We compared the reproductive performance, non-productive performance, and milk composition performance of two groups of lactating cows that were either rice straw or tall fescue. We also compared and analyzed these parameters after the first parturition during the breeding period. The calving interval, artificial insemination, and duration from calving to conception were longer in the rice straw group than in the tall fescue group. The 305-day and peak milk yields were significantly higher in the tall fescue group than in the rice straw group (p<0.01). Milk fat content was significantly higher in the tall fescue group than in the rice straw group (p<0.001), but milk protein content was the same between the feeding groups. The difference in raw milk sales income between rice straw and tall fescue groups tended to increase as the number of lactations increased, but there was no effect of reduced feed costs. Analysis of the milk production and raw milk sales income of the surveyed farms revealed that the average milk production per head was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the tall fescue group than in the rice straw group, and raw milk sales income showed a similar tendency. Overall, these results provide important details to be considered when selecting feed as a way to reduce milk production and heifer raising costs. However, there remains a need for future follow-up studies exploring the relationship between feed choice and the management of heifers.

Q fever is a highly infectious tick-borne zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, a major pathogen that can cause reproductive disorders in ruminants such as cattle. Being one of the livestock infectious diseases with uncelar causative factors and transmission routes, there is a high possibility of transmission between wildlife, disease vectors, and livestock. Despite extensive research due to its high infectivity and significant economic losses, much of the focus has been on aspects such as pathogen detection, immunodiagnosis, and veterinary medicine. However, understanding the ecological interaction between the vector (ticks) and reservoir hosts (rodents) is crucial for elucidation the transmission dynamics to livestock. In this presentation, we aim to discuss genetic variation analysis approaches and ecological co-occcurrence analysis to understand the transmission pathways between rodents, ticks, and cow.

This laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the effects of oyster shell by-product (OSB) on the characteristics of Hanwoo cow manure and emitted gases. For the treated groups, 0.5% and 1% OSB were applied to 200 g of Hanwoo cow manure in a container box with three replications each per group with a group without OSB (0%) as a control group. All samples were stored at room temperature to analyze pH, volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), volatile fatty acid (VFA), and gas emissions (NH3 and H2S) from Hanwoo manure on 0, 2, 4, and 8 days. No group exhibited a significant (p>0.05) effect on VBN, acetate, and propionate values during the 8 days. On day 0, pH increased by 1% OSB application, but no effects on the other days. Iso-butyrate concentration increased (p<0.05) on day 0 by OSB application, but deceased (p<0.05) on day 8. The NH3 gas emission on day 2 decreased (p<0.05) in all treatments applied OSB. However, either NH3 or H2S gases in all treatments were below 0.25 ppm on days 4 and 8, which were no differences (p>0.05) among treatments. Thus, this lab study indicated that the inclusion of OSB application in Hanwoo cow manure had a beneficial effect on NH3 gas emission, but no longer than for 2 days.

현재 한우에서는 영양대사물질 수준에 대한 연구가 미흡한 수준이다. 따라서 본 연구는 한우 번식우에 있어서 임신과 비임신 상태에 있어서 혈액내 주요 영양대사물질을 분석하였다. 한우 번식우 54두를 방목을 하였을 경우에는 혈액내 주요대사물질 6개 항목(AST, ALT, Cholesterol, Glucose, BUN, NEFA)을 분석하였다. 사육방법과 관련된 NEFA수준 조사에서 방목우 임신우 평균은 221±105 uEq/L이고, 사사 사육 임신우 평균 240±121 uEq/L로 나타났으나 유의적인 차이는 없었다. 콜레스테롤 수준은 사사 사육시 임신우 113.33±17.03 mg/dL이었고, 비임신우는 137.25±21.77 mg/dL로 비임신우에서 유의적으로(p<0.05) 높은 결과를 보였다. 사사 사육시 NEFA 수준(임신우 204±119 uEq/L과 비임신우 286±215 uEq/L)도 콜레스테롤 수준과 동일한 경향을 보였다. 분만 전ㆍ후 AST 수치는 각각 105.53±24 IU/L와 81.59±12.55 IU/L으로 분석되어 분만 후에서 유의적으로(p<0.05) 감소한 결과를 보였다. NEFA 수준에서는 분만 전 122±52 uEq/L, 분만 후 497±239 uEq/L 로서 분만 후에서 유의적으로(p<0.05) 높은 결과를 보였다. 이러한 NEFA 수준의 증가는 분만 후 번식우가 필요로 하는 영양대사물질이 증가하였기 때문인 것으로 사료된다. 이러한 결과를 종합하면 한우 번식우의 적정한 영양수준 관리는 생산성을 향상 시킬 수 있을 것으로 사료되며 한우 번식우에 대한 영양수준 연구는 추가적으로 연구가 이루어져야 할 것으로 사료된다.

본 연구는 미네랄 첨가제가 한우사 바닥에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 실험은 경남 진주시 소재 한우 번식우 농장에서 실시하였다. 우방당 미네랄 첨가제를 5 ㎏ 첨가하였으며, 시험구로는 무첨가구(CON); bentonite 시험구(BN); illite 시험구(IL); 및 fly-ash 시험구(FA)로 두었다. 각각의 시험구로 4개의 우방을 이용하였으며, 우방당 5마리 한우 암소를 공시하였다. 미네랄 첨가제를 처리한 후 각 우방당 5곳에서 0, 7, 14, 21 및 28일에 우분을 채취하였다. 샘플은 건물, 발효특성, 미생물 성상 및 가스 발생량 분석에 이용되었다. 전 기간 동안 건물과 acetate 함량은 미네랄 첨가제에 의한 영향은 나타나지 않았다. 무첨가구에서 7, 14 및 28일에 유기물 함량은 가장 높았고(p<0.05), 조회분 함량은 가장 낮았다 (p<0.05). IL 시험구에서는 14, 21 및 28일에 총 질소 함량이 가장 높았고(p<0.05), IL, BN 및 FA 시험구에서는 각각 14, 21 및 28일에 무첨가구보다 대장균이 낮았다(p<0.05). FA 시험구에서는 28일에 살모넬라 수가 가장 높았다(p<0.05). IL 시험구에서는 28일에 암모니아 발생량이 가장 높았고 (p<0.05), 황화수소는 전기간 동안 검출되지 않았다. 28일간 결과값을 평균하였을 때, 무첨가구에서 유기물 함량이 가장 높았고(p<0.05), 조회분 함량이 가장 낮았다(p<0.05). IL 시험구에서 총 질소 함량이 가장 높았고(p<0.05), BN 시험구는 ㏗가 가장 높았다(p<0.05). 대장균 수는 IL 시험구에서 가장 낮았고(p<0.05), 살모넬라 수는 무첨가구 보다 IL과 FA 시험구에서 더 낮았다(p<0.05). 따라서, 본 연구에서 광물질 첨가제는 분 중 가스 발생량에는 영향을 미치지 않았으나, 병원성 미생물인 대장균은 illite와 fly-ash 처리 시에 억제되는 효과가 있었다.

본 연구에서는 한우 암소와 씨수소의 육종가를 기반으로 연도별 유전적 개량량을 추정하여 현재 한우 축군의 개량 정도를 파악하여 향후 한우 개량 방향을 위한 기초자료로 활용하고자 본 연구를 시행하였다. 본 연구를 위하여 한우농가 4,040호에서 축산물품질평가원에 도축된 970,567두의 도축자료를 이용하여 10번 반복되어 추출된 표본 자료와 한우농가에서 2009년부터 2019년까지 사육되고 도축된 개체 중에서 한국종축개량협회에 혈통등록 되어 있는 거세우를 선별하여 결측치 및 이상치를 제거하고 도축월령이 27~32개월 이외의 기록은 분석에서 제외한 후, 1,391,141두의 도체 자료를 분석에 이용하였다. 이용된 형질은 도체중(Carcass Weight, CW), 등심단면적(Eye Muscle Area, EMA), 등지방두께(Backfat Thickness, BF) 및 근내지방도(Marbling Score, MS)의 4개 형질을 고려하였다. Random Sampling 10 반복되어 추출된 Data 1의 도체중, 등심단면적, 등지방두께 및 근내지방도의 개량추세에 대한 회귀계수는 매년 평균 0.44㎏, 0.197㎠, -0.051㎜ 및 0.034점으로 나타났으며, 도축성적을 보유한 전체 개체의 자료로 구성된 Data 2에서는 각각 0.35㎏, 0.22㎠, 0.06㎜ 및 0.04점의 개량추세를 보였다. Data 2에서 씨수소의 개량추세는 1.54㎏, 0.343㎠, -0.045㎜ 및 0.050점의 추세를 보였으며 암소와 씨수소 간에는 1.19㎏, 0.119㎠, -0.014㎜ 및 0.010점의 차이를 보였다. 유전적 개량량을 확인하기 위하여 육종가의 표준편차를 이용하였으며, 암소의 선발강도는 본 연구에서 보고한 암소의 후대 거세우 기록 빈도 및 비율을 통해 계산하였다. 한우 암소의 선발 시기를 3산차 이전을 기준으로 하는 것과 4산차 이후를 기준으로 하는 것으로 나눠서 선발강도를 적용하였다. 그 결과, 암소의 선발 시기를 3산차 이전으로 했을 때 세대당 유전적 개량량은 도체중, 등심단면적, 등지방두께 및 근내지방도에서 각각 5.04㎏, 1.31㎠, 0.71㎜ 및 0.32점으로 나타났다. 이러한 결과를 바탕으로 현재 한우 암소집단에서 정확한 육종가를 추정하고, 유전적 개량량을 높이기 위해서는 후대의 기록을 높이기 위한 육종 계획이 필요할 것으로 판단된다.

본 연구는 한우농가에서 직접 사육되어 도축되어진 한우 거세우 전체의 도축성적 및 혈통자료를 수집하여 한우 암소의 유전능력평가를 위한 유전모수를 추정하고 농가에서 직접적으로 활용 가능한 유전능력 추정을 위한 기초자료로 제공하고자 하였다. 본 연구를 위해 검증된 970,141두의 도축기록으로부터 60,000두 이상의 표현형 표본을 추출하기 위해 전체 4,040농가 중 600농가를 단순임의추출(Simple Random Sampling)하여 선정된 농가의 도축기록을 모두 추출하는 방식으로 10회 반복하여 표본을 생성하였다. 본 연구에서 추정된 도체형질에 대한 유전력은 도체중에서 0.24-0.30, 등심단면적에서 0.24-0.31, 등지방두께에서 0.31-0.39, 근내지방도에서 0.38-0.58로 추정되었으며, 10회 반복 추정된 유전력의 평균값은 도체중, 등심단면적, 등지방두께 및 근내지방도에서 각각 0.28, 0.28, 0.35 및 0.48로 추정되었다. 추정된 결과가 기존에 한우에서 보고된 유전력에 비해 다소 낮게 추정되었으나 실제 농가에서 사육되어 도축된 전체 자료가 표본이 된 만큼 본 연구 결과는 전국단위의 도축자료를 이용한 결과로서 암소개량을 위해 직접적으로 활용 가능한 자료가 될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

Carcass grade primarily depends on marbling of intramuscular fat, which is associated with the texture and tenderness of beef. Accordingly, various economical molecular tests for high intramuscular fat in beef have been attempted. Especially, Hanwoo (Korean Cattle) intramuscular fat has higher levels of monounsaturated fatty acids than that in the beef of other cattle. Intramuscular fats are associated with levels of lipid metabolic genes in the liver transcriptome. Therefore, hepatic triglyceride synthesis can considerably increase intramuscular fat. To investigate the relationship between hepatic lipogenesis and carcass grade, we analyzed 52 Hanwoo liver samples from domestic farms, and evaluated lipid levels and transcript levels of glucose and lipid metabolism-related genes according to carcass grade. Oil-Red-O staining revealed fatty livers in high carcass grades. Moreover, we found significantly higher levels of mRNA for lipogenesis, glycolysis, and triglyceride synthesis genes in high carcass grade livers. Importantly, progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (Pgrmc1) levels were significantly lower in high carcass grade livers. As Pgrmc1 suppression is correlated with induction of de novo lipogenesis (DNL) and glycolysis genes, it has a diagnostic impact for high carcass grades. These results could be used for genetic improvements in carcass grades of cattle. More importantly, as Pgrmc1 can be detected in blood peripheral nucleated cells, it also has value for rapid blood diagnosis.

The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters and breeding values of four carcass traits of the Hanwoo cattle breed: carcass weight (CWT), back fat thickness (BFT), eye-muscle area (EMA), and marbling score (MAR). Genetic parameters and breeding values were estimated based on data (“estimating dataset”) collected from September 2004 to March 2019. Predictability of parental breeding value estimates (EBVs) for the performances of progeny of the control group was evaluated on another dataset (“testing dataset”) using linear model equations involving parental EBVs classified into sex and age groups. The parental EBVs of animals in the testing dataset were traced by pedigree relationships of animals in the estimating dataset. Heritability estimates of CWT, BFT, EMA, and MAR were 0.53, 0.43, 0.38, and 0.54, respectively. Genetic correlation coefficients of CWT with BFT, EMA, and MAR were +0.32, +0.59, and +0.11, respectively. Environmental correlation coefficients of CWT with BFT, EMA, and MAR were +0.46, +0.55, and +0.29, respectively. In the testing dataset, partial regression coefficients of phenotypic values of progeny on sire EBVs ranged from +0.43 to +0.60 depending on traits fit into the models, while those on dam EBVs ranged from +0.54 to +0.67. All partial regression coefficients were statistically significant and were approximated to the expected value of +0.5. Together, these values validate the use of parental EBVs for predicting progeny carcass phenotypes in the Hanwoo herd.

This study was conducted to examine the oocyte recovery efficiency through having an OPU session once and twice a week. Also, the oocyte recovery efficiency was examined by using OPU after two and three months of rest period. Six cows were used for oocytes collection and were randomly divided into two groups. In experiment 1, OPU sessions were conducted once and twice a week to collect oocytes. The collected oocytes between once and twice OPU groups were classified into four groups (grade 1, 2, 3 and 4) according to the quality of cumulus cells and ooplasm. Based on the result, the percentage of collected oocytes per aspirated follicle number was similar between once and twice OPU session groups (65.5 ± 1.9 and 68.7 ± 1.4 vs.). However, the percentage of grade 1 oocytes from the twice OPU session group was significantly high compared with that of the once a week OPU session group (25.3 ± 0.9 and 32.5 ± 1.2% vs. once and twice session group, respectively, p < 0.05). In experiment 2, the group with three months of rest period tended to have a high percentage of collected oocyte compared with the group with two months of rest period (64.6 and 70.9% vs. 2 and 3 months rest group, respectively, p = 0.62). The percentage of grade 4 in the group with three months of rest period was significantly low compared with the group with two months of rest period group (27.3 and 36.5% vs. two and three months rest group, respectively, p = 0.05). In conclusion, twice a week OPU session is suitable for collection of high quality oocytes by using OPU, and three months of rest period is needed for the recovery of oocyte quality of a donor cow.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dry-aging and wet-aging conditions on the chemical composition, meat quality traits (color, water holding capacity, cooking loss, WBSF and pH) and shelf-life TBARS (2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) and VBN (volatile basic nitrogen) of loin (M. longissimus thoracis), sirloin (M. glutaeusmedus) and top-round (M. semimembranosus) cuts of Hanwoo cows. The dry-aging condition (temperature ℃, relative humidity %) was done for 60 d as 2℃, 65％, 20 d＋2℃, 75％, 20 d＋4℃, 85％, 20 d while, the wet-aging was done for 60 d at 1℃, 85%. Results revealed that moisture content was significantly higher in the dry-aged samples than that of the wet-aged samples at 60 d (p<0.05). The a*- and b*-values were significantly higher in 3 cuts as compared with those treated with wet-aging condition. During the dry-aging time, the WHC significantly increased in the loin and sirloin and they were significantly higher than wet-aging condition at 40 d and 60 d (p<0.05). The WBSF values significantly decreased with increased aging time and there was no significant difference between two aging methods. The TBARS and VBN contents significantly increased with increased aging time for all the wet- and dry-aged cuts, and their levels still fell within the acceptable standard limit. Generally, the TBARS and VBN contents were significantly higher in the dry-aged cuts, probably due to the increased levels of protein and fatty acids oxidations. Based on the results obtained in the present study, it can be suggested that application of dry-aging method can improve the quality characteristics of beef.

Up-to-date artificial insemination (AI) using frozen sperm consider as the most widely using technology for improvement of Korean Native Cow (Hanwoo) embryo production. However, it is time consuming, required at least 15~20 years to make more than 6 generations, and their offspring number is limited. To overcome such limitations, superovulation and in vitro fertilization have been developed. For superovulation, the number of produced embryos are not enough for commercialization and donor cows need rest period. This led to use of slaughterhouse ovary for in vitro fertilization, but it is impossible to repeat the collection from the same individual and it only can improve the genetic merits of offspring for one generation. Production of embryos using Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) technique, where oocytes can be repeatedly collected from living elite donor, might overcome these limitations. In this study, we investigated the possibility of using OPU technique from donors at different age and different session periods for mass-embryo-production. Oocytes were collected from 26 donor cows twice per week, 3 - 4 months per year, between 2013 and 2016. Results showed that, the average number of embryo produced in first year used donor was significantly higher than that in second year used donor (3.89 ± 2.85 vs 3.29 ± 2.70), however, there was no significant difference between third year used donor (3.51 ± 3.32) and other groups. Taken together, our data showed that repeated using of donor up to three years is possible for in vitro embryo mass-production. Moreover, OPU can be used as suitable embryo producing technique for livestock breed improvement.

본 연구는 한우 번식우에 있어서 영양대사물질 분석을 통하여 영양수준을 구명하여 번식우의 수태율 개선을 위한 기초 자료로 활용하기 위해서 실시하였다. 번식우의 정확한 영양수준 분석을 위해서 사료급여량을 80%, 100%, 120%로 구분하여 사양관리를 실시한 결과 Cholesterol과 BUN 농도가 120% 급여구에서 유의적으로 높은 결과를 나타내었다(p<0.05). 방목우 중에서 임신우와 비임신우의 영양대사물질 수준 분석 결과, Cholesterol, AST, NEFA 농도가 임신우에 비해 비임신우에서 유의적으로 높은 결과를 보였다(p<0.05). 이와 같이 임신과 관련한 영양수준 분석에 Cholesterol, AST, NEFA 의 3가지 항목을 설정하는 것이 필요할 것으로 사료된다. 방목과 사사 사육에 대한 결과 분석에서 Glucose 농도는 방목우 84.8, 비방목우 56.0 mg/dl 으로서 방목우에서 유의적으로 높은 결과를 보였고(p<0.05), Cholesterol 수준은 방목우에서 142.5 mg/dl로서 사사 사육 128.9 mg/dl 보다 유의적으로 높았으며(p<0.05), ALT(34.4 vs 27.1 IU/l)와 NEFA 농도(317.8 vs 160.2 ЧEq/l) 역시 방목우에서 유의적으로 높은 결과를 보였다(p<0.05). 결론적으로, 암소에 사료 급여시 Cholesterol, ALT, NEFA 수준을 낮출 수 있도록 하는 것이 한우 암소의 수태율을 높일 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

Serum metabolites were analyzed to investigate relationship of pregnancy and non-pregnancy Hanwoo cows. Totally, 251 Hanwoo cows were used in the present study. Grazing was carried out for 5 months in the pasture. In barn feeding, concentrate 3.0 Kg (TDN 68%, CP 14%) and rice straw 6 kg(TDN 50%, CP 6.5%) were fed. For artificial insemination (AI), progesterone-supplying device (CIDR) was introduced to vagina of Hanwoo cows and 2.0 mL of GnRH. One week after introduction, CIDR was removed and 5.0 mL of PGF2α was injected intramuscularly. After 2.5 day, AI was accompanied by a 2 mL of GnRH intramuscular injection and a second AI was carried out 3.5 day. The pregnancy diagnosis was confirmed by rectal palpation about 90 days after AI. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein after 3 hours of feeding. Analysis of serum metabolites was performed on six types of metabolites: glucose(mg/dl), cholesterol(mg/mL), BUN(mg/dl), AST(U/L), ALT(U/l), and nonessterified fatty acids(NEFA, uEq/L). The metabolic profile test was analyzed by analyzer (Hitachi, 7020, Japan). Pregnant and non-pregnant groups showed serum metabolites as follows. In 60 pregnant group: Glucose 88.9 ± 2.5, Cholesterol 149.8 ± 4.9, BUN 16.9 ± 0.4, AST 99.1 ± 2.6, ALT 35.9 ± 0.9 and NEFA 326.7 ± 15.7. In 43 non-pregnant cow group: Glucose 89.2 ± 3.3, Cholesterol 165.9 ± 4.6, BUN 17.4 ± 0.6, AST 108.9 ± 0.6, ALT 37.8 ± 1.0 and NEFA 419.2 ± 32.8. Cholesterol, AST and NEFA levels in non-pregnant cows were significantly higher than those in pregnant cows (P<0.05). In sum of grazing and barn feeding group was totally 148 cows. Seventy nine pregnant cows showed high glucose and low NEFA levels compared to 69 non-pregnant cows (P<0.05). In conclusion, pregnant group showed high level of glucose and low level of cholesterol, NEFA. Further study needed to obtain more accurate level of metabolites in serum for pregnant and non-pregnant cows.

Ovarian folliculogenesis and the production of fertilizable oocytes depend on gap junctional intercellular communication within both the developing and the mature follicle. Gap junctions connect oocytes with granulosa cells and granulosa cells with each other. Various nutritional bio-molecules are known to be transferred to the growing oocyte from the granulosa cells via gap junction. Signals that regulate meiotic maturation of fully-grown oocytes pass through the oocyte-granulosa cell gap junctions. Gap junctions also play a critical role in regulating uterine blood flow, contributing to the maternal recognition and also implantation during pregnancy. Due to the challenge of various stressors the in vitro embryo developmental potentials are still suboptimal compared to in vivo. To identify the molecular mechanism of these stressors and to improve the existing embryo developmental potentials, the singlet oxygens quencher lycopene was added to the culture media to counterbalance the oxidative damage caused by ROS. In this study, we have patterned connexin like Cx43, Cx37, Cx32 and Cx26 at protein and transcription level during follicular growth, atresia and blastocyst stage by using immunohistochemistry, conventional PCR and RT-qPCR. Lycopene (0.2 μM) significantly (P < 0.05) increased the gap junctional communication protein (connexin) expression of Cx43, Cx37, Cx32, Cx26 as compared to the control group at both transcription and translation level during follicular growth, atresia and blastocyst stage. Lycopene potentiates ovarian folliculogenesis, provides the production of fertilizable oocytes and improved embryo developmental capabilities by increasing gap junctional intercellular communication.