• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.865-871
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• 2006

Signs of dental discolouration, difficulty in mastication, bony exostosis and debility were observed in cattle from Qingtongxia Ningxia, China where fluoride concentration in drinking water, soil, fodder, serum, bone, teeth, haircoat and urine were significantly higher than the corresponding health site. The problem of fluorosis in beef cattle is attributable to water containing toxic levels of fluoride. The objective of this paper was therefore to evaluate the influence of fluoride on erythrocyte parameters in cattle under high fluoride and low selenium conditions, as well as the protective efficacy of selenium exposure in feedstuff for bovine endemic fluorosis. Sixteen 6 to 7 year-old high fluoride beef cattle were randomly allotted into two groups each with eight cows: high fluoride control group, and supplemented with 0.25 mg/kg selenium per day for 83 days respectively. In addition, eight 6 to 7 year-old normal control beef cattle were selected from a non-high fluoride site. Blood samples were collected on day 0, 30 and 83 for erythrocyte parameters analysis and scanning electronic microscopy. The results indicated that erythrocytes, hemoglobin, packed cell volume values and $Na^+-K^+$ ATPase activity from affected cattle on the high fluoride site were significantly reduced during the period as compared with the corresponding samples of normal control cattle, a great number of echinocytes were present in peripheral blood, and subsequent anaemia. However, affected cattle exposed to selenium revealed increasable erythrocyte parameters, the extent of elevation in these values being dependent on the duration of supplementation with selenium. These findings suggest that fluoride exposure can cause erythrocyte damage, whereas selenium supplementation can antagonize fluoride-induced generation of free radicals and cumulative effects of lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes. Selenium supplementation may help to alleviate the possible hazards associated with bovine endemic fluorosis.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.293-305
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• 2020

The difference in the breeding programs and population history may have diversely shaped the genomes of Korean native cattle breeds. In the absence of phenotypic data, comparisons of breeds that have been subjected to different selective pressures can aid to identify genomic regions and genes controlling qualitative and complex traits. In this study to decipher genetic variation and identify evidence of divergent selection, 3 Korean cattle breeds were genotyped using the recently developed high-density GeneSeek Genomic Profiler F250 (GGP-F250) array. The three Korean cattle breeds clustered according to their coat color phenotypes and breeding programs. The Heugu breed reliably showed smaller effective population size at all generations considered. Across the autosomal chromosomes, 113 and 83 annotated genes were identified from Hanwoo-Chikso and Hanwoo-Heugu comparisons, respectively of which 16 genes were shared between the two pairwise comparisons. The most important signals of selection were detected on bovine chromosomes 14 (24.39-25.13 Mb) and 18 (13.34-15.07 Mb), containing genes related to body size, and coat color (XKR4, LYN, PLAG1, SDR16C5, TMEM68, CDH15, MC1R, and GALNS). Some of the candidate genes are also associated with meat quality traits (ACSF3, EIF2B1, BANP, APCDD1, and GALM) and harbor quantitative trait locus (QTL) for beef production traits. Further functional analysis revealed that the candidate genes (DBI, ACSF3, HINT2, GBA2, AGPAT5, SCAP, ELP6, APOB, and RBL1) were involved in gene ontology (GO) terms relevant to meat quality including fatty acid oxidation, biosynthesis, and lipid storage. Candidate genes previously known to affect beef production and quality traits could be used in the beef cattle selection strategies.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.914-921
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• 2021

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality in young bulls, steers and heifers produced by crossing Limousin bulls with Holstein-Friesian cows, fattened semi-intensively and slaughtered at 18 months of age. Methods: Thirty-one young calves were reared in a conventional production system, and were fed milk replacer, hay and concentrate. At 6 months of age, the animals were divided into groups based on gender, and were fed a total mixed ration composed of grass silage, concentrates I and II in a semi-intensive production system. At the end of the fattening period (18 months), the animals were slaughtered, carcass quality was evaluated, and samples of musculus longissimus thoracis were collected to determine the proximate composition and quality of meat. Results: Bulls were characterized by the highest percentage share of the most valuable cuts in the carcass, and three-rib sections from bull carcasses had the highest lean meat content with low intramuscular fat content (0.93%). No significant differences in carcass conformation, dressing percentage or the percentage share of round in the right half-carcass were found between bulls vs. steers and heifers. Heifers and steers had higher carcass fat content than bulls, which had a positive influence on the sensory properties of beef. In comparison with the meat of bulls, the meat of steers and heifers was characterized by more desirable physical properties and sensory attributes (water-holding capacity, shear force, color lightness, aroma, juiciness, tenderness, flavor). Conclusion: Under the semi-intensive production system, heifers and steers had higher carcass fat content than bulls, which had a positive effect on the sensory properties of beef. Bulls are better suited for intensive systems, which contribute to improving the quality of their meat. The results of this study may encourage producers to breed steers and heifers for beef.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.810-814
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• 1999

The influence of dietary vitamin E supplementation on meat color and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol concentrations in plasma, longissimus thoracis muscle and subcutaneous fat was investigated. Ten Japanese $Black{\times}Holstein$ crossbred steers were placed in three experimental groups receiving different supplements of vitamin E. Four steers (control) were fed no supplemental vitamin E. Two groups of three steers each, were supplemented with 500 mg dl-${\alpha}$-tocopherol acetate per animal daily for 175 days and 1,000 mg for 100 days, respectively, before slaughter. The ${\alpha}$-tocopherol concentration in plasma increased, as vitamin E were fed, and were related to the length of time and the amount of supplement. The ${\alpha}$-tocopherol concentrations in the muscle and the fat from the two supplemental groups did not differ significantly and were three or more times greater than those in the control group. Vitamin E supplementation did not affect the quantity of marbling of beef. Supplemental vitamin E stabilized the color of displayed beef around wavelengths of 500 nm and 640 nm. The two methods of vitamin E supplementation had similar effects on meat color. The effect of supplemental vitamin E on the color of beef with marbling was observed 2-3 days after slaughter and was followed for another two weeks.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2013

To know the emission amount of greenhouse gases from bedding materials of cowshed floor, the emission rates of methane ($CH_4$) and nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) gases from a simulated cowshed floor (SCF) with sawdust that manure loading rate into the bedding material could be accurately controlled were assessed in this study. The manure loading rates of Korean beef and Holstein dairy cattle into the SCF of $0.258m^2$ surface area with 10 to 15 cm height sawdust were $1.586kg/m^2/d$ and $3.588kg/m^2/d$, respectively, and those were calculated on the basis of "Standard model for sustainable livestock" and "Data for excretion amount of manure from livestock". All experiments were done in triplicates in three different seasons (May to July, Sep. to Nov., and Feb. to Apr.) using 12 SCFs. The effects of bedding material thickness on $CH_4$ and $N_2O$ emission from SCFs for both Korean beef cattle and Holstein dairy cattle were not statistically significant (p<0.05). Emission amount of $CH_4$ and $N_2O$ per square meter of SCF for Holstein dairy cattle was 7.5 and 1.2 times higher than that of Korean beef cattle, respectively. The yearly $CH_4$ amount per head was 17.7 times higher in Holstein dairy cattle, obtaining 130.4 g/head/year from SCF for Holstein dairy cattle and 7.4 g/head/year from SCF for Korean beef cattle, and $N_2O$ was also 3.8 times higher in Holstein dairy cattle (3,267 g/head/year in Korean beef cattle and 14,719 g/head/year in Holstein dairy cattle). However, the $N_2O$-N per loaded nitrogen into SCF was higher in Korean beef cattle, having 0.2148 and 0.1632 kg $N_2O$-N/kg N in Korean beef cattle and Holstein dairy cattle, respectively, and those values were 3.07 and 2.33 times higher than that of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2006 guideline (GL) (0.07 kg $N_2O$-N/kg N).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.548-555
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• 2019

Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different feeding levels of a total mixed ration silage-based diet on feed intake, total tract digestion, enteric methane emissions, and energy partitioning in two beef cattle genotypes. Methods: Six mature bulls (three Thai natives, and three Thai natives - Charolais crossbreeds) were assigned in a replicated $3{\times}3$ Latin square design, with cattle breed genotype in separate squares, three periods of 21 days, and three energy feeding above maintenance levels (1.1, 1.5, and 2.0 MEm, where MEm is metabolizable energy requirement for maintenance). Bulls were placed in a metabolic cage equipped with a ventilated head box respiration system to evaluate digestibility, record respiration gases, and determine energy balance. Results: Increasing the feeding level had no significant effect on digestibility but drastically reduced the enteric methane emission rate (p<0.05). Increasing the feeding level also significantly increased the energy retention and utilization efficiency (p<0.01). The Thai native cattle had greater enteric methane emission rate, digestibility, and energy utilization efficiency than the Charolais crossbred cattle (p<0.05). The daily metabolizable energy requirement for maintenance in Thai native cattle ($388kJ/kg\;BW^{0.75}$, where $BW^{0.75}$ is metabolic body weight) was 15% less than that in Charolais crossbred cattle ($444kJ/kg\;BW^{0.75}$). Conclusion: Our results suggested that the greater feeding level in zebu beef cattle fed above maintenance levels resulted in improved energy retention and utilization efficiency because of the reduction in enteric methane energy loss. The results also indicated higher efficiency of metabolisable energy utilization for growth and a lower energy requirement for maintenance in Bos indicus than in Bos taurus.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.1635-1648
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• 2022

Thermal stress due to extreme changes in the thermal environment is a critical issue in cattle production. Many previous findings have shown a decrease in feed intake, milk yield, growth rate, and reproductive efficiency of cattle when subjected to thermal stress. Therefore, selecting thermo-tolerant animals is the primary goal of the efficiency of breeding programs to reduce those adverse impacts. The recent advances in molecular genetics have provided significant breeding advantages that allow the identification of molecular markers in both beef and dairy cattle breeding, including marker-assisted selection (MAS) as a tool in selecting superior thermo-tolerant animals. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which can be detected by DNA sequencing, are desirable DNA markers for MAS due to their abundance in the genome's coding and non-coding regions. Many SNPs in some genes (e.g., HSP70, HSP90, HSF1, EIF2AK4, HSBP1, HSPB8, HSPB7, MYO1A, and ATP1A1) in various breeds of cattle have been analyzed to play key roles in many cellular activities during thermal stress and protecting cells against stress, making them potential candidate genes for molecular markers of thermotolerance. This review highlights the associations of SNPs within these genes with thermotolerance traits (e.g., blood biochemistry and physiological responses) and suggests their potential use as MAS in thermotolerant cattle breeding.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.203-209
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• 2005

Real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is currently considered as the most sensitive method to detect low abundant DNAs in samples. Compared to conventional PCR, real-time PCR has a high reliability because of excluding false-positive results and can allow a simultaneous faster detection and quantification of target DNAs. This study was carried out to identify the Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) beef by genotyping after DNA extraction of commercial beef in 41 restaurants. Since Hanwoo, Holstein and imported cattle meat have different patterns in the MC1R gene associated with the coat colors of cattles (C-type, C/T-type or T-type), we could identify the genotype using real-time PCR The result of real-time PCR assay for beef samples in 41 restaurants which are asserted to sell Hanwoo beef only, showed that 29 of 41 samples were Hanwoo beef gene type (T-type) and 12 of 41 samples were Holstein or imported cattle gene type (C-type or C/T-type). Therefore, the proportion of Han-woo beef was $70.7\%$ and the proportion of Holstein or imported cattle meat was $29.3\%(C/T-type; 12.2\%,\;C-type; 17.1\%)$.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.365-371
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• 2001

The effects of light exposure and light intensity on surface color of Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) beef and color stability of fresh normal and DFD (dark, firm, dry) muscles during 7 days at $4{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ under three display conditions (Dark, Light1000 and Light3000) were investigated. The $L^*$, $a^*$, $b^*$, $C^*$ values and R630-R580 were significantly (p<0.05) higher in normal beef than in DFD beef. The $a^*$, $b^*$, $c^*$ values and R630-R580 of normal beef increased during the first day of display except Light3000 group, then gradually decreased over time. The surfaces of Hanwoo beef accumulated more metmyoglobin in the light than in the dark. Also, the rate of decrease in redness during refrigerated storage was enhanced by light exposure and increase in light intensity. Discolorations were more rapid in DFD beef than normal beef. Increasing light intensity promoted not only discoloration but also lipid oxidation. Therefore storage in the dark is effective in retarding the formation of a brown color in Hanwoo beef.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.123-130
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• 2024

Objective: Beef of Jeju black cattle (JBC) is considered as a healthy meat type due to its significantly higher unsaturated fatty acids (UFA). Lipid (e.g., UFA) is highly susceptible to oxidizing agents, which results in the quality deterioration and economic value loss of meat products. Therefore, development and application of novel preservative techniques is necessary to improve the shelf-life stability of high-UFA beef. The objective of this study was to assess the applicability of chitosan-based coatings in preservation of JBC beef. Methods: Different coating solutions: 2% chitosan alone, and 2% chitosan containing 0.1% or 0.3% gallic acid were prepared to investigate their applicability in preservation of fresh beef during storage. Jeju black cattle beef (2-cm thick steaks) were non-coated (control) or coated with the above coating solutions, placed on trays, over-wrapped with plastic film and stored at 4℃. The microbiological indices, color, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) and lipid oxidation of the beef were investigated after 1, 10, and 21 days of storage. Results: Coating with 2% chitosan alone reduced the spoilage bacteria count, TVBN and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels in the beef compared with control during storage (p<0.05). Noticeably, coating with 2% chitosan containing 0.1% or 0.3% gallic acid was more effective on retardation of spoilage bacteria growth, lipid oxidation and discoloration in the beef compared to the chitosan coating alone over the storage period (21 days) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Taken together, the combined chitosan and gallic acid coating could be used as a bio-preservative technique in the meat industry.