Background: This study focused on reproductive traits in Hanwoo cattle, specifically the environmental factors affecting gestation length and birth weight. Methods: The records of 1,540 cows calved at the Hanwoo Research Institute from 2015 to 2023 were examined. This study analyzed two populations, linebreeding Hanwoo (LBH) and general Hanwoo (GH), with all cows undergoing estrus synchronization and artificial insemination. The R software was used to compare the differences between the two populations and analyze the environmental factors affecting each trait. Results: The results showed that the average gestation length for LBH was 283.28 ± 5.93 days, which was significantly shorter than that of the GH, which had an average of 285.63 ± 6.21 days (p < 0.001). The average birth weight of LBH calves was 25.10 ± 3.69 kg, significantly lighter than GH calves, which weighed 27.26 ± 4.11 kg on average (p < 0.001). Analysis of environmental factors revealed significant differences in the gestation length of LBH based on dam parity, year, and season of calving. However, no significant differences were observed based on calf sex. For LBH, birth weight showed significant differences based on dam parity, year of calving, and sex of the calf, but not the season of calving. In GH, gestation length varied with dam parity and calving season, but not with calving year or calf sex. The GH birth weight showed differences based on dam parity, year of calving, and calf sex, but not the season of calving. Conclusions: Reproductive traits in the Hanwoo cattle industry are economically vital but are heavily influenced by environmental factors due to their low heritability. An accurate evaluation of the genetic potential of these traits requires an analysis of the environmental factors affecting them. The results of this study serve as foundational data for predicting the potential for genetic improvement in the gestation length and birth weight of Hanwoo cattle.

The study aimed to investigate the impact of varying levels of neutral detergent-soluble fiber (NDSF) in Hanwoo growing cattle diets on rumen fermentation and methane (CH4) emissions. An in vitro rumen fermentation experiment utilized feeds with different NDSF levels, incorporating ingredients such as corn grain, soybean meal, soybean hulls, palm kernel meal, beet pulp and timothy hay. The NDSF contents in the diets were 9.02% (T1), 10.09% (T2), 12.42% (T3) and 14.63% (T4). In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) at 48 h was 7.4% higher for T4 compared to T1 (p<0.05). Total gas production at 48 h was 6.6% higher for T4 than T1 (p<0.05). CH4 production significantly decreased at 9 h and 12 h for T1 and T2 (p<0.05). At 48 h, CH4 production was 5.6% higher for T4 compared to T1 and 6.7% higher compared to T2 (p<0.05). At 12 h ans 24 h, the ammonia nitrogen concentration of T4 was approximately 33.1% and 40.4% lower, respectively, compared to T1 (p<0.05). The acetate to propionate ratio at 48 h was approximately 18.8% higher for T4 than T1 (p<0.05). From 9 h to 48 h, the proportions of butyrate and valerate were significantly higher for T4 (p<0.05). At 48 h, the dominant phylum in T4's rumen microbial community was Candidatus Thermoplasmatota Methanomassiliicoccus, an Archaea. Therefore, this study confirmed that increasing the NDSF content in growing Hanwoo cattle diets up to 12.42% increases IVDMD without increasing CH4 emissions, which is expected to positively impact Hanwoo productivity.

Background: This study helps to evaluate the Ovarian potential of Cameroonian Zebu cattle (Bos indicus) slaughtered in Etoudi – Yaoundé for implementing Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ARTs). The aim was to enhance the productivity of the cattle sub-sector in Cameroon while conserving local genetic resources. Methods: A total of 144 cows, including 94 cycled cows and 50 pregnant cows, were included in the study. Live weights were determined by measuring the thoracic perimeter of each cow using a Rondo measuring tape. Age was determined postmortem through examination of dentition and horns, while the uterus and ovaries were removed, weighed, and classified based on physiological status (pregnant or nonpregnant). Follicles were counted, and their diameters were measured and categorized into small (Ø < 3 mm), medium (Ø 3-8 mm), and large (Ø > 8 mm). Results: The results revealed an average follicular population of 32.02 ± 9.31 per cow, with 22.43 ± 8.45 small follicles, 8.42 ± 3.87 medium follicles, and 0.76 ± 0.34 large follicles. The weight of the right ovary was significantly higher than that of the left ovary (p < 0.05), and cows aged 6 to 9 years exhibited a higher number of follicles compared to other age groups. Cows with medium (BCS = 3) and large (BCS = 4-5) body reserves had the heaviest ovaries. Additionally, pregnant cows had heavier uteri compared to non-pregnant cows, and cows with a body condition score of 3 or higher had higher uterine weights than lean cows (BCS = 1-2). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that age, body condition score, and pregnancy status influence ovarian weight. Body Condition Score serves as a reliable indicator of cow nutritional status, and cows with BCS of 3-5 are excellent candidates for in vitro production of embryos.

한우에게 급여하는 사료 내 에너지원의 종류에 따라 반추위 미생물의 아미노산 조성에 차이가 있는지를 조사하고자 본 연구를 수행하였다. 국내 한우 비육우 사육에 주로 이용되는 에너지원 사료인 옥수수(T1), 생미강(T2), 소맥(T3) 그리고 소맥피(T4)로 반추위 환경과 유사한 연속식 배양기를 이용하여 72시간까지 배양을 진행하였다. 배양이 진행되는 동안 6시간 간격으로 배양액의 발효 성상을 확인하였으며 pH, NH3-N이 일정하게 유지되는 것을 확인하였으며, 배양 종료 시점인 72시간대에 미생물체 단백질 합성량(MPS), 미생물의 아미노산 조성 및 미생물 균총 변화를 분석하였다. 배양액의 pH는 모든 처리구에서 배양 기간동안 5.5~7.0을 유지하였다. Total VFA 농도는 T1이 23.13 mM으로 가장 낮았고, T4가 29.93 mM으로 가장 높았다(p<0.05). A (acetate) :P (propionate) 비율은 T1이 1.48로 가장 낮았으며, T4가 2.81로 가장 높게 나타났다 (p<0.05). Butyrate는 T1이 2.37 mM으로 가장 낮았으며, T2, T3 그리고 T4는 4.37~4.58 mM으로 차이가 없었다(p<0.05). MPS는 T2 (332.5 mg/L)와 T3 (320.2 mg/L)가 높았고 T1 (137.5 mg/L)와 T4 (154.2 mg/L)로 낮게 나타났다(p<0.05). DGGE band 분석결과 모든 처리구는 57.5 % 이하의 유사도가 나타났다. 미생물의 총 아미노산 함량은 T1 (31.59 %)과 T3 (31.33 %)가 가장 높았으며, T2 (20.09 %)가 가장 낮았다 (p<0.05). 이는 급여된 사료 내 총 아미노산 함량과 반대되는 결과로 나타났다. 따라서, 본 연구에서 한우 급여 에너지원 사료에 따른 반추위 내 미생물 발효 특성과 미생물체 단백질 합성량이 미생물 군집에 영향을 미치며 이에 따라 미생물의 총 아미노산 함량에 영향을 미친다는 것을 확인하였다.

The Republic of Korea has implemented an obligatory vaccination on major livestock breeds to prevent and eradicate nationwide foot and mouth disease (FMD) since the end of 2010. The government has executed massive serological survey to check the immune level of various herds after vaccination, and seropositive rates against FMD virus (FMDV) structural proteins can be measured to assess FMD immunity level. The purpose of this study is to investigate the FMDV serological level of every cattle breeding farm in the country and to determine whether there is a significant difference between groups classified by time, age, and management authority. A total of 5,781 serum samples was collected in 18 cattle breeding farms from 2020 to 2021, and the seropositive rates were measured using PrioCHECK FMDV Type O ELISA kit. Firstly, the cattle breeding farms were classified by which they are managed: the central government, the local government, and the private agency. Every management authority had a seropositive rate of 99.5% or higher. Secondly, the samples were divided into 6 to 12 months old, 12 to 24 months old, and 24 months or more. The 6 to 12 months old group in 2020 showed a significantly low seropositive rate of 98.1%, but it was improved by implementing the enhanced vaccination policy from 2021 to 100%. In summary, there are considerably high seropositive rates including all groups with time, age, and by which they are managed, which means the FMD vaccination in cattle breeding farms is well-managed.

본 연구는 2019년부터 2021년 9월까지 수집된 홀스타인 젖소 19,930두의 자료를 수집하였으며, 3 SD (Standard Deviation, SD) 범위에서 벗어나는 이상치를 제외한, 8,675두를 분석에 이용하였다. 자료분석은 Statistical Analysis System (SAS) 9.4 software를 사용하였고, 뒷유방높이, 뒷유방너비, 유방깊이, 유두길이 및 유두둘레의 실측치를 사용하였다. 그리고 뒷유방높이, 뒷유방너비, 유방깊이, 유두길이 및 유두둘레의 실측치와 산차, 305일 유량, 비유단계 및 착유속도의 환경요인의 효과를 추정하였다. 산차와 유량이 증가함에 따라 뒷유방너비, 유두길이 및 유두둘레의 실측치는 유의적으로 증가하는 것으로 나타났으며(p < 0.0001), 비유단계에 따라서 뒷유방너비 및 유방깊이의 실측치는 비유단계가 증가할수록 유의적으로 감소하는 것으로 나타났다(p < 0.0001). 각 환경효과에 따른 유방형질 실측치의 표현형 상관의 결과에서는 뒷유방너비와 유방깊이 실측치가 산차 및 유량수준에 대해 높은 상관을 나타냈으며, 특히, 유방형질 중 유방깊이 실측치와 산차에 대해 -0.40 ~ -0.67로 높은 음(-)의 상관을 보였다. 본 연구 결과로 미루어 볼 때, 유방형질이 유생산에 밀접한 관련이 있는 만큼 중요한 형질로 취급되어야 하며, 이들의 기초연구와 함께 유전적 특성을 구명하는 등 더 많은 연구가 수행되어야 할 것으로 사료된다.

본 연구의 목적은 우리나라 Jersey 암소 56두로부터 조사된 체고 데이터에 대해 성장 모형을 추정하고, 추정된 체고 성장 모형의 모수를 활용하여 우리나라 Jersey 암소의 체고 성장 기초 자료를 제공하고자 실시하였다. 추정된 Gompertz, von Bertalanffy, Logistic 및 Brody 모형의 체고 성장 곡선 함수식은 각각      ,         ,          및       이었다. 추정된 Gompertz, von Bertalanffy 및 Logistic 모형의 모수를 이용하여 성장 특성을 분석한 결과 변곡점 월령이 각각 -0.3880, -5.235 및 -0.426월로 성장 기간 중 존재하지 않았다. Gompertz, von Bertalanffy, Logistic 및 Brody 모형에 대한 오차 평균 제곱합은 각각 14.189, 14.083, 14.730 및 14.011로 추정되었으며, 모형 결정 계수는 각각 0.971, 0.972, 0.970 및 0.972로 추정되었 다. 각 모형의 오차 평균 제곱합과 모형 결정 계수의 결과를 종합해보면 Brody 모형이 Jersey 암소의 체고 성장 곡선에 적합도가 좋은 것으로 판단된다.

본 연구는 우리나라 Jersey 암소 41두로부터 측정된 체중 데이터를 이용해 Gompertz, von Bertalanffy 및 Logistic 모형의 성장 곡선을 추정하고, 추정된 성장 곡선의 모수를 활용하여 Jersey 암소의 성장 특성에 대해 알아보고자 실시하였다. 추정된 Gompertz, von Bertalanffy 및 Logistic 모형의 성장 곡선 함수식은 각각    ,         및          이었다. Gompertz, von Bertalanffy 및 Logistic 모형에 대해 변곡점은 각각 10.719, 8.4292 및 14.618 개월로 추정되었고, 변곡점 체중은 각각 208.514, 211.347 및 203.548kg으로 추정되었으며, 최대 증체율은 각각 20.851, 21.192 및 21.993 (kg/월)로 추정되었다. 오차 평균 제곱합과 모형 결정 계수의 결과를 종합해보면 von Bertalanffy, Gompertz 그리고 Logistic 모형 순으로 Jersey 암소 성장 곡선에 적합도가 높은 것으로 판단된다.

This study was carried out the estimation on consumption patterns and consciousness of domestic forage for improvement of the quality of domestic forage. Although the cultivated area in South Korea of forage has increased significantly compared to the past, the self-sufficiency rate of domestic forage has increased to around 80% since 2010. Also, livestock farmers prefer to use import forage than domestic due to convenience of use. In Korean beef farms, the ratio of import to domestic forage was higher in domestic forage (import forage 3 : domestic forage 7). In the method of securing domestic forage, purchase of forage (55.6%) was higher than self-cultivation of forage (44.4%). The ratio of use by bailing type was shown in the order of rice staw rice straw (50.5%), domestic hay (15%), imported hay (12.5%), and total mixed ratio (10.7%). The preference of forage was in the order of amount of foreign matter, moisture content, price, feed value in Korean native cattle farm. The result of satisfaction with domestic and import forage showed that the satisfaction of domestic forage price was higher than import forage, while the moisture content and foreign matter of forage were lower than import forage. In addition, in the results of the satisfaction and importance of domestic roughage compared to imported roughage, satisfaction with imported roughage was generally high in all items except for price. As a result, in order to improve the satisfaction of domestic forage in Korean native cattle farm, it is necessary to minimize foreign matter in forage and increase hay production for moisture content uniform in forage.

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is critical for reproduction and social behavior in ruminants, including cattle. The present study examined the structure of the VNO and its epithelial cells in neonatal and adult Korean native cattle (Hanwoo), Bos taurus coreanae , using immunohistochemistry and lectin histochemistry. Histologically, the VNO comprised two types of epithelia: medial vomeronasal sensory (VSE) and lateral vomeronasal non-sensory epithelia (VNSE). Numerous blood vessels and nerve bundles were observed within the vomeronasal cartilage encased lamina propria. Immunohistochemistry revealed high expression level of protein gene product9.5 and moderate expression level of olfactory marker protein in the neuroreceptor cells of the VSE and occasionally in some ciliated cells of the VNSE in both neonates and adults. The properties of the glycoconjugates in the VNO were investigated using 21 lectins, most of which were expressed at varied intensities in the VSE and VNSE, as well as in the lamina propria. Several lectins exhibited variations in their intensities and localization between neonatal and adult VNOs. This study is the first descriptive lectin histochemical examination of the VNO of Korean native cattle with a focus on lectin histochemistry, confirming that the VNO of Korean native cattle is differentiated during postnatal development.

This study attempted to determine the characteristic features of postpartum dairy cows during their return to estrus. Moreover, it investigated the effects of abnormal ovarian cycles (AOC) on subsequent reproductive performance and the relationship between normal ovarian cycles (NOC) and the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level postpartum. Incidentally, 56.3% of the Holstein cows and 66.7% of the Jersey cows had NOC, whereas the 43.7% and 33.3% of the Holstein and Jersey, respectively, had AOC. Within 100 days of calving, the cows with AOC had significantly lower rates of artificial insemination (AI) submission as well as pregnancy and a significantly longer interval to first AI, as compared to that in the cows with NOC. Additionally, the cows with NOC had a significantly higher first AI conception rate than that in the cows with AOC. In this study, of the 32 Holstein cows, 8 resumed their ovarian cycle within 20 days of calving, 10 resumed the cycle with 21-40 days of calving, 8 within 41-60 days of calving, while the remaining 6 did not resume their ovarian cycles until 60 days postpartum. Furthermore, the likelihood ratios of incidence of NOC are 0.93, 1.94, and 0.38, respectively, in the groups with BUN levels ＜ 15, 15-19.9, and ≥ 20 mg/ dl. In conclusion, AOC postpartum adversely affects reproductive performance such as AI submission rate, pregnancy rate, interval to first AI and first AI conception rate; moreover, an increase or decrease in the BUN levels beyond 15-19.9 mg/dL leads to the AOC postpartum.

In this study the effect of vitamin C administration on pregnancy rates during summer heat stress in dairy cows was examined. A total of 80 Holstein-Friesian cows were divided into control and treatment groups (n = 40 each). Control group animals were given 10 mL isotonic normal saline, and treatment group, Vitamin C (4 mg/kg) on artificial insemination day (day 0) and 4th, 8th and 12th day post insemination. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed on 30th day post insemination by ultrasonography. Blood samples were randomly taken from 11 animals from each group. Serum P4, GSH, MDA and plasma 8-OHdG levels were determined by using ELISA method. Results showed that 8-OHdG levels were lower in treatment group on day 4, 8 and 12 (p < 0.05) compared with the control group. Similarly, pregnancy rate was higher in treatment group (32.5%) than control (22.5%), respectively. However, MDA, P4 and GSH levels were similar in both groups at 4th, 8th and 12th day. A gradual increase in P4, and MDA levels, and a strong positive correlation between 0, 4th (r = 0.54), 4, 8th (r = 0.59) and 8, 12th (r = 0.51) day was found. Similarly, GSH levels also showed positive correlation at days 0, 4th (r = 0.47) and 4, 8th (r = 0.56). However, a strong negative correlation (r = -0.56) between MDA day 0, and GSH day 8 was found. In conclusion, vitamin C application during insemination period in postpartum cows increases pregnancy rate, and reduces oxidative stress metabolite 8-OHdG levels.

This in vitro study investigated the enhancement of rumen bacterial adhesion on a substrate to increase the digestibility of rice straw in Hanwoo cattle. The rice straw was pretreated with enzymes, probiotics, or ammonia, and the effects on the enhancement of bacterial adhesion and fiber degradation were analyzed using in vitro rumen fermentation. Enzyme treatment included spraying of cellulase and xylanase at 40 and 120 U per g of rice straw, respectively; Saccharomyces cerevisiae culture of 1.0×107 CFU was sprayed as a probiotic treatment per gram of rice straw; ammonia was sprayed at 0.3% per gram of rice straw. Following enzyme treatment, Fibrobacter succinogenes formed a higher adhesion colony than the control group (7.26±0.03 and 8.43±0.20) after 6h and 12h of in vitro culture (p<0.05), respectively. Attachment of Ruminococcus flavefaciens also increased following enzyme treatment (p<0.05) after 6 and 12 h compared to that of the control (5.18±0.06 and 6.60±0.15); and R. albus attachment showed a significant increase compared to that of the control (5.94±0.15) after 6 h of incubation (p<0.05). Probiotic treatment increased attachment of F. succinogenes in comparison with untreated rice straw after 6 h and 12 h of fermentation (p<0.05); R. flavefaciens attachment showed an increase only after 6 h of culture (p<0.05); R. albus was not affected. Attachment of F. succinogenes, R. flavefaciens, and R. albus increased with ammonia treatment after 6 h and 12 h (p<0.05). Dry matter digestibility was higher after the enzyme treatment (3.45±0.21 and 7.04±0.09) than in the control group(1.85±0.08 and 3.94±0.04) after 6 and 12 h of in vitro culture (p<0.05), respectively. It was also higher than that of untreated rice straw after probiotic and ammonia treatments (p<0.05). There was an increase in the enhancement levels of bacterial adhesion depending on the type of fibrolytic bacteria following enzyme, probiotic, and ammonia treatment. These treatments improved digestibility. This enhancement is considered to be greater following enzyme and ammonia treatments than with probiotics.

가축의 체중은 사료 요구량과 영양 상태를 평가하는 데 필요한 주요 지표에 해당한다. 본 연구는 한우의 3-D 영상으로부터 몸통 체적을 산출한 후 체중을 추정하고자 시도되었다. 한우의 3-D 영상 획득에 640×480 픽셀의 해상도, 44fps의 프레임속도 및 47°(H)×37°(V)의 화각을 갖는 TOF 카메라가 사용되었다. 획득된 3-D 영상에서 배경과 몸통 분리, 이상치 제거 등의 전처리 과정을 거쳐서 몸통에 대한 격자 영상을 얻었다. 또한 각각의 격자에 깊이 정보를 적용한 수치적분으로 몸통 체적을 결정하였다. Calibration dataset에서 체중과 몸통체적의 선형회귀에 대한 결정계수는 0.8725로 나타났다. 한편 몸통 체적에 월령을 설명 변수로 추가한 체중 추정의 중회귀 모형에서 결정계수는 0.9083으로 나타났다. Validation dataset에서 중회귀 모형을 이용한 체중 추정의 MAPE와 RMSE는 각각 8.2%, 24.5kg으로 나타났다. 결과적으로 체중 추정을 위한 회귀 모형의 성능이 개선되고, 체중 추정에 소요되는 노력이 절감됨을 고려한다면 3-D 영상에서 결정된 몸통 체적이 한우의 체중 추정에 유효한 변수로 사용될 것이다.

일반적으로 혈통 정보가 검증된 송아지의 경우 부모로부터 전달받은 유전능력을 통해 비육 후 출하 시에 우수한 도체 성적을 나타낼 확률이 상대적으로 높다고 알려져 있고, 이를 근거로 경매 시장에서 높은 가격대를 형성하고 있으나 이에 대한 과학적인 검증이 미비한 실정이다. 그러나 최근 친자확인 사업을 통해 과학적 검증을 위한 자료 수집이 가능한 상황이다. 따라서 본 연구는 2014년부터 2019년까지 경남 ‘ㄱ’지역 송아지를 대상으로 친자확인을 실시한 결과와 송아지의 경매 낙찰가 자료를 활용하여, 친자확인이 송아지 경매 낙찰가에 미치는 영향에 대해 분석하였다. 그 결과 2014년 친자 일치율이 64.6%였으나 6년간 지속적인 친자확인을 통해 2019년도에는 91.4%로 친자 일치율이 26.8% 상승하였음을 확인하였고, 이는 경남 ‘ㄱ’지역 농가의 혈통관리에 대한 인식이 높아진 결과로 한우의 자연적 개량이 이루어지는데 친자확인이 긍정적인 영향을 미쳤다고 판단된다. 또한 친자확인 일치 여부에 따른 송아지 경매 낙찰가의 경우 친자 일치된 송아지가 불일치된 송아지에 비해 경매 낙찰가가 약 34만원 높게 낙찰 되었고, 친자 일치된 송아지 내 성별에 따라 수송아지와 암송아지가 친자 불일치된 송아지 보다 각각 약 37만원, 22만원 높은 가격에 낙찰되었다. 따라서 본 연구와 추가적인 연구를 진행한다면 추후 농장별 계획 교배와 정확한 혈통관리를 통한 신뢰도를 높이는 것이 수익에 긍정적인 효과와 지역 단위로 지속적인 친자확인의 관리가 한우산업에 긍정적인 효과를 유발할 수 있다는 것으로 사료된다.

Sperm cryopreservation is an important method of assisted reproductive techniques and storing genetic resources. It plays a vital role in genetic improvement, livestock industrial preservation of endangered species, and clinical practice. Consequently, the cryopreservation technique is well organized through various studies, especially on Korean native cattle (Hanwoo). However, the cryopreservation technique of Korean native brindled cattle, which is one of the native cattle species in Korea, is not well organized. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a Supplementary Table technique for the cryopreservation of Korean native brindled cattle. For this purpose, it is important to first evaluate the quality of the currently produced cryopreserved sperm of Korean native brindled cattle. In this study, we randomly selected 72 individual Korean native brindled cattle semen samples collected from 8 different region research centers and used them to evaluate sperm functions. We focused on the quality evaluation of cryopreserved Korean native brindled cattle semen following the measurement of motion kinematics, capacitation status, intracellular ATP level, sperm motility, and cell viability. Then, the values of each of the eight groups were derived from various sperm parameters of nine individual samples, including sperm motility, kinematics, cellular motility, and intracellular ATP levels, which were used to compare and evaluate sperm function. Overall, differences in various sperm parameters were observed between most of the research centers. Particularly, the deviations of motility and motion kinematics were high according to the sample. Therefore, we suggest that it is necessary to develop a standard method for the cryopreservation of Korean native brindled cattle semen. We also suggest the need for sperm quality evaluation of the cryopreserved semen of Korean native brindled cattle before using artificial insemination to attain a high fertility rate.

In the present study, we examined if deep uterine artificial insemination (DUAI) can improve the pregnancy rate of artificial insemination (AI) using epididymal spermatozoa (ES) in Hanwoo cattle. The estrus cycles of 88 Hanwoo cows were synchronized, and 17 cows were artificially inseminated using the DUAI method with ES, 20 cows were artificially inseminated via the uterine body (BUAI) method with ES, and as a control, 51 cows were inseminated by using the BUAI method with ejaculated spermatozoa from 1 proven bull after frozen thawing. The pregnancy rate of the DUAI method (58.8%) was higher than that of the BUAI method (25.0%, p = 0.0498). The motility of ES was examined immediately after thawing and after 3 and 6 h of incubation. The rapid progressive sperm motility of the control group was significantly higher than that of the ES group immediately after thawing and after 3 and 6 h of incubation (p < 0.05). The straight line velocity and average path velocity of the ES group after 6 h of incubation were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). The linearity and amplitude of lateral head of ES were lower than those at 6 h (p < 0.05). The flagellar beat cross frequency and hyperactivation of ES were lower than the control spermatozoa immediately after thawing and at 3 h (p < 0.05). These motility parameters suggested that ES had a low motility and fertilization ability compared to the control spermatozoa. After frozen-thawing and 3 h of incubation, the percentage of live spermatozoa with intact acrosomes in the ES was significantly lower than that in ejaculated spermatozoa (p < 0.05). Our findings suggested that the DUAI method can overcome the low pregnancy rate of ES, despite the low motility, viability, and fertilization ability of ES.

Embryonic lethality due to recessive alleles is a major concern in livestock breeding programs. The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animal (OMIA) is a database of reported recessive mutations in livestock that helps breeders to manage the segregation of these mutations in their population. Recessive alleles are lethal in the offspring of two carrier parents; therefore, identifying and eliminating carrier animals are critical for maintaining the breed. Hanwoo cattle is native to the Korean peninsula and is of great economic importance to Korea. Due to geographical constraints and the controlled breeding program with very few proven bulls, if not monitored periodically, the threat of segregation of recessive lethal alleles in the population remains high. Therefore, identifying potential carriers of lethal recessive alleles is critical in Hanwoo. In this regard, we genotyped 17,325 animals using bovine 50K Illumina SNP chip and also sequenced a further 311 animals which was mapped against the bovine reference genome sequence. We then used the OMIA database to identify reported recessive alleles and calculated the allele frequency of these mutations in the population to determine potential lethal alleles carried by the animals.

In recent years, various methods of measuring body temperature have been developed using wireless biosensors to facilitate an early detection of pregnancy and parturition in cows. However, there are no studies on real-time monitoring of cattle body temperature throughout pregnancy. Therefore, we investigated the daily mean ruminal temperature in pregnant cows throughout pregnancy using a ruminal bio-capsule sensor and then evaluated the temperature variation between pregnant and non-pregnant cows. In pregnant cows, the mean and standard deviation of ruminal temperature was 38.86 ± 0.17℃. Ruminal temperature in pregnant cows slowly decreased until 180 to 190 days after artificial insemination and after that, the temperature increased dramatically until just before parturition. Furthermore, the means ruminal temperature was significantly different between pregnant and nonpregnant cows. The mean and standard deviation of ruminal temperature were as follows: 38.68 ± 0.01℃ from days 80 to 100, 38.78 ± 0.02℃ from days 145 to 165, 38.99 ± 0.45℃ from days 200 to 220, 39.14 ± 0.38℃ from days 250 to 270 before parturition. Therefore, our results could provide useful data for early detection of pregnancy and parturition in Korean cows.

A pregnancy diagnosis is an important standard for control of livestock’s reproduction in paricular dairy cattle. High reproductive performance in dairy animals is a essential condition to realize of high life-time production. Pregnancy diagnosis is crucial to shortening the calving interval by enabling the farmer to identify open animals so as to treat or re-breed them at the earliest opportunity. MicroRNAs are short RNA molecules which are critically involved in regulating gene expression during both health and disease. This study is sought to establish the feasible of circulating miRNAs as biomarkers of early pregnancy in cattle. We applied Illumina small-RNA sequencing to profile miRNAs in plasma samples collected from 12 non-pregnant cows (“open” cows: samples were collected before insemination (non-pregnant state) and after pregnancy check at the indicated time points) on weeks 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16. Using small RNA sequencing we identified a total of 115 miRNAs that were differentially expressed weeks 16 relative to non-pregnancy (“open” cows). Weeks 8, 12 and 16 of pregnancy commonly showed a distinct increase in circulating levels of miR-221 and miR-320a. Through genome-wide analyses we have successfully profiled plasma miRNA populations associated with pregnancy in cattle. Their application in the field of reproductive biology has opened up opportunities for research communities to look for pregnancy biomarker molecules in dairy cattle.