• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.85-93
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• 1994

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of gonadotropins added during maturation of porcine oocytes on the in vitro maturation(IVM), in vitro fertilization(IVF) and developmental potential of embryos. The follicular oocytes were cultured in TCM-199 medium containing different combination of gonadotropins(5$\mu$g /ml FSR or 1OIU /ml PMSG and 1O$\mu$g /ml LH or 1OIU /ml hCG), 10% FCS and 10% PFF for 36~48h in a incubator with 5% $CO_2$ in Air at 39$^{\circ}C$ and then matured oocytes were again cultured to 120h after IVF for 6~7h with heparin(100$\mu$g /m')-treated sperm. When the oocytes were matured for 42brs in the medium containing FSH+LH, FSH+hCG, PMSG+LH or PMSG+hCG, the JVF rate of each treatment was 50.0%, 52.9%, 66.7% and 70.0%, respectively. The highest CEI (cumulus cell expansion index) was obtained from PMSG+hCG-added medium and the highest polyspermic penetration resulted from FSH+LH-added medium. The cleavage of IVF oocytes derived from hormone added IVM was significantly(P<0.05) promoted by PMSG+hCG and the cleavage rate after 36-h, 42-h and 48-h maturation aws 53.0%, 56.7% and 45.6%, respectively. The highest developmental potential resulted from the oocytes derived from PMSG+LH -added IVM.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2006

This study was examined the effects of concentrations of polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP) and supplementation of EGF, cysteine and PVP during in vitro maturation on the development of bovine embryos. In experiment 1, 0.1 to 3.0% PVP was supplemented to IVM medium before IVF. The development rates to the blastocyst stage was significantly higher in 0.5% PVP group than 3.0% PVP group (P<0.05). In experiment 2, EGF, rysteine and PVP were supplemented to IVM medium. The hight cleavage rate was obtained from cysteine group, but blastocyst formation rates did not differ among groups. The highest total cell number and inner cell mass (ICM) cell number were observed in cysteine group. In PVP group, ICM cell number was significantly low than those of cysteine and control groups (P<0.05). After embryo transfer, pregnancy rate was significantly low in PVP group compared to other groups (P<0.05). These results indicate that the supplementation of PVP in IVM medium support the embryo development, but has a deteriorate effect on the blastocyst quality.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.167-173
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• 2008

Somatic cells such as oviduct epithelial cell, uterine epithelial cell, cumulus-granulosa cell and buffalo rat river cell has been used to establish an effective culture system for bovine embryos produced in in vitro. But nitric oxide (NO) metabolites secreted from somatic cells were largely arrested the development of bovine in vitro matured/ in vitro fertilized (IVM/IVF) embryos, suggesting that NO was induced the embryonic toxic substance into culture medium. The objective of this study was to investigate whether BOEC co-culture system can ameliorate the NO-mediated oxidative stress in the culture of bovine IVM/IVF embryos. Therefore, we evaluated the developmental rate of bovine IVM/IVF embryos under BOEC co-culture system in the presence or absence of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), as a NO donor, and also detected the expression of growth factor (TGF-$\beta$, EGF and IGFBP) and apoptosis (Caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2) genes. The supplement of SNP over 5 uM was strongly inhibited blastocyst development of bovine IVM/IVF embryos than in control and 1 uM SNP group (Table 2). The developmental rates beyond morulae stages of bovine IVM/IVF embryos co-cultured with BOEC regardless of SNP supplement (40.4% in 5 uM SNP+ BOEC group and 65.1% in BOEC group) were significantly increased than those of control (35.0%) and SNP single treatment group (23.3%, p<0.05: Table 3). The transcripts of Bax and Caspase-3 genes were detected in all experiment groups (1:Isolated fresh cell (IFC), 2:Primary culture cell (PCC), 3:PCC after using the embryo culture, 4: PCC containing 5 uM SNP and 5: PCC containing 5 uM SNP after using the embryo culture), but Bcl-2 gene was not detected in IFC and PCC (Fig. 1). In the expression of growth factor genes, TGF-$\beta$ gene was found in all experimental groups, and EGF and IGFBP genes were not found in IFC and PCC (Fig. 2). These results indicate that BOEC co-culture system can increase the development beyond morula stages of bovine IVM/IVF embryos, possibly suggesting the alleviation of embryonic toxic substance like nitric oxide.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to report a case series of in vitro matured (IVM) oocyte freezing in gynecologic cancer patients undergoing radical surgery under time constraints as an option for fertility preservation (FP). Methods: Case series report. University-based in vitro fertilization center. Six gynecologic cancer patients who were scheduled to undergo radical surgery the next day were referred for FP. The patients had endometrial (n=2), ovarian (n=3), and double primary endometrial and ovarian (n=1) cancer. Ex vivo retrieval of immature oocytes from macroscopically normal ovarian tissue was followed by mature oocyte freezing after IVM or embryo freezing with intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Results: A total of 53 oocytes were retrieved from five patients, with a mean of 10.6 oocytes per patient. After IVM, a total of 36 mature oocytes were obtained, demonstrating a 67.9% maturation rate. With regard to the ovarian cancer patients, seven IVM oocytes were frozen from patient 3, who had stage IC cancer, whereas one IVM oocyte was frozen from patient 4, who had stage IV cancer despite being of a similar age. With regard to the endometrial cancer patients, 15 IVM oocytes from patient 1 were frozen. Five embryos were frozen after the fertilization of IVM oocytes from patient 6. Conclusion: Immature oocytes can be successfully retrieved ex vivo from macroscopically normal ovarian tissue before radical surgery. IVM oocyte freezing provides a possible FP option in patients with advanced-stage endometrial or ovarian cancer without the risk of cancer cell spillage or time delays.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was an improvement of efficiency and quality in the production of Korean Native Cow embryos. We investigated effects of concentration of ammonia in in vitro maturation (IVM) medium. In addition, we examined effects of addition or exchange of IVM medium on subsequent development and the cell numbers of blastocysts. The concentrations of ammonia in IVM medium was significantly increased by the increasement of IVM duration (p<0.05). The development rates to the 2 cell-, 8 cell- and blastocyst-stage embryos with the addition of IVM medium were similar among treatment groups. The number of inner cell mass (ICM) cells and the total cell number (TCN) of blastocysts were not differ among treatment groups, whereas the trophectoderm (TE) cell number was significantly lower in the group of 4.5 h addition. The ICM/TCN ratio was significantly higher in the group of 4.5 h addition than in the group of control and 9 h addition. The development rate to the 2-cell embryo with the exchange of IVM medium was significantly higher in the group of 4.5 h exchange and 9 h exchange than in control. The development rate to the blastocyst stage was the highest in the group of 9 h exchange. The number of ICM and ICM/TCN ratio were significantly higher in the group of 9 h exchange than the other groups. The numbers of TE and TCN was similar among treatment groups.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2016

In this study, to improve the in vitro development of various cells including cloned embryos, the effects that isoproterenol and melatonin have on in vitro development of porcine parthenogenetic oocytes were investigated. Parthenogenetic activation was induced with electrical stimulation, BSA and 6-DMAP treatment. $10^{-7}M$ of melatonin and isoproterenol ($10^{-10}$, $10^{-12}$ and $10^{-14}M$) were supplemented for in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro culture (IVC) medium, with different concentrations. When isoproterenol and melatonin were supplemented in IVM medium with different concentrations, there was no significant (P<0.05) difference of maturation rate in the treatment groups as well as in that of only melatonin. As isoproterenol and melatonin were supplemented in IVM medium with different concentrations, blastocyst rates of isoproterenol $10^{-12}M$ treatment group (37.1%) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than control group (26.0%). Isoproterenol and melatonin were supplemented in IVC medium with different concentrations, then the cleavage rate of $10^{-12}M$ isoproterenol treatment group (82.2%) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the group that melatonin was only supplemented (70.9%). There was no difference of blastocyst rate between the treatment groups. When isoproterenol and melatonin were supplemented for IVM+IVC medium with different concentrations, the cleavage rate of $10^{-12}M$ isoproterenol treatment group (92.5%) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the control group (82.8%) and the group that melatonin was only treated (81.6%). The blastocyst rate of $10^{-12}M$ as 45.6% was significantly (P<0.05) higher than control group (25.2%) and melatonin treatment group (31.2%). The cell number of blastocyst in $10^{-12}M$ isoproterenol treatment group $35.5{\pm}3.4$ was significantly (P<0.05) highest. The results of this study showed that the development rate of IVC when both isoproterenol and melatonin were supplemented was higher than when melatonin was only supplemented. Therefore, it is concluded that isoproterenol is rather effective in the activation of melatonin. $10^{-7}M$ melatonin and $10^{-12}M$ isoproterenol were considered suitable concentration.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.363-370
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• 2005

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of beta-mercaptoethanol ($\beta$-ME) supplements to the in vitro maturation (IVM) medium on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracellular glutathione (GSH) concentration. Porcine cumulus-intact oocytes were matured in TCM-I99 medium containing porcine follicular fluid, sodium pyruvate, D-glucose, FBS, hormonal supplements, and $\beta$-ME (0, 25, 50 and 100 ${\mu}$M) for 36 to 46h. After culture, cumulus-free matured oocytes were co-incubated with epididymal spermatozoa for 18h. There were no significant differences in the maturation rate among treatment groups. However, increases (P < 0.05) in intracellular GSH concentration before and after. fertilization were observed in 50 ${\mu}$M $\beta$-ME supplements to the IVM medium. Also, increases (P < 0.05) in male pronuclear formation after IVF were observed in same treatment group. In conclusion, supplementing $\beta$-ME into the IVM medium increased intracellular GSH concentrations and increased fertilization in vitro.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate stimulatory effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on nuclear maturation and the expression level of EGF-receptor (EGFR), GM-130 (a marker of Golgi apparatus), transport protein Sec61 subunit beta ($Sec61{\beta}$), and coatomer protein complex subunit gamma 2 (COPG2) in porcine oocytes. The cumulus-oocyte complexes were collected from follicle with 3-6 mm in diameter. They were incubated in medium with/without EGF for 22 h (IVM I) and subsequently incubated hormone-free medium with/without EGF for 22 h (IVM II). Nuclear maturation state was checked by aceto-orcein stain. Protein expression of EGFR, GM-130, $Sec61{\beta}$, and COPG2 were measured by immunofluorescence. In results, nuclear maturation of oocytes in EGF non-treated oocytes were significantly lower than EGF-treated groups at IVM I or IVM II stage (P<0.05), whereas maturational rate in EGF treatment groups at both of IVM stage was higher in among the all treatment groups (P<0.05). EGFR, GM-130, $Sec61{\beta}$ and COPG2 were expressed in the cytoplasm of oocytes. Especially, GM-130 and EGFR were strongly expressed, but $Sec61{\beta}$ and COPG2 were weakly expressed in cortical area of cytoplasm. The protein level of GM-130, $Sec61{\beta}$, and COPG2 were significantly higher in the EGF-treated groups (P<0.05). However EGFR was no difference between non EGF-treated groups and control. In conclusion, EGF plays an important role in the systems for oocyte maturation with endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. In addition, the protein levels of $Sec61{\beta}$ and COPG2 could be changed by EGF in the porcine oocytes during maturation.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2007

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of ovarian estrus stage of oocytes and supplementation of medium with BSA, cysteine and myoinositol on in vitro maturation of canine oocytes. The in vitro maturation(IVM) rate to metaphase II (M II) stage of oocytes recovered from different stage of the reproductive cycle (inactive, follicular and luteal stage) cultured in TCM-199 media were $0.0{\pm}0.0%$, $10.0{\pm}4.1%$ and $5.7{\pm}1.6%$, respectively. The IVM rate of oocytes collected from follicular stage was significantly higher in inactive or luteal stage of oocytes. The IVM rates of oocytes recovered from different stage of the reproductive cycle cultured in TCM-199 media with 5% BSA and 0.1 mM cysteine were$0.0{\pm}0.0%$, $15.8{\pm}4.7%$, $5.6{\pm}1.5%$, respectively. The IVM rates of oocytes recovered from different stage of the reproductive cycle cultured in TCM-199 media with 5% BSA and 10 mM myoinositol were $0.0{\pm}0.0%$, $18.4{\pm}4.6%$ and $5.7{\pm}1.9%$, respectively. The IVM rate of follicular stage oocytes was significantly higher in oocytes collected from follicular stage and with cultured 5% BSA and 0.1 mM cysteine or 5% BSA and 10 mM myoinositol compared to other experimental group.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.279-288
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• 1996

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of EGF on the development of IVM/IVF bovine embryos and their ICM and TE cell number. In addition, we examined the combined effect of EGF and coculture to the bovine embryo development and the expression of EGF-R protein on bovine embryos by indirect immunofluorescence. The results obtained in these experiments were summarized as follows: When the IVM/IVF 4- to 8-cell embryos were treated at 0, 1, 10, 100 ng/ml of EGF, EGF treatment group showed improved development to blastocyst and increased pattern of ICM and TE cell number compared with control, although there is not significantly different. The stimulating effect of EGF (10 ng/ml) to the develop ment level of IVM/IVF bovine embryos significantly increased development rate to blastocyst after 8-cell stage (p<0.05), although there is no significant effect to the increase of ICM and TE cell numbers. Also, expression of EGF-R on the bovine embryonic stage by indirect immunofluor escence presents after 4-cell stage and the intensity of the EGF-R staining was variable with the development progression. On the other hand, embryos cultured in coculture group added either with or without EGF commonly indicated the significant difference in development rate to blastocyst and Total cell number compared with control. These results suggest that the a addition of EGF to the coculture may stimulate the coculture effect between IVM/IVF bovineembryos and cumulus cells. Therefore, EGF could promote preimplantation bovine embryo development by binding with expressed EGF~R after 4-cell stage, and stimulate the production of embryotrophic factors from the coculture environment. Also, the present study showed that there was no significant effect of EGF to the increase of ICM and TE cell number although the rate of blastocyst significantly increased when treated with EGF after 8-cell stage (p<0.05).