• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.185-192
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• 2006

It is known that maternal diabetes induces a premature delivery and a congenital malformation. Although it was suggested that hyperglycemia is a main cause, little has been known. The effects of subtotal pancreactomized animal as a diabetic model on the embryo and the offspring were investigated. 1) Although survival rate of offsprings from the 90% pancreactomized female was lower than that of control, body weight of the survived offsprings was similar to that of control until 6 weeks after birth. When the liver was investigated, abnormal tissue was observed in both female and male offsprings from the pancreactomized mother. The level of major urinary protein(MUP) that is synthesized in the liver and secrets into urine was decreased in both female and male, supporting the liver abnormality. 2) In the pancreactomized female, size of the Langhan's island was increased and the liver also was observed abnormal. However, blood glucose level of the pancreactomized mother was not different from that of control. The low body weight and survival rate of offsprings from the $inhibin-{\alpha}$ overexpressed mice was very similar to those of the offsprings from diabetic mother. Thus when the mother itself was investigated after DNA injection, blood glucose level in the $inhibin-{\alpha}$ overexpressed mice was not different from that of control although size of the Langhan's island was decreased. Taken together, subtotal pancreactomy affected the offspring and embryo and influenced deeply the mother itself. However glucose level of the mother was not changed during investigation. It suggested that the relationship between the diabetic mother and embryo through offspring is very complex.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.403-411
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• 2009

We inspected seed sizes of 353 genetic accessions of watermelon to diversify functional utility related to seed size and classified them into six representative groups based on their seed sizes. Each group was named as giant seed (GS), big seed (BS), medium size (NS), small size (SS), micro seed (MS) and tomato seed (TS) from the biggest. As the seed size was getting smaller, decreased seed length and seed width, increased seed number per fruit, and decreased seed weight per fruit were observed, but seed shape did not change significantly. In order to study the effect of seed size on fruit weight and seed germination, we developed three near isogenic lines (NILs) with three different seed sizes, SS, MS and TS, from crossing between two accessions 'NT' and 'TDR', and one NIL with seed size of TS from crossing between two accessions 'S55' and 'TDR'. In the study on the fruit weight of NILs with various seed sizes, NS, SS, MS, and TS NILs produced an average of 6.4, 6.3, 5.9, and 4.2 kg fruits, respectively. The bigger seed types showed the better germination rate. NS type showed the highest germination percentage, while TS showed very low germination percentage. Fermentation treatment for 48 hrs increased the germination percentage on TS type seed, but still remained at a low level. In NS, SS, and MS material, the ratio of embryo/whole seed weight was over 50%, meanwhile that of TS was only 44.4% of which low embryo percentage would be one of the reason of low germination percentage. From this study, we concluded that watermelon has very wide genetic diversity on seed size which is somehow related to fruit sizes and germination rate.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.151-157
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• 2009

Serial ultrasonography was conducted on Miniature Schnauzer bitches, on purpose to observe the ultrasonographic appearance of normal ovaries and ovarian structures during the estrous cycle. The size of ovaries was increased from $76.8{\pm}7.5mm^2(Mean{\pm}S.D)$ on Day-12 (Day-0=ovulation day) to $114.4{\pm}5.5mm^2$ on Day-8 and there was no significantly different between both ovaries. The ovaries were recognized by its proximity to the caudal renal pole and appeared moderately echogenic oval shape with a smooth contour. The size of follicles was increased from $8.1{\pm}4.5mm^2$ on Day-12 to $114.4{\pm}5.5mm^2$ on Day-0 and there was no significantly different between both ovaries. The number of follicles was increased from $2.8{\pm}0.7$ on Day-12 to $1.1{\pm}0.1$ on Day-0 and there was no significantly different between both ovaries. The follicles were small anechoic fluid-filled structures in early of proestrus, more increased, and indistinguished from each follicles in late of proestrus. The size of corpora lutea was increased from $19.3{\pm}2.1mm^2$ on Day-0 to $26.4{\pm}8.1mm^2$ on Day-8 and there was no significantly different between both ovaries. The number of corpora lutea was increased from $1.4{\pm}0.6$ on Day-0 to $2.9{\pm}0.4$ on Day-38 and there was no significantly different between both ovaries. The corpora lutea were small anechoic cavity and thin hyperechoic wall in early of diestrus, became more hyperechoic, and increased homogenous structures. The results of this study would be useful for differential diagnosis between normal and abnormal structures of ovaries.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.133-139
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• 2012

This study was carried out to develop the useful inducing method of estrus for Korean native cows. Under the condition of estrus induction by administering $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ for the cows in which corpus luteum (CL) in ovaries was detected by ultrasonography, ovarian responses and the changes of progesterone ($P_4$) concentration against $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ compared with conception rate were observed in cows and heifers. In inducing estrus administering $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$. to the cows which has corpus luteum in ovaries, ovarian reponses, the changes of progesterone concentration, and conception rate were identified and compared. The results attained from the studies were as follows. Significant decreases of CL in size over time after $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ administration were detected in both cow and heifer groups (p<0.001), but not different between groups in the CL regression rate (p>0.05). In addition, the percentage changes relative to the plasma $P_4$ concentration on day 1 after $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ treatment were decreased to below 1ng/ml. The growth rate of follicle was observed as 31% on day 1 and 42% on day 2 in cows, and 34% on day 1 and 97% on day 2 in heifers, resulting that growth of heifers are faster than that of cows (p<0.05). The conception rate after $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ treatment were 60.5% and 64.2% in cows and heifers, respectively. It also indicated that the conception rate after estrus observation with $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ injection was as high as 66.6% while that with timed-artificial insemination (TAI) regardless of the estrus observation was 56%, which means the pregnancy rate of artificial insemination after estrus observation was higher than that of TAI (p<0.05). In the result of all above, there were significant decreases in CL size and the plasma $P_4$ concentration by days but rapid growth in follicles, which has no differences in cows and heifers. The conception rate was commonly high after estrus observation and more than 50% under TAI.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.133-145
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• 2004

Serum-contain is commoly used for the production of in vitro-derived bovine embryos. However, were biological activity of serum varies from lot to lot, time consuming to choose better serum with good quality and risks of virus, bacteria and mycoplasma infection. This study established serum-free culture systems of in vitro embryo development to efficiently obtain a large number of blastocysts from ovaries of Hanwoo and oocytes maturation, cell number, tlerance of cryopreservation. Secondly, serum-contain medium is suspected of contributing to the large calf size, dystocia, cersarean sections, calf mortality and confirmed these blastocysts are high quality in terms of cyotolerance, high rates of pregancy and normal birth. For these reasons, Culture media (IVMD101 and IVD101) designed specifically for the preimplantation bovine embryo are rather simplistic, being based on salt solutions with additional energy substrates and growth factors. An improved serum-free medium (IVMD101) was developed for bovine oocytes maturation in vitro. Proportions of embryos developing to the blastocyst stage cultured in both IVD101(32.4%) and IVD101(34.5%) serum-free media were higher than in TCM199+10% FBS(12.4%) serumcontaining medium. Futhermore, the cell numbers per blastosyst obtained in the serum-free media were superior to those of blastocysts developed in serum-supplemented medium. Also, cell numbers of blastocysts obtained in the serum-free media were similar with blastocysts derived in vivo. Survival rate blastocysts after 24 hr incubation after thawing, the blastocysts cultured in both IVD101(94.5%) and IVD101(95.8%) serum-free media were higher than in TCM199+10% FBS (52.5%) serum-containing medium. After 72 hr incubation after thawing, hatching rates of blastocysts developed in IVD101(78.4%) and IVMD101(83.7%) were sighnificantly higher than that developed in the serum-supplemented medium(32.0%). The pregnancy rates almost not different between fresh blastocysts(38.2%) and frozen blastocysts(34.9%). The results suggested that the improved serum-free media(IVMD101 and IVD101) offer several advantages over culture in serum-cotaining medium, including increased rates of blastocyst formation and high cel numbers. Additionally, the survival and hatching rates of embryos product in serum-free media after post-thaw culture were superior to those of embryos produced in the serum-containg medium and useful for the production of high quality bovine embryos for cryo-preservation. These improved serum-free media are beneficial not only for the study of the mechanisms of early embryogenesis but also for mass production of good quality embryos for embryo transfer, cloning and transgenesis.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.139-143
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• 2010

Quail is a very useful animal model for studying vertebrate development because of its small body size and unique reproductive traits. This species is also ideal model for producing germline chimeras via transferring exogenous primordial germ cells (PGCs) into the recipient embryo. To increase the contribution efficiency of donor PGCs into recipients' tissues, decreasing the population of endogenous PGCs has been rate-limiting factor. We therefore conducted this study to investigate if gamma ($\gamma$)-irradiation depletes endogenous PGCs in developing quail embryo. Firstly, freshly laid stage X quail embryos were irradiated with various output of $\gamma$-irradiation and its teratogenic effect on the embryo was evaluated. Although a dose-dependent increase in the number of embryo showing malformation was found as the output increased (0, 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 rads), only a maximum of 10.1% of embryos were abnormal in 1,000 rads. Immunocytochemical analysis using the QCR1 antibody, which is specific marker for quail PGCs, was conducted to analyze the effect of sterilization. As results, $\gamma$-rays at a dose-rate of 500 rads/73 sec onto undeveloped stage X embryo significantly reduced the number of germ cells to an average of 75.55 % and 82.03 % in male and female embryos, respectively. We conclude that $\gamma$-ray selectively targets PGCs while affects minimally to the somatic development in quail embryo. Our results will not only provide important data for germline chimera production but can be used for analyzing the effect of ionized rays on the differentiating germ cells in various stages during animal development.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.51-54
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• 2015

Flavonoids from Morus alba fruits were evaluated for recovery effect on the damage of alloxan-induced pancreatic islet in zebrafish. Alloxan treatment on the zebrafish embryo surely decreased the pancreatic islet size (p <0.001). Rutin, isoquercetin, and quercetin very significantly recovered the size (p <0.001) and the fluorescence intensity of pancreatic islet.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.189-200
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• 1981

Drastic alterations in myogenesis could be induced by ultraviolet irradiation of the myogenic cells derived from 12 day old chick embryo skeletal muscle. The effects of irradiation on various aspects, including cell division, transformation to myotubes, and morphology of myoblasts and myotubes, were examined. Irradiated cells were smaller in size, and only few cells transformed resulting in smaller size of myotubes with a narrow width. Both the inhibiting actions to cell division and to fusion were more striking when irradiated at earlier stages after plating. As well, cell division and fusion were inhibited more effectively with increasing UV dose and excessive amount caused cell death. A lowering cell density was thought to account for the decrease in myogenesis and possible reasons for the decrease in the capacity for fusion were discussed in view of the results presented in this report and of the findings from other laboratories.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.228-234
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• 2005

Despite the relatively high production of fingerlings of the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, its larval rearing in terms of first feeding has not been fully analyzed. We evaluated the variations of amino acids and fatty acids of starved larvae over 96 hr after hatching. We also investigated depletion of the yolk and oil globule of starved larvae and those fed the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. In addition, the optimum size of the rotifers according to the mouth size of the larvae, and the point of no return with delay of the first feeding, were also examined. The amino acids in the egg decreased abruptly during embryo development. At 48 to 72 hr after hatching, the amino acids of starved larvae decreased by $30-40\%$ from the level in newly hatched larvae. The concentrations of fatty acids in newly hatched larvae were lower than those of floating eggs and dropped sharply at 48 hr after hatching, when the yolk disappeared. The starved larvae depleted their yolksacs and oil globules earlier than the fed larvae did. At 84 hr after hatching, rotifers were detected for the first time in the guts of the larvae, which were about 3 mm in total length. The point of no return appeared to be close to the fourth day from the first feeding. For a high survival rate of P. olivaceus larvae, the first feeding should occur before the third day after hatching.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.82-86
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• 2017

We determined the risk factors for late embryonic mortality in dairy cows. We diagnosed pregnancy at 31 days and then confirmed the diagnosis at 45 days after artificial insemination (AI) via ultrasonography. The presence of an embryo with a heartbeat was the criterion for a positive pregnancy diagnosis. A diagnosis of late embryonic mortality was made when there was no positive sign of pregnancy in cows previously diagnosed as pregnant. The overall incidence of late embryonic mortality among 3,695 pregnancies was 6.9%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that herd size, AI month, synchronization protocol, and postpartum disease were important risk factors for late embryonic mortality. Herd size > 100 (odds ratio [OR]: 0.66, p < 0.05) and 50-100 lactating cows (OR: 0.63, p < 0.01) had lower risks of late embryonic mortality than herd size < 50 lactating cows. Cows inseminated during May-July had a higher risk (OR: 1.49, p < 0.05) of late embryonic mortality than cows inseminated during February-April. Cows inseminated after estrus following $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ treatment also had a higher risk (OR: 1.77, p < 0.001) of late embryonic mortality than cows inseminated following natural estrus. Lastly, cows with postpartum disease tended to have a higher risk (OR: 1.26, p < 0.1) of late embryonic mortality than cows without postpartum disease. In conclusion, late embryonic mortality associated with the herd size, AI month, synchronization protocol, and postpartum disease in dairy cows.