• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.45-56
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• 1990

Maternal serum ${\beta}$-specific human chorionic gonadotropin(${\beta}$-hCG) and pregnancy-specific ${\beta}_1$-glycoprotein($SP_1$) levels were determined more than one per week during 11-41 days post embryo transfer(ET) in 21 consecutive pregnancies after in vitro fertilization(IVF), which included 8 normal singleton pregnancies, 3 twin pregnancies, 4 clinical abortions, 1 ectopic pregnancy, and 5 preclinical abortions. The sensitivity of serum ${\beta}$-hCG and $SP_1$ radioimmunoassays was 3mIU/ml and 0.7ng/ml relatively. At the 7th to 8th week of gestation, ultrasonographic confirmation of fetal pole and fetal heartbeat was performed. Both serm ${\beta}$-hCG and $SP_1$ levels showed logarithmic increase, but log[$SP_1$] had more steep rising curve and had wider variation than log[${\beta}$-hCG] in normal singleton pregnancies. In 3 twin pregnancies and one ectopic pregnancy, both serum ${\beta}$-hCG and $SP_1$ levels located within the 95% confidence interval of the mean levels of 8 normal singleton pregnancies(normal range). In 2 clinical abortions which had a fetal pole without heartbeat, serum ${\beta}$-hCG level showed lower limit of the normal range or just below, but all $SP_1$ levels showed within the normal range. In other 2 clinical abortions which were diagnosed as blighted ovum, both serum ${\beta}$-hCG levels from 11 days post-ET and serum $SP_1$ levels from later days compared with ${\beta}$-hCG were below the normal range. In 5 preclinical abortions, serum $SP_1$ levels were within the normal range but serum ${\beta}$-hCG levels were far below the normal range. In conclusion, both serum ${\beta}$-hCG and $SP_1$ levels increased exponentially with similar pattern in normally conceived pregancy after IVF-ET. Both serum ${\beta}$-hCG and $SP_1$ levels could predict outcome of early pregnancy to a certain degree, but log[${\beta}$-hCG] levels had more significant correlation with outcome of pregnancy compared with log[$SP_1$] levels. In addition, ultrasonographic examination of fetal poles and fetal heartbeats gives very important clinical information and prognosis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1394-1406
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• 2015

The AT motif-binding factor (ATBF1) not only interacts with protein inhibitor of activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) (PIAS3) to suppress STAT3 signaling regulating embryo early development and cell differentiation, but is required for early activation of the pituitary specific transcription factor 1 (Pit1) gene (also known as POU1F1) critically affecting mammalian growth and development. The goal of this study was to detect novel nucleotide variations and haplotypes structure of the ATBF1 gene, as well as to test their associations with growth-related traits in goats. Herein, a total of seven novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (SNP 1-7) within this gene were found in two well-known Chinese native goat breeds. Haplotypes structure analysis demonstrated that there were four haplotypes in Hainan black goat while seventeen haplotypes in Xinong Saanen dairy goat, and both breeds only shared one haplotype (hap1). Association testing revealed that the SNP2, SNP5, SNP6, and SNP7 loci were also found to significantly associate with growth-related traits in goats, respectively. Moreover, one diplotype in Xinong Saanen dairy goats significantly linked to growth related traits. These preliminary findings not only would extend the spectrum of genetic variations of the goat ATBF1 gene, but also would contribute to implementing marker-assisted selection in genetics and breeding in goats.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.375-384
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• 2004

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are known to induce multiple functions in early development, including mesoderm formation, gastrulation movement and antero-posterior patterning. The induction of mesoderm from Xenopus presumptive ectoderm and the combination effect on inducing organs of bFGF(basic FGF) and HGF (Hepatocyte Growth Factor) were studied. Explants were cultured in the combined solution for 3 days to normal embryo arrive at St. 43. These effects on combined dose were examined by histological experiment and by immunohistochemical method. The concentrations of growth factors were tested in 0, 0.5, 1, 10 and also tested in 50 ng/ml of bFGF, and 0, 1, 10, 50 and 100ng/ml of HGF respectively. The synergistic effects were seen in the combined-dose of bFGF and HGF rather than in single dose. Various organs were differentiated and highest inducing effects were seen at the combined concentration of 1 ng/ml of bFGF and 10ng/ml of HGF, and at the concentration 10ng/ml of bFGF and 1 ng/ml of HGF. The bFGF induces various organs from cultured animal cap explants and the effects are time and dose-dependent. HGF is also a potent mitogen for renal tubular cells and for mature hepatocytes in primary culture. Eyes were developed in high percentage at the combined concentration of 1 and 10ng/ml of bFGF, and 1 and 10 ng/ml of HGF. From the induced eye and normal embryonic eye, RPE65 was commonly detected by monoclonal antibodies 40All and 25F5 and the localization of RPE65 was seen by AP reaction.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.41-45
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• 2006

The spawning behavior of Liobagrus obesus was observed at Kumgang river, Yeongdong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do from Apirl to July 2004. The fertilized eggs collected by dip net and skimming net were carried to the laboratory of Chonnam National University, and then egg, larvae and juvenils development were studied. Hatching of the embryo began about at 225 hrs 15 mins after morula stage in water temperature of $19.5{\sim}24.9^{\circ}C$(mean $22.8^{\circ}C$). The newly-hatched larvae were $7.30{\sim}7.90mm$(mean 7.66mm) in total length (TL), their mouth and anus were already opened with 14+28=42 myotomes. Sixteen days after hatching, the postlarvae were $13.00{\sim}14.05mm$(mean 13.48mm) TL, the yolk sac was completely absorbed. The juvenile stage was reached when all fin-rays were formed at 24 days after hatching, and $15.31{\sim}17.20mm$(mean 16.31mm) TL.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2006

The Tridentiger obscurus were collected of Ocheon-dong and Dolsan-do in Yeosu from Apirl to July 2003, and were carried to the laboratory to investigate their development of spawning habit, egg development, larvae and juveniles. The fertilized eggs were measured $0.86{\sim}1.07{\times}0.53{\sim}0.74\;mm$ in diameter. Hatching of the embryo began about 154 hrs 40 mins after fertilization in water temperature of $18.4{\sim}23.2^{\circ}C$(mean $21.2^{\circ}C$). The newly-hatched larvae were $2.72{\sim}2.87mm$(mean 2.83mm) in total length (TL), their mouth and anus were opened, and the yolk sac was completely absorbed. At 21 days after hatching, the postlarvae were $5.32{\sim}7.23mm$(mean 6.02mm) TL, and the tip of the caudal notochord was flexed $45^{\circ}$ upward. The juveniles stage was reached when all fin-rays were formed at 45 day after hatching, and $11.62{\sim}14.32mm$(mean 13.45mm) TL.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.293-300
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• 2009

The rate of fetus with abnormal chromosomes increase with maternal age. Nondisjunction of aging oocyte chromosome is a major reason for the increased rate of abnormalities. Telomeres are the ends of eukaryotic chromosome, which are essential for chromosome stability and are related in cell senescence. This study was carried out to analyze the chromosome aberration rate and amount of telomeric DNA in chick embryo along with maternal age. Fertilized eggs and blood were sampled from White Leghorn layers starting at 20 weeks through to 70 weeks age at 10 weeks interval. Chromosome aberration rate was analyzed by karyotyping. The amounts of telomeric DNA in embryonic cells and lymphocytes were quantified by Quantitative Fluorescence in situ Hybridization method. The chromosome aberration rate in chick embryos significantly differed with maternal age. The chromosome aberration rate increased at early laying period and beyond 70 weeks of maternal age. Therefore, chromosome aberration rate was affected by maternal age due to ovulated oocytes state. However, the amount of telomeric DNA on embryonic cells did not differ significantly with maternal age. Thus, maternal age does not affects telomere quantity in their embryos due to cellular reprograming at early embryonic stage after fertilization.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.167-172
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• 2012

The key regulators of apoptosis are the interacting protein of the Bcl-2 family. Bcl-2, an important member of this family, blocks cytochrome C release by sequestering pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins such as Bid, Bad, Bax and Bim. The pro-survival family members (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Bcl-W) are critical for cell survival, since loss of any of them causes cell death in certain cell type. However, its role during early porcine embryonic development is not sufficient. In this study, we traced the effects of Bcl-2 inhibitor, ABT-737, on early porcine embryonic development. We also investigated several indicators of developmental potential, including gene expression (apoptosis-related genes) and apoptosis, which are affected by ABT-737. Porcine embryos were cultured in the PZM-3 medium with or without ABT-737 for 6 days. In result, significant differences in developmental potential were detected between the embryos that were cultured with or without ABT-737 ($14.7{\pm}3.0$ vs $30.3{\pm}4.8%$, p<0.05). TUNEL assay showed that the number of containing fragmented DNA at the blastocyst stage increased in the ABT-737 treated group compared with control (4.7 vs 3.7, p<0.05). The mRNA expression of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax increased in ABT-737 treated group (p<0.05), whereas expressions of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Bcl-W) decreased (p<0.05). Also, expressions of the ER stress indicator genes (GRP78, XBP-1 and sXBP-1) increased in ABT-737 treated group (p<0.05). In conclusion, Bcl-2 is closely associated with of apoptosis- and ER stress-related genes expressions and developmental potential in pig embryos.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.191-196
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• 2013

This study was aimed for development of a useful genes that has a transcript expressional specificity in the early embryonic stage of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. We constructed and analyzed a full-length cDNA library from silkworm's eggs which after a lapse of 2 ~ 6 hours post oviposit. A total 960 clones were randomly selected, and the 5' ends of the inserts were sequenced to generate 652 expressed sequence tags(EST). 334 unique ESTs were generated after the assembly of 652 ESTs. The annotation of 334 unique ESTs by BLAST search revealed that 156(47%) of the sequences represented known genes, whereas 178(53%) of the sequences has no matches in the database. Of the 156 known genes, the most abundant genes were heat shock protein hsp20.8 gene(12 times) and ubiqutin-like protein gene(11 times). The functional groups of these ESTs with matches in the database were constructed according to their putative molecular functions. Among thirteen functional categories, the largest groups were protein synthesis(9.6%) and cellular organization( 8.1%). Further defined studies on molecular functions and biological roles of their promoters will give us wellfined information and its application.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.52-61
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• 2017

The egg development and early life history of Korean endemic fish, Squalidus multimaculatus (Gobioninae), were investigated. The eggs from the females were obtained by injecting 10 IU/g of human chorionic gonadotropin and inseminated by wet method in the laboratory. The fertilized eggs were 0.8~0.9 mm in diameter and had no oil globules. The embryo began to hatch about 65 hrs after fertilization under water temperature of $24{\pm}1^{\circ}C$. The newly-hatched larvae were 2.5~3.1 mm in total length, and their mouth and anus were not opened. Four days after hatching, the postlarva were 4.0~4.2 mm in total length, and their york sacs were completely absorbed. They entered the juvenile stage when all fin-rays were formed at 30 days after hatching, and their total length were 11.2~15.7 mm. At 45 days after hatching, the external from of juveniles were similar to those of adults (total length were 18.8~22.5 mm), and 80 days after hatching, the external characteristics from of juveniles were same to adults (total length were 25.7~35.9 mm).

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.381-389
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• 2014

We investigated the host fruit, seasonal occurrence, and oviposition habits of the eurytomid wasp, Eurytoma maslovskii that cause Japanese apricot fruit drops. This eurytomid wasp was found to occur in Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Jeollanam-do, and Jeollabuk-do in Korea, and it attacked seeds of Japanese apricot, apricot, and peach. Overwintered larvae were observed until mid April, inside the stone of Japanese apricots. Pupation took place between late March and late April. More than 90% of the adult wasps emerged between late April and early May. The female wasps laid eggs just under the seed coat before endocarp hardening. The length of the wasp ovipositor was at least 5 mm, and hence, the diameters of fruits for oviposition would not exceed 2 cm. We observed up to five eggs per fruit, and the egg stage did not last for more than two days. Newly hatched larvae moved to the embryo, which is the first part that forms in a seed, and feeds on this. Larval competition occurs during this time; in this study, only one larva survived and matured. Thus, from the larva cycle of the wasp, most of the damaged fruits would have fallen by early June, before the harvest period.