• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.275-282
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• 2004

This study was carried out to examine the effects of development media and those change on in vitro development (IVD) of porcine oocytes matured and fertilized in vitro. Putative embryos, which were matured in vitro in modified NCSU-23 (mNCSU-23) supplemented with 10％ porcine follicular fluid (pFF) and were fertilized in mTBM, were developed in vitro as the experimental scheme. The results are as follows. When porcine putative embryos were cultured in vitro in NCSU-23 or CZB/Pig-MEM, the percentage of oocytes cleaved was not different between two systems, but the percentage of blastocysts in NCSU-23 was significantly higher than in CZB/Pig-MEM (P<0.05). And when porcine putative embryos were cultured in vitro in NCSU-23 during 7 days with or without changing media at day 5, which was supplement with or without 10％ fetal bovine serum(FBS), the percentage of oocytes cleaved, blastocysts at day 6, and the cell number of ICM, TE and total of blastocysts at day 7 were not different among three treatments. As a result of this study, it is supposed that NCSU-23 be more favorable, to develop porcine embryos derived from IVM/IVF, than CZB/Pig-MEM, but that demonstration on the effects of changing medium with fresh one stand in need of the more experiments.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.345-353
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• 1997

Antioxidants and antioxidants with somatic cell co-culture, bovine oviduct epithelial cells(BOEC) and buffalo rat liver cells(BRLC), were studied as a mean of increasing the development and intracellular glutathione(GSH) concnetrations of bovine embryos derived from in vitro matured(IVM) and in vitro fertilized(IVF) oocytes. Cell numbers and intracellular GSH concentrations of blastocysts were also counted. The developmental rate beyond morula stages in CRlaa containing taurine(2.5mM), superoxide dismutase(SOD, 600U) and catalase(250U) were 1%, 75.0%, 64.8% and 62.3%, respectively. The developmental rate in antioxidant groups was significantly higher than in control(P<0.05). The intracellular GSH concentrations of blastocysts cultured in 0, 2.5mM taurine, 600U SOD and 250U catalase were 33.8pM, 39.3pM, 42.3pM and 54.8pM, respectively. This result indicated that the developmental rates and intracellular GSH concentrations of catalase group was significantly higher than any other groups(P<0.05). The developmental capacity in CRlaa plus various antioxidants co-cultured with BOEC were 55.3%(control), 74.1%(2.5mM taurine), 66.7%(600U SOD) and 70.7%(250U catalase) and in CRlaa plus various antioxidants co-cultured with BRLC in control, 2.5mM taurine, 600U SOD and 250U catalase were 63.8%, 75.5%, 71.0% and 73.5%, respectveily, the intracellular GSH concentrations of blastocyst embryos co-cultured with BOEC and BRLC in CRlaa with 0.25mM taurine, 600U SOD and 250U catalase were 73.4pM and 64.4pM, 79.9pM and 67.5pM, 82.3pM and 71.7pM, and 83.0pM and 80.0pM, respectively. Cell numbers of blastocysts were not difference in all experimental groups. These studies indicate that andtioxidants and antioxidant with somatic cell co-culture can increase the proportion of embryo that developed into morula and blastocysts, and the intracellular GSH concentrations of blastocyst embryos.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 1996

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of transforming growth factor-$\beta$ (TGF-$\beta$) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in bovine oocyte maturation in the presence or absence of serum on subsequent fertilization and embryo development. In addition, various concent rations of these growth factors were evaluated for the ability to promote development of eight-cell stage embryos to the blastocyst stage. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were recovered from 2 to 6 mm follicles obtained from slaughterhouse ovaries and cultured at 38.5$^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours in TCM-199 (HEPES Modification) with or with out 20 % fetal bovine serum (FBS) to which the following growth factors were added TGF$\beta$ IGF-l or TGF $\beta$ + IGF-I, all at 10 ng/ml each. The matured oocytes were fertilized in IVF-TL medium with frozen-thawed semen at a concentration of 1 ${\times}$ 10$^6$ cells/ml of fertilization medium following Percoll separation. After 24 hours of sperm-egg incubation, the embryos were transferred to CZB medium without glucose for 48 hours and then cultured in TCM-199 with 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 96 hours. The addition of growth factors to IVM medium in the presence of serum had no effect on cleavage and subsequent embryo devlopment to blastocyst. In the absence of serum, TGF- improved cleavage and development to blastocyst compared to control's(p<0.05) and no synergistic effeet of IGF-I + TGF-$\beta$ was observed. In the second experiment, eight-cell embryos obtained by in vitro maturation (IVM) in TCM-199 + 20% FBS without growth facrors and in vitro fertil-ization (IVF) were cultured in the in vitro cuiture (IVC) medium supplemented with 5, 10 ng/ml TGF-$\beta$ or 5, 10, 50, 100 ng/ml IGF-I. Cleavage rate and development to the blastocyst stage was observed during seven days of incubation. The supplementation of 10 ng/ml TGF-$\beta$ to lVC medium for eight-cell embryos improved development to blastocyst (p<0.05) compared to control. In conclusion, these data indicate that the supplementation of growth factors to IVM medium in the presence of serum does not influence cleavage and subsequent embryo development. However, significantly more oocytes matured in serum-free TCM-199 and eight-cell embryos cultured in lVC medium developed to blastocyst with supplementation of 10ng/ml TGF-$\beta$.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.289-297
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• 2000

This study was conducted to investigate whether various protein sources and co-culture affect in vitro development of porcine zygotes derived from In vitro maturation/fertilization (IVM/IVF). These results obtained in these experiments are summarized as follows 1. When porcine oocytes matured and fertilized In vitro were cultured in NCSU 23 medium supplemented with various BSA concentrations (0.4, 0.8 and 3.2%), In vitro developmental rates of porcine zygotes to blastocyst stage were 22.9, 18.4 and 14.6%, respectively. High concentration of BSA (3.2%) showed a smaller nuclei number (36.1$\pm$11.8) of blastocysts than 0.4 and 0.8% BSA groups (53.2$\pm$27.4 and 61.2$\pm$22.5, respectively) (P<0.05). This result indicates that high concentration of BSA is detrimental on preimplantation development of IVF-derived porcine embryos. 2. No differences were detected in the developmental rate and mean nuclei number of porcine embryos between 10 and 20% FBS concentrations in culture medium. 3. IVF-derived porcine embryos co-cultured with mouse or porcine embryonic fibroblast cells showed a lower development to the blastocyst stage than those without co-culture system. Consequently, the present study suggests that high concentration of BSA as a protein source in culture medium suppresses development potential of porcine embryos produced In vitro. In addition, co-culture with somatic cells is not effective on in vitro development of IVF-derived porcine embryos to blastocyst stage.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.211-218
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• 2002

These studies were carried out to investigate the effects of the addition of amino acids and FBS as source of exogenous nitrogen fixation added to medium on in vitro production of blastocyst derived from bovine follicular oocytes. The base medium was TCM-199 solution for in vitro maturation(IVM) of bovine follicular oocytes and Fer-TALP solution for in vitro fertilization(IVF) and YS solution for in vitro culture(IVC). IVC used the fertilized oocytes of 24-hr culture (day 1) after IVF. Rmbryos were cultured in drop-culture that contained 25 embryos per 10 ${mu}ell$. The results obtained are as follows: 1 The developmental rates of fertilized oocytes to blastocyst that developed from YS solution with NEAA derived from MEM alone were higher than those of YS solution without NEAA. 2. The developmental rates of fertilized oocytes to blastocyst that developed from YS solution with EAA derived RPMI 1640 alone were significantly higher than those of YS solution without EAA (p<0.05). 3. When added to EAA on day 5 after NEAA supplementation on day 1, the developmental rates of hatched blastocyst and blastocyst to hatched blastocyst were improved. 4. When removed to EAA on day 3, day 4 and day 5 from medium after NEAA and EAA supplementation on day 1. the developmental rates of blastocyst to hatched blastocyst were reduced. 5. When added to FBS as source of exogenous nitrogen fixation, the developmental rates of blastocyst and hatched blastocyst that developed from the later culture higher(day 5) than those of the early culture.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.757-762
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• 1993

The ovaries of Korean Native cows or heifers were obtained from an abattoir and kept on 20 to $25^{\circ}C$ and transported to laboratory within 2 hrs. The follicular oocystes were collected from 2~6mm follicles in diameter and classified into 3 grades by the morphology of cumulus cells attached. The oocytes were matured in vitro(IVM) for 24 hrs. in TCM-199 supplemented with $23{\mu}g/ml$ FSH, $10{\mu}g/ml$ LH, $1{\mu}g/ml$ estradio-17 ${\beta}$ and granulosa cells at $39^{\circ}C$ under 5% $CO_2$ in air. They were fertilized in vitro(IVF) by incubation for 12 hrs. of epididymal spermatozoa pretreated with heparin, and then the zygotes were co-cultured in vitro(IVC) with oviductal epithelial cells for 7 to 9 days. Assessment of maturation revealed that 93.0%(147/158) of grade I oocytes had expanded of cumulus cells, which was higher(p<0.05) than the 79.4%(85/107) of grade II oocytes. Compared to epididymal sperm(32.9%), the insemination with frozen and thawed sperm resulted in slightly lower(20.5%), but not significant, development to morulae and blastocysts from grade I oocytes. Co-culture of bovine IVF embryos with oviductal epithelial cells improved the development to transferable embryos significantly(38.1%), compared to co-culture with granulosa cells(20.0%). When VF bovine embryos were vitrified at blastocyst, the post-thaw survival rate was obtained higher resulf for 1 min. equilibration time(82.6%) or 2 min.(73.9%) than 3 min.(18.2%) in EFS solution.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.307-317
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• 1998

This study was to investigate the vitrification method for cryopreservation technique of bovine in vitro fertilization(IVF) embryos. The morphological appearance and viability following vitrification of IVF bovine blastocysts and expanded blastocysts were examined. Embryos obtained 6, 7, 8 or 9 days after IVF were vitrified in both 40% ethylene glycoI(EG) plus 0.3M trehalose and 20% polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP) in DPBS(ETP, Exp. 1) and ETP solution added 0.375M dextrose (ETPD, Exp. 2). The viability of Days 6, 7, 8 and 9 vitrified /thawed embryos at 24∼48 h culture after thawing was 11.9%, 19.8%, 23.4% and 15.3% in ETP(Exp. 1), and 34.6%, 54.5%, 37.9% and 13.0% in ETPD(Exp. 2), respectively. The viability of vitrified embryos produced from the culture days after IVF did not differ in Exp. 1, but significantly differ in Exp. 2(P＜0.05). The viability of blastocysts and expanded blastocysts significantly differed(P＜0.05) in 15.2% and 23.3%(Exp. 1), and 25.0% and 45.8%(Exp. 2). The result of Exp. 1 was similar to that of Exp. 2 on the viability of embryo according to developmental stages, but ETP solution plus sugar(dextrose) was increased the viability of vitrified embryos. In Experiment 3, The viability of vitrified embryos was not different between 12% and 20% PVP concentrations in ETP solution according to culture days or developmental stages. To investigate the effect of addition of sugar, two type of carbohydrates and a mixture of cryoprotectants for vitrification on the survival of bovine IVF embryos, bovine Days 7 to 9 blastocysts and expanded blastocysts were cryopreserved in either 20% glycerol plus 20% EG, 0.375M sucrose and 0.375M dextrose (GESD, Exp. 4) or 20% glycerol plus 20% EG, 0.3M trehalose and 20% PVP(GETP, Exp. 5) in DPBS. Survival rates of Day 7, 8 and 9 embryos at 24∼48h culture after thawing were 71.4%, 94.6% and 40.5% in GESD, and 59.5%, 81.5% and 62.5% in GETP, respectively. Hatching rates of Day 7, 8 and 9 embryos after thawing were 28.6%, 35.1% and 16.2% in GESD, and 27.0%, 33.3% and 18.8% in GETP, respectively. These results indicates that a mixture of cryoprotectants(glycerol and EG) and addition of sugar can improve the survival rates of the bovine IVF embryos(Day 7 or 8) vitrified, and the expanded blastocyst embryos are more suitable for vitrification than early blastocysts stage.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.233-242
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• 1993

The effects of in vitro maturation and sperm treatment condition on the in vitro fertilization (IVF) and developmental capacity of bovine oocytes were investigated and the development of embryos was compared under the 2 different co-culture system, with GC or BOEC. The cultured embryo to 16 cell or morula wre transferred into recipients or frozen by 2 different freezing method. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. In vitro maturation rates of vovine follicular oocytes cultrued in TCM199 with 10% FCS or ECS were 64.0% and 72.7%, but the case of addition of 10% FCS or ECS to TCM199 co-cultured with granulosa cells were 81.3% and 84.0%, respectively. IVM rate of three TCM199 added to granulosa cells was higher than that of media without granulosa cells. 2. When bovine follicular oocytes were matured in TCM199 with 10% FCS and GC and then fertilized in vitro by sperm treated with caffeine, embryo developments of bovine oocytes co-cultured with BOEC were 38.4% and 51.4%, respectively. But those of bovine oocytes co-cultured with GC were 52.2% by sperm treated with caffeine-heparin. 3. Cleavage rates of bovine oocytes cultured with 10% FCS alone and fertilized in vitro by sperm treated with caffeine-heparin was 33.0%. 4. When bovine follicular oocytes were matured in TCM199 with 10% FCS and GC, embryo developments of bovine ooctyes co-cultured with BOEC of GC were 46.0% and 50.2%, respectively. 5. When bovine follicular oocytes were matured in TCM199 with 10% ECS and GC, embryo developments co-cultured with BOEC or GC were 45.2% and 51.4%, respectively. 6. When Korean Native cow's follicular oocytes matured in TCM199 with 10% FCS and GC, embryo developed co-cultured with BOEC or GC were 45.2% and 51.4%, respectively. 6. When Korean Native cow's follicular oocytes matured in TCM199 with 10% FCS and GC, embryo developments of the bovine oocyte co-cultured with BOEC and GC were 41.8% and 60.1%. But with FCS 10% those of the bovine oocytes co-cultured with BOEC and GC were 42.0% and 48.4%, respectively. 7. When Holstein's follicular oocytes were matured in TCM199 with 10% ECS and GC, embryo developments fo the bovine oocytes co-cultured with BOEC and GC were 50.0% and 57.7%, but with ECS 10% those of the bovine oocytes co-cultured with BOEC and GC were 52.2% and 56.5%, respectively. 8. The viability of frozen-thawed embryos ranged from 60~80% and those of frozen-thawed embryos from vitrification was lower than that from conventional metiod. 9. The selected fresh embryos were transferred nonsurgically to 7 recipients but did not result in pregnancy.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 1996

The effect of several potential antioxidants and amino acids were examined as a means of increasing the development of in vitro matured and in vitro fertilized oocytes into morulae or blastocysts. Bovine embryos developed to the 2~8 cell stage after in vitro fertilization were cultured for 5 to 6 days at 39$^{\circ}C$ in CR1aa containing varing concentraton of the antioxidants and amino acid in a gas phase consisting of 5% CO2, high humidified air. At 5~6 days, embryo developments were reduced, and embryos were fixed and stained with Hochest 33342 DNA stain to facilitate counting of cells. In experiment 1, the proportion of embryos developed to morulae and blastocysts in CR1aa containing 1mM, 2.5mM taurine (22.6% and 20.4%) was slightly higher than those of 0, 5 and 10mM Taurine (5.7, 5.7 and 3.9%, P<0.05). In experiment 2, addition of glutathione did not improve blastocyst development (P>0.05). In experiment 3, concentations of superoxide dismutase(SOD) ranging from 300 to 1,000 U did not affect the propotion of embryos developing into blastocysts (P>0.05). In experiment 4, addition of 250 U catalase(38.5%) was slighty higher than those of 0, 500 and 1,000U. In experiment 5, the proportion of embryo developed beyond morula stage in CR1aa with taurine plus EDTA was slighty higher than other treatments(15.7, 26.0 and 29.2%), there were no significantly increases in cell number among treatments(P>0.05). These results are indicating that antioxidants and amino acids can increase the proportion of embryos that develop into morulae and blastocysts, but did not increas in cell number of blastocysts.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 1996

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST; Boostin-S, LG Chem) treatment with FSH (Super OV) or PMSG on superovulatory response for transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval (TVR) in calves. Eight Korean Native Cattle(KNC) heifer calves; 150 to 240 days old; were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: 1) FSH(75 mg); 2) FSH (75 mg) + bST(500mg) 3) PMSG(1;000 IU); 4) PMSG(1, 000 IU) + bST(500 mg). Experimental calves in group 1 (n=2) and 2(n=2) were weekly superovulated for 4 consecutive weeks with daily injection of FSH for 3days and the next day subjected to TVR session. Animals in group 3 (n=2) and 4(n=2) were weekly stimulated for 4 consecutive weeks with a single dose of 1, 000 IU PMSG. TVR was performed on 72 hours after PMSG injection. Calves in group 2 and 4 was received injection of 500 mg of bST every 10 days. At each TVR session, follicle number and size were recorded; the oocytes collected and graded according to cumulus and cytoplasm investment. Collected oocyte were determined viable oocyte according to morphological quality with granulation of oocyte and number and status of cumlulus cells. IVM and IVF were performed and assessed cleavage rate on day 3 after fertilization. A Sonovet 600(Medison, Co., Ltd) realtime ultrasound scanner with a 6.5 MHz convex transducer, fixed at the tip of 500 mm estended handle equipped with a needle guide was used in collecting oocyte. Differences between groups were analysed by chi-square test. The population of large follicle ($\geq$5 nun) and aspiration rate were not significant different among the 4 groups. But, the number of small follicles (<5 mm) and aspirated oocyte in the KNC calves treated with bST were 1.3~1.6 times higher than in KNC calves treat with FSH or PMSG alone. In conclusion, the administration of bST with FSH or PMSG at superovulation for TVR in calves was increase the nurnber of small follicle which was influenced the number of aspiratable follicle.