• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.639-645
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• 1997

The objectives of the present study were improvements in the efficiency of developmental rates to morula and blastocyst stages to produce a large number of genetically identical nuclear transplanted embryos. The oocytes collected from slaughterhouse ovaries were matured 24h in TCM199+10% FBS and exposed to $39^{\circ}C$ or room temperature to allow cytoplasmic maturation and gain activation competence. Donor embryos were treated for 12h with $10{\mu}g/ml$ nocodazole or $0.05{\mu}g/ml$ demicolcine to synchronize the cell cycle stage at 26h after the onset of culture. The blastomeres and recipient oocytes were fused by electrofusion. The cloned embryos were then cultured in various conditions to allow further development. In the treatment of oocyte activation and cell cycle regulation of donor nuclei, the room temperature exposure and nocodazole treatment group had significant effect on the developmental rates to morula/blastocyst(21.7% vs 12.1~16.7%), but had no significant effect on the fusion rates between donor blastomeres and recipient oocytes. The developmental rates of bovine nuclear transplanted embryos appeared to be higher significantly in mTALP medium under 5% $O_2$ condition and in TCM199 with bovine oviduct epithelial cell under 20% $O_2$ condition(22.2%) than other groups. In embryo transfer of nuclear transplanted embryos, there were no significant differences in calving rates between the use of excellent and good grade donor embryos.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.109-109
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• 2003

Even though success in birth of live offspring from nuclear transfer(NT) using somatic cells in many species, detailed information on processes or mechanisms of development are not well known. Cytoplasm of bovine oocyte has been known to support the development of nuclear transferred embryos using nuclear donor cells from different species. Therefore, interspecies NT might be used to find answers of some questions in basic aspect of nuclear transfer In this study, we examined the developmental potential of reconstructed embryos when bovine oocyte as a cytoplasm recipient and mouse embryonic fibroblast as a nuclear donor were used. The nuclear transfer units were aliocated in Group 1 (murine block media and normal media) and Group 2. (bovine block media and normal media). NT units were not blocked at 2-cell stage regardless of types of medium. On mouse media, poor development of interspecies NT units was observed compared to bovine media. However, as NT units cultured in bovine normal medium, embryos developed over 8-cell stage. Further studies performed to increase the developmental rate in condition of antioxidant treatment. Despite low development, bovine-murine interspecies nuclear transferred embryos could develop to blastocysts and they showed that blastocyts rate of antioxidant group was superior to those of non-antioxidant group. Next, we investigated gene expression pattern which is carried out for zygotic activation. The Xist gene is expressed in female mouse embryo after zygotic activation of 4-cell stage. But interspecies nuclear transferred embryos do not express Xist gene at 4-cell stage. As a result, it is suggested that the bovine cytoplasm controls the early preimplantation development in interspecies NT However, the development of later stages might require genomic control from transferred donor nucleus. Therefore, even though the involvement of several other factors such as mitochondrial incompatibility, effective development of embryos produced by interspecies NT requires proper genomic activation of donor nucleus after overcoming the cytoplasmic control of recipient oocytes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.26-31
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• 2004

This work was undertaken in order to study the developmental competence of nuclear transfer cat embryo with fetal fibroblast and adult skin fibroblast as donor nuclei. Oocytes wererecovered by mincing the ovaries in Hepes-buffered TCM199 and selected the cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) with compact cumulus cell mass and dark. Homogenous ooplasm were cultured for maturation in TCM199 + 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 12 hours and used as a source of recipient cytoplast for exogenous somatic nuclei. In Experiment 1, we evaluated the effect donor cell types on the reconstruction and development of cloned embryos. Fusion, first cleavage and blastocyst developmental rate was not different between fetal fibroblast and adult skin cell (71.2 vs. 66.8; 71.0 vs. 57.6; 4.0 vs. 6.1 %, P<0.05). In Experiment 2, cloned embryos were surgically transferred into the oviducts of recipient queens. One of seven recipient queens was delivered naturally 2healthy cloned cats and 1 stillborn from fetal fibroblast cell of male origin after 65 days embryo transfer. One of three recipient queens was delivered naturally 1 healthy cloned cat from adult skin cell of female after 65 days embryo transfer. The cloned cats showed genotypes identical to the donor cell lines, indicating that adult somatic cells can be used for feline cloning.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2004

This study was conducted to examine the effects of electric stimulation conditions on in vitro developmental ability of caprine embryos after somatic cell nuclear transfer. Recipient oocytes were surgically collected after superovulation by using CIDR and FSH, PMSG, hCG and estrous synchronization in Korean native goats. The caprine ear cells were cultured in vitro in serum-starvation condition (TCM-l99 + 0.5% FBS) for 3 to 5 days of cell confluence. The zona pellucida of in vivo and in vitro matured oocytes were partially drilled using laser system. Single somatic cell was individually transferred into the enucleated oocyte. The reconstructed oocytes were electrically fused with 0.3M mannitol. After the electofusion, embryos were activated by electric stimulation or Ionomycin + 6-DMAP. Nuclear transfer embryos were cultured in mSOF medium supplemented with 0.8% BSA 6∼7 days at 39 , 5% $CO_2$, 5% $O_2$, 90% $N_2$. The fusion rate of donor cells was 60.4% and 40.3 % in ear cell and fetal fibroblast, and cleavage rate were 40.6% and 48.2%, respectively. No significant difference was found in the fusion and cleavage rate in different donor cells. Nuclear transferred oocytes were fused by electric pulses of 1.30∼1.40, 2.30∼2.39 and 2.40∼2.46 ㎸/cm. There was no significant difference among different electric pulses in fusion rates (26.7, 34.8 and 43.8%). The cleavage rate was higher (p<0.05) in 1.30∼1.40 ㎸/cm (82.9%) than 2.30∼2.39 ㎸/cm (43.8%) and 2.40∼2.46 ㎸/cm. (51.8%). The fusion rates of recipient oocyte source were 1st (43.5% and 23.6%), 2nd (55.7％ and 39.2%) and 3rd (66.1% and 52.8%) in in vivo and in vitro oocytes. However, fusion ratee were significantly higher (p<0.05) in in vivo than in vitro oocyte. The cleavage rate of fused oocytes from in vivo and in vitro sources were 52.6% and 54.4%, respectively. No significant difference was found in the cleavage rate according to the recipient oocyte source. These results suggest that factors such as field pulse of electric stimulation and oocyte source could affect in vitro developmental ability of nuclear transplanted caprine oocytes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.167-177
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• 1997

Oocyte donation program developed to reach the pregnancy in those patients suffering from premature ovarian failure or surgery induced menopause, particularly in their reproductive age. With technical advances and popularity of ART (assisted reproductive technology), the indication of oocyte donation program extended to low responders, and even to naturally menopaused patients that has led them quite successfully to getting in pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate which one is involved in the decline of fertility between the oocyte and uterine factor. One hundred five cycles of oocyte donation program were performed in 84 patients from Jan., 1993 to Dec., 1996. Oocytes were donated from healthy, young, fertile anonymous donors or relatives or infertile patients with supernumerary oocytes. The study population was divided into 3 groups according to the age of recipients. Group 1 was less than 35 years old, Group 2 was between 35 to 39 years old, and Group 3 was more than 39 years old. The results were as follows: The mean age of oocyte donor was $31.5{\pm}3.3$ (range; 25-36). The mean concentration of basal serum FSH and peak serum estradiol were not different among groups. The mean number of oocytes retrieved from donors, embryos transferred to recipients, and fertilization rate were not different among groups. The clinical pregnancy rate was 37.3% in Group 1, 31.6% in Group 2, and 31.6% in Group 3, respectively. The spontaneous abortion rate was 16.0% in Group 1, 16.7% in Group 2, and 16.7 in Group 3, respectively. The multiple pregnancy rate was 20.0% in Group 1, 16.7% in Group 2, 16,7% in Group 3, respectively, The implantation rate was 11.3% in Group 1, 10.3% in Group 2 and 10.0% in Group 3, respectively. All of the pregnancy outcomes were not different statistically among groups. In conclusion, endometrial receptivity does not seem to be impaired as age increases with transfer of good quality embryos and adequate endometrial preparation.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.109-113
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• 2007

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of cytochalasin B (CB) treatment in the activation medium on the development of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) rat embryos. Fetal fibroblast cells were isolated from a Day 14.5 fetus, and the oocytes for recipient cytoplasm were recovered from 4-week old Sprague Dawley rats. After enucleation and nuclear injection, the reconstructed oocytes were immediately exposed to activation medium consisting of 10 mM $SrCl_2$ with or without CB for 4 hr, and formation of pseudo-pronucleus (PPN) was checked at 18 hr after activation. Then, they were transferred into day 1 pseudopregnant recipients (Hooded Wistar) or cultured for 5 days to check their developmental competence in vivo or in vitro. The number of PPN was not affected by CB treatment during the activation. However, CB treatment supported pre-implantation development of rat SCNT embryos. Embryos generated by the procedures of SCNT were also capable of implanting, with 1 implantation scar found from a recipient following the transfer of 87 SCNT embryos to four foster mothers. The result of the present study shows that rat SCNT embryo can develop to post-implantation stage following treatment with CB.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 1996

This study was conducted to investigate freezability of in vitro and in vitro matured rabbit oocytes, possibility of NT using frozen-thawed unfertilized oocytes, and NT efficiency by zona-slit micromanipulation. After freezing of in vitro matured oocytes, 33 to 49% of oocytes appeared normal morphology and 1.0M DMSO and 1.5M glycerol showed slightly high survival rate, but there was no difference in survival between two cryoprotectants. Freezability of in vitro matured oocytes was low in 1.5M glycerol and more sensitive to freezing. Efficiency of enucleation and fusion rate in method B was higher than that in method A and no difference in this efficiency was between 3 groups of oocytes in method B. Cleavage rate and developmental capacity to M＋B stage of fused embryos derived from frozen oocytes was greatly lower than that from fresh oocytes, respectively(39.1% : 79.5% ; 3.1% : 19.3%) and there was no difference in cleavage rate between DC voltages in two group oocytes. Additional incubation in cytochalasin B after electrical stimulation did not affect embryo development. In conclusion, it is suggested that enucleation and nucelar transfer by slitting of zona is more effective method in rabbit and that further study on optimum freezing conditions for in vitro matured oocytes is necessary to use as recipient oocytes.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.407-414
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• 2011

The development of embryos reconstructed by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is dependent upon numerous factors. Central to development is the quality and developmental competence of the recipient cytoplast and the type of the donor nucleus. Typically metaphase of the second meiotic division (MII) has become the cytoplast of choice. Production of a cytoplast requires removal of the recipient genetic material, however, it may remove proteins which are essential for development or reduce the levels of cytoplasmic proteins to influence subsequent reprogramming of the donor nucleus. In this study, enucleation at MII did not affect the activities of either MPF or MAPK kinases. Immunocytochemical staining showed that both Cyclin B1 (MPF) and Erk1/2 (MAPK) were associated with the meiotic spindle of AI/TI oocytes with little staining in the cytoplasm, however, at MII association of both proteins with the spindle had reduced and a greater degree of cytoplasmic distribution was observed. The analysis of oocyte proteins removed during enucleation is a difficult approach to the identification of factors which may be depleted in the cytoplast. This is primarily due to the large numbers of aspirated karyoplasts which would be required for the analysis.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.307-313
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• 1996

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of S-phase synthronized nuclear transfer on the development of nuclear transplant bovine embryos. A blastomere derived from the 16~32 cell stage bovine embryos was transferred into an enucleated metaphase II(MII) oocytes or activated S-phase eggs. From the MII-phase and S-phase nuclear transfer, 6.3%(4/63) and 13.8%(9/65) of nuclear transplant embryos developed to the blastocyst stage, respectively. In the S-phase nuclear transfer, maximal proportion of embryos developed to the blastocyst stage(16.6%) was obtained after the recipient cell was activated 8 h prior to receving a donor nucleus. MII-phase nuclear transplant embryos showed the PCC state of their nuclear at 1.5~2 h after fusion, whereas, S-phase nuclear transplant embryos did not undergo PCC. The result of this study suggests that if blastomeres of unknown cell-cycle-stage are used, S-phase nuclear transplantation through the activation of enucleated oocytes prior to fusion enhances development of nuclear transplant embryos. This result also suggests that the interval time from oocyte activation to cell fusion may affect the development of nuclear transplant embryos.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.229-234
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• 2005

Methods for activation of reconstructed oocytes were examined for the production of nuclear transfer (NT) rat embryos using fetal neural stem cells as donor. Neural stem cells were isolated from Day 14.5 rat fetuses, and the oocytes for recipient cytoplasm were recovered from 4-week old Sprague Dawley rats. After enucleation and nuclear injection, the reconstructed oocytes were immediately exposed to activation medium consisting of 10 mM $SrCl_2$ for 4 h (immediate activation after injection; IAI), or cultured in vitro for $2\~3$ h before activation treatment (injection before activation; IBA). Pre-activated oocytes were also used for NT to test reprogramming potential of artificially activated oocytes. The oocytes were grouped as IIA (immediate injection after activation) and ABI (activation $2\~3$ h before injection). Following NT, the oocytes were cultured in vitro. Development of the NT embryos was monitored at 44 and 119 h after activation. The embryos in groups IAI, mA, and IIA were cleaved to the 2-cell stage at the rates of $36.6\%\;(15/41),\;39.5\%\;(17/43)\;and\;46.3\%$ (25/54), respectively. However, in the ABI group, only one embryo ($1.8\%$, 1/55) was cleaved after activation. After in vitro culture, two NT embryos from IAI group had developed to the morula stage $(4.9\%\cdot2/41)$. However, no morula or blastocyst was obtained in the other groups. These results suggest that immediate activation after injection (IAI) method may be used for the production of rat somatic cell NT embryos.