• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.167-175
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• 2008

This study was performed to investigate the result that in-vivo or in-vitro embryos of Hanwoo cows were transferred to Holstein cows. Seventeen Hanwoo cows were used as donors for production of in-vivo embryos and fresh hanwoo in-vivo embryos were transferred to 1,150 Holsteins. And 2 embryos were transferred to 188 Holstein recipients to produce twin calves. Diagnosis on pregnancy was performed by rectal palpation at $60\sim90$ days after transfer. The pregnancy rate of Holstein recipients was 55.8% after transfer with Hanwoo in-vivo embryos and 38.2% after transfer with Hanwoo in-vitro embryos. The delivery rate of pregnant Holstein recipients was 88.4% after transfer with Hanwoo in-vivo embryos and 75.6% after transfer with Hanwoo in-vitro embryos. The rate of delivery of Holstein recipients transferred with two Hanwoo embryos was 36.2% and the rate of twin production was 25.9%. The rate of twin production by embryo transfer with in-vivo embryos was 30.4%, whereas the fate with in-vitro embryos was 15.6%. The pregnancy rate according to the grade of corpus luteum of Holstein recipients transferred with Hanwoo in-vitro embryos was 41.5 and 36.0% for A and B grade, respectively. The pregnancy rate according to the transfer in site in the uterine lumen of recipients was 40.9 and 32.7% for anterior and middle site, respectively. The pregnancy rate according to day of embryo transfer after estrus of recipients was 45.5, 38.8 and 39.7% for day 6, day 7 and day 8, respectively. There was difference of pregnancy rate according embryo transfer technician ($30.5\sim45.8%$) individual dairy farm ($21.1\sim51.0%$). These results are supposed to indicate that the rate of pregnancy after transfer with Hanwoo embryos to Holstein recipients was similar to that within the same breed, and consequently that this method would be beneficial to enhance the productivity in Hanwoo reproduction.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 1995

This experiments were carried out to investigate the viabilities and the pregnancy rate of frozen-thawed IVF bovine embryos in various media, cryoprotectants and age of embryos produced. Hanwoo oocyte were collected in size of 2~7mm follicles, matured for 20~22hrs at 38.5$^{\circ}C$ in 5% CO2 incubator and then in vitro fertilized with Hanwoo semen. Blastocysts or more developed embryos at Day 7, 8 and 9 were frozen in 1.5 or 1.8M ethylene glycol. Viability of frozen thawed IVF embryos were identified the reformation of blastocoele after thawing and culture for 24~48 hours at 38.5$^{\circ}C$ in 5% CO2 incubator. Production rate of Hanwoo IVF embryos in TCM 199 and CR1aa ws 21.3%(39/183) and 28.1%(41/146), respectively. The viability of frozen thawed IVF embryos was higher rate in 1.8M ethylene glycol and Day 7 embryos than that in 1.5M and Day 8.53 cows out of 100 Hanwoo receipients transfered IVF embryos were pregnant and twin production rate was 26.3%.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.149-154
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• 2012

This study was carried out to investigate effective condition for producing somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos of Jeju native cattle. As donor cells for SCNT, ear skin cells from Jeju native cattle were used. In experiment 1, the effect of recipient oocyte sources on the development of Jeju native cattle SCNT embryos were examined. Fusion rate of recipient oocyte and donor cell was not different between the Hanwoo and Holstein recipient oocytes (86.0% vs 89.9%). The rate of embryos developing to the blastocyst stage was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Hanwoo recipient oocytes than in Holstein recipient ones (28.2% vs 14.7%). Blastocysts derived from Hanwoo recipient oocytes contained higher numbers of total cells than those derived from Holstein ones ($115.1{\pm}40.8$ vs $101.4{\pm}33.3$), although there were no significant difference. The mean proportion of apoptotic cells in blastocyst was not different between the sources of recipient oocytes. In experiment 2, the development of Jeju native cattle and Hanwoo SCNT embryos were compared. Hanwoo oocytes were used as the recipient oocytes. Fusion rate was not different between the Jeju native cattle and Hanwoo SCNT embryos (92.1% vs 92.9%). The blastocyst rate of SCNT embryos was significantly (p<0.05) lower in Jeju native cattle than in Hanwoo (16.9% vs 31.0%). Blastocysts derived from Jeju native cattle SCNT embryos contained smaller numbers of total cells than those derived from Hanwoo ones ($136.6{\pm}33.7$ vs $149.9{\pm}39.7$), but there were no significant difference. The mean proportion of apoptotic cells in blastocyst was not different between the Jeju native cattle and Hanwoo SCNT embryos. The present study demonstrated that Hanwoo recipient oocytes were more effective in supporting production of Jeju native cattle SCNT embryos, although Jeju native cattle SCNT embryos showed reduced developmental capacity when compared to Hanwoo SCNT embryos.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.255-261
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• 2000

The objective of this study was to improve the efficiency of bovine embryo transfer by transferring of Hanwoo embryos into Hanwoo or Holstein recipients. The cryopreserved or fresh in vitro produced(IVP) embryos were transferred into uterine horn contralaterally or ipsilaterally to the corpus luteum. The recipients were inseminated by artificially on the next day of estrus. The pregnancy was diagnosed by rectal palpation at 60∼90 days after transfer of the embryos. The pregnancy rate by transfer of one or two embryos was 78%(7/9) and 74%(31/42), respectively. The pregnancy rates according to the grade of corpus lutea of recipients was 75% (20/27) and 82.0%(18/22) at the grade of A and B, respectively. Ten(67.0%) of 15 Holstein recipients transferred with IVP Hanwoo embryos and 5(42.0%) of 12 Holstein recipients transferred with frozen IVP Hanwoo embryos were pregnant. The single and twin calving ratio in Hanwoos was 77.0%(10/13) and 23.0%(3.13) in the recipients transferred with IVP embryos and 64.0%(7/10) and 27.0%(3/10) in the recipients transferred with frozen IVP embryos, respectively. Twenty-four pregnant cows following transfer of IVP embryos, 21(88.0%) calved the normal calves, and 2(8.3%) aborted. When the frozen IVP embryos were transferred, 16 pregnant cows calved 14(88.0%) normal calves and 2(13.0%) aborted. In conclusion, when one or two IVP bovine embryos were transferred into recipients, the A and B grade of corpus luteum resulted in high pregnancy rates. For the production of twin calves, transfer of the IVP or frozen IVP embryos could be suitable.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2014

This study was carried out to study the survival rate of thawed Hanwoo embryos frozen by the slow-rate freezing or the cryotop vitrification method. Hanwoo cumulus-oocyte complexes were recovered from ovaries at a slaughter house, matured for 20~22 hours, fertilized with Hanwoo semen for 5~6 hours, and cultured for 7~9 days in $38.5^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ incubator. For freezing, Day 7~9 blastocysts were collected. Embryos for the slow-rate freezing were equilibrated in 1.8 M ethylene glycol (EG) with Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (D-PBS). Programmable cell freezer was precooled down to $-7^{\circ}C$, and the straw was seeded during 8 minutes-holding time, and was cooled to $-35^{\circ}C$ at the cooling rate of $0.3^{\circ}C/min$, and then was plunged and stored in liquid nitrogen. Embryos for the cryotop vitrification were treated in TCM199 with 0.5 M sucrose, 16% EG, 16% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Embryos were then loaded individually onto cryotop and plunged directly into liquid nitrogen. The survival rates of embryos frozen by these two freezing methods were evaluated at 12 to 24h post-thawing. The survival rates of frozen/thawed Hanwoo embryos by the cryotop vitrification method ($56.86{\pm}26.53%$) were slightly higher than those by the slow-rate freezing method ($55.07{\pm}26.43%$) with no significant difference. Using the cryotop vitrification and the slow-rate freezing of Hanwoo blastocysts on Day 7 following in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, the survival rates of frozen/thawed Hanwoo embryos were $72.65{\pm}18.3%$ and $79.06{\pm}17.8%$, respectively. The survival rates by the cryotop vitrification were higher than those by the slow-rate freezing on both Day 8 and 9 with significantly higher survival rate on Day 9 (p<0.05). Using the cryotop vitrification and the slow-rate freezing of Hanwoo embryos to compare between three different blastocyst stages, the survival rates of the blastocyst stage embryos were $66.22{\pm}18.8%$ and $45.76{\pm}12.8%$, respectively with higher survival rate by the vitrification method (p<0.05). And the survival rate of expanded blastocysts was higher than those of early blastocysts and blastocysts in two freezing methods with significantly higher survival rate by the slow-rate freezing method (p<0.05).

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.159-164
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• 2011

This study was performed in order to determine optimum flushing solution using the direct embryo collection (DEC). Donors, at random stages of the estrous cycle, received a CIDR. 7 days later, 200 mg FSH was treated with 40, 30, 20, 10 mg FSH levels in declining doses twice daily by intramuscular injection for 4 days. On the 3$^{rd}$ day administration of FSH, 25 mg $PGF_2{\alpha}$ was administered and CIDR was withdrawn. After FSH injections were complete, donors were artificially inseminated twice at 12 hr intervals. The donor cattle received 250 ${\mu}g$ GnRH at time of 1$^{st}$ insemination and embryos were recovered 8 days after the 1$^{st}$ insemination. Embryo collection from superovulated donors were performed to flushing by DEC and conventional method. As a results, the average number of recovered embryos were significantly higher as 19.1${\pm}$1.40 with DEC method than 12.0${\pm}$0.44 with conventional embryo collection method, respectively (p<0.05). Also, The average number of transferable embryos were significantly higher (p<0.05) as 15.8${\pm}$1.72 with DEC method than 6.9${\pm}$0.35 from conventional embryo recovery procedures. Meanwhile, number of recovered embryos and number of recovered transferable embryos following the number of flushing times until 6${dr}$ flushing were significantly higher as 8.6${\pm}$0.53 and 8.6${\pm}$0.53 from 2$^{nd}$ flushing time than other groups (p<0.05). No. of Ear. B stage embryos were significantly higher as 3.9${\pm}$0.90 and 3.9${\pm}$0.90 with 2$^{nd}$ flushing time in total collected embryos and transferable embryos (p<0.05). Com M stage embryos were significantly higher as 3.7${\pm}$1.00 in 2$^{nd}$ flushing time and as 2.2${\pm}$0.76 in 3$^{rd}$ flushing time for recovered embryos (p<0.05). In transferable embryos, Com. M stage embryos were significantly higher (p<0.05) as 3.7${\pm}$1.00 in 2$^{nd}$ flushing time and as 2.2${\pm}$0.76 in 34$^{dr}$ flushing time, also. No. of degradation embryos was significantly higher as 2.2${\pm}$0.72 in 5${rd}$ flushing time, On the other hand, degradation embryos was not observed in transferable embryos (p<0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that DEC method should effective methods for production of in vivo embryos using less flushing solution following perform until 4$^{rd}$ flushing time than conventional embryo collecting method. Also, it might be effectively collection of transferable embryos following more less procedure times compared to conventional embryo recovery methods.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.73-78
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• 2001

This study was carried out to investigated developmental ability of IVM/IVF derived hanwoo embryos after DNA microinjection. Microinjected hanwoo embryos were cultured fur 7 days. The cleavage rates of DNA injected embrys(36.3%) was significantly lower than those of non-injected embryos(67.4%; p<0.05). The percentage of injected embryos reaching to the morulae and blastocyst was significantly lower than those of non-injected embryos(p<0.05). When injected embryo were cultured contaning L-ascorbic acid and $\alpha$-tocopherol for 168 hrs, the morulae and blastocyst rates were significantly higher than control(p<0.05). These results suggested that the addition of L-ascorbic acid and $\alpha$-tocopherol can enhanced development to the morulae and blastocyst of microinjected embryos and improved culture condition increased the transgenic hanwoo embryos.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.233-238
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• 2011

This study was performed to investigate the FSH levels for superovulation procedure in Korean Native Cattle (Hanwoo). The effectiveness of 200 mg and 400 mg of FSH to initiate superovulation was examined in Hanwoo. Donors, at random stages of the estrous cycle, received a CIDR 7 days later, 200 mg FSH group was treated with 40, 30, 20, 10 mg FSH levels in declining doses twice daily by intramuscular injection fur 4 days. Also, 400 mg FSH group was treated with 80, 60, 40, 20 mg FSH levels. On the 3rd day administration of FSH, 25 mg $PGF_2$ ${\alpha}$ was administered and CIDR was withdrawn. Donors were artificially inseminated twice at 12 hr intervals. The donor cattle received 250 ${\mu}g$ GnRH at time of 1st insemination and embryos were recovered 8 days after the 1st insemination. As a results, average number of CL treated with FSH 200 mg was higher as $20.9{\pm}1.20$ than $15.8{\pm}0.63$ for donors treated with FSH 400 mg, respectively(p<0.05). Treated group of 200 mg FSH level increased (p<0.05) the number of embryos recovered per procedure compared to 400 mg FSH level ($18.2{\pm}1.18$ vs. $12.38{\pm}0.52$, respectively). When treatment of 200 mg FSH was performed, average transferable embryos/ova increased (p<0.05) to $14.1{\pm}1.12$ from $6.8{\pm}0.33$ of treated of 400 mg FSH. Group of 200 mg FSH increased (p<0.05) to $8.3{\pm}0.76$ from $2.0{\pm}0.26$ in morula stage compare to 400 mg FSH group. Mean of total early blastocyst and expanded blastocyst stage embryos was similar (p<0.05) between the 200 mg and 400 mg FSH levels group ($4.7{\pm}1.19$ vs. $2.9{\pm}0.18$ and $1.2{\pm}0.40$ vs. $1.9{\pm}0.17$). These results suggest that 200 mg FSH level-based superovulation protocol with CIDR may be effectively used fur production of superior embryos in Hanwoo. In other words, the less level of FSH may be effectively applied for Hanwoo (Korean Native Cattle), because Hanwoo was smaller body size than beef or daily cow.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.231-235
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to investigate the comparison of transferable embryos and pregnancy rate between Hanwoo and Chickso. The results obtained were as follows: No differences were observed in the efficiency of superovulation rates on Hanwoo 78%, and Chickso 85%, respectively. The mean number of total embryos are each $14.76{\pm}2.16$ and $6.23{\pm}1.07$. So the mean number of transferable embryos are each $10.94{\pm}1.91$ and $4.58{\pm}1.05$. In addition, the mean number of total Hanwoo embryo from <10 and $10{\leq}$ of corpora luteum was $0.50{\pm}0.50$, $11.56{\pm}1.92$, respectively. In case of Chickso, The mean number of transferable embryo from <10 and $10{\leq}$ of CL was $2.75{\pm}1.39$, $6.00{\pm}1.00$, respectively. The pregnancy rates were Hanwoo 40%, and Chickso 37% following transfer of fresh embryos produced in vivo. Also, the pregnancy rates of Chickso 60% were significantly greater (p<0.05) than the Hanwoo 42.48% following transfer of following transfer of frozen embryos, respectively. In conclusion, these results suggest that Chickso may be effectively used for transferable embryos production in Hanwoo. Although the transferable embryos number was not enough, it seems the Chickso greatly affect pregnancy rate. The results indicated that the possibility of transferable embryos from Chickso for embryo transfer could be confirmed in this study. Based on the present findings, it was suggested that it is very important to evaluate in vivo embryo production and pregnancy rate of embryo transfer following superovulation for effective Hanwoo and Chickso production.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.779-791
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• 2023

This study aimed to assess the effects of embryonic developmental stage, quality grade, and fresh or frozen/thawed conditions on the pregnancy rate and sex ratio of live offspring in Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) cows. The quality and developmental stage of in vivo-derived (IVD) transferred embryos were evaluated using the standard criteria of the International Embryo Technology Society. The recipient cows were synchronized using conventional (estradiol benzoate and progesterone) protocols before embryo transfer. Embryos were transferred to 297 cows, and pregnancy was monitored for 60-70 days after embryo transfer. The pregnancy rates of fresh and frozen/thawed embryos were 56.90% and 52.49%, respectively. Pregnancy rates varied according to embryo quality (56.18% for grade 1 vs. 36.67% for grade 2). Pregnancy rates also varied by developmental stage and cryopreservation (67.86% vs. 63.49% for stage 4-1, 64.00% vs. 54.72% for 5-1, and 50.00% vs. 47.83% for 6-1, in fresh embryos vs. frozen/thawed embryos, respectively). For stage 7-1, the pregnancy rates were 72.73% for fresh embryos and 20.00% for frozen/thawed embryos. In 66 fresh embryos, the sex ratio of live offspring was 5:5, whereas it was 4(female):6(male) for frozen/thawed embryos among the 95 frozen/thawed embryos. The miscarriage rate was approximately 3% higher for frozen/thawed embryos than for fresh embryos (18.1% for fresh vs. 21.1% for frozen). Seasonal fertility rates were 33.3% in spring, 55.67% in summer, 52.8% in autumn, 60.0% in winter. The following male-to-female ratios were observed in different seasons: 6.7:3.3 in spring, 4.0:6.0 in summer, 5.5:4.5 in autumn, and 3.3:6.7 in winter. The current data revealed no significant differences in pregnancy rates between fresh and frozen/thawed IVD embryos. However, there was a lower pregnancy rate with advanced-stage frozen/thawed embryos (stage 7-1). The current study provides comprehensive results for the better optimization of embryo transfer in Hanwoo cattle to obtain the desired fertility rate, pregnancy rate, and sex ratio of calves. These results provide important insights into the factors that influence the viability and success of IVD embryo transfer in Hanwoo cows and may have practical applications for improving breeding programs and reducing production costs.