• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1598-1604
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• 2017

Objective: The present study investigated the litter performance of multiparous sows fed 3% and 6% densified diets at farrowing to weaning during summer with mean maximum room temperature of $30.5^{\circ}C$. Methods: A total of 60 crossbred multiparous sows were allotted to one of three treatments based on body weight according to a completely randomized design. Three different nutrient levels based on NRC were applied as standard diet (ST; metabolizable energy, 3,300 kcal/kg), high nutrient level 1 (HE1; ST+3% higher energy and 16.59% protein) and high nutrient level 2 (HE2; ST+6% higher energy and 17.04% protein). Results: There was no variation in the body weight change. However, backfat thickness change tended to reduce in HE1 in comparison to ST treatment. Dietary treatments had no effects on feed intake, daily energy intake and weaning-to-estrus interval in lactating sows. Litter size, litter weight at weaning and average daily gain of piglets were significantly greater in sows in HE1 compared with ST, however, no difference was observed between HE2 and ST. Increasing the nutrient levels had no effects on the blood urea nitrogen, glucose, triglyceride, and creatinine at post-farrowing and weaning time. The concentration of follicle stimulating hormone, cortisol and insulin were not affected by dietary treatments either in post-farrowing or weaning time. The concentration of blood luteinizing hormone of sows in ST treatment was numerically less than sows in HE2 treatment at weaning. Milk and colostrum compositions such as protein, fat and lactose were not affected by the treatments. Conclusion: An energy level of 3,400 kcal/kg (14.23 MJ/kg) with 166 g/kg crude protein is suggested as the optimal level of dietary nutrients for heat stressed lactating sows with significant beneficial effects on litter size.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.265-274
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was attempted to investigate the a, pp.arences of healthy or artretic follicles in ovaries following repeats of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin(PMSG) treatments for superovulation in nulliparous rats. Thirty two rats(Sprague-Dawely, about 200-250 gm) were randomized into 4 groups. Control group rats were sacrified at estrus phase confirmed by vaginal smear. PMSG-treated group 1 rats, PMSG-treated group 2 rats and PMSG-treated group 3 rats were sacrified at 48 hrs after injection once with PMSG 25 IU, after 2 repeated injection by a week interval, and 3 repeated injection, respectively. The ovaires of rats were removed and then sections by paraffin embedding were stained with H-E or immunohistochemical staining using proliferating cell nuclear antigen monoclonal antibody (PCNA m Ab) and apoptotic kit. The criteria of follicle classification was based as small follicles with preantral follicles with 2~4 layers of granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte, as secondary follicles with more than 5 layers of granulosa cells and early signs of antral cavity or with small clefts on either side of the oocytes, and as tirtiary follicles with a single medium sized antral cavity or large well-formed antral cavity, respectively. The proportions of atretic follicles from small and middle follicles in immunohistochemical staining using PCNA m Ab were 17.9% and 21.3% in control group, 15.5% and 23.5% in PMSG-treated group 1, 24.3% and 26.7% in PMSG-treated group 2, 18.1% and 30.2% in PMSG-treated group 3, respectively. Groups with atretic follicles of higher proportion were ordered as PMSG-treated group 3, PMSG-treated group 2, PMSG-treated group 1 and control group. The proportions of positive cells in small, middle and large follicles were 31.1%, 33.5% and 28.5% respectively. The follicles with positive cells of higher proportion were ordered middle, small and large follicles. In immunohischemical staining using apoptotic kits, small follicles in all 4 groups did not contain positive cells, and proportions of atretic follicles from middle and large follicles were 24.9, 30.7, 33.8 and 40.1% in control, PMSG-treated gruop 1, PMSG-treated group 2 and PMSG-treated group 3, respectively. These results suggested that repeats of PMSG treatment increased proportion of atretic follicles in ovaries, and middle follicles are more quickly developing than small or large follicles.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2009

This study was performed to investigate the possibility of repeated superovulation treatment at interval from 27 days to 41 days in Hanwoo cattle and to compare with superovulation effect between doses of FSH 200 mg and FSH 400 mg. Different doses of FSH (200 mg or 400 mg) were injected at Day 8 after controlled internal drug release (CIDR) treatment for superovulation of Hanwoo donors following CIDR treatment (Day 8 after the estrus). Superovulation was repeated four times for one donor and number of corpus luteum (CL), number of embryos, number of transferable embryos and pregnancy rate after embryo transfer (ET) were investigated. 5 cows were used for each FSH treatment (10 cows in total). Average number of CL were $10.16{\pm}3.85$ and $11.56{\pm}2.35$ for the donors treated with FSH 200mg and FSH 400mg, respectively. Average number of embryos collected were $8.85{\pm}4.05$ and $8.30{\pm}1.73$ for the donors treated with FSH 200 mg and FSH 400 mg, respectively. Average number of transferable embryos were $5.48{\pm}2.45$ and $4.58{\pm}2.23$ for the donors treated with FSH 200 mg and FSH 400 mg, respectively. The pregnancy rate following ET with embryos collected from 200 mg FSH treated donors and 400 mg FSH treated donors were 61.9% and 53.8% respectively. The numbers of embryos tended to be decreased as the numbers of repeat of superovulation were elapsed. These results indicated that superovulation treatment by about a month to Hanwoo donors is usable and 200 mg of FSH is preferable for simple FSH treatment following CIDR treatment.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.574-587
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• 2022

This study was performed to development the alternative farrowing pen (AFP) and to investigate performance and behavior of lactating sows and their litter. A total of 64 multiparous sows were randomly divided into two groups and were allocated to farrowing crates (FCs) and AFPs. The AFPs contained a crate and support bars that could be folded to provide the sows with extra space on day 5 postpartum. Behavior was recorded by charge-coupled device cameras and digital video recorders, and the data were scanned every 2 min to obtain an instantaneous behavioral sample. Farrowing systems did not affect feed intake, back-fat thickness, litter size and piglet weight at birth and weaning (p > 0.05). In addition, there were no differences in the number of crushed piglets between the two farrowing systems (p > 0.05). However, the weaning-to-estrus interval was shorter in the sows of the AFPs than in thous of the FCs (p < 0.05). The sows spent most of their time lying down during the lactating period, at about 80% lateral recumbency and 10%-15% ventral recumbency. The only significant differences were in the feeding and drinking behavior between sows in the two farrowing systems (p < 0.05). The FC sows displayed more feeding and drinking behavior than the AFP sows, especially in the late lactating period (p < 0.05). Piglets in the FCs tended to spend more time walking than piglets in the AFPs (p < 0.05), whereas there were no differences in suckling and lying behavior between piglets in the two farrowing systems (p > 0.05). It is concluded that the AFPs with temporary crating until day 4 postpartum did not negatively affect performance and crushed piglet compared with the FCs. It also may improve animal welfare by allowing sows to move and turn around during the lactating period. Further research is needed to find suitable housing designs to enhance productivity and animal welfare.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.135-144
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• 2024

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of feeding frequency on a sow's reproductive performance and stress response during gestation. A total of twenty multiparous sows (Yorkshire × Landrace) were used in a completely randomized design based on their parity, body weight (BW), and backfat thickness (BFT), and the sows were allotted to two different feeding systems: 1) once daily feeding (OF) and 2) twice daily feeding (TF) in corn-soybean meal based diets. The gestation diet was formulated to contain 3,265 kcal of metabolizable energy (ME) / kg, 12.90% of crude protein (CP), and 0.75 % of total lysine. The lactation diet was formulated to contain 3,265 kcal of ME / kg, 16.80% of CP, and 1.08% of total lysine and provided ad libitum during lactation. In gestation, sow BFT and BF changes were not affected by feeding frequency, but higher BW and BW gain from day 35 to 90 and day 35 to 110 were observed in OF sow (p < 0.10). In lactation, feeding frequency did not influence on BW, BW gain, BFT, BF changes, average daily feed intake, and wean-to-estrus interval. Also, there were no differences in litter size, litter weight and piglet weight in lactating sows. OF sows had higher (p < 0.05; p < 0.10) protein, solid-not-fat, and total solid concentrations in colostrum compared to TF sows, while OF sows had a lower (p < 0.05) lactose concentration in colostrum compared to TF sows. Sows in OF showed significantly lower average daily water consumption (ADWC) from day 35 to 110 of gestation (p < 0.05). While there were no significant differences in stereotypic behaviors and salivary cortisol levels during gestation between treatments, the OF sows showed less time spending on the activity at day 105 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, reduced feeding frequency increased BW gain during gestation, decreased activation time, and changed the colostrum composition. This information may contribute to the understanding of the physiological and behavioral change of gestating sows by manipulating feeding frequency.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.217-223
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• 2006

This study was carried out principally to obtain the basic data for the improvement of the reproductive performance and production using plasma progesterone assay and ultrasonography in dairy cow. The results obtained from this studies were as follows. The results of reproductive examination in 85,983 cows were ovarian diseases 40,399 (47.0%), uterine diseases 11,912 (13.9%), pregnancy or pregnant failures 26,587 (30.9%), adhesion of reproductive tracts 172 (0.2%), freemartin 8 (0.01%), and others 6,905 (8.3%), respectively. The treatment status of reproductive dysfunction in 30,241 cows were silent heat or error of estrus detection 14,909 (49.3%), follicular cysts 3,750 (12.4%), luteal cysts 907 (3.0%), inactive ovaries 665 (2.2%), granulosa cell tumor of ovary 3 (0.01%) and endometritis 6,986 (23.1%), respectively. The indices of reproductive efficiency after the periodical examination of reproductive status were as follows; the mean intercalving inteual was reduced from 475 days at the first examination to 381 days at the last examination of reproductive status, the mean interval calving to conception was reduced from 186 to 98 days, the mean interval calving to first service was reduced from 106 to 66 days, the cows showing heat by 60 days postpartum were increased from 32 to 90%, the mean conception rate to first service was increased from 42 to 64%, and the mean service per conception was reduced from 2.6 to 1.8 times, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.367-373
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• 1998

A survey was carried out to investigate the effect of the herd size on the reproductive traits of Hanwoo(Korean native cows). Data on the reproductive traits of 670 Korean native cows were collected from January, 1996 to December, 1997 and analyzed by the herd size. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. The average ages at first breeding were 437.9, 425.5 and 452.9 days in herd size 1 (less than 20 heads), 2 (21∼50 heads) and 3 (more than 51 heads), respectively (the over all average was 443.0 days). However, there was no significant difference between herd sizes (p＞0.05). 2. The average ages at first conception were 452.8, 438.4 and 467.1 days in herd size 1, 2 and 3, respectively (the over all average was 460.0 days). However, there was no significant difference between herd sizes (p＞0.05). 3. The average ages at first calving were 741.2, 730.2 and 755.9 days in herd size 1, 2 and 3, respectively (the over all average was 746.6 days). However, there was no significant difference between herd sizes (p＞0.05). 4. The average days to first estrus after calving was 70.1 days and it was shortest in herd size 3 (64.8 days) and longest in herd size 1(82.1 days). 5. The average numbers of services per conception were 1.54, 1.61 and 1.48 in herd size 1, 2, and 3, respectively (the over all average was 1.53). However, there was no significant difference between herd sizes (p＞0.05). 6. The average days to first conception after calving were 115.6, 99.1 and 80.6 days in herd size 1, 2 and 3, respectively (the over all average was 91.2 days). There was a trend that it was shorter as the herd size increased(p＜0.05). 7. The average length of calving interval was 375.3 days and it was shortest in herd size 3 (367. 4 days) and longest in herd size 1 (389.5 days).

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.79-85
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of bST treatment on embryo recovery and pregnancy rate following embryo transfer. Donor cows were superovulated with Folltropin-V and PGF$_2$$\alpha$ combination method and then inseminated with frozen semen 3 times 12 hrs interval. Donor and recipient cows were assigned to control and bST group, of which was given a single injection of bST (500 mg, im) at insemination or estrus detection. Embryo collection of superovulated cows were flushed nonsurgical method at 7 to 8 days after artificial insemination. The percentare and Mean$\pm$S.E. of transferable embryo was not significantly different between control and bST treatment (72.8%/5.9$\pm$4.5 vs. 83.7%15.1 $\pm$ 1.6). The percentage and Mean$\pm$S.E. of transferable embryo in non-summer season was significantly higher than in summer (81.8%/5.4$\pm$2.1 vs. 68.7%14.774.6; P<0.05). The pregnancy rate after embryo transfer in bST treatment was significantly higher than in control (64.0 vs. 47.1%; P<0.05). There was no significant difference in pregnancy rate between summer and non-summer (51.6 vs. 61.5%; P>0.05). The results indicated that InST treatment in recipient cows could improve the efficiency of transferable embryo production and pregnancy rate after embryo transfer, and non-summer season may be better far superovulation treatment and embryo transfer.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1150-1154
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• 2015

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of palm kernel expellers on productive performance, nutrient digestibility, and changes in white blood cells (WBC) of lactating sows. A total of 14 sows ($200{\pm}12kg$ of average body weight [BW]; 2.5 of average parity) were used and moved from gestation room to farrowing room on d 109 of gestation. Sows were randomly assigned to 2 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. The treatments were a diet based on corn and soybean meal (CON) and CON added with 20% of palm kernel expellers (PKE). Sows were fed the treatments for 28 days (weaning) after farrowing. Blood was collected from each sow and 4 randomly selected piglets from each sow before farrowing or on d 3, 7, or 14 of lactation. Sows were fed respective treatments containing 0.2% chromic oxide from d 15 to 21 of lactation. Fecal samples were collected daily for the last 3 days after the 4-d adjustment period. Measurements were performances and WBC changes of sows and litter, nutrient digestibility of sows, and daily diarrhea of litter. Sows fed PKE had greater average daily feed intake (7.38 vs 7.10 kg/d; p<0.05) and lost less BW (-6.85 vs -8.54 kg; p<0.05) and backfat depth (-0.42 vs -0.71 mm; p<0.05) than those fed CON. However, there were no differences on digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and energy and weaning to estrus interval of sows fed either CON or PKE. Piglets from sows fed PKE gained more BW (203 vs 181 g/d; p = 0.08) and had less frequency of diarrhea (6.80 vs 8.56%; p = 0.07) than those from sows fed CON. On the other hand, no difference was found on preweaning mortality of piglets from sows fed either CON or PKE. Sows fed PKE had lower number of WBC (9.57 vs $11.82{\times}10^3/{\mu}L$; p = 0.09) before farrowing than those fed CON, but no difference on d 3 and 7. Similarly, piglets from sows fed PKE had also lower number of WBC (7.86 vs $9.80{\times}10^3/{\mu}L$; p<0.05) on d 14 of lactation than those from sows fed CON, but no difference on d 3 and 7. In conclusion, addition of 20% palm kernel expellers to lactation diet based on corn and soybean meal had no negative effects on productive performance, nutrient digestibility, and WBC changes of lactating sows.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.255-264
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was attempted to investigate the number changes of the growing and mature follicles in ovary following repeats of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin(PMSG) treatments for superovulation in nulliparous rats. Thirty two rats(Sprague-Dawely, about 200~250 gm) were randomized into 4 groups. Control group rats were sacrified at estrus phase confirmed by vaginal smear. PMSG-treated group 1 rats, PMSG-treated group 2 rats and PMSG-treated group 3 rats were sacrified at 48 hrs after injection once with PMSG 25 IU, after 2 repeated injection by a week interval, and 3 repeated injection, respectively. The uteri and ovaries of rats were removed and weighed and then were observed grossly and serial sections of all ovaries and some sections of uteri by paraffin embedding were stained with H-E. Number of ovarian follicles about 3 grades of small, middle and large follicles from seondary and follicles were investigated by LM photographies of ovary preparations. The criteria of the small, middle, and large follicles were based as small follicle with preantral follicles with 2~4 layers of granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte, as secondary follicles with more than 5 layers of granulosa cells and early signs of antral cavity or with small clefts on either side of the oocytes, and as tirtiary follicles with a single medium sized antral cavity or large well-formed antral cavity, respectively. In gross findings, the wall of the uteri in control group were thin, and those in 3 PMS-treated group were markedly thickened and some uterine lumen of those filled with fluid. In histological findings, the walls of the uteri from 3 PMSG-treated groups were hypertrophied and their blood and lymph vessels were dilated than those of control group. The ovaries fo 3 PMSG-treated groups were more increased in size and the cortexes were more developed and increased in width but there are no difference of development and changes in 3 PMSG-treated groups. The weight of the uteri and ovaries per rat in PMSG -treated group 1, 2 and 3 were a, pp.ared to be significantly increased 171.4$\pm$47.6%, 162.3$\pm$43.9%, 206.9$\pm$30.4%, respectively than those of control groups. The mean number of follicle per ovary in control group were a, pp.ared to be 17.1$\pm$3.5, 46.2$\pm$14.5, and 74.3$\pm$22.7 at large, middle and small follicles, respectively and total number of these 3 grade follicles per ovary were a, pp.ared to be 137.7$\pm$31.7. The mean number of follicle per ovary in PMSG-treated group 1 were a, pp.ared to be 25.6$\pm$7.3, 78.1$\pm$29.9, and 83.2$\pm$34.0, at large, middle and small follicles, respectively and total number of these 3 grade follicles were a, pp.ared to be 187.5$\pm$58.8. The mean number of follicle per ovary in PMS-treated group 2 were a, pp.ared to be 21.9$\pm$5.2, 67.8$\pm$16.8, and 68.0$\pm$14.9 at large, middle and small follicles, respectively and total number of these 3 grade follicles were a, pp.ared to be 157.7$\pm$26.2. The mean number of follicle per ovary in PMS-treated group 3 were a, pp.ared to be 21.7$\pm$4.8, 61.5$\pm$17.0, and 59.7$\pm$16.2 at large, middle and small follicles, respectively and total number of these 3 grade follicles were a, pp.ared to be 143.5$\pm$29.6. The number of follicles in PMSG-treated group 1 a, pp.ared to be more number than other 2 PMSG-treated gruops and tended to be decreased by frequency of PMSG-treatment.