• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2004

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the laboratory system for successful PGD using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and the clinical outcome of PGD cycles in five years experiences. Methods: A total of 181 PGD-FISH cycles of 106 couples were performed, and diagnosed chromosome normality in the preimplantation embryos. The laboratory and clinical data were classified by the following optimization steps, and statistically analyzed. Phase I: Blastomere biopsy with two kinds of pipettes, removal of cytoplasmic proteins without treatment of pepsin and culture of biopsied embryos with single medium; Phase II: Blatomere biopsy with single pipette, removal of cytoplasmic proteins with pepsin and culture of biopsied embryos with single medium; Phase III: Blastomere biopsy with single pipette, removal of cytoplasmic proteins with pepsin and culture of biopsied embryos with sequential media. Results: A total of 3, 209 oocytes were collected, and 83.8% (2, 212/2, 640) of fertilization rate was obtained by ICSI procedure. The successful blastomere biopsies were accomplished in 98.6% (2, 043/2, 071) of embryos, and the successful diagnosis rate of FISH was 94.7% (1, 935/ 2, 043) of blastomeres from overall data. Embryo transfers with normal embryos were conducted in 93.9% (170/181) of started cycles. There was no difference in the successful rate of biopsy and diagnosis among Phase I, II and III. However, the pregnancy rate per embryo transfer of Phase III (38.8%, 26/67) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of Phase I (13.9%, 5/36) and Phase II (14.9%, 10/67). Conclusions: The laboratory optimization and experience for the PGD with FISH procedure can increase the pregnancy rate to 38.8% in the human IVF-ET program. Our facility of PGD with FISH provides the great possibility to get a normal pregnancy for the concerned couples by chromosomal aberrations.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.603-609
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• 2011

Telomeres are special structures at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. Vertebrate telomeres consist of tandem repeats of conserved TTAGGG sequence and associated proteins. Birds are interesting models for molecular studies on aging and cellular senescence because of their slow aging rates and longer life spans for their body size. In this longitudinal study, we explored the possibility of using telomeres as an age-marker to predict age in Single Comb White Leghorn layer chickens. We quantified the relative amount of telomeric DNA in isolated peripheral blood lymphocytes by the Quantitative Fluorescence in situ Hybridization technique on interphase nuclei (IQ FISH) using telomere-specific DNA probes. We found that the amount of telomeric DNA (ATD) reduced significantly with an increase in chronological age of the chicken. Especially, the telomere shortening rates are greatly increased in growing individuals compared to laying and old-aged individuals. Therefore, using the ATD values obtained by IQ FISH we established the possibility of age prediction in chickens based on the telomere theory of aging. By regression analysis of the ATD values at each age interval, we formulated an equation to predict the age of chickens. In conclusion, the telomeric DNA values by IQ FISH analyses can be used as an effective age-marker in predicting the chronological age of chickens. The study has implications in the breeding and population genetics of poultry, especially the reproductive potential.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.408-415
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• 1997

Data from 5,311 ewes and 13,076 lambing from 1977 through 1994 were used to analyse both annual and cumulative outputs in terms on total number of lambs born, total lamb weight weaned and total wool produced per ewe for ewe longevity 1 to 8 depending on their productive life in the flock. Ewes at Khushab produced 0.08 more lambs per parturition than ewes at Khizerabad; however, 0.39 less lambs were weaned at Khushab than at Khizerabad. Similarly, cumulative number of lambs born was more at Khushab flock than Khizerabad flock (p < .01). However, total weight of lambs weaned was greater at Khizerabad than Khushab flock (p < .01) for each ewe longevity. Most ewes (35%) were sold/replaced just after their first parturition (i. e. ewe longevity 1). The overall mean for annual sale/replacement was 32 and 23% at Khushab and Khizerabad, respectively. Distribution of growth and reproductive traits from 1977-94 did not show upward or downward trend inspite of heavy sale/replacement except yearly variation. Lack of any genetic progress over the year suggested that random breeding was employed without any scientific selection programme. Annual means for lambs born, lambs weaned and weight of lambs weaned per ewe present in the flock were the highest for ewe longevity 2 compared with other ewe longevity groups. Relative efficiency in terms of net income was highest for ewe longevity 5 followed by ewe longevity 4 and 6 in both flocks.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.94 no.5 s.162
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• pp.291-301
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• 2005

Robinia pseudoacacia is one of most widely cultivated exotic species in Bulgaria. The total area of black locust plantations amounts to 2.9% of the total forest area of the country. 15.34% of the plantations are of management afforestations category, where the priority is given to timber production. They have been created on rich and moisture soils, which are the most appropriate for the species in order to achieve its biological potentials of high productivity. The rest of the available plantations in the country are planted on poorer and drier soils up to 600~800 m altitude. The high adaptive ability of the species to unsuitable environmental conditions as well as the high sprout potential was used for their creation. These stands are mainly done with the aim to protect and ameliorate damaged environments and production of small-size timber and fire woods. They are cultivated until 15-20 years and are revived by sprouts. Therefore the management goals searched, 45.69% of those forests are low productive and 38.97% with average productiveness. The present report deals with growth and productivity capacity of black locust plantations; production of sowing materials; production of reproductive and vegetative saplings for afforestation; the technological aspects of afforestation works; the management and use of black locust plantations as well as some more important diseases and pests affecting the species. The report is entirely based on Bulgarian scientific research works and experience with the Robinia preudoacacia. Recommendations for optimizing the use of species are given.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.207-220
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• 1991

This study was carried out to investigate the ultrastructural changes of ooplasm and follicular membrane of oocytes, obtained from 150 of 3-year-old female rainbow trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss). All data were collected from March in 1989 to February in 1990, and from August to October in 1991. The size of the nucleoli and number of the yolk granules increased as the oocyte growed. Yolk granules were deposited in the oocyte as crystalline granules. Due to the presence of large early and late maturing oocytes, their ovaires were enlarged, transparent and granular. The lattice was broken down at hydration, leaving the egg transparent. As thepercentages of fish in LPO and EMO stage increased from September to October, Mean GSI values increased. Follicle cells such as granulosa cell and thecal cell change a squamous into cuboid shape in LPO and EMO stage. Seasonal changes in the microscopic appearance of the ovaries were well correlated with those in bothgonadosomatic index and macroscopic apearance. Under the natural conditions,t he ovarian follicle influences the histological development and periodical secretion of the hormones, sufficient for a oogenesis and gonadal steroid production. The electrophoretic pattern of major band in mature stage was much thicker(70∼110k dalton) than that in previtellogenic phase.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.211-218
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• 1992

한국산 노랑초파리 군에 속하는 8종의 유전적 유연관계를 밝히고자 생식적 격리 그리고 수용성 단백질을 전기영동법으로 분석하였다. 생리적 격리 실험에서 교배전격리 실험결과를 Watanane와 Kawanishi model에 근거하여 보면 D. aurario complex 3종 중 D. triauror물가 원시종이며 남 auraria는 팍생종으로 나타났다. 교배후 격리 실험에서 나. melonogaster와 D. simuions의 교배시, D. melonogoster를 수컷으로 하였을 때는 불임의 수컷만이, 또 D. melonogaster를 암컷으로 곯였을 때는 불임의 암컷만이 출현하였다. 그리고 남 ouraria complex 3종간의 교배에서는 수정 능력이 있는 수컷과 암컷이 출현하였는데, 이는 아직 남 auraria Complex가 semispecies단계에 있음을 나타내는 것이라 할 수 있다. SDS-PAGE로 분석한 노랑초파리 군 8종의 band pattern을 densitometer로 scanning한 결과 남 susu상가 가장 특이하였으며, TDE에 의한 유전적 거리(Aquadro and Avise's)는 남 auror지와 봉 triauror지사이가 0.155로 가장 낮았고, D. melonogaster와 고. mfa 사이가 0.422로 가장 높았다. 본 연구의 결과를 UPGMA법 뜨로 분석하면, 한국산 노랑초파리 군 8종은 4개의 아군으로 나뉘어지며 이들은 2개의 다른 큰무리로 구분되었는데, D. suzu가기 아군, D. lutescens의 아군, D. melanogoster와 봉 simulons의 아군이 속한 큰무리와, D. mfa,0. ouroria, D. biauroria 그리고 남 triourario가 속한 다른 큰무리로 나눌 수 있다.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.69-74
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• 2005

Kalopanax pictus is a long-lived woody species mostly distributed in East Asia. K. pictus has been regarded as medically and ecologically important species in Korea. Thornless castor aralia variant, local name 'Cheongsong' is an endemic to Cheongsong province in Korea. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to investigate the genetic variation and structure of Korean populations of two species. A high level of genetic variation was found in six K. pictus populations. Twelve primers revealed 49 loci, of which 29 were polymorphic (59.2%). Nei's gene diversity for K.pictus and K. pictus variant were 0.119 and 0.098, respectively. Mean of genetic diversity in K. pictus was higher than average values for species with similar life history traits. The asexual and sexual reproduction, perennial habitat, and longevity are proposed as possible factors contributing to high genetic diversity. An indirect estimate of the number of migrants per generation (Nm=0.857) indicated that gene flow was not extensive among Korean populations of K.pictus. It is suggested that the isolation of geographical distance and reproductive isolation between K.pictus and K.pictus variant populations may have played roles in shaping the population structure of this species.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.1635-1648
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• 2022

Thermal stress due to extreme changes in the thermal environment is a critical issue in cattle production. Many previous findings have shown a decrease in feed intake, milk yield, growth rate, and reproductive efficiency of cattle when subjected to thermal stress. Therefore, selecting thermo-tolerant animals is the primary goal of the efficiency of breeding programs to reduce those adverse impacts. The recent advances in molecular genetics have provided significant breeding advantages that allow the identification of molecular markers in both beef and dairy cattle breeding, including marker-assisted selection (MAS) as a tool in selecting superior thermo-tolerant animals. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which can be detected by DNA sequencing, are desirable DNA markers for MAS due to their abundance in the genome's coding and non-coding regions. Many SNPs in some genes (e.g., HSP70, HSP90, HSF1, EIF2AK4, HSBP1, HSPB8, HSPB7, MYO1A, and ATP1A1) in various breeds of cattle have been analyzed to play key roles in many cellular activities during thermal stress and protecting cells against stress, making them potential candidate genes for molecular markers of thermotolerance. This review highlights the associations of SNPs within these genes with thermotolerance traits (e.g., blood biochemistry and physiological responses) and suggests their potential use as MAS in thermotolerant cattle breeding.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.269-278
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• 2002

Objective s: Chromosome aneuploidy is associated with recurrent abortion and congenital anomaly and genetic diseases occur repeatedly in the specific families. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) can prevent aneuploidy or genetic disease by selecting normal embryos before implantation and is an alternative to prenatal diagnosis. The aim of this study is to assess the outcome of PGD cycles by using FISH or PCR, and to determine the clinical usefulness and values in patients with risk of chromosomal aneuploidy or genetic disease. Materials and Methods: From 1995 to Apr. 2001, a total of 108 PGD cycles in 65 patients with poor reproductive outcome were analyzed. The indications of PGD were translocation (n=49), inversion (n=2), aneuploidy screening (n=7), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (n=5) and spinal muscular atrophy (n=2). PGD was applied due to the history of recurrent abortion, previous birth of affected child or risk of aneuploidy related to sex chromosome aneuploidy or old age. Blastomere biopsy was performed in 6$\sim$10 cell stage embryo after IVF with ICSI. In the single blastomere, chromosome aneuploidy was diagnosed by using FISH and PCR was performed for the diagnosis of exon deletion in DMD or SMA. Results: The FISH or PCR amplification was successful in 94.3% of biopsied blastomeres. The rate of transferable balanced emb ryos was 24.0% in the chromosome translocation and inversion, 57.1% for the DMD and SMA, and 28.8% for the aneuploidy screening. Overall hCG positive rate per transfer was 17.8% (18/101) and clinical pregnancy rate was 13.9% (14/101) (11 term pregnancy, 3 abortion, and 4 biochemical pregnancy). The clinical pregnancy rate of translocation and inversion was 12.9% (11/85) and abortion rate was 27.3% (3/11). In the DMD and SMA, the clinical pregnancy rate was 33.3% (3/9) and all delivered at term. The PGD results were confirmed by amniocentesis and were correct. When the embryos developed to compaction or morula, the pregnancy rate was higher (32%) than that of the cases without compaction (7.2%, p<0.01). Conclusions: PGD by using FISH or PCR is useful to get n ormal pregnancy by reducing spontaneous abortion associated with chromosome aneuploidy in the patients with structural chromosome aberration or risk of aneuploidy and can prevent genetic disease prior to implantation.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2010

Purpose: Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), also known as embryo screening, is a pre-pregnancy technique used to identify genetic defects in embryos created through in vitro fertilization. PGD is considered a means of prenatal diagnosis of genetic abnormalities. PGD is used when one or both genetic parents has a known genetic abnormality; testing is performed on an embryo to determine if it also carries the genetic abnormality. The main advantage of PGD is the avoidance of selective pregnancy termination as it imparts a high likelihood that the baby will be free of the disease under consideration. The application of PGD to genetic practices, reproductive medicine, and genetic counseling is becoming the key component of fertility practice because of the need to develop a custom PGD design for each couple. Materials and Methods: In this study, a survey on the contents of genetic counseling in PGD was carried out via direct contact or e-mail with the patients and specialists who had experienced PGD during the three months from February to April 2010. Results: A total of 91 persons including 60 patients, 49 of whom had a chromosomal disorder and 11 of whom had a single gene disorder, and 31 PGD specialists responded to the survey. Analysis of the survey results revealed that all respondents were well aware of the importance of genetic counseling in all steps of PGD including planning, operation, and follow-up. The patient group responded that the possibility of unexpected results (51.7%), genetic risk assessment and recurrence risk (46.7%), the reproduction options (46.7%), the procedure and limitation of PGD (43.3%) and the information of PGD technology (35.0%) should be included as a genetic counseling information. In detail, 51.7% of patients wanted to be counseled for the possibility of unexpected results and the recurrence risk, while 46.7% wanted to know their reproduction options (46.7%). Approximately 96.7% of specialists replied that a non-M.D. genetic counselor is necessary for effective and systematic genetic counseling in PGD because it is difficult for physicians to offer satisfying information to patients due to lack of counseling time and specific knowledge of the disorders. Conclusions: The information from the survey provides important insight into the overall present situation of genetic counseling for PGD in Korea. The survey results demonstrated that there is a general awareness that genetic counseling is essential for PGD, suggesting that appropriate genetic counseling may play a important role in the success of PGD. The establishment of genetic counseling guidelines for PGD may contribute to better planning and management strategies for PGD.