• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 2002

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the interrelationship and clinical usefulness of sperm morphology by strict criteria (SM), acrosome reaction following ionophore challenge test (ARIC) and sperm penetration assay (SPA) using zona-free hamster ova as prognostic factors in in vitro fertilization. Materials and Methods: Semen samples were provided by 83 patients undergoing IVF. We first evaluated the differences between normal fertilization group and poor fertilization group on three andrologic tests. Secondly, we analyzed the relationship between the three andrologic tests and in vitro fertilization on IVF settings. Finally, we evaluated the effectiveness of the three andrologic tests as the prognostic indicators for fertilizing ability. Results: The fertilization rate of all men in the poor fertilization group was less than 30%; but there was no evidence that this poor fertilization was due to oocyte defects. The results of three andrologic tests were significatly higher in normal fertilization group. Fertilization rate (%) in vitro was highly correlated (p<0.001) with % normal sperm by SM, ARIC value (%), and SPA result. By using Receiver-Operator-Characteristic curve (ROC), we evaluated the effectiveness of these three tests. The sensitivity and specificity of SM, ARIC test and SPA in predicting fertilization potential in IVF setting were 76% and 75%, 84% and 90%, and 76% and 95%, respectively. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the three andrologic tests can be reliable tools as prognostic factors of sperm fertilizing ability. Among these test, ARIC test and SPA gave more accurate information on fertilizing capacity. ARIC test was shown to have a predictive value for fertilizing ability comparable to that of SPA that appears to be a simple and cost-effective addition to current andrology laboratory. Combined application of these three tests may give more information on predicting sperm fertilizing capacity.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 1995

Essential and non-essential amino acids supplemented to culture medium stimulate mammalian embryo development in vitro. Amino acids such as glycine, taurine and alanine are concentrated in the lumen of oviduct and uterus and it can he thought that these amino acids may have physiological role on fertilization and embryo development. Our aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of essential and non-essential amino acids, taurine or glycine supplemented to fertilization medium on the cleavage and subsequent in vitro development of bovine oocytes matured and fertilized in vitro. Immature oocytes were obtained from slaughtered Holstein cows and heifers and matured in TCM199 containing 10% fetal calf serum, 2.5 $\mu$g /mL of FSH and LH and 1 $\mu$g / mL of estradiol with granulosa cells in vitro. After maturation, oocytes were coincubated with sperm in fertilization medium supplemented with Minimum Essential Medium (MEM) essential and non-essential amino acids, taurine (3.75 mM) or glycine (10 mM) for 30 hours in vitro. Inseminated oocytes were cultured in synthetic oviduct fluid medium (SOEM) containing MEM essential, non-essential amino acids and 1 mM glutarnine up to 8 days after fertilization.Supplementation of fertilization medium with MEM essential and non-essential amino acids lowered significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.001) the cleavage rate after 30 hours of IVF (53.3%) and at Day 3 (62.7%: Day 0: the day of I VF) compared to control (64.3% and 77.3%, respectively). Subsequent developmental rates to morulae (Mo) and expanding blastocysts (ExBL) also significantly decreased (p<0.001 and p<0.05 for Mo and ExBL) when oocytes were coincubated with sperm in the medium containing MEM amino acids. Taurine added to fertilization medium have not increased the cleavage rate over the control, whereas glycine showed significantly lower (p<0.01) cleavage rate at Day 3 than that of taurine, but there was no significant difference in the developmental rates to Mo and ExBL of bovine embryos irrespective of the supplementation of taurine or glycine to fertilization medium. In conclusion, supplementation of fertilization medium with essential and non-essential amino acids, taurine or glycine has no beneficial effect on in vitro cleavage and development of bovine oocytes matured and fertilization in vitro.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.162-166
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of fertilization levels by soil testing on plant growth and fruit quality of musk melon in greenhouse cultivation. Leaf area and fruit weight were severely affected by fertilization level. Leaf areas were significantly reduced by 54.1% and 24.5% at 0 and 50% fertilization level compared to the 100% fertilization level, respectively. Fruit weights were reduced by 38.2% and 19.9% at 0 and 50% fertilization level compared to the 100% fertilization level, respectively. However, soluble solids and sucrose contents were increased by 1.8% and 23.3% at 50% fertilization level compared to the 100% fertilization level, respectively. These results suggest that reduction of 50% fertilization level by soil testing seem to be effective methods to reduce salt accumulation in the soil as well as increasing of fruit quality such as soluble solids and sucrose contents.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.87 no.1
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• pp.98-105
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• 1998

We measured seedling growth, foliar nutrient and extract concentrations of 3-year-old Ginkgo biloba seedlings growing in a nursery following a single fertilization with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and nitrogen plus phosphorus (N+P) fertilizers. Fertilization did not change foliage, stem and root biomass of the seedlings except for the high N+P treatment, Foliar N and P concentrations following fertilization varied according to the amount of fertilizers. In general, foliar N and P concentrations increased with fertilization, but fertilization with 400kg N/ha and 100kg P/ha decreased foliar N and P concentrations, respectively. Seedling growth and foliar nutrient concentrations showed that N and P were the growth-limiting nutrients in our study site. It was found that fertilization reduced the concentrations of secondary metabolites (Ginkgo flavon glycosides and terpene lactones) in foliages. It seemed there was a relationship between foliage biomass production and secondary chemicals in G. biloba seedlings.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.112-119
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• 1988

These studies were conducted to investigate the effects of culture temperature and time on the in vitro maturation and semen type and media on the in vitro fertilization of bovine follicular oocytes, and to asses in vitro fertilization rate of oocytes cultured by extraffollicular method following fertilization in vitro, or transfer into the pseudopregnant rabbit oviduct or uterus. The bovine oocytes recovered from follicles were cultrued for 18 hrs or 72hrs at 38$^{\circ}C$ with 5% CO2 in moist air. Flesh-diluted(2 folds) and frozen-thawed semen in 0.5ml straw from a fertile bull were used. In order to obtain capacitation of spermatozoa were treated with bovine follicular fluids(BFF) and Inophore A(IA). The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. The oocytes were classified as "A, B, C, D and Degenerative" depending morphological integrity and those were 62.0%, 12.0%, 17.2%, 5.9% and 3.0% of the total oocytes harvested, respectively. 2. The oocytes matured to metaphase II were significantly increased between 24-48hrs of incubation and at 37-39$^{\circ}C$ with 5% CO2 in moist air. 3. The in vitro fertilization rate following transferred into rabbit oviduct or uterus with bull semen and in vitro matured oocytes were higher ligation than non-ligation of oviduct or uterus. 4. The in vitro fertilization rate of oocytes matured in vitro were higher neat than frozen semen and treatment of IA than BFF on the capacitation of spermatozoa. 5. The effects of semen types and media on in vitro fertilization of oocytes matured in vitro were higher fertilization rate of neat than friozen semen, and media was not significant.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2010

Toxicity assessment of ocean dumping wastes (dye waste, urban sewage, food waste) were examined in the fertilization and embryo development rates of the Sea Urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus. Spawning was induced by injecting 1 mL of 0.5 M KCl into coelomic cavity. Males released white or cream-colored sperms and females released yellow or orange-colored eggs. Experiments were began within 30 min the collection of both gametes. The fertilization and embryo development rates test were performed for 10 min and 64 h after fertilization, respectively. The fertilization and embryo development rates in the control condition (not including ocean dumping wastes sludge elutriate) were greater than 90%, but suddenly decreased with increasing of ocean dumping waste sludge elutriate concentrations. The fertilization and normal embryogenesis rates were significantly inhibited in all waste sludge elutriate from dye waste ($EC_{50}$=4.37; $EC_{50}$=1.76), urban sewage ($EC_{50}$=5.79; $EC_{50}$=2.00) and food waste ($EC_{50}$=7.68; $EC_{50}$=2.16), respectively. The NOEC (<3.13) and LOEC (3.13) of fertiliztion and normal embryogenesis rates very similar in all waste sludge elutriate. These results suggest that biological assay using the fertilization and embryo development rates of H. pulcherrimus are very useful test method for the ecological toxicity assessment of ocean dumping wastes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 1989

The effect of antisperm antibodies (ASA) on the human in vitro fertilization (lVF) process was evaluated by analyzing the IVF data between October and December 1988 at Seoul National University Hospital prospectively. The immunobead test (IBT) was used to identify Ig G, Ig A, and Ig M in the serum, semen, and follicular fluid from 93 couples undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (lVF-ET ) . The fertilization rate in couples with ASA to sperm head of at least one isotype in female serum (n= 10) was significantly less than that in couples without ASA to sperm head (n=83; 28.5% versus 45.3% , p=0.028). The presence of ASA to sperm head in follicular fluid (n=8) also reduced fertilization rate from 45.3% to 24.4% (p=O.0l3). However, ASA binding to sperm head in male serum and semen did not predict fertilization. Similarly, ASA binding to sperm tail and tail-tip did not reduced the oocyte fertilization rate significantly in any of the fluids tested. The zygote cleavage rate was not reduced in the presence of ASA. These results suggest that the presence of ASA to sperm head in female serum and follicular fluid is associated with reduced fertilization in IVF-ET. Another observation is that the oocyte that do fertilize in the presence of antisperm antibodies can subsequently proceed with normal cleavage. The results of this investigation therefore suggest that the IBT is a useful test forscreening of women participat.ing IVF-ET program.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.121-126
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• 1996

To investigate the effects of potassium($K_2O$) fertilization levels on the dry matter(DM) yield, nutrition yield, and $K_2O$ efficiency of forages in mixed sward of alfalfa-grasses, a field experiment arranged by randomized complete block design with five treatments(0, 60, 120, 180 and 240kg $K_2O$/ha) was conducted at National Livestock Research Institute in Suwon, September, 1990 to February, 1993. During two years, average DM yields of forage increased as $K_2O$ fertilization level was increased, but no significant difference was found between DM 10,617kg of $K_2O$180kgha and DM 10,845kg of $K_2O$ 240kg/ha. Crude protein and energy productivity of forages increased as $K_2O$ fertilization level was increased, and the increasing degree was highest between $K_2O$ 120kg and 180kg/ha fertilization. With increasing $K_2O$ fertilization, mineral contents tended to increase in K and WCa+Mg equivalent ratios, to decrease in Mg, but not to be regular in the other elements. Efficiency of $K_2O$ was relatively high at $K_2O$ 180kgha fertilization, which produced DM 12.2kg, net energy lactation 67.3M.J, starch equivalent 6.2kStE and total digestible nutrients 7.6kg per Ikg $K_2O$. Therefore, potassium($K_2O$) fertilization levels must be applied with I8Okg/ha for a reasonable management in mixed sward of alfalfa-grasses.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2000

This experiment was carried out to determine the effect of cutting frequency(3rd and 5th cut) and level of nitrogen fertilization(l50 + liquid manure, 300 and 450kgha) on growth characteristics, dry matter yield and nutritive vaule of reed canarygrass(Pha1aris arundinacea L.), at the forage experimental field, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, SNU, Suweon. Plant height of 3rd cutting(79.2cm) was significantly higher than that of 5th cutting(58.0cm). And dry mattter yield of cutting frequency was observed in 3rd cutting(16,902kgPna) and 5th cutting(l7,833kg/ha) As the nitrogen fertilization was increased, DM yield was significantly increased(p<0.05). When the nitrogen fertilization was applied at the level 150 + liquid manure, 300 and 450kg, dry matter yields were 16,5 12, 17,123 and 18,368kg/ha, respectively. The contents of neutral detergent fiber(NDF), acid detergent fiber(ADF) and in vitro dry matter digestibility(1VDMD) were similar among cutting frequency. However, slightly higher NDF, ADF and IVDMD contents were found in 5th cutting, but there was not affected by nitrigen fertilization. Based on the results of this experiment, it were indicated that to 5th cutting and 450kg nitrogen fertilization could be obtained from the increase of dry matter yield and nutritive value (Key words : Cutting frequency, Nitrogen fertilization, Dry matter yield, Nutritive Value, Reed canarygrass)

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.407-414
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• 1997

In this study, the optimum cutting 6equency and level of mineral nitrogen fertilization were investigated for the production of Reed canarygrass in uncultivated rice paddy. The results are summarized as follows; 1. Higher relative dry matter yields were recorded in 2nd cut of plots with 3 and 5 cutting frequencies, and 3rd cut of plot with 4 cutting kquency, respectively. 2. With no nitrogen fertilization, mean dry matter yields per year were 6.2~7.6 tonsha and the highest yield appeared in plot with 4 cutting 6equency. 3. The increased fertilization of mineral nitrogen resulted in the increased dry matter yield. Significantly higher dry matter yields than that of no nitrogen fertilization were recorded in fertilization of 90 kg nitrogen per year in 3 cutting fequency, 240 kg in 4 cutting frequency and 150 kg in 5 cutting 6equency respectively. 4. Efficiency of dry matter production with nitrogen fertilization(kg DMkg N) was higher in 30kg Nhalcut in 3 and 5 cutting eequency, 60kg Nhalcut in 4 cutting 6equency respectively. In each cutting kequency, the higher efficiency of dry matter production appeared in 1st cut in 3 cutting kequency, and 2nd cut in 4 and 5 cutting 6equency respectively. 5. Economic N level(kg/ha) was 179.5~242.3kg/ha in 3 cutting 6equency, and 189.6-241.6kg/ha and 167.0 ~253.2kg/ha in 4 and 5 cutting 6equency respectively, and marginal dry matter yields were 11.4~ 12.3 tons/ ha, 11.2 ~ 11.8 tons/ha and 8.3 ~9.1 tons/ha in 3, 4 and 5 cutting 6equency respectively. 6. The limiting N fertilization level to the highest dry matter were estimated to be 569.9kg/ha, 492.4kg/ha and 654.lkg/ha in 3, 4 and 5 cutting kequency respectively.