• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.653-655
• /
• 2005

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) of the salivary gland is a rare tumor that comprises approximately 1% of all salivary gland tumors. It has a distinctive histological appearance comprising ductal structures with an inner epithelial cell component and an outer layer of myoepithelial cells. We report a case of EMC of the parotid gland in a 41- year-old man. He presented left-sided subauricular swelling developed 3-month earlier. Neck CT scans revealed a well-defined mass in the left superficial parotid gland. He underwent superficial parotidectomy and was diagnosed as EMC. He was taken postoperative radiotherapy. There was no evidence of recurrence during a follow-up period of 12 months. A EMC is a low grade malignant tumor which can cause diagnostic confusion during workup and also frequently misdiagnosed as other benign or malignant tumor.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.33-40
• /
• 2001

Objective: This study was to establish the human embryonic stem (ES) cells derived from frozen-thawed blastocyst stage embryo that were destined to be discarded after five years in routine human IVF-ET program. Methods: Frozen-thawed and survived human blastocysts were treated by immunosurgery, and recovered ICM cells were cultured onto STO feeder cell layer and ICM colony was subcultured by mechanical dissociation into clumps. To identify ES cell, alkaline phosphatase staining and expression of Oct4 in replated ICM colonies were examined. Also, to examine the possibility of ES cell differentiation, retinoic acid (RA), basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), nerve growth factor (NGF) were added in culture medium. In addition, to classify the specific cell type, differentiated cells were stained by indirect immunocytochemistry. Results: One ICM colony recovered from frozen-thawed six blastocysts was subcultured, continuously replated during 40 passage culture duration without differentiation. Subcultured colonies were strong positively stained by alkaline phophatase. When the expression of Oct4 in cultured ES colony was examined, Oct4b type is more clearly indicated than Oct4a one although there was not detected in embryoid body or differentiated cells. In differentiated cardiomyocytes from ES colony, cells were beaten regularly (60 times/min). In differentiated neural cells from ES colony, neurofilament (NF) 200 kDa protein, microtubule associated protein (MAP) 2 and ${\beta}$-tubulin of specific marker in neurons, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) of specific marker in astrocytes and galactocelebrocide (GalC) of specific marker in oligodendrocytes were confirmed by indirect immunocytochemistry. Also, muscle cells were detected by indirect immunocytochemistry. In addition, ES colonies can be successfully cryopreserved. Conclusion: This study suggested that establishment of human ES cells can be successfully derived from frozen-thawed blastocysts that were destined to be discarded, and obtained specific cell types (cardiomyocytes, neurons and muscle cells) through the in vitro differentiation procedures of ES cells.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.29-36
• /
• 2004

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of amino acid supplementation of oocyte maturation medium on 1st polar body(PB) extrusion, embryo development and blastocsyt cell number. In experiment 1, Cumulus oocyte complexes(COCs) were matured in in vitro maturation(IVM) medium supplemented with 1, 2, or 4-fold of 10 $\mu$l/ml MEM non-essential amino acid(NEAA) and 20 Park, $\mu$ l/ml BME essential amino acid(EAA). The PB extrusion rate of oocytes matured in 1-fold amino acid group was significantly higher than that matured in medium without amino acid (p＜0.05), but it was decreased by the increase of the dosage of amino acid. There were no difference in the percentage of embryos reaching 2-cell, 8-cell and blastocyst in all treatments. The number of trophectoderm(TE) cells and total cell number of blastocysts were highest in 2-fold amino acid group, and the number of inner cell mass(ICM) cells was increased by the increase of the dosage of amino acid. In experiment 2, COCs were matured in IVM medium with 1, 5, or 10 mg/ml lactalbumin hydrolysate(LAH). The PB extrusion rate of oocytes matured in medium with 5 mg LAH was significantly higher than that matured in medium with 1 mg LAH (p＜0.05). The development rate to the blastocyst stage was significantly higher in non-supplement and 1 mg LAH group than in 5 mg and 10 mg LAH group (p＜0.05). The number of TE cells and total cell number did not differ among treatment groups, but the number of ICM cells was increased by the increase of LAH supplement. These results suggested that the supplement of certain group of amino acid in IVM medium effective on the quality of blastocyst, and further studies will be accompany with the search of new sources of amino acid used for the use of in vitro embryo production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.827-834
• /
• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of $36.5^{\circ}C$ and $38.5^{\circ}C$ incubation temperatures on the maturation of bovine oocytes and developmental competence of embryos. Methods: In experiment 1, oocytes were maturated in bicarbonate-buffered TCM-199 for 22 hours in a humidified atmosphere of 5% $CO_2$ in the air at either $36.5^{\circ}C$ or $38.5^{\circ}C$ and nuclear maturation status were determined. In experiment 2, in vitro fertilized oocytes were allocated randomly into synthetic oviductal fluid medium with or without a mixture of 1 mM L-glutathione reduced and 1,500 IU superoxide dismutase and cultured in a humidified atmosphere of 5% $CO_2$, 5% $O_2$, and 90% $N_2$ in the air at $38.5^{\circ}C$ for 8 days. Results: There were no significant differences between incubation temperatures in terms of oocyte maturation parameters such as cumulus expansion, first polar body extrusion and nuclear maturation. Incubation temperatures during in vitro maturation had no effects on developmental competence of embryos, but supplementation of antioxidants increased (p<0.05) developmental competence of the embryos. Blastocysts from oocytes matured at $38.5^{\circ}C$ had comparatively higher inner cell mass, but low overall and trophectoderm cell numbers (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of present study showed that maturation of bovine oocytes at $36.5^{\circ}C$ may provide a suitable thermal environment for nuclear maturation and subsequent embryo development.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.309-315
• /
• 2003

DNA methylation at CpG sites, which is a epigenetic modification, is associated with gene expression without change of DNA sequences. During early mouse embryogenesis, dynamic changes of DNA methylation occur. In this study, DNA methylation patterns of porcine embryos produced in vivo and in vitro were examined at various developmental stages by the immunocytochemical staining method. Interestingly, active demethylation was not observed on the paternal pronucleus of porcine zygotes. However, differences were detected in the passive demethylation process between in vivo and in vitro embryos. There was no change in the DNA methylation state until the blastocyst stage of in vivo embryos, whereas partial demethylation was observed in several blastomeres from a 4 cell stage to a morula stage of in vitro embryos. The whole genome of inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) cells in porcine blastocysts were evenly methylated without de novo methylation. Our findings demonstrate that genome-wide demethylation does not occur in pig embryos during preimplantation development unlike murine and bovine embryos. It indicates that the machinery regulating epigenetic reprogramming may be different between species.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.189-192
• /
• 2012

Although embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or ES-like cells are reported from many mammalian species other than the mouse, the culture system for murine ESCs may not be suitable to the other species. Previously many other research groups have modified either human or mouse ESC culture systems for bovine ESC culture. In this study, we compared three different culture mediums consisting of DMEM, ${\alpha}$-MEM or KnockOut$^{TM}$-DMEM (KO), which are modified from human or mouse ESC culture system, for the generation of bovine ESCs. In this study, some pre-requisite events which are important for establishment and long-term propagation of ESCs such as inner cell mass (ICM) attachment on feeder cells, primary colony formation and sustainability after passaging. Once the ICM clumps attached on feeder cells, this was designated as passage 0. In regards to the rate of ICM attachment, ${\alpha}$-MEM was superior to the other systems. For primary colony formation, there was no difference between DMEM and ${\alpha}$-MEM whereas KO showed lower formation rate than the other groups. For passaging, the colonies were split into 2~4 pieces and passed every 5~6 days. From passage 1 to passage 3, DMEM system seemed to be appropriate for maintaining putative bovine ESCs. On the other hand, ${\alpha}$-MEM tended to be more suitable after passage 6. Although ${\alpha}$-MEM support to maintain a ES-like cell progenies to passage 15, all three culture systems which are modified from human or mouse ESC culture media failed to retain the propagation and long-term culture of putative bovine ESCs. Our findings imply that more optimized alternative culture system is required for establishing bovine ESC lines.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.213-218
• /
• 2007

This study was performed to investigate the effect of VEGF on in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes. The base medium for IVM, TCM-199 was supplemented with 0.6 mM cysteine, 0.91 mM pyruvate, 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor, $75{\mu}g/ml$ kenamycin, $1{\mu}g/ml$ insulin and 10% (V/V) porcine follicular fluid (pFF) as a Group A; Group B was consists of Group A plus 5 ng/ml VEGF; Group C was consists of replacement of pFF by 10% PVA and Group D: was consists of Group C plus 5 ng/ml VEGF. 1. The maturation rate was significantly higher (p<0.05) in control and VEGF+pFF group than other two groups ($76.1{\pm}9.6,\;78.9{\pm}6.0\;vs\;60.4{\pm}14.2\;and\;58.3{\pm}14.3$, respectively). 2. Addition of VEGF without pFF showed a negative effect on oocytes maturation and about 58.26% oocytes were reached to M-II stage. 3. In the parthenogenetic development, the cleavage rate was significantly higher (p<0.05) in control and VEGF+pFF group ($73.2{\pm}1.8\;and\;64.6{\pm}1.1$, respectively) than other groups ($47.9{\pm}1.8\;and\;48.3{\pm}1.7$, respectively). 4. The blastocyst formation rate was significantly higher (p<0.05) in VEGF+pFF group ($32.6{\pm}2.4$) compared to control and other groups. 5. There was no significant difference in cell numbers (inner cell mass or trophectoderm) among these groups.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
• /
• 2001.10a
• /
• pp.37-43
• /
• 2001

1. About fifty thousand of cattle embryos were transferred and 16000 ET-calves were born in 1999. Eighty percents of embryos were collected from Japanese Black beef donors and transferred to dairy Holstein heifers and cows. Since 1985, we have achieved in bovine in vitro fertilization using immature oocytes collected from ovaries of slaughterhouse. Now over 8000 embryos fertilized by Japanese Black bull, as Kitaguni 7~8 or Mitsufuku, famousbulls as high marbling score of progeny tests were sold to dairy farmers and transferred to their dairy cattle every year. 2. Embryo splitting for identical twins is demonstrated an useful tool to supply a bull for semen collection and a steer for beef performance test. According to the data of Dr. Hashiyada(2001), 296 pairs of split-half embryos were transferred to recipients and 98 gave births of 112 calves (23 pairs of identical twins and 66 singletons). 3. A blastomere-nuclear-transferred cloned calf was born in 1990 by a joint research with Drs. Tsunoda, National Institute of Animal Industry (NIAI) and Ushijima, Chiba Prefectural Farm Animal Center. The fruits of this technology were applied to the production of a calf from a cell of long-term-cultured inner cell mass (1988, Itoh et al, ZEN-NOH Central Research Institute for Feed and Livestock) and a cloned calf from three-successive-cloning (1997, Tsunoda et al.). According to the survey of MAFF of Japan, over 500 calves were born until this year and a glaf of them were already brought to the market for beef. 4. After the report of "Dolly", in February 1997, the first somatic cell clone female calves were born in July 1998 as the fruits of the joint research organized by Dr. Tsunoda in Kinki University (Kato et al, 2000). The male calves were born in August and September 1998 by the collaboration with NIAI and Kagoshima Prefecture. Then 244 calves, four pigs and a kid of goat were now born in 36 institutes of Japan. 5. Somatic cell cloning in farm animal production will bring us as effective reproductive method of elite-dairy- cows, super-cows and excellent bulls. The effect of making copy farm animal is also related to the reservation of genetic resources and re-creation of a male bull from a castrated steer of excellent marbling beef. Cloning of genetically modified animals is most promising to making pig organs transplant to people and providing protein drugs in milk of pig, goat and cattle. 6. Farm animal cloning is one of the most dreamful technologies of 21th century. It is necessary to develop this technology more efficient and stable as realistic technology of the farm animal production. We are making researches related to the best condition of donor cells for high productivity of cloning, genetic analysis of cloned animals, growth and performance abilities of clone cattle and pathological and genetical analysis of high rates of abortion and stillbirth of clone calves (about 30% of periparutum mortality). 7. It is requested in the report of Ministry of Health, labor and Welfare to make clear that carbon-copy cattle(somatic cell clone cattle) are safe and heathy for a commercial market since the somatic cell cloning is a completely new technology. Fattened beef steers (well-proved normal growth) and milking cows(shown a good fertility) are now provided for the assessment of food safety.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.229-237
• /
• 2004

The main objective of this study was to examine the effects of serum and gonadotropins supplement during in vitro maturation(IVM) of bovine oocytes on nuclear maturation and embryo development, and we also examine the cell number. 1 . The first polar body(PB) extrusion rates of Korean native cow(KNC) oocytes matured in medium with FBS or gonadotropins were similar among treatment groups. The development rate to the blastocyst stage was significantly higher in the group of both supplement FBS and gonadotropins(26.0％) than in the group of non-supplement(9.9％) and gonadotropins (12.0％). The numbers of inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) cells and total cell numbers of blastocysts were highest in the group of both supplement FBS and gonadotropins, and the number of ICM cells was increased by FBS supplementation (p<0.05). 2. The PB extrusion rates of KNC oocytes matured in medium with FBS in the different duration of IVM was significantly higher in the 0-18hr(63.1％) and in the 9-18hr(63.4％) group than in the 0-9hr.(37.4％) group (p<0.05). The embryo development rates did not differ among treatment groups. The numbers of TE cells and total cell numbers of blastocysts were similar among treatment groups, but the number of ICM cells of the 0-18h. group were significantly higher than the other treatment groups (p<0.05). The results indicate that although TCM199 alone can support bovine oocyte maturation and development to the blastocyst stage, a high quality of blastocysts can be produced from oocytes matured in medium containing serum and gonadotropins.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.121-128
• /
• 2006

In this study, we examined the effects of molecular weight, concentrations and treat the duration of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in vitro maturation (IVM) medium (Experiment 1), and the effect of PVP in IVM, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC) medium on the development and cell number of porcine embryos (Experiment 2). The base mediums were NCSU 23 solution for IVM, mTBM solution for IVF and PZM3 solution for IVC. In experiment 1, the development rates to 2 cell and blastocyst stage were not differ from the different molecular weight (MW), concentration and duration of PVP in IVM medium. However, the hatching rate of blastocyst was significantly higher in the group of MW 40,000, 0.5% and $0{\sim}44hr$ than in the other groups (p<0.05). In experiment 2, the results of IVM, IVF and IVC medium with (W) or without (W/O) 0.5% MW 40,000 PVP are follows. The development rate to 2 cell stage was highest in the group of W-W/O-W (p<0.05). The development rate to blastocyst and hatching rate was higher in the group of W-W/O-W and W-W/O-W/O than that of other treatments (p<0.05).