• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 2008

Supplementation of serum and estrogen in in vitro maturation(IVM) medium was shown to improve embryo development and quality in several species. This study investigates the effect of ovarian estrus stage on canine oocyte quality and supplementation of medium with canine serum or estrogen on IVM of canine oocytes. As results, in experimental 1, IVM oocytes collected from follicular stage ovaries to MII stages($10.2{\pm}1.5%$) was higher (p<0.05) with 10% canine estrus stage serum than control($1.3{\pm}1.6%$), anoestrus stage serum($4.0{\pm}1.6%$), luteal stage serum($2.7{\pm}1.7%$) and 10% FBS($1.3{\pm}1.6$). In experimental 2, 10% canine estrus stage serum supplementation has highest maturation rate to MII stages($10.0{\pm}1.8%$) and there were significant differences(P<0.05) with another treatment in follicular stages group. In order to investigate the synergic effect of estrous serum and estrogen supplementation, different estrous stage groups of oocytes were cultured with 2 ug/ml estrogen plus various concentrations of different reproductive stage serum and FBS(experimental 3). As results, the rate of maturation to metaphase II(MII) stage was significantly higher(p<0.05) in oocytes from the follicular stage supplemented with estrogen and 10% canine estrus stage serum(11.5%) compared to the other groups(6.0 - 8.8%). The present study was demonstrated that canine serum and the estrus cycle of the bitch affect the meiotic competence of oocytes. Hormonal influences within the follicle may be one of the factors responsible for the greater proportion of maturation of oocyte to MII from bitches at the follicular phase.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.111-116
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• 1997

The present study was carried out to produce in vitro fertilized embryos with immature follicular oocytes collected by transvaginal aspiration from Holstein cows. A simple aspiration apparatus consists of two stainless steel tubes, an inner tube (needle holder; 1.2cmdiameter, 55cm long) and an outer tube (1.5cm diameter, 4Scm long), and a hand-operated vacuum pump was used. Under epidural anesthesia, the needle guide was passed into the vagina of the cow to a point next to the cervix. An ovary was placed against the wall of the vagina over the end of the aspiration needle by rectal manipulation. As the needlepassed into the ovary, an assistant was asked to apply vacuum(l00mrnHg) and the ovary was manipulated back and forth in all directions over the needle. When all sites of the ovary was aspirated, the needle was withdrawn and the needle guide was moved to the other side of ovary and the procedure was repeated. When the oocyte aspiration procedure was finished, collected fluid was transported to laboratory. Oocytes surrounded with at least 1 layer of cumulus cells were matured, fertilized and cultured in vitro. The results were as follows; Ninety seven oocytes were collected by transvaginal aspiration from seventeen Holstein cows(5.7 /head). The number of oocytes surrounded with at least 1 layer of cumulus cells were 60(61.9%). Following in vitro maturation, fertilization and culture, the cleavage and development rate to morula+blastocyst were 83.3% and 30.0%, respectively. From this study, transferable in vitro fertilized embryos could be produced with imma- ture follicular oocytes collected by transvaginal aspiration from Holstein cows using a simple aspiration apparatus.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.384-394
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• 2004

This study was carried out to monitor the response of ovaries and cyst according to treatment with GnRH or combination of GnRH and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ in dairy cows with ovarian follicular cysts. Thirty cows were diagnosed as having follicular cysts by rectal palpation, ultrasonography and progesterone (P4) assays. Ten cows were treated with GnRH (control), and the other twenty were treated with $PGF_2{\alpha}$ at 10 days after GnRH treatment. All the animals were re-examined by ultrasonography and blood was collected for the measurement of plasma P4 concentration at day 0 (the day of treatment), day 7, day 10, day 13, day 24 and day 34, respectively. In 30 cows that were diagnosed with follicular cysts, mean plasma P 4 concentrations on day -II and day -I were 0.3 ng/ml and 0.4 ng/ml. On day 10 increased as 2.7$\pm$0.2 ng/ml. Mean cystic wall thickness by ultrasonography on day -11 and day -I were 2.1 mm and 2.2 mm. In 9 cows responded on luteinization of cystic wall, cystic wall thickness was 3.9$\pm$0.5 mm at day 10 after GnRH treatment. The responses of ovaries until day 10 after GnRH treatment included development of corpus luteum in the ovary bearing the cyst or in the contralateral ovary (12 cows), luteinization of cystic wall (6 cows) and clouding of the anechoic antrum of cysts (2 cows). The ovarian responses according to the combination of GnRH and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ included regression of the corpus luteum (12 cows), increase (1 cow) and no change (1 cow) of cyst size until last examination, and complete disappearance on day 13 (6 cows), 23 (6 cows) and 34 (4 cows). Combination treatment group of GnRH and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ showed a higher pregnancy rate within 100 days after initial treatment (40.0 vs 65.0%) and shorter intervals from the treatment to conception (45.4$\pm$25.8 vs 53.5$\pm$31.4 days) compared with control. It was concluded that the administration of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ following GnRH treatment is effective in shortening the interval from treatment to conception in cows with follicular cyst. Also, this study suggested that the response of the cyst according to treatment revealed various types. Therefore, veterinarians should pay attention to monitor of the response of cystic ovaries after treatment, specially no change, slowly decrease or increasement of cyst size after treatment.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.336-343
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• 2011

The neurotrophins, required for the survival and differentiation of the nervous system, are known to be important for the development of the reproductive tissues. However, the signals initiating the growth of follicles, gamete development, and transport and the development of zygote in the reproductive system of cows remain ambiguous. The purpose of the present study was to identify the transcripts and proteins of Neurotrophin 4 (NT4) and its receptor tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) in bovine reproductive tissues. The transcripts and immunoreactivity of NT4 and TrkB proteins were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Using immunohistochemistry, the specific immunoreactivity of NT4 and TrkB were detected in the oocytes of primordial follicles and in the growing primary follicles. The NT4 and TrkB immunoreactivity was predominantly observed in granulosa cells, cumulus granulosa cells, cumulus oocyte complexes, theca cells of mature follicles, as well as in the oviduct epithelial cells, uterine gland cell, and epithelium cells of the uterus during the follicular and luteal phases in cows. Expressions of NT4 and TrkB mRNAs were not significantly different among the ovary, oviduct, and uterus of the follicular phase. For the luteal phase, the expression of NT4 mRNA in the ovary was significantly higher than that in the oviduct and uterus, and the expression of TrkB mRNA in the oviduct was significantly higher than that in the ovary and uterus, as determined by fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The expression of NT4 mRNA was significantly higher than that of TrkB mRNA in the ovary and uterus, whereas NT4 mRNA expression was lower than that of TrkB mRNA in the oviduct during the luteal phase. The present study hypothesizes that NT4 participates in the regulation of both gonads and extra-gonadal reproductive tissues in cows.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.73-83
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• 1990

These studies were carried out to find the proper conditions for in vitro maturation and fertilization of bovine follicular oocytes and culture methods capable of further developing early embryos. For these objectives, the cleavage rate of oocytes matured and fertilized in vitro was investigated under medium supplemented with hormones and estrous cow serum and season of oocytes collection as well as different cumulus cell stage before insemination. Finally, 2~8 cell embryos were cultured in in vitro and in vitro culture system to investigate developmental capacity into morula. 1. Cleavage rate of oocytes matured in vitro was 27%(20/73) for A(LH＋FSH＋estradil-17$\beta$＋10% FBS), 38%(27/71) for B(LH＋10% ECS) and 27%(15/56) for C(10% ECS), respectively. Supplement B showed more higher rate and 4~8 cell embryos were also obtained much more in this group(67%, 18/27). In vitro maturation rate of follicular oocytes cultured in TCM 199 supplemented withLH and 10% ECS was 88%(75/85). 2. Cleavage rate(15%, 10/65) of oocytes collected in summer was significantly lower than in fall(47%, 42/89). 3. Cleavage rate(15%, 10/65) of oocytes collected in summer was significantly lower than in fall(47%, 42/89). 3. Cleavage rate(15%, 10/65) of oocytes with partially removed cumulus cell before insemination was more higher than that(44%, 27/62) of oocytes with intact cumulus cell. 4. The frequency of development from early cleaved embryos into morula was 6%(4/65), 12%(4/33) for co-culture of cumulus cell monolayer and bovine oviduct epithelial cell monolayer, respectively and 25%(6/25) in ligated rabbit oviduct.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.189-194
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• 1997

The ovaries of Korean native cows or heifers were obtained from a slaughter house and kept on 28~3O˚C and transported to laboratory within 2 hrs. The follicular oocytes were collected follicles. The oocytes were matured in vitro for 24 hrs. In TCM-199 supplemented with 35 $\pi$g /ml FSH, 10 $\pi$g /ml LH, 1 $\pi$g /ml estradiol-17 and granulosa cells at 39˚C under 5% $CO_2$ in air. The caudal epididymis of Korean native bulls were obtained from a slaughter house and transported to laboratory within 30 minutes. Swim-up of collected spermatozoa and freezing sperm was layered under 2ml fertilization B. 0. medium in two tissue culture tubes and held at a 45˚C angle for 0~2 hrs. They wrer fertilized in vitro by freezing sperm treated with heparin for 24 hrs, and then the zygotes were co-cultured in vitro with bovine oviductal epithelial cells for 7 to 9 days. The follicular oocytes recovered were classified into 41.7% as grade I, 51.5% as grade II and 6.8% as graed III. The number of oocytes recovered per ovary was averaged 8.3 and they were classifed into 2.3 as grade I, 2.5 as grade II and 2.3 as grade III. The cleavage rate of matured oocytes was significantly(P

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.40.1-40.7
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• 2023

To optimize the most efficient method for porcine in vitro maturation (IVM), we compared the effects of supplementing extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from porcine follicular fluid (pFF). The cumulus oocyte complexes were grouped into 4 groups with different supplementations as following: pFF (G1), pFF-depleted EVs (G2), EVs (G3) and control (G4) groups. After IVM with different supplementations, maturation rates and the developmental competences of porcine oocytes and blastocyst development were investigated. Additionally, glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured in mature oocytes. The EVs were isolated and characterized with cryo-TEM and nanoparticle tracking analysis. The pFF significantly affected the maturation rate, whereas the presence of EVs did not show notable difference in the maturation rates. Although there were numerical increases in the measured parameters in EV and pFF-depleted EVs groups, no significant differences were observed between them. The EV group showed similar oocyte maturation rate for both positive and negative control groups. The GSH was not different among the groups, but ROS levels were significantly lower in pFF-supplemented group when compared with other groups with the highest level in the control group. G2 group wasn't significantly different G1 and G3 group. G3 group wasn't significantly different from G2 and G4 group. This suggests that EVs in IVM medium which probably effected partially to protect against oxidative stress and potentially enhance the quality of oocytes. This study indicates that the EVs in pFF play a significant role in improving the efficiency of oocyte maturation in porcine.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.315-322
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• 2006

This study was performed to investigate the physiological effects of bovine follicular fluid (bFF) or anti-inhibin serum (AI) on follicular development in Hanwoo. Saline (0.95%), bFF or AI (total of 40 ml) were administered into the jugular vein in 9 Hanwoo cows. The plasma inhibin, estradiol-17 $\beta$ (E2), and progesterone (P4) levels were measured using RIA or ELISA kit and the number of ovarian follicles was observed by ultrasonography at 72 hr after ovulation. The plasma inhibin level in bFF treatment group was significantly increased and maintained higher level from 102 hr after ovulation compared to that of saline and AI groups (p<0.05). In plasma E2 level, AI treatment group showed significantly higher level from 36 hr to 108 hr after ovulation than that of saline and bFF groups (p<0.05). After that it showed decreasing tendency. The plasma P4 level was increased in control and AI treatment groups at 68 hr after ovulation. However, it was maintained significantly lower level in bFF group from 84 hr to 180 hr compared to that of saline and AI group (p<0.05). As a result of ultrasonography at 72 hr after ovulation, higher number of follicles was shown in AI treatment group compared to bFF groups, although the difference was not statistically significant. Taken together, it can be postulated that a treatment of synthesized AI inhibits the secretion of inhibin, stimulates FSH secretion inhibited by inhibin, and induces follicular development and estrogen secretion. According to these results, a development of ovarian follicle immediately after ovulation is associated closely with inhibin in Hanwoo heifers.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 1993

To provide the optimal culture conditions for the developm,ent of in vit개 produced embryos, we have been investigated various culture media as well as co-cultrue systems using porcine cumulus cells or mouse fetal fibroblast cells. Porcine ovaries were brought to the laboratory from local slaughter house within 1 hour after slaughtering and cumulus oocytes complexes were recovered from antral follicles(3~5mm) with 23 gauge needle. To maturate follicular oocytes, cumulus oocytes complexes were washed three times with TCM-199 containing 25mM HEPES and incubated(39$^{\circ}C$, 5% CO2 in air) in various maturation media for 42 hrs. Ejaculated and liquid storaged boar spermatozoa capacitated with different sperm capacitation methods and media were rpepared for fertilizing of matured follicular oocytes in vitro. Fertilization was performed by adding 5~10${\mu}\ell$ fo capacitated spermatozoa containing 1~5$\times$105 sperm/ml to droplets. Eighteen to twenty-eight hours after sperm insemination, fertilized eggs were washed three times with culture media and transferred to the various culture media, to the culture media with a monolayer of somatic cells. The in vitro development rates of 1-cell embryos cultured with three times with culture media and transferred to the various culture media, to the culture media with a monolayer of somatic cells. The in vitro development rates of 1-cell embryos cultured with three different media, m-KRB, BECM and TCM-HEPES were 0~1.0%, showing extremely lower rates. Especially, most of embryos were observed to arrest the development beyond 4-cell stages. The rates of embryos developed to 2-, 4-, 8-, 16-, 32-cell and morula or blastocyst stage in co-culture with porcine cumulus cells and mouse fetal fibroblast cells were 61.1~67.0%, 59.0~58.0%, 42.5~43.1%, 28.4~30.2% and 20.4~21.0%, respectively. These development rates upto morula or blastocyst stages were significantly higher than those of the embryos cultured in the basic culture medium(P<0.01). These findings suggest that co-culture of in vitro fertilized eggs with porcine cumulus cells or mouse fetal fibroblast cells enhance the development of fertilized eggs to morula or blastocyst stage in vitro.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.102-102
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• 2005