• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.303-308
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• 2013

Subfertility problems are encountered frequently in the cattle and buffalo bulls commercially maintained for semen production in dairy farms and under field conditions for natural insemination. Reports are scarce on the incidence of subfertility in breeding bulls, especially in India. The objective of the present study was to assess the incidence of the male reproductive anomalies leading to disposal of bovine bulls at GADVASU dairy farm, Ludhiana, Punjab (India). Data on frequency of various subfertility and disposal pattern of bulls maintained at the dairy farm, GADVASU, were collected for 12 yrs (1999 to 2010) and compiled from different record registers. Percentage of bulls that produced freezable semen (out of reserved ones) was less in cattle (25.641%) as compared to that of buffalo (30.4%). Various subfertility traits like poor libido and unacceptable seminal profile were found to be the significant reasons (p<0.01) for culling of the breeding bulls. Inadequate sex drive and poor semen quality were the main contributing factors for bull disposal in cattle whereas poor semen freezability was most frequently observed in buffalo bulls. All the male reproductive traits were significantly different (p<0.05) for the periods of birth, except for semen volume, initial motility (IM), age at last semen collection (ALSC) and age at disposal. The ages at first and last semen collection as well as freezing (i.e. AFSC, ALSC and AFSF, ALSF, respectively) and age at disposal (AD) were higher in buffalo. The spermatological parameters and semen production period (SPP) were higher in cattle. The age at first semen donation and breeding period could be reduced by introducing the bulls to training at an early age. The results revealed an increasing trend in individual motility (IM) while semen volume, AFSC, AFSF, AD, FSPP, SPP, ALSC and ALSF showed a decreasing, however, not a definite trend, over the periods. The semen donation traits like, AFSF, of the cattle and buffalo bulls could be predicted from the AFSC, using prediction equation derived in the present study.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2015

Amphiregulin (AREG), a glycoprotein that is a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family, is expressed by the porcine conceptus and endometrium. AREG genotypes were determined based on an SNP in the intron 3 of the gene. Contradictory effects of AREG genotypes on reproductive traits in different pig breeds were reported previously. G allele had undesirable effect on reproductive trait in Meishan breed, while it had favorable effects in Polish Landrace and Large White. We determined AREG genotypes of 179 pigs including the Duroc, Landrace, Yorkshire, Korean native pig (KNP), and Meishan breeds. Two new SNPs were identified near the previously reported SNP in the intron 3 of AREG. Frequencies of AREG alleles among the Duroc, Landrace, Yorkshire, and KNP sows were significantly different (p<0.001), indicating association between AREG genotypes and pig breeds. The first parity litter size was significantly affected by the breeds (p=0.014), but not by AREG genotypes (p=0.148). However, there were breed and AREG genotype associated trends in the first parity litter size. The first parity litter size appeared to be higher in Duroc and KNP sows with G allele, while it appeared to be lower in Landrace sows with G allele. Significant variability of AREG alleles among pig breeds, for the first time in Duroc and KNP sows, was identified. AREG genotypes may influence reproductive traits differentially for each breed and thus, AREG genotypes may need to be considered when sows are bred to increase litter size.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.6-9
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of lower numbers of sperm $(3{\times}10^9)$ per dose liquid semen and type of semen used in artificial insemination (AI) on sow reproductive performance in subtropical area. Semen was supplied by two commercial AI centers. A total of 671 female pigs from seven farms were inseminated with either $3{\times}10^9$ or $5{\times}10^9$ sperm per dose. Two types of semen were used: heterospermic semen from two boars of the same breed and homospermic semen from a single boar. After insemination, conception rate, farrowing rate, total litter size, and number of dead piglets were recorded. The analysis of variance indicated that there was no significant effect of interactions between pig farm, type of semen, or number of sperm on any of the traits measured. There were significant differences in conception rate, farrowing rate, and total litter size among pig farms (p<0.05). The effect of number of sperm per dose liquid semen ($3{\times}10^9$ or $5{\times}10^9$) was not significant. Sows inseminated with homospermic semen showed significantly higher conception and farrowing rates but significantly lower total litter size (p<0.05). In conclusion, the number of sperm per dose liquid semen for AI could be lowered to $3{\times}10^9 $ without affecting reproductive performance in subtropical areas like Taiwan.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.131-140
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• 2000

The pattern of variations in cone sex ratio and pollen traits such as pollen number and size was examined for two years in populations of red pines In Korea. We evaluated; (1) the relationship between tree size and cone sex ratio, (2) the relationship between year and cone sex ratio, and (3) the relationship between cone sex ratio and pollen traits. Larger trees in height and circumference at breast height produced more male as well as female cones. However, cone sex ratio was independent of these plant sizes. Across the two populations, both female cone numbers per tree and male cone numbers per new shoot increased 2.2 and 1.2 times, respectively, in 1999 compared to 1998, while the yearly pattern of male cone-bearing shoots per tree differed significantly between populations. Thus, cone sex ratio varied significantly between years in one of the two populations. Pollen traits such as the number of pollen grains and diameter did not vary significantly among populations. Pollen diameter and grain numbers per male cone were significantly negatively correlated with the cone sex ratio in two populations and one population, respectively. Trees which stopped female cone production in the first year and those which produced female cones in both years differed in the cone sex ratio and pollen size in the second year. The long duration of one reproductive episode and the potential of masting in red pines emphasize the need to conduct long-term studies on the dynamics of cone production, cone sex ratio, and simultaneous changes in pollen traits in red pines.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.333-342
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• 2016

Lipins play dual function in lipid metabolism by serving as phosphatidate phosphatase and transcriptional co-regulators of gene expression. Mammalian lipin proteins consist of lipin1, lipin2, and lipin3 and are encoded by their respective genes Lpin1, Lpin2, and Lpin3. To date, most studies are concerned with Lpin1, only a few have addressed Lpin2 and Lpin3. Ontogenetic expression of Lpin2 and Lpin3 and their associations with traits would help to explore their molecular and physiological functions in sheep. In this study, 48 animals with an equal number of males and females each for both breeds of fat-tailed sheep such as Guangling Large Tailed (GLT) and Small Tailed Han (STH) were chosen to evaluate the ontogenetic expression of Lpin2 and Lpin3 from eight different tissues and months of age by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Associations between gene expression and slaughter and tail traits were also analyzed. The results showed that Lpin2 mRNA was highly expressed in perirenal and tail fats, and was also substantially expressed in liver, kidney, reproductive organs (testis and ovary), with the lowest levels in small intestine and femoral biceps. Lpin3 mRNA was prominently expressed in liver and small intestine, and was also expressed at high levels in kidney, perirenal and tail fats as well as reproductive organs (testis and ovary), with the lowest level in femoral biceps. Global expression of Lpin2 and Lpin3 in GLT both were significantly higher than those in STH. Spatiotemporal expression showed that the highest levels of Lpin2 expression occurred at 10 months of age in two breeds of sheep, with the lowest expression at 2 months of age in STH and at 8 months of age in GLT. The greatest levels of Lpin3 expression occurred at 4 months of age in STH and at 10 months of age in GLT, with the lowest expression at 12 months of age in STH and at 8 months of age in GLT. Breed and age significantly influenced the tissue expression patterns of Lpin2 and Lpin3, respectively, and sex significantly influenced the spatiotemporal expression patterns of Lpin3. Meanwhile, Lpin2 and Lpin3 mRNA expression both showed significant correlations with slaughter and tail traits, and the associations appear to be related with the ontogenetic expression as well as the potential functions of lipin2 and lipin3 in sheep.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 2015

The data of Duroc swine species that were born from 2000 to 2014 excluding missing ones collected by Korea National Institute of Animal Science were used in the present study. After removing missing data we used 9756 of productions data and 1728 of reproductive reference of breeding research to study the level of inbreeding and to investigate the impact on the reproductive traits, production traits. The correlation of reproductive traits and inbreeding coefficient are -0.07, -0.08 for total number pigs born, number of pigs born alive respectively and birth weight per litter is -0.10, number of pigs born alive per litter to 21days is -0.06 and body weight per litter to 21days is -0.09. The correlation coefficients of the inbreeding coefficients of reproductive traits are shown within 10% with negative correlation (P < 0.05). Days of 90kg and Backfat in the correlation coefficient and inbreeding coefficient production traits were not observed significant correlations, Average daily gain was investigated by the positive correlation of 0.05. According to the above results, the inbreeding level gave a negative effect on the improvement of the breed traits, investigating a relatively high compared to a negative effect on other traits. But overall correlation degree is less than 10% was observed. This inbreeding coefficient has not been clearly observed due to degeneration of the average inbreeding coefficients of these generations was maintained within 10% of the population. The scale of the experimental group was about 150 degree pig husbandry is very small compared to the advanced countries. However, the level of inbreeding in the population group with the appropriate mating combinations is maintained below 10% of population is thought to be small and can minimize the effects of inbreeding degeneration. further testing utilizing this selection is constantly considered to be necessary.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.308-314
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• 2010

Larvae of Palaemon serrifer were reared in the laboratory under three different temperature regimes ($15^{\circ}C$, $20^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$) to study the effects of rearing temperature on larval survival and growth, as well as other traits such as embryo volume, number of embryos (fecundity), incubation period, development. Mode and development period. Growth pattern was analyzed by measuring the molt increment and intermolt period. The intermolt period consistently increased with size and instar number and was shortest at $25^{\circ}C$. However, molt increments generally decreased with instar number. Number of embryos varied from 552 to 1355. The relationship between the number of embryos and carapace length was expressed by the equation (fecundity) y=2.7744x+0.208 ($R^2$=0.7961). Egg volume was a primary factor affecting other life-history traits. Egg volume was $0.078\;m^3$, which is relatively small thus embryos exhibited a relatively short incubation period and a comparatively short development period, and the nutritional mode was planktotrophic. Brood production was followed by a fast parturitional pattern. Most ovigerous females had mature ovaries when the parturial molt occurred soon after eclosion.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 1995

Floral analysis about vegetation of Kimpo landfills and its periphery region was carried out. The study area was defined to a square $(81km^2)$ of which center was located at 250m in front of Andongpo, Komdan-myon, Kimpo-gun in the northwest part of the Kyunggi Province. This study was accomplished by analyzing five qualitative traits such as ecological strategy, reproductive strategy, distribution type, native/foreign division and life-form throughout actual investigation of the flora. The flora was composed of 536 taxa which comprise 105 families, 343 genera, 458 species, 1 subaspecies, 70 varieties and 7 forms (including 92 species of horticultural plant). Lythrum salicaria community, Spiraea salicifolia community, ottelia alismoides community and woods of Alnus japonica were recorded ？ 새 retrictive distribution according to habitat characteristics. Owing to severe anthropogenic interferences such as construction of the Kimpo landfills in the study areas, a high proportion of ruderal plants and neophytes in the floral composition was recognized. The proportion of individual distribution type and therophyte was very high throughout whole study areas, and plant communities in the reclaimed areas were characterized by high proportion of phalanx plant species. Analysis of the correlations between meshes with ecological traits of plant species showed that Kimpo landfills and its periphery region was divided into two vegetation types, coastal type and inland type, as a result of possible saline effects.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.450-455
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• 2010

The study had two objectives, namely, to estimate the andrological disorders leading to disposal of Karan Fries (KF), Sahiwal cattle and Murrah buffalo bulls and to study the effect of various factors (species/breeds, season of birth and period of birth) on male reproductive parameters. Records on occurrence of subfertility problems and disposal pattern of bulls maintained at the National Dairy Research Institute herd were collected for 15 years (1991 to 2005). Percentage of bulls producing freezable semen was less in the crossbred cattle (58.46%) as compared to Sahiwal (81.69%) and Murrah bulls (81.05%). Various subfertility traits like poor libido and unacceptable seminal profile were found to be the significant reasons (p<0.01) for culling of the breeding bulls. Inadequate sex drive was the main contributing factor for bull disposal in Sahiwal (22.55%) and Murrah bulls (15.12%) whereas poor semen quality and freezability were most frequently observed in KF bulls (24.29 and 7.29 percent, respectively). Least squares analyses of different male reproductive parameters showed that species/breeds had significant effect (p<0.05) on all traits except for frozen semen production periods (FSPP). Periods of birth were significantly different (p<0.05) for all traits except for semen volume. Age at first semen collection (AFSC), age at first semen freezing (AFSF) and age at disposal (AD) were highest in Murrah, while frozen semen production period (FSPP) and semen production period (SPP) were highest in KF and lowest in Sahiwal. The age at first semen donation and breeding period could be reduced by introducing the bulls to training at an early age. These results revealed a declining trend in AFSC, AFSF, FSPP, SPP and AD, thereby indicating an improvement in reproductive performance over the years. The age at first semen donation in bovines can be reduced by introducing the young male calves to training at an early age, which could increase the dosage of semen obtained from each male.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.359-366
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• 1998

A survey was carried out to investigate the effect of the parity on reproductive traits of Hanwoo(Korean native cows). Data on the reproductive traits of 670 Korean native cows were collected from January, 1996 to December, 1997 and analyzed by the parity. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. The average ages at first breeding, first conception and first calving were 443.0, 457.0 and 746.6 days, respectively. 2. The average days to first estrus after calving was 70.1 days and it was shortest in the cows with more than 5 parities (60.4 days) and longest in the cows at 4th parity (79.7 days). 3. The average number of services per conception was 1.53 and it was fewer in the cows at 2nd paity (1.43), but more in the cows with more than 5 parities (1.73). 4. The average days to first conception after calving was 91.2 days and there was a trend that it was longer as the parity of cows increased(p＞0.05). 5. The average length of calving interval was 375.3 days and it was shortest in the cows at 2nd cows (370.8 days) and longest in the cows at 4th parity (395.2 days).