• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.191-196
• /
• 1996

The objective of this study were to investigate the effects of culture media and additives on the development of bovine in vitro matured(IVM) and in vitro fertilized(IVF) oocytes. In experiment 1, bovine oocytes were cultured in droplets of TC 199 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum(FBS) with or without hormones (5$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml FSH, 5$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml LH, 1$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml E2). Cleavage rates of embryos cultured for 40~44hrs after IVF were higher when embryos were cultured in TC 199 supplemented hormones (68.1%, 921/35) than without hormones (52.7%, 77/146), but the percentages of development beyond morulae stage were not difference (20.7%, 19.4%). In experiment 2, the effects of various media such as TC 199, synthetic oviduct fluid(SOF), CR1aa with different energy source (fatal bovine serum, FBS; bovine serum albumin, BSA) on developmental capacity of IVM/IVF bovine embryos were investigated. The developmental rates into morulae and blastocysts were 27.1, 10.7, 6.3 and 0%, respecitvely, in CR1aa plus 3mg/ml BSA, SOF plus 10% FBS, TC 199 plus 10% FBS, SOF plus 3mg/ml BSA. In experiment 3, the comparisons of bovine embryos developed to morulae and blastocysts in different culture media (TC 199, SOF, CR1aa, Menezo's B2) were investigated. The developmental capacity beyond morulae stage were 32.9, 26.6, 11.1 and 7.1%, respectively, in Menezo's B2 plus BSA, CR1aa plus BSA, SOF plus BSA, TC 199 plus FBS medium. The cell numbers of the blastocyst were not different in different cultrue media. In experiment 4, bovine embryos were co-cultured with vobine oviduct epithelial cells(BOEC) in TC 199 plus FBS, SOF plus BSA, CR1aa plus BSA, Menezo's B2 plus BSA. The morula and blastocyst rates were 44.7, 32.9, 26.0 and 23.3%, respectively, in CR1aa TC 199, SOF, and Menezo's B2 medium. The cell numbers of the blastocyst were similar to those of blastocyst developed in different culture media.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.14-21
• /
• 2015

Objective: It has previously been suggested that embryos developing from intracytoplasmic sperm-injected (ICSI) zygotes with three pronuclei (3PN) are endowed with a mechanism for self-correction of triploidy to diploidy. 3PN are also observed in zygotes after conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF). The parental origin, however, differs between the two fertilization methods. Whereas the vast majority of 3PN IVF zygotes are of dispermic origin and thus more likely to have two centrioles, the 3PN ICSI zygotes are digynic in origin and therefore, more likely to have one centriole. In the present study, we examine whether the parental origin of 3PN embryos correlates with the karyotype. Methods: The karyotype of each nucleus was estimated using four sequential fluorescence in situ hybridizations-each with two probes-resulting in quantitative information of 8 different chromosomes. The karyotypes were then compared and correlated to the parental origin. Results: 3PN ICSI embryos displayed a significantly larger and more coordinated reduction from the assumed initial 3 sets of chromosomes than 3PN IVF embryos. Conclusion: The differences in the parental origin-and hence the number of centrioles-between the 3PN IVF and the 3PN ICSI zygotes are likely to be the cause of the differences in karyotypes.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.125-133
• /
• 2006

This study was conducted to detect the apoptosis incidence in blastocysts and to compare the abundance of Bax, Bcl2L1, VEGF and FGFR2 in in vitro fertilized (IVF), parthenogenetic (PAT) and nuclear transfer (NT) embryos. Oocytes matured for 40 hr were enucleated and reconstructed with confluenced fetal fibroblasts (FFs) derived from a ${\sim}45$ day fetus. Reconstructed eggs were then fused with 2 DC pulses (2.0 kV/cm, $30{\mu}sec$) and cultured with $7.5{\mu}g/ml$ cytochalasin B for 3 hr. Parthenotes (PAT) were produced with the same electric strength and culture for NT eggs. The embryos were cultured in NCSU-23 medium at $39^{\circ}C,\;5%\;CO_2,\;5%\l;O_2$ in air. In 3 runs, set of 10 embryos at the 4-cell to blastocyst stages were used to extract total RNA for analyzing the gene expression patterns of pro-apoptotic (Bax), anti-apoptotic (Bcl2L1), vasculogenesis (VEGF), implantation (FGFR2III) using real-time quantitative PCR. Cleavage and blastocyst rates were significantly higher (P<0.05) in IVF and PAT ($79.3{\pm}8.5\;and\;25.5{\pm}6.1,\;and\;85.0{\pm}6.4\;and\;38.6{\pm}5.5$, respectively)than NT counterparts ($65.1{\pm}5.2\;and\;15.6{\pm}3.0$, respectively). Significantly higher (P<0.05) total cells were observed in IVF controls and PAT ($34.7{\pm}5.8\;and\;38.1{\pm}4.1$) than NT embryos ($24.8{\pm}3.2$). Apoptosis index was significantly lower (P<0.05) in IVF than NT embryos. The Relative abundances (RA) of Bax and VEGF were significantly higher (P<0.05) at blastocyst stage in NT than IVF control. The RA of Bcl2L1 and FGFR2III were significantly higher (P<0.05) at blastocyst stage in IVF than NT. The present study observed the abnormal gene expressions in NT embryos at various developmental stages, suggesting certain clues to find out the cause of the low efficiency of NT to term.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.307-317
• /
• 1998

This study was to investigate the vitrification method for cryopreservation technique of bovine in vitro fertilization(IVF) embryos. The morphological appearance and viability following vitrification of IVF bovine blastocysts and expanded blastocysts were examined. Embryos obtained 6, 7, 8 or 9 days after IVF were vitrified in both 40% ethylene glycoI(EG) plus 0.3M trehalose and 20% polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP) in DPBS(ETP, Exp. 1) and ETP solution added 0.375M dextrose (ETPD, Exp. 2). The viability of Days 6, 7, 8 and 9 vitrified /thawed embryos at 24∼48 h culture after thawing was 11.9%, 19.8%, 23.4% and 15.3% in ETP(Exp. 1), and 34.6%, 54.5%, 37.9% and 13.0% in ETPD(Exp. 2), respectively. The viability of vitrified embryos produced from the culture days after IVF did not differ in Exp. 1, but significantly differ in Exp. 2(P＜0.05). The viability of blastocysts and expanded blastocysts significantly differed(P＜0.05) in 15.2% and 23.3%(Exp. 1), and 25.0% and 45.8%(Exp. 2). The result of Exp. 1 was similar to that of Exp. 2 on the viability of embryo according to developmental stages, but ETP solution plus sugar(dextrose) was increased the viability of vitrified embryos. In Experiment 3, The viability of vitrified embryos was not different between 12% and 20% PVP concentrations in ETP solution according to culture days or developmental stages. To investigate the effect of addition of sugar, two type of carbohydrates and a mixture of cryoprotectants for vitrification on the survival of bovine IVF embryos, bovine Days 7 to 9 blastocysts and expanded blastocysts were cryopreserved in either 20% glycerol plus 20% EG, 0.375M sucrose and 0.375M dextrose (GESD, Exp. 4) or 20% glycerol plus 20% EG, 0.3M trehalose and 20% PVP(GETP, Exp. 5) in DPBS. Survival rates of Day 7, 8 and 9 embryos at 24∼48h culture after thawing were 71.4%, 94.6% and 40.5% in GESD, and 59.5%, 81.5% and 62.5% in GETP, respectively. Hatching rates of Day 7, 8 and 9 embryos after thawing were 28.6%, 35.1% and 16.2% in GESD, and 27.0%, 33.3% and 18.8% in GETP, respectively. These results indicates that a mixture of cryoprotectants(glycerol and EG) and addition of sugar can improve the survival rates of the bovine IVF embryos(Day 7 or 8) vitrified, and the expanded blastocyst embryos are more suitable for vitrification than early blastocysts stage.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.73-83
• /
• 1994

The objective of this study was to develop an effective in vitro production system capable of obtaining more porcine embryos from immature oocytes. These experiments were thus conducted to examine the effect of oocytes type and maturation time on the in vitro maturation(IVM) and fertilization(IVF) of oocytes and the in vitro development (IVD)of IVF embryos. 1. The degree of oocyte maturation based on cumulus expansion index(GEI) did not differ for A- and B-typed oocytes but the index of oocyte type C was lower(P<0.05) than that of other oocyte types. 2. When the oocytes of type A and B were matured for 36, 42 and 48hrs, the GEl was not different between the 36- and 42-h maturation but the GEl after 48hrs was greatly lower(P<0.05) than that of other maturation times. 3. The highest cleavage rate(48.6%) of IVF oocytes was obtained from A typed oocytes and 42-h maturation but the developmental potential based on cleavage index was the highest when B-typed oocytes were matured for 42hrs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.14 no.9
• /
• pp.1342-1351
• /
• 2001

Over the years, the embryo transfer industry has grown from the simple collection & transfer of embryos into an advanced field of embryo biotechnology. Currently a large demand exists for bovine oocytes and early embryos in both research and commercial settings. Bovine embryos can now be produced in-vitro. Primary oocytes collected from antral follicles of abattoir - obtained ovaries can be induced to undergo the maturation process. In-vitor maturation system, however must ensure that the resulting oocyte is capable of undergoing normal fertilization and yields a zygote competent of developing to term after embryo transfer. Sperm preparation for IVF has improved with the use of heparine. The use of co-culture system has proved beneficial in circumventing the developmental block in IVM/IVF bovine embryos.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.29-33
• /
• 2007

This study was conducted to examine the development of in vitro fertilized (IVF) and nuclear transfer (NT) embryos following vitrification IVF and NT embryos developed to the blastocyst stage were equilibrated by 3 steps, vitrified and thawed, and their survival and hatching rates were examined. In IVF embryos, higher survival (82.1%, 96/117) and hatching rates (64.1%, 75/117) were obtained respectively after thawing and culture in expanded blastocysts compared to blastocysts (p<0.05). High survival and hatching rates were also obtained by vitrification of NT blastocysts, especially in expanded and hatching blastocysts (81.1 and 78.3%, respectively). The result of this study shows that IVF and NT blastocysts, especially late stage blastocysts, are successfully cryopreserved by vitrification.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.113-119
• /
• 1999

This study was performed to improve the development of the in vitro fertilized bovine embryos by the condition of in vitro maturation. COCs were matured in TCM 199 supplemented with 0.1% PVA, 10ng/ml EGF, Hormones (5$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml FSH, 10 IU hCG, 1 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml estradiol 17-$\beta$) or granulsa cell+Hormones atmosphere 39$^{\circ}C$, 5% CO2, 95% air for 24hrs. Matured oocytes were fertilized with frozen-thawed semen capacitated with 5mM caffein in BO medium for 20 hrs. IVF embryos were cultured in TCM 199 containing with hormones(same as matured medium), 10% FBS and co-culture with bovine oviduct epitherial cells. Maturation rates of COCs were showed 73.8%, 78.5%, 83.2% and 87.6% respectively, and were significant differences between PVA, EGF, and Hormones, GC+Hormones(p<0.05). The cleavage rates of IVF embryos were revealed 72.5%, 78.4%, 82.3% and 84.2% and showed same tendency as maturation rates(p<0.05). The blastocysts matured by above maturation condition and cultured for 7~10 days after fertilization had 34.4, 43.6, 52.3 and 59.3 cells had no differences among the treatments. These results suggest that high molecules as a substitutes of serum and growth factor may induce nuclear resumption of COCs but we need more study to produce transferable IVF blastocysts by use of that agents.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.73-78
• /
• 2001

This study was carried out to investigated developmental ability of IVM/IVF derived hanwoo embryos after DNA microinjection. Microinjected hanwoo embryos were cultured fur 7 days. The cleavage rates of DNA injected embrys(36.3%) was significantly lower than those of non-injected embryos(67.4%; p<0.05). The percentage of injected embryos reaching to the morulae and blastocyst was significantly lower than those of non-injected embryos(p<0.05). When injected embryo were cultured contaning L-ascorbic acid and $\alpha$-tocopherol for 168 hrs, the morulae and blastocyst rates were significantly higher than control(p<0.05). These results suggested that the addition of L-ascorbic acid and $\alpha$-tocopherol can enhanced development to the morulae and blastocyst of microinjected embryos and improved culture condition increased the transgenic hanwoo embryos.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.277-282
• /
• 1997

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effects of thiol compounds, $\beta$-mercaptoethanol($\beta$-ME) and cystearrone with buffalo rat liver cell(BRLC) co-culture on the development and intracellular glutathione(GSH) concentrations of bovine embryos produced by in vitro inaturation(IVM) and in vitro fertilization(IVF). Bovine IVM /IVF embryos developed to 2~8 cell stage were co-cultured with BRLC in GRlaa with or without thiol compounds. The developmental rate beyond morulae stage in CRlaa containing 0, 10,25 and 50$\pi$M $\beta$-ME with BRLG were 63.0, 74.0, 72.3 and 77.1%, respectively. And the developmental rate with 0, 25, 50 and 75$\pi$M cystearnine with BRLC were 69.6, 77.6, 81.0 and 76.8%, respectively. The developmental rate beyond morulae stage of GRlaa containing thiol compound with BRLG group was higher than that of control group. The intracellular GSH concentrations of blastocysts cultured for 5 days in GRlaa containing 0 and 50$\pi$M $\beta$-ME or cysteamine with BRLG were 81.2 and 86.4, 83.2 and 84.2pM, respectively. The intracellular GSH concentrations of blastocysts in GRlaa containing thiol compounds with BRLG was slightly higher than that of control group The cell numbers of blastocysts were not difference in all experimental groups. These results indicate that thiol compounds with BRLG co-culture was increased the percentage of developed into morulae and blastocysts, and intracellular GSII concentrations of blastocysts embryos.