earticle

영어

The Jeju Black Cattle (JBC) are a type of traditional Korean native cattle with a characteristic black fur that covers the entire body. The breed's qualities and genetic uniqueness helped it to be named as a protected, state-designated national monument in 2013. However, they are endangered crisis. Therefore, in vitro fertilization (IVF) technology is needed to preserve these endangered animals and to further improve their traits. In this study, we compared both the sperm fertility and developmental capability of IVF embryos using Hanwoo sperm obtained by Korea Animal Improvement Association and JBC sperm obtained by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Livestock Promotion Institute [Hanwoo A, B (KPN) and JBC A, B grade]. Sperm was inseminated in 44 μL IVF drop contained 10 oocytes with sperm concentration of 1×106 cells/mL, and then 2 μL heparin and 2 μL PHE (20 μM penicillamine, 10 μM hypotaurine, 2 μM epinephrine) were added. At 2 days after IVF, the fertilization rate was higher in Hanwoo sperm group (80.3±5.2) than in JBC sperm group (73.3±5.2). The percentage of morula formation was the higher in JBC sperm B group (43.0) than in the other groups. However, the percentage of blastocyst formation was higher in the Hanwoo B sperm group (42.3±3.9) than in the other sperm groups. The total cell number of blastocyst was the higher in Hanwoo sperm group (168±8.9) than in JBC sperm group (119± 15.9). These results demonstrate that semen characteristics and in vitro development potential are similar for JBC-B and Hanwoo, but the quality of JBC-A is slightly lower. We need to embryo transfer study for field trial.