• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.141-151
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• 1987

A total of 1200 Korean native cow and 240 dairy cow genitalia were collected during the slaughtering process in Seoul and Kwang Ju abattoir and were examined from July 1985 to March 1986. Ovarian follicles were classified as cystic if the diameter was greater than 2.5cm or if follicles were multiple. In order to investigate the ovarian cysts, anatomical and histological examinations were performed. In addition progesterone and estrogen level in different types of cystic follicular fluid and serum were measured by radioimmunoassay. The results were summerized as follows: 1. The incidences of ovarian cysts were 2.0% in Korean native cow and 7.9% in dairy cow. 2. In distribution of cysts in the left, right and both ovaries, the most encountered ovary was right one. The frequency was 45.8% in right ovaries, 33.4% in left ovaries and 20.8% in both ovaries in Korean native cow. On the contrary the frequency was 42.1% in right ovaries, 31.8% in both ovaries and 26.3% in left ovaries in dairy cow. 3. Six speciemens (25.0%) of Korean native cow and six specimens (31.6%) of dairy cow were associated with corpora lutes in both ovaries. 4. The luteinization of theca layer was most significant in the group 2Aa (71.4%) and 2Ba (38.5%) which associated with no granulosa cell and corpora lutea in the same cystic ovaries. 5. Correlation of progesterone concentration between cystic fluid and serum was found only in the group 2Aa and 2Ab (r=0.86). Progesterone and estrogen concentrations in cystic fluid were closely related to the degree of degeneration of granulosa cell layer. The cystic follicles that consist of thickened theca and degenerated granulosa cell layers contained a large amount of progesterone, and small amount of estrogen. In conclusion, various types of ovarian cysts with various levels of progesterone and estrogen were observed in Korean native cow.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.275-281
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate what protein(s) of porcine epididymal fluid (pEF) are able to enhance the nuclear maturation of porcine germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes in vitro. Proteins of pEF were fractionated by affinity, ion exchange, and gel filtration chromatography. Porcine cumulus-oocytes complexes (COC) from follicles were cultured in tissue culture medium (TCM 199) containing various fractions obtained by chromatography. Porcine COCs were also cultured in TCM 199 containing various meiosis inhibitors and pEF. After 24 or 48 h culture, oocytes were examined for evidence of GV breakdown, metaphase I, anaphase-telophase I, and metaphase II. When porcine COCs were cultured in the medium with meiosis inhibitor such as, dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) and forskolin (Fo), more than 80% of oocytes were unable to resume meiosis. However, porcine COCs supplemented with pEF were able to overcome the inhibitory effect of dbcAMP and Fo. Maturation rate of oocytes was significantly (p<0.05) increased in the media supplemented with cationic protein(s) during in vitro maturation than in those with anionic protein(s) (44.1% vs 20.0%). When oocytes were cultured in the TCM 199 with fractions obtained by gel filtration, the maturation rate of oocytes was significantly (p<0.05) higher in fraction 11 containing 18 kDa than other fractions. The present study suggests that 1) dbcAMP and Fo prevent the spontaneous maturation of oocyte after isolation from follicles, and that pEF contain a substance(s) that improves meiosis resumption in vitro of porcine COCs, 2) cationic 18 kDa protein(s) are responsible for promotion of Mil stage.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.140-156
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• 2007

This research was performed to investigate the morphological changes of folliculus ovary according to the radiation dose. The whole body radiation of 200 cGy, 400 cGy, and 600 cGy was given to the each groups of 5 months-aged female mouse. Various staining methods used in this research are: Hematosylin-Eosin method, and immunohistochemistrical methods using BrdU, TUNEL, p53, p21, PCNA and inhibin. The minute structural changes of folliculus ovary were observed through an electron microscope with high magnification. The morphological changes of growing folliculus ovary became distinct as the dose of X-rays increased. Especially, the nuclei of granular cells showed manifest condensation and the changes of the transparent zone were distinct. As a result of histochemical reaction according to Masson's trichrome method and reticular fiber method, the changed granular cells, the deformed basilar membrane of folliculus ovary and the abnormal arrangement of the reticular fiber were observed. In the reaction of BrdU, the granular cells of normal folliculus ovary with positive reaction rapidly decreased according to the increase of the dose of X-rays. In TUNEL study, granular cells showing positive reaction in retarded folliculus ovary were expanded to growing folliculus ovary and primordial folliculus ovary according to the increase of the dose of X-rays. In case of 600 cGy of X-rays, oocyte underwent apoptosis. In p53 immunohistochemistry, p53 manifested to be stronger as the dose of X-rays increased. p53 reactivity was manifested distinctively in all cells comprising folliculus ovary following irradiation of 600 cGy. p21 was manifested in granular cells of folliculus ovary and showed very positive reaction around follicular antrum according to the increase of the dose of X-rays. In PCNA, positive reaction was manifested in growing folliculus ovary, mature folliculus ovary and primordial folliculus ovary, but the extent of the reaction decreased as the dose of the X-rays decreased. The finding that the reaction of granular cells around folliculus ovary was stronger than that near follicular membrane indicates that what was damaged first by X-ray was the cells near folliculus ovary and follicular antrum. The reactivity of $inhibin-{\alpha}$ showed difference according to the growing stage of folliculus ovary: $inhibin-{\alpha}$ showed the most strong reaction in mature folliculus ovary with follicular antrum. There was strong reaction in granular cells around follicular membrane but $inhibin-{\alpha}$ did not occur at all in theca cells comprising follicular membrane. $Inhibin-{\alpha}$ in ovary tissue exposed to 400 cGy of X-rays was manifested more strongly than in ovary tissue exposed to 600 cGy of X-rays, which was related to the phenomenon that granular cells of mature folliculus ovary underwent necrosis or apoptosis increasingly due to X-rays. In an electron microscope with high magnification, nuclei and protoplasm of granular cells in growing folliculus ovary abruptly underwent minute structural changes according to the increase of dose of X-rays. Cell residue, by-product of cell decease, neutrophil and macrophage around follicular antrum were observed. The minute structural changes in granular cells showed typical characteristics of apoptosis: the increase of electronic density due to nuclear condensation, fragmentation of nuclei and atrophy of protoplasm. Necrosis of cells was identified but it was not so remarkable. Macrophage with apoptotic bodies was scattered. Proportional to the radiation dose, we found that the generation of heterogeneous substance of normal ovary texture's follicular fluid, the emergence of dyeing characteristic in the basilar membrane of folicle, the generation of apoptosis, and the transformation of macrophages, etc. From this results, we can infer the possible radiation hazard on the ovary of cervix cancer patient with radiation therapy.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2002

In most mammals, mature oocyte-cumulus complexer(OCCs) ovulate into the oviduct where fertilization by sperm takes place. However, the complex that fail to fertilize eventually undergoes degeneration while they reside in the oviduct. Yet there is no blown mechanism how both oocyte and cumulus cells degenerate. Using human follicular fluid (hFF), bovine oviductal tissue extract (BOX) and mouse OCC, the present study aimed to find how the oviduct influence the viability of the oocyte and cumulus cells in vitro. There was no difference of oocyte maturation rate between the control and BOX-treated groups. However, there was a significant difference in the survival of cumulus cells between two groups. Cumulus cells cultured in the presence of hFF alone underwent initially expansion and then they formed monolayer in the culture dish. Even after 72 hr, they proliferated well and showed fibroblast-like morphology. Cumulus cells cultured in the presence of both hFF and BOX also expanded after 24 hr, however, after 72 hr culture, they eventually detached and degenerated. Cumulus cells cultured in the BOX alone gave a similar drastic result. When the cumulus cells cultured in the presence of BOX were stained with DAPI, their nuclei showed partial condensation and fragmentation. After detailed analysis of these cells by TUNEL assay, many nuclei of them exhibited well stained spots indicating the signs of apoptosis. Based upon these observations, it is suggested that BOX might possess a factor that leads mouse cumulus cells to undergo apoptosis in vitro.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.33-33
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• 2001

본 연구는 한우 난포발달에 있어서 난포액 및 inhibin의 생리적 역할을 검토하기 위해 수행하였다. Anti-inhibin serum(AIS) 생산을 위해 사용된 항원은 porcine inhibin-$\alpha$-subunit 19~32의 peptide를 사용하여 adjuvant 용액을 1:3의 비율로 혼합하여 앙고라종 토끼 5두(체중 2.5kg)에게 주 2회 간격으로 8회 실시후 ELISA Leader로 항혈청의 역가를 확인하였다. 난포액(bFF; bovine follicular fluid)은 도축장에서 도축되는 한우 난소로부터 직경 1.0cm 이하의 난포로부터 회수하여 스테로이드를 제거하기 위해 10% chacoal solution(50 mg/$m\ell$, Norrit-A, Fisher Sci., USA)을 처리하여 45분간 배양후 원심분리후 상층액을 회수하여 실험에 공시하였다. 과립막세포의 체외배양을 위해 D-MEM용액(10% FCS와 antibiotics를 첨가)을 배양액으로 하여 1 $\times$ $10^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$로 조절하였다. 호르몬은 RIA 및 ELISA법으로 분석하였다. 그 결과 항원-항체반응은 항원처리후 24일째부터 항체가를 확인할 수 있었으며 52일째에서 높은 항원-항체반응을 보였다. 한편, 난포크기별 난포액의 progesterone 및 Estradiol-l7$\beta$을 농도를 분석한 결과, Progesterone 난포크기가 직경 1.0 cm부터 유의적으로 증가하기 시작하여 직경 2.0cm의 난포액에서는 높은 progesterone이 존재하고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 이에 반해, 난포크기별 난포액중 estradiol 17$\beta$농도는 직경 1.0cm구에서 가장 높게 나타났다. 난포직경이 1cm일 경우에 난포액내 etradiol-17$\beta$가 가장 많이 존재하고 있음이 나타났다. 과립막세포의 체외배양에서 배양 24시간에서는 과립막세포의 progesterone분비는 약 40ng/1$\times$$10^{6}$ cell/well/$m\ell$ 전후로 나타났으며 bFF 5%, AI 5% 및 bFF＋AI 첨가구에 따라 유의적인 차이는 없었다 반면에 48시간배양구에서는 24시간에 비해 유의적으로 높게 분비되었으며, bFF 5%처리구와 bFF5%＋AI5%처리구에서는 progesterone을 대조구보다 유의적으로 억제되었으나 AI 5%단독처리구에서는 대조구와 큰 차이가 없었다. 한편, 각 세포질을 SDS-PAGE로 분리하여 nitro cellulose membrane에 transfer하여 Western blotting법에 의해 검토한 결과, 직경 1.0 cm의 성숙난포의 granulosa cell에 특이하게 Inhibin이 존재하고 있음이 확인되었다. 이상의 결과로, 한우에 있어서 성숙난포에 존재하는 Inhibin은 난포발달 및 난포세포의 스테로이드호르몬합성에 중요하게 관여하고 있는 것으로 사료된다.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.34-34
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• 2001

본 연구의 목적은 한우 난포발달에 있어서 난포액 및 anti-inhibin serum의 생리적 역할을 검토하기 위해 수행하였다. Anti-inhibin serum(AI)은 항원으로서 porcine inhibin-$\alpha$-subunit 19~32의 peptide를 사용하여 adjuvant 용액을 1:3의 비율로 혼합하여 앙고라종 토끼 5두(체중 2.5kg)에게 주 2회 간격으로 접종 후 얻어진 항혈청을 사용하였다. 난포액(bFF; bovine follicular fluid)은 도축장에서 도축되는 한우 난소로부터 직경 1.0cm 이하의 난포로부터 회수하여 스테로이드를 제거하기 위해 10% chacoal so lution(50 mg/$m\ell$, Norrit-A, Fisher Sci., USA)을 처리하여 45분간 배양후 원심분리후 상층액을 회수하여 실험에 공시하였다. 공시동물은 1산후 정상적으로 발정주기가 반복되는 한우암소 9두를 난소감정후 황체를 확인하여 PGF2$\alpha$제제(lutylase. USA)를 주사하여 발정을 유기한 다음, 난소의 first wave가 시작되는 시기인 배란직후 12시간째부터 4일간 일일 2회 5 $m\ell$씩 총 8회 40 $m\ell$의 AI와 bFF를 각각 경정맥으로 주사하였으며 대조구로서 생리식염수를 주사하였으며 채혈 및 정맥주사를 용이하게 하기 위해 경정맥에 카테타를 설치하여 6시간간격으로 총 200시간까지 채혈하였으며 초음파진단기를 이용하여 난포의 발달을 검토하였다. 채혈후 혈중Inhibin, progesterone 및 Estrad iol-17$\beta$농도의 분석은 RIA 및 ELISA법으로 분석하여 얻어진 결과는 다음과 같다. 혈중 Progesterone농도는 대조구와 AI처리구에서는 배란후 68시간째부터 유의적으로 증가하기 시작하였으나, bFF처리구에서는 배란후 68시간부터 170시간까지 대조구에 비해 유의적으로 낮은 농도를 나타내었다. 이에 반해 혈중 Estradiol-17$\beta$농도는 대조구의 경우 bFF처리구와 비슷한 수준으로 배란후부터 낮은 농도를 유지하였으나, AI 처리구는 배란후 36시간이후부터 108시간까지 유의적으로 높은 수준을 유지하였다가 그 이후 감소되었다. 한편, 혈중 Inhibin농도는 전 구간에서 배란후 84시간까지 불규칙한 농도를 보이다가 bFF처리구에서는 배란후 84시간부터 유의적으로 증가하였다. 배란후 72시간째에 초음파진단기를 이용하여 난소의 난포발달을 조사한 결과 , 대조구와 bFF처리구에 비해 AI처리구에서 발달난포가 유의적으로 많은 것을 확인하였다. 이상과 같은 결과로, Anti-inhibin serum은 한우 자체에서 분비하는 Inhibin을 특이하게 억제하여 Inhibin에 의해 억제되는 FSH분비가 촉진됨으로써 난포발달과 estrogen의 농도가 촉진되는 것으로 사료되어 anti-inhibin serum이 한우의 과배란유기 효과가 있는 것으로 사료된다.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2009

In this study, in vitro maturation system using fetal bovine serum (FBS) or porcine follicular fluid (pFF) was investigated to produce comparable oocytes to those derived from in vivo. Control group of oocytes was cultured in TCM 199 supplemented with 0.1% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Other three groups of oocytes were cultured in TCM 199 supplemented with 10% FBS, 10% pFF or 5% FBS + 5% pFF, respectively. After 44 h maturation, oocytes with the first polar body were activated with two electric pulses (DC) of 1.2 kv/cm for 30 ${\mu}sec$. Also, matured oocytes of four groups were reconstructed and fused. Reconstructed embryos were cultured in PZM-3 under 5% $CO_2$ in air at $38.5^{\circ}C$ for 6 days. The oocytes matured in the medium supplemented with FBS or/and pFF showed significantly higher maturation rates (64.0 vs. 73.9 to 85.2%). In PA embryos, cleavage rates (89.7 vs. 77.1 to 86.6%) and blastocysts rates (30.0 vs. 16.2 to 26.2%) were significantly higher in pFF group (p<0.05). In NT embryos, there was no difference among treatments in cleavage rate, but the blastocyst rates (28.5 vs. 15.5 to 24.6%) were significantly higher in pFF group (p<0.05). The apoptosis rate was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the control than other groups (10.8 vs. 4.9 to 8.2% for PA, 3.1 vs. 0.5 to 1.3% for NT). In order to select the comparable oocyte to in vivo oocytes, each group of oocytes was stained with Brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) after 42h maturation. The matured oocytes were separated according to color of cytoplasm; stained group (BCB+) and unstained group (BCB-). The oocytes matured in the presence of FBS or/and pFF showed significantly higher staining rates (70.3 to 72.7 vs. 35.1%) (p<0.05). To verify the fact that the supplementation of FBS or/and pFF can increase the maturation rates, cdc2 kinase activity, the catalytic subunit of MPF, was determined. The cdc2 kinase activity of the oocytes matured in the medium supplemented with FBS or/and pFF was significantly higher than control group (6.7 to 9.3 vs. 3.8). In conclusion, the supplementation of FBS or/and pFF can support in vitro maturation rate of porcine oocytes through the increment of cdc2 kinase activity level in the cytoplasm.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.281-289
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• 1989

The present study was disigned to determine the concentration of bioavailable steroid hormones in the atretic follicular fluid (FF). The concentradons of progesterone (P), testosterone (T), estradiol (E), androstenedione (A), and 5-$\alpha$ dihydrotestosterone (DIlT) were determined by the established methods of luminescent immunoassay (LIA) or radioimmunoassay (RIA). Concentrations of T, A and Diff in human FF from smail (< 6 mm). medium (8-15 mm), and large (> 15 mm) atretic follicles were significandy higher than those of normal ones (p < 0.01). However, the levels of T, A and DHT in smail atretic foflicle were significandy lower than those found in normal one. The concentrations of P in atretic FF from porcine small (< 3 mm), medium (4-6 mm), and large (> 7 mm) follicles were not different from that of normal ones. However, the concentration of E in atretic forncles of each group was significantly lower than that of normal group (p < 0.001 in each group). On the other hand, the percentages of bioavailable T (BI) in human FF were significandy (p <0.001) higher than those in normal groups. The BT in normal or atretic FF was more than 90 % of total T. The present result demonstrates that the bioavailable androgen, but not E levels in atretic follicles is higher than that of normal one, and that the atretic mechanism might be dependent on the ovarian forncle size in the developmental stage and on the animal model system. Moreover, the present study suggests that the steroids found in the FF are the bioavailable forms and the concentration of BT in FF could be used as one of the valuable criteria classifying the ovarian atretic follicle.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 1988

Follicular fluid(FF) prostaglandin $E_2$(PG$E_2$) and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ levels were compared in 3 groups of spontaneously ovulatory women undergoing ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate (CC) alone or with human menopausal gonadotropin(hMG) (14 patients), hMG(9 patients), or pure FSH/hMG(11 patients) for the purpose of in vitro fertilization. FF volume aspirated did not differ significantly according to the maturity of the oocyte. According to hyperstimulation regimens, the volume of FF from which preovulatory occytes were obtained was significantly less in the hMG-treated group than in the other groups. In follicles of preovulatory oocytes, FF PG$E_2$ values were significantly lower in the FSH treated group than in the Cc.treated or hMG-treated group, and FF $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ values were significantly higher in the hMG-treated group than in the CC-treated or FSH-treated group. In follicles of immature or atretic oocytes, there was no significant difference in FF PG$E_2$ and PG$F_{2{\alpha}}$ concentrations of the similar morphology of the oocyte according to hyperstimulation regimens. In all cycles, FF PG$E_2$ and PG$F_{2{\alpha}}$ values of preovulatory oocytes were not significantly different from those of immature oocytes, but those of atretic oocytes were relatively lower than those of fertilizable oocytes and it was statistically signifincant in PG$E_2$ values of CC-treated group. In all treatment groups, FF PG$E_2$ and PG$F_{2{\alpha}}$ levels did not show and close relationship with the success of fertilization in vitro and of pregnancy after embryo transfer. Above results suggested that FF PG$E_2$ and PG$F_{2{\alpha}}$ be involved in oocyte maturation and ovulation, but their relationship with the success of in vitro fertilization was not found.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.1403-1411
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• 2002

The aims of this study were, firstly, to analyze the biochemical compositions of serum and follicular fluid (FF) from prepubertal gilts after PMSG (1,000 IU) treatment. The concentrations of total proteins, lipids, cholesterol, glucose and sex hormones (progesterone, $P_4$; estradiol-$17{\beta}$, $E_2$; testosterone, T) were measured. Secondary, the effects of porcine FF (pFF) addition (40% and 100%) in IVM media and different culture conditions [Exp. 1: mBMOC-2+20% porcine serum (PS), fresh IVM medium, filtered IVMconditioned medium, or rabbit oviducts; Exp. 2: mBMOC-2+20%PS or stepwise medium replacement procedures (SMRP) cocultured with or without cumulus cells] on the in vitro development (IVD) of porcine oocytes were also examined. Results showed that no significant differences were found in total protein levels between serum and pFF from different sizes (large, >7 mm; medium, ~5-7 mm; small, <3-5 mm) of follicles (75-85 and 49-90 mg/dl; p>0.05). Total lipid concentrations remained constant in serum (395-472 mg/dl), and reduced significantly in the pFF from large follicles (287 mg/dl) at 132 h after PMSG treatment when compared to those at other time points (441-480 mg/dl). Basal cholesterol levels in serum and pFF at 12 h were similar (153-161 mg/dl), but increased at 36 h (186-197 mg/dl). Basal P4 and E2 levels in serum (0.1 ng/ml and 5.5 pg/ml) were low, but increased from 0.34 ng/ml and 12.13 pg/ml at 24 h to 0.81 ng/ml and 61.70 pg/ml at 98 h, respectively, after PMSG treatment (p<0.05). P4 levels increased linearly in pFF from large follicles during 12 through 132 h (138-1,288 ng/ml). A similar increase was also observed in $E_2$ levels (22-730 pg/ml) before 60 h post PMSG treatment, and then dropped afterwards (730-121 pg/ml). The development of the oocytes fertilized in 40% pFF-medium was greater than that in 100% pFF-medium group without gonaodtropin addition (31% vs 10%, p<0.05). However, both were lower than those in mBMOC-2+20%PS and in rabbit oviducts (p<0.05). When cocultured with cumulus cell monolayers, a greater cleavage rate was observed in the group cultured in filtered IVM-conditioned medium than the SMRP group (36% vs 18%, p<0.05). A similar phenomenon was also observed in the culture without cumulus cell monolayers (33% vs 19%, p<0.05). It is concluded that neither the fresh IVM nor filtered IVM-conditioned medium has positive effect on the IVD of oocytes. Coculture with cumulus cell monolayers and the SMRP were not beneficial to the development of IVF pig oocytes.