• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.162-167
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• 2021

Camel (camelus dromedarius) is a unique large mammalian species that can survive harsh environmental conditions and produce milk, meat, and wool. Camel reproduction is inferior when compared to other farm animal species such as cattle and sheep. Several trials have been reported to increase camel reproduction and production through assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) such as in vitro fertilization and cloning. For these reasons, obtaining enough mature oocytes is a cornerstone for ARTs. This demand would be improved by the oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) systems. In this review, the current approaches and views from different laboratories using ARTs and the IVM to produce embryos in vitro in camel species. For the last two decades, conventional IVM system was the common approach, however, recently the bi-phasic IVM system has been introduced and showed promising improvement in IVM of camel oocytes. Detailed studies are needed to understand camel meiosis and IVM to efficiently increase the production of this species.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.85-89
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• 2013

For more than two decades, the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique has been used as a valuable tool to provide opportunities for studying fertilization, treating human infertility, and producing transgenic animals. Not only in facilitating fertilization but also in propagating mammalian species, ICSI has enhanced the potential of assisted reproductive technologies in human. Polyspermic fertilization has been one of major problems in pig reproduction, but the ICSI helped to solve the problem, and used widely to generate transgenic piglets. Although the ICSI technique is considered to be a very useful tool in assisted reproductive technologies, including generation of transgenic animals, there are some disadvantages using the technique. In this review, we describe the ICSI technique and its application in animal production and human infertility, and discuss advantage and disadvantage of the technique in mammals.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.295-302
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• 2021

As glucocorticoids are well-known as important regulators of stress and the immune system, their function and clinical use have elicited substantial interest in the field of reproduction. In particular, the effect of glucocorticoid therapy on endometrial receptivity during assisted reproduction, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles, has led to a great deal of interest and controversy. However, previous studies have not been able to provide consistent and reliable evidence due to their small, non-controlled designs and use of different criteria. Considering the potential risk of exposure to glucocorticoids for mothers and fetuses in early pregnancy, the use of glucocorticoids in IVF cycles should be carefully evaluated, including the balance between risk and benefit. To date, there is no conclusive evidence that the use of glucocorticoids improves the pregnancy rate in IVF cycles with unselected subjects, and a further investigation should be considered with a proper study design.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.47-51
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• 2017

Objective: This study was designed to report the status of assisted reproductive technology (ART) therapy in South Korea between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012. Methods: A localized online survey, originally developed by the International Committee Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies, was first launched and provided to all available ART centers via email in 2015. Fresh embryo transfer (FET) cases were categorized as standard in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), or half-ICSI. Thawed embryo transfer (TET) and other related procedures, including surgical sperm retrieval, were surveyed. Results: Data from 33,956 ovum pick-up procedures were provided by 75 clinics in 2012. Of the 33,088 cycles in which ovums were retrieved, a complete transfer was performed in 90.5% (29,932 cycles). In addition, 10,079 FET cycles were confirmed to have resulted in clinical pregnancy, representing a pregnancy rate of 30.5% per ovum pick-up and 33.7% per ET. The most common number of embryos transferred in FET was 2 (41.6%), followed by 3 (34.0%), and non-elective single ETs (10.0%). Of the 10,404 TET cycles in which transfer was completed, 3,760 clinical pregnancies (36.1%) were confirmed by ultrasonography. Conclusion: The overall clinical pregnancy rate for FET and TET cycles in 2012 was higher than in 2011 (33.7% vs. 33.2% and 36.1% vs. 31.1%, respectively). The most common number of embryos transferred in FET cycles was 2, unlike in 2011.

• 한국동물번식학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국동물번식학회 2009년도 춘계학술대회
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• pp.20-21
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• 2009

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제46권3호
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• pp.224-229
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• 2003

목 적 : 불임의 증가와 함께 체외수정시술에 의한 신생아의 출생이 점차 증가하고 있으나, 이들에 대한 임상적 예후와 경과에 대한 연구가 미비한 실정으로 본원에서 출생한 체외수정 쌍생아의 임상적 경과 및 예후를 알고자 본 연구를 시행하였다. 방 법 : 1995년 1월부터 2000년 6월까지 6년간 서울아산병원에서 분만된 신생아 460쌍 중 250쌍의 자연 수정에 의한 쌍생아(대조군)와 체외 수정 시술에 의해 출생한 156쌍의 쌍생아를 대상으로 재태연령, 출생체중, 성비, 입원률, 1분/5분 Apgar 점수, 동맥관개존증의 발생 및 인도신 치료 여부, 신생아 호흡 곤란 증후군, 일과성 빈호흡, 황달, 미숙아망막증, 뇌출혈, 괴사성 장염, 패혈증, 전해질 이상, 선천적 기형의 발생 유무를 비교하였으며, 입원기간과 사망률을 알아보고 비교 분석하였다. 또한 산모의 나이와 출산력 및 조기양막파열, 임신성 고혈압, 조기진통의 발생 여부와 임신 중의 입원횟수와 입원기간을 비교하였다. 결 과 : 6년간 본원에서 출생한 쌍생아는 총 460쌍이었으며 이중 체외수정시술에 의해 출생한 쌍생아는 156쌍(34.1%)이었다. 산모의 과거력과 임신성 합병증, 임신기간, 출산 형태에 대한 비교에서 산모의 나이, 출산력, 입원기간 등은 두 군 사이에 차이가 없었으나, 체외수정시술을 받은 산모에서 조기진통의 횟수가 많았고, 입원 횟수가 의미있게 많았다. 분만 형태의 비교에서 체외수정시술을 받았던 군이 자연수정군에 비해 수술로 분만한 경우가 의미있게 많았으며(93% vs 82%) 응급 수술보다 정규 수술이 의미있게 많았다. 신생아의 비교에 있어서 몸무게, 성비, 동맥관개존증의 발생 및 인도신 치료 여부, 신생아 호흡 곤란 증후군, 일과성 빈호흡, 황달, 미숙아망막증, 뇌출혈, 괴사성 장염, 패혈증, 선천적 기형의 발생 유무, 생존율, 입원기간 등은 두 군간에 의미 있는 차이가 없었고, 1분, 5분 Apgar 점수가 자연수정군에서 높았으며, 전해질의 이상소견이 체외수정시술군에서 의미있게 많았다. 체외수정시술에 의한 쌍생아군에서 첫 번째 아가와 두번째 아가를 비교하였을 때 출생체중, 신생아 집중치료실 입원율, 입원기간 등은 차이는 없었으나, 신생아 호흡 곤란 증후군, 동맥간개존증, 패혈증, 괴사성장염 등은 두번째 아가에서 유의하게 많았다. 결 론 : 체외수정시술에 의한 쌍생아의 출생은 전체 쌍생아 출생아의 34.1%로 많은 부분을 차지하였고, 산과적 합병증 및 주산기 예후를 비교하였을 때 체외수정군과 자연수정군이 유의한 차이가 없었다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.169-173
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• 2013

Objective: To measure Irish opinion on a range of assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatments. Methods: A nationally representative sample of Irish adults (n=1,003) were anonymously sampled by telephone survey. Results: Most participants (77%) agreed that any fertility services offered internationally should also be available in Ireland, although only a small minority of the general Irish population had personal familiarity with AHR or infertility. This sample finds substantial agreement (63%) that the Government of Ireland should introduce legislation covering AHR. The range of support for gamete donation in Ireland ranged from 53% to 83%, depending on how donor privacy and disclosure policies are presented. For example, donation where the donor agrees to be contacted by the child born following donation, and anonymous donation where donor privacy is completely protected by law were supported by 68% and 66%, respectively. The least popular (53%) donor gamete treatment type appeared to be donation where the donor consents to be involved in the future life of any child born as a result of donor fertility treatment. Respondents in social class ABC1 (58%), age 18 to 24 (62%), age 25 to 34 (60%), or without children (61%) were more likely to favour this donor treatment policy in our sample. Conclusion: This is the first nationwide assessment of Irish public opinion on the advanced reproductive technologies since 2005. Access to a wide range of AHR treatment was supported by all subgroups studied. Public opinion concerning specific types of AHR treatment varied, yet general support for the need for national AHR legislation was reported by 63% of this national sample. Contemporary views on AHR remain largely consistent with the Commission for Assisted Human Reproduction recommendations from 2005, although further research is needed to clarify exactly how popular opinion on these issues has changed. It appears that legislation allowing for the full range of donation options (and not mandating disclosure of donor identity at a stipulated age) would better align with current Irish public opinion.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.273-282
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• 2021

Since December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread rapidly, resulting in a pandemic. The virus enters host cells through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2). These enzymes are widely expressed in reproductive organs; hence, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could also impact human reproduction. Current evidence suggests that sperm cells may provide an inadequate environment for the virus to penetrate and spread. Oocytes within antral follicles are surrounded by cumulus cells, which rarely express ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Thus, the possibility of transmission of the virus through sexual intercourse and assisted reproductive techniques seems unlikely. Early human embryos express coronavirus entry receptors and proteases, implying that human embryos are potentially vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 in the early stages of development. Data on the expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the human endometrium are sparse. Moreover, it remains unclear whether SARS-CoV-2 directly affects the embryo and its implantation. A study of the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on pregnancy showed an increase in preterm delivery. Thus, vertical transmission of the virus from mother to fetus in the third trimester is possible, and further data on human reproduction are required to establish this possibility. Based on analyses of existing data, major organizations in this field have published guidelines on the treatment of infertility. Regarding these guidelines, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, reproductive treatment is crucial for the well-being of society and must be continued under suitable regulations and good standard laboratory practice protocols.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.85-90
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• 2021

We present data from three Caucasian men with Zinner syndrome who attended our center for the treatment of primary couple's infertility. Each patient was scheduled for conventional testicular sperm extraction (cTESE) and cryopreservation. Sperm analysis confirmed absolute azoospermia. Patient 1 had right and left testis volumes of 24 mL and 23 mL, respectively; left seminal vesicle (SV) agenesis, severe right SV hypotrophy with right renal agenesis. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was 3.2 IU/L. Patient 2 exhibited right and left testis volumes of 18 mL and 16 mL, respectively; a left SV cyst of 32 × 28 mm, ipsilateral kidney absence, and right SV agenesis. FSH was 2.8 IU/L. Patient 3 showed a testicular volume of 10 mL bilaterally, a 65 × 46 mm left SV cyst, right SV enlargement, and left kidney agenesis. FSH was 32.0 IU/L. Sperm retrieval was successful in all patients. Nevertheless, cTESE should be performed on the day of oocyte retrieval.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.2-8
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• 2022

Humanity is in the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and vaccines-including mRNA vaccines-have been developed at an unprecedented speed. It is necessary to develop guidelines for vaccination for people undergoing treatment with assisted reproductive technology (ART) and for pregnancy-related situations based on the extant laboratory and clinical data. COVID-19 vaccines do not appear to adversely affect gametes, embryos, or implantation; therefore, active vaccination is recommended for women or men who are preparing for ART. The use of intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) for the treatment of immune-related infertility is unlikely to impact the effectiveness of the vaccines, so COVID-19 vaccines can be administered around ART cycles in which IVIG is scheduled. Pregnant women have been proven to be at risk of severe maternal and neonatal complications from COVID-19. It does not appear that COVID-19 vaccines harm pregnant women or fetuses; instead, they have been observed to deliver antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) to the fetus. Accordingly, it is recommended that pregnant women receive COVID-19 vaccination. There is no rationale for adverse effects, or clinical cases of adverse reactions, in mothers or neonates after COVID-19 vaccination in lactating women. Instead, antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 can be delivered through breast milk. Therefore, breastfeeding mothers should consider vaccination. In summary, active administration of COVID-19 vaccines will help ensure the safe implementation of ART, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.