Dong Yep Oh

Whole genome sequencing of Gyeongbuk Araucana, a newly developed blue-egg laying chicken breed, reveals its origin and genetic characteristics.

Chicken, Gallus gallus, is a valuable species both as a food source and as a model organism for scientific research. Here, we sequenced the genome of Gyeongbuk Araucana, a rare chicken breed with unique phenotypic characteristics including flight ability, large body size, and laying blue-shelled eggs, to identify its genomic features. We generated genomes of Gyeongbuk Araucana, Leghorn, and Korean Native Chicken at a total of 33.5, 35.82, and 33.23 coverage depth, respectively. Along with the genomes of 12 Chinese breeds, we identified genomic variants of 16.3 million SNVs and 2.3 million InDels in mapped regions. Additionally, through assembly of unmapped reads and selective sweep, we identified candidate genes that fall into heart, vasculature and muscle development and body growth categories, which provided insight into Gyeongbuk Araucana’s phenotypic traits. Finally, genetic variation based on the transposable element insertion pattern was investigated to elucidate the features of transposable elements related to blue egg shell formation. This study presents results of the first genomic study on the Gyeongbuk Araucana breed; it has potential to serve as an invaluable resource for future research on the genomic characteristics of this chicken breed as well as others.

Effects of Kaolinite (Macsumsuk) and Herb Mixtures on the Quality and Physicochemical Properties of Pork

The current study was conducted to identify technology for the production of high quality pork, based on the meat consumption habits of consumers. Macsumsuk, a type of kaolinite (a clay mineral), and/or a mixture of herbs (Mori Folium, Sophorae Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Citri Leiocarpae Exocarpium, and Pogostemi Herba) were added to the diets of fattening pigs. Sixty barrow pigs (4 kinds of treatment × 5 pigs/treatment × 3 replicates) were randomly assigned to either the Control (no additives), T1 (3% Macsumsuk), T2 (3% Herb mixtures), or T3 (3% Macsumsuk + 3% Herb mixtures) groups, and were fed the diets for 60 d. Dressed weights were in the order of T1 (93.40±4.68kg) > T2 (91.40±6.52kg) > Control (88.80±1.57kg) > T3 (86.80±2.01kg). Back-fat thickness of the Control animals (23.2±1.03) was significantly greater than that of the various treatment groups (p<0.01). Numeric values representing the carcass yield and quality grade were higher for all the treated groups than the Control group, thought the difference was not statistically significant. Crude fat content was significantly higher in the Control group (2.23±0.34%) than in the treated groups (p<0.05). The addition of both Macsumsuk and herb mixtures into the diets of the pigs significantly reduced cooking loss of the pork compared to the Control (p<0.05). No statistically significant changes were observed in the shear force (average 5.87±0.54 kg/cm2), water holding capacity (average 54.59±3.16%), or CIE values of the pork, whereas cholesterol levels significantly decreased (p<0.01) in those fed Macsumsuk and/or the herb mixtures. No significant changes in fatty acid composition, total saturated fatty acid (SFA), total unsaturated fatty acid (UFA), or UFA/SFA ratios were observed by any of the treatments. In conclusion, the results obtained from this study suggest that the addition of Macsumsuk and/or herb mixtures into the diets of growing and fattening pigs improves the pork quality by reducing cooking loss, decreasing cholesterol content, and enhancing sensory characteristics.

The Effects of Different Crude Protein Levels in the Concentrates on Carcass and Meat Quality Characteristics of Hanwoo Steers

Moksan Hanwoo Research Institute, Gyeongsan 712-821, KoreaABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different crude protein levels in the concentrates on carcass and meat quality of Hanwoo steers. A total of thirty 5.3-month-old castrated Hanwoo calves(135.6±10.52kg) were randomly allocated into either control or treatment group. The animals were separately housed to 5 heads per group. Crude protein levels in concentrates for growing, fattening, and finishing phases were 14, 13, and 11% for control group and 16, 15, and 14% for treatment group respectively. Comparative analysis of carcass characteristics, physico-chemical characteristics, and fatty acid composition in M. longissimus dorsi of Hanwoo steers were carried out. There was no statistical difference in average cold carcass weight between control(411.9kg) and treatment(419.9kg) group. Also, dietary crude protein level in concentrates did not affect M. longissimus dorsi area, backfat thickness, and meat yield index. In contrast, the marbling score in treatment group was higher(p<0.05) than the control group. Also, treatment group showed significantly higher(p<0.05) values than control group for CIE L-value, Mono-unsaturated fatty acids and oleic acid composition. Therefore increasing crude protein levels of concentrates in Hanwoo steers during growing and fattening phases might be beneficial for the improvement of meat quality.(Key words :Crude protein level, Carcass characteristics, Meat quality, Hanwoo steer)

Comparative Analysis on Growth Performances, Behavioral Characteristics and Blood Parameters of the Sex in Different Group Sizes of Hanwoo calves

ABSTRACT This study examined the effects of sex in different group sizes of Hanwoo calves. The growth performance including the mean daily gain, feed conversion rate, behavioral characteristics, and blood parameters in Hanwoo calves were investigated. A total of 54 heads of Hanwoo calves were housed separately at 4 heads per group, 3 heads per group, and 2 heads per group per pen. In the heifer calves, except for those 10 months of age, the growth performance was improved by increasing the group size, which was similar to steer calves (p<0.05). The heifer calves housed in 3 heads group spent more time lying down (p<0.05). The steer calves spent more time standing in the 3 heads group, lying down (2 heads group), and walking (4 heads group). The heifer calves housed in 2 heads group had a lower frequency of drinking, self-grooming, pairwise grooming, and fighting (p<0.05). On the other hand, the steer calves in the 4 heads group had a higher frequency of drinking, rubbing, and fighting (p<0.05). The white blood cell and cortisol were highest in the heifer calves in the 2 heads group (p<0.05).(