• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.202-209
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the correlation of oocyte number with serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels measured by two automated methods (Access or Elecsys) in fresh stimulated in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Methods: In this retrospective study at a university hospital, data were collected from 243 fresh stimulated IVF cycles performed from August 2016 to December 2020. The serum AMH level was measured by Access in 120 cycles and by Elecsys in 123 cycles. The cut-off of serum AMH for prediction of poor responders (three or fewer oocytes) or high responders (15 or more oocytes) was calculated by the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: For the two automated methods, the following equations were derived: total oocyte number=2.378+1.418×(Access-AMH) (r=0.645, p<0.001) and total oocyte number=2.417+2.163×(Elecsys-AMH) (r=0.686, p<0.001). The following combined equation could be derived: (Access-AMH)=0.028+1.525×(Elecsys-AMH). To predict poor responders, the cut-off of Access-AMH was 1.215 ng/mL (area under the curve [AUC], 0.807; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.730-0.884; p<0.001), and the cut-off of Elecsys-AMH was 1.095 ng/mL (AUC, 0.848; 95% CI, 0.773-0.923; p<0.001). To predict high responders, the cut-off of Access-AMH was 3.450 ng/mL (AUC, 0.922; 95% CI, 0.862-0.981; p<0.001), and the cut-off of Elecsys-AMH was 2.500 ng/mL (AUC, 0.884; 95% CI, 0.778-0.991; p<0.001). Conclusion: Both automated methods for serum AMH measurement showed a good correlation with oocyte number and good performance for predicting poor and high responders in fresh stimulated IVF cycles. The Access method usually yielded higher measured serum AMH levels than the Elecsys method.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.55-59
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• 2022

This study was conducted to provide basic information on the sexual mature and reproductive biology of Trichiurus lepturus. During the oogenesis, size of oocyte and nucleus showed the increase tendency but size ratio of nucleolus to nucleus was decreased. In the result of H-E stain, the stainability of the cytoplasm was changed from basophilic to eosinophilic. The egg diameter of initial vitellogenic oocyte was about 63.2 (±12.7) ㎛. In the cytoplasmic cortex, eosinophilic yolk nucleus was observed. The size of mature oocyte was 216.6 (±24.7) ㎛ and GVBD (germinal vesicle breakdown) was observed. The size of ripe oocyte was 317.9 (±80.9) ㎛ and the thickness of zona radiata was 4.2 (±1.7) ㎛. The oocyte developmental type is considered to belong to the group synchronous type. The accumulation of yolk in the oocyte, like most teleost, is thought to be of two types: exogenous and endogenous accumulation.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2007

Oocyte surface in two Korean minnows, Rhynchocypris oxycephalus and R. kumgangensis was examined by light and electron microscope. In two species, the development of the oocyte was similar, but the follicular layer surrounding full-grown oocyte showed an evident difference. In R. oxycephalus, the follicular layer at the yolk vesicle stage became bilaminar with the retention of its outer squamous cell layer and the acquisition of an inner cuboidal or round cell layer just over the zona radiata. As the oocyte grows, the cuboidal cells of the inner follicular layer began to be replaced by columnar cells. At the yolk granule stage, the columnar cells secreted mucin to their cytoplasm (adhesive materials) and then surround the entire oocyte, as bundles of fence-shaped structures. Whereas, although the follicular layer of R. kumgangensis had an outer squamous layer and an inner cuboidal or round cell layer at the yolk vesicles as in R. oxycephalus, no inner cells were more changed with the retention of its cuboidal or round cells. Finally, in R. kumgangensis, the adhesive materials did not occur. In Korean two minnows, the structural difference in the oocyte surface seems to be related to their habitats and spawning characteristics as well as taxonomic characters.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.497-498
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• 2012

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.124-124
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• 2003

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.95-103
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• 2003

Objective : To assess and compare the clinical outcomes between GnRH agonist long protocol and GnRH antagonist short protocol in oocyte donation program. Materials and Methods: Of total 18 oocyte donation cycles, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) were performed with GnRH agonist long protocol and GnRH antagonist short protocol in initial 9 cycles and later 9 cycles, respectively. Oral estradiol valerate and progesterone in oil we re administrated to all recipients for endometrial preparation. Oral estradiol administration was started from donor cycle day 1 after full shut down of gonadal axis with GnRH agonist in patients with ovarian function. Progesterone was injected from oocyte retrieval day of donor initially, then continuously till pregnancy 12 weeks if pregnancy was ongoing. We compared the parameters of clinical outcomes, such as number of the retrieved oocytes, fertilization rate, high grade embryo production rate, clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate, ongoing pregnancy rate, COH duration, total gonadotropin dose for COH between GnRH agonist long protocol group and GnRH antagonist group. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney test, p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The number of retrieved oocytes, fertilization rate, high grade embryo production rate, clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate, ongoing pregnancy rate were $14.89{\pm}7.83$, 81%, 64%, 78%, 31%, 78%, respectively in GnRHa long protocol group and $11.22{\pm}8.50$, 79%, 64%, 67%, 34%, 56%, respectively in GnRH antagonist group. There was no significant differences in parameters of clinical outcomes between 2 groups (all p value >0.05). Duration and total gonadotropin dose for COH were $10.94{\pm}1.70$ days and $43.78{\pm}6.8$ vials in 18 cycles, $12.00{\pm}1.73$ days and $48.00{\pm}6.93$ vials in agonist group, $9.88{\pm}0.78$ days and $39.55{\pm}3.13$ vials in antagonist group, respectively. In GnRH agonist long protocol group, significantly longer duration and higher gonadotropin dose for COH were needed (p=0.012). Conclusion: In oocyte donation program, clinical outcomes from controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with GnRH antagonist were comparable to those from GnRH agonist long protocol group, so controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with GnRH antagonist may be effective as GnRH agonist long protocol. At least there may not be harmful effects of GnRH antagonist on oocyte development and quality.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2008

Ultrastructural changes occurring during the course of development and degeneration of oocytes in female Ruditapes philippinarum (Adams & Reeve, 1850) are described for clams collected from Gomso Bay, Korea. During the early stages of oogenesis, desomosome-like gap junctions localized between the early vitellogenic oocyte and the follicle cells. Vitellogenesis occurs through a process of autosynthesis, involving the combined activity of the Golgi complex, mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum, and heterosynthesis in which extraovarian precursors are incorporated into oocytes by endocytotic activity, involving the basal region of the early vitellogenic oocytes prior to the formation of the vitelline envelope. The follicle cells appear to play an integral role in vitellogenesis and oocyte degeneration: phagocytosis and intracellular digestion of products originating from oocyte degeneration. These functions can permit a transfer of yolk precursors necessary to vitellogenesis, and they can accumulate nutrients in the cytoplasm, as glycogen and lipids, which can be employed by the vitellogenic oocyte. During the period of oocyte degeneration, follicle cells may have lysosomal system for breakdown, and resorb various phagosomes in the cytoplasm for nutrient storage. But follicle cells probably are not the major source of yolk precursors in vitellogenesis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.153-162
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• 1991

The present study was undertaken to clarify the role of calcium ion as a factor for the maturation of follicle-enclosed mouse oocytes. Follicles were isolated with two sharp needles under a stereomicroscope from mouse(ICR) ovaries which were treated PMSG 5 IU 45 hours previously. Isolated follicles were cultured for 14-16 hours in an organ culture system at $37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ in air and in a 100% humidified incubator by treatment of hCG, EDTA and $^{45}Ca^{++}$. Culture medium was Modified Hank's Balanced Salt Sol. (MHBS) and addition of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) was made into two doses level 0.4 IU and 0.8IU from the stock sol. and also $^{45}Ca^{++}$ was treated in the culture medium. To explain the role of calcium, calcium chelating agent EDTA was treated to the culture of the mouse follicle-enclosed oocytes. Two observations were made in the present study; nucleus phase and $^{45}Ca^{++}$ uptake into the oocyte. HCG induced oocyte maturation in the follicle about two folds as much as the control group, whereas there is no difference in oocyte maturation between 0.4 IU and 0.8 IU of hCG. Optimum level of hCG seems to be 0.4 IU/ml in the mouse follicle culture. HCG stimulated $^{45}Ca^{++}$ uptake into the oocyte of the follicles by two folds. $^{45}Ca^{++}$ uptake in the control group is about 2.5 folds in comparison of the EDTA(1.71mM) treated group. However, calcium uptake in the EDTA treated groups tends to increase depending on the decrease of EDTA concentration. These observations suggest that firstly, hCG stimulates maturation of the oocyte of the follicle, secondly, $Ca^{++}$ influx is induced by hCG and thirdly, $Ca^{++}$ influx by the treatment of EDTA decreases as a dosage-dependent process. This $Ca^{++}$ uptake may take place by the changes of permeability which was induced by hCG treatment. That is, $Ca^{++}$ influx may trigger the resumption of oocyte maturation. It is further necessary in the future study how this $Ca^{++}$ uptake is induced by hCG and increases permeability of the follicle and oocyte.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2001

When mammalian oocytes undergo maturation, cumulus cells surrounding the oocyte exhibit remodeling of their structure known as cumulus expansion. Many molecules including hyaluronic acid participate in this remodeling. The present study aimed to investigate a possible existence of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) in the extracellular matrix(ECM) of human oocyte-cumulus complex. ECM was extracted from the human oocyte-cumulus complex. Gelatin gel zymogram of ECM exhibited 7 gelatinases having molecular weight of 300kDa, 240kDa, 200kDa, 180kDa, 116kDa, 97kDa, and 84kDa. This gelatinase profile was very different from that of ovarian mural granulosa cell extract or white blood cell extract, indicating that the oocyte-cumulus complex donating ECM was free from other than cumulus cells. When ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or 1', 10'-phenanthroline was added to the reaction buffer during zymographic development, almost gelatinase activities were abolished, suggesting that they were MMPs. Following incubation of ECM in the presence of aminophenylmercuric acetate, an activator of proMMPs, 4 gelatinases of 240kDa, 180kDa, 97kDa, and 84kDa disappeared with the concomitant appearance of 80kDa, 65kDa, and 60kDa gelatinases. Based upon these observation, it is suggested that ECM of the human oocyte-cumulus complex consists of gelatinases, presumed to be MMP-2 and MMP-9 isoforms.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.317-324
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• 2004

The present study was conducted to investigate the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in cumulus expansion, oocyte mortality and meiotic maturation of porcine cumulus enclosed oocytes (CEOs) cultured in two different models when gonadotropins, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were presented or not. And the interaction between NO and $\beta$-mercaptoethanol ($\beta$-ME), a free radical scavenger was also investigated. Two models refer to spontaneous maturation model and hypoxanthine (HX) medium model. All the 3,433 eligible CEOs were incubated at $39^{\circ}C$ and the cumulus expansion, oocyte morphology and nuclear phase were evaluated 44 h after incubation. (1) In spontaneous maturation model, NO stimulates the cumulus expansion and $\beta$-ME delayed it. NO doesn't affect the oocyte meiotic resumption but inhibits the oocytes to develop to metaphase II. (2) In HX medium model, NO or $\beta$-ME doesn't affect the expansion in the absence of gonadotropins, but in the presence of gonadotropins, NO or $\beta$-ME inhibits the expansion. In the presence of gonadotropins, NO inhibits the oocyte meiotic resumption and it especially inhibits the oocyte to develop to metaphase II, and $\beta$-ME reverses such inhibitory effects. The cooperation of gonadotropins and $\beta$-ME stimulates the meiotic resumption and especially, promotes the CEOs to develop to metaphase II in both models. Moreover, HX might contribute to the fragility of oocyte zona pellucida and gonadotropins, nitric oxide and $\beta$-ME could alleviate it separately, and cooperatively. It is concluded that NO exerts different functions in two models and $\beta$-ME affected the functions of NO in different models.