• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.291-298
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• 2008

We separately cultured follicular oocytes collected from individual ovaries of slaughtered Korean native cows and examined both the embryonic development rate and pregnancy rate after embryo transplantation according to the meat yield and quality grades of the source beef carcass. Oocytes from meat yield grade B cows exhibited a higher fertilization rate and embryonic developmental rate to the eight-cell stage than oocytes from grade A or C animals (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in rate of development to the blastocyst stage among meat yield grades A, Band C. The oocyte cleavage rate and development rate to the eight-cell stage from meat quality grade 3 cattle was higher than grades 1++, 1+, 1 and 2 (p<0.05). Embryos derived from grade animals displayed a development rate to the blastocyst stage of 19.4%, which was also higher than all other meat quality grades (p<0.05). Transplantation of in vitro-cultured oocytes from meat yield grade A ovaries led to a higher pregnancy rate (64.2%) than in vitro-cultured oocytes from meat yield grade B ovaries (56.5%), but there was no significant difference between the two groups in pregnancy or abortion rates. In conclusion, embryonic development rate and pregnancy rate has a close relation to meat quality grades of the source beef carcass, this results is to give information for the Korean native cows improvement of breed.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.145-151
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• 1990

This study was carried out to elevating the pregnancy rate in infertile patient by Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT). The GIFT program was performed from July 1988 to June 1990. Of the 131 cycles, the mean age of patient was 31.6 years and the mean duration of infertility was 5.3 years. 41 patients became pregnant, for a pregnancy rate of 31.3%. 5 preclinical abortions and 6 clinincal abortion was occured. 2 ectopic pregnanices and 1 combined pregnancy were occured. 7 twin pregnancies and 1 triplet were occured (multiple pregnancy rate;22.2%). 11 pregnancies were term delivered, 17 are ongoing pregnancies. GIFT may be considered as an alternative to in vitro fertilazation in infertility cases in which at least one fallopian tube is patent.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2016

Objective: In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of high doses of dexamethasone (DEX) in early pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Pregnant BALB/c mice were treated with high-dose DEX in the experimental group or saline in the control group on gestational days (GDs) 0.5 to 4.5. Pregnant mice were sacrificed on GDs 7.5, 13.5, or 18.5 and their peripheral blood, placentas, fetuses, and uterine tissue were collected. Decidual and placenta cell supernatants were examined to evaluate the effect of DEX on the proliferation of mononuclear cells, the quantity of uterine macrophages and uterine natural killer (uNK) cells, and levels of progesterone and $17{\beta}-estradiol$, as determined by an 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. We also were measured fetal and placental growth parameters on GD 18.5. Results: We found that high doses of DEX were associated with an increased abortion rate, enhancement of the immunosuppressive effect of the decidua, alterations in placental growth parameters, decreased progesterone and $17{\beta}-estradiol$ levels, and a reduced frequency of macrophages and uNK cells. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the high-dose administration of DEX during early pregnancy negatively affected pregnancy outcomes.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 1991

A considerably high rate of abnormal deliveries of unknown etiology was observed among dairy cattles from November 1988 to February 1989 and Korean native tattles from January to April 1990. The abnormal deliveries consisted of abortions, stillbirths and calf deformities refers to as congenital arthrogryposis hydranencephaly (AH )syndrome. In order to know the level of Akabane antibody of dairy cattle raised in Kyungbuk province, serum neutralization test was conducted with Akabane virus(OBE-1 strain) and HmLu(Hamster lung) cell line. The results were summarized as follows. 1. During 4 months(Nov. 1988-Feb. 1989), abortion (3 heads), stillbirth(1 head) and congenital abnormalities(13 heads) of newborn were occurred in 17 dairy cattles raised in Kyungbuk province. 2. During 4 months(Jan.-Apr.1990), stillbirth(2 heads) and congenital deformities (13 heads) of newborn were occurred in 15 Korean native tattles raised in Kyungbuk province. 3. In Fev, and Apr. 1990, 1,005 dairy cattles at 99 farms were investigated on the actual condition of possessing Akabane antibody. The result was that 1,000 heads (99.9%) in 1,005 dairy cattles reacted as positive condition in Akahane antibody. The antibody titer was from 4 to over 256. 4. 189 heads (18.8%) of 1,005 dairy cattles werw below antibody titer 8 and 816 heads (81.2%) were over 16. 5. Akabane antibody titer of east coast legions(Pohang Yeongil etc) was all over 16, that of internal legions (Yeongiu, Andong. etc) was relatively low, The result suggest that the vaccination for Akabane disease will be unnecessary for the time being because of possessing higher antibody titer reaction except the newly introduced cattle and Akabane virus was widely disseminated in kyungbuk province during the summer months in 1987 or 1988.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.249-257
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• 1982

The aim of this study was to observe the relationships between the amount of menstrual blood loss (MBL) and age, parity, number of pregnancy and induced abortion, and the iron nutriture in married Korean women. Fifty-one healthy women aged 26 to 48 years were tested for their MBL, hemoglobin(Hb) concentration, hematocrit (Hct) value, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), serum iron and ferritin concentrations. The results of this study are summarized as follows : 1) The mean value and standard error of mean of the MBL was $32.0{\pm}3.94ml$, and the range of MBL was 3.8-127.2 ml for total subjects. Maximum number (23.5%) of the subjects fell in the group with MBL of 10-l9ml, while 17.7% showed MBL above 50m1. 2) There were no statistically significant differences on the mean amount of MBL between the age groups 25-48 years. 3) The mean amount of MBL in 1-2 and 3-4 para groups were 28.5 and 36.1 ml, respectively, but the difference between two groups was not significant 4) It was observed that the mean amount of MBL was gradually decreased as the number of pregnancy and induced abortion were increased, but the significance was not observed. 5) The mean values of Hb concentration, MCHC and serum iron concentration were slightly decreased in subjects with MBL of more than 50ml but the statistical significance was not observed. The mean of Hct value was not influenced by the amount of MBL. While serum ferritin concentrations were markedly decreased and the prevalence rate of anemia was markedly increased as the amount of MBL was increased. There was significant difference (P<0.05) between the mean amount of MBL with respect to the serum ferritin concentration.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.173-183
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• 2010

Purpose: To estimate the effect of oriental treatment on recurrent pregnancy loss, a retrospective analysis was done. Methods: Sixty-eight pregnant women at the $\bigcirc\bigcirc$ oriental clinic, Korea, from January 2005 to May 2009 diagnosed as recurrent pregnancy loss were included in this study. The sixty-eight patients received oriental treatment such as acupuncture, moxibution, herbal acupuncture and herbal prescriptions, divided into two groups: Group A- live birth(N=58) and Group B- abortion(N=10). The maternal age, parity, menstrual history, gynecological history and period of treatment were compared. To find out factors affecting the success of birth, we performed binary logistic regression analysis(SPSS ver. 14.0 for windows). Results: The live birth rate was 85.3%. The maternal age, parity, menstrual history, gynecological history and period of treatment were not different between two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that the significant factors predicting the occurrence of miscarriage were advanced maternal age(${\geq}35$)(P=0.005, Odds Ratio[OR]=3.809, 95% Confidence Interval[95%CI]: 1.514-9.585) and suffering from gynecological problems(P=0.044, OR=4.048, 95%CI: 1.037-15.801). Conclusions: The results suggest that oriental treatment has effectiveness on recurrent pregnancy loss. Further study will be needed.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.137-144
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• 1986

A reveiw of 85 patients with uterine anomalies was made in respect to the incidence, chief complaints, the reason of infertility, fetal wastage rate, pregnancy complications, fetal presentations and obstetric outcome after metroplasty from 1980 to 1985. The results were summarized as follows: 1. Incidence of uterine anomaly was 0.18% among all outpatients (85/48,240). 2. Of the 85 patients, there were 36 with bicornuate deformities (42.3%), 21 septate (24.7%), 18 uterus didelphys (21.2%), 8 arcuate (9.4%) and 2 patients with unicornuate anomalies (2.4%). 3. Uterine anomalies were diagnosed by hysterosalpingogram (54.1%), pelvic examination (14.2%) and other operative procedures. 4. Chief complaints were primary infertility (41.2%), secondary infertility (15.3%), repeated pregnancy loss (12.9%), antenatal care (11.8%) and menstural disturbance (10.6%), etc. 5. Twenty-nine patients with uterine anomalies had primary infertility. The cause of infertility was proved nonuterine in 26 cases and remained unknown in 3 cases. 6. The obstetric outcome of 104 pregnancies was spontaneous abortion in 51.0%, premature delivery in 11.50/0 and fetal loss in 57.7%. 7. Complications of 41 present pregnancies were threatened abortion (22%), premature rupture of membrane (12%) and premature labor (10%), etc. The frequency of abnormal presentation was 35.3% and 64.7% of deliveries was made by Cesarian section. 8. Metroplasty was performed in 13 patients who didn't have a baby because of repeated miscarriage and unknown cause of infertility. Subsequently 8 patients had 9 successful pregnancies: 6 patients had 7 healthy babies and 2 patients are now in pregnancy without any complications.

• The Journal of Health Technology Assessment
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.123-132
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• 2018

Objectives: Maternal morbidity and mortality are important healthcare issues. However there have been few studies on cost of illness (COI) from maternal disorders. This study aimed to estimate the COI due to maternal disorders in Korea. Methods: By reviewing previous studies and consulting expert we determined the scope of maternal disorders. We operationally defined maternal disorders as maternal hemorrhage, maternal sepsis, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, obstructed labor, and abortion for maternal disorders. The reference period of this study is the year 2015. Main source of data were the National Health Insurance Service claims data, cause of death statistics from the Korea National Statistical Office, and the Korea Health Panel study. We classified the total costs into direct and indirect costs. The direct costs cover healthcare costs and non-healthcare costs. The indirect costs consist of productivity losses due to morbidity and premature death. Results: The cost of maternal disorders in 2015 was 229.7 billion won. The direct and indirect costs of maternal disorders were 165.2 billion won and 64.5 billion won respectively. The largest cost item for maternal disorders was healthcare cost (138.3 billion won, 60.2%). By age groups, the COI in 30-39 years old women were the highest (165.1 billion won, 71.9%). Abortion was the disorder with the highest COI among maternal disorders (71.9 billion won, 31.3%). Conclusion: The COI due to maternal disorders in Korea is quite substantial. Economic burden of maternal disorder increased when being compared with the year 2012 data despite the continued low birth rate in Korea. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously monitor the social costs of the maternal disorders in Korea.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.217-222
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• 2005

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the clinical effect of low-dose intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in unexplained recurrent spontaneous aborters (RSA) with elevated peripheral CD56+ natural killer (NK) cell levels and to determine the pre-conceptional NK cell percentage predictive of subsequent successful pregnancy outcome. Materials and Methods: Sixty four cases of unexplained recurrent miscarriage with elevated peripheral NK cells (>15%) were received low dose IVIg infusion at the dosage of 400 mg/Kg/month after confirmation of gestational sac and continued until 20 weeks. The patients were divided into two groups according to the pregnancy outcome: Group I was success of treatment defined as live birth at or after 25 gestational weeks and Group II was failure of treatment. The preconceptional levels of the peripheral blood NK cells were compared between two groups. Results: Fifty-three pregnancies resulted in live births after 25 weeks and 11 resulted in abortion (Overall success rate of IVIG treatment was 82.8%). Preconceptional CD56+ NK cell percentage in group II ($27.4{\pm}1.9%$) was higher than those in group I ($22.3{\pm}0.8%$). By using ROC curve, optimal discrimination between success and failure of treatment was achieved with ${\leq}27%$ of preconceptional NK cell percentage. Conclusion: In RSA patients with elevated NK cells, we suggest that preconceptional peripheral blood CD56+ NK cell level could be a useful marker for predicting successful treatment outcome of low-dose IVIg infusion.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.11-24
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• 1996

The number of multifetal pregnancies has increased dramatically as a result of the widespread clinical use of ovulation induction and assisted reproductive technology(ART) in infertile patients. In multifetal pregnancies, the adverse outcome is directly proportional to the number of fetuses within the uterus, primarily because of an increased predisposition to premature delivery. It is extremely difficult to counsel patients about the expected outcome of pregnancies involving three or more fetuses. To increase the chances of delivering infants mature enough to survive without being irreversibly damaged by the sequelae of marked prematurity, selective fetal reduction(SFR) to the smaller number of fetuses should be considered in multifetal pregnancies. From January, 1991 to December, 1992, transabdominal SFR in multifetal pregnancies was performed in 22 patients including 13 triplet, 7 quadruplet, 1 quintuplet and 1 heptuplet pregnancies. Transabdominal SFR using intracardiac KCI injection and aspiration of amniotic fluid was carried out in 8-13 weeks of gestation. After procedure, 20 patients were remained as twin pregnancies, and 2 patients as triplet pregnancies. There have been 11 sets of twin delivery including 2 stillbirths, 2 sets of triplet delivery including 1 stillbirth, and 1 singleton delivery. Six cases were delivered after 37 weeks of gestation, 4 cases in 33 - 37 weeks, and 1 case in 30 weeks. Unfortunately, 3 stillbirths occurred in 20-24 weeks of gestation, and 4 cases were aborted. As 7 losses of pregnanancy including 1 case of septic abortion occurred, the delayed fetal loss rate was 38.9%(7/18) in transabdominal SFR. All babies born after 30 weeks of gestation were healthy, and no fetal anomaly directly related to the procedure was encountered. From July, 1993 to February, 1995, transvaginal SFR was performed in 20 patients including 15 triplet, 4 quadruplet and 1 quintuplet pregnancies. Transvaginal SFR using the same method as transabdominal SFR was carried out in 8-11 weeks of gestation. After procedure, 19 patients were remained as twin pregnancies, and 1 patient as singleton pregnancy. There have been 13 sets of twin delivery including 2 stillbirths, and 1 singleton delivery. Six cases were delivered after 37 weeks of gestation, 5 cases in 36-37 weeks, and 1 case in 30 weeks. Unfortunately, 2 still-births occurred in 20 weeks and 21 weeks of gestation, respectively, and 2 cases were aborted. As 4 losses of pregnancy including 1 case of septic abortion occurred, the delayed fetal loss rate was 25.0%(4/16) in transvaginal SFR. No fetal anomaly directly related to the procedure was encountered. It is suggested that transvaginal SFR could be performed more easily and earlier with the lower fetal loss rate as compared with transabdominal SFR. In conclusion, SFR is a rather safe and ethically justified procedure that may improve the outcome of multifetal pregnancies.