About This Journal
About This Journal
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Research Article
- Comparison of genetic diversity for differential gene expression analysis associated with bovine embryo quality
- Xu Wenchao, Enkhbolor Barsuren
- Embryo quality is a key driver of multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) performance and is shaped by both the uterine milieu …
- Embryo quality is a key driver of multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) performance and is shaped by both the uterine milieu and endocrine signaling. This study tested whether donor cows classified by embryo quality at day 7 after artificial insemination (AI) could be discriminated using cDNA fingerprinting derived from endometrial epithelial cells (EECs). Embryos and EECs were recovered by nonsurgical uterine lavage, and embryos were graded using International Embryo Technology Society (IETS) criteria. Donors were grouped according to embryo quality outcome (good, fair, and bad), and random amplified polymorphic DNA PCR (RAPD-PCR) was conducted with 11 UFPF primers on EEC-derived cDNA. In parallel, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) in uterine fluid were quantified by ELISA. RAPD banding profiles, combined with UPGMA-based clustering, yielded distinct patterns that separated EEC groups. Endocrine profiling further indicated reduced FSH and PAPP-A in uterine fluid from the outcome group relative to higher-quality groups. Collectively, EEC cDNA fingerprinting together with uterine endocrine measures may serve as complementary indicators associated with bovine embryo quality, although marker identification beyond pattern-based discrimination remains necessary. - COLLAPSE
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Research Article
- Caffeine-drinks effects of energy drink intake on ovarian and uterine histology and systemic metabolic profiles in PMSG-primed mice
- Ye-Rin Cho, Jun-Su Kim, So-Jeong Shin, Seung-Jun Lee, Woo-Jin Ryu, Sang-Hwan Kim
- This study evaluated the effects associated with energy drinks containing different caffeine levels on systemic metabolism and the reproductive microenvironment under superovulation-induced …
- This study evaluated the effects associated with energy drinks containing different caffeine levels on systemic metabolism and the reproductive microenvironment under superovulation-induced conditions. Female ICR mice were subjected to repeated administration of equine chorionic gonadotropin to induce a follicular hyperstimulation state and were then orally administered either a low-caffeine or high-caffeine energy drink. Changes in body weight and intake, white blood cell counts and differentials, plasma redox-related metabolic signals, plasma protein electrophoretic patterns, peri-uterine fat mass, and histological features of the ovary, uterus, and oviduct were analyzed. In the low-caffeine group, reductions in food intake and attenuation of body weight gain were observed, whereas hematological changes were limited. In the high-caffeine group, total white blood cells and neutrophils increased, plasma metabolic signals shifted toward a more oxidative state, and peri-uterine fat mass decreased. Histological assessment showed follicular regression and cystic changes in the ovaries of energy drink-treated mice. In the uterus, luminal dilation and stromal edema varied, accompanied by alterations in endometrial architecture. In addition, reduced staining intensity for acidic mucus was observed in the oviduct and uterus. In contrast, plasma protein electrophoretic patterns did not show prominent structural differences among groups. Collectively, these findings suggest that, under hormonally perturbed conditions such as superovulation, exposure to a high-caffeine energy drink is associated with greater systemic stress-related changes and concomitant alterations in the reproductive tissue microenvironment than exposure to a low-caffeine product. - COLLAPSE
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Research Article
- Selective growth-modulating effects of Cordyceps militaris on lactic acid bacteria and Escherichia coli
- Gil-Ha Kim, Ki-Geun Han, Jae-Keun Lee, Woan-Sub Kim
- This study investigated the effects of Cordyceps militaris on the growth of selected lactic acid bacteria and pathogenic bacteria to evaluate its …
- This study investigated the effects of Cordyceps militaris on the growth of selected lactic acid bacteria and pathogenic bacteria to evaluate its potential as a natural antimicrobial and microbiota-modulating agent. Antibacterial activity and growth responses were assessed using a paper disc diffusion assay and a 96-well microplate–based growth analysis. The tested lactic acid bacteria included Lactobacillus plantarum KCCM 11322, Lactobacillus acidophilus KCCM 32820, Lactobacillus lactis KCCM 34717, and Weissella cibaria KCCM 41287, while pathogenic strains comprised Escherichia coli KCCM 11569, 11587, 11591 and 11596. No inhibition zones were detected for any strain in the paper disc assay. However, microplate analysis revealed differential growth responses. C. militaris enhanced the growth of all tested lactic acid bacteria, particularly under nutrient-limited conditions, suggesting a potential prebiotic-like effect. In contrast, growth inhibition was observed in E. coli KCCM 11569, 11587, 11596, and 11591. These results indicate that C. militaris exerts selective, strain-dependent effects, promoting beneficial bacteria while suppressing certain pathogenic strains. The findings support its potential application as a functional ingredient with dual antimicrobial and microbiota-modulating properties. - COLLAPSE
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Review Article
- Human-animal interaction and human health: an integrated review of therapeutic effects, risks, ethical considerations, and the one health perspective
- Jung-Whan Chon, Kun-Ho Seo, Min-Jung Jung, Kwang-Young Song
- Human–animal interaction (HAI) has gained increasing attention as a potential contributor to human health and well-being in societies facing population aging, social …
- Human–animal interaction (HAI) has gained increasing attention as a potential contributor to human health and well-being in societies facing population aging, social isolation, and growing mental health concerns. In parallel, animal-assisted intervention (AAI) has been applied as a complementary, non-pharmacological approach in diverse clinical and community settings. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the health effects of HAI and AAI, while critically examining their limitations, risks, and ethical implications. Existing literature suggests that HAI and AAI are associated with improvements in mental health outcomes, including reduced depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as enhanced social engagement and rehabilitation participation. Positive effects have been reported among older adults, individuals with cognitive impairment or dementia, pediatric patients, and populations with functional or communication limitations, potentially mediated through stress regulation, emotional bonding, and social facilitation. However, the evidence base remains heterogeneous, with small sample sizes and short-term follow-up, and is accompanied by potential risks such as injuries, zoonotic disease transmission, and animal welfare concerns. From a One Health perspective, sustainable AAI implementation requires balanced consideration of human benefits, risk management, and animal well-being. - COLLAPSE
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Review Article
- Advanced strategies for plant-derived polyphenols in clean-label meat processing: from oxidation and nitrite/nitrosamine control to delivery systems, active packaging, and omics-driven mechanisms
- Eun Jeong Ha, Ju Yi Shin, Min Ji Koh, Hyeong Sang Kim
- Growing consumer demand for clean-label meat products has accelerated efforts to replace synthetic antioxidants with plant-derived polyphenols, yet practical adoption remains constrained …
- Growing consumer demand for clean-label meat products has accelerated efforts to replace synthetic antioxidants with plant-derived polyphenols, yet practical adoption remains constrained by sensory impacts, limited solubility, and instability under processing and storage conditions. This review synthesizes recent evidence on how polyphenols can be rationally integrated into diverse meat matrices to enhance quality and safety outcomes, with emphasis on oxidation control and the mitigation of nitrite-related hazards. Beyond conventional performance endpoints (e.g., TBARS and VBN), we highlight multi-dimensional assessment frameworks that connect physicochemical changes with microbial ecology and safety markers, including biogenic amines and nitrosamines. Mechanistically, polyphenols act not only as radical scavengers but also as modulators of processing microenvironments and microbial communities, as demonstrated in reduced-nitrite fermented sausage models interrogated via integrated metabolomics and metagenomics. To address industrial bottlenecks, we discuss formulation and delivery innovations such as cyclodextrin-based inclusion complexes for improved dispersion and thermal robustness in low-salt sausages, controlled-release biopolymer films, and edible coatings that demonstrably delay lipid oxidation during extended refrigerated storage. Finally, we propose a translational roadmap for commercialization, focusing on dose–response standardization, sensory-risk management, migration/safety considerations for active packaging, and mechanism-guided selection of polyphenol structures and delivery platforms. - COLLAPSE
Journal of Humanimal Sciences
