• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.269-277
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• 2005

Objectives: Previously, we sought to compile a list of genes expressed during early folliculogenesis by using cDNA microarray to investigate follicular gene expression and changes during primordialprimary follicle transition and development of secondary follicles (Yoon et al., 2005). Among those genes, a group of genes related to the cell size growth was characterized during the ovarian development in the present study. Methods: We determined ovarian expression pattern of six genes related to the cell size growth (cyr61, emp1, fhl1, socs2, wig1 and wisp1) and extended into CCN family (${\underline{c}}onnective$ tissue growth factor/${\underline{c}}ysteine$-rich 61/${\underline{n}}ephroblastoma$-overexpressed), ctgf, nov, wisp2, wisp3, including cyr61 and wisp1 genes. Expression of mRNA and protein according to the ovarian developmental stage was evaluated by in situ hybridization, and/or semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results: Among 6 genes related to the cell size growth, cyr61 and wisp1 mRNA was detected only in oocytes in the postnatal day5 mouse ovaries. cyr61 mRNA expression was limited to the nucleolus of oocytes, while wisp1 was expressed in the cytoplasm and nucleolus of oocytes, except nucleus. cyr61 mRNA expression, however, was found in granulosa cells from secondary follicles. The rest 4 genes in the cell size growth group were detected in oocytes, granulosa and theca cells. Cyr61 and Wisp1 proteins were expressed in the oocyte cytoplasm from primordial follicle stage. Especially, Cyr61 protein was detected in pre-granulosa cells, Wisp1 protein was not. By using RT-PCR, we evaluated and decided that Cyr61 protein is produced by their own mRNA in pre-granulosa cells that was not detected by in situ hybridization. cyr61 and wisp1 genes are happen to be the CCN family members. The other members of CCN family were also studied, but their expression was detected in oocytes, granulose and theca cells. Conclusions: We firstly characterized the ovarian expression of genes related to the cell size growth and CCN family according to the early folliculogenesis. Cyr61 protein expression in the pre-granulosa cells is profound in meaning. Further functional analysis for cyr61 in early folliculogenesis is under investigation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.267-271
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• 1997

Apoptosis, programmed cell death, is posulated to occur in granulosa cells in ovarian follicular atresia. bcl-2 gene serves as protector from apoptosis and, thus, is associated with increased cell survival. TRPM-2 gene expression has been implicated as a trigger of apoptosis in rat prostate, uterus and mammary gland. Our objective was to determine if bcl-2 and TRPM-2 are expressed in luteinized human GC and, therefore, have regulatory functions for apoptosis in GC. Human GC were obtained via oocyte retrival from the infertile patients stimulated with exogeneous gonadotropins while undergoing IVF. GC were isolated from follicular fluid using Percoll gradient centrifugation. The GC were further purified with anti-CD45 magnetic beads to remove contaminating WBC's. RT-PCR were performed to analyze the mRNA expression of bcl-2 and TRPM-2 in the GC. The PCR primers were designed to amplify a 195 bp fragment of bcl-2 and a 174 bp fragment of TRPM-2. The PCR products were electrophoresed on 4% agarose gel. Three separate experiments indicated that both bcl-2 and TRPM-2 are concurrently expressed in human GC. We cultured granulosa cells with FSH (1 ng/ml) for 1 day to investigate the relative changes of TRPM-2 mRNA level with RNAse protection assay. When we cultured GC with serum free medium for 1 day TRPM-2 mRNA level increased with 1.3 fold, however it was decreased 0.64 fold with FSH. Therefore we conclude that bcl-2 and TRPM-2 are concurrently expressed and that the interaction of their products may be involved in GC apoptosis. And TRPM-2 may be regulated with FSH.

• 한국패류학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.13-22
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• 2006

2005년 1월부터 12월까지 충청남도 서천군 비인만 앞바다 조간대에서 채집된 큰구슬우렁이를 대상으로 생식소중량지수(GSI), 난자형성 중 난황형성과정 및 생식주기를 세포, 조직학적 관찰과 형태측정 자료에 의해 조사하였다. GSI의 월별 변화는 생식소발달과 유사한 양상을 보였다. 초기 난황형성 단계 난모세포에서 골지체와 미토콘드리아가 지방적 및 난황과립의 형성에 관여되었다. 후기 난황형성 단계의 난모세포에서 조면소포체와 다포체가 세포질 내에서 단백질성 난황과립에 관여하였다. 성숙 난황과립은 주소체 (중앙중심), 가장 자리에 표면층, 그리고 이들을 둘러싼 한계막의 3 가지 성분으로 구성되어있다. 산란기는 6월 초-8월 말 사이 이었고, 주산란은 수온이 $19^{\circ}C$ 이상인 7-8월에 일어났다 암컷의 생식주기는 초기 활성기 (12-2월), 후기 활성기 (2-3월), 완숙기 (4-7월), 산란기 (6-8월), 회복기 (8-11월) 의 연속적인 5 단계로 구분되었다. 완숙난모세포의 크기는 직경이 $250-270{\mu}m$이었다.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제34권6호
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• pp.975-984
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• 2021

Objective: Inbreeding depression of reproduction is a major concern in the conservation of native chicken genetic resources. Here, based on the successful development of strongly inbred (Sinb) and weakly inbred (Winb) Langshan chickens, we aimed to evaluate inbreeding effects on reproductive traits and identify candidate genes involved in inbreeding depression of reproduction in Langshan chickens. Methods: A two-sample t-test was performed to estimate the differences in phenotypic values of reproductive traits between Sinb and Winb chicken groups. Three healthy chickens with reproductive trait values around the group mean values were selected from each of the groups. Differences in ovarian and hypothalamus transcriptomes between the two groups of chickens were analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Results: The Sinb chicken group showed an obvious inbreeding depression in reproduction, especially for traits of age at the first egg and egg number at 300 days (p<0.01). Furthermore, 68 and 618 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained in the hypothalamus and ovary between the two chicken groups, respectively. In the hypothalamus, DEGs were mainly enriched in the pathways related to vitamin metabolism, signal transduction and development of the reproductive system, such as the riboflavin metabolism, Wnt signaling pathway, extracellular matrix-receptor interaction and focal adhesion pathways, including stimulated by retinoic acid 6, serpin family F member 1, secreted frizzled related protein 2, Wnt family member 6, and frizzled class receptor 4 genes. In the ovary, DEGs were significantly enriched in pathways associated with basic metabolism, including amino acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycosaminoglycan degradation. A series of key DEGs involved in folate biosynthesis (gamma-glutamyl hydrolase, guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1), oocyte meiosis and ovarian function (cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 1, structural maintenance of chromosomes 1B, and speedy/RINGO cell cycle regulator family member A), spermatogenesis and male fertility (prostaglandin D2 synthase 21 kDa), Mov10 RISC complex RNA helicase like 1, and deuterosome assembly protein 1) were identified, and these may play important roles in inbreeding depression in reproduction. Conclusion: The results improve our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying inbreeding depression in chicken reproduction and provide a theoretical basis for the conservation of species resources.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제20권9호
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• pp.333-340
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• 2019

본 연구는 염소 난자의 체외배양 시 혈청과 호르몬 첨가의 효과를 알아보기 위하여 체외성숙 효율, 유전자발현 및 체외수정 후 배발달율을 조사하였다. 본 실험에서는 기본 체외성숙 배양액에 10% gBS, 10% gFF를 첨가하여 혈청유무에 따른 효과와 FSH를 조합하여 체외성숙 효율을 조사한 결과, 처리구 모두 대조구보다 유의적으로 높은 성숙률을 보였다. 특히 gBS와 FSH를 조합하였을 때 처리구 중에서도 77.8%로 유의적으로 가장 높은 체외성숙 결과를 보였다. 또한, 각 처리구로부터 얻은 성숙 난자를 이용하여 체외수정 배발달 효율을 조사한 결과 모두 유의적으로 향상되었으며 특히 gBS와 gFF에 FSH를 혼합 처리한 두 그룹이 우수한 결과를 보였다. 난자의 성숙과 관련된 BMP15와 GDF9의 mRNA 발현량을 비교한 결과, 처리구간 특이점이나 유의적 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 본 연구의 결과 염소 난자의 체외성숙에 관한 추가적인 실험이 필요할 것으로 생각되나, gBS, gFF 및 FSH 첨가가 성숙 효율 향상에 도움이 됨을 알 수 있었다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.105-111
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• 2019

Histone deacetylase (HDAC)-6은 전사조절 및 세포질 내 다양한 단백질들과의 상호작용을 통하여 난소암의 유발에 관여한다. 최근, HDAC-6을 표적으로 하는 특이적 억제제를 활용하여 암세포의 신호전달경로를 차단함으로써 새로운 항암제로서의 개발을 모색하고 있다. 특히, 난소암 치료를 위한 화학요법에서는 생식세포에 미치는 영향이 하나의 중요한 난제가 될 수 있다. 그러나, HDAC-6 억제제가 난소암세포 이외의 생식세포에 미치는 영향에 대한 연구는 아직 미흡한 실정이다. 따라서, 본 연구에서는 HDAC-6 억제제의 하나인 tubastatin A (TubA)가 생쥐의 난소 내 미성숙 난자에 미치는 영향을 RNA sequencing 분석을 통하여 검증하였다. 이러한 유전자 집합을 이용한 통계적 분석은 기존의 개별 유전자분석의 한계를 극복하여 대량의 생물학적 정보를 산출함으로써, 세포 내 신호전달경로와 같은 복잡한 생물학적 변화상태를 보다 더 광범위하고 민감하게 파악할 수 있을 뿐만 아니라 의미있는 결과의 도출에 도움을 줄 수 있다. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) 결과, 세포주기와 감수분열의 조절 및 진행에 관여하는 gene sets의 발현이 germinal vesicle (GV)과 비교하여 TubA 처리군에서 대부분 감소되었다. 또한, ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA)를 통하여 TubA가 난모세포 내 p53 및 pRB의 발현을 증가시키고 CDK4/6 및 cyclin D의 발현을 감소시킬 뿐만 아니라, G2/M 단계의 DNA checkpoint 조절에 관여하는 유전자들의 발현을 증가시킴을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과는 TubA가 난소 내 미성숙 난자의 DNA 손상과 세포주기 관련 신호전달경로 유전자들의 발현변화를 유도함으로써, 세포주기의 중지와 세포사멸을 초래할 수 있음을 제시한다. 따라서, 특히 생식주기 이전의 난소암을 표적으로 하는 HDAC-6 억제제를 이용한 항암제의 개발에 있어 난소 내 미성숙 난자의 정상적인 성장과 발달을 위한 대안적 고려가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제32권8호
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• pp.1112-1121
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• 2019

Objective: Gram-negative bacteria lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been reported to be associated with uterine impairment, embryonic resorption, ovarian dysfunction, and follicle retardation. Here, we aimed to investigate the toxic effects of LPS on the maturation ability and parthenogenetic developmental competence of bovine oocytes. Methods: First, we developed an in vitro model to study the response of bovine cumulusoocyte complexes (COCs) to LPS stress. After incubating germinal vesicle COCs in $10{\mu}g/mL$ of LPS, we analyzed the following three aspects: the expression levels of the LPS receptor toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in COCs, activities of intracellular signaling protein p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$); and the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, and IL-6. Furthermore, we determined the effects of LPS on the maturation ability and parthenogenetic developmental competence of bovine oocytes. Results: The results revealed that LPS treatment significantly elevated TLR4 mRNA and protein expression levels in COCs. Exposure of COCs to LPS also resulted in a marked increase in activity of the intracellular signaling protein p-p38 MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$. Furthermore, oocytes cultured in maturation medium containing LPS had significantly higher concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-6. LPS exposure significantly decreased the first polar body extrusion rate. The cytoplasmic maturation, characterized by polar body extrusion and distribution of peripheral cortical granules, was significantly impaired in LPS-treated oocytes. Moreover, LPS exposure significantly increased intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and the relative mRNA abundance of the antioxidants thioredoxin (Trx), Trx2, and peroxiredoxin 1 in oocytes. Moreover, the early apoptotic rate and the release of cytochrome C were significantly increased in response to LPS. The cleavage, morula, and blastocyst formation rates were significantly lower in parthenogenetically activated oocytes exposed to LPS, while the incidence of apoptotic nuclei in blastocysts was significantly increased. Conclusion: Together, these results provide an underlying mechanism by which LPS impairs maturation potential in bovine oocytes.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.546-557
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• 2021

Objective: If fertilization does not occur within a specific period, the quality of unfertilized oocytes in the oviduct (in vivo aging) or in culture (in vitro aging) will deteriorate over time. Icariin (ICA), found in all species of Epimedium herbs, has strong antioxidant activity, and is thought to exert anti-aging effects in vitro. We asked whether ICA protects oocytes against age-related changes in vitro. Methods: We analyzed the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and expression of antioxidant, maternal, and estrogen receptor genes, and along with spindle morphology, and the developmental competence and quality of embryos in the presence and absence of ICA. Results: Treatment with 5 μM ICA (ICA-5) led to a significant reduction in ROS activity, but increased mRNA expression of glutathione and antioxidant genes (superoxide dismutase 1 [SOD1], SOD2, peroxiredoxin 5, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2), during aging in vitro. In addition, ICA-5 prevented defects in spindle formation and chromosomal alignment, and increased mRNA expression of cytoplasmic maturation factor genes (bone morphogenetic protein 15, cyclin B1, MOS proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase, and growth differentiation factor-9). It also prevented apoptosis, increased mRNA expression of antiapoptotic genes (BCL2-like 1 and baculoviral IAP repeat-containing 5), and reduced mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic genes (BCL2 antagonist/killer 1 and activation of caspase-3). Although the maturation and cleavage rates were similar in all groups, the total cell number per blastocyst and the percentage of apoptotic cells at the blastocyst stage were higher and lower, respectively, in the control and ICA-5 groups than in the aging group. Conclusion: ICA protects oocytes against damage during aging in vitro; therefore, it can be used to improve assisted reproductive technologies.

• 한국동물번식학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국동물번식학회 2001년도 춘계학술발표대회
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• pp.68-68
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• 2001

Blastocyst formation, consisting of the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE), is the first differentiation process during embryonic development in mammals. It has been hypothesized that the proportion of ICM to TE in the blastocyst may be crucial for subsequent developmental competence of early embryos, which it may be expressed as a sensitive indicator for evaluating in vitro systems. In this study ICM/total cell ratio of nuclear transfer (NT) embryos was compared with IVF-derived and in vivo embryos. Somatic cell nuclei obtained from a fetus at Day 40 of gestation were transferred into the enucleated oocyte and then cultured in NCSU 23 medium for 6 days as previously described (Koo et al., Biol. Reprod. 2000; 63:986-992). ICM and TE cells of blastocysts were determined by using a differential staining method (Han et al., Biol. Reprod. 1999; 60:1110-1113). Development rate (9.8$\pm$2.5%, 23/225) to the blastocyst stage of NT embryos was lower than IVF embryos (23.8$\pm$2.7%, 53/223). Thus, a difference was detected in the in vitro developmental rate to blastocyst stage between NT and IVF-derived embryos (P<0.05). In the next experiment, we investigated ICM and TE nuclei to assess the quality of blastocysts that produced by NT, IVF and in vivo, respectively. NT blastocysts (27.6$\pm$8.3) showed a smaller total cell number than IVF-derived (42.6$\pm$17.4) and in vivo embryos (283.9$\pm$103.5) (P<0.05). Ratios of ICM/total cells in NT, IVF and in vivo blastocysts were 15.1$\pm$ 18.6% (n=56), 12.3$\pm$9.2% (n=57) and 30.4$\pm$6.8% (n=40), respectively. Individual blastocysts for the ratio of ICM/total cells were assigned to 3 groups (I; <20%, II; 20 to 40% and III;>40%). As the results, most in vivo blastocysts (97.5%, 39/40) were distributed into group II while most NT (78.6%, 44/56) and IVF-derived blastocysts (82.5%, 47/57) were allocated to group I. Thus, our data show that NT or IVF-derived embryos have aberrant morphology during early development in vitro systems, suggesting that these anomalies may result in developmental failures of the NT embryos to term.

• 한국수정란이식학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국수정란이식학회 2002년도 국제심포지엄
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• pp.80-80
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• 2002

This study was carried out that to investigate the effects of amino acids supplemented with culture medium on development of porcine embryos cultured in vitro. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in the maturation medium containing hormones (0.5$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ LH, 0.5$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ FSH and 1$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ estradiol-17${\beta}$) for 20-22 h at 39$^{\circ}C$ in an atmosphere of 5% CO$_2$in air. Subsequently, COCs were cultured in hormone-free maturation medium for 20-22 h. After maturation for 40-44h, oocytes were removed cumulus cells by pipetting and cultured with epididymal sperm for 5 h in the mTBM. Embryos obtained were divided in 4 groups (1) cultured in NCSU 23 containing 0.4% BSA to blastocyst stage(Control), (2) essential amino acids (EA), (3) non-essential amino acids (NA), (4) mixture of essential and non essential amino acid (EA+NA). All treated groups(2-4) were used a glucose free NCSU 23 medium supplemented with pyruvate (0.33 mM), lactate (4.5 mM) to morula stage. From morula to blastocyst stage embryos of all treated groups were cultured in NCSU 23 containing 0.4% BSA. The rates of cleaved oocytes at 48 h after IVF were from 82% to 88% in the groups of control, EA, NA and EA+NA, respectively. The in vitro developmental rates into blastocysts in the groups of EA and EA+NA were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of group of control (35.1, 35.4 vs. 19.4%, respectively), however, no significant (P<0.05) between control and NA. In conclusion, supplemented with essential amino acid or mixture of essential and non essential amino acid in the culture medium at morula stage increased the rate of development to blastocyst on in vitro produced porcine embryos.