The objective of this experiment was to assess the relationship between electrical resistance of the vaginal mucosa and plasma progesterone for optimal mating time in the bitch. Eight mature beagle bitches were examined, and we observed eight times of estrus. Vaginal electric resistance was recorded weekly using a Draminski ovulation detector in anestrus, and daily in estrus. Plasma progesterone concentration was estimated by radioimmunoassay. In the bitch, incline in vaginal electric resistance (376.20 ± 105.63 units) showed a closely association with the onset of proestrus. Ovulation day was determined as the first day when plasma progesterone concentration increased above 5.0 ng/ml (Day 0). On Day 0, vaginal mucous electric resistance was 438 ± 132 units. Vaginal mucous electric resistance showed a slight decrease or was maintained until Day 0. However, it showed an explosive increase, and peaked on Day 1~3, which was above 600 units. Two of eight cases peaked on Day 1, three of eight cases were revealed on Day 2, and others were revealed on Day 3. After Day 4, resistance showed a rapid drop to below 600 units and reached 200 units on Day 8. The optimal mating time was determined when vaginal mucous electric resistance was above 600 units.

The objective of present study was to investigate the effect of seasons on reproductive performance of Hanwoo and Holstein heifers. Heat stress in summer or cold stress in winter stress to Hanwoo and Holstein heifers may bring reproduction failure, which would pose an important economic loss, even around Daegwallyeong region located in high mountainous area. Seasonal differences in the serum levels of LH, FSH and progesterone () in response to environmental factors (hot and cold) out of 20 pubertal Hanwoo heifers in Daegwallyeong, Gangwon Province and 20 non-lactating Holstein heifers in Chonan city of Republic of Korea at 2-3 years of age were compared. Blood samples for hormonal analysis were from jugular vein after detection of estrus repeatedly over four seasons within four-week intervals (Spring: May to June, Summer: July to August, Autumn: October to November and Winter: January to February). In Hanwoo heifer population, averages of LH and FSH concentration in spring and in summer were greater compared to those in winter (p<0.05). LH or FSH levels tended to be greater (p=0.06) in spring and less (p=0.09) in winter compared to the levels in autumn. Only in summer, cattle seemed to show lower LH or FSH secretion (p<0.05). Similar to the results in Hanwoo heifers, the serum concentrations of LH and FSH in Holstein heifers decreased further by heat stress in summer when P 4 levels were high during luteal phase. The results demonstrate significant effect of summer heat on reproduction of Hanwoo or Holstein heifers. Although parameters indicating the extent of heat stress were not measured in this study, we suggest that serum hormone levels could be considered as successful indicators of summer heat stress condition for Hanwoo and Holstein heifers even under rather cool summer climate.

본 연구는 과배란처리에 의한 수정란이식 시 우수한 수정란을 다량 확보하고 이식 후 수태율 향상을 위하여 수란우에 rbST처리가 수태율 및 progesterone 농도와 황체의 크기에 어떠한 영향을 미치는가를 조사하고자 실시하였다. 공란우는 Folltropin-V와 PGF₂α를 이용하여 과배란처리를 유도하여 12시간 간격으로 2 straw씩 3회 인공수정을 실시하였다. 공란우와 수란우는 대조구와 rbST 처리구로 구분하였으며, rbST (500 mg)처리는 발정발현 후 미근부에 근육 주사하였다. 과배란처리된 공란우의 수정란채란은 수정 후 7∼8일째에 비외과적인 방법으로 실시하였다. 수정란이식 후 수태율은 rbST 처리구에서 대조구보다 유의적으로 높았다 (64.0 vs. 47.1%; p<0.05). 채취한 혈액의 progesterone 농도 분석과 황체의 단면적를 조사한 결과 progesterone 농도는 대조구와 rbST 처리구에서 6일 동안 차이가 없었지만, 6일 이후부터 차이가 나타났으며 황체크기 역시 rbST 처리구에서 대조구에 비해 높게 나타났다. 본 연구결과에서 rbST처리는 이식 후 수태율의 향상시킬 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.