• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.73-84
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• 2013

Objectives: This study aims to identify associated factors in female infertility treatment using herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion. Methods: Acupuncture and moxibustion treatments were performed with intake of herbal medicines (Jokyungjongoktanggagam-bang, Sutaehwangagam-bang) for six menstrual cycles in 32 subfertile women. The variables selected for initial analysis were age, duration and type of infertility, frequency of previous In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and live births, weekly frequency of sexual intercourse, number of treatment cycles, endometrial thickness on MCD15 and hormonal parameter (anti-mullerian hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estrone). Results: Six patients became pregnant (18.75%) and seven patients withdrew. Factors influenced pregnancy were age (${\leq}35$ years), a shorter duration of infertility (<6 years), frequency of IVF (${\leq}3$), anti-mullerian hormone level (>1 ng/ml), and number of treatment cycles(${\leq}3$ cycles). Conclusions: Korean medicine is a useful and optimized treatment option for women with younger age, fewer previous IVF cycles, shorter infertile duration and normal anti-mullerian hormone level at first 3 cycles of treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.69-76
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• 1994

The survival and pregnancy rates were compared between non-frozen embryos and cryopreserved embryos at either pronucleate or 2-4 cell stages using the freezing and thawing techniques being identical in both groups were compared with fresh embryos. 496 embryos were frozen with 1, 2-propanediol and sucrose and 117 2-4 cell stages embryos had been thawed and 79.6 and 66.0% of them respectively were survival. Clinical pregnancy rate was 19.2% for embryos frozen at the pronucleate stage and 19.0% for embryos frozen at the 2-4 cell stages while the pregnancy rate of non-frozen embryos was 21.3%. There were no significant difference in the survival and pregnancy rates of embryos frozen at pronucleate and 2-4 cell stages. The current cumulative pregnancy rate per retrieval in all cycles with frozen zygotes is 35.4 %, consid~ erably higher than observed in single transfers of embryos without cryopreservation(21.3%); predicted pregnancy rate after transfer of all frozen embryos is 43.3 %. It is concluded that firstly, the survival and pregnancy rate of cryopreserved embryos at pronucleate or 2-4 cell stages are very similar to those from their fresh embryos and non-frozen embryos and secondly, cryopreservation substantially enhances pregnancy attainment from in vitro fertilization.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2012

Objective: This study was performed to assess the prognostic value of serum hCG, progesterone, and inhibin A levels measured at 11 days post-ET for predicting pregnancy outcome in women participating in IVF. Methods: Between May 2005 and April 2008, sera were obtained from 70 infertile women who underwent IVF-ET at 11 days post-ET and stored. HCG, progesterone, and inhibin A levels were measured by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The predictive accuracy of hCG, progesterone, and inhibin A levels for establishment of intrauterine pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy was calculated by receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: For the prediction of intrauterine and ongoing pregnancy, serum hCG was better than progesterone and inhibin A. The predictive performance of progesterone and inhibin A was similar. The serum progesterone and inhibin A levels were significantly correlated each other (r=0.915, p=0.010). Conclusion: A single measurement of the serum hCG level is sufficient to predict pregnancy outcome in IVF-ET patients.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2012

This study evaluated a method of sorting X and Y chromosomes based on size using the forward angle light scatter related refractive index (FSC) of a flow cytometer. Hanwoo bulls sperm were separated to X and Y chromosomes by the parameters of FSC or Hoechst 33342 intensity. As a result, using monitor program linked flow cytometry during sorting processing, the purities were $97{\pm}0.57$ or $96{\pm}0.67%$ for the X-fraction and $96{\pm}0.33$ or $97{\pm}1.33%$ for the Y-fraction in the two sperm sorting methods. There were no differences in the X and Y ratios (X and Y %) between the sperm sorting methods based on FSC or DNA content. The proportions of female and male embryos used for in vitro fertilization and development were $66.03{\pm}3.31$ or $69.37{\pm}1.41%$, and $70.56{\pm}2.42$ or $56.11{\pm}3.09%$ when sperm were processed using the sex sorting method by FSC or Hoechst 33342. In conclusion, further study is needed to determine the optimum procedure and improve the nozzle to enhancing sorting accuracy or efficiency. Also, the findings of this study do not negate the possibility that the difference method of sperm sorting cannot use a UV laser beam.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2020

Objectives: This review is aimed at assessing the efficacy and effectiveness of oriental medicine for the prevention of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) through literature research and overview. Methods: Database searching was conducted to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on oriental medicine for the prevention of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome. Studies were searched from Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korean studies Information Service System, Korean Medical Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Cochrane library, PubMed and EmBase up to 7^th November, 2019. Results: Ten RCTs were finally selected. Eight studies intervened with oral Chinese herb medicine, one is intervened with Chinese medicine enema and the other with acupuncture. Eight studies concluded that intervention with oriental medicine significantly decreased OHSS incidence. Five studies showed significantly higher pregnancy rate in the intervention groups. Two studies reported higher ovulation rate and other two studies showed more maturated eggs than the control groups. Four studies showed opposite results in serum Estradiol level. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor level was significantly lower in the intervention groups in two studies. Conclusions: From ten studies, oriental medicine reduced OHSS incidence rate and showed preventable effectiveness. Further strictly designed studies and acupuncture intervened studies are needed to establish evidences.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.277-283
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• 2020

Objective: The sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) guides the clinician's choice of an appropriate assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedure. The DFI can be determined using commercially available methodologies, including sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) kits and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA). Currently, when DFI is evaluated using SCD kits, the result is analyzed in reference to the SCSA-derived threshold for the choice of an ART procedure. In this study, we compared DFI values obtained using SCSA with those obtained using SCD and determined whether the difference affects the choice of ART procedure. Methods: We compared SCSA to two SCD kits, CANfrag (n=36) and Halosperm (n=31), to assess the DFI values obtained, the correlations between tests, the technical repeatability, and the impact of DFI on the choice of ART. Results: We obtained higher median DFI values using SCD kits than when using SCSA, and this difference was significant for the CANfrag kit (p<0.001). The SCD kits had significantly higher coefficients of variation than SCSA (p<0.001). In vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) would be chosen for a significantly higher proportion of patients if a decision were made based on DFI derived from SCD rather than DFI determined using SCSA (p=0.003). Conclusion: Our results indicate that SCD kit-specific thresholds should be established in order to avoid the unnecessary use of IVF/ICSI based on sperm DNA damage for the management of infertility. Appropriate measures should be taken to mitigate the increased variability inherent to the methods used in these tests.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2005

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of saccharide in the lactose-egg yolk(LEY) extender for freezing of boar semen on the viability, normal acrosome, fertilizable of in vitro or in vivo oocyte after thawed. Normal acrosome post-thawed spermatozoa was higher when increasing of glucose concentration in LEY extender with 3 or $4\%$ glycerol, but viability was not significant. Viability of the post-thawed spermatozoa was higher when fructose or fructose and glucose were added to LEY extender with $3\%$ glycerol than glucose and sucrose or fructose, glucose and sucrose(P<0.05). Rate of normal acrosome of post thawed spermatozoa was higher when both fructose and glucose$(81.4{\pm}2.3\%)$ were added to the LEY extender than saccharide not added$(41.6\pm0.6\%)$ to it(P<0.001). The percentage of fertilization, cleavage and development to blastocyst of oocytes fertilized with post-thawed spermatozoa from freezing by LEY extender were $70.8\~80.7\%$, $44.6\~45.7$ and $13.6\~16.0\%$, respectively. Conception rate by artificial insemination with frozen boa. semen was higher$(83.1{\pm}0.3\%)$ than commercial frozen semen from SGI company$(50.0{\pm}0.1\%,\;P<0.05)$, but litter size were no significant differences between frozen by LEY extender$(9.4{\pm}1.7\~10.4{\pm}0.7head/sow)$ and SGI semen$(8.0{\pm}1.1 head/sow)$.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.139-147
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• 2002

Objective : This study was to establish a reproducible differentiation system from the parthenogenetic mouse embryonic stem (P-mES02) cells into functional cardiomyocytes like as in vitro fertilization mouse embryonic stem (mES01) cells. Materials and Methods: To induce differentiation, P-mES02 cells were dissociated and aggregated in suspension culture environment for embryoid body (EB) formation. For differentiation into cardiomyocytes, day 4 EBs were treated with 0.75% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for another 4 days (4-/4+) and then were plated onto gelatin-coated dish. Cultured cells were observed daily using an inverted light microscope to determine the day of contraction onset and total duration of continuous contractile activity for each contracting focus. This frequency was compared with the results of DMSO not treated P-mES02 group (4-/4-) and mES01 groups (4-/4+ or 4-/4-). For confirm the generation of cardiomyocytes, beating cell masses were treated with trypsin-EDTA, dispersed cells were plated onto glass coverslips and incubated for 48 h. Attached cells were fixed using 4% paraformaldehyde and incubated with specific antibodies (Abs) to detect cardiomyocytes (anti-sarcomeric ? -actinin Ab, 1 : 100; anti-cardiac troponin I Ab, 1 : 2000) for 1 h. And the cells were finally treated with FITC or TRITC labelled 2nd Abs, respectively, then they were examined under fluorescence microscopy. Results: Rhythmically contracting areas in mES01 or P-mES02 cells were firstly appeared at 9 or 10 days after EBs plating, respectively. The highest cumulative frequency of beating EBs was not different in both treatment groups (mES01 and P-mES02, 4-/4+) with the results of 61.3 % at 13 days and 69.8% at 15 days, respectively. Also, the contracting duration of individual beating EBs was different from minimal 7 days to maximal 53 days. However, DMSO not treated groups (mES01 and P-mES02, 4-/4-) also had contracting characteristics although their frequency was a few compared to those of DMSO treated groups (6.0% and 4.0%). Cells recovered from the spontaneously contracting areas within EBs in both treated groups were stained positively with muscle specific anti-sarcomeric ? -actinin Ab and cardiac specific anti-cardiac troponin I Ab. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the P-mES02 cell-derived cardiomyocytes displayed similarly structural properties to mES01 cell-derived cardiomyocytes and that the DMSO treatment enhanced the cardiomyocytes differentiation in vitro.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.60-79
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• 2020

Objectives: This review plans to assess the efficacy and effectiveness of oriental medicine for the treatment of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) through literature research and overview. Methods: Database searching was conducted to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on oriental medicine for the treatment of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome. Studies were searched from Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korean Medical Database, Korean studies Information Service System, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Cochrane library, PubMed and EmBase up to 21^st May, 2020. Results: Seventeen studies were finally selected. Fifteen studies intervened with oral Chinese herb medicine, two studies intervened with acupuncture and moxibustion. Nine studies concluded that intervention with oriental medicine significantly relieved OHSS symptoms. Three studies reporting ovary diameter, four studies reporting abdominal circumference and other four studies reporting pelvic effusion showed significant reduction compared to control groups. Six studies showed significantly shorter duration for hospitalization in intervention groups. Only one study showed significantly higher pregnancy rate. Factors related with vascular permeability and blood cell coagulation were significantly lowered in intervention groups in general. Conclusions: From seventeen studies, oriental medicine relieved OHSS symptoms and showed treatment effectiveness. Further strictly designed studies and long-term observed studies are needed to establish evidences.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.295-300
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• 2001

Objective : To assess the effects of progesterone and acetyl-L-carnitine used after treated with Isolate�� gradient before semen cryopreservation-thawing on sperm parameters and membrane integrity. Material and Methods : From April 2001 to July 2001, ten normal male partner of couples who were visited in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics. the semens were treated with $Isolate^{(R)}$ gradient before cryopreservation, spermatozoa was incubated with progesterone (1, 5 and $10{\mu}M$), acetyl-L-carnitine (2.5, 5 and $10{\mu}M$), or both (progesterone, $1{\mu}M$; and acetyl-L-carnitine, $5{\mu}M$) for 30 min. Results: There were no differences in sperm parameters and vital stain among isolate only treated group, progesterone (1, 5 and $10{\mu}M$), acetyl-L-carnitine (2.5, 5 and $10{\mu}M$) and both (progesterone, $1{\mu}M$; and acetyl-L-carnitine, $5{\mu}M$). But, in high concentration of acetyl-L-carnitine ($10{\mu}M$) treated group, sperm parameters and vital stain were decreased. The statistical method was used ANOVA (Kruskal-Wallis test) and p value was <0.01. Conclusions : Neither progesterone nor acetyl-L-carnitine show to be protective effect on the cryodamage assessed by sperm parameters and vital stain (eosin-Y stain) in normal sperm. High concentration of acetyl-L-carnitine ($10{\mu}M$), however, was harmful effect on cryoprevention.