• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.157-162
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• 2009

This study was performed to comprehend the developmental characteristics of cloned embryos knocked out (KO) of $\alpha$-1,3-galactosyltransferase (GalT) gene. Immature oocytes were collected and cultured for 40 hrs (1-step) or 20hrs (with hormone) + 20hrs (without hormone) (2-step). The embryos transferred with miniature pig ear fibroblast cell were used as control. The reconstructed embryos were cultured in PZM-3 with 5% $CO_2$ in air at $38.5^{\circ}C$ for 6 days. To determine the quality of the blstocysts, TUNEL and quantitative realtime RT-PCR were performed. The embryos were transferred to a surrogate (Landrace) at an earlier stage of the estrus cycle. The maturation rate was significantly higher in 2-step method than that of 1-step (p<0.05). The blastocyst development of GalT KO embryos was significantly lower than that of normal cloned embryos (p<0.05). The total and apoptotic cell number of GalT KO blastocysts was not different statistically from control. The relative abundance of Bax-$\alpha$/Bcl-xl ratio was significantly higher in both cloned blastocysts than that of in vivo blastocysts (p<0.05). Taken together, it can be postulated that the lower developmental potential and higher expression of apoptosis related genes in GalT KO SCNT embryos might be a cause of a low efficiency of GalT KO cloned miniature pig production.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.101-108
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• 2008

This study investigated the developmental ability and gene expression of somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos using ear skin fibroblast cells derived from miniature pig. When miniature pig (m) and landrace pig (p) were used as donor cells, there were no differences in cleavage (79.2 vs. 78.2%) and blastocyst rates (27.4 vs. 29.7%). However, mNT blastocysts showed significantly higher apoptosis rate than that of pNT blastocysts (6.1 vs. 1.7%) (p<0.05). The number of nuclei in pNT blastosysts was significantly higher than that of mNT (35.8 vs. 29.3) (p<0.05). Blastocysts were analyzed using Realtime RT-PCR to determine the expression of Bax-${\alpha}$, Bcl-xl, H19, IGF2, IGF2r and Xist. Bax-${\alpha}$ was higher in mNT blastocyst than pNT blastocyst (p<0.05). There was no difference in Bcl-xl between two NT groups. Bax-${\alpha}$/Bcl-xl was, however, significantly higher in mNT blastocyst compared to pNT. The expression of imprinting genes were aberrant in blastocysts derived from NT compared to in vivo blastocysts. H19 and IGF2r were significantly lower in mNT blastocysts (p<0.05). The expression of IGF2 and Xist was similar in two NT groups. However, imprinting genes were expressed aberrantly in mNT compared to pNT blastocysts. The present results suggest that the NT between donor cells derived from miniature pig and recipient oocytes derived from crossbred pig might affect reprogramming of donor cell, resulting in high apoptosis and aberrant expression patterns of imprinting genes.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.71-80
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• 2012

Biotechnologies for cloning animals and in vitro embryo production have the potential to produce biomedical models for various researches. Especially, pigs are a suitable model for xenotransplantation, transgenic production and various areas of reproductive research due to its physiological similarities to human. However, utilization of in vitro-produced embryos for transfer remains limited. Despite improvement over past few decades, obstacles associated with the production of good quality embryos in vitro still exist which limit the efficiency of cloning. One of major problems includes improper in vitro maturation (IVM) and culture (IVC). Oxidative stress caused from in vitro culture conditions contributes to inadequate IVM and IVC which leads to poor developmental competence of oocytes, failure of fertilization and embryo development. To reduce the oxidative stress, various antioxidants have been used to IVM and IVC system. However, limited information is available on the effects of resveratrol on livestock reproductions. Resveratrol is a polyphenolic natural product and well known as an antioxidant in foods and beverages (e.g. in grapes and red wine). Resveratrol is known to be cardioprotective, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiapoptotic. This paper will review the effects of resveratrol on in vitro maturation of oocytes and embryo development.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.241-247
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to study the effect of magnetized water on porcine cumulus cell-oocyte complexes (COCs). Oocytes obtained from female pig were cultured in a medium magnetized at 0, 2000, 4000, and 6000 Gauss (G) for 5 minutes using the neodymium magnet. Subsequently, intracellular hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) concentration, glutathione (GSH) activity, oocyte membrane integrity, anti-apoptosis factor Bcl-xL expression, and nuclear maturation were analyzed. The intracellular $H_2O_2$ levels in COCs cultured for 44 hours were not significantly different among the variously magnetized samples. However, GSH activity were significantly higher in the magnetized samples compared to the 0 G sample. The Bcl-xL mRNA expression in COCs cultured for 44 hours was higher in the 4000 G sample than other treatment groups. Membrane damage in COCs cultured for 22 and 44 hours was significantly lower in 4000 G group than control group. On the other hand, nuclear stages as maturation indicator significantly increased in 2000, 4000, and 6000 G groups compared to 0 G group. These results indicate that incubation of porcine oocytes and cumulus cells in magnetized medium improves intracellular GSH levels, membrane integrity and nuclear maturation, and inhibits apoptosis in vitro.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제30권7호
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• pp.944-949
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• 2017

Objective: Investigated the effect and mechanism of ascorbic acid on the development of porcine embryos produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Methods: Porcine embryos were produced by SCNT and cultured in the presence or absence of ascorbic acid. Ten-eleven translocation 3 (TET3) in oocytes was knocked down by siRNA injection. After ascorbic acid treatment, reprogramming genes were analyzed by realtime reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, relative 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine content in pronucleus were detected by realtime PCR. Results: Ascorbic acid significantly increased the development of porcine embryos produced by SCNT. After SCNT, transcript levels of reprogramming genes, Pou5f1, Sox2, and Klf were significantly increased in blastocysts. Furthermore, ascorbic acid reduced 5-methylcytosine content in pronuclear embryos compared with the control group. Knock down of TET3 in porcine oocytes significantly prevents the demethylation of somatic cell nucleus after SCNT, even if in the presence of ascorbic acid. Conclusion: Ascorbic acid enhanced the development of porcine SCNT embryos via the increased TET3 mediated demethylation of somatic nucleus.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.49-52
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• 2005

도축된 돼지의 난소에서 난포란을 채취하여 체외 성숙시킨 후 인위적으로 활성화시켜 이배체 배발달을 유기하기 위해 cytochalasin B를 2.5, 5.0, $7.5\;{\mu}g/mL$ 농도로 3, 5, 7 시간 처리한 후 NCSU23 배양액으로 7일간 배양하여 배발달율에 미치는 영향을 검사하였다. 체외 성숙된 돼지 난모세포를 활성화 처리하여 2일째 분할율을 관찰한 결과 각 처리의 분할율은 $39.0{\sim}48.9%$로 나타났으며, 처리별로 유의차가 없었다. 7일간 배양하여 상실배기 이상으로 발달한 난자들의 처리별 발달율 차이를 관찰한 결과는 cytochalasin B를 $5.0\;{\mu}g/mL$ 농도로 3시간 처리구(19.7%)에서 $2.5\;{\mu}g/mL$ 농도로 3, 5시간 처리한 구(9.4%)의 배발달율에 비해 유의적으로 높은 결과를 얻었다. 시간별과 농도별로 분석한 결과 $2.5\;{\mu}g/mL$ 처리구가 5.0, $7.5\;{\mu}g/mL$ 처리구들보다 유의적으로 낮은 배발달율을 보였다. 배반포기까지 발달한 난자들의 처리별 발달율 차이를 관찰한 결과는 cytochalasin B를 $5.0\;{\mu}g/mL$ 농도로 3시간과 5시간 처리구들의 배반포기 발달율은 9.4%와 9.0%로 $2.5\;{\mu}g/mL$ 농도로 3시간 처리구의 배발달율인 0%보다 유의적으로 높은 배발달율을 보였다. 시간별과 농도별로 분석한 결과 농도에 따라 $5.0\;{\mu}g/mL$ 처리구가 2.5와 $7.5\;{\mu}g/mL$ 처리구들보다 유의적으로 높은 배반포기 배발달율을 보였으며, 3, 5, 7시간 처리에 따른 유의적인 차이는 없었다. 이상의 결과로 돼지 난모세포를 65시간 체외 성숙 후 활성화 처리할 때 cytochalasin B $5.0\;{\mu}g/mL$로 $3{\sim}5$ 시간 처리하는 것이 가장 높은 배반포 발달율을 얻을 수 있었으며, 처리 농도가 배발달에 유의적인 영향을 미치는 것을 확인하였다.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2007

본 연구는 체외 성숙된 난자와 동결 융해 정자를 이용한 돼지의 체외 수정 과정에서 난구 세포의 존재가 정자 침투율, 웅성전핵 형성률 그리고 후기배로의 체외 발육에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위하여 수행되었다. 돼지 난소로부터 난자-난구세포 복합체를 채취하여 eCG/hCG, 10% 돼지 난포액, epidermal growth factor 등이 첨가된 TCM 199 배양액에서 44시간 배양하여 체외 성숙을 유도하였다. 성숙 배양 후 난구 세포를 제거한 난자와 난구 세포가 부착되어 있는 난자를 돼지 동결 융해정액을 이용하여 5mM caffeine과 10mM calcium chloride를 함유한 mTBM배양액에서 8시간 체외 수정하였다. 체외 수정 후 난자를 고정, 염색하여 정자 침투율과 웅성전핵 형성률을 조사하였고(실험 $1{\sim}3$) 일부 수정란을 North Carolina State University-23 배양액에서 체외 수정 후 156시간 배양하여 후기배로의 발육능을 검토하였다(실험 3). 실험 1에서는 정자 농도를 $7.5{\times}10^5/ml$로 조정하여 나화 난자와 난구 세포 부착난자에서 정자 침투율 및 웅성전핵 형성률을 조사하였다. 실험 2에서는 난구 세포 부착 난자의 체외 수정에 적합한 정자 농도를 구하기 위해 2, 3, 4, 및 $5{\times}10^6/ml$의 농도로 난자를 수정한 후 정자 침투율 및 웅성전핵 형성률을 조사하였다. 실험 3에서는 나화 난자 및 난구 세포 부착 난자를 각각 $7.5{\times}10^5/ml$의 정자 농도로 체외 수정한 후 후기배로의 발육률을 조사하였다. 실험 1의 결과 정자 침투율은 나화 난자에 비해 난구 세포 부착 난자에서 유의적으로 감소되었다(35.2% vs. 77.4%; p<0.01). 실험 2에서 다양한 정자 농도에 의한 정자 침투율과 정상 수정률을 바탕으로 판단했을 때 $4.6{\times}10^6/ml$의 정자 농도가 다른 정자 농도에 비해 난구 세포부착 난자의 체외 수정에 적합한 것으로 나타났다. 체외 수정과정에서 난구 세포 부착된 상태로 수정된 난자는 나화 난자에 비해 유의적으로(p<0.05) 높은 분할률(48.8% vs. 58.9%), 배반포 형성률(11.0% vs. 22.8%)과 배반포 세포수$(22{\pm}2\;vs.\;29{\pm}2)$를 나타내었다. 본 연구의 결과로부터 돼지의 체외 수정과정에서 난구 세포의 존재는 정자 침투를 저해하지만 분할률, 배반포 형성률 및 배반포의 세포수를 증가시키는 것으로 사료된다.

• 한국발생생물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국발생생물학회 2003년도 제3회 국제심포지움 및 학술대회
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• pp.128-128
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• 2003

The aims of this study are 1) to test oocytes and embryos collected from in-vivo and in-vitro to achieving the valuable protocol by culturing, vitrifying and thawing of oocytes/embryos, and 2) to transfer them to recipient, and finally have resulted in pregnancies from recipient females after surgical or nonsurgical transfer. In vitro maturation and fertilization were performed according to the procedures of Funahashi et al. Fertilized oocytes were cultured in glucose-free NCSU 23 supplemented with 5 mM sodium pyruvate, 0.5 mM sodium lactate and 4 mg/ml bovine serum albumin for 2 days at 39$^{\circ}C$, and 10% fetal bovine serum was added to the culture medium thereafter. Embryos were treated with 7.5$\square$g/ml cytochalasin-B for 30 min, centrifuged at 13,000 ${\times}$ g for 13 min and then exposed sequentially to an ethylene glycol (EG) vitrification solution, aspirated into OPSs, and plunged/thawed into/from liquid nitrogen. In vivo embryos were surgically collected from three donors after Al. Forty-six embryos (18, 9 and 19 embryos, respectively) were washed 3 times in mPBS+10%FBS, followed treatments : cultured, centrifuged, vitrified, recovered and transferred to recipients as in vitro prepared embryos. Three recipients received surgically 34(control), 188 and 184 embryos (derived from abattoir), respectively. Another three recipients were received nonsurgically 150, 100 and 150 embryos, respectively. All recipient sows exhibited delayed returns to estrus. To our knowledge, these results suggest that required an improved techniques, more vigorous embryos preparation and cleaner uterous condition(use gilt).

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.235-244
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• 2018

We investigate the effect of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibitor treatment during parthenogenetic activation of oocytes on the ER stress generation, apoptosis, and in vitro development of parthenogenetic porcine embryos. Porcine in vitro matured oocytes were activated by 1) electric stimulus (E) or 2) $E+10{\mu}M$ Ca-ionophore (A23187) treatment (EC). Oocytes were then treated by ER stress inhibitors such as salubrinal (200 nM) and tauroursodeoxychloic acid (TUDCA, $100{\mu}M$) for 3 h prior to in vitro culture. Parthenogenetic embryos were sampled to analyze ER stress and apoptosis at the 1-cell and blastocyst stages. The x-box binding protein 1 (Xbp1) mRNA and ER stress-associated genes were analyzed by RT-PCR or RT-qPCR. Apoptotic gene expression was analyzed by RT-PCR. At the 1-cell stage, although no difference was observed in Xbp1 splicing among treatments, BiP transcription level in the E group was significantly reduced by salubrinal treatment, and GRP94 and ATF4 transcription levels in EC group were significantly reduced by all treatments (p<0.05) compared to control. In the EC group, both apoptotic genes were reduced by ER stress inhibitor treatments compared to control (p<0.05) except Caspase-3 gene by TUDCA treatment. These results suggest that the treatment of ER stress inhibitor during parthenogenetic activation can reduce ER stress, and thereby reduce apoptosis and promote in vitro development of porcine parthenogenetic embryos.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.309-317
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• 2017

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is an indole synthesized from tryptophan by the pineal gland in animal. The major function of melatonin is to modulate circadian and circannual rhythms in photoperiodic mammals. Importantly, however, melatonin is also a free radical scavenger, anti-oxidant, and anti-apoptotic agent. Recently, the beneficial effects of melatonin on oocyte maturation and embryonic development in vitro have been reported in many species such as pig, cattle, sheep, mouse, and human. In this review, we will discuss recent studies about the role of melatonin in the production of porcine and bovine oocytes and embryos in vitro in order to provide useful information of melatonin in oocyte maturation and embryo culture in vitro.