Urokinas type plasminogen activator (uPA) has been used as a therapeutic agent for treating human diseases such as thrombosis. Attempts to transgenically overexpress the uPA in animal bioreactors have been hampered due to side effects associated with this functional protein hormone on homeostasis. Recently, chicken has been emerged as a potential candidate for use as bioreactor to produce proteins of pharmaceutical importance. Since this species has low homology uPA sequence with mammals, we hypothesized that chicken could be used as a potential bioreactor for production of human uPA. In this study, using replication‐defective Murine Leukemia Virus (MLV)‐based retrovirus vectors encapsidated with Vesicular Stomatitis Virus G Glycoprotein (VSV‐G), we attempted to make transgenic chicken expressing human uPA (huPA). The recombinant retrovirus was injected beneath the blastoderm of non‐incubated chicken embryos (stage X, at laying). After 21 days of incubation (at hatching), all of the 38 living chicks that assayed, were found to express the vector‐encoded huPA gene in various organs and tissues, which was under the control of the Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) or Cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. Using specific primer set for huPA, PCR and RTPCR analyses of gDNA isolated from these samples demonstrated these chickens were transgenic for huPA. Furthermore, successful germ line transmission of huPA transgene was confirmed and next generation whole body huPA transgenic chickens were also produced. We also assayed huPA protein titer in blood (17.1 IU/ml) and eggs (4.4 IU/ml) of whole body huPA transgenic chicken. Thus, our results demonstrated that chicken could be used as bioreactors to produce huPA.

S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase-like protein 1 (AHCYL1), also known as IP3 receptor- binding protein released with IP3 (IRBIT), is a member of the AHCY-like protein family. AHCYL1 protein regulates IP3-induced Ca2+ release in the cytoplasm of cells and, therefore, is likely to be an important gene regulating various biological processes in the oviduct of chickens. Inmammals, expression is greatest during activation of dendritic cells which are antigen presenting cells associated with immunoregulatory processes in blood and skin. However, the identification of the AHCYL1 gene in chickens has not been investigated. In the present study, we first used RT-PCR to demonstrate AHCYL1 gene expression in adult chicken organs and oviducts of immature chickens treated with DES (diethylstilbesterol, a synthetic estrogen agonist). The results indicated that AHCYL1 mRNA is expressed in chicken reproductive organs (testis, ovary and oviduct). Inaddition, expression of AHCYL1 mRNA increased in response to DES-treated immature oviducts compared to the non-treated control immature oviducts of chickens. Interestingly, AHCYL1 was abundant in the cytoplasm of luminal and glandular epithelia, but not in other cell-types such as stroma and connective tissues, of the chicken oviduct. These results suggest that AHCYL1 is a novel estrogen-stimulated gene associated with development of the chicken oviduct, as well as functions of oviductal glandular and luminal epithelia that may include activation of resident immune cells, such as dendritic cells.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of semen on reproductive ability in crossbred Korean native chicken (KNC, 58-wk old). The body weight, volume of semen and concentration of spermatozoa, were 2.96 g, 0.40 ml, 36.58×108/ml, respectively, in KNC. The fertility and hatchability were 94.8% and 78.8% respectively in crossbred KNC. KNC(Y) was high compared to other strains in fertility. The other strains were not significantly different among 6 strains. The results of this experiment indicated that hatchability of (G) was high compared to other strains. The result of this study could be available to genetic improvement of reproductive traits as a basic reference in KNC strains. To achieve the more effective improvement of reproductive traits, addition research such as genetic parameter evaluation should be performed.

The author previously reported that the addition of inuloprebiotics to broiler diets produces growth performance that is superior to antibiotic supplementation. The present study furthered this work by evaluating the quality with thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of the meat from chickens fed inuloprebiotics produced using Korean Jerusalem artichoke. Male Ross 308 broilers (n=240) were randomly allotted to a 35 day regimen of dietary control (no supplementation), dietary antibiotics supplementation (8 mg avilamycin/kg diet), or dietary inuloprebiotic supplementation (450 mg inuloprebiotics/kg diet). The pH, water holding capacity, L*value (lightness), and b*value (yellowness) of the chicken meat weres ignificantly higher in the inuloprebiotic group. The TBARS value of chicken meat stored at low temperature tended to increase according to the length of storage, and was significantly lower in the inuloprebiotics group. The sensory scores of the cooked chicken meat were significantly higher in the inuloprebiotics group. The results indicate that the addition of inuloprebiotics as anantimicrobial agent to broiler diets can greatly improve the quality and self-life with reducing TBARS of chicken meat.

There are many researches about the contribution of virginiamycin use in animals to quinupristin/dalfopristin (Q/D) resistance in humans. In this study, the prevalence and mechanisms of streptogramin resistance in Enterococcus faecium from chickens were investigated. A total of 170 E. faecium isolates from 38 chicken farms was tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Eleven (6.5%) E. faecium isolates were found to be resistant to Q/D. The vatE and ermB genes were detected in 2 (18%) and 6 (55%) of Q/D-resistant E. faecium respectively. By using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), 6 distinct PFGE patterns were identified. These data indicate that Q/D resistance among E. faecium from chickens remains low despite the long history of virginiamycin use. However, we have to concern over antimicrobial resistance in bacteria originated from animals, including the possibility of transfer of resistance genes from animal to human.

This study was carried out to evaluate the microbiological characteristics of retail chicken meats stored under various conditions. Nine of whole chickens and nine of chicken breasts were used for bacterial analysis. Each chicken meat was divided into subsamples of 25 g each followed by storage at room temperature (25℃), refrigeration temperature (4 ℃), and freezing temperature (—20℃) for 180 min, 5 days, and 3 days, respectively. The standard plate counts were performed for the enumeration of the total aerobic bacteria. The number of aerobic bacteria was gradually increased by 1 log in samples held at the room temperature for 180 min. There was statistical difference in the number of bacteria between at 0 min and at 180 min of storage. For samples stored at 4℃ for 5 days, the number of bacteria was increased from 5.11 to 7.26 log CFU/g in chicken breast and 3.83 to 6.04 log CFU/g in whole chicken with statistical difference. No significant changes were observed in frozen chicken. The results of this study may provide useful information to consumers for proper storage and safe handling of chicken meats.

This study was carried out to investigate the antimicrobial resistance pattern and distribution of resistance gene determinants in fecal E. coli from chicken. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed on a total of 109 fecal E. coli isolates from chicken, collected in Gyeonggi, Chungbuk, Jeonnam and Jeonbuk province from March to November 2003, by the disk agar diffusion method. Eighteen commonly used antimicrobial agents approved in Korea as veterinary medicine were tested: ampicillin (AM), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (AMC), cephalothin (CF), cefozolin (CZ), cefoxitin (FOX), cefotaxime (CTX), cefepime (FEP), imipenem (IPM), streptomycin (S), gentamicin (GM), amikacin (AN), ciprofloxacin (CIP), enrofloxacin (ENO), norfloxacin (NOR), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (SXT), erythromycin (E), chloramphenicol (C) and tetracycline (TE). Higher resistance rates (≥50%) were observed against 9 antimicrobial agents including AM, CF, S, CIP, ENO, NOR, SXT, E and TE. Resistance was most frequent for TE in 105 E. coli isolates (96.3%). Twenty-two isolates (20.2%) of the isolates showed multiple antimicrobial resistance to 8, and 19 isolates (17.4%) showed to 7 antimicrobial agents. The distribution of the resistance gene determinants for S and TE was assessed by PCR in resistant isolates. Thirty isolates possessed the strA, strB, and aadA gene, 25 isolates possessed the strA and strB gene among the 66 streptomycin-resistant isolates. Fifty one isolates possessed only the tetA gene, 22 isolates possessed the tetA and tetB gene, 11 isolates possessed only the tetB gene among the tetracycline-resistant isolates.

The purpose of this study is to estimate concentration and emission unit of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide released from domestic chicken buildings by field investigation. Mean concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emitted from chicken buildings were 18.25(±4.78)ppm and 807.53(±526.17)ppb for caged layer house, 14.48(±4.13)ppm and 644.82(±312.48)ppb for broiler house, and 6.16(±2.02)ppm and 284.75(±232.08)ppb for layer house with manure belt, respectively. Mean emission coefficients of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were 0.951(±0.131) g hen^-1h^-1 and 2.956(±0.968) mg hen^-1h^-1 based on head whereas they were 0.575(±0.082) g m^-2h^-1 and 12.44(±3.536) mg m^-2h^-1 based on time. In conclusion indoor concentration and emission coefficient of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were highest in caged layer housed, followed by broiler house and layer house with manure belt.

The purpose of this study is to establish a basic culture system enabling in vitro culture of chicken blastodermal cells and to test the feasibility of retrovirus-mediated gene transfer to the cultured cells. The blastodermal cells were isolated from freshly laid eggs of stage X and cultured with or without STO feeder layer cells. Stem cell-like morphology was maintained after multiple passages and RT-PCR analysis proved expression of several stem cell specific genes. Immunocytochemical analysis using antibodies of anti-EMA-1 and anti-SSEA-1 also showed the feature of stem cells. Infection of the cultured blastodermal cells with LNCGW retrovirus vector resulted in successful transfer of foreign genes. The results of this study may be useful in establishing stem cell-mediated transgenic chicken production.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary Korean red pine bark extract as an antibiotic replacements on cholesterol, fatty acids and the shelf-life of chicken meat. To accomplish this, chickens were fed the optimal level of red pine bark extract that was found to replace antibiotics in the diet of broilers. A total of 180 male broilers(Ross strain 308) were divided into three treated groups, T1(control group), T2(8 ppm of avilamycin) and T3(65 ppm of red pine bark extract per kg diet). The lipid content was reduced by 24.67% and 20.49% in T3 group, while the cholesterol level also decreased significantly in the T3 group by 20.49% and 20.55% when compared to the T1 and T2 groups, respectively. In addition, the saturated fatty acid level was lower in the T3 group than in the T1 and T2 groups, while the unsaturated fatty acid level of the T3 group was significantly higher than those of the other groups. The TBARS value of chicken thigh muscle containing its skin on the 7th day of low temperature storage was significantly lower by 23.86% and 21.17% in the T3 group than in the T1 and T2 groups, respectively. Evaluation of the color of the meat revealed that the L*value (lightness) and b*value(yellowness) were higher in the T3 group than in the T1 and the T2 groups, but that the pH was significantly lower in the T3. Based on the results of this study, the addition of 65 ppm red pine bark extract to the diet of broilers should improve their meat quality with respect to the lipid contents and shelf-life when compared to the addition of antibiotics.

Dipterans are excellent insects to serve as forensic indicators to determine the postmortem interval of a human corpse. Therefore, we undertook a study to identify the major dipterans that are attracted to and develop in vertebrate carcasses. To determine what dipterans occur in Korea, chicken carcasses were placed in various habitats including the forest, open field, stream bank, greenhouse, rooftop, rice paddy, Chinese cabbage field, vacant hut, and pond at different times of the year. The dipterans were collected at various time intervals after placement in each habitat until the end of decomposition and identified. Our results showed that 49 identified and unidentified dipteran species from 36 genera in 19 families were collected from the carcasses. Habitat placement influenced the number of species isolated from the carcasses. For example, 39 species were collected from the forest habitat, 28 species from the open field, stream bank, or greenhouse each, 16 species from a vacant home, and 12 species from the pond. The dipteran species that were collected from all habitats were Phaenicia sericata, Lucilia illustris, and Lucilia sp. in the family Calliphoridae and Boettcherisca peregrine in the family Sarcophagidae. Other dipteran species that were isolated depended on carcass placement that is, fewer dipteran species were observed from carcasses in the backpack and much more species were recorded from unburied carcasses than buried carcasses. P. sericata, L. illustris, Lucilia sp., B. peregrine and an unidentified sarcophagid species were observed year round, but some dipterans showed seasonal differences.

Dipterans are excellent insects to serve as forensic indicators to determine the postmortem interval of a human corpse. Therefore, we undertook a study to identify the major dipterans that are attracted to and develop in vertebrate carcasses. To determine what dipterans occur in Korea, chicken carcasses were placed in various habitats including the forest, open field, stream bank, greenhouse, rooftop, rice paddy, Chinese cabbage field, vacant hut, and pond at different times of the year. The dipterans were collected at various time intervals after placement in each habitat until the end of decomposition and identified. Our results showed that 49 identified and unidentified dipteran species from 36 genera in 19 families were collected from the carcasses. Habitat placement influenced the number of species isolated from the carcasses. For example, 39 species were collected from the forest habitat, 28 species from the open field, stream bank, or greenhouse each, 16 species from a vacant home, and 12 species from the pond. The dipteran species that were collected from all habitats were Phaenicia sericata, Lucilia illustris, and Lucilia sp. in the family Calliphoridae and Boettcherisca peregrine in the family Sarcophagidae. Other dipteran species that were isolated depended on carcass placement that is, fewer dipteran species were observed from carcasses in the backpack and much more species were recorded from unburied carcasses than buried carcasses. P. sericata, L. illustris, Lucilia sp., B. peregrine and an unidentified sarcophagid species were observed year round, but some dipterans showed seasonal differences.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of addition of aged garlic extract (AGE) on the color and lipid oxidation of ground chicken during refrigerated storage. The leg meat from 6 weeks-broiler was chopped and added with 4% of distilled water (control) and AGE, respectively, and then stored at 4±0.2℃ for 8 days. The commercial garlic was aged for the relatively short time (40-90℃/300 hr →natural dryness/40 hr→20-30℃/30-50 hr). The pH value was not significantly different between control and AGE-added chicken. The TBARS level of chicken was remarkably inhibited by addition of AGE during storage. In CIE color values, AGE-added chicken showed lower L* and higher b*, C* and Ho values than those of control during storage. Therefore, the addition of AGE in ground chicken enhanced the lipid oxidative stability and change to dark color.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary oils on the levels of the γ-linolenic acid in chicken meat lipids. Three hundred ten five, 1-d old, male, Ross strain, broiler chicks were fed for 35 d to compare diets containing evening primrose oil(EPO) and hemp seed oil(HO) to a control diet. Fatty acid composition of lipid from chicken skin, thigh and breast muscle were determined at the end of the trial. The level of γ-linolenic acid of lipids from chicken meat fed diets containing EPO or HO was significantly higher than that of the control group(p〈0.05). The level of γ-linolenic acid of lipids from chicken skin was highest in the group, which had been fed the EPO 0.85%, followed in order by EPO 0.7%, 0.5%, EPO mixed oil, HO and HO mixed oil. There was a significant difference in the level of γ-linolenic acid of chicken skin between the control and treatment groups(p〈0.05). The level of γ-linolenic acid of lipids from chicken thigh muscle was also similar to skin, and significantly higher than that of the control group(p〈0.05). The level of γ-linolenic acid of lipids from chicken breast muscle was highest in the group, which had been fed the EPO 0.5%, followed in order by EPO 0.7%, 0.85%, HO 0.5% and HO mixed oil. There was a significant difference in the level of γ-linolenic acid of chicken breast muscle between the control and treatment groups(p〈0.05).

The purpose of this study was to measure respondent's demographic characteristics, respondent's attitudes toward chicken, and factor influencing on the level of perceived helpfulness of country of origin in predicting the quality of chicken. The data was collected through a consumer survey during the March 2006. A total number of 250 meat consumers living in Suncheon, the eastern part of Chonnam, were randomly selected as respondents. Eleven respondents did not complete the survey instrument, resulting in a final sample size of 239. All estimations were carried out using chi-square, correlation, and logistic procedure of SAS package. The results are as follows. The level of perceived helpfulness of country of origin in predicting the quality of chicken was significantly different by age and occupation of demographic variables, and was significantly correlated with respondent informed of attitude variables. The proportional odds assumption of model was not violated at p<0.05. The effects of income, occupation and respondent informed on the level of perceived helpfulness of country of origin in predicting the quality of chicken. The results from this study could be useful in developing marketing and health promotion strategies, as well as government trade policy.