• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.223-227
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• 2008

The cryopreservation of Hanwoo embryos has become an integral part of assisted reproduction in animal. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of The objectives of this study were: (1) to evaluate the influence of bovine embryo developmental stage on in vitro embryo development after freezing, (2) to study the efficiency compared with conventional freezed embryos at different embryo source. For conventional slow-freezing, day 7 or 8 expanded blastocysts were collected. The standard freezing medium was 1.8 M ethylene glycol (EG). Embryos were equilibrated in 1.8 Methylene glycol(EG) with 0.1 M sucrose in Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (D-PBS) supplemented with 0.5% bovine serum albumin. Embryos were then loaded individually into 0.25 ml-straw and placed directly into cooling chamber of programmable freezer precooled to $-7^{\circ}C$, after 2 min, the straw was seeded, maintained at $-7^{\circ}C$ for 8 min, and then cooled to $-35^{\circ}C$ at $0.3^{\circ}C$/min, plunged and stored in liquid nitrogen for at least 3 days. For thawing, the straw containing embryos were warmed in air for 10 see and exposed to $37^{\circ}C$ water for 20 sec. Straws were then removed from $37^{\circ}C$ water. Rates of blastocyst survive and hatched were evaluated at 12 to 48h post-warming. The re-expansion and hatched rates of morula embryos were significantly lower than those obtained for blastocysts and expansion blastocysts (31.6%, 10.5% vs, 68.9%, 22.2% vs, 73.7%, 53.6%, respectively). No differences in re-expansion rates were found between in vivo and in vitro blastocysts. whereas hatched rates was significantly higher (51.2%) in vivo compared with in vitro embryos (18.6%). in conclusion, demonstrate that conventional freezing can be used successfully in cryopreservation of in vitro and in vivo bovine embryos, and that it might be considered for use in commercial programs and embryo preservation.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.36-46
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• 1987

The present work was designed to understand the mechanism of superovuiation and the cause of early embryo loss and Implantation failure in the superovulating immature female rats which were elaborated by a pituitary gland transplantation. A pituitary gland obtained from the orchidectomized rats was transplanted under the right kidney capsule of 28 day old female rats (PGT group) on the starting day of experiment which was designated as Day 2. The grafted pituitary glands were removed at 6h (RPGT 6h group), 12h (RPGT 12hgroup) and 24h (RPGT 24h group) after the transplantation. Control rats were treated with 41U PMSG on Day 2 (PMSG group). The estrous cycle and the levels of plasma progesterone and estradiol-17$\beta$ were observed on Day 0, Day 5, respectively. The implantation sites, the weights of ovary and uterus, and the number of corpora lutea were examined in all group on Day 8. The resuft obtained were summarized as follows: 1. The percentages of the number of the rats in proestrus and estrus were 93.0%, 82.6%, 0%, 90.7% and 89.5% in PMSG, PGT, RPGT6h, RPGT12h and RPGT24h group, respectively. The synchronization of estrus cycle was dchieved in all groups. 2. The mating rates of each group were 80.2, 75.0, 0, 56.4, 57.8% in PMSG, PGT, RPGT6h, RPGT12h, RPGT24h group, respectively. 3. The numbers of copora lutea on Day 8 were 47.1 i 4.9, 18.1 $\pm$0.5, 14.1 i 0.3 and 8.9 $\pm$ 0.3 in PGT, RPGT24h, RPGTl2h and PMSG group, respectively. There were signIficantly difference between all groups (P<0.05). 4. The numbers of implantation sites (18.1 +- 4.0) in PGT group on Day 8 were higher than those of PMSG (8.5 $\pm$ 2.5), RPGT 12h (9.8 i 0.2) and RPGT 24h group (10.8 i 0.2) (P<0.05). 5. The ovarlan weights in PGT (95.2 $\pm$ 14.3mgIlOOg BW), RPGT 12h (51.7 $\pm$ 0.6mgIlOOg BW), and RPGT24h (57.9 $\pm$ 0.9mg/l00g 8W) groups were significantly higher than those of PMSG group (30.4 $\pm$7.4mg/l00g BW) (P<0.05). 6. The uterine weights in PMSG (672.4 $\pm$ 4.7mg/l00g 8W), and PGT (660.7 $\pm$7.8mg/l00g BW) groupswere greater than those of RPGT 12h (403.0 $\pm$ 1.lmg/lOOg BW) and RPGT 24h (490.1 $\pm$ 0.9mg/l00g BW) group (P<0.05). 7. The plasma progesterone levels in PGT groups (15 lng/ml) on Day 5 were higher than those of PMSG (83ng/ml), RPGT 12h (S7ng/ml), RPGT24h (8lng/ml) group (P<0.05). 8. The plasma estradiol-17$\beta$ levels in PMSG group (lBSpg/ml) on Day S were higher than those of RPGT 24h (l3pg/ml) group (P<0.05). But estradiol-17$\beta$ levels in PGT and RPGT 12h group were too low to discuss.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2006

Vaginal cytology was examined in 12 Shih-tzu bitches to establish the accurate basic data for estimate to the optimal mating time and ovulation time. The mean duration of proestrus and estrus were $9.09{\pm}0.83\;(mean{\pm}SD)$ days and $7.36{\pm}0.47$ days in pregnant bitches. The gestational length in the 12 pregnant bitches was $65.2{\pm}0.5$ days in pregnant bitches when Day 0 was timed from the first day of male acceptance. Characteristic features of vaginal cytology during the estrous cycle were the high proportion of large intermediate cell, superficial cell, anuclear cell and erythrocyte in proestrus, superficial cell, anuclear cell and erythrocyte in estrus, and parabasal cell, small and large intermediate cell and leukocyte in diestrus, respectively. Cornification index (CI) was the high proportion in proestrus and estrus, then it decreased in diestrus and anestrus. When Day 0 was timed from the day of the first male acceptance, the CI peak was Day 2 and maintained above 80% between Day -4 and Day 6 during 11 days, and above 90% between Day -1 and Day 5 during 7 days. In relationship between CI and reproductive hormones, CI showed peak at the first day after plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ concentration peak and plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml at Day 0 which was the first day after CI peak. In conclusion, ovulation in Shih-tzu bitches occurred at the first day after CI peak. Vaginal cytology is the simple and reliable method for estimating estrous cycle, optimal breeding time and ovulation time in Shih-tzu bitches.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2001

Artificial insemination (AI) with frozen or cooled semen is widely used in commercial fields of cattle and pig. Little is known about characteristics of canine sperm after freezing or cooling. For both practical and commercial goal, the canine semen treated with cooling and freezing should be carried out to exam the fundamentals, including sperm motility, survivability and fertilizing capacity. The aim of this study, thus, was to identify the effects of extended exposure to 4$0^{\circ}C$ on canine semen by motility, survivability, acrosomal changes following different duration. Fifteen ejaculates collected by digital manipulation twice per week from 3 dogs (Shih-Tzu) were divided to 16 aliquots after adding Tris-egg yolk (TE) buffer formulated by our laboratory, and cooled from 37 to 4$^{\circ}C$, by ramp rate of 0.6$^{\circ}C$/min. Each sample was evaluated by their motility, survivability and the acrosomal status at 0h (control), 2h, 12h and 1 d~10 d, respectively. The motility of spermatozoa was graded to 6 levels using the modified method of Seager. The survivability of sperm was assessed using an epifluorescence microscope after Fert/Light (Mole-cular Probes Inc.) staining. To estimate the proportion of the spermatozoa of intact acrosome, 200 spermatozoa were assessed in randomly selected fields, using epifluorescence microscope after FITC/PSA (Sigma) staining. At 2 h after cooling, the motility of most spermatozoa were assessed to be grade 0 and 1. At 12 h, high number of sperm were in grade 0 to 1, however, it was significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of 2 h. From 1 d to 4 d, ~50% of sperm was assessed to grade 0 to 1. On day 7, a little sperm were in grade 0 to 1. No sperm showed motility on day 10. Sperm motility was rapidly reduced by the percent of 10% of grade 0 to 1. From 2 h to 6 h, the number of live sperm was 90% and the sperm chilled for 10 days lived>50%. Acrosomal intact of spermatozoa exposed to 4$^{\circ}C$ for 2 h was 51%, supposed the sperm of control was 100%. Our results suggest that 1) this is easy to transfer and preservation for short periods 2) AI can be used by semen chilled for 6-Day.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.245-250
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• 2001

This study was performed to evaluate whether vitrification method using ethyle glycol and eletron microscopic (EM) grid could be used far the cryopreservation of human oocytes in ART program. Surplus oocytes were obtained from consented IVF patients. These surplus human oocytes were frozen with our vitrification method, Oocytes were exposed to 1.5M ethylene glycol (EG) in DPBS far 2,5 minutes, followed by 5.5M EG plus 1.0M Sucrose in DPBS for 20 seconds. Then oocytes were transferred onto the EM grid and the grid was plunged into LN2 for storage. For thawing, oocytes containing EM grid were sequentially transferred in 1.0M, 0.5M, 0.25M, 0.125M and 0 M sucrose in DPBS solution at the intervals of 2.5 minutes. Thawed and survived oocytes were provided for ICSI. Embryos from vitrified oocytes were transferred to uterus of the patient on 4 to 5 days after ovulation in natural cycles of on 15 to 17 day of hormone replacement cycles. A total of 370 oocytes from 26 patients were thawed and 159 (43.0%) of them survived. One hundred thirty four oocytes (84.3%) were fertilized normally and 126 pre-embryos were transferred to 26 patients, resulting in 5 clinical pregnancies. The pregnancy rate per transfer was 19.2% and implantation rate was 4.0%. Among the five pregnant, 4 patients delivered 4 healthy babies and the one patient was 32-week ongoing pregnancy. From this results, vitrification using ethylene glycol as cryoprotectant and EM grid is a rapid and simple method that can be effectively applied for the cryopreservation of human oocytes in ART program.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.149-155
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• 2015

Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum progesterone (P4) levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration and the pregnancy rate among women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (ICSI-ET) using a flexible antagonist protocol. Methods: This prospective study included 200 IVF and ICSI-ET cycles in which a flexible antagonist protocol was used. The patients were divided into five distinct groups according to their serum P4 levels at the time of hCG administration (0.80, 0.85, 0.90, 0.95, and 1.00 ng/mL). The clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) was calculated for each P4 interval. Statistically significant differences were observed at a serum P4 level of 0.9 ng/mL. These data suggest that a serum P4 concentration of 0.9 ng/mL may represent the optimal threshold level for defining premature luteinization (PL) based on the presence of a significant negative impact on the CPR. Results: The CPR for each round of ET was significantly lower in the PL group defined using this threshold (25.8% vs. 41.8%; p=0.019), and the number of oocytes retrieved was significantly higher than in the non-PL group ($17.3{\pm}7.2$ vs. $11.0{\pm}7.2$; p=0.001). Elevated serum P4 levels on the day of hCG administration were associated with a reduced CPR, despite the retrieval of many oocytes. Conclusion: Measuring serum P4 values at the time of hCG administration is necessary in order to determine the optimal strategy for embryo transfer.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.355-362
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• 1999

Objective: This study was performed to compare the clinical response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) according to the size of baseline ovarian cyst. Method: From February 1992 to March 1999, a retrospective analysis was done of 272 cases who underwent COH using mid-luteal phase long protocol of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) for IVF-ET. These cases were divided into four group; group 1 (n=63) had cysts with mean diameters between 20.0 and 29.0 mm on their baseline ultrasound on cycle day 3, group 2 (n=57, $30.0{\sim}49.0mm$), group 3 (n=68, >50.0 mm) and control group (n=84). Cases were excluded according to the following criteria; pure male factor infertility, the presence of only one ovary, high CA-125 level and previous endometriosis. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between cases with baseline ovarian cyst <50.0 mm in diameter and control group in any of the parameters. However, cases with baseline ovarian cyst>50.0 mm in mean diameter needed more amount of human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), showed significantly lower estradiol ($E_2$) level, the number of follicle >15.0 mm on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration, the number of oocytes retrieved, the number of mature oocytes, and pregnancy rate compared with control group. Conclusion: This study suggests that cases with baseline ovarian cyst <50.0 mm in diameter do not adversely impact on IVF-ET outcome. However, cases with baseline ovarian cyst >50.0 mm in diameter had adverse effects on various parameters. Therefore, to improve the outcome of IVF-ET in these cases, ovarian cyst aspiration prior to initiating COH may be required.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 1988

These studies were undertaken to examine the interaction of tamoxifen with sex steroid hormones in rat uterine activity. The uterine wet weights of the immature Tat uterus were examined after the administration of estradiol-l7$\beta$(1$\mu$g), tamoxifen(50$\mu$g), progesterone(lmg). The uterotropic activity in immature ovariectomized rats was observed under various treatment conditions following pretreatment with above drugs. The results obtained were as follows:1) Tamoxifen produced significant increase (p <0.01) in uterine wet weight compared with control group, although the increase was not as great as that seen with estradiol-17$\beta$. Administration of estradiol-17$\beta$ together with tamoxifen inhibited significantly the increase of uterine wet weight by estradiol-17$\beta$ (p < 0.01). Coadministration of progresterone with tamoxifen partly blocked the increase of tamoxifen-induced uterine wet weights by progesterone. 2) Estradiol-17$\beta$after the estradiol-17$\beta$ pretreatment discontinued the declining uterine wet weights due to the absence of estrogen support, but uteri continued to increase in weight if daily estradiol-17 $\beta$ was maintained. Administration of tamoxifen on the fourth day of estradiol-17$\beta$ treatment reduced uterine wet weights within 24 hours, and the weights continued to decline with additional tamoxifen. 3) The modest growth of the uterus induced by three daily injections of 5Opg tamoxifen remained stable for five days, with or without additional tamoxifen treatment. Coadministration of tamoxifen with estradiol17$\beta$ increased slightly the increase of uterine wet weight by tamoxifen. Coadministration of tamoxifen with progesterone inhibited the increase of uterine wet weight by tamoxifen. 4) The modest growth of the uterus induced by three daily injections of lmg progesterone reduced uterine wet weight to the control level for five days. Commencement of tamoxifen or estadiol-17 $\beta$ injections on the fourth day of progesterone treatment rapidly elevated uterine wet weight.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.317-322
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• 2005

This study was conducted to improve the efficiency of embryo recovery and to establish the protocols of superovulation in Holstein cows. Sixteen Holstein cows were used the test the efficacy of three superovulation regimens using Folltropin. In the case of regimen 1, CIDR plus with E2 capsule was inserted in cows at the random stage of estrous cycle and the total of 400 mg Folltropin V was adminstered twice a day for 4 days(Folltropin V group). In regimen 2, CIDR was inserted and 3.0 mg estradiol benzoate was administered i.m. next day and the total of 400 mg Folltropin was adminstered twice a day for 4 days(Folltropin V+EB group). For regimen 3, CIDR insertion was same as in the regimen 2 and the total of 400 mg Folltropin diluted with $10\%$ PEG 8,000 was administered once(Folttropin V+PEG 8,000 group). In all the regimens, CIDR were removed on 12th day and 45 mg dinoprost was administered i.m. simultaneously. The heat detected donors were administered 200 ug LH-RH and inseminated twice with 2 straws of frozen semen 12 hours apart. Embryo were collected using Foley catherter in each uterine homs on 6${\~}$8 days after inseminations. The evaluation of collected embryos were according to the IETS manual. The CL responses according to the superovulation treatments were 5.8, 20.6, 24.0 in the Folltropin V, Folltropin+EB and Folltropin V+PE 8,000 groups, respectively and there were significant different among the treatments(p<0.01). Transferable embyos collected were 3.6$\pm$2.4, 3.3$\pm$l.8 and 2.8$\pm$2.3, in the Folltropin V, Folltropin+EB and Folltropin V+PE 8,000 groups, respectively. Degenerated and unfertilized embryos in regimen 2 and 3 than regimen 1. These results indicates that superovulation treatments with both multiple injections and a single injection using PEG of Folltropin combined with CIDR insertion at the random stage of estrus cycle can be used to produce Holstein embryos.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2001

The aims of these study were to diagnose early pregnancy and reproductive disorders by using progesterone concentration and ultrasonography. The measurement of blood progesterone (P$_4$) concentration was conducted to diagnose pregnancy and to detect corpus luteum (CL) or evaluate disorder of CLs. As a result, the incidence rates of reproductive disorders were as follows : SH and EED (41.9%), inacitve ovaries (32.6%), follicullar cyst (9.3%), PCL (7.0%), endometritis (4.7%), pyometra (2.3%) and luteal cyst (2.3%). 61 Cows having P$_4$concentration 1.0 ng/ml(at the insemination) were increased to 1.0 ng/ml $\geq$ 6day after insemination. 50 cows among 61 cows were diagnosed pregnant. 8 cows among 13 HanWoos having P$_4$concentration 1.0 ng/ml at the insemination and 1.0 ng/mnl 6 day after insemination had non-ovulatory estrus and the others had P$_4$concentration 1.0 ng/ml at the insemination and 1.0 ng/ml $\geq$ 6 day after insemination, which was the error of estrus detection. All 13 cows were diagnosed non-pregnant. 47 cows diagnosed pregnant after insemination of P$_4$concentration 3.0 ng/ml were examined by ultrasonography at 30 day post-insemination. As a result, 41 cows were diagnosed pregnant (87.2%) but 14 cows having P$_4$concentration 3.0 ng/ml at 21 day after insemination was diagnosed to non-pregnancy. Calving intervals by surveying 100 cows were as follows 11~12 months (20%), 12~13 months (36%), 13~14 months (19%), 14 months $\geq$ (25%), respectively. In conclusion, hormone and ultrasonography help to detect reproductive disorders exactly and diagnose early pregnancy. This study suggest that diagnosis of early pregnancy and reproductive disorder by blood P$_4$concentration and ultrasonography improve reproduction management of HanWoo.