Normal cells proliferate generally a limited number doublings in culture and only rarely have they been shown to overcome cellular senescence and crisis stages, and immortalize spontaneously. I have established a number of non-chemically and non-chemically immortalized embryo fibroblastic (EF) cell lines in continuous cell culture. These include the spontaneously immortalized cell line, DF-1 and several immortal EF cell lines derived from various embryonic tissues. I have previously demonstrated that all of the immortal EF cells established have rapid cell proliferation capacity compared to primary EF cells, presumably due to the deregulation of cell cycle regulators such as p53, E2F-1 and the numerous cyclins. DF-1 cells, in particular, were shown to proliferate more rapidly under normal culture conditions compared to other immortal EF cells, implicating other mechanisms may be important for regulating their growth. The possible mechanism(s) underlying the accelerated growth of DF-1 cells will be addressed in this study. (omitted)

This lecture will begin by tracing some of the history behind techniques that we nowadays take for granted in the practice of embryo transfer, and in the application of the technique to various animal biotechnologies. It will be argued that an appreciation of such history can teach us a great deal about how we need to study and teach the subject, and about the best ways to conduct and finance the research that is essential to further progress. Examples in support of this argument will be taken from the changes that have occurred in the way embryos, particularly bovine embryos, have been collected, maintained in vitro, subjected to a variety of manipulations (sexing, division to produce identical animals, combination into chimeras, transfection with foreign genes), frozen and thawed, and transferred over the past 50 years. (omitted)

No. Sperm can be sexed with 90% accuracy by flow cytometry/cell sorting. No. The current speed of sexing is about 5,000 live sperm of each sex per second, remarkably fast considering that each sperm is individually sexed. No. Although fast, sperm sexing is not fast enough to use standard numbers of sperm per AI dose. No. With well managed heifers, pregnancy rates with low doses of sexed, frozen sperm are 70-80% of those with unsexed sperm with normal sperm numbers. Pregnancy rates are lower in lactating dairy cows. No. Calves from sexed sperm appear to be normal. No. Sexed, frozen semen from a few bulls currently is available commercially in the United Kingdom, and likely will be available in several other countries in 2002, probably at a premium of US ＄30-50 per straw. (omitted)

사람을 포함한 포유류의 정자형성과정은 시상하부에서 분비된 생식소자극호르몬 방출호르몬 (gonadotropin releasing hormone)의 영향 하에 뇌하수체에서 합성 분비되는 난포자극호르몬 (follicle stimulating hormone; FSH) 과 황체화호르몬 (luteinizing hormone; LH)에 의해서 조절된다. LH의 라이디히 세포 (Leydig cells) 자극으로 인한 testosterone 의 합성분비가 성체(adult)의 정자형성과정과 그 유지(maintenance)에 매우 결정적이다. 반면, FSH는 미성숙 개체의 정소에서 일어나는 예비적 정자형성과정에 있어 중요한 역할을 하며, 성체에서도 질적인 면에서의 정자형성과정에 관여하는 것으로 사려된다. 그러므로, 시상하부-뇌하수체-정소의 축(axis)을 이루는 어느 한 성분에서라도 이상이 생기면 정자의 형성과정은 치명적인 영향을 받을 수 있다. (중략)

Positional cloning (map-based cloning) of mutations or genetic variations has been served as an invaluable tool to understand in-vivo functions of genes and to identify molecular components underlying phenotypes of interest. Mice homozygous for the cerebellar deficient folia (cdf) mutation are ataxic, with cerebellar hypoplasia and abnormal lobulation of the cerebellum. In the cdf mutant cerebellum approximately 40% of Purkinje cells are ectopically located within the white matter and the inner granule cell layer (IGL). To identify the cdf gene, a high-resolution genetic map for the cdf-gene-encompassing region was constructed using 1997 F2 mice generated from C3H/HeSnJ-cdf/cdf and CAST/Ei intercross. The cdf gene showed complete linkage disequilibrium with three tightly linked markers D6Mit208, D6Mit359, and D6Mit225. A contig using YAC, BAC, and P1 clones was constructed for the cdf critical region to identify the gene. A deletion in the cdf critical region on chromosome 6 that removes approximately 150kb of DNA was identified. A gene associated with this deletion was identified using cDNA selection. cdf mutant mice with the transgenic copy of the identified gene restored the brain abnormalities of the mutant mice. The positional cloning of cdf gene provides a good example showing the identification of a gene could lead to finding a new component of important molecular pathways.

To identify genes implicated in the control of pluripotency as well as characteristics of stem cells, we analyzed expression profiles of genes derived from mouse morulas, blastocysts, embryonic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and uterus tissue using cDNA microarray. Comparative analyses of their expression profiles identified putative clones that expressed specifically in specific samples or not in a specific sample. The expression pattern of these candidate clones was analyzed using RT-PCR and non-radioactive in situ hybridization. Functional annotation of these clones on pluripotency and stem cell plasticity is in ongoing. These studies may further our understanding on the nature of the stem cells and molecular mechanisms underlying many facets of mammalian development and differentiation.

During early development, a dramatic reduction in methylation levels occurs in mouse (Monk et al., 1987). The process of epigenetic reprogramming in early embryos erases gamete-specific methylation patterns inherited from the parents (Howlett ＆ Reik 1991, Monk et al., 1987, Oswald et al., 2000, Sanford et al., 1984). This genome-wide demethylation process may be a prerequisite for the formation of pluripotent stem cells that are important for the later development (Reik ＆ Surani 1997). During post-implantation development, a wave of de novo methylation takes place; most of the genomic DNA is methylated at defined developmental timepoints, whereas tissue-specific genes undergo demethylation in their tissues of expression (Kafri et al., 1992, Razin ＆ Kafri 1994). Another demethylation-remethylation cycle of epigenetic reprogramming takes place during gametogenesis and is necessary for resetting of genomic imprinting (Solter 1988). The dynamic epigenetic reprogramming events appear to be basic and are probably conserved in eutherian mammals (see below). (omitted)

난소의 재형성 과정은 난소 내 여러 조절인자들에 의해 조절되는 성장 및 퇴행 과정을 반복하는 특징을 가지고 있다. 황체는 주기적 성장과 퇴행을 보이며 과립세포의 세포자멸사 (apoptosis)를 통해 황체의 퇴행이 일어나게 된다지. 이러한 세포자멸사 과정은 난소의 정상 생리에 매우 중요하다. ATP 는 자율신경으로부터 세포외 유출을 통해 분비되어 근육 수축, 신경전달체계, 외분비 및 내분비 호르몬의 분비, 면역반응, 염증, 혈소판 응집, 동통 및 심장기능의 조절 등 매우 다양한 생물학적 기능에 영향을 미친다. 이러한 작용은 세포 표변에 존재하는 purinoceptor를 통해 이루어지는 것으로 알려져 있다. ATP는 일반적으로 세포 내에서는 에너지원으로서 작용하나 세포외부에 존재하는 ATP의 경우에는 조절물질로 작용하여 어떤 세포에 있어서는 세포용해를 일으키기도 하며, 어떤 세포에서는 세포자멸사를 유발하기도 한다. 세포 내에 존재하는 ATP는 세포의 주요한 에너지원으로 사용되며 살아있는 세포에서는 세포막을 통과하지 못하는 반면 세포 외에 존재하는 ATP는 말초신경계 혹은 중추신경계에 있어서 매우 중요한 신경전달물질로 작용하고 있다. (중략)

1. About fifty thousand of cattle embryos were transferred and 16000 ET-calves were born in 1999. Eighty percents of embryos were collected from Japanese Black beef donors and transferred to dairy Holstein heifers and cows. Since 1985, we have achieved in bovine in vitro fertilization using immature oocytes Collected from ovaries of slaughterhouse. Now over 8000 embryos fertilized by Japanese Black bull, as Kitaguni 7 -8 or Mitsufuku, famousbulls as high marbling score of progeny tests were sold to dairy farmers and transferred to their dairy cattle every year. 2. Embryo splitting for identical twins is demonstrated an useful tool to supply a bull for semen collection and a steer for beef performance test. According to the data of Dr.Hashiyada (2001), 296 pairs of split-half-embryos were transferred to recipients and 98 gave births of 112 calves (23 pairs of identical twins and 66 singletons). 3. A blastomere-nuclear-transferred cloned calf was born in 1990 by a joint research with Drs.Tsunoda, National Institute of Animal Industry (NIAI) and Ushijima, Chiba Prefectural Farm Animal Center. The fruits of this technology were applied to the production of a calf from a cell of long-term-cultured inner cell mass (1998, Itoh et al, ZEN-NOH Central Research Institute for Feed and Livestock) and a cloned calf from three-successive-cloning (1997, Tsunoda et al.). According to the survey of MAFF of Japan, over 500 calves were born until this year and a half of them were already brought to the market for beef. 4. After the report of "Dolly", in February 1997, the first somatic cell clone female calves were born in July 1998 as the fruits of the joint research organized by Dr. Tsunoda in Kinki University (Kato et al, 2000). The male calves were born in August and September 1998 by the collaboration with NIAI and Kagoshima Prefecture. Then 244 calves, four pigs and a kid of goat were now born in 36 institutes of Japan. 5. Somatic cell cloning in farm animal production will bring us an effective reproductive method of elite-dairy- cows, super-cows and excellent bulls. The effect of making copy farm animal is also related to the reservation of genetic resources and re-creation of a male bull from a castrated steer of excellent marbling beef. Cloning of genetically modified animals is most promising to making pig organs transplant to people and providing protein drugs in milk of pig, goat and cattle.

In vitro produced (IVP) embryos produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF) often exhibit wide variations in developmental competence and viability, considerably more than are exhibited by embryos that develop in vivo. These anomalies in IVP embryos may be due to heterogeneity of oocyte quality, suboptimal culture conditions, disturbances in gene expression, or most likely a combination of these factors (Ho et al., 1994; Roth et al., 1994; McKiernan and Bavister, 1998; Hasler, 1998; Schramm and Bavister, 1999; Doherty et al., 2000; Hyttel et al., 2000; Niemann and Wrenzycki, 2000; Wrenzycki et al., 2001). In research studies or in clinical applications with domesticated animals, cats, non-human primates and humans, oocytes used for IVF are usually collected from a heterogeneous cohort of ovarian follicles that include oocytes which normally might not be ovulated and/or are deficient in developmental competence. (omitted)

One of the problems associated with in vitro culture of primordial germ cells (PGCs) is the large loss of cells during the initial period of culture. This study characterized the initial loss and determined the effectiveness of two classes of apoptosis inhibitors, protease inhibitors and antioxidants, on the ability of porcine PGCs to survive in culture. Results from electron microscopic analysis and in situ DNA fragmentation assay indicated that porcine PGCs rapidly undergo apoptosis when placed in culture. Additionally,？ 2-macroglobulin, a protease inhibitor and cytokine carrier, and N-acetylcysteine, an antioxidant, increased the survival of PGCs in vitro. While other protease inhibitors tested did not affect survival of PGCs, all antioxidants tested improved survival of PGCs (p〈0.05). Further results indicated that the beneficial effect of the antioxidants was critical only during the initial period of culture. Finally, it was determined that in short-term culture, in the absence of feeder layers, antioxidants could partially replace the effect(s) of growth factors and reduce apoptosis. Collectively, these results indicate that the addition of ？2-macroglobulin and antioxidants can increase the number of PGCs in vitro by suppressing apoptosis.

While transgenic manipulation in mice have been very successful the same is not true for cattle and pigs. The inability to isolate ES cells from the bovine and porcine has precluded the utilization of the gene targeting technology in these species. Fortunately new advances in cloning by nuclear transfer have opened up a unique opportunity to undertake precise genetic modification in cattle and pigs. The ability of a number of different laboratory groups to successfully clone cattle is due to numerous research programs focused on nuclear transfer in cattle, and the enormous base of knowledge developed over the last 20 years involving the application of assisted reproductive techniques in cattle. Successful and repeatable procedures for in vitro oocyte maturation, in vitro fertilization, and in vitro embryo culture are now well established for cattle. In our laboratory we have utilized nuclear transfer to reproduce the genotypes of several animals, selected for cloning based on their inherent genetic value. Results that we have obtained to date are similar to those reported by other laboratories. (omitted)

Expression of HAND genes in sympathetic adrenal lineage suggests that HAND genes may regulate Mash-I independent neuronal genes. HAND genes are also expressed in other cell types, e.g. Cardiac cells, trophoblasts, and decidua, suggesting that HAND genes are not cell fate determination factors. It is unclear how HAND genes function specifically in different types of cells. Combinational actions of HANDs with other cell-lineage specific transcription factor may determine each cell fate and differentiation processes. Identifying the transcription target genes of HANDs and Mash-I will be important to elucidate the function of these bHLH factors in SNS factors in SNS development. (omitted)

Monosaccaride hexose, may have different role in embryo development of different species. Glucose, fructose and galactose are glycolysible substrates but their effect on embryo development is not identical. Glucose has negative effect to early embryonic stage in several species whereas it is inevitable after compaction. For fructose, it can support blastocyst formation in hamster, mouse and bovine embryo. Effect of galactose is known as detrimental even at a low concentration while glucose has adverse effect only at high concentration in hamster. (omitted)

This study was carried out to investigate on the improvement of fertilizing and developing ability of in vitro matured oocytes from individuals of bulls, sperm type, pretreatment of sperm or oocytes obtained by intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI). 1. The male pronuclear formation and developmental rates of oocytes obtained by ICSI treated individual of bulls were 73.9%-87.0% and 33.3%-60.9%, respectively. 2. The male pronuclear formation and developmental rates of oocytes obtained by ICSI treated fresh and frozen sperm, tail-cutting and tail-scoring sperm were 82.0%, 78.0%, 42.2%, 51.1% and 56.0%, 42.0%, 17.8%, 22.2% respectively. and these values of fresh sperm injection were higher than that of frozen sperm, tail-cutting and tail-scoring. 3. The male pronuclear formation and developmental rates of oocytes obtained by sperm pretreated heparin, BFF(bovine follicula fluid), His, Ca Ionophore(Ⅰ) and Ⅰ ＋ caffeine methods were 66.7%-82.2% and 33.3%-60.6%, respectively. and these values of treatment of Ⅰ＋ caffeine were higher than that of other methods. 4. The male pronuclear formation and developmental rates of oocytes obtained by ICSI treated with or without zona pellucida were 80.0%, 72.0% and 46.0%, 36.0%, respectively.

This study was carried out to investigate the general characteristics such as volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm abnormality on whole semen, RSP-S and RSP-T semen and fractional semen of small size dogs, and the effect of temperature and preservation time and cryoproservation on motility of whole and RSP-S and RSP- T semen. Multiple ejaculates were collected from small dogs by the digital manipulation of penis. 1. The volume per ejaculate semen, sperm of concentration and motility and abnormal sperm rate of 1st fractional semen were 0.65±0.09㎖, 4.52±0.35×10/sup 6/ cells/㎖, 15.64±3.85% and 5.50±0.62%. Also, 2nd fractional semen were 1.25±0.20㎖, 3.35±0.48×10/sup 6/cells/㎖, 96.25±4.65% and 4.24±0.46%. And 3rd fractional semen were 1.45±0.21㎖, 3.85±0.52×10/sup 6/cell/㎖, 92.82±4.24% and 4.66±0.58%, respectively. 2. The sperm of concentration and motility and abnormal sperm rates of whole, RSP-S and RSP-T semen were 5.45±0.82×10/sup 6/ cells/㎖, 95.55±4.65%, 4.58±0.45% and 4.82±0.36×10/sup 6/cells/㎖, 90.10±3.42%, 6.48±0.68% and 4.55±0.45× 10/sup 6/cells/㎖, 93.25±3.85%, 4.82±0.58%, respectively. 3. The motility of whole, RSP-S and RSP-T semen were higher at 4℃ than at 38℃. When preservation temperature was at 4℃, survival rates of RSP-S and RSP-T sperm were 97.54%-6.25% at 1-72 hrs, 97.40%-5.62% at 1-100 hrs, respectively. 4. The survival rates of slow and rapid frozen 2nd fraction, RSP-S and RSP-T semen were 67.3±4.45%, 88.8±4.46% and 46.4±3.84%, 74.4±4.20%, respectively. Survival rates was significantly higher in frozen RSP-S and RSP-T semen than that in control group(8.5±2.12%).

This study was carried out to investigate the optimal activation condition for parthenogenetic development. In order to activate oocytes at 24 hrs post onset of maturation, the oocytes were cultured 3 - 13 μM Ca for 5 min., 5-8 ㎍/㎖ cytoclacin(CH) for 6 hrs, 0.5-2.0 mM 6-dimethylaminopurine(DMAP) for 3 hrs alone or combination. The activated oocytes were cultured in TCM-199 media at 5% CO₂, 95% N₂, 38℃. 1. The cleavage rate after 48 hrs culture of oocytes treated with 3-13 μM Ca for 5 min. were 9.6%-20.0% and 3.8-7.3%, respectively. When oocyte were treated with 10 μM Ca, the blastocyst formation rate was significantly higher than other group. 2. The cleavage rate after 48 hrs culture of oocytes treated with 5-8 ㎍/㎖ cytoclacin(CH) for 6 hrs, were 9.4%-21.8% and 0.0-7.3%, respectively. When oocyte were treated with 10㎍/㎖ CH, the blastocyst formation rate was significantly higher than other group. 3. The cleavage rate after 48 hrs culture of oocytes treated with 0.5-2.0 mM 6-dimethylaminopurine(DMAP) for 3 hrs were 9.1%-21.8% and 0.0-7.3%, respectively. When oocyte were treated with 2.0mM DMAP, the blastocyst formation rate was significantly higher than other group. 4. The cleavage rate after 48 hrs culture of oocytes treated with Ca＋CH, Ca＋DMAP, CH＋DMAP were 75.9%-93.5% and 9.7 -13.3%, respectively. When oocytes were treated with Ca followed by DMAP, the blastocyst formation rate was significantly higher than other group(p〈0.05). 5. When necleus transferred embryos co-cultured with BSA, EGF and CS, the developmental rate to blastocyst were higher than control group.

This study was designed to assess effect of MUN concentration on reproduction performance and monitoring of feeding and fertility management in commercial dairy herd. The mean of milk yield is 26.48±8.38㎏ per day, milk fat 3.80±0.58%, protein 3.13±0.3% MUN 16.68±5.87㎎/㎖ and somatic cell 392,000±77,060㎖. Milk yield has been shown that negative correlation with fat, protein and somatic cell(P〈0.01). The finding of this study was significant relationship between non-pregnant days and MUN concentration. (omitted)

To produce reconstituted rabbit embryos with fetal fibroblasts, the present study was evaluated the efficiencies of the activation conditions as assessments of subsequent development and chromosome in the embryos. New Zealand White rabbits were used throughout the study. Fetal fibroblasts collected from 22-d of fetuses were cultured in DMEM＋10% FBS in 5% CO₂ in air. The culture was maintained for 10 passages. In every passage half of cell suspension were kept in frozen. (omitted)

Development of effective activation protocols is of great importance for improving the success of cloning and subsequent transgenic. Three methods for oocyte activation, including 5μM ionomycin (5 min) alone, ionomycin＋1.9 mM 6-dimetylaminopurine (DMAP, 3 hrs) and ionomycin＋10㎍/㎖ cycloheximide(CHX, 3 hrs) were compared for their effects of pronuclei(PN) formation, development, developmental velocity and ploidy of parthenotes to IVF control in bovine. In group of ionomycin＋DMAP, the oocytes having more 3 PN were significantly(P〈0.05) higher than in groups of ionomycin alone and of ionomycin＋CHX (45.5% vs. 0 and 0%, respectively). Activation with the ionomycin alone, ionomycin＋DMAP and ionomycin＋CHX resulted in cleavage rates of 30, 85.5 and 57.9%, respectively. The blastocysts rate of parthenotes activated by ionomycin＋DMAP treatment was significantly higher (12.3%, P〈0.05) than those of other treated groups. Chromosome analysis shows that ionomycin＋DMAP treatment greatly increases the incidence of chromosomal abnormality of the parthenotes. When compared the developmental velocity at 24 hrs after insemination and activation, 27% eggs in IVF control and 55% in DMAP treatment out of total cleaved eggs developed to 2-cell stage, respectively. Developmental velocity of parthenotes activated by ionomycin ＋DMAP treatment was significantly (P〈0.05) faster than others. From the results, we may conclude that DMAP treatment to the oocytes accelerates developmental velocity resulting in both the higher incidence of chromosome abnormality and of PN formation suggesting that CHX combined with ionomycin is suitable DMAP for the purpose of successful nuclear transplantation.

유전적으로 우수한 능력을 보유하고 있는 소의 과배란처리로 수정란을 생산·이식하여 송아지를 생산하는 연구가 지속적으로 이루어지고 있으며, 생체로부터 연속적으로 미성숙 난자를 채란하여 수정란을 생산하는 연구가 근래에 와서 많이 보고되고 있다. 본 연구는 정상적으로 번식이 불가능한 젖소를 이용하여 생체 내 미성숙난자의 장기간 채란 시에 초음파기기와 간이 난자채취기의 효율성을 검토하고, 연속적인 반복 채란의 효율, 채란 난포란의 등급, 반복채란에 의한 장애우 발생 등에 대한 영향을 조사하여 고능력 소에서 체외수정란 안정적 생산에 활용 가능성을 검토하고자 실시하였다. (중략)

수정란이식 기술은 소의 능력을 개량할 목적으로 1970년 이후에 꾸준히 발달되어 오고 있다. 우수한 수정란을 연속적으로 생산하기 위한 여러 가지 기술을 개발하여 가축의 개량에 이용하고 있는 데 그중 생체로부터 미성숙난자를 연속적으로 채란하여 체외에서 우수한 수정란을 만드는 기술은 매우 급속하게 발달하고 있다. 최근에는 초음파기기를 이용하여 생체 내 소의 난소를 보면서 미성숙난자를 채취하여 수정란을 생산하는 연구를 많이 하고 있다 (Kruip 등, 1991). 본 연구에서는 연속적인 생체내 난자 채취시 보다 많은 수를 채취하기 위 해 적정량의 난포자극호르몬(FSH) 의 이용효과를 연구하였다. (중략)

사슴의 예정시각 인공수정기술을 개발하기 위해 엘크 93 두에 대해 CIDR(InterAG, New Zealand)의 질내 14 일간 삽입방법으로 발정동기화처리하고 배란을 유기하기 위하여 제거시 PMSG(Folligon, Intevet, Holland) 200 IU(T₁) 또는 250 IU(T₂) 를 근육주사 한 후 60시 간에 Conceral/sup R/ 2㎖를 주사하고 인공수정 하거나, CIDR제거 후 24시간 때에 hCG(Folligon, Intevet, Holland) 500IU를 근육주사하고 12시간 후 (CIDR제거 후 36h) Receptal/sup R/ 2㎖를 주사하고 CIDR 제거 후 60 시간 때에 인공수정 (T₃) 하였으며, 수정 후 40일경에 초음파진단 (Sonovet-600, 6.5㎒ probe)으로 수태율을 조사하였다. (중략)