• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.929-939
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• 1996

The present study was undertaken to establish a relationship between bovine follicle size and oocyte diameter, compare the nuclear maturation competence of oocytes of different diameter groups and the nuclear maturation changes in Korean Native Cattle according to in vitro maturation period. To compare the relationship between follicle size and oocyte diameter, follicles were dissected, measured, and assigned to one of the following size categories($4{\geq}mm$, 3-4mm, 2-3mm, 1-2mm, and < 1mm), investigate the maturation competence in the different-sized oocytes, which were divided into three groups( < $110{\mu}m$, 110 - < $120{\mu}m$, and ${\geq}120{\mu}m$). Oocytes were cultured in the culture medium during 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24hrs, respectively, stained, and measured the nuclear maturation degree according to period. When compared the relationship between follicle size and intrafollicular oocyte diameter, oocyte diameters of three groups of ${\geq}3mm$ follicle-sized were significantly higher than < 3mm (p<0.01). After in vitro maturation, the rates reached to MI stage of < $110{\mu}m$ oocyte groups(25%) was higher than $110-120{\mu}m$ and ${\geq}120{\mu}m$ oocyte groups(11 and 10%) reached to the same stage(p<0.01), and the rates throughout MII stage of $110-120{\mu}m$ and ${\geq}120{\mu}m$ and < $110{\mu}m$(70 and 76%) groups were higher than < $110{\mu}m$(35%)(p<0.01). When nuclear maturation rates were measured according to period, < 6hr groups(7 and 10%) showed lower rates reached to MI than ${\geq}12hr$ groups(100%), 24hr groups(76%) revealed higher rates throughout MII than 18hr groups(40%). These results indicate that the preparation of oocyte for the production of in vitro fertilization embryos and nuclear transplantation ones could be adapted, as follicle increased up to appointed size there was a corresponding increase in oocyte diameter, and differences of nuclear maturation rate revealed according to oocyte diameter and maturation period.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.201-207
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• 2017

To increase the productivity of in vitro development, the antioxidants have been used for culture system of bovine oocytes and embryos. However, comparative studies on these molecules are rare and direct beneficial effects on blastocyst production cannot be discriminated for best results. The study was conducted to determine the influence of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), N-acetyl-L-cysteine amide (NACA), glutathione (GSH) and cysteamime (CYS) on maturation competence of COCs from GV to MII stage and productivity of blastocyst formation during in vitro fertilization and culture. There was no difference among maturation rates of oocytes to metaphase II with polar body with antioxidants for any of the treatment groups (p>0.05). However, the significant improvement on the rate of blastocysts ($32.3{\pm}5.0%$) was found in 0.1 mM CYS treatment than 0.3 mM NAC, 0.2 mM NACA or 0.5mM GSH (p<0.05). The addition of NAC ($18.8{\pm}3.7%$) or NACA ($21.2{\pm}3.9%$) did not improve development competence to morula and blastocysts than control ($24.4{\pm}4.1%$) and GSH ($26.5{\pm}5.0%$) (p>0.05). Our study showed that medium supplementation with CYS during IVM and IVC improved the rate of bovine embryo development but not with NAC, NACA and GSH addition.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.292-297
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• 2022

Direct injection of CRISPR/Cas9 into zygotes enables the production of genetically modified nonhuman primates (NHPs) essential for modeling specific human diseases, such as Usher syndrome, and for developing novel therapeutic strategies. Usher syndrome is a rare genetic disease that causes loss of hearing, retinal degeneration, and problems with balance, and is attributed to a mutation in MYO7A, a gene that encodes an uncommon myosin motor protein expressed in the inner ear and retinal photoreceptors. To produce an Usher syndrome type 1B (USH1B) rhesus macaque model, we disrupted the MYO7A gene in developing zygotes. Identification of appropriately edited MYO7A embryos for knockout embryo transfer requires sequence analysis of material recovered from a trophectoderm (TE) cell biopsy. However, the TE biopsy procedure is labor intensive and could adversely impact embryo development. Recent studies have reported using cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from embryo culture media to detect aneuploid embryos in human in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics. The cfDNA is released from the embryo during cell division or cell death, suggesting that cfDNA may be a viable resource for sequence analysis. Moreover, cfDNA collection is not invasive to the embryo and does not require special tools or expertise. We hypothesized that selection of appropriate edited embryos could be performed by analyzing cfDNA for MYO7A editing in embryo culture medium, and that this method would be advantageous for the subsequent generation of genetically modified NHPs. The purpose of this experiment is to determine whether cfDNA can be used to identify the target gene mutation of CRISPR/Cas9 injected embryos. In this study, we were able to obtain and utilize cfDNA to confirm the mutagenesis of MYO7A, but the method will require further optimization to obtain better accuracy before it can replace the TE biopsy approach.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.24.1-24.13
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• 2023

Background: Ergothioneine (EGT) is a natural amino acid derivative in various animal organs and is a bioactive compound recognized as a food and medicine. Objectives: This study examined the effects of EGT supplementation during the in vitro maturation (IVM) period on porcine oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development competence after in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods: Each EGT concentration (0, 10, 50, and 100 μM) was supplemented in the maturation medium during IVM. After IVM, nuclear maturation, intracellular glutathione (GSH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of oocytes were investigated. In addition, the genes related to cumulus function and antioxidant pathways in oocytes or cumulus cells were investigated. Finally, this study examined whether EGT could affect embryonic development after IVF. Results: After IVM, the EGT supplementation group showed significantly higher intracellular GSH levels and significantly lower intracellular ROS levels than the control group. Moreover, the expression levels of hyaluronan synthase 2 and Connexin 43 were significantly higher in the 10 μM EGT group than in the control group. The expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) were significantly higher in the oocytes of the 10 μM EGT group than in the control group. In the assessment of subsequent embryonic development after IVF, the 10 μM EGT treatment group improved the cleavage and blastocyst rate significantly than the control group. Conclusions: Supplementation of EGT improved oocyte maturation and embryonic development by reducing oxidative stress in IVM oocytes.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.305-315
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• 2001

In this study, the production of transgenic embryo was attempted by microinjection or round spermatid cultured with foreign DNA. At first, the expression of haploid spermatids specific gene, mTP1 in mouse and hPrm2 in hamster spermatids were investigated by RT-PCR method in testes of young mice and hamster testis. The specific gene expression first appeared at 18 days post partum (dpp) in mice spermatid and 20 dpp in hamster spermatid. Therefore, the round spermatids isolated from 17 dpp mice and 19 dpp hamster were used for the introduction of foreign EGFP gene into haploid round spermatids. For the introduction of EGFP gene haploid round spermatids suspended in medium including EGFP gene were treated with a different electric field strength at 0.11, 0.18 and 0.44 ㎸/cm. After electrical stimulation, viability of testicular sperm cells and 67.6%, 66.4% and 49.9%, in mice and 62.6%, 57.9% and 27% in hamster, respectively. These values were significantly lower than those of non-treated control groups 80.5% in mouse and 69.1% in hamster After 72 hrs culture, the highest expression rate of EGFP gene, 28.5% in mice and 32.1% in hamster were obtained from tile spermatogenic cells electroporated by the field strength or 0.18 ㎸/cm. Then, the ability of fertilization and embryonic development of haploid spermatids transfected with foreign EGFP gene were estimated by the microinjection of spermatids into hamster oocytes. The Irate pronuclear formation rate (77.5%) was lower than non-treated control (80%), and the cleavage rate of the treated group (58.8%) was lower than control (65%). To prove the foreign EGFP integration in hamster embryos, 2-cell stage hamster embryos were subjected to the observation under the fluorescence microscope, and the PCR analysis. As a result, about 44% of 2-cell embryos were showed the integration of EFGP gene into their genome. Therefore, These results suggest the possibility to produce transgenic hamsters by microinjection of haploid spermatid transfected with foreign DNA.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.5-11
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• 2018

There is a need to breed and distribute domestic varieties for Lilium Asiatic hybrids because most of the lily bulbs cultivated in Korea imported from foreign country. The genetic resources of Lilium Asiatic hybrids, 'Buff Pixie', 'Orange Matrix' and 'Tiny Puppet', which were collected from 2001, had been self-pollinated from 2004 to 2012. In 2012, Lilium Asiatic 'Lovely LiASong' as an F₁ hybrid was bred through crossing 'L₂-12-1' and 'L₂-35-4' obtained by 4th self-fertilization. 'Lovely LiASong' had a bowl shaped single flower with a few spots and medium-sized flower, 8.7cm in flower diameter. The number of flowers per plant was 4.9, which was relatively more flowers than other cultivars. And the flower inflorescence had umbellate and racemose while the attitude of longitudinal axis was erect. The plant height was 33.4cm with 30.4 leaves per plant and 7.2cm in leaf length. The 'Lovely LiASong' showed a high consumer preference because it had a relatively longer flowering period, larger flower diameter and number of flowers than those of the control, 'Tiny Ghost'.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2004

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the laboratory system for successful PGD using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and the clinical outcome of PGD cycles in five years experiences. Methods: A total of 181 PGD-FISH cycles of 106 couples were performed, and diagnosed chromosome normality in the preimplantation embryos. The laboratory and clinical data were classified by the following optimization steps, and statistically analyzed. Phase I: Blastomere biopsy with two kinds of pipettes, removal of cytoplasmic proteins without treatment of pepsin and culture of biopsied embryos with single medium; Phase II: Blatomere biopsy with single pipette, removal of cytoplasmic proteins with pepsin and culture of biopsied embryos with single medium; Phase III: Blastomere biopsy with single pipette, removal of cytoplasmic proteins with pepsin and culture of biopsied embryos with sequential media. Results: A total of 3, 209 oocytes were collected, and 83.8% (2, 212/2, 640) of fertilization rate was obtained by ICSI procedure. The successful blastomere biopsies were accomplished in 98.6% (2, 043/2, 071) of embryos, and the successful diagnosis rate of FISH was 94.7% (1, 935/ 2, 043) of blastomeres from overall data. Embryo transfers with normal embryos were conducted in 93.9% (170/181) of started cycles. There was no difference in the successful rate of biopsy and diagnosis among Phase I, II and III. However, the pregnancy rate per embryo transfer of Phase III (38.8%, 26/67) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of Phase I (13.9%, 5/36) and Phase II (14.9%, 10/67). Conclusions: The laboratory optimization and experience for the PGD with FISH procedure can increase the pregnancy rate to 38.8% in the human IVF-ET program. Our facility of PGD with FISH provides the great possibility to get a normal pregnancy for the concerned couples by chromosomal aberrations.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.97-108
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• 1995

Nitrate concentration and ${\delta}^{15}N$ value in the groundwater in Miyakojima Island, Okinawa, were measured during 1992-1993. Water from the shallow and the deep wells at the ten separate sites were sampled. Mineral contents and natural nitrogen isotope abundance(${\delta}^{15}N$) were analyzed using a liquid chromatography and a mass spectrometry (Finnigan MAT 252). Except for waters which were directly influenced by sea water invasion, most of the groundwater showed small variations among their mineral contents and ${\delta}^{15}N$ values. The average nitrate nitrogen concentrations were $1.4{\sim}11.5mgL^{-1}$ and average ${\delta}^{15}N$ values were +4.3${\sim}$+9.7$%_o$. From the nitrate concentration and ${\delta}^{15}N$ value observed, the types of the groundwater could be categorized into four groups, such as high ${\delta}^{15}N$ and high nitrate, high ${\delta}^{15}N$ and medium nitrate, low ${\delta}^{15}N$ and medium nitrate, and low ${\delta}^{15}N$ and low nitrate, reflecting the main source of nitrate contamination, such as animal and domestic waste, animal waste and soil organic matter, soil organic matter and chemical fertilizer, and chemical fertilizer, respectively. It was discussed that the lowest ${\delta}^{15}N$ value was higher than the ${\delta}^{15}N$ value of the chemical fertilizers used in this island(-3.9${\sim}$-1.4$%_o$), then considerable amounts of nitrogen must be lost by ammonium evaporation or denitrification after fertilization.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.223-232
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• 1998

The main experiment related to this report was undertaken to assess the effects of two rates of $Ca(OH)_2$ (0, 250 kg/10a only at establishment) and five rates of $N-P_20_5-K_20$ (0-0-0, 0-10-10, 6-15-15, 12-20-20, 24-25-20 kg/10a/year) on the pasture establishment, forage yield and quality, and vegetation etc. After this 10-year main e experiment pasture had been used to assess the effects of the above treaments on the soil characteristics in oversown hilly pasture of a grass-clover sward. soil properties of mutual ratios of exchangeable cations at d different soil depth, and the visible characteristics of soil conservation obtained are summarized as follows; 1. Compared with the properties of soil fertility and the level for the likelihood grass tetany, the mutual ratios of exchangeable cations in soils; Ca:Mg:K(% of CEC), Ca:Mg:K(K=I), $K/\sqrt{Ca+Mg}$, Mg/K, K/Mg, and Ca/Mg, were discussed at different soil depth. Before and after experiment, these ratios were generally unbalance and unsuitable, and were rather worsened in the order of Mg>Ca>K under the conditions of liming and NPK fertilization without Mg. 2. The ratios of Ca and Ca/Mg were increaby liming, whereas it of $K/\sqrt{Ca+Mg}$ was redused. The ratios of K and $K/\sqrt{Ca+Mg}$ in control and the heavy fertillization of NPK(especially N) were rather lowered than those in the low and medium fertilizations of NPK. 3. The prperties of consevation were closely related with the forage productivity/vegetation rates, as affected by liming and the application rates of NPK. In control of NPK, It was shown to be the worst soil conservation; severly eroded(3rd grade), exporsure of subsoil, redish brown in soil colour, and 18.8% of cobble and stony in covering rate. 4. The improvement of soil conservation was greatly enhanced by increasing the NPK rate. In the medium and heavy fertilizations of NPK, it was shown to be the favorable improvement of soil conservation; slightly eroded(lst grade), covered with humus layer/grass residues in surface soil, dark brown in surface soil colour, under 1% of cobble and stony in covering rate. The increasing of legume yield/vegetation rate by liming rather enhanced the soil conservation of grassland.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 1999

To investigate the maturational and development competece of porcine oocytes of different diameter groups, oocytes were obtained by aspiration from slaughterdhouse ovaries. After washing three times in NCSU23 medium, each cumulus-oocyte complex was transferred into a $8{mu}ell$ drop of the maturation medium (one oocyte per drop) under paraffin oil. The diameter without zona pellucida of oocytes was measured with micor-calibrator (Mikrometer, E. Leitz) on a screen connected to a VCR on an inverted microscope $(200\times)$. After being measured, the oocytes were divided into 6 groups according to their diameter size : <105, 105 to < 110, 110 to < 115, 115 to < 120, 120 to < 125 and > $125{\mu}{\textrm}{m}$, and in vitro maturation (IVM), fertillzation (IVF) and production (IVP) of oocytes / embryo was performed. The rates of in vitro maturation on oocytes in the greater 105 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ size groups(91.8~100%) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in the < 105 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ group(66.7%). The rates of sperm penetration were significantly (P<0.05) low in < $105{\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ group (50.0%) than others groups (81.6~85.5%). But the plyspermic fertilization rate was significantly (P<0.05) higher in < $110{\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ oocytes groups than in the $110\leq{\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ size groups. The rates of cleavage and development to blastocysts rose as oocytes diameter increased, however, while oocytes over $120{\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in diameter failed to develop to blastocysts. There results suggest that porcine oocytes have acquired full meiotic competece at a diameter of $105{\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ but not yet attended full development competence to blastocyst and that oocytes have acquired full development competence at a diameter of $110{\mu}{\textrm}{m}$.