• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.251-255
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• 2008

The aim of the present recent study was to compare the protein patterns in the vaginal mucus of Hanwoo cattles during spontaneous and CIDR induced-estrus. Ten cattles, who had been observed in estrus, received no treatment and served as the group of cattles with normal spontaneous estrus. Thirteen cattles in the CIDR received an CIDR insert on day 14 were removed and cattles were injected GnRH on day 15. Vaginal mucus samples were collected from all cattles at the same time the single AI in cattles with spontaneous estrus and the AI in cattles with induced estrus. Spontaneous and CIDR-induced estrus vaginal mucus samples were analyzed on two different array surfaces: cation-exchange (CM10), anion-exchange (Q10). In addition, using the NaCl solution by which the proteins combined after washing are 0.5, 1 and 2 M, it was fractionated and a protein was collected successively. The results are summarized as follows: 1) Ionic surfaces chemistries (Q10 and CM10) gave the best results in terms of detectable protein peaks, with more than 100 protein peaks in the two fractions and under each condition. 2) Protein mass spectrometer using 11 different proteins in protein identification of 7 were able to determine the protein. List of identified proteins as follows; Ribosome-binding protein 1, GRIP 1-associated protein 1, Katanin p60 ATPase-containing subunit A-like 1, Protein FAM44A, DUF729 domain-containing protein 1, Prolactin precursor, Dihydrofolate erductase. Conclusively, on the basis of this study, protein expression in the vaginal mucus could be used as an indicator for time of estrus manifestation in order to increase conception rates by applying AI at an optional time.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1651-1659
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• 2011

This study was conducted to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) for thirteen growth and meat quality traits in pigs by combing QTL experimental populations. Two F2 reference populations that were sired by Korea native pig (KNP) and dammed by Landrace (LN) or Yorkshire (YK) were generated to construct linkage maps using 123 genetic markers (mostly microsatellites) and to perform QTL analysis on porcine chromosomes (SSCs) 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, and 15. A set of line-cross models was applied to detect QTL, and a series of lack-of-fit tests between the models was used to characterize inheritance mode of QTL. A total of 23, 11 and 19 QTL were detected at 5% chromosome-wise level for the data sets of KNP${\times}$LN, KNP${\times}$YK cross and joint sets of the two cross populations, respectively. With the joint data, two Mendelian expressed QTL for live weight and cooking loss were detected on SSC3 and SSC15 at 1% chromosome-wise level, respectively. Another Mendelian expressed QTL was detected for CIE a on SSC7 at 5% genome-wise level. Our results suggest that QTL analysis by combining data from two QTL populations increase power for QTL detection, which could provide more accurate genetic information in subsequent marker-assisted selection.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1674-1680
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to detect significant SNPs for blood components that were related to immunity using high single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) density panels in a Korean native pig (KNP)${\times}$Yorkshire (YK) cross population. A reciprocal design of KNP${\times}$YK produced 249 $F_2$ individuals that were genotyped for a total of 46,865 available SNPs in the Illumina porcine 60K beadchip. To perform whole genome association analysis (WGA), phenotypes were regressed on each SNP under a simple linear regression model after adjustment for sex and slaughter age. To set up a significance threshold, 0.1% point-wise p value from F distribution was used for each SNP test. Among the significant SNPs for a trait, the best set of SNP markers were determined using a stepwise regression procedure with the rates of inclusion and exclusion of each SNP out of the model at 0.001 level. A total of 54 SNPs were detected; 10, 6, 4, 4, 5, 4, 5, 10, and 6 SNPs for neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil, basophil, atypical lymph, immuno-globulin, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor-I, respectively. Each set of significant SNPs per trait explained 24 to 42% of phenotypic variance. Several pleiotropic SNPs were detected on SSCs 4, 13, 14 and 15.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1135-1155
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• 2007

Selenium is considered to be one of the most controversial trace elements. On the one hand, it is toxic at high doses and there is a great body of information related to environmental issues of Se contamination. On the other hand, Se deficiency is a global problem related to an increased susceptibility to various diseases of animals and humans and decreased productive and reproductive performance of farm animals. Optimisation of Se nutrition of poultry and farm animals will result in increased efficiency of egg, meat and milk production and even more important, will improve quality. From the data presented in the review it is clear that the main lesson which we have to learn from nature is how to use organic selenium in animal and human diets. Selenium-enriched yeast (Sel-Plex) is the result of such a lesson and it is just a matter of time before animal nutrition moves completely from using ineffective sodium selenite to organic selenium. Other lessons from nature will follow. Recent advances in genomics and proteomics, in association with descriptions of new selenoproteins, will be a driving force in reconsidering old approaches related to Se nutrition. Probably 90% of all Se research has been conducted with sodium selenite and we now understand that the natural form of selenium is different. The main advances in Se status assessment and Se requirements were established based on the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), an enzyme which for many years was considered to be the main selenoprotein. Recently it was discovered that it is only one of at least 25 various selenoproteins. Se research and practical applications are developing quickly and they are very exciting and promising.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2012

Reproduction in ruminant species is a highly complex biological process requiring a dialogue between the developing conceptus (embryo-fetus and associated placental membranes) and maternal uterus which must be established during the peri-implantation period for pregnancy recognition signaling and regulation of gene expression by uterine epithelial and stromal cells. The uterus provide a microenvironment in which molecules secreted by uterine epithelia and transported into the uterine lumen represent histotroph, also known as the secretome, that are required for growth and development of the conceptus and receptivity of the uterus to implantation by the elongating conceptus. Pregnancy recognition signaling as related to sustaining the functional lifespan of the corpora lutea, is required to sustain the functional life-span of corpora lutea for production of progesterone which is essential for uterine functions supportive of implantation and placentation required for successful outcomes of pregnancy. It is within the peri-implantation period that most embryonic deaths occur in ruminants due to deficiencies attributed to uterine functions or failure of the conceptus to develop appropriately, signal pregnancy recognition and/or undergo implantation and placentation. The endocrine status of the pregnant ruminant and her nutritional status are critical for successful establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. The challenge is to understand the complexity of key mechanisms that are characteristic of successful reproduction in humans and animals and to use that knowledge to enhance fertility and reproductive health of ruminant species in livestock enterprises.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.162-172
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• 2011

In this paper, simulation was used to determine accuracies of genomic breeding values for polygenic traits associated with many thousands of markers obtained from high density genome scans. The statistical approach was based upon stochastically simulating a pedigree with a specified base population and a specified set of population parameters including the effective and noneffective marker distances and generation time. For this population, marker and quantitative trait locus (QTL) genotypes were generated using either a single linkage group or multiple linkage group model. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was simulated for an entire bovine genome (except for the sex chromosome, n = 29) including linkage and recombination. Individuals drawn from the simulated population with specified marker and QTL genotypes were randomly mated to establish appropriate levels of linkage disequilibrium for ten generations. Phenotype and genomic SNP data sets were obtained from individuals starting after two generations. Genetic prediction was accomplished by statistically modeling the genomic relationship matrix and standard BLUP methods. The effect of the number of linkage groups was also investigated to determine its influence on the accuracy of breeding values for genomic selection. When using high density scan data (0.08 cM marker distance), accuracies of breeding values on juveniles were obtained of 0.60 and 0.82, for a low heritable trait (0.10) and high heritable trait (0.50), respectively, in the single linkage group model. Estimates of 0.38 and 0.60 were obtained for the same cases in the multiple linkage group models. Unexpectedly, use of BLUP regression methods across many chromosomes was found to give rise to reduced accuracy in breeding value determination. The reasons for this remain a target for further research, but the role of Mendelian sampling may play a fundamental role in producing this effect.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.466-471
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• 2008

Three isoforms of pig PDE4B were cloned and classified as two forms: PDE4B1 and PDE4B3, which contain UCR1 and UCR2; and PDE4B2, which contains only UCR2. The amino acid sequences of each isoform showed good conservation in human and rat. PDE4B2 is expressed in a wide range of tissues, but PDE4B1 and PDE4B3 are not. Using an informative SNP for the Iberian x Landrace intercross detected from intron 12, a linkage map was constructed. The location of PDE4B was estimated at 123.6 cM outside of the QTL-CI (124-128 cM) for IMF. However, the QTL-CI for IMF was reconfirmed with high significance, and its position was narrowed down to an interval of 4 cM (the region defined by markers PDE4B and SW1881). Using radiation hybrid mapping, LEPR, LEPROT, DNAJC6, AK3L1 and AK3L2 were selected as positional and/or functional candidates related to the QTL.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1852-1862
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate a single step genome-wide association study (ssGWAS) for identifying genomic regions affecting reproductive traits in Landrace and Large White pigs. Methods: The traits included the number of pigs weaned per sow per year (PWSY), the number of litters per sow per year (LSY), pigs weaned per litters (PWL), born alive per litters (BAL), non-productive day (NPD) and wean to conception interval per litters (W2CL). A total of 321 animals (140 Landrace and 181 Large White pigs) were genotyped with the Illumina Porcine SNP 60k BeadChip, containing 61,177 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), while multiple traits single-step genomic BLUP method was used to calculate variances of 5 SNP windows for 11,048 Landrace and 13,985 Large White data records. Results: The outcome of ssGWAS on the reproductive traits identified twenty-five and twenty-two SNPs associated with reproductive traits in Landrace and Large White, respectively. Three known genes were identified to be candidate genes in Landrace pigs including retinol binding protein 7, and ubiquitination factor E4B genes for PWL, BAL, W2CL, and PWSY and one gene, solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 6A1, for LSY and NPD. Meanwhile, five genes were identified to be candidate genes in Large White, two of which, aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A3 and leucine rich repeat kinase 1, associated with all of six reproduction traits and three genes; retrotransposon Gag like 4, transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily C member 5, and LHFPL tetraspan subfamily member 1 for five traits except W2CL. Conclusion: The genomic regions identified in this study provided a start-up point for marker assisted selection and estimating genomic breeding values for improving reproductive traits in commercial pig populations.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.751-758
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• 2021

Objective: The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationship between the mRNA expression of adipocyte type fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) and heart type FABP (H-FABP) in Thai native chicken crossbreeds and evaluate the level of exotic inclusion in native chicken that will improve growth while maintaining its relatively low carcass fat. Methods: The fat deposition traits and mRNA expression of A-FABP and H-FABP were evaluated at 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks of age in 4 chicken breeds (n = 8/breed/wk) (100% Chee breed [CH] [100% Thai native chicken background], CH male and broiler female [Kaimook e-san1; KM1] [50% CH background], broiler male and KM1 female [Kaimook e-san2; KM2] [25% CH background], and broiler [BR]) using abdominal fat (ABF) and muscular tissues. Results: The BR breed was only evaluated at 6 weeks of age. At week 6, the CH breed had a significantly lower A-FABP expression in ABF and intramuscular fat (IF) compared with the other breeds. At 8 to 12 weeks, the KM2 groups showed significant upregulation (p<0.05) of A-FABP in both ABF and IF compared to the CH and KM1 groups. The expression of H-FABP did not follow any consistent pattern in both ABF and IF across the different ages. Conclusion: Some level of crossbreeding CH chickens can be done to improve growth rate while maintaining their low ABF and IF. The expression level of A-FABP correlate with most fat traits. There was no consistency of H-FABP expression across breed. A-FABPs is involved in fat deposition, genetic markers in these genes could be used in marker assisted studies to select against excessive fat accumulation.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.19.1-19.15
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• 2022

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is an important food and feed crop which rich in mineral sources. The WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) gene family plays important roles in plant development and identification of putative gene families, their structure, and potential functions is a primary step for not only understanding the genetic mechanisms behind various biological process but also for genetic improvement. A variety of computational tools, including MAFFT, HMMER, hidden Markov models, Pfam, SMART, MEGA, ProtTest, BLASTn, and BRAD, among others, were used. We identified 34 MsWOX genes based on a systematic analysis of the alfalfa plant genome spread in eight chromosomes. This is an expansion of the gene family which we attribute to observed chromosomal duplications. Sequence alignment analysis revealed 61 conserved proteins containing a homeodomain. Phylogenetic study sung reveal five evolutionary clades with 15 motif distributions. Gene structure analysis reveals various exon, intron, and untranslated structures which are consistent in genes from similar clades. Functional analysis prediction of promoter regions reveals various transcription binding sites containing key growth, development, and stress-responsive transcription factor families such as MYB, ERF, AP2, and NAC which are spread across the genes. Most of the genes are predicted to be in the nucleus. Also, there are duplication events in some genes which explain the expansion of the family. The present research provides a clue on the potential roles of MsWOX family genes that will be useful for further understanding their functional roles in alfalfa plants.