• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2006

Ions play important roles in various cellular processes including fertilization and differentiation. However, it is little known whether how ions are regulated during early embryonic development in mammalian animals. In this study, we examined changes in $Ca^{2+}\;and\;K^+$ concentrations in embryos and oviduct during mouse early embryonic development using patch clamp technique and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The intracellular calcium concentration in each stage embryos did not markedly change. At 56h afier hCG injection when 8-cell embryos could be Isolated from oviduct, $K^+$ concentration in oviduct increased by 26% compared with that at 14h after injection of hCG During early embryonic development, membrane potential was depolarized (from -38 mV to -16 mV), and $Ca^{2+}$ currents decreased, indicating that some $K^+$ channel might control membrane potential in oocytes. To record the changes in membrane potential induced by influx of $Ca^{2+}$ in mouse oocytes, we applied 5 mM $Ca^{2+}$ to the bath solution. The membrane potential transiently hyperpolarized and then recovered. In order to classify $K^+$ channels that cause hyperpolarization, we first applied TEA and apamin, general $K^+$ channel blockers, to the bath solution. Interestingly, the hyperpolarization of membrane potential still appeared in oocytes pretreated with TEA and apamin. This result suggest that the $K^+$ channel that induces hyperpolarization could belong to another $K^+$ channel such as two-pore domain $K^+(K_{2P})$channel that a.e insensitive to TEA and apamin. From these results, we suggest that the changes in $Ca^{2+}\;and\;K^+$ concentrations play a critical role in cell proliferation, differentiation and reproduction as well as early embryonic development, and $K_{2P}$ channels could be involved in regulation of membrane potential in ovulated oocytes.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.1 s.110
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• pp.73-82
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• 2005

This study was conducted, based on the field survey and laboratory observations, to elucidate egg developmental processes and their characteristics of the Korean slender gudgeon, Squalidus gracilis majimae. For the experiments, the mature adults were collected at the Woongcheon-Cheon Stream and Boreung Reservoir located in Boreung City, Chungnam Province and eggs were obtained from the natural spawning area. Morphological characteristics of the egg and embryonic development were summarized as follows: The shape of the fertilized egg was spherical, adhesive and transparent. The fertilized egg was 2.9${\pm}$0.3 mm (n = 30) in mean diameter under water temperature of $26{\pm}1.5^{\circ}C$, light white in color and had no oil droplets. After 20 minutes from the time of fertilization, a blastodisc was formed and divided into two cells at 48 minutes after fertilization. The blastular stage occurred at 5 hours 40 minutes after fertilization and the gastrular stage was detected at 8 hours 41 minutes after fertilization. The beginning of embryo formation was observed at 12 hours 58 minutes after fertilization and optic vesicles and 9 somites were discovered at 17 hours 05 minutes after fertilization. Differentiation of brains and embryo wiggling were observed at 37 hours 27 minutes after fertilization. Heart beating and the formation of melanophores in optic vesicles were detected at 44 hours 46 minutes after fertilization. The formation of pectoral fins and melanophores in the body were discovered at 50 hours 36 minutes after fertilization. Hatching occurred at 57 hours 49 minutes after fertilization. The newly hatched larvae were 3.3${\pm}$0.2 mm (n = 120) in total length. We believe that these results may contribute the species and population conservations under the situation of accelerated water pollution and the decreases of its diversity.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.171-178
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• 2003

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of electric fusion methods on cell fusion rate and embryo development by somatic cell nuclear transfer in Korean Native Cattle. The KNC ear cell was cultured in vitro for confluence in serum starvation condition(DMEM＋0.05％ FBS) for cell confluence. The zona pellucida of IVM oocytes were partially dissection using micro pipette. Ear cells were transferred into an enucleated oocyte. The reconstructed embryos were electrically fused with Zimmermann Cell Fusion Medium(ZCFM). Nuclear transfer embryos were activated with a combination of 10${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ calcium ionophore(5 min) and 2.0mM 6-DMAP(3 hr). The activated embryos were cultured in CR1 -aa medium contains 0.3％ BSA or 10％ FBS at 37$^{\circ}C$, 90％ $N_2$, and 5％ $CO_2$in incubator for 6 days. The fusion rates were 51.6％(chamber) and 68.9％(needle), respectively and there were significantly difference between the fusion method(P<0.05). But, lysis rates were not significantly different(10.7％, 11.5％), respectively. The cleavage rates were significantly different between the chamber method(73.2％) and needle method(80.3％), respectively(P<0.05). The rates of early embryos(2∼4cells) and blastocysts of chamber and needle methods were 54.1％, 61.1％ and 18.4％, 26.3％ respectively, and needle method was significantly higher than chamber method(P<0.05). But, morulae formation rate were not significantly differences between the chamber(6.7％) and needle(6.2) method(P <0.05). These result suggest that electric fusion of needle method was to be profitable for nuclear transfer embryo fusion rate, blastocyst formation rate and reduce of oocyte lysis.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.17-17
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• 2001

착상전 수정란 단계에서 형질전환 수정란의 선발은 형질전환동물의 효율을 증대시킬 수 있는 방법이다. 성공적인 형질전환동물의 생산을 위해서는 생산된 수정란의 mosaicism 빈도를 감소시켜 전체 할구에서의 유전자 발현을 유도하는 것이 최적일 것이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 돼지의 웅성 생식세포를 이용한 형질전환동물의 생산에 있어서 다양한 정자세포 이용시 형질전환 수정란의 생산성 및 mosaicism 빈도를 조사하였다. 아울러 돼지 웅성생식세포내 GFP 유전자도입시 세포들의 생존율 및 원형정자세포분리 후 배양에 따른 형태적 변화를 관찰하였다. 돼지의 웅성 생식세포내 GFP 유전자 도입은 전기자극법 (1.3 ㎸/cm, 200 $\mu\textrm{s}$) 에 의하여 수행되었으며, 이 때 생존율은 60-70%이였다. 유전자가 도입된 전체 세포중 원형정자세포군의 분리는 유식세포분리기에 의하여 수행하였으며, 전체집단에 대한 분리군의 비율은 평균 16.2%이였다. 형질전환 수정란의 생산은 정자 (ICSI), 원형정자세포 (ROSI), 배양후 확장된 원형정자세포(ELSI)를 이용하였으며 각각의 난할율은 ICSI (82.9%), ROSI (59.1%), ELSI (62.1%)로 유의한 차이를 나타내었다. 그리고 8세포기까지의 배발달율은 각각 61.1, 40.9 및 48.6%이였으며, 상실배 및 포배기형성율은 각각 24.6, 18.1 및 32.4%이였다. 형광현미경하에서 GFP 단백질이 발현된 8세포기 수정란을 대상으로 각각의 할구를 primer extension pream-plification (PEP) PCR 방법으로 분석한 결과, ICSI 및 ROSI 실시후 대부분 (15/20, 9/10) 의 수정란은 3~4개의 할구에서만 GFP 유전자의 존재여부를 확인할 수 있었으며, 전체 할구에서 GFP 유전자가 모두 확인된 수정란은 없었다. 반면에 배양된 확장 원형정자세포를 이용하여 생산한 수정란의 경우, 4/10 (40%)에서 전체 할구내에 GFP 유전자의 존재를 확인할 수 있었다. 이러한 결과는 비록 배발달율 및 GFP 유전자 발현율에 있어서는 ELSI방법이 ICSI 등의 방법보다 현저히 낮았지만, mosaicsism 빈도가 낮아 바람직한 형질전환 수정란 생산에서는 오히려 유용한 방법이라고 사료된다. 또한 외래 유전자의 도입효율 면에서 후기 원형정자나 성숙정자보다 초기 원형정자세포에 외래유전자를 도입한 다음, 성숙시킨 확장원형 정자세포를 이용하는 방법이 보다 우수하다는 것을 시사하였다. 따라서 본 연구결과는 포유동물의 웅성 생식세포를 이용하여 nonmosaicisn을 나타내는 형질전환수정란을 생산하고 선발할 수 있는 일련의 기술적 과정을 정립하였다고 사료된다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.132-132
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• 2003

멸종위험성이 높은 재래돼지를 유전자원으로서 안전하게 보존하고 유전적 다양성을 유지하기 위해 체내수정란의 동결보존 방법을 수행하였다. 재래돼지의 과배란유기는 altrenogest를 1일 20mg씩 18일 경구투여하고 PMSG 500~l,000IU 근육주사후 80시간에 hCG 500~750IU를 근육주사하였다. 발정이 관찰된 개체는 발정개시후 12시간과 24시간에 자연교배 또는 액상정액을 이용하여 2회씩 수정시켰다. 최종 수정후 5일째에 외과적으로 개복수술하여 FBS가 5% 첨가된 D-PBS 관류액으로 자궁으로부터 수정란을 회수하여 상실기, 배반포기, 확장배반포기의 수정란으로 구분하였다. 회수된 수정란은 FBS가 20% 첨가된 D-PBS의 0.4, 0.8, 1.4M glycerol 항동해제에 각 단계별로 10분씩 평형시킨후 수정란동결기(CL863, Australia)를 이용하여 18$^{\circ}C$부터 -7$^{\circ}C$까지 2$^{\circ}C$/min의 냉각속도와 -7$^{\circ}C$부터 -35$^{\circ}C$까지 0.5$^{\circ}C$/min의 동결속도(실험1), 1$^{\circ}C$/min의 냉각속도와 0.3$^{\circ}C$/min의 동결속도(실험 2)로 동결시켰다. 또한 FBS가 20% 첨가된 D-PBS의 ethylene glyco1(EG) 1.8M의 항동제에 15분간 평형시킨후 실험 1과 동일한 방법으로 동결시켰다(실험 3). 동결수정란의 융해는 37$^{\circ}C$의 항온수조에서 30초간 실시하였다. 항동해제로 glycerol을 이용한 수정란은 융해후 3가지 농도로 0.3M sucrose, 0.8M glycerol, 0.4M glycerol을 첨가한 D-PBS에 각각 10분씩 단계적으로 정치시킨 다음, 10% FBS 첨가 mNCSU-23으로 3회 세척했다. 항동해제로 EG를 이용한 수정란은 융해후 즉시 D-PBS에 각각 10분간 정치시킨 다음, 10% FBS 첨가 mNCSU-23으로 3회 세척했다. 항동해제가 제거된 수정란은 FBS가 10% 첨가된 mNCSU-23 배양액에서 39$^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ 배양기에 48시간 배양하면서 생존여부를 판단하였다. 실험 2에서 확장배반포배 수정란이 25.3%의 생존율을 나타내었으며, 실험 1과 실험 3에서는 수정란의 형태와 관계없이 생존성을 확인할 수 없었다. 이상의 결과로 보아 glycerol 완만동결에서는 확장배반포기 수정란 이상이 보존가능한 것으로 추정되나 더 추가적인 연구가 요구된다.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.352-361
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• 1992

The identification of the stoneworts, euglenoids and diatoms which were collected from paddy rice fields was conducted in 1991. In the division Charophyta. Chara braunii Gmelin was identified. Two species in the genus Euglena, 1 species in the genus Phacus and 3 species in the genus Trachelomonas were identified in the division Eugrenophyta. The total number of species identified as the diatoms was 21 species in 6 families including 5 species in the Coscinodiscaceae, 3 species in the Fragilariaceae, 1 species in the Achanthaceae, 9 species in the Naviculaceae, 1 species in the Cymbellaceae and 2 species in the Nitzschiaceae. Generally, a concentrated population of Eulgena on paddy water caused green water blooms, but the color of the water blooms at the cyst formation stage was changed to red. In soil flakes with brown tint, the diatoms belonging to the order Pennales were numerous in microscopic view.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.345-351
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• 2006

This study investigates the toxic effects of $Cd^{2+}$on frog (Rana dybowskii) by the determination of oocyte maturation and development of embryo exposure to different concentrations of the toxicant. The results show that $Cd^{2+}$ concentration of 0.1ppm suppressed the maturation of the oocytes. To examine the reversibility of the inhibitory effects, the oocytes were exposed to the $Cd^{2+}$ only for 3 hours, and then transferred to plain medium and cultured further for 17 hours. The oocytes were recovered from the toxic effect of the $Cd^{2+}$ when they were exposed to 1ppm, but not to 2.5ppm of the $Cd^{2+}$. The development of 2 cell embryos to 32 cell was completely suppressed at 0.1ppm and the longer the embryos were exposed to the $Cd^{2+}$, the more damage appeared to the embryos and the cytolysis of the 32 cell was induced by $Cd^{2+}$ at 0.1ppm. On the other hand, the embryos of blastula stage were cultured 96 hours in presence of the $Cd^{2+}$ at various concentrations and were examined. The rates of mortality and malformed larvae were investigated by probit analysis. From the results of LC$_{50}$ of 0.1ppm and EC$_{50}$ of 0.08ppm, Tl of 5.0 was derived, which indicates $Cd^{2+}$ is to be considered a teratogenic compound. Such specific malformations occurred in 14.3% as spine deformations at the 0.05ppm, in 75.0% as tail deformations at the 0.1ppm, in 66.7% as abdominal deformations at the 0.01ppm and in 26.0% as profound deformations at the 0.1ppm of $Cd^{2+}$ concentration which living embryos were exposed to. $Cd^{2+}$ suppressed growth to head-tail length at 0.1ppm. In conclusion, The study results reveal that $Cd^{2+}$ must be considered highly toxic effect to oocyte maturation and embryonic development.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.191-200
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• 2005

Many studies have shown that the development of mouse early 2-cell embryos in vitro is related with the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ changes. In ICR strain mouse, the development of embryos arrests at early 2-cell stage, but the arrested early 2-cell embryos can be rescued by the addition of $Ca^{2+}$-related materials. Acetylcholine (ACh) increases intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ([$Ca^{2+}$]i) via the mAChR-PLC-IP3 pathway in mouse oocytes. We examined whether ACh rescues 2-cell block in mouse. In early 2-cell embryos, ACh increased [$Ca^{2+}$]i in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.001), and had an effect on rescue of 2-cell block and embryonic development. To identify the signal pathway involved in ACh-induced rescue of 2-cell block, we first applied an agonist of ACh receptor (AChR). Like ACh, carbachol increased intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration ([$Ca^{2+}$]i) and atropine, an antagonist of ACh receptor, blocked the ACh-induced $Ca^{2+}$ increase. In $Ca^{2+}$-free medium, ACh also increased [$Ca^{2+}$]i, indicating that $Ca^{2+}$ increased by ACh is mainly released from the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ store. The ACh-induced $Ca^{2+}$ increase was blocked by PLC inhibitor (U73122), ryanodine receptor (RyR) antagonist (dantrolene), and CaM KII inhibitor (KN-93), but not by IP3R antagonists (xestospongin C). These results show that ACh increases intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration via mAChR/PLC/RyR, and this contributes to the rescue of 2-cell block.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2005

Telomeres consisting of (TTAGGG)n tandem repeat DNA sequences and associated proteins are essential for chromosome stability and related with cell senescence, apoptosis and cancer. The telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein which act as a template for the synthesis of telomeric DNA. This study was carried out to identify the distribution of telomeres on mouse chromosomes and also to analyze the amount of telomeres and telomerase activity of mouse embryos at early embryonic stages. Germ cells and early embryos from 1 cell to blastocyst stage were analyzed. The amount of telomeres was analyzed by quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization technique(Q-FISH) using a human telomeric DNA probe, and telomerase activity was measured by telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay(TRAP). In results, the telomeres on mouse chromosomes were distributed at the ends of all autosomes and sex chromosomes. Although the quantity of telomeres varied among chromosomes, most of chromosomes had higher amount in q-arm telomeres than in p-arm telomeres. The results of Q-FISH indicated that the relative amount of telomeres of mouse embryos in each embryonic stage was approximately the same except the higher amount in blastocysts. Using TRAP assay on mouse embryos, telomerase activity was detected in all preimplantation stages from mature oocytes to blastocysts. Especially the telomerase activity was significantly increased at the morula and blastocyst stage. In conclusion, there may be a close association between the amount of telomeres and telomerase activity in early embryonic stages, and analysis of telomere quantity and telomerase activity on early development will be helpful for the investigation of embryogenesis and embryonic cell differentiation in mice.

• Proceedings of the Korean Aquaculture Society Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.64-64
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• 2003

대구 인공종묘 생산 기술 개발의 일환으로 수정란에 기생하여 폐사를 유발하는 세균 및 세균 감염 경로를 파악함으로써 수정란의 생존율과 부화율 향상을 위하여 본 실험을 실시하였다. 세균 감염 경로를 파악하기 위하여 난소와 정소 자체 세균 감염 여부를 조사하였다. 일반배지 (BHIA)와 비브리오 선택배지 (TCBS)를 사용하여 세균검사를 실시하였다. 난소의 세균 검사는 생식소 내부를 일부 절개한 후 멸균 roop를 찔러 세균을 검사하였고, 정소는 채정하기 전 복부를 절개하여 멸균 roop로서 적출하여 배지에 도말한 후 배양하였다. 수정란 내 세균 수는 수정란을 각각 20개씩 샘플하여 난 외부에 기생하는 세균을 제거하기 위하여 난소독제로 이용되고 있는 benzalkonium 0.1%로 1분간 소독한 후 멸균 생리식염수로 3회 세척하여 호모게나이즈하여 검사하였다. 호모게나이즈한 액 중 100${\mu}\ell$를 pipetting하여 일반배지(BHIA)에 도말하여 인큐베이터에서 배양하였다. 난소와 정소 내에서 세균이 검출됨에 따라 수정 시 세균 감염을 억제하기 위하여 자외선 살균해수와 일반해수를 수정액으로 사용하여 발생율을 비교 시험하였다. 수정 시간은 1분으로 동일하게 적용하였으며, 수정 용기는 멸균 처리된 일회용 100$m\ell$ 플라스틱 용기를 사용하였다. 수정 후 과다한 정자를 제거하기 위한 세란은 1$\ell$ 멸균 비이커에서 5회 30분 가량 실시하여 정자를 제거하였고 멸균 봉으로 저어주면서 수정란의 점착력을 제거하였다. 수정란은 100$\mu\textrm{m}$ 그물망으로 수정란 유실을 방지한 플라스틱 용기에 수용하여 유효수량 270$\ell$ FRP 수조에 수용하여 3$\ell$/min 환수하였고, 수온은 자연수온 1$^{\circ}C$로 유지하였다. 발생율은 만능투영기로 3회 측정하였다. 수정 후 세균과 기생충에 의한 수정란의 폐사를 억제하기 위하여 수정 직후, 수정 후 1일, 2일째 oxytetracycline과 iodine 처리에 따른 발생율 변화를 조사하였다. 발생율은 만능투영기로 조사하였고, 시험구별로 3회 측정하였다. 경과 일수별로 약제 처리는 약제 미처리 수정란 중 정상적인 발생이 이루어지고 있는 것을 선별하여 조사하였다. 약제 처리에 따른 배체 발생 단계는 수정 후 1일째는 상실기, 2일째는 포배기였다. 수정란 및 대구 자어에서 분리된 V. splendidus 에 의한 폐사를 예방하기 위해 in vivo에서 oxytetracycline 외 5종의 항생제를 대상으로 96well plate에서 최고 농도 250ppm부터 2 fold로 단계 희석하여 $25^{\circ}C$에서 48시간 배양하여 MIC를 조사하였다. 세균 감염경로 파악을 위하여 난소, 정소 및 정자에서 세균을 분리한 결과 일반배지 및 비브리오 선택배지에서 모두 균이 검출되었고, 균 동정 결과 터봇 자어에서 검출된 것으로 보고된(Gatesoupe et al., 1999) V. splendidus로 나타났다. 수정액과 정자 및 미수정란의 세균 분리 결과 일반배지에서 3$\times$10/ml ~ 7$\times$10/ml로 균이 검출되었다. 수정액을 일반해수와 자외선 살균 해수를 사용하여 발생율을 비교한 결과 수정 후 3일째 발생율은 자외선 살균해수 72.3%, 일반해수 52.7%였으며, 수정 후 7일째 40.9%와 25.1%로 자외선 살균해수가 유의적으로 높게 나타났다. 수정 후 경과 일수별로 oxytetracycline과 Iodine을 처리한 결과 수정 직후 처리한 시험구는 7일째 19.8%와 18.9%로 대조구 23.1%와 유의적인 차이가 없는 것으로 나타났다. 수정 후 1일째 처리한 시험구는 54.5%와 56.8%, 수정후 2일째 처리구는 47.9%와 50.6%로 두 시험구 모두 대조구와 수정 직후 처리구보다 유의적으로 높게 나타났다. 수정란 및 대구 자어에서 분리된 V. splendidus 에 의한 폐사를 예방하기 위해 in vivo에서 항생제 종류별 MIC 조사 결과 oxytetracycline이 0.48ppm으로 가장 효과가 높은 것으로 나타났다.