• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제38권2호
• /
• pp.98-102
• /
• 2011

Objective: To investigate the effects of pioglitazone on controlled ovarian stimulation (COS), IVF outcomes, and follicular fluid (FF) cytokine concentrations in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: Eighty-six infertile patients with PCOS resistant to clomiphene citrate were randomized to receive pioglitazone (30 mg/day) or placebo on the starting day of oral contraceptive (OC) pretreatment, followed by an IVF protocol using a GnRH antagonist. Pioglitazone or placebo was administered once daily from the starting day of OC to the day of hCG injection. Results: Total dose and days of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone administered, and the numbers of retrieved and mature oocytes, were significantly lower in the pioglitazone group than in the control group. FF tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations at oocyte retrieval were also significantly lower in the pioglitazone group. The clinical pregnancy rate was higher and the incidence of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome was lower in the pioglitazone group, but the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Pioglitazone reduces FF TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 levels, and may improve ovarian response to COS in patients with PCOS.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제47권1호
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2020

Endometriosis is a common inflammatory disease in women of reproductive age and is one of the major causes of infertility. Endometriosis causes a sustained reduction of ovarian reserve through both physical mechanisms and inflammatory reactions, which result in the production of reactive oxygen species and tissue fibrosis. The severity of endometriosis is related to ovarian reserve. With regard to infertility treatment, medical therapy as a neoadjuvant or adjuvant to surgical therapy has no definite beneficial effect. Surgical treatment of endometriosis can lead to ovarian injury during the resection of endometriotic tissue, which leads to the deterioration of ovarian reserve. To overcome this disadvantage, a multistep technique has been proposed to minimize the reduction of ovarian reserve. When considering surgical treatment of endometriosis in patients experiencing infertility, it should be kept in mind that ovarian reserve can be reduced both due to endometriosis itself and by the process of removing endometriosis. In cases of mild- to moderate-stage endometriosis, intrauterine insemination with ovarian stimulation after surgical treatment may increase the likelihood of pregnancy. In cases of severe endometriosis, the characteristics of the patient should be considered in a multidisciplinary manner to determine the prioritization of treatment modalities, including surgical treatment and assisted reproduction methods such as in vitro fertilization. The risk of cancer, complications after pregnancy, and infection during oocyte retrieval should also be considered when making treatment decisions.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
• /
• 제31권1호
• /
• pp.39-46
• /
• 2016

Cryopreservation has been applied successfully in many mammalian species. Nevertheless, pig embryos, because of their greater susceptibility to cryoinjuries, have shown a reduced developmental competence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival status of vitrified-warmed porcine embryos. Forced blastocoele collapse (FBC) and non-FBC blastocysts are vitrified and concomitantly cultured in culture media which were supplemented with/without fetal bovine serum (FBS). Porcine vitrified-warmed embryos were examined in four different methods: group A, non-FBC without FBS; group B, non-FBC with FBS; group C, FBC without FBS; group D, FBC with FBS. After culture, differences in survival rates of blastocysts derived from vitrified-warmed porcine embryos were found in group A~D (39.5 (A) vs 52.5 (B) and 54.8 (C) vs 66.7% (D), respectively, p<0.05). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level of survived blastocysts was lower in group D than that of another groups (p<0.05). Moreover, total cell number of survived blastocysts was higher in group D than that of other groups (p<0.05). Otherwise, group D showed significantly lower number of apoptotic cells than other groups ($2.0{\pm}1.5$ vs $3.2{\pm}2.1$, $2.8{\pm}1.9$, and $2.7{\pm}1.6$, respectively, p<0.05). Taken together, these results showed that FBS/FBC improves the developmental competence of vitrified porcine embryos by modulating intracellular levels of ROS and the apoptotic index during the vitrification/warming procedure. Therefore, we suggest that FBS and FBC are effective treatment techniques during the vitrification/warming procedures of porcine blastocysts.

• 한국가축번식학회지
• /
• 제20권3호
• /
• pp.323-331
• /
• 1996

포유동물에 있어서 조기 성 판정기술은 축산에 있어서의 성별 육종프로그램이나 인간의 X-염색체 관련 열성유전병의 산전진단 등 여러 분야에 응용될 수 있다. 초기배에 대한 성 판정은 성염색체에 존재하는 특이한 염기서열을 증폭시키는 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)과 X와 Y 염색체에 대한 특이적 probe를 이용하는 fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH)에 의하여 수행될 수 있다. 1992년과 93년, 2개년도에 걸쳐 본 연구실에서 돼지의 3.3 kb 웅성특이 DNA 절편(pEM39)을 cloning하였다. 본 연구는 pEM39가 성특이 DNA-probe로 이용될 수 있는지를 조사하기 위해 PCR과 FISH를 이용하였다. 돼지 난자는 도축장에서 구입한 돼지 난소로부터 채취되었고, 체외배양후 체외수정되었다. 한편 처녀발생나자를 negative control로 이용하였다. 2 세포기의 수정란을 선발한 후 PCR을 통하여 DNA를 분석한 결과, 10개의 수정란 중 6개는 자성, 다른 4개는 웅성으로 판정되었으며, FISH를 수행한 결과, done된 웅성특이 DNA 단편은 돼지 간조직과 초기배에서 웅성특이성을 보였다. 또한 FISH와 karyotyping을 수행한 결과 clone된 웅성특이 DNA 단편이 Y 염색체 q-arm의 heterochromatic region에 위치함을 알 수 있었다. 이러한 결과로 보아 clone된 웅성특이 DNA 단편이 초기배의 성을 조기판정하는데 있어 유용하리라 사료되며, PCR에 의한 초기배의 성 판정에 있어 신뢰할만할 지표가 될 수 있을 것이다.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
• /
• 제19권3호
• /
• pp.239-244
• /
• 2004

본 연구는 체내, 체외 및 복제를 통하여 각각 생산된 배반포를 이식하여, 수란우의 수태율, 임신기간 및 유산율과 더불어 송아지의 생시 체중과 이후 생존율을 조사하였다. 그 결과, 수태 을은 체내수정란이 56.3%로서 복제 수정란의 19.4%에 비하여 유의하게 높았으나 (p<0.05), 체외수정란의 30.0%와는 유의성이 인정되지 않았다 유산율과 임신기간은 처리군 간에 유사한 경향이었다(유산을 0, 22.2 및 16.7%; 임신기간 278.8, 289.4 및 281.4일). 한편 송아지의 체중은 복제수정란에서 유래된 송아지의 평균 39.9kg은 체내수정란에서 유래된 송아지의 평균 25.5kg에 비하여 유의하게 높았다.(p<0.05). 체내수정란이 수태된 수란우(n=9)는 모두 정상 분만하였으며, 그 송아지 는 생후 60일령까지 모두 생존하였다. 한편 체외수정란이 수태된 수란우(n=7)도 모두 정상 분만하였으나, 그 송아지 가운데 1두는 생후 48일에 사망하였다. 복제 수정란이 수태된 수란우(n=5)는 정상 분만 3두 및 제왕절개 2두를 하였다. 정상 분만된 복제송아지(n=3) 중에서 2두는 분만 직후 사망하였으나, 제왕절개로 태어난 송아지는 생후 60일까지 모두 생존하였다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제20권2호
• /
• pp.101-105
• /
• 1993

This study was carried out to improve pregnancy rate in IVF-ET program through Assisted Hatching (AH) by the use of micromanipulation technique. Among 72 IVF patient, randomized 29 IVF patients were performed for AH by Partial Zona Dissection(PZD). Two to eight cell embryos were micromanipulated just before uterine transfer. The results were as follows: 1. The implantation rates of embryos between PZD group and control group were 10.0%, 4.9%, respectively. 2. The clincal pregnancy rates of both groups were 34.5%,20.9%, respectively. 3. Among 131 PZD embrys, only 2 embryos were damaged mechanically. Although there were no statistical difference in the rates of implantation and pregnancy between PZD group and control group due to small sample size, the PZD group had increasing trend in the rates of implantation and pregnancy. In conclusion, it would be thought that PZD could be adequately used to improve implantation rate and pregnancy rate in IVF-ET program as an assisted technique if much more studies were done. Also the risks resulting from this study can be reduced because of technical stability, which showed the low rate of damaged embryos.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제38권4호
• /
• pp.210-215
• /
• 2011

Objective: This study was performed to identify whether growth and differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) and transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ (TGF-${\beta}1$) expressions would be lower in the follicular fluid (FF) of those over age 35 who underwent IVF than under age 35. Methods: A total of 24 IVF cycles (20 patients) were included in this study. All of patients were stimulated for IVF by the GnRH short protocol and divided into two groups for analysis, according to their age: <35 group (14 cycles, 11 patients) vs. ${\geq}35$ group (10 cycles, 9 patients). The expression levels of GDF-9 and TGF-${\beta}1$ were determined by western blotting and quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The numbers of retrieved oocytes and metaphase II oocytes were significantly lower in the ${\geq}35$ group. Lower expression of GDF-9 and TGF-${\beta}1$ by western blotting in the ${\geq}35$ group were observed as well. The mean GDF-9 and TGF-${\beta}1$ levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were lower in the ${\geq}35$ group. The values were $6,850.5{\pm}928.4$ ng/L vs. $3,333.3{\pm}1,089.2$ ng/L of GDF-9 ($p$ <0.05) and $3,844.1{\pm}571.1$ ng/L vs. $2,187.7{\pm}754.0$ ng/L of TGF-${\beta}1$ ($p$ <0.05). A negative correlation between GDF-9 and age was observed (r=-0.546, $p$=0.006). Conclusion: GDF-9 and TGF-${\beta}1$ production from stimulated ovaries during IVF appears to decrease with age.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제21권2호
• /
• pp.191-200
• /
• 1994

The influence of hypoxanthine and ovarian steroids on the meiotic maturation process of mouse oocytes was investigated for the qualified application of culture medium in in vitro fertilization(IVF). Mouse oocytes were cultured in hypoxanthine and various ovarian steroids(progesterone, estradiol-17${\beta}$ and testosterone) and their effects on the oocyte maturation had been observed. When mouse oocytes were cultured in the various concentration(1-4mM) of hypoxanthine, meiotic maturation of cumulus cell-enclosed oocytes was inhibited by presence itself, which was a dose-dependent effect in meiotic arrest of mouse oocytes. The presence of progesterone, estradiol-17${\beta}$ and testosterone have made the mouse oocyte mature properly. Meanwhile maturation of cumulus cell-enclosed oocyte was severely inhibited by 3 hoursculture in the media of progesterone supplemented with hypoxanthine. However the continuous presence lasting 24 hours of progesterone even supplemented with hypoxanthine had got rid of the inhibition of oocytes maturation. Not only estradiol-17${\beta}$ supplemented with hypoxanthine but also testosterone supplemented with hypoxanthine exert the severe inhibition of the maturation of cumulus cell-enclosed oocytes for 3-hours culture. However the continuous presence lasting 24 hours of estradiol-17${\beta}$ and testosterone even supplemented with· hypoxanthine had relieved the inhibition of oocytes maturation. These results make us suggest that hypoxanthine inhibits the mouse oocyte maturation, particularly markedly in conjunction with ovarian steroids for short period, which indicated some sort of the synergistic inhibitory retationship between the ovarian steroids and hypoxanthine.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
• /
• 제28권3호
• /
• pp.163-168
• /
• 2013

Embryo transfer (ET) technology is of high importance in modern cattle breeding programs. ET is one step in the process of removing one or more embryos from the reproductive tract of an outstanding donor female and transferring them to one or more recipient females. Embryos also can be produced in the laboratory via techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). But the actual transfer of an embryo is only one step in a series of processes that may include some or all of the following: superovulation and insemination of donors, collection of embryos, isolation, evaluation and short-term storage of embryos, micromanipulation and genetic testing of embryos, freezing of embryos and embryo transfer. Cryopreservation and direct transfer of frozen-thawed embryos is common-place with pregnancy rates near that of fresh embryos. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology is currently being used for sexing embryos, and this technology will be used for "embryo diagnostics" and "embryo genomics" in the future. Although, many limitations and problems remain to overcome, these and other new technologies promise to change livestock breeding drastically in the next decade.

• 한국가축번식학회지
• /
• 제17권3호
• /
• pp.173-181
• /
• 1993

In order to demonstrate whether ovoperoxidase hardens the zona of oocytes activated by incubating in M-S buffer supplemented with 20$\mu$M of Ca-ionophore A 23187, the effect of peroxidase inhibitors(250mM pheylhydrazine, 28mM sodilum sulfite, 350mM glycine ethyl ester and 50mM sodium azide), tyrosine analogue(12.5mM tyramine) and exogeneous peroxidase(50$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml horseradishperoxidase ; HRP) on zona hardening in ionorphore-treated oocytes were investigated. The results obtained from thses experiments were summarized as follows : 1. The zona solubility (t50) of ionophore-activated and DMSO-treated oocytes at 1, 2 and 3 hr of culture were 25.0, 31.6 and 40.6min., and 9.7, 10.8 and 15.5 min., respectively. The longest time required for zona lysis of ionophore activated oocytes at 1 hr after onset of ionophore treatment. The diferences int50 for zona was significantly greater as compared to DMSO-treated controls(P<0.01). 2. The inhibition rates of hardening in the oocytes treated with the phenylhydrazine, sodium sulfite, glycine ethyl ester and sodium azide, were 23.8, 61.9, 95.2 and 23.8%l, respectively, and the tyramine, was 14.3%. Several known peroxidase inhibitors and tyrosine analogue were blocked zona hardening in ionophore activated oocytes. 3. The treatment of exogeneous peroxidase promoted the zona hardening of activated oocytes but not unactivated oocytes. These resuls indicate that the ovoperoxidase apparently catalyzes the hardening of the zona following ionophore activation of mouse oocytes.