• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.445-452
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• 2002

The main objective of modern reproductive technologies in pig reproduction is to increase reproductive efficiency and rates of genetic improvement. They also offer potential for greatly extending the multiplication and transport of genetic materials and the conservation of unique genetic resources in reasonably available forms for possible future use. The development and refinement of these technologies is concentrating on gamete and embryo collection, sorting and preservation, in vitro production of embryos, culturing, manipulation of embryos (splitting, nuclear transfer, production of chimeras, establishment embryo stem cells, and gene transfer) and embryo transfer. Also, the development of these novel technologies is facilitated by modern equipment for ultrasonography, microscopy, cryopreservation, endoscopy, and flow cytometry, microinjectiors, micromanipulators and centrifugation. The real impact on herd productivity will come from combining new reproductive techniques with powerful DNA technologies. The new reproductive techniques will allow a rapid turnover of generations, whereas the DNA technology can provide selection, which does not need phenotypic information when the selection decisions are made.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.317-323
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to identify the mediating effect of somatic symptoms between depression and resilience of women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques. The data were collected by structured questionnaire from 97 infertile women who were receiving assisted reproductive techniques in clinic for fertility treatment. There was a significant correlation among depression, somatic symptoms and resilience. Somatic symptoms had a complete mediating effect(${\beta}=.73$, p< .001) on the relationship between depression and resilience(Z=6.32, p< .001). And impact of influence was 53%. Based on the findings of this study, it was found that the development and application of somatic symptoms management program for improving resilience should be needed for nursing women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques in the clinical setting.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.44-55
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to explore and understand the experience of decision making among women undergoing or forgoing selective fetal reduction who have higher-order multiple pregnancies through assisted reproductive techniques. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted from August 1, to October 30, 2013. Eight participants were interviewed and the interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Six persons participated in in-depth interviews in person and two participated over the telephone. A thematic analysis was conducted. Results: Four themes were identified and carefully named: Confusion after higher-order multiple pregnancy; Obstacles to choice: Uncertain safety; Weighing between reality and ideality and; Influences of medical professionals. Conclusion: The results demonstrated a wide range of factors considered by women when making decisions about selective fetal reduction, and mothers' feelings of conflict and distress in the decision-making process. The results suggest that it is important for nurses to provide emotional support and consolation, in addition to sufficient information. These findings will help nurses improve their counseling techniques by understanding the situation of infertile couples.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.65-72
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• 2005

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.117-125
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting on infertility-related quality of life in women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques focusing on depression and resilience. Methods: With correlational survey design, 125 infertile women who were receiving inpatient and outpatient treatment in K university hospital in D city completed a structured questionnaire. Results: There was a significant negative correlation between depression and resilience and between the depression and the quality of life. There was a significant positive correlation between resilience and the quality of life. The factors affecting on infertility-related quality of life were depression, burden of expenses, and relationship with husband which explained 48% in the quality of life. Conclusion: It is necessary to develop and apply nursing programs that include individual counseling and education for infertile couple. Social support including financial support and better environment for these women will be also essential.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.77-87
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• 2009

To understand molecular and cellular mechanisms of many gene products in the female reproductive organs including the ovary and uterine endometrium as well as during embryo development, researchers have developed and utilized many effective methodologies to analyze gene expression in cells, tissues and animals over the last several decades. For example, blotting techniques have helped to understand molecular functions at DNA, RNA and protein levels, and the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method has been widely used in gene expression analysis. However, some conventional methods are not sufficient to understand regulation and function of genes expressed in very complex patterns in many organs. Thus, it is required to adopt more high-throughput and reliable techniques. Here, we describe several techniques used widely recently to analyze gene expression, including annealing control based-PCR, differential display-PCR, expressed sequence tag, suppression subtractive hybridization and microarray techniques. Use of these techniques will help to analyze expression pattern of many genes from small scale to large scale and to compare expression patterns of genes in one sample to another. In this review, we described principles of these methodologies and summarized examples of comparative analysis of gene expression in female reproductive organs with help of those methodologies.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.142-149
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• 2021

Objective: Bacteriospermia and urogenital infections are common problems in male infertility. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of bacteriospermia on sperm parameters and clinical outcomes in semen samples infected with two common bacteria (Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Escherichia coli) in northern Iran. Methods: Microbiological tests were performed to isolate and identify organisms from 435 semen samples from infertile couples. Semen samples were assessed according to the World Health Organization criteria. The protamine status, chromatin structure, chromatin condensation, and acrosome reaction of sperm and assisted reproductive outcomes were determined in couples with different male infertility factors. Results: Among the total cases, the two most prevalent pathogens were considered: S. saprophyticus (38.2%) and E. coli (52.9%). In the semen samples infected with E. coli, the spontaneous acrosome reaction and abnormal chromatin condensation were more common (p<0.05). Significant increases in abnormal chromatin condensation and deprotamination were seen in the presence of S. saprophyticus. In washed semen, tight adhesion between the sperm midpiece and S. saprophyticus was observed. There was also a significant decrease in the fertilization rate using semen samples infected with S. saprophyticus and E. coli during in vitro fertilization cycles (p<0.001). In addition, the presence of S. saprophyticus and E. coli in semen samples was associated with a lower likelihood of clinical pregnancy in couples with various factors of male infertility. Conclusion: Poor results of assisted reproductive techniques may be correlated with semen samples infected with two common bacteria in northern Iran.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.299-304
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• 1998

Despite the rapid development of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in recent years, implantation rates after replacement of embryos into the uterine cavity remains low. Several techniques such as culture conditions based on formulations of human tubal fluid and various ART techniques as GIFT, ZIFT, TET have been adopted in recent years to improve embryo viability in vitro and implantation rates. Also, coculture of human IVF-derived embryos have been used in an effort to increase the number of viable embryos following IVF and to improve synchrony between the developing embryo and the uterine environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of co culture with autologous cumulus cells has a significant beneficial effect on the development of embryos in vitro and its relation to the pregnancy rates in 120 patients with previous failed IVF-ET from September, 1995 to January 1998. We obtained the results from which significant improvement in the quality of viable embryos were observed using a coculture system with autologous cumulus cells, but pregnancy rates in this group of patients did not differ from the rate in the standard IVF group during the same period. Our study shows that a simplified short-term coculture system with autologous cumulus cells may help rescue moderate quality embryos to cleave regularly.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.171-180
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• 2024

Male infertility can be caused by genetic anomalies, endocrine disorders, inflammation, and exposure to toxic chemicals or gonadotoxic treatments. Therefore, several recent studies have concentrated on the preservation and restoration of fertility to enhance the quality of life for affected individuals. It is currently recommended to biobank the tissue extracted from testicular biopsies to provide a later source of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Another successful approach has been the in vitro production of haploid male germ cells. The capacity of SSCs to transform into sperm, as in testicular tissue transplantation, SSC therapy, and in vitro or ex vivo spermatogenesis, makes them ideal candidates for in vivo fertility restoration. The transplantation of SSCs or testicular tissue to regenerate spermatogenesis and create embryos has been achieved in nonhuman mammal species. Although the outcomes of human trials have yet to be released, this method may soon be approved for clinical use in humans. Furthermore, regenerative medicine techniques that develop tissue or cells on organic or synthetic scaffolds enriched with bioactive molecules have also gained traction. All of these methods are now in different stages of experimentation and clinical trials. However, thanks to rigorous studies on the safety and effectiveness of SSC-based reproductive treatments, some of these techniques may be clinically available in upcoming decades.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.273-282
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• 2021

Since December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread rapidly, resulting in a pandemic. The virus enters host cells through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2). These enzymes are widely expressed in reproductive organs; hence, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could also impact human reproduction. Current evidence suggests that sperm cells may provide an inadequate environment for the virus to penetrate and spread. Oocytes within antral follicles are surrounded by cumulus cells, which rarely express ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Thus, the possibility of transmission of the virus through sexual intercourse and assisted reproductive techniques seems unlikely. Early human embryos express coronavirus entry receptors and proteases, implying that human embryos are potentially vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 in the early stages of development. Data on the expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the human endometrium are sparse. Moreover, it remains unclear whether SARS-CoV-2 directly affects the embryo and its implantation. A study of the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on pregnancy showed an increase in preterm delivery. Thus, vertical transmission of the virus from mother to fetus in the third trimester is possible, and further data on human reproduction are required to establish this possibility. Based on analyses of existing data, major organizations in this field have published guidelines on the treatment of infertility. Regarding these guidelines, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, reproductive treatment is crucial for the well-being of society and must be continued under suitable regulations and good standard laboratory practice protocols.