• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.185-197
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• 2010

The reproduction of animals is a means to maintain their species. The golden hamsters are seasonal breeders, and their reproduction is regulated by the photoperiod. The shifts of the sexual functions imply the changes of the protein expression, and those are reflected by the proteome. Thus the present study was to examine via two dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2d PAGE), the physiological changes and the alterations of protein expressions in hypothalamus upon the reproductive situation related to the pineal gland. Among the pineal intact animals, the reproductive functions were sustained in animals housed in long photoperiod (LP) but regressed in animals housed in short photoperiod. And those pinealectomized animals showed high sexual activities regardless of photoperiod. Ultimately they were branched into dichotomy, sexually active and inactive animals. Apart from the changes of physiological parameters upon the reproductive conditions, there were obvious differences in proteins extracted from the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus of LP animals presented high levels of enzymes which are involved in the production of energy, glycolysis and Krebs cycle. The increased energy might be related to the GnRH synthesis in hypothalamus and indirectly to the constant cell divisions in spermatogenesis. Taken together, the impacts of the photoperiodic information controlling reproduction could be observed through 2d PAGE. Therefore, the present results suggest the potential of biomarkers collectively to diagnose the fertility and the infertility by way of proteomics in organs with regard to the reproductive system, further could be applied to diagnose various diseases.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.314-321
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• 2018

Durum (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum) is a major crop species cultivated for human consumption worldwide. In Tunisia, salt stress is one of the main problems that limit crop production. 'Mahmoudi' was selected as the most salt-sensitive out of 11 Tunisian durum cultivars. Using the salt-tolerant cultivar 'Om Rabia', resistant and susceptible cultivars were evaluated to compare genetic responses under salt stress. At the fully expanded third leaf stage, salt stress was applied by submerging the pots in 500 mM NaCl for 5 min every day for saline water irrigation in the greenhouse. The treatment was applied for 1 week and salt stress tolerance was determined by changes of growth parameters to the control condition. The salt tolerance trait index and salt tolerance index were calculated and used as selection criteria. The expression levels of TdHKT1;4, TdHKT1;5, and TdSOS1 were examined using qPCR. For further evaluation of physiological responses, salt stress (150 mM NaCl) was additionally applied for 48 h at the fully expanded third-leaf stage. Increased expression of the genes responsible for salt tolerance and proline content in tolerant durum can be used to broaden genetic diversity and provide genetic resources for the durum breeding program.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.177-182
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• 2023

Iron (Fe) is a vital element for plants and other organisms, involving in several physiological processes including respiration, chlorophyll biosynthesis, and photosynthesis. Unfortunately, how Fe accumulation regulates in response to light quality has not been well established in plants. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore the mechanism of Fe homeostasis by light quality. In this study, we found morpho-physiological attributes were significantly improved in response to blue (λmax: 450) compared to white (λmax: 500) and red (λmax: 660) light. The root-shoot length, plant biomass, photosynthesis efficiency (Fv/Fm) and leafgreen (SPAD) significantly declined in response to white and red light. However, these parameters were improved and iron deficiency was substantially alleviated by blue light exposure in alfalfa seedlings. This study might be useful to the forage breeders and farmers for improving alfalfa yield and nutritional benefits.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.988-995
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• 2003

Physiological parameters were measured on six primiparous, non-pregnant Holstein cows prior to peak lactation over a 3-month summer season in southwestern Taiwan. The objectives were to characterize heat stress-induced change in functionality of mammary gland under natural climates of tropical summer and to establish physiological indices applicable to this environment in referring to this change. Environmental and physiological readings, milk and blood samples were taken at 15:00 h biweekly for totally five time points during the study. Climate readings showed that the afternoon humidex value reached the highest (53.5) around mid summer. Rectal temperature of cows taken simultaneously varied between $38.26^{\circ}C$ and $40.02^{\circ}C$ in parallel to humidex. Milk production declined drastically from 29.2 to 22.2 kg/d the first month entering summer but leveled up at end of the summer season suggesting effects exerted by heat stress rather than stages of lactation. Lactose content decreased linearly (p<0.05) with times in summer, from 4.69 to 4.38%. On the other hand, activity of N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGase) in milk increased linearly to over two folds (p<0.05) during the same intervals. Elevations of fractional constituent of BSA in whey protein and serum cortisol level were also noticed in the course. Measurement of arteriovenous concentration (A-V) difference across the mammary gland demonstrated net uptake of glucose and net release of urea throughout the study period. The amount of urea released from mammary gland increased (p<0.05) progressively from 1.54 to 7.76 mg/dl during summer. It is concluded that gradual regression of mammary gland occurred along the humid tropical summer season. This regression is likely initiated through elevation of body temperature, which is irreversible above certain point. The increased release of urea from mammary gland during heat stress suggests its potential role as an early indicator of suboptimal mammary function.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1350-1357
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• 2017

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate whether the long-lasting, recurrent restricting of sows leads to the physiological and psychological reaction of discomfort. Methods: Sows (Large White) that had experienced restricting for about 0.5 or 3 years and agematched sows kept in a group housing system (loose sows) were compared. Pupillary light reflex parameters were measured at the weaning stage. Immediately after slaughter, blood samples were taken to measure serum cortisol levels, and the brain was dissected, gene expression in the hippo-campus, frontal cortex and hypothalamus was analyzed. Results: The serum cortisol levels were higher in the confined sows than in the loose sows. The full maturity, but not the young adolescent, confined sows had longer latency time in the onset of pupil constriction than their loose counterparts. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed an increased expression of interleukin 6 mRNA in the hippocampus and decreased expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor mRNA in hippocampus and hypothalamus and to a lesser extent in the frontal cortex of the full maturity confined sows, compared with the full maturity loose sows. Conclusion: Taken together, these data indicated that recurrent restricting stress in full maturity sows leads to the physiological and psychological reaction of discomfort.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.249-257
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• 2017

In a 12-week experiment, the rock bream, Oplegnathus fasciatus, and olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, were investigated to determine the effects of starvation on their physiological parameters. The protein and DNA contents of the starved fish were significantly higher than the initial values and those of the fed fish. The RNA contents and RNA/DNA ratios of the fed fish were significantly higher than those of the other groups (P<0.05). The hematocrit, hemoglobin, red blood cells (RBC), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of the fed rock bream were significantly higher than at baseline (P<0.05), whereas the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) of the fed fish was lower than at baseline (P<0.05). The hematocrit, hemoglobin, RBC, and MCHC of the starved group were significantly lower than the baseline values, whereas the MCV of the starved group was significantly higher than the baseline value (P<0.05). No significant difference in alanine aminotransferase was observed between the fed fish and baseline, whereas the starved fish value was significantly higher than the baseline value (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in cortisol levels. However, the glucose level in the fed group was significantly higher than the baseline level and that in the starved group was significantly lower than the baseline level (P<0.05).

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.321-326
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• 2005

We investigated the effects of pollutants on two pine species (Pinus koraiensis and Pinus rigida) in an industrial region, using a physiological approach. We measured the growth and physiological parameters (photosynthetic activity and chemical contents) of the pine trees in relation to environmental pollutants. The concentrations of manganese (Mn), fluorine (F) and chlorine (CI) in needles of two pine species at the damaged site were significantly higher than those at the control site, and concentrations of essential elements (P) and chlorophyll in needles at the damaged site were significantly lower than at the control site. The light-saturated net photosynthesis $(P_{sat})$, apparent quantum yield $(\Phi)$, carboxylation efficiency (CE) of both pines at the damaged site were significantly lower than those at the control site. The length of shoots and survivorship of needles of two pines at the damaged site were significantly lower than those at the control site. Especially, at damaged site, growth of shoots and needle longevity of P. koraiensis are larger than those of P. rigida.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Emotion and Sensibility Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.15-25
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• 2000

Cardiac, respiratory, electrodermal and frontal (F3, F4) EEG responses were analyzed and compared during to slides of International Affective Picture System (IAPS) in the study on 42 students. Physiological responses during 20s of exposure to slides intended to elicit happiness (nurturant and erotic), sadness, disgust, surprise, fear or anger emotions were quite similar and were expressed in heart rate (HR) deceleration, decreased HR variability (HRV), specific SCR, increased non-specific SCR frequency (N-SCR), and EEG changes exhibited in theta increase, alpha-blocking and increased beta activity, and frontal asymmetry. However, some emotions demonstrated variations of the response magnitudes, enabling to differentiate some paris of emotions by several physiological parameters. The profiles showed higher magnitudes of HRV and EEG responses in exciting (i.e., erotic) and higher cardiac and respiratory responses in surprise. The most different pairs were exciting-surprise (by HR, HRV, theta, and alpha asymmetry), exciting-sadness (by theta, alpha, and alpha asymmetry), and exciting-fear (by HRV, theta, F3 alpha, and alpha asymmetry). Nurturant happiness yielded the least differentiation. Differences were found as well within negative emotions, e.g., anger-sadness were differentiated by HRV and theta asymmetry, while disgust-fear by N-SCR and beta asymmetry. Obtained results suggest that magnitudes of profiles of physiological variables differentiate emotions evoked by affective pictures, despite that the patterns of most responses were featured by qualitative similarity in given passive viewing context.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.819-826
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• 2013

The black seabream Acanthopagrus schlegelii is an important species for aquaculture in Korea. There are, however, no reports on the physiological responses to hypoxia in this species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of acute hypoxia on the physiological stress responses (plasma cortisol as the primary response, and plasma glucose, hematocrit (Ht), hemoglobin (Hb), sodium, chloride, osmolality, AST, ALT and total protein as the secondary responses) of the fish. The experimental fish were exposed to 0.5 ppm dissolved oxygen (DO) in the seawater via two methods (progressive stepwise decline (Exp. I), and direct decline (Exp. II)). A highly significant increase was detected in plasma cortisol levels due to the hypoxia treatments, and fish in Exp. I had hormone levels that were significantly higher than the fish in Exp. II. For plasma glucose, there was no significant difference between the Exp. I fish and the control fish, whereas Exp. II fish showed significantly higher plasma glucose levels than Exp. I fish and control fish. Ht values increased in both hypoxia treatments; however, Hb concentrations increased only in Exp. I. Although plasma chloride levels were unaffected by acute hypoxia, plasma sodium and osmolality levels increased in Exp. I. Progressive hypoxia (Exp. I fish) increased plasma AST, ALT and total protein. These results suggest that the value and direction of changes to the investigated parameters can be used to determine the resistance of black seabream to acute hypoxia.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.215-221
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• 2016

Due to the shortage of the fingerling/juvenile mud loach, Misgurnus mizolepis in Korea, these fish have been imported from China. However, the mortality rate during and after their transportation is very high. In this study, we examined various physiological and histological parameters to evaluate the effect of salt treatment on the survival and recovery of mud loaches in holding farms during the quarantine process. Glucose, osmolality, $Na^+$, $Cl^-$, and histological changes were assessed for three different salinities. Non-treated fish (control 0.0%) exhibited lower levels of osmolality, and $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$ concentrations compared with those kept in solar salt solution (0.5% and 1.0%). Glucose levels in control fish were higher than those in fish exposed to 0.5% and 1.0% solar salt solution. Histologically, control fish showed thinner epidermis of skin, branchial hyperplasia and lamellar fusion with an abundance of eosinophilic granule cell-like cells. After solar salt solution treatment, damaged gill structures in the fish almost recovered within 5 days. The present study demonstrates that mud loaches transported from China suffer from skin and gill damage and physiological dysfunction which may increase the mortality and morbidity. Moreover, saline treatment might alleviate the stress responses and ionic/osmotic imbalances, and help heal gill damage.