• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.115-119
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• 2009

In the present study, effects of concentration of cryoprotectant solutions on the nuclear maturation of vitrifiedthawed porcine oocytes were examined. Oocytes were cultured in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 5% FBS at $38^{\circ}$C in 5% $C0_2$ and air. The percentage of monospermy in the toxicity group and vitrification group (22.0 ${\pm}$ 3.0% and 31.5 ${\pm}$ 3.5%) was decreased compared with that of the control group (44.0 ${\pm}$ 4.0%). The percentage of in vitro development to blastocyst in the toxicity group and vitrification group (12.0 ${\pm}$ 2.5% and 14.8 ${\pm}$ 2.8%) was decreased compared with that of the control group (28.0 ${\pm}$ 3.0%, p<0.05). The survival and in vitro developmental rate of oocytes vitrification-thawed with EDS and EDT + TCM-199 medium supplemented with 0.1% PVA were 46.3 ${\pm}$ 3.0%, 54.5 ${\pm}$ 3.8% and 14.8 ${\pm}$ 2.5%, 16.4 ${\pm}$ 2.7%, respectively. This results were lower than the control group (28.0 ${\pm}$ 3.5%). The in vitro developmental rate of embryos vitrified with EDS and EDT supplemented PVA did not have a significant difference. The survival and in vitro developmental rate of vitrified-thawed morula and blastocyst embryos were 44.2 ${\pm}$ 3.5%, 17.3 ${\pm}$ 3.0% and 48.1 ${\pm}$ 4.2%, 18.5 ${\pm}$ 3.5%, respectively. Vitrified morulae and blastcyst embryos had a lower survival and developmental rates than their control counterparts.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.67-75
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• 2011

The faulty regulation of imprinting gene lead to the abnormal development of reconstructed embryo after nuclear transfer. However, the correlation between the imprinting status of donor cell and preimplantation stage of embryo development is not yet clear. In this study, to determine this correlation, we used the porcine spermatogonial stem cell (pSSC) and fetal fibroblast (pFF) as donor cells. As the results, the isolated cells with laminin matrix selection strongly expressed the GFR ${\alpha}$-1 and PLZF genes of SSCs specific markers. The pSSCs were maintained to 12 passages and positive for the pluripotent marker including OCT4, SSEA1 and NANOG. The methylation analysis of H19 DMR of pSSCs revealed that the zinc finger protein binding sites CTCF3 of H19 DMRs displayed an androgenic imprinting pattern (92.7%). Also, to investigate the reprogramming potential of pSSCs as donor cell, we compared the development rate and methylation status of H19 gene between the reconstructed embryos from pFF and pSSC. This result showed no significant differences of the development rate between the pFFs ($11.2{\pm}0.8%$) and SSCs ($13.3{\pm}1.1%$). However, interestingly, while the CTCF3 methylation status of pFF-NT blastocyst was decreased (36.3%), and the CTCF3 methylation status of pSSC-NT blastocyst was maintained. Therefore, this result suggested that the genomic imprinting status of pSSCs is more effective than that of normal somatic cells for the normal development because the maintenance of imprinting pattern is very important in early embryo stage.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.139-146
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• 2017

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of fructose that was supplemented to a chemically defined in vitro maturation (IVM) medium on oocyte maturation and embryonic development after parthenogenesis in pigs. The base medium for in vitro maturation (IVM) was porcine zygote medium (PZM) that was supplemented with 0.05% (w/v) polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or 10% (v/v) porcine follicular fluid (pFF). In the first experiment, when immature pig oocytes were matured in a chemically defined medium that was supplemented with 5.5 mM glucose or with 1.5, 3.0 and 5.5 mM fructose, 3.0 mM fructose resulted in a higher nuclear maturation (91.5%) than 1.5 and 5.5 mM fructose (81.9 and 81.9%, respectively) but showed a similar result with 5.5 mM glucose (94.2%). However, there was no significant differences among groups in the embryo cleavage (89.4-92.4%), blastocyst formation (37.5-41.1%), and mean cell number of blastocyst (30.8-34.2 cells). Fructose at the concentration of 3.0 mM (1.08 pixels/oocyte) resulted in a higher intra-oocyte glutathione (GSH) content than 1.5 and 5.5 mM fructose (1.00 and 0.87 pixels/oocytes, respectively) while the cumulus cell expansion was not influenced. In the second experiment, effect of individual and combined supplementation of a chemically defined maturation medium with 5.5 mM glucose or 3.0 mM fructose was examined. No significant effect was found in the nuclear maturation (86.3-92.6%). Embryo cleavage was significantly increased by the combined supplementation with glucose and fructose (95.2%) compared to that with 3.0 mM fructose only (85.7%) while blastocyst formation (37.3-42.8%) and embryonic cell number (33.3-34.1 cells) were not altered. Effect of supplementation of pFF-containing medium with glucose and fructose + glucose was examined in the third experiment. No significant effect by the supplementation with glucose and fructose or glucose alone was observed in the nuclear maturation of oocytes (90.7-94.1%) and blastocyst formation (51.0-56.5%). Our results demonstrate that 3.0 mM fructose was comparable to 5.5 mM glucose in supporting in vitro oocyte maturation and embryonic development after parthenogenesis and could be used as an alternative energy source to glucose for in vitro maturation of pig oocytes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.266-277
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• 2014

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has generally demonstrated that a differentiated cell can convert into a undifferentiated or pluripotent state. In the SCNT experiment, nuclear reprogramming is induced by exposure of introduced donor nuclei to the recipient cytoplasm of matured oocytes. However, because the efficiency of SCNT still remains low, a combination of SCNT technique with the ex-ovo method may improve the normal development of SCNT embryos. Here we hypothesized that treatment of somatic cells with extracts prepared from the germinal vesicle (GV) stage Siberian sturgeon oocytes prior to their use as nuclear donor for SCNT would improve in vitro development. A reversible permeability protocol with $4{\mu}g/mL$ of digitonin for 2 min at $4^{\circ}C$ in order to deliver Siberian sturgeon oocyte extract (SOE) to porcine fetal fibroblasts (PFFs) was carried out. As results, the intensity of H3K9ac staining in PFFs following treatment of SOE for 7 h at $18^{\circ}C$ was significantly increased but the intensity of H3K9me3 staining in PFFs was significantly decreased as compared with the control (p<0.05). Additionally, the level of histone acetylation in SCNT embryos at the zygote stage was significantly increased when reconstructed using SOE-treated cells (p<0.05), similar to that of IVF embryos at the zygote stage. The number of apoptotic cells was significantly decreased and pluripotency markers (Nanog, Oct4 and Sox2) were highly expressed in the blastocyst stage of SCNT embryos reconstructed using SOE-treated cells as nuclear donor (p<0.05). And there was observed a better development to the blastocyst stage in the SOE-treated group (p<0.05). Our results suggested that pre-treatment of cells with SOE could improve epigenetic reprogramming and the quality of porcine SCNT embryos.

• 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.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제63권1호
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• pp.3.1-3.9
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• 2023

The efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer (NT) in pigs is low and requires enhancement. We identified the most efficient method for zona pellucida (ZP) removal and blastomere aggregation in pigs and investigated whether the aggregation of NT and parthenogenetic activation (PA) of blastomeres could reduce embryonic apoptosis and improve the quality of NT-derived embryos by investigating. Embryonic developmental competence after ZP removal using acid Tyrode's solution or protease (pronase E). The embryonic developmental potential of NT-derived blastomeres was also investigated using well-of-the-well or phytohemagglutinin-L. We analyzed apoptosis in aggregate-derived blastocysts. The aggregation rate of protease-treated embryos was lower than that of Tyrode's solution-treated embryos (69.2% vs. 88.3%). No significant difference was observed between phytohemagglutinin-L and well-of-the-well (35.7%-38.5%). However, 2P1N showed a higher number of blastocysts compared to 3N (73.8% vs. 24.3%) and an increased blastocyst diameter compared to the control and 1P2N (274 ㎛ vs. 230-234 ㎛). In blastomeres aggregated using phytohemagglutinin-L, the apoptotic cell ratio was significantly higher in 1P2N and 3N than in 3P (5.91%-6.46% vs. 2.94%, respectively). Our results indicate that aggregation of one NT embryo with two PA embryos improved the rate of blastocysts with increased blastocyst diameter.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.21-27
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• 2004

본 연구는 이종간 핵이식란의 생산성 향상에 기여하기 위한 기초연구로서 핵이식 수정란의 융합과 활성화 과정에 있어서 수핵난자 및 전기적 융합조건이 핵이식 수정란의 융합 및 체외 발달에 미치는 요인들을 조사하기 위하여 실시하였다. 도축되어지는 소 및 돼지의 난소에서 난포란을 채취하여 TCM-199 및 NCSU-23에 혈청 및 호르몬을 첨가하여 39$^{\circ}C$, 5% CO$_2$ 배양기내에서 24 및 48시간 체외성숙을 실시하여 수핵난자를 준비하고, 공여세포의 준비는 산양의 귀세포를 채취하여 0.25% Trypsin-EDTA의 처리로 세포를 분리, 배양하여 사용하였으며, 계대배양과 함께 세포는 TCM-199 ＋ 10% FBS ＋ 10% DMSO로 동결을 실시하였다. 핵이식은 성숙된 난자의 극체 및 전핵을 laser system으로 투명대를 drilling 하여 제거하고 준비된 공여세포를 핵이 제거된 난자에 주입하여 전기적 자극으로 융합을 실시하여 융합된 난자는 전기적 자극으로 활성화를 유도하였다. 활성화가 이루어진 복제 수정란은 수핵란이 소난자의 경우 monolayer가 형성된 10% FBS가 첨가된 TCM199 배양액에서 7∼9일 동안 체외배양하였으며, 수핵란이 돼지의 경우 10% FBS가 첨가된 NCSU-3 배양액으로 6∼8일 동안 체외배양을 실시하여 배반포기로 유도하였다. 본 연구에서 얻은 결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. 전기자극의 세기를 1.95 kv/cm와 2.10 kv/cm로 주었을 때 수핵란이 소 난자의 경우 융합율은 47.7및 44.6%였으며, 분할율도 41.9 및 54.5%로써 차이가 없었다. 수핵란이 돼지 난자인 경우는 융합율은 51.3 및 46.1%로써 차이가 없었으며, 분할율도 75.0및 84.9%로써 차이가 없었다. 전기자극 시간을 30 또는 60${\mu}$sec, 횟수는 1 또는 2회 주었을 때 수핵란이 소 난자의 경우 융합율은 30 ${\mu}$sec 1회(50.8%) 와 2회(31.0%) 간에 차이가 없었으나, 60${\mu}$sec 1회(19.3%)가 가장 낮았다(P＜0.05). 융합란의 분할율은 30${\mu}$sec 1회(53.3%)와 2회(50.0%) 간에 차이가 없었으나, 60${\mu}$sec 1회(18.2%)보다 유의적(P＜0.05)으로 높게 나타났다. 돼지 난자의 경우 융합율은 30${\mu}$sec 1회(48.1%), 2회(45.2%)및 60${\mu}$sec 1회(48.6%)간에 차이가 없었으며, 분할율은 30${\mu}$sec 1회(78.4%)와 60${\mu}$sec 1회 (79.4%)간에 차이가 없었으나, 30${\mu}$sec 2회(53.6%)보다 유의적(P＜0.05)으로 높게 나타났다. 이종간 핵이식란의 체외발달에 있어서 수핵란이 소 난자의 경우 상실배와 배반포기로의 발달율이 22.6%로써 단위발생란 30.6%와 차이가 없었으며, 돼지 난자의 경우는 이종간 핵이식란이 5.1%로써 단위발생란 37.4%보다 유의적(P＜0.05)으로 낮게 나타났다. 이상의 실험결과로 보아 산양의 체세포를 이용한 이종간 핵이식 복제수정란의 생산을 위하여 수핵란으로 소와 돼지를 사용하여 복제수정란의 발달을 확인할 수 있었으며, 이종간 핵이식에 있어서 수핵란, 공여세포, 융합, 활성화 및 배양조건 등 아직 초보 수준에 있으며, 앞으로 보다 많은 연구를 통하여 이러한 문제들이 해결되면 멸종위기 상태에 있는 동물들의 종 보존에도 활용이 가능할 것으로 생각된다.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.119-124
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• 2006

The present study compared the developmental potential of cloned porcine embryos with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), fetal fibroblasts (FFs) and cumulus cells (CCs) by assessing the cleavage and blastocyst rate, total cell number, inner cell mass (ICM) ratio and apoptosis. MSCs were isolated by ficoll gradients from femur of -6 month old female pig, and maintained for primary cultures. FFs from a female fetus at ${\sim}30$ day of gestation were established, and CCs were obtained from cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) aspirated from $3{\sim}6$ mm follicles in diameter. Donor cells at $3{\sim}4$ passage were employed for nuclear transfer (NT). COCs were matured and fertilized in vitro(IVF) as control. Cleavage rate was significantly (P<0.05) higher in IVF than in NT embryos with MSCs, FFs and CCs ($82.7{\pm}8.9%\;vs\;70.6{\pm}5.4,\;68.7{\pm}5.1\;and\;63.4{\pm}5.6%$, respectively). However, blastocyst rates in IVF and NT embryos derived from MSCs ($24.5{\pm}2.8\;and\;20.4{\pm}8.3%$) did not differ, but were significantly (P<0.05) higher than NT derived from FFs and CCs ($10.6{\pm}2.7\;and\;9.8{\pm}2.1%$). Total cell number and the ratio of ICM to total cells among blastocysts cloned from MSCs ($35.4{\pm}5.2\;and\;0.40{\pm}0.09%$, respectively) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those from FFs and CCs ($24.9{\pm}6.2%\;vs\;0.19{\pm}0.16,\;23.6{\pm}5.5\;and\;0.17{\pm}0.16%$, respectively). Proportions of TUNEL positive cells in NT embryos from FFs and CCs ($6.9{\pm}1.5\;and\;7.4{\pm}1.7%$, respectively) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in MSCs ($4.8{\pm}1.4%$) and IVF ($2.3{\pm}0.9%$). The results demonstrate that MSCs have a greater potential as donor cells than FFs and CCs in achieving enhanced production of cloned porcine embryos.

• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.232-239
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• 2019

In general, cloned pigs have been produced using the somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technique with various types of somatic cells; however, the SCNT technique has disadvantages not only in its low efficiency but also in the development of abnormal clones. This study aimed to compare early embryonic development and quality of SCNT embryos with those of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) NT embryos (iPSC-NTs). Ear fibroblast cells were used as donor cells and iPSCs were generated from these cells by lentiviral transduction with human six factors (Oct4, Sox2, c-Myc, Nanog, Klf4 and Lin28). Blastocyst formation rate in iPSC-NT (23/258, 8.9%) was significantly lower than that in SCNT (46/175, 26.3%; p < 0.05). Total cell number in blastocysts was similar between two groups, but blastocysts in iPSC-NT had a lower number of apoptotic cells than in SCNT (2.0 ± 0.6 vs. 9.8 ± 2.9, p < 0.05). Quantitative PCR data showed that apoptosis-related genes (bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9) were highly expressed in SCNT than iPSC-NT (p < 0.05). Although an early development rate was low in iPSC-NT, the quality of cloned embryos from porcine iPSC was higher than that of embryos from somatic cells. Therefore, porcine iPSCs could be used as a preferable cell source to create a clone or transgenic animals by using the NT technique.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.40.1-40.13
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• 2022

Background: Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is used widely in cloning, stem cell research, and regenerative medicine. The type of donor cells is a key factor affecting the SCNT efficiency. Objectives: This study examined whether urine-derived somatic cells could be used as donors for SCNT in pigs. Methods: The viability of cells isolated from urine was assessed using trypan blue and propidium iodide staining. The H3K9me3/H3K27me3 level of the cells was analyzed by immunofluorescence. The in vitro developmental ability of SCNT embryos was evaluated by the blastocyst rate and the expression levels of the core pluripotency factor. Blastocyst cell apoptosis was examined using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling assay. The in vivo developmental ability of SCNT embryos was evaluated after embryo transfer. Results: Most sow urine-derived cells were viable and could be cultured and propagated easily. On the other hand, most of the somatic cells isolated from the boar urine exhibited poor cellular activity. The in vitro development efficiency between the embryos produced by SCNT using porcine embryonic fibroblasts (PEFs) and urine-derived cells were similar. Moreover, The H3K9me3 in SCNT embryos produced from sow urine-derived cells and PEFs at the four-cell stage showed similar intensity. The levels of Oct4, Nanog, and Sox2 expression in blastocysts were similar in the two groups. Furthermore, there is a similar apoptotic level of cloned embryos produced by the two types of cells. Finally, the full-term development ability of the cloned embryos was evaluated, and the cloned fetuses from the urine-derived cells showed absorption. Conclusions: Sow urine-derived cells could be used to produce SCNT embryos.