• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.129-137
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• 2018

Acute vascular rejection has been known as a main barrier occurring in a xenograted tissue of alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase knock-out (GalT KO) pig into a non-human primate (NHP). Adenosine which is a final metabolite following sequential hydrolysis of nucleotide by ecto-nucleotidases such as CD39 and CD73, act as a regulator of coagulation, and inflammation. Thus xenotransplantation of CD39 and CD73 expressing pig under the GalT KO background could lead to enhanced survival of recipient NHP. We constructed a human CD39 and CD73 expression cassette designed for endothelial cell-specific expression using porcine Icam2 promoter (pIcam2-hCD39/hCD73). We performed isolation of endothelial cells (pAEC) from aorta of 4 week-old GalT KO and membrane cofactor protein expressing pig ($GalT^{-MCP/-MCP}$). We were able to verify that isolated cells were endothelial-like cells using immunofluorescence staining analysis with von Willebrand factor antibody, which is well known as an endothelial maker, and tubal formation assay. To find optimal condition for efficient transfection into pAEC, we performed transfection with GFP expression vector using four programs of nucleofection, M-003, U-023, W-023 and Y-022. We were able find that the program W-023 was optimal for pAEC with regard to viability and transfection efficiency by flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy analyses. Finally, we were able to obtain $GalT^{-MCP/-MCP}/CD39/CD73$ pAEC expressing CD39 and CD73 at levels of 33.3% and 26.8%, respectively. We suggested that pACE isolated from $GalT^{-MCP/-MCP}$ pig might be provided as a basic resource to understand biochemical and molecular mechanisms of the rejections and as an alternative donor cells to generate $GalT^{-MCP/-MCP}/CD39/CD73$ pig expressing CD39 and CD73 at endothelial cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.106-106
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• 2002

미토콘드리아는 세포내의 에너지대사에서 중요한 역할을 수행하는 세포내 소기관이며, 자체의 유전물질이 모계를 통해 유전되는 특징을 가지고 있다. 포유류 초기 배아의 발생과정에서 미토콘드리아의 역할과 기능에 대한 연구는 미진한 상태이다. 본 연구에서는 생쥐 초기 배아의 발생과정에서 관찰할 수 있는 미토콘드리아 미세구조의 변화 양상을 살펴보고, 이와 초기 배아의 발생 능력과의 관련성을 밝혀보고자 하였다. 과배란 유도된 ICR 생쥐로부터 배란된 난자와 2-세포기 배아를 수획하여 76 배양액으로 포배기까지 체외배양하면서, 각각의 발생단계에 따라 시료를 수획하였다. 미토콘드리아 미세구조의 변화는 일반적인 투과전자현미경방법(TEM)을 이용하여 관찰하였다. 미토콘드리아의 미세구조는 배란 난자에서 4-세포기 배아까지는 구형이고 크리스타가 발달하지 않은 원시형태였지만, 포배기로 발달함에 따라 크리스타가 발달된 막대형의 전형적인 미토콘드리아로 분화됨이 관찰되었다. 체외배양 중에 발생이 지연되거나 정지된 배아에서 관찰한 미토콘드리아의 미세구조는 공포화 (vacuolization), 크리스타 발달 지연, 손상된 미토콘드리아의 세포막 등과 같은 비정상적인 변형을 관찰할 수 있었다. 또한, 극체에 존재하는 미토콘드리아의 미세구조는 정상적인 핵내의 유전자와의 상호작용이 없어 미분화 상태로 포배기까지 유지되는 것을 관찰하였다. 이상의 결과를 통해 미토콘드리아의 정상적인 분화 과정이 초기 배아의 발생능력과 관련되어 있음을 알 수 있었으며, 포유류 초기 배아의 체외배양시스템을 개선하는데 미토콘드리아 미세구조의 관찰과 변화에 대한 고려가 있어야 될 것으로 생각된다. buffer A 용액으로 세척하여 유리 petri dish의 바닥에 부착된 macrophage만을 cell scraper로 분리하였다. 분리한 macrophage는 0.5-1 $\times$ $10^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$가 되게 조정하여, IL-I 을 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 또한 1 ng/$m\ell$를 첨가하여 농도에 따른 효과를 조사하였고, 각각 24, 48, 72, 96 또한 120시간을 배양하여 시간에 의한 효과도 실시하였다. 각 배치구에서 얻어진 배양액은 TGF-$\beta$를 조사하기 전까지 -2$0^{\circ}C$에 동결 보존하였다. TGF-$\beta$의 측정은 TGF-$\beta$ kit(promega, USA)를 이용하여 실시하였으며, 통계학적 분석은 Anova test를 Statview program을 이용하여 분석하였다. 시험의 결과 대조구에 비해 IL-I 첨가구는 2-3배의 TGF-$\beta$생산을 보였으며, 배양시간에 따른 생산은 시간이 지남에 따라 약간 상승하는 경향을 보였으나, 유의적인 차이를 보이지는 않았다. 또한 IL-I의 농도에 따른 생산의 변화는 IL-I의 농도에 따라 약간의 차이를 보였고 유의적인 차이는 인정되지 않았다. 임신 및 비임신의 경우 임신우의 비장 macrophage가 비임신보다는 약간 상승하는 거스로 나타났다. 이상의 결과로 볼 때 IL-I $\alpha$ 는$\bet

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.88-88
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• 2002

인공수정 및 수정란기술의 활성화에 따라 소에 있어서 인공수정은 90%이상이 실시되고 있으나, 수정란이식은 수정란의 생산이 안정적이지 않아 활성화에 많은 지장을 초래하고 있다. 이의 원인은 수정란이식에 의한 수태율의 저하가 가장 크며, 수태율 향상을 위하여 수란우에 progesterone, hCG 등의 주사가 실시되고 있다. 그러나 이는 수정란의 착상에 있어서 자궁의 환경을 개선한다고 하나, 착상의 정확한 기전의 구명은 미미한 상태이다. 한편 비장유래 macrophage가 황체를 자극하고 TGF-$\beta$의 생산을 유도하는 것으로 보고되고 있으며, IL-I $\alpha$와 $\beta$에 따라 TGF-$\beta$ 생산에 있어서 약간의 차이를 보이는 것으로 보고되고 있다. 따라서 본 연구는 비장유래 macrophage가 TGF-$\beta$의 생산시 임신관련 Cytokine인 IL-I$\alpha$와의 관계를 조사하기 위하여 실시하였다. 임신 및 비임신 도축 암소의 비장을 채취하여 얼음에 채워 실험실로 운반한 후 비장의 표면을 70%의 알콜로 세척하고, 표피를 벗겨 비장조직을 세절하여 10% FBS+DMEM에 넣어 조직을 눌러 짜면서 조직속의 세포를 분리하였다. 세척한 배양액은 4-5$m\ell$를 100mm 유리 petri dish에 넣고 39$^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$, 95% 공기인 배양기에서 2시간이상 배양하였으며, 배양 후 냉장된 buffer A 용액으로 세척하여 유리 petri dish의 바닥에 부착된 macrophage만을 cell scraper로 분리하였다. 분리한 macrophage는 0.5-1 $\times$ $10^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$가 되게 조정하여, IL-I 을 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 또한 1 ng/$m\ell$를 첨가하여 농도에 따른 효과를 조사하였고, 각각 24, 48, 72, 96 또한 120시간을 배양하여 시간에 의한 효과도 실시하였다. 각 배치구에서 얻어진 배양액은 TGF-$\beta$를 조사하기 전까지 -2$0^{\circ}C$에 동결 보존하였다. TGF-$\beta$의 측정은 TGF-$\beta$ kit(promega, USA)를 이용하여 실시하였으며, 통계학적 분석은 Anova test를 Statview program을 이용하여 분석하였다. 시험의 결과 대조구에 비해 IL-I 첨가구는 2-3배의 TGF-$\beta$생산을 보였으며, 배양시간에 따른 생산은 시간이 지남에 따라 약간 상승하는 경향을 보였으나, 유의적인 차이를 보이지는 않았다. 또한 IL-I의 농도에 따른 생산의 변화는 IL-I의 농도에 따라 약간의 차이를 보였고 유의적인 차이는 인정되지 않았다. 임신 및 비임신의 경우 임신우의 비장 macrophage가 비임신보다는 약간 상승하는 거스로 나타났다. 이상의 결과로 볼 때 IL-I $\alpha$ 는$\beta$subunit 보다 TGF-$\beta$ 생산에 있어서 서로 다른 양상을 보일 것으로 추정되며, IL-I은 macrophage의 직접적인 영향을 주기보다는 황체세포를 매개로 한 자궁에 TGF-$\beta$의 생산을 유도하는 것으로 사료되며, 임신관련 cytokine에 대한 다양한 연구가 요구되고 있다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.90-90
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of kind and combination of sugars on the viability and acrosome damage of post-thaw spermatozoa in canine. The extender used was Tris-citric acid extender (Tris-buffer) supplemented with 20% Egg-yolk, 8% glycerol, 1% Equex STM paste, and 70 mM sugars such as monosaccharide (fructose and xylose) and disaccharide(trehalose). To evaluate of sugar combination, the sugars supplemented in Tris-buffer were combined such as single (fructose, xylose, trehalose), two combinations (Fruc+Tre, Fruc+xyl, Tre+xyl) and three combinations (Fruc+Tre+Xyl). The concentration of sperm collected were adjusted of 50${\times}$10$\^$6/ per straw for freezing. The frozen spermatozoa were thawed at 37$^{\circ}C$ for 1 min and then analysis for CASA program in Livestock Improvement Main Center, NACF. The motility of post-thaw spermatozoa in Fruc+Tre was higher than those in fructose, trehalose, xylose, Fru+xyl, Tre+xyl and Fru+Tre+Xyl (79％ vs. 63, 66, 70, 71, 74 and 75%). The progressive motility after CASA analysis in Fuc+Tre group was also higher than those in fructose, trehalose, xylose, Fru+xyl, Tre+xyl and Fru+Tre+Xyl (67% vs. 53, 57, 60, 61, 62 and 64%). The acrosome damage of post-thaw spermatozoa stained was not significantly different among treatment groups such as fructose, trehalose, xylose, Fru+Tre, Fru+xyl, Tre+xyl and Freu+tre+xyl (17.7, 18.3, 28.0, 17.0, 19.7, 20.0 and 19.0%). The results indicated that the motility and progressive motility of post-thaw spermatozoa in Fru+Tre group was better, and acrosome normality was not different among all groups. The use of Tris-buffer supplemented with Fru+Tre as sugar for frezing of canine spermatosoa could be better and apply to semen banking and artificial insemination.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.98-98
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• 2002

Recruitment of primordial follicles(PMF) is crucial for female fertility. however, factors and mechanisms that regulate this process is poorly understood. The present study was conducted to obtain an inclusive view of the gene expression and to identify novel factors and their pathways of regulating PMF arrest and/or growth initiation. Ovaries from one-day neonatal(consists of oocyte and PMF) and five-day old(consists of PMF and primary follicles, PRIF) mice were collected, either total RNA or mRNA was isolated, and suppression subtractive hybridization(SSH) was used to isolate and clone genes that differentially expressed in day 1 and day 5 ovaries. Confirmation that some of these genes are differentially expressed in PMF and/or in PRIF was accomplished by using laser captured microdissection(LCM), RT-PCR. in situ hybridization(ISH) and/or immunohistochemistry(IHC). In toto, 357 clones were sequenced and analyzed by BLAST and RIKEN program. Sequences of 330 clones significantly matched database entries while 27 clones were novel. Forty-two and 47 different genes were identified as differentially expressed in day 1 and day 5 ovaries, respectively, while 7 genes were expressed in both stages of ovaries. Day 5-subtracted library included several genes known as markers far growing follicles, such as ZP2, MATER, and fetuin. Among the genes with assigned functions, 23.8% was associated with cell cycle/apoptosis regulation, 7.1% with cellular structure, 11.9% with metabolism, 26.2% with signal transduction, and 31.0% with gene/protein expression in day 1; while 10.6%, 17.0%, 23.5%, 25.5%, and 23.4% in day 5, respectively. Genes such as GDF-8, Lats2, Septin2, and Weel were the highly expressed genes in PMF, while HSP84, Laminin2, MATER, MTi7, PTP, and Wrn were highly expressed genes in PRIF. We have successfully discovered list of genes expressed in day 1 and day 5 ovaries and confirmed that some of them are differentially expressed in PMF and/or PRIF. Gene expression profile from the present study would provide insight for the future study on the mechanism(s) involved in primordial-primary follicular transition. This work was Supported by Korean Health 21 RND Project, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea (01-PJ10-PG6-01GN13-0002).

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.193-198
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• 2013

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of L-cysteine on sperm characteristics and oocyte cleavage in vitro in Korean native cattle. For this study, the freezing of diluted semen were added with Triladyl containing 20% egg-yolk and/or 0, 5, 10 and 20 mM L-cysteine before cryopreservation. The viability in frozen-thawed sperm were estimated by SYBR14/PI double stain, acrosome damage with FITC-PNA, mitochondria intact with Rhodamin123 and hydrogen peroxide($H_2O_2$) level with carboxy-DCFDA by flow-cytometry. The developmental capacity was also assessed with cleavage rates in oocytes fertilized in vitro by frozen-thawed sperm. In results, the sperm viability was significantly increased in 10 mM and 20 mM concentrations of L-cysteine than other groups (p<0.05). In addition, acrosome damage was significantly decreased in 10 mM and 20 mM concentrations of L-cysteine than other groups (p<0.05). The mitochondria intact was also significantly increased in 10 mM and 20 mM concentrations of L-cysteine than other groups (p<0.05). On the other hand, the cleavage rates were significantly increased in 0 mM, 5 mM and 10 mM groups than 20 mM concentration of L-cysteine (p<0.05). The oocyte degeneration of oocytes were significantly decreased in 0 mM, 5 mM and 10 mM groups than in 20 mM L-cysteine group (P<0.05). However, there are no significantly differences among the L-cysteine treatment groups. We suggest that concentration of 10 mM L-cysteine have beneficial impact for sperm cryopreserved in Korean native cattle. This result also could be recommended for artificial insemination program if supported by an improvement in the fertility results and required further study.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.397-401
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• 2014

The boar sperm has more lipid droplets and specialty of seminal plasma compared with other species, causing difficulties of freezing sperm and decreases for the utilization of frozen semen into the artificial insemination. However, several studies reported significant results for the recovery of sperm motility and reproductive by addition of cryoprotectants and seminal plasma after thawing. This study was designed to investigate the effects of supplementation of trehalose or glycerol in the LEY (lactose and egg yolk in BTS) solution for the conventional freezing and vitrification process. Two boars aged 16 months were used to collect semen for 2 times in a week. The samples were allotted to 3 freezing solutions (LEY + glycerol 10.5% + OEP 1.5%, LEY + trehalose 1M + OEP 1.5%, and sucrose 1.5M + trehalose 1 M + OEP 1.5%) after centrifugation at 800 g for 10 minutes. Semen was equilibrated in freezing solutions for 10 minutes and injected into plastic straws with 2~3 air bubbles to minimize freezing damages. Vitrification was performed to locate sperm in 5 cm above $LN_2$ for 5 minutes, and the conventional freezing was conducted with an automatic freezer. Motility and survival rates were measured by CASA (Computer assisted sperm an alyzing system) and FITC (Fluorescein isothiocyanate), respectively after thawing semen at $50^{\circ}C$ for 12 seconds. The results were analyzed by ANOVA with STATVIEW statistical program. The vitrificatioin solution (LEY + 10.5% glycerol + 1.5% OEP) presented higher motility (20.9%) than other solutions while the solution (LEY + 1M trehalose + 1.5% OEP) showed the lowest (motility : 5.2%). However, survival rates of vitrified sperms detected by FITC showed 1~4% live sperms in almost of dead sperms at all vitrification solutions' groups, but survival rate of freezing solution of LEY + 1M trehalose + 1.5% OEP LEY and LEY + 10.5% glycerol + 1.5% OEP were showed 49%, and 79%, respectively. There were differences (P<0.05) survival rate of conventional freezing in LEY + 10.5% glycerol + 1.5% OEP and LEY + 1M trehalose + 1.5% OEP and the remaining showed no differences. The results suggested that vitrified boar semen was not enough to be utilized for the artificial insemination, but it showed possibility to utilize for ICSI and conventional freezing with glycerol would be useful method for artificial insemination in pig while we choose the outstanding semen against tolerance to freezing damages.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.339-348
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• 2010

Objective: To investigate the beneficial effect of fragment removal on the subsequent cell division and clinical outcome of the fragmented human embryos. Methods: A prospective study was performed in Hanna Women's Clinic and Mizmedi Hospital. Sixty couples undergoing In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program were participated in the present study. The microsurgical fragment removal was performed in 106 fragmented embryos of 29 patients before the transfer. As a control group, 122 fragmented embryos of 31 patients were transferred without the fragment removal. Effects of fragment removal on morphological changes and clinical outcomes of fragmented embryos were investigated. Results: Mean morphological grade (G2.79) of fragmented embryos was significantly improved after the fragment removal(G1.63, p<0.001). Most of the fragmented embryos did not show a regeneration of fragments after the fragment removal during the subsequent development, and a beneficial effect of fragment removal on the development of the fragment removed embryos was observed. Implantation and pregnancy rates of fragment removed embryos were 12.3% and 31.3%, whereas the rates of control group embryos were 6.6% and 22.5%, respectively. There was no statistical significance in the rates between the two groups because of the low number of trials. Conclusion: Microsurgical fragment removal improved the subsequent development as well as the morphological grade of fragmented embryos. The fragment removal may be beneficial for neighboring blastomeres by repairing the intercellular communication and removing the secretion of the potential toxic materials by fragments.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 1986

Follicle monitoring in the normal and clomiphene·stimulated cycles were analyzed in the Seoul IVF and ET (In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer) program. Ovarian follicular diameters were measured by the real·time sector scanner and plasma estradiol levels were assayed by radioimmunoassay methods during periovulatory period. The maximum follicular sizes of the clomiphene-stimulated and normal cycles were 21.1+-3.4mm and 19.2+-0.8mm, respectively. The peak levels of plasma estradiol in the clomiphene-stimulated and normal cycles were 10538+-553.6ng/ml and 298.3+-39.6pg/ml, respectively. Daily growth rate of the follicular diameters of the clomiphene-stimulated and normal cycles were 2.1mm and 1.9mm, respectively. Mean follicular number of the clomiphene-simulated and normal cycles were 2.28+-1.12 and 1.12+-0.21, respectively. There was a good statistical correlation between the mean follicular diameters and the plasma estradiol levels in the normal ovulatory and c1omiphene-stimulated ovulatory menstrual cycles (p<0.05). Our data revealad that the mean follicular diameter and the plasma estradiol level prior to HCG administration in IVF and program should reach at the level of 17.8+-3.0mm and 949.4+-487.1 pg/ml, respectively.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.148-152
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• 2011

Objective: Laser-assisted intracytoplasmic sperm injection (LA-ICSI), also known as micro-opening or thinning of the zona pellucida (ZP) prior to ICSI, may help to reduce mechanical damage to the oocyte during the procedure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and analyze the efficacy of our institutional LA-ICSI program, which features laser-assisted ZP thinning prior to ICSI, in comparison with conventional ICSI (C-ICSI), performed on patients with different clinical characteristics. Methods: Patients undergoing a total of 212 ICSI cycles were randomly divided into an LA-ICSI group (106 cycles) and a conventional ICSI group (106 cycles). To reduce tissue damage, we thinned the ZP by approximately 70%, using a laser, before ICSI. Patients thus treated formed the LAICSI group. Comparisons included the morphological quality of transferred embryos, blastocyst development of the remaining embryos, and clinical pregnancy, in terms of ICSI method and patient characteristics. Results: Fertilization, development of remaining embryos, and pregnancy rate were significantly higher in the LA-ICSI group compared with the C-ICSI group. Fertilization, embryonic development, and the pregnancy rate were all improved in younger patients (<38 years of age) and in those who underwent a low number of IVF-ET attempts (<3 trials). In addition, the pregnancy rate was increased in older patients. Conclusion: LA-ICSI may be useful in improving the chance of pregnancy in all ICSI patients.