• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.99-110
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• 1994

One consequence of fertilization in mammals is an increased resistance of the zona pellucida (ZP) to proteases and various chemical reagents. This phenomenon has been called 'zona pellucida hardening' (ZPH), and it is generally accepted that it is caused by the secretory products of cortical granules released by the egg at fertilization. ZP of mouse oocytes maturing in vitro in a chemically defined medium becomes progressively more resistant to solubilization by chymotrypsin ("Spontaneous" ZP hardening). In the present study, it was aimed to find the specificity of spontaneous ZPH in relation to its possible relevance to the cortical reaction and the physiological block to polyspermy. When a maturation inhibitors, cAMP analog(dbcAMP) and phosphodiesterase inhibitor (IBMX) was added to culture medium, it prevent spontaneous ZPH of mouse oocyte during in vitro culture. Thus spontaneous ZPH requires GVBD, since it is prevented by those agents, which inhibit GVBD in vitro. However, culture for 3 hours in the presence of PMA(lOng/ml), a protein kinase C activator, resulted in ZPH without GVBD, thus suggesting that ZPH may be regulated independently apart from the event of GVBD. Pretreatment of mouse oocyte with FBS result in partially inhibitory effect on subsequent spontaneous ZPH. Induction of GVBD in vivo had a inhibitory effect on the spontaneous ZPH, but subsequent spontaneous ZPH. Induction of GVBD in vivo had a inhinbitory effect on the spontaneous ZPII, but had no inhibitory effect on PMA-induced ZPH. Treatment with a microfilament formation blocker(cytochalasin-B) at 1${\mu}g$/ml concentration, resulted in the excellent inhibitory effect on spontaneous ZPH. However cytochalasin-B did not inhibit PMA-induced ZPH. Thus this suggesting that spontaneuse ZPH had a different mechanism from PMA-induced ZPH.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.127-130
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• 2006

It is important to coordinated interaction among neurons, astrocytes and endothelial cells to maintain the function of brain. To study their regulatory mechanisms in vitro system, the co-culture system among the isolated cells from brain may be needed. However, the method for purifying brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) far culture have not established yet. In this study, the proper culture methods of mice cells using two different strains, CD1 and C57BL6, to obtain the pure and plentiful endothelial cells were described. The flatted-round forms of CD1 endothelial cells grew on the collagen-IV coating plates, while the purified cells from C57 mice preferred type collagen-I dishes for their growth. Both cells displayed anti-PECAM-1 (CD31) and von Willebrand Factor immune-reactivity. These results indicated that different coating materials not only improve attachment of isolated cells but also promoting growth of cells, suggesting that this method of purifying murine Brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) provides a suitable model to investigate blood-brain-barrier (BBB) properties within neurovascular unit in vitro.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.147-158
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• 2014

Differentiated nuclei can experimentally be returned to an undifferentiated embryonic status after nuclear transfer (NT) to unfertilized metaphase II (MII) oocytes. Nuclear reprogramming is triggered immediately after somatic cell nucleus transfer (SCNT) into recipient cytoplasm and this period is regarded as a key stage for optimizing reprogramming. In a recent study (Dai et al., 2010), use of m-carboxycinnamic acid bishydroxamide (CBHA) as a histone deacetylase inhibitor during the in vitro early culture of murine cloned embryos modifies the acetylation status of somatic nuclei and increases the developmental competence of SCNT embryos. Thus, we examined the effects of CBHA treatment on the in vitro preimplantation development of porcine SCNT embryos and on the acetylated status of histone H3K9 on cloned embryos at the zygote stage. We performed the three groups SCNT: SCNT (NT), CBHA treatment at the porcine fetus fibroblast cells (PFFs) used as donor cells prior to SCNT (CBHA-C) and CBHA treatment at the porcine SCNT embryos during the in vitro early culture after oocyte activation (CBHA-Z). The PFFs were treated with a $15{\mu}M$ of CBHA (8 h) for the early culture and the porcine cloned embryos were treated with a $100{\mu}M$ concentration of CBHA during the in vitro early culture (10 h). Cleavage rates and development to the blastocyst stage were assessed. No significant difference was observed the cleavage rate among the groups (82.6%, 76.4% and 82.2%, respectively). However, the development competence to the blastocyst stage was significantly increased in CBHA-Z embryos (22.7%) as compared to SCNT and CBHA-C embryos (8.6% and 4.1%)(p<0.05). Total cell numbers and viable cell numbers at the blastocyst stage of porcine SCNT embryos were increased in CBHA-Z embryos as compared to those in CBHA-C embryos (p<0.05). Signal level of histone acetylation (H3K9ac) at the zygote stage of SCNT was increased in CBHA-Z embryos as compared to SCNT and CBHA-C embryos. The results of the present study suggested that treatment with CBHA during the in vitro early culture (10 h) had significantly increased the developmental competence and histone acetylation level at the zygote stage.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.13-13
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• 2001

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of catalase using xanthine (X) - xanthine oxidase (XO) system on in vitro maturation and fertilization in pig. When follicular oocytes were cultured in maturation medium with X and/or XO, the maturation rates were not significantly different between in medium with and without catalase despite of different culture periods. However, significantly (P<0.05) higher maturation rates were obrained in culture with X-XO system. The rates of degenerated oocytes were increased with culture periods prolonged, and were significantly (P<0.05) higher in medium without than with catalase at 120 h of culture. On the other hand, the parthenogenetic oocytes were observed with high proportions at 72 h of culture, hut were not different in medium with and without catalase at various times of culture. In another experiment, the frozen-thawed boar spermatozoa treated with X-XO system for in vitro fertilization. The penetration rates were higher in medium with that than without catalase during the in vitro fertilization with, none (P<0.05), XO and X＋XO. On the other hand, when sperm were treated with none, X, XO and X＋XO, lipid peroxidation were higher in medium without that than with catalase. However, the changes in sperm penetration and lipid peroxidation showed opposite patterns. The sperm suspensions were also treated with X and/or XO for assay of sulfhydryl (-SH) group content. Under the above all conditions, sperm-SH group were higher detected In medium with that than without catalase. The activity of sperm binding to zona pellucida was also evaluated through binding to salt-stored porcine oocytes. In control group, sperm binding to zona pellucida were higher than in medium with X, XO and X＋XO groups. No significant differences, however, were observed between medium with and without catalase. In conclusion, the exposure of follicular oocytes and spermatozoa to X-XO system may be caused stimulating in vitro maturation and fertilization in pig. This work was supported by grant No. 2000-1-22200-001-3 from the Basic Research Program of the Korea Science & Engineering Foundation.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2021

Background: There are no guidelines for the optimal incubation time or temperature to improve pregnancy outcomes in testicular sperm extraction-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (TESE-ICSI) cycles. We aimed to evaluate whether a 24-hour in vitro culture of testicular spermatozoa affects pregnancy outcomes in TESE-ICSI cycles. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 83 TESE-ICSI cycles using testicular spermatozoa in 46 couples with male partners suffering from nonobstructive or obstructive azoospermia. Sperm retrieval was performed either on the oocyte retrieval (OR) day (65 cycles in 33 couples; group A) or on the day before OR (18 cycles in 13 couples; group B) followed by in vitro culture for 24 hours. The clinical characteristics and pregnancy outcomes, including the number of retrieved oocytes, fertilization rates, embryo transfer rates, implantation and clinical pregnancy rates, were compared between the two groups. Results: There were no differences in terms of clinical characteristics except for the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) in males. Group B had higher LH levels than group A (4.56±1.24 IU/L vs. 3.67±1.07 IU/L, p= 0.017). Group B showed higher fertilization rate (72.4%±32.1% vs. 59.2%±21.7%, p=0.045), implantation rate (35.0%±34.1% vs. 14.0%±21.5%, p=0.010), pregnancy rate per cycle (80% vs. 39%, p=0.033), and clinical pregnancy rate per cycle (80% vs. 37.5%, p=0.024) than those of group A. Conclusion: Testicular sperm retrieval performed on the day before OR followed by in vitro culture can potentially improve pregnancy outcomes.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.245-250
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• 2008

This study was designed to investigate the effect of essential amino acids (EAA) and/or non-essential amino acids (NEAA) on the development of parthenogenetic and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) porcine embryos in vitro. To evaluate the timing of amino acids supplementation, activated oocytes were cultured in NCSU23-PVA with EAA, NEAA or NEAA+EAA (AAs) during specific periods as below: EAA, NEAA or AAs were supplemented during Day 0 to 6 (whole culture period: ALL), Day 2 to Day 6 (post-maternal embryonic transition period: POST-MET), Day 5 to Day 6 (post-compaction period: POST-CMP), Day 0 to Day 2 (pre-maternal embryonic transition period: PRE-MET), or Day 0 to Day 4 (post-compaction period: PRE-CMP). Supplementation of NEAA decreased cleavage rates in PRE-MET and PRE-CMP and also decreased blastocyst rates in POST-CMP. On the other hand, EAA significantly enhanced blastocyst formation rate in POST-MET and no detrimental effect on embryonic development in other groups. Interestingly, NEAA and EAA had synergistic effect when they were supplemented to the medium during whole culture period. Supplementation of AAs also enhanced SCNT porcine embryo development whereas BSA-free medium without AAs could not supported blastocyst formation of SCNT embryos. In conclusion, existence of EAA and NEAA in defined culture medium variously influences the development of parthenogenetic and SCNT porcine embryos, and their positive effect are only occurred when both EAA and NEAA are supplemented to the medium during whole culture period. Additionally, AAs supplementation enhances the blastocyst formation of SCNT porcine embryos when they are cultured in the defined condition.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.105-108
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• 2009

This study was designed to investigate the effect of kinetin on in vitro development of parthenogenetic porcine oocytes exposed to demecolcine prior to activation. In vitro matured metaphase II stage oocytes were incubated in 0 or 2 ${\mu}$g/ml demecolcine supplemented defined culture medium for 3 h and the oocytes were activated electrically. The parthenogenetic porcine embryos were then cultured in 0 or 200 ${\mu}$M kinetin supplemented defined culture medium for 7 days. Regardless of demecolcine treatment, kinetin supplementation increased blastocyst rates significantly (7.0% versus 12.1% and 4.9% versus 8.5%; Control versus Kinetin and Demecolcine versus Kinetin + Demecolcine, respectively, p<0.05). Demecolcine treatment before activation tended to decrease blastocyst rates regardless of kinetin supplementation although it is not statistically significant. Total cell numbers in the blastocysts also tended to be elevated in embryos when supplemented with kinetin, however only the result between Kinetin and Demecolcine groups is statistically significant (37.6 ${\times}$ 7.2 versus 28.1 ${\times}$ 9.5, respectively, p<0.05). In conclusion, the present report shows that kinetin enhances developmental competence of parthenogenetic porcine embryo regardless of demecolcine pre-treatment before parthenogenetic activation when they were developed in defined culture condition.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.157-160
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• 1993

The human follicular f1uids(F.F.) may be considered to contribute the maturation of the oocytes on the in vitro culture. To investigate the effects of epidermal growth factor (E.G.F.), which is present in mature and immature follicular fluids, we had experiments of mouse oocytes maturation in vitro. The endpoints assayed were rated as percentage of oocytes undergoing germinal vesicle breakdown(G.V.B.D.) and polar body(P.B.) formation at 12 hours after in vitro culture. The rates of G.B.B.D. were 87% in mature F.F. 68% in immature F.F. and 78% in Ham's F-10 medium respectively. And overall the mature F.F. seem to stimulate on in vitro oocyte maturation compared with either immature F.F. or Ham's F-10 medium. As the concentration of addition of E.G.F. in immature F.F., the rates of G.V.B.D. and P.B. formation were 82 %, 23% in addition with 2 ng/ml while 84%, 32% in addition with 4 ng/ml respectivly. And at the concentration of addition of E.G.F. in Ham's F-10 media as well, the rates of G.V.B.D. and P.B. formation were 84%, 40% and 82%, 44% in addition with each 2ng, 4ng. AccordinglY there was no influence on the oocytes maturation at the addition of E.G.F. to each immature F.F. and Ham's F-10 medium. In conclusion, the E.G.F. is not able to induce oocyte maturation independent of it's effects in immature F.F. and Ham's F-10 media.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2014

Objective: Estrogen related receptor ${\beta}$ (Esrrb) is a member of the orphan nuclear receptors and may regulate the expression of pluripotencyrelated genes, such as Oct4 and Nanog. Therefore, in the present study, we have developed a method for delivering exogenous ESRRB recombinant protein into embryos by using cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) conjugation and have analyzed their effect on embryonic development. Methods: Mouse oocytes and embryos were obtained from superovulated mice. The expression of Oct4 mRNA and the cell number of inner cell mass (ICM) in the in vitro-derived and in vivo-derived blastocysts were first analyzed by real time-reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and differential staining. Then 8-cell embryos were cultured in KSOM media with or without $2{\mu}g/mL$ CPP-ESRRB protein for 24 to 48 hours, followed by checking their integration into embryos during in vitro culture by Western blot and immunocytochemistry. Results: Expression of Oct4 and the cell number of ICM were lower in the in vitro-derived blastocysts than in the in vivo-derived ones (p<0.05). In the blastocysts derived from the CPP-ESRRB-treated group, expression of Oct4 was greater than in the non-treated groups (p<0.05). Although no difference in embryonic development was observed between the treated and non-treated groups, the cell number of ICM was greater in the CPP-ESRRB-treated group. Conclusion: Treatment of CPP-ESRRB during cultivation could increase embryos' expression of Oct4 and the formation rate of the ICM in the blastocyst. Additionally, an exogenous delivery system of CPP-conjugated protein would be a useful tool for improving embryo culture systems.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.62-62
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• 2001

Recently, production of transgenic animal by nuclear transfer has been known as a useful method. The production of cloned offspring derived from nuclear transfer depends upon a variety of factors such as species, donor cells type and cell cycle, and source of recipient ova. Therefore, we attempted a different transgenic methods using follicular granulosa cells (GCs). In general, ovulated GCs undergoes lutenization and transformation in vitro which might defective effects on developmental potential. In order to avoid the GCs transformation in vitro culture system, we introduced a direct injection of retrovirus into the follicles and then collected them mechanically from ovaries of 6-8 week-old ICR mice. Retrovirus vector constructed with pLN $\beta$ EGFP was injected into the follicles. The follicles are cultured in $\alpha$ -MEM supplemented with human FSH, LH and ITS in Costar Transwell dish for 4 days. Survival rate of virus injected follicles was 52.1% (12/23) and expression rate of EGPP gene was 33.3% (4/12). In this study, we found GCs performed transgenesis in our culture system. In addition, the GCs in follicle may be developed in vivo like environment rather than in vitro environment. Thus, the use of GCs as donor cells may be useful in the nuclear transfer for cloning of genetic modification. Therefore, these results suggest that follicular GCs can be transfected by viral vector during folliculogenesis in vitro.