• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.297-304
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• 2018

The purpose of the present study was to determine the elaborate characteristics of ovarian changes including follicles and corpus luteum, and hormonal patterns of gonadotropin surge mode secretions during the normal consecutive estrous cycle in three dairy cows. Non-lactating and multiparous Holstein cows (n=3) used as experimental animals. The cows were assigned to examine the relationship among ovarian changes (follicle, corpus luteum), ovarian steroids (estradiol, progesterone) and gonadotropin (LH, FSH) surge mode secretion during the successive estrous cycles by rectal palpation, ultrasonography and hormonal assay. The mean length of the estrous cycle for the three cows was $23.1{\pm}1.44days$ (${\pm}SEM$), with a range of 20-28 days. In six estrous cycles, the number of two follicular waves, three follicular waves and four follicular waves was 2, 3 and 1, respectively. The sequential ultrasonographic monitoring showed that the corpus luteum with ${\geq}10mm$ in diameter detected from Day 2 (Day 0 is ovulation) in six estrous cycles of all cows. Preovulatory increases in estradiol concentration reached $10.36{\pm}1.10pg/ml$ on the 2 days before ovulation of the last dominant follicle. All cows exhibited a preovulatory rise in estradiol concentration followed by a typical preovulatory LH and FSH surge. The mean interval from the peak of LH/FSH surge to ovulation of the last dominant follicle was $31.3{\pm}1.76h$ (${\pm}SEM$). In these results, each dairy cow showed that ovarian morphological changes and gonadotropin surge mode secretion will be regulated by various environmental factors including age, breeds, nutrition, breeding conditions, etc.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.215-224
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• 2023

Background: Reproductive management practices play crucial roles to maximize the reproductive performance of cows, and thus contribute to farm profitability. We aimed to assess the reproductive management of cows currently practiced in the dairy farms in an urban farming system. Methods: A total of 62 dairy farms were randomly selected considering all size of farms such as small (1-5 cattle), medium (6-20 cattle) and large farms (> 20 cattle) from selected areas of Dhaka city in Bangladesh. The reproductive management-related parameters viz. estrus detection, breeding method, pregnancy diagnosis, dry cow and parturition management, vaccination and treatment of reproductive problems etc. were obtained in a pre-defined questionnaire during the farm visit. Results: The visual observation method was only used (100.0%; 62/62) for estrus detection irrespective of size of the farms; while farmers observed cows for estrus 4-5 times a day, but only for 20-60 seconds each time. Regardless of farm size, 89.0% (55/62) farms used artificial insemination (AI) for breeding the cows. Intriguingly, all farms (100.0%) routinely checked the cows for pregnancy at 35-40 days post-breeding using rectal palpation technique by registered veterinarian. However, only 6.5% (4/62) farms practiced dry cow management. Notably, all farms (100.0%) provided nutritional supplements (Vit D, Ca and P) during late gestation. However, proper hygiene and cleanliness during parturition was not practiced in 77.4% (48/62) farms; even though 96.7% (60/62) farms treated cows by registered veterinarian for parturition-related problems. Conclusions: While farmers used AI service for breeding and timely check their cows for pregnancy; however, they need to increase observation time (30 minutes/ observation, twice in a day: early morning and early night) for estrus detection, consider dry cow management and ensure hygienic parturition for maximizing production.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.167-175
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• 2008

This study was performed to investigate the result that in-vivo or in-vitro embryos of Hanwoo cows were transferred to Holstein cows. Seventeen Hanwoo cows were used as donors for production of in-vivo embryos and fresh hanwoo in-vivo embryos were transferred to 1,150 Holsteins. And 2 embryos were transferred to 188 Holstein recipients to produce twin calves. Diagnosis on pregnancy was performed by rectal palpation at $60\sim90$ days after transfer. The pregnancy rate of Holstein recipients was 55.8% after transfer with Hanwoo in-vivo embryos and 38.2% after transfer with Hanwoo in-vitro embryos. The delivery rate of pregnant Holstein recipients was 88.4% after transfer with Hanwoo in-vivo embryos and 75.6% after transfer with Hanwoo in-vitro embryos. The rate of delivery of Holstein recipients transferred with two Hanwoo embryos was 36.2% and the rate of twin production was 25.9%. The rate of twin production by embryo transfer with in-vivo embryos was 30.4%, whereas the fate with in-vitro embryos was 15.6%. The pregnancy rate according to the grade of corpus luteum of Holstein recipients transferred with Hanwoo in-vitro embryos was 41.5 and 36.0% for A and B grade, respectively. The pregnancy rate according to the transfer in site in the uterine lumen of recipients was 40.9 and 32.7% for anterior and middle site, respectively. The pregnancy rate according to day of embryo transfer after estrus of recipients was 45.5, 38.8 and 39.7% for day 6, day 7 and day 8, respectively. There was difference of pregnancy rate according embryo transfer technician ($30.5\sim45.8%$) individual dairy farm ($21.1\sim51.0%$). These results are supposed to indicate that the rate of pregnancy after transfer with Hanwoo embryos to Holstein recipients was similar to that within the same breed, and consequently that this method would be beneficial to enhance the productivity in Hanwoo reproduction.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2001

To determine the effect of the characteristics of the corpus luteum (CL) and serum metabolites on pregnancy rate following embryo transfer in Hanwoo cow, recipients were synchronized the estrus with CIDR. in vivo or in vitro produced bovine embryos were transferred to synchronized recipients. The characteristics of the CL were checked by rectal palpation and ultrasound. Blood samples were collected from jugular vein at Day 7 and analysed progesterone and serum metabolites. The results obtained from this study were as follows; 1. Total 397 embryos were transferred to recipient and 121 heads out of them were pregnant. The pregnancy rate was 30.5% and slightly differences between farms. 2. There was not significantly different the pregnancy rates between the size of CL and the cavity CL. In the recipients which had more than 2ng/$m\ell$ of serum progesterone level, the pregnancy rates was in higher than others (46.6% vs. 24.4%, 15.0%). 3. The highest pregnancy rate was obtained at 90 to 110mg/㎗ in serum total cholesterol, 14 to 16mg/㎗ in BUN, and 70 to 80mg/㎗ in serum glucose, respectively, and these metabolites in blood could be used as the criteria in the selection of recipient at embryo transfer.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.746-750
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• 2010

Three military working dogs (MWDs) were diagnosed with perianal fistulae after a complete physical examination and rectal palpation. The initial treatment protocol was used with short-term oral ciclosporine (CyA) and ketoconazole and 0.1% topical tacrolimus ointment. When lesions were nearly healed, treatment was continued with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment only at a lower frequency. The lesions improved significantly within 2-8 weeks with no noticeable side effects. Complete recovery was determined at weeks 13, 6, and 4 for cases 1, 2, and 3, respectively. This combination protocol was effective at resolving or reducing perianal fistulae (PAF) lesions even communicating with anal sacs in three dogs. The major benefit of this protocol was the rapid reduction of fistulae lesions and this could be helpful to extend the pain-free period. Moreover, this protocol appeared cost-saving as well as time-saving option for PAF dogs.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.66-70
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• 2013

This report compared paramedian and flank approaches for the effective removal of abdominal unilateral cryptorchidism in calves. Two Korean native calves of approximately 300 kg in body weight, which had undergone the removal of a testis from the scrotum, were diagnosed as having abdominal unilateral (left) cryptorchidism by rectal palpation. One calf was administered with xylazine (0.2 mg/kg, IV) and was restrained in the dorsal recumbency position on the ground of barn for the paramedian approach, while the other calf was sedated with xylazine (0.03 mg/kg, IV) and restrained in the standing position for a flank approach. For the two calves, 2% lidocaine was administered by local infiltration, along the proposed incision line. Following incisions of the skin, muscle and peritoneum, the testis, which was located between the left kidney and inguinal canal, was grasped, exteriorized out of the abdominal cavity and detached from the gubernaculum testis. Then spermatic cord was ligated and cut. Finally, the testis was removed. An assistant was required to restraint a calf in dorsal recumbency for paramedian approach, and cryptorchidectomy was carried out with operator in a rather uncomfortable squatting posture, while restraint was rather simple and cryptorchidectomy was proceeded with operator in a standing posture where the flank approach was taken. During surgery, the gubernaculum testis was more strained during pulling the testis in the flank approach than in the paramedian approach, as the distance between incision site and the gubernaculum testis was greater in the flank approach than that in the paramedian approach. On the other hand, intra-abdominal pressure was greater in the paramedian approach than in the flank approach during surgery. The elapsed time between restraint and the end of surgery was 10 min shorter where the flank approach (35 min) was taken, than where the paramedian approach (45 min) was taken. In conclusion, this case study demonstrated that the flank approach might be more convenient than the paramedian approach for abdominal unilateral cryptorchidectomy in calves.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.79-104
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• 1985

Clinical and cytomorphological studies were carried out in 32 leukotic cattle from Tokachi and Kushiro districts in Hokkaido during the 12 year period from 1969 to 1980. The leukotic cattle were examined :and divided into four types(15 cases of the adult, 11 cases of the thymic, 4 casas of the calf and 2 cases of the skin types). The results obtained were as follows : 1. As for the frequency of the main clinical signs in each type, In the adult type, the main clinical signs (of decreasing order) are as follows: swelling of the superficial lymph nodes>depression and loss of weight>tachycardia>anorekia, anemia of the visible mucous membrane and tachypnea. Those of the thymic type were swelling of the thymus>swelling of the medial iliac lymph nodes> swelling of the superficial lymph nodes>tachypnea. Those of the calf type were swelling of the auperficial lymph nodes>depression and emaciation>tachypnea>anorexia, tachycardia, anemia of the visible mucous membrane and recumbency. Those of the skin type were generalized urticaria-like lesions in skin and swelling of superficial lymph nodes>and depression and loss of weight in the decreasing order of frequency. In addition, large tumor mass in the pelvic cavity and swelling of the medial iliac lymph nodes were detected through rectal palpation in 33.3% and 100% in the adult type cases, respectively. 2. As for the hematological findings, The frequency of occurrence of decreased erythrocyte counts in the decreasing order were as follows : adult>calf>thymic>and skin types. The increase in the total leukocyte count in the order of decreasing frequency were as follows: calf>thymic>adult>and skin types. The increase in the absolute lymphocyte counts was found to be at a low rate, 62.5% of all the cases examined. By contrast, the increase of 5% or more of abnormal lymphocyte rates was observed at a high rate, 96.9% of the total cases. 3. Abnormal lymphocytes were found in all cases examined for lymph nodes biopsied. 4. From the cytomorphological point of view, leukotic cells were divided into 3 types: reticulum cell, lymphoid cell and monocytic cell types. The adult type leukotic cattle were divided with reticulum cell type (66.7%), the lymphoid cell type(22.6%) and monocytic cell type(6.7%). The thymic type was lymphoip cell type(72.7%) and reticulum cell type(27.3%). In the calf type, all were lymphoid cell type while all of the skin type were reticulum cell type only. 5. The leukotic cattle had higher NP frequency in the blood and lymphoid tissue than non-1 eukotic cattle. Especially the adult type had the highest NP frequency. However, it was not recognized that NP were characteristic of leukotic cattle alone. 6. The above findings lead to the conclusion that the most effective diagnostic methods for bovine leukosis are the confirmation of swelling of the superficial and internal lymph nodes and thymus in addition to appearance of abnormal neoplastic cell in the peripheral blood and lymph nodes biopsied.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.397-401
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• 2010

This study was to evaluate the usefulness of a programmed reproductive management including Presynch-Ovsynch-Resynch protocol in lactating dairy cows. Nine hundred and thirty four cows calved during February to May 2008 were used for this study. Cows received im injections of 25 mg $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ at $45{\pm}3$ and $59{\pm}3$ days in milk (DIM). Fourteen days later, Ovsynch was initiated with an im injection of $100\;{\mu}g$ GnRH ($73{\pm}3$ DIM), 25 mg $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ 7 days later ($80{\pm}3$ DIM), $100\;{\mu}g$ GnRH 56 h later and timed artificial insemination (TAI) 16 h after the GnRH injection. Cows showed estrus during the Presynch-Ovsynch, were inseminated artificially according to am-pm rule. Pregnancy was determined on 32 days after AI using ultrasonography. Cows diagnosed pregnant were re-examined for pregnancy by rectal palpation at 60 days after AI. Non-pregnant cows were resynchronized by receiving $100\;{\mu}g$ GnRH, 25 mg $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ 7 days later, $100\;{\mu}g$ GnRH 56 h later and TAI 16 h after. Cows with estrus since the first AI before the completion of Resynch protocol were also inseminated artificially according to am-pm rule. Pregnancy was determined by the same manner as following the first AI. Fifty five percents of the cows treated showed estrus and received AI before completion of the Presynch-Ovsynch protocol, while 45% received TAI, regardless of estrus exhibition following the completion of the protocol. The pregnancy rate following the first AI was higher in cows that showed estrus and received AI (43.3 and 38.5%) during the Presynch-Ovsynch than cows with TAI (34.6 and 29.6%) on 32 and 60 days after AI (P < 0.01). Sixty six percents of cows diagnosed non-pregnant following the first AI showed estrus before the completion of Resynch protocol and received AI, while 34% received TAI, regardless of estrus exhibition following the completion of the protocol. The pregnancy rate following the second AI was higher in cows that showed estrus before the completion of Resynch protocol and received AI (40.2 and 36.8%) than cows with TAI (21.2 and 18.2%) on 32 and 60 days after AI (P < 0.01). The cumulative pregnancy rates following the first and second AIs were 60.8 and 53.9% on 32 and 60 days after AI, respectively. These data suggest that inclusion of Presynch-Ovsynch-Resynch protocol and estrus detection into the programmed reproductive management might be an alternative option to control dairy cattle breeding.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.159-167
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• 1995

The relationship between palpable ovarian structure and milk progesterone levels were determined in 144 dairy cows. Depending on the ovarian structure and diseases were divided into two groups, Group I (absence of functional luteal tissue in ovary and <2ng/ml in milk progesterone levels) and Group II(presence of functional luteal tissue in ovary and ${\geq}2ng/ml$ in milk progesterone levels) 1. Among 69 cows of group I, dysfunction of ovary, atropy of ovary, follicle is ovary, follicular cyst and corpus luteum albicans were 17(11.8%), 19(13.2%), 14(9.7%), 3(2.1%) and 16 cows(11.1%), and among 75 cows of group II, corpus luteum A, B and C were 16(11.1%), 17(11.8%) and 42 cows(29.2%), respectively. 2. In Group I, milk progesterone concentrations were <1ng/ml in 55 cows(79.9%). Conversely in Ggroup II, milk progesterone concentrations were ${\geq}4ng/ml$ in 55 cows(73.3%). 3. The mean(${\pm}SE$) concentrations of milk progestsrone in the Group I and II were $1.62{\pm}0.45$ and $7.64{\pm}0.68ng/ml$, respectively, and CR test showed the difference in milk progesterone concentrations between the two groups to be statistically significant(p<0.01). 4. The mean(${\pm}SE$) concentration of milk progesterone in cows with corpus luteum A, B and C were $8.11{\pm}1.83$, $8.48{\pm}1.30$ and $7.12{\pm}0.82ng/ml$, respectively, there was no significant relationship between palpable corpora luteum structure and milk progesterone concentration. 5. The accuracy of ovarian diagnosis was 82.6 and 20.2% in the Group I and II, respectively, and Chi-square test showed the difference in accuracy between the two groups to be statistically significant (p<0.001). 6. The agreement between the rectal palpation and milk progesterone concentrations in ovarian disease was 50%.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.223-228
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• 2012

This study was designed to adopt two estrus synchronization protocols in zebu and crossbred heifers and their effects on pregnancy rate after timed artificial insemination (TAI). A number of 120 cyclic heifers were allotted for two different treatment groups and one control group. Heifers under protocol A were injected with GnRH at first day followed by a single dose of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ at Day 11 and injection of GnRH at the day of AI; and heifers belonged to protocol B were treated with GnRH, two $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ injections at 11 days apart and injection of GnRH at AI. AI was done at fixed time (within 72~96 hours after $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ injection) in both protocols and pregnancy was confirmed by rectal palpation on 80~120 days of post AI. In control group; local heifers were conceived higher (30%) proportion than that of crossbred heifers (25%; p<0.05). In protocol A, the local breed were conceived higher (38.9%) proportion compared with crossbred (25%; p<0.05). In protocol B, local breed heifers were conceived higher (38.9%) proportion compared with crossbred heifers (33.3%; p<0.05). The overall pregnancy rate in protocol A and protocol B was 33.3% and 36.6%, respectively. The proportion of pregnancy rate of local heifers (38.9%; Protocol A) was significant (p<0.05) in comparison with local heifers (30%) in control group (p<0.05). The overall pregnancy rate between pooled control group (28.3%) and treatment group (35%) was significantly (p<0.05) differ from each other's. Results of present study concluded that estrus synchronization followed by fixed time AI could be applied for higher pregnancy rate in zebu and crossbred heifers.