• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 2004

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate and compare the embryonic developmental capacity and pregnancy rates in conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with ejaculated sperm or testicular sperm cycles. Materials and Methods: Fertilization was examined in the following morning after IVF (group I), ICSI (group II) or TESE-ICSI cycles (group III). Fertilized oocytes were co-cultured with Vero cells until embryo transfer (ET). On day 2 and $5{\sim}7$, grades of embryos (<4- or $\geq$4-cell) and blastocysts (BG1, 2, 3 or early) were evaluated. Clinical pregnancy rate was determined by detecting G-sac with transvaginal ultrasonogram. We analyzed the results by $X^2$ and Student's t-test and considered statistically significant when P value was less than 0.05. Results: Fertilization rate was significantly higher (p<0.05) in group I ($79.0{\pm}21.2%$) than in group II and III ($56.8{\pm}21.6%$ and $36.7{\pm}25.3%$). Cleavage and blastulation rate of group I ($95.8{\pm}13.8%$ and $59.5{\pm}25.3%$) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of group III ($83.4{\pm}18.6%$ and $40.4{\pm}36.5%$). Clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher (p<0.05) in group I and II (40.7% and 41.7%) than that in group III (12.5%). No differences were found in the rates of multiple pregnancy and abortion among three groups. Embryonic implantation rate was higher in group I ($15.1{\pm}20.2%$, p<0.05) and II ($14.7{\pm}20.6%$, NS) than that in group III ($5.1{\pm}15.6%$). However, embryonic implantation rate was increased in ET with blastocyst(s) among three groups. Conclusions: Fertilized oocytes obtained from TESE-ICSI were harder to be successfully cultured to blastocyst stage for 5$\sim$7 days than that from IVF cycles. However, all blastocyst(s) ET increased the embryonic implantation rate equally in IVF, ICSI and TESE-ICSI cycles.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.259-267
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• 2001

This study was carried out to investigate on the improvement of fertilizing and developing ability of in vitro matured oocytes from sperm density, motility and PVP(polyvinylpyrrolidone), HA(hyaluronic acid) concentrations, sperm capacitation and intact, free-zona of bovine oocytes obtained by intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI). 1. The fertilization and cleavage rates of bovine oocytes obtained by ICSI treated 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.05% of PVP concentrations were 72.7∼90.9% and 38.5∼54.5%, respectively and these values of 0.02% addition of PVP were higher than other concentrations of PVP 2. The fertilization and cleavage rates of bovine oocytes obtained by ICSI treated 0.01, 0.02% HA and 0.02% PVP + HA concentrations were 72.7%, 40.9% and 81.8%, 54.5% and 83.3%, 37.5%, respectively. and these values of 0.02% addition of PVP + HA were lowe than other concentrations of HA. 3. The fertilization and cleavage rates of bovine oocytes obtained by ICSI treated fresh and frozen sperm were 93.3%, 85.7% and 60.0%, 46.7%, respectively and these values of fresh sperm injection were higher than frozen sperm. 4. The fertilization and cleavage rates of bovine oocytes obtained by ICSI capacitated sperm of heparin, BFF and His methods were 86.7%, 78.9%, 65.0% and 61.9%, 52.6%, 50.0%, respectively. 5. The fertilization and cleavage rates of zona-intact and zona-free bovine oocytes obtained by ICSI were 84.2%, 78.3% and 57.9%, 34.8%, respectively. 6. The fertilization and cleavage rates of bovine oocytes obtained by IVF or ICSI were 63.3∼64.6%, 88.2∼90.0% and 26.7∼29.2%, 52.9∼67.5%, respectively. This ICSI method improved high fertilization rates of bovine oocytes.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.311-320
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• 2002

The objective of this study was to assess the developmental potential in vitro produced embryos frozen-thawed with the various containers, and also examined expression and localization of heat shock protein 70 at these embryos. For the vitrification, 2-cell, 8-cell and blastocyst stage embryos produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF) and nuclear transfer (NT) were exposed the ethylene glycol 5.5 M freezing solution (EC 5.5) for 30 sec, loaded on each containers such EM grid, straw and cryo-loop, and then immediately plunged into liquid nitrogen. Thawed embryos were serially diluted in sucrose solution, each for 1 min. and cultured in CRI-aa medium. Survival rates of the vitrification production were assessed by re-expanded, hatched blastocysts. There were no differences in the survival rates of IVF using EM grid and cryo-loop. However, survival rates by straw were relatively lower than other containers. The use of cryo-loop resulted in only survival of nuclear transferred embryos (43.7%). Also, there embryos after IVF or NT were analysed by semi-quantitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) methods for hsp 70 mRNA expression. Results revealed the expression of hsp 70 mRNh were higher thawed embryos than control embryos. Immunocytochemistry used to localize the hsp 70 protein in embryos. Two and 8-cell embryos derived under control condition was evenly distributed in the cytoplasm but appeared as aggregates in some frozen-thawed embryos. However, in the control, blastocysts displayed aggregate signal while Hsp70 in frozen-thawed blastocysts appeared to be more uniform In distribution. Therefore, this result suggests that the exploiting Hsp 70 in the early embryos may be role for protection of stress condition for increase viability of embryos within IVF, NT and there frozen-thawed embryos.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.63-63
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• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of liquid boar sperm stored at 4$^{\circ}C$ on sperm motility, normal acrosome, and in-vitro fertilization and culture of pig oocytes matured in-vitro. The sperm-rich fraction (30~60 ml) of ejaculate was collected into an insulated vacuum bottle. Semen was slowly cooled to room temperature (20~23$^{\circ}C$) by 2 h after collection. Semen was transferred into 15 ml tubes, centrifuged at room temperature for 10 min at 800$\times$g, and the supernatant solution was poured off. The concentrated sperm was resuspended with 5 ml of lactose, egg yolk and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (LEN) diluent to provide 1.0$\times$10$^{9}$ sperm/ml at room temperature. The resuspended semen was cooled in a refrigerator to 4$^{\circ}C$ and preserved for 5 days to examine sperm motility and normal acrosome. The medium used for oocyte maturation was modified tissue culture medium (TCM) 199. After about 22 h of culture, oocytes were cultured without cysteamine and hormones for 22 h at 38.5$^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ in air. Oocytes were inseminated with liquid boar sperm stored at 4$^{\circ}C$ for 2 days after collection. Oocytes were coincubated for 6 h in 500 ${mu}ell$ mTBM fertilization media with 0.2, 1, 5 and 10$\times$10$^{6}$ /ml sperm concentration, respectively. At 6 h after IVF, oocytes were transferred into 500 ${mu}ell$ Hepes-buffered NCSU-23 culture medium for further culture of 6, 48 and 144 h. There were significant differences in sperm motility and normal acrosome among preservation days and incubation times, respectively. The rates of sperm penetration and polyspermy were higher in 5 and 10$\times$10$^{6}$ sperm/ml than in 0.2 and 1$\times$10$^{6}$ sperm/ml. Male pronuclear formation was lower in 0.2$\times$10$^{6}$ sperm/ml than in 1, 5 and 10$\times$10$^{6}$ sperm/ml. Mean numbers of sperm in penetrated oocyte were highest in 10$\times$10$^{6}$ sperm/ml compared with other sperm concentrations. The rate of blastocysts from the cleaved oocytes (2~4 cell stage) was highest in 1$\times$10$^{6}$ sperm/ml compared with other sperm concentrations. In conclusion, we found out that liquid boar sperm stored at 4$^{\circ}C$ could be used for in-vitro fertilization of pig oocytes matured in-vitro. Also, we recommend 1$\times$10$^{6}$ ml sperm concentration for in-vitro fertilization of pig oocytes.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2008

This study was conducted to establish an in vitro maturation (IVM) system by selection of efficient macromolecule in the porcine in vitro production (IVP) technology. To choose the efficient macromolecules in the development of porcine embryos, the effects of 3 kinds of macromolecules (porcine serum; PS, porcine follicular fluid; pFF, and polyvinyl alcohol; PVA) supplemented in IVM media on the maturation, cleavage, and development rates to blastocyst of parthenogenetic activation (PA) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos were examined. The maturation rates of porcine oocytes in media supplemented with PS were significantly higher than those with pFF and PVA (92.4% vs. 85.4%, 77.1%; p<0.05). In the cleavage and development to blastocyst rates, supplement with PS or pFF in the IVM media was more effective than PA. However, there were no significant differences in cleavage and development to blastocyst between PS and pFF group. From the results of this study, it was demonstrated that PS was optimal macromolecule in the porcine IVM media.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.239-245
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• 2006

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of beta-mercaptoethanol(${\beta}-ME$) supplements to the maturation medium on in vitro fertilization(IVF) and intracellular glutathione(GSH) concentration. Bovine cumulus-intact oocytes were matured in TCM-199 medium containing FBS, hormonal supplements, and ${\beta}-ME$(0, 25 and $50\;{\mu}M$) for 12h and 24 h. After culture, cumulus-free matured oocytes were co-incubated with frozen-thawed spermatozoa for 24h. Maturation rate increased(p<0.05) in ${\beta}-ME$ treatment group, but no significant differences among treatment groups. Also, increases(p<0.05) in intracellular GSH concentration before and after fertilization were observed in $50\;{\mu}M\;{\beta}-ME$ supplements to the maturation medium. Male pronuclear formations after IVF was increased(p<0.05) in ${\beta}-ME$ treatment group, but no significant difference among treatment groups. In conclusion, supplementing ${\beta}-ME$ into the maturation medium increased maturation rates, fertilization rates, and intracellular GSH concentrations.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.225-234
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• 2004

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of GnRH antagonist cetrorelix in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and to determine changes in serum hormone concentrations during cetrorelix administration. Methods: We performed a clinical trial on 30 patients undergoing COH with highly purified follicular stimulating hormone (HP-FSH) and gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist (GnRHant), cetrorelix. FSH was administrated from day 2 or 3 of cycle with fixed dose and adjusted according to individual response. 0.25 mg of cetrorelix was injected daily subcutaneously from stimulation day 5 until the day of hCG administration. Daily ultrasound monitoring was performed for growing follicles and serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol ($E_2$) and progesterone were measured daily during cetrorelix administration. Up to 4 embryos were transferred. Results: Mean age of enrolled patients was $32.0{\pm}3.4$ years (mean $\pm$ S.D.). All of 30 patients underwent oocyte pick-up, and embryo transfer was done in 28 patients. The total and mean numbers of received oocytes were 196 and $6.5{\pm}4.7$, the number of fertilized eggs was 111, and the fertilization rate was 56.6%. Total duration of FSH administration was $9.2{\pm}2.2$ days and mean of $24.3{\pm}7.7$ ampules of HP-FSH was administered. Total duration of cetrorelix administration was $5.7{\pm}1.9$ days. Serum LH and progesterone levels were maintained in the range of $1.4{\sim}2.9\;mIU/mL$ and $0.3{\sim}0.6\;ng/mL$, which respectively reflected effective prevention of premature LH surge. Clinical pregnancies were achieved in 9 patients, and overall clinical pregnancy rate was 30.0% per oocyte retrieval, and 32.1% per embryo transfer. Conclusion: GnRH antagonist is safe and convenient for COH for IVF-ET and effective with optimal pregnancy rate.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.115-121
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• 2014

Humulus japonicus is an ornamental plant in the Cannabaceae family. Although the mode of action of Humulus japonicus is not fully understood, a strong relationship was observed between anti-inflammatory and anticancer in some types of cells. Recent studies also have shown that Humulus japonicus possesses anti-inflammatory activities and may significantly improve antioxidant potential in Raw 264.7 macrophage cells. Thus, the aim of this study was evaluated the effect of Humulus japonicus extract on sperm motility and subsequent preimplantation developmental competence of the bovine embryos. After in vitro maturation, the oocytes with sperms were exposed in in vitro fertilization (IVF) medium supplemented with Humulus japonicus extract (0.01, 0.05, $0.1{\mu}g/mL$, respectively) for 1 day. In our results, exposure of IVF medium to Humulus japonicus extract did not affect sperm motility and percentage of penetrated oocytes but ROS intensity was significantly decreased by $0.01{\mu}g/mL$ compared with other groups (p< 0.05). Moreover, treatment with $0.01{\mu}g/mL$ of Humulus japonicus extract was higher the frequency of blastocyst formation than the any other groups (p<0.05). Otherwise, treatment with $0.01{\mu}g/mL$ of Humulus japonicus extract not increased the total cell number but reduced apoptotic-positive nuclei number. In conclusion, our results indicate that supplementation of Humulus japonicus extract in IVF medium may have important implications for improving early embryonic development in bovine embryos.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1417-1425
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• 2014

The selection of morphologically normal spermatozoa is critical to obtain high breeding performances in boar breeding farms and artificial insemination (AI) centers. Parameters for the selection of semen mainly include total sperm motility, concentration, and morphology. However, these primary parameters are often not reliable for discriminating between normal and abnormal, non-fertilizable spermatozoa. The present study was designed to compare the motion characteristics, fertilization ability using in vitro fertilization (IVF), and acrosome formation of the semen from boars having low (boar number 2012) and normal (boar number 2004 and 2023) breeding performances. The ultimate goal was to identify additional simple and easy criteria for the selection of normal sperm. There was no significant difference between boar 2004 and boar 2023 sperm total motility in computer assisted sperm analysis. However, boar number 2012 semen presented a significantly reduced population of rapid moving spermatozoa and an increased population of slow moving spermatozoa compared to boar numbers 2004 and 2023. Analysis of detailed motion characteristics revealed that sperm from boar number 2012 had significantly reduced motility in progressiveness, average path velocity, straight-line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straightness, and linearity. The assessment of the fertilizing ability by IVF also showed that sperm from boar number 2012 showed a fertility rate of 3.4%, whereas sperm from boar number 2023 had a fertility rate of 75.45%. Interestingly, most of the sperm nuclei were found on the peripheral area of the oocytes, suggesting that the sperm from boar number 2012 lacked penetration ability into the oocyte zonapellucida. The acrosome formation analysis using Pisum sativum agglutinin staining demonstrated that the sperm from boar number 2012 had a defect in acrosome formation. Consequently, primary parameters for selecting semen before AI such as motility are not sufficient to select normal and fertilizable spermatozoa. In conclusion, the present study suggests that the acrosome staining and detailed motion characteristics such as progressiveness, VCL, and VSL should be included in determining semen quality together with primary parameters for successful AI and high breeding performance in the swine industry.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.149-155
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• 1988

To increase fertilization rate in vitro, separation of viable spermatozoa from the seminal plasma and its other components may be a useful procedure. Ejaculates from healthy men, whose semen analysis findings were normal in 19, and abnormal in 10, were filtered using the glass-wool filtration technique to yield a concentrated, viable sperm samples for IVF, and the usefulness and safety of this method were evaluated. The recovery rate of motile sperm in abnormal groups was 46.2% and 54.5% in normal group. The % motility was increased significantly compared with original sample after filtration, and the grade motility was improved, too. The sperm population with normal morphology was also increased significantly in both group. Using transmission electron microscopy, the ultrastructural integrity of acrosomal segment was examined in order to evaluate the potentially hazardous effect of glass-wool filtration to sperm head, however, sperm population with normal ultrastructure was increased compared with that of original ejaculate after separation. The filtered sperm was then processed for IVF, as the fertilizing capacity is the ultimate parameter of the sperm function. In abnormal group, the fertilization rate(41.5 %) and the ET rate per stimulated cycle were much lower than that of mormal group(69.6%). However, the cleavage rate and the number of embryos transfered per ET cycle were comparable with those of nomal group. The results suggest that the glass-wool filtration of sperm, particularly in oligo-asthenozoospsrmia, may be useful and safe method in the preparation of sperm for IVF.