• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.38-56
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of administration of Foeniculi Fructus on ovarian functions and differential gene expressions related cell viability such as caspase-3, MAPK and MPG in female mice. Methods: We administered the Foeniculi Fructus to 6-week-old female CF-1 mice for 4, 8, 12 days. After administration of Foeniculi Fructus with 0.1, 1, 10, $100\;mg/m{\ell}$ concentration in the comparison of control group with $0\;mg/m{\ell}$, we observed the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes. After entosomatic fertilization, we observed the rate of fertilized 2-cell embryos to blastocyst stage in vitro. Also we chose the caspase-3 for cell apoptosis, MAPK and MPG genes for cell viability and DNA repair by RT-PCR. Results: 1. In case of 4, 8, 12day administration of Foeniculi Fructus with 0.1, 1, 10, $100\;mg/m{\ell}$, the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes were increased in the comparison of control group. 2. In case of 4, 8, 12day administration of Foeniculi Fructus with 0.1, 1, 10, $100\;mg/m{\ell}$, the rates of blastocyst formation from 2-cell stages were increased in the comparison of control group. 3. In case of 4, 8, 12day administration of Foeniculi Fructus with 0.1, 1, 10, $100\;mg/m{\ell}$, the gene expression of caspase-3, MAPK, MPG didn't show significant result in the comparison of control group. Conclusion: This study shows that Foeniculi Fructus has significant effects on the increase of the function on ovulation and embryonic development of female mice. But this results have nothing to do with caspase-3, MAPK and MPG genes. So we need a further study for which genes are related to the activation of reproductive functions of Foeniculi Fructus.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제14권8호
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• pp.1188-1195
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• 2001

A tetraparental chimeric bull was successfully produced by aggregating bovine IVF embryos of F1 (female Holstein${\times}$male Japanese Black) and F1(female Japanese Brown${\times}$male Limousin) and culturing in vitro without the zona pellucida at Yamaguchi Research Station in Japan. In the microsatellite genotyping, 12% (28/228) microsatellite primer sets ware potentially useful for this parentage analysis in the chimeric bull, 78.6% (22/28) of microsatellite present in the chimeric bull were uniquely contributed from the Japanese Black and 21.4% (6/28) from Limousin. This chimeric bull semen was used in producing IVF embryos. The chromosome preparations were made from peripheral lymphocytes. Based on chromosome analysis the Chimera had apparently normal chromosomes (29 acrocentric pairs, one large sub metacentric X chromosome and one small sub metacentric Y chromosome). The proportion of acrosome reacted spermatozoa after 1 h of incubation was higher (p<0.01) with the Chimera than with the Holstein and in Japanese Brown bulls. But did not differ from Japanese Black and Limousin bull sperm. Fertilization rates observed after 5 h of sperm-oocyte incubation with Chimera sperm were higher (p<0.05) than with Japanese Brown and (p<0.01) than with Holstein sperm, but did not differ from Japanese Black and Limousin sperm. The cleavage rates of IVF oocytes inseminated with Chimera sperm were also higher (p<0.001) compared with Holstein, (p<0.01) Japanese Brown and (p<0.05) Limousin, but did not differ from Japanese Black sperm. The blastocyst rates of IVM oocytes inseminated with sperm were higher (p<0.05) than in Limousin, Japanese Brown and Holstein, but did not differ from Japanese Black. Chimeric cattles were produced by aggregation of parthenogenetic (Japanese Brown) and in vitro fertilized (Holstein) bovine embryos at the Yamaguchi Research Station in Japan and by aggregation of parthenogenetic (Red Angus) and in vitro fertilized (Holstein) embryos at the St. Gabriel Research Station in Louisiana. The aggregation rate of the reconstructed demi-embryos cultured in vitro without agar embedding was significantly lower than with agar embedding. The aggregation was also lower when the aggregation resulted from a whole parthenogenetic and IVF-derieved embryos cultured without agar than when cultured with agar. The development rate to blastocysts, however, was not different among the treatment. To verify parthenogenetic and the cells derieved from the male IVF embryos in blastocyst formation, 51 embryos were karyotyped, resulting in 27 embryos having both XX and XY chromosome plates in the same sample, 14 embryos with XY and 10 embryos with XX. The viability and the percentage of zonafree chimeric embryos at 24 h following cryopreservation in EG plus T with 10% PVP were significantly greater than those cryopreserved without PVP. Pregnancies were diagnosed in both stations after the transfer of chimeric blastocysts. Twin male and single chimeric calves were delivered at the Yamaguchi station, with each having both XX and XY chromosomes detected. Three pregnancies resulted from the transfer of 40 chimeric embryos at the Louisiana station. Two pregnancies were Jost prior to 4 months and one phenotypically chimeric viable male born.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.334-339
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• 2007

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generate during electrical activation of oocytes which has detrimental effects on embryo survival when overwhelmed. The present study was designed to investigate the ability of L-ascorbic acid, a novel water soluble antioxidant, to reduce the ROS level in developing embryos and their subsequent effects on embryo development in vitro. The compact cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in tissue culture medium (TCM)-199 supplemented with 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor, 4 IU/ml pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and 10% (v/v) porcine follicular fluid (pFF) for 44 h. After maturation culture, the denuded oocytes were activated with a single DC pulse of 2.0 kV/cm in 0.3 M mannitol solution containing 0.5 mM of HEPES, 0.1 mM of $CaCl_2$ and 0.1 mM of $MgCl_2$ for $30{\mu}s$ using a BTX Electro-cell Manipulator. The activated oocytes were cultured in modified North Carolina State University-23 (mNSCU-23) medium for 168 h. The level of $H_2O_2$ in each embryo was measured by the dichlorohydrofluorescein diacetate (DCHFDA) method at 48 h after activation. The blastocyst formation rate was significantly higher when culture medium was supplemented with 50 and $100{\mu}M$ L-ascorbic acid (31.2 and 38.7%, respectively) compared to non-supplemented (16.1%) group. Accordingly, significantly more cells in blastocyst were found for 50 and $100{\mu}M$ L-ascorbic acid (50.0 and 56.4, respectively) compared to 0 and $200{\mu}M$ L-ascorbic acid (36.5 and 39.8, respectively). L-ascorbic acid reduces the $H_2O_2$ level in developing embryos in a dose-dependant manner. The $H_2O_2$ level (pixels/ embryos) was 191.5, 141.0, 124.0 and 163.3 for 0, 50, 100 and $200{\mu}M$ L-ascorbic acid, respectively. So, we recommend to supplement 50 or $100{\mu}M$ L-ascorbic acid in porcine in vitro culture medium.

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.59-67
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• 2000

본 연구는 핵이 제거된 소난자 내에 소의 태아 섬유아세포를 이식한 후 난자의 발달능력을 조사하였다. 소 태아 섬유아세포는 45일된 응성 태아로부터 분리한후 MitoTracker로 염색하고 세포 주기를 동기화시키지 않은 세포를 핵이 제거된 소난자의 위란강 내에 이식하였다. 섬유아세포와 소난자의 복합체는 전기 자극을 주어 융합시키는 방법을 이용하였으며, 융합된 난자는 Calcium ionophore와 6-DMAP를 이용하여 난활성을 유도시킨 다음 CR1aa 에서 배양하였다. 핵치환 된 난자의 핵은 핵질 응축과정, 팽대과정, 전핵 형성과정이 일어났으며, 이러한 과정에서 재구성된 난자는 분열 과정을 거쳐 18∼26시간 사이에는 2-세포기로 발달하였다. 섬유아세포의 미토콘드리아는 핵치환시 난자 내로 이전되었는데 이것들은 난자 내에서 빠르게 사라지는 것으로 관찰되었으며, 핵융합 후 8시간째에는 섬유아세포의 미토콘드리아가 전혀 관찰되지 않았다. 2-세포기로 분열된 난자의 21% 가 이식 가능한 단계인 배반포 단계까지 발달하였다. 이러한 결과는 소의 태아 섬유아세포가 탈핵된 소난자 내에서 성공적으로 재분화과정을 거치며, 이렇게 재조합 된 수정란은 배반포 단계까지 발달이 가능하다는 것을 보여주고 있다.

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.169-177
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• 2003

본 연구는 착상전 이배체 단위발생 돼지난자를 체외 배양시 우태아혈청 (FBS), 우혈청 알부민 (BSA) 및 상피세포성장인자 (EGF)를 배양액에 첨가하였을 때 배반포, 총 세포수, 세포사멸 및 세포사멸에 관여하는 유전자의 발현을 조사하고자 수행하였다. 0.4% BSA를 배양액에 첨가하였을 때 2세포기 단위발생 난자의 배반포까지의 발달율이 증가되었다(P<0.01). FBS는 배반포의 총세포수를 감소시 켰고 세포사멸을 증가하였다(P<0.01). 그리고 EGF는 BSA가 존재하는 조건하에서 배반포의 총세포수를 증가하였는데 EGF와 BSA가 각각 단독으로 존재할 때는 이런 작용이 없었다. 세포사멸도 이와 이슷한 경향을 보였는데 EGF와 BSA가 각각 존재할 때에는 비처리군과 차이가 없었지만 함께 존재할 때에는 세포사멸을 감소시켰다. RT-PCR의 결과에 의하면 EGF는 BSA가 존재하는 배양액에서 Bcl-xL 유전자의 상대적 발현량을 증가시키고 Bak 유전자의 상대적 발현량에는 영향을 주지 않는 과정을 통하여 세포사멸을 감소시키는것 같다. 반면에 FBS는 Bcl-xL의 발현량을 감소시키고 Bak 유전자의 상대적 발현량을 증가시킨다. 이러한 결과는 세포사멸에 관여하는 유전자의 발현은 배양액의 첨가물에 따라 유의적으로 영향을 받으며, 체외배양시 배아의 초기발달에 관여함을 시사한다.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.201-207
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• 2017

소 난자의 체외 성숙 및 발달과정에서 항산화제의 첨가는 발생과정에 생성될 수 있는 ROS를 조절하여 체외발생에 도움을 주는 것으로 알려져 있으나 이에 대한 연구는 아직 미흡하다고 판단된다. 본 연구에서는 소 수정란의 성숙과정과 발생과정에서 ROS에 대한 방어 기작에 필요한 물질로 -SH기(thiol group)을 함유하고 있는 NAC, NACA, GSH 및 CYS를 첨가하여 COCs의 난자 성숙율과 체외 수정 후 수정란의 발생율을 조사하였다. 도축장 유래 난소의 성숙율은 항산화제 처리군과 대조군에서 차이를 보여주지 않았으나(p>0.05), 배반포 형성율은 0.1 mM CYS을 처리한 실험군에서 $32.3{\pm}5.0%$로 유의적으로 높게 관찰되었다(p<0.05). 항산화제 0.3 mM NAC, 0.2 mM NACA 또는 0.5 mM GSH를 처리하는 실험군에서 배반포 형성율은 각각 $18.8{\pm}3.7%$, $21.2{\pm}3.9%$ 및 $26.5{\pm}5.0%$로 조사되었다. 그러므로, 항산화 물질인 NAC, NACA, GSH 및 CYS을 난자의 성숙 및 수정란 배양과정에 첨가하면 난자의 성숙에 영향이 없으나, CYS처리군이 배반포형성율에 효과가 있음을 밝혔다(p<0.05).

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.546-557
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• 2021

Objective: If fertilization does not occur within a specific period, the quality of unfertilized oocytes in the oviduct (in vivo aging) or in culture (in vitro aging) will deteriorate over time. Icariin (ICA), found in all species of Epimedium herbs, has strong antioxidant activity, and is thought to exert anti-aging effects in vitro. We asked whether ICA protects oocytes against age-related changes in vitro. Methods: We analyzed the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and expression of antioxidant, maternal, and estrogen receptor genes, and along with spindle morphology, and the developmental competence and quality of embryos in the presence and absence of ICA. Results: Treatment with 5 μM ICA (ICA-5) led to a significant reduction in ROS activity, but increased mRNA expression of glutathione and antioxidant genes (superoxide dismutase 1 [SOD1], SOD2, peroxiredoxin 5, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2), during aging in vitro. In addition, ICA-5 prevented defects in spindle formation and chromosomal alignment, and increased mRNA expression of cytoplasmic maturation factor genes (bone morphogenetic protein 15, cyclin B1, MOS proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase, and growth differentiation factor-9). It also prevented apoptosis, increased mRNA expression of antiapoptotic genes (BCL2-like 1 and baculoviral IAP repeat-containing 5), and reduced mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic genes (BCL2 antagonist/killer 1 and activation of caspase-3). Although the maturation and cleavage rates were similar in all groups, the total cell number per blastocyst and the percentage of apoptotic cells at the blastocyst stage were higher and lower, respectively, in the control and ICA-5 groups than in the aging group. Conclusion: ICA protects oocytes against damage during aging in vitro; therefore, it can be used to improve assisted reproductive technologies.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.710-719
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• 2023

Objective: The present study investigated whether protodioscin (PD), a steroidal saponin mainly found in rhizome of Dioscorea species, alleviates oxidative stress-induced damage of porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation. Methods: Oocytes were treated with different concentrations of PD (0, 1, 10, 100, and 200 µM) in the presence of 200 µM H₂O₂ during in vitro maturation. Following maturation, spindle morphology and mitogen-activated protein kinase activity was assessed along with reactive oxygen species level, GSH activity, and mRNA expression of endogenous antioxidant genes at the MII stage. On the day 7 after parthenogenetic activation, blastocyst formation rate was calculated and the quality of embryo and mRNA expression of development-related genes was evaluated. Results: Developmental competence was significantly poorer in the 0 µM PD-treated (control) group than in the non-treated (normal) and 10 µM PD-treated (10PD) groups. Although the reactive oxygen species level did not significantly differ between these three groups, the glutathione level and mRNA expression of antioxidant genes (superoxide dismutase 1 [SOD1], SOD2, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 [Nrf2], and hemo oxygenase-1 [HO-1]) were significantly higher in the normal and 10PD groups than in the control group. In addition, the percentage of oocytes with defective spindle and abnormal chromosomal alignment was significantly lower and the ratio of phosphorylated p44/42 to total p44/42 was significantly higher in the normal and 10PD groups than in the control group. The total cell number per blastocyst was significantly higher in the 10PD group than in the control group. The percentage of apoptotic cells in blastocysts was highest in the control group; however, the difference was not significant. mRNA expression of development-related genes (POU domain, class 5, transcription factor 1 [POU5F1], caudal type homeobox 2 [CDX2], Nanog homeobox [NANOG]) was consistently increased by addition of PD. Conclusion: The PD effectively improves the developmental competence and quality of blastocysts by protecting porcine oocytes against oxidative stress.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.307-319
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• 2010

목적: 유리화 동결액의 조성조절과 냉각속도 증진을 통한 동결보호제의 농도를 낮추는 전략을 통해 세포에 미치는 독성을 감소시켜 유리화 동결 및 융해 후 생쥐 배아의 생존율 및 발생률을 증진시키고, 궁극적으로 배아의 유리화 동결법을 개선하고자 하였다. 연구방법: 생쥐 배아와 포배기를 그리드를 이용한 유리화 동결법을 이용하여 동결/융해하였다. 동결액 내 ethylene glycol와 dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO)의 농도와 당의 농도를 조절하여 생쥐 배아의 융해 후 생존율과 발생률을 관찰하였고, 냉각속도의 증가와 동결억제제의 농도와의 상관관계를 포배기의 융해 후 생존율과 발생률에 따라 비교하였다. 또한 융해 후 배아를 대리모에 이식하여 산자를 생산함으로 냉각속도의 효율성을 알아보았다. 결과: EG를 단독으로 사용한 동결보존액 보다는 DMSO와 혼합된 동결보존액의 사용이 보다 유리하다는 결과를 얻을 수 있었다. 슬러시 질소에 의한 냉각속도의 증가가 동결보존의 대상의 상해를 줄여 유리화 동결의 효율성을 증진시키는 것으로 생각된다. 결론: 혼합된 동결보호제를 사용하였을 때 생쥐 배아의 유리화 동결 후 생존과 발생률이 증진되었다. 슬러시 질소를 이용한 유리화 동결의 도입은 냉각속도의 증가를 통해 기존 유리화 동결방법의 효율을 증진시켜 생존율과 융해후 발생률, 임신율 증진에 기여하였다. 또한 냉각속도의 증진은 유리화 동결의 필수요건인 고농도의 동결억제제에 대한 노출을 감소시킬 수 있었다. 이러한 노력은 생식력의 보전을 위한 유리화 동결법의 효율 향상에 기여할 것이다.

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.101-106
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• 1990

These mxperiments were carried out to investigate the effect of rabbit anti-bovine cumulus cell antibodies on in vitro fertilization and following development of bovine follicular oocytes matured in vitro. The bovine ovaries were obtained at a slaughter house and the follicular oocytes surrounded by cumulus cells were collected by puncturing follicles with 2~6mm of diameter. Bovine oocytes were matured in vitro for 24~26hrs in a CO2 incubator with 5% CO2 in air at 39$^{\circ}C$ and subsequently cultured in medium containing cumulus cell antibody for 1 hour. The medium used for maturation was TCM-199 supplemented with hormones, pyruvate, FCS and antibiotics. Epididymal spermatozoa were capacitated by in vitro culture for 2~3 hrs in BO solution 10~15 matured oocytes into the suspension of capacitated spermatozoa. Six hour after insemination the eggs were transferred to TCM-199 supplemented with FCS(10%) and then cultured for 7 days. The results obtained in these experiments were summarized as follows : 1. When the follicular oocytes matured in vitro were treated with antibody to intact cumulus cells, the fertilization rate of cumulus intact and removed oocytes was ranged to 45.0 to 53.7%. These value is slightly lower than that(64.3%) of follicular oocytes not treated with the antibody, and increased frequency of both male and female pronuclear formation was found in cumulus intact oocytes cultred in medium without the antibody(p<0.05). 2. The fertilization rate of cumulus intact and removed oocytes treated with antibody to solubilized cumulus cells was ranged 45.0 to 52.5%, significantly lowre than that(62.8%) of oocytes cultured in antibody free medium, and increased frequency of ova with male and female pronuclei was found when cumulus cells were present(p<0.05). 3. The rates of cumulus cell intact and removed oocytes developed to 8-, 16-cell and morula or blastocyst after treatment of intact and solubilized cumulus cell antibody were ranged 7.1 to 14.5, 2.9 to 5.9 and 1.5 to 2.9%, respectively, slightly lower than 18.6, 10.0 and 8.6% of cumulus intact oocytes cultured in medium without the antibody. The results of this stduy indicate that cumulus cells promote not only normal fertilization with proper pronuclear formation, but embryo development and that the beneficial effect of cumulus cell to the pronuclear formation and embryo development is blocked by the action of antibody to cumulus cell.