• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.15-29
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• 1992

In the present study, it was aimed to find the role of calcium on the maturation of mouse follicular oocytes as well as for the role of calcium inhibitors, $Ni^{2+}$ and $La^{3+}$. Mouse follicular oocytes were cultivated in different media at $37^{\circ}C$, in 100% humidified $CO_2$ incubator for 3 and 17 hrs. The results were as follows; 1. There was no differences in GVBD between the control and experimental groups during the 3 hr culture. 2. Mouse oocytes were matured to higher rate in MHBS rather than HTF for 17 hr culture. 3. Maturation rate was significantly lower in $Ca^{2+}$-free and $Ca^{2+}$ 0.4 mM which were tested, compared to other calcium concentration used in the present study. 4. Calcium inhibitor, $Ni^{2+}$, it showed highest degeneration rate at all calcium concentrations and additionally in $Ni^{2+}$ $100{\mu}M$ treated group next. Maturation rate was significantly decrease as the $Ca^{2+}$ inhibitor concentration increased. 5. In all Lanthanum treated groups of calcium-free, degeneration were significantly high treated groups at 0.4 mM $Ca^{2+}$ concentrations degeneration rates of all group were significantly lower than that of the control but maturation rates were not significantly different in any group. In lanthanum $100{\mu}M$ treated group at 0.4 mM and 0.8 mM calcium concentration, its maturation rate was significantly higher than that of the control. Maturation rates of all groups of lanthanum treated at 1.71 mM calcium concentration were not significantly different among groups. 6. In the calcium treated group (0.4mM-1.7 mM), the presence of phosphate does not seem to be needed for oocyte maturation. However, the presence of phosphate at $Ca^{2+}$ 0.8 mM only seems to stimulated maturation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.693-696
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• 2001

The effect of replacement of in vitro maturation medium completely with the buffalo follicular fluid (buFF) on in vitro oocyte maturation of buffalo oocytes was studied. 5 to 8 buffalo cumulus oocyte complexes were cultured in a single drop with each of the eight media studied i.e., M199+steer serum (10% v/v), M199+steer serum (10% v/v)+PMSG, M199+buFF (10% v/v), M199+buFF (10% v/v)+PMSG, M199+buFF (50% v/v), M199+buFF (50% v/v)+ PMSG, buFF (100%) and buFF+PMSG at $39^{\circ}C$ and 5% $CO_2$ in air for 24 h. Supplementation of M199 with Steer serum alone resulted in IVM rate of 35% only. When the above medium was supplemented with PMSG, the maturation rate rallied to 82%. Significant increase in the maturation rates were observed when M199 was supplemented with increasing levels of buFF. A further increase in the maturation rate was also obtained when PMSG was incorporated into the medium of M199 supplemented with buFF. The rate of maturation was to the tune of 91% when oocytes were matured in buFF alone which was increased non significantly on the addition of PMSG. Highest maturation rate (97%) obtained with M199+buFF (50%v/v)+PMSG did not differ significantly from that obtained by either M199+buFF (10%v/v)+PMSG or buFF+PMSG. It is suggested that buFF alone without any supplementation can form the effective in vitro maturation medium for buffalo oocytes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.827-834
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• 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
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2003

The present study was performed to investigate the first polar body(PB) extrusion during in-vitro maturation(IVM) and to examine the effect of different maturation time on the embryo development of Korean Native Cows(KNC) with regard to blastocyst(BL) cell numbers and pregnancy rates. PB extrusion did not take place for the first 12 hours(hr) of IVM, and most of KNC oocytes extruded PB from 14 to 20 hr after the onset of maturation. There was no significant difference in cleavage and 8-cell stage rates among the treatment groups, but BL and BL/8-cell rates were significantly higher(P<0.05) in 18 hr maturation group(31.0$\pm$5.7 and 82.0$\pm$5.1%) than 22 and 24 hr maturation group. The proportion of BL formed on day 7 and 8 was significantly higher(P<0.05) in 18 hr maturation group(85%) than in 24 hr maturation group(55%). There was a significant difference(P<0.05) in inner cell mass, trophectoderm and total cell number between day 7 BL produced by in-vivo and IVM 18 hr and day 8 BL produced by IVM 18 hr and 24 hr. Pregnancy rates are also significantly higher(P<0.05) in in-vivo(56.3%) and IVM 18 hr day 7(50.0%) group than day 8 treatment groups(18 hr: 16.7%, 24 hr: 10.5%). These results suggest that KNC oocytes achieve developmental competency within 20 hr of IVM, and "short" IVM (18 hr) is more effective than "long" IVM(24 hr) in embryo development rates, BL cell numbers and pregnancy rates.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.139-145
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• 1998

In the present study, effects of interleukin-2 (IL-2), a differentiator and proliferator of T-cells, on nuclear maturation and sperm penetration of bovine oocytes was examined in a serum-free or serum-containing medium. Basic medium was used TCM-199 supplemented with 2.2g / ι sodium bicarbonate, 100 i.u. /rnl penicillin. 100$\mu$g /ml streptomycin, 0.25$\mu$g/ml Fungizone, this medium treated with FCS and IL-2. In experiment 1, we examined the effect of the addition of 0, 1, 5, 10 or 15nM /ml IL-2 to tissue culture medium (TCM-199) on nuclear maturation of oocytes Development of oocytes to the Metaphase II (M II) stage (%) was significantly (P<0.05) higher at 1, 5,10 and 15 nM /ml IL-2(54.2, 73.5, 80.0 and 69.6%, respectively) than at 0 nM /ml IL-2(35.7%). In experiment 2, we examined the effect of the addition of l0nM /ml IL-2 or 5% FCS in oocyte maturation. Nuclear maturation rates were significantly(P<0.05) higher l0nM /ml IL-2(80%) than non-treatment(35.7%) and 5% FCS(63.6%) treatment. On the other hand, there were no significant difference in the proportion of oocytes developed to the 2-cell stage after addition of IL-2 and/or FCS. These results suggest that IL-2 supports nuclear maturation of bovine immature oocytes in vitro. Serum-free maturation system using IL-2 might be useful for evaluation of various factors on oocyte maturation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.1158-1158
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• 2001

Fast and dynamic biochemical, enzymatic and morphological changes occur during the so-called generative development and during the vegetative processes in seeds. The most characteristic biochemical and compositional changes of this period are the formation and decline of storage components or their precursors, the change of their degree in polymerization and an extensive change in water content. The aim of the present study was to detect the maturation processes in seed nondestructively and to verify the applicability of near infrared spectroscopic methods in the measurement of physiological, chemical and biochemical changes in wheat seed. The amount and variation of different water “species” has been changed intensively during maturation. Characteristic changes of three water absorption bands (1920, 1420 and 1150 nm) during maturation were analysed. It was concluded that the free/bound transition of water molecules could be followed sensitively in different region of NIR spectra. Kinetic changes of carbohydrate reserves were characteristic during maturation. An intensive formation and decline of carbohydrate reserves were observed during early stage of maturation (0 -13 days, high energy demand). An accelerated formation of storage carbohydrates (starch) was detected in the second phase of maturation. Five characteristic absorption bands were analysed which were sensitive indicators the changes of carbohydrates occurred during maturation. Precursors of protein synthesis and the synthesis of reserve proteins and their kinetic changes during maturation were followed from NIR spectra qualitative and qualitatively. Dynamic formation of amino acids and the changes of N forms were detected by spectroscopic, chromatographic and by capillary electrophoresis methods. Calibration equations were developed and validated in order to measure the optimal maturation time protein and moisture content of developing wheat seeds. The spectroscopic methods are offering chance and measurement potential in order to detect fine details of physiological processes. The spectra have many hidden details, which can help to understand the biochemical background of processes.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.58-68
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• 2007

The associations between dietary, body composition and sexual maturation were investigated among Korean girls of pubertal age in this study. Dietary intakes were collected by 3 day food records, body compositions were measured by bio-impedence analyzer and sexual maturation stages were determined with a self-administrated questionnaire using Tanner stages in 1,114 girls 9-13 years of age. Girls were divided into early maturation (EM) and late maturation (LM), based on the comparative maturation stages of breast and pubic hair among the same age groups by months. Subjects were excluded if their stage of maturation could not be divided into early and late groups. EM and LM groups consisted of 42.8% and 38.9% of subjects by breast stage and 67.4% and 22.8% by pubic hair stage. Girls in LM group had significantly lower in height, weight and bone mineral contents (p < 0.05). When nutrient densities of average daily intake of the two groups were compared, folate density was significantly higher among the LM group of breast stages (p < 0.01), and Ca, P, K, Vit. $B_1$, Vit. $B_2$ and folate densities were significantly higher among the LM group of pubic hair stages (p < 0.05). These results show that intakes of some micronutrients differ between children with faster and slower sexual maturation velocities at early pubertal stages. More longitudinal studies are needed to confirm whether such differences are consistent throughout the pubertal period.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.191-200
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• 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.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.147-152
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• 2008

The aim of this study was to investigate what components of porcine epididymal fluid (pEF) influences the nuclear maturation of porcine germinal vesicle oocytes. Porcine cumulus-oocytes complexes from follicles were cultured in TCM 199 containing pEF. After 48 h cultures, oocytes were examined for evidence of GV breakdown, metaphase I, anaphase-telophase I, and metaphase II. Maturation rate of oocytes was significantly increased in media supplemented with 10% pEF during in vitro maturation (IVM) than in those without pEF. When lipid component of pEF was removed by treating n-heptane, no significant difference was observed in maturation of oocytes between n-heptane treatrment and intact pEF group. However, the proportion of oocytes reaching at metaphase II (M II) was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in the oocytes cultured in media containing trypsin-treated pEF compared to those in media with intact pEF. When porcine GV oocytes were matured in the medium supplemented with intact pEF or pEF heated at $56^{\circ}C$ and $97^{\circ}C$, rates of oocytes remained at GV stage were 11.7%, 29.4% and 42.0%, respectively. However, there were no difference in proportion of oocytes reaching at MII stage among intact pEF group and $56^{\circ}C$ group. Present study suggests that 1) pEF contains an enhancing component(s) for nuclear maturation in vitro of oocytes, 2) protein(s) of pEF may be capable to promote nuclear maturation in vitro, and 3) enhancing component for nuclear maturation may consist of two factors, which are responsible for germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and promotion of MII stage.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.163-169
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• 2012

The 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) is non-selective phosphodiesterase and is able to prevent resumption of meiosis by maintaining elevated cyclic AMP (cAMP) concentrations in the oocyte. The present study was conducted to analyze: (1) nuclear maturation (examined by the Hoechst staining), (2) whether cytoplasmic maturation (examined by the intracellular glutathione (GSH) concentration) of porcine oocytes is improved during meiotic arrest after prematuration (22 h) with IBMX. Before in vitro maturation (IVM), oocytes were treated with 1 mM IBMX for 22 h. After 22 h of pre-maturation, the higher rate of IBMX treated group oocytes were arrested at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage (42.3%) than control IVM oocytes (10.1%). It appears that the effect of IBMX on the resumption of meiosis has shown clearly. In the end of IVM, the reversibility of the IBMX effect on the nuclear maturation has been corroborated in this study by the high proportions of MII stage oocytes (72.5%) reached after 44 h of IVM following the 22 h of inhibition. However, intracellular GSH concentrations were lower in the oocytes treated with IBMX than the control oocytes (6.78 and 12.94 pmol/oocyte, respectively). These results demonstrate that cytoplasmic maturation in porcine oocytes pre-treated with IBMX for 22 h did not equal that of control oocytes in the current IVM system. These results indicate that pre-maturation with IBMX for 22 h may not be beneficial in porcine IVM system.