used for microarray. The number of expressed coat color associated genes/probes was 5813 in mature KBC and Hanwoo cows. Among the expressed coat color associated genes/probes, 167 genes were the coat color associated genes listed in the Gene card database and 125 genes were the pigment and melanocyte genes listed in the Gene ontology_bovine database. There were 23 genes/probes commonly listed in both databases and their expressions were further studied. Out of the 23 genes/probes, MLPH, PMEL, TYR and TYRP1 genes were expressed at least two fold higher (p<0.01) levels in KBC with brindle color than either Hanwoo or KBC with brown color. TYRP1 expression was 22.96 or 19.89 fold higher (p<0.01) in KBC with brindle color than either Hanwoo or KBC with brown color, respectively, which was the biggest fold difference. The hierarchical clustering analysis indicated that MLPH, PMEL, TYR and TYRP1 were the highly expressed genes in mature cattle. There were only a few genes differentially expressed after coat color appearance in KBC calves. Studies on the regulation and mechanism of gene expression of highly expressed genes would be next steps to better understand coat color determination and to improve brindle coat color appearance in KBC.

This study was conducted to elucidate the genetic relationships among native Korean cattle breeds by analyzing genetic variations and distances. Relationships among Hanwoo, Korean brindle, Korean black, Jeju black, and Holstein cattle were evaluated using 15 microsatellite markers. Korean brindle and Korean black cattle had the closest relationship based on the lowest genetic distance being observed between these breeds. A Neighbor-Net tree created using the Reynolds distances indicated that Korean brindle and black cattle formed a group separate from the Hanwoo population. However, an Fst pairwise test revealed that Hanwoo, Korean brindle, and Korean black cattle differed significantly (P <0.01). Moreover, the results of this study confirmed that Jeju black cattle became a separate established breed in Korea through a path different from that of cattle from inland regions, even though it is considered to be a Korean native breed. Overall, the results of our study indicate that Korean brindle and black cattle are indeed native Korean breeds that maintain an endangered status.

최근 가축의 유전적 다양성 유지 및 식량 안보에 있어서 재래품종의 중요성은 점차 증대되고 있다. 제주흑우는 멸종위험에 처한 품종이며, 2013년 7월 문화재청에 의해 천연기념물 제546호로 지정되었다. 본 연구의 목적은 제주흑우(124두)의 유전적 다양성, 유연관계 및 유전적 구조의 평가이며, 그 비교 대상으로 한우(128두) 및 외래품종 홀스타인(73두)을 공시하였다. 분자유전학적 특성을 평가하기 위해 11개 초위성체 마커(BM1824, BM2113, ETH10, ETH225, ETH3, INRA23, SPS115, TGLA122, TGLA126, TGLA227, TGLA53)의 대립유전자형을 분석하였으며, 그 결과를 토대로 유전적 다양성 지수들을 산출하였다. 품종별 평균 기대이형접합도(HExp)는 0.605-0.738, 관측이형접합도(HOsb)는 0.667-0.747 그리고 다형정보지수(PIC)는 0.644-0.773의 범위를 보였다. 특히, 제주흑우의 유전적 다양성 지수는 가장 낮은 결과를 보였다. STRUCTURE를 이용한 군락 분석 결과 유전적으로 3개의 군락으로 구분되었으며, 주성성분분석(PCA) 결과 또한 3개의 군집으로 분류됨을 확인하였다. 따라서 본 연구의 결과는 제주흑우의 유전적 고유성 및 유전자원으로써 가치 판단을 위한 과학적 근거가 될 것으로 사료된다.

genetic selection has resulted in modern dairy cow with very high milk yields but reduced fertility, due mainly to an increase in reproductive disorders. The study was conducted to estimate the proportion of reproductive disorders among dairy cattle. The factors analyzed were; milk yield, cow parity, periparturient disorders, and reproductive status. The result of this study showed the incidence of reproductive disorders in high yielding dairy cows was prevalent. Repeat breeding was the major postpartum reproductive problem comprising (42.3%) of the samples. Higher reproductive disorders were also associated with lower parity. These disorders subsequently reduced reproductive performance by prolonged intervals from calving to first artificial insemination and from calving to pregnancy. Abnormalities in the reproductive system such as repeat breeder, silent heat, anestrous and ovarian cysts, as well as lower fertility have been recorded during the summer months (June to August). In conclusion, the study revealed that incidence of repeat breeder is mostly prevalent in dairy cows. Moreover, the incidence of reproductive disorders was higher in summer season and hence appropriate preventive and or therapeutic measures as per the type of abnormalities need to be undertaken.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the coat color appearance of Korean brindle cattle and the changes of relevant hormone levels that may affect the hair pigmentation during different stages of growth and maturation. In mature cattle, levels of both ACTH and DHEA in Korean brindle cattle with brown color were significantly higher than those with black color (p<0.05). Levels of α-MSH in Korean brindle cattle with whole brindle (≧50%) color were significantly higher than those with brown color (p<0.05). In calves of Korean brindle cattle at 2 to 6 months, the concentration of estradiol was significantly higher in calves with whole brindle color than those with part brindle color (p<0.05), when the coat color was confirmed. After 6 month of coat color confirmation, levels of testosterone and ACTH increased in calves with part brindle color and were significantly higher than those with whole brindle color (p<0.05). In calves of Korean brindle cattle at 1 or 2 months, there were no significant differences in hormone levels of estradiol, ACTH, DHEA and α-MSH between the calves with brindle color and brown color, except estradiol before brindle color appearance. Changes of relevant hormone levels at different stage of growth and maturation may affect the pigmentation of coat during the development of cattle. In addition to the current study correlating the different coat colors with relevant hormone levels, investigation of the coat color associated genes expressed in Korean brindle cattle may further clarify the mechanisms of coat color changes during their development.

The purpose of this study is to produce wanted sex progeny of genetically confined White Hanwoo (albinism) with preselected sex sperm. One bull of White Hanwoo was chosen for semen donor and X sperm was sorted by MoFlo XDP cell sorter. To compare the pregnancy and birth rates, KPN straw was used as control, total number of unsorted sperm was 20×106/straw. Sexed X frozen semen with 2×106 cells or 4×106 cells per straw were in seminated twice on Hanwoo heifers. The abnormality of the sexed X semen was 24.9 ± 7.31% and distal reflex abnormality of mid piece was significantly (p<0.05) higher (11.7%) compared with that of KPN 768 (5.6%). There were no differences on the pregnancy and birth rates between 2×106 cells or 4×106 cells of X-sperm but KPN semen showed significant differences (p<0.05). The pregnancy rates of KPN 768, 2×106 cells and 4×106 cells X-sperm of White Hanwoo cattle were 85.0%, 26.3% and 50%. The birth rates were 80.0%, 15.8% and 21.4%, respectively. The female offspring rates of KPN 768, 2×106 cells and 4×106 cells X-sperm of White Hanwoo cattle were 43.8%, 100% and 100% (p<0.05). These results indicated that sex sorted White Hanwoo could be used for the production of wanted progeny with 2×106 cells/straw for AI. To increase the efficiency of calf production, the sperm number of sex sorted semen will be optimized for sex selection of White Hanwoo progeny.

The importance of genetic resource preservation has been highlighted in the literature as a means of maintaining genetic diversity. Investigations for hematologic values and the differential count of white blood cell count (WBC) for Korean indigenous cattle (KIC) and endangered indigenous cattle (EIC) are rarely performed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the hematologic values of total 40 EIC (White, Black, Mini cattle) and 35 KIC as control by analysis of hematologic characteristics. As a result, the mean values of RBC and platelet of EIC were significantly decreased by age (p<0.05). The mean values of RBC, HCT, MCV and MCHC between EIC and KIC of the same age (2 ～3 years) showed the statistical significance (p<0.05). Also, in the WBC of EIC, the mean values were decreased according to the age from 13.9×103/μL～12.7×103/μL under 1 year to 9.1×103/μL～11.5×103/μL over 2 years respectively. In the differential count of WBC of EIC (White, Black, Mini cattle), it showed generally the rates of 40.2%, 52.2%, 49.0% lymphocyte and 27.2%, 33.9%, 32.0% segmented neutrophil from 2～3 years respectively. Result of this study will be used for establishing reference range for blood analysis in EIC such as white, black and mini cattle. This study reported hematological values which could serve as baseline information for comparison in conditions of nutrient deficiency, physiological and health status of endangered Korean native cattle. In addition, this study provides a valuable resource for further investigations of the preservation of rare genetic stocks underlying traits of interest in cattle.

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.

Cattle breeds were classified previously into three different haplogroups (Y1 and/or Y2 in Bos taurus and Y3 in B. indicus) based on Y chromosome-specific polymorphisms. In particular, a rapid and unambiguous classification method was reported recently. However, a haplogroup classification of Korean native cattle breeds has not been reported. In this study, 196 animal samples from four Korean native cattle breeds (Hanwoo, Chikso, Heugu, and Jeju black cattle) and six exotic breeds were used to determine the Y chromosome-specific haplogroup classification. We amplified an 81 bp indel region within intron 26 of the USP9Y gene and performed electrophoresis to classify the Y1 and Y2 haplogroups. Moreover, enzyme digestion was carried out with the SspI restriction enzyme to classify the Y2 and Y3 haplogroups. Finally, sequence variation in each haplogroup was confirmed by DNA sequencing. All animals in the four Korean native cattle and two exotic breeds (Charolais and Simmental) belonged to the Y2 haplogroup. Three other exotic breeds (Holstein, Angus, and Hereford) belonged to Y1 haplogroup. Japanese black cattle were divided into both the Y1 and Y2 haplogroups. The Y3 haplogroup corresponding to B. indicus was not found in this study. In conclusion, Korean native cattle breeds originated from B. taurus without introduction from B. indicus. In addition, they showed the same paternal heredity pattern which belonged to only Y2 haplogroup. These results can be used to investigate the origin of Korean native cattle breeds.

The present study was performed on farm animals to test the effectiveness of progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (Cue-Mate® 1.56 g) and injection of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) for synchronization estrus in Hanwoo cattle. The cattle were at random stage of the estrus cycle. The cows were artificially inseminated at day 7 after Cue-Mate withdrawal, using commercial semen from Korean native bulls. There was a season effect on the estrus synchronization rate. It was higher in spring (94.3%) followed by winter (93.3%), autumn (90.4%) and summer (67.2%). In summary, The results of this study revealed that season has influences on estrus behavior of cattle with no significant effect on pregnancy rate. In summary, we suggest summer reproductive management to alleviate the effects of heat stress. It should be based on intensive cooling combined with hormonal treatment. Given that different subgroups of cows benefit differently from the treatments, selective hormonal administration should be considered.

본 연구는 환경오염을 감소시키고 유기축산물의 생산에 기여할 수 있는 유기조사료를 효율적으로 생산하기 위해 대표적인 동계작물인 청보리에 콩과 사료작물의 혼파와 발효우분을 시용하여 생산성과 사료가치를 평가하고, 토양의 지력 향상과 가축분뇨의 자원화를 위한 가축분뇨의 적정시용수준을 구명하여 단위면적당 유기한우 사육능력을 추정하고자 하였다. 콩과 사료작물의 혼파에 따른 평균 청보리의 건물, 조단백질 및 TDN 수량은 5.09~5.21, 0.48~0.51 및 3.19~3.21 톤/ha으로 단파로 재배했을 경우의 4.28, 0.38 및 2.8톤/ha 보다 유의하게 증가하였으나 혼파구 간에는 차이가 없었고, 발효우분의 질소시용수준이 증가함에 따라 청보리의 평균건물, 조단백질 및 TDN 수량은 무비구(3.97, 0.37 및 2.56 톤/ha)에 비해 100~150 kg N/ha (5.23~5.76, 0.49~0.54 및 3.28~3.55)에서 유의하게 증가하였다(p<0.05). 콩과사료작물의 혼파에 따른 조단백질과 ADF 함량은 헤어리베치 혼파구(각각 9.7과 34.5%) >사료용 완구 혼파구(각각 9.3과 33.0%) >청보리의 단파구(각각 8.7과 30.5%) 순으로 유의하게 낮아졌으며 우분 질소시용수준에 따른 청보리의 조단백질 함량과 NDF 함량은 처리수준 간 유의한 차이가 인정되지 않았지만 ADF 함량은 시용수준이 증가함에 따라 유의하게 증가하였고 TDN 함량은 반대로 감소하였다(p<0.05). 콩과 사료작물의 혼파에 따른 청보리에 의한 유기한우 사육능력(체중 450 kg, 400 g 일당증체 목표)은 평균 2.62~2.72두로 유의하게 증가하였고. 발효우분 질소시용수준이 증가됨에 따라 청보리에 의한 유기한우 사육능력은 유의하게 증가하였다(p<0.05). 이상의 결과를 종합해 볼 때, 청보리 재배 시 콩과 사료 작물의 혼파 하였을 경우에는 단파재배 보다 발효우분의 질소시용수준을 ha 당 50 kg 이상 줄이면서도 건물수량을 포함한 생산성과 유기한우 사육능력 증대는 물론 조단백질 함량 등 사료가치를 향상을 시켜 한우 사양 시 조사료자원의 다양화 뿐 아니라 저투입에 의한 고품질 조사료 생산으로 유기축산물 생산에 크게 기여하리라 사료된다.

2013년 11월부터 2014년 7월까지 가축유전자원시험장 장내에서 사육 중인 한우 및 칡소 206두(한우 187두, 칡소 19두)를 대상으로 연령별, 종별 그리고 성별로 각각 분류하고, 이들에 대한 혈액학적 수치를 확인하였다. 혈액학적 검사 결과에서 1년 이하에서 5년 이상으로 연령이 증가됨에 따라 RBC(12.0~9.5x106/μl로)와 PLT치(717~432x103/μl로)에서 각각 유의성 있는 감소(P＜0.05)가 인정되었다. 동일 연령(2~3년)의 한우군과 칡소군 간에서의 비교에서는 RBC(10.1~10.4x106/μl)와 HCT(44.8~42.1%), MCV(49.4~44.9 fl) 및 MCHC (28.9~31.1 g/dl)에서 두 품종 간의 차이점이 인정되었으며, MCV와 MCHC에서도 통계적 유의성이 인정되었다(P＜0.05). 또한, 백혈구계 검사 결과에서도 연령이 증가함에 따라 WBC 수치(1년 이하의 13.8에서 5년 이상의 9.5x103/μl로)가 감소하는 경향이 인정되었으며, 백혈구 분포의 백분율에서는 전반적으로 림프구가 46.2%를, 분엽형 호중구가 35.6%로 나타났다. 한우군과 칡소군 간의 백혈구계 비교에서는 칡소군의 분엽형 호중구치가 2.7x103/μl로서 한우군에 비하여 유의성 있는 저하(P＜0.05)가 인정되었으며, 림프구치는 5.2x103/μl로 4.7x103/μl 한우군에 비하여 높게 나타났다. 임신우군과 비임신우군 간의 비교 분석에서는 Hg(9.9 g/dl)과 HCT(40.5%)이 비임신군에 비하여 통계적 유의성이 있는 저하(P＜0.05)가 인정되었으며, 총 백혈구수와 분엽형 호중구수, 림프구수 모두 비임신우군에 비하여 높게 나타났지만, 통계적 유의성은 인정되지 않았다.

The objective of this study was to determine the breed differences in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of MC1R mRNA, which may be used to distinguish Korean brindle cattle (Chikso) from other breeds. We investigated the relationship between the variation of 3'-UTR of the MC1R mRNA and coat color among different breeds and the Korean brindle cattle with different coat colors. MC1R mRNA expression levels were determined in accordance with the coat color and hair colors of the tail. Total cellular RNA was extracted from the hair follicles of the tails in Hanwoo, Korean brindle cattle, Holstein and HanwooxHolstein crossbred cattle. After cDNA synthesis, PCR was performed. Sequences of the 3'-UTR of MC1R mRNA were analyzed. The 3'-UTR of the MC1R mRNA from different breeds of cattle did not show any variations. There were no variations in the 3'-UTR of the MC1R mRNA in Korean brindle cattle with different coat colors. The levels of MC1R mRNA expression in hair follicles of the tail varied substantially among the Korean brindle cattle with different coat colors, except yellow coat color. Correlation between the MC1R mRNA expression in the hair follicles of the tail and coat color may be present in the Korean brindle cattle, but not between the variations of 3'-UTR of MC1R mRNA and coat color. Further studies to determine the regulation of MC1R mRNA expression from the hair follicles of different coat colors will be beneficial in clarifying the role of MC1R in the coat colors of the Korean brindle cattle.

Sexed semen is commonly used for the production of calves of the desired gender. Gender selection is important in animal production industries. For example, female cattle are required for the dairy industry while males are preferred in the beef cattle industry. The present study was to assess the in vivo embryo production efficiency using the semen separated according to sex during superovulation in Hanwoo. Seventy Hanwoo donor cows were flushed on day 7 of estrus cycle with same FSH and artificial insemination by the same technicians. Embryos were recovered on 7 days after the third insemination by flushing the uterus with embryo collection medium. KPN semen straws used artificial insemination contained 20 million sperm (total number 60 million per donor). Sex-sorted semen straws contained 4 million sperm (total number 12 million per donor). The results obtained were as follows: No differences were observed in the efficiency of superovulation rates on KPN semen 87%, and sexed semen 100%, respectively. The mean numbers of total embryos are each 12.58±8.31 and 13.25±7.86. The mean numbers of transferable embryos, sexed semen were significantly lower than KPN semen (3.75±1.98 vs. 8.23±6.07, P＜0.05). The rates of unfertilized embryos from superovulation using sexed semen were significantly higher than KPN semen (50% vs. 15%, P＜0.05). The rate of degenerated 2-cell embryos from sexed and KPN semen was 60.87% and 11.11%, respectively (p＜0.05). In conclusion, these results indicate that superovulation using sexed semen was useful, but efficient embryo production was important to reducing the damage caused by the Flowcytometer-based sperm sorting procedure.

This study was conducted for SNPs in the 5'-regions of estrogen receptor-α(ESR-α), and association with calving interval (CI), service per conception (SPC) and 305 days milk yield in Hanwoo and Holstein dairy cattle. The genet-ic improvement was incurred low reproduction performance. The objective of this study was to investigate connec-tions between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of Estrogen receptor-α (ESR-α) with reproduction performance (calving interval, service per conception, and 305 d milk yield) in Hanwoo and Holstein dairy cattle. Hanwoo and Holstein blood samples were collected from 183 and 124 dam of breeding farms and DNA was extracted. Primer design was based on NCBI GenBank (Accession No. AY340579). The PCR-RFLP method with Bgl I was used to ge-notype the cattle. The result showed two variants of the ESR-α gene. The Bgl I cut the 492 bp amplification pro- duct into 322 bp and 170 bp fragments for allele G, while allele A remained uncut, resulting in two restriction frag-ments for homozygote G/G and three fragments for heterozygote A/G. We found two of different genotypes in the-se breeds, A/G and G/G. In Hanwoo, the A/G genotype frequency was 0.13, and G/G was 0.87. The CI of A/G was 382.18±10.03 days, and G/G was 381.69±5.22 days. The SPC of A/G was 1.62±0.16, and G/G was 1.32±0.04. While CI showed no significance difference, SPC exhibited significant difference (p<0.05). In Holstein cattle, the frequency of genotype A/G was 0.02 and G/G was 0.98. The 305 days milk yield of A/G was 7,253.00±936.00 kg and of G/G was 8,747.51±204.88 kg, showing no significant difference.

Humulus japonicus is an ornamental plant in the Cannabaceae family. Although the mode of action of Humulus japonicus is not fully understood, a strong relationship was observed between anti-inflammatory and anticancer in some types of cells. Recent studies also have shown that Humulus japonicus possesses anti-inflammatory activities and may significantly improve antioxidant potential in Raw 264.7 macrophage cells. Thus, the aim of this study was eva-luated the effect of Humulus japonicus extract on sperm motility and subsequent preimplantation developmental com-petence of the bovine embryos. After in vitro maturation, the oocytes with sperms were exposed in in vitro fertilization (IVF) medium supplemented with Humulus japonicus extract (0.01, 0.05, 0.1 μg/mL, respectively) for 1 day. In our results, exposure of IVF medium to Humulus japonicus extract did not affect sperm motility and percentage of pene-trated oocytes but ROS intensity was significantly decreased by 0.01 μg/mL compared with other groups (p< 0.05). Moreover, treatment with 0.01 μg/mL of Humulus japonicus extract was higher the frequency of blastocyst formation than the any other groups (p<0.05). Otherwise, treatment with 0.01 μg/mL of Humulus japonicus extract not increased the total cell number but reduced apoptotic-positive nuclei number. In conclusion, our results indicate that supple-mentation of Humulus japonicus extract in IVF medium may have important implications for improving early embryo-nic development in bovine embryos

The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of Korean Native Cattle sperm frozen-thawed with L-cysteine and/or catalase. The semen from bulls was collected by the artificial vagina method, and Triladyl containing 20% egg-yolk and/or L-cysteine (L), catalase (C) and L-cysteine + catalase was added to the diluted semen for cryopreservation. The results showed that sperm viability was significantly higher in the L-cysteine + catalase (69.49 ± 3.16%) group than in the control (60.5 ± 3.94%) group (p<0.05). Acrosome damage was significantly lower in the L-cysteine (17.12 ± 1.08%) group than in the control (21.46 ± 1.14%), catalase (20.54 ± 0.76%), and L-cysteine + catalase (19.29 ± 0.65%) groups (p<0.05). In addition, the level of intact mitochondria in the spermatozoa was significantly higher in the L-cysteine (58.65 ± 1.39%) group than in the control (50.63 ± 2.37%) group (p<0.05). The hydrogen peroxide level in the frozen-thawed sperm was significantly lower in the L-cysteine (3.74 ± 1.66%), catalase (4.65 ± 1.87%), and L-cysteine + catalase (8.11 ± 2.15%) groups than in the control (13.22 ± 1.6%) group (p<0.05). The glutathione level was significantly higher in the L-cysteine (1.33 ± 0.03%) group than in the control (1.08 ± 0.06 %), catalase (1.05 ± 0.02%) and L-cysteine + catalase (1.11 ± 0.03%) groups (p<0.05). In conclusion, L-cysteine and catalase could protect the membrane of Korean Native Cattle sperm from damage during sperm cryopreservation. Especially, L-cysteine was more effective for keeping acrosomes and mitochondria intactness during sperm cryopreservation.

The study aimed to determine the physical characteristics of estrus mucus and conception rates in dairy cattle. Samples of estrus mucus from the cervix were collected from 108 dairy cattle during heat and were examined for color and consistency. Samples were taken from bred animals at starting from day of breeding to the completion of one estrus cycle. The color of the cervical mucus was studied based on its transparency while the consistency was based on the thinness and thickness of the cervical mucus. The dairy cattle were bred and the pregnancy diagnosis was performed at the 60th day post breeding. Findings showed that the estrus mucus of the dairy cattle was transparent in 58.3%, turbid in 31.5% and dirty in 10.2%. It was further observed that the mucus consistency of the dairy cattle was thin in 74.1% and thick in 25.9%. In the pregnant group, 67.3% mucus samples were found transparent, turbid in 23.6% and dirty in 9.1%. However, the corresponding figures for the non-pregnant group had 49.1%, 39.6% and 11.3%. The consistency of cervical mucus was found to be thin in 74.1% and thick in 25.9% of dairy cattle. The conception rates of dairy cattle with thin and thick consistency of cervical mucus were 81.8% and 18.2%, respectively. Pregnant was associated with consistency of cervical mucus (p<0.10). Findings indicated that dairy cattle with thin consistency of cervical mucus and had clear discharge were pregnant cows.