• Development and Reproduction
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.79-85
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• 2000

This study was made to optimize the conditions needed to produce two types of gynogenetic diploids in the sweet fish, Plecoglossus altivelis. Firstly, ultraviolet (UV) ray doses between 3,000 erg to 14,000 erg/$\textrm{mm}^2$ were tested to inactivate sperm genetically. Based on the appearance of the haploid syndromes in the embryo, a dose of UV ray 6000~7000 erg was required to inactivate sperm genetically. Then, cold shock treatment at 1~2$^{\circ}C$ for 15~30 min were conducted to retain the 2nd polar body in inseminated egg. The best elapsed time before the start of the cold shock was examined between 5~8 min. The experiments in which began 5 min after insemination at 1~2$^{\circ}C$ during 17.5 min gave 21.2％ survival rate and 89.7% normal eyed embryo rate. The gynogenetic diploid produced by suppression of the first cleavage, a considerably high number of heteroploids appeared and high mortality was observed at the metamorphosis stage, so further investigation is needed. The production of gynogenetic diploids were confirmed by GPI isozyme marker. The heterozygous type in Gpi-1 locus was observed in the meiotic-G2N as a result of gene-centromere recombination during meiosis. The heterozygous type was never observed in mitotic-G2N and showed segregation into two homozygous types at Gpi-1 locus.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2010

Follicular cystic ovary (FCO) is one of the major causes of reproductive failure in cattle. Genetic alterations affect the function of diverse cells and/or tissues, which could be present in cystic ovaries. A microarray analysis was performed to screen differential gene expressions in follicular cystic follicles of cattle. In this study, we hypothesized that follicular cysts may be induced by changes in ion- and transporter-related gene expression. Microarray data showed that fibrinogen-gamma (FGG) and low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 8 (LRP8) were up-regulated, while choline transporter-like protein 4 (SLC44A4), very long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase homolog 2 (SLC27A5), annexin 8 (ANXA8), and aquaporin 4 were down-regulated in follicular cystic follicles. A semi-quantitative RT-PCR was carried out to validate DEGs altered in follicular cystic follicles. Of six DEGs, three DEGs (FGG, SLC44A4, and aquaporin 4) showed a positive correlation between microarray and semi-quantitative PCR data. We focused on FGG, among three DEGs, which was highly up-regulated in follicular cystic follicles. The FGG mRNA was upregulated by 8.4-fold and by 1.7-fold in the bovine follicular cystic follicles as judged by microarray and RT-PCR analysis, respectively. However, there was no significant changes in the expression level of FGG protein in both follicular cystic follicles and granulosa cells isolated from follicular cystic follicles by Western blot analysis. Although this study does not reveal a positive correlation between the mRNA and protein level, FGG appears to be an important biomarker in the discrimination of follicular cyst from normal ovary.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.251-255
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• 2008

The aim of the present recent study was to compare the protein patterns in the vaginal mucus of Hanwoo cattles during spontaneous and CIDR induced-estrus. Ten cattles, who had been observed in estrus, received no treatment and served as the group of cattles with normal spontaneous estrus. Thirteen cattles in the CIDR received an CIDR insert on day 14 were removed and cattles were injected GnRH on day 15. Vaginal mucus samples were collected from all cattles at the same time the single AI in cattles with spontaneous estrus and the AI in cattles with induced estrus. Spontaneous and CIDR-induced estrus vaginal mucus samples were analyzed on two different array surfaces: cation-exchange (CM10), anion-exchange (Q10). In addition, using the NaCl solution by which the proteins combined after washing are 0.5, 1 and 2 M, it was fractionated and a protein was collected successively. The results are summarized as follows: 1) Ionic surfaces chemistries (Q10 and CM10) gave the best results in terms of detectable protein peaks, with more than 100 protein peaks in the two fractions and under each condition. 2) Protein mass spectrometer using 11 different proteins in protein identification of 7 were able to determine the protein. List of identified proteins as follows; Ribosome-binding protein 1, GRIP 1-associated protein 1, Katanin p60 ATPase-containing subunit A-like 1, Protein FAM44A, DUF729 domain-containing protein 1, Prolactin precursor, Dihydrofolate erductase. Conclusively, on the basis of this study, protein expression in the vaginal mucus could be used as an indicator for time of estrus manifestation in order to increase conception rates by applying AI at an optional time.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.265-270
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• 2011

Procymidone is a fungicide with anti-androgenic properties widely used to protect fruits from fungal infection, which induces an excessive reactive oxygen species production in male reproductive organs. In this study, to clarify whether procymidone affect the cellular antioxidant system of prostate at onset of puberty, gene expression patterns of the representative antioxidant enzymes such as cytoplasmic glutathione peroxidase (GPx1), phospholipid hydroperoxide GPx (PHGPx), selenoprotein P (SePP), cytoplasmic copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), and manganese SOD (SOD2) were investigated in the rat ventral prostates exposed to procymidone using real-time RT-PCR analyses. Seven-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats castrated at 6 weeks old were treated with procymidone (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg per day) orally for 7 consecutive days after testosterone propionate (0.4 mg/kg per day) administration by subcutaneous injection. As compared to normal control animals, GPx1 mRNA expression in prostates significantly increased by the administration with TP and/or procymidone. However, PHGPx and SOD1 mRNA levels significanatly decreased by over 25 mg/kg of procymidone treatment and SePP and SOD2 mRNA levels was significanatly reduced by over 50 mg/kg of procymidone treatment. These findings indicate that procymidone may affect the antioxidant system of prostatic cells in up-regulation mode of GPx1, but in down-regulation modes of PHGPx, SePP, SOD1, and SOD2, suggesting that procymidone may affect differently the cellular antioxidant system of prostate according to the exposure doses.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.79-84
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• 2011

This study was performed to identify the differentially methylated region (DMR) and to examine the mRNA expression of the imprinted H19 gene in day 35 of SCNT pig fetuses. The fetus and placenta at day 35 of gestation fetuses after natural mating (Control) or of cloned pig by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) were isolated from a uterus. To investigate the mRNA expression and methylation patterns of H19 gene, tissues from fetal liver and placenta including endometrial and extraembryonic tissues were collected. The mRNA expression was evaluated by real-time PCR and methylation pattern was analyzed by bisulfite sequencing method. Bisulfite analyses demonstrated that the differentially methylated region (DMR) was located between -1694 bp to -1338 bp upstream from translation start site of the H19 gene. H19 DMR (-1694 bp to -1338 bp) exhibits a normal mono allelic methylation pattern, and heavily methylated in sperm, but not in oocyte. In contrast to these finding, the analysis of the endometrium and/or extraembryonic tissues from SCNT embryos revealed a complex methylation pattern. The DNA methylation status of DMR Region In porcine H19 gene upstream was hypo methylated in SCNT tissues but hypermethylated in control tissues. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of H19 gene in liver, endometrium, and extraembryonic tissues was significantly higher in SCNT than those of control (p<0.05). These results suggest that the aberrant mRNA expression and the abnormal methylation pattern of imprinted H19 gene might be closely related to the inadequate fetal development of a cloned fetus, contributing to the low efficiency of genomic reprogramming.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2006

The possibility of producing transgenic embryos expressing the green fluorescence protein (GFP) gene have been evaluated after transfer of exogenous gene into the porcine zygote cytoplasm using the intracytoplasm sperm injection (ICSI) as gene delivery method. For DNA binding to sperm heads, 0.05% Triton X-100 or Lipofectin was used. After injection of the sperm bound to DNA by means of Lipofectin or Triton X-100 triturate, the blastocyst formation rates on day 6 were not significantly different from that of ICSI only group (18.8, 19.2 and 25.3%). In terms of GFP expression, more embryos were in GFP form in Triton X-100 group than in Lipofectin group (40.6 vs 36.4%), while percentage of non-mosaic embryos expressing the GFP gene in all blastomere was higher (P<0.05) in Lipofectin group than in Triton X-100 group (4.2 vs 0.9%). ICSI embryos derived from sperm treated with Lipofectin/DNA complex was transferred into 3 recipients and were collected by uterine flushing on days 5, 7 and 15 after embryo transfer, and then GFP expression was observed by a fluorescence microscopy. Over 26% of the collected embryos were normally expressed GFP gene. These results suggest that foreign gene transfer method with DNA bound sperm caused minimal damage to structure of oocytes that can result to full development of porcine embryos. This was confirmed in this study when the embryos that were transferred after ISCI of DNA bound sperm had a normal development and gene expression until preimplantation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.49-62
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• 1994

In mammalian development, the embryo which is in the process of compaction, involves a progressive flattening of blastomeres against each other with the consequence that the embryo assumes a spherical shape. This stage happens in the first differentiation. The present study was aimed to examine the involvement of other metal ions in compaction by treating with various divalent cations in the absence of $Ca^{++}$. When 8-cell embryos were cultured in $Ca^{++}$-free medium for 24hrs, they developed to 16-cell stage but did not compaction, and degenerated after 48hrs of culture. Embryos were cultured in $Ca^{++}$-free medium for 24hrs and then transferred to the control medium showed the normal compaction afterwards. When 8-cell embryos were cultured in the presence of $Ni^{++}$, known as a $Ca^{++}$ inhibitor, they cleaved to 16-cell stage but did not compact in the absence of $Ca^{++}$. On the other hand, embryos cultured in the media containing both $Ca^{++}$ and $Ni^{++}$ developed normally so that they underwent compaction during culture for 48hrs. However, they failed to hatch during further 24hrs in the same medium, indicationg that $Ni^{++}$ may exert some harmful effects. Embryos grow in the control medium that contained $Ca^{++}$ but not $Ni^{++}$, developed to the hatched blastocysts. The treatment with $Cd^{++}$ $10^{-1}$,$10^{-2}{\mu}M$, $Mn^{++}$ or $Ba^{++}$ 10,100, $1000{\mu}M$ in $Ca^{++}$-free medium, respectively, inhibited compaction and embryonic degeneration began as in $Ca^{++}$-free medium. When 3, 5, 10mM of $Sr^{++}$, known as a substitute for $Ca^{++}$ in cell, was added to $Ca^{++}$-free medium, respectively, compaction was induced unlike the above metal ions. Embryos were cultured in $Sr^{++}$ developed to blastocysts, but failed to hatch after 72hrs and degenrated. On the other hand, when embryos were cultured in 3, 5, 10mM of $Sr^{++}$ but in $Ca^{++}$-free medium for 24hrs respectively and then transferred to the control, they showed the similiar development as that in the control.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2012

Objective: We devised a novel strategy, a GnRH antagonist protocol with a GnRH agonist trigger followed by frozen-thawed blastocyst transfers with long zona dissection (LZD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical outcomes of this new strategy according to age. Methods: Ninety women aged less than 35 (group A) and 32 women aged 35 to 39 (group B) underwent the GnRH antagonist protocol with a GnRH agonist trigger in order to obtain many oocytes and prevent early-onset ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). All oocytes were cultured to the blastocyst stage and all blastocysts grade 3BB or better were cryopreserved. Embryo transfers were only performed in freeze-thaw cycles to prevent late-onset OHSS and to overcome embryo-endometrium dyssynchrony. LZD was performed just after thawing to improve hatching and implantation rates. Results: The average numbers of retrieved oocytes and blastocysts grade 3BB or better were $12.8{\pm}5.5$ and $4.4{\pm}2.6$ in group A and $10.9{\pm}7.4$ and $2.5{\pm}2.2$ in group B, respectively, and OHSS did not occur in any of the women. Implantation rates were 46.7% in group A and 39.3% in group B. Cumulative clinical pregnancy rates per retrieval were 77.8% in group A and 62.5% in group B. Cumulative ongoing pregnancy rates per retrieval were 71.1% in group A and 53.1% in group B. Conclusion: GnRH antagonist protocol with GnRH agonist trigger followed by frozen-thawed blastocyst transfers with LZD can generate many blastocysts without OHSS and maximize cumulative pregnancy rates per retrieval. This strategy is more effective in young women aged less than 35 than in women aged 35 to 39.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.184-189
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• 2007

Treatment conditions for the induced diploid gynogenesis, a maternal-exclusive form of artificial parthenogenetic reproduction, were optimized in bagrid catfish (Leiocassis ussuriensis, Siluriformes). Optimal amounts of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for the genetic inactivation of spermatozoa in bagrid catfish and Pseudobagrus fulvidraco were proven to be ranged from 3,600 to 4,800 $ergs/mm^2$ based on the examination of viability of embryos and haploid incidence. Haploid embryos were restored to diploidy by preventing the extrusion of the second polar body using cold shock treatment. Thermal treatments (4 or $6^{\circ}C$ for 30, 40 or 50 min) were carried out 3, 5 or 7 min post insemination. Best scores for embryo viability (38.6% of total eggs taken) and incidence of normal diploidy (87.9% of hatched larvae) were observed at the embryo group treated at $4^{\circ}C$ for 40 min, 5 min after insemination. Restoration of gynogenetic diploidy was confirmed based on the absence of haploid syndrome, cell size and/or nucleolar organizing region (NOR) counts.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2007

Plant regeneration system from zygotic embryos (2n=24) of Lilium lancifolium Thunb. via bulblet formation was estabished. Zygotic embryos of Lilium lancifolium formed bulblets and somatic embryos simultaneously when they cultured on MS medium supplemented with low concentration of 2,4-D. The highest frequency of bulblet and somatic embryo formation from zygotic embryos of Lilium lancifolium was 66.7% and 56.7%, respectively. The frequency of bulblet and somatic embryo formation was decreased when they cultured on MS medium over than 1 mg/L of 2,4-D. To regenerate whole plants, somatic embryos formed on zygotic embryos were transferred to MS basal medium. However somatic embryos did not fully converted into plantlets. Further incubation in the light, elongated somatic embryos formed numerous bulblets at the base of somatic embryos. Upon transfer to MS basal medium, bulblets were successfully converted into plantlets after further 4 weeks of culture in the light. After acclimatization, plantets from bulblets were transferred to soil and grown to normal plants in growth chamber (approximately $30\;{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$, 16/8h photo period, $25^{\circ}C$) The chromosome analysis revealed that plants regenerated from zygotic embryos showed 2n=24. These results indicate that chromosome stability of source tissue is maintained during plant regeneration via bulblet formation.