The purpose of this study was to establish a rapid, reliable diagnostic method detecting Encephalomyocarditis virus(EMCV) RNA in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of EMCV naturally infected pigs by cDNA probe of EMC K3, the EMCV strain isolated from Korea. Using a biotin-labelled nick translated probe for the cDNA marker. We made up for some defects of radiolabeled method. In situ hybridization(ISH) technique, differently from theother nucleic acid hybridization methods, is able to detect the virus genome specifically in the state of the intact shapes of cells and/or tissues. We succeeded in performing the experiment to detect the EMCV within 1~2 hours usign the MicroProbeTM capaillary action system. In this study, we ovserved highly specific positive sighals of red color by staining the paraffinembedded tissue sections of naturally EMCV-infected pig organs or tissues, including brain, heart, kidney and lacrimal gland with the Fast Red TR salt/Naphtol phosphate chromogen. The results suggested that this ISH method is considered as a highly sensitive and reliable tool for molecular biologic diagnosis of the EMC viral disease.

This study investigated the effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine on pig growth, carcass quality, and sensory perceptions of pork meat by Thai consumers. Male crossbred pigs (n = 30) were separated into three groups of 10 pigs each: boars, immunocastrated pigs, and surgically castrated pigs. The immunocastrated group was immunized at 13 and 19 weeks of age with GnRH vaccine (400 킽/dose). All pigs were slaughtered at 24 weeks of age. Blood samples were collected and testes size determined. Testes weight and back fat thickness were recorded at the time of slaughter, and meat samples were collected for sensory assessment by Thai consumers. Testosterone and progesterone concentration levels decreased significantly two weeks after the second dose of GnRH (p less than 0.05), and the GnRH antibody titer of the immunocastrated pigs was significantly high two weeks after the second dose of GnRH (p less than 0.05). GnRH vaccine significantly reduced the weight and size of testes. Thai consumers reported no significant differences in odor or flavor among meat samples from the three groups. In conclusion, immunocastration improved growth performance, removed the need for castration surgery, and avoided "boar taint" in the meat. It has also no distinct trace of the boar taint same as pork that is currently produced from physically castrated pig which is making it acceptable to consumers.

This study investigated the effects of vitamin C on oxidative stress induced by volatile anesthetics in pigs. One group of pigs was used as an anesthesia control group (group 1), and they were anesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen and saline (0.9% NaCl) was injected intravenously. The other group (group 2) was anesthetized with isoflurane and injected intravenously with vitamin C. Total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, and the oxidative stress index in group 2 were significantly different compared with those in group 1. The results showed that intravenous administration of vitamin C decreased oxidative stress during isoflurane anesthesia in pigs.

To determine the prevalence of Escherichia (E.) coli O157 : H7 from pigs after the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system has been applied to Korean swine farm since 2006, 291 fecal samples were tested between May and December in 2008. Four E. coli O157:non-H7 (1.4%) were isolated from 4 different non-HACCP-accredited farms and they didn't have virulent genes which can cause illness for human. Also, Clostridium (C.) perfringens, Salmonella spp. and E. coli enterotoxins were tested using multiplex PCR. The positive rate for these pathogens of non-HACCP-accredited farms was higher than that of HACCP-accredited farms, and especially in case of C. perfringens, E. coli enterotoxins LT and STa, it was statistically significant (p less than 0.05). Thus, the early implementation of the HACCP program is expected to greatly contribute to the safety of livestock products as well as food hygiene.

This study describes thoracic radiographic features of normal premature minipigs at the age of 4, 8, 12 and 20 weeks. The evaluation for appearance, shape, contour, location and extent of distribution of thoracic organs was recorded through right lateral and ventrodorsal thoracic radiographs. The size of the tracheal diameter, cranial mediastinum, and the heart were measured, and information about the correlation of each organ in their thoracic conformation could be obtained. Although there were limitations with plain thoracic radiographs, basic characteristics and data for thoracic radiographs of normal premature minipigs according to each age were useful.

The 2,078 blood samples from 148 swine farms were collected and tested by IFA for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome(PRRS) virus antibody to know what type of PRRS prevails by the area. Clnically reproductive form of PRRS occurred in swine farms of 3/27, 3/87, and 2/34 in estern, central and western areas, but the seroprevalence of those areas ws different as 6.5%, 23.3%, and 17.6%, respectively. However, respiratory form of PRRS occurred more frequently, and the number of farms manifested with the respiratory form of PRRS in the eastern, central and western areas was 22/27, 71/87, and 30/34, respectively. The seroprevalence of that form of PRRS in the eastern, central and western areas was 52.2%m 67.1%, and 51.6%, respectively. Sybsequently mixed form of PRRS ocurred more frequently in the central area and the number of farms of eastern, central and western areas was 2/27, 13/87, and 2/34, respectively. The PRRS seroprevalence of the eastern, central and western areas was 58.6%, 54.0%, and 19.2%, respectively. Collectively the PRRS seroprevalence of eastern, central and western areas was 43.8%, 59.3%, and 38.2%, respectively. Overall seroprevalence of PRRS in Korea was 51.8%. In conclusion, the reproductive or the respiratory form of PRRS has been still in trouble inthe Korean swine industry and PRRS control measures have to be taken in consideration.

Previous studies suggested that the inhibition of thyroxine (T4) release by alpha1-adrenoceptor and muscarinic receptor stimulation results in activated protein kinase C (PKC) from mouse and guinea pig thyroids. In the present study, the effect of carbachol, methoxamine, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and R59022 on the release of T4 from the mouse, rat, and guinea pig thyroids was compared to clarify the role of PKC in the regulation of the release of T4. The thyroids were incubated in the medium containing the test agents, samples of the medium were assayed for T4 by EIA kits. Forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator, chlorophenylthio-cAMP sodium, a membrane permeable analoge of cAMP, and isobutyl-methylxanthine, a phospho-diesterase inhibitor, like TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), enhaced the release of T4 from the mouse, rat, and guinea pig thyroids. Methoxamine, an alpha1-adrenoceptor agonist, inhibited the TSH-stimulated release of T4 in mouse, but not rat and guinea pig thyroids. In contrast, carbachol, a muscarinic receptor agonist, inhibited the release of T4 in guinea pig, but not mouse and rat thyroids. These inhibition were reversed by prazosin, an alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist or atropine, a muscarinic antagonist or M1- and M3- muscarinic antagonists, in mouse or guinea pig thyroids. In addition, staurosporine, a PKC inhibitor, reversed methoxamine or carbachol inhibition of TSH stimulation. Furthermore, PMA, a PKC activator, and R59022, a diacylglycerol (DAG) kinase inhibitor, inhibited the TSH-stimulated release of T4 in mouse, rat, and guinea pig thyroids. These inhibition were blocked by staurosporine. these findings suggest that the activation of receptor or DAG inhibits TSH-stimulated T4 release through a PKC-dependent mechanism in thyroid gland.

The present experiments were performed to examine the effects of acetylcholine (ACh) and carbachol (CC) on thyroxine (T4) release and any possible relation between inhibition of T4 relese and sighaling pathway in guinea pig thyroids. The thyroids were incubated in the medium containing the test agents, samples of the medium wer assayed for T4 by EIA kits. ACh and CC inhibited the TSH-stimulated T4 release. These inhibition were reversed by atropine, but not by d-tubocurarine. The ingibitory effects of ACh on T4 release were prevented by M1- and M3-muscarinic antagonists and its inhibition was also slightly reversed by M2- and M4- muscarinic antagonists. R59022, like ACh and CC, also inhibited the TSH-stimulated T4 release. This inhibition was reversed by protein kinase C inhibitor and Ca2+ channel blocker. The present study suggests that cholinergic inhibition of T4 release from thyroids can be induced mainly by ctivation of the M1- or M3-receptors and that it is mediated throught the muscarinic receptor-stimulated protein kinase C activation

The purpose of the present experiment was to investigate the micronuclei(MN) frequency in cytokinesis-blocked(CB) cells after various doses of gamma-rays in pig (Landrace, male, 3-month-old) and so to contribute to the clarification of the question whether these species are suitable as a target organism in the test system. The frequencies of binucleated cells, and gamma-ray-induced MN in CB cells at several doses were measured in three donors. The peaks of binucleated lymphocyte formation(22%) were found at a concentration of 2% phytohaemagglutinin(PHA) and 4 ㎍/ml Cytochalasin B(Cyt-B) in pig at 72 hours after incubation.

The growth characteristics and the properties of the Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) isolated from intestine of slaughting pig were examined in order to confirm whether it will be used practically as probiotics or not. E. faecium was identified by morphological and biochemical tests including of final confirming by API strep kit. Among 264 samples, 44 isolates (16.7%) of E. faecium were observed as an exellent growth as a range of 1×10∨7 CFU/ml~3.3×10∨9 CFU/ml in viable bacterial count on MRI medium.