In the mannalian ovary, follicular development and stresia continuously occur during the reproductive cycles. Follicular atresia occurs through granulosa cell apoptosis. Apoptosis is known as the physiological cell death, which is regulated by bcl-2 gene family. In the vcl-2 gene family, bcl-2 and bcl-xLong are known as inhibitors of apoptosis, whereas bax and bcl-xShort are known as inducer of apoptosis. We thought that bcl-2 protein is associated with follicular development and atresia. But it is not known that the distribution of cells containing bcl-2 protein during follicular development and atresia. Therefore, to examine the distribution of cells with bcl-2 protein during ovarian follicular development and atresia. Therefore, to examine the distribution of cells with bcl-2 protein during ovarian follicular development and atresia, the immunohistochemistry was used ih the rat ovary. Bcl-2 immunorectivity was localized in the intestitial cells, theca externa cells and granulosa cells around of antrum. All positive sighals were observed in the cytoplasm of these cells. Positive sighals were strongly observed in the interstitial and theca externa cells of growing antral follicles. While, positive signals were weakly observed in these cells from atretic antral follicles. Positive sighals were very weakly observed in the granulosa cells of growing and atreticantral follicles. According to these data, we suggested that bcl-2 proteins which were wtrongly expressed in the interstitial cells and theca externa cells of growing antral folicles inhibit follicular atresia. And wer purposed that bcl-2 proteins regulated follicular development and atresia through the action of acl-2 gene family.

Germanium biotite, a natural mineral, has been used as a feed supplement to reinforce innate immune ability. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of germanium biotite on the adsorptive and inhibition of growth abilities against Escherichia (E.) coli and Salmonella spp. in vitro. Two strains of enterotoxigenic E. coli and four strains of two Salmonella serotypes (Salmonella Derby and Salmonella Typhimurium), major bacterial diarrheal pathogens, were used for this experiment. The absorptive ability of germanium biotite against most Salmonella used in present experiment was observed weakly. The germanium biotite, however, showed significant effect of bacterial growth inhibition in most experiment bacteria. These results suggest that the use of the germanium biotite as feed supplement could alleviate diarrhea following inhibition of bacteria growth. It is also presumed that antibiotics usage for farm animals, considered as causes of antibiotic residue in meat and emerging antibiotic resistance, could be reduced through the use of germanium biotite as a feed supplement, in place of antibiotics used for the prevention of diarrhea.

This investigation was conducted on 249 Jindo dogs aging from 2 to 12 months to determine body type and external appearance of the dogs. The withers height of male dogs growed rapidly during the period between 2 months and 7 months of age, and was 22.94cm and 49.77cm, respectively. Afterward the growth rate slowed down up to 12 months, 53.33cm. The growth rate of female was similar to male, and the withers height was 22.91cm, 46.81cm, 48.70cm at 2, 6 and 12 months of age. For male and female the body length was 27.21, 27.23cm at 2 months, 51.40cm, 51.62cm at 6 months, 58.33, 52.15cm at 12 months, respectively. Growth rate of the body length was very rapid from 2 to 6 months of age, but afterwards the growth rate was slow and somewhat retarded. For male and female, the withers height to body length ratio was 100 : 109.4 and 100 : 107.1 in 12 months old group. Cross over between the sexes in growth rate occurred between 5.3 to 6.5 months of age for wither height, between 6.0 to 7.2 months for body length, respectively. The average chest girths of male and female were 31.46, 30.46cm at 2 months, 54.92, 52.20cm at 7 months, 60.25, 57.90cm at 12 months, respectively. The growth rate of chest girth was rapid between 2 to 7 months of age and gradual between 7 to 12 months. The average skull lengths of male and female were 11.76, 11.32cm at 2 months, 21.83, 19.60cm at 12 months, respectively. The average head widths of male and female were 8.37, 7.94cm at 2 months, 15.47, 12.46cm at 12 months. Erected type of ear was completed from oblique type at 6 months in male and 7 months in female. On our detailed examinations, we concluded that Jindo dogs completed their growth at 6 to 7 months of age

Nickel toxicity and interactions of nickel with zinc, copper and lead were studied in growing chicks fed supplement diet. Feed intake and growth rate of the chick were reduced by 250 mg nickel as a sulfate salt per kg of feed. The toxicity of nickel was decreased by zinc or copper supplementation, but not lead. High nickel feed increased nickel level in kidney and decreased zinc levels in tibia and plasma. However, low zinc levels in tibia and in plasma were reversed by zinc supplementation. Hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and aortic elastin content were increased in chicks fed nickel