Advancing the estrous cycle of mares is an essential breeding strategy that is routinely conducted by Thoroughbred breeders to improve economic outcomes. For this purpose, Equilume light masks have been developed as an alternative to existing technologies such as artificial lighting or hormonal treatments because they are considered as valid as existing methods with additional animal welfare advantages. For example, with the Equilume light masks, horses can be let out into the pasture, whereas they have to be kept indoors during lighting treatment. Because the function of Equilume light mask on the estrous cycle of mares is influenced by environmental factors such as nutrition condition and temperature, Equilume light mask should be studied in various environments. The objective of the present study was thus to verify the effect of Equilume light masks on the onset of the estrous cycle in Thoroughbred mares in South Korea. Mares were randomly selected and separated into two groups at two Thoroughbred horse breeding farms. The mares in the treatment group were equipped with Equilume light masks from November 18 to February 10 the following year. The body condition, the number and size (> 35 mm) of uterine follicles, and the uterine horn score of the mares were assessed on January 6 and February 10. The body condition scores were not different between the two groups. The treatment with the Equilume light mask had no positive effects on developing follicles and the reproductive tract. In conclusion, the use of Equilume light masks did not influence the seasonal resumption of the estrus cycles in Thoroughbred mares in South Korea.

본 연구는 2012년 1월부터 2019년 1월까지 과천경마공원에서 경주한 더러브렛, 6,762두의 주파기록, 총 82,796개를 이용하여 동기군의 구성을 조사하기 위하여 수행되었다. 모든 경주거리에서 우승마의 주 파기록이 1초 감소하면 해당 경주의 평균 주파기록은 0.89초에서 0.99초 감소하였다. 주파기록에 대한 동기군의 효과는 총변이의 약 41%를 차지하였으며, 참가경주의 효과는 일괄적으로 모든 경주거리에서 가장 크게 나타났다. 동기군을 포함한 모형(Ⅰ)과 우승마 기록을 포함한 모형(Ⅱ)에서 추정된 주파기록에 대한 유전분산은 각각 0.4760과 0.4148, 유전력과 반복력은 각각 0.26, 0.47과 0.22, 0.40이었다. 모형 Ⅱ에서 추정된 유전분산과 유전력은 모형 1에 비하여 각각 13%와 15% 감소하는 것으로 나타났으며, 우승마의 주파기록을 환경효과로 모형에 포함하는 것보다는 동기군을 포함하는 것이 주파기록을 량하는데 있어서 더 유리할 것으로 판단되었다.

As a transcription factor, the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) induces the expression of specific genes by interacting with their promoters. C/EBP can trigger to express other genes, because it can open chromatin structure after binding to DNA, then lead to another transcription factors. In this study, we investigated the features and post-exercise expression patterns of two genes in the C/EBP family, C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ. The basic region leucine zipper motif (bZIP) is a crucial region of C/EBP, and analysis of synonymous and non-synonymous substitution ratios revealed that bZIP regions were well conserved in mammalian species. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR data showed that C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ expression increased significantly in the muscle after exercise, but did not do so in the blood. We therefore propose that exercise-induced increased expression of C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ may stimulate gene expression in physiological pathways in muscle cells.

The object of this study was to evaluate Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) antibody titer changes in broodmares and foals. Antibodies of 112 sera were detected by applying hemagglutination inhibition test. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that compares antibody titers of foals to that of their dams in order for evaluate optimal time of JEV vaccination. Most mares` antibody titers were variable. However, the highest titers in foals presented in their first month, and antibodies titers in all foals decreased gradually over time. This study provides important benchmarks that can be used to select optimum time JEV of vaccination.

Bone fractures are most often seen in racetrack horses because of the high level of intensity in racing. These issues are the main cause of decreased performance in racehorses. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been explored to improve intra-articular therapy in racehorses. MSCs are essential for the repair and regeneration of damaged tissues. In this study, the effect of intra-articular injection of MSCs in racehorses was investigated. Before accessing the MSC therapy, synovial fluids were obtained from the fracture site of racehorses, and adipose tissue was collected for MSC isolation. Using the MSC specific marker, adipose tissue-derived MSCs were identified. The racehorses received intra-articular injection of autologous MSCs (or allogeneic) (3 × 107 cells/3 mL). After 1 or 2 weeks, synovial fluids were collected from racehorses. To test the effect of MSC injection using ELISA, we analyzed inflammatory factors from the untreated samples compared to MSC-treated samples of racehorses. The level of pro-inflammatory factors (interleukin-1β and prostaglandin E2) was significantly decreased in synovial fluids of MSC-injected racehorses, compared to before accessing the MSC therapy, whereas, the level of anti-inflammatory factor (interleukin-10) was higher than prior to accessing the MSC therapy. Further studies are needed to investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of MSC in racehorses.

A four-year-old thoroughbred male horse (450 kg) who behaved in an aggressive manner toward people and other horses was referred to undergo castration surgery at the Equine Hospital, Jangsu Stud Farm and Training Center, Korea Racing Authority. Castration was performed by a closed technique using sedation (detomidine 10 mg IV) and regional anaesthesia (lidocaine) on a line 1 cm from the median raphe while the horse was standing. Incisions were made through the scrotal skin, tunica dartos, and scrotal fascia for each testis parallel to the median raphe, which was approximately 10 cm long. The testis, still capsulated by the parietal vaginal tunic, was grasped and the scrotal fascia was stripped upward from the parietal vaginal tunic using dry gauze. Then the parietal vaginal tunic, cremaster muscle, and spermatic cord were emasculated. The surgical area was disinfected without suturing. An anti-inflammatory drug (phenylbutazone) and antibiotics (benzylpenicillin + dihydrostreptomycin) were prescribed for seven days following surgery. Mild swelling and hemorrhage were observed around the region of surgery on the first day following the operation. Seven days later, no swelling or hemorrhage was observed, while formation of granulation tissue was observed in the scrotum, indicating a normal healing process.

본 연구는 2007년 6월 23일부터 6월 29일까지 제주도에 위치한 말 목장의 방목지에서 말의 연령에 따른 군별 행동양식을 알아보고자 실시하였다. 공시마는 육성마군 3세 11두, 육성마군 1세 12두를 대상으로 행동을 조사하였다. 연령에 따른 행동의 차이가 약간 나타나 육성마(1세) 군에서는 채식이 56%, 기립 23%, 횡와 10%, 보행 5%, 러닝 2.5%, 음수가 3%였다. 육성마 1세의 3두의 개체별 행동발현은 개체차이가 나타났으며 비율의 평

본 연구는 경주마 생산 육성에 중요한 종빈마의 패독과 방목지에 있어 군별 및 개체별 행동양식을 조사하여 경주마 사양관리의 기초자료로 활용하기 위해 실시하였다. 방목 중인 포유 종빈마군에서는 채식이 62%, 기립 휴식이 31%, 음수가 3%, 횡와 휴식이 1%, 보행이 1%, 수유 행동은 2%가 발현되었는데 러닝은 발현되지 않았다. 포유 종빈마 개체별(3필) 행동발현비율의 평균은 채식이 295분으로 55%, 기립 휴식이 193분으로 36%, 보행과 음수가

본 연구는 제주지역에서 말 방목에 적합한 혼파조합을 선발하기 위해 해발 450m에 위치한 한국마사회 경주마육성목장에서 티모시, 오차드그라슨 페레니얼 라이그라스 화본과 위주 초종으로 혼파 파종하여 2년 간 말(더러브렛)을 방목하면서 목초생산성, 식생변화 및 채식율 변화 등을 구명하기 위해 수행되었다. 연간 총 건물생산량은 1, 2차년도에 관계없이 혼파조합 간 유의적인 차이를 보이지 않았으나 시기별에 따라 생산량 차이를 보였다. 식생은 페레니얼 라이그라스가

더러브렛종 암말의 번식 능력을 향상시키기 위해 호르몬 투여 및 인공 조명에 의한 인위적으로 발정 조절을 실시한 결과는 다음과 같다. 발정 주기에 있는 암말의 또는 altrenogst투여에 의한 발정 발현율은 100%이었으며, 수태율은 각각 95.2% 및 71.4%였다. 전년도 공태마에 대하여 altrenogest단독 또는 altrenogest과 estradiol 병행 투여시 3월 이내 100% 발정이 발현되었으며, 발정 발현일은 altrenogest 투