• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.113-121
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• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different hexoses (glucose, mannose, galactose and fructose) on in vitro development of parthenogenetic embryos in the pigs. When the parthnogenetic embryos were cultured in medium with concentrations of 5mM glucose or 1mM galactose, the rates of embyos developed to morula and blastocyst stages were significantly higher than those in another culture conditions (P<0.05). However, high concentration of galactose inhibited development to morula and blastocyst stages. Addition of hexoses at early stage of porcine parthenogenetic embryos were effective for in vitro development. Especially, the embryos cultured in medium with glucose at early stage were effective for development to 2-cell $(72\%)$ and blastocyst $(19\%)$ stages compared with embryo cultured without glucose. From the present results, it is suggested that development of porcine parthenogenetic embryos can improve in medium with 5mM glucose. The concentration of 1mM galactose was also effective for development of porcine parthenogenetic embryos. It also show that parthenogenetic embryos cultured with glucose at early stage can improve in vitro development.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.91-102
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• 1997

This study was carried out to enhance the efficiency of Korean Native cattle embryos and establish the techniques for producing the twin calves. Bisected embryos without zona pellucida which were divided by simple method not using holding pipette or whole two embryos were transferred to recipients.The pedigrees of monozygotic twin calves produced by transfer of bisected pair embryos were identified. The results obtained were as follows ; The average successful bisection rate was 89.16%. The embryos of blastocyst stage (91.66%) were bisected successfully at significantly (P<0.05) higher rate, compared with the morula stage embryos (86.66%). The average survival rate of bisected embryos following 24 hours culture was 59.02%. The survival rate of morula stage embryos (62.50%) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of blastocyst stage embryos (55.5%). For the production of monozygotic twin calves, ten pairs of flesh or frozen demi-em- lymphocytes antigen, the twin calves produced by transfer of bisected pair embryos of Korean Native cattle were identified in pedigrees and confirmed as monozygotes.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.77-82
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was performed to establish the in vitro culture system of porcine in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilization(IVM/IVF) embryo. These studies was to determine the effects of antioxidants(aesculetin, taurine and melatonin) in porcine IVM/IVF embryos. In routine porcine IVM/IVF procedure, oocytes were cultured for 40∼44h incubation in NCSU 23 mediumand matured oocytes were inseminated with frozen semen. Then 2 to 8 cell embryos were removed cumulus cell and were allotted randomly to NCSU 23 containing different concentration of antioxidants in 5% $O_2$ and 5% $CO_2$ at 38.5$^{\circ}C$. Cell numbers of blastocyst were also counted using double fluorescence stain method. Aesculetin were added to NCSU 23 medium at concentration of 1 ug, 5 ug, and 10 ug, when treated with 10 ug(35.7%) of aesucletin at the rate of embryos of the morula plus blatocsyts were higher than those of any other groups (30.2%, 29.5% and 29.2%)(P<0.05). The developmental rates beyond morula stage of porcine embryos in NCSU 23 medium supplemented with taurine 0, 2.5 and 5.0 mM were 26.1%, 26.9% and 31.7%, respectively. The addition of 5.0 mM taurine was higher the developmental rate beyond morula stage than in any other groups. In NCSU 23 medium treated with melatonin 0, 1, 5 and 10 nM, the developmental rate of morula plus blastocysts were 33.3%, 39.1%, 33.3% and 27.9%, respectively. The developmental rate of morula and blascytocys treated with 1nM melatonin was higher than in any other groups(P<0.05). Cell numbers of blastocyst in NCSU 23 treated with melatonin 0, 1, 5 and 10nM were 41.0, 42.6, 39.6 and 33.0, respectively. These results indicate that aesculetin, taurine and melation can increase the developmental rate beyond the morulae and blastocysts in porcine embryos.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.83-87
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• 2004

The objective of this study was performed to establish the in vitro culture system of porcine in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilization(IVM/IVF) embryo. These studies was to determine the effects of melatonin, nitric oxide donor(SNP), and the combination effects of SNP and melatonin in porcine IVM/IVF embryos. In routine porcine IVM/IVF procedure, oocytes were cultured for 40∼44h incubation, and the zygotes were cultured for 40∼44h in NCSU 23 medium. Then 2 to 8 cell embryos were removed cumulus cell and were allotted randomly to NCSU 23 containing different concentration of melatonin, SNP and SNP plus melatonin in 5% $O_2$, 5% $CO_2$ and 90% $N_2$ at 38.5$^{\circ}C$. Cell numbers of blastocyst were also counted using double fluorescence stain method. In NCSU 23 medium treated with melatonin 0, 1, 5 and 10 nM, the developmental rate of morula plus blastocysts were 33.3%, 39.1%, 33.3% and 27.9%, respectivly. This result show that the developmental rate of morula and blascytocys treated with 1 nM melatonin was higher than in any other groups(P<0.05). The developmental rates of morula plus blastocysts were 41.9% in 0 uM SNP, 25.6% in 50 uM and 28.4% in 100 uM, respectively. The developmental rate of morula plus blastocysts were decreased treated with SNP in NCSU 23. In combined effects of SNP plus melatonin (0, SNP 50 uM, SNP 50 uM plus melatonin 1 nM, SNP 50 uM plus melatonin 5 nM and SNP 50 uM plus melatonin 10 nM), the developmental rates beyond morula stage of porcine embryos were 31.3%, 34.1%, 39.5%, 29.4% and 39.5%, respectively. The addition of SNP 50 uM plus maltonin 1 nM, developmental rates of blastocyst was higher rate than in any other groups. Cell numbers of blastocyst in NCSU 23 treated with melatonin 0, 1, 5 and 10 nM were 41.0, 42.6, 39.6 and 33.0, respectively. In combined effects of SNP plus melatonin (0, SNP 50 uM, SNP 50 uM plus melatonin 1 nM , SNP 50 uM plus melatonin 5 nM and SNP 50 uM plus melatonin 10 nM), cell numbers of developed blastocyst were 36.3, 34.6, 39.0, 39.9 and 39.0, respectively. These result show that the cell numbers of blastocyst treated with 0, 1 and 5 nM melatonin were higher than in 10 nM group(P<0.05), but cell numbers of blatocyst produced by SNP plus melatonin were not significantly difference in all experimental groups.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.205-212
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• 1998

A sodium-independent facilitative glucose transporter 1 (Glut1) is a major route by which glucose can be transported across the plasma membrane of mouse embryo. Although it has been known that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) promotes glucose transport into the mouse embryo, whether IGF-I directly regulates transcription of Glut1 has been uncovered in mouse preimplantation embryo. This study was aimed to elucidate the role of glucose and IGF-I in development and Glut1 expression in preimplantation mouse embryo. Two-cell embryos developed in blastocyst regardless of the glucose in the presence of pyruvate. IGF-I significantly increased the number of blastomeres in the mid-blastula. Deprivation of glucose did not affect the amount of Glut1 transcripts in morula cultured from 2-cell embryo. IGF-I potentiated Glut1 expression in morula cultured from 2-cell embryo even in the absence of glucose. Taken together, it is concluded that depletion of glucose does not promote Glut1 expression the in morula cultured form 2-cell embryo, and that increment of Glut1 expression possibly mediates embryotropic effect of IGF-I on preimplantation mouse embryo.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 1989

In order to determine the sex of preimplantation embryos prior to transfer in cattle, a series of experiments were carried out using 45 Holstein donor cows to examine the ovarian response on the gonadotropin and PGF2${\alpha}$, and the morphology of fresh embryos or frozen/thawed embryos after deep freezing at -196$^{\circ}C$. The sexing of embryos treated with the medium containing H-Y antiserum(10%, v/v) and FITC anti-mouse IgG(10%, v/v) were analysed by chromosomal analysis, and the sex of the embryos which survived were ascertain after delivering the pups. The results obtained were summarized as follows ; 1. The average number of developed follicle and corpus luteum per cow were 13.5 and 8.1, and the ovalation rate was 60.1%. 2. Of 220-ova recovered, 75(34.1%) were morula and 91(41.4%) were blastocyst, and the morphological normal and abnormal rate of ova recovered were 75.5% and 24.5%, respectively. 3. Of 39 frozen/thawed embryos, the scores of normal morula and blastocyst, after thawing were 79.2%(19/24) and 73.3%(11/15). The average rate of frozen/thawed embryos which appeared morphologically normal post thawing was 76.9%(30/39). 4. The sex ratio was measured using the embryos treated with immunofluorescence assay to examine the relationship between embryo developmental stage, sex ratio of morula stage embryo was 42.2%(19/45) fluorescing and 57.8%(26/45) non-fluorescing, on the other hand, the ratio switched to 46.8%(29/62) fluorescing and 53.2%(33/62) non-fluorescing embryo in blastocyst stage. The sex ratio was also measured between fresh and frozen/thawed embryos, fresh and frozen/thawed treated embryos were indicated 45.8%(38/83) fluorescing, 54.2%(45/83) non-fluorescing and 41.7%(10/24) fluorescing, 58.3%(14/24) non-fluorescing. This trend indicated the approximal sex ratio was 1 : 1. 5. The result of karyotype test showed the successful rate of sexing embryo is fluorescing and non-fluorescing was 21.2%(7/33) and 29.6%(8/27). The female to male ratio within 33 fluorescing was 28.6 : 71.4, and the ratio of 27 non-fluorescing embryos was 87.7 : 12.5. 6. Of the embryo transferred after assignment of H-Y phenotype, five of the fluorescing embryos survived to term, all was males. Whereas six non-fluorescing embryos also survived to term and the sexes of the calves were 1 male 5 female.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 1993

To provide the optimal culture conditions for the developm,ent of in vit개 produced embryos, we have been investigated various culture media as well as co-cultrue systems using porcine cumulus cells or mouse fetal fibroblast cells. Porcine ovaries were brought to the laboratory from local slaughter house within 1 hour after slaughtering and cumulus oocytes complexes were recovered from antral follicles(3~5mm) with 23 gauge needle. To maturate follicular oocytes, cumulus oocytes complexes were washed three times with TCM-199 containing 25mM HEPES and incubated(39$^{\circ}C$, 5% CO2 in air) in various maturation media for 42 hrs. Ejaculated and liquid storaged boar spermatozoa capacitated with different sperm capacitation methods and media were rpepared for fertilizing of matured follicular oocytes in vitro. Fertilization was performed by adding 5~10${\mu}\ell$ fo capacitated spermatozoa containing 1~5$\times$105 sperm/ml to droplets. Eighteen to twenty-eight hours after sperm insemination, fertilized eggs were washed three times with culture media and transferred to the various culture media, to the culture media with a monolayer of somatic cells. The in vitro development rates of 1-cell embryos cultured with three times with culture media and transferred to the various culture media, to the culture media with a monolayer of somatic cells. The in vitro development rates of 1-cell embryos cultured with three different media, m-KRB, BECM and TCM-HEPES were 0~1.0%, showing extremely lower rates. Especially, most of embryos were observed to arrest the development beyond 4-cell stages. The rates of embryos developed to 2-, 4-, 8-, 16-, 32-cell and morula or blastocyst stage in co-culture with porcine cumulus cells and mouse fetal fibroblast cells were 61.1~67.0%, 59.0~58.0%, 42.5~43.1%, 28.4~30.2% and 20.4~21.0%, respectively. These development rates upto morula or blastocyst stages were significantly higher than those of the embryos cultured in the basic culture medium(P<0.01). These findings suggest that co-culture of in vitro fertilized eggs with porcine cumulus cells or mouse fetal fibroblast cells enhance the development of fertilized eggs to morula or blastocyst stage in vitro.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 1996

In the present study, we investigated devel-opmental ability and transgene expression of IVM/IVF derived porcine embryos following microinjection with SV40-LacZ. A total of 412 IVM/IVF derived embryos were used to examine developmental ability and transgene expression following DNA microinjection. After centrifugation, pronuclei were visible in 60.3% when examined between 18~21h after IVF. Development and transgene expression were assessed after 9 days in culture. The percentages of injected embryos reaching to the morula and blastocyst were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of non-injected control embryos. However, the percentages of DNA microinjected embryos and non-injected embryos that developed to the blastocyst or hatched blastocyst stage in dual culture systems (NCSU23 and EMEM) were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those in NCSU23 medium alone. As the resuIt of X-gal staining, the proportion of positive embryos was 40~43% in morula and blastocyst stage embryos, however, mosaicism has been observed in the most putative transgenic morulae and blastocysts. In the PCR analysis, the percentages of embryos integrated gGH gene were 45.0 and 44.4% in morula and blastocyst stage, respectively. These results suggest that improved IVM /IVF system and culture condition increased the embryo viability and ex-pression of a microinjected transgene.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.204-212
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• 1996

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of phosphate, aimno acid, and BSA on in vitro development of mammalian embryos. In vitro-matured and -fertilized(IVM/IVF) bovine embryos were cultured in simple, chemically defined, protein-free medium(mTLP-PVA0. When the phosphate concentration of mTLP-PVA supplemented with 19 amino acid were adjusted to 0.0, 0.10, 0.35, 1.05 and 2.10mM by the concentration of sodium phoshpate, there were no significant different in development ability of IVM/IVF bovine embryos cultured in the medium containing from 0.00 to 1.05mM phosphate until 48 hours post-insemination, However, proportion of embryos developing to $$8-cell and morula at 96 and 144 hours post- insemination, respectively, was significantly increased in the medium with o.35 mM phosphate(p<0.05). There was significant difference between O.10(18%)-0.35(24%)mM phosphate and 1.05(13%)-2.10(1%)mM phosphate in supporting development to blastocyst(p<0.05). When IVM/IVF bovine embryos were cultured in the medium supplemented with 19 amino acids, significant different was observed in the proporton of embryos reaching $$8-cell(49-50%), morula(38-40%) and blastocyst (29-32%) stages at 96, 144, and 192 hours post-insemination, respectively(p<0.05). Glutamine alone had no benefit on embryo development. When BSA was added to mTLP-PVA with 0.35mM phosphate, glutamine and 19 amino acids at 8, 48, 120 hours post-insemination, BSA significantly enhanced the development ability ofb embryos reaching $$2-cell (74-77%), $$8-cell (49-53%), morula(43-47%), and blastocyst(38-42%) stages at 48, 96, 144, and 192 hours post-insemination, respectively, regardless of the time of BSA addition.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.80-80
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• 2002

This study was carried out that to investigate the effects of amino acids supplemented with culture medium on development of porcine embryos cultured in vitro. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in the maturation medium containing hormones (0.5$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ LH, 0.5$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ FSH and 1$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ estradiol-17${\beta}$) for 20-22 h at 39$^{\circ}C$ in an atmosphere of 5% CO$_2$in air. Subsequently, COCs were cultured in hormone-free maturation medium for 20-22 h. After maturation for 40-44h, oocytes were removed cumulus cells by pipetting and cultured with epididymal sperm for 5 h in the mTBM. Embryos obtained were divided in 4 groups (1) cultured in NCSU 23 containing 0.4% BSA to blastocyst stage(Control), (2) essential amino acids (EA), (3) non-essential amino acids (NA), (4) mixture of essential and non essential amino acid (EA+NA). All treated groups(2-4) were used a glucose free NCSU 23 medium supplemented with pyruvate (0.33 mM), lactate (4.5 mM) to morula stage. From morula to blastocyst stage embryos of all treated groups were cultured in NCSU 23 containing 0.4% BSA. The rates of cleaved oocytes at 48 h after IVF were from 82% to 88% in the groups of control, EA, NA and EA+NA, respectively. The in vitro developmental rates into blastocysts in the groups of EA and EA+NA were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of group of control (35.1, 35.4 vs. 19.4%, respectively), however, no significant (P<0.05) between control and NA. In conclusion, supplemented with essential amino acid or mixture of essential and non essential amino acid in the culture medium at morula stage increased the rate of development to blastocyst on in vitro produced porcine embryos.