• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.223-227
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• 2008

The cryopreservation of Hanwoo embryos has become an integral part of assisted reproduction in animal. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of The objectives of this study were: (1) to evaluate the influence of bovine embryo developmental stage on in vitro embryo development after freezing, (2) to study the efficiency compared with conventional freezed embryos at different embryo source. For conventional slow-freezing, day 7 or 8 expanded blastocysts were collected. The standard freezing medium was 1.8 M ethylene glycol (EG). Embryos were equilibrated in 1.8 Methylene glycol(EG) with 0.1 M sucrose in Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (D-PBS) supplemented with 0.5% bovine serum albumin. Embryos were then loaded individually into 0.25 ml-straw and placed directly into cooling chamber of programmable freezer precooled to $-7^{\circ}C$, after 2 min, the straw was seeded, maintained at $-7^{\circ}C$ for 8 min, and then cooled to $-35^{\circ}C$ at $0.3^{\circ}C$/min, plunged and stored in liquid nitrogen for at least 3 days. For thawing, the straw containing embryos were warmed in air for 10 see and exposed to $37^{\circ}C$ water for 20 sec. Straws were then removed from $37^{\circ}C$ water. Rates of blastocyst survive and hatched were evaluated at 12 to 48h post-warming. The re-expansion and hatched rates of morula embryos were significantly lower than those obtained for blastocysts and expansion blastocysts (31.6%, 10.5% vs, 68.9%, 22.2% vs, 73.7%, 53.6%, respectively). No differences in re-expansion rates were found between in vivo and in vitro blastocysts. whereas hatched rates was significantly higher (51.2%) in vivo compared with in vitro embryos (18.6%). in conclusion, demonstrate that conventional freezing can be used successfully in cryopreservation of in vitro and in vivo bovine embryos, and that it might be considered for use in commercial programs and embryo preservation.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.163-169
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• 1995

In the experiment I for maas production of bovine early embryos, 18~20hpi fertilized eggs (756 eggs) and parthenogenic eggs (618 eggs) which were treated by 10% ethanol were cultured in both TGM and CZB. In the experiment II, suppiment effects each in CZB and CRlaa were tested by matured and fertilized oocytes which were after 18~20hpi. In the case of experiment I after 48hr, the cleavage rates of normally fertilized eggs were 66.6% in TCM treatment and 77.7% in CZB treatment, and after 240h the blastocysts were 7.5% in TCM and 14.1% in CZB. In the parthenogenic eggs, the deavage rates at 48hr were 39.6% in TCM and 57.5% in CZB, and at 240h, the blastocysts were 0.9% in TCM and 4.4% in CZB. These results showed that the effects of CZB on developmental ability to parthenogenic eggs as well as nomally fertilized eggs are relatively high. In experiment W, the effect of exposing the cleaved embryos to CZB for 30h on the blastocyst formation was examined. Similar rates of blastocyst formation were obtained both in TCM and CZB, suggesting that CZB exposure. during ealry development is critical. In experiments III ~ V, the effects of supplements were examined. The cleavage rates of CZB treatments at 48h were 83.8% in control, 78.1% in BSA+A.A+SIT, 75% in 5% FCS+A. A+SIT, 88.6% in BSA+A.A+SIT and not co-cultured BSA+A.A+SIT had 85.7% and in the case of 240h blastocysts showed 22.6, 0.0, fl.1, 6.5 and 0%, respectively. As a result, this study showed that CZB was effective culture system for in vitro development, and that CZB and CR$_1$aa had no significant differences and effects between them. It may be concluded that in the simple media containing supplements could replace the co-culture systems of bovine early embryo development.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.181-189
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• 2001

The objective of this study was to evaluate the development of porcine follicular oocytes fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) were collected by aspiration from follicles of 2~7 mm in diameter from a local slaughterhouse. Oocytes were matured in vitro for 40~44 h, and spermatozoa were prepared by swim-up in the presence or absence of 5 mM dithiothreitol (DTT) and then M II stages of the oocyte were either centrifuged or not centrifuged for the following injection of ooplasm. Injected oocytes were cultured in NCSU 23 medium for 6 to 8 days. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The rates of cleavage and development rates into blastocyst by ICSI were not significantly different between the with (53.0% and 19.7%) or without (48.3% and 23.8%) centrifugation, respectively (P＜0.05). 2. The cleavage and developmental rates to blastocyst after ICSI with or without 5 mM DTT treated-sperm were not significantly different (60.4% vs 16.4% and 45.5% vs 22.2%), respectively (P＜0.05). 3. The cleavage and the developmental rates to btastocyst were not significantly different between the zygotes obtained by IVF (51.8% vs. 22.4%) and ICSI (51.4% vs. 21.6%) (P＜0.05). 4. The number of blastomere in blastocyst stages after IVF or ICSI was not significantly different (46.7$\pm$2.9 and 41.9$\pm$4.6).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.307-319
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• 2010

Objective: Vitrification requires a high concentration of cyroprotectant (CPA) and an elevated cooling speed to avoid ice crystal formation. We have evaluated the effect of different combinations of cooling rate and CPA on embryonic integrity (developmental competence) in order to increase the efficiency of vitrification without impairing embryo viabilit. We hypothesized that the combination of CPA or the increase of cooling rates can reduce the concentration of toxic CPA for vitrification. As consequently, we performed experiments to evaluate the effect of various composition of CPA or slush nitrogen ($SN_2$) on the mouse embryonic development following vitrification using low CPA concentration. Methods: Vitrification of mouse embryos was performed with EM grid using liquid nitrogen ($LN_2$) or $SN_2$ and different composition of CPAs, ethylene glycol (EG) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). After vitrification-warming process, their survival and blastocyst formation rates were examined. For analyzing long-term effect, these blastocysts were transferred into the uterus of foster mothers. Results: Survival and blastocyst formation rates of vitrified embryos were higher in EG+DMSO group than those in EG only. Furthermor, the group using $SN_2$ with a lower CPA concentration showed a higher survival of embryos and developmental rates than group using $LN_2$. Conclusion: The combination of EG and DMSO as CPAs may enhance the survival of mouse embryos and further embryonic development after vitrification. $SN_2$ can generate high survival and developmental rate of vitrified/warmed mouse embryos when a lower concentration of CPA was applied. Therefore, these systems may contribute in the improvement of cryopreservation for fertility preservation.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.245-248
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• 2008

In the present studies, we have intended to compare the EDS (20% EG + 20% DMSO + 0.4 M sucrose + 10% FCS) and EDT (20% EG + 20% DMSO + 0.3 M trehalose 10% FCS) methods for vitrification of canine oocytes, in order to improve the vitrification methods. The survival rate of vitrified-thawed oocytes using the EDS method was $15.1{\pm}1.8%$ (p<0.05), which was lower than that of the control group $(66.7{\pm}2.5%)$. About $45{\sim}55%$ of the vitrified-warmed oocytes showed normal morphology, as assessed by PI staining. However, the ratio of survival rate of oocytes showed lower than that of normal morphology in comparison between EDS method and control group. The survival and developmental rates of vitrified-warmed oocytes by the EDS and EDT methods were $16.7{\pm}1.4%\;and\;11.1{\pm}0.8%$ and $8.3{\pm}1.4%\;and\;4.4{\pm}1.8%$, respectively (p<0.05). The results were significantly lower than the control group $(66.7{\pm}2.5%\;and\;16.7{\pm}3.7%)$. However, the survival rate of vitrified-warmed oocytes using EDS method showed higher than that in the ETS group.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.125-125
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• 2003

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of GnRH or estradiol in a CIDR-based timed Al (TAI) protocol on follicular turnover, synchronized ovulation and pregnancy rates in Holstein cows. Cows were treated at random stages of the estrus cycle with an insertion of an intravigal progesterone (1.9 g) device (CIDR, Day 0) and either no other treatment (control group; n=10), injection of 100 ug fertirelin acetate (GnRH group; n=10) or 4 mg estradiol benzoate (estradiol group; n=10). Seven days later devices were removed and an injection of 25 mg $PGF_{2$\alpha$}$ was administered. On Day 9, 100 ug GnRH was administered. Cows received a fixed-time insemination 16 h after injection of the GnRH. (중략)

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.141-148
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• 1989

The effects of seeding method and optimum time for freezing embryos according to the developmental stages on embryo survival rates after rapid freezing were determined using the FDA-test. The summarized results are as follows : 1. In the rapid freezing of embryos, the sucrose added medium together with Co-seeding or non-seeding showed the FDA scores of 4.67 and 4.20, respectively, but, raffinose addition obtained FDA scores of 4.27 and 3.97. 2. The developmental stage of embryos at freezing was most critical on the survival of embryos after thawing. Higher FDA scores were obtained in the order of blastocyst stage(4.94), morula stage(3.82) and ealy stage(2.65) in sucrose added medium. The same trend was observed in the raffinose added medium with an order or 4.91, 4.47 and 2.32. 3. Microscopic study of embryo before freezing and post-thawing indicated that the embryo showed shrinkage within 5 minutes after the embryo was transfer to the freezing medium. When thawed embryo was tranfered to the dilution medium, swelling of the embryo was observed and there after it reshrank indicating the removal of cryoprotectant from the embryo. The size of the embryo recovered to the original state when it was moved into a PBS-solution.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.111-116
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• 2014

This study investigates the developmental pattern of adhesive discs (ADs) to highlight the ontogeny and structural changes that occur during the growth of Boston ivy. Initiation to postmortem features of ADs were examined through light and scanning electron microscopy. The study also reveals a new finding of the dislocation of peripheral tissues of adaxial origin. Four phases of attachment are suggested with regards to its climbing behavior: 1) pre-attachment, 2) upon attachment, 3) after attachment, and 4) final attachment. During initiation, several ADs originate from tendril primordia without epidermal differentiation. However, different growth rates in the epidermis results in completely different ADs. ADs were discerned by size, shape, and color during expansion, but cells in the adaxial surface remained alive longer than the other side. Upon contact, the ADs demonstrate simultaneous growth and deterioration, but once attachment is established the latter process subdues to final stages. Epidermal transformation, adhesive secretion, cellular disruption, and mechanical stress were essential for the self-clinging nature of Boston ivy. The post-attachment sequence is also believed to be critical in achieving maximum mechanical strength to provide extensive support. The developmental process of ADs is prompted by tactile stimulation but in a highly organized and systematic manner.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.279-284
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• 2021

The dung beetle, Gymnopleurus mopsus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), is one of endangered species in South Korea. It was last recorded in 1971. To restore this species, we introduced G. mopsus populations from eastern and southern regions of Mongolia in July 2019 and August 2019, respectively. One of the main tasks for the restoration of endangered insects is to develop breeding techniques to eventually incorporate these insects into the restoration system. In a series of laboratory experiments, we investigated effects of short-term hibernation periods on life-history traits of G. mopsus. Adult G. mopsus that had hibernated for 30, 60, and 90 days had lower survival rates than adults that had hibernated for 120 days. We also compared developmental time of these four experimental groups and found a significant difference in the egg - phase. However, the duration of hibernation did not affect the fecundity, brood-ball size, or body size of F1 adults. Follow-up studies are currently being conducted to further investigate the effect of a short-term hibernation period on population growth of G. mopsus under laboratory conditions.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.493-498
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• 2018

There has been widespread warming and a general increase in summer temperatures over the Korean peninsula ($0.5^{\circ}C$/10 years from 2001 to 2010). South Korea is transforming into a subtropical region, and the productivity of livestock is affected by the climatic changes. In this study, we investigated whether the summer heat waves affect the developmental competency of Korean native cattle (Hanwoo), a taurine type of cattle with a small portion of indicine varieties. We collected oocytes during the summer (heat stress, HS) and autumn (non-HS condition) and examined the developmental competencies including in vitro maturation and preimplantation embryo development. No significant differences were observed between the HS and non-HS oocytes in nuclear maturation (extrusion of the polar body); however, the cleavage and blastocyst rates were significantly lower in the HS group than those in the non-HS group. The lower developmental competence of the HS oocytes compared to the non-HS is, in part, due to insufficient cytoplasmic maturation because of a higher production of Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels as well as peri/cortical distributed mitochondria in the HS oocytes after in vitro maturation. Next, we examined the ROS and mitochondria distribution and found a significant increase in the levels of ROS in the HS oocytes and a polarized distribution (pericortical cytoplasm) of mitochondria in the HS oocytes. In summary, impaired cytoplasmic maturation of oocytes from exposure to HS affects the preimplantation embryo development by dysfunction of mitochondria. To improve reproductive performance, embryo transfer using cryopreserved embryos/oocytes is recommended in the hot summer season of South Korea.