• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2007

The present study investigated the effects of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and human chorionic gona-dotrophin (hCG) on the nuclear maturation of canine oocytes. Oocytes were recovered from mongrel female ovaries in various reproductive states; follicular, luteal or anestrous stage. Oocytes were cultured in sserum-free tissue culture medium (TCM)-199 supplemented with various concentrations of FSH (Exp. 1: 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 10 IU) or hCG (Exp.2:0, 0.5, 1.0 or 10 IU) or both (Exp. 3:1 IU FSH +1 IU hCG) for 72 hr to determine the effective concentration of these hormones, and to examine their combined effect. After maturation culture, oocytes were denuded in PBS containing 0.1% (w/v) hyaluronidase by gentle pipetting. The denuded oocytes were stained with $1.9\;{\mu}M$. Hoechst 33342 in glycerol and the nuclear state of oocytes was evaluated under UV light. More (p<0.05) oocytes matured to MII stage when follicular stage oocytes were supplemented with 1 IU FSH (6.2%) compared with the control, 0.1 or 10.0 IU FSH (0 to 1.2%). Significantly higher (p<0.05) maturation rate to MII stage was observed in follicular stage oocytes supplemented with 1.0 IU hCG (7.2%) compared with the control or other hCG supplemented groups (0 to 1.5%). However, the combination of FSH and hCG did not improve the nuclear maturation rate of canine oocyte (2.4 %) compared with FSH (6.2%) and hCG alone (7.2%). In conclusion, FSH or hCG alone significantly increased the maturation of canine oocytes to MII stage.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.95-104
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• 2002

This study was performed during the four seasons for the production of transgenic pigs containing the human erythropoietin(hEPO) transgene. Purebred Landrace gilts and sows approximately 8∼15 months of age (n=42) were used fur the collection of 1-cell zygotes for DNA microinjection and transfer. Retrospectively, estrus synchronization and superovulation schemes were evaluated to assess practicality for zygote collection. Synchronization and superovulation procedures were used that cyclic gilts were synchronized with 20mg altrenogest (ALT) per day for 9days after PG600 administration followed by superovulation with 1500IU pregnant mares serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and 500IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). Preparation of recombinant gene for microinjection is mice whey acidic protein promoter (mWAP) linked to human erythropoietin (hEPO) gene. After hormone treatment, 650 embryos were collected from 23 donors and 83.1% (540/650) embryos were in 1-cell stage which can be visualized the pronuclei for DNA microinjection. A total of 543 DNA microinjected embryos fiom donors were transferred to 19 synchronized recipients, seven of them maintained pregnancy and delivered 47 piglets. One of the 47 offsprings were determined to have transgene by PCR analysis. The overall rate of transgenic production was 2.13% (tansgenic/offspring). This study provides the success and useful information regarding production of transgenic pig for bioreactor research.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.7
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• pp.83-97
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• 1989

This study was carried out to obtain basic information necessary for aggregation and in-vitro culture of mouse embryos by treating phytohemagglutinin-p (PHA-P). The 4-, 8-cell and morula embryos were obtained from female mice of albino BALE/C, CBA and C57BL strains, those were injected 5 i.u pregenant mare serum gonadotrophin and 5 i.u human chorionic gonadotrophin to superovulation. The zona pellucidia was removed by placing the embryos in Acidic Tyrode solution containing 1.0% protease or/and 5 ug/ml PHA-P. The pairs of zona free embryos were subjected to aggregation by glassneedle in BMOC-3 containing 5 ug/ml PHA-P. The aggregation embryos were cultured in Brinster's mouse ova culture-3(BMOC-3) medium under the gas phase of 5% $CO_2$ in air $37^{\circ}C$ for 13 to 50 hours. The results obtained in this study are summarised as follows : 1. When 4-, 8-cell and morula embryos were zona-freed in acidic Tyrode solution containing 1.0% protease or/and 5 ug/ml PHA-P, and cultured in vitro to blastocysts, the 4- and 8-cell embryos showed slightly less development rates than the morula one did, and solution of 5 ug/ml PHA-P brought some higher development rate than negative control. 2. As 2, 5 or 10 ug/ml PHA-P was added to the solution to aggregate 4-, 8-cell or morula embryos, 2 ug/ml solution represented slightly lower aggregation rate than the higher levels solutions, and 4- and 8-cell embryos showed higher rates than morula one did (P<.05). 3. In respect to the development rates of aggregated embryos to morula no significant difference was found among PHA-P levels and between 4-and 8-cell embryos. With respect to those of aggregated embryos to blastocysts the different levels of PHA-P showed similar results, however, the 4- and 8-cell embryos represented higher rates than the morula one did (P<.05). 4. The mean time necessary for development of aggregated 4-, 8-cell and morula embryos to blastocysts were 38.5-40, 26-27 and 19-20hrs. Respectively in solution for aggregation. 5. The aggregation rates of embryos were 34-94%, when treated protease or/and PHA-P. Supplementation of 5 ug/ml PHA-P to the solution for aggregation showed a trend demonstrating higher aggregation rate compared to negative control, although no significance was found. However, 4- and 8-cell embryos represented significantly higher aggregation rates than the morula one did (P<.05). 6. The development rates of 4- and 8-cell embryos to morula were 52.7-84.7 and 73.8-87.2%, respectively, showing no significant difference between two cell stages. However, the aggregation rates of embryos treated with solution containing PHA-P were higher than negative control (P<.05). 7. The development rates of 4- and 8-cell and morula embryos to blastocysts were 41.7-77.7 78.7-83.0 and 0-19.2%, respectively. The rates of 4-cell embryos treated with PHA-P were significant higher than the negative control (P<.05). The 8-cell and morula embryos also showed more rates when treated PHA-P.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.56-60
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• 2005

Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and unconjugated estriol (uE3) were added to AFP to make what is commonly known as the Triple test. The Triple test combines results from these three tests and has been a standard screening procedure for several years. Recent studies have demonstrated the usefulness of adding inhibin-A to Down's syndrome risk assessment. The Quad test adds dimeric Inhibin-A (DIA) to the three other markers and uses the same computer program to calculate risk factors. Testing was performed between 14 and 21 weeks of gestation. Sample size were 648 samples and period of study was from 1, July, 2004 to 30, September, 2004. Used analytical methods for AFP, hCG and uE3 were radioimmunoassay (RIA) and dimeric inhibin A was enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Adding dimeric inhibin-A as a fourth marker to the standard triple test increases the detection rate from 62 % to 75 % with a false-positive rate of 5%. The DIA based Quad test has been shown to be the most effective second trimester screening test for Down's syndrome suitable for routine use. Increased DIA values are observed during normal pregnancy where a bimodal pattern response is seen. Values increase during the first trimester, decline after 14 weeks, and re-ascend between 17-25 weeks. Values for DIA may be additionally elevated during a Down's syndrome pregnancy. Dimeric inhibin A is a glycoprotein hormone made by the ovary and placenta. DIA levels are twice as high in Down's syndrome pregnancies. AFP, hCG, and uE3 levels vary with gestational age, and incorrect gestational dating will influence results. DIA levels do not vary substantially with gestational age, resulting in greater screening accuracy. Although the Quad test is an improvement over the Triple test, it is important to underscore the fact that a positive test on both should be done. Most women who initially screen positive will be found to be carrying normal babies when amniocentesis and definitive diagnostic chromosome analysis are done.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1987

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) was known to play a key role in the regulation of cumulus expansion and oocyte maturation of mammalian cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC's) in vivo and in vitro. The present experiments were conducted to know how intracellular level of cAMP in these cells is controlled. Intracellular cAMP level was modulated by culturing mouse CGC's with an adenylate cyclase stimulator, forskolin, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methyixanthine (IBMX), human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), or follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The rate of cumulus expansion and germinal vesicle break-down (GVBD) was checked after culture and used as a biological end point. Forskolin in the medium began to stimulate the expansion of the complexes at 1 nM and induced maximum expansion (80~90%) at 0 1~10 $\mu$M. The expansion rate was reduced to 60% when forskolin concentration was increased to 100 $\mu$M. Oocyte GVBD occurred normally (75~82%) in the presence of 10 $\mu$M of forskolin, but partial suppression was appeared at 100 pM of the drug (40%). IBMX also stimulated the expansion from the concentration of 0.01 pM and induced full expansion (81~89%) between the concentration of 1-1000 $\mu$M. Meiotic resumption was occurred normally under 10 $\mu$M of IBMX, but suppressed drastically from the concentration of 100 $\mu$M. The minimum exposing time to hormone or drugs required to trigger cumulus expansion was two minutes with HCG, 15~30 minutes with FSH and fors kolin, and two hours with IBMX. The data presented here seemed to imply that intracellular cAMP level in cumulus cells is regulated by both adenylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase and cumulus expansion is induced by a peak of cAMP while meiotic arrest is maintained by continuous presence of cAMP.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.8
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• pp.119-127
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• 1990

The present study was designed to determine the effect of HCG administration to pregnant rats on the dam and its fetus including the corpora lutea, the body weight of the fetus, the resorption of the fetus and the malformations of the fetus in skeletal development when a single dose of HCG 50 IU or 100IU on day 4.8.12 or 16 of pregnancy. The results were summarized as follows: 1. Administration of HCG had no effect on the corpora lutea. 2. Fetal resorption was observed in animals treated with HCG on days 4.8 or 12, high incidence being treated with HCG on day 4 of pregnancy. 3. Administration of HCG had no effect on the weight of the fetus except decreasing in it treated with HCG on day 4 of pregnancy. 4. Administration of HCG might be able to induce the skeletal variations but was not the skeletal malformations and abnormal ossification of the fetus. The extra 14 ribs was observed in animals treated with HCG on days 8 and 16 of pregnancy, respectively. 5. It is suggested that HCG administration to pregnant rats was able to induce the fetal resorption and might be able to induce skeletal variations in the fetus.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.549-555
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• 2016

This study was an evaluation of the significance of each parameter through aimed at pregnant women subjected to screening test(integrated test) in predicting risk of Down syndrome. We retrospectively analysed the correlation of risk of Down's syndrome with Nuchal Translucency(NT) images measured by ultrasound, Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein A(PAPP-A), alpha-fetoprotein(AFP), unconjugated estriol(uE3), human chorionic gonadotrophin(hCG) and Inhibin A by maternal serum. As a result, a significant correlation with NT, uE3, hCG, Inhibin A is revealed with Down's syndrome risk(P<.001). In ROC analysis, AUC of Inhibin A is analysed as the biggest predictor of Down's syndrome(0.859). And the criterion for cut-off was inhibin A 1.4 MoM(sensitivity 81.8%, specificity 75.9%). In conclusion, Inhibin A was the most useful in parameters to predict Down's syndrome in the integrated test. If we make up for the weakness based on the cut-off value of parameters they will be able to be used as an independent indicator in the risk of Down's syndrome screening.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 1997

This study was designed to investigate the effects of superovulation on the growing and mature follicles following gonadotrophin treatments in mature rat by immunohistochemical methods. Eighteen mature rats (Sprague-Duwely, 190~230gm) were randomly alloted into 3 groups. One group was control group, another FSH-treated group was injected intramuscularly with 0.5 units of follicular stimulating hormone(FSH) / rat, and third PMS and HCG-treated group was injected intramuscularly with 20~25IU of pregnant mare serum(PMS) / rat and then at the 48 hrs later, with 20~25IU of human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG) / rat. Half the number of rats were administrated intraperitoneally with bromodeoxyuridine(Brdur, 0.2mg/gm BW once) at 2 hours before exanguination and the remainder of rats were sacrified without Brdur administration. The investigation by immunohistochemical methods using paraffin sections of ovaries was performed by using anti-Brdur antibody and PCNA(proliferating cell nuclear antigen) antibody for labeling proliferating cells in follicles. In immunohistochemical findings, follicles squeezed by peripheral corpus luteum or follicles large follicles with loosly and irregularly distributed granulosa cells and although with compacted granulosa cells, middle follicles with dilated round or oval follicular antrum were confirmed as atretic follicles. The proportions of atretic follicles in control group were 29.8%, 21.7% and 14.2% respectivley at large, middle and small follicles and mean proportions of these all 3 grade follicles were 26.7%. The proportions of atretic follicles in FSH-treated group were 35.4%, 24.9% and 10.4% respectively at large, middle and small follicles and mean proportions of these all 3 grade follicles were 28.1%. The proportions of atretic follicles in PMS and HCG-treated group were 44.7%, 24.0% and 12.7% respectively at large, middle and small follicles, and mean proportions of these all 3 grade follicles were 29.7%. The above findings reveal that the group with higher proportion of atretic follicles were ordered as large, middle and small follicles in size, and these proportions were increased in hormone treated two groups with more number of more growing and mature follicles when compared with control group.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2002

This study was performed during the four seasons for the production of transgenic pigs containing the Cellulase Digest Gene. Purebred Landrace gilts and sows approximately 8∼15 months of age (n=126) were used for the collection of 1-cell zygotes for DNA microinjection and transfer. Retrospectively, estrus synchronization and superovulation schemes were evaluated to assess practicality fur zygote collection. Synchronization and superovulation procedures were used that cyclic gilts were synchronized with 20mg altrenogest (ALT) per day for 9 days after PG600 administration followed by superovulation with 1000 IU pregnant mares serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and 750IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). The cellulase digestion gene for microinjection is rat elasterase promoter (rEl) linked to CelD gene. After hormone treatment, 1,422 embryos were collected from 91 donors and 95.6% (1,359/1,422) embryos were in 1-cell stage which can be visualized the pronuclei for DNA microinjection. A total of 725 DNA microinjected embryos transferred into 35 recipients and produced 65 piglets from 13 litters. Pregnancy rate according to the number of transferred embryos to recipients was higher the group which received 21 to 24 embryos (50.0%) than other groups 20.0% in less and 33.3% in more. A tail tissue was collected from 65 piglets for biopsy. PCR screening was performed on each DNA sample using two separate sets of primers specific for the 5'- and 3'-flanking region of the rEl-CelD gene. Five of the 65 piglets (7.69%) were positive for the transgene. This study provide useful information regarding production of transgenic pig for bioreactor research.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 1997

This study was designed to investigate the number of the growing and mature follicles following gonadotrophin treatments for superovulation in mature rats. Eighteen mature rats (Sprague-Duwely, initially 190~230gm) were randomly alloted into 3 groups. One group was control group, another FSH-treated group was injected intramuscularly with 0.5 units of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) / rat, and third PMS and HCG-treated group was intramuscularly injected with 20~25IU of pregnant mare serum (PMS) / rat and then at the 48 hrs later, with 20~25IU of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) / rat. The uteri and ovaries of rats were collected and then were observed grossly and serial sections of paraffin embedding ovaries were stained with H-E. Number of ovarian follicles by following 3 grades of large, middle and small follicles from secondary and tertiary follicles were investigated by LM photography of preparations. Small follicles were classified as secondary follicles of preantral follicles with more than 2 layers of granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte and middle follicles were classified as secondary follicles with early signs of antral cavity or with more than one small cavity on either side of the oocytes and large follicles were classified as tertiary follicles with a single medium sized antral cavity or large well-formed antral cavity. In gross findings, the uteri were slightly swelling in FSH-treated group and markedly swelling or filled with fluid in the uterine lumen in PMS and HCG-treated group. In histological findings, the shape and size of the follicles were diverse in middle and large follicles of FSH-treated group and PMS and HCG-treated group, and proportion of atretic follicles was increased in FSH-treated group and PMS and HCG-treated group than those in control group. The uteri of FSH-treated group and PMS and HCG-treated group were hypertropied or filled with fluid in the lumens and walls of uteri. The wall tissue layers were flattened and their blood and lymph vessels were dilated. The mean number of follicle per ovary in control group were appeared to be $17.1{\pm}5.6$($14.0%{\pm}4.6%$), $37.8{\pm}9.1$($30.9{\pm}7.4%$) and $67.6{\pm}30.1$($55.2{\pm}24.6%$) respectively at large, middle and small follicles and total number of these 3 grade follicles were appeared to be $122.5{\pm}40.0$. The mean number of follicle per ovary in FSH-treated group were appeared to be $22.8{\pm}7.0$($17.4%{\pm}5.3%$), $43.4{\pm}6.6$($33.2{\pm}5.1%$) and $64.5{\pm}13.0$($49.3{\pm}9.9%$) respectively at large, middle and small follicles and total number of these 3 grade follicles were appeared to be $130.7{\pm}16.6$. The mean number of follicle per ovary in PMS and HCG-treated group were appeared to be $29.7{\pm}11.0$($16.3%{\pm}6.0%$), $61.9{\pm}17.2$($33.9{\pm}9.4%$) and $91.1{\pm}28.2$($49.9{\pm}15.4%$) respectively at large, middle and small follicles and total number of these 3 grade follicles were appeared to be $182.6{\pm}32.7$. The above findings reveal that large follicles were increased 29.8% in FSH-treated group and 73.7% in PMS and HCG-treated group than those in control group and in histologic findings, proportion of atretic follicles were more increased in ovaries with more number of more developing follicles.