• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2019

These studies were conducted to evaluate developmental competence of follicular oocyte collected from the ovaries of Hanwoo cows with the high offspring meat quality (1++ and 1+ grade). Cumulus oocyte complexes from individual cows were matured, fertilized and cultured using protocols of in-vitro maturation (IVM), invitro fertilization (IVF) and in-vitro culture (IVC). The rates of blastocyst development from Hanwoo cows with the offspring meat quality grades of 1++ and 1+ were 18.6 and 21.2%, respectively. The rates of blastocyst development were 26.3, 20.7, 20.7, 17.2 and 31.2% from Hanwoo cows with the meat quality grades of 1++, 1+, 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Fiftyseven transferable embryos were recovered from 11 Hanwoo donor cows (5.2/head) with the high offspring meat quality grades of 1++ and 1+ in vivo, and the pregnancy rate after embryo transfer was 61.1%. In conclusion, these results suggest that in vitro embryo production from the ovaries of cows with the high meat quality grades using individual culture system can be used an efficient method for livestock improvement. In addition, for the successful industrialization of embryo transfer, conception rate should be improved.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.108-108
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• 2003

The purpose of this is to investigate the effects of vitrification in open pulled straws (OPS) on in vitro survival of porcine embryos. Blastocysts were produced by in vitro fertilization of slaughterhouse-derived, in vitro matured oocytes with frozen-thawed boar semen, and subsequent culture on granulosa cell monolayer. After frozen-thawing, embryos were culture in NCSU-23 medium with 5 mM hypotaurine, 4 mg/$m\ell$ BSA and 10 ng/$m\ell$ for 48 hrs to survival tests. When blastocysts were frozen-thawed by OPS methods, the embryos with normal morphology were 32.1, 34.5 and 38.9 % in early blastocyst, blastocyst and expanded blastocyat stages. The rates of partial damaged embryos were significantly (P<0.05) higher in early biastocysts than expanded blastocysts. In another experiment, the embryos frozen by OPS methods were cultured for 48 hrs for survival and developmental rates in vitro. The proportions of embryos hatched were 11.8, 20.2 and 33.3% in embryos frozen-thawed at stages of early blastocyst, blastocyst and expanded embryos. On the other hand, The proportions of embryo with normal morphology after culture were 23.5, 25.0 and 33.3% in embryos frozen-thawed at stages of early blastocyst, blastocyst and expanded embryos. These finding indicate the possible broader application for OPS methods that this procedure described is relatively harmless, that it can be used for blastocysts of different developmental stages.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to use a mouse model to investigate the blastocyst formation rate in vitrified-warmed embryos derived from vitrified-warmed oocytes. Methods: Metaphase II oocytes obtained from BDF1 mice were vitrified and warmed, followed by fertilization with epididymal sperm. On day 3, a total of 176 embryos, at either the eight-cell or the morula stage, were vitrified-warmed (representing group 1). For group 2, 155 embryos at the same developmental stages were not vitrified, but rather were directly cultured until day 5. Finally, group 3 included day-5 blastocysts derived from fresh oocytes, which served as fresh controls. The primary outcome measured was the rate of blastocyst formation per day-3 embryo at the eight-cell or morula stage. Results: The rates of blastocyst formation per day-3 embryo were comparable between groups 1 and 2, at 64.5% and 69.7%, respectively (p>0.05). The formation rates of good-quality blastocysts (expanded, hatching, or hatched) were also similar for groups 1 and 2, at 35.5% and 43.2%, respectively (p>0.05). For the fresh oocytes (group 3), the blastocyst formation rate was 75.5%, which was similar to groups 1 and 2. However, the rate of good-quality blastocyst formation in group 3 was 57.3%, significantly exceeding those of group 1 (p=0.001) and group 2 (p=0.023). Conclusion: Regarding developmental potential to the blastocyst stage, vitrified-warmed day-3 embryos originating from vitrified-warmed oocytes demonstrated comparable results to non-vitrified embryos from similar oocytes. These findings indicate that day-3 embryos derived from vitrified-warmed oocytes can be effectively cryopreserved without incurring cellular damage.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.166-170
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• 2013

BACKGROUND: Persimmon growers have often tried various regimens of K fertilization to improve fruit quality. This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of K rates on concentration of inorganic elements in different tree organs and on fruit characteristics. METHODS AND RESULTS: Six-year-old non-astringent 'Fuyu' persimmons, grown in 50-L pots, were used. Total K amounts of 0 (no-application), 12, 25, 37, and 66 g were fertigated to a pot with KCl solution at 3-to 4-day intervals from July to September. The 0 K trees received no K fertilizer for the two previous years. Leaves, fruits, and shoots were sampled in November. K concentrations in leaves and shoots increased significantly by increasing K rate; leaf K, 0.49% for the 0 K, increased to 3.09% for the 37 g and 3.11% for the 66 g trees. Fruit K was notably lower for the 0 K, but there were no significant differences among the trees as long as they were supplied with more than 12-g K. In the trees with 0 K, leaf necrosis in the margin was apparent in June and the symptom progressed toward the midrib. Some leaves scorch-rolled from the margin in August. The greatest effect of K rates was on fruit size; it significantly increased to 181 g for the 12 g, 203 g for the 37 g, and 206 g for the 66 g compared with 150 g for the 0 K trees. However, K rates did not affect firmness and soluble solids of the fruits. The fruits of the 0 K trees were characterized by better coloration. CONCLUSION(S): The K-rate effect on inorganic elements depended on tree organs and fruit size was the major parameter to be affected by the K rates.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 2003

The present study was carried out to examine the effect of $\beta$-Mercaptoethanol ($\beta$-ME) on in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine follicular oocytes and oxygen concentration with $\beta$-ME on in vitro development (IVD) of porcine IVM/IVF embryos. The results were summarized as follows. 1. The rates of nuclear maturation, penetrated oocytes, polyspermic oocytes, pronucleus formation and mean numbers of the penetrated sperms were not significantly different using NCSU-23 maturation media for 0, 25, 50 and 100 $\mu$M $\beta$-ME (P>0.05). 2. The rates of blastocyst formation at day 7 after in vitro fertilization were higher in oocytes matured with 25 $\mu$M $\beta$-ME (25.4$\pm$0.9%) than in those matured with 0 (14.5$\pm$1.6%), 50 (17.3$\pm$1.7%) and 100 $\mu$M (12.4$\pm$1.3%) (P<0.05). However, no differences ware found in total cell numbers of blastocyst among the treatments. 3. The rates of blastocyst formation at day 7 after in vitro fertilization were higher in the NCSU-23 Culture medium With 25 $\mu$M $\beta$-ME (23.6$\pm$2.8%) than in those Cultured With 0 (15.4$\pm$4.4%), 12.5 (17.5$\pm$2.3%) and 50 $\mu$M $\beta$-ME (18.6$\pm$2.1%) Under the 5% and 20% $O_2$ Concentrations (P<0.05). However, no differences was found in total cell numbers of blastocyst among the treatments. These results suggested that the addition of 25 $\mu$M $\beta$-ME in the IVM/IVD media were effective on the porcine embryo production. However, the rates of blastocyst formation and total cell numbers of blastocyst at day 7 of porcine IVM/IVF embryos were not significantly different in the NCSU-23 culture medium under 5% and 20% 02 concentrations.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.171-177
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• 2008

The application in agricultural fields of pig slurry composting biofiltraton amending smell and nutrient unevenness, it is important for the appropriate nitrogen nutrient management to promote the availability of the crops and to minimize the risk of adversely environmental effects. The objective of this study was to determine the application rates of the preplant pig slurry composting biofiltration for red pepper(Capsicum annuum L.) by considering the yield response and the fruit quality such as sugar, capsaicinoid content. Red peppers were grown on plastic film ground under five different pig slurry(PS) application rates and mineral fertilizer(MF 100%) as a control. The effects of a single application of five different doses of PS: PS 0%(no kg N $ha^{-1}$), PS 50%(51.5 kg N $ha^{-1}$), PS 75%(77.3 kg N $ha^{-1}$), PS 100%(103 kg N $ha^{-1}$) and PS 125%(129 kg N $ha^{-1}$) were compared with the recommended mineral treatment(103 kg N $ha^{-1}$) in the pre-planting. The sidedressing N application(87 kg N $ha^{-1}$) was applied to the mineral fertilizer in all treatments. Red peppers were harvested at the mature red stage through five times from 72 days after transplanting(DAT) to 133 DAT. The results indicated that the yield of red pepper was increased with the increase of the N application rates from PS 0% to PS 100%. The highest yield was obtained in PS 100% by 20,843 kg $ha^{-1}$, although there were no significant differences in yield among PS 100, PS 125% and MF 100%. In addition, The contents of soluble sugar and capsaicinoids were not significantly different in all treatments. Accordingly, fertilization recommendations of red pepper to substitute PS for the mineral fertilizer were considered to PS 100%.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.69-79
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• 2007

Incorporating herbicides application into a fertilization program has several benefits including saving time and reducing traffics on the lawn. Premixed products of fertilizers and herbicides are commonly known as Weed & Feed in the lawn-care industry. To compare Weed & Feed with separate applications of fertilizers and herbicides on a Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) lawn, a Weed & Feed 28-3-3, containing 0.64% 2,4-D, 0.31% MCPP, and 0.03% dicamba of active ingredients, was used in this study. The first application was in May, with the second in June or Sept. Herbicides in forms of 2,4-D (LV-4, 4EC), MCPP (4EC), and dicamba (Clarity, 4EC) were applied at rates equal to the amounts in Weed & Feed or at half of the rates. The dominant weed in both locations was common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber.) in 2005 and 2004. A secondary weed was Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.) in 2004 and broadleaf plantain (Plantago major L.) in 2005. When applied in May and June, fertilizer plus full rate of herbicides treatment achieved 112.3 and 83.7 days of acceptable turf quality in 2004 and 2005, respectively. During the same period, Weed & Feed resulted in 58.7 and 24.3 days of acceptable turf quality, respectively. Our study showed that Weed & Feed was generally as effective in weed control as the same amount of fertilizer plus half rates of herbicides sprayed although results may vary due to the timing of application. Fertilizer plus full rates of herbicides provided the same or better results of weed control than Weed & Feed.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.111-118
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• 1997

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) recently has been utilized widely as the most successful technique to overcome the unfertilization problem in cases of severe male infertility in couples who could not be treated by conventional IVF. Recently, indications of ICSI have been extended further and more fertilized oocytes become available. Thus, it is necessary to examine the efficiency of freezing the surplus embryos obtained from ICSI. We compared the survival rate and the future outcome of cryopreserved embryos obtained either after conventional IVF or ICSI during the same period. After ICSI or IVF, five best-quality embryos from each patient were transferred in the stimulation cycle and the surplus pronuclear (PN) stage oocytes or multicellular embryos were cryopreserved by slow freezing protocol with 1,2-propanediol (PROH) as a cryoprotectant. A total of 792 embryos from ICSI trial were thawed and 65.2% (516/792) survived. The survival rates of PN stage oocyte, multicellular embryo and PN + multicellular embryo were 63.5%, 68.2%, 64.0%, respectively. After 111 transfers, 34 pregnancies were achieved, corresponding to a clinical pregnancy rate of 30.6% per transfers. We thawed 1033 embryos from IVF trials and 57.5% (594/1033) survived. In IVF cycle, the survival rates of PN stage oocyte, multicellular embryo and PN + multicellular embryo were 58.2%, 65.2%, 40.2%, respectively. Thirty eight clinical pregnancies were established after 134 transfers, corresponding to a pregnancy rate of 28.4% per transfer. The cleavage rate of thawed PN stage oocytes from ICSI trial (61.3%) was significantly higher than those from conventional IVF (53.4%). The developmental rates of good embryo (${\geqq}$ grade II) in thawed PN stage oocytes obtained from conventional IVF and ICSI were 63% and 65%, respectively. We concluded that PN stage oocytes, multicellular embryos resulting from ICSI procedure can be successfully frozen/thawed with reasonable clinical pregnancy rates comparable to those of IVF.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2003

The present study was carried out to examine the effect of catalase (CAT) on in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine follicular oocytes and oxygen concentration with CAT on in vitro development (IVD) of porcine IVM/IVF embryos. The results were summarized as follows - 1 . The rates of nuclear maturation, penetrated oocytes, pronucleus formation rates, polyspermic oocytes and mean numbers of the penetrated sperm were significantly lower in oocytes matured with 100, 500 and 1,000 units/ml CAT than those of central groups (P>0.05). 2. The rates of blastocyst formation and total cell numbers of blastocyst at day 7 after in vitro fertilization were significantly lower in CAT treatment groups than those of the central groups (P>0.05). 3. There were not significant difference in the blastocyst development and total cell numbers of blastocyst on in vitro culture of NCSU-23 media with 0, 100, 500 and 1000 units/ml CAT under the 5% and 20% $O_2$ concentrations. These results suggested that the addition of CAT was not helpful for porcine oocyte maturation and further development, also the rates of blastocyst formation and total cell numbers of blastocyst at day 7 of porcine IVM/IVF embryos were not significantly different in the NCSU-23 culture medium under the 5% and 20% $O_2$ concentrations.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.34-40
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• 2009

In fresh water fish hatcheries and farms, Saprolegniales often cause serious mortality to the fish and their eggs. Malachite green is an effective antifungal agent, but is carcinogenic to fish and humans. Alternative antifungal agents are needed. Presently, we tested various concentrations of MBT-01108 (Opuntia ficus-indica extracts) alone and in combination with bronopol, formalin and sodium chloride (MBT-01108 mixture) on in vitro mycelial growth and in vivo remediation of adult eel, Anguilla japonica, infected with Saprolegnia sp. and fertilized eggs of chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta, to evaluate the compounds' antifungal efficacy on eyed-egg and hatching rates. MBT-Oll08 mixtures incorporating bronopol and formalin at respective concentrations of 50 and 30 parts per million (ppm), and 100 and 20 ppm were most effective in controlling Saprolegnia in vitro and in vivo (P<0.05). Repeated daily exposures to 50 ppm and 100 ppm MBT-01108 were more effective than exposure every 2-3 days post-fertilization for the inhibition of Saprolegnia infection of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss eggs as compared with control (0 ppm).