• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.87-93
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• 2012

The purpose of this experiment is to compare the pregnancy rate (PR) according to the state of the ovaries and uterus, according to the number of embryos transferred from cows and heifers and to investigate the method of artificial twin induction with Hanwoo $in$ $vitro$ fertilized (IVF) embryos by embryo transfer (ET). Looking at the PR according to the condition of the ovaries and uterus, the result was not influenced by the condition of the ovaries, but was significantly influenced by the state of the uterus. The PR according to the number of embryos transferred from cows was 36.8%, 53.0%, 50.5% for 1, 2, and 3 embryos respectively, and although there was a higher frequency of twin calves with 3 embryos than with 2, the calving rate was the highest with 2 embryos. In case of heifers, the transfer of 1 embryo showed the best pregnancy and calving rate, and although the PR was similar with 2 embryos (67.7 versus 66.4), in case of 2 embryos transferred there was high frequency of embryonic loss( 6.1%) occurred when a cow was diagnosed at 28 and 53 d after ET, total loss (21.3%; sum of fetal death, abortion and stillbirth after pregnant diagnosis at 60 day).

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 2012

The purpose of this experiment was to compare the pregnancy rate (PR) according to the state of the ovaries and uterus, according to the number of embryos transferred from cows and heifers and to investigate the method of artificial twin induction with Hanwoo in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos by embryo transfer (ET). Looking at the PR according to the condition of the ovaries and uterus, the result was not influenced by the condition of the ovaries, but was significantly influenced by the state of the uterus. The PR according to the number of embryos transferred from cows was 36.8%, 53.0%, 50.5% for 1, 2, and 3 embryos, respectively and although there was a higher frequency of twin calves with 3 embryos than 2, the calving rate was the highest with 2 embryos. In case of heifers, the transfer of 1 embryo showed the best pregnancy and calving rate, and although the PR was similar with 2 embryos (67.7 versus 66.4), in case of 2 embryos transferred there was high frequency of embryonic loss (6.1%) occurred when a cow was diagnosed at 28 and 53 d after ET, total loss (21.3%); sum of fetal death, abortion and stillbirth after pregnant diagnosis at 60 day.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.259-264
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• 2012

Solution of glycerol, ethylene glycol, sucrose, dextrose (GESD) and cryotop methods were carried out to investigate the survivability on vitrification of embryos. Embryos cultured in vitro were vitrified by GESD of 10 or 8 step and cryotop methods of 6 step, from cryopreservation step to frozen-thawed and culture step. Survival rate and ICM, TE cells of embryos were investigated after frozen-thawed 24 h. As a results, cryotop method was significantly (p<0.05) higher ($85.76{\pm}5.3$ vs. $66.71{\pm}2.4$, $44.80{\pm}2.1%$) than GESD 10 or 8 step methods on survivability. Also, In ICM cell number, cryotop method was significantly (p<0.05) higher to $45.67{\pm}4.7$ cells than GESD 8 step method. TE cell number was significantly (p<0.05) highest to $111.00{\pm}11.0$ cells in cryotop method. On the other hand, survival rate, TE and total cell number were all the significantly (p<0.05) high, except ICM in GESD 10 step method between GESD 10 step method and GESD 8 step method. In conclusion cryotop method was to be most effective, but it is considered necessary to study vitrification method for step-by-step freezing and thawing process.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 1997

This study was carried out to increase the viability of bovine frozen4hawed in vitro produced (IVP) embryos and pregnancy rate by direct transfer method. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were aspirated from excised Hanwoo ovaries and matured in TGM 199 for 20~22 hours at 38.5$^{\circ}C$ in 2% $CO_2$ in air. Matured oocytes were fertilized with capacitated sperm for 6 hours and then co-cultured with cumulus cells for 9 days. 63% of the oocytes cultured was deaved and 29% out of them developed into blastocysts. Good or excellent grade of blastocysts on D 7 or 8 were frozen with 1.8M ethylene glycol as a cryoprotectant for direct transfer. Frozen embryos were thawed at 2$0^{\circ}C$ water for 10 sec following 4~5 second in air. For the survival assay of frozen4hawed lVP blastocysts, they were cultured in TCM 199 supplemented with 100$\mu$M $\beta$-mercaptoethanol and 20% FCS for 72 hours. The percentage of embryos developed to re-expanded or hatched after 72 hours culture was 95. 5 and 77.3%, respectively. When frozen-thawed Ivp embryos were transferred to 43 synchronized recipients by direct transfer method, eighteen recipients (41.8%) was pregnant. The highest pregnant was in naturafly synchronized recipients (71.4%), but induced estrus by using PRID(29.2%) and PGF$_2$$\alpha$(20.0%) was showed lower pregnancy rate. The pregnancy rate was higher in day 7 blastocysts(56.0%) than day 8 blastocysts(22.2%). (Key words: in vitro produced, blastocyst, frozen-thawed, direct transfer)

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.187-193
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• 2003

Recently a protocol was developed that precisely synchronizes the time of ovulation in Hanwoo. Cows were treated with GnRH on Day 0, PGF$_2$$\alpha$ 7 d later, GnRH 2 d later, and then time-inseminated approximately 24 h after this second treatment with GnRH. Ovarian morphology was monitored cows by trans-rectal ultrasonography 6.5MHz linear transrectal probe(Sonovet - 600., Medison co. Korea) from 24 hr to 31 hrs after second GnRH injection. The result obtained summarized as follows - 1. Induced ovulation were 24 to 31hr after the second GnRH injection, but high induced ovulation was 28hr. 2. Conception rate with HML(High meat lin) and HIL(High milk lin) treatment were 48.1％(38/79) and 43.9％(40/91), respectively. 3. Conception rate of 1∼2 parity and 3∼4 parity was 44.3％ and 55％, respectively. 4. Conception rate of spring, autumn was more increased, 47.3％ than summer.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.193-201
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• 2001

This study was designed to examine the factors affecting in fertilization and development of embryos in vitro, and to examine whether zone drilling by laser irradiation can improve the hatching rate of IVF embryos from DNA marker-proved Hanwoo. DNA markers related to marbling score were identified using DNA fingerprinting with Ml3 probe and restriction enzyme Hae III. Oocytes were aspirated from immature ovarian follicles using a combined method of rectal ovarian-palpation and transvaginal ultrasound-guidance(6.5MHz) under local anesthesia. The aspirated oocytes were washed twice with fresh D-PBS containing 5% FBS and were rewashed 4 to 5 times with TCM-199 containing 5% FBS. A morphological grade of I to IV was assigned to each oocyte. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS. Sperm separation methods did not have any significant effect on cleavage or developmental abilities of IVF embryos. Significantly(P<0.05) higher cleavage rate was observed in embryos from GI(60.0%, 3/5), GII(69.2%, 18/26) and GIII(62.1%, 59/95) compared to embryos from GIV oocytes(36.2%, 25/69). And the developmental rate to blastocyst stage was higher(P<0.05) in embryos from GI(33.3%, 1/3) and GII oocytes(38.9%, 7/18) than those from GIII(16.9%,10/59) and GIV oocytes(4.0%, 1/25). There was no significant difference in development of IVF embryos to blastocyst by media for in vitro culture. Proportion of hatched blastocyst was significantly(P<0.05) higher in embryos received zona drilling by laser than those of non-drilled.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.265-271
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• 2014

Implementation of smart embryo technologies in cattle e.g. ovum pick-up followed by in vitro embryo production (OPU-IVP). Seasonal variation is important factor for follicular growth, oocytes quality, quantity and developmental competence. Therefore the aim of present study was carried out to investigated whether the seasons (hot and cool) effect on follicular development, oocyte recovery and subsequent embryo development. Follicular oocytes were aspirated from Korean native cows (Hanwoo) by the ovum pick-up (OPU) method, which was performed 24 times during two different seasons, the hot (July to September) and cool (October to December), from OPU donors. The recovered oocytes were classified according to morphological categories and used for in vitro embryo production (IVEP). The mean number of total follicles was significantly higher (p<0.05) during the hot season ($18.32{\pm}2.26$) compared to cool season ($15.41{\pm}3.34$). Furthermore, seasons did not significantly effect on the number of oocytes recovered (hot season: 41.16% vs. cool season: 46.14%). However, the average number of Grade A oocytes was significantly greater during hot ($1.75{\pm}1.86$) season compared to the cool season ($1.00{\pm}1.46$), but there was no significant difference of other grades oocytes. The cleavage rate (hot: 66.67% vs. cool: 63.3%) and embryo development (hot: 58.95% vs. cool: 56.97%) did not differ significantly between the seasons. In conclusion, the results of present study suggest that the season (hot and cool) does not have effects on the oocyte recovery and embryo developmental competence of in vitro cultured embryos.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.183-191
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• 2001

This study was designed to establish the superior method for IVF embryos from DNA marker-proved Hanwoo cattle. DNA markers related to marbling score were identified using DNA fingerprinting with Ml3 probe and restriction enzyme Hae III. Oocytes were aspirated from unstimulated. immature ovarian follicles using a combined method of rectal ovarian-palpation and transvaginal ultrasound-guidance(6.5MHz) under local abesthesia. The aspirated oocytes were washed twice with fresh D-PBS containing 5% FBS and were rewashed 4 to 5 times with TCM-199 containing 5% FBS. A morphological grade of I to IV was assigned to each oocyte. Data were analysed using the GLM procedure of SAS. Mean number of follicles identified on ultrasound was 5.5 $\pm$2.9 in right and 4.3 $\pm$2.8 in left ovaries, respectively. The highest follicles(16.6$\pm$2.6) were found in 5101 cow compared to others. Recovery rate of follicular oocytes in individual cow was highest in 5101 cow with 89.3% in > 2mm and 94.0% in $\leq$ 2mm follicles. Total recovery rate was significantly(P<0.01) higher in $\leq$ 2mm(85.7%, 130/154) than > 2mm follicles(74.2%, 201/271). Significantly more oocytcs of Grade IV were recovered from > 2mm follicles. Mean number follicles recovered was 4.8$\pm$3.7. 3.0$\pm$3.4 and 0.3$\pm$0.6 in $\leq$2mm, 2~6mm and $\geq$6mm follicles. respectively. Our results imply that the more fertilizablc oocytes can be recovered from invisible-immature follicles by the combination of simultaneous rectal ovarian-palpation and ultrasound-guided approach in Hanwoo cattle.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.194-199
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• 2007

Effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST) on plasma hormonal concentration, embryo quality, and pregnancy rate were examined during the superovulation and synchronization treatment in donor and recipient cows. Hanwoos (Korean native beef cattle) were treated with controlled internal drug release (CIDR) combined with bST (CIDR+bST) or without bST (CIDR) as donor cows. The embryos recovered from donors were transferred into Holstein recipient heifers treated with bST (CIDR+bST) or without bST (CIDR) for synchronization. The correlation between IGF-I and P4 showed a positive pattern in the CIDR+bST group (r=0.44, p<0.01), but a negative pattern was shown in the CIDR group (r = -0.59, p<0.02) at day 7 of estrous cycles. Although the number of recovered, transferable, and degenerated embryos was not different, quantities of grade 1 (excellent) embryos in CIDR+bST group were significantly higher than those of the CIDR group (p<0.01). The pregnancy rate was higher in the CIDR+bST recipient group compared to CIDR group (p<0.05), when the embryos were recovered from the donors treated with CIDR. However, the pregnancy was maintained highly in both recipient groups, when the embryos were produced by CIDR+bST treated donors. It can be concluded that bST administration combined with CIDR is an effective method for superovulation and synchronization treatment to stabilize plasma hormonal levels, to obtain excellent quality of embryos, and to get higher pregnancy rate.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2019

It is well documented that intensive selection in dairy cattle for economic value such as increased milk yield led to a decline in reproductive performance. Recent studies using genome-wide association studies (GWASs) discovered candidate genes involved in the lower fertility including embryo development and conception rates. However, the information, which showed a lower reproductive performance, is limited to dairy cattle, especially Holstein, and the candidate genes were not examined in the Korean native cattle Hanwoo which has been intensively selected and bred for meat in the last few decades. We selected the candidate genes WBP1 and PARM1 reported to be associated with cow and/or heifer conception in dairy cattle and analyzed the genotype because those genes have non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). To determine the single base change, we used the high resolution melting (HRM) assay which is rapid and cost-effective for a small number of genes. We found that most heifers with higher conception (1: service per conception) have the AA genotype coding Threonine rather than Proline in the WBP1 gene. We did not detect an association for a SNP in PARM1 in our analysis. In conclusion, the genetic variation of WBP1 can be used as a selective marker gene to improve reproductive performance, and HRM assay can be used to identify common SNP genotypes rapidly and cost effectively.