• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.16.1-16.7
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• 2015

A well-characterized sperm specific protein of the Member of immunoglobulin superfamily, IZUMO1, has crucial role in fertilization by mediating sperm binding to the egg plasma membrane in the mouse. However little is known about IZUMO1 in bovine. Here, we describe the molecular cloning and expression analysis of bovine IZUMO1 (bIZUMO1). RT-PCR and Western blot analysis of the bovine tissues indicated that bIZUMO1 was specifically expressed in the testis and sperm, Furthermore, the result of our biotinylation assay from ejaculated bovine sperm strongly suggest the assumption that bIZUMO1 is localized on the cell surface. These data imply the potential role of bovine IZUMO1 in mammalian fertilization.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.866-871
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• 2007

Testis-specific protein (TSPY) is a Y-specific gene, with up to 200 copy numbers in bulls. In order to make bovine embryo sexing under farm condition more feasible, the possibility of using a non-electrophoretic method to detect the TSPY gene for sexing bovine early embryos was examined. Primers were designed to amplify a portion of the TSPY gene and a common gene as an internal control primer. PCR optimization was carried out using a DNA template from bovine whole blood. Furthermore, embryo samples were diagnosed by this method and the sexing results were contrasted with those of the Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) method. The results showed that TSPY was as reliable a sexing method as LAMP. Forty-three morula and blastocyst embryos collected from superovulated donor dairy cattle were sexed by this method, and twenty-one embryos judged to be female embryos were transferred non-surgically to recipients 6 to 8 days after natural estrus. Out of 21 recipients, 9 were pregnant (42.86%) and all delivered female calves. The results showed that the sex predicted by this protocol was 100% accurate. In conclusion, the TSPY gene was a good male specific marker and indicated that a non-electrophoretic method was feasible and accurate to detect the TSPY gene for sexing preimplantation bovine embryos.

• BMB Reports
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.197-203
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• 1995

Famesyl protein transferase involved in the first step of post-translational modification of $p21^{ras}$ proteins transfers the famesyl moiety from famesyl pyrophosphate to a cysteine residue in $p21^{ras}$ proteins. The enzyme was first purified 30,000-fold from bovine testis by use of 30~50% ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-Sephacel ion exchange chromatography, Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration chromatography, Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration chromatography, and hexapeptide (Lys-Lys-Cys-Val-Ile-Met) affinity chromatography. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be ~100 kDa by gel filtration and SDS-polyacrylamide gels showed two closely spaced bands of ~50 kDa protein. These indicate that the enzyme consists of two nonidentical subunits, a and 13, which have slightly different molecular weights. The enzyme was inhibited by hexapeptide (Lys-Lys-Cys-Val-Ile-Met), which acted as an alternative substrate that competed for famesylation. Kinetic analysis by measuring initial velocities showed that famesyl protein transferase is a very slow enzyme. EDTA-treated famesyl protein transferase showed little activity with $Mg^{2+}$ or $Zn^{2+}$ alone, but required both $Mg^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$ for the catalytic activity.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2009

In this study, bovine Dnmt1 cDNA was sequenced and detected Dnmt1 mRNA level in bovine tissues by northern blot, methylation pattern of genome by southern blot, specific localization of Dnmt1 in mouse and bovine preimplantation embryos by immunocytostaining and Dnmt1 protein level in ovary and testis by western blot. Bovine Dnmt1 cDNA sequence showed more homology with that of human than mouse and rat. The RNA level of Dnmt1 was 10 times higher expression in placenta than other tissues. This indicates that placenta was hypermethylated compared to others organs. The genomic DNA could not be cut by a specific restriction enzyme (HpaII) in placenta, lung and liver of bovine. It suggests that Dnmt1 in some somatic cells was already methylated. Dnmt1, which has the antibody epitope 1316~1616, was distributed in nucleus and cytoplasm including the stage of pronuclear stage and maturation of oocyte and gradually weaken to blastocyst stage compare to negative. In addition, Dnmt1 was strongly expressed in tetraploid embryo and cloned 8-cell than IVF 8-cell. An aberrant pattern of DNA methylation in cloned embryo may be abnormal development of fetus, embryonic lethality and placenta dysfunction. The somatic specific band (190kDa) was appeared in ovary and testis, but oocyte specific band (175kDa) was not. Further investigations are necessary to understand the complex links between the methyltransferases and the transcriptional activity of genes in the cloned bovine tissues.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.195-202
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• 2011

Maintenance of adequate telomere length in developing cells is the most important concern to preserve the integrity of the genome. The length of telomere is strictly regulated by numerous telomere-binding proteins and/or interacting factors. Even though the expression of telomerase in the male reproductive tract has been characterized, developmental expressional profiling of telomerase and other telomere-associated proteins has not been determined in detail. The present study was attempted to examine expression patterns of catalytic subunit (Tert) and RNA component (Terc) of telomerase and two telomerase associated factors, telomerase associated protein 1 (Tep1) and TERF1 (TRF1) interacting nuclear factor 2 (Tinf2) in the testis and seminal vesicle of male rat during postnatal development. The real-time PCR analysis was utilized to quantify mRNA expression of molecules. The abundance of Tep1 mRNA in the testis and seminal vesicle was the highest at 5 months of age. Expressional fluctuation of Tinf2 during postnatal development was found in the testis, while expression of Tinf2 in the seminal vesicle was gradually increased until 5 months of age and then significantly decreased later. mRNA level of Tert gene in the testis was significantly increased at the adult and the elder, while the highest expression of Tert gene in the seminal vesicle was found at 5 months of age. Expression of Terc transcript in the testis and seminal vesicle was the highest at 5 months of age, followed by significant reduction at 1 and 2 years of ages. Such differential gene expression of telomere-associated factors and telomerase components in different male reproductive tissues during postnatal development indicates that maintenance of telomere length would be regulated in tissue- and/or age-specific manners.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.375-384
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• 2007

This study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of brucellosis in Korean native cattle in a farm where bovine brucellosis was confirmed 3 times from September 2006 to March 2007. Of 74 bulls serum samples examined, 21 (28.4%) were positive by Rose-Bengal test (RBT) and Standard tube agglutination test (STAT). In the isolation test from seropositive bulls, B abortus was isolated and identified from 2 specimens (testis, intestinal lymph node) among 6 kinds of specimens including blood, urine, feces and soil. Isolation rate of intestinal lymph node and testis was 25% (3/12 cases) and 16.7% (2/12), respectively. B abortus was also isolated from calves below 12 months old, i.e., 1 isolate (25.0%) was confirmed from testis, 4 (40.0%) from supra-mammary lymph nodes and 1 (25.0%) from intestinal lymph node. All isolates had Brucella specific 16s r-RNA with 905-bp band detected by PCR assay. For the more effective control of bovine brucellosis in korea, this paper would like to suggest that all of bulls and calves should be included in the screening tests.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.194-200
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• 2024

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase-2 (NTRK2), are well known for their roles in the central nervous and animal reproductive systems. Several studies have observed the extensive expression of BDNF and NTRK2 in non-neuronal tissues, especially reproductive organs. However, most of these studies focused on ovarian development and regulation; thus, scientific research on BDNF and NTRK2 in males is required to determine their roles in the male reproductive system. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate BDNF and NTRK2 expression in bovine testes. Methods: Testes were collected from six Hanwoo bulls (6-8 months old). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was performed to investigate the mRNA expression of BDNF and NTRK2 in the testes. Western blot analysis was performed to verify the cross-reactivity of BDNF and NTRK2 antibodies with bovine testicular tissues. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to determine BDNF and NTRK2 protein expression in the testes. Results: RT-PCR analysis revealed BDNF and NTRK2 mRNA expression in bovine testes. In Western blotting, BDNF and NTRK2 protein bands were observed at 32 and 45 kDa, respectively. Immunofluorescence demonstrated BDNF expression in the nuclei of spermatogonia and Sertoli cells as well as in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells. NTRK2 was exclusively expressed in Sertoli cells. These results suggest that BDNF plays a potential role in spermatogenesis via BDNF and NTRK2 signaling in bovine testes, a finding supported by previous results in different animal species. Conclusions: The expression patterns of BDNF and NTRK2 indicate their functional importance in the bovine reproductive system.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.53-56
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• 1993

A recently developed collagen gel culture technique has been applied to study on growth in tissue of human testicular tissue. Minimum Eagle's medium supplemented with amino acid, 10% Fetal Bovine Serum and 0.1mM non-essential amino acid are emploid. Tissue fragments on collagan gel are fixed at time intervals for the histologic findings of testis. The mature spermatids are maintained for 2 weeks and can be observed until four weeks. But the rate of glucose consumption is increased contrary to histologic findings.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.1319-1326
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• 2007

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP1) is a key regulatory enzyme of gluconeogenesis that catalyzes the hydrolysis of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate to generate fructose-6-phosphate and inorganic phosphate. Deficiency of fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase is associated with fasting hypoglycemia and metabolic acidosis. The enzyme has been shown to occur in bacteria, fungi, plants and animals. The bovine FBP1 gene was cloned and characterized in this study. The full length (1,241 bp) FBP1 mRNA contained an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein of 338 amino acids, a 63 bp 5' untranslated region (UTR) and a 131 bp 3' UTR. The bovine FBP1 gene was 89%, 85%, 82%, 82% and 74% identical to the orthologs of pig, human, mouse, rat and zebra fish at mRNA level, and 97%, 96%, 94%, 93% and 91% identical at the protein level, respectively. This gene was broadly expressed in cattle with the highest level in testis, and the lowest level in heart. An intronic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (A/G) was identified in the $5^{th}$ intron of the bovine FBP1 gene. Genotyping of 133 animals from four beef breeds revealed that the average frequency for allele A (A-base) was 0.7897 (0.7069-0.9107), while 0.2103 (0.0893-0.2931) for allele B (G-base). Our preliminary association study indicated that this SNP is significantly associated with traits of Average Daily Feed Intake (ADFI) and Carcass Length (CL) (p<0.01). In addition, the FBP1 gene was assigned on BTA8 by a hybrid radiation (RH) mapping method.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.272-280
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• 2021

Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), which contain immature oocytes, are matured in vitro for in vitro embryo production. Oocyte and cumulus cells are then separated using hyaluronidase. To date, there have only been a few reported cases of the toxic effects of hyaluronidase on porcine oocytes. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of bovine testis-derived hyaluronidase and recombinant human hyaluronidase on oocyte denudation and quality. Porcine COCs were matured for 44 h and denuded using different hyaluronidase concentrations and exposure times. Then, oocytes were activated by electrical parthenogenesis. In experiment 1, COCs were denuded using bovine-derived, ovine-derived (Hirax), and human recombinant (ALT-BC4) hyaluronidases for 10 and 20 min. In experiment 2, bovine-derived and human recombinant (ALT-BC4 and ICSI Cumulase®) hyaluronidases were used to denude the COCs for 2 and 20 min. In both experiments the oocytes were all completely denuded, and there was no degeneration. Rate of embryo development was significantly increased in group treated ALT-BC4 for 2 min and not significantly different in other treatment groups. In general it slightly decreased with longer exposure times. These results have confirmed that different sources of hyaluronidase do not have detrimental effects on the quality of porcine oocytes and suggest that the human recombinant hyaluronidase ALT-BC4 is suitable for oocyte denudation with an increased blastocyst rate.