• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.213-223
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• 2021

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) is routinely used in the in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles to increase the number of retrieved mature oocytes. However, the relationship between repeated COH and ovarian function is still controversial. Therefore, we investigated whether repeated ovarian stimulation affects ovarian aging and function, including follicular development, autophagy, and apoptosis in follicles. Ovarian hyperstimulation in mice was induced by intraperitoneal injection with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Mice subjected to ovarian stimulation once were used as a control group and 10 times as an experimental group. Repeated injections with PMSG and hCG significantly reduced the number of primary follicles compared to a single injection. The number of secondary and antral follicles increased slightly, while the number of corpus luteum increased significantly with repeated injections. On the other hand, repeated injections did not affect apoptosis in follicles associated with follicular atresia. The expression of autophagy-related genes Atg5, Atg12, LC3B, and Beclin1, cell proliferation-related genes mTOR, apoptosis-related genes Fas, and FasL was not significantly different between the two groups. In addition, the expression of the aging-related genes Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, and AMH were also not significantly different. In this study, we demonstrated that repeated ovarian stimulation in mice affects follicular development, but not autophagy, apoptosis, aging in ovary. These results suggest that repetition of COH in the IVF-ET cycle may not result in ovarian aging, such as a decrease in ovarian reserve in adult women.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제32권8_spc호
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• pp.1284-1295
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• 2019

Considerable progress in reproduction of dairy goats has been made, with advances in reproductive technology accelerating dairy goat production since the 1980s. Reproduction in goats is described as seasonal. The onset and length of the breeding season is dependent on various factors such as breed, climate, physiological stage, male effect, breeding system, and photoperiod. The reproductive physiology of goats was investigated extensively, including hypothalamic and pituitary control of the ovary related to estrus behavior and cyclicity etc. Photoperiodic treatments coupled with the male effect allow hormone-free synchronization of ovulation, but the kidding rate is still less than for hormonal treatments. Different protocols have been developed to meet the needs and expectations of producers; dairy industries are subject to growing demands for year round production. Hormonal treatments for synchronization of estrus and ovulation in combination with artificial insemination (AI) or natural mating facilitate out-of-season breeding and the grouping of the kidding period. The AI with fresh or frozen semen has been increasingly adopted in the intensive production system, this is perhaps the most powerful tool that reproductive physiologists and geneticists have provided the dairy goat industry with for improving reproductive efficiency, genetic progress and genetic materials transportation. One of the most exciting developments in the reproduction of dairy animals is embryo transfer (ET), the so-called second generation reproductive biotechnology following AI. Multiple ovulation and ET (MOET) program in dairy goats combining with estrus synchronization (ES) and AI significantly increase annual genetic improvement by decreasing the generation interval. Based on the advances in reproduction technologies that have been utilized through experiments and investigation, this review will focus on the application of these technologies and how they can be used to promote the dairy goat research and industry development in the future.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.284-292
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• 2020

Objective: This study investigated whether adding outer-well medium to inhibit osmotic changes in culture media in a dry-type incubator improved the clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. Methods: In culture dishes, the osmotic changes in media (20 µL)-covered oil with or without outer-well medium (humid or dry culture conditions, respectively) were compared after 3 days of incubation in a dry-type incubator. One-step (Origio) and G1/G2 (Vitrolife) media were used. Results: The osmotic changes in the dry culture condition (308 mOsm) were higher than in the humid culture conditions (285-290 mOsm) after 3 days of incubation. In day 3 IVF-ET cycles, although the pregnancy rate did not significantly differ between the dry (46.2%) and humid culture (51.0%) groups, the rates of abortion and ongoing pregnancy were significantly better in the humid culture group (1.5% and 49.5%, respectively) than in the dry culture group (8.3% and 37.8%, respectively, p<0.05). In day 5 IVF-ET cycles, the abortion rate was significantly lower in the humid culture group (2.2%) than in the dry culture group (25.0%, p<0.01), but no statistically significant difference was observed in the rates of clinical and ongoing pregnancy between the dry (50.0% and 25.0%, respectively) and humid culture groups (59.5% and 57.3%, respectively) because of the small number of cycles. Conclusion: Hyperosmotic changes in media occurred in a dry-type incubator by evaporation, although the medium was covered with oil. These osmotic changes were efficiently inhibited by supplementation of outer-well medium, which resulted in improved pregnancy outcomes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.243-251
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• 2005

Objective: Low-dose aspirin have been proposed to improving endometrial receptivity and pregnancy rate in COH-IVF by increasing endometrial perfusion. However, the effect of low-dose aspirin in COH-IVF could be negligible because there have been large quantity of other important factors responsible for changing endometrial perfusion accompanied by COH procedure. In contrast, in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles which were not accompanied by COH procedure, the effects of low-dose aspirin in endometrial blood flow seems to be more certain than in COH-IVF cycles. In this study, we analyzed the effect of low-dose aspirin treatment on implantation and pregnancy rates in patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer Methods: From January 2003 to December 2003, total 264 cycles from 264 patients who attended infertility clinic at Samsung Cheil Hospital were enrolled in this study. All cases included in this study, embryos were frozen and thawed at the pronuclear stage and three days after incubation, at least 2 or more good quality embryos were transferred into uterus. In study group, low dose aspirin (100 mg/day) was administrated from the first or second date of menstrual day to 9 days after embryo transfer. On the other hand, control group did not take any medicine except estradiol valerate for endometrial priming. Several variables including implantation and pregnancy rates were compared in both groups. After then, each groups were stratified by endometrial thickness checked at embryo transfer (ET) day such as (28 mm versus <8 mm) and same variables above described were compared between study and control groups. Results: The mean age, infertility duration, endometrial thickness at embryo transfer day and mean number of transferred embryo were not significantly different in both groups. Also, implantation rates (study group: 15.8%, control group: 20.5%) and pregnancy rate (study group: 45.1%, control group: 43.5%) were not significantly different between two groups. (p>0.05) After we analyzed same variables stratified by endometrial thickness checked at embryo transfer day, we could not found any significant difference between study and control groups. Conclusions: Low-dose aspirin treatment seems to have no advantage of improving implantation and pregnancy rates in patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.225-234
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• 2004

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of GnRH antagonist cetrorelix in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and to determine changes in serum hormone concentrations during cetrorelix administration. Methods: We performed a clinical trial on 30 patients undergoing COH with highly purified follicular stimulating hormone (HP-FSH) and gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist (GnRHant), cetrorelix. FSH was administrated from day 2 or 3 of cycle with fixed dose and adjusted according to individual response. 0.25 mg of cetrorelix was injected daily subcutaneously from stimulation day 5 until the day of hCG administration. Daily ultrasound monitoring was performed for growing follicles and serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol ($E_2$) and progesterone were measured daily during cetrorelix administration. Up to 4 embryos were transferred. Results: Mean age of enrolled patients was $32.0{\pm}3.4$ years (mean $\pm$ S.D.). All of 30 patients underwent oocyte pick-up, and embryo transfer was done in 28 patients. The total and mean numbers of received oocytes were 196 and $6.5{\pm}4.7$, the number of fertilized eggs was 111, and the fertilization rate was 56.6%. Total duration of FSH administration was $9.2{\pm}2.2$ days and mean of $24.3{\pm}7.7$ ampules of HP-FSH was administered. Total duration of cetrorelix administration was $5.7{\pm}1.9$ days. Serum LH and progesterone levels were maintained in the range of $1.4{\sim}2.9\;mIU/mL$ and $0.3{\sim}0.6\;ng/mL$, which respectively reflected effective prevention of premature LH surge. Clinical pregnancies were achieved in 9 patients, and overall clinical pregnancy rate was 30.0% per oocyte retrieval, and 32.1% per embryo transfer. Conclusion: GnRH antagonist is safe and convenient for COH for IVF-ET and effective with optimal pregnancy rate.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.149-155
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• 2015

Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum progesterone (P4) levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration and the pregnancy rate among women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (ICSI-ET) using a flexible antagonist protocol. Methods: This prospective study included 200 IVF and ICSI-ET cycles in which a flexible antagonist protocol was used. The patients were divided into five distinct groups according to their serum P4 levels at the time of hCG administration (0.80, 0.85, 0.90, 0.95, and 1.00 ng/mL). The clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) was calculated for each P4 interval. Statistically significant differences were observed at a serum P4 level of 0.9 ng/mL. These data suggest that a serum P4 concentration of 0.9 ng/mL may represent the optimal threshold level for defining premature luteinization (PL) based on the presence of a significant negative impact on the CPR. Results: The CPR for each round of ET was significantly lower in the PL group defined using this threshold (25.8% vs. 41.8%; p=0.019), and the number of oocytes retrieved was significantly higher than in the non-PL group ($17.3{\pm}7.2$ vs. $11.0{\pm}7.2$; p=0.001). Elevated serum P4 levels on the day of hCG administration were associated with a reduced CPR, despite the retrieval of many oocytes. Conclusion: Measuring serum P4 values at the time of hCG administration is necessary in order to determine the optimal strategy for embryo transfer.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.329-338
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• 2010

목적: 본 연구에서는 10개 이하의 2PN 접합자를 얻은 환자군에서 전핵 단계 배아의 동결보관이 누적 분만율을 증가시키는 지를 살펴보고자 하였다. 연구방법: 2003년 1월부터 2007년 12월까지 제일병원 아이소망센터를 내원하여 과배란 유도에 의해 체외수정 및 배아이식술을 시행한 주기를 후향적으로 비교 분석하였다. 본 연구에서는 일반적 체외수정법 또는 세포질내 정자주입술을 이용하여 수정을 시도한 후 20~22시간에 8개의 수정란을 확인하거나, 또는 전핵이 1개만 보이는 접합자와 발달지연 배아를 포함하여 수정란이 10개 미만인 138주기의 체외수정 및 배아이식 주기를 대상으로 분석하였다. 분석대상을 두 군으로 나누었으며 그룹 I (n=86)은 배아의 동결 없이 모든 수정란을 배양하여 3일째 이식한 군으로 하였으며, 그룹 II (n=52)는 전핵 시기에 일부 수정란을 동결하고 나머지를 배양하여 3일째 이식한 군으로 분류하였다. 두 군간 신선배아 이식주기와 그 다음 동결-해동 이식주기 후의 임상적 임신율과 누적 임신율을 각각 비교하였다. 결과: 비교 대상군 사이에 여성의 평균 나이, 획득 난자의 수 및 수정란의 수에서는 통계적 차이를 보이지 않았다. 배양된 배아의 수는 그룹 II ($5.2{\pm}0.5$)가 그룹 I $8.4{\pm}0.7$)에 비하여 유의하게 적었다 (p<0.01). 또한 이식한 배아의 수 역시 그룹 II ($3.3{\pm}0.6$)가 그룹 I ($3.6{\pm}0.6$)에 비하여 통계적으로 유의하게 적었다 (p<0.01). 신선주기 배아이식에서 ${\beta}$-hCG 양성을 보인 환자 수와 분만을 한 환자의 수는 그룹 I이 그룹 II에 비하여 약간 높은 양상을 보였다 (51.2 vs. 46.2% and 41.9 vs. 34.6%). 동결-해동 배아이식 후 누적 분만율을 비교하였을 때 그룹 I (48.8%)과 그룹 II (50.0%)에서 통계적으로 유의한 차이를 관찰할 수 없었다. 결론: 적은 수의 수정란을 얻은 환자군에서 일부 전핵 단계에서의 동결보관이 누적 분만율을 향상 시키는 효과를 확인할 수 없었다. 그러나 일부 수정란의 동결보관은 해당 신선주기에서 임신에 실패하였을 경우 환자에게 추가적인 배아이식 기회를 제공해 줄 수 있는 장점을 가지고 있는 것으로 생각된다.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한불임학회 2005년도 제49차 추계학술대회
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• pp.120.1-120.1
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• 2005

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.109-119
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• 2015

Objectives : This study is to report the effect of herbal medicine and acupuncture on a clinical pregnancy. Methods : From february 2014 to july 2014, a prospective analysis study was performed in 20 patients after taking her medicine and acupuncture treatment. Results : After treatment, two patients naturally became pregnance and one patient became pregnance after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Conclusions : This study suggests that herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment are useful and shows possibility to increasing pregnancy rates.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.279-285
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• 1995

Despite the frequent incidence of embryo fragmentation in early human embryos, the reason of the embryo fragmentation has not been known yet. This study was conducted to investigate the histological difference(s) between fragmented (FR) and non-fragmented (NFR) human embryos focusing on comparison of mitochondrial distribution and protein synthesis. Multi-pronuclei zygotes (MPZ) such as three or more pronuclei containing in human in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program were used for this study. MPZ were cultured in TCM-199 supplemented with 10% of human fetal cord serum (hFCS) in 5% $CO_2$ incubator at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours. The cleaved embryos to 2-4 cells after 24 hours were grouped by their grade of fragmentation. Embryos were stained with Rhodamine123 (Rh123) and fluorescence was evaluated under the fluorescence microscope through PB 450-490 filter (Leitz). Regarding to protein synthesis during early human embryogenesis, there is no significant difference in the amount of synthetic proteins between FR and NFR embryos. Distribution of cytoplasmic organelles in embryos was evaluated by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The cytoplasmic distribution of mitochondria was different between FR and NFR embryos. The mitochondrial distribution was even in NFR, whereas severely aggregated in FR. It is not able to clarify in the present study whether this uneven mitochondrial distribution in FR embryo is the reason for embryo fragmentation or is the result from fragmentation. Physiological disparity related to the mitochondrial distribution may be one of the reasons for embryo fragmentation. Further studies should be addressed to investigate the physiological differences between FR and NFR embryos.