• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.270-284
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• 2021

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is critical for reproduction and social behavior in ruminants, including cattle. The present study examined the structure of the VNO and its epithelial cells in neonatal and adult Korean native cattle (Hanwoo), Bos taurus coreanae, using immunohistochemistry and lectin histochemistry. Histologically, the VNO comprised two types of epithelia: medial vomeronasal sensory (VSE) and lateral vomeronasal non-sensory epithelia (VNSE). Numerous blood vessels and nerve bundles were observed within the vomeronasal cartilage encased lamina propria. Immunohistochemistry revealed high expression level of protein gene product9.5 and moderate expression level of olfactory marker protein in the neuroreceptor cells of the VSE and occasionally in some ciliated cells of the VNSE in both neonates and adults. The properties of the glycoconjugates in the VNO were investigated using 21 lectins, most of which were expressed at varied intensities in the VSE and VNSE, as well as in the lamina propria. Several lectins exhibited variations in their intensities and localization between neonatal and adult VNOs. This study is the first descriptive lectin histochemical examination of the VNO of Korean native cattle with a focus on lectin histochemistry, confirming that the VNO of Korean native cattle is differentiated during postnatal development.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.9
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• pp.692-698
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• 2016

Advances in next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have enabled population-level studies for many animals to unravel the relationships between genotypic differences and traits of specific populations. The objective of this study was to perform evolutionary analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in genes of Korean native cattle Hanwoo in comparison to SNP data from four other cattle breeds (Jersey, Simmental, Angus, and Holstein) and four related species (pig, horse, human, and mouse) obtained from public databases through NGS-based resequencing. We analyzed population structures and differentiation levels for the five cattle breeds and estimated species-specific SNPs with their origins and phylogenetic relationships among species. In addition, we identified Hanwoo-specific genes and proteins, and determined distinct changes in protein-protein interactions among five species (cattle, pig, horse, human, mouse) in the STRING network database by additionally considering indirect protein interactions. We found that the Hanwoo population was clearly different from the other four cattle populations. There were Hanwoo-specific genes related to its meat trait. Protein interaction rewiring analysis also confirmed that there were Hanwoo-specific protein-protein interactions that might have contributed to its unique meat quality.

• 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.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2019

Different methodologies in hair cortisol extraction may alter the final output. Thus finding the standard methodology according to a laboratory facilities is pivotal. This study was carried out to validate the feasibility of two methods of grinding hair for cortisol extraction in Korean native (Hanwoo) cattle. Hair from nine cattle including mature cows, heifers, and calves were assigned to one of the following methods for grinding hair; 1) using bead beater (BB) and 2) using surgical scissors (SS). Hair samples (> 1 g) were harvested from forehead of each individual twice (first and second measurement) to validate the results. To improve the accuracy of the obtained data, each sample was duplicated into two wells during enzyme immunoassay (EIA) analysis. Overall comparison of hair cortisol concentration (HCC) showed that the data within the range (out of the range) of standards provided by the EIA kit were 88.9% (11.1%) and 66.7% (33.3%) for BB compared with SS, respectively. In the first measurement, application of BB was tended to show higher (p = 0.056) amount of HCC compared with SS. In the second measurement application of BB showed higher (p = 0.0028) amount of HCC compared with SS. Among the cattle, calves showed higher HCC using BB compared with SS (p < 0.05). Application of BB in hair grinding methodology for Hanwoo cattle may improve cortisol extraction in comparison to application of SS method, with more consistency. Thus, it would be the preferable method to use.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.321-325
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• 2014

The present study was performed on farm animals to test the effectiveness of progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (Cue-Mate$^{(R)}$ 1.56 g) and injection of prostaglandin $F_{2{\alpha}}$ ($PGF_{2{\alpha}}$) for synchronization estrus in Hanwoo cattle. The cattle were at random stage of the estrus cycle. The cows were artificially inseminated at day 7 after Cue-Mate withdrawal, using commercial semen from Korean native bulls. There was a season effect on the estrus synchronization rate. It was higher in spring (94.3%) followed by winter (93.3%), autumn (90.4%) and summer (67.2%). In summary, The results of this study revealed that season has influences on estrus behavior of cattle with no significant effect on pregnancy rate. In summary, we suggest summer reproductive management to alleviate the effects of heat stress. It should be based on intensive cooling combined with hormonal treatment. Given that different subgroups of cows benefit differently from the treatments, selective hormonal administration should be considered.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1995

Litters such as sawdust and rice hulls are used to manage the waste excrements of Hanwoo(Korean Native Cattle). This experiment was conducted to investigate the adequate depth of bedding materials, and the effective substitutive rate of rice hulls and the recycled-dried sawdust mixed with cattle waste for sawdust from 1993 to 1994. The results were as follows; 1. The most adequate bedding depth of sawdust was 4cm and it was able to be utilized for 38 days. The cost of required sawdust was lower in order of 5, 15, 20 and 10cm in depth of bedding sawdust. 2. Rice hulls was able to be fully substituted for sawdust, but 50% substitution the most effective. 3. Recycled-dried sawdust mixed with cattle waste could be substituted less than 25% for sawdust.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2019

It is well documented that intensive selection in dairy cattle for economic value such as increased milk yield led to a decline in reproductive performance. Recent studies using genome-wide association studies (GWASs) discovered candidate genes involved in the lower fertility including embryo development and conception rates. However, the information, which showed a lower reproductive performance, is limited to dairy cattle, especially Holstein, and the candidate genes were not examined in the Korean native cattle Hanwoo which has been intensively selected and bred for meat in the last few decades. We selected the candidate genes WBP1 and PARM1 reported to be associated with cow and/or heifer conception in dairy cattle and analyzed the genotype because those genes have non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). To determine the single base change, we used the high resolution melting (HRM) assay which is rapid and cost-effective for a small number of genes. We found that most heifers with higher conception (1: service per conception) have the AA genotype coding Threonine rather than Proline in the WBP1 gene. We did not detect an association for a SNP in PARM1 in our analysis. In conclusion, the genetic variation of WBP1 can be used as a selective marker gene to improve reproductive performance, and HRM assay can be used to identify common SNP genotypes rapidly and cost effectively.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.815-821
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• 2014

The effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation were investigated with regards to the microbial growth inhibitory effect on the shelf life of Korean native cattle (Hanwoo) beef prior to refrigerated storage. The Hanwoo samples were exposed to UV radiation ($4.5mW/cm^2$) for 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min. The UV-irradiated beef that was exposed for 20 min showed significantly reduced mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacterial populations to the extent of approximately 3 log cycles, as compared to that of non-irradiated beef. About 2.5 Log CFU/g of mesophilic bacteria were different compared with UV-irradiated and non-irradiated meat. UV irradiation showed the most significant growth inhibition effects on mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria. Coliform and Gram-negative bacteria were also reduced by 1 log cycle. The population of L. monocytogenes, S. Typhimurium, and E. coli O157:H7 decreased significantly to 53.33, 39.68, and 45.76% after 10 min of UV irradiation. They decreased significantly to 84.64, 80.76, and 84.12%, respectively, after 20 min of UV irradiation. The results show that UV irradiation time and the inhibitory effect were proportional. These results verified that UV radiation prior to refrigeration can effectively reduce the number of pathogenic bacteria on the surface of meat and improve the meat's microbial safety.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.273-279
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• 2016

The Korean native cattle, Hanwoo, is the most popular breed of beef cattle in Korea. However, the reproductive performance data are limited although reproduction is one of the most economically and biologically important in beef production. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate reproductive performance parameters including calving interval, parity for life time production. Data collected from 206,827 calvings were analyzed. There were no significant differences in calving interval and gestation days as parity increased from 2nd and 13rd parity cow, from spring to winter. However, we found a dramatic increase in calving interval after year 2000. About 1 month were increased per year ( y = 30.578x + 344.45 $R^2=0.9157$). Interestingly, we observed that parities for life time can be affected by birth weight. Calves with 23 kg at birth showed highest parities, $3.4{\pm}2.0$ times. In summary, this study provides valuable data on reproductive performance of Hanwoo and the data presented here can be used as a standard target for optimising and enhancing reproductive performance.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.493-498
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• 2018

There has been widespread warming and a general increase in summer temperatures over the Korean peninsula ($0.5^{\circ}C$/10 years from 2001 to 2010). South Korea is transforming into a subtropical region, and the productivity of livestock is affected by the climatic changes. In this study, we investigated whether the summer heat waves affect the developmental competency of Korean native cattle (Hanwoo), a taurine type of cattle with a small portion of indicine varieties. We collected oocytes during the summer (heat stress, HS) and autumn (non-HS condition) and examined the developmental competencies including in vitro maturation and preimplantation embryo development. No significant differences were observed between the HS and non-HS oocytes in nuclear maturation (extrusion of the polar body); however, the cleavage and blastocyst rates were significantly lower in the HS group than those in the non-HS group. The lower developmental competence of the HS oocytes compared to the non-HS is, in part, due to insufficient cytoplasmic maturation because of a higher production of Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels as well as peri/cortical distributed mitochondria in the HS oocytes after in vitro maturation. Next, we examined the ROS and mitochondria distribution and found a significant increase in the levels of ROS in the HS oocytes and a polarized distribution (pericortical cytoplasm) of mitochondria in the HS oocytes. In summary, impaired cytoplasmic maturation of oocytes from exposure to HS affects the preimplantation embryo development by dysfunction of mitochondria. To improve reproductive performance, embryo transfer using cryopreserved embryos/oocytes is recommended in the hot summer season of South Korea.