• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.215-223
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• 2003

This study was to investigate the effects of fertilization time and culture medium of pig oocytes matured in-vitro by liquid boar sperm. The sperm rich fraction (30∼60 ml) 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 800 ${\times}$ g, and the supernatant solution was poured off. The concentrated sperm was resuspended with 5 ml of the LEN diluent to provide 1.0${\times}$10$^{9}$ sperm/ml at room temperature. The resuspended semen was cooled in a refrigerator to 4$^{\circ}C$. The medium used for oocyte maturation was TCM-199 supplemented with 26.19 mM sodium bicarbonate, 0.9 mM sodium pyruvate, 10 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml insulin, 2 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml vitamin B$_{12}$ , 25 mM HEPES, 10 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml bovine apotransferrin, 150 $\mu$M cysteamine, 10 IU/ml PMSG, 10 IU/ml hCG, 10 ng/ml EGF, 0.4% BSA, 75 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml sodium penicillin G, 50 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml streptomycin sulfate and 10% pFF. 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 1, 3, 6 and 9 h in 500 ${mu}ell$ mTBM fertilization media with 1.0${\times}$10$^{6}$ sperm/ml concentration, respectively. Thereafter, oocytes were transferred into 500 ${mu}ell$ NCSU-23, HEPES buffered NCSU-23, PZM-3 and PZM-4 culture media, respectively, for further culture of 6, 48 and 144 h. The rates of sperm penetration and male pronuclear formation were higher in the fertilization times for 6 and 9 h than in those for 1 and 3 h. The rates of cleaved oocytes were higher in the fertilization times for 6 and 9 h (85.0 and 84.6%) than in those for 1 and 3 h (61.1 and 76.8%). The percentage of blastocyst formation from the cleaved oocytes was highest in the fertilization time for 6 h (33.6%) than in that for 1, 3 and 9 h (11.4, 23.0 and 29.6%). Mean cell numbers per blastocyst were 32.9, 27.6, 26.3 and 24.4 in the fertilization times for 6, 9, 3 and 1 h, respectively. The rate of blastocyst from the cleaved oocytes and the number of cells per blastocyst were higher in HEPES buffered NCSU-23 culture medium than in NCSU-23, PZM-3 and PZM-4 culture media. 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 the coincubation time of 6 h in 500 ${mu}ell$ TBM fertilization medium with 1${\times}$10$^{6}$ sperm/ml concentration and the HEPES buffered NCSU-23 culture medium for in-vitro fertilization of pig oocytes matured in-vitro.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.157-161
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• 2003

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of morphology, reproductive cycle, incubation time and activation of oocytes in vitro maturation of cats oocytes and development of IVM/IVF embryos. The results were summarized as follows : 1. The fertilization and developmental rate of fresh and salts-stored oocytes with and whithout cumulus cells were 65.7%, 17.1% and 28.6%, 8.6% and 57.1%, 13.3%, 23.3%, 3.3%, respectively. The rate of oocytes with cumulus cells(13.3%∼65.7%) was higher than that of denuded oocytes(3.3%∼28.6%). 2. The fertilization and developmental rate of oocytes recovered from ovaries collected at different stages of the reproductive cycle were 68.9%, 44.4%, 48.9% and 17.8%, 8.9%, 12.8%, respectively. 3. The fertilization and developmental rate of oocytes in vitro cultured at different time of incubation(24, 36 and 48 h) were 66.7%, 46.7%, 48.9% and 17.8%, 11.1%, 8.5%, respectively. respectively. The rate of oocytes incubated 24 h(66.7%) was higher than that oocytes incubated 36 and 48 h(46.7%∼48.9%). 4. The fertilization and developmental rate of oocytes treated activation and non-activation oocytes were 57.4%, 31.4% and 22.9%, 11.4%, respectively. The rate of oocytes treated activation was higher than that oocyte treat non-activation.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.546-557
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• 2021

Objective: If fertilization does not occur within a specific period, the quality of unfertilized oocytes in the oviduct (in vivo aging) or in culture (in vitro aging) will deteriorate over time. Icariin (ICA), found in all species of Epimedium herbs, has strong antioxidant activity, and is thought to exert anti-aging effects in vitro. We asked whether ICA protects oocytes against age-related changes in vitro. Methods: We analyzed the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and expression of antioxidant, maternal, and estrogen receptor genes, and along with spindle morphology, and the developmental competence and quality of embryos in the presence and absence of ICA. Results: Treatment with 5 μM ICA (ICA-5) led to a significant reduction in ROS activity, but increased mRNA expression of glutathione and antioxidant genes (superoxide dismutase 1 [SOD1], SOD2, peroxiredoxin 5, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2), during aging in vitro. In addition, ICA-5 prevented defects in spindle formation and chromosomal alignment, and increased mRNA expression of cytoplasmic maturation factor genes (bone morphogenetic protein 15, cyclin B1, MOS proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase, and growth differentiation factor-9). It also prevented apoptosis, increased mRNA expression of antiapoptotic genes (BCL2-like 1 and baculoviral IAP repeat-containing 5), and reduced mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic genes (BCL2 antagonist/killer 1 and activation of caspase-3). Although the maturation and cleavage rates were similar in all groups, the total cell number per blastocyst and the percentage of apoptotic cells at the blastocyst stage were higher and lower, respectively, in the control and ICA-5 groups than in the aging group. Conclusion: ICA protects oocytes against damage during aging in vitro; therefore, it can be used to improve assisted reproductive technologies.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 1999

To investigate the maturational and development competece of porcine oocytes of different diameter groups, oocytes were obtained by aspiration from slaughterdhouse ovaries. After washing three times in NCSU23 medium, each cumulus-oocyte complex was transferred into a $8{mu}ell$ drop of the maturation medium (one oocyte per drop) under paraffin oil. The diameter without zona pellucida of oocytes was measured with micor-calibrator (Mikrometer, E. Leitz) on a screen connected to a VCR on an inverted microscope $(200\times)$. After being measured, the oocytes were divided into 6 groups according to their diameter size : <105, 105 to < 110, 110 to < 115, 115 to < 120, 120 to < 125 and > $125{\mu}{\textrm}{m}$, and in vitro maturation (IVM), fertillzation (IVF) and production (IVP) of oocytes / embryo was performed. The rates of in vitro maturation on oocytes in the greater 105 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ size groups(91.8~100%) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in the < 105 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ group(66.7%). The rates of sperm penetration were significantly (P<0.05) low in < $105{\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ group (50.0%) than others groups (81.6~85.5%). But the plyspermic fertilization rate was significantly (P<0.05) higher in < $110{\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ oocytes groups than in the $110\leq{\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ size groups. The rates of cleavage and development to blastocysts rose as oocytes diameter increased, however, while oocytes over $120{\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in diameter failed to develop to blastocysts. There results suggest that porcine oocytes have acquired full meiotic competece at a diameter of $105{\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ but not yet attended full development competence to blastocyst and that oocytes have acquired full development competence at a diameter of $110{\mu}{\textrm}{m}$.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.128-128
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• 2003

The aims of this study are 1) to test oocytes and embryos collected from in-vivo and in-vitro to achieving the valuable protocol by culturing, vitrifying and thawing of oocytes/embryos, and 2) to transfer them to recipient, and finally have resulted in pregnancies from recipient females after surgical or nonsurgical transfer. In vitro maturation and fertilization were performed according to the procedures of Funahashi et al. Fertilized oocytes were cultured in glucose-free NCSU 23 supplemented with 5 mM sodium pyruvate, 0.5 mM sodium lactate and 4 mg/ml bovine serum albumin for 2 days at 39$^{\circ}C$, and 10% fetal bovine serum was added to the culture medium thereafter. Embryos were treated with 7.5$\square$g/ml cytochalasin-B for 30 min, centrifuged at 13,000 ${\times}$ g for 13 min and then exposed sequentially to an ethylene glycol (EG) vitrification solution, aspirated into OPSs, and plunged/thawed into/from liquid nitrogen. In vivo embryos were surgically collected from three donors after Al. Forty-six embryos (18, 9 and 19 embryos, respectively) were washed 3 times in mPBS+10%FBS, followed treatments : cultured, centrifuged, vitrified, recovered and transferred to recipients as in vitro prepared embryos. Three recipients received surgically 34(control), 188 and 184 embryos (derived from abattoir), respectively. Another three recipients were received nonsurgically 150, 100 and 150 embryos, respectively. All recipient sows exhibited delayed returns to estrus. To our knowledge, these results suggest that required an improved techniques, more vigorous embryos preparation and cleaner uterous condition(use gilt).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.207-216
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• 1998

Certain types of somatic cells, as well as follicular cumulus cells associating with mammalian oocytes, are known to produce beneficial effects on in vitro fertilization and pre implantation development of mammalian eggs when they are present in oocyte culture medium. To investigate the nature of the effects of somatic cells, the resistance of mouse oocytes against chymotrypsin treatment was examined after culture within various cell conditioned media. When mouse oocytes matured for 17-18 hr in the presence of cumulus cells were treated with 1 % chymotrypsin, half of them remained still alive even after 240 min $(t_{50}>240.0)$. In contrast half of mouse oocytes cultured without cumulus cells underwent degeneration within 65.0 min $(t_{50}=65.0{\pm}13.2min)$ of the same treatment. To see if the effects were duc to the secretory products of cumulus cells, mouse cumulus cells were cultured for 20 hr in medium containing 0.4% BSA and the supernatant of culture medium (conditioned medium) was taken. After maturation in the cumulus cell conditioned medium, mouse oocytes exhibited $t_{50}=190.0{\pm}10.8$ min upon chymotrypsin treatment whereas half of oocytes cultured without conditioned medium degenerated within 25.5 min. Human granulosa cell conditioned medium gave similar effects such that oocytes matured in conditioned medium exhibited $t_{50}=183.3{\pm}19.1$ min while $t_50$ of control group oocytes was $60.0{\pm}6.8$ min, Oocytes matured in vero cell conditioned medium exhibited $t_{50}=196.7{\pm}8.8$ min. On the other hand, amniotic cell conditioned medium resulted in the chymotrypsin resistance of $t_{50}=80.0{\pm}8.4$ min which was not statistically different from the control value of $t_{50}=48.0{\pm}13.2$ min. Based upon these results, it is suggested that certain somatic cell types including cumulus cells might change the biochemical properties of mouse oocyte membrane during meiotic maturation as revealed by the enhanced resistance against chymotrypsin treatment. Such effects of somatic cells appear to be mediated via the secretory products rather than direct communication between somatic cells and oocytes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.101-112
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• 1986

It is now common practice to attempt ovarian hyperstimulation in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) to promote the development of multiple preovulatory follicles and to maximize the number of mature egg available. There are several drugs for hyperstimulation such as clomiphene citrate only, clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) and HMG only. Accumlated experience has shown that the hyperstimulation of the ovary in IVF-ET results in high pregnancy rate. But the hyperstimulation of the ovary in IVF-ET may cause the hyperandrogenism, so we must consider the adverse effect on pregnancy rate of the hyperandrogenism. Little is known about the functional significance of androgen for the follicular growth, however, the hyperandrogenism might interfere with oocyte maturation. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the serum profiles of estradiol, androstenedione and testosterone during the hyperstimulated menstrual cycles in IVF. The results were summarized as follows: 1. There was a gradual increase in the mean levels of serum estradiol, androstenedione, and testosterone approaching follicular maturation. 2. The mean serum estradiol levels in the hyperstimulated groups were significantly higher than that in the control group in late follicular phase and ovum retrieval (ovulation) day (p<0.01). 3. The mean serum androstenedione levels in the clomiphene citrate groups were significantly higher than that in the control group in late follicular phase (p<0.01). There was no statistically significant different in the mean serum androstenedione levels between the control group and the HMG group (p>0.05). 4. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean levels of testosterone among each group (p>0.05). 5. There was no statistically significant different in the mean levels of estradiol, androstenedione and testosterone between the fertilized patients and non-fertilized patients in clomiphene citrate and HMG group (p>0.05).

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.119-122
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• 2004

It is well known that unidentified factors in sera, hormones and growth factors promote the proliferation of granulosa cells and nuclear maturation of bovine COCs in vitro. Attemps had been developed the simple composition of culture media and similar system to in vivo conditions has been applied. In the present study, we investigated the effect of TGF-${\beta}$ on in vitro maturation and in vitro development of Hanwoo COCs. When the COCs were matured in TCM 199 containing 0.1, 1 or 10 ng/ml TGF-${\beta}$ for 24 hrs, metaphaseⅡ of COCs were obtained 95.8%, 100% of matured COCs, respectively and there were no differences among the concentrations of TGF-${\beta}$. Matured COCs with TGF-${\beta}$ cultured in maturation medium after in vitro fertilization, developmental rate to blastocyst were 0~0.8%. Matured COCs with TGF-${\beta}$ were cultured in TCM 199+10% FBS, 0.8% BSA, 0.1% PVA, blastocyst formation were showed in 12.4%, 12.8%, 8.5% of those and cultured in IVMD or IVD without serum were 38.4%, 34.8%, respectively. There were significant differences among the media (P<0.05). TGF-${\beta}$ is available for i vitro maturation of bovine COCs, but further investigation would be need for finding the synergistic autocrine/paracrine fashion of other growth factors in early bovine development.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.173-179
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• 2004

This study was conducted to investigate the toxi-cological effects of different vitrification solution on development of immature porcine oocytes in vitro. Oocytes were exposed to EFS solution [40% ethylene glycol (EG) + 18% Ficoll + 0.3M sucrose], ES solution (5.5M EG + 1.0M sucrose) or GE solution [10% glycol (G) + 20% EG], and these oocytes were transferred to sucrose solution directly. Maturation rates were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the ES solution (44.5%) and control (57.6%) than in the EFS solution (38.8%) and GE solution (22.4%). No differences among three solution were found in fertilization rates. Cleavage rates was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the ES solution (47.1%) and control (65.9%) than in the EFS solution (21.9%) and GE solution (19.0%), but no difference among three solutions was found in the blastocyst formation rates. These results indicate that combination of EG and sucrose solutions had effects on development of immature porcine oocytes.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.101-111
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• 2001

The present study was conducted to develop an in vitro culture system that would support bovine follicle growth from preantral to antral stage, oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryonic development. Bovine preantral follicles (150$\pm$1.2 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$) surrounded by theca cell were isolated ezymatically and mechanically from ovarian cortical slides in Leibovitz L-l5 medium containing 1 mg/$m\ell$ collagenase and 0.2 mg/$m\ell$ DNase I and cultured for 25 days in the presence of different concentrations of bovine FSH and LH in $\alpha$MEM medium. The survival and growth rates of follicles cultured in the presence of FSH (10~150 ng/$m\ell$) were significantly higher than those of control group (P ＜ 0.001), but no significant differences were observed in survival and growth rates of follicles between the LH treatment groups (1~125 ng/$m\ell$) and the control. The survival (40%) and growth (244 $\pm$ 0.5 $\mu\textrm{g}$) of follicles cultured with FSH (90 ng/$m\ell$) and LH (25 ng/$m\ell$) were higher than those of control (25%, 160 $\pm$1.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$). Finally, 50% percent of healthy antral follicles were obtained, and almost 60% of them has complete meiotic division with 1st polar body (18.1%) and 10.0% have developed to the cleaved embryo and blastocyst stage. These results suggest that bovine preantral follicle with intact theca cell can grow to the antral stage using these culture conditions, and that oocytes from in vitro-matured bovine preantral follicle may acquire meiotic competence and can undergo fertilization and development.