• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.234-237
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• 2011

Objective: During stimulated IVF cycles, up to 15% of oocytes are recovered as immature. The purpose of this study was to investigate the trend of oocyte maturity in repeated ovarian stimulation for IVF. Methods: One hundred forty-eight patients were selected who underwent two consecutive IVF cycles using same stimulation protocol during 2008 to 2010. Ovarian stimulation was performed with FSH and human menopausal gonadotropin and flexible GnRH antagonist protocol in both cycles. Oocyte maturity was assessed according to presence of germinal vesicle (GV) and the first polar body. Immature oocyte was defined as GV stage or metaphase I oocyte (GV breakdown with no visible polar body) and cultured up to 48 hours. If matured, they were fertilized with ICSI. Results: Percentages of immature oocytes were 30.8% and 32.9% ($p$=0.466) and IVM rates of immature oocytes were 36.2% and 25.7% ($p$=0.077), respectively. A significant correlation was noted between percentage of immature oocytes in the two cycles (R=0.178, $p$=0.03). Women with >40% immaturity in both cycles (n=21) showed lower fertilization rate of $in$ $vivo$ matured oocytes (56.4% vs. 72.0%, $p$=0.005) and lower pregnancy rate (19.0% vs. 27.1%, $p$=0.454) after the second cycle when compared with women with <40% immaturity (n=70). In both groups, female age, number of total retrieved oocyte and embryos transferred were similar. Conclusion: In repeated ovarian stimulation cycles for IVF, the immature oocyte tended to be retrieved repetitively in consecutive IVF cycles.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.191-198
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• 2007

The ultrastructure of germ cells and follicle cells during oogenesis, oocyte degeneration, reproductive cycle, and first sexual maturity in female Cyclina sinensis were investigated for clams collected from Simpo, Jeollabuk-do, Korea, by cytological and histological observations. Vitellogenesis occured by way of endogeous autosynthesis and exogenous heterosynthesis: vitellogensis occurred through a process of autosynthesis, which involves a combined activities of the Golgi complex, mitochondria, and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The process of heterosynthesis involved endocytotic incorporation of extraovarian precursors into the basal region of the early vitellogenic oocytes prior to the formation of vitelline envelope. The follicle cells appear to play an integral role in vitellogenesis and oocyte degeneration, functioning in phagocytosis and digestion of products originating from the degenerated oocytes: these functions can permit the transfer of yolk precursors needed for vitellogenesis. Follicle cells might have a lysosomal system for breakdown and might also resorb phagosomes in the cytoplasm for nutrient storage during oocyte degeneration.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.270-276
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• 2023

Objective: This study investigated the clinical and laboratory factors associated with the presence of dysmorphic oocytes in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Methods: The study involved 200 ICSI cycles, performed from 2020 to 2021, that yielded at least one mature oocyte. Clinical characteristics and ovarian stimulation methods were compared between 68 cycles with at least one dysmorphic oocyte (the dysmorphic group) and 132 cycles with normal-form oocytes only (the non-dysmorphic group). Dysmorphic oocytes were characterized by dark cytoplasm, cytoplasmic granularity, cytoplasmic vacuoles, refractile bodies in the cytoplasm, smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm, an oval shape, an abnormal zona pellucida, a large perivitelline space, debris in the perivitelline space, or an abnormal polar body. Results: The ages of the women, indications for in vitro fertilization, serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels, and rates of current ovarian endometrioma were similar between the dysmorphic and non-dysmorphic groups. In both groups, the three ovarian stimulation regimens, two types of pituitary suppression, and total gonadotropin dose were employed similarly. However, the dual-trigger method was used more frequently in the dysmorphic group (67.6% vs. 50%, p=0.024). The dysmorphic group contained significantly more immature oocytes and exhibited significantly lower oocyte maturity (50% vs. 66.7%, p=0.001) than the non-dysmorphic cycles. Within the dysmorphic group, significantly lower oocyte maturity was found in the cycles using a dual-trigger, but not in those with a human chorionic gonadotropin trigger. Conclusion: ICSI cycles with dysmorphic oocytes are closely associated with reduced oocyte maturity. This association was observed exclusively in dual-trigger cycles.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.472-479
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• 2006

The sexual maturity and reproductive cycle of the common squid, Todarodes pacificus captured from the East Sea, Korea, between January 2004 and January 2006, were investigated by documenting changes in the gonadosomatic index (GSI), gonad development, and oocyte size frequency distribution. The GSI of females began to increase in July, reached a maximum in August, and then gradually decreased. The GSI of males increased from July to March. Using gonad histological observations, we identified four oocyte developmental stages. The changes in GSI and gonad tissue resulted in the classification of the annual reproductive cycle into the following four successive stages: immature (April to June), growing (June to July), mature (July to August), and ripe and spawning (August to March). According to the oocyte diameter size frequency distribution in the ovary, this species appeared to have asynchronous oocyte development and one spawning time.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.22 no.1 s.35
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• pp.51-61
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• 2006

Oogenesis and the reproductive cycle in female Ruditapes philippinarum were investigated by cytological and histological observations. R. philippinarum is dioecious and oviparous. During vitellogenesis, the Golgi complex, glycogen particles and mitochondria were involved in the formation of lipid droplets and lipid granules in the cytoplasm of the early vitellogenic oocyte. In the late vitellogenic oocyte, cortical granules, the endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria were involved in the formation of proteid yolk granules in the cytoplasm. At this time, exogenous lipid granular substance and glycogen particles in the germinal epithelium passed into the oocyte through the microvilli of the vitelline envelope. The spawning period was once a year between early June and early October, and the main spawning occurred between July and August when seawater temperature was approximately $20^{\circ}C$. The reproductive cycle of this species can be categorized into five successive stages: early active stage (January to March), late active stage (February to May), ripe stage (April to August), partially spawned stage (May to October), and spent/inactive stage (August to February). Percentages of female clams at frst sexual maturity of 15.1-20.0 mm in shell length were 52.6% (50% of the rate of group maturity was 17.83 mm in length), and 100% for the clams > 25.1 mm.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.375-383
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• 1999

Gonadal development, gametogenesis, reproductive cycle, and first sexual maturity of Reishia clavigera were investigated monthly from July 1998 to June 1999 through cytological and histological observations. R. clavigera had separate sexes, and was an internal fertilizer. The ma1e penis was located near the two tentacles. The ovary and testis were composed of a great number of oogenic lobules and spermatogenic tubules, respectively. The size of ripe oocyte ranged from 130 to 140 ${\mu}$m in diameter. The peripheral cytoplasm of the germinal vesicle of the ripe oocyte in many cases were surrounded by smaller yolk granules, while the eccentric cytoplasm was occupied with larger ones. The reproductive cycle of R. clavigera could be classified into five successive stages: early active, late active, ripe, spawning, and recovery. Spawning of females occurred from early July to August when the seawater reached above 24.8$^{\circ}C$. Spawning of males occurred from early June to August in the water above 22.8$^{\circ}C$. Minimum size for sexual maturity of both sexes was above 10.0 mm in shell height. Each egg capsule was a cylinder or spindle in shape, 4-6 mm in length and 1-2 mm in width. Colors of newly spawned egg capsules showed yellowish white or pale yellow, while those with veliger larvae showed pale black, and released larvae or dead egg capsules showed black violet. The fecundity in an egg capsule ranged from 70 to 91 eggs (mean＝80.28 eggs).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2014

Objective: To investigate the association of individual follicular fluid (FF) leptin and adiponectin levels with the quality of the corresponding oocyte and embryo. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 67 women who underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with 89 FF samples. FF and the corresponding oocyte was obtained from a single dominant preovulatory follicle at the time of oocyte retrieval. Concentrations of leptin and adiponectin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in an individual follicle. The oocyte quality, fertilization rate, and corresponding embryo development were assessed. Results: The FF level of leptin was significantly associated with body mass index (r=0.334, p<0.01). The FF adiponectin level was significantly higher in the normal fertilization group than the abnormal fertilization group (p=0.009) in the non-obese women. A lower FF leptin level was associated with a trend toward mature oocytes, normal fertilization, and good embryo quality, although these relationships were not statistically significant. The leptin:adiponectin ratio of FF did not differ significantly according to oocyte and embryo quality. The quality of the oocyte and embryo was not associated with the FF leptin level tertile. However, the normal fertilization rate was positively associated with FF adiponectin level tertile. There was a trend towards improved oocytes and normal fertilization rates with the lowest tertile of the FF leptin:adiponectin ratio, but this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our results suggest that a high FF adiponectin concentration could be a predictor of normal fertilization. However, the FF leptin concentration and leptin:adiponectin ratio is not significantly related to oocyte maturity and corresponding embryo development.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2022

This study was performed to obtain information on the sex ratio, size at sexual group maturity, and main spawning period of Glyptocephalus stelleri. The sex ratio (female: male) was 1:0.54 (n=189:103, 64.7% female), and the frequency of females in the population tended to increase with total length. The oocyte development pattern was group synchronous development, in which oocyte groups at different stages were identified within the same ovary. The total length at 50% sexual group maturity was analyzed using a logistic regression model, and was determined to be 28.51 (female) and 30.49 cm (male). The gonadosomatic index (GSI) displayed the highest values in April (female) and March (male), and the main spawning period being in April to May.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.318-328
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• 2021

We investigated the maturity and spawning of the brown sole Pseudopleuronectes herzensteini, in the coastal waters of the East Sea off Gangwon and Gyeongbuk, South Korea, using samples collected by gill net and longline fishery from January 2018 to December 2019. We analyzed oocyte development, monthly maturity stage, gonadosomatic index (GSI) and total length at maturity. Histological analysis of ovarian development in P. herzensteini revealed that the development was group-synchronous. The spawning peak in Gangwon and Gyeongbuk occurred from April to May and from February to March, respectively. Thus, the spawning season in Gangwon was 1-2 months later than that in Gyeongbuk. The length at 50% maturity for females was estimated as 24.2 cm and 19.0 cm in Gangwon and Gyeongbuk, respectively. Similarly, the length at 50% maturity for males was estimated as 19.8 cm and 16.5 cm in Gangwon and Gyeongbuk, respectively.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.99-105
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• 2018

To determine the differences in the in-vitro ovum maturation process of bovine, we compared the expression of MMPs in these oocytes and cumulus cell throughout oocytes maturated. In an attempt to investigate the effect of MMP activation and inhibitors in total protein of cumulus cell and, oocytes during oocytes maturation, we examined and monitored the localization and expression of MMPs (MMP-2 and MMP-9), TIMPs (TIMP-2 and TIMP-3), as well as their expression profiles (Real-time PCR, Gelatin Zymography and ELISA). Our results that the bovine oocytes MMP-2 and MMP-9 level was significantly associated with the rate of maturity of oocytes (P<0.05). In cumulus cell, MMP-2 was highly expressed in all stages of the oocyte's maturation. The final oocytes maturation exhibited strong gelatinase activity. There was no significant correlation between cumulus cell MMP-9 and the maturation rate of oocytes. However, for the oocyte cytoplasm MMP-9 expression was significant correlation to the maturation oocytes. There was no significant correlation between cumulonimbus cells MMP-9 and oocyte maturation rates; however, for oocyte cytoplasm, MMP-9 expression was significantly correlated with mature oocyte. However, the TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 protein expression patterns are not correlated with the maturation rate of the oocyte. Our results suggest that MMP different expression pattern may regulate the morphological remodeling of oocyte's in the cumulus cell. Further, the MMP-2 expression has a strong relation with a higher maturation rate of the oocyte.