We investigated the sexual maturity time of B. ignitus. In investigating ovary development, the time of sexual maturity of queen was 10 days after eclosion. In case of male, the number of sperm was 246 thousand at immediately after eclosion, and was highest as 480 thousand at 9 days, and tended to show a dramatic decline at 35 days (87 thousand). In consideration of number of sperms, the time of sexual maturity of male was 3-15 days after eclosion. In the sexual maturity time of queen in mating, the queen was not mated at immediately after eclosion, and showed a decrease in 20 days. On the other hand, the male showed 3.3% of mating at immediately after ecolosion, showed the highest of 43.3% at 6 days after eclosion, and tended to decrease in 25 days. In summary, sexual maturity time of B. ignitus in reproductive organs and mating is most favorable in 9-12 days after eclosion for queen and 6-9 days for male.
화분매개곤충인 호박벌(B. ignitus)의 교미율을 높이기 위하여 생식기관 발육과 교미에 의한 성적 성숙시기를 조사하였다. 난소 소관 당 알 수와 수정낭 크기 등 난소 발육으로 볼 때, 여왕벌의 성적 성숙시기는 우화 10일 이내이었다. 수벌의 정자수는 우화당일에 24.6만개이었고, 우화 9일째가 48.0만개 정도로 가장 많았으며, 우화 35일(8.7만개) 이후 정자수가 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 또한 교미횟수가 증가함에 따라 정자수가 줄어드는 것을 알 수 있었다. 수벌의 정자수에 의한 성적 성숙시기는 우화 3~15일이었다. 교미에 의한 성적 성숙시기 조사결과, 여왕벌은 우화직 후에는 전혀 교미를 하지 않았으며, 우화 20일 이후에는 교미율이 떨어지는 경향을 보였다. 교미율과 산란율 등으로 볼 때 여왕벌의 교미에 적합 한 시기는 우화 9~20일이었다. 반면에 수벌은 우화 직후에도 3.3% 교미하였으며, 우화 6일째가 43.3%로 가장 높았으며, 우화 25일 이후부터는 감소하는 경향이었다. 교미율과 산란율 등으로 볼 때, 수벌의 교미 성숙시기는 우화 6~20일이었다. 이상의 생식기관 발육과 교미에 의한 봉세발 달 등으로 볼 때 호박벌 여왕벌의 최적 성적 성숙시기는 우화 9~12일, 수벌은 우화 6~9일로 판단된다.
Beta-catenin (CTNNB1, catenin (cadherin-associated protein), beta 1) is involved in various biological processes, including embryogenesis, tumorigenesis, angiogenesis and progression of metastasis. CTNNB1, as a multifunctional and oncogenic protein, has important roles in adhesion between Sertoli cells through an N-cadherin-dependent manner and in various cancer types through its over-activation. In addition, CTNNB1 can interact with estrogen/estrogen receptor alpha complex, which regulates the transcription of WNT (wingless-type MMTV integration site family)/CT-NNB1 target genes. Recently, we investigated the functional roles and expression pattern of CTNNB1 during the morphological changes of embryonic gonads of chickens and the estrogen-dependent regulation of CTNNB1 in oviduct development and potential functions as a biomarker of CTNNB1 in human epithelial ovarian cancer using the chicken as a biological research model. Therefore, in this review, we provide a new insight of potential role of CTNNB1 in the development of the female reproductive tract during early embryogenesis and ovarian carcinogenesis of laying hen models.
The vast majority of embryo generated by Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) do not result in a live offspring and a multiple birth is the single biggest health risk associated with human fertility treatment, and the used of frozen embryos increased for medical or personal reasons. However, practical and ethical reasons might hamper study of human embryos. Therefore, animal models are necessary to elucidate the molecular and morphological changes during development. In the serial experiments, we employed mouse embryos and a Cdx-inducible ES cell system that transdifferentiates into TS cells. We found aberrant gene expression profiles including apoptosis associated (Bcl2), lineage formation related genes (Cdx-2, Tcfap2c, Oct4, and Nanog), and/or mitochondrial DNA replication related genes (mt-cox-1, mt-cox-2, Polg, Polg2, Tfam) in mouse embryos that showed developmentally retardation between morula to blastocyst transition or post implantation development after embryo transfer to surrogate mothers, compared to control embryos. To determine direct interaction between knockdown genes via siRNA approach and putative down-stream genes involved in blastocyst formation and further development, we carried out qPCR and Chip assay in either mouse embryos or the ES cells. qPCR and Chip assay results showed target gene directly bound to promoter regions of down-regulated genes in TS cells. In conclusion, we suggested that an increased understanding of epigenetic regulation of early embryonic development through animal models may ultimately lead to better methodologies for selecting more competent embryos and and/or protocols for augmenting embryos viability.
Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Alydidae) recently become an important fruit-spotting bug of apple and sweet persimmon trees in Korea. Although fruits of cultivated species are generally known to be unsuitable food for the fruit-spotting bugs, dietary importance of fruits of apple and sweet persimmon for R. pedestris is unknown. We evaluated fruits of apple and sweet persimmon with or without soybean seeds as a food source for R. pedestris by investigating nymphal development time, nymphal mortality, preovipositional period, fecundity, and adult size in the laboratory. None of 1st instar R. pedestris fed only on a fruit of apple or sweet persimmon became second instar nymph. When provided with soybean seeds together, both the fruits did support the nymphal development and the reproduction of R. pedestris. However, diets including soybean and one of the fruits were not better than control diets consisting of soybean seeds with or without vitamin C. Therefore, apple and sweet persimmon are not essential food sources for the development and the reproduction of R. pedestris. These results suggest that R. pedestris may not reproduce on the fruit trees, thus explain absence of either their eggs or their nymphs on the fruit trees in the fields.
Functional regulation of a specific tissue or organ is controlled by a number of ways, including local cell‐gcell interaction. Of several forms of cell‐gcell junctional complexes, gap junctions are caught a great attention due to a formation of direct linkage between neighboring cells. Gap junctions are consisted of connexin (Cx) isoforms. In the present study, we evaluated expressional profiling of Cx isoforms in the rat initial segment (IS) of the male reproductive tract at different postnatal ages. The presence and expression of 13 Cx isoform mRNAs were determined by semi‐gquantitative real‐gtime PCR analyses. A total of 8 Cx isoform mRNAs were detected in the IS of the male rats during postnatal development. The highest level of Cx30.3 mRNA was found at 5 months of age, while abundance of Cx31 mRNA was the highest at 1 year of age. Expression of Cx31.1 gene was relatively consistent during the postnatal development. Fluctuation of Cx32 and 37 gene expression was observed during the postnatal period. Significant elevation of Cx40 mRNA abundance was detected at 25 days of age and older ages. Expression patterns of Cx43 and 45 genes were similar with the highest level at 2 weeks of age, followed by gradual decreases at older ages. These results indicate differential regulation on expression of Cx isoforms in the rat IS during postnatal development. A complicated regulation of gene expression of Cx isoforms in the IS at different postnatal ages is suggested.
The aims of these study were to diagnose early pregnancy and reproductive disorders by using progesterone concentration and ultrasonography. The measurement of blood progesterone (P) concentration was conducted to diagnose pregnancy and to detect corpus luteum (CL) or evaluate disorder of CLs. As a result, the incidence rates of reproductive disorders were as follows : SH and EED (41.9%), inacitve ovaries (32.6%), follicullar cyst (9.3%), PCL (7.0%), endometritis (4.7%), pyometra (2.3%) and luteal cyst (2.3%). 61 Cows having Pconcentration 1.0 ng/ml(at the insemination) were increased to 1.0 ng/ml 6day after insemination. 50 cows among 61 cows were diagnosed pregnant. 8 cows among 13 HanWoos having Pconcentration 1.0 ng/ml at the insemination and 1.0 ng/mnl 6 day after insemination had non-ovulatory estrus and the others had Pconcentration 1.0 ng/ml at the insemination and 1.0 ng/ml 6 day after insemination, which was the error of estrus detection. All 13 cows were diagnosed non-pregnant. 47 cows diagnosed pregnant after insemination of Pconcentration 3.0 ng/ml were examined by ultrasonography at 30 day post-insemination. As a result, 41 cows were diagnosed pregnant (87.2%) but 14 cows having Pconcentration 3.0 ng/ml at 21 day after insemination was diagnosed to non-pregnancy. Calving intervals by surveying 100 cows were as follows 11~12 months (20%), 12~13 months (36%), 13~14 months (19%), 14 months (25%), respectively. In conclusion, hormone and ultrasonography help to detect reproductive disorders exactly and diagnose early pregnancy. This study suggest that diagnosis of early pregnancy and reproductive disorder by blood Pconcentration and ultrasonography improve reproduction management of HanWoo.
The purpose of this study was to develop a breeding technique to increase Hanwoo of superior characteristics. In the present study, reproductive status of Hanwoo such as size of farm, breeding system and gestationi length was investigated. In addition, effect of low dose administration of prostaglandin F2(PGF2) on luteolysis was examined. The size of farm was classified by the total number of cows and the number of breeding stocks, respectively. The distribution of herd size of < 5, 6~10, 11~30, 31~50 and > heads was 31%, 15%, 39%, 4% and 11%, respectively. Furthermore, the distribution of breeding stock size of <5, 6~10, 11~30, 31~50 and > 50 heads was 36%, 28%, 31%, 3% and 3%, respectively. Average parity was 2.1 in breeding stock. In breeding pattern, artificial in semination(A.I), estrus synchronization-A.I and natural mating was 92.7%, 2.4% and 4.9% respectively. Gestational length of Hanwoo was ranged 253~316 days (average length : 285 days) after estrus( estrus=0). To induce luteolysis, PGF2 was injected into ovarian parenchyma by a modified ovarian injector. The effect of administration of 6mg PGF2 on luteolysis and estrus induction was betweer (P<0.01) when PGF2 was administered into ovarian parechyma than when administered intramuscluarly (71 vs. 91%). When PGF2 was injected into ovarian parenchyma, a decreased concentration to 3 mg did not significantly decreaed its luteolytic effect(92%). When AI was performed following PGF2 treatment, the intraovarian injection group yielded a higher pregnancy rate(69 vs. 88%) than the IM injection groups, regardless of the dosage. In conclusion these results suggest that increasing herd size and regular reproductive management are needed to improve reproductive efficiency in Hanwoo industry. Furthermore, intraovarian administration of PGF2 is effective way to induce luteolysis compared with intramuscular injection.
담팔수(Elaeocarpus sylvestris va. ellipticus Hara)를 기주로 하여 담팔수깍지벌레(Protopulvinaria mangiferae (Green))의 발육속도 및 증식능력을 조사하였다. 본 깍지벌레의 1령약충기부터 산란전성충기까지 발육소요일수는 온도가 상승할수록 짧았으며, 발육한계온도는 11.7, 유효적산온도는 1000.0일도 이었다. , 항온, 60-70% RH조건하에서 부화율은 각 온도구 모두 99% 이상으로 높았다. 산란전성층까지의 생존율은 에서 82%, 에서 60%이었으며, 1령약충(neonate crawler)기의 사망률이 가장 높았다. 성충체로부터 1령약충의 이탈기간은 에서 50일 에서 33일간 이었으며, 이 기간 중 총이탈약충수의 50%이상이 분산기간 초기에 발생되었다. 발육기간 및 영별생존율 및 출생수를 이용하여 산출한 순번식율(), 평균세대기(T) 및 내적자연증가율은()은 에서 각 132.6, 76.2, 0.064/암컷/일로 구 보다 높았다.
Rice is an important model species and one of the most staple crops of the world. The use of rice appropriate promoters suitable for a specific target transgene is important for the control of spatial and temporal transgene expression. To isolate rice tissue-specific promoters, we exploited the potential of whole genome microarrays in 17 stages: callus, germinating seed, leaf, root, the size of the panicles before heading (1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 15, 20, and 22 cm), and the number of days after pollination (1, 3, 5, 11, 21 DAP) using a 300 K Rice Genome Microarray, covering 31,439 genes of the rice. Eight candidate genes for tissue-specific expression were selected in various organs and stage of reproductive development in rice: Histone H4 for constitutive expression, Dehydrin DHN1 for callus-specific expression, germinating seed-specific hypothetical protein, root-specific hypothetical protein, DNA topoisomerase and Retinoblastoma for expression at panicles before heading, heading-specific profiling, and invertase for expression at seed after pollination. Promoter regions of the selected genes were isolated and fused to the β-glucoronidase (GUS) reporter gene, and the constructs were introduced into rice plants. These promoters are highly active in the tissue-specific manner of rice and can be useful for the spatial and temporal enhancement of target gene(s).
Gonadal development and reproductive cycle of Aplysia kurodai inhabiting the coastal waters of Jeju Island, Korea were investigated based on monthly changes of gonadosomatic index, gametogenesis, and developmental phases of ovotestis. A. kurodai was simultaneous hermaphrodite; the ovotestis generally embedded in the posterior dorsal surface of the brownish digestive gland. The ovotestis is composed of a large number of follicles, and both oocytes and sperm are produced in the same follicles. In the sampling periods, the adult A. kurodai population have characteristic of seasonal pattern present during only 10 months. The reproductive cycle can be grouped into the following successive stages in the ovary: inactive (December to February), active (December to April), mature and spawning (April to September). The gonadal development of A. kurodai coincided with rising temperature, and spawning occurred from April to September, when the temperature was high. The histological observations of the ovotestis suggested that this species have a single spawning season that extend over six months.
제주도 옹포와 법환 연안에 서식하는 분홍성게의 생식소 발달과 생식주기를 조사하기 위하여 1994년 12월부터 1995년 12월까지 채집된 개체를 대상으로 생식소중량지수(GSI)의 월별 변화, 월별 생식소 발달 단계를 조사하였다. 옹포와 법환 지역에 서식하는 분홍성게의 생식소중량지수의 월별 변화는 유사하였다. 암컷은 옹포와 법환 모두 12월에 각각 17.8± 4.04, 13.8±1.51로 최고값을 보였고, 수컷도 옹포와 법환 모두 12월에 각각 15.4±1.53, 13.6±1.32로 최고값을 나타냈다. 주 산란은 옹포와 법환 수온과 일장 주기가 감소하는 11월~2월에 일어났다. 생식소의 조직학적 관찰 결과, 제주도 옹포와 법환 연안에 서식하는 분홍성게의 암ㆍ수 배우자세포 발달 양상은 동시 발달형이고, 년 1회의 산란시기를 갖은 것으로 생각된다.