• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 2003

The present study was carried out to examine the effect of $\beta$-Mercaptoethanol ($\beta$-ME) on in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine follicular oocytes and oxygen concentration with $\beta$-ME on in vitro development (IVD) of porcine IVM/IVF embryos. The results were summarized as follows. 1. The rates of nuclear maturation, penetrated oocytes, polyspermic oocytes, pronucleus formation and mean numbers of the penetrated sperms were not significantly different using NCSU-23 maturation media for 0, 25, 50 and 100 $\mu$M $\beta$-ME (P>0.05). 2. The rates of blastocyst formation at day 7 after in vitro fertilization were higher in oocytes matured with 25 $\mu$M $\beta$-ME (25.4$\pm$0.9%) than in those matured with 0 (14.5$\pm$1.6%), 50 (17.3$\pm$1.7%) and 100 $\mu$M (12.4$\pm$1.3%) (P<0.05). However, no differences ware found in total cell numbers of blastocyst among the treatments. 3. The rates of blastocyst formation at day 7 after in vitro fertilization were higher in the NCSU-23 Culture medium With 25 $\mu$M $\beta$-ME (23.6$\pm$2.8%) than in those Cultured With 0 (15.4$\pm$4.4%), 12.5 (17.5$\pm$2.3%) and 50 $\mu$M $\beta$-ME (18.6$\pm$2.1%) Under the 5% and 20% $O_2$ Concentrations (P<0.05). However, no differences was found in total cell numbers of blastocyst among the treatments. These results suggested that the addition of 25 $\mu$M $\beta$-ME in the IVM/IVD media were effective on the porcine embryo production. However, the rates of blastocyst formation and total cell numbers of blastocyst at day 7 of porcine IVM/IVF embryos were not significantly different in the NCSU-23 culture medium under 5% and 20% 02 concentrations.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.10-14
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• 2007

The present study was performed to elucidate the recovery effect of needle-acupuncture (needle-AP) and moxibustion treatments at Gan Shu (BL18) on $CCl_4$ induced hepatic injury in dogs, Total 9 clinically healthy experimental dogs (1 to 2 years old, 2.3-5.3kg body weight) were divided into control (3 dogs), needle-AP (3 dogs) and moxibustion (3 dogs) groups, respectively. Hepatic iniw was induced by intraperitoneal injection with $CCl_4$ (olive oil : $CCl_4=1:1,\;1ml/kg$, once/day). As far the treatments in each group, control group was not treated at all after induction of the hepatic injury till the end of experiment. Needle-Af group was treated by AP at BL18 (once/day, 20 minutes) from the next day of induction of the hepatic injury for 11 days. Moxibustion group was also treated with commercial moxa at BL18 (once/day, 20minutes) for 11days. The changes of the serum alanine transaminase(ALT), aspartate transaminase(AST) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activities were investigated on pre, 0, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11 days after hepatic injury, respectively. Histopathological changes were also investigated in the liver tissues on day 11 in experimental and control groups. The results obtained in the present study were as follows. In needle-AP group, they showed significant lower values on the 1st (p<0.05) and $3^{rd} day (p <0.05)$ in serum ALT activities, and the $11^{th}$ day in serum GGT activities, compared with those of control group, respectively. However, the significances were not detected in serum AST activities of needle-AP group by comparison with those of control group. In moxibustion group, they showed significant low values on the $1^{st}(p<0.05)$, 3rd day (p<0.05) and $5^{th}$ day (p<0.05) in serum ALT activities, compared with those of control group, respectively. However, significances were not detected in serum GGT and AST activities of moxibustion group by comparison with those of control group. Among the experimental groups, the significant low values were found on $1^{st}\;and\;3^{rd}$ day in serum ALT activities (p<0.05), and $3^{rd}\;and\;5^{th}$ day in serum GGT activities (p<0.05) in needle-AP group, compared by those of moxibustion group, respectively. In addition, the marked recovery findings of histopathological changes in experimental groups were found, compared by those of control group: mild vacuolar degeneration and necrosis findings in needle-AP group, and moderate vacuolar degeneration and necrotic findings in moxibustion group were found, in contrast to severe changes such as accumulation of bile juice, vacuolar degeneration and necrotic findings observed in control group. In conclusion, needle-AP and moxibustion treatments at BL-18 were effective for the recovery for $CCl_4$ induced hepatic injury and needle-AP was more effective than that of moxibustion in dogs.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.255-262
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• 2000

The aim of this work was to study the effects of ascorbic acid (Asc) and/or ferrous sulfate (Fe$^{2+}$) and spernatozoa preincubation on the in vitro fertilization in porcine. Porcine follicular oocytes matured in culture were inseminated with frozen-thawed boar spermatozoa preincubated for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5h. The penetration rates (37~51%) were not significantly different between durations of spermatozoa preincubation in medium with 0.1 mM Asc. The addition of 1.0 mM Fe$^{2+}$ during spermatozoa preincubation were not significantly affecting the penetration rates (41~56%). When spermatozoa were preincubated with Asc and Fe$^{2+}$, the penetration rates had a tendency to increase with time of spermatozoa preincubation, and were significantly (P<0.05) higher in spermatozoa preincubated with that than without Asc and Fe$^{2+}$ for 5 h. On the other hand, when spermatozoa were preincubated in fertilization medium without Asc and/or Fe$^{2+}$, the penetration rates were significantly (P<0.05) higher in medium with Fe$^{2+}$ than with Asc or Asc and Fe$^{2+}$ for in vitro fertilization. The rate of polyspermy in penetrated oocytes in medium with Asc and Fe$^{2+}$ decreased with the period of spermatozoa preincubation. Despite different culture conditions for spermatozoa preincubation, no differences were observed in polyspermy rates in the presence of Asc and/or Fe$^{2+}$ These results indicate the advantage of preincubating spermatozoa with Asc and Fe$^{2+}$ and an addition of Fe$^{2+}$ during in vitro fertilization with spermatozoa preincubated maintain penetration potential without increased polyspermy rates on in vitro fertilization in porcine oocytes.on in porcine oocytes.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2002

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of the maturation media such as a modified TCM-199 (mTCM-199) medium, modified Waymouth MB 752/1 (mWaymouth MB 752/1) medium or NCSU-23 medium on penetrability of pig oocytes by liquid boar sperm. Oocytes (30~40) were transferred into each well of a Nunc 4-well multidish containing 0.5 $m\ell$ maturation medium. When immature pig oocytes were cultured in mTCM-199, mWaymouth MB 752/1 and NCSU-23 maturation media for 44 h in 5% $CO_2$, in air at 38.5$^{\circ}C$, the germinal vesicle breakdown (CVBD) rates of the oocytes were 95.6, 94.1 and 94.9%, respectively, and the maturation rates (metaphase II) of oocytes were 92.5, 90.1 and 91.1%, respectively. No differences were observed among the maturation media. The spermrich portion of ejaculates with greater than 90% motile sperm were used in the experiment. The semen was cooled 22 to 24$^{\circ}C$ over 2 h period. The semen was diluted with Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS) extender at room temperature to give 2$\times$10$^{8}$ sperm/$m\ell$ in 100 $m\ell$ plastic bottle. Liquid boar semen of 30 $m\ell$ in 100 $m\ell$ plastic bottle was kept at 17$^{\circ}C$ for 5 days. The sperm with greater than 70% motility after day 5 of storage were used for in-vitro fertilization (IVF). After 44 h maturation of immature oocytes, cumulus cells were removed and oocytes (30~40) coincubated far 6 h in 0.5 $m\ell$ mTCM-199 and mTBM fertilization media with 2$\times$1061$m\ell$ sperm concentration. At 6 h after IVF, oocytes were transferred into 0.5 $m\ell$ mTCM-199 and NCSU-23 culture media for further culture 6 or 42 h. Sperm penetration, polyspermy and male pronuclear formation of oocytes at 12 h after IVF, and developmental ability of oocytes at 48 h after IVF were evaluated. The oocytes in combination with NCSU-23 medium for maturation and mTBM medium for IVF increased male pronuclear formation (48.0%) compared to those in combination with mTCM-199 media for maturation and IVF, and mWaymouth MB 752il medium for maturation and mTCM-199 medium far IVF. The rates of cleaved embryos (2~4 cell stage) at 48 h after IVF were 24.1% in combination with mTCM-199 media for maturation, IVF and culture, 43.6% in combination with mWaymouth MB 75211 medium fur maturation and mTCM-199 media for IVF and culture, and 71.2% in combination with NCSU-23 medium for maturation, mTBM medium for IVF and NCSU-23 medium for culture. In conclusion, we found out the oocytes matured in vitro were fertilized by liquid boar sperm stored in BTS extender at 17$^{\circ}C$ for 5 days. We recommend the simple defined NCSU-23 medium for nuclear maturation, mTBM medium and liquid boar sperm for IVF, and NCSU-23 medium for embryo culture.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.187-208
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• 2000

By the activation of ovary hormone, many morphological changes occur in the epithelial cell lines and muscle cells in rat uterus. These two cells in uterus are important to the implantation of embryo, maintaining pregnancy and starting parturition. One important change associated with the morphological change of these two cells in uterus is the change on prostaglandin(PG) metabolism. Its presence and synthesis in endometriurn and myometrium in uterus affects estrous cycle and the start of embryo implantation in uterus. It also performs as an important modulator in parturition. So the abnormally weak expression of PG causes difficulty during labor and over-expression causes pre-term labor. PG biosynthesis starts from either free or liberated arachidonic acids from membrane phospholipid by phospholipase. Such arachidonic acids are converted into PG catalyzed by Cyclooxygenase. Under normal physiological condition, Cyclooxygenase-1(COX-1) having 602 units of amino acids controls the synthesis of PG. It acts as a local hormone regulating vasomodulation of blood flow, flexible muscle movement, increasing the blood permeability and contributing the protective role in preserving integrity of the stomach lining and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is induced by the inflammation, pregnancy and increased its expression until parturition. Lipid metabolite like PG is located in uterine and expression of COX-2 increased with pregnancy. Increased expression of COX proteins in epithelial cells and myometrial cells are told to increase the muscle contractility in uterus but decreased right after the labor in rat. It is a good sign indicating that COX proteins are deeply related to the start of labor. Currently, Several studies report the use of PG and COX-2 inhibitor as medication for controlled abortion or to prevent pre-term labor but they entail various side-effects. Our study proposed to suggest use of acupuncture as an another mediator to control abortion or pre-term labor without causing unnecessary side-effects by those medicines. Two acupuncture sites, LI-4 & SP-6 were selected due to their known efficacy. From the immunohistochemical staining of COX-2, normal expression of COX-2 protein in nonpregnant SD rat's uterus revealed that COX-2 protein was primarily detected in the lumina epithelial lining and in the epithelial cell lining contacting the stromal cells. High resolution optical microscopic scanning revealed distinguishable staining in the myometrial mucosa. LI-4 acupuncture administered nonpregnant rat's uterus showed strong expression for COX-2 in endometrium contacted with lumina epithelial lining of rat uterus and in myometrial mucosa. Stromal cells showed more staining than untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus and stronger staining in stromal cells contacting myometrial layer compared to untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus. SP-6 acupuncture administered nonpregnant rat's uterus showed weak expression for COX-2 in myometrial layers and stromal cells but no staining was visible in lumina epitheliai and glandular epithelial cells. Few stromal cells and myometrial mucosa were positively stained for COX-2. Pregnant SD rat's uterus was also immunostained for COX-2 expression after 18 days of pregnancy. Unlike to untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus, luminal epithelial cells were not positively stained for COX-2 but stronger staining for COX-2 was revealed in stromal cells. LI-4 acupunctured SD rat's uterus had very strong expression of COX-2 in luminal epithelial lining. Few stromal cells showed stronger positive COX-2 staining and myometrial layers also showed more expression than untreated pregnant rat. SP-6 acupuncture administered pregnant SD rat's uterus showed positive expression of COX-2 in epithelial cells of luminal mucosa layer but weaker than that of LI-4 acupuncture treatment's case. However, strong positive staining was revealed in stromal mucosa and myometrial layers. Virgin SD rat's uterus motility index during LI-4 acupuncture was 66.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.0197) compared to its motility before the acupuncture treatment but the motility index was slighdy elevated up to 79.58 % (Prob〉T = 0.1175) after the acupuncture. During the SP-6 acupuncture treatment for 30 minutes, uterus motility index was 90.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.1832) showing lesser decrement but consequently reached similar motility index decreasal to 79.95 % (Prob〉T = 0.0215) after the acupuncture treatment as LI-4 showed. LI-4 acupuncture tend to be a quick treatment to reducing the uterus motility in a virgin rat but eventually both two acupuncture administration created very similar reduction of uterus motility seeing the index after the both acupunctures. The uterus movement monitored during the LI-4 acupuncture administered for 30 minutes, Pregnant SD rat showed decreased motility down to 77.90 % (Prob〉 T = 0.0076) compared to uterus motility before the acupuncture and it continuously decreased down to 71.81 %(Prob〉T = 0.0214) after the removal of needle. The statistical analysis using paired t-test showed significance difference for both two motility indexs at =0.05. SP-6 acupuncture administered to pregnant SD rat also had similar pattern of decreasing uterus motility index down to 74.70 % (Prob〉T = 0.1730) during the initial 30 minutes acupuncture administration and it was continuously lowered to 71.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.0155) after the acupuncture. The paired t-test resuit for SP-6 suggest prompt response of uterus motility index to the SP-6 acupuncture treatment but consequently reached same level of inducing the motility reduction as LI-4 at =0.05 level.