• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.219-227
• /
• 2004

This study was conducted to develop a serum-free, defined medium of IVM of pig oocytes. The TCM-199 with supplemented with polyvinylalcohol(PVA), polyvinylpyrrollidone(PVP) and porcine follicular fluid(pFF) were used as basal medium. The effects of the these additives on the rates of maturity and development under in-vitro fertilization and in vitro culture were examined and subsequently considered on the possibilities be sustituted for the bovine serum albumin(BSA). Maturation rate of pig oocytes in IVM media containing PVA(82.4％), pFF(89.4％) and BSA(90.0％) were significantly higher(P<0.05) than that of PVP(78.6％). Cleavage rate after IVF of PVP(64％) was significantly lower(P<0.05) than these of PVA(73％), pFF(77％) and BSA(73％) supplements. in vitro development rates to morulae and blastocyst on PVP(54％) were also significantly lower(P<0.05) than these of the supplements of PVA(63％), pFF(69％) and BSA(65％). In comparison of maturation and fertilization rates of pig oocytes in each supplements, the maturity rates of PVA(82.4％), pFF(89.4％) and BSA(90.0％) were significantly lower(P<0.05) than that of PVP(72.4％) and while, the fertilization rates of pFF(87.1％) and BSA(89.1％) were significantly higher(P<0.05) than these of PVA(78.0％) and PVP(70.6％). It may be concluded that PVA and pFF can be substituted far BSA in medium for culturing pig oocytes; however, it may be considered that PVP were limited to for BSA in the in vitro culture of the embryos.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2007

This study was conducted to examine the role of intact cumulus cells during in vitro fertilization (IVF) on sperm penetration, male pronuclear (MPN) formation and subsequent embryo development of oocytes matured and fertilized in vitro. Cumulus-oocyte complexes obtained from the slaughtered gilt ovaries were matured for 44 h in TCM199 containing 10% porcine follicular fluid, epidermal growth factor and hormones. After maturation culture, denuded oocytes or oocytes with intact cumulus cells were coincubated with frozen-thawed boar semen for 8h in a modified tris-buffered medium containing 5mM caffeine and 10mM calcium chloride. Putative zygotes were fixed and examined for sperm penetration and MPN formation (Experiments $1{\sim}3$), or cultured in North Carolina State University-23 medium fo. 156 h (Experiment 3). In Experiment 1, sperm penetration was examined after insemination of denuded oocytes and oocytes with intact cumulus cells at the concentration of $7.5{\times}10^5$ sperm/ml. Optimal sperm concentration for IVF of cumulus-intact oocytes was determined in Experiment 2 by inseminating intact oocytes with $2{\sim}5{\times}10^6$ sperm/ml. In Experiment 3, denuded or intact oocytes were inseminated at the concentrations of $7.5{\times}10^5$ and $4.0{\times}10^6$ sperm/ml, respectively, and in vitro embryo development was compared. Sperm penetration was significantly (p<0.01) decreased in cumulus-intact oocytes compared to denuded oocytes (35.2% vs. 77.4%). Based on the rates of sperm penetration and normal fertilization, the concentration of $4.0{\times}10^6$ sperm/ml was optimal for the IVF of intact oocytes compared to other sperm concentrations. The presence of intact cumulus cells during IVF significantly (p<0.05) improved embryo cleavage (48.8% vs. 58.9%), blastocyst (BL) formation (11.0% vs. 22.8%) and embryo cell number $(22{\pm}2\;vs.\;29{\pm}2\;cells)$ compared to denuded oocytes. In conclusion, these results suggest that intact cumulus cells during IVF inhibit sperm penetration but improve embryo cleavage, BL formation and embryo cell number of porcine embryos produced in vitro.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.19-24
• /
• 2013

This study assesses of efficiency of oocyte recovery and in vitro development for during the non breeding season in goat. Thirty-four matured goats, maintained in a pen under natural day length and fed hay ad libitum, were pretreated with progestagen implanted CIDR for 10 days. Superovulation treatment of the goats received twice daily intramuscular injections of a total of 70 mg FSH for 3 days from Day 8 of CIDR. All the gonadotropin treated goats were injected with 10 mg $PGF_2{\alpha}$ on Day 8 and 400~600 IU hCG in the afternoon on Day 10. Oocytes were recovered by follicle aspiration or oviduct flushing at 35 to 40 h after hCG injection through mid-ventral incision. The in vivo matured oocytes were activated by ionomycin (5 min) and 6-DMAP (3.5~4 h). The activated oocytes were cultured in mSOF medium containing 0.8% BSA at $38.5^{\circ}C$ in an atmosphere of 5% $CO_2$, 5% $O_2$, 90% $N_2$ for 7~8 days. There was no significant difference in the mean number of CL and in vivo matured and follicular oocytes recovered. But, quality of I+II grade follicular oocytes was lower (p<0.05) in the prepubertal goat (25.0%) than the adults (52.4%). The same results were also observed in the cleavage and blastocyst rate of activated oocytes. The clavage and blastocyst rate from prepubertal derived oocytes were lower (p<0.05) in the prepubertal goat (54.5%, 23.3%) than the adult goat (86.8%, 46.6%). Considering overall these results, we suggest that maturation of donor goats is a major factor affecting recovered oocytes quality and in vitro development of activated goat oocytes. There was no significant difference in oocyte quality between seasonal treatments.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.169-176
• /
• 2005

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is novel DNA amplification methods that amplifies a target sequence specifically under isothemal condition. The present study was to assess the in vitro viability afier biopsy and sexing rate of different types of embryo biopsied. In vivo compact morulae and blastocyst embryos were obtained from Korean Native Cow (KNC) superovulated with FSH (Antorin, R-10) on 7 Day after artificial insemination. in vitro compact morulae and blastocyst embryos were obtained with KNC or Holsteins that were gained on 6, 7 or 8 day after in vitro fertilization(IVF) with frozen semen. Biopsy of bovine embryo was carried out in a $80{\mu}l$ drop with $Ca^{2+}-Mg^{2+}$ free D-PBS and the viability of biopsied embryos were evaluated in IVMD (IFP, Japan) medium at 12 hrs culture time. The sex ratio of biopsied Hanwoo embryos were male vs. female of $43.5\%\;vs.\;56.5\%$ in vivo and $33.9\%\;vs.\;49.2\%$ in vitro respectively, and male rate of biopsied Holstein embryos were significantly higher than female $(70.8\;vs.\;29.2\%)$. and indefinite rate of in vitro embryos was $16.9\%$ and in vivo was not. The degeneration rate of biopsied embryo, in vitro embryos were significantly higher than in vivo $(13.2\%\;vs,\;0.0\%,\;p<0.05)$. The survivability of in vivo embryo were between biopsied following punching method was significantly (P<0.05) higher than bisection method produced embryos $(100\%\;vs.\;83.3\%)$ and in vitro had no difference. However, the degeneration rate of biopsied embryo by bisection method was significantly higher than punching methods between in vivo and in vitro $(16.7\;vs.\;22.6\%,\;respectively,\;p<0.05)$. In conclusion, these results indicate that punching method was optimal and survivability after embryo biopsy was useful for reducing the damage caused by the embryo biopsy procedure for LAMP-based embryo sexing.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.195-200
• /
• 2015

The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicities of permeable cryoprotectants and finally to establish the cryopreservation method of surplus embryos obtained during assisted reproductive technology (ART). Toxicities of permeable cryoprotectants, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG), Glycerol, and 1,2-PROH were investigated using a murine embryo model. Female $F-{_1}$ mice were stimulated with gonadotropin, induced ovulation with hCG and mated. Two cell embryos were collected and cultured after exposure to among DMSO, EG, Glycerol, and 1,2-PROH. Embryo development was evaluated up to the blastocyst stage. The total cell count of blastocysts that were treated with DMSO and Glycerol at the 2-cell stage was significantly lower than that were treated with EG ($81.1{\pm}15.1$), 1,2-PROH ($88.0{\pm}21.1$) or the control ($99.9{\pm}21.3$) (p<0.001). On comparison of four cryoprotectant treated groups, the DMSO and Glycerol treated group showed a decreased cell count compared with the EG and 1,2-PROH treated group (p<0.05). Both DMSO ($14.7{\pm}1.3$), EG ($12.1{\pm}1.1$), Glycerol ($15.2{\pm}1.8$), and 1,2-PROH ($11.5{\pm}1.3$) treated groups showed higher apoptosis rates of cells in the blastocyst compared with the control ($6.5{\pm}0.7$, p<0.0001). In addition, the DMSO or Glycerol treated group showed more apoptotic cells than the EG or 1,2-PROH treated group (p<0.001). The potential toxicity of cryoprotectants was uncovered by prolonged exposure of murine embryos to among DMSO, EG, Glycerol, and 1,2-PROH at room temperature. When comparing four permeable cryoprotective agents, EG and 1,2-PROH appeared to be less toxic than DMSO and Glycerol at least in a murine embryo model.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.7-15
• /
• 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficiency of nicotinic acid on sperm cryosurvival and fertilization ability in frozen-thawed boar semen. Boar semen was collected by glove-hand method and was frozen using freezing solution treated to 0, 5, 10 and 20 mM of nicotinic acid. The frozen sperm for sperm characteristic analysis was thawed such as viability, acrosome reaction, and mitochondrial integrity. The frozen-thawed sperm was estimated by SYBR14/PI double staining for viability, FITC-PNA/PI double staining for acrosome reaction and Rhodamine123/PI double staining for mitochondrial integrity using a flow cytometry. The embryo was estimated in vitro development and DCFDA staining for reactive oxygen species assessment. As results, frozen-thawed sperm viability was significantly higher in 5 and 10 mM ($61.1{\pm}1.5%$,$64.7{\pm}2.0%$) of nicotinic acid than other groups (0 mM, $52.1{\pm}2.3%$; 20 mM, $47.8{\pm}5.1%$, P<0.05). The live sperm with acrosome reaction was significantly higher in 5 and 10 mM of nicotinic acid ($26.1{\pm}1.8%$, $24.9{\pm}1.5%$) than other groups (0 mM, $35.3{\pm}0.8%$; 20 mM, $36.5{\pm}1.9%$, P<0.05). The live sperm with mitochondrial integrity was significantly higher in 5 and 10 mM ($84.2{\pm}3.6%$, $88.4{\pm}2.3%$) of nicotinic acid than other groups (0 mM, $77.3{\pm}4.4%$; 20 mM, $73.3{\pm}3.6%$, P<0.05). Blastocyst rate of in vitro development was significantly higher in 10 mM ($17.0{\pm}1.3%$) of nicotinic acid than other groups (0 mM, $9.4{\pm}0.5%$; 5mM, $12.6{\pm}0.8%$; 20 mM, $5.0{\pm}1.0%$, P<0.05). Moreover, total cell number was higher in 5 and 10 mM ($53.6{\pm}2.9%$, $57.9{\pm}2.8%$) of nicotinic acid than other groups (0 mM, $41.0{\pm}1.4%$; 20 mM, $23.2{\pm}2.8%$, P<0.05). Hydrogen peroxide in embryos was lower in 5 mM nicotinic acid ($0.7{\pm}0.1%$) than other groups (0 mM, $1.0{\pm}0.1%$; 10mM, $0.9{\pm}0.0%$; 20 mM, $1.4{\pm}1.0%$, P<0.05). In conclusion, nicotinic acid-treated semen improves cryosurvival and quality of spermatozoa. Also, the fertilized oocytes with nicotinic acid improve quality of embryo and blastocyst formation.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2001

This study was to test whether in vitro matured Hanwoo oocytes can be successfully cryopreserved by a new vitrification procedure using MVC method. For the vitrification, oocytes were pretreated in 10% ethylene glycol (EG10) for 5~10 min, exposed in EG30 for 30 sec, each oocyte was individually put on the inner wall of 0.25 $m\ell$ straw, and then straws were directly plunged into L$N_2$. Thawing was taken by 4-step procedures 〔1.0 M sucrose (MS), 0.5 MS, 0.25 MS, and 0.125 MS〕 at 37$^{\circ}C$. In vitro developmental capacity (survival, cleavage ($\geq$2-cell) and blastocyst rates) in vitrified group was no significant difference compared to that in other treatment groups (exposed; 100.0, 74.4, 32.3% and control; 100.0, 78.3, 36.3%): high mean percentage of oocytes (91.2%) was survived, 69.4% of them were cleaved and 27.9% of cleaved embryos were developed to blastocyst. Especially, after transfer of in vitro developed embryos in vitrified group, four of six recipient animals were pregnant and three of them were ongoing-pregnant by manual palpation at 250 days after transfer. This result demonstrates that MVC method is very appropriate freezing method for the Hanwoo in vitro matured oocytes and that ovum bank can be maintained efficiently by MVC cryopreservation method.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.207-212
• /
• 2009

The aim of present experiment was to examine commercial synthetic extender(AndroMed) for semen cryopreservation of Korean Black Bull. Semen was collected from a Korean Black Bull using an artificial vagina and transported to the laboratory. The semen was diluted 1:1 by AndroMed. The pellect was diluted to final sperm concentration of $5{\times}10^5/ml$ by doubling in every 10 minutes at $4^{\circ}C$ cold chamber. The semen was equilibrated for 1 hr at cold chamber and packed to 0.5 ml straw. The semen straws were located above 5 cm of liquid nitrogen for 5 minutes, above 5 cm for 10 minutes and above 10 cm for 10 min. And then the frozen straw was plunged to $LN_2$. The presented straws were examined the viability and motility after thawed at $37^{\circ}C$ water bath. Hanwoo semen was used as KPN (Korea Proven Bull Number) in this experiment. The survival rates was significantly higher in fresh semen than frozen semen ($80{\pm}14%\;and\;43{\pm}11%$). However, the motility rates was similar (80.7% and 66.4%). The survival and motility rates were higher in 5cm, 10 min treatment group than the other two groups in straw-located height and duration above $LN_2$ ($50{\pm}14%$ and 70.7% vs, 33.18% and $65{\pm}7%$ vs, 30.14% and 65.7%, respectively). The development rates to cleavage was higher in Black Cow than Hanwoo semen (62.2%, 64.4%), However, The development rates to blastocyst was higher in Hanwoo than Black cow semen (25.9%, 23.0%). In conclusion. The present results that acceptable fertilization and cryopreservation could be obtained by in vitro fertilization with frozen-thawed semen using a synthetic semen extender (AndroMed).

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

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.261-267
• /
• 2012

The technique of SCNT is now well established but still remains inefficient. The in vitro development of SCNT embryos is dependent upon numerous factors including the recipient cytoplast and karyoplast. Above all, the metaphase of the second meiotic division (MII) oocytes have typically become the recipient of choice. Generally high level of MPF present in MII oocytes induces the transferred nucleus to enter mitotic division precociously and causes NEBD and PCC, which may be the critical role for nuclear reprogramming. In the present study we investigated the in vitro development and pregnancy of White-Hanwoo SCNT embryos treated with caffeine (a protein kinase phosphatase inhibitor). As results, the treatment of 10 mM caffeine for 6 h significantly increased MPF activity in bovine oocytes but does not affect the developmental competence to the blastocyst stage in bovine SCNT embryos. However, a significant increase in the mean cell number of blastocysts and the frequency of pregnant on 150 days of White-Hanwoo SCNT embryos produced using caffeine treated cytoplasts was observed. These results indicated that the recipient cytoplast treated with caffeine for a short period prior to reconstruction of SCNT embryos is able to increase the frequency of pregnancy in cow.