• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.682-692
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• 2007

This study presents an automatic system to predict parturition time in the crated sows. The system relies on ultrasonic transducers mounted from above along the length of the crate. Using a 40 kHz time of flight (TOF) single envelope wave, the momentary distances between the sensors are measured. Therefore, the local momentary height of the sow and the momentary posture, i.e. standing posture (SDP), kneeling posture (KP), sitting posture (STP) and lateral lying posture (LLP) are determined. Crated sows change their postures from standing to lying and vice versa which follows a characteristic pattern. As parturition approaches, sows exhibit uneasiness, restlessness and the stand up sequence (SUS, the posture transition from LLP to SDP) rate increases because of labor pains. In time series, the SUS rate demonstrates a peak and it happens approximately 0-12 h before parturition. In this paper, the basic parturition threshold value method (BPTVM) and the same hour method (SHM) are proposed for predicting parturition, both of which are based on the SUS rate. The BPTVM mainly detects the peak of the SUS rate. As the SUS rate exceeds the threshold value, the parturition becomes predictable. Moreover, the SHM calculates the difference in the SUS rates between a particular time of day and the corresponding time of the preceding day. Compared to the BPTVM, the SHM can eliminate the circadian rhythm of the SUS rate influenced by feeding behavior. Using the SHM the parturition can be approximately predicted within hours. In an attempt to define the threshold parameters of predicting parturition, a data set with 32 sows of the SUS rate are used to estimate assumable predicting probability. The results show the assumable probability of the parturition prediction within 9 h is 96.9% for the SHM and 84.4% for the BPTVM. Moreover, the SHM can even reach a 75% probability of prediction within three hours of parturition. We conclude that the SHM is more accurate and is more useful for parturition time prediction. When parturition is detected, the proposed algorithm generates a warning signal which can inform human personnel to protect the mother and newborn piglets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.224-233
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• 2012

The limiting sequence and relative ratio of lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), and threonine (Thr) for calves about 2 mo of age fed milk replacers (MR) containing soy protein are not clearly defined. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of supplementing MR containing 22% CP, half from soy protein concentrate (SPC, 40.56% CP, flour) and half from whey proteins, with Lys, Met, and Thr to estimate amino acid (AA) sequence and their relative ratio for calves about 2 mo of age. A method of partial deduction of AA was adopted. Twenty-four newborn calves (half males and half females, $40.7{\pm}0.9$ kg of BW) were fed 1 of 4 MR diets for 56 d (n = 6/diet). The diets were supplemented with all (positive control) or with 2 of the 3 AAs: Lys, Met and Thr, (i.e., PC (22% CP, 2.34% Lys, 0.72% Met and 1.80% Thr), PC-Lys (22% CP, 1.64% Lys, 0.72% Met and 1.80% Thr), PC-Met (22% CP, 2.34% Lys, 0.50% Met and 1.80% Thr), and PC-Thr (22% CP, 2.34% Lys, 0.72% Met and 1.26% Thr)). Calves were fed thrice daily; starter (20% CP, 1.03% Lys, 0.30% Met and 0.69% Thr), hay (3.23% CP, 0.29% Lys, 0.12% Met and 0.23% Thr) and water were offered free choice. Starter and hay were only offered beginning on d 36 (after 5 wk) and d 43 (after 6 wk), respectively. BW, body size and blood samples measures were taken every two weeks. Three-day total collection of feed refusals, feces, and urine were recorded starting at d 33 and d 54 of age, respectively. From the results, the limiting sequence and relative ratio between the 3 AAs in calves with different diet structures were calculated. The limiting sequence of the 3 AAs were ranked as Lys, Met and Thr; the proper ratio was 100:29:70 for MR-only diet and 100:30:60 for diets consisted of MR, starter and hay. Nitrogen digestion and utilization and nutrient digestibility were negatively affected by AA deletion treatments. From the evidence of this experiment, it did not appear that the AA limiting sequence was selectively altered by differences in diet structures such as would be encountered in practice. The relative ratio between the 3 AAs varied with the offer of starter and hay to calves, and the average ratio was 100:29.5:65 for calves during 2 to 10 wk of age.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.348-352
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• 2003

An investigation was made into the protein profile of colostrum/milk of ten Murrah buffaloes and of their ten buffalo calves during their first week of neonatal life to study the materno-neonatal transfer of immunoglobulins (Ig). Calves were pail fed 3.5 liter of colostrum and/or milk per calf/day exclusively from their dam. First blood sample from newborn calves was collected before colostrum feeding on the day of birth (day zero) and the sampling continued daily for seven days after colostrum/milk feeding. Colostrum/milk Ig and IgG values were $4.82{\pm}2.60$, $2.19{\pm}1.90$, $1.12{\pm}0.82$, $0.69{\pm}0.44$, $0.59{\pm}0.31$, $0.47{\pm}0.20$, $0.40{\pm}0.22$, $0.40{\pm}0.25$ and $3.58{\pm}1.90$, $1.08{\pm}0.92$, $0.52{\pm}0.40$, $0.31{\pm}0.20$, $0.27{\pm}0.14$, $0.22{\pm}0.08$, $0.18{\pm}0.09$, $0.14{\pm}0.08$ respectively during 0-7 days post partum. The concentration of total colostrum/milk proteins, Ig, IgG and albumin were highest within 12 h post-partum. Thereafter, the concentrations followed a declining trend which may be attributed to the reduced transfer of proteins from the maternal blood, declining synthesis by the mammary glands and/or depletion of stored proteins. The concentrations of plasma Ig and IgG before colostrum feeding on day zero were $0.42{\pm}0.09$ and $0.08{\pm}0.03$ respectively. The levels of plasma Ig were $1.90{\pm}0.37$, $1.80{\pm}0.31$, $1.80{\pm}0.26$, $1.81{\pm}0.28$, $1.78{\pm}0.31$, $1.79{\pm}0.21$, $1.80{\pm}0.32$ and of IgG were $1.57{\pm}0.41$, $1.30{\pm}0.29$, $1.31{\pm}0.21$, $1.27{\pm}0.18$, $1.23{\pm}0.21$, $1.23{\pm}0.16$, $1.26{\pm}0.21$ on days 1-7 after birth after colostrum/milk feeding. The concentrations of total plasma proteins, Ig, IgG were lowest before colostrum feeding and increased significantly (p<0.05) after colostrum feeding in buffalo neonates. The results suggest that the highest amounts of colostral Ig and IgG were available on the day of parturition and thus the calves should receive colostrum as early after birth as possible. Colostrum Ig and IgG concentrations were not correlated to plasma Ig and IgG concentrations in the post-suckle buffalo calves and therefore, colostrum Ig and IgG concentrations were probably not the principle determinants of calf post-suckle plasma Ig and IgG concentrations.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.271-278
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• 1996

The present study was carried out to sex effectively mouse and rabbit embryos using rat H-Y antiserum and to improve the rate of rat producing H-Y antiserum with H-Y antibody. The H-Y antiserum was prepared from inbred SD strain female rat immunized by intrasplenic injection and subsequent intraperitioneal booster of testis cell of syngenic male newborn rat. the titer of antiserum was identified by in vitro cytotoxicity test of mouse embryos. The rabbit embryos exposed to the H-Y antiserum was classified to the developed (H-Y negative) or delayed (H-Y positive) group. The H-Y negative rabbit embryos were transferred to recipients and sex of offspring was examined. 1. When mouse embryos were exposed to the rat H-Y antisera, the ratio of embryos developed vs delayed was various. The H-Y antisera where the ratio of embryos developed vs delayed showed the range of 40~60% were recognized as having titer of H-Y antibody. 2. When the subsequent intraperitioneal boosters were followed after priming of intrasplenic injection of H-Y antigen, the rate of rat producting the H-Y antiserum with H-U antibody was 13, 27, 70 and 73% in control, 1st B, 2nd B and 3rd B, respectively. The rate in 2nd B and 3rd B was significantly(P<0.05) higher than that in control and 1st B. 3. When the rabbit morulae were exposed to the rat H-Y antiserum with H-Y antibody, the ratio of morulae developed versus delayed was 42:58% and it was close to the natural sex ratio 50:50%. It was confirmed that the rat H-Y antiserum was cross reactive to the rabbit morulae. 4. When the H-Y negative rabbit embryos were transferred to the recipients, the pregnancy rate was 50% and 83% of the newborns were females. In conclusion, the rat H-Y antiserum with high titer of H-Y antibody was able to be obtained from the female rat immunized by the intrasplenic injection followed by the second intrapent oneal booster of testis cells at a week interval. When the rabbit embryos negative to the rat H-Y antiserum were transferred, 83% of the newborns were females.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.1749-1756
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• 2021

Objective: Microminipig (MMP) is a miniature pig with an extra small body size for experimental use. In the present study, the occurrence of stillbirths and their genetic association with swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) class II haplotypes were evaluated in a population of MMPs. Methods: The occurrences of stillbirth and genetic association with SLA class II haplotypes using 483 stillborn and 2,246 live piglets, and their parents were compared among the three groups of newborn piglet litters; an all stillborn (AS) group consisting of only stillborn piglet litters, a partial stillborn (PS) group consisting of stillborn and live piglet litters, and an all alive (AA) group consisting of only live piglet litters. Results: The incidence of stillborn piglets was 483/2,729 (17.7%). Distributions of litter sizes, numbers of stillborn piglets in a litter, parities, and gestation periods were distinct among the three groups. The frequencies of low resolution haplotype (Lr)-0.7 or Lr-0.23 were higher in the AS group than in the PS or AA groups. In sires, the frequency of Lr-0.7 associated with the AS group was significantly higher in the AS group than with the AA group. In dams, the frequency of Lr-0.23 was significantly higher in the AS group than in the PS or AA groups, whereas the frequency of Lr-0.7 was not significantly different. Conclusion: The incidence of stillborn piglets in MMPs appears to be higher than those in other pig breeds. Several traits related with stillbirths such as the number of stillborn piglets and parities of the AS group were different from those of the PS and AA groups. Specific SLA class II haplotypes were associated significantly with a high incidence of stillbirths and could be used as genetic markers to adopt breeding strategies to lower the rate of stillbirth in MMPs.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.56-66
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• 2005

The purposes of this study were to test that complex motor training enhance motor function significantly, to test change in cerebellum, and to test the synaptic plasticity into the immunohistochemistry response of synaptophysin. Using an animal model of fetal alcohol syndrome - which equates peak blood alcohol concentrations across developmental period - the effects of alcohol on body weight during periods were examined. The effect of complex motor training on motor function and synaptic plasticity of rat exposed alcohol on postnatal days 4 through 10 were studied. Newborn rats were assigned to one of two groups: (1) normal group (NG), via artificial rearing to milk formula and (2) alcohol groups (AG), via 4.5 g/kg/day of ethanol in a milk solution. After completion of the treatments, the pups were fostered back to lactating dams, where they were raised in standard cages (two-and three animals per cage) until they were postnatal 48 days. Rats from alcohol group of postnatal treatment then spent 10 days in one of two groups: Alcohol-experimental group was had got complex motor training (learning traverse a set of 6 elevated obstacles) for 4 weeks. The alcohol-control group was not trained. Before consider replacing with "the experiment/study", (avoid using "got" in writing) the rats were examined during four behavioral tests and their body weights were measured, then their coronal sections were processed in rabbit polyclonal antibody synaptophysin. The synaptophysin expression in the cerebellar cortex was investigated using a light microscope. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The alcohol groups contained significantly higher alcohol concentrations than the normal group. 2. The alcohol groups had significantly lower body weights than the normal group. 3. In alcohol groups performed significantly lower than the normal group on the motor behavioral test. 4. In alcohol-control group showed significantly decreased immunohistochemistric response of the synaptophysin in the cerebellar cortex compared to the nomal group. These results suggest that improved motor function induced by complex motor training after postnatal exposure is associated with dynamically altered expression of synaptophysin in cerebellar cortex and that is related with synaptic plasticity. Also, these data can potentially serve as a model for therapeutic intervention.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.393-400
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• 2015

An insect parasitic mite was found on a larva from Japanese apricot seed. The mite was identified as Pyemotes moseri Yu et Liang (Acarina: Pyemotidae) new to Korea. The host larva was identified as Eurytoma maslovskii using mitochondrial DNA sequencing analysis. We conducted preliminary study on its reproduction and parasitization capacity in laboratory condition. A mated female mite reared on Eurytoma maslovskii larva. We counted and sexed newborn progenies and then eliminated them during periodical observations. To test parasitization capacity, a PCR tube containing mass reared P. moseri and Japanese apricot seeds (assumed bear larva of E. maslovskii) placed in a stainless bath filled with potting soil. One month later, we surveyed the seeds whether the E. maslovskii larva parasitized by mite or not. We repeated this experiment three times with five replications each. Average life span (days from parasitization to the end of reproduction) of gravid females was 24.4 days (n=8). A gravid female reproduced 104.0 female progenies (n=8). Although there were more than seven Japanese apricot seeds per bath containing larva or pupa, we found parasitization only in two seeds.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.1102-1111
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• 2008

Purpose : Resveratrol, extracted from red wine and grapes, has an anti-cancer effect, an antiinflammatory effect, and an antioxidative effect mainly in heart disease and also has neuroprotective effects in the adult animal model. No studies for neuroprotective effects during the neonatal periods have been reported. Therefore, we studied the neuroprotective effect of resveratrol on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats via anti-apoptosis. Methods : Embryonic cortical neuronal cell culture of rat brain was performed using pregnant Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 18 days of gestation (E18) for the in vitro approach. We injured the cells with hypoxia and administered resveratrol (1, 10, and $30{\mu}g/mL$) to the cells at 30 minutes before hypoxic insults. In addition, unilateral carotid artery ligation with hypoxia was induced in 7-day-old neonatal rats for the in vivo approach. We injected resveratrol (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally into animal models. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were performed to identify the neuroprotective effects of resveratrol through anti-apoptosis. Results : In the in vitro approach of hypoxia, the expression of Bax, caspase-3, and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, indicators of the level of apoptosis, were significantly increased in the hypoxia group compared to the normoxia group. In the case of the resveratrol-treated group, expression was significantly decreased compared to the hypoxia group. And the results in the in vivo approach were the same as in the in vitro approach. Conclusion : The present study demonstrates that resveratrol plays neuroprotective role in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage during neonatal periods through the mechanism of anti-apoptosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.8
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• pp.874-878
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• 2008

Purpose : This study was undertaken to develop an animal model of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) induced by in utero clamping of pregnant rat aorta in fetal rats. Methods : A timed pregnanct Sprague-Dawley rat on embryonic day 21 just prior to delivery was sedated and anesthetized, and a Harvard ventilator for small animals was applied. Following laparotomy, the maternal aorta was clamped reversibly for 40 minutes using a surgical clip. The fetal rats were then delivered by Cesarean section, resuscitated if necessary, and reared by a surrogate mother rat until postnatal day 21 to obtain the brain specimen. After systemic perfusion and fixation, $10{\mu}m$ thick serial brain sections were obtained and stained for pathologic examination and assessment of ventriculomegaly. Ventriculomegaly was assessed by the measured ventricle to total brain volume ratio. Results : Eight out of eleven fetal rats (73%) survived in the ischemia group after induction of in utero ischemia by clamping maternal rat aorta, and all ten survived in the control group. Body and brain weights measured at postnatal day 21 were significantly lower in the ischemia group compared to the control group. In pathologic findings, significant ventriculomagaly ($3.67{\pm}1.21%$ vs. $0.23{\pm}0.06%$) was observed in the ischemia group compared to the control group; although cystic lesion was not observed, mild (n=6) and moderate (n=2) rerefaction of the brain tissue was observed. Conclusion : A fetal rat model of PVL induced by in utero clamping of pregnant rat aorta was developed.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-21
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• 1973

During the last decade extensive studios on catecholamines have evolved new knowledge in the physiology and biochemistry of adrenergic mechanism. Cardiac muscle, receiving adrenergic fibres from the stellate, cervical and thoracic ganglia, has been repeatedly shown to have a specific capacity to uptake and to store catecholamines. The catecholamine stores in cardiac muscle have also been shown to be important sites for the action of numerous drugs. Under normal condition, a certain level of catecholamines is maintained in the stores and serves as the basis for studying the changes in the catecholamine content of the heart. Because myocardial catecholamines play such important role in the patho-physiology of the heart, it would be interesting to compare the normal level of myocardial catecholamines among various species of animals. An occasional study has dealt with myocardial catecholamines of several species add ages of animals but these have been insufficiently comprehensive to afford a basis for an understanding of the importance of these amines as related to species and ages. The present investigation was undertaken to determine whether or not there is any significance of myocardial catecholamines in the course of the evolution and development of animals. Seasonal changes, sex difference and regional and subcellular distribution of myocardial catecholamines were also examined. The concentration of cardiac catecholamines was determined by the spectrophotofluorometric procedure described by Shore and Olin. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. As animals phylogenetically progressed larger amounts of catecholamines were resent in their hearts. A negligibly small amount of catecholamine was present in the hearts of the clam, a non-vertebrate. Among the vertebrates, cold-blooded animals (snake, turtle, frog, eel and fish) had less myocardial catecholamines than warm-blooded animals, of which aves (fowl and duck) had less than mammalia (cat, dog, rabbit, rat, cow and pig). The ratio of norepinephrine to epinephrine also was greater as the animals progress phylogenetically. 2. Examination of the regional distribution of cardiac catecholamines in warm-blooded animals showed that the content of the auricle was generally higher than that of the septum and considerably than that of the ventricle, but the differences of contents among these regions were not so marked. 3. In the embryonic chick, cardiac catecholamines were firstly detected on the 4th day of incubation, the time before the cardiac innervation of sympathetic nerves. The concentrations of these catecholamines increased but not markedly on the 6th day of incubation, soon after the innervation of sympathetic nerves to the heart. The level of the cardiac catecholamines fluctuated throughout the remainder of embryonic development. 4. In newborn rat hearts, a considerable amount of catecholamines was present. With the development of the rats, the concentrations of myocardial catecholamines increased. The ratio of epinephrine and norepinephrine fluctuated within the range of 40 to 60 pervent. However, as development progressed, the percentage of norepinephrine continued to rise, attaining the adult value of $80{\sim}90%$ after $45{\sim}60$ days. In contrast, the total amount of epinephrine remained fairly constant throughout the animal's development. 5. No significant sexual differences were observed in the concentration of myocardial catecholamines in the developing rat. 6. The catecholamines in the rabbit hearts increased during the summer season (from May to August) and maintained a fairly constant level in the other seasons of the year. 7. The subcellular distribution of cardiac catecholamines was examined by differential centrifugation of homogenates of cardiac muscles in rabbits, cats and rats. The catecholamines were found to be present approximately 20% in particles of mitochondrial fraction, 45% in particles of microsomal fraction and 35% in soluble supernatant fraction. The particle containing catecholamines in cardiac muscle appears to be two different sizes.