• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.95-102
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• 1996

This study was performed to investigate the effect of human follicular fluid (HFF) on development of mouse embryos, for evaluating the suitability of HFF as a substitutive material of human fetal cord serum in ART program. The various concentrations of HFF were added into the culture medium and the effects of HFF concentrations were examined to identify the optimal concentration of HFF for embryo development. The potency of HFF in improving embryo development was compared to that of other protein supplement. Collected HFFs were classified with the maturity of the containing oocytes; mature, immature, atretic, and then the effects of the classified HFFs on embryo development were examined. Also, HFF was separated into the low (<30,000 Da) and high (>30,000 Da) molecular weight fractions and the effects of the fractions on embryo development were investigated. The highest development rate was found in culture medium supplemented with 20% HFF, bnt this rate was reversely reduced at the concentrations of HFF higher than 20%. The development rates to the blastocyst, hatching blastocyst, attachment and outgrowth cultured in mature HFF was significantly higher than those in immature and atretic HFF, and mean cell number in blastocyst was higher in mature HFF than in immature and atretic HFF. The development rates of mouse embryos according to protein sources were significantly higher in HFF than in fetal cord serum (FCS), maternal serum (MS) and bovine serum albumin (BSA), and mean cell number in blastocyst cultured in HFF was higher than that in FCS, MS and BSA. The development rates of embryo and mean cell number in blastocyst cultured in high molecular weight fraction of HFF were higher than those in low molecular weight fraction, but the results of high molecular weight fraction were lower than those of whole HFF. Therefore, these results indicated that human mature follicular fluid was useful for improving the development of mouse embryos, which suggests a possibility that HFF also may be used efficiently for improving the culture condition in human ART program as a protein supplement.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.187-194
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• 1998

In order to determine suitable conditions for rapid freezing of porcine embryos, the kind and concentration of cryoprotectants, sucrose concentrations, equilibration time and thawing temperature in freezing medium were examined in relation to the survival of frozen-thawed oocyte and embryos. The results obtained are as follows : 1. The suitable concentrations of cryoprotoctant in the freezing medium which consisted of TCM-199+20% FCS were 1.5M for glycerol, 2.0M for DMSO, 2.5M for ethylene glycol, and 2.0M for propanediol. The sucrose concentration of 0.25M in the medium was found to optimal because the survival rate was markedly higher at this concentration when compared to the others. The survival rate was relatively high when the frozen embryos were thawed at 30$^{\circ}C$ in the freezing medium containing 2.5M cryoprotectants. The equilibration periods of 2.0 and 5.0 minutes revealed the higher survival in the media containing 1.5 or 2.1M glycerol when compared to 10 and 15 minutes. 2. The fertilization rates of frozen-thawed follicular oocytes which matured in vitro for 1, 12, 24 and 48 hours were 6.7~26.7% depending on the maturation time, and the rates were relatively high for those matured for a short period of time. The survival rates of frozen-thawed oocytes which matured in vitro for certain periods and fertilized were 10.0~30.0% depending on the maturation time.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2002

In oocyte retrieval, a vein anesthetic drug is commonly used for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. Propofol and Thiopental sodium are frequently used for ultrasound-guided transvaginal oocyte retrieval. The present study aimed to assess the effects of Propofol and Thiopental on in vitro fertilization(IVF). Immature porcine oocytes were exposed to various concentrations ot Propofo1 and Thiopental sodium. The rates of oocyte maturation, fertilization and development were observed. The parthenogenetic effects of the anesthetics were also evaluated. The rate of oocyte maturation after exposure to high concentrations of the anesthetics for long time was significantly higher than that of the control. But the rate of fertilization after long-time exposure to the high concentration of the anesthetic drugs was significantly lower than that of the control. The results support that Propofo1 serves like other anesthetics described, as a parthenogenetic activator. Oocytes exposed to Thiopental sodium showed decreased rates of maturation and fertilization. These results suggest that usage of optimum concentration of anesthetic drug is important in increasing the rates of oocyte maturation, fertilization and development in IVF.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.59-67
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• 1984

In vitro fertilization have been performed to know whether the frozen semen has fertilizing ability and can be used clinically. The results of cultured and developed embryos obtained are as follows: 1. The semen was frozen in three media for the good viability. The viability was more than 50% and the motility was also moderate (grade III), 2. As the 33 oocytes were collected from 45 follicles, the oocyte recovery rate was 73.3%. Among them, mature and immature ova were 5% each, and premature ova were 69.7%, When the first polar body was appeared, above ova were inseminated after adequate incubation with activated sperms. 3. The main components of three freezing medium containing egg yolk, glycerol and pyruvate respectively were the best for sperm viability, and Ham's F-10 medium was used for the fertilization and culture of eggs. 4. The results of in vitro fertilization of 33 ova, showed the second polar body developed in 12%, polyspermia in 24%, 1-cell embryo in 21% and 2-cell embryo in 9%. One mature ova developed to blastocyst via 16-cell to 32-cell embryo. The fertilization rate was 66%. 5. Above mentioned results represent that the frozen semen has fertilizing ability and can be used practically in the clinic.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2006

This study was undertaken to investigate the morphological changes between normal and atretic follicle after gamma irradiation and treatment of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The ovaries of each group of treated immature mice were prepared the paraffin sections after 0, 6, 12, and 24 hours (hrs) of those treatment. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) stain, reticulin stain, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) immunohistochemical stain were performed on the each paraffin sections. As the results of HE staining, the condensed nuclei of oocytes were observed in the atretic primordial follicles, on the other hand the condensations of granulosa cell nuclei were prominent in the atretic primary, preantral, and antral follicles. Only the granulosa cells of atretic follicle were stained specifically with TUNEL staining but not stained in the theca cells, which suggested granulosa cells degenerated through apoptosis. In the reticulin staining, the basement membranes of atretic follicle which was stained weakly showed irregular structure and detachment from the follicles. The ratio of normal to atretic follicle in control and FSH treated group was about 33% but this ratio increased rapidly over 90% in the 6, 12, and 24 hrs group after the irradiation. It could be suggested that the gamma irradiation is the useful tool far the induction of follicle atresia and immunohistochemical staining methods are essential in the study of follicle atresia.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.151-159
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• 1997

In vitro fertilization(IVF) derived morula and blastocyst embryos were bisected by a simple method and cultured in vitro without zona pellucida And also bisected embryos were frozen-thawed and cultured in vitro) to evaluate the survival rate. The results obtained were as follows : The average number of grade I or II immature follicular oocytes recovered by slicing method per ovary was 11.9 from 142 ovaries. Following in vitro fertilization, the rates of cleavage and in vitro development to morula and blatocyst were 61.7 and 32.2% respectively. The successful bisection rate of IVE embryos was 67.51%, and the embryos of blastocyst stage were bisected successfully at significantly(P

• Journal of the Korean Society of Tobacco Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.26-35
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• 1999

Effects of $\alpha$-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and $\alpha$-difluoromethylarginine (DFMA), inhibitors of polyamine syntheic enzymes (ornithine decarboxylase, arginine decarboxylase), on ovary were investigated during pupal-adult development of Helicoverpa assulta. Two inhibitors (DFMO, DFMA) showed definite inhibition effects on ovarian development. The inhibition effect on ovaries weight was more marked in DFMA-injection than that observed in DFMO-injection. Two inhibitors (DFMO, DFMA) gave rise to a peculiar decrease in ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) or arginine decarboxylase (ADC) activity in ovaries, 72 hrs (5-day old pupa) post injection. However, DFMO clearly exhibited supression of ODC activity after 96 hrs (6-day old pupa). In addition, two inhibitors (DFMO, DFMA) diminished putrescine content in the ovary. The spermidine level was slightly decreased by each injection of the inhibitors. However, two inhibitors (DFMO, DFMA) raised the spermine content at certain developmental stages in the ovary. Although the effect of DFMA was less severe, two inhibitors (DFMO, DFMA) caused not only an overall delay in ovarian development, but also abnormalities in cellular differentiation. Noted effects in the pupal ovary were the appearance of irregular nurse cells and partial destruction of follicle epidermal cells. Adult ovary showed rapid degradation of nurse cells, a reduction in the number of follicle epidermal cells and immature oocytes that had a low yolk content.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 1993

Plasminogen activator (PA)-plasmin system in follicular fluid is involved in the process leading to follicular rupture at ovulation. It is well known that PA is closely associated with cellular differentiation and tissue remodeling on evidences from the study of normal and malignant tissues. This study was designed to ascertain a potential role of PA in the ovarian folliculogenesis. Immature Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin, followed by injection of serine protease inhibitor (SPI; mixture of 1 mol/L benzamidine and 1 mol/L amino-caproic acid) into the unilateral ovarian bursa. In the control study, mechanical effect of bursal injection and contralateral ovarian effect SPI were ruled out. Total antral follicular areas relative to total ovarian cross-sectional areas was siginificantly lower in SPI-injected ovary than in saline-injected ovary. SPI injection decreased the relative antral follicular area by 33 % respectively. Electron microscopic finding of granulosa cell in the atretic follicle showed the presence of pyknotic nucleus, blurring of neucleolemma, degeneration of mitochondria and dilation of endoplasmic reticulum. After induction of ovulation with hCG, the number of oocytes released was significantly decreased in SPI-injected oviduct than in saline-injected oviduct. From above results, author discussed that PA may play a role not only in ovulation but also in some processes of folliculogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.735-744
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• 1994

Catheters were placed into the external jugular veins of immature female rats. On the following day (day 28 of age), the animals were injected subcutaneously with pregnant mare serm gonadotropin(PMSG): 4IU(control) or 20IU(superovulation). Each animal was sequentially bled at Ohr and 12hr and subsequently at 6hr intervals until sacrifice at 72hr after PMSG. The superovulatory dose of PMSG significantly(P<0.05) increased the ovulatory response by 4.0 fold above controls. On the other hand, superovulated oocytes displayed considerably different stages of meiotic maturation: prophase I (14.7%), anaphase I (36.2%), telophase I (10.3%), metaphase I/II (32.4%), while in control rats a majority of the oocytes examined(94.0%) consistently showed a metaphase II configuration. Serum luteinizing hormone(LH) levels were determined by RIA. Both groups exhibited a similar time relationship with two distinct peaks: an initial slight rise at 0-18hr and a second sharp rise at 54-60hr. However, there was a marked change in the magnitude of LH levels between the two groups. In superovulated animals, prior to the second peak, overall LH levels were significantly(P<0.001) higher than controls. In contrast, at the peak occurring at 60hr, LH concentrations were significantly(P<0.001) reduced by 54% below that of control. Additionally, a maximum increase of mean ${\Delta}LH$ between two peaks was much less in superovulated as compared to control rats. The initial prolonged elevation of serum LH before 54hr in superovulated rats was found to result from actual cross-reaction of the injected PMSG with LH antibody in the assay, while a precipitous second elevation between 54hr and 60hr resulted primarily from an endogenous LH surge. This study clearly defines time-course features of serum LH in PMSG-treated rats. The overall results indicate that, following superovulatory treatment with PMSG, the increased ovulatory response is primarily associated with PMSG-derived intrinsic gonadotropin, and that the recovery of immature or asynchronously mature oocytes at ovulation may reult from the circulatory alteration of LH activity characterized by an initial prolonged elevation of serum LH and its subsequent attenuation.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.173-183
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• 2004

This study was carried out to examine the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and the number of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) on in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine immature oocytes, and on subsequent in vitro fertilization (IVF) and development (IVD). COCs were collected from antral follicles of porcine ovaries collected from abattoir, and were maturated in modified NCSU-23 (mNCSU-23) with 10% pFF, 0.6 mM cysteine, 50 ${\mu}mM{\beta}-mercaptoethanol$, 1 mM dbcAMP, 10 IU/mL PMSG and 10 IU/mL hCG, which was supplemented with or without 10 ng/mL EGF and into which 50 or 15 COCs per droplet was put. Oocytes matured in vitro, were fertilized in vitro in modified Tris-buffered medium (mTBM) with the final motile sperm concentration of 1${\times}$105 sperm/mL, and subsequently putative embryos were developed in vitro in NCSU- 23. The results are as follows. 1.In the result of IVM, 10 ng/mL EGF supplement duplicated the percentage of C4 group of COCs(41% vs 81%). But the rate of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and of nuclear maturation were not significantly different between control and EGF supplemented, or between the number of COCs per culture droplet, and there was not a significant interaction between the two factors, either. 2. In the result of IVF, there was not significantly different between control and EGF supplemented, or between the number of COCs per culture droplet, or was not a significant interaction between the two factors, in the rate of sperm penetration, in the percentage of oocytes with male pronucleus (MPN), and in the rate of polyspermy. 3. In the result of IVD, there was not significantly different between control and EGF supplemented, or between the number of COCs per culture droplet in the percentage of cleaved oocytes. There was not significantly different between the number of COCs per culture droplet, but between control and EGF supplemented (p<0.01) in the percentage of blastocysts, the number of inner cell mass (ICM), trophectoderm (TC) and total cells. There was no significant interaction between the two factors anywhere. These results suggested that 10 ng/mL EGF supplement into mNCSU-23 for IVM was effective in the production of more as well as better blastocysts during IVD through increasing the number of cells in those.