• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.693-697
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• 2010

This study, conducted with four leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis), used time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) to analyze estradiol and progesterone concentrations in fecal samples. We measured fecal samples taken during estrus period, diestrus period, pregnancy and non-pregnancy period. During estrus (February), the mean minimum estradiol concentration was $4.02{\pm}1.9$ng/g, and the mean maximum was $86.01{\pm}35.2$ng/g (dry fecal weight). During diestrus (November), the mean minimum estradiol concentration was $4.42{\pm}1.32$ng/g and mean maximum was $15.62{\pm}6.48$ng/g (dry fecal weight). Midgestation (April), the mean minimum progesterone concentration was $427{\pm}24.49$ng/g and the mean maximum was $1490{\pm}265.27$ng/g. During non-pregnancy (November), the mean minimum progesterone concentration was $71.25{\pm}29.61$ng/g and the mean maximum was $291.75{\pm}90.30$ng/g. These results suggest that steroid hormone analysis of feces using TR-FIA is a valid method for noninvasively determining ovarian activity associated with estrus and pregnancy in leopard cats. This study will contribute to building breeding management and reproductive plans for endangered species.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.154-160
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• 2004

This study was carried out to monitor the response of ovaries and cyst according to treatment with dinoprost or fenprostalene in dairy cows with ovarian luteal cyst. Twenty cows were diagnosed as luteal cysts by rectal palpation, ultrasonography and progesterone analysis. The cystic cows were treated with dinoprost or fenprostalene. All the animals were re-examined by ultrasonography and blood was collected for the measurement of plasma progesterone concentration at day 0 (the day of treatment), 3, 13 and 24, respectively. Mean plasma progesterone concentrations on day -11 and day -1 before treatment were 2.1$\pm$0.2 ng/ml and 2.8$\pm$0.3 ng/ml, respectively. On day 3 and day 13 were 0.3$\pm$0.1 ng/ml and 4.3$\pm$0.2 ng/ml, respectively. Mean cystic wall thickness on day -11 and day -1 were 3.2$\pm$0.2 mm and 3.9$\pm$0.2 mm, respectively. And on day 3 was 2.4$\pm$0.3 mm. The responses of luteal cyst after treatment noted during ultrasonography included dramatical degeneration of the luteal tissue of cystic wall on day 3 (all cows), slowly reduction of cyst size (cyst resolution) until last examination (8 cows), complete disappearance on day 13 (7 cows) and no changes of cyst size (5 cows). A group of 10 cows with luteal cysts injected fenprostalene compared with another 10 cows treated dinoprost showed a slightly higher pregnancy rate on first service after initial treatment (50.0 vs 30.0%). But treatment effects of dinoprost or fenprostalene did not significantly different results for each groups. This study suggested that the response of the cyst according to treatment revealed various types. Therefore, veterinarians should have attention on monitoring of the response of cystic ovaries after treatment, specially on no change of cyst size after treatment.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2008

The objective of this study is to investigate the changes in concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and sex steroid hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in Korean cattle (Hanwoo) with reproductive disorders and to examine the relationship between BUN and body condition score (BCS) in Hanwoo. The concentration of BUN was 16.2 mg/dl, 17.8 mg/dl, 15.1 mg/dl, 17.9 mg/dl, and 28.3mg/dl in pregnancy, repeat breeding, follicular cyst, luteal cyst, and ovarian atrophy, respectively. In Hanwoo with BCS $2.0{\sim}2.9$, $3.0{\sim}3.5$ and $3.6{\sim}4.0$, the concentration of BUN was 15.8 mg/dl, 17.0 mg/dl, and 17.6 mg/dl, respectively. Fluoroimmunoassay showed that serum estrogen and progesterone levels were decreased in reproductive disorders Hanwoo, such as ovarian atrophy, endometritis, and weak estrus. The testosterone level was significantly decreased in Hanwoo with reproductive disorders compared to that in pregnant Hanwoo ($0.02{\sim}0.03\;ng/ml$ vs 0.13 ng/ml, p<0.05). The progesterone and estrogen concentrations in follicular fluid obtained from ovary with follicular cyst were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those in normal follicle fluid. These results show that there is no relationship between BUN and BCS in Hanwoo, and the concentration of sex steroid hormone in serum and follicular fluid are changed in reproductive disorders Hanwoo.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 1993

In 27 patients with the past history of poor response to the gonadotropin superovulation induction due to poor follicular growth or permature surge of endogenous luteinizing hormone, the effectiveness of pituitary supperssion with the gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist(GnRH-a) in in vitro fertilization(IVF) program was evaluated in 43 cycles using a combination regimen of D-Trp-6 LHRH(Decapeptyl, Ferring)and FSH/hMG from June, 1989 to August, 1990 at Korea University Hospital IVF Clinic. At midluteal phase of menstrual cycle, Decapeptyl-CR was administered by long-term protocol to minimize initial agonistic effect of endogenous gonadotropins. After the confirmation of pituitary suppression, about 2-3 weeks after GNRH-a administration, ovarian follicle growth was stimulated with FSH/hMG and followed by transvaginal ultrasonic measurement of follicle size and by monitoring of serm E2 and LH if necessary. When compared with the control group stimulated with gonadotropin regimen only, the cancellation rate and occurrence rate of premature LH surge during gonadotropin treatment were significantly lower in study group(11.6% and 2.4%, respectively). There is no significant differences in the mean number of aspirated oocytes, fertilization/cleavage rate, embryo transfer(ET) rate, and mean number of embryos transferred between the two groups. The pregnancy rate per treatment cycle, 16.3%, and per ET cycle, 23.3%, were significantly higher in the study group compared with those of control group. These data suggest that GnRH-a therapy is effective for previous poor responder In gonadotropin superovulation induction for IVF.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.135-139
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• 2020

Objective: In the present study, we aimed to retrospectively evaluate the cumulative live birth rate (LBR) after up to three consecutive embryo transfer (ET) cycles, either fresh or frozen, in women with expected poor ovarian response (ePOR). Methods: We selected 115 women who entered the first in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle between August 2013 and July 2016. The women were divided into an ePOR group (37 women) and a non-ePOR group (78 women). All women in the ePOR group were ≥ 40 years old or had serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels of less than 1.1 ng/mL at the time of the first IVF cycle. Live birth outcomes were monitored until December 2017. The cumulative LBR (with both conservative and optimistic estimates) was calculated according to the serial number of ET cycles. Results: After up to three ET cycles, the overall cumulative LBR was significantly lower in the ePOR group than in the non-ePOR group (conservative estimate, 10.8% vs. 44.9%, respectively; optimistic estimate, 14.7% vs. 56.1%, respectively; log-rank test, p= 0.003). Conclusion: Women with ePOR exhibited a lower cumulative LBR than women in the non-ePOR group, and this information should be provided to ePOR women during counseling before starting IVF.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.315-324
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• 2005

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of GnRH antagonist multiple dose protocol (MDP) with that of GnRH agonist long protocol (LP) in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization in patients with high basal FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) level or old age, a retrospective analysis was done. Methods: Two hundred ninety four infertile women (328 cycles) who were older than 41 years of age or had elevated basal FSH level (> 8.5 mIU/mL) were enrolled in this study. The patients had undergone IVF-ET after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation using GnRH antagonist multiple dose protocol (n=108, 118 cycles) or GnRH agonist long protocol (n=186, 210 cycles). The main outcome measurements were cycle cancellation rate, consumption of gonadotropins, the number of follicles recruited and total oocytes retrieved. The number of fertilized oocytes and transferred embryos, the clinical pregnancy rates, and the implantation rates were also reviewed. And enrolled patients were divided into three groups according to their age and basal FSH levels; Group A - those who were older than 41 years of age, Group B - those with elevated basal FSH level (> 8.5 mIU/mL) and Group C - those who were older than 41 years of age and with elevated basal FSH level (> 8.5 mIU/mL). Poor responders were classified as patients who had less than 4 retrieved oocytes, or those with $E_2$ level <500 pg/mL on the day of hCG injection or those who required more than 45 ampules of exogenous gonadotropin for stimulation. Results: The cancellation rate was lower in the GnRH antagonist group than in GnRH agonist group, but not statistically significant (6.8% vs. 9.5%, p=NS). The amount of used gonadotropins was significantly lower in GnRH antagonist group than in agonist group ($34.8{\pm}11.3$ ampules vs. $44.1{\pm}13.4$ ampules, p<0.001). The number of follicles > 14 mm in diameter was significantly higher in agonist group than in antagonist group ($6.7{\pm}4.6$ vs. $5.0{\pm}3.4$, p<0.01). But, there were no significant differences in clinical pregnancy rate (24.5% in antagonist group vs. 27.4% in agonist group, p=NS) and implantation rate (11.4% in antagonist group vs. 12.0% in agonist group, p=NS) between two groups. Mean number of retrieved oocytes was significantly higher in GnRH agonist LP group than in GnRH antagonist MDP group ($5.4{\pm}3.5$ vs. $6.6{\pm}5.0$, p<0.0001). But, the number of mature and fertilized oocytes, and the number of good quality (grade I and II) and transferred embryos were not different between two groups. In each group A, B, and C, the rate of poor response did not differ according to stimulation protocols. Conclusions: In conclusion, for infertile women expected poor ovarian response such as who are old age or has elevated basal FSH level, a protocol including a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation using GnRH antagonist appears at least as effective as that using a GnRH agonist, and may offer the advantage of reducing gonadotropin consumption and treatment period. However, much work remains to be done in optimizing the GnRH antagonist protocols and individualizing these to different cycle characteristics.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.119-133
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• 1997

In spite of much progress in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program, the pregnancy rate remains at 20-30%, and the endometrial implantation rate per embryo transferred at 10-15%. As a result, about 90% of embryos may fail to implant to the endometrium, and many attempts such as optimization of follicular development, improvement of in vitro culture system including coculture, and micromanipulation of zona pellucida have been made to improve embryonic implantation after IVF-ET. Recently, several procedures of assisted hatching (AH) using micromanipulation have been introduced, and pregnancies and births have been obtained after AH. To develop and establish AH as an effective procedure to improve embryonic implantation, AH with partial zona dissection (PZD) was performed in 116 cycles of 89 infertile couples who had previous repeated failures of standard IVF-ET more than two times (Group I: 71 cycles in 54 patients), or who had implantation failure of embryos with good quality (Group II: 15 cycles in 13), or who had undergone AH without specific indication (Group III: 30 cycles in 22) from January, 1995 to Februry, 1996, and the outcomes of AH were analyzed according to pregnancy rate. The number of oocytes retrieved after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) was $9.9{\pm}7.1$ in Group I, $11.5{\pm}4.5$ in Group II, and $7.9{\pm}6.4$ in Group III. The number of embryos transferred after AH was $4.7{\pm}1.8$ in Group I, $5.3{\pm}1.3$ in Group II, and $3.5{\pm}2.4$ in Group III. The mean cumulative embryo score (CES) was $56.8{\pm}30.0$ in Group I, $76.1{\pm}35.9$ in Group II, and $38.5{\pm}29.9$ in Group III. The overall clinical pregnancy rate per cycle and per patient was 12.7% (9/71) and 16.7% (9/54) in Group I, 33.3% (5/15) and 38.5% (5/13) in Group II, and 6.7% (2/30) and 9.1% (2/22) in Group III, respectively. There were significant differences in the numbers of oocytes retrieved and embryos transferred, CES, and the clinical pregnancy rate per cycle among three groups. There was a significant inverse correlation between basal serum FSH level and CES, and no pregnancy occurred in patients with CES less than 20. In conclusion, AH of human embryos with PZD prior to ET has improved the implantation and pregnancy rates in IVF-ET patients with the past history of repeated failures, especially in spite of transfer of embryos with good quality, and AH will provide a range of novel techniques which may contribute much to effective management of infertile couples.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2014

To describe the macroscopic anatomy and ovarian-physiological difference of the genital organs of the female Korean water deer, organs from captured animals in a wild area of Korea were dissected. The ovary of estrus group was about $1.10{\pm}0.02mm$ long and weighed about $0.50{\pm}0.02g$. And pregnant group was about $1.3{\pm}0.10mm$ long and weighed about $0.40{\pm}0.05g$. And the crowns of corpora lutea were found in the estrus group, but we couldn't find crowns at the pregnant group. Especially, the estrus ovaries tended (p=0.04) to be heavier than the ovaries during pregnancy. The MMP-9 activity was higher at the Graafian follicles of pregnant group than that in estrus group. However, with regard to follicles of estrus group, MMP-2 level was higher than that in pregnant group. Furthermore, apoptosis detection marker (Casp-3) was highly expressed in Graafian follicle of the pregnant group and the corpora lutea of estrus group. Thus, the differential expression of MMPs observed in this study suggests that the reflected the mechanisms underlying of monovulatory in estrus and/or pregnancy. Our results may be very useful as it provides with information that may be considered for the development of reproductive biotechnologies in endangered animals.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.319-324
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• 2017

This study is to compare the effect of estrus synchronization and embryo transfer between Korean and Mongolian cattle. Embryos were collected from 9 donors housed in Asan city in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. Embryos were collected 9 donors from Khushaat sum, Selenge province and Bayanchandmani sum, Tov province in Mongolia. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Controlled Internal Drug Release (CIDR) and Prostaglandin (PG) were used for superovulation. Subsequently, Artificial Insemination (AI) was done for donor cow and embryo was collected after 7 and 8 days. Collected embryos were compared between Mongolian and Korean cattle. Finally, good quality and fresh embryos were transferred to 50 and 22 recipients of cows in Korea and Mongolia respectively. The findings show that Korean native cattle each donor cow produced on an average 16.9 embryos and, 10.9 embryos were found transferable. But in case of Mongolia the average production of embryos per donor cow was 8.6 embryos and, 6.2 embryos were found transferable. Embryo collection after 7 and 8 days was not difference in embryo production in Korea. But, in Mongolia embryo production after 8 days was found more efficient than the 7 days. Korean native recipient's cows (74.6%) and Mongolian recipient's cows (71.0%) respectively were found transferable ovarian stage. The result suggested that efficiency of embryo production from the superovulation method treated of Korean cow were higher than the Mongolian cow. The pregnancy rate of Korea native cattle was 72%, which was about 10% higher than that of Mongolia cattle.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.101-112
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• 1986

It is now common practice to attempt ovarian hyperstimulation in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) to promote the development of multiple preovulatory follicles and to maximize the number of mature egg available. There are several drugs for hyperstimulation such as clomiphene citrate only, clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) and HMG only. Accumlated experience has shown that the hyperstimulation of the ovary in IVF-ET results in high pregnancy rate. But the hyperstimulation of the ovary in IVF-ET may cause the hyperandrogenism, so we must consider the adverse effect on pregnancy rate of the hyperandrogenism. Little is known about the functional significance of androgen for the follicular growth, however, the hyperandrogenism might interfere with oocyte maturation. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the serum profiles of estradiol, androstenedione and testosterone during the hyperstimulated menstrual cycles in IVF. The results were summarized as follows: 1. There was a gradual increase in the mean levels of serum estradiol, androstenedione, and testosterone approaching follicular maturation. 2. The mean serum estradiol levels in the hyperstimulated groups were significantly higher than that in the control group in late follicular phase and ovum retrieval (ovulation) day (p<0.01). 3. The mean serum androstenedione levels in the clomiphene citrate groups were significantly higher than that in the control group in late follicular phase (p<0.01). There was no statistically significant different in the mean serum androstenedione levels between the control group and the HMG group (p>0.05). 4. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean levels of testosterone among each group (p>0.05). 5. There was no statistically significant different in the mean levels of estradiol, androstenedione and testosterone between the fertilized patients and non-fertilized patients in clomiphene citrate and HMG group (p>0.05).