• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.1152-1158
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• 2010

In differentiating human embryonic stem (d-hES) cells there are a number of types of cells which may secrete various nutrients and helpful materials for pre-implantation embryonic development. This study examined whether the d-hES could function as a feeder cell in vitro to support mouse embryonic development. By RT-PCR analysis, the d-hES cells revealed high expression of three germ-layered differentiation markers while having markedly reduced expression of stem cell markers. Also, in d-hES cells, LIF expression in embryo implantation-related material was confirmed at a similar level to undifferentiated ES cells. When mouse 2PN embryos were cultured in control M16 medium, co-culture control CR1aa medium or co-cultured with d-hES cells, their blastocyst development rate at embryonic day 4 (83.9%) were significantly better in the d-hES cell group than in the CR1aa group (66.0%), while not better than in the M16 group (90.7%)(p<0.05). However, at embryonic days 5 and 6, embryo hatching and hatched-out rates of the dhES cell group (53.6 and 48.2%, respectively) were superior to those of the M16 group (40.7 and 40.7%, respectively). At embryonic day 4, blastocysts of the d-hES cell group were transferred into pseudo-pregnant recipients, and pregnancy rate (75.0%) was very high compared to the other groups (M16, 57.1%; CR1aa, 37.5%). In addition, embryo implantation (55.9%) and live fetus rate (38.2%) of the d-hES cell group were also better than those of the other groups (M16, 36.7 and 18.3%, respectively; CR1aa, 23.2 and 8.7%, respectively). These results demonstrated that d-hES cells can be used as a feeder cell for enhancing in vitro and in vivo developmental potential of mouse pre-implantation embryos.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.223-231
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• 2001

The success of nuclear transplantation with mammalian oocytes depends critically on the potential of oocytes activation, which mainly caused to prevent the re-accumulation of maturation promoting factor (MPF). This study was conducted to compare the effect of combined treatment of lonomycin with a Hl-histone kinase inhibitor (dimethylaminopurine, DMAP) or cdc2 kinase inhibitor (sodium pyrophosphate, SPP) on activation of bovine oocytes. In vitro matured bovine oocytes with the first polar body (PB) and dense cytoplasm were assigned to 3 experimental groups. For activation treatment, oocytcs were exposed to 5 $\mu$M lonomycin for 5 min (Group 1), and followed by 1.9 mM dimethylaminopurine (DMAP) for 3 h (Group 2) or followed by 2 mM sodium pyrophosphate (SPP) for 3 h (Group 3). The activation effects in the three treatments and the control group (untreated) were judged by the extrusion of the second PB and formation of a pronucleus (PN). Differences among groups were analysed using one-way ANOVA after arc-sine transformation of proportional data. All three treatments led to high activation rates (90% to 95%), with significant difference from the control. However, the extrusion of the second PB and the rate of PN formation differed remarkably among treatments. In Group I and 3, about 95% of the oocytes had extruded the second polar body, but one PN had formed in a higher proportion of oocytes in Group 3 than in Group 1 (90% vs. 5%). In experiment 2, the rates of cleavage and development into blastocysts in Group 1 were significantly lower than those of Group 2 and 3 (8.7% and 0% vs. 50.5% and 11.6%, and 44.6% and 7.2%, respectively, P<0.05). In experiment 3, ~80% of parthenotes in Group 1 were developed with haploid chromosomal sets. However, when ionomycin was followed immediately by DMAP (Group 2). only 20% of parthenotes were haploid. In Group 3, combined treatment with ionomycin and SPP, the appearance of abnormal chromosomal tracts was significantly (P〈0.05) reduced and the proportion of haploid parthenotes was increased to 85% (17/20) than in Group 2. These results demonstrate that SPP acted as a cdc2 kinase inhibitor and formed the haploidy in oocyte activation. Thus, the present study suggests that cdc2 kinase inhibitor, such as sodium pyrophosphate, may have an effective role in oocyte activation for the production of cloned embryos/animals by nuclear transplantation.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.107-115
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• 2001

Development of effective activation protocols is of great importance for improving the success of cloning and subsequent transgenic. Three methods for oocyte activation, including 5$\mu$M ionomycin (5 min) alone, ionomycin + 1.9 mM 6-dimetylaminopurine (DMAP, 3 hrs) and ionomycin + 10 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml cycloheximide (CHX, 3 hrs) were compared for their effects of pronuclei (PN) formation, development, developmental velocity and ploidy of parthenotes to IVF control in bovine. In group of ionomycin + DMAP, the oocytes having more 3PN were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in groups of ionomycin alone and of ionomycin + CHX (45.5% vs. 0 and 0%, respectively). Activation with the ionomycin alone, ionomycin + DMAP and ionomycin + CHX resulted in cleavage rates of 30, 85.5 and 57.9%, respectively. The blastocysts rate of parthenotes activated by ionomycin + DMAP treatment was significantly higher (12.3%. p<0.05) than those of other treated groups. Chromosome analysis shows that ionomycin + DMAP treatment greatly enhances the incidence of chromosomal abnormality of the parthenotes. From the results, we may conclude that DMAP treatment to the oocytes accelerates developmental velocity resulting in both the higher incidence of chromosome abnormality and of PN formation, and strongly suggest that CHX combined with ionomycin is better than DMAP for the purpose of successful nuclear transplantation. Developmental velocity of parthenotes activated by ionomycin + DMAP treatment was significantly (P<0.05) faster than others.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.345-351
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of preservation period of porcine liquid semen on bacterial contamination and in vitro production of embryo. Extended liquid semen was prepared by three mixture of boar's ejaculates from each farm without antibiotics, and were kept in $17^{\circ}C$ semen preservation incubator until use. Sperm motility was significantly (p<0.05) decreased as semen preservation time goes by (78.7$\pm$2.4% for 1 day vs. 71.1$\pm$2.4 and 64.8$\pm$2.4% for 3 and 5 days of presentation, respectively). Quantitative of bacteria in semen was significantly (p<0.05) higher in 5 days ($57.8\pm105.2\times10^4$ Cfu) compared to 0 and 3 days ($32.1\pm76.8\times10^4$ and $26.9\pm46.6\times10^4$ Cfu, respectively) of preservation. In terms of development of in vitro fertilization of porcine embryos inseminated by preserved semen, the rate of normal fertilization (2PN) was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in 5 days (56.0$\pm$2.6%) compared to 1 and 3 days (66.0$\pm$2.7 and 64.0$\pm$2.7%, respectively) of preservation. Cleavage rate was also significantly (p<0.05) affected by preservation period (75.0$\pm$4% for 1 day, 70.0$\pm$0.3 and 71.0$\pm$0.3% for 3 and 5 days, respectively). The in vitro developmental rate of blastocyst stage embryo was significantly (p<0.05) affected by semen preservation period (15.0$\pm$1.0% for 1 day vs. 11.0$\pm$0.9 and 8.0$\pm$0.9% for 3 and 5 days, respectively). It is concluded that more than 3 days of liquid semen preservation without antibiotics increased the quantity of bacteria resulted in detrimental effect on sperm motility and decreased both normal insemination rate and the developmental rate of blastocyst stage embryo.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2008

We attempted to control the maturation promoting factors (MPF) activity and nuclear remodeling of somatic cell nuclear transfer (NT) bovine embryos. Bovine ear skin fibroblasts were fused to enucleated oocytes treated with either 5 mM caffeine for 2.5 h or 0.5 mM vanadate for 0.5 h and activated. The nuclear remodeling type of the reconstituted embryos was evaluated 1.5 h after activation. MPF activity was assessed in enucleated and chemical treated oocytes before the injection of a donor cell. Effect of chemicals on the embryonic development was evaluated with parthenogenetic embryos. MPF activity increased significantly by caffeine treatment, but decreased by vanadate treatment (p<0.05). Caffeine or vanadate had no deleterious effect on the parthenogenetic embryo development. In caffeine treated group, premature chromosome condensation (PCC) was occurred in 72.2% of NT embryos (p<0.05). In contrast, vanadate induced the formation of a pronucleus-like structure (PN) in a high frequency (68.9%, p<0.05) without PCC (NPCC). Blastocyst development of NT embryos increased by treating with caffeine (30.3%), whereas decreased by treating with vanadate (11.4%) compared to control (22.1%, p<0.05). The results indicate that caffeine or vanadate can control of MPF activity and remodeling type of NT embryos, resulting in the increased or decreased in vitro development.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2000

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the important factors affecting survival and pregnancy rate in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles. Methods: we performed retrospective analysis in 738 cycles of frozen-thawed embryo transfers, in relation to the insemination methods, the freezing stage of embryo, patient's age, infertility factors and the origin of injected sperm in ICSI cycles. After conventional IVF or ICSI, the supernumerary PN stage zygotes or multicellular embryos were cryopreserved by slow freezing protocol with 1,2-propanediol (PROH) as a cryoprotectant. Results: The survival rates of thawed embryos were 69.3% (1585/2287) in conventional IVF group and 71.7% (1645/2295) in ICSI group. After frozen-thawed embryo transfers, 27.0% (92/341) and 32.0% (109/341) of pregnancy rates were achieved in conventional IVF and ICSI group, respectively. There were no significant difference in the survival and pregnancy rates according to the insemination methods, the freezing stage and patient's age. However, the pregnancy rate (36.2%) of male factor infertility was significantly higher than the tubal (27.2%) and other female factor infertility (22.9%). In ICSI group, the origin of injected sperm did not affect the outcome of frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that acceptable clinical outcomes can be achieved after the transfer of frozen-thawed embryos regardless of the stage of embryos for freezing, the patient's age and the origin of injected sperm.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.320-324
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• 2018

In this study, we examined effect of sperm penetration of oocytes after in vitro fertilization (IVF) with cauda epididymal spermatozoa in Hanwoo bull after feeding of timothy hay. One testicle with epididymides was castrated from one Hanwoo bull (14 months of age) and spermatozoa recovered from cauda epididymis and cryopreserved. As control, frozen Hanwoo semen was used. Matured cumulus oocyte complexes were co-incubated with frozen-thawed cauda epididymal spermatozoa for 12 or 18 hours. After IVF, presumptive zygotes were cultured in modified synthetic oviductal fluid. In experiment 1, we examined sperm penetration rate at 12 hours of IVF with epididymal sperm. Total penetration rate among cauda epididymis and control was similar(mean${\pm}$standard error, cauda epididymis and control vs. $49.7{\pm}11.3$ and $54.4{\pm}12.8%$). In experiment 2, cleavage and blastocyst developmental rate were evaluated at day 2 and day 8 after IVF for 18 hours. Cleavage rate among cauda epididymis and control was similar(cauda epididymis and control vs. $81.2{\pm}3.4$ and $82.7{\pm}2.5%$). However, blastocyst developmental rate of cauda epididymis group was significantly higher than that of control group(cauda epididymis and control vs. $24.4{\pm}1.6$ and $12.2{\pm}2.8%$, p<0.05). In conclusion, cauda epididymal spermatozoa in Hanwoo bull has high embryo developmental competence and can be used as an alternative to ejaculated frozen sperm in vitro.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.325-330
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• 1994

The study has been carried out in order to evaluate the effects of embryonic stage, and cryopreservation method on the rates of viability and development of the cryopreserved mouse early embryos. The results were as following:In the treatment steps of cryoprotectant, for the fertilized oocyte with pronucleus(PN), 2-step was better than the others. And for the other embryos, 4-step was better than 2- or 3-step. In respect to the embryonic stage, as the embryos developed from fertilized oocytes to 8-cell embryos, the rates of viability and development were increased higher. Therefore, 8-cell embryo was better stage than the others. In respect to the kind of cryoprotectants, PROH was better than DMSO for the fertilized oocyte, as a cryoprotectant. DMSO, for the 2-cell embryos and PROH and DMSO for the 4- and 8-cell embryos were suitable for cryopreservation.

• Perinatology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.180-184
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• 2018

In assisted reproductive techniques, monozygotic twinning is not influenced by the trial of reducing the number of embryos transferred. We present extremely rare case of monochorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy following in vitro fertilization and two-embryo transfer. During the first trimester, the crucial ultrasound findings of monochorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy are three distinct amniotic sacs forming a triangle or ipsilon zone within a single chorionic cavity. After prudential counseling about the potential risk of a monochorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy with the patient, selective reduction of two fetuses via radiofrequency ablation was performed. We report a case of selective reduction for monochorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy using radiofrequency ablation at 12 weeks' gestation and obstetric progression after radiofrequency ablation was uneventful until 20 weeks' gestation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.223-227
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• 2002

연구목적: 전반적인 자궁내막증이 체외수정시술에 미치는 영향을 알아보고, 특히 stage III-IV 자궁내막증을 갖는 불임환자 체외수정시술 결과에 대하여 알아보고자 본 연구를 시행하였다. 연구재료 및 방법: 1998년 9월부터 2001년 9월까지 진단복강경을 통해 자궁내막증으로 진단된 환자 중 체외수정시술을 시행 받은 91명 131주기를 대상으로 하였으며 이중 stage III-IV의 자궁내막증을 갖는 환자는 27명 34주기였다. 비교군은 이시기에 진단된 순수 난관원인으로 체외수정시술을 시행한 40명 56주기를 대상으로 하였다. 통계학적 검사는 Student's t-test와 Chi-square test를 시행하였고, p<0.05를 유의성이 있는 것으로 판정하였다. 결 과: 전체 자궁내막증 환자와 난관인자의 체외수정시술에서 두 군간의 나이는 $31.6{\pm}3.3$, $32.6{\pm}3.6$세로 비슷하였다. 채취된 난자의 수 ($10.3{\pm}6.6$ vs $11.7{\pm}5.1$), 성숙난자 수 ($7.4{\pm}4.7$ vs $7.7{\pm}4.9$), 수정율 ($70.2{\pm}32.4%$ vs $73.7{\pm}20.0%$), Good embryo quality rate (8세포 (G1+G2)를 2PN의 개수로 나눈 값) (32.6% vs 32.4%) 및 배아이식 수 ($4.6{\pm}1.4$ vs $4.8{\pm}1.1$)로 두 군간에 차이는 없었다. 또한 임상적 임신율의 경우도 각각 30.7%, 42.8%로 비슷하였다. 중등도 및 중증의 자궁내막증과 난관인자의 비교에서 성숙난자 및 채취된 난자의 개수는 각각 $8.8{\pm}4.9$, $7.7{\pm}3.9$, $11.3{\pm}7.0$, $11.7{\pm}5.1$개로 두 군간에 차이는 없었다. 수정율은 stage III와 IV 군에서 감소되는 경향을 보였으나 통계학적인 유의성은 없었다 ($66.2{\pm}30.0%$ vs $73.7{\pm}20.0%$). Good qulity embryo rate (GQER)는 stage III-IV 자궁내막증 환자군에서 22.0%로 순수 난관인자의 32.4%에 비하여 감소하는 경향을 보였으나 통계학적인 유의성은 없었다 (p=0.15, Chi-square test). 배아이식 수의 경우는 각각 $4.7{\pm}1.5$, $4.8{\pm}1.1$개로 차이가 없었다. 배아이식 주기당 임상적 임신율의 경우는 stage III-IV군에서 25.0% (8/32), 난관인자 군의 42.8% (24/56)로 통계학적인 유의성은 없었으나 (p=0.06, Chi-square test), 중등도 및 중증의 자궁내막증을 갖는 환자에서 임신율이 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 결 론: 체외수정시술시 자궁내막증이 임신율에 나쁜 영향을 미치지 않지만, 중등도 및 중증의 자궁 내막증을 갖는 불임환자의 체외수정시술에서는 임신율에 나쁜 영향을 끼칠 가능성이 있을 것으로 사료된다.