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Objective To evaluate the pancreatic differentiation potential of α-1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout (GalTKO) pig-derived BM-MSCs using epigenetic modifiers with different pancreatic induction media. Methods Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) have been differentiated into pancreatic ß-like cells by inducing the overexpression of key transcription regulatory factors or by exposure to specific soluble inducers/small molecules. In this study, we evaluated the pancreatic differentiation of α-1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout (GalTKO) pig-derived BM-MSCs using epigenetic modifiers, 5-azacytidine (5-Aza) and valproic acid (VPA), and two types of pancreatic induction media – Advanced Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (ADMEM)-based and N2B27-based media. GalTKO BM-MSCs were treated with pancreatic induction media and the expression of pancreas-islets-specific markers was evaluated by RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. Morphological changes and changes in the CpG island methylation patterns were also evaluated. Results The expression of the pluripotent marker (OCT4) was upregulated upon exposure to 5-Aza and/or VPA. GalTKO BM-MSCs showed increased expression of NEUROD1 in the ADMEM-based (5-Aza) media, while the expression of NKX6 was elevated in cells induced with the N2B27-based (5-Aza) media. Moreover, the morphological transition and formation of islets-like cellular clusters were also prominent in the cells induced with the N2B27-based media with 5-Aza. The higher insulin expression revealed the augmented transdifferentiation ability of GalTKO BM-MSCs into pancreatic ß-like cells in the N2B27-based media than in the ADMEM-based media. Conclusion 5-Aza treated GalTKO BM-MSCs showed an enhanced demethylation pattern in the second CpG island of the OCT4 promoter region compared to that in the GalTKO BM-MSCs. The exposure of GalTKO pig-derived BM-MSCs to the N2B27-based microenvironment can significantly enhance their transdifferentiation ability into pancreatic ß-like cells.Objective Milk fatty acid (FA) is a main nutritional component that markedly effects human health. Intentional modification of the FA profile has the potential to improve milk quality. This study aimed at the factors affecting elevated FA levels and the estimation of the genetic parameters for milk FAs in the Korean Holstein population. Methods Total 885,249 repeated test-day milk records including, milk yield, saturated fatty acids (SFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), total unsaturated fatty acids (TUFA), fat and protein percentages were analyzed using CombiFoss™ FT+ system (Foss Analytical A/S, Denmark). Genetic parameters were estimated by the restricted maximum likelihood procedure based on the repeatability model using the Wombat program. Results The FA profile varies along with the lactation and the energy balance (EB). With the negative EB in early lactation, mobilization of body fat reserves elevates the desirable FA levels. As a result of that, milk quality is increased by means of nutritionally and usability aspects during the early lactation. Moreover, heritability estimates for SFA, MUFA, PUFA, TUFA were 0.33, 0.42, 0.37, 0.41 respectively. According to the parity wise heritability analysis, first parity cows had relatively lower heritability for SFAs (0.19) than later parities (0.28). GSK-3 activation Conclusion Genetic parameters indicated that FAs were under stronger genetic control. Therefore, we suggest implementing animal breeding programs towards improving the milk FA profile.Objective This study was designed to determine how feeding diets differing in crude protein (CP) and undegraded intake protein (UIP) levels affected productivity, blood metabolites, carcass characteristics, and the production economics of Hanwoo steers. Methods Thirty-six Hanwoo steers (age = 8.2 ± 0.5 mo; body weight = 254 ± 16.1 kg) were assigned at random to one of three treatments (4 steers/pen; 3 pens/treatment) 1) a low-CP diet (LP; control) containing 12.1% CP with 35.1% UIP, 12.0% CP with 36.8% UIP, and 12.9% CP with 48.8% UIP, in the growing, fattening, and finishing periods, respectively; 2) a high-CP, low-UIP diet (HPLU) containing 15.0% CP with 33.7% UIP, 14.0% CP with 35.7% UIP, and 13.1% CP with 46.7% UIP, respectively; and 3) a high-CP, high-UIP diet (HPHU) containing 15.0% CP with 45.8% UIP, 14.0% CP with 44.6% UIP, and 13.0% CP with 51.1% UIP, respectively. Results The treatments did not affect feed intake and growth performance, with the exception of average daily gain during the fattening period that tended to be the lowest (p = 0.08) in the HPLU-fed steers. The feed CP conversion ratio over the entire feeding period was higher with high-CP diets. The treatments did not affect the majority of blood metabolites; however, blood cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein concentrations during the fattening and finishing periods were the lowest in steers fed a HPLU diet. The treatments had negligible effects on cold carcass weight, yield traits including longissimus muscle area, backfat thickness, yield index, and yield grade, plus quality traits including meat color, fat color, texture, and maturity. However, marbling score and frequency of carcass quality grade 1++ were greater in HPHU-fed steers. Conclusion Feeding diets with higher CP and UIP levels did not affect growth performance, but tended to improve the carcass quality of Hanwoo steers, resulting in greater economic return.Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of lysophospholipids (LPL) supplementation on rumen fermentation, degradability, and microbial diversity in forage with high oil diet in an in vitro system. Methods Four experimental treatments were used (1) annual ryegrass (CON), (2) 93% annual ryegrass + 7% corn oil on a dry matter (DM) basis (OiL), (3) OiL with a low level (0.08% of dietary DM) of LPL (LLPL), and (4) OiL with a high level (0.16% of dietary DM) of LPL (HLPL). An in vitro fermentation experiment was performed using strained rumen fluid for 48 h incubations. In vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD), in vitro neutral detergent fiber degradability (IVNDFD), pH, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), volatile fatty acid (VFA), and microbial diversity were estimated. Results There was no significant change in IVDMD, pH, NH3-N, and total VFA production among treatments. The LPL supplementation significantly increased the proportion of butyrate and valerate (Linear effect [Lin], p = 0.004 and less then 0.