• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.109-119
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• 2006

This study was conducted to examine relationship between vaginal cytology and reproductive hormones during the estrous cycle and to provide basic data to estimate for ovulation time and optimal mating time in 6 beagle dogs The duration of proestrus, estrus and diestrus were $8.5{\pm}1.4,\;10.0{\pm}1.4\;and\;54.0{\pm}2.8$ days at pregnant respectively, and $7.9{\pm}2.1,\;9.5{\pm}0.7\;and\;62.0{\pm}11.3$ days at non-pregnant respectively. The duration of interestrous intervals were $246.2{\pm}24.5$ days at pregnancy, and $175.3{\pm}34.5$ days at non-pregnancy. The duration of interestrous intervals at pregnancy was longer than that of non-pregnancy. A characteristic features of vaginal cytology during the estrous cycle were the high proportion of superficial cell, anuclear cell and erythrocyte in proestrus and estrus, parabasal cell, small intermediate cell and leukocyte in diestrus, and parabasal cell and small intermediate cell in anestrus, respectively. Cornification index (CI) in proestrus and estrus were significantly higher than that of CI in diestrus and anestrus. Plasma progesterone concentration was below 1.0 ng/ml at the first day of vulval bleeding at pregnancy and non-pregnancy, and then it was above 2.0 ng/ml at Day -2 in all bitches. When plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml, it was the second day after the first day of male acceptance. Plasma progesterone concentration showed above 40 ng/ml on Day $20{\sim}22$ in all bitches, and then it was gradually decreased until Day 35. Plasma progesterone concentration at pregnancy was higher than that of non-pregnancy from Day 35 to Day 63. Plasma estradiol-$17\;{\beta}$ concentration was above 9.0 pg/ml at the first day of vulval bleeding, and it showed 26.4 pg/ml on Day -2. When it was timed from the first day of male acceptance (Day 0), plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ concentration showed a peak on Day 0 and plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml on Day 2 which was the third day after plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ peak. CI was first increased above 80 and 90% on Day -1 and Day 1, respectively. CI was maintained above 80% from Day -1 to Day 8 (10 days) and above 90% from Day 1 to Day 6 (6 days), respectively. CI was maintained above 80% from Day 0 to Day 8 (9 days) and above 90% from Day 1 to Day 6 (6 days), respectively. Plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml on the second day after the day which CI was first increased above 90%. In conclusion, beagle bitches ovulated on the second day after the day which CI was first increased above 90% and on the day which plasma progesterone concentration was first increased 4.0 ng/ml, and it was estimated that the optimal mating time was the day which the second day after CI was first increased above 90% and plasma concentration was between $2{\sim}25ng/ml$. The measurement of plasma progesterone was used to determine of and accurate ovulation time and the optimal mating time, but vaginal cytology is low-priced and simple method to estimate estrous cycle, optimal mating time and ovulation time.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.293-298
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• 2005

We examined the effects of GnRHa on expression of the gonadotropin subunit gene in the pituitary and on syn-thesis of the plasma sex steroids (testosterone and 17$\beta$-estradiol) in protandrous black porgy. Fish were injected intraperitoneally with 0.2g GnRHa/g and then both the pituitary and the plasma were sampled 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after injection. The mRNA level of the FSH subunit increased at 6 hours post-injection, while the LH mRNA levels expressed are same with or without GnRHa treatment. Also, GnRHa stimulation caused a significant increase of the plasma testosterone (T) and 17$\beta$-estradiol ($E_2$) after 24 hours. The homologies of black porgy FSH to red seabream, Pagrus majoy FSH, snakehead fish, Channa maculata FSH and striped bass, Morone saxatilis FSH were $83.3\%,\;79.2\%$ and $76.0\%$ respectively. Amino acid homology analysis using the GenBank and EMBL general searches indicated that black porgy FSH has a high homology with yellowfin seabream, Acanthopagrus latus LH ($97.7\%$ identity) and red seabream LH ($83.3\%$ identity).

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.59 no.7
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• pp.16.1-16.6
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• 2017

Background: This study was performed to investigate the impact of exogenous ghrelin on the pancreatic ${\alpha}$-amylase outputs and responses of pancreatic proteins to ghrelin that may relate to pancreatic exocrine. Methods: Sprague-Dawley male rats (9 weeks old, $300{\pm}10g$) were injected with ghrelin via intraperitoneal (i.p.) infusion at dosage of 0, 0.1, 1.0 and $10.0{\mu}g/kg$ body weight (BW), respectively. The plasma ghrelin and cholecystokinin (CCK) level were determined using enzyme immunoassay kit; the mRNA expression of ghrelin receptor ($GHSR-1{\alpha}$) and growth hormone (GH) receptor were assessed by reverse transcription PCR; the expressions of pancreatic ${\alpha}$-amylase activity, extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (ERK), phosphorylated extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (pERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were evaluated by western blotting; moreover the responses of pancreatic proteins to ghrelin were analyzed using the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis system. Results: The exogenous ghrelin (1.0 and $10.0{\mu}g/kg\;BW$) elevated the level of plasma ghrelin (p < 0.05), and suppressed the expression of pancreatic ${\alpha}$-amylase at a dose of $10.0{\mu}g/kg\;BW$ (p < 0.05). No difference in the level of plasma CCK was observed, even though rats were exposed to any dose of exogenous ghrelin. In addition, a combination of western blot and proteomic analysis revealed exogenous ghrelin ($10.0{\mu}g/kg\;BW$) induced increasing the JNK and ERK expressions (p < 0.05) and four proteins such as Destrin, Anionic trypsin-1, Trypsinogen, and especially eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 in rat pancreas. Conclusions: Taken together, exogenous ghrelin by i.p. infusion plays a role in the pancreatic exocrine secretion via mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1504-1512
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• 2009

A feeding trial was conducted to examine the effect of high-temperature-micro-time (HTMT) processing of diets containing extruded soybean (ESB) in high quantity on milk fat production, metabolic responses, and the formation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and trans-vaccenic acid (TVA). Twenty-one multiparous Holstein cows in mid-lactation were blocked according to milk yield in the previous lactation. Cows within each block were randomly assigned to either normal concentrate or HTMT treated diets containing ESB (7.5% HTMT-ESB and 15% HTMT-ESB). It was hypothesized that the HTMT-ESB would affect the undegradable fatty acids in the rumen and, thus, would modify the fatty acid profile of milk fat. Both 7.5% and 15% HTMT-ESB did not affect milk yield, fat, protein, lactose and solid-not-fat (SNF), but the proportion of cis-9, trans-11 CLA in milk fat was significantly increased by these treatments. Content of TVA in milk fat was not affected by HTMT-ESB. The HTMT-ESB influenced the fatty acid profile in milk fat, but there was little difference between 7.5% and 15% of supplementation. HTMT-ESB feeding significantly decreased the concentration of plasma insulin and glucose, while plasma growth hormone (GH), triglyceride (TG), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and HDLcholesterol were increased by 7.5% and 15% ESB-HTMT supplementation in comparison to the control group (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in plasma LDL-cholesterol, insulin like growth factor (IGF)-1, T3, T4, and leptin concentrations among treatments (p>0.05). The present results showed that cis-9, trans-11 CLA production was increased by HTMT treatment of dietary ESB without reduction of milk fat, and the unchanged milk fat and yield was assumed to be associated with the constant level of thyroid hormones, leptin, and IGF-1.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.117-121
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• 2008

Our previous study showed that transgenic (TG) pigs harboring human EPO (hEPO) gene have been shown to have reproductive disorders, including low pregnancy rates, irregular estrus cycle and low little size. To investigate these reasons, we assessed estrus behavior (standing response) and plasma $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($E_2$) level, which partly reflect reproductive function, during the estrus cycles after synchronization and superovulation by hormone treatments. Then, we analysed blood composition and expression of hEPO gene in TG pigs. Pigs were injected with PG600. After 10 days, pigs were fed with Regumate porcine for 6 days. Blood samples were collected from jugular vein. Analysis of blood composition and $E_2$ level were measured by Hemavet 950 and $E_2$ ELISA kit, respectively. And, the expression of hEPO gene in reproductive organs was quantitated by real-time RT-PCR. The percentage of estrus behavior in TG was significantly decreased. Hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and red blood cell (RBC) number were significantly higher in TG than wild type (WT). On the other hand, high expression of hEPO gene in TG was observed in the mammary gland as well as in the uterus. Moreover, plasma $E_2$ level was significantly higher in TG than WT. These results suggest that nonspecific expression of hEPO gene in the other organs of TG may affect blood composition and plasma $E_2$ level, thereby causing reproductive disorders.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.177-182
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Irisin, a newly identified hormone, is associated with energy homeostasis. We investigated whether aged garlic extract (AGE) and exercise training intervention could improve body weight, insulin sensitivity, skeletal muscle fibronectin domain containing protein 5 (FNDC-5) levels, and plasma irisin in high-fat diet (HFD). MATERIALS/METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed a ND (normal diet, n=5) or HFD (n=28) for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, all rats were divided into 5 groups for the next 4 weeks: ND, (normal diet, n=5), HFD (high-fat diet, n=7), HFDA (high-fat diet + aged garlic extract, n=7), HFDE (high-fat diet + exercise, n=7), and HFDEA (high-fat diet + exercise + aged garlic extract, n=7). Exercise groups performed treadmill exercises for 15-60 min, 5 days/week, and AGE groups received AGE (2.86 g/kg, orally injected) for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Significant decreases in body weight were observed in the ND, HFDE, and HFDEA groups, as compared with the HFD group. Neither intervention affected the masses of the gastrocnemius muscle or liver. There were no significant differences in glucose levels across the groups. The homeostatic model assessments of insulin resistance were significantly higher in the HFD group, as compared with the ND, HFDA, HFDE, and HFDEA groups. However, skeletal muscle FNDC-5 levels and plasma irisin concentrations were unaffected by AGE or exercise in obese rats. AGE supplementation and exercise training did not affect skeletal muscle FNDC-5 or plasma irisin, which are associated with insulin sensitivity in obese rats. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the protection against HFD-induced increases in body fat/weight and insulin resistance that are provided by AGE supplementation and exercise training may not be mediated by the regulation of FNDC-5 or irisin.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.22-31
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• 2017

To find out the stress response and wound healing of surgical incisions, we analyzed the change of stress hormone and the healing process in far eastern catfish, Silurus asotus. The survival rate of the clove oil (1,000 ppm) anesthesia group after surgery was about 90% in 3~42 days, while no anesthesia group showed about 74%. Thus, the survival rate after anesthesia group was higher than that of the no anesthesia group. The plasma cortisol concentration of the clove oil anesthesia group was higher than that of the no anesthesia group (P<0.05). In addition, the plasma glucose concentration of clove oil anesthesia group was higher than that of the no anesthesia group (P<0.05). The plasma lactic acid concentration of clove oil anesthetized group was higher than that of the not anesthetized group (P<0.05). On the 14 days and 28 days after surgery, there were still stitching fiber of suture and swimming behavior was not active. On the 35 days after surgery, trace of the suture has almost disappeared on the outside of the fish. Finally, 42 days after surgery, stitching fiber was not visible, and the sutured wounds were distinctly recovered. The results of this study showed that the anesthesia group showed higher survival rate and received less postoperative stress than that of the no anesthesia group. Surgical wound healing in the catfish of this study was shown to be successful when using anesthetics.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.794-800
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• 2008

In the present study, two trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of hyper- and hypothyroid status on the redox balance of broiler chickens. In Trial 1, 3 groups of broiler chickens were randomly subjected to one of the three treatments: subcutaneous administration of triiodothyronine (T3, $150{\mu}g/kg$ BW), methimazole (MMI, 150 mg/kg BW), or saline. The blood, liver and heart were sampled at 3 h after injection. In Trial 2, three groups of 20 broiler chickens were randomly fed with one of the three diets: control, dietary supplementation of T3 (1.5 mg/kg diet) or MMI (1 g/kg diet) for 7 days. In trial 1, the plasma concentrations of T3 and T3 to thyronine ratio (T3/T4) were significantly increased by T3 injection. Plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) tended to be increased (p = 0.067) by both T3 and MMI treatments while the ferric reduced/antioxidant capacity (FRAP) was increased only by MMI treatment. Acute T3 treatment had no significant effect on the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the concentrations of FRAP and TBARS in either liver or heart tissue. In contrast, the hepatic activities of SOD were decreased (p<0.05) while the cardiac levels of FRAP were significantly increased (p<0.0001) by MMI treatment. In chronic treatments, the rectal temperature of chickens was significantly decreased (p<0.05) by MMI treatment. The circulating T3 levels were significantly increased (p<0.05) by long-term T3 treatment, and showed a trend to decrease in MMI treatment. The plasma concentrations of TBARS were significantly (p<0.05) increased by MMI treatment. All the redox parameters measured in either liver or heart were not significantly altered by either long-term T3 or MMI treatment except that the hepatic SOD activities were significantly augmented by T3 treatment. The result showed that neither acute nor long-term elevation of circulating T3 levels induced lipid peroxidation in broiler chickens. The enhanced enzymatic antioxidant system (SOD in cardiac tissue) may be involved in the protection of the bird to increased oxidative challenge. The responses of redox balance to changed thyroid state seem to be tissue specific.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 2007

Objectives : Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) is the major component in commercial liquid epoxy resins, which are manufactured by co-reacting bisphenol A with epichlorohydrin. This study was performed to show the developmental effects of prenatal and postnatal exposures to BADGE in male rat offspring. Methods : Mated female rats were divided into four groups, each containing 12 rats. The dosing solutions were prepared by thoroughly mixing BADGE in corn oil at the 0, 375, 1500 and 3000 mg/kg/day concentrations. Mated females were dosed once daily by oral gavage on gestation day (GD) 6 - 20 and postnatal day (PND) 0 - 21. Pregnant female dams were observed general symptoms and body weight. Also, male pups were observed the general symptoms, body weight, developmental parameters (e.g. anogenital distance, pina detachment, incisor eruption, nipple retention, eye opening, testis descent), organ pathologic changes and hormone levels of plasma. Results : Pregnant rats treated with BADGE died at a rate of about 70% in the 1500 mg/kg/day group and all rats treated with 3000 mg/kg/day died. Body weight, for male pups treated with doses of 375 mg/kg/day, was significantly lower than in the control group at PND 42, 56, and 63 (p<0.05). Evaluation of body characteristics including; separation of auricle, eruption of incisor, separation of eyelid, nipple retention, descent of testis, and separation of the prepuce in the BADGE treated group showed no difference in comparisons with the control group. AGD and adjusted AGD (mm/kg) for general developmental items in BADGE 375 mg/kg/day treated pups tended to be longer than in controls, however, these differences were not statistically significant. Relative weights of adrenal gland, lung (p<0.05), brain, epididymis, prostate, and testis (p<0.01) were heavier than in control in measures at PND 9 weeks. There were no significant changes in comparisons of histological findings of these organs. Loss of spermatids was observed in the seminiferous tubule at PND 9 weeks, but no weight changes were observed. The plasma estrogen levels were similar in the control and treatment groups at PND 3, 6 and 9 weeks. The plasma testosterone levels in the control group tended to increase with age. However, in the BADGE 375 mg/kg/day treated male pups it did not tend to increase. Conclusions : These findings suggest that BADGE is a chemical that has developmental effects consistent with it being an endocrine disruptor.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1566-1573
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• 2006

The study was conducted on 30 true acyclic Sahiwal cows (15 cows, ${\geq}90$ days postpartum; 15 postpubertal heifers, ${\geq}30$ months of age) and a similar 20 untreated controls (10 cows, 10 heifers). An 'Eazi' breed Controlled Internal Drug Release (CIDR) device (containing 1.38 g progesterone) was inserted intravaginally for 7 days (days 0 to 7) followed by 500 IU eCG i.m. at CIDR removal in all the treated animals. Heifers also received 5 mg oestradiol valerate i.m at CIDR insertion. The reproductive performance of these animals was recorded in terms of oestrus induction response, conception and pregnancy rates. Plasma progesterone ($P_4$) and oestradiol-$17{\beta}$ ($E_2$) profiles of 4 representative animals from each treatment group before, during and after CIDR treatment were also monitored. An oestrus induction response of 100% was observed in treated cows and heifers. The majority of cows (53.3%) and heifers (60%) were induced to oestrus within 24-36 and 36-48 h, respectively after CIDR withdrawal; with mean intervals of $44{\pm}3.18$ and $48{\pm}2.35h$, respectively. The conception rate at induced oestrus was higher in cows (40%) than heifers (20%). The final pregnancy rates after 2 subsequent oestruses were 80 and 60% in cows and heifers, respectively (overall 70% for all treated animals). In comparison, only 10% of control animals (2 cows only, 2/20) showed oestrus and become pregnant (10%) during theentire study period. The pretreatment (day 0) mean plasma P4 levels were statistically (p>0.05) similar in cows and heifers ($0.40{\pm}0.04$ and $0.49{\pm}0.11ng/ml$, respectively). The peak $P_4$ levels were observed on day 1 in cows ($13.94{\pm}1.41ng/ml$) and day 2 in heifers ($19.15{\pm}3.30ng/ml$) with a progressive decline up to the day of CIDR withdrawal ($3.35{\pm}0.92$ and $8.79{\pm}1.71ng/ml$, respectively). Mean $P_4$ levels on day 9 and 10 in cows and heifers did not differ significantly from their respective day 0 values and the lowest values were recorded on day 10 both in cows and heifers ($0.13{\pm}0.03$ and $0.14{\pm}0.02ng/ml$, respectively). Wide variations in individual pretreatment $E_2$ levels were observed both in the cows (range = 4-26, mean = $13.00{\pm}4.65pg/ml$) and heifers (range = 10-14, mean = $11.50{\pm}0.96pg/ml$). Thereafter also, $E_2$ levels in cows showed variation and reached a peak level ($53.50{\pm}2.99pg/ml$) on day 8. In heifers, peak mean $E_2$ level ($111.25{\pm}39.81pg/ml$) was recorded on day 1, followed by a non-significant decline on day 2, a significant fall on day 6 and a non-significant increase on day 9 and 10. However, mean $E_2$ levels on days 7 (p<0.05), 8 and 9 (p<0.01) were significantly higher in cows compared to heifers. The post-CIDR withdrawal mean highest $P_4$ and lowest $E_2$ levels coincided with the period when the majority of animals were induced to oestrus. CIDR and eCG treatment resulted in effective induction of oestrus with satisfactory pregnancy rates in true acyclic Sahiwal cows and heifers.