• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.7-17
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• 2001

Growth optima and tolerance ranges of marine algae species nay vary greatly during the developmental stage. The establishment stage is clearly of great importance for each generation, affecting the performance of the adult population. The present study was aimed to determine the effect of various concentrations of inorganic nutrients and heavy metals on germination and germlings of Ulva pertusa Kjellman (Chlorophyta). Percent germination increased rapidly as irradiance level increased, reaching the maximum at 100 ${\mu}$mol m$\^$-2/s$\^$-1/ in both east and west seawater. Percent germination in the east seawater was higher than that in the west seawater at irradiances lower than 30 ${\mu}$mol m$\^$-2/s$\^$-1/, and there was no difference in percent germination between the two different seawaters at irradiances higher than 60 ${\mu}$mol m$\^$-2/s$\^$-1/. Germling growth increased in the both cases with increasing irradiances but no growth was found in the dark. Overall germling area was larger in the east seawater than in the west seawater. Number of cell increased with increasing irradiance and became light-saturated at 100 ${\mu}$mol m$\^$-2/s$\^$-1/ in the both cases. Germlings grown in the east seawater had more cells than those cultivated in the west seawater at irradiances lower than 60 ${\mu}$mol m$\^$-2/s$\^$-1/. In various combinations of nitrate and phosphate, percent germination increased with increasing nitrate concentrations irrespective of phosphate concentrations. At 3 days after inoculation, nitrate concentration of 2.5 ppm with all phosphate concentrations promoted germination. Area and number of cell of germlings increased with increasing nitrate concentrations in all phosphate concentrations. In various combinations of copper and lead, germination was delayed as copper concentrations increased in all lead concentrations. Percent germination was severely reduced at 1 ppm Cu$\^$2+/. Area and number of cell of germlings decreased with increasing copper concentrations in all lead concentrations. The highest copper concentration (1 ppm) clearly suppressed the germling growth in U. pertusa.

• 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.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.23-33
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• 2001

When mammalian oocytes ovulate into the oviduct, associating follicular fluid components are exposed to the oviductal environment, possibly resulting in the mutual interaction between fillicu1ar and oviductal fluids. In the Present study, we have demonstrated for the first time that components of fallicular fluid could be modified by the oviductal fluid. Gelatin zymographic analyses of human follicular fluid (hFF) obtained from IVF patients showed consistently the presence of 110 kDa gelatinase (GA110) in addition to many bands among which 62 kDa gelatinase was predominant. Addition of EDTA or phenanfhroline to the gelatinase substrate buffer during gel incubation abolished GA110 band whereas phenylmethylsulffnyl fluoride (PMSF) did not. In contrast, bovine oviductal fluid(bOF) exhibited only 62 kDa gelatinase. Surprisingly, when bOF was added to hFF in 1:1 ratio and then the mixture was incubated for 3 h at 37$^{\circ}$C, GA110 of hFF disappeared. Disappearance of GA110 by bOF was observed even within 30 min after mixing with hFF. Addition of aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA) to hFF also abolished enzymatic activity of GA110 but increased the activityof 62 kDa gelatinase. However, APMA abolished many other gelatinases as well unlike bOF. Interestingly, treatment of hFF with EDTA for 3 h remarkably increased the enzymatic activity of GA110 but not that of other gelatinases. Addition of phenanthroline, PMSF or soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) did not affect overall gelatinase activities. Again, addition of bOF to the hFF pretreated with any of the above proteinase inhibitors abolished the appearance of GA110. Human serum also showed GAI 10 of which activity was greatlyenhanced by EDTA treatment. Similar to hFF, serum GA110 also disappeared by the addition of bOF. Human granulosa cell homogenate did not reveal any appreciable gelatinase activity except 92 kDa gelatinase. Anti-human gelatinase A antibody reacted with 62 kDa gelatinase of hFF. Based upon these results, it is concluded that bOF could selectively degrade an isoform of gelatinase A present in hFF and human serum.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2001

Predetermination of sex in livestock of offpring is in great demand and is of critical importance to providing for the most efficient production of the animal ariculture. Such a sexing techlology would also enhance the economy of conventional artificial insemination(AI) and aid the porcine industry. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of enriching X-bearing porcine sperm using discontinuous percoll gradients and PCR mefhod. Semen was collected from mature boars of proven fertility center (AI center KimHae). Sperm was leaded on the isotonic discontinuous percoll gradient and then it was centrifuged at 120 ${\times}$ g for 20 minutes. After centrifugation, sperm included in each fraction were recovered (7${\times}$10$^6$ sperms/ml) and then sperm genomic DNA was extractedfor the PCR. SRY gene was used to evaluate the ratio between X and Y sperm in the separated fractions. Ju viro ffrtilization wascarried out by adding the unseparated sperm (control) or separated (experimental poop) to the matured oocytes in TCM-199. Embryos for sex determination were obtained at 2 cell stage and then was used for SRY gene amplification. After centrifugation of discontinuous percoll gradient, the most motile sperm was obtained at 95% fiaction (94.4% ${\pm}$ 5.1%, p < 0.01). The PCR analysis evaluated that 30%, 50% and 65% fractions were Y sperm rich, whereas 80% and 95% fractions were X sperm rich. PCR analysis with each porcineembryo showed that 33.3% of control and 66.7% of experimental group were determined as female embryos. In conclusion, in vitro matured oocytes inseminated with sperms (95% fraction) prepared by percoll gradient centrifugation showed high fertilization rates and female embryos than control sperms.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 2006

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of culture period and fusion method on the development of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos reconstituted with Korean bovine fetal fibroblast cells (KbFF) and Korean bovine adult ear skin fibroblast cells (KbESF). KbFF were isolated from a day 51 Korean cattle (Hanwoo) fetus, and KbESF were isolated from a 28 month old Hanwoo calf. The cells were cultured up to 15 weeks (passage 15) in vitro for SCNT. Chamber and electrode needles were used for comparing fusion of reconstituted eggs. The doubling times of KbFF and KbESF were 17.3 hr and 24.3 hr, respectively. The fusion and cleavage rates were significantly higher in needle group (76.1 and 81.2% respectively, P<0.05) than those in chamber group. However, the blastocyst development rate was not different between both groups. Fusion and cleavage rates of NT eggs reconstituted with KbESF did not affected by passage number, however, blastocyst rates were lower in passage $1{\sim}4$ group (21.3%) than passage $5{\sim}8$ (39.4%) and $13{\sim}15$ groups (40.4%, P<0.05). Whereas, fusion rate was lower in passage $1{\sim}4$ group (61.5%) than those of passage $5{\sim}8$(75.0%) and $13{\sim}15$ (76.8%) groups, but cleavage and blastocyst rates were similar regardless of passage number in the KbFF. The results suggest that fusion method can affect the development of SCNT embryos, whereas the long term culture up to 15 passages may not affect the development of SCNT embryos.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2015

This study was carried out to investigate the reproductive and growing performances in sow farms located in Chungnam. Data collected from a total of 15 sow farms divided into 3 farm groups for 1 year were analyzed. The results obtained were as follows; The average of sow at small and large farms were 114.25 and 487.88 heads, respectively. And then, the difference among 3 groups in sow farm was not found significantly in farrowing rate. The significant difference among 3 farm groups was significantly found(p<0.05) in total litter size. The litter size born alive at sucking in small sow farm and middle farms were 9.93, and 10.48 pigs. The difference between small and large farms in number of pigs at weaning were significantly shown 8.89, and 9.35 pigs(p<0.05), respectively. The difference among 3 sow farms for ages at weaning showed significantly (p<0.05). The cycles of farrowing rate per year in small, large and middle farms were 2.17, 2.23 and 2.32, respectively. The significant difference among 3 sow groups was found in farrowing rate(p<0.05). The growing rate up to weaning for middle farms was significantly the higher level(94.70%) than that for other farms(p<0.05). The differences among 3 farm groups for marketing weight were not significantly shown.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to investigative the effects of retinol supplement to IVM and/or IVC medium on maturation, fertilization and development of pig oocytes. North Carolina State University (NCSU) 23 medium containing porcine follicular fluid (pFF) was used as base medium. Each 1 uM, 5 uM and 10 uM concentration of retinol was supplemented to IVM and /or IVC medium. When the retinol was supplemented to maturation medium, the maturation rates were not different (p>0.05) among treatment groups ($66.7{\pm}6.0{\sim}69.2{\pm}5.3%$), but the developmental rate to blastocyst stage was higher (p<0.05) in $5{\mu}M$ group ($20.4{\pm}2.6%$) than in 0 uM ($13.6{\pm}2.1%$) and 10 uM groups ($9.7{\pm}1.7%$). Moreover, total cell number was significantly greater (p<0.05) in the 5 uM group ($37.0{\pm}1.6$) than in the other groups ($29.8{\pm}1.0{\sim}33.2{\pm}1.0$). Retinol supplement to maturation medium did not significantly affect the rates of fertilization and polyspermy (p>0.05). When the retinol was supplemented to culture medium or both maturation and culture medium, the rates of cleavage, and develop to morula and blastocyst stage were not affected, while those of 10 uM group were significantly decreased (p<0.05). These results indicate that 5 uM retinol supplement in maturation medium significantly stimulates embryo development, also improves the total cell number of blastocyst stage in pig.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2005

The present study was conducted to examine some factors affecting in vitro development of oocytes from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in Korean native goats. Recipient oocytes were surgically collected after superovulation by using CIDR and FSH, PMSG, hCG and estrous synchronization in Korean Native goats. For nuclear transfer, the fibroblasts from caprine ear cells and fetal fibroblasts were surgically harvested and were cultured in vitro until cell confluency in serum-starvation condition (TCM-199 + $0.5\%$ FBS) for 3 to 5 days. The zona pellucidae of matured oocytes were partially drilled by laser irradiation. A single somatic cell was individually transferred into each enucleated oocyte. The reconstructed oocytes were then electrically fused and activated. Activated NT embryos were cultured in mSOF medium supplemented with $0.8\%\;BSA\;6\~7\;day\;at\;39^{\circ}C,\;5\%\;CO_2,\;5\%\;O_2,\;90\%\;N_2$ in air. There were no significant difference in the number of embryos cleaved and 4-cell development between the fibroblast nuclei from mature ear cells and fetal cells, but the rate of 8-cell development was higher (P<0.05) in ear cells $(40.5\%)$ than in fetal cells $(55.5\%)$. However, the embryo development to morula or blastocyst was not significantly different between both the groups$(6.7\%\;vs\;16.0\%)$, respectively. The number of embryo cleaved $(79.0\%)$ were higher (P<0.05) in the oocytes activated with ionomycin+6-DMAP than in the oocytes activated electrically $(9.5\%)$. The development of fused embryos to morula or blastocyst was found $15.6\%$ in ionomycin+6-DMAP, but no morula or blastocysts were developed in electrical stimulation. The development rate of SCNT embryos to morula or blastocyst was love. (P<0.05) in SCNT embryos $(19.0\%\;vs\;0.0\%)$ than that in parthenotes $(66.1\%\;vs\;59.1\%)$. In the parthenotes, the cleavage rate and development to morula or blastocyst were significantly higher (P<0.05) as $86.8\%\;and\;50.0\%$ in ovulated oocytes than in follicular oocytes $(69.0\%\;vs\;23.6\%)$, respectively. These results suggest that some factors Including superovulation treatment, oocyte source, maturation of follicular oocytes, activation method and culture condition may affect in vitro developmental capability of embryos produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer in Korean Native goats, and the fusion rate be greatly low compared with other species.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 2005

The present study examines the effects of kinds and concentrations of cryoprotectants, PVP and sucrose and trehalose on the survival rate of vitrified porcine embryos. 1. The developmental stages for the embryos used in vitrification were $245(23.0\%)$ for 2 cell stage, $256(24.1\%)$ for the blastocyst, $234(22.0\%)$ for the early blastocyst $221(20.8\%)$ from the expanded blastocyst and $107(10.1\%)$ from hatching blastocyst out of 1,063 embryos. 2 The survival rate of morula, early blastocyst and expanded blastocyst vitrification-thawed with EDT and EGS were $69.1\%,\;70.3\%,\;69.8\%\;and\;62.5\%,\;61.7\%,\;63.6\%$, respectively. The expanded blastocyst treated with EDS showed the highest survival rate compared with the other cryoprotectants. 3. The survival rate of early blastocyst, expanded blastocyst and hatching blastocyst vitrification-thawed with EDS diluted in $medium + 10\%$ FCS were $61.1\%,\;27.8\%,\;16.7\%$, respectively. This result were love. than the control of group $(92.3\%,\;71.2\%,\; 55.8\%)$. 4. The survival rate of embryos vitrified with EDS and EDT supplemented with $10\%\;and\;20\%$ PVP were $74.3\%,\;77.5\%\;and\;79.4\%,\;71.1\%$, respectively. The survival rate of vitrified embryos cultured for $24\~48$ hours were $37.1\%,\; 40.0\%\;and\;35.3\%,\;31.6\%$ which were significantly lower than that of non-cultured embryos. The survival rate of embryos vitrified with EDS and EDT supplemented between $10\%\;or\;20\%$ PVP did not have a significant difference. 5. The survival rate of embryos vitrification-thawed with EDS to morula, early blastocyst, expanded blastocyst and hatching blastocyst were $58.2\%,\; 36.4\%,\;14.5\%$ to morula, $62.5\%,\;45.8\%,\;20.8\%$ to early blastocyst, $74.1\%,\;61.1\%,\;29.6\%$ to expanded blastocyst and $60.0\%,\;40.0\%,\;14.0\%$ to hatching blastocyst.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.157-162
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• 2006

It is well known that unidentified factors in sera, hormones and growth factors promote the proliferation of granulosa cells and nuclear maturation of bovine COCs (cumulus oocytes complexes) in vitro. Attempts had been developed the simple composition of culture media and similar system to in vivo conditions has been applied. In the present study, we investigated the effect of FGF (fibroblast growth factor) on in vitro maturation and in vitro development of Hanwoo COCs. When the COCs were matured in HPM 199 (Inst. of Functional peptide, Japan) containing 0.1, 1 and 10 ng/ml FGF for 24 hr, maturation rates to metaphase II ($70.0{\sim}75.0%$) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of control group (0 ng/ml FGF, 37.5%). When matured COCs with FGF were cultured in maturation medium after in vitro fertilization, developmental rates to blastocysts were 9.5, 0 and 2.9%, respectively, compared to 25.0% of the control group (p<0.05). When the matured COCs with FGF were cultured in HPM 199 (IFP971, Inst. of Functional peptide, Japan) containing 10% FBS, 0.8% BSA or 0.1% PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), the blastocyst formation rates were 12.4, 12.8 and 8.5%, respectively, while the rates of matured COCs with FGF and cultured with IVMD and IVD (Inst. of Functional peptide, Japan) without serum were 38.4% and 34.8%, respectively (p<0.05). These results suggested that FGF is available for in vitro maturation of bovine COCs and is not suitable for in vitro development, but further investigation would be need for finding the synergistic autocrine/paracrine fashion of other growth factors in early bovine embryo development.