• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.163-168
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• 2005

The objective of this study was to produce superior cows by sexual distinction of embryos collected from the donor with pedigree information. Collected embryos distinguished by biopsy using punching or bisection methods and Loop-mediated isothermal amplification of sex-determined DNA for sexing. Six embryos predicted as female were transplanted to recipients and then 2 pregnant cows were normally delivered of calves at 278 and 285 days after embryo transfer. Birth weights of calves named Barani and Borani were 18kg and 25kg, respectively. Adjusted body weights for 90 days were 61.1kg and 88.8kg, respectively. Average daily gains were 0.48kg and 0.71kg, respectively.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.40.1-40.13
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• 2022

Background: Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is used widely in cloning, stem cell research, and regenerative medicine. The type of donor cells is a key factor affecting the SCNT efficiency. Objectives: This study examined whether urine-derived somatic cells could be used as donors for SCNT in pigs. Methods: The viability of cells isolated from urine was assessed using trypan blue and propidium iodide staining. The H3K9me3/H3K27me3 level of the cells was analyzed by immunofluorescence. The in vitro developmental ability of SCNT embryos was evaluated by the blastocyst rate and the expression levels of the core pluripotency factor. Blastocyst cell apoptosis was examined using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling assay. The in vivo developmental ability of SCNT embryos was evaluated after embryo transfer. Results: Most sow urine-derived cells were viable and could be cultured and propagated easily. On the other hand, most of the somatic cells isolated from the boar urine exhibited poor cellular activity. The in vitro development efficiency between the embryos produced by SCNT using porcine embryonic fibroblasts (PEFs) and urine-derived cells were similar. Moreover, The H3K9me3 in SCNT embryos produced from sow urine-derived cells and PEFs at the four-cell stage showed similar intensity. The levels of Oct4, Nanog, and Sox2 expression in blastocysts were similar in the two groups. Furthermore, there is a similar apoptotic level of cloned embryos produced by the two types of cells. Finally, the full-term development ability of the cloned embryos was evaluated, and the cloned fetuses from the urine-derived cells showed absorption. Conclusions: Sow urine-derived cells could be used to produce SCNT embryos.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.229-235
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• 2012

This research was investigated the relationship, in high-producing Holstein donor cows, between the number of the transferable embryos and the blood serum concentrations of Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), glucose and cholesterol, which affect the nutritional state of cows. CIDRs were inserted into the vaginas of twenty two heads of Holstein cows, regardless of estrous cycle. Superovulation was induced using folliclar stimulating hormone (FSH). For artificial insemination, donor cows were injected with $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ and estrus was checked about 48 hours after the injection. Then they were treated with 4 straws of semen 3 times, with 12-hour intervals. Embryos were collected by a non-surgical method 7 days after the first artificial insemination. The total numbers of ova collected from 3 experimental groups whose blood BUN concentrations were <10 mg/dl, 11~18 mg/dl and ${\geq}19$ mg/dl were 8.9, 12.5 and 19.0, respectively; whereas the numbers of transferable embryos were 5.8 + 1.9, 7.9 + 2.8 and 5.2 + 1.4, respectively. When glucose concentration was <60 mg/dl, the total number of collected ova was 9.9, which was smaller than when the concentration was 60~70 mg/dl or ${\geq}70$ mg/dl. When glucose concentration was 60~70 mg/dl, the number of transferable embryos was 7.1 + 2.4, which was slightly larger than the numbers 6.4 + 2.1 and 6.1 + 1.7 that were obtained when the concentrations were <60 mg/dl and ${\geq}70$ mg/dl, respectively ; however, the differences were not significant (p>0.05). When cholesterol concentrations were <150 mg/dl, 150~200 mg/dl and ${\geq}200$ mg/dl, the total numbers of collected ova were 11.2, 11.3 and 8.6, respectively. Whereas the numbers of transferable embryos were 7.1 + 2.1, 7.3 + 1.9 and 5.6 + 1.3, respectively ; however, the differences were again not significant (p>0.05). The result of this research showed no significant difference in ovum recovery rate and the number of transferable embryos according to major metabolite concentrations in high-producing Holstein donor cows. However, it is considered that the failure of maintaining proper nutritional status would cause the fall in in vivo embryo productivity.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.73-73
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• 2001

This study was to examine whether the vitrified, one-step diluted and direct transferred Hanwoo IVM/IVF/IVC blastocysts can be successfully survived in vivo and they were succeeded into the live birth. For vitrification, blastocysts were serially exposed in glycerol (G) or/and ethylene glycol (EG) mixtures [10% (v/v) G for 5 min, 10% G plus 20% EG (v/v) for 5 min, and 25% G plus 25% EG (v/v) for 30 sect] which is diluted in 10% FBS added D-PBS. Thawing of straw was carried out in air for 10 sec and then in water bath of $25^{\circ}C$ for 20 sec. One-step dilution within the straw was done in water bath of $25^{\circ}C$ for 1 min. Vitrified and one-step diluted embryos were directly transferred into 36 (natural or hormone induced synchronized) recipient cows in 6 areas of Kyungsang Buk-Do. Pregnancies were confirmed at first when recipient cows did not return to the subsequent estrus cycle, and later by manual palpation per rectum on day 45, 90 and then living calves were derived into parturition. Overall pregnancy was 33.3%(12/36), However, higher pregnancy was obtained when the recipients exhibited estrus one day earlier than the age of transferred embryos (53.3 vs 25.0-27.3%), irrespective of synchronization methods. Also, parous recipients became pregnant higher than nulliparous heifers, And, there were not different in pregnancy rates by the aspect of corpus luteum (CL) quality of recipients (good, 29.4; fair, 37.5; poor, 33.3%). One hundred eight of frozen-thawed Hanwoo blastocysts were directly transferred into 36 recipient cows. In 12 of pregnant cows, 3 cows were aborted and 9 cows were calved [single, 66.7% (6/9): twin, 33.3% (3/9)]. Total embryo implantation rate was 11.1% (12/108). However, 9 Hanwoo calves were lived. Therefore, these results demonstrate that direct transfer technique of vitrified and one-step diluted bovine blastocysts can be applied easily and effectively with the higher pregnancy rate on field trial without the equipment and embryological skills.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.1193-1203
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• 2019

We investigated the protective effects of 3-bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (BDB) from Polysiphonia morrowii Harvey against hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced apoptosis in Vero cells. BDB exhibited scavenging activity for DPPH, hydroxyl, and alkyl radicals. BDB also inhibited $H_2O_2$-induced lipid peroxidation, cell death, and apoptosis in Vero cells by inhibiting the production of ROS. To evaluate the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis inhibition, the expression of Bax/Bcl-xL and $NF-{\kappa}B$ was assessed by western blot assay. BDB significantly suppressed the cleavage of caspase-9 and PARP and reduced Bax levels in $H_2O_2$-induced Vero cells. Besides, BDB suppressed the phosphorylation of $NF-{\kappa}$B and the translocation of p65 in $H_2O_2$-induced cells. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of BDB on ROS production, cell death, and lipid peroxidation in an $H_2O_2$-stimulated zebrafish embryo model. Taken together, these results indicated that ROS generation and cell death were significantly inhibited by BDB in zebrafish embryos, thereby proving that BDB exerts excellent antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.43-43
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• 2003

This study was conducted to produce transgenic pig harboring human tissue plasminogene activator (tPA) gene. Two different tPA genes containing bovine $\beta$-casein promoter and mouse uroplakin promoter were prepared for microinjection and confirmed the expression level of tPA protein from the CHO (Chinese hamster ovary) cell lines by gene transfection. Concentration of tPA expression from the six cell lines (all of CHO cells) were average 212.4 ng/ml. Reconstructed DNA to used the CHO cell were microinjected into the pronuclei of in vivo embryos The total of 2,307 zygotes were collected from 95 donors and 1,851 embryos were in 1-cell stage which were visualized the pronuclei for DNA microinjection. The concentration of linear DNA was 2.0 ng per microliter and injected into zygotes with two pronuclei on an inverted Nikon microscope equipped with narishige micromanipulator and modulation contrast optics. The 541 embryos injected with bovine $\beta$-casein promoter-tPA were transferred to 22 recipients. The 1,154 embryos injected with mouse uroplakin promoter-tPA were transferred to 51 recipients. Sixty nine offspring from 9 delivered sows were produced. We analysed the transgenes with PCR methods from 69 offsprings, but could not detect the PCR product from piglet tails DNA.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.81-81
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• 2003

DNA methylation is a covalent modification of DNA that can modulate gene expression and is now recognized as a major component of the epigenome. During evolution, the dinucleotide CpG has been progressively eliminated from the genome of higher eukaryotes and is present at only 5% to 10% of its predicted frequency. Approxymately 80% of the remaining CpG sites contain methylated cytosines in most vertebrates and they are distributed in a pattern that is unique in each tissue and is inversely correlated with gene expression. The pattern of methylation is faithfully maintained during cell division by the enzyme Dnmt1, the maintenance DNA methyltransferase, which catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosyl-methionine to the 5'-position of the cytosine ring. We have been identified bovine Dnmt1 cDNA full-length recently (AY173048) Little is known on the functions of Dnmt1 in bovine preimplantation embryos. Thus, we analyzed the specific pattern of Dnmt1 in in vitro derived/nuclear transfer bovine and in vivo derived mouse embryos to monitor the epigenetic reprogramming process. We investigated these process by using indirect immunofluresence with an antibody to Dnmt1. According to other studies, Dnmt1 accumulates in nuclei of early growing oocytes but is sequestered in the cytoplasm of mature oocytes. In 2-cell and 4-cell embryos, Dnmt1 is cytoplasmic, but at the 8-cell stage, it is present only in the nucleus. By the blastocyst stage, Dnmt1o is again found only in the cytoplasm. Thus, nuclear localization of Dnmt1o in preimplantation embryos is limited to the 8-cell stages After implantation, Dnmt1 is localized in the nucleus in mouse. However, we have found different patterns of Dnmt1 nuclear localization. Though we used the common antibody, immune-localization data revealed that Dnmt1 antibody have been detected at the nucleus in 1-cell to blastocyst embryos. Therefore, maybe we think that the functions of Dnmt1 between bovine and mice are different. In order to Identify the mechanisms that regulate DNA methylation in bovine preimplantation embryo, we have plans on using bovine oocyte and somatic specific Dnmt1 antibodies.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.137-146
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of donor cell types, the source of recipient oocytes and estrous synchronization on pregnancy and delivery rates of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos in Korean native goats. Recipient oocytes were surgically collected after superovulation. Ear cells and fetal fibroblasts were collected and cultured in serum-starvation condition (TCM-199 + 0.5% FBS) for cell confluence. The zonae pellucidae of in vivo- and in vitro-matured oocytes were partially drilled using a laser system. Single somatic cell was transferred into the enucleated oocyte. The reconstructed oocytes were electrically fused with 0.3 M mannitol. After the fusion, embryos were activated by Ionomycin+6-DMAP. NT embryos were cultured in mSOF medium supplemented with 0.8% BSA at $39^{\circ}C$ in an atmosphere of 5% $CO_2$, 5% $O_2$, 90% $N_2$ for 12 to 20 hr. One hundred and two SCNT embryos were transferred into 20 recipients and pregnancy rate at days 30 was 20.0%. Of them, one developed to term and delivered 1 kid. Ear cells showed significantly higher fusion (63.8 vs. 26.5%) and pregnancy rates (20.0 vs. 0.0%) than those of fetal fibroblast (p<0.05). The recipients synchronized by CIDR showed significantly lower pregnancy rates compared to that of recipient in natural estrus ($0.0{\sim}25.0%$ vs. 100%) (p<0.05). Cloned kid was born from the recipient in natural estrus. For the synchronization of estrus between recipient and donor, there was no difference between treatments (${\pm}0$ vs. +12 hr) in pregnancy rate. The first healthy cloned kid (Jinsoonny) was produced by transfer of SCNT embryos derived from in vivo oocytes and ear cells into a recipient goat whose estrus was synchronized with the donor. These results imply that donor cells for nuclear transfer may affect the success rate, and the estrus synchronization between donor and recipient animals can also be important.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.33-37
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• 2009

Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) has the potential to increase the rates of genetic improvement in cattle. Thus this study was performed to investigate several factors influencing in vivo embryo production in Holstein cattle under field conditions. The donors were superovulated with Folltropin-V and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ combination method. From Day 10 onward, donors were superovulated by i.m., twice daily, administration of 400mg Folltropin-V given in a series of decreasing doses over a 4-day period: on the first day, 3.5ml; on the second day, 3.0ml; on the third day, 2.0ml; and on the fourth day, 1.5ml (20ml in total, equivalent to 400mg of NIH-FSH-P1). Estrus was induced by i.m. administration of 25mg prostaglandin $F_2{\alpha}$ on the sixth and seventh of FSH treatment. Estrus detection was performed twice daily beginning 24h after the first prostaglandin $F_2{\alpha}$ injection. Donor cows were artificially inseminated 12 and 24 h after first standing estrus with semen from a proven Holstein sire. Embryos used in this study were recovered Day 7.5 of the cycle (Day 0: first standing estrus). From 195 superovulated dairy cows, 2,104 eggs were recovered, of which 1,172 were classified as transferable embryos based on morphological evaluation of quality. The results are summarized as follows: 1. The numbers of recovered and transferable embryos did not significantly differ among the capacity of milk production that were < 10,000kg/305days (group 1), $10,000{\sim}12,000\;kg$/305days (group 2) or > 12,000kg/305 days (group 3) (p>0.05, Table 1). 2. No differences in the numbers of recovered and transferable embryos were found among the donor's postparient days (p>0.05, Table 2). 3. Also, the numbers of recovered and transferable embryos of each superovulation seasons did not significantly differ among the four groups (p>0.05, Table 3).

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2000

Membrane type matrix metalloproteinases(MT-MMPs) have been suggested to play an important role during structural remodeling of various tissue. Expression patterns of MT1-MMP and MT2-MMP mRNAs were investigated in oocytes, embryos, ovary and oviduct of mouse during their differentiation or periovulatory period using RT-PCR technique. Both cDNA products of MT1- and MT2-MMP of immature oocytes were barely discernable with a minimum amount but the expressions were distinct in mature oocytes regardless that they were matured in vivo or in vitro. MT2-MMP was not expressed by 2-cell embryos but was expressed by 4-cell stage embryos. From the morula stage untill hatched blastocyst stage, embyos showed intesnse expression of MT2-MMP with a sudden increase at blastocyst stage. While mouse ovarian tissues showed both expression of MT1- and MT2-MMP, there was no stage-specific difference throughout the estrous cycle. Mouse oviducts also exhibit constant amount of both MT1- and MT2-MMP expressions throughout periovulatory period, i.e., before or after ovulation. These observations lead to suggest that the differential expressions of maternal MT1- and MT2-MMP during meiotic resumption of mouse oocytes and embryonic expression of MT2-MMP particularly at blastocyst stage might play a role in the differentiation of mouse oocytes and／or embryos. The precise function of MT1- and MT2-MMP with regards to their participation in the remodeling of ovarian and oviductal tissues remains in a question.