• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.33-33
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• 2003

This study was conduct to compare the efficacy to produce male and female somatic cloned piglets. Maturation of porcine COCs was accomplished by incubation in NCSU-23 medium supplemented with 0.6 mM cysteine, 10% porcine follicular fluid, 1mM dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbc-AMP, Sigma, USA), and 0.1 IU/ml human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG, Teikokuzoki, Japan) for 20h and then cultured without dbcAMP and hMG for another 18 to 24 h. Female and male fetal cells were isolated from each fetus, cultured in ES-DMEM medium containing 10% FCS. Enucleated oocytes were fused with fetal fibroblasts (passage 4 to 15). Reconstructed embryos were cultured in NCSU-23 with 4 mg/ml BSA under mineral oil at 39$^{\circ}C$ in 5% $CO_2$ in air. A total of 12,328 nuclear-transferred embryos (1- to 4-cell stage) were surgically transferred into 69 surrogate gilts. Three recipients aborted during the period of conception. Three gilts delivered eleven female piglets, and five recipients gave rise to birth 22 male piglets. The average birth weigh of the cloned piglets was 1.52 kg (1.38~1.83 kg) in female piglets and 0.84 kg (0.45~1.25 kg) in male piglets. Alive cloned pigs was seven in female piglets (63.6%) and four in male piglets (18.2%). The other two recipients is ongoing. This study suggests that female-derived fetal cell as a nuclear donor has more capability on production of cloned piglets than male.

• 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.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.215-219
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to examine the reproductive characteristics of cloned miniature piglets produced from surrogate domestic pigs. Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) miniature pig embryos were transferred into domestic pigs. As controls, domestic pigs of the same breed with surrogates for SCNT embryos and miniature pigs of the same breed with the somatic cell donor were bred by artificial insemination and natural mating, respectively. Surrogate domestic pigs that farrowed cloned miniature piglets had a significantly longer gestation length (118.1 days) than conventionally bred domestic (115.4 days) and miniature (115.5 days) pigs. Furthermore, the birth weight of cloned miniature piglets produced from domestic pigs (743 g) was significantly greater than that of miniature piglets produced by natural breeding (623 g). Also, cloned miniature piglets had a significantly lower weaning rate (49.7%) than conventionally produced domestic (91.5%) and miniature (100%) piglets. No differences were observed between female and male cloned piglets in gestation length, litter size, birth weight, or weaning rate. Our results demonstrate that gestation length is extended in domestic pigs that are transferred with SCNT miniature pig embryos and that cloned miniature piglets have increased birth weight and high pre-weaning mortality.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.441-450
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• 2022

This study explored the effects of milk flavor (MF) supplementation on growth efficiency, nutrient absorption, fecal score, and blood profiles in weaning piglets. A total of 80 (21 days old) crossbred ([Yorkshire × Duroc] × Landrace) healthy weaned piglets with an initial body weight (BW) of 7.05 ± 1.22 kg were randomly allotted to one of two nutritive treatments with 8 repetitions and five pigs (2 female and 3 male) per pen. The experiment was divided into 2 phases (d 0 - 21, and d 21 - 42), and the dietary treatments consisted of TRT1, basal diet, TRT2 and basal diet + 1.0 g·kg^-1 MF. At days 21 - 42 and the overall period, the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) increased (p < 0.05) by receiving the MF added feed. However, MF inclusion did not impact (p > 0.05) the feed efficiency (G : F) throughout the entire experiment. Piglets consuming the MF supplemented diet showed that the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and energy (E) did not vary significantly (p > 0.05) between the treatments. All through the experiment, the fecal score and blood profile of the piglets fed the flavor diet also remained unaffected (p > 0.05). In conclusion, MF addition to the diet of the piglets increased their body weight and had no adverse effects on nutrient utilization, fecal score, and blood profile. Thus, MF addition could improve the performance outcomes of weaning piglets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1832-1842
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• 2007

Cytochrome P450 aromatase is responsible for the biosynthesis of estrogen. It is also responsible for the endogenous production of 19-nortestosterone (nandrolone), an anabolic androgen unique to pigs. Plasma concentrations of 19-nortestosterone are highest between two and four weeks after birth in male pigs. In the present study, the physiology of 19-nortestosterone was investigated by measuring the mRNA levels of steroidogenic enzymes, estrogen receptors and androgen receptor in the tissues of growing pigs. The expression of aromatase, 17${\alpha}$-hydroxylase and 3${\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the testes of male piglets increased between birth and two weeks of age, and then decreased progressively. Similar developmental expressional patterns were observed for 17${\alpha}$-hydroxylase and 3${\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the ovaries of female piglets, but without significant aromatase expression. The major form of aromatase expressed in the testes of piglets was identified as type I. Expression of estrogen receptor-${\alpha}$ and -${\beta}$and androgen receptor genes was also detected in both testes and ovaries. A transient elevation of androgen receptor mRNA in male piglets at two weeks of age was also observed in testes. Significant expression of the androgen receptor gene, but not of estrogen receptor-${\alpha}$ and -${\beta}$ genes, was also demonstrated in adipose tissue and muscle. We conclude that the observed increase in the testicular expression of aromatase in male pigs could account for the production of large amounts of 19-nortestosterone at between two and four weeks of age in males. Androgen receptor and 19-nortestosterone appeared to be important for testicular development and might contribute to sexual dimorphism in body composition and muscle development in juvenile pigs.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2000

A study was carried out to determine the probiotic effect of Lactobacillus reuteri BSA-131 by investigating the growth performance and fecal microbial population of piglets. Five dietary treatment groups, the basal diet (control, BD), basal diet with antibiotics(BA), basal diet with 2$\times$106/g of probiotics (BP6), 2$\times$108/g of probiotics (BP8) and basal diet with antibiotics and 2$\times$108/g probiot-ics(BAP8) were divised. Each dietary treatment group was consisted of 1 month of age piglets(male 13, female 12). Fecal micro-flora, body weights and feed consumption were measured at before, after and stop feeding of probiotics. The results showed that the CFU of fecal Enterobacteriaceae of piglets of the group BA, BP6, BP8 and BAP8, were reduced (P<0.05) compared to control BA. On the contrary, Lactobacillus counts were increased significan시 (P<0.001) in all groups fed probiotics dites, but not antibiotics. Body weight of probiotics treated piglets were improved 5% (p<0.001) in BP6 group than that of control group and antibiotic treated piglets BAP group was 27% (P<0.001) higher than BA group. The amount of feed consumption value of probiotics treated piglets showed 21-30% (P<0.001) lower intake than the control group, whereas antibiotic treated piglets BAP was 20% (P<0.001) higher than BA group. The results showed that body weights and feed to gain ratios were improves 19% when compared to control piglets for groups fed diets probiotic. It is very suggestive that productivity of probiotic piglets would be economical in pig farming.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.275-286
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• 1994

Plasma protein which has been known as one of nonspecific immunostimulators was added to feedstuff to examine its effect on the enhancement of cellular immune response in porcine immune system. A total of 40 piglets, 20 male and 20 female each, were fed for 30 days with or without plasma protein. The peripheral blood were collected and analyzed for the investigation of leukocyte subpopulations and their activities by using a panel of monoclonal antibodies specific to porcine leukocyte differentiation antigens and flow cytometry. The results obtained as follows. 1. Total weight gain, daily feed intake and feed conversion rate for 10 days were significantly improved to 56%, 20% and 22% in the piglets fed plasma protein, respectively. 2. A significant increase in N (null or non T/non B) cells was also noticed. Leukocyte proportion from piglets fed plasma protein was 20.2-24.7%, otherwise that from piglets fed without plasma protein was 12.3-13.4%, respectively. 3. A significant increase in the proportion of B cells and cells expressing poCD1 was not found in piglets fed plasma protein. 4. Reaction with monoclonal antibodies specific to adhesion molecules, poCD11a, poCD11b, poCD44 and poCD45A and poCD45B, has shown that leukocyte subpopulation from piglets fed plasma protein did not significantly higher than that from piglets fed without plasma protein. 5. Total proportion of granulocytes and monocytes was about 50% in both group and the proportion after treated with Hypaque/Ficoll was 2.7% and 5.8% in each group, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.315-324
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• 1989

In order to establish the extent of Streptococcal arthritis piglets, isolation of Streptococci from arthritic lesions of 34 piglets were undertaken from November 1987 to October 1988 in Korea. Also determined were isolation frequency of Streptococci in nasal cavity of 250 healthy sows and antibiotic susceptibilities of the isolates. Streptococci were isolated from 52.9% of 34 arthritic piglets and 20 strains isolated belonged to 4 S suis type I, 8 S suis type II, 2 Lancefield group C and 6 group E. From 28.8% of 250 healthy sows, 72 strains of Streptococci were isolated and these consisted of 9 S suis type I, 51 S suis type II and 12 group C. Streptococcal arthritis seemed to occur prominently in piglets aged 2 to 4 weeks and in male than female. No significant difference were recognized in tarsal and carpal joints as affecting site. All of 92 isolates were sensitive to ampicillin and penicillin, and all strains of S suis type I and group E Streptococcus were also sensitive to chloramphenicol and cephalothin. To cephalothin all strains of group C Streptococcus were sensitive. The 1. 7 to 100% of 92 isolates were resistant with different prevalence to colistin, erythromycin, kanamycin, tetracycline, gentamicin, chloramphenicol and cephalothin. The 92.5% of these resistant Streptococci were multiply drug-resistant strains. The drug resistant patterns most frequently encountered were Tc Cl Em Km Gm(16.3%) in quintuple pattern, Tc Cl Em Km(16.3%) in quadruple pattern, Tc Cl Em(10.9%) in triple pattern and Cl Em(14.1%) in double pattern.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.585-592
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• 2017

Objective: The present study investigates pre- and post-implantation developmental competence of nuclear-transferred porcine embryos derived from male and female fetal fibroblasts. Methods: Male and female fetal fibroblasts were transferred to in vitro-matured enucleated oocytes and in vitro and in vivo developmental competence of reconstructed embryos was investigated. And, a total of 6,789 female fibroblast nuclear-transferred embryos were surgically transferred into 41 surrogate gilts and 4,746 male fibroblast nuclear-transferred embryos were surgically transferred into 25 surrogate gilts. Results: The competence to develop into blastocysts was not significantly different between the sexes. The mean cell number of female and male cloned blastocysts obtained by in vivo culture ($143.8{\pm}10.5$ to $159.2{\pm}14.8$) was higher than that of in vitro culture of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) groups ($31.4{\pm}8.3$ to $33.4{\pm}11.1$). After embryo transfer, 5 pregnant gilts from each treatment delivered 15 female and 22 male piglets. The average birth weight of the cloned piglets, gestation length, and the postnatal survival rates were not significantly different (p<0.05) between sexes. Conclusion: The present study found that the sex difference of the nuclear donor does not affect the developmental rate of porcine SCNT embryos. Furthermore, postnatal survivability of the cloned piglets was not affected by the sex of the donor cell.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.674-681
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• 2012

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of supplemental glutamine on growth performance, plasma parameters and LPS-induced immune response of weaned barrows after castration. In experiment 1, forty-eight weaned male piglets were used and fed maize and soybean meal diets supplemented with 0 (Control) or 2% L-Gln (Gln+) for 25 days. The results indicated that the Gln+ group tended to increase average daily gain compared to control in stages of days 7 to 14 and 0 to 25. The Gln+ had significantly better feed efficiency than the control group did during days 14 to 25 and 0 to 25. The plasma blood urea nitrogen and alkaline phosphatase contents of Gln+ group were higher than those of the control group on day 14 post-weaning. In experiment 2, sixteen weaned male piglets were injected with E. coli K88+ lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on day 14 post-weaning. The results showed that the Gln+ group had lower concentrations of plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone and cortisol than the control group on day 14 pre-LPS challenge. In addition, Gln+ group had higher plasma IgG concentration than the control group for pre- or post-LPS challenged on day 14 post-weaning. In summary, dietary supplementation of Gln was able to alleviate the stressful condition and inflammation associated with castration in weaned barrows, and to improve their immunity and growth performance in the early starter stage.