• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.75-81
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• 2007

The object of this study was to determine the influence of supplementation of concentrate containing high levels of cassava chip on rumen ecology, microbial protein and digestibility of nutrients. Four, rumen fistulated crossbred beef steers with initial body weight of 400${\pm}$10 kg were randomly assigned according to a 4${\times}$4 Latin square design. The dietary treatments were concentrate cassava chip based offering at 0, 1, 2 and 3% BW with urea-treated rice straw fed ad libitum. It was found that ruminal pH was significantly decreased with increase of concentrate. Volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration in the rumen was significantly different among treatments. In addition, a molar proportion of propionate was higher in supplemented groups at 2 and 3% BW (p<0.05), leading to significantly decreased acetate:propionate ratio. Furthermore, microbial N supply was significantly improved and was highest at 2% BW supplementation. The efficiency of rumen microbial-N synthesis based on organic matter (OM) truly digested in the rumen was highest in level of concentrate supplementation at 2% BW (80% of cassava chip in diets). Moreover, bacterial populations such as amylolytic bacteria was linearly increased, while cellulolytic bacteria was linearly decreased (p<0.01) when cattle received concentrate supplementation in all levels. The total protozoal counts were significantly increased, while fungal zoospores were dramatically decreased in cattle receiving increased levels of concentrate. In conclusion, cassava chip can be use as energy source at 80% in concentrate and supplementation of concentrate at 2% BW with urea-treated rice straw as roughage could improve rumen fermentation efficiency in beef cattle.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제25권9호
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• pp.1262-1268
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• 2012

The present investigation was designed to determine whether supplementation of different level of vitamin E for 12 months to arsenic exposed goats (50 ppm as sodium arsenite) affords protection against the blood hemato-biochemical parameters caused by the metalloid. A total of 24 crossbred (Alpine${\times}$Beetal) lactating goats were assigned randomly into 4 equal groups (control, $T_1$, $T_2$ and $T_3$) of 6 in each, on the basis of average body weight ($36.10{\pm}0.11$ kg) and milk yield ($1.61{\pm}0.04$ kg/d). The animals in $T_1$, $T_2$ and $T_3$ were given 50 ppm arsenic, while in $T_2$ and $T_3$, additionally; vitamin E at the rate of 100 IU and 150 IU/kg dry matter (DM) respectively was additionally supplemented for the period of 12 months. Hemoglobin (Hb), total leukocyte (TLC) and blood lymphocyte % were decreased (p<0.05) in arsenic fed groups and vitamin E supplementation in the experimental group showed a protective potential. Significant increases (p<0.05) in aspertate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) activities among arsenic supplemented groups were recorded, however vitamin E supplementation at higher doses showed a protective effect (p<0.05) against AST but in the case of ALT no ameliorating effect was found in either of the doses. Plasma total protein was decreased (p>0.05) but creatinine level was periodically increased in all As supplemented groups and vitamin E supplementation did not produce any protective effect. It can be concluded that arsenic exposure resulted in varying degree of changes in hemato-biochemical parameters and activities of antioxidant enzymes in goats but concomitant treatment with Vitamin E is partially helpful in reducing the burden of arsenic induced effect.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제9권5호
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• pp.525-531
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• 1996

Nutritional status of minerals of beef and dairy cattle and buffalo in central Thailand were investigated by evaluating the mineral concentrations in feedstuff and blood plasma of animals. Three crossbred beef cow herds, a native cow herd, a buffalo female herd and 3 dairy cattle herds which consisted of the herds of lactating cows, dry cows and heifers were studied in both rainy and hot seasons. Low Na concentrations (<0.07% on a dry matter basis) in pasture samples from the fields for a cross bred beef cow were observed. Copper concentrations in all the pasture samples ranged from 3.7 to 13.5 mg/kg. Iron and Se concentration in pasture samples had a wide variety ranging from 185 to 1,345 and 0.033 to 1.127 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of K, Ca, Mg, P, Zn and Mn in total diets were higher than the requirements for beef and dairy cattle. Some animals with subnormal plasma Cu concentrations(< $0.65{\mu}g/ml$) existed in each herd. The animals which showed subnormal plasma Se concentrations(< $0.03{\mu}g/ml$) were observed in beef cow herds. The concentrations of Ca, Mg and Zn in plasma of animals were normal. Attention should be paid to the deficiencies in Na, Cu and Se of the animals in central Thailand.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.89-95
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• 2009

Successful in vitro embryo production heavily relies on the normal maturation and fertilisation of oocytes. We examined the normal and abnormal fertilisation of zebu cattle oocytes matured in vitro. Immature cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) from zebu cattle ovaries at slaughter were matured in vitro (IVM) for 24 h. The oocytes were either fixed, stained and examined for nuclear changes or fertilised in vitro (IVF) with Percoll-separated, heparintreated spermatozoa (1.0 ${\times}$ $10^6$/mL) of zebu (n = 7) and crossbred bulls (n = 7). After 18 h of sperm-COCs co-incubation at $39^{\circ}$C with 5% $CO_2$ in humidified air, the presumptive zygotes were fixed, stained and examined for pronuclei. The number of oocytes retrieved per ovary was 5.4 ${\pm}$ 0.7. The percentage of matured oocytes was 73.0. The difference in motility of spermatozoa before and after Percoll seperation was significant (p<0.001). The percentages of normal and abnormal fertilisation (polyspermia and oocytes with one pronucleus) varied significantly depending on individual bulls (p<0.05). A protocol for IVF of IVM oocytes in Bangladeshi zebu cattle is developed. A future study may elucidate the capacity of such IVM-IVF oocytes to develop to the blastocyst stage for transfer to surrogate mother.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제27권10호
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• pp.1443-1451
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• 2014

Increasing cost and scarcity of maize has stimulated the use of alternative feed sources (AFS) in the diets of cattle. In this study, we investigated the effects of partial or total replacement of maize on nutrient digestibility, growth performance, blood metabolites, and economics in Limousin crossbred feedlot cattle. Forty-five $Limousin{\times}Luxi$ crossbred bulls were randomly assigned to the three treatment groups, orthodox diet (OD; 45.0% maize), partial replacement diet (PRD; 15% maize, 67% AFS), total replacement diet (TRD; 0% maize, 100% AFS). The growth feeding trial lasted for 98 days. Dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) were recorded. The digestion trial was carried out after the end of the growth trial. Total faeces and feed samples were measured daily. Digestibilities of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were calculated. After the feeding trial, blood metabolites were measured in 12 animals from each group. Initial and final body weights did not differ significantly among treatment groups (p>0.05). The ADG and DMI were 1.72 and 8.66, 1.60 and 9.10, and 1.40 and 9.11 kg/d for OD, PRD, and TRD, respectively. The PRD and TRD exhibited lower ADG (p<0.01) and higher DMI (p<0.01) than OD. The DMI (%body weight) was comparable between groups (p>0.5). Feed efficiency of PRD and TRD were lower than OD (p<0.01). The DM digestibility decreased with reduced level of maize (p = 0.10), OM digestibility was higher in OD (p<0.05), and CP, NDF and ADF digestibilities were similar for all groups (p>0.05). Blood urea nitrogen (mg/dL) in PRD and TRD was higher than OD (p<0.01), while other blood parameters did not differ significantly. Feed costs ($/head/d) were 1.49, 0.98, and 0.72 for OD, PRD, and TRD, respectively (p<0.01). Feed costs per kg gain ($) were significantly lower for PRD (0.63) and TRD (0.54) than OD (0.89; p<0.01). Overall profit ($/head) and daily profit ($/head/d) did not differ significantly between treatments (p>0.05), although TRD showed the highest economic benefits overall (p<0.01). While a traditional diet maximized the growth rate, partial or total replacement of dietary maize with AFS proved economically feasible due to their lower costs and comparable nutrient digestibilities of DM, CP, NDF, and ADF. Partial replacement may prove economically competitive in the current situation of China.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.297-303
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to determine the breed differences in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of MC1R mRNA, which may be used to distinguish Korean brindle cattle (Chikso) from other breeds. We investigated the relationship between the variation of 3'-UTR of the MC1R mRNA and coat color among different breeds and the Korean brindle cattle with different coat colors. MC1R mRNA expression levels were determined in accordance with the coat color and hair colors of the tail. Total cellular RNA was extracted from the hair follicles of the tails in Hanwoo, Korean brindle cattle, Holstein and $Hanwoo{\times}Holstein$ crossbred cattle. After cDNA synthesis, PCR was performed. Sequences of the 3'-UTR of MC1R mRNA were analyzed. The 3'-UTR of the MC1R mRNA from different breeds of cattle did not show any variations. There were no variations in the 3'-UTR of the MC1R mRNA in Korean brindle cattle with different coat colors. The levels of MC1R mRNA expression in hair follicles of the tail varied substantially among the Korean brindle cattle with different coat colors, except yellow coat color. Correlation between the MC1R mRNA expression in the hair follicles of the tail and coat color may be present in the Korean brindle cattle, but not between the variations of 3'-UTR of MC1R mRNA and coat color. Further studies to determine the regulation of MC1R mRNA expression from the hair follicles of different coat colors will be beneficial in clarifying the role of MC1R in the coat colors of the Korean brindle cattle.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제15권10호
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• pp.1445-1452
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• 2002

The present experiment was carried out to study the utilization of substrates in the mammary gland of crossbred Holstein Friesian during feeding on different types of roughage. Sixteen pregnant crossbred Holstein heifers consisted of two breed types of eight animals each; Holstein Friesian${\times}$Red Sindhi (50:50=50%HF) and Holstein Friesian${\times}$Red Sindhi (87.5:12.5=87.5%HF). Animals were divided into four groups of the same breed type in each group which were fed with either rice straw treated with 5% urea or pangola hay (Digitaria decumbens) as the source of roughage throughout the experiments. Four consecutive experimental periods were carried out in late pregnancy (20-23 days before parturition), early lactation (30 days postpartum), mid-lactation (120 days postpartum) and late lactation (210 days postpartum). Measurement of mammary blood flow in combining with measurement of AV difference was performed for the mammary uptake of substrates. In the period of lactation, udder blood flow was nearly three times higher than that of late pregnant period (p<0.05) in both 50%HF and 87.5%HF feeding on either hay or urea treated rice straw. During mid- and late lactation of both groups of 87.5%HF animals, mammary blood flow and milk yield showed decrease when compared to those during the early lactating period while the trends for persistency were apparent in both groups of 50%HF animals throughout experimental periods. The mean arterial plasma concentrations of glucose, acetate, $\beta$-hydroxybutyrate and free glycerol in each group remained constant throughout experimental periods. During late pregnancy in all groups, the AV difference and extraction ratio of glucose, $\beta$-hydroxybutyrate and triacylglycerol across the mammary gland markedly lowered (p<0.05), which coincided with a lower net uptake by the mammary gland in comparison to the early lactating period. The mean arterial plasma concentration, AV difference and extraction ratio for acetate showed no significant differences between late pregnancy and the early lactating period. The AV difference of free glycerol showed apparent release from mammary tissue during late pregnancy in all groups. In mid- and late lactation, the mammary uptake for glucose, acetate and $\beta$-hydroxybutyrate in both groups of 87.5%HF animals showed apparent decrease as compared to that in the early lactating period, whereas no appearances were observed in 50%HF animals feeding either hay or urea treated rice straw. The mean arterial plasma concentrations for free fatty acid (FFA) and triacylglycerol (C16 to C18) were higher in late pregnancy than in early lactation in both types of crossbred animals. The values of AV difference and the net uptake by the mammary gland for FFA were variable during late pregnancy and lactating periods in all groups. There were no significant differences for AV difference, extraction ratio and net uptake of triacylglycerol during lactation advance in both groups of 50%HF and 87.5%HF animals feeding either hay or urea treated rice straw. These results suggest that the adaptations to either hay or urea treated rice straw by the mammary gland of crossbred HF animals allow for an adequate nutrient supply during pregnancy and lactation. There is no difference in the mode of mammary uptake of substrates in the same crossbred animals in response to feeding hay or urea treated rice straw. The differences in utilizing nutrients by the mammary gland for milk production between 87.5%HF and 50%HF animals would be dependent on changes in both intra-mammary factors and extra-mammary factors.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제23권5호
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• pp.665-671
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• 2010

Muscle fiber characteristics and their relationship to water-holding capacity of longissimus dorsi (ld) muscle were studied in Brahman (BRA) and Charolais (CHA) crossbred bulls fattened under practical farm conditions. Thirty-four BRA and 34 CHA bulls were randomly selected and slaughtered at 500, 550 and 600 kg live weight. Parameters of water-holding capacity such as drip, ageing, thawing, cooking and grilling loss were determined. Muscle fiber characteristics were conducted for muscle fiber type percentage and cross-sectional areas of slow- and fast-twitch fiber types, and correlation coefficients to water-holding capacity parameters were calculated. Results showed that CHA meat had a better water-holding capacity (less ageing, thawing and grilling loss) when compared with BRA, whereas slaughter weights had no significant effects on these parameters. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between genotypes and slaughter weights in muscle fiber type percentage and cross-sectional areas of ld muscle. Slow- and fast-twitch fiber types of all experimental groups averaged 24.4 and 75.6%, respectively. Cross-sectional areas of fast-twitch fibers had almost twice the size of slow-twitch fibers (6,721 and 3,713 ${\mu}m^2$, respectively). The correlation between muscle fiber area and water-holding capacity indicated that muscles with larger fiber areas had a lower drip and ageing loss but a higher cooking and grilling loss.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.450-455
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• 2010

The study had two objectives, namely, to estimate the andrological disorders leading to disposal of Karan Fries (KF), Sahiwal cattle and Murrah buffalo bulls and to study the effect of various factors (species/breeds, season of birth and period of birth) on male reproductive parameters. Records on occurrence of subfertility problems and disposal pattern of bulls maintained at the National Dairy Research Institute herd were collected for 15 years (1991 to 2005). Percentage of bulls producing freezable semen was less in the crossbred cattle (58.46%) as compared to Sahiwal (81.69%) and Murrah bulls (81.05%). Various subfertility traits like poor libido and unacceptable seminal profile were found to be the significant reasons (p<0.01) for culling of the breeding bulls. Inadequate sex drive was the main contributing factor for bull disposal in Sahiwal (22.55%) and Murrah bulls (15.12%) whereas poor semen quality and freezability were most frequently observed in KF bulls (24.29 and 7.29 percent, respectively). Least squares analyses of different male reproductive parameters showed that species/breeds had significant effect (p<0.05) on all traits except for frozen semen production periods (FSPP). Periods of birth were significantly different (p<0.05) for all traits except for semen volume. Age at first semen collection (AFSC), age at first semen freezing (AFSF) and age at disposal (AD) were highest in Murrah, while frozen semen production period (FSPP) and semen production period (SPP) were highest in KF and lowest in Sahiwal. The age at first semen donation and breeding period could be reduced by introducing the bulls to training at an early age. These results revealed a declining trend in AFSC, AFSF, FSPP, SPP and AD, thereby indicating an improvement in reproductive performance over the years. The age at first semen donation in bovines can be reduced by introducing the young male calves to training at an early age, which could increase the dosage of semen obtained from each male.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.494-501
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• 2011

소의 Extension (E), Agouti (A) 유전자형과 모색유전양상의 연관관계를 이해하기 위해, 한우와 제주흑우(JBC), 이들 사이에서 생산된 교배후손에서 melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R)과 agouti signaling protein (ASIP)의 유전자형을 분석하였다. 흑모색의 JBC에서는 세 가지 MC1R 대립인자들($E^D$, $E^+$, e)이 모두 발견되었다. JBC 집단은 한우에서 우점적으로 나타나는 열성동형접합자(e/e)가 발견되지 않았다. 반면, MC1R $E^+$/e 한우는 흑모색이 아닌 갈색이나 적색의 모색을 나타내었다. ASIP 유전자에서, 한우에서는 L1-BT 전위인자의 삽입/결실에 의해 세 가지 유전자형(A/A, A/$A^{Br}$, $A^{Br}/A^{Br}$)이 모두 관찰되었다. JBC 집단에서는 ASIP $A^{Br}$ 대립인자가 드물게 관찰되고, ASIP $A^{Br}/A^{Br}$ 동형접합인 개체들은 발견되지 않았다. ASIP $A^{Br}$ 대립인자를 보유하더라도 한우와 JBC, 이들의 교배후손에서도 agouti-유사 얼룩무늬 모색은 발견되지 않았다. 교배후손의 모색은 Agouti 유전자형과는 무관하고, Extension 유전자형과 직접적으로 연관되어 황-갈색(e/e)과 암-갈/흑색($E^+$/e)으로만 구분되었다. ASIP 유전자형은 아마도 한우 또는 교배 후손에서 모색의 발달에 영향이 없는 것으로 추정된다. 본 연구 결과는 한우, 제주흑우, 이들의 교배후손에서 MC1R 유전자형이 모색 표현형을 결정하며, ASIP 유전자형은 모색의 변이에는 핵심적인 역할을 수행하지 않는다는 것을 시사한다.