• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the coat color appearance of Korean brindle cattle and the changes of relevant hormone levels that may affect the hair pigmentation during different stages of growth and maturation. In mature cattle, levels of both ACTH and DHEA in Korean brindle cattle with brown color were significantly higher than those with black color (p<0.05). Levels of ${\alpha}$-MSH in Korean brindle cattle with whole brindle ($${\geq_-}50%$$) color were significantly higher than those with brown color (p<0.05). In calves of Korean brindle cattle at 2 to 6 months, the concentration of estradiol was significantly higher in calves with whole brindle color than those with part brindle color (p<0.05), when the coat color was confirmed. After 6 month of coat color confirmation, levels of testosterone and ACTH increased in calves with part brindle color and were significantly higher than those with whole brindle color (p<0.05). In calves of Korean brindle cattle at 1 or 2 months, there were no significant differences in hormone levels of estradiol, ACTH, DHEA and ${\alpha}$-MSH between the calves with brindle color and brown color, except estradiol before brindle color appearance. Changes of relevant hormone levels at different stage of growth and maturation may affect the pigmentation of coat during the development of cattle. In addition to the current study correlating the different coat colors with relevant hormone levels, investigation of the coat color associated genes expressed in Korean brindle cattle may further clarify the mechanisms of coat color changes during their development.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2015

The aim of the present study was to identify coat color associated genes that are differentially expressed in mature Korean brindle cattle (KBC) with different coat colors and in Hanwoo cows. KBC calves, before and after coat color appearance, were included. Total cellular RNA was isolated from the tail hair cells and used for microarray. The number of expressed coat color associated genes/probes was 5813 in mature KBC and Hanwoo cows. Among the expressed coat color associated genes/probes, 167 genes were the coat color associated genes listed in the Gene card database and 125 genes were the pigment and melanocyte genes listed in the Gene ontology_bovine database. There were 23 genes/probes commonly listed in both databases and their expressions were further studied. Out of the 23 genes/probes, MLPH, PMEL, TYR and TYRP1 genes were expressed at least two fold higher (p<0.01) levels in KBC with brindle color than either Hanwoo or KBC with brown color. TYRP1 expression was 22.96 or 19.89 fold higher (p<0.01) in KBC with brindle color than either Hanwoo or KBC with brown color, respectively, which was the biggest fold difference. The hierarchical clustering analysis indicated that MLPH, PMEL, TYR and TYRP1 were the highly expressed genes in mature cattle. There were only a few genes differentially expressed after coat color appearance in KBC calves. Studies on the regulation and mechanism of gene expression of highly expressed genes would be next steps to better understand coat color determination and to improve brindle coat color appearance in KBC.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.215-222
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• 2013

Bovine coat color is decided by the melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) genotype mutation and melanogenesis. Specially, in the various cattle breeds, dominant black coat color is expressed by dominant genotype of $E^D$, red or brown is expressed in the frame shift mutation of recessive homozygous e by base pair deletion and wild type of $E^+$ is expressed in various coat colors. However, not very well known about the effected of MC1R genotype mutation on the coat color through family lines in KBC. Therefore, this study were to investigate effect of MC1R genotype mutation on the coat color, and to suggest mating breed system in accordance with of MC1R genotype for increased on brindle coat color appearance. Parents (sire 2 heads and dam 3 heads) and offspring (total : 54 heads) from crossbreeding in KBC family line with the MC1R genotype and phenotype records were selected as experimental animals. The relationship between melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) genotypes expression verified by PCR-RFLP, and brindle coat color appearance to the family line of the cross mating breed from MC1R genotype pattern was determined. As a result, 4MC1R genetic variations, $E^+/E^+$ (sire 1), $E^+/e$ (sire 2 and dam 3), $E^+/e$ with 4 bands of 174, 207 and 328 bp (dam 1) and $E^+/e$ with 3 bands of 174, 207, 328 and 535 bp (dam 2) from parents (sire and dam) of KBC. However, 3 genetic variations, e/e (24%), $E^+/E^+$ (22%) and $E^+/e$ (56%) were identified in offspring. Also, brindle coat color expressrated was the e/e with the 0%, $E^+/E^+$ with 67% and $E^+/e$ with 77% from MC1R genotype in offspring on the cross mating of KBC. Furthermore, when the sire had $E^+/e$ genotype and the dam had $E^+/E^+$ with the 3 bands or $E^+/e$ genotype, and both had whole body-brindle coat color, 62% of the offspring had whole body-brindle coat color. Therefore, the seresults, the mating system from MC1R genotype patterns of the sires ($E^+/e$) and dams ($E^+/E^+$ with the 3 bands or $E^+/e$) with brindle coat color may have the highest whole body-brindle coat color expression in their offspring.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.325-329
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• 2011

The main objective of this study is to investigate the distribution of coat color among Ulleung Korean Native Brindle Cattle, and to identify basic genetic elements required for the fixation of coat color traits. 1. The distribution of coat color among Ulleung Korean Native Brindle Cattle was 24.3% yellow (67/276),13.0% black (36/276), 62.7% brindle (173/276). The frequency of Brindle coat color was slightly higher (66%, 105/159) among embryo transfer from outside than that of cows produced by embryo transfer from jurisdiction. 2. Investigation of coat color distribution in each sex group showed that the frequency of yellow coat color was lower in males (18.1%, 25/138) than in females (31.4%, 43/137). On the other hand, the frequency of brindle coat color was slightly higher among males (68.1%, 94/138) than in females (56.9%, 78/137). 3. Examination of Brindle coat color expression based on the intensity of black dots on the nose indicated that the expression of black coat color increase in proportion to the intensity of black dots.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.297-303
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to determine the breed differences in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of MC1R mRNA, which may be used to distinguish Korean brindle cattle (Chikso) from other breeds. We investigated the relationship between the variation of 3'-UTR of the MC1R mRNA and coat color among different breeds and the Korean brindle cattle with different coat colors. MC1R mRNA expression levels were determined in accordance with the coat color and hair colors of the tail. Total cellular RNA was extracted from the hair follicles of the tails in Hanwoo, Korean brindle cattle, Holstein and $Hanwoo{\times}Holstein$ crossbred cattle. After cDNA synthesis, PCR was performed. Sequences of the 3'-UTR of MC1R mRNA were analyzed. The 3'-UTR of the MC1R mRNA from different breeds of cattle did not show any variations. There were no variations in the 3'-UTR of the MC1R mRNA in Korean brindle cattle with different coat colors. The levels of MC1R mRNA expression in hair follicles of the tail varied substantially among the Korean brindle cattle with different coat colors, except yellow coat color. Correlation between the MC1R mRNA expression in the hair follicles of the tail and coat color may be present in the Korean brindle cattle, but not between the variations of 3'-UTR of MC1R mRNA and coat color. Further studies to determine the regulation of MC1R mRNA expression from the hair follicles of different coat colors will be beneficial in clarifying the role of MC1R in the coat colors of the Korean brindle cattle.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.255-265
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• 2012

The objectives of this study were to investigate MC1R genotype, coat color, and muzzle phenotype variationsin the Korean native brindle cattle (KNBC) maintaining family lines and to establish the mating system for increased brindle coat color appearance. KNBC with genotype and phenotype records were selected as experimental animals. The relationship between melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) genotypes, verified by PCR-RFLP, and brindle coat color appearance was determined. Fragments of the MC1R gene amplified by PCR were digested with MspI and RFLP was determined. KNBC had $E^+E^+$, $E^+e$, and ee genotypes. The $E^+e$ genotype was most common with 65%, compared to $E^+E^+$ (33.33%), or ee (1.67%). When the sire had $E^+e$ genotype and the dam had $E^+E^+$ genotype, and both of them had the whole body-brindle coat color, all of their offspring (4/4) had whole body-brindle coat color. When the sire had $E^+E^+$ genotype and the dam had $E^+e$ genotype, and both had whole body-brindle coat color, 44.44% (4/9) of the offspring had whole body-brindle coat color. The mating between the sires and dams with these two genotypes with whole body-brindle coat color may have the highest whole body-brindle coat color appearance in their offspring. Muzzle grades 3 or 4 were more common than other muzzle grades. This is the first report indicating the segregation of MC1R genotypes and the inheritance of coat color through family lines in KNBC. The mating system proposed from this study may increase the possibility of brindle coat color appearance in KNBC.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the MC1R genotypes of the Chikso (Korean brindle cattle) sires on the coat colors of their offspring. In this study, 15 Chikso sires with known MC1R genotypes were used for breeding in the Gangwon Province Livestock Research Center, the Chungbuk Institute of Livestock and Veterinary Research, and the Livestock Experiment Station, Jeonbuk Institute of Livestock and Veterinary Research from either 2011 or 2012 to 2013. There were 6 sires with $E^+E^+$ genotypes and 9 sires with $E^+e$ genotypes, and their coat colors were all whole brindle (more than 50 of the body). Among the 90 calves produced in 2011~2013 or 2012~2013 from the 15 sires, 50 (55.6%) of them were females and 40 (44.4%) of them were males. Coat colors of the offspring were determined when they reached over 6 months of age. Calves with whole brindle, part brindle, brown and black coat colors were 42 (48.3%), 11 (12.6%), 18 (20.7%) and 16 (18.4%), respectively. Ratio of calves with whole brindle coat color was higher than any other coat colors. Among the offspring with whole brindle color, 20 (41.7%) calves were female and 22 (51.3%) calves were male. By determining the MC1R genotypes of the dams and calves in this study along the family lines, and investigating other genes that may be involved in the coat colors of the Chikso, better breeding system may be established to increase the brindle coat color appearance in the future.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.107-117
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to expression pattern of melanogenesis associate genes on cultured melanocyte layer cells in Korean Brindle Cattle(Dark, Brindle and Yellow) were analyzed to evaluate the effects of sex hormones on the control of melanogenesis pathways. Korean Brindle Cattle(Dark, Brindle and Yellow) melanocyte in the skin cells was collected. after the addition of estrogen and testosterone, the culture was analyzed for expression of cell activity and melanin genes for 72 hours. For the analysis of estrogen in different coat color other than the melanogenesis-related genes it is increasingly yellow showed low expression. in particular, the cells of the brindle coat color is low active and expression of genes. However, the testosterone was low, the expression of cell activity inhibiting MMP-2. the expression of melanin genes actually showed a tendency to increase gradually, which is testosterone compared with the estrogen to be considered that affect the skin cell layer brindle coat color. In this study, stimulation with estrogen triggered the inhibition of MC1R of the melanocyte in brindle coat color, but testosterone is induced MC1R in melanocyte. Therefore, considered the eumelanin or phaeomelanin activation are controlled caused by differential expression of sex hormones on melanocyte in Korean Brindle Cattle.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2002

PCR-RFLP analysis was carried out to investigate the genotype of Melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) gene in Korean Brindle Cattle and Korean Cattle with dark muzzle, which are coat color and muzzle pigmentation variants of Korean Cattle, respectively. Allelic variants of MC1R in cattle were analyzed by digestion with BsrFⅠ, AciⅠ. Among six genotypes, $E^D/E^D,\;E^D/E^+,\;E^D/e,\;E^+/E^+,\;E^+$/e and e/e, detected in cattle, only two genotypes, $E^+/E^+\;and\;E^+$/e, were observed in Korean Brindle Cattle, probably reflecting the necessary of $E^+$ allele for the expression of black brindle coat color. As in Korean Cattle with light muzzle, the $E^+$/e and e/e genotypes were detected in Korean Cattle with dark muzzle. The $E^+$ and e alleles frequencies in two populations of Korean Cattle with dark muzzle and with light muzzle were 0.37, 0.63 and 0,11, 0.89, respectively. Although the frequency of $E^+$ allele in Korean Cattle with dark muzzle was higher than in Korean Cattle with light muzzle, the $E^+$ allele was not completely associated with dark muzzle pigmentation. The results of this experiment indicate that the difference of MC1R genotype and frequency may be useful for fixation of coat color in Korean Cattle as well as Korean Brindle Cattle.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.453-458
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• 2011

The MC1R (Melanocortin 1 receptor) gene has been known as a causative gene of the coat colors in mammals and responsible for the E (Extension) locus which has three alleles ($E^D$, $E^+$, e) that determines coat colors. The dominant allele $E^D$ produces black or brown colors due to the missense mutation and the recessive e allele has frameshift mutation which shows red or yellow coat colors. Whereas the wild type $E^+$ produces variety of colors due to the interaction with A (Agouti) locus. In this study, PCR-RFLP was performed using two restriction enzymes (BsrF I and MspA1 I) in order to obtain MC1R genotypes in Korean brindle cattle and black cattle. The results showed that all of the animals have the $E^+$ alleles, indicating the $E^+$ allele might related with black coat colors. Later on, the experiments expanded to the 260 Korean candidate bulls whether these animals have the same $E^+$ allele. Among 260 samples investigated, 5% (13/260) of the animals had $E^+$e genotypes, indicating the $E^+$ allele is also present in the candidate bulls in a low frequency. Even though we expected that A locus also affect the black coat color in cattle, all the black coat color animals (brindle and black) have $E^+$ alleles in this study. Therefore, the genotyping of the MC1R gene in candidate bulls will recommended be applied for eliminating of black coat colors in Hanwoo population, if the farmers need to have the brown coat colors only.