• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.449-459
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• 2020

Here, we investigated the effects of different nutrient requirements (NR) on blood metabolites, transferable embryo number after multiple superovulations with artificial insemination (AI), body condition score (BCS), and estrus cycle in Hanwoo cow. Nineteen Hanwoo cows were randomly divided into three groups (80%, 100%, and 120% NR, containing 6, 8, and 5 individuals, respectively) and fed based on the NR. In experiment 1, glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), albumin (ALB), and total protein (TP) were analyzed. In experiment 2, total number of recovered embryos and transferable embryos was examined after embryo recovery and multiple superovulations with AI. In experiment 3, body weight, BCS, and estrus cycle were examined. In experiment 1, total cholesterol was significantly different among the 80%, 100%, and 120% NR groups (126.5 ± 3.3, 152.6 ± 2.4, and 177.4 ± 1.8 mg/dL, respectively, p < 0.05). The triglyceride and BUN levels in the 120% NR group were significantly higher than those in the 80% and 100% groups (p < 0.05). The NEFA levels were significantly different among the 80%, 100%, and 120% NR groups (440.5 ± 18.2, 318.5 ± 23.1, and 195.1 ± 8.5 ЧEq/L, respectively, p < 0.05). The AST and TP levels in the 80% NR group were significantly lower than those in the 100% and 120% NR groups (p < 0.05). In experiment 2, the 120% NR group showed a higher percentage of transferable embryos than the 80% and 100% groups (p < 0.01). The mean body weight and BCS among the 80%, 100%, and 120% NR groups were significantly different (p < 0.05). The estrus cycle in the 80% NR group was delayed compared with the 100% and 120% NR groups (20.8 ± 0.2 and 21.2 ± 0.5 days, respectively). In conclusion, the blood metabolic tests proved that Hanwoo cows with 120% NR can produce a large number of transferable embryos. Thus, 120% NR is the appropriate feeding level for this type of cows as it results in the production of a large number of transferable embryos by multiple superovulations with AI.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.133-139
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between conception rate and other parameters (body condition score; BCS, progesterone concentrations and follicle size) before estrus induction with $PGF_2{\alpha}$. The conception rate in cows with (2.75, 2.75 to 3.25 and 3.25), BCS regardless of AI (artificial insemination) time was 47.5, 67.5% and 48.5% at $PGF_2{\alpha}$ injection, respectively. The conception rate regardless of BCS was 59.0% in cows inseminated based on detected estrus, and 46.2% in cows inseminated at 72 to 80 hours (timed artificial insemination, TAI) after $PGF_2{\alpha}$ injection. The conception rate regardless of AI time was 43.0% in cows with low progesterone concentrations (less than 1.0 ng/ml), and 67.5% in cows with high progesterone concentrations (more than 1.0 ng/ml) at $PGF_2{\alpha}$ injection. The conception rate regardless of progesterone concentrations was 59.9% in cows inseminated based on detected estrus, and 48.1% in cows of TAI after $PGF_2{\alpha}$ injection. The conception rate regardless of AI time was 36.0% in cows with small dominant follicles (less than 5 mm), 56.0% in cows between 5 mm to 10 mm of follicle size, and 65.5% in cows with large dominant follicles (more than 10 mm) at $PGF_2{\alpha}$ injection, respectively. The conception rate regardless of follicle size was 57.3% in cows inseminated based on detected estrus, and 47.6% in cows of TAI after $PGF_2{\alpha}$ injection. These results indicated that if the cows with BCS 2.75 to 3.25, active corpus luteum, and/or large dominant follicle (more than 10 mm) are used for estrus induction, the conception rate will be greater.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1417-1425
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• 2014

The selection of morphologically normal spermatozoa is critical to obtain high breeding performances in boar breeding farms and artificial insemination (AI) centers. Parameters for the selection of semen mainly include total sperm motility, concentration, and morphology. However, these primary parameters are often not reliable for discriminating between normal and abnormal, non-fertilizable spermatozoa. The present study was designed to compare the motion characteristics, fertilization ability using in vitro fertilization (IVF), and acrosome formation of the semen from boars having low (boar number 2012) and normal (boar number 2004 and 2023) breeding performances. The ultimate goal was to identify additional simple and easy criteria for the selection of normal sperm. There was no significant difference between boar 2004 and boar 2023 sperm total motility in computer assisted sperm analysis. However, boar number 2012 semen presented a significantly reduced population of rapid moving spermatozoa and an increased population of slow moving spermatozoa compared to boar numbers 2004 and 2023. Analysis of detailed motion characteristics revealed that sperm from boar number 2012 had significantly reduced motility in progressiveness, average path velocity, straight-line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straightness, and linearity. The assessment of the fertilizing ability by IVF also showed that sperm from boar number 2012 showed a fertility rate of 3.4%, whereas sperm from boar number 2023 had a fertility rate of 75.45%. Interestingly, most of the sperm nuclei were found on the peripheral area of the oocytes, suggesting that the sperm from boar number 2012 lacked penetration ability into the oocyte zonapellucida. The acrosome formation analysis using Pisum sativum agglutinin staining demonstrated that the sperm from boar number 2012 had a defect in acrosome formation. Consequently, primary parameters for selecting semen before AI such as motility are not sufficient to select normal and fertilizable spermatozoa. In conclusion, the present study suggests that the acrosome staining and detailed motion characteristics such as progressiveness, VCL, and VSL should be included in determining semen quality together with primary parameters for successful AI and high breeding performance in the swine industry.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.50-57
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• 2020

The objective of this research work was to know ovarian dynamics and pregnancy rate of cyclic Murrah buffalo cows with induced estrus by administration of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and timed artificial insemination (TAI) with frozen thawed semen. A total of 31 female buffaloes were selected for the study. The buffalos having matured CL observed by ultrasonography were given one intra muscular injection of cloprostenol 500 ㎍ and TAI was performed using frozen thawed semen of Indian Murrah buffalo bull. Results showed that 90.32% (significantly, at p < 0.05) cows explore the sign of heat after injection of PG and 67.85% (significantly, at p < 0.05) cows were become pregnant out of 28 inseminated (TAI) cows. In the 28 inseminated (TAI) cows, average number of smaller and larger size of follicles were non-significantly (p > 0.05) higher at day 3 post PG injection, but the medium size of follicles was nonsignificantly (p > 0.05) higher at PG injection. At day 3 post PG injection the diameter of follicles was significantly (p < 0.05) higher, but the diameter of CL was significantly (p < 0.01) lower compared at PG injection. At PG injection the diameter of largest follicle was non-significantly differences (p > 0.05) in between pregnant and non-pregnant cows. But at day 3 post PG injection it was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in pregnant cows compared to non-pregnant cows. The number of small, medium, and large follicles at PG injection and at day 3 post PG injection were non-significantly (p > 0.05) difference in between pregnant and non-pregnant buffalo cows. Finally, it is concluded that the CL was effectively regresses and induced the sign of heat in buffalo cows and after AI the cows were become pregnant with significant rate. The study will help to the veterinarian and researcher to know the efficacy of PG injection and AI for reproductive efficiency in buffalo cows.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.81-85
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• 2012

This study investigated the effect of birth weight on the fertility of Holstein heifers. Growth parameter (body weight) was measured at birth. Calves were analyzed as three subgroups: low (L), average (A) and high (H) birth weight (BW) calves. LBW calves were born 10 kg lighter than HBW calves. Fertility data collected included age at first breeding (AFB), number of services per conception, pregnancy rate to first artificial insemination (AI), and age at first calving (AFC). Primiparous calves in HBW are smaller compared to multiparous cows (18.3% versus 48%). Although not significantly different, LBW offspring appeared to breed faster over the service period compared with the ABW offspring that bred three weeks later on the average. The mean pregnancy rate to first AI for LBW heifers was higher (60%) than ABW (48%) and HBW (45%). HBW cows required more services per conception (2.1) than the LBW (1.7) and ABW (1.9). There were significant differences (p<0.05) in age at first calving among the different calving birth weights. Smaller birth size did not have any subsequent adverse effects on fertility. HBW offspring were more likely or tend to have worse fertility parameters.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.113-119
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• 2010

Brucellosis is a major zoonosis caused by Gram negative facultative intracellular bacterial organisms of the genus Brucella that are pathogenic for a wide variety of animals and human beings. Because of its economic impact on animal health and the risk to the human population,most countries have a brucellosis control program. Brucellosis is also an economically important andprevalent disease in Bangladesh. The accurate and prompt diagnosis is very important in controlling and eradicating of the disease in animals. The present study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis in cattle in Mymensingh and Patuakhali district of Bangladesh. A total of 120 serum samples were collected from the two districts along with a questionnaire related to the epidemiology of the disease. The sampleswere screened by using slow agglutination test and conformed by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The overall seroprevalence of brucellosis in cattle was 5% and it was observed that, a higher prevalence of Brucella was found in female than male, through natural breeding than artificial insemination (AI) and animal above 4 years old are highly susceptible than younger ones. Higher prevalence was found in aborted animals in comparison with non aborted animal. Finally, the study revealed that the female animal has more susceptible to brucellosis and healthy semen should be used for AI.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.131-135
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• 1991

The purpose of this study was designed to compare the storage stage of spermatozoa in the utero-vaginal (U-V) glands and the infundibular glands of high-fecundity hens. These laying hens were assigned to four groups by date intervals after last artificial inseminations. The U-V glands and the infundibular glands in the tissue preparation of the each hen uterus were observed microscopically, and also the appearance rates of spermatozoa-contained U-V glands were compared with those of the infundibular glands. 1. The appearance rates of spermatozoa-contained U-V glands were found to be 27.8, 28.8, 19.9 and 11.1% respectively at the hen groups of 1, 3, 7 and 10 days after artificial insemination. 2. The appearance rates of spermatozoa-contained infundibular glands were found to be 0.5, 1. 1, 0.6 and 0.4% of 1, 3, 7 and 10 days after AI and number of spermatozoa contained in a infundibular glands tended predominantly to be 1 to 2. So this study concluded as follows: The appearance rates of spermatozoa-contained glands were found to be higher in the U-V glands than in the infundibular glands and also spermatozoa number per gland were more numerous in U-V glands than in infundibular glands.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.397-401
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• 2010

This study was to evaluate the usefulness of a programmed reproductive management including Presynch-Ovsynch-Resynch protocol in lactating dairy cows. Nine hundred and thirty four cows calved during February to May 2008 were used for this study. Cows received im injections of 25 mg $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ at $45{\pm}3$ and $59{\pm}3$ days in milk (DIM). Fourteen days later, Ovsynch was initiated with an im injection of $100\;{\mu}g$ GnRH ($73{\pm}3$ DIM), 25 mg $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ 7 days later ($80{\pm}3$ DIM), $100\;{\mu}g$ GnRH 56 h later and timed artificial insemination (TAI) 16 h after the GnRH injection. Cows showed estrus during the Presynch-Ovsynch, were inseminated artificially according to am-pm rule. Pregnancy was determined on 32 days after AI using ultrasonography. Cows diagnosed pregnant were re-examined for pregnancy by rectal palpation at 60 days after AI. Non-pregnant cows were resynchronized by receiving $100\;{\mu}g$ GnRH, 25 mg $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ 7 days later, $100\;{\mu}g$ GnRH 56 h later and TAI 16 h after. Cows with estrus since the first AI before the completion of Resynch protocol were also inseminated artificially according to am-pm rule. Pregnancy was determined by the same manner as following the first AI. Fifty five percents of the cows treated showed estrus and received AI before completion of the Presynch-Ovsynch protocol, while 45% received TAI, regardless of estrus exhibition following the completion of the protocol. The pregnancy rate following the first AI was higher in cows that showed estrus and received AI (43.3 and 38.5%) during the Presynch-Ovsynch than cows with TAI (34.6 and 29.6%) on 32 and 60 days after AI (P < 0.01). Sixty six percents of cows diagnosed non-pregnant following the first AI showed estrus before the completion of Resynch protocol and received AI, while 34% received TAI, regardless of estrus exhibition following the completion of the protocol. The pregnancy rate following the second AI was higher in cows that showed estrus before the completion of Resynch protocol and received AI (40.2 and 36.8%) than cows with TAI (21.2 and 18.2%) on 32 and 60 days after AI (P < 0.01). The cumulative pregnancy rates following the first and second AIs were 60.8 and 53.9% on 32 and 60 days after AI, respectively. These data suggest that inclusion of Presynch-Ovsynch-Resynch protocol and estrus detection into the programmed reproductive management might be an alternative option to control dairy cattle breeding.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.383-391
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• 2000

Milk urea nitrogen (MUN) determination is being used an indicator of the protein-energy balance in dairy herds. A faulty balance can be corrected to optimize milk production and animal health. This parameter is regarded as a potential tool to evaluate suboptimal feeding practices and reproductive disorders. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the response of milk composition by regular feeding analysis and to compared the relationship between MUN and milk protein(MP) and fertility at the insemination period in Holstein dairy cows. Total of 355 artificial insemination (AI) for 150 Holstein cows in the herd were used to examine the relationship between MUN and MP content and conception rate. The AI occured for the cows 50 to 150 day in milk, and MUN and MP concentration were determined using automated infrared procedures. The mean${\pm}$standard deviation of MUN and MP concentration in the herd were $15.6{\pm}2.1mg/dl$ and $3.23{\pm}0.38%$, respectively. MUN contents of bulk milk were increase by elevated crude protein intake. The conception rate was lower in the cows in which the level of MUN was lower than > 8.0mg/dl (10.0%) or > higher than 25mg/dl (15.4%) relative to the cows in MUN content of 12.0~17.9 mg/dl (36.7%) at the time of insemination. Also, lower MP than 3.0% or higher MP than 3.25% were associated with a lower conception rates. Consequently, MUN and MP analyses may be used serve as a monitoring tool of protein and energy nutritional balance to improve reproduction efficiency in Holstein dairy cows.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.657-665
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• 2020

The objective of this study was to investigate whether supplementation of pentoxifylline (PTX; phosphodiesterase inhibitor) to thawed boar semen improves the post-thaw motility of sperm and affects the efficiency of artificial insemination (AI) and further development. To determine the concentration of PTX for AI, frozen-thawed semen was incubated with 0, 5, 10, and 20 mM PTX in an extender freezing medium, respectively, after thawing. Kinematic properties of sperm were examined with a computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) system. In addition, viability and mitochondrial activity were also tested by LIVE/DEAD and a MitoTracker kit. There were no significant differences in the kinetic parameters of thawed sperm between control and treatment groups, but overall assessment parameters such as motility and rapid progressive were higher in the 10 mM PTX group. In the viability and mitochondrial assay, there were no significant differences observed in the PTX treatment, compared to the control. For further analysis, artificial inseminations were performed using frozen semen and 10 mM PTX treated cryopreserved semen, respectively. There were no differences in pregnancy rates and fetus weights among the groups until 30 and 40 days, but litter size was reduced and relatively low-birth weight was observed in the PTX group. In summary, our findings suggest that enhancement of in vitro sperm quality or non-toxicity supplemented by PTX may have detrimental effects on fetus development.