• 한국수정란이식학회지
• /
• 제33권4호
• /
• pp.221-228
• /
• 2018

The osmolarity of a medium that is commonly used for in vitro culture (IVC) of oocytes and embryos is lower than that of oviductal fluid in pigs. In vivo oocytes and embryos can resist high osmolarities to some extent due to the presence of organic osmolytes such as glycine and alanine. These amino acids act as a protective shield to maintain the shape and viability in high osmotic environments. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of glycine or/and alanine in medium with two different osmolarities (280 and 320 mOsm) during IVC on embryonic development after parthenogenesis (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in pigs. To this end, IVC was divided into two stages; the 0-2 and 3-7 days of IVC. In each stage, embryos were cultured in medium with 280, 320, or 360 mOsm and their combinations with or without glycine or/and alanine according to the experimental design. Treatment groups were termed as, for example, "T(osmolarity of a medium used in 0-2 days of IVC)-(osmolarity of a medium used in 3-7 days of IVC)" T280-280 was served as control. When PA embryos were cultured in medium with various osmolarities, T320-280 showed a significantly higher blastocyst formation (29.0%) than control (22.2%) and T360-360 groups (6.9%). Glycine treatment in T320-280 significantly increased blastocyst formation (50.4%) compared to T320-280 only (36.5%) while no synergistic was observed after treatment with glycine and alanine together in T320-280 (45.7%). In contrast to PA embryonic development, the stimulating effect by the culture in T320-280 was not observed in SCNT blastocyst development (27.6% and 23.7% in T280-280 and T320-280, respectively) whereas the number of inner cell mass cells was significantly increased in T320-280 (6.1 cells vs. 9.6 cells). Glycine treatment significantly improved blastocyst formation of SCNT embryos in both T280-280 (27.6% vs. 38.0%) and T320-280 (23.7% vs. 35.3%). Our results demonstrate that IVC in T320-280 and treatment with glycine improves blastocyst formation of PA and SCNT embryos in pigs.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• 제34권3호
• /
• pp.127-134
• /
• 2010

This study was to investigate the effect of flavonoid treatment on in vitro development of bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos, and their pregnancy and delivery rate after embryo transfer into recipient. In experiment 1, to optimize the flavonoid concentration, parthenogenetic day 2 ($\geq$ 2-cell) embryos were cultured in 0 (control), 1, 10 and $20\;{\mu}M$ flavonoid for 6 days. In the results, in vitro development rate was the highest in $10\;{\mu}M$ flavonoid group (57.1%) among treatment groups (control, 49.5%; $1\;{\mu}M$, 54.2%; $20\;{\mu}M$, 37.5%), and numbers of total and ICM cells were significantly (p<0.05) higher in $10\;{\mu}M$ flavonoid group than other groups. We found that $10\;{\mu}M$ flavonoid treatment can significantly (p<0.05) decrease the apoptotic index and derive high expression of anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, cell growth and development marker genes such as Mn-SOD, Survivin, Bax inhibitor, Glut-5, In-tau, compared to control group. In experiment 2, to produce the cloned Jeju Black Cattle, beef quality index grade 1 bull somatic cells were transferred into enucleated bovine MII oocytes and reconstructed embryos were cultured in $10\;{\mu}M$ flavonoid added medium. When the in vitro produced day 7 or 8 SCNT blastocysts were transferred into a number of recipients, $10\;{\mu}M$ flavonoid treatment group presented higher pregnancy rate (10.2%, 6/59) than control group (5.9%, 2/34). Total three cloned Jeju Black calves were born. Also, two cloned calves in $10\;{\mu}M$ flavonoid group were born and both were all healthy at present, while the one cloned calf born in control group was dead one month after birth. In addition, when the result of short tandem repeat marker analysis of each cloned calf was investigated, microsatellite loci of 11 numbers matched genotype between donor cell and cloned calf tissue. These results demonstrated that the flavonoid addition in culture medium may have beneficial effects on in vitro and in vivo developmental capacity of SCNT embryos and pregnancy rate.

• 한국수정란이식학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국수정란이식학회 2002년도 국제심포지엄
• /
• pp.117-117
• /
• 2002

The oocytes from most of animal species accumulate genetic information and other necessary materials during oogenesis for the later use in the early development. Over the years oocyte maturation has been studied extensively both in vitro and in vivo. Particularly, maturation of follicular oocyte in vitro becomes one of the important tools for the studies of basic cell biology, the in vitro technology of animal production, and in particular, the somatic cell cloning by nuclear transfer. We examined meiotic maturation and cumulus expansion in the presence of translation or transcription inhibitors for varying periods of in viかo maturation (IVM) of pig oocyte. In Experiment 1, the results revealed that translation and transcription inhibitors inhibited cumulus expansion and meiotic maturation during 35h of IVM. However, 50 to 60% of the oocytes underwent nuclear maturation without cumulus expansion during 75h of IVM. The rest of the oocytes were arrested at metaphase I (40-50%) in the presence of the inhibitors. In Experiment II, the OCCs were exposed to the drugs only for 15h to examine translation and transcription inhibitors on cumulus expansion and meiotic maturation. Transcription inhibitors for 15h did not arrest meiotic maturation when the oocytes were cultured for subsequent, necessary period of IVM, whereas cumulus expansion was completely inhibited, suggesting that initial 15h is critical transcription activity far cumulus expansion. Translation inhibitors for 15h exposure did not alter cumulus expansion and meiotic maturation during subsequent culture in the absence of the drugs. In Experiment III, the OCCs were exposed to the drugs only for later 30h to examine the influence of transcription and translation inhibitors on oocyte maturation. Interestingly, all meiotic maturation underwent normally with full expansion of cumulus. Similar results were obtained from Experiment IV where 5h of exposure from 15 to 20h of IVM culture to the drugs was performed and subsequently cultured for same period in fresh medium. Taken there results together, both transcription and translation are necessary for nuclear maturation and cumulus expansion, and first 15h IVM for cumulus expansion is critical. The arrested oocytes by the drugs were still capable of undergoing nuclear maturation, although cumulus expansion was affected.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
• /
• 제27권4호
• /
• pp.245-252
• /
• 2012

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of IFN-${\tau}$ on prostaglandin synthesis, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression in vitro and concentration of progesterone (P4) in endometrial cells. Epithelial and stromal cells cultured in vitro were isolated from bovine endometrium and stimulated with increasing doses of IFN-${\tau}$ (0, 0.02, 0.2 and 2 ug/ml). Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, 1.5 IU/ml) was used as a positive control. Prostaglandin $E_2$ and $F_{2{\alpha}}$ levels in the culture media were analyzed by enzyme immunoassays and total RNA was extracted from the cells for RT-PCR. P4 concentrations of blood samples were assayed by chemiluminescent immuno assays system. In epithelial cells, COX-2 gene expression was increased in the presence of IFN-${\tau}$ (p<0.05), but it was not significantly different in all groups of stromal cells except for 2 ug/ml IFN-${\tau}$ group (p<0.05). Although IFN-${\tau}$ did not affect $PGE_2$ and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ production in epithelial cells, it decreased $PGE_2$ and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ production significantly in stromal cells (p<0.05). In vivo experiment, blood concentration of P4 was significantly increased after addition of IFN-${\tau}$ (1 ug/ml). The results indicate that PG production was mediated by COX-2 expression in stromal cells but it was not affected in epithelial cells and this suggest that treatment of IFN-${\tau}$ could improve the implantation environment of uterine by maintenance of high P4 concentration.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
• /
• 제15권1호
• /
• pp.9-14
• /
• 2000

This experiment was undertaken to investigate the effect of administration of Agyoju or Mokhyang on the maintenance of pregnancy, delivery and sex ratio in the mice in different gestation periods. Adult female mice were administered orally at three different periods, from ovulation to implantation (Exp.1), from post-implantation to organogenesis (Exp.2), and from fetal growth to parturition (Exp.3). In Experiment 1, number of fetus implanted and mean body weight were not significantly different. However, the delivery of male offspring was significantly increased in Agyoju and Mokhyang administrated groups than control group. In Experiment 2, the number of fetuses implanted, live offsprins and their body weight at delivery were significantly increased in the Agyoju administered group than Mokhyang and control groups. In Experiment 3, the number of live offspring and sex ratio were not different in both treatments and control group. However, mean body weight at delivery was significantly increased in both treatment groups than that of control group. These results suggest that 1) Agyoju and Mokhyang have beneficial effects in maintenance of pregnacy, and that 2) The action of unknown component(s) in Agyoju may be related to selection of male spermatozoa for fertilization in vivo, and that 3) the administration of Agyju of Mojhyang during mid-and late-pregnance periods were shown the increment of body weight of live offspring without decrease of litter size.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
• /
• 제28권2호
• /
• pp.157-162
• /
• 2013

Methoxychlor (MXC) was developed to be a replacement for the banned pesticide DDT. HPTE [2,2-bis (p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane], which is an in vivo metabolite of MXC, has strong oestrogenic and anti-androgenic effects. MXC and HPTE are thought to produce potentially adverse effects by acting through oestrogen and androgen receptors. Of the two, HPTE binds to sex-steroid receptors with greater affinity, and it inhibits testosterone biosynthesis in Leydig cells by inhibiting cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme activity and cholesterol utilisation. In a previous study, MXC was shown to induce Leydig cell apoptosis by decreasing testosterone concentrations. I focused on the effects of MXC on male mice that resulted from interactions with sex-steroid hormone receptors. Sex-steroid hormones affect other organs including the kidney and liver. Accordingly, I hypothesised that MXC can act through sex-steroid receptors to produce adverse effects on the testis, kidney and liver, and I designed our experiments to confirm the different effects of MXC exposure on the male reproductive system, kidney and liver. In these experiments, I used pre-pubescent ICR mice; the puberty period in ICR mice is from postnatal day (PND) 45 to PND60. I treated the experimental group with 0, 100, 200, 400 mg MXC/kg b.w. delivered by an intra-peritoneal injection with sesame oil used as vehicle for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the mice were sacrificed under anaesthesia. The testes and accessory reproductive organs were collected, weighed and prepared for histological investigation. I performed a chemiluminescence immune assay to observe the serum levels of testosterone, LH and FSH. Blood biochemical determination was also performed to check for other effects. There were no significant differences in our histological observations or relative organ weights. Serum testosterone levels were decreased in a dose-dependent manner; a greater dose resulted in the production of less testosterone. Compared to the control group, testosterone concentrations differed in the 200 and 400 mg/kg dosage groups. In conclusion, I observed markedly negative effects of MXC exposure on testosterone concentrations in pre-pubescent male mice. From our biochemical determinations, I observed some changes that indicate renal and hepatic failure. Together, these data suggest that MXC produces adverse effects on the reproductive system, kidney and liver.

• 한국수정란이식학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국수정란이식학회 2002년도 국제심포지엄
• /
• pp.95-95
• /
• 2002

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells can be induced to differentiate into tyrosine hydroxylase expressing (TH+) cells that may serve as an alternative for cell replacement therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD). To examine in vitro differentiation of hES (MB03, registered in NIH) cells into TH+ cells, hES cells were induced to differentiate according to the 4-/4+ protocol using retinoic acid (RA), ascorbic acid (AA), and/or lithium chloride (LiCl) followed by culture in N2 medium for 14 days, during which time the differentiation occurs. Immunocytochemical stainings of the cells revealed that approximately 21.1% of cells treated with RA plus AA expressed TH protein that is higher than the ratio of TH+ cells seen in any other treatment groups (RA, RA+LiCl or RA+AA+LiCl). In order to see the differentiation pattern in vivo and the ability of in vitro differentiation-induced cells in easing symptomatic motor function of PD animal model, cells (2 $\times$ 10$^{5}$ cells/2${mu}ell$) undergone 4-/4+ protocol using RA plus AA without any further treatment were transplanted into unilateral striatum of MPTP-lesioned PD animal model (C57BL/6). Following the surgery, motor behavior of the animals was examined by measuring the retention time on an accelerating rotar-rod far next 10 weeks. No significant differences in retention time of the animals were noticed until 2 weeks post-graft; however, it increased markedly at 6 weeks and 10 weeks time point after the surgery. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed that a reasonable number of TH+ cells were found at the graft site as well as other remote sites, showing the migrating nature of embryonic stem cells. These results suggest that in viかo differentiated hES cells relieve symptomatic motor behavior of PD animal model and should be considered as a promising alternative for the treatment of PD.

• 한국가축번식학회지
• /
• 제22권3호
• /
• pp.287-292
• /
• 1998

본 실험은 1.48$\mu\textrm{m}$ diode laser의 인간배에 대한 적용 가능성 여부를 조사하기 위한 예비실험으로, 체외생산된 생쥐배에 1.48$\mu\textrm{m}$ diode laser를 이용한 zona pellucida (ZP) drilling 처리가 배의 부화와 체내발달에 효과적인지를 조사하고자 실시하였다. 그 결과는 다음과 같다. 발달단계가 상이한(4-세포기배, 배반포기배) 생쥐배에 laser ZP drilling 처리한 후 72시간 (배반포기배) 또는 120시간 (4-세포기배) 동안 배양하였던 바, laser ZP drilling 처리를 받은 배반포기배의 부화율(81.8%)이 대조군 (54. 2%)이나 laser ZP drilling 처리를 받은 4-세포기배 (45.5%) 보다 유의하게 높게 나타났다(p<0.05). 또한, laser ZP drilling된 배반포기배를 가임신이 유도된 대리모에 이식하였던 바, 처리군 (48.7%)의 착상율이 대조군 (43.6%)보다 약간 높게 나타났다. 한편, 임신된 대리모 일부는 분만을 유도하였던 바, 태어난 모든 새끼는 처리군에 관계없이 정상적인 염색체수 (n=40), 정상적인 성장과 생식기능을 나타내었다. 이러한 결과는 1.48$\mu\textrm{m}$ diode laser를 이용한 ZP drilling이 생쥐배의 부화를 증진시키고 정상적인 임신을 유도할 수 있어 인간배에 대한 적용 간으성을 시사한다고 하겠다.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
• /
• 제16권2호
• /
• pp.79-89
• /
• 2001

배분화과정시 나타나는 $Ca^{2+}$ 변화에 미치는 $E_2$의 영향을 알아보고자 whole cell voltage clamp 기법, 방사선 등위원소 면역측정법, 그리고 공초점 현미경을 통하여 $E_2$처리 후 나타나는 $Ca^{2+}$ 전류 변화 및 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도 변화를 조사하였다. 생쥐의 미성숙 난자는 난소의 난포를 천자하고, 배란난자는 과배란 처리 후 난관에서 회수하였다. 수정란은 과배란 처리 후 수컷 생쥐와 교미를 유도한 후 각각의 단계에 맞는 수정란을 채란하였다. 혈중 $E_2$의 농도는 심장을 천자하여 혈액을 채취한 후 배발달 단계와 호르몬 처리 시간이 일치하는 혈액만을 사용하였다. 본 실험의 결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. 1. $E_2$처리시 미성숙난자의 제 1극체 형성률 (성숙의 지표)은 $E_2$를 처리하지 않은 난자(83% : 83/100)보다 $E_2$를 처리한 난자 (94%, 94/100)에서 유의적 (P<0.05)으로 높게 나타났다. 2. $E_2$를 처리하였을 때 $Ca^{2+}$ 내향전류의 변화는 -10 mV에서 -1.23$\pm$0.01 nA (n=15)에서 -1.50$\pm$0.03 nA (n=15)로 122% 상승함으로써 유의한 (P<0.05) 변화를 보였다. 3. $E_2$를 처리하지 않은 난자 및 수정란을 1로 한 후 $E_2$를 처리한 난자 및 수정란의 변화를 상대적인 값으로 표시하였다. $E_2$처리한 난자는 1.22$\pm$0.17 (n=10), $E_2$처리한 전핵배는 1.20$\pm$0.14 (n=10), $E_2$처리한 2세포기배는 1.07$\pm$0.01 (n=10), 4세포기배는 1.05$\pm$0.09 (n=10)를 나타냄으로써 수정란의 단계마다 $E_2$의 반응 결과가 차이가 남을 알 수 있었다. 4. $E_2$농도 곡선에서 PMSG 처리 후 $E_2$의 혈중농도는 계속적인 상승을 보이다가 배란시기에 최고치를 나타내었으며, 배란 후 다시 감소하여 8세포기에서는 급격한 감소현상이 나타났다. 이후 다시 상실기를 거쳐 배반포기 임신기간동안 $E_2$의 농도가 상승하였다. 5. $E_2$처리 후 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도변화의 결과로, $E_2$를 처리하지 않은 난자들의 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도는 836.4$\pm$131.2 (n=10), $E_2$를 처리한 난자들은 1736.4$\pm$192.0 (n=10)로써 유의한 (P<0.05) 차이를 보였다. 이상의 결과로부터 $E_2$처리에 의한 세포내 $Ca^{2+}$ 농도 상승은 $E_2$가 $Ca^{2+}$ 통로를 자극함으로써 세포바깥의 $Ca^{2+}$이 세포안으로 이동하여 나타나는 변화로 생각된다.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
• /
• 제28권3호
• /
• pp.237-241
• /
• 2013

It is generally accepted that chronic stress impairs female reproduction. It negatively affects ovarian function and the number of ovulated oocytes. Chronic stress lowers the number of retrieved oocytes. Ovarian follicular development is regulated by both pituitary-derived gonadotropins and intraovarian regulatory factors. The main corticosteroids are cortisol, cortisone, 11-deoxycortisol and corticosterone, cortisol being one of the most commonly used welfare and stress physiological indicator. In this study, we investigated the effect of cortisol level on progesterone patterns and ovulation in the dog. Cortisol and progesterone level of serum were analyzed by radioimmunoassay. The day of ovulation was considered as the day when serum progesterone concentration was 6.0~8.0 ng/ml. In vivo dog oocytes were collected by flushing oviducts of mixed-breed bitches at three days after ovulation. We classified dogs as having group 1 (cortisol level, 0 ${\leq}$ or < $2{\mu}g/dl$), group 2 (corisol level, 2 ${\leq}$ or < $4{\mu}g/dl$), group 3 (cortisol level, 4 ${\leq}$ or < $6{\mu}g/dl$) and group 4 (cortisol level, $6{\mu}g/dl$ ${\leq}$). The patterns of progesterone were not different in four cortisol groups. The average numbers of retrieved oocytes was not different in four cortisol groups. These results suggest that different cortisol levels on estrus dogs do not affect ovulation, number of ovulated oocytes and progesterone changes.