• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.196-204
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• 2012

This study was carried out to develop reliable systems for somatic embryogenesis in oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), and to verify the somaclonal variants by RAPD analysis. Embryogenic callus was induced successfully on modified half-strength MS medium containing $NaH_2PO_4{\cdot}2H_2O$ and casein. Embryogenic callus was further developed to somatic embryo mass (SEM), which is very hard and bonded tightly each other. Plantlets were proliferated when SEM was cultured on modified MS medium containing half strength $NH_4NO_3$, casein and L-ascorbic acid. Plantlets were transplanted into pots containing artificial soils. When RAPD analysis was conducted using randomly selected 95 in vitro plantlets and 19 random primers, somaclonal variation was detected using BNR35 primer. There was missing band around 1 kb in #22, #28, #35, and #77 plantlets. In addition, bands obtained from #28, #35, and #77 was much stronger than other normal bands. The blast results at NCBI revealed that somaclonal variation observed in this study was related to chloroplast genome of oil palm. The results also revealed that oil palm reproduction system through somatic embryogenesis is quite reliable and early detection of somaclonal variants seem to be possible at in vitro stage by RAPD analysis.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2012

Efficient oocyte activation is a key step for the success of nuclear transfer in cloning. Ionomycin sequentially combined with 6-DMAP is now widely used to activate normal oocytes for analytical studies of oocyte activation and to activate reconstructed oocytes after nuclear transfer. The present study investigated sources of oocytes, duration of ionomycin and 6-DMAP, laser and electric stimulation in goat oocyte activation in order to optimize the protocols. Goat ovaries were collected in individual abattoirs during the breeding season and were delivered to the laboratory within 6 h in saline with 100 IU/ml streptomycin and 0.05 mg/ml penicillin. The oocytes were denuded from the cumulus cell by pipetting with 0.2% hyaluronidase in PBS at 20~22 hr post maturation. Oocytes with the polar body were selected and assigned to four groups for parthenogenetic activation. To examine the effect of duration of ionomycin treatment, oocytes after 20~22 hr of maturation were treated with 2.5 uM ionomycin for 1 or 5 min times and then cultured in 2 mM 6-DMAP for 2 or 4 hr. The activated oocytes were cultured in mSOF at $38.5^{\circ}C$ in $CO_2$ 5%, $O_2$ 5% and $N_2$ 90% multi incubator. Cleavage and blastocyst development was observed at 48 hr and day 8 of culture $in$ $vitro$, respectively. Activation rates of oocytes exposed to ionomycin for 1 min(86.4%) were significantly higher than those treated for 5 min(74.3%) duration. This indicated that 1 min ionomycin treatment was most suitable for activation of goat oocytes. The duration of 6-DMAP treat duration was in 2 mM 6-DMAP for 2 hr after 1 min exposure to 2.5 uM ionomycin. The activation rate of oocytes incubated in 6-DMAP for 2 hour(82.5%) was significantly higher than those in oocytes treated with 4 hr(75.5%).

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2012

This study was conducted to analyze the transgenic efficiency and sex ratio in ${\alpha}$-1,3-galactosyltransferase (GalT) knock-out (KO) transgenic pigs according to generation. GalT KO piglets were produced by artificial insemination or natural mating. The transgenic confirmation of GalT KO was evaluated by PCR amplification using specific primers. After electrophoresis, three types of bands were detected such as 2.3 kb single band (Wild), 2.3 and 3.6kb double bands (GalT KO -/+; heterozygote), and 3.6kb single band (GalT KO -/-; homozygote). Transgenic efficiency in F1 generation was 64.5% (23/35) of GalT KO (-/+). In F2 generation, GalT KO transgenic efficiency was 36.4% (21/57, Wild), 47.5% (28/57, GalT KO -/+), and 16.1% (8/57, GalT KO -/-), respectively. Interestingly, no homozygote piglets were born in 6 deliveries among total 11 deliveries, although they were pregnant between male (M) and female (F) $F_1$ heterozygote. In the 5 litters including at least one GalT KO -/- piglet, the transgenic efficiency was 13.3% (2/24, Wild), 51.3% (14/24, GalT KO -/+), and 35.3% (8/24, GalT KO -/-), respectively. The sex ratio of M and F was 40:60 in $F_1$ and 49:51 in $F_2$ generation, respectively. Based on these results, GalT KO transgenic pigs have had a reproductive ability with a normal range of transgenic efficiency and sex ratio.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 2003

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different freezing and thawing rates on the viability, motility and acrosomal changes of frozen canine spermatozoa. The ejaculated semen was extended with Tris-egg yolk buffer containing 8% glycerol and equilibrated for 60 min after cooled to 4$^{\circ}C$ for 58 min. The straws were cryopreserved gradually by slow-cooling at different distance(6, 10 and 17 cm, respectively) from the liquid nitrogen (L$N_2$) to achieve temperature rate of 3, 8.9 and 19$^{\circ}C$ /min. Thawing of the straws was performed in a water bath fur 2 min at 37$^{\circ}C$ and 55$^{\circ}C$ , respectively. The motility of frozen-thawed spermatozoa was assessed by phase-contrast microscopy. To assess their viability and acrosome content, spermatozoa were stained with a vital stain and Fluorescence conjugated lectin Pisum Savitum Agglutinin (FITC/PAS), respectively. Concentration of the ejaculated fresh semen was normal range of 3.44 $\times$ 10$^{8}$ /ml. Freezing temperature were reduced to -110, -70 and -35$^{\circ}C$, as higher distance from liquid nitrogen, 6, 10 and 17 cm, respectively. Freezing at 3$^{\circ}C$/min in distance of 17 cm from liquid nitrogen yielded better motility, viability and rate of intact acrosome than 8.9 or 19$^{\circ}C$/min and the optimal thawing was 37$^{\circ}C$ for 2 min.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.333-337
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• 2014

To compensate for the critical shortage of human organs for allotransplantation, xenotransplantation studies using genetically modified pigs are being performed in Korea. Two types of pigs that are used are ${\alpha}1,3$-galactosyltransferase gene knockout (GalT KO) pigs and GalT KO+hCD46 (human complement regulatory protein) pigs. The present study measured the gestation time, birth weight, daily growth rate, and heart weight of both kinds of transgenic minipigs. The gestation period for both types of pigs was 117~119 days. There was no difference in the body weight of GalT KO (-/+) and GalT KO (-/-) piglets, but GalT KO+hCD46 ($-^{hCD46+}/+$) pigs were significantly heavier at birth than were GalT KO+hCD46 ($-^{hCD46+}/-^{hCD46+}$) pigs. During the first 10 weeks of life, the daily weight gain of GalT KO+hCD46 ($-^{hCD46+}/-^{CD46+}$) piglets, which are considered the optimal type for xenotransplantation, was 0.19 kg. The weight of hearts from GalT KO piglets up to two months of age was affected more by body weight than by age. Transgenic pigs showed no differences in gestation period or reproductive ability compared with normal pigs. These results comprise basic data that may be used in xenotransplantation studies and transgenic animal production in Korea.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.177-182
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the ovarian cycle changes of the mare according to the season. Twenty four Jeju crossbred horses(Thoroughbred ${\times}$ Jeju horse) raised in Subtropical Livestock Research Institute, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA were used to identify follicles and corpus luteum with ultrasonography once a week(May 2016~June 2017). Blood samples of experimental horses were collected twice a week for analysis of P4 hormone levels. The mares were considered to have resumed ovarian cyclicity on the day of ovulation if they followed by regular ovarian cycles. Only 13 cases(61.9%) of the total 21cases showed normal ovarian cycle, and 8 cases (38.1%) showed delayed ovarian cycle. Three cases(16.7%) in October, 5 cases(27.8%) in November and 5 cases(27.8%) in December(27.8%) ceased the heat and the remaining 5 cases(27.8%) showed that the estrus was maintained in winter. Horses that stopped estrus ceased the heat until March of next year, and 27.8% were continued the heat during non-breeding season. Eleven cases(61.1%) of 18 cases in April and 2 cases(11.1%) of 18 cases in May returned the estrus.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.600-607
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• 1996

Colored rices have been used for specific purposes by rice consumers due to the color and nutritive values empirically recognized. In this study, varietal variations of pigmentation and nutritive values were investigated in brown, red, purple and black rices. Pigments were localized in seed coat to pericarp region in all varieties tested. Pigments were slightly residued on the surface of milled rice. Anthocyanin content per g brown rice was 1.63~17.62 $\mu\textrm{g}$ in brown and reddish-brown rices, 3.56~11.10 $\mu\textrm{g}$ in red rices, 28.11~401.22 $\mu\textrm{g}$ in purple rices, and 3, 665.98 $\mu\textrm{g}$ in a black rice. A vatiety DZ 78 showed the highest protein content out of colored rices analyzed for protein. Normal and colored rices were found to have the similiar composition of amino acids, and so was in between brown rice without embryo and milled rice. Colored rices, L $K_1$B-4-12-1-1 and DK 1, showed higher content of vitamin $B_1$ compared with Hwacheongbyeo, a check variety of no specific color, and L $K_1$B-2-1-1 and L $K_1$B-4-12-1-1 showed much higher content of vitamin B2 in brown rice without embryo. Cation contents such as $K^{+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$ and F $e^{2+}$ were significantly increased in most of the colored rices tested implying that the increase might be associated with color pigmentation.ation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.207-215
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• 2020

Toxic assessment of antifouling agents (diuron and irgarol) was conducted using the fertilization and the normal embryogenesis rates of the sea urchin, Mesocentrotus nudus. Bioassessment began with male and female reproductive cell induction. White or cream-colored male gametes(sperm) and yellow or orange-colored female gametes (eggs) were acquired and fully washed, separately. Then, the fertilization and normal embryogenesis rates were measured after 10 min and 48 h of exposure to the toxicants, respectively. The fertilization and embryo development rates were greater than 90% in the control, validating the suitability of both endpoints. The normal embryogenesis rates were significantly decreased with increasing concentrations of diuron and irgarol, but no changes in the fertilization rates were observed in concentrations ranging from 0 to 40 mg L^-1. The EC₅₀ values of diuron and irgarol for the normal embryogenesis rates were 20.07 mg L^-1 and 22.45 mg L^-1, respectively. The no observed effect concentrations (NOEC) were <1.25 mg L^-1 and the lowest observed effect concentrations (LOEC) were 1.25 mg L^-1 and 2.5 mg L^-1, respectively. From these results, concentrations of diuron and irgarol over 1.25 mg L^-1 and 2.5 mg L^-1, respectively, can be considered to have toxic effects on invertebrates, including M. nudus. The ecotoxicological bioassay in this study using the noted fertilization and normal embryogenesis rates of M. nudus can be used as baseline data for the continued establishment of environmental quality standards for the effects of antifouling agents(especially diuron and irgarol) in a marine environment.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.293-301
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• 1999

This study was to examine whether Hanwoo IVM/IVF/IVC blastocyst can be successfully survived in vitro/in vivo after vitrification and one-step dilution. For vitrification, blastocysts were serially exposed in glycerol (G) and ethylene glycol(EG) mixtures［10% (v Iv) G for 5 min., 10% G plus 20% EG (v/v) for 5 min., and 25% G plus 25% EG (v/v) for 30 sec.］ which is diluted in 10% FBS added D-PBS. And then they were loaded in the straw, placed in cold nitrogen vapor for 3 min. and plunged into L$N_2$(－196$^{\circ}C$). One-step dilution within the straw was done in $25^{\circ}C$ and 36$^{\circ}C$ water for about 5 min. and 3 min., respectively. Recovered embryos after one-step dilution were cultured in cumulus cell mono-layered drop for 48 h or were transferred into recipient cows. When the embryo survival in vitro was assessed to re-expanded and hatched rates at 24 hand 48 h after one-step dilution, the results of vitrified group (85.4, 43.8%) was high, although these results were significantly lower than normal development (100.0, 63.3%) of control group, respectively (P＜0.001, P＜0.05). When in vitro survival of vitrified groups according to developmental stage was compared, the results of fast developed embryos (expanded blastocyst and early hatching blastocyst stage) were significantly higher than those of delayed developed one (early blastocyst stage) after one-step dilution (early hatching: 88.0, 48.0%: expanded: 81.1, 45.3%; early: 66.7, 14.3%) (P＜0.05). Also, in case of in vitro survival of vitrified groups according to embryo age (day 7, 8 and 9), when embryo age was younger, in vitro survival was significantly higher (day 7: 67.3, 34.5%; day 8: 76.9, 40.7%; day 9: 60.9, 23.9%)(P＜0.05). Finally, when in vivo development potential of vitrified and one-step diluted Hanwoo blastocysts was examined, 4 of 8 recipient (50%) cows became confirmed pregnant. These results demonstrated that our vitrification and one-step dilution technique can be applied easily and effectively on field trial without the equipment and embryological skills required for conservative dilution and transfer.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.125-134
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• 2010

Objective: The aim of this study was to measure the concentrations of cytokines contained in the hydrosalpingeal fluid and to evaluate the effect on the mouse embryo development with the different cytokine concentration. Methods: The hydrosalpingeal fluids (HSF) were collected during the surgery for hydrosalpinx which was confirmed by hysterosalphingogram. The cytokines in HSF including interleukin (IL)-$1{\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-$\alpha$, Interferon-$\gamma$ (IFN-$\gamma$), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) were measured by ELISA method. HSF were added up to culture media with 5%, 10%, and 30% concentrations. The blastulation rates were compared. Results: IL-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-$\alpha$, IFN-$\bamma$, VEGF, EGF, and MCP-1 were detected, but the concentrations were different from each sample. IL-6 and IL-10 were increased in HSF-1 group, and IFN-$\gamma$, MCP-1, VEGF were increased in HSF-2 compared with normal serum range. The Th1/Th2 ratio of HSF-2 (IFN-$\gamma$:IL10) was highly elevated to 61.64, compared with that of HSF-1 (3.69). The blastulation rate was significantly decreased in HSF-2 group (27.7%) compared those of the HSF-1 group (74%) and control group (76.7%). It showed the trend that the blastulation rate was decreased depending on the concentration HSF of culture media in HSF-2 group, but it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The composition and concentration of cytokines in each HSF were different, and increased proinflammatory cytokines in HSF might be associated with poor embryonic development. Further study will be needed about the effect of each cytokines in HSF.