• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 1974

Data from this study support the View that the following factors are not sufficiently important in Korea to invalidate the relationships observed between age of marriage and fertility: (1) Premarital pregnancy and common law marriage, (2) shortening of birth intervals in late marriages, (3) adverse effects of very eary marriage in reproductive capacity, and (4) postponement of first pregnancy among early marriages. Thirteen variables which were considered to be potential predictors of fertility were studied to determine their influence on three indices of fertility. Age of marriage and family planning praetice are the strongest predictors and account for about 10% and 7% of the total variance, respectively. Seven other factors each account for an intermediate amount of variability; these are ideal number of children, rural versus urban study area, education, aspiration for daughter, index of exposure to mass media, economic index of respondent's home at survey, and residence before marriage. The remaining variables have no consistently significant relationship to fertility. Most of the relationships appear to be stable and consistent over time; others appear to be changing. The latter group include those variables which are associated with modernization indices of family planning practice, mass media exposure. and aspiration for daughters. Thus, the index of family planning practice is of limited significance for the $40{\sim}49$ age group but is the most important variable for the $20{\sim}29$ year women. The relationship is a direct one for the two age groups between 30 and 49 years which suggests that these groups already had high fertility when family planning services became available and that this high fertility then became an inducement to acccept contraception. The pattern of relationship is not yet clear for the $20{\sim}29$ year group. Similar interactions are observed for the other indices of modernity and are discussed. The thirteen variables together can account for a maximum of about 40% of the variance in the number of live births in the age group $30{\sim}39$, and for lesser amounts of variance in other age and fertility groupings.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.205-215
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to investigate alterations of pregnant gait by means of 3 different treads of stairs. 9 subjects(body masses; $59.41{\pm}7.49$, $64.03{\pm}6.65$, $67.26{\pm}7.58$, heights; $160.50{\pm}6.35$ ages; $31.22{\pm}2.99$; parity; $1.67{\pm}0.71$) participated in three experiments that were divided by physiological symptoms(the early(0-15 weeks), middle(16-27 weeks) and last(18-39 weeks), and walked at self-selected pace on 4 staircases 3 trials. As extending the pregnancy period, cadence was shorter but cycle time was longer more and more and the difference of maximum and minmum moments between right and left knee joint moment was smaller. With the treads of stair decent lengthening, speed and stride lengths were increased. As extending the treads of stair decent, joint moments of both feet were particular traits, hip joint was asymmetric but joint moments of knee and ankle were symmetric. These findings may account for relation between the treads of stair and moments and suggest that women may adapt their gait to maximize stability and to control gait motion for themselves in pregnant women.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2007

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different levels (10, 12 and 15%) of crude protein (CP) in total mixed ration (TMR) on dry matter intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance of Korean black goats in the stage of early pregnancy and to obtain information on their optimal dietary levels of CP. In the present study, 12 Does of Korean black goats in the early pregnancy were allotted to four unreplicated groups by dietary level of CP and then they were housed in individual metabolism cages with completely randomized design throughout 30 days with 20 days adaptation and 10 days collection periods. Does in Control were fed a conventional diet and does in TMR10, TMR12 and TMR15 were fed a diet adjusted to about 10, 12 and 15% CP, respectively. Dry matter(DM) contents ranged from 89 to 91% in treatments. There were no differences fur fiber contents among three CP levels of TMR, showing that ADF and NDF had 18.57 to 19.85, and 53.41 to 54.80, respectively. Crude protein contents for three TMR treaements had 10.61, 12.15 and 14.97%, respectively. However, non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) contents decreased with increasing CP levels in treatments. Meanwhile, Intakes of DM, nutrients and digestible nutrients were significantly (p<0.05) higher in TMR15 and control than in TMR10 and TMR12. Moreover, DM intake per metabolic body weight and theit ratio per body weight was significantly (p<0.05) higher for control and TMR15 than other treatments. DM digestibility was not significantly different among treatments, but ether extract digestibility of treatments was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of control, but there was no significant difference among treatments. Nitrogen retention significantly (p<0.05) increased with increasing CP levels in TMR, and TMR15 was highest among treatments. Our results showed that the increasing CP levels in TMR increased DM intake and nitrogen retention and suggested that the optimal dietary CP levels under TMR feeding system in early pregnant Korean black goats could be estimated for at least 15%.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.99-109
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• 2013

Trophoblasts, in the placenta, play a role for placental development as well as implantation in the early pregnancy. The characteristics and functions of trophoblast are identified by their localization and potency for proliferation, differentiation, and invasion. Thus, inadequate trophoblast cell death induces trophoblast dysfunction resulting in abnormal placental development and several gynecological diseases. Recently, it was reported that increased immortalization-upregulated protein-2 (IMUP-2) by hypoxia influences trophoblast apoptosis. However, IMUP-2 function on autophagy, which is type II programmed cell death remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed IMUP-2 expression in trophoblast cells (HTR8-SVneo) and compared IMUP-2 effects on cell death including apoptosis and autophagy in trophoblast regardless of IMUP-2 expression. Increased IMUP-2 in trophoblast by IMUP-2 gene transfection induces cell death, especially, apoptosis increases more than autophagy (p<0.05). However, the decreased IMUP-2 in trophoblasts after siRNA treatment decreased apoptosis with the decreased activities of caspase 3 and 7. The expressions of LC3 and MDC as an autophagosome makers and phosphorylated mTOR, which is a negative regulator for autophagy, increased. In addition, the S phase of cell cycle increased in trophoblasts when IMUP-2 expression decreased. Taken together, the alteration of IMUP-2 can control the balance between apoptosis and autophagy of trophoblasts resulting in functional involvement in placental development and in gynecological diseases by regulating the function of trophoblasts.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.265-270
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• 2015

Growth rate during rearing, which varies depending on provided nutrition, has been related with age at $1^{st}$ calving (AFC). This study investigated the effect of upgrowth parameters during the rearing period on the reproduction of nulliparous Holstein heifers. The study comprised 77 successively born heifers from the same herd. Growth rate and fertility traits were measured during rearing and fertility parameters were recorded in lactations 1. Growth parameters (body weight, height, heart girth and body length) were measured at the approximate birth time, 270 and 450 d of age. Reproduction data collected included age at $1^{st}$ breeding, number of services per conception (S/C), pregnancy rate to $1^{st}$ artificial insemination, AFC. Animals were subsequently divided into 4 AFC groups for analysis: <23 mo, 23~25 mo, 26~30 mo and >30 mo. The AFC reflected both upgrowth rate and heifer reproduction, with later calving heifers smaller. Increased skeletal growth (at 270 and 450 d) was related with a reduced AFC (p<0.05). Early calving animals (<23 mo) had the best reproduction as nulliparous heifers, with most conceiving at first service (87.5%). Fertility in the first lactation was the worst in the oldest AFC group (>30 mo). In the 1st lactation period, a number of services per conception ($3.1{\pm}0.3$) increased with increasing AFC (>30 mo). Sub-optimal upgrowth related with an increased AFC could be mitigated by improved monitoring of replacement heifers during the rearing period.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.429-434
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• 1992

This study was carried out to develop an effective liquid-phase double antibody enzyme immunoassay for determining of progesterone. The optimum conditions of assay system, 1st and 2nd antibodies, enzyme conjugate, and time reaction were invested. The bovine plasma progesterone level in dairy cattle and korean native bulls were also analyzed. The results obtained were as follows; 1. The reproducibility of petroleum ether was superior to that of ethyl ether as extract solvent of progesterone in plasma. 2. The optimum dilution rate of 1st and 2nd antibody was 30,000 and 10 times, respectively. Affer the reaction of enzyme conjugate to progesterone 1st antibody, and then 2nd antibody competition reaction was enough for over 1hr. 3. Average plasma progesterone level in 4 pregnant and 9 nonpregnant Holstein was $2.5{\pm}0.5$ and $0.7{\pm}0.2ng/m{\ell}$, respectively. Average plasma progesterone level of 10 Korean native bulls was $0.1{\pm}0.001ng/m{\ell}$ From these results, by using liquid phase double antibody enzyme immunoassay for progesterone is applicable to detect of early pregnancy diagnosis, factorial analysis of reproductive disorder, and also reproductive physiological function such as monitoring of cyclicity during the post-partum period.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.697-702
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• 2000

The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which the compensatory nutrition regimen modulates lactation performance and milk protein gene expression in the first and second lactation cycles. Female rats(28 days of age) were assigned to 1)control ad libitum ; 2) stari-step compensatory nutrition(SSCN) regimen an alternating 3-2-3-4-week schedule beginning with an energy restriction diet(40% restriction) for 3 weeks followed by the control diet(ad libitum) for 2 weeks and then alternating another 3-4 week feeding regimen. The SSCN rats were received an overall 20% energy restriction(average from all stair-step periods) compared with the conventionally fed control group. Rats were bred during the first week of the second realimentation. All pups were weaned on day 21 of lactation. About 1 week after weaning all dams were mated for the second pregnancy. Mammary tissues were obtained from pregnant and lactating rats during the first and second lactation cycles. During these lactation cycles the SSCN group had a 11% increase in average lactation performance over that of control. The SSCN group had significantly increased levels of milk protein gene($\alpha$- and $\beta$-casein) expression in mammary tissues during the first lactation cycle compared with those of the control group. During the second lactation period the levels of milk protein gene expression in lactating mammary tissues of the SSCN group were also higher than those of the control group. These results suggest that the effects of compensatory growth imposed at an early age extend to the second lactation cycle with regard to increased lactation performance and milk protein gene expression.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.18-18
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• 2003

In human, sudden infant death syndrome(SIDS) is synonyms for the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an infant. The incidence of SIDS has been estimated to be from 1 to 3%. Cloning has a relatively high rate of late abortion and early postnatal death, particularly when somatic cells are used as donors of nuclei and rates as high as 40 to 70% have been reported. However, the mechanisms for SIDS in cloned animals are not known yet. To date, few reports provide detailed information regarding phenotypic abnormality of cloned pigs. In this study, most of the cloned piglets were alive at term and readily recovered respiration. However, approximately 82% of male cloned piglets (81/22) died within a week after birth. Significant findings from histological examinations showed that 42% of somatic cloned male piglets died earlier than somatic cloned female piglets, most probably due to severe congestion of lung and liver or neutrophilic inflammation in brain, which indicates that unexpected phenotypes can appear as a result of somatic cell cloning. No anatomical defects in cloned female piglets were detected, but three of the piglets had died by diarrhea due to bacterial infection within 15 days after birth. Although most of male cloned piglets can be born normal in terms of gross anatomy, they develop phenotypic anomalies that include leydig cell hypoplasia and growth retardation post-delivery under adverse fetal environment and depigmentation of hair- and skin-color form puberty onset. This may provide a mechanism for development of multiple organ system failure in some cloned piglets. Th birth weights of male cloned pig in comparison with those of female cloned piglets are significantly reduced(0.8 vs 1.4kg) and showed longer gestational day(120 vs 114). In conclusion, brain meningitis and hepatopneumonic congestion are a major risk factor for SIDS and such pregnancy in cloned animals requires close and intensive antenatal monitoring.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1133-1139
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• 2015

This study aimed to determine the effects of parenteral selenium (Se) and vitamin E supplementation on economic impact, milk yield, and some reproductive parameters in high-yield dairy cows in the dry period and in those at the beginning of lactation. At the beginning of the dry period, cows (n = 323) were randomly divided into three groups as follows: Treatment 1 (T1), Treatment 2 (T2), and Control (C). Cows in group T1 received this preparation 21 days before calving and on calving day, and cows in group T2 received it only on calving day. The cows in the control group did not receive this preparation. Supplementation with Se increased Se serum levels of cows treated at calving day (p<0.05). Differences in milk yield at all weeks and the electrical conductivity values at the 8th and 12th weeks were significant (p<0.05). Supplementation with Se and Vitamin E decreased the incidence of metritis, the number of services per conception and the service period, but had no effects on the incidence of retained fetal membrane. A partial budgeting analysis indicated that Se supplementation was economically profitable; cows in group T1 averaged 240.6$ per cow, those in group T2 averaged 224.6$ per cow. Supplementation with Se and Vitamin E has been found to increase serum Se levels, milk yield, and has positive effects on udder health by decreasing milk conductivity values and incidence of sub-clinical mastitis.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.37-45
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• 2017

Objectives Hataedock is an orally-administered herbal extract that used to treat toxic heat and help excrete meconium accumulates in the fetus from pregnancy. This study compared the effects of Hataedock using the extract of Douchi and omega-3 to control inflammation in the colonic mucosa. Methods NC/Nga mice were divided into three groups; Control group (no treatment), FGT group (given the extract of Douchi), and O3T group (given omega-3). The 3-week-old mouse from each group were given the extract of Douchi and omega-3. After 2 weeks, the colonic mucosa tissues of the mice were observed via Immunohistochemical staining for IL-4, IL-13, CD40, $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$, $p-I{\kappa}B$, EGF in the intestinal mucosa. Results In both FGT and O3T group, IL-4, IL-13, STAT-6 levels and CD40-positive reactions were decreased. However, EGF-positive responses were increased. FGT group showed 35% decrease in IL-4, 45% decrease in IL-13, 48% decrease in CD40, 50% decrease in $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$, 54% decrease in $p-I{\kappa}B$, 52% increase in EGF compared to the control group. O3T group also showed 14% decrease in IL-4, 23% decrease in IL-13, 22% decrease in CD40, 29% decrease in $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$, 41% decrease in $p-I{\kappa}B$, 39% increase in EGF compared to the control group. Conclusions Both early administration of Douchi extract and omega-3 were effective in regulating Th2, relieving inflammation and developing colonic mucosal tissues. Hataedock with Douchi extract may be more effective in modulating immune system in colonic mucosa than omega-3.