• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.427-438
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• 1996

The suitability of female cattle ($Brahman{\times}Holstein$) and buffaloes (Murrah / Jafarabadi) for work on a sugarcane crusher was tested. The animals were fed chopped sugarcane tops and elephant grass supplemented with rice bran and urea-molasses blocks. In experiment 1, six cattle and six buffaloes, (with three animals seven to eight months pregnant at the start of the experiment in each group), worked individually, alternate weeks for 90 minutes a day for 6 d/week. Within the 90 min, cattle did more work than buffaloes (p < 0.05), and non-pregnant animals did more than pregnant animals, but cattle crushed significantly (p < 0.05) more cane per day than buffaloes. During work animals lost weight, but gained the weight back during resting weeks, when fodder intakes were higher. There were no significant differences in live weight change and fodder intakes between pregnant and non-pregnant animals during the six weeks. In experiment 2, four pairs of lactating cows and buffaloes crushed sugarcane for 3 h/d, 6 d/week for three weeks. Work done was higher in cattle than buffaloes, but cane crushed was marginally lower. All animals lost weight during work, particularly in the first week, but gained weight during the week after work. Daily milk yield was lower during the working weeks ($-0.55{\pm}0.15kg$) than in the week before work. Butter fat yield showed no significant change. One buffalo showed ovarian activity and oestrus behaviour during the work. Two cows showed ovarian activity within one month after the work. It was concluded that pregnant and lactating cows and buffaloes can effectively operate a cane crusher, however a temporary reduction in milk yield can be expected in the working period, and ovarian activity may be suppressed.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2021

In recent years, various methods of measuring body temperature have been developed using wireless biosensors to facilitate an early detection of pregnancy and parturition in cows. However, there are no studies on real-time monitoring of cattle body temperature throughout pregnancy. Therefore, we investigated the daily mean ruminal temperature in pregnant cows throughout pregnancy using a ruminal bio-capsule sensor and then evaluated the temperature variation between pregnant and non-pregnant cows. In pregnant cows, the mean and standard deviation of ruminal temperature was 38.86 ± 0.17℃. Ruminal temperature in pregnant cows slowly decreased until 180 to 190 days after artificial insemination and after that, the temperature increased dramatically until just before parturition. Furthermore, the means ruminal temperature was significantly different between pregnant and nonpregnant cows. The mean and standard deviation of ruminal temperature were as follows: 38.68 ± 0.01℃ from days 80 to 100, 38.78 ± 0.02℃ from days 145 to 165, 38.99 ± 0.45℃ from days 200 to 220, 39.14 ± 0.38℃ from days 250 to 270 before parturition. Therefore, our results could provide useful data for early detection of pregnancy and parturition in Korean cows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.742-752
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• 2020

Objective: This study investigated the effects of vitamin A (VA) supplementation during late-stage pregnancy on longissimus dorsi muscle tissue development, birth traits, and growth performance of postnatal Korean native calves. Methods: In the preliminary experiment, twenty-six pregnant cattle (initial body weight [BW] = 319 kg (standard deviation [SD] = 30.1; 1st parity) were randomly assigned to the control and treatment groups. The treatment group received VA supplementation at 24,000 IU/d from gestational day 225 until delivery. In the main experiment, twelve pregnant cattle (initial BW = 317 kg [SD = 31.3]; 1st parity) were treated with VA supplementation at 24,000 IU/d (gestational days 150 to 225) and at 78,000 IU/d (gestational day 225 until delivery). Serum VA levels were analyzed in pregnant cattle, and the growth performance, gene expression, and serum VA levels were analyzed in the offspring. Results: Serum VA levels in pregnant cattle decreased the late gestation in both experiments (p<0.001). In the main experiment, pregnant cattle at parturition and offspring at birth in the treatment group had higher serum VA levels than those in the control group (p<0.05). In the treatment groups, an increased birth weight was observed in the main experimental group (p = 0.022), and a tendency (p = 0.088) toward an increased birth weight was observed in the preliminary experimental group. However, no differences were observed in the feed intake, average daily gain, gain-to-feed ratio, or BW of 31-day-old calves. Gene expression was analyzed in longissimus dorsi muscles of 31-day-old calves. VA supplementation in pregnant cattle stimulated postnatal muscle development in offspring by elevating myogenic factor 5 (MYF5), MYF6, and myoblast determination levels (p<0.05). Moreover, preadipocyte-related marker genes such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 and krüppel-like factor 2 were higher in the treatment group than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: VA supplementation (78,000 IU/d) in late-stage pregnant cattle maintained serum VA levels. In addition, 78,000 IU/d VA supplementation increased the birth weight and expression of genes related to muscle and preadipocyte development in offspring. Overall, 78,000 IU/d VA supplementation in pregnant cattle is beneficial to newborn calves.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 2011

To examine the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum (N. caninum) infections in cattle raised at farms where an abortion had previously occurred in Gongju city and Yeongi-gun of Chungnam Province, 280 head of cattle from six farms were examined by ELISA. Thirty-two pregnant cattle from four farms were examined to determine the abortion rate in N. caninum-infected pregnant cattle and the infection pattern in newborn calves. The six farms where the abortions had previously occurred demonstrated positive reactions to N. caninum. Although the mean seropositive rate of the six farms was 17.5%, the range of seropisitivity was 3.4-57.1% due to the difference in seroprevalence between farms. The general pattern of seropositivity in cows was higher than in heifers. In addition, the abortion rate of N. caninumpositive in 18 out of 32 pregnant dams raised in four farms was 16.7%. The seroprevalence of newborn calves from N. caninum-positive pregnant animals differed according to the farm but was 86.7% overall. In contrast, 14 newborn calves from the N. caninum-negative pregnant cattle showed negative responses. This suggests that N. caninum is endemic and occurs through vertical transmission from chronically-infected dams. Therefore, aborted dams should be discarded.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.157-161
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• 2014

The study aimed to determine the physical characteristics of estrus mucus and conception rates in dairy cattle. Samples of estrus mucus from the cervix were collected from 108 dairy cattle during heat and were examined for color and consistency. Samples were taken from bred animals at starting from day of breeding to the completion of one estrus cycle. The color of the cervical mucus was studied based on its transparency while the consistency was based on the thinness and thickness of the cervical mucus. The dairy cattle were bred and the pregnancy diagnosis was performed at the $60^{th}$ day post breeding. Findings showed that the estrus mucus of the dairy cattle was transparent in 58.3%, turbid in 31.5% and dirty in 10.2%. It was further observed that the mucus consistency of the dairy cattle was thin in 74.1% and thick in 25.9%. In the pregnant group, 67.3% mucus samples were found transparent, turbid in 23.6% and dirty in 9.1%. However, the corresponding figures for the non-pregnant group had 49.1%, 39.6% and 11.3%. The consistency of cervical mucus was found to be thin in 74.1% and thick in 25.9% of dairy cattle. The conception rates of dairy cattle with thin and thick consistency of cervical mucus were 81.8% and 18.2%, respectively. Pregnant was associated with consistency of cervical mucus (p<0.10). Findings indicated that dairy cattle with thin consistency of cervical mucus and had clear discharge were pregnant cows.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.219-225
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• 2009

A cross sectional survey was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis in cattle in Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) Veterinary Clinics, in BAU Dairy Farm and Vabokhali from June 2008 to November 2008. A total of 200 serum samples were collected from BAU Veterinary Clinic, from BAU Dairy Farm and Vabokhali. Among the serum samples 143 sera samples were collected from BAU Veterinary Clinic, 42 serum samples from BAU Dairy Farm and 15 serum samples from Vabokhali. Sera were separated from blood samples and tested with specific Brucella abortus antigen (BAA) test and B. melitensis antigen (BMA) test. The overall seroprevalence of brucellosis in cattle was 5% in BAA and 0.5% in BMA. It was observed that, a significant higher prevalence of B. abortus was found in female than male. An insignificant higher prevalence of brucellosis was found in adult cattle (aged above 5 years), in cross breed cattle, in cattle with grazing, cattle breed by natural breeding, and in pregnant cows. Although insignificant but a higher prevalence of brucellosis was found in aged cattle than young cattle, cross bred cattle, pregnant cattle than non pregnant cattle, cattle with grazing. A higher prevalence of brucellosis was found in female cattle than male.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.137-144
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• 1996

The present study was carried out to obtain the pregnancy and delivery rate following transfer of fresh and frozen-thawed Korean native cattle(KNC) blastocysts(1~4 em-bryos / head) produced in vitro to Holstein recipients. The pregnancy rate of fresh and frozen-thawed KNC blastocysts produced in vitro was 50%(7 /14 heads) and 38.5%(5 /13 heads), respectively. The pregnancy rate of frozen-thawed KNC blastocysts produced in vitro frozen using 1.5M ethylene glycol and 1.4M glycerol for cryoprotectant was 33.3%(2 /6 heads) and 42.9 %(3 /7 heads), respectively. Seven calves including 2 sets of twin were born fiom 5 pregnant recipients receiving eleven fresh blastocysts. Three pregnant recipients were aborted among four pregnant recipients receiving twelve frozen-thawed blastocysts and one calf was born from the rest of one pregnant recipient.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.239-246
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• 2021

The fertility of dairy cows has been declining worldwide. The number of services per conception has increased, and repeat breeder (RB) cows are considered important in the dairy industry. However, there has been little research on RB cows in Korea. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum biochemical profiles and RB Holstein cattle in Korea and compare the results with those of studies conducted abroad. In addition, we investigated hidden factors that are needed for RB cattle to become pregnant. Overall, 34 Korean Holstein Friesian cows were divided into three groups: pregnant with normal cycling (PNC), pregnant with repeat breeder (PRB), and non-pregnant with repeat breeder (NRB). Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein, and serum parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, LD, CK, TP, ALB, GLOB, TBIL, BUN, CRE, GLU, TC, TG, NEFA, CA, MG, and IP) were analyzed. GGT levels were significantly different among groups (P=0.01). The concentration of GGT was the highest in the NRB and the lowest in the PNC. In contrast to the findings of other studies, there were no differences in GLU, TP, TC, and BUN levels. This study is the first to investigate serum biochemistry in RB cattle and provides results that differ from those of previous studies; these findings would help establish a novel approach to improve fertility of RB cattle.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.197-203
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• 1995

Serum progesterone concentrations of pregnant and non-pregnant Hanwoo were compared to evaluate the possibility of early pregnancy prediction. Twenty five female Hanwoo were devided into two groups. Eighteen heads were injected with 980$\mu\textrm{g}$ tiaprost trometamol salt(Iliren:PGF2$\alpha$ analogue) for estrous synchronization and fifteen heads of them were inseminated artifically and seven heads were non-treated. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein before PGF2$\alpha$ injection and on day 0, 18, 21 after estrous induction. Pregnancy of cattle was confirmed by rectal palpaton after 60 days of artificial insemination. The serum progesterone concentrations at heat showed no significant differences between pregnant and non-pregnant while on day 18 and 21 after estrous induction showed significant differences(p<0.05). The accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis on day 18 and 21 after estrous induction was 85.7 and 71.4% respectively while that of non-pregnancy were 71.4 and 100.0% respectively.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.667-675
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• 2003

The safety of Brucella abortus strain RB51(SRB51) was investigated in dairy cows and Korean native cattle of 4~7th month of gestation. From experimentally inoculated cattle, 18 of 25 (72.0%) dairy cows, and 3 of 10 (30.0%) Korean native cattle were aborted or delivered premature fetus. There were no significant differences in the incidence of abortion depending on the inoculation route (intramuscular and subcutaneous) and dosages ($1{\times}10^9$, $2.8{\times}10^9$, and $4.0{\times}10^9$ CFU). The antibodies to the SRB51 were measured by a dot blot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The highest titers to SRB51 were detected between 5~7 weeks after inoculation and the specitic antibody could be detected up to 28 weeks after inoculation. The SRB51 was isolated from amnio-allantoic fluid, bronchial lymph node, mammary gland, and supramammary lymph node in 5 of 25 dairy cows during 4 weeks after either abortion or delivery. Although SRB51 was isolated from 4 of 24 aborted fetus or normally delivered calves at parturition time, it was not isolated during 4 weeks afterward. Eleven of twentyfive dairy cows showed the endometritis and/or necrosis until 6 weeks after delivery, no lesions were seen at 8 weeks after delivery and uterus from control dairy cows. The results of present study revealed that SRB51 might induce the clinical signs of brucellosis in the pregnant cattle at 4~7th month of gestation.