• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.37-43
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• 2001

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 (1988, 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 glaf 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 as 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. 6. Farm animal cloning is one of the most dreamful technologies of 21th century. It is necessary to develop this technology more efficient and stable as realistic technology of the farm animal production. We are making researches related to the best condition of donor cells for high productivity of cloning, genetic analysis of cloned animals, growth and performance abilities of clone cattle and pathological and genetical analysis of high rates of abortion and stillbirth of clone calves (about 30% of periparutum mortality). 7. It is requested in the report of Ministry of Health, labor and Welfare to make clear that carbon-copy cattle(somatic cell clone cattle) are safe and heathy for a commercial market since the somatic cell cloning is a completely new technology. Fattened beef steers (well-proved normal growth) and milking cows(shown a good fertility) are now provided for the assessment of food safety.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.161-167
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• 2001

Objective: Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factors known to be secreted in murine and human reproductive tract. The development of human, bovine and murine embryos could be promoted by addition of GM-CSF in culture medium. However, the pregnancy and implantation rate of embryos cultured in GM-CSF have not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of GM-CSF in embryo development, pregnancy and implantation rate. Methods: A total of 191 IVF cycles were divided into control and GM-CSF supplement group (control=96, GM-CSF=95). The embryos were cultured for three day with or without 2 ng/ml of recombinant human GM-CSF. The quality of embryo, developmental velocity, pregnancy and implantation rates were compared. Results: There was no difference in age, number of gonadotropin ampules used, number of oocytes and fertilization. The number of ICSI cycle was higher in GM-CSF group. In GM-CSF group, G-1 grade embryos were the highest in proportion (56.4%), while G-2 grade embryos were highest (44.3%) in control group. The developmental velocity of embryos were not different between GM-CSF and control group. The pregnancy and implantation rates were significantly higher in GM-CSF group than control (47.4% vs. 33.3%, 17.0% vs. 11.1% respectively). Conclusion: By adding GM-CSF in culture medium, the quality of embryo, pregnancy and implantation rate could be improved.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.169-175
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• 2013

Recently, the transgenic animal production technique is very important for the production of bio-parmaceutical as animal bio-reactor system. However, the absence of survival evaluation in vitro produced transgenic embryos has been a problem of the low productivity of transgenic animal because of absent of pre-estimate of pregnancy after transgenic embryos transferred into recipient. Therefore, this study is conducted to improve efficiency of transgenic cattle production by improving the non-surgical embryo transfer (ET) method. Transgenic bovine embryos were produced by injection of feline immunodeficiency virus enhanced green fluorescent protein (FIV-EGFP) lentiviral vector into perivitelline space of in vitro matured MII stage oocytes, and then in vitro fertilization (IVF) was occured. Normal IVF and EGFP expressing blastocysts were transferred into recipients. Results indicated that 2 expanded blastocysts (34.7%) transferred group showed significantly (P<0.05) higher pregnancy rate than 1 expanded blastocyst (26.8%) transferred group. In case of parity of recipient, ET to heifer (34.9%) showed significantly (P<0.05) higher pregnancy rate than ET to multiparous recipient (21.2%). However, there are no significant differences of pregnancy rate between natural induced estrus and artificial induced estrus groups. Significantly (P<0.05) higher pregnancy rate was obtained from recipient group which have normal corpus luteum with crown group (34.8%) than normal corpus luteum without crown (13.6%). Additionally, treatment of $100{\mu}g$ Gn-RH injection to recipient group (38.6%) 1 day before ET significantly (P<0.05) increase pregnancy rate than non- Gn-RH injection to recipient group (38.6%). We also transferred 2 EGFP expressing expanded blastocysts to each 19 recipients, 7 recipients were pregnant and finally 5 EGFP transgenic cattle were produced under described ET condition. Therefore, our result suggested that transfer of 2 good-quality expanded blastocysts to $100{\mu}g$ of Gn-RH injected recipient which have normal corpus luteum with crown is feasible to produce transgenic cattle.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.336-343
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• 2011

The neurotrophins, required for the survival and differentiation of the nervous system, are known to be important for the development of the reproductive tissues. However, the signals initiating the growth of follicles, gamete development, and transport and the development of zygote in the reproductive system of cows remain ambiguous. The purpose of the present study was to identify the transcripts and proteins of Neurotrophin 4 (NT4) and its receptor tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) in bovine reproductive tissues. The transcripts and immunoreactivity of NT4 and TrkB proteins were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Using immunohistochemistry, the specific immunoreactivity of NT4 and TrkB were detected in the oocytes of primordial follicles and in the growing primary follicles. The NT4 and TrkB immunoreactivity was predominantly observed in granulosa cells, cumulus granulosa cells, cumulus oocyte complexes, theca cells of mature follicles, as well as in the oviduct epithelial cells, uterine gland cell, and epithelium cells of the uterus during the follicular and luteal phases in cows. Expressions of NT4 and TrkB mRNAs were not significantly different among the ovary, oviduct, and uterus of the follicular phase. For the luteal phase, the expression of NT4 mRNA in the ovary was significantly higher than that in the oviduct and uterus, and the expression of TrkB mRNA in the oviduct was significantly higher than that in the ovary and uterus, as determined by fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The expression of NT4 mRNA was significantly higher than that of TrkB mRNA in the ovary and uterus, whereas NT4 mRNA expression was lower than that of TrkB mRNA in the oviduct during the luteal phase. The present study hypothesizes that NT4 participates in the regulation of both gonads and extra-gonadal reproductive tissues in cows.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 1992

본 연구는 소의 난포란의 체외성숙과 체외수정에 영향을 미치는 요인을 구명하기 위하여 미숙 난포란을 채취하여 형태적 분류를 통해 우수한 란을 공시한 후 난포의 크기, 정액의 형태, 수정능득법, 혈청, 호르몬, 난포액, 난구세포등을 첨가한 TCM-199 배양액에서 배양하면서 체외성숙 및 수정율을 조사하였는 바 그 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 소 난포란을 채취하여 배양을 통해 형태적 분류를 했을때 A형란은 61.4%, B형란은 12.1%, C형란은 19.2%, D형란은 4.2%였으며 발생중지 또는 퇴화란은 3.0%였다. 또한 A, B, C형란을 배양액에 배양했을때 난포란의 체외성숙율은 각각 89.1%, 78.0%, 52.6%였으며, 수정율은 각각 78.1%, 66.1%, 33.3%였다. 2. 소 난포의 크기를 1-2mm, 3-5mm 및 5mm이상으로 분류하여 채취한 난포란의 수는 각각 67개, 98개, 63개 였으며, 이를 TCM-199 배양액에서 배양했을때의 체외성숙 및 수정율은 각각 56.7%와 44.8%, 82.5%, 72.4%와 46.0%와 28.6%였다. 3. 소 난포란의 체외수정에 있어서 정소상체 미부정자, 희택정액 및 동결정액을 이용하여 매정하였을때 체외수정율과 분할율은 각각 63.3%, 73.3%, 70.0%와 32.7%, 37.8%, 38.3%였다. 4. 소 난포란의 체외수정에 있어서 m-KRB 처리법, HIS처리법, Ca-IA처리법, BFF처리법 및 heparin처리법으로 각각 수정능획득을 유기하였을때 체외성숙 및 분할율은 각각 53.1%, 28.1%, 33.9%와 17.7%, 50.8%와 26.2%, 48.1%와 22.8% 및 58.8%와 32.8%로서 heparin 처리법이 가장 높았다. 5. 소 난포란의 체외성숙과 수정에 있어서 각 농도의 우태아혈청과 FSH, HCG, $\beta$-estradiol을 첨가한 TCM-199배양액에서 배양했을때의 체외성숙 및 수정율은 각각 76.0-82.3%와 26.2-70.0%로서 무첨가에 비해 첨가가 높았다. 6. 발정우혈청 및 우태아혈청 5-20%를 첨가한 배양액에서 배양했을때의 체외성숙율은 각각 71.7-76.9%, 74.0-80.6%였으며 체외수정율은 51.9-58%와 26.2-30.0%로서, 체외수정율의 경우 발정우혈청의 첨가가 우태아혈청의 첨가에 비해 높았다. 7. 난포액20-30%를 첨가한 배양액에서 배양했을때의 난포란의 체외성숙율은 각각 68.0%와 64.6%, 수정율은 각각59.6%와 60.4%로서 난포액10%, 50%를 첨가한 배양액에서 배양시의 체외성숙율과 수정율에 비해 높았다. 8. 1$\times$10 6 /ml의 난구세포를 첨가한 배양액에서 배양했을때의 난포란의 체외성숙율과 수정율은 각각 76.5%와 61.7%로서 FCS 10%와 1$\times$10 4 -10 5/ml 와 1 $\times$10 8/ml난구세포를 첨가한 배양액에서 배양시의 체외성숙율과 수정율에 비해 높았다.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.37-43
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• 2001

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.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.95-102
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• 1994

본 연구는 종모우의 선발방법으로 난포란을 이용하여 실험실내 정자의 수정능력을 직접 검정하여 평가코자 시도되었다. 즉 본 실험은 후대검정중에 있는 한우 후보종모우 15두의 동결융해정자의 수정능력을 평가하기 위하여 정액을 고장액(HIS)에 처리한 후 DM에서 6시간 그리고 소 난포액이 20% 첨가된 DM에서 4시간 전배양하여 수정능을 획득시켜 정자의 활력과 첨체 반응율을 조사하였고 전배양된 정자의 체내(토끼 난관) 또는 체외수정능력을 조사하기 위하여 FCS 15%, 발정암소혈정(CSS) 10%가 첨가된 mKRB에서 체외성숙된 한우난포란과 수정시켜 수정능력을 평가하였으며 인공수정에 의한 개체별 수태율과도 비교 검토한 바 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 1. 한우 난포란의 체외성숙율은 BSA 첨가구 에서 43.8%, FCS 15% 첨가구에서 67.4%, CSS10% 첨가구에서 69.9%이었다. 2. 토끼 난관에서 체외수정율은 BSA 참가구에서 43.8%, FCS 15% 참가구 41.2% 및 CSS 10% 참가구 35.0% 이었다. 3. 후보종무우 15두의 정액을 HIS-DM으로 처리후 6시간 전배양하였을 때 정자의 활력지수는 9-32%였고 첨체반응율은 19-44% 이었으며 20% 난포액을 첨가하여 4시간 전배양 하였을 때 정자의 활력지수는 9-13% 이었고 첨체반응율은 20-43%로 개체간에 차이가 있었다. 4. 체외수정율은 6.6-85.7%였으며, 발정암소혈청(CSS) 10%가 첨가된 mKRB에서 성숙시킨 난포란이 FCS 15% 첨가된 mKRB에서 성숙시킨 난포란보다 다소 높았으나, 정자수정능획득방법간에는 차이가 없었 다. 5. 체외수정율에 있어서 전배양후 정자활력지수와는 부의 상관이 었으며, 첨체반응율과는 낮은 정의 상 관을 나타냈다. 6. 종모우의 수태율은 체외수정율, 정자활력지수 및 첨체반응율과 낮은 정의 상관관계를 나타냈다. 7. 종모우의 개체간 수태율 우열순위에서는 수정율순위와의 사이에 더욱 낮은 부의 상관관계를 보였다. 8. 이상의 연구결과 비록 후대정검중의 제한된 자료로 인하여 종모우 수태율과 체외수정율간에 유의적 인 상관관계는 없었으나, 연결 한우 수정율 평가에 대한 실험실내의 검정가능성을 찾을 수 있었다.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2010

This study was performed to identify the optimal timing for oocyte donor replacement during OPU procedure. OPU was carried out to collect oocytes from every donor at an interval of $3{\sim}4$ days (2 times a week). The collected oocytes were matured in vitro in TCM-199 supplemented with 10% FBS, 10 mg/ml of FSH and 1 mg/ml of estradiol for 24 h. After 24 h of exposure to sperm, the presumptive zygotes were cultured in CR1aa medium supplemented with 4 mg/ml of BSA for 3 days before being changed to CR1aa medium with 10% of FBS for another $3{\sim}4$ days. The mean numbers of retrieved oocytes were remained constantly up to 3 months ($6.0{\pm}0.5$, $6.2{\pm}0.7$, $5.2{\pm}0.6$), but significantly decreased at over 4 to 6 months ($3.7{\pm}0.5$, $2.8{\pm}0.4$, $1.2{\pm}0.2$) (p<0.05). The blastocyst development potential was also very similar rate from 1 to 3 months (37.2%, 40.4% and 44.6%), but significantly decreased from 4 to 6 months (24.8%, 29.3% and 28.6%, respectively) (p<0.05). The production of OPU derived embryos in periods of 1 to 3 months ($2.2{\pm}0.3$, $2.5{\pm}0.3$ and $2.3{\pm}0.4$) were significantly higher than those in 4 to 6 months ($0.9{\pm}0.2$, $0.8{\pm}0.2$ and $0.3{\pm}0.2$, respectively) (p<0.05). In conclusion, the efficient periods for the production of OPU derived embryos was until 4 months, twice per week to produce over 64 transferable embryos and then replace new donor after 3 months use. The best replacement time is 3 months and could be maximized production of OPU derived embryos.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2006

This study was conducted to determine the distribution of cat follicles among varying ages and produce oocytes from preantral follicles cultured in vitro. We used ovaries from 41 cats ranging in age from 0.3 to 5 years. Ovaries were obtained from cats undergoing routine ovariectomy at local veterinary clinics. As a prelude to in vitro culture of preantral follicles, the length and the width and the weight of ovaries among cats of varying ages were measured. Ovaries were fixed in 10% formalin, embedded in paraffin, cut into $3{\mu}m$-sections, mounted on slides and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Follicles were evaluated at 200X and 400X magnification. Distribution of follicles among cats of varying ages were evaluated according to follicle classification: primordial, primary, transitional, preantral and antral follicles. Preantral follicles were isolated by the simple mechanical procedure. Each follicle was cultured in a well containing $100{\mu}l$ of medium 199 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) or polyvinylalcohol (PVA) for 16 days. Follicle diameters were measured under inverted microscope every 4 days. The length, the width and the weight of ovaries were increased gradually according to ages but there was not significant difference among cats of varying ages. Majority of follicles were primordial follicles (84%) regardless of cat ages (p<0.05). Follicle diameter increased until 4 days of culture. However, period longer than 4 days of culture in vitro had a deleterious effect on follicle survival regardless of supplement (FBS or PVA). A few oocytes were collected from preantral follicles cultured in vitro. These basic reproductive techniques in domestic cats can be a useful tool to save endangered feline species.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.171-178
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• 1999

The follicular fluid (FF) of ovary contains various biological active products which affected on the growth of follicles and the fertilization of oocyte in physiological reproductive process of mammals. This study was designed to determine the effects of human FF on fertilization of oocyte and embryonal development in vitro culture. The FF was prepared as clear without blood contamination by needle aspiration from mature follicles of human at the time of oocytes retrieval for in vitro fertilization (IVF). As the medium for culture in vitro of embryonal cells, human tubal fluid (HTF) supplemented with follicular fluids at concentrations of 10%, 40% and pure FF were used. These effects were compared to control group of cultured embryos in HTF supplemented with 0.4% BSA (bovine serum albumin). For IVF, 64 eggs in control group, 67 eggs in 10% FF, 57 eggs in 40% FF and 64 eggs in pure FF were respectively allocated. And the rates of fertilization were almost similar in all groups as resulting 82.81% in control, 85.07% in 10% FF, 87.71% in 40% FF and 81.25% in pure FF. On the examination for embryonal cleavage from fertilized eggs, the rates of developing to 4 cell stage was similar in all groups, as results 98.11% in control, 98.27% in 10% FF and 98% in 40% FF but 78.84% in pure FF. And the rates of developing to 8-16 cell stage were significantly reduced as 44% in 40% FF and 44.23% in pure FF (p<0.05) compare to 71.69% in control media. As likewise, the rates of developing to morular stage were also significantly reduced to 36% (p<0.05) and 21.15% (p<0.01) respectively in 40% FF and pure FF. And the rates to blastocystic stage of embryo was lowest as 7.69% in pure FF (Table 1). The quality of embryonal cells on cleavage to the 8-16 cell stage was poorer, higher concentrations of FF. The rates of grade 1 in pure FF, as 23.07%, was lowest compare to those of other groups, in which the rates of grade 1 in control, 10% FF and 40% FF were 58.49%, 47.36% and 34% respectively. And on the contrary, the rate of grade 4 in pure FF was highest as 23.07%, while those were 5.66% in control, 8.77% in 10% FF and 20% in 40% FF (Table 2). On the viability of embryos, the rate of embryonal cell death was more rise, at the higher concentrations as well as longer exposure in the follicular fluid. At 48 hours after in vitro culture of embryos, the rate of survival embryos in pure FF was markedly lowered as 44.23%, compare to that of control (p<0.05). But there was not significant difference between the rates of survival embryos in each group beside the pure FF, which the rates were 77.35% in control, 70.17% in 10% FF and 60% in 40% FF respectively. And at 72 hours after in vitro culture, the rates of survival embryos were also significantly dropped to 21.15% in pure and 36% in 40% at concentration of FF compare to 62.26% in control (p<0.05, p<0.01). Finally, the rate of embryonal death at 96 hours after in vitro culture was highest as 82.69% in pure FF among all groups which those were 35.84 in control, 56.14% in 10% FF and 64% in 40% FF respectively (Fig. 1, 2, 3). In conclusion, this study suggests that the FF has no effects, in particular, to the in vitro fertilization of oocytes but exerted a bad effect to the cleavage, quality and viability of the embryonal cells during in vitro culture. However, the FF is harmful on embryonal development at conditions in higher concentration and especially on the embryos after $8{\sim}16$ cell stage.