• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.149-158
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• 2022

Objective: Optimizing culture media for the incubation of immature oocytes is a vital strategy to increase the oocyte maturation rate during in vitro maturation (IVM) programs. This study evaluated the IVM and fertilization rates of human germinal vesicle (GV) and metaphase I (MI) oocytes using two different maturation media (commercial and homemade) with or without growth differentiation factor 9-β (GDF9-β). supplementation. Methods: Immature oocytes from intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles were collected and assigned to one of two IVM culture media (commercial or homemade; cleavage-stage base). After maturation, MII oocytes were examined under an inverted microscope for the presence of the polar body, zona pellucida (ZP) birefringence, and meiotic spindle (MS) visualization after maturation in four conditions (commercial or homemade medium, with or without GDF9-β. ICSI was done for matured oocytes, and fertilization was confirmed by the visualization of two distinct pronuclei and two polar bodies. Results: No significant differences were found between the two culture media in terms of the time and rate of oocyte maturation or the rate of fertilization (p>0.05). Growth factor supplementation increased the 24-hour maturation rate for both GV and MI oocytes only in homemade medium. The maturation rate after 24 hours was higher for MI oocytes (p<0.05). Similar results were observed for MS visualization and ZP structure in both types of media (p>0.05). Conclusion: Higher rates of oocyte maturation and fertilization were observed after application of homemade medium supplemented with GDF9-β. Therefore, this combination may be recommended as an alternative for clinical IVM programs.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.153-161
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• 2008

The factors influencing somatic embryo maturation, high frequency somatic embryo germination, and plantlet formation were studied in Terminalia chebula Retz. Maturation of somatic embryo were influenced by a number of factors such as in vitro culture passage, concentrations of sucrose, levels of abscisic acid (ABA), basal media and media additive combinations. Maximum frequency of somatic embryo maturation ($57.22{\pm}2.02$), was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 50 g/l sucrose. Different factors such as strengths of MS nutrients, plant growth regulators, media additives and their combinations controlling somatic embryo germination and plantlet formation were studied. High frequency of germination and plantlet formation ($58.80{\pm}1.47$) were achieved by subsequent subculture of mature somatic embryos on MS medium containing 30 g/l sucrose and 0.5 mg/l benzyl-adenine (BA). However, although duration of in vitro passage of the callus tissue was critical, contribution of the combinations of plant growth regulators and media additives showed nugatory effect on somatic embryo maturation and germination as evident from variable responses.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 1998

This study was performed to investigate the stimulating effect on oocyte maturation and cumulus cell expansion in TC199 media by human cord serum (HCS) supplementation. Immature mouse oocyte cumulus complexes (OCCs) were cultured in TC199 media supplemented with bovine serum albumin (BSA), HCS and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) instead of luteinizing hormone (LH) respectively, and the expression of cumulus expansion and oocyte maturation were observed. After 4hr and 24hr culture with or without OCCs, media containing 0.4% BSA, 10% HCS and 10 IV hCG respectively were collected and analyzed for changing concentrations of estradiol $(E_2)$, progesterone $(P_4)$, testosterone (T), and $PGF_{2\alpha}$. There were no elevation of $E_2$, T, and $PGF_{2\alpha}$ by OCCs culture, but minute elevation of $P_4$ level by 24hr OCCs culture in hCG supplementation (p=0.048). The stimulating pattern of cumulus expansion of OCCs by HCS and hCG supplementation was similar to our previously report using Ham's F-10 media, however oocyte maturation rates after 24hr OCCs culture in all media were increased by $20\sim30%$ compared to Ham's F-10 media. These results suggest that LH in HCS induce cumulus expansion probably by $P_4$ secretion of OCCs, and TC199 is efficient media for immature mouse oocyte maturation.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.147-152
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• 2008

The aim of this study was to investigate what components of porcine epididymal fluid (pEF) influences the nuclear maturation of porcine germinal vesicle oocytes. Porcine cumulus-oocytes complexes from follicles were cultured in TCM 199 containing pEF. After 48 h cultures, oocytes were examined for evidence of GV breakdown, metaphase I, anaphase-telophase I, and metaphase II. Maturation rate of oocytes was significantly increased in media supplemented with 10% pEF during in vitro maturation (IVM) than in those without pEF. When lipid component of pEF was removed by treating n-heptane, no significant difference was observed in maturation of oocytes between n-heptane treatrment and intact pEF group. However, the proportion of oocytes reaching at metaphase II (M II) was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in the oocytes cultured in media containing trypsin-treated pEF compared to those in media with intact pEF. When porcine GV oocytes were matured in the medium supplemented with intact pEF or pEF heated at $56^{\circ}C$ and $97^{\circ}C$, rates of oocytes remained at GV stage were 11.7%, 29.4% and 42.0%, respectively. However, there were no difference in proportion of oocytes reaching at MII stage among intact pEF group and $56^{\circ}C$ group. Present study suggests that 1) pEF contains an enhancing component(s) for nuclear maturation in vitro of oocytes, 2) protein(s) of pEF may be capable to promote nuclear maturation in vitro, and 3) enhancing component for nuclear maturation may consist of two factors, which are responsible for germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and promotion of MII stage.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.177-183
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• 1997

The present study examined the effects of epidermal growth factor(EGF) and transforming growth factor-$\alpha$(TGF-$\alpha$) on in vitro maturation of porcine follicular oocytes. Basic medium used TCM-HEPES, and oocytes cultured for 42 hours in vitro. The results obtained are as follows; 1. The nuclear maturation rates of EGF-treated groups(10ng/ml, 75.9% ; 30ng/ml, 69.2% ; 50ng/ml, 67.2% ; 100ng/ml, 71.0%) on the porcine oocytes cultured in medium without pFF in vitro were significantly(P<0.01) higher than those of non-treated group(57.1%). When the oocytes were cultured in media with 10%(v/v) pFF, the nuclear maturation rates of 30ng EGF/ml(77.1%) treated group were significantly(P<0.01) higher than those of non-(59.2%) and EGF-treated groups(10ng/ml, 65.4% ; 50ng/ml, 65.5% ; 100ng/ml, 70.4%). 2. The nuclear maturation rates of 30ng TGF-$\alpha$/ml treated group(71.9%) in media without pFF in vitro were significatnly(P<0.01) higher than those of non-(57.1%) and TGF-$\alpha$ treated groups(10ng/ml, 60.4% ; 50ng/ml, 65.4% ; 100ng/ml, 60.0%). When the oocytes were cultured in media with 10%(v/v) pFF, the nuclear maturation rates of 30 and 50ng TGF-$\alpha$/ml(77.4% and 79.6%) treated groups(10ng/ml, 64.2% ; 100ng/ml, 61.6%). 3. On the effect of EGF(30ng/ml) and/or TGF-$\alpha$(30ng/ml) treated groups in medium without pFF in vitro, the nuclear maturation rates indicated 57.3, 60.4, 75.9 and 79.7% in media with no EGF & TFG-$\alpha$, TGF-$\alpha$ only, EGF only nad EGF＋TGF-$\alpha$ treated groups, respectively. The nuclear maturation rates in medium with EGF only or EGF＋TGF-$\alpha$ were significantly(P<0.01) higher than those non- and TGF-$\alpha$ treated groups. When the oocytes were cultured in media with 10%(v/v) pFF, the nuclear maturation ratesof EGF＋TGF-$\alpha$ treated group(75.9%) were significantly(P<0.01) higher than those of non-(59.2%), TGF-$\alpha$ only (64.2%) and EGF only(69.4%) treated groups.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.239-249
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• 2002

Embryos derived from pig oocytes matured in mSOF are able to develop to blastocysts after IVF. Experiment 1 evaluated the effects of two maturation media (TCM-199 vs mSOF) on maturation rate, fertilization parameters, including penetration, polyspermy, male pronuclear formation, and the mean number of sperm penetrated per oocyte. Experiment 2 and Experiments 3 examined the effects of two maturation media on zona pellucida solubility and cortical granule distribution by transmissible electron microscopy, respectively. Experiment 4 assessed the effects of two maturation media on the in vitro embryo cleavage rate and development to blastocyst. Lastly, experiment 5 examined the cell number of blastocyst. An effect of media (P<0.05) was detected for mSOF on the mean number of sperm per oocyte. In TCM group, zona digestion time (196.5$\pm$15.5 vs 131.6$\pm$20.1 before IVF, 397.5$\pm$30.3s vs 185.3$\pm$16.4s after IVF, p<0.05) was higher in TCM-199 group. No significant effects of media was observed on cortical granule distribution between two groups by TEM. An effect (P<0.05) was observed on embryo development to blastocyst (16% vs 8%) but not on cleavage rates. No significant effects of media was observed on total cell number of blastocyst. We found that the high mean number of sperm penetrated per oocyte and the weaker zona pellucida on the basis of the digestion time was shown in pig oocytes matured in mSOF, however, porcine oocyte maturation with supplemented synthetic oviduct fluid medium (mSOF) resulted in blastocyst cell numbers comparable to those observed with Tissue Culture Medium 199.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.109-113
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• 2021

In this study, an automated culture media replacement system was developed to analyze changes in the contraction characteristics of cardiomyocytes according to the state of the culture media. For the long-term storage of culture media, a Peltier refrigerator with a temperature of 5 to 8℃ was provided and a pH of 7.4 was maintained. The cell culture media of the cardiomyocytes was continuously replaced using interlocking pumps at a flow rate of 0.83 μl/h. The cardiomyocytes in which the culture media was replaced automatically demonstrated lower heartbeats per minute compared to samples in which there was no replacement. However, these cardiomyocytes moved more uniformly and produced greater displacement in one heartbeat cycle. It was observed that the sarcomere length of the cardiomyocytes increased due to the automated culture media replacement system. These cardiomyocytes were found to demonstrate better maturation compared to the control group. The maturation of cardiomyocytes was verified through staining images. The proposed automated culture media replacement system generates a uniform heart rate and improvements in contraction force. Based on the study, patient-specific drug toxicity assessments can be conducted using differentiated cardiomyocytes in induced pluripotent stem cells.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.491-497
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• 1998

Four types of serum supplements viz. estrus cow serum (ECS), estrus buffalo serum (EBS), pro-estrus buffalo serum (PrBS) and post-estrus buffalo serum (PtBS), added to TCM-199, were evaluated for in vitro maturation and fertilization of buffalo follicular oocytes. The oocytes were recovered from buffalo ovaries after slaughter, using either aspiration or scoring (multiple incisions) method. The recovered oocytes were categorized as A, B and C based on their cumulus investment and ooplasm homogeneity and cultured in four media. The in vitro matured oocytes were inseminated with $1{\times}10^6$ spermatozoa washed in 2.9% sodium citrate solution. The scoring method yielded greater number of morphologically good oocytes than the aspiration method (3.85 vs 1.76 per ovary, p < 0.01). The maturation rates of three categories of oocytes did not differ from one another. The maturation rates of 80.00, 82.08, 78.77 and 66.23%, while the fertilization rates of 54.54, 55.38, 52.80 and 36.76% were recorded for media containing ECS, EBS, PrBS, and PtBS, respectively. The medium containing PtBS gave lower maturation, as well as fertilization, rates than the other three media (p < 0.05). Thus, the scoring method was better than the aspiration method for the recovery of follicular oocytes. The oocytes categorized A, B and C had similar maturation capabilities. The TCM-199 containing buffalo/cow serum collected at pro-estrus or estrus appeared better for in vitro maturation and fertilization of buffalo follicular oocytes than that containing serum collected at post estrus.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.95-99
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• 1998

Three experiments were conducted with follicular oocytes, to compare some somatic cells, growth factors and media for in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes. In the first experiment, the type of somatic cells had no effects on in vitro maturation of bovine follicular ooctyes. In the second experiment, oocytes were matured in TCM199 su, pp.emented with growth factors on IVM of bovine follicular oocytes, then all were co-cultured with cumulus cells. The proportion of used oocytes that developed to expanding blastocysts was 22.2%, 20.2%, 17.7%, 22.2%, 24.4% and 20.2% after maturation in TCM199 su, pp.emented with control, insulin, IGF-I, IGF-Ⅱ, FGF and EGF, respectively. In the third experiment, oocytes were matured in BO, Ham's F10 and TCM199, then all were fertilized in BO, and embryos cultured in BO, Ham's F10 and TCM199, respectively. Cleavage rates in BO were 90%, had higher than in Ham's F10(80%) or in TCM199(64%). But production of expanding blastocysts in TCM199(21%) or Ham's F10(20.6%), had higher than in BO(4.6%).

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2008

This study was conducted to establish an in vitro maturation (IVM) system by selection of efficient macromolecule in the porcine in vitro production (IVP) technology. To choose the efficient macromolecules in the development of porcine embryos, the effects of 3 kinds of macromolecules (porcine serum; PS, porcine follicular fluid; pFF, and polyvinyl alcohol; PVA) supplemented in IVM media on the maturation, cleavage, and development rates to blastocyst of parthenogenetic activation (PA) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos were examined. The maturation rates of porcine oocytes in media supplemented with PS were significantly higher than those with pFF and PVA (92.4% vs. 85.4%, 77.1%; p<0.05). In the cleavage and development to blastocyst rates, supplement with PS or pFF in the IVM media was more effective than PA. However, there were no significant differences in cleavage and development to blastocyst between PS and pFF group. From the results of this study, it was demonstrated that PS was optimal macromolecule in the porcine IVM media.