• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.21 no.5
• /
• pp.648-656
• /
• 2008

The objective of this study was to establish conditions for transfection of a foreign gene into somatic cells using cationic lipid reagents and to evaluate the effects of transfection on in vitro development of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene was used as a foreign gene and a non-transfected somatic cell was utilized as a control karyoplast. Monolayers of porcine cells were established and subsequently transfected with a GFP-expressing gene (pEGFP-N1) using three types of transfection reagents (LipofectAMINE PLUS, FuGENE 6 or ExGen500). Donor cells used for SCNT included transfected fetal or adult fibroblasts and oviduct epithelial cells, either serum-fed or serum-starved. Oocytes matured in vitro for 42 h were reconstructed with either transfected or non-transfected porcine somatic cells by electric fusion and activation using a single DC pulse of 1.8 kV/cm for $30{\mu}s$ in $Ca^{2+}$ and $Mg^{2+}-containing$ 0.26 M mannitol solution. Reconstructed oocytes were subsequently cultured in NCSU-23 medium for 168 h and the developmental competence and cell number in blastocyst were compared. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in fusion, cleavage rates or development to the blastocyst stage between non-transfected, transfected, serum-fed and serum-starved cells. However, the rates of GFP-expressing blastocysts were higher in the FuGENE 6 group (71.4%) among transfection reagents and in the fetal fibroblasts group (70.4%) for donor cells. These results indicate that fetal fibroblasts transfected with FuGENE 6 can be used as donor cells for porcine SCNT and that GFP gene can be safely used as a marker of foreign genes in porcine transgenesis.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.527-535
• /
• 2020

The purpose of this study was to establish a simple vitrification protocols to preserve animal cell lines derived from tissues of livestock that could be recultured. Bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOEC) were used for the vitrification process using a 0.25 ml straw to increase cryopreservation efficiency. BOEC was cultured from the oviduct of 3.5-day estrus state, and the commercially available polyampholyte StemCell Keep^TM was used as a cryoprotective agent. Using different concentrations, the viability rates of BOEC in 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100% in freezing media were investigated. Survivability was determined using a differential staining technique using a trypan blue test and a CYTO-13/PI staining protocol. The viability rates of BOEC in the trypan blue test were 5.6±11.8, 12.5±7.2, 53.0±2.7, 85.1±6.9, 79.8±0.6, and 60.7±6.7% with a respective concentration of StemCell Keep^TM. The viability rates in CYTO-13/PI staining were 4.6±2.5, 30.8±12.1, 58.4±2.5, 85.5±1.2, 79.8±0.6, and 71.2±1.2%, respectively. These results indicate that BOEC could be preserved with StemCell Keep^TM without toxicity in a 0.25-ml straw. The optimal concentration of vitrification solution with StemCell Keep^TM was determined to be 50% and can be considered as a proper preservation method for cryobanking.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.191-196
• /
• 1996

The objective of this study were to investigate the effects of culture media and additives on the development of bovine in vitro matured(IVM) and in vitro fertilized(IVF) oocytes. In experiment 1, bovine oocytes were cultured in droplets of TC 199 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum(FBS) with or without hormones (5$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml FSH, 5$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml LH, 1$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml E2). Cleavage rates of embryos cultured for 40~44hrs after IVF were higher when embryos were cultured in TC 199 supplemented hormones (68.1%, 921/35) than without hormones (52.7%, 77/146), but the percentages of development beyond morulae stage were not difference (20.7%, 19.4%). In experiment 2, the effects of various media such as TC 199, synthetic oviduct fluid(SOF), CR1aa with different energy source (fatal bovine serum, FBS; bovine serum albumin, BSA) on developmental capacity of IVM/IVF bovine embryos were investigated. The developmental rates into morulae and blastocysts were 27.1, 10.7, 6.3 and 0%, respecitvely, in CR1aa plus 3mg/ml BSA, SOF plus 10% FBS, TC 199 plus 10% FBS, SOF plus 3mg/ml BSA. In experiment 3, the comparisons of bovine embryos developed to morulae and blastocysts in different culture media (TC 199, SOF, CR1aa, Menezo's B2) were investigated. The developmental capacity beyond morulae stage were 32.9, 26.6, 11.1 and 7.1%, respectively, in Menezo's B2 plus BSA, CR1aa plus BSA, SOF plus BSA, TC 199 plus FBS medium. The cell numbers of the blastocyst were not different in different cultrue media. In experiment 4, bovine embryos were co-cultured with vobine oviduct epithelial cells(BOEC) in TC 199 plus FBS, SOF plus BSA, CR1aa plus BSA, Menezo's B2 plus BSA. The morula and blastocyst rates were 44.7, 32.9, 26.0 and 23.3%, respectively, in CR1aa TC 199, SOF, and Menezo's B2 medium. The cell numbers of the blastocyst were similar to those of blastocyst developed in different culture media.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.269-276
• /
• 1997

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of thiol compounds with bovine oviduct epithlial crlls(BOEC) co culture on development and intracellular glutathione(GSH) concentrations of bovine embryos derived from IVM /IVF oocytes. In experiment 1 and 2, embryos developed to 2~8 cell stage after in vitro fertilization were co-cultured with BOEC in CR$_1$aa with or without $\beta$-mercaptoethanol($\beta$-ME) and cysteamine. The percentage of embryos that developed to morulae and blastocysts in 0,10, 25 and 5O$\pi$M $\beta$-ME with BOEC was 48.1, 64.0, 72.9 and 75.9%, respectively. Twenty-five and 5O$\pi$M $\beta$-ME groups were significantly higher than in 0 and 1O$\pi$M $\beta$- -ME groups(P$\pi$M cysteamine with BOEC was 50.0, 53.2, 72.0 and 66.7%, respectively. Fifty $\pi$M cysteamine group was significantly higher than any other groups (P$_4$aa with 0 and 5O$\pi$M $\beta$-ME or cysteamine were 68.5, 77.8, 78.7 and 80.0pM, respectively. Fifty $\pi$M $\beta$-ME group was significantly higher than that of control(P<0.05), but cysteamine group was not. Cell numbers of blastocysts were not difference in all experimental groups. These experiments indicate that $\beta$-ME and cysteamine with BOEC co-culture can affect the development and intracellular GSH concentrations of bovine embryos produced by IVM /IVF docytes.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.15-26
• /
• 1996

This study was conducted to improve the in vitro maturation(JVM), in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro developmental capacity of oocytes derived from slaughtered Korean native cattle. The recoverd oocytes, obtained from a local slaughter house, were used completely surrounded by at least 3 layers of cumulus cells in combination with a homogeneous cytoplasmic pigmentation. In vitro maturation was induced in TCM-199 or Ham's F-10 supplemented with LH(1O $\mu$g/rnl), FSH(35 $\mu$g/ml), estradiol-17$\beta$(1 $\mu$g/ml) at 39$^{\circ}C$ under 5% $CO_2$ in air for 24 hours. Sperm from caudal epididyrnis and previously matured cumulus-oocytes complexes were cultured for 24 hours in 100 $\mu$l droplets of fertilization media under paraffin oil. The zygotes were cultured with media(TCM-199 with bovine oviductal epithelial cells or CRlaa) for 7 to 10 days. The cleavage rate of IVM-IVF oocytes was significantly (P<0.05) higher following maturation using Ham's F-10 (59.9%) than TCM-199 (51.6%). Development to the blastocysts among cleaved embryos was not signficantly different between maturation media: Ham's F-10 (16.0%) and TCM-199(11.9%). However, the hatching rate was affected significantly (P<0.05) on rnaturation media as 62.9% in Ham's F-10, compared with 41.2% in TCM-199. The cleavage rate of IVM-IVF oocytes was significantly (P<0.05) higher following IVF using m-TALP medium (80.1%) than BO medium (51.6%). The percentage of in vitro developed blastocysts among cleaved embryos was not signficantly different between fertimization media: BO (11.7%) and m-TALP (17.6%). The cleavage and the developmental rate to the blastocysts after IVF in m-TALP or condition medium(CM) with or without oviduct epithelial cell monolayer(OECM) was similar(80.1% and 17.6% in m-TALP, 83.8% and 19.4% in M-TALP with OECM. 82.9% and 18.9% in CM, 87.6% and 16.0% in CM with OECM, respectively). The percentage of in vitro developed blastocysts among cleaved embryos was significantly (P<0.05) higher in TCM-199 medium co-cul tured with bovine oviduatal epithelial cell monolayers(35.2%) than CRlaa medium(1.9%). These results stggest that the most transferable IVF embryos could be produced from Ham's F-10, m-TALP and TCM-199 medium with bovine oviductal epithelial cell monolayers for IVM, IVF and IVC, respectively.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.39-46
• /
• 2000

Objective: A number of studies to improve in vitro culture conditions have been tried over past ten years by using co-culture system with helper somatic cells. However, the mechanism of coculture is poorly understood. This study was designed to understand the mechanism for the mode of actual action of co-culture using co-culture system of ICR strain's 1-cell embryos with human oviduct epithelial cells by examining the effect of conditioned medium and contactless coculture using a cell culture insert on the embryo development and by measuring the level of superoxide anion from conditioned medium after co-culture. Methods: ICR strain's zygote embryos were cultured in medium alone (control), coculture, conditioned medium, or contactless coculture system for 6 days. Conditioned media (CM) were prepared as following 5 groups. All CM were collected after culturing oviduct cells for 2 days. CM-1 was stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ until use, and CM-2 was prepared just before use as a culture medium. CM-3 was cocultured with embryos and retrieved just before use. CM-4 and CM-5 were derives from the microfilteration of CM-2 and CM-3, respectively, using Microcon-10 (10 kDa molecular weight cut-off). The percentage of the embryos developed to hatched blastocyst stage and the level of superoxide anion in supernatant from medium alone culture (control), coculture, and contactless coculture were measured. Results: The rates of embryo development to the hatched blastocyst stage were significantly higher in coculture (43%) than in control (0%) (p<0.05). The CM-1 group had no embryo development since 2-cell embryonic stage, whereas the CM-2, CM-3, CM-4 and CM-5 groups had the improved development to 4 or 8 cell embryo stage, but the similar rate of development to hatched blastocyst compared to control. The effect of coculture on embryo development was disappeared in the contactless coculture group. The level of superoxide anion was significantly reduced in coculture group compared to control. Conclusion: It is concluded that the present coculture system overcomes the 2-cell block in vitro and improves the embryo development. This beneficial effect may be due to the direct cell-cell contact between embryo and helper cells or the removal of deleterious components from medium rather than the embryotrophic factors.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.7-12
• /
• 2018

In this review, we have tried to summarize the evidence and molecular characterization indicating that $20{\alpha}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase ($20{\alpha}$-HSD) is a group of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) family, and it plays roles in the modulation and regulation of steroid hormones. This enzyme plays a critical role in the regulation of luteal function in female mammals. We have studied the molecular expression and regulation of $20{\alpha}$-HSD in cows, pigs, deer, and monkeys. The specific antibody against bovine $20{\alpha}$-HSD was generated in a rabbit immunized with the purified recombinant protein. The mRNA expression levels increased gradually throughout the estrous cycle, the highest being in the corpus luteum (CL) 1 stage. The mRNA was also specifically detected in the placental and ovarian tissues during pregnancy. The $20{\alpha}$-HSD protein was intensively localized in the large luteal cells and placental cytotrophoblast villus, glandular epithelial cells of the endometrium, syncytiotrophoblast of the placenta, the isthmus cells of the oviduct, and the basal part of the primary chorionic villi and chorionic stem villus of the placenta and large luteal cells of the CL in many mammalian species. Further studies are needed to determine the functional significance of the $20{\alpha}$-HSD molecule during ovulation, pregnancy, and parturition. This article will review how fundamental information of these enzymes can be exploited for a better understanding of the reproductive organs during ovulation and pregnancy.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
• /
• 2006.11a
• /
• pp.80-81
• /
• 2006

닭의 유전자 지도가 밝혀지고 그와 관련한 생물학적 연구들이 활발히 이루어지면서 닭을 생체 반응기나 질병 모델 동물로 이용하기 위한 연구가 많이 진행되고 있다. 이 중 닭을 생체 반응기로 이용하기 위해서는 많은 양의 단백질을 생산하는 난관에 대한 연구가 필수적이다. In vivo와 in vitro에서 난관 특이적 프로모터에 의한 외래 유전자의 발현에 대한 연구를 하였고 유전자를 전이하는 방법으로는 렌티 바이러스 시스템을 이용하였으며, 프로모터는 난관 특이적 프로모터인 오브알부민 프로모터 (5‘ 조절 부분의 1.4kb)와 RSV 프로모터를 이용하였다. 리포터 유전자로는 형광발현 단백질 (enhanced green fluorescence protein, EGFP)을 이용해서 마우스 배아 섬유아세포, 닭 배아 섬유아세포, 난관 상피 세포에서 발현을 유도해서 조직 특이적 발현 여부를 확인하였다. 그 결과 RSV 프로모터는 모든 세포에서 발현하였으나, 오브알부민 프로모터에 의한 리포터 유전자의 발현은 난관 상피 세포에서는 특이적으로 발현하였다. 이와 같은 연구는 산란계를 이용해서 난관으로부터 효율적인 생리 활성 물질을 생산하기 위한 가능성을 보여주었다.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.171-176
• /
• 1999

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of co-culture system(bovine oviduct epithelial cells; BOEC) and defined culture system (modified TALP ; mTALP) on the conception of embryos transferred, and pregnancy and twin birth rates after transfer of fresh or frozen-thawed bovine blastocysts produced in vitro were also evaluated. Oocytes from the slaughterhouse ovaries were matured and fertilized using general protocol. The results obtained were as the following. The pregnancy rate after transfer was higher in co-culture group than in mTALP group, but was not signficantly different, and there is no difference between fresh embryo group and frozen-thawed embryo group in conception rate. The conception rate was not different whether 3∼4 blastocysts or 2 blatocysts transferred into a recipient, but the production rate of twin calves was significantly higher (p<0.05) when 3∼4 embryos transferred. The average birth weight of twin calves(24.38kg) was numerically, but not significantly lighter than that of single calves(26.68kg).

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.163-169
• /
• 1999

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of co-culture system(bovine oviduct epithelial cells; BOEC) and defined culture system(modified TALP ; mTALP) on the development of IVM-IVF embryos, and survival of in vitro produced blastocysts after freezing and thawing. Occytes from the slaugheterhous ovaries were matured and fertilized using general protocol. The results obtained were as the following: 1. Survival rates of frozen-thawed blastocysts using 10% glycerol as cryoprotectant was higher in day 7 blastocysts than in Day 8 and 9 blastocysts from co-cultrue system, but survival rate of frozen-thawed blastocysts was higher in Day 10 blastocysts than in day 8 and 9 blastocysts from defined culture system. Regardless of their age, survival rate of frozen-thawed blastocysts was significantly higher (p<0.05) in co-culture system than in defined culture system. 2. The cell number of blastocysts was significanlty higher (p<0.05) in Day 7 blasotcysts than in Day 8 and 9 blastocysts from co-cultures, but the cell number of blsstocysts was significantly higher (p<0.05) in Day 10 blastocysts than in Day 8 and 9 blastocysts from defined culture system. Regardless of the culture system, blastocysts with higher cell number showed higher survival rates after freezing and thawing.