• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.550-558
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• 2021

Fructus Corni, the fruit of Cornus officinalis, has long been used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. We recently suggested that it was effective against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Corni Fructus (CF) water extract on BPH induced by testosterone propionate (TP) in noncastrated and castrated animal models. BPH was induced in Sprague Dawley rats by an intramuscular injection of TP in castrated or noncastrated rats. Finasteride (FINA) treatment was used as a positive control for inhibition of BPH. According to our results, CF administration inhibited excessive enlargement of development of the prostate in both the noncastrated and castrated groups compared to the control and FINA-treated groups. The inhibitory effect of CF on BPH was associated with inhibition of expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, 5α-reductase type 2, steroid receptor coactivator-1, androgen receptor (AR), and prostate-specific antigen. Serum levels of the stress hormone cortisol increased during BPH induction by TP in both the noncastrated and castrated groups, but they were attenuated significantly by CF administration. However, insulin and IGF-1 levels were not increased in the BPH-induced groups and CF, and no effective results were found by CF administration. These results point to a beneficial effect of CF on BPH through inhibition of AR signaling pathway activity and imply that CF shows excellent potential as a therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of BPH.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.988-995
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• 2003

Physiological parameters were measured on six primiparous, non-pregnant Holstein cows prior to peak lactation over a 3-month summer season in southwestern Taiwan. The objectives were to characterize heat stress-induced change in functionality of mammary gland under natural climates of tropical summer and to establish physiological indices applicable to this environment in referring to this change. Environmental and physiological readings, milk and blood samples were taken at 15:00 h biweekly for totally five time points during the study. Climate readings showed that the afternoon humidex value reached the highest (53.5) around mid summer. Rectal temperature of cows taken simultaneously varied between $38.26^{\circ}C$ and $40.02^{\circ}C$ in parallel to humidex. Milk production declined drastically from 29.2 to 22.2 kg/d the first month entering summer but leveled up at end of the summer season suggesting effects exerted by heat stress rather than stages of lactation. Lactose content decreased linearly (p<0.05) with times in summer, from 4.69 to 4.38%. On the other hand, activity of N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGase) in milk increased linearly to over two folds (p<0.05) during the same intervals. Elevations of fractional constituent of BSA in whey protein and serum cortisol level were also noticed in the course. Measurement of arteriovenous concentration (A-V) difference across the mammary gland demonstrated net uptake of glucose and net release of urea throughout the study period. The amount of urea released from mammary gland increased (p<0.05) progressively from 1.54 to 7.76 mg/dl during summer. It is concluded that gradual regression of mammary gland occurred along the humid tropical summer season. This regression is likely initiated through elevation of body temperature, which is irreversible above certain point. The increased release of urea from mammary gland during heat stress suggests its potential role as an early indicator of suboptimal mammary function.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.415-423
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• 2008

This study examined the effects of the daily noise stress on body weight, feed intake and clinicopathological findings in Korean indigenous goats. A total of 14 male goats was divided into 2 groups (test and control) with same number (n=7), and exam was started 2 weeks later. This study composed 2 stages. First was noise stage i.e., noise (80-100 dB) inflicted on the test for 70 minutes each time (5 times/day), and have continued for 2 months. Second was no noise for 2 months. Body weight and daily gain in stress group was decreased compared with control group after imposing noise (first stage). However, these results were reversed after ceasing noise (second stage). Average daily feed intake was not significant different between two groups throughout the experimental periods. But, feed conversion ratio was lowerin control group than another. Clinicopathological findings including total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), glucose, amylase, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cortisol, total leucocytes and hemoglobin value showed no significant different between stress and control group.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.235-244
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• 2002

This study was carried out to determine the blood and milk progesterone by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and milk urea nitrogen (MUN) in cows. MUN and protein concentration were determined using automated infared procedures. The optimum conditions of ELISA system was investigated including the first and second antibody titres, bound percent, and enzyme conjugate and also the factors on MUN and protein concentration by sampling procedures and addition of preservatives. Progesterone antibodies did not react to pregnenlone, testosterone, estrone, estradiol-l7$\beta$, aldosterone, cortisol, corticosterone and 11$\alpha$-dehydroxycortisone (DOC), but reacted with only progesterone. The intra and inter-assay coefficient of variation 4.5%, 6.1~9.4% when used of bovine serum. The morning, MUN concentration (17.6$\pm$2.8 mg/100 ml) in the 13 herds was similar to that of evening MUN concentration of the lactating cows from the same herd. A significant relationship between morning and evening milk samples of upper parameters was found r=0.93. Difference in MUN concentration with sampling procedures and using of preservatives were investigated.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.4394-4402
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• 2011

The study was done to examine the effects of horticulture therapy on depression and stress in patient of hospice unit. The subjects of this study were hospice patient in D hospital in D city, thirty hospice patient were assigned to experimental group, thirty hospice patient were assigned to control group. Data were collected from April 29, 2009 to July 26, 2009. Horticulture therapy program consisted of indoor and outdoor horticultural activities. The horticulture therapy was conducted 30 minutes, 6 times a week for 3 weeks (a total 18 times). Measures were depression, and stress by serum cortisol count. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test and t-test with SPSS/WIN 17.0 version. The results of this study was patients in the experimental group receiving Horticulture therapy had a significant difference in changes of depression between the experimental group and control group. The study results indicate that horticulture therapy is an effective, palliative intervention program to improve the depression and stress of hospice patients.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2001

This research was conducted to investigate the effects of far infrared radiological materials on growth performance, immune response and changes of microbial flora in feces for growing pigs. Twelve growing pigs($Duroc{\times}Yorkshire{\times}Landrace$, average initial body weight of $15.6{\pm}0.5kg$) were used in a 40 day growth assay. Treatments were control(saline injection with diet: S); saline injection with Bio-Plus in diet(SBP); and vaccination with Bio-Plus in diet(VBP) in a randomized complete block design with initial BW as the blocking criterion. Serum concentrations of IgG of SBP and VBP were higher than those of S at day 10(p<0.05), 20(p<0.05), 30(p<0.05) and 40(p<0.05). Pigs fed with treatment diets had increased lymphocyte level compared to S at day 20(p<0.05) and 40(p<0.05). Cortisol was lower in treatments than in S at day 30(p<0.05). At day 20, there was no significant difference in E. coli among the treatments. However, it was observed that E, coli of the treatments was decreased compared to S at day 40(p<0.01). Lactobacillus of SBP was significantly higher(p<0.05) than that of S at day 40. In conclusion, the results of the experiment suggest that far infrared radiological materials could be a very beneficial immune response for growing pigs in health aspects.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.6
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• pp.875-883
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• 2020

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of group-housing facility (GHF), compared to an individual confinement stall (CON), on the reproductive performance, behavior, and stress hormones of gestating sows. A total of 50 primiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly allocated into either CON (n = 25) or GHF (n = 25) during the gestation period. One week before parturition, the sows were transferred into conventional farrowing crates, and cross-fostering was conducted within 1 d of delivery. Blood was collected for analyses of stress indices at 75 d of gestation and postpartum. Reproductive performance was estimated during the period of birth to weaning. Behavior patterns were identified at 90 d of gestation. Litter size was not different between the CON and GHF treatments. Weaning to estrus interval, however, tended to be lower in the GHF than in the CON (p < 0.1). Activity, treating, belly nosing, and exploring behaviors were observed only in the GHF group, whereas rubbing was shown only with the CON. Serum cortisol concentration was lower in the GHF than in the CON at 75 d of gestation (p < 0.05). Sows housed in the GHF showed lower epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations than those housed in the CON at postpartum (p < 0.05). The GHF sows demonstrated more natural behavior characteristics associated with stress relief than the CON sows with no adverse effects on reproductive performance. Therefore, these results suggest that GHF could be applied as an alternative housing facility to improve animal welfare on swine farms.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.139-143
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• 2022

A 10-year-old, spayed female miniature schnauzer was referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Chungnam National University due to evaluation of sudden polyuria (PU) and, polydipsia (PD) (540 mL/kg/day) with severe anemia and weight loss. Blood examination results were normal except for severe anemia (hematocrit, [HCT]: 11.8%). Urinalysis revealed a urine specific gravity (USG) of 1.003, whereas urine sediment was not specific. Urine osmolality was 90 mOsm (reference range: 800~2500 mOsm), and plasma osmolality was 303 mOsm. No specific lesions were found using diagnostic imaging including radiography, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The serum cortisol level was normal in cosyntropin stimulation test. Plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentration was <0.4 pg/mL (reference range: 3.49~5.45 pg/mL). Blood transfusion was initiated in addition to an oral prescription of desmopressin acetate (DDAVP, 0.1 mg/head) thrice a day for one week. The patient was rechecked for clinical signs, urine osmolality, and USG; the clinical signs of PU/PD were resolved, urine osmolality increased to 1106 mOsm, and, USG increased to 1.021. Considering the improved clinical signs, and increased urine osmolality, and USG after DDAVP treatment, the dog was diagnosed with central diabetes insipidus. USG and urine osmolality increased to >1.030 and 2200 mOsm, respectively. Anemia also gradually improved and HCT increased to >37%. DDAVP was tapered to 0.1 mg/head twice a day and all clinical signs in the patient have completely resolved.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2011

An investigation was done to evaluate the effects of adding green tea probiotics, Alisma canaliculatum probiotics and fermented Kelp meal on the growth performance and immune response in sows and piglets. A total of 32 pregnant sows were assigned to 4 treatments in 8 replications with 1 sow as a replicate in this experiment from 2 months before parturition to 28 days after parturition. Three hundred nineteen (319) piglets were produced from experimental sows after parturition. The dietary treatments were CON group (without antibiotics), GTP (basal+green tea probiotics, 0.5% of the diet), ACP group (basal + Alisma canaliculatum probiotics, 0.5% of the diet) and FKM group (basal+fermented Kelp meal, 0.5% of the diet). Litter size and body weight at birth and weaning size and body weight at weanling in piglets were greater in additives group compared to CON group but no statistical differences were found (P>0.05). Diarrhea score showed a decreasing tendency with three additives groups compared to CON group. The lymphocytes in blood of sows fed ACP and FKM group were significantly higher compared to CON group (P<0.05), and the MID of GTP and FKM group were significantly lower compared to CON group (P<0.05). The serum IgG concentration in sows tended to increase with additives groups compared to CON group and the serum IgA and IgM concentration in GTP and FKM group were significantly higher compared to ACP group (P<0.05). The cortisol levels showed a decreasing tendency in additives groups without statistical differences among the groups (P>0.05). Based on these observations, it can be inferred that the GTP and FKM may have such efficacy as antibiotics in growing pigs.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 2001

Recently many studies have reported that total and bioavailable androgens reduced in male and female athletes and that physical exercise reduces the body weight and increases the reproductive abnormalities such as oligomenorrhea, anovulation, inadequate luteal phase, and delayed puberty in women by the inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis . In addition, high mileage endurance 겨nning, psychological stress, and military endurance training in men also reduce the secretion of reproductive hormones. To investigate the efffcts of physical endurance exercise on the secretion of reproductive hormones in men, androgenic hormones from adrenal glands and testis were measured in serum by the conventional radioimmunoassays after long-term (more than3 months), short-term (1 week), and acute (1${sim}$2 hours) physical exercises. Androgenic hormones from adrenal glands and testis such as total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (fT), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and androstenedione (A) decreased after thesestrenuous endurance trainings, whereas ACTH, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfetes (DHEAS) increased. Conadotropins (LH and FSH) were not idluenced by the physical exercises. Based upon the present results, we assume that the decrease in adrenal and testicular androgens by physical endurance exercises might be associated with the reproductive abnormalities in athletes by unknown factor(s) in addition to the HPG axis disturbance.