• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2017

This study was conducted to determine the effects of biophoton treatment during in vitro maturation (IVM) and/or in vitro culture (IVC) on oocyte maturation and embryonic development in pigs. An apparatus capable of generating homogeneous biophoton energy emissions was placed in an incubator. Initially, immature pig oocytes were matured in the biophoton-equipped incubator in medium 199 supplemented with cysteine, epidermal growth factor, insulin, and gonadotrophic hormones for 22 h, after which they were matured in hormone-free medium for an additional 22 hr. Next, IVM oocytes were induced for parthenogenesis (PA) or provided as cytoplasts for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Treatment of oocytes with biophoton energy during IVM did not improve cumulus cell expansion, nuclear maturation, intraoocyte glutathione content, or mitochondrial distribution of oocytes. However, biophoton-treated oocytes showed higher (p < 0.05) blastocyst formation after PA than that in untreated oocytes (50.7% vs. 42.7%). In an additional experiment, SCNT embryos produced from biophoton-treated oocytes showed a greater (p < 0.05) number of cells in blastocysts (52.6 vs. 43.9) than that in untreated oocytes. Taken together, our results demonstrate that biophoton treatment during IVM improves developmental competence of PA- and SCNT-derived embryos.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.183-190
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• 1990

These studies were carried out ot investigate the effects of estrous cow serum(ECS), fetal calf serum(FCS), bovine follicular fluid(BFF) and matured cumulus cell(MCC) on in vitro maturation and fertilization of bovine follicular oocytes. The ovaries were obtained from slaughtered Korean native cows. The follicular oocytes surrounded with cumulus cells were recovered by aspirating follicular fluid from the visible follicles of diameter 3-5mm. The follicular oocytes were cultured in TCM-199 medium containing hormones, FCS, ECS, BFF and MCC for 24~48 hrs. in a incubator with 5% CO2 in air at 38.5$^{\circ}C$ and then matured oocytes were again cultured for 18$^{\circ}C$20 hrs. with motile capacitated sperm in the TCF(Tyrode calcium-free) solution containing 200$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of heparin. The results obtained in these experiments were summarized as follows : 1. The oocytes classified as "A, B, C, D and Degenerative" depending morphological integrity and those were 61.4%, 12.1%, 19.2%, 4.2% and 3.0% of the total oocytes harvested, respectively. The maturation and fertilization rate of the A, B, C class follicular oocytes, cultured in the TCM-199 medium supplemented with 10% FCS were 89.1%, 78.0%, 52.6% and 78.1%, 33.3%, respectively. 2. The maturation and fertilization rate of the follicular oocytes cultured in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 5%~20% ECS and FCS were 74.0%~80.6, 26.2%~30.0% and 71.7%~76.9%, 51.9%~58.0%, and those values were higher the supplement of ECS than FCS. 3. The maturation rate(68.0%~64.6%) and fertilization rate(59.6%~60.4%) of follicular oocytes cultured in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 10% FCS and 20~30% BFF were higher than those of follicular oocytes cultured TCM-199 medium supplemented with 10% FCS and 10% and 50% BFF. 4. The maturation rate(76.5%) and fertilization rate(61.7%) of follicular oocytes cultured in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 10% FCS and 1$\times$106/ml cumulus cells were higher than those of follicular oocytes cultured in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 10% FCS and 1$\times$104~5/ml and 1$\times$108/ml cumulus cells.lus cells.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.179-187
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• 1991

These studies were carried out to investigate the effects of the size of follicles, semen types, capacitation methods, and additions of hormones, estrous cow serum(ECS), fetal calf serum(FCS), bovine follicular fluid(BFF) and matured cumulus cell(MCC) to the medium on in vitro maturation and fertilization of bovine follicular oocytes. The ovaries were obtained from slaughtered Korean native cows. The follicular oocytes surrounded with cumulus cells were recovered by aspirating follicular fluid from the visible follicles of diameter 3~5mm. The follicular oocytes were cultured in TCM-199 medium containing hormones, FCS, ECS, BFF and MCC for 24~48hrs. in an incubator with 5% $CO_2$ in air at $38.5^{\circ}C$ and then matured oocytes were again cultured for 18~20 hrs. with motile capacitated spermatozoas the TCF (Tyrode calcium free) solution containing $100{\mu}g/ml$ of heparin. The results obtained in these experiments were summarized as follows: 1. The oocytes classified as "A,B,C,D and Degenerative" depending morphological integrity and those 61.4%, 12.1%, 19.2%, 4.2% and 3.0% of the total oocytes recovered, respectively. The maturation and fertilization rate of the A, B, C class follicular oocytes, cultured in the TCM-199 medium supplemented with 10% FCS were 89.1%, 78.0%, 52.6% and 78.1%, 66.1, 33.3%, respectively. 2. The average number of the follicular oocytes recovered from follicles size, 1~2mm, 3~5mm and above 5mm in diameter were 67, 98 and 63, respectively. The maturation and fertilization rate of the follicular oocytes, cultured in the TCM-199 medium were 56.7%, 82.5%, 46.0% and 44.8%, 71.4%, 28.6%, respectively. 3. The fertilization and cleavage rate of the follicular oocytes, inseminated with spermatozoas of epididymal cauda, neat and frozen semen were 63.3%, 73.3%, 70.0% and 32.7%, 37.8% 38.3%, respectively. 4. The fertilization and cleavage rate of follicular oocytes, fertilized with capacitated spermatozoas by heparin, BFF and HIS methods were 70.0%, 53.8%, 34.2% and 38.3%, 23.1%. 17.1%, respectively. And the fertilization and cleavage rate were higher method of heparin. 5. The maturation and fertilization rate of follicular oocytes, cultured in the TCM-199 medium supplemented with 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and FSH, HCG, 17, $\beta$-estradiol were 76.0~82.3% and 26.2~70.0%, and those values were higher the supplementation than non-supplementation. 6. The maturation and fertilization rate of the follicular oocytes cultured in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 5~20% ECS and FCS were 74.0~80.6%, 26.2~30.0% and 71.7~76.9%, 51.9~58.0%, and the values were higher the supplement of ECS than FCS. 7. The maturation rate (68.0~64.6%) and fertilization rate(59.6~60.4%) of follicular oocytes cultured in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 10% FCS and 20~30% BFF were higher than those of follicular oocytes cultured TCM-199 medium supplemented with 10% FCS and 10% and 50% BFF. 8. The maturation rate(76.5%) and fertilization rate (61.7%) of follicular oocytes cultured in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 10% FCS and $1{\times}10^6/ml$ MCC were higher than those of follicular oocytes cultured in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 10% FCS and $1{\times}10^{{4}{\sim}{5}}/ml$ and $1{\times}10^8/ml$ cumulus cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.352-361
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• 2021

Objective: The study assessed the developmental potential of germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes subjected to in vitro maturation (IVM) after prematuration culture with cilostamide (a phosphodiesterase-3 inhibitor) and the impact of cilostamide exposure on the morphology of meiosis II (MII) oocytes and subsequent embryo quality. Methods: In total, 994 oocytes were collected from 63 patients. Among 307 GV oocytes, 140 oocytes were selected for the experimental group and 130 oocytes for the control group. The denuded GV-stage oocytes were cultured for 6 hours with cilostamide in the experimental group and without cilostamide in the control group. After 6 hours, the oocytes in the experimental group were washed and transferred to fresh IVM medium. The maturational status of the oocytes in both groups was examined at 26, 36, and 48 hours. Fertilization was assessed at 18 hours post-intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Embryo quality was assessed on days 3 and 5. Results: In total, 92.1% of the oocytes remained in the GV stage, while 6.4% converted to the MI stage (p<0.01) after cilostamide exposure. In both groups, more MII oocytes were observed at 36 hours (25.8% vs. 21.5%) than at 26 hours (10.8% vs. 14.6%) and 48 hours (13% vs. 7.9%) (p>0.05). With the advent of cilostamide, blastocyst quality was better in the experimental group than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Cilostamide effectively blocked nuclear maturation and promoted cytoplasmic growth. Prematuration culture with cilostamide enabled synchronization between cytoplasmic and nuclear maturity, resulting in better blastocyst outcomes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.105-116
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• 1992

The present study was examined to clarify the role of calcium ion as a factor for the maturation of mouse oocytes. Follicles and cumulus-enclosed oocytes were isolated with two sharp needles under a stereomicroscope from female mouse (ICR) ovaries which were treated PMSG 5 IU 45-46 hours previously. Isolated follicles and cumulus-enclosed oocytes were cultured for 14-16 hours in an organ culture system at $37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ in air and 100% humudified in incubator. MHBS was the basic medium used from which A23187, verapamil, $NiCl_{2.}$ $6H_2O$ and $LaCl_{3.}$ $7H_2O$ were added depending on the experimental groups. In follicle- or cumulus-enclosed oocytes wre cultured in these differently treated media. Following results were obtained from the present study. 1. The calcium ionophore A23187 directly or indirectly seems to stimulate GVBD of follicle-enclosed mouse oocytes. Increasing concentration of ionophore A23187 1ed to an increase in oocytes degeneration from the cumulus-enclosed mouse oocytes. 2. The organic $Ca^{++}$ channel blocker, verapamil does not induce GVBD of follicle-enclosed mouse oocytes. Specially, higher dose of 1 mM verapamil induced GVBD of follicle-enclosed mouse oocytes. However, cytoplasm of GVBD oocytes in 1 mM verapamil treated groups appeared shrunk. In the cumulus-enclosed oocytes, polar body formation was reduced in verapamil treated groups and degeneration increased. Verapamil inhibit oocyte maturation (polar body formation). 3. The $Ca^{++}$ inhibitor, Nickel ($NiCl_{2.}$ $6H_2O$) inhibits maturation of the follicle-enclosed oocytes. In the cumulus-enclosed oocytes the progression to MII (PB formation) was reduced and degeneration of mouse oocytes increased as the concentration of $Ni^{++}$ increase. The results indicates that nickel act as an inhibitor of calcium. 4. The $Ca^{++}$ inhibitors, Lanthanum ($LaCl_{3.}$ $7H_2O$) has shown different effect from that of nickel. In follicle-enclosed oocytes, 0.01mM lanthanum induced maturation of mouse oocytes. Polar body formation was reduced in the cumulus-enclosed oocytes all lanthanum treated group.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 1990

The effect of preincubation on in vitro maturation and fertility were investigated using preovulatory oocytes with and without cumulus cells obtained from superovulated ouot-bred ICR mice. Oocytes were recovered from fully grown folicle at 10 hr after hCG administration. A part of oocytes recovered were treated with the solution of 0.1% hyaluronidase to remove cumulus cells. Both intact and treated oocytes were then incubated for 0 to 6hr in mT6 medium containing 0.3% BSA. After incubation for various times, a part of oocytes were subjected to the investigation of nuclear maturation and the remaining oocytes were used fro the induction of in vitro fertilization by adding them into medium containing capacitated mice epididymal spermatozoa. Above all, the percentage of preovulatory oocytes at the stage of metaphase II after preincubation for 0, 2, 4 and 6hr was 15.8, 36.4, 47.5 and 66.7%, respectively, suggesting the in vitro maturation of oocytes during their incubation. On the other hand, fertilizatin rate of oocytes preincubated for 0, 2, 4 and 6hr with and without cumulus cells were 41.0, 58.7, 68.7 and 75.6%, and 50.0, 45.1, 37.8 and 39.2%, respectively. No significant differences in fertilization rate between preovulatory oocytes preincubated for 6hr with cumulus cells and naturally ovulated were observed. These results suggest that cumulus cells take very important role in maturtion of oocytes in vitro. The precentage of preovulatory oocytes developed to 2-cell stage in vitro fertilization following preincubation for 0 to 6hr with and without cumulus cells ranged from 48.5 to 82.4% and 36.9 to 56.1%, respectively. Also, the rates of oocytes developed to blastocyst in vitro fertilization after preincubation for 0 to 6hr with and without cumulus cells were 28.1, 39.3, 42.5 and 44.0% and 12.5, 32.6, 24.4 and 15.5%, respectively. From these results, it could be said that fertility of preovulatory oocytes with cumulus cells could be improved to the level of that of naturally ovulated oocytes by adquate preincubation in vitro. Cumulus cells may, therefore, affect in vitro maturation, fertilization and following development of oocytes by influencing zona hardening.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.221-225
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• 2011

This study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between in vitro maturation and plasminogen activators (PAs) activity on porcine cumulus-oocytes complexes (COCs) exposed to oxidative stress. When COCs were cultured in maturation medium with hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$), the proportion of the germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and oocytes maturation were decrease with addition of $H_2O_2$, and were significantly (p<0.05) lower in medium with 0.1 mM $H_2O_2$ than control group. Also, the rate of degenerated oocytes was increased in as $H_2O_2$ concentration in eased. When COCs were cultured for 48 h, three plasminogen-dependent lytic bands were observed: tissue-type PA (tPA); urokinase-type PA (uPA); and tPA-PA inhibitor (tPA-PAI). PA activity was quantified using SDS-PAGE and zymography. When $H_2O_2$ concentration was increased, tPA and tPA-PAI activities also increased in porcine oocytes cultured for 48 h, but not uPA. In other experiment, embryos were divided into three groups and cultured in (1) control medium, (2) control medium with 1.0 mM $H_2O_2$ and (3) control medium with 1.0 mM $H_2O_2$ along with catalase in concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mg/ml, respectively. $H_2O_2$ decreased the rate of GVBD and maturation in porcine COCs but catalase revealed protective activity, against oxidative stress caused by $H_2O_2$. In this experiment, tPA and tPA-PAI activities were higher in media with 1.0 mM $H_2O_2$ alone. Increasing concentration of catalase decreased tPA and tPA-PAI activities in porcine oocytes. These results indicate that the exposure of porcine follicular oocytes to ROS inhibits oocytes maturation to metaphase-II stage and increase the oocytes degeneration. Also, we speculated that increased ROS level may trigger tPA and tPA-PAI activities in porcine oocytes matured in vitro.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.217-226
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• 1995

The objective of this experiment was to test the effect of EG F on nuclear maturation of pig immature oocytes in vitro. Basic medium used TCM-199 supplemented with 0.2 mM pyruvate, 1 ${\mu}\textrm{g}$/ml estradiol-I7$\beta$ and 25 ${\mu}\textrm{g}$/ml gentamycin, this medium treated with EGF, FSH and FBS. Experiment 1 examined to the effect according to the addition of FSH or EGF (0, 1. 10 and 100 ng EGF/ml) in oocytes maturation. Nuclear maturation rates (M ll %) of 1, 10 and 100 ng EGF/ml (83.0. 8fi.7 and H7.5%) treatments were significantly higher than those of non- and FSH-treated groups (27.3 and 60.3%, p < 0. 001). Experiment 2 examined to the interactive effects of EGF. FSH or FBS during oocytes maturation. Nuclear maturation rates (M ll %) of EGF alone, EGF plus FSH, EGF plus FBS, FSH plus FBS, and EGF plus FSH added FBS treatments (86.7, 90.2, 87.1. 89.6% and 92.6%) were significantly higher than those of non, FSH, and FBS alone treatments (22.3, 52.2 and 42.3%, p < 0.001). Also, cumulus cells expansion of oocytes maturation was examined to total treatments. Normal cumulus cells expansion was shown by FSH plus FBS, EGF or EGF with FBS combination treatments, but cumulus cells of oocyte complexes were still clumped together in EGF-treated groups although they had separated from oocytes. However, EGF showed a positive on nuclear maturation. These results conclude that EGF alone can stimulate nuclear maturation in pig immature oocytes.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.177-183
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• 1997

The present study examined the effects of epidermal growth factor(EGF) and transforming growth factor-$\alpha$(TGF-$\alpha$) on in vitro maturation of porcine follicular oocytes. Basic medium used TCM-HEPES, and oocytes cultured for 42 hours in vitro. The results obtained are as follows; 1. The nuclear maturation rates of EGF-treated groups(10ng/ml, 75.9% ; 30ng/ml, 69.2% ; 50ng/ml, 67.2% ; 100ng/ml, 71.0%) on the porcine oocytes cultured in medium without pFF in vitro were significantly(P<0.01) higher than those of non-treated group(57.1%). When the oocytes were cultured in media with 10%(v/v) pFF, the nuclear maturation rates of 30ng EGF/ml(77.1%) treated group were significantly(P<0.01) higher than those of non-(59.2%) and EGF-treated groups(10ng/ml, 65.4% ; 50ng/ml, 65.5% ; 100ng/ml, 70.4%). 2. The nuclear maturation rates of 30ng TGF-$\alpha$/ml treated group(71.9%) in media without pFF in vitro were significatnly(P<0.01) higher than those of non-(57.1%) and TGF-$\alpha$ treated groups(10ng/ml, 60.4% ; 50ng/ml, 65.4% ; 100ng/ml, 60.0%). When the oocytes were cultured in media with 10%(v/v) pFF, the nuclear maturation rates of 30 and 50ng TGF-$\alpha$/ml(77.4% and 79.6%) treated groups(10ng/ml, 64.2% ; 100ng/ml, 61.6%). 3. On the effect of EGF(30ng/ml) and/or TGF-$\alpha$(30ng/ml) treated groups in medium without pFF in vitro, the nuclear maturation rates indicated 57.3, 60.4, 75.9 and 79.7% in media with no EGF & TFG-$\alpha$, TGF-$\alpha$ only, EGF only nad EGF＋TGF-$\alpha$ treated groups, respectively. The nuclear maturation rates in medium with EGF only or EGF＋TGF-$\alpha$ were significantly(P<0.01) higher than those non- and TGF-$\alpha$ treated groups. When the oocytes were cultured in media with 10%(v/v) pFF, the nuclear maturation ratesof EGF＋TGF-$\alpha$ treated group(75.9%) were significantly(P<0.01) higher than those of non-(59.2%), TGF-$\alpha$ only (64.2%) and EGF only(69.4%) treated groups.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.496-500
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• 2007

Holstein cow ovaries obtained at a slaughterhouse were used to study the influence of the oocyte collection methods (slicing, puncture, aspiration I and II) on recovery efficiency and subsequent in vitro maturation and embryonic development competence of immature oocytes recovered. In the slicing method, the whole ovarian was chopped into small pieces with a surgical blade. In the puncture method, the whole ovarian surface was punctured by 18-g needle. In other 2 aspiration methods, collected oocytes by aspirating from the visible follicles using an 18-g needle attached to a 5 ml syringe (aspiration I) or using a constant negetive pressure (-80 mmHg) with a vacuum pump (aspiration II). The oocytes were classified into 4 classes on the basis of the morphology of cumulus cells and cytoplasmic appearance of oocyte. Slicing ($9.6{\pm}0.4$) and puncture ($9.7{\pm}0.4$)yielded a larger number of oocytes per ovary than other two aspiration methods (aspiration I and II were $5.8{\pm}0.3$and $5.6{\pm}0.4$, respectively) (p<0.05). The number of the highest quality oocytes (grade A) per ovary was significantly higher in slicing ($4.2{\pm}0.2$) and puncture ($4.6{\pm}0.1$) methods than in other methods (aspiration I and II were $1.2{\pm}0.2$ and $1.4{\pm}0.2$, respectively) (p<0.05). The rate of nuclear maturation of the highest and higher quality oocytes (grade A and grade B, respectively) was not affected by the oocytes collection methods. The oocytes collection methods also did not influence subsequent embryonic developmental competence after in vitro fertilization with M II stage oocytes. It is concluded that slicing and puncture methods of the ovaries can be used as an alternative techniques to aspiration by the syringe or vacuum pump.