• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.193-201
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• 2001

This study was designed to examine the factors affecting in fertilization and development of embryos in vitro, and to examine whether zone drilling by laser irradiation can improve the hatching rate of IVF embryos from DNA marker-proved Hanwoo. DNA markers related to marbling score were identified using DNA fingerprinting with Ml3 probe and restriction enzyme Hae III. Oocytes were aspirated from immature ovarian follicles using a combined method of rectal ovarian-palpation and transvaginal ultrasound-guidance(6.5MHz) under local anesthesia. The aspirated oocytes were washed twice with fresh D-PBS containing 5% FBS and were rewashed 4 to 5 times with TCM-199 containing 5% FBS. A morphological grade of I to IV was assigned to each oocyte. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS. Sperm separation methods did not have any significant effect on cleavage or developmental abilities of IVF embryos. Significantly(P<0.05) higher cleavage rate was observed in embryos from GI(60.0%, 3/5), GII(69.2%, 18/26) and GIII(62.1%, 59/95) compared to embryos from GIV oocytes(36.2%, 25/69). And the developmental rate to blastocyst stage was higher(P<0.05) in embryos from GI(33.3%, 1/3) and GII oocytes(38.9%, 7/18) than those from GIII(16.9%,10/59) and GIV oocytes(4.0%, 1/25). There was no significant difference in development of IVF embryos to blastocyst by media for in vitro culture. Proportion of hatched blastocyst was significantly(P<0.05) higher in embryos received zona drilling by laser than those of non-drilled.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.203-211
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• 2001

This study was carried out to determine sex of porcine embryos produced by in vitro fertilization. Porcine oocyte-cumulus complexes were cultured in BSA-free North Carolina State University (NCSU) 23 medium containing porcine follicular fluid (10%), cystein (0.1 mg/ml) and hormonal supplement (10 IU eCG and 10 IU hCG per ml) for 20~22 hrs. They were then cultured in the same medium but without hormonal supplement for additional 20~22 hrs. After culture, cumulus cells were removed and oocytes were co-incubated for 6 hrs with four different concentrations (5$\times$10$^4$, 2.5$\times$ 10$^{5}$ , 5.0$\times$10$^{5}$ and l0$\times$10$^{5}$ ) of porcine sperm. After fertilization, oocytes were transferred into NCSU 23 with 0.4% BSA medium. The cleavage and blastocyst formation rates were evaluated at 48 and 144 hrs, respectively. In this study, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to determine the sex of porcine embryos in the stage of blastocyst. The PCR was performed using a set of oligonucleotide primers (5‘-TCATGGACCAGGTAGGGAAT-3', 5’-GAAAGACACGTCCTTGGA GA-3') for 491 bp fragment of porcine male-specific DNA sequence. In the flour different sperm concentration (5$\times$10$^4$, 2.5$\times$10$^{5}$ , 5.0$\times$10$^{5}$ and l0$\times$10$^{5}$ ) for fertilization condition, the cleavage rate was 55.95, 67.88, 60.18 and 47.60%, respectivety, and the development rate of blastocysts was 16.03, 20.40, 21.41 and 12.37%, respectively. At 5.0$\times$10$^4$and 2.5$\times$10$^{5}$ of sperm concentrations per ml cleavage rate and development rate of blastocyst were higher than those of 5.0$\times$10$^4$and l0$\times$10$^{5}$ of sperm concentration (P<0.01). The male of porcine embryos was detected at 491 bp by PCR, and 18 of the 31 porcine blastocysts were the male (58.1%) and the rest 13 were the female(41.9%).

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.33-45
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• 2011

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is ATPase-directed molecular chaperon and affects survival of cancer cell. Inhibitory effect of Hsp90 by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in the cancer cell was reported. However, its role during oocyte maturation and early embryo development is very insufficient. In this study, we traced the effects of Hsp90 inhibitor, 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), on meiotic maturation and early embryonic development in pigs. We also investigated several indicators of developmental potential, including structural integrity, gene expression (Hsp90-, cell cycle-, and apoptosis-related genes), and apoptosis, which are affected by 17-AAG. Then, we examined the roles of Hsp90 inhibitor on viability of primary cells in pigs. Porcine oocytes were cultured in the NCSU-23 medium with or without 17-AAG for 44 h. The proportion of GV arrested oocytes was significantly different between the 17-AAG treated and untreated group (78.2 vs 34.8%, p<0.05). After completion of meiotic maturation, the proportion of MII oocytes was lower in the 17-AAG treated group than in the control group (27.9 vs 71.0%, p<0.05). After IVF, the percentage of penetrated oocytes was significantly lower in the 17-AAG treated group (25.2%), resulting in lower normal pronucleus formation (2PN of 14.6%). Therefore, the inhibition of meiotic progression by Hsp90 inhibitor played a critical role in fertilization status. Porcine embryo were cultured in the PZM-3 medium with or without 17-AAG for 6 days. In result, significant differences in developmental potential were detected between the embryos that were cultured with or without 17-AAG. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) showed that the number of containing fragmented DNA at the blastocyst stage increased in the 17-AAG treated group compared with control (7.5 vs 4.4, respectively). Blastocysts that developed in the 17-AAG treated group had low structural integrity and high apoptotic nuclei than those of the untreated control, resulting in decrease the embryonic qualities of preimplantation porcine blastocysts. The mRNA expressions of cell cycle-related genes were down-regulated in the 17-AAG treated group compared with control. Also, the expression of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax increased in 17-AAG treated group, whereas expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bel-XL decreased. However, the expression of ER stress-related genes did not changed by 17-AAG. Cultured pESF cells were treated with or without 17-AAG and used for MIT assay. The results showed that viability of pESF cells were decreased by treatment of 17-AAG ($2{\mu}M$) for 24 hr. These results indicated that 17-AAG decreased cell proliferation and increased cell death. Expression patterns Hsp90 complex genes (Hsp70 and p23), cell cycle-related genes (cdc2 and cdc25c) and apoptosis-related genes (Bax and Bcl-XL) were significantly changed by using RT-PCR analysis. The spliced form of pXbp-1 product (pXbp-1s) was detected in the tunicamycin (TM) treated cells, but it is not detected in 17-AAG treated cells. In conclusion, Hsp90 appears to play a direct role in porcine early embryo developmental competence including structural integrity of blastocysts. Also, these results indicate that Hsp90 is closely associated with cell cycle- and apoptosis-related genes expression in developing porcine embryos.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.329-339
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• 2009

Cortisol is present in high concentration in the ovary and its receptor is expressed in the ovarian cells. Moreover, cortisol is known to have a role in steroid synthesis and cell metabolism in human granulosa and lutein cells. However, little is known of the role of cortisol presenting in high concentration in the follicles after LH surge on the granulosa-lutein cells. Therefore, the this study we evaluated the apoptosis and the production of progesterone $(P_4)$ and estradiol $(E_2)$ in the granulosa-lutein cells that are obtained during oocyte-retrieval after treatment with 5, 50, and $500{\mu}g/m\ell$ cortisol and 1 IU/$m\ell$ FSH. Results of DNA fragment analysis and TUNEL assay demonstrated that DNA fragmentation and the rate of apoptotic cells were increased in a dose-dependent manner showing a significant increase in 50 and $500{\mu}g/m\ell$ cortisol treated cells. We found, however, that FSH did not suppress the apoptosis of the cells induced by cortisol. In the results of chemiluminescence assay for $P_4$ and $E_2$, $P_4$ production was decreased by cortisol treatment, whereas $E_2$ was not changed. We also demonstrated that FSH did not inhibit the suppressive effect of GnRH on $P_4$ production as the result of apoptosis. The present study suggests that cortisol of high concentration could cause the apoptosis of human granulosa-lutein cells by suppressing the production of $P_4$. However, we need more studies to elucidate the mechanism by which cortisol induces apoptosis in human granulosa-lutein cells in view of the fact that our results are inconsistent with previous reported data.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.19-24
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• 1999

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of media and hormones on in vitro maturation and development of porcine follicular oocytes. Basic media were used to TCM-199, Waymouth MB751/1 and BMOC-II, and hormones were used to hCG and FSH in each medium. The results obtained were summarized as follows : 1. The maturation rates of oocytes cultured in TCM-199 medium containing hCG, FSH and hCG+FSH were 78.05, 72.50 and 67.50%, respectively. The maturation rates of oocytes with hormones were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of oocytes cultured without hormone. However, the cleavage rate(hCG 46.88%, FSH 31.04%. hCG+FSH 37.04%) of embryo cultured in TCM-199 containing hormone was significantly(P<0.05) lower than that(89.47%) of oocytes cultured without hormone. 2. The maturation rates of oocytes cultured in Waymouth MB751/1 medium containing hCG. FSH and hCG+FSH were 69.77, 71.43 and 80.00%, respectively. The maturation rates of oocytes with hormones were significantly(P<0.05) higher than those of oocytes cultured without hormone. However. the cleavage rate(hCG 46.67%. FSH 36.00%, hCG+FSH 35.71%) of embryo cultured in Waymouth MB751/1 containing hormone was significantly(P<0.05) lower than that(60.00%) of oocytes cultured without hormone. 3. The maturation rates of oocytes cultured in BMOC-II medium containing hormone were 66.67(control). 66.67(hCG). 91.89(FSH) and 81.82(hCG+FSH)%. respectively. showing the highest rate in FSH treatment. And, the cleavage rates of oocytes cultured in BMOC-II medium containing hormone were 81.82 (control, 79.17(hCG), 50.00(FSH) and 66.67(hCG+FSH)%, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate the developmental ability of interspecies cloned embryos after nuclear transfer of goat fetal fibroblast cells into porcien oocytes. Recipient porcine and goat oocytes were obtained from slaughterhouse and matured in vitro according to established protocols. Enucleation was accomplished by aspirating the first polar body and cytoplasm and a single donor cell was individually microinjected into vitelline space of the enucleated oocyte. The reconstructed oocytes were electrically fused with 0.3M mannitol fusion medium. After electro-fusion, interspecies reconstituted embryos were cultured in PZM-3 for 7 days. In porcine interspecies nuclear transfer with goat fetal fibroblast cells, the cleavage rate of reconstituted embryos were 58.9% which was no significant different from that in porcine nuclear transfer embryos (67.4%). However, the developmental rate into blastocyst stage was 5.4% in interspecies nuclear transfer which was significantly lower than that in porcine intraspecies nuclear transfer (13.6%). When the developmental ability of porcine interspecies nuclear transfer with goat cells was compared with goat intraspecies nuclear transfer, the cleavage rate of embryos were 59.2% and the developmental rate into morular and blastocyst stage was 13.6% in interspecies nuclear transfer which were significantly lower than those in intraspecies nuclear transfer embryos. This result indicated that porcine interspecies nuclear transfer with goat fetal fibroblast cells showed the developmental potential in vitro with lower cleavage and developmental rate compared with intraspecies nuclear transfer.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.73-82
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• 2015

This study was designed to evaluate the possibility of increase through dairy female offspring's ratio by transfer of pre-selected transferrable blastocyst that was produced by pre-selected X-bearing semen with OPU derived oocytes. Elite dairy female cow is demanded strongly compared with male, the so called, farmer wants to produce only an elite female dairy offspring as a candidate female dairy cow for producing milk. In our study, we selected 2 elite dairy bull semen from National Agricultural Cooperative Federation to pre-select X-bearing semen and 5 elite dairy female cows as donor for collecting of OPU derived oocytes. OPU derived embryo production system was carried out an aspiration of immature oocytes from 5 donor cows 2 times per week, total 200 times for 2 to 7 months by an ultrasonographic guided follicular aspiration system and then produced in vitro-produced blastocysts by in vitro maturation, fertilization and culture. Dairy donor semen selected H-319, 320 bull in National Agricultural Cooperative federation was sorted X-bearing semen by flow-cytometer and frozen for using IVF with OPU derived oocytes. Donor cows were selected 5 elite dairy cows from Gyeongju Dairy Cow Community and then disease tests such as 4 kinds of disease before selecting was checked. Oocyte proportion of grade 1 to 3 from total collected oocytes was significantly lower in donor A and B than those in donor C, D and E (82.16 and 70.03% vs. 90.0, 91.78 and 93.57%), respectively (p<0.05). However, number of oocytes per session in donor A, C and E was significantly higher than those in donor B and D ($7.77{\pm}3.26$, $5.85{\pm}2.10$ and $7.03{\pm}2.14$ vs. $4.68{\pm}2.61$ and $5.21{\pm}1.97$ oocytes), but donor A was significantly higher than donor C (p<0.05). Development to blastocyst in donor B, C and E was significantly higher than those in donor A and D (31.0, 25.0 and 25.0% vs. 14.3 and 4.5%), but donor A was not different in donor C and E (p<0.05). Nine out of 10 blastocysts (90.0%) derived from OPU blastocysts were confirmed male embryos that was induced with Y-bearing semen to confirm sex ratio only. Total 96 blastocysts derived from female bearing semen were transferred into synchronized recipients and then confirmed 42 recipients (43.8%) pregnancy rate, 36 offspring (37.5%) and 91.7% female sex ratio (33 female vs. 3 male offspring). Taken together all data, elite dairy female offspring could be produced effectively by in vitro production system between pre-selected x-bearing semen and OPU derived oocytes that would be influential breeder in the breeding of dairy farm to increase effectively elite dairy offspring ratio as well as net income in the dairy farmer.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.265-274
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• 2009

Objective: MicroRNAs (miR) are known to repress target genes at post-transcriptional level and play important roles in development and maturation of cell. However, the expression profiles of miR during ovarian follicle maturation have not been fully elucidated. Here, we designed this study to investigate the expression profiles of miR in oocytes and granulose cells (G-cells) after in vitro culture according to gonadotropins and adding hCG. Methods: Ovaries from 12-day-old mice (C57BL6) were removed and preantral follicles were isolated and cultured in $20\;{\mu}L$-drop of culture media with supplementation of either rFSH, rLH, or rFSH+rLH. After their full maturation, follicles were incubated with rhCG and rEGF. RNA was isolated from oocytes and G-cells, and real-time PCR were performed with primers of miR known to be expressed in the mouse ovary (mmu-miR-16, -miR-27a, -miR-126, -miR-721). Results: FSH+LH group showed the highest ovulation and MII rates among gonadotropin groups. The profiles of miRs in oocytes and G-cells differed according to gonadotropin groups and adding hCG. The profiles of miRs showed divergent changes between oocytes and G-cells. Conclusion: miR expression profiles are altered by gonadotropins and supplementation of hCG during in vitro maturation of murine follicles. Target gene study must be necessary to validate these findings.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2007

The present study was conducted to examine some factors affecting in vitro development and fecundity of embryos recloned with somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Fibroblast cells retrieved from the ear of a 3-week-old, cloned Korean goat (Jinsoonny) were used as karyoplast donors and serum-starvation was conducted in tissue culture medium (TCM)-199 supplemented with 0.5% FBS. Recipient oocytes were surgically collected by flushing the oviducts 35 h after hCG injection following FSH priming. The zonae pellucidae of the oocytes were partially perforated with a laser drill and a donor cell was transferred into an enucleated oocyte. The couplets were electrically fused and activated by ionomycin (5 min) and 6-DMAP (4 h). The reconstructed embryos were cultured in mSOF medium containing 0.8% BSA at $39^{\circ}C$ in an atmosphere of 5% $CO_2$, 5% $%O_2$, 90% $N_2$ for 12 to 15 h. Re-cloned embryos (2- to 4-cell stages) were surgically transferred into the oviducts of the recipients and pregnancy was subsequently diagnosed by progesterone assay and ultrasound on Days 21 and 63 of pregnancy. The fusion rate following 1st fusion pulse was higher (p<0.05) in 2nd cloning (65.9%) compared to 1st cloning (51.0%), but it was not different in the other groups. The rate of cleavage after fusion was significantly higher (p<0.05) in 1st (77.7%) than in 2nd cloning (56.0%). A total of 175 re-cloned embryos were transferred into 28 recipients. On day 21 and 60 after transfer, 11 (39.3%) and 4 recipients (17.4%) were pregnancy, respectively. In comparison of pregnancy rate by estrous synchronization, a total of 66 and 109 re-cloned embryos were transferred into 11 recipients in natural estrus and 17 recipients in induced estrus, respectively. Five (45.4%) and 2 recipients (18.2%) in natural estrus were pregnant on days 21 and 63 while 6 (35.3%) and 2 (11.8%) recipients in induced estrus were pregnant, respectively. These results show that recloning of goat can be achieved by SCNT and estrous synchronization between donor and recipient animals may be one of the major factors affecting success rate.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.137-148
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• 1999

Purpose of the present study was to find the optimal ovulation induction medicine for the maturation and development of immature oocytes and culture media for 2-cell embryos in the mouse model. ICR female mouse aged 6 to 8 weeks, were stimulated with 5 IU PMSG injection. At 47 to 50 hour post-PMSG injection, ovaries were dissected out and oocytes-cumulus complexes were punctured. The oocyte-cumulus complexes were cultured in media containing various ovulation induction medicine, CC, HMG and Metrodin for 18 hours. Female ICR mice were stimulated with 5 IU PMSG and 48 hours later were injected 5 IU of hCG, then female and male mice were mated. At 48 hour post-hCG injection, oviducts were dissected out and 2-cell embryos were flushed. The 2-cell embryos were cultured in various media, Ham's F-10 media of milli-Q water $(3^{\circ})$, Ham's F-10 media of HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography, Baxter) water, Medicult media, HTF (human tubal fluid) media for 96 hours. The results were as follows. 1. When the oocytes-cumulus complexes were cultured in $10^{-9}{\mu}g/ml{\sim}10^{-8}{\mu}g/ml$ of CC, those were suppressed in meiotic maturation $(28.2{\sim}33.7%)$. Whereas the oocytes-cumulus complexes were cultured in $10^{-7}{\mu}g/ml{\sim}10^{-4}{\mu}g/ml$, these were not effected in meiotic maturation $(54.5{\sim}72.7%)$. 2. When the oocytes-cumulus complexes were cultured in $10^{-4}{\mu}g/ml{\sim}10^{-1}{\mu}g/ml$ of Metrodin, those were suppressed in meiotic maturation $(35.7{\sim}41.5%)$. Meanwhile the oocytes-cumulus complexes were cultured in $10^{-7}{\mu}g/ml{\sim}10^{-5}{\mu}g/ml$, those were not effected in meiotic maturation $(54.2{\sim}70.3%)$. 3. When the oocytes-cumulus complexes were cultured in $10^{-5}{\mu}g/ml{\sim}10^{-4}{\mu}g/ml$ of HMG, those were suppressed in meiotic maturation $(48.2{\sim}50.4%)$. As being cultured in $10^{-7}{\mu}g/ml{\sim}10^{-6}{\mu}g/ml$, increased in meiotic maturation $(75.8{\sim}80.7%)$. 4. When the 2-cell embryos were cultured in Ham's F-10 media of milli-Q water $(3^{\circ})$, Ham's F-10 media of HPLC (high performance liquid chromatograpy, Baxter) water, Medicult media, HTF (human tubal fluid) media, developmental rates to blastocyst and hatching for 96 hour were 50.0%, 45.2%, 71.5% and 95.6%, respectively.