• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2006

To evaluate the functional status of ovarian cyst in Korean native cows, progesterone ($P_4$) and estrogen ($E_2$) level of cystic follicular fluid, ultrasonography for measuring the cystic diameter and thickness of cystic wall, and histological findings were investigated in cystic ovaries from slaughtered Korean native cows. Ovarian cysts were classified as single follicular cyst 51 cows (59.3%), multiple follicular cysts 19 cows (22.1%), single luteal cyst 13 cows (15.1%) and multiple luteal cysts 3 cows (3.5 %) by anatomical and ultrasonography. Ovarian cysts were classified as follicular cysts (54 cows), luteal cyst (16 cows) and non-functional ovarian cyst (16 cows) by hormone analysis, anatomical finding and ultasonography The luteal cyst was accurately diagnosed by cystic wall thickness, but follicular cysts was misdiagnosed 16 cows of 70 cystic cows The cystic fluid $P_4$ concentration was 3.3 ng/ml in follicular cysts and 30.1 ng/ml luteal cysts. There was significantly positive correlations between cystic wall thickness and serum $P_4$ concentration in follicular ($r^2=0.59$, p<0.001) and luteal cysts ($r^2=0.65$, p<0.001). These results indicated that ovarian cysts had various stages of degeneration and luteal cyst was accurately diagnosed measurement of cystic wall thickness by ultrasonography, but follicular cysts were not diagnosed only cystic diameter and cystic wall thickness.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.147-156
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to supply excellent genetic resources to livestock farms by transferring embryos produced by genetically superior Korean cows (Hanwoo). Eighty Hanwoo donors were superovulated with gonadotropin ($Folltrpin^(R)\;or\;Antorin^(R)$) for 4 days combined with or without progesterone releasing intravaginal device (CIDR) insertion. The collected fresh or frozen-thawed embryos were transferred to 226 farm recipients. In this study, the effect of CIDR insertion in combination with gonadotropin ($Folltrpin^(R)$) treatments initiated at the random stage of estrous cycle on embryo production was evaluated and compared to conventional superovulation protocol. Moreover, the effect of gonadotropin ($Antorin^(R)$) dose in CIDR-treated Hanwoo donors on the embryo yield was determined. In addition, the effects of embryos (fresh vs. frozen-thawed), embryo transfer person, seasons and farms on the pregnancy rate were evaluated. In Hanwoo donors, CIDR insertion in combination with $Folltrpin^(R)$ treatments regardless of estrous detection resulted in increased numbers of total ova (6.5 vs. 5.8) and transferable embryos (3.9 vs. 3.2) compared to the conventional superovulation protocol (p<0.01). In CIDR-treated Hanwoo donors, the higher dose of $Antorin^(R)$ (36 vs. 28 mg) resulted in the increased number of transferable embryos (8.3 vs. 5.4, p<0.05). The embryos (fresh 43.9% vs. frozen-thawed 23.1%) and embryo transfer person (53.9 vs. $0{\sim}16.7%$) significantly affected the pregnancy rate after embryo transfer (p<0.01). These results suggest that CIDR-based superovulation protocol may be effectively used for production of superior Hanwoo embryos and, multiple ovulation and embryo transfer in Hanwoo might be effectively applied for livestock improvement if pregmancy rate with frozen-thawed embryos and embryo transfer skill would be improved.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2010

Purpose : To evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinicopathological features of triple negative breast cancer, and compare them with those of non-triple negative breast cancer. Materials and Methods : This study included 231 pathologically confirmed breast cancers from January 2007 to May 2008. We retrospectively reviewed the MRI findings according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) lexicon: mass or non-mass type, mass shape, mass margin, non-mass distribution, and enhancement pattern. Histologic type, histologic grade, and the results for epidermal growth factor receptor, p53, and Ki 67 were reviewed. Results : Of 231 patients, 43(18.6%) were triple negative breast cancer. Forty triple negative breast cancers (93.0%) were mass-type lesion on MRI. A round or oval or lobular shape (p=0.006) and rim enhancement (p=0.004) were significantly more in triple negative breast cancer than non- triple negative breast cancer. In contrast, irregular shape (p=0.006) and spiculated margins (p=0.032) were significantly more in non-triple negative breast cancer. Old age (p=0.019), high histologic grade (p<0.0001), EGFR positivity (p<0.0001), p53 overexpression (p=0.038), and Ki 67 expression (<0.0001) were significantly associated with the triple negative breast cancer. Conclusion : MRI finding may be helpful for differentiation between triple negative and non-triple negative breast cancer.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.281-292
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• 1997

The objective of this study was to compare retrospectively the survival and pregnancy rates(PR) of cryopresered-thawed embryos obtained from intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF). Ninety-six cycles of cryopresered-thawed embryo transfer (ET) were performed in 79 patients from June, 1996 to September, 1997 and grouped as followings: 20 cycles (16 patients) inseminated by ICSI (ICSI Group) and 76 cycles (63 patients) by conventional IVF (IVF Group). Slow-freezing and rapid-thawing protocol was used with 1.5M propanediol (PROH) and 0.1M sucrose as cryoprotectant. All embryos were frozen-thawed at the two pronuclear (2 PN) stage excluding four cycles in which the early cleavage stage embryos were frozen, and allowed to cleave in vitro for one day before ET. The duration from freezing to thawing was comparable in both groups ($mean{\pm}SD$, $112.1{\pm}80.0$ vs. $124.8{\pm}140.1$ days). The age of female ($31.2{\pm}3.4$ vs. $32.6{\pm}3.3$ years) and the endometrial thickness prior to progesterone injection ($9.4{\pm}2.0$ vs. $9.3{\pm}1.8$ mm) were also comparable in both groups. There was no significant difference in the outcomes of cryopreserved-thawed ET between two groups: survival rate ($85.2{\pm}16.1%$ vs. $82.2{\pm}19.7%$), cleavage rate ($96.9{\pm}6.7%$ vs. $94.7{\pm}13.0%$), cumulative embryo score (CES, $54.5{\pm}31.1$ vs. $49.0{\pm}20.0$), preclinical loss rate (5.0% vs. 5.3%), clinical miscarriage rate (0% vs 29.4%), clinical PR per transfer (35.0% vs. 22.4%), implantation rate (9.9% vs. 5.6%), and multifetal PR (42.9% vs. 17.6%). In conclusion, human embryos resulting from ICSI can be cryopreserved-thawed and transferred successfully, and the survival rate and PR are comparable to conventional IVF.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2003

Considerable attention has been focused on the cryopreservation of semen and estrus induction in dog, as consequence of poor productivity caused by long anestrus period, in order to enhance the productivity of youngs and to preserve the breeds. The objectives of this study were to improve reproductive efficiency of artificial insemination with fresh- and frozen-semen following estrus induction in dog. Fifty infertilie dogs (age 2~3 years) were selected fur the study and divided into three different estrus induction treatment groups. Group 1 : dogs (n=15) were given clomifene (0.1 mg/kg) orally f3r five days at 12 hr intervals. Croup 2: dogs (n=15) were given bromocriptine (50 $\mu$g/kg) orally for five days at 12 hr intervals, followed by single injection intravenously of 500 IU GnRH (Croup 3, n=20) when pro-estrus occurred. After being treated, the dogs were evaluated fur the rates of estrus induction and time interval lapses from treatment to beginning of the pro-estrus. The rates of pregnancy in estrus inducted dogs mated naturally compared to those inseminated artificially with ejaculated fresh semen and frozen-thawed semen. Estrus detection was performed using the method of vaginal smear and confirmed by the plasma progesterone assay. Pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasonograpy on day 25, 35 and 55 post insemination. The ejaculated semen was exposed to a mixture of Tris extender with cryoprotectant (Trisma, 81 mM; TES, 209 mM; citric acid, 6 mM; glucose, 5 mM; glycerol, 8%) and cryopreserved gradually by slow-cooling at 17 co above the surface of liquid nitrogen (L$N_2$) for 23 min. The use of fresh semen, the pregnancy rates were observed 66.6, 66.6, 75.0 and 83.3% in natural estrus, clomifene induced, bromocriptine induced and a combination of GnRH and bromocriptine, respectively. The use of frozen-thawed semen, the pregnancy rates were observed 66.6, 33.3, 50.0 and 60.0% in natural estrus, clomifene induced, bromocriptine induced and a combination of GnRH and bromocriptine, respectively. No difference was observed in the number of offspring produced among natural estrus and treated groups inseminated with fresh or frozen-thawed semen. In conclusion, there was no significant differences in the pregnancy rate of dogs between group treated with a combination of GnRH and bromocriptine and group treated clomifene or bromocriptine only. However, frozen-thawed semen can be used successfully fur artificial insemination in dog.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2016

The objective of this study was to investigate the result of in vivo embryo collection and pregnancy rate after embryo transfer using sex-sorted sperm of Korean brindle cattle. Donor Korean brindle cattle superovulation treated by decreasing dose of FSH injection. Embryos were recovered on 7 days after the third artificial insemination. Control group semen straw used artificial insemination contained 20 million sperm. Sex-sorted semen straws contained 4 million sperm or 10 million sperm. As for the result of the recovery of the in vivo embryos derived from sex-sorted sperm, the number of transferable embryos was significantly highly recovered to be $6.20{\pm}2.28/donor$ from the control group and was significantly lowly recovered to be $1.57{\pm}1.72/donor$ from the group treated at a sperm concentration of $10{\times}10^6$ (p<0.05). The number of unfertilized embryo was $0.8{\pm}1.30/donor$ in control group which was significantly lower than the group treated at a sperm concentration of $4{\times}10^6$ (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the number of undeveloped ova between control and treatment groups. Pregnancy rate after embryo transfer was shown to be 35.00% in control group and 12.50% in treatment group. The karyotype analysis of the calf derived from sex-sorted sperm resulted in a similar chromosomal distribution pattern (2n=60, XX) compared to those of common Korean native cattle.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2007

This study was investigated factors affecting the pregnancy rates after transfer of pronuclear microinjected embryos for the production of transgenic Korean black goats. Embryo transfer was carried out in 343 recipient Korean black goats from September 1999 to June 2000. Estrus was induced by the insertion of intravaginal progesterone devices $CIDR^(R)$ for 2 weeks. A single injection of 400 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin was administered at 48h before $CIDR^(R)$ removal to increase the proportion of does cycling and ovulation rate. Good quality embryos were prepared by microinjection of DNA into the pronuclei of fertilized goat oocyte and cultured in vitro. Pronuclear microinjected $1{\sim}8$ cell stage embryos were surgically transferred into the oviducts of the recipient at day 4 or 5 following $CIDR^(R)$ removal, and morula to blastocyst stage embryos were surgically transferred into uterus at day 9. Pregnancy was diagnosed by transrectal ultrasound scanning at $20{\sim}30d$ and 8 weeks following embryo transfer. The pregnancy rate was affected by several factors, such as estrus induction, the number of previous transfer, transfer site, stage of CL (corpus luteum), the number of recipient CL, stage of embryos and the number of transferred embryo. The pregnancy rate was significantly higher in recipients that came into estrus naturally than recipients that induced to come into estrus with $CIDR^(R)$(59.1% vs. 36.8%; P<0.05). The pregnancy rate was higher when the embryos were transferred into the left oviduct than transferred into the right oviduct (42.9% vs. 35.3%; P<0.05). The pregnancy rate of recipients with $CH_1$ (early) stage corpus hemorrhagicum in ovary was hi틴or than recipient with $CH_3$ (late) stage hemorrhagicum (47.5% vs. 17.9%; P<0.01). Higher pregnancy rates were obtained by transfer of 1-cell stage embryos into oviduct while late blastocysts (51.6% vs. 66.7%; P<0.01) into uterus. The pregnancy rates when 3 embryos were transferred to recipients were significantly higher than when 2 embryos we.e transferred (47.6% vs. 27.0%; P<0.05). Although there were no significant difference among the group, adhesion of reproductive organs, uterine size, ovulation rate of recipients, presence of large follicle and difficulty of transfer affected pregnancy rate of recipient. Higher pregnancy rates were obtained in the recipients with $8{\sim}15m$ diameter uterine horn as compared to the recipients with <5m diameter or >20mm diameter uterine hem (38.9%, 20% vs. 18.2%), in the recipients with large follicle in the ovulated ovary ipsilaterally (53.6% vs. 37.1%) and in the transfer which was carried out easily (39.2% vs. 27.8%, 0%). In conclusion, the high rate of pregnancy was achieved following transfer of pronuclear microinjected embryos when three or four 1-cell stage embryos were transferred into oviduct with $CH_1$ stage corpus hemorrhagicum in the ovary of recipient which came into estrus naturally.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2008

Purpose: Women with breast cancer diagnosed at an age of 40 years or younger have a greater prevalence of germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations than the prevalence of women with breast cancer diagnosed at older ages. Several immunohistochemical characteristics have been identified in breast cancers from studies of Caucasian women with BRCA1/2 mutations having familial or early-onset breast cancers. The aim of this study is to determine whether early-onset breast cancer in BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers, who were not selected from a family history, could be distinguished by the use of immunohistochemical methods and could be distinguished from breast cancer in women of a similar age without a germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. We also analyzed the prognostic difference between BRCA1/2 related and BRCA1/2 non-related patients by the use of univariate and multivariate analysis. Materials and Methods: Breast cancer tissue specimens from Korean women with early-onset breast cancers were studied using a tumor tissue microarray. Immunohistochemical staining of estrogen receptor(ER), progesterone receptor(PR) and HER-2, as well as the histology and grade of these specimens, were compared. The prognostic impact of immunohistochemical and histological factors as well as the BRCA1/2 mutation status was investigated separately. Results: There were 14 cases and 16 deleterious BRCA1/2 mutations among 101 patients tested. A family history(4/14) and bilateral breast cancers(3/9) were high risk factors for BRCA1/2 mutations. BRCA1/2-associated cancers demonstrated more expression of ER-negative(19.4% versus 5.1%, p=0.038) and HER-2 negative than BRCA1/2 negative tumors, especially for tumors with BRCA1 tumors The BRCA1/2 mutation rate for patients with triple negative tumors(negative expression of ER, PR and HER-2) was 24.2%. Tumor size, nodal status, and HER-2 expression status were significantly associated with disease free survival, as determined by univariate and multivariate analysis, but the BRCA1/2 status was not a prognostic factor. Conclusion: Breast cancer that occurs in women with a germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations have recognizable immunohistochemical features, which may be useful in identifying individuals that are more likely to carry germline mutations. Although the BRCA1/2 mutation status was not a prognostic factor in Korean women with early-onset breast cancer, more cases with a longer follow-up period are needed for further study.