• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.385-391
• /
• 1997

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of anti-sperm antibody (ASA) on the fertilization processes using conventional IVF and ICSI procedure in human and hamster oocytes. In human IVF, we have observed restricted fertilization with sperm testing positive for ASA. ($23{\sim}90%$ IgA, 60-97 % IgG). However, if ICSI was perform in the next IVF cycle with the same patients, we could successfully fertilize the oocytes (37%; p<0.001), thus achieving pregnancy and delivery. When the sperm were cocultured in medium containing ASA, there were binding of ASA to sperm surface. In addition, the mean rate of the acrosomal reaction in an in vitro acrosome reaction test was lower for Ab-bound sperm (43.5%) than for Ab-free sperm group (51.3%, p<0.05). We used human sperm and hamster oocytes to confirm the negative effects of the ASA on fertilization. The sperm and/or oocytes have been expose to medium containing ASA before IVF and ICSI. In this experiment, the ASA was bound to the oocyte and sperm surface. The following results were obtain by using various combinations of ASA free or ASA bound sperm with ASA free or ASA bound oocytes for IVF. When ASA free sperm were inseminate with ASA free and ASA bound hamster oocytes, the fertilization rates are 89.6% and 74.3% respectively. However, when ASA bound human sperm were use the results were 62.5% and 55.6% respectively. These shows the fertilization rate was significantly decreased in both ASA bound and ASA free oocytes when using ASA bound sperm. No difference found when ASA are present on the oocyte surface. When the hamster oocytes was treated by ICSI with ASA free or ASA bound human spermatozoa, no significant difference was found. These results showed that ICSI is the most promising method for couples who fertilization was not possible by conventional IVF because of ASA.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.21-29
• /
• 2007

Previously, we found progesterone receptor membrane component 2 (pgrmc2) was highly expressed in germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes. The present study was conducted to characterize the expression of pgrmc2, as well as pgrmc1, in the mouse gonads and embryos according to their developmental stages. We found that these membrane components were expressed in ovaries, testes, and embryos at various developmental stages in addition to oocytes. Progesterone-3-O-carboxymethyl oxime-BSA-fluorescein isothiocyanate (P4-BSA-FITC) was applied to visualize the presence of the progesterone receptor on mouse oocyte membrane, and we confirmed that immobilized progesterone is localized at surface of the oocyte. This is, at our knowledge, the first report regarding the expression of membrane component of progesterone receptor in the mouse oocytes, embryos, and gonads. The function and signal transduction pathway of progesterone receptor membrane components in oocytes requires further studies.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.219-224
• /
• 2000

Reproductive biology of the naked-headed goby, Faronigobius gymnauchen was investigated by means of histological methods. The ovary was consisted of several ovarian lamellae and the oogonia originated from the inner surface of the ovarian lamella. The testis was seminiferous tubule One in internal structure. Seminiferous tubule was consisted of many testicular cysts which contained numerous germ cells in a same developmental stage. The size of group maturity was 4.5 cm intotal length. Gonadosomatic index(GSI) of the female and male was the highest in June and July, respectively. Reproductive cycle could be classified into the growing ($January{\~}March$), maturation ($April{\~}May$), ripe and spent (June{\~}July$), and recovery and resting ($August{\~}December$). Oocyte development was group-synchronous, and yolk nucleus was observed in the early growing oocyte.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.145-151
• /
• 2009

The ultrastructural changes in germ cells during oogenesis of the melania snail, Semisulcospira libertina libertina have been investigated by light and electron microscopy. The ovary is located on the surface of the hepatopancreas in the spiral posterior region. The ovary exhibited greenish color in the gonadal mature season. The ovary was composed of a number of oogenic follicles. Oogenesis was divided into five stages with histological features: (1) oogonia, (2) previtellogenic, (3) initial vitellogenic, (4) active vitellogenic, and (5) mature stages. Oogonia were oval in shape, $4-6\;{\mu}m$ in diameter, and had a large nucleus. Previtellogenic oocytes were about $20\;{\mu}m$ in diameter and the cytoplasm reacted with hematoxylin in H-E satin. Initial vitellogenic stage, oocytes were $60-80\;{\mu}m$ in diameter, and small yolk granules of low electron density are scattered in the cytoplasm. Oocytes in the initial vitellogenic stage were connected with ovarian follicle by egg stalk. Active vitellogenic oocyte were $100-120\;{\mu}m$ in diameter. Electron density, size and quantity of yolk granules that are distributed in the cytoplasm have increased from the previous stage. Result of TEM observations, the oocyte contains well-developed Golgi complex, endoplasmic reticula and tubular mitochondria in the cytoplasm. Cytoplasm of mature oocyte was filled with proteinaceous yolk globules of high electron density. In this stage, the length of microvilli in the egg envelope was approximately $1.1\;{\mu}m$.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.25 no.8
• /
• pp.1371-1379
• /
• 2015

The Ca_v1.2 Ca²⁺ channel is essential for cardiac and smooth muscle contractility and many physiological functions. We mutated single, double, and quadruple sites of the four potential Asn (N)-glycosylation sites in the rabbit Ca_v1.2 into Gln (Q) to explore the effects of Nglycosylation. When a single mutant (N124Q, N299Q, N1359Q, or N1410Q) or Ca_v1.2/WT was expressed in Xenopus oocytes, the biophysical properties of single mutants were not significantly different from Ca_v1.2/WT. In comparison, the double mutant N124,299Q showed a positive shift in voltage-dependent gating. Furthermore, the quadruple mutant (QM; N124,299,1359,1410Q) showed a positive shift in voltage-dependent gating as well as a reduction of current. We tagged EGFP to the QM, double mutants, and Ca_v1.2/WT to chase the mechanisms underlying the reduced currents of QM. The surface fluorescence intensity of QM was weaker than that of Ca_v1.2/WT, suggesting that the reduced current of QM arises from its lower surface expression than Ca_v1.2/WT. Tunicamycin treatment of oocytes expressing Ca_v1.2/WT mimicked the effects of the quadruple mutations. These findings suggest that Nglycosylation contributes to the surface expression and voltage-dependent gating of Ca_v1.2.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.189-196
• /
• 2011

Histological study on egg envelope and oogenesis of Kichulchoia multifasciata (Pisces, Cobitidae) was carried out by light microscopes and scanning electron microscopes. Various developmental cells appeared in ovary of the specimen catched during November 2010. The cytoplasm of oogonia was acidic and many nucleoli were located at the inner side of nucleus membrane. The size of the oogonia was $103.9{\pm}24.7$ ${\mu}m$ with nucleus size $42.9{\pm}6.9$ (31.1~50.3) ${\mu}m$. Primary oocyte having $277.5{\pm}60.5$ (216.7~354.9) ${\mu}m$ in diameter began to accumulate yolk vesicles. As the developmental stages proceed, secondary oocyte grows larger to $617.6{\pm}85.1$ (503.4~723.6) ${\mu}m$, and eosinophilic yolk granules yolk granules appeared between the yolk vesicles occupying most cytoplasm, and there are some yolk mass formed already. There are some yolk mass formed already. Envelope of fertilized egg investigated by a scanning electron microscope had plenty of microvilli (2~3 ${\mu}m$ in length) over the entire egg surface and a micropyle. Especially, the microvilli surrounding the micropyle were longer than those of egg surface with $5.26{\pm}1.22$ ${\mu}m$.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.21-33
• /
• 2016

Gametogenesis of the comb pen shell, Atrina pectinata (Linnaeus, 1767) (Bivalvia: Pinnidae) on the southern coast of Ulleungdo Island, Korea was assessed monthly (November 2013 to October 2014) using histology. Gametogenesis commenced in January when the surface water temperature was $12.6^{\circ}C$ and pen shells evidenced an early development phase with small oogonia from January to April, although few females exhibited ripe eggs in their follicular epithelium. In April, the oocyte diameter increased rapidly, and fully mature eggs appeared in May. First spawning males and females were observed in June as the surface water temperature reached $19.3^{\circ}C$ and July ($23.2^{\circ}C$) respectively. The spawning activity continued until the end of September. Histology indicated that the spawning peak of the females in Ulleungdo Island was July to August. During October to January, most of the pen shells were in spent and resting stages. Our data suggested that A. pectinata is a summer spawner, and their annual gametogenesis is closely associated with the seasonal variation in the surface water temperature. The present study is the first provided fundamental information on the life history of A. pectinata in Ulleungdo Island, and this can be put to good use in the management of this pen shell in the study area.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2014

Recent 2 decades, including in vitro maturation (IVM), assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) achieved noteworthy development. However the efficiency of ARTs with in vitro matured oocytes is still lower than that with in vivo oocytes. To overcome those limitations, many researchers attempted to adapt co-culture system during IVM and consequently maturation efficiency has been increased. The beneficial effects of applying co-culture system is contemplated base on communication and interaction between various somatic cells and oocytes, achievement of paracrine factors, and spatial effects of extracellular matrix (ECM) from somatic cell surface. The understanding of co-culture system can provide some information to narrow the gap between in vitro and in vivo. Here we will review current studies about issues for understanding cu-culture system with various somatic cells to improve in vitro maturation microenvironment and provide bird view and strategies for further studies.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.268-275
• /
• 2002

Seasonal variation in reproductive condition of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas was investigated from a suspended cultured oyster population in Gosung Bay, South Korea using histological techniques, Gametogenesis of oysters initiated in February when water temperature reached 11 to $13^\circ{C}$. Increase in oocyte size and the number resulting in follicle expansion was observed from March to May First spawning of oysters observed in mid Jun when the surface water temperature reached 22 to $25^\circ{C}$. Spawning activity of oysters extended from mid June to late September with two marked spawning peaks in June and August. Most oysters collected from October to December exhibited few residual eggs in packed follicles exhibiting a typical spent condition. No gametes were observed from December to February from oysters collected in the Bay. Gonadal development of oysters in the Bay seemed to follow a seasonal fluctuation in environmental conditions such as water temperature and food availability in the water column. Spawning of oysters in late June was in part associated with sudden drop in salinity due to vast amount of freshwater input in the Bay after the summer flooding. Sex ratio of oysters was 59.5% male and 39.8% female. Less than 1 percent (0.6%) of the oysters examined were hermaphrodite; few eggs were observed in testis.

• Journal of Aquaculture
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.128-132
• /
• 2004

Reproductive cycle of the brown sole, Limanda herzensteini was investigated by means of histological methods. The testis showed the presence of seminiferous tubule. The tubule consisted of many testicular cysts, each of which contained numerous germ cells - all at the same developmental stage. The ovary consisted of several ovarian lamellae and the oogonia originated from the inner surface of the ovarian lamella. Oocyte development was group-synchronous. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) of the male and female was the highest in January and March, respectively. Reproductive cycle could be classified into the growing (June-September), maturation (October-December), ripe and spent (January-March), and recovery and resting (April-May).