• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.183-193
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• 2015

Several transgenic marine medaka Oryzias dancena strains harboring a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter construct regulated by an endogenous ${\beta}$-actin promoter were established and their expression characteristics in relation to transgene copy numbers were examined in 21 transgene genotypes. Most of the transgenic strains displayed transgene insertion patterns typical of microinjection-mediated introduction of foreign DNA into fish embryos, characterized by the random integration of multiple transgene copies (ranging from 1 - 282 copies per cell), often accompanied by the formation of concatemer(s), as assessed by genomic Southern blot hybridization analysis and qPCR. Transgenic strains showed ubiquitous and continued temporal and spatial expression patterns of the transgenic GFP during most of their life cycle, from the embryonic stage to adulthood, enabling assessment of the expression pattern of the endogenous ${\beta}$-actin gene. However, a comparative evaluation of transgene copy numbers and expression levels showed that copy number-dependent expression, the stability of the ubiquitous distribution and expression efficiency per transgene copy varied among the transgenic strains. Fluorescence expression levels were positively correlated with absolute transgene copy numbers, whereas the expression efficiency per transgene copy was inversely related to the number of transgene integrant copies. Data from this study will guide the selection of potentially desirable transgenic strains with ubiquitous expression of a fluorescent transgene, not only in this marine medaka species but also in other related model fish species.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.253-260
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• 2013

We investigated the toxicological effects of Aroclor 1254 on the fertilized eggs, embryos and larvae of the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. The survival rate and hatching success of the embryos decreased significantly in treated groups in an Aroclor 1254-dose-dependent manner. Significant differences were found at ${\geq}5{\mu}g/L$ Aroclor 1254 compared to the control group. Hatching success occurred at ${{\leq}}10{\mu}g/L$ Aroclor 1254, which was not significantly different to the control. Embryo malformation increased significantly at ${\geq}1{\mu}g/L$, and included yolk-sac and tail-flexure abnormalities. There was a significant decrease in the survival rate of the larvae at ${\geq}5{\mu}g/L$, which was accompanied by the malformations described above. Notably, concentrations as low as $1{\mu}g/L$ caused a significant increase in abnormalities in the larvae, including incidences of multi-focal hemorrhages, pericardial and yolk-sac edema, inhibition of swim bladder inflation and severe developmental delay. The responses to Aroclor 1254-induced toxicity were generally similar among fertilized eggs, embryos and larvae from three separate flounder hatcheries: Cheju Island, Yeosu and Chungnam, South Korea. These results indicate the high acute toxicity of Arolcor 1254 concentrations of which as low as $1{\mu}g/L$ in olive flounder larvae can affect unhatched embryos. To conclude, the average $LC_{50}$ values for Aroclor 1254 in the embryos and larvae were 50.92 and $3.08{\mu}g/L$, respectively. Additionally, the average $EC_{50}$ values, based on the rate of damage were 14.72 and 5.6$1{\mu}g/L$, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.271-278
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• 1994

The aim of this study was to compare the two culture systems 1) co-culture with cumulus cells and 2) chemically defined medium supplemented with amino acids (CR1aa) and fetal calf serum (FCS) of in vitro produced bovine embryos from follicular oocytes in vitro. Bovine follicular oocytes were collected from ovaries of slaughtered cows and matured in TCM199 supplemented with 10% FCS and hormones (1$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml FSH-P and 1$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml oestradiol-17$\beta$)24 hours at 39$^{\circ}C$ under 5% CO2 in air. The capacitation of spermatozoa from ejaculated or frozen bull semen was induced by centrifugation through Percoll density gradient (45%, 90%). Then capacitated spermatozoa (1$\times$106/ml) were inseminated into 50${mu}ell$ droplet containing matured follicular oocytes and incubated for 40~42 hours. Cleaved embryos of 2~4cell stage were transferred to the co-culture with cumulus cells and/or CR1aa medium supplemented with FCS. In semen source, the developmental rates to the blastocyst and the hatched blastocyst stages were higher in ejaculated semen(27.6% and 14.9%) than those of frozen-thawed semen(18.3% and 11.8%), respectively. In two culture systems, the proportions of embryonic development upto the blastocysts and the hatched blastocysts were higher of CR1aa medium (22.1% and 12.1%) than those of cumulus cell co-culture (16.8% and 5.1%), respectively. The number of cells in exapnded blastocysts was slightly higher in cumulus cells co-culture (122.6$\pm$8.5) than that in CR1aa medium (117.9$\pm$5.9). The present results indicated that the early development of in vitro produced bovine embryos can be maintained efficiently in CR1aa medium as well as in co-culture with cumulus cells.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.462-473
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• 2010

Inductions of hybrids and reciprocal hybrids between Oryzias dancena and O. javanicus (ODJ and OJD) were conducted and backcross hybrids between female O. dancena and male ODJ were also produced for biological and cytogenetic analysis. Embryonic development of ODJ and OJD were compared with those of their parents. Developmental time was fastest in O. dancena and ODJ, followed by O. javanicus and OJD. Oryzias dancena hatched 11 days (d) after fertilization, ODJ at 13 d, O. javanicus at 14 d and OJD at 15 d. The abnormality of external morphology rate in ODJ was 10.6%; however, OJD showed a high degree of abnormality, over 90%. The proportion of males was 90.0% and 31.3% for ODJ and OJD, respectively. Cytogenetic analysis was conducted to obtain basic information for genetic identification of O. dancena, O. javanicus and their hybrids. The karyotypes of all experimental groups showed 2n=48 chromosomes and the fundamental number (FN) was 48. The first pair carried secondary constrictions near the centromeric regions. Erythrocyte area and volume were $9.8\;{\pm}\;0.5\;{\mu}m^2$ and $18.2\;{\pm}\;1.0\;{\mu}m^3$, respectively, for O. dancena, $8.3\;{\pm}\;0.5\;{\mu}m^2$ and $15.8\;{\pm}\;1.5\;{\mu}m^3$ in O. javanicus, and $18.3\;{\pm}\;0.5\;{\mu}m^2$ and $15.7\;{\pm}\;1.3\;{\mu}m^3$ in ODJ. Erythrocyte area and volume in ODJ were similar to those of O. javanicus. In backcross hybrids between female O. dancena and male ODJ, all embryos failed to develop and died in the late gastrula stage.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.581-589
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• 2020

Neurons have multiple dendrites and single axon. This neuronal polarity is gradually established during early processes of neuronal differentiation: generation of multiple neurites (stages 1-2); differentiation (stage 3) and maturation (stages 4-5) of an axon and dendrites. In this study, we demonstrated that the neuron-specific n-glycosylated protein NELL2 is important for neuronal polarization and axon growth using cultured rat embryonic hippocampal neurons. Endogenous NELL2 expression was gradually increased in parallel with the progression of developmental stages of hippocampal neurons, and overexpression of NELL2 stimulated neuronal polarization and axon growth. In line with these results, knockdown of NELL2 expression resulted in deterioration of neuronal development, including inhibition of neuronal development progression, decreased axon growth and increased axon branching. Inhibitor against extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) dramatically inhibited NELL2-induced progression of neuronal development and axon growth. These results suggest that NELL2 is an important regulator for the morphological development for neuronal polarization and axon growth.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.267-291
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• 2010

Life can be kept in suspended animation either before fertilization at oocyte stage or after fertilization at different stages of embryonic development for a variety of reasons. It not only has potential applications in fertility preservation and management in human but also has important roles in the preservation and management of animal genetic resources, low-cost international movement of selected genetics, and rapid dissemination of germplasm through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and genetic engineering. Currently, slow-freezing and vitrification are the two approaches by which oocytes and embryos can be cryopreserved for long-term storage. Both of these methods have their own advantages and disadvantages but allow the cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos with comparable efficiency. Vitrification of oocyte and embryos, although proven successful just 13 years after slow-freezing, is generally considered an emerging technology and appears to slow gain acceptance in both animal and human ART despite having controversial storage and contamination issues. In this manuscript, we discuss the basic techniques of oocyt/embryo cryopreservation and review the current status and recent developments in vitrification.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.52-55
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• 2018

This study retrospectively assessed whether time-lapse data relating to developmental timing and morphology were associated with clinical outcomes, with the eventual goal of using morphokinetic variables to select embryos prospectively for cryopreservation. In this study, we examined the clinical outcomes of single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer cycles that were cultured in a time-lapse incubation system. The morphokinetic variables included uneven pronuclei, an uneven blastomere, multinucleation, and direct, rapid, and irregular division. A total of 164 single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer cycles were analyzed (102 cycles of regularly developed blastocysts and 62 cycles of blastocysts with morphokinetic variables). No significant differences in the age of females or the standard blastocyst morphology were found between these two groups. The regularly developed blastocysts showed significantly higher implantation and clinical pregnancy rates than the blastocysts exhibiting morphokinetic variables (30.4% vs. 9.7% and 37.3% vs. 14.5%, respectively; p< 0.01). The blastocysts that exhibited morphokinetic variables showed different mean development times compared with the regularly developed blastocysts. Although morphokinetic variables are known to have fatal impacts on embryonic development, a considerable number of embryos developed to the blastocyst stage. Morphokinetic variables had negative effects on the implantation and clinical pregnancy rates in vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer cycles. These findings suggest that blastocysts cultured in a time-lapse incubation system should be considered for selective cryopreservation according to morphokinetic variables.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.149-160
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• 1992

Using the protein A-gold complex, the mvoabrillogenesis and actin localization of cultured myoblast were invastisated. In the superstructural changes of mvogenic cell during differentiation, pectoral myoblasts contained large nucleus and numerous ribosomes but no myofibrils during the first 24 hr of cultures. Mvoblast initiated to differentiate at 3-day of culture contained the primitive myofibrillar structure. At 96 hr of culture, the mvofibrillar structure showed reletively discernable Z band but pools defined A, H and M bands. The feature of sarcomeric structure showed more defined form at cultur 5 day. In the aspect of actin localization, actin wvas diffusely detected throughout the cytoplasm of myogenic cell and nucleus during the proliferating stage. At 72 hr of culture, with the appearantc oi primitive mvofibrils, gold particles were observed in surrounding of myofibrils but still presented in overall of cytoplasm, especially in the surface and lumen of endoplasmic reticulum. With the gradual increase of culture time, local distribution of actin was readily detected within cytoplasm. In the 5-day specimen of cultures, gold particles precisely indicate the sites of actin localifation within the sarcomere. These results indicate the time of onset of myofibrill appearance and the biosynthetic and incorporation pathway of actin molecules into sarcomeric structure during myofibrillogenesis. Thus, in the present study, the first mvoabrillar structure was detected at culture 3 day, and the initiation of assembly into a typical sarcmeric structure was observed at culture 5 day. It seems, however, that the course of events on myofibrillogenesis of cultured myoblasts can be changed with great dependence of culture conditions including the number and groluth rate of mononucleated mvoblasts after seeding although the fundamental process shows identical appearances.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of bisphenol A (BPA), which is known to have estrogenic activity, on the early development of medaka fish (Oryzias latipes). The fertilized eggs of medaka were treated with BPA at different concentrations for 3 weeks. Embryonic growth, deformation, hatching success, and gonadal differentiation were determined to observe the effects of this chemical. Also we tried to measure the estrogenic activity of bisphenol A using ELISA and RT-PCR methods. By using this techniques, we evaluated the induction of vitellogenin, an estrogen-regulated gene from the whole body-homogenates of larvae. At results, a reduced blood circulation was seen in embryos and peritoneal edema and hindrance of yolk-sac absorption were observed in larvae of treated group. However, BPA at the concentrations tested (2～200 ㎍/L) did not have severe adverse effects on the early life-stages. According to the observation of gonadal histology, inter-sex or sex -reversal was not found in all test fish. After the exposure was ended, vitellogenin mRNA and protein levels were measured in larvae and then their levels were found to be increased in treated group with 200㎍/L. These results indicate that BPA can induce the expression of vitellogenin in early life-stages as well as in adult male fish.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.221-231
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• 2012

The marine medaka Oryzias dancena choriogenin H gene (odChgH) and its mRNA expression during estradiol-$17{\beta}$ (E2) exposure were characterized. At the amino acid level, the choriogenin H protein is predicted to possess the conserved repetitive N-terminal region, as well as zona pellucida (ZP) and Trefoil factor family (TFF) domains. At the genomic level, odChgH has an eight-exon organization with a distribution pattern of transcription factor binding sites in the 5'-upstream region, which is commonly found in other estrogen-responsive genes. The tissue distribution pattern of odChgH mRNA was found to be gender-specific, whereby females showed a higher expression level and wider tissue distribution than did males. During embryonic development, odChgH mRNA was robustly detected from the stage of visceral blood vessel formation. Experimental E2 exposure of males resulted in odChgH mRNA being induced not only in the liver, but also in other several tissues. The E2-mediated induction was fairly dose-dependent. The basal expression levels of hepatic odChgH mRNA were lower in males that were acclimated to 30 ppt salinity than in those acclimated to 0 or 15 ppt salinity. In contrast, the inducibility of odChgH mRNA during E2 exposure was greater in seawater-acclimated fish than in brackish water- or freshwater-acclimated fish.