• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.1282-1290
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• 2010

The study was carried out to assess the developmental abnormalities induced by Cytotec in mice during intrauterine life. Pregnant mice were exposed to a single dose of 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and $0.1{\mu}g$/g BW on day 8 of gestation. Fetuses were recovered on day 18 of gestation. These fetuses were subjected to morphological and morphometric studies. Morphological studies showed abnormalities like anophthalmia, microophthalmia, micromelia and syndactyly. In addition to these, resorptions were also encountered in the higher dose groups. Morphometric analysis showed an overall reduction in body weight, crown rump length, brain and eye circumference, pinna and snout size, length of fore and hind limb and tail size with a significant difference (p<0.001) compared to controls. The outcomes of histological studies revealed some brain defects like hydrocephaly, enlarged third ventricle and undifferentiated ectoneural cells and abnormalities of the heart included right auricle thrombosis and degeneration of trabecular zone.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.261-270
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• 1988

This study was performed to investigate the effect of gestation on the histological and histochemical changes of the uterine cervix of the native Korean cattle. A total of 110 cows obtained from the Chonhuk abattoir were divided into six groups. The 1st group was of 9 non-pregnant cows and 101 singleton pregnant cows were grouped into 5 groups from pregnant I to pregnant V according to gestation periods by means of crown rump length measures. For light microscopy the tissues were fixed in 10% neutral formalin and processed routinely for paraffin sections The $6{\mu}m$ sections were taken and stained with H-E, Alcian blue pH 1.0, Alcian blue pH 2.5, Alcian blue pH 2.5/PAS, PAS reaction, toluidin blue, and trichrome. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The cervical lengths and widths were increased in relation to advancing gestation. 2. The cervical folds of the pregnant groups were increased and complicated with many branches, and the cervical muscosal epithelia were increased in according to advancing gestation. 3. As advancing gestation, the tunics muscularis of cervix was increased following moderate distribution of fibroblast and vascularity, meanwhile decreased mast cells were found. 4. The cervical mucosubstance was composed of mixed mucopolysaccharides; the acid mucus was increased from the early pregnant state but the neutral mucus was found after pregnant IV, and the mucus was stained deeply in each staining in the fold cavity in according to gestation state.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2009

This study was carried out to collect the basic data about gestation lengths and offspring's birth weights and sex ratio of the dairy recipients transferred with Hanwoo IVF embryos. Blastocysts cultured for $7{\sim}8$ days were transferred to 96 and 167 heads for the basic data about gestation length and offspring's birth weight and sex ratio of the dairy recipients, respectively. The gestation lengths of the dairy recipients transferred with Hanwoo IVF embryos were $287.3{\pm}11.2$ ($257{\sim}311$) and $284.1{\sim}7.7$ ($266{\sim}295$) days in male and female of the offspring, respectively. The gestation lengths of the recipients were $290.7{\pm}10.4$, $285.8{\pm}3.4$, $280.0{\pm}9.3$ and $286.1{\pm}7.9$ days in spring, summer, autumn and winter of the calving season, respectively, and were significantly different among the calving season (p<0.05). The birth weights of male and female calves were $25.5{\pm}2.4$ ($21{\sim}30$) and $26.3{\pm}3.9$ ($21{\sim}40$ kg in offsprings of the dairy recipients transferred with Hanwoo IVF embryos, respectively. The sex ratio was 90.7 in the offsprings of the dairy recipients transferred with Hanwoo IVF embryos.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2010

The increase in the total number of cows on farms, which breed Korean Native Cattle (KNC), is associated with many problems. In particular, the services per conception and calving interval have increased. In this study, we examined the effect of dietary supplementation with vitamin and mineral complex on the estrus rate, pregnancy rate, gestation length, and birth weight of KNC calves. Multiparous or primiparous KNC were divided into 3 groups with 40 heads per group. Experimental group 1 was administered a consisting of 35,000 IU vitamin A, 100 IU vitamin E, 200 mg $\beta$-carotene, 200 mg Zn methionine, and 1.5 mg Se. Experimental group 2 was administered a vitamin complex (100 g/day) consisting of 100 IU vitamin E and 200 mg $\beta$-carotene. In the case of multiparous KNC, the estrus detection rate in the control group was 90.0% and those in the experimental groups were 75.0% to 95.0%. However, the first-service pregnancy rate after parturition in the control group was 41.2%, which was significantly lower than that in the experimental groups (71.0% to 76.7%; p<0.05). The average duration of pregnancy in the group supplemented with the vitamin complex was days, which was similar to that in the case of the control group. The birth weight of calves from cows fed with vitamin complex was 25.3 to 27.0 kg, which was similar to that in the case of the control group (25.2 to 26.0 kg). In the case of primiparous KNC, no differences in the estrus rate, pregnancy rate, gestation length, or the birth weight of calves were noted between the groups. Thus, dietary supplementation vitamin and mineral complex have no effect on the reproductive efficiency in primiparous cows, but the pregnancy rate was observed to have increased in multiparous KNC with these supplements.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 1998

Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were administered with Q-35 at the dose levels of 0, 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg/day by oral gavage from gestation day 17 to lactation period. Effects of the test chemical on general findings, reproductive performance of dams and development of Fl generation were examined. There were no treatment related changes in physical signs, body weight, necropsy findings, organ weights, delivery and nursing behavior. In 100 and 300 mg/fg/day treated groups, the food consumption of dams was decreased significantly during gestational day 19~21. The gestation length of 300 mg/tg/day treated group was increased significantly compared to the control group (22.3 $\pm$0.48 vs 22.0$\pm$0.39). Although the gestational length of all groups were in normal range of the rat, potential effect of the drug could not be ruled out. External anomaly of Fl fetus induced by Q-35 was not detected in any groups. There were no treaoent related changes in physical development, reflex functions, sensory functions, locomotor activity and motor coordinating activity. Estrus cycle, fertility and reproductive performance of Fl were not changed in all treated groups. There was no external abnormality related to the drug administration on the examination of F2. These results suggest that Q-35 has no adverse effect on the peri- and postnatal period in rats except the reduction of food consumption at the beginning of drug administration and the potential effect on the elongation of gestation length.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2004

Data from five Hanwoo breeding farms were collected to analyze the effects of parity, season, nutrition and reproduction on body conditions of heifers and cows and to analyze the relationships of body conditions with reproductive performances and body growth. Analytic models included farms and parity which were run through SAS to estimate least squares means and correlation coeflicients between traits body condition scores(BCS) of I(very emaciated) through 9(very obese) scale at service and at calving. calving interval, days to rebreeding, gestation length. number of services per conception. Overall averages were 4.55 for BCS at service, 5.42 for BCS at calving. 406.7days of calving interval, 287.7days of gestation length, 66.2days from calving 10 first service and 1.78 times of services per conception. Number of services per conception was 1.50${\sim}$1.74 times for the cows of BCS 5 or under and 2.00${\sim}$3.00 for those of BCS 6 or higher. Body weight of calves from cows observed averaged 23.3kg at birth and 70.7kg at weaning. 57 percent of cows showed BCS 4${\sim}$5 at service while 46 percent of those showed 5${\sim}$6 at calving. Estimated phenotypic correlation coefficients of BCS at service with BCS at calving, calving interval, gestation length, number of services per conception were low but positive: 0.16, 0.26. 0.08 and 0.06. respectively. Phenotypic correlations of BCS at calving with calving interval, gestation length and number of services per conception were estimated to be also low and positive: 0.10, 0.13 and 0.10. respectively. However, phenotypic correlations between calving interval and gestation length, and between gestation length and number of services per conception were negative but low as - 0.11 and- 0.13 each.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.267-273
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• 1992

The purpose of present study was to investigate the progesterone concentrations throughout gestation and peripartum period, and the return to the first estrus postpartum for improvement of reproductive efficiency in Korean native goats. The average length of gestation was 148 days(range : 144~154 days) and the average number of live births was 2 kids(range : 1~5 kids) in 12 Korean native goats. Progesterone concentrations were measured in blood samples taken from 12 goats every 5 days during gestation period. Plasma progesterone concentrations were 0.10 ng/ml at Day 0 of pregnancy and increased gradually until Day 20(6.58 ng/ml). Then they decreased slightly from Day 30 to 40(range : 4.32~4.82 ng/ml), increased again after Day 40 and remained thereafter until Day 140(range : 4.32~10.36 ng/ml). The progesterone levels declined sharply to basal levels at parturitum. Plasma progesterone concentrations during the pestpartum were 6.98 ng/ml at 10 days, 4.86 ng/ml at 6 days 3.18 ng/ml at 2 days before parturition, and 0.10 ng/ml at parturition, respectively. The basal levels were maintained until the first estrus postpartum. The mean intervals from parturition to the first estrus postpartum on the basis of progesterone determination and estrus detection were $100{\pm}64(mean{\pm}S.D.)$ days in 7 Korean native goats.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.483-490
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• 2004

Elevated maternal plasma homocysteine concentrations have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including birth defects, low birth weight, preeclampsia, spontaneous abortion, placental abruption, and other maternal or fetal complications. The purpose of this study was to assess the maternal plasma homocysteine level during pregnancy and to investigate the relationship between the plasma homocysteine concentrations and pregnancy outcomes. Venous blood samples were drawn from 82 pregnant women who were grouped with gestational age, 1st trimester (n = 26), 2nd trimester (n = 27) and 3rd trimester (n = 29). The concentration of plasma homocysteine was analyzed by HPLC, and pregnancy outcomes including gestational length, maternal weight gain, infant birth weight, and Apgar score were collected with the medical records of the pregnant women. The levels of plasma homocysteine of the pregnant women at the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester were 5.7 $$\pm$ 3.7\mu㏖/L,\;5.6 \pm4.1\mu㏖/L\; and\; 7.0\pm 4.5\mu㏖/L$, respectively, which had not showed any significant difference. The result of this study showed that in case of the pregnant women at the 1st trimester, the maternal plasma homocysteine level of the pregnant women whose gestational length was less than 38 weeks was significantly high (p < 0.01) compared to that of the pregnants whose gestational length was more than 38 weeks. And also, the level of homocysteine of the pregnant women at the 2nd trimester was significantly low when the maternal weight gain was high (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that maternal plasma homocysteine level at early stage of gestation will be a predicter of gestational length and maternal weight gain.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.341-347
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• 1999

Pregnant Yorkshire gilts were utilized to investigate the efficacy of exogenous administration of pST and/or insulin in enhancing prenatal piglet survival, uteroplacental and umbilical cord growth and development. Gilts were randomly assigned in a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement to four treatment combinations consisting of either daily i.m. injections of 5 mg pST (P, n=23); 0.50 IU/kg of insulin (I, n=23); combination of pST and insulin (P+I, n=23); or 1 ml of saline as control (C, n=23) from gestation Day 30 to 70. All gilts were sacrificed on gestation d 113 to evaluate piglet survival and uteroplacental or umbilical cord development Uteri were longer (346.3 vs 325.7 cm; p<0.05), and heavier (3122.8 vs 2940.7 g; p<0.05) in insulin treated gilts. Only placental macroscopic surface area was enhanced by maternal insulin injections (p<0.05) Incidence of umbilical cord abnormalities were low (14.3%), and they were independent of maternal treatment, occurring more in short cords than in long ones (21 vs 12%; p<0.05). A 6% increase in cord length (53.2 vs 48.6 cm; p=<0.05) was observed in piglets from treated gilts compared with controls. Significant sex differences (in favour of males) were observed in piglet weight, crown rump length and for most umbilical or placental parameters. Gilt weight gains from breeding to Day 113 of gestation were 10% and 15% greater in pST and insulin treated gilts compared with controls. These data indicate that prepartum injections of pST and/or insulin to gestating gilts seem to have a beneficial effect on uteroplacental or umbilical cord development and promote conditions conducive for perinatal piglet survival.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.20 no.3 s.32
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• pp.427-446
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• 1990

The objective of this study was to understand the major changes of craniofacial dimensions and spatial growth pattern during the late embryonic and fetal period of human fetures. This study was performed with the selective materials of normal fetuses received from the Registry of Congenital Malformation of Seoul National University Hospital. The specimens consisted of nineteen embryos and sixty-six fetuses. The photomicrographs from mid-segittal sections of embryos were used for angular measurement, and the lateral cephalograms taken with soft X-ray were also measured in liners and angular aspects. All of the anatomical landmarks for the tracing of the photomicrographs and cephalograms were referred to the previous reports on literature. The sequential changes of prenatal craniofacial dimensions and agles were analysed statistically and discussed on the focus about the developmental growth directions of human ore-facial structure arised from heterogeneous origins. The results are as follows, 1) Cranial base angle was almost formed at about 6 weeks old embryos with the average angle of $127.4{\pm}6.33^{\circ}$ (n=3) and it was almost constant onwards. 2) The linear increase rates of anterior cranial base length and anterior facial height exceeded those of the posterior cranial base length and posterior facial height, and the maxilla grows more rapidly on the horizontal dimension than the vertical dmension during the fetal period. 3) The angular relationship between the anterior cranial base and palatal plane decreasedslightly during the fetal period, disclosing $11^{\circ}$ at 12th week gestation and $5^{\circ}$ at 41th weeks gestation. 4) Genial angle was maintained almost constantly at about $130^{\circ}$ during the fetal period from 12 weeks to 41 weeks of gestation.