• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.121-129
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• 1999

The objective of this study was to produce calves by transfer of embryos derived from slaughter house(SHD) and ultrasound-guided ovum pick-up (OPU). At 60 hrs after injection of 400 mg FSH dissolved in 25% polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP) by single dose, ultrasound-guided follicular oocyte aspiration was ferformed. Day-7 and day-8 blastocysts produced by in vitro maturation (IVM), fertilization (IVF) and culture(IVC) of the oocytes derived from SHD and OPU were nonsurgically transferred into recipients. The results obtained were as follows. The cleavage rate and the development rate to blastocysts were not significantly (P<0.05) different between the oocytes obtained by SHD (72.9% vs. 34.1%) and OPU (75.9% vs. 38.4%). The oocyte recovery rate from the number of follicles by ultrasound-guided aspiration were not significantly (P<0.05) different between Holstein (61.7%) and Hanwoo (60.1%), but the rate of oocytes useful for IVF was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Hanwoo (69.3%) than Holstein (59.6%). The cleavage rate and the development rate to blastocysts was not significantly (P<0.05) different between Holstein (74.9% vs. 39.2%) and recipients on day 8 of estrus cycle resulted in 13 pregnancies (34.2%). One of them was sacrificed during gestation period due to mastitis and another was aborted spontaneous. The resulting 14 calves were morphologically normal at birth. Seventy eight fresh OPU-IVF embryos were transferred into 21 recipients on day 8 of estrus cycles, resulting in pregnancy of 12 recipients (41.4%). Two of them were sacrificed during gestation period due to mastitis and the other two were aborted. Nevertheless, the 11 OPU-calves have been born normally.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.147-151
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• 2017

Commercial applications of OPU/IVP were to produce embryos and calves from high genetic cows. The aim of this present study was to compare the number of recovered oocytes and cultured In vitro produced embryos from Ovum Pick-up (OPU). OPU derived embryo production was carried out of oocytes by ultrasonographic guided follicular aspiration and then produced in vitro produced blastocysts by IVP culture system. In result, the rate of recovered oocytes was obtained 612 (57.2%) and 451(73.7) G1+G2 grade oocytes. No difference of recovered rate (51.1~62.1%) was seen in six donor. The rate of cleavage and blastocyst development were obtained 320 (70.9%) and 78 (24.4%) that was $3.3{\pm}0.4$ cleaved embryo and $0.9{\pm}0.2$ blastocysts per session. Cleavage rate of OPU oocytes in No. 6 donor was 90.6%, significantly (P<0.05) higher than that in the other donors, However, blastocysts was similar (25.8~30.0%). In conclusion, limited numbers of OPU oocytes had competent development when cultured in SOF culture medium.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.488-500
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the protocols for superstimulation of follicular growth in Thai native heifers. Heifers (n = 20) were randomly divided into four groups of five heifers/group. Heifers were given a single dose by i.m. administration of 100 mg Follicle Stimulating Hormone dissolved in polyvinylpyrrolidone (FSHp) at 24 h. Ovum pick up (OPU) occurred at 72 h ($F_{24}O_{72}$ protocol; Group 1) or 96 h ($F_{24}O_{96}$ protocol; Group 2), and at 36 h and OPU at 72 h ($F_{36}O_{72}$ protocol; Group 3) or 96 h ($F_{36}O_{96}$ protocol; Group 4) after follicular ablation. The dynamics of ovarian follicular growth were monitored by twice-daily ultrasonographic examinations. Blood sample collections were performed every 12 h after initiation of treatment for assessment of FSH, E2 and P4 profiles. All heifers were subjected to eight repeated sequential sessions of OPU. The follicular deviation commenced $24{\pm}5.32$ h after follicular ablation in all groups. The circulatory FSH surged quickly from 24 to 36 h (>0.8 ng/ml) after follicular ablation and circulatory estrogen levels steadily increased from 36 h until OPU in all groups. At the end of the OPU sessions, the mean number of aspirated follicles/heifer/session in $F_{36}O_{72}$ protocol (Group 3) and $F_{36}O_{96}$ protocol (Group 4) were higher than in the two other groups (p<0.05). The number of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), cleaved and day 8 blastocysts rates in the $F_{36}O_{72}$ protocol (Group 3) were higher than in the other groups (p<0.05). It can be concluded that a single dose i.m. administration of 100 mg FSHp at 36 h and OPU at 72 h after follicular ablation ($F_{36}O_{72}$ protocol; Group 3) was the most effective protocol for superstimulation of follicular growth for repeated OPU and subsequent in vitro embryo production in Thai native heifers.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.83-88
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• 2000

This study was conducted to determine the effect of repeated ultrasound-guided transvaginal retrieval of oocytes recovery, estrous cycle and ovarian adhesion in Korean native, Hanwoo heifers. Heifers were at unknown stages of the estrous cycle at the start of experiments in which all follicles $\geq$6mm in diameter were ablated. The results obtained in this study were as follows; Follicle developing number and oocytes collected number were no effected to repeated OPU to nine session, 4 e.a range oocytes collected to repeated OPU session. Oocytes were observated follicles were 8.7$\pm$4.2 e.a, collected oocytes were 4.1$\pm$3.4 e.a to two times collected per week and observated follicles was 10.2$\pm$6.1 e.a, collected oocytes were 4.3$\pm$2.9 e.a to one times collected per week, but no difference significantly(P＜0.05). Ovaries adhesive percentage to repeated OPU was eight ovaries adhisived(20%) of forty ovaries, three ovaries(7.5%) to 1~3 times oocytes collected, four ovaries(l0%) to 4~6 times, one ovaries(2.5%) to 7~9 times oocytes collected session. To repeated OPU effection, ovaries adhisive heifers were long estrous cycle(＞25 day) to 7 heads(87.5%) of 8 head, non-adhesive ovaries heifers were 5 heads(41.7%) were long estrous cycle to repeated OPU 12 heads. Although, now unknown about the dynamics of follicles wave and about functional changes to repeated OPU ovaries, more question about ovaries adhesive cause remain.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.273-281
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• 2014

This study was carried out to establish the system of OPU derived embryo production, management of recipients as well as offspring production. OPU derived embryo production system was carried out of aspiration of immature oocytes 2 times per week, total 24 times for 3 months by an ultrasonographic guided follicular aspiration system and then produced in vitro-produced blastocysts by in vitro maturation, fertilization and culture system. This work was collected total 13,866 oocytes, average $8.2{\pm}4.5$ oocytes per session and 8,170 G1 + G2 grade oocytes, average 4.8 oocytes per session by 1,692 times session of total 71 donors for 4 years from 2010 to 2013. The rate of cleavage and blastocyst developmental competence were obtained 11,825 (85.3%) and 5,032 (36.3%) that was $7.0{\pm}3.8$ cleaved embryos and $3.0{\pm}2.5$ blastocysts per session. OPU derived embryo transfer were taken place in 2, 4, 6 and 7 local governments at 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 for 4 years and pregnancy rate were obtained 41.2, 43.9, 46.5 and 49.7% in each years. It means that pregnancy rate was continuously improved according of every year for 4 years. Pregnancy rate was significantly different according to individual local government in which was 62.7% in B, but 24.2% in F at 2012. Paternity identification was carried out total 26 offspring in C local government of 2012 and then confirmed 100% agreement of its analysis. In conclusion, the results obtained the possibility of mass production of elite cow embryos as well as offspring by OPU derived embryo production system, of which could be decreased the required time of genetic improvement.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.652-658
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• 1998

The efficiency of nuclear transfer using donor embryos originated from ovum pickup(OPU) and activated recipient cytoplasts were examined for induction of twinning in Korean native cattle(KNC). After aspiration of follicle by OPU, regardless of the vacuum applied, we obtained same result in proportions of recovered cumulus-oocyte complex (COCs) with compact cumulus. Under electric stimulation(1.0kV/cm DC for $40{\mu}s$), most of activated oocytes proceed to anaphase II/telophase II within 3h(84.7%). In the treatment of oocyte activation, the preactivation which was performed before fusion had significant effect on the developmental rates to morula/blastocyst stage(9.4 vs 4.0%). In embryo transfer of nuclear transferred embryos, we obtained 2 twins from KNC recipients and 1 twin from a Holstein recipient. Our results showed that it is possible to obtain twins using nuclear transfer technique in KNC.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.265-270
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• 2018

Up-to-date artificial insemination (AI) using frozen sperm consider as the most widely using technology for improvement of Korean Native Cow (Hanwoo) embryo production. However, it is time consuming, required at least 15~20 years to make more than 6 generations, and their offspring number is limited. To overcome such limitations, superovulation and in vitro fertilization have been developed. For superovulation, the number of produced embryos are not enough for commercialization and donor cows need rest period. This led to use of slaughterhouse ovary for in vitro fertilization, but it is impossible to repeat the collection from the same individual and it only can improve the genetic merits of offspring for one generation. Production of embryos using Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) technique, where oocytes can be repeatedly collected from living elite donor, might overcome these limitations. In this study, we investigated the possibility of using OPU technique from donors at different age and different session periods for mass-embryo-production. Oocytes were collected from 26 donor cows twice per week, 3 - 4 months per year, between 2013 and 2016. Results showed that, the average number of embryo produced in first year used donor was significantly higher than that in second year used donor ($3.89{\pm}2.85$ vs $3.29{\pm}2.70$), however, there was no significant difference between third year used donor ($3.51{\pm}3.32$) and other groups. Taken together, our data showed that repeated using of donor up to three years is possible for in vitro embryo mass-production. Moreover, OPU can be used as suitable embryo producing technique for livestock breed improvement.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2011

This study evaluated the effect of recipient's breed on the gestation length and birth weight of Hanwoo calves produced by Hanwoo ovum pick up (OPU) derived embryos. Embryos of OPU derived Hanwoo cows were transferred into the Hanwoo and Holstein recipients at 6~7 days of estrus cycle. Gestation length was expressed in days from the day of embryo transfer to the birth day of offspring, and birth weight of offspring was recorded within 24 h of birth. Breed of recipient cows (Hanwoo and Holstein) has no effect on overall gestation length ($280.9{\pm}6.2$ vs. $284.4{\pm}9.8$ days) and birth weight of calves ($23.56{\pm}3.75$ vs. $27.70{\pm}7.92\;kg$). The gestation length was higher (p<0.05) for male calves than female calves in both Hanwoo ($283.8{\pm}6.7$ vs. $277.3{\pm}3.3$ days) and Holstein ($287.3{\pm}8.9$ vs. $280.1{\pm}9.1$ days) recipient cows. Birth weight of Hanwoo calves did not differ when Hanwoo recipients ($26.5{\pm}1.3$ vs. $23.3{\pm}1.2\;kg$) were used for embryo transfer. However, male calves were heavier (p<0.05) at birth than that of female calves when embryos were transferred into the Holstein cow ($33.5{\pm}4.9$ vs. $27.8{\pm}4.9\;kg$). In conclusion, the present results demonstrated that breed of recipient cows have no effect on gestation length and birth weight of OPU derived Hanwoo calves. However, gestation length and birth weight of male calves were higher in both Hanwoo and Holstein recipient cows.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.191-197
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• 2016

Historically, Korea old cattle had been consisted with various lines of coat color brindle, black and white-brown breeds or more. The two rare lines of black and white coat color are maintained for animal resources and preserved critically. The present study was carried out to evaluate potential usage of cysteamine supplementation during in vitro matration (IVM) and in vitro culture/production of embryo (IVP) by transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration (Ovum Pick-Up: OPU) for the establishment of cryo-banking system. Immature slaughterhouse-derived cumulus-oocyte complexes (SL-COCs) were matured in IVM medium supplemented with 0, 0.1, 0.3 or 0.9 mM cysteamine, and then cultured in mSOF-BAS for 8 days after in vitro fertilization. The treatment of 0.1 mM cysteamine on SL-COCs showed higher rate of blastocyst, so OPU-derived COCs from rare breeds were matured in TCM media supplemented with or without 0.1 mM cysteamine, FSH and 5% FBS. The embryos were evaluated their developmental stages on day 8. During IVM, cysteamine treatment significantly increased the embryo production rate of slaughterhouse-derived COCs (19.6% vs. 30.5%). The presence of cysteamine during IVM of OPU-derived COCs from rare Korean cattle breeds (albino white and black line) also increased embryo production rates than those from SL-COCs (27.4% vs. 41.9% and 36.4%). With these results, cysteamine treatment during IVM is one of key factors IVP of blastocysts to establish banking system of endangered rare Koarean cattle with OPU derived transferable blastocysts.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.433-439
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• 2020

This study, which was designed to improve and increase the utilization of female elk, examined the possibility of collecting their embryos during the non-reproductive period using ultrasound-guided Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) technology. Once follicles in the ovaries of an elk were observed, the embryos were retrieved through the absorption of the follicles using an OPU ultrasound probe. Fifty-seven embryos were retrieved from 85 follicles, giving a retrieval rate of 67.1%. Morphological evaluation of the recovered embryos revealed 14.0% embryos to be in grade A, 19.2% in grade B, 15.7% in grade C, and 50.8% in grade D. The developmental efficiency of the retrieved embryos was also investigated using in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization, and in vitro culture. After cultivating 28 embryos through in vitro fertilization, 19 embryos were found to be fertilized; the fertilization rate was 67.9%. Four embryos developed to the blastocyst stage, indicating a 14.3% development rate. This study confirmed that the production of fertilized embryos from a seasonal breeder, such as elk, is possible via the ultrasound-guided OPU method. If the efficiency of in vitro fertilization and in vitro culture can be improved through further research, it will help improve the efficiency of elk embryo production through the transplantation of their fertilized embryos.