• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.57-62
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to use a mouse model to investigate the blastocyst formation rate in vitrified-warmed embryos derived from vitrified-warmed oocytes. Methods: Metaphase II oocytes obtained from BDF1 mice were vitrified and warmed, followed by fertilization with epididymal sperm. On day 3, a total of 176 embryos, at either the eight-cell or the morula stage, were vitrified-warmed (representing group 1). For group 2, 155 embryos at the same developmental stages were not vitrified, but rather were directly cultured until day 5. Finally, group 3 included day-5 blastocysts derived from fresh oocytes, which served as fresh controls. The primary outcome measured was the rate of blastocyst formation per day-3 embryo at the eight-cell or morula stage. Results: The rates of blastocyst formation per day-3 embryo were comparable between groups 1 and 2, at 64.5% and 69.7%, respectively (p>0.05). The formation rates of good-quality blastocysts (expanded, hatching, or hatched) were also similar for groups 1 and 2, at 35.5% and 43.2%, respectively (p>0.05). For the fresh oocytes (group 3), the blastocyst formation rate was 75.5%, which was similar to groups 1 and 2. However, the rate of good-quality blastocyst formation in group 3 was 57.3%, significantly exceeding those of group 1 (p=0.001) and group 2 (p=0.023). Conclusion: Regarding developmental potential to the blastocyst stage, vitrified-warmed day-3 embryos originating from vitrified-warmed oocytes demonstrated comparable results to non-vitrified embryos from similar oocytes. These findings indicate that day-3 embryos derived from vitrified-warmed oocytes can be effectively cryopreserved without incurring cellular damage.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.111-118
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• 1997

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) recently has been utilized widely as the most successful technique to overcome the unfertilization problem in cases of severe male infertility in couples who could not be treated by conventional IVF. Recently, indications of ICSI have been extended further and more fertilized oocytes become available. Thus, it is necessary to examine the efficiency of freezing the surplus embryos obtained from ICSI. We compared the survival rate and the future outcome of cryopreserved embryos obtained either after conventional IVF or ICSI during the same period. After ICSI or IVF, five best-quality embryos from each patient were transferred in the stimulation cycle and the surplus pronuclear (PN) stage oocytes or multicellular embryos were cryopreserved by slow freezing protocol with 1,2-propanediol (PROH) as a cryoprotectant. A total of 792 embryos from ICSI trial were thawed and 65.2% (516/792) survived. The survival rates of PN stage oocyte, multicellular embryo and PN + multicellular embryo were 63.5%, 68.2%, 64.0%, respectively. After 111 transfers, 34 pregnancies were achieved, corresponding to a clinical pregnancy rate of 30.6% per transfers. We thawed 1033 embryos from IVF trials and 57.5% (594/1033) survived. In IVF cycle, the survival rates of PN stage oocyte, multicellular embryo and PN + multicellular embryo were 58.2%, 65.2%, 40.2%, respectively. Thirty eight clinical pregnancies were established after 134 transfers, corresponding to a pregnancy rate of 28.4% per transfer. The cleavage rate of thawed PN stage oocytes from ICSI trial (61.3%) was significantly higher than those from conventional IVF (53.4%). The developmental rates of good embryo (${\geqq}$ grade II) in thawed PN stage oocytes obtained from conventional IVF and ICSI were 63% and 65%, respectively. We concluded that PN stage oocytes, multicellular embryos resulting from ICSI procedure can be successfully frozen/thawed with reasonable clinical pregnancy rates comparable to those of IVF.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.492-498
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• 2015

본 연구에서는 야관문, 호로파 복합추출인 YHM이 남성갱년기증상의 완화에 영향을 미치는 지를 알아보기 위해 흰쥐에게 YHM을 4주간 투여한 후, testosterone, SHBG, PSA, 체지방, 혈중지방, 근육량, 운동수행능력, 정자수, 간독성 등에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. YHM 투여 후 남성갱년기의 지표로 사용되는 남성호르몬인 testosterone이 유의적으로 증가하였고, testosterone과 결합하여 기능을 저하시키는 SHBG의 농도는 감소하였다. 또한 남성호르몬 보충요법에서 나타날 수 있는 전립선 관련 부작용을 알아보기 위해 PSA를 측정하였으나, 대조군과 별다른 차이를 나타내지는 않았다. 지방조직과 근육량을 측정한 결과 지방 조직은 줄이고 근육량은 늘리는 것으로 나타나 남성갱년기에서 흔히 있는 근육량 감소 및 체지방 증가를 완화시킬 수 있을 것으로 생각된다. 아울러 혈중지질농도에 있어서도 YHM 투여군이 대조군에 비해 총 콜레스테롤과 중성지방은 감소한 반면 고밀도 콜레스테롤은 증가하였음을 관찰하였다. 강제수영을 통한 운동수행능력 측정에서도 YHM 투여군이 대조군에 비하여 수영시간이 길었고 이는 YHM의 투여가 운동수행능력 향상에 도움을 준 것으로 볼 수 있다. 총 정자수와 활동성 정자수를 측정한 결과에서도 YHM 투여군이 유의적으로 증가한 것으로 나타났고 이는 정자형성과 활동성에 영향을 주는 testosterone 농도의 증가에 기인한 것으로 생각된다. 마지막으로 YHM의 투여가 간독성을 가지는지를 알아보기 위해 AST와 ALT를 측정한 결과 대조군과 별다른 차이를 나타내지 않음으로써 간독성을 가지지는 않는 것으로 판단하였다. 또한, 실험결과 전반적으로 저농도 투여군인 YHM-40에서 고농도 투여군인 YHM-80에서 보다 긍정적인 효과를 나타냈다. 이는 YHM의 효과가 농도 의존적이지 않다는 것을 의미하며, 최적의 생체 이용률을 나타내는 농도가 YHM 40mg/kg인 것으로 판단된다. 결론적으로 YHM의 투여는 남성갱년기에 나타나는 여러 가지 지표들을 개선시키는 것으로 나타났고, 이를 활용하여 남성갱년기 개선에 도움을 줄 수 있는 건강기능성식품 소재로 개발할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.335-340
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• 1997

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques allow the enumeration of chromosome abnormalities and from a great potential for many clinical applications. In order to produce quantitative and reproducible results, expensive tools such as a cooled CCD camera and a computer software are required. We have developed a Chromosome Image Processing System (Chips) using FISH that allows the detection and mapping of the genetic aberrations. The aim of our study, therefore, is to evaluate the capabilities of our original system using a black-and-white video camera. As a model system, three repetitive DNA probes (D18Z1, DXZ1, and DYZ3) were hybridized to variety different clinical samples such as human metaphase spreads and interphase nuclei obtained from uncultured peripheral blood lymphocytes, uncultured amniocytes, and germ cells. The visualization of the FISH signals was performed using our system for image acquisition and pseudocoloring. FISH images were obtained by combining images from each of probes and DAPI counterstain captured separately. Using our original system, the aberrations of single or multiple chromosomes in a single hybridization experiment using chromosomes and interphase nuclei from a variety of cell types, including lymphocytes, amniocytes, sperm, and biopsied blastomeres, were enabled to evaluate. There were no differences in the image quality in accordance with FISH method, fluorochrome types, or different clinical samples. Always bright signals were detected using our system. Our system also yielded constant results. Our Chips would permit a level of performance of FISH analysis on metaphase chromosomes and interphase nuclei with unparalleled capabilities. Thus, it would be useful for clinical purposes.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.443-450
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• 2007

본 연구에서는 엘크 사슴의 계절별 정액성상 변화, 동결정액의 융해 후 활력 및 발정동기화 후 인공수정 시간이 수태율에 미치는 영향을 조사하여 효율적인 인공수정 방법을 제시코자 시도하였다. 수사슴에서 정액의 연중 변화는 정액량, 정자 농도, 총 정자 수 및 정자 활력은 7월부터 급격히 증가 되어 정액량과 총 정자 수 및 정자 운동성은 10월에 최고치에 달했고, 정자 농도는 9월에 가장 많은 것으로 조사 되었다. 그 후 정액량, 정자농도, 총 정자 수 및 정자 운동성은 점진적으로 감소하여 정액 양, 정자 농도는 4~6월, 총 정자 수는 4~5월 및 정자 운동성은 6월에 최저 수준으로 감소하였다.번식계절(9~2월)과 비번식계절(3~8월)의 정자 농도, 총 정자 수 및 정자 운동성은 번식계절이 유의적으로 높게 조사되었다(P<0.05). 번식계절과 비번식계절에 채취한 정액의 동결과정 중에 정자 운동성의 결과는 채취 직후, 5℃냉각 후 및 동결 융해 후 활력이 번식계절이 높은 것으로 조사 되었다(P<0.05).인공수정 시간에 따른 수태율은 CIDR 제거 후 60시간에 인공수정 한 처리구가 수태율이 다른 시간들 보다 다소 높았으나 유의적인 차이는 나타나지 않았다.이러한 연구 결과는 엘크 사슴에서 정액 생산과 인공수정을 수행함에 있어 유용한 자료로 이용 될 수 있으며, 발정동기화 후 호르몬 변화, 배란 및 수정 적기 등에 관한 연구가 추가적으로 수행되어야 할 것으로 사료된다.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.345-351
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• 2006

본 연구는 항생제가 첨가되지 않은 돼지 혼합액상 정액을 17$^{\circ}C$ 정액 보관고에 보관하면서 보관일수의 증가가 따라 정자의 운동성, 정액 내 세균의 증식 여부 및 체외 수정란 생산 효율에 미치는 영향을 조사하고자 하였다. 정자의 운동성은 1일 (78.7$\pm$2.4%)에 비하여 3일(78.7$\pm$2.4%)과 5일째(64.8$\pm$2.4%)는 유의적으로(p<0.05) 낮은 운동성을 나타내었다. 보관일수에 따른 정액 내 세균수의 변화는 보관 5일이 $57.8\pm105.2\times10^4$ Cfu로 0일과 3일의 $32.1\pm76.8\times10^4$ Cfu와 $26.9\pm46.6\times10^4$ Cfu에 비하여 유의적인(p<0.05)증가를 나타내었다. 보관된 정액을 이용하여 체외 수정한 결과, 정상적인 수정(2PN)은 1일과 3일째의 66.0$\pm$2.7%와 64.0$\pm$2.7%에 비하여 5일째에는 56.0$\pm$2.6%로 유의적인(p<0.05) 차이를 나타내었다. 체외 수정란의 발달율에서 난할율은 1일째의 75.0$\pm$l.4%에 비하여 3일과 5일째는 70.0$\pm$0.3%와 71.0$\pm$0.3%로 유의적으로(p<0.05) 낮게 나타났으며, 상실배로의 발달율에 있어서 1일째는 32.0$\pm$1.4%의 발달율을 보였으나 3일과 5일째에는 28.0$\pm$1.3%와 24.0$\pm$1.3%로 유의적인(p<0.05) 감소치를 나타내었고, 배반포로의 발달율에 있어서도 1일에 15.0$\pm$1.0%에 비하여 3일과 5일은 11.0$\pm$0.9%와 8.0$\pm$0.9%로 유의적으로(p<0.05) 낮은 발달율을 나타내었다. 이상의 결과를 종합할 때 항생제가 첨가되지 않은 돼지 혼합 정액은 보관일수 3일째부터 정자의 운동성이 감소하고 세균수는 증가하였다. 또한 보존된 정액을 이용하여 체외 수정을 실시할 경우, 보관일수가 증가할수록 정상 수정율과 체외 발달율이 감소함으로 항생제를 첨가하지 않는 경우 3일 이상 정액을 보관하여 사용하지 않는 것이 바람직 하다고 사료된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.45-55
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• 1981

Clomiphene citrate. antiestrogen, was given to 39 infertile males whose spermatogenesis were disturbed and the efficacy of the drug was evaluated at the Department of Urology in 1980. (Table 1). Patients were divided into 3 clinical observation groups such as group I composed of 19 cases of idiopathic azoospermia, group II consisted of 15 cases of oligospermia following the vasovasostomy, and group III comprised 5 cases of testicular azoospermia. (Table 2). Clinical characteristics of these patients were as follows: Age of the patients ranged from 26 to 43 years old with mean of 34, and that of their wives ranged from 24 to 41 years old with mean of 31. Duration of marital life ranged from 1 to 21 years with mean of 5 years. Sizes of testis ranged from 6 to 25 ml with mean of 16 ml. Coital frequency ranged from 0.5 to 6 per week with mean of 2.4 per week. Levels of plasma FSH ranged from 3.15 to 23.06 lU/1 with mean of 8.15 lU/1, those of LH ranged from 2.98 to 19.89 lU/1 with mean of 8.18 lU/1 and those of testosterone ranged from 3.09 to 9.97 ng/ml with mean of 6.48 ng/ml. (Table 3). Clomiphene citrate was given in dosage of 50 mg per day (in d.) orally to 31 patients for 3 to 9 months and in dosage of 100 mg per day (b.i.d.) orally to 8 patients for 3 to 9 months. (Table 8). Semen samples were analysed monthly on each patient by routine analysis techniques. For the assessment of the efficacy of Clomiphene citrate on faulty spermatogenesis following empirical criteria were used: For semen quality: Improvement (I) represents that semen parameter increased more than 25% from basal level after the treatment, Unchange (U) expresses that semen parameter increased less than 25% of basal level or not changed after the treatment and Deterioration (D) means that semen parameter decreased from basal level after the treatment. For fertility unit (total counts ${\times}$ motility ${\times}$ morphology ${\div}10^6$): Improvement (I) represents that fertility unit increased more than 10 units after the treatment, Unchange (U) expresses that fertility unit increased less than 10 units or not changed after the treatment, and Deterioration (D) means that fertility unit decreased after the treatment. (Table 4). Results obtained from the Clomiphene therapy were as follows: Changes of spermiograme before and after the Oomiphene therapy shown in the Table 5. Sperm counts increased from 23 to 31 ${\times}10^6$/ml in group I, from 17 to 29 ${\times}10^6$/ml in group II. Other parameters of spermiogramme were not changed significantly after the treatment. Fertility units increased from 14 to 18 units after the treatment in group I, and from 16 to 18 units after the treatment in group II. Effectiveness of Clomiphene citrate on spermatogenesis was summarised in the Tables 6 and 7. After the treatment, sperm count increased in 11 patients, motility increased in 6 patients, morphology increased in 4 patients and fertility units increased in 9 patients. No sperm could be produced by Clomiphene citrate in group III of testicular azoospermia. Dosage of 50 mg of Clomiphene citrate per day for 3 to 6 months was proved to be the most effective in the present series. (Table 8). Pregnancy occurred in 2 patients after the treatment. No particular side effects were noted by the treatment. Pharmacologic compounds used for male infertility were shown in the Table 9. Reported results of Clomiphene citrate were shown in the Table 10.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.31-35
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• 2007

The main purpose of this study was to improve the efficiency and quality of in vitro embryo production in Korean Native Cows (KNC). We examined the effects of ovarian morphologies (Experiment 1) and the culture vessel (Experiment 2) on in vitro maturation (IVM). We measured the subsequent development rates and cell numbers of blastocysts. In Experiment 1, the ovaries of KNC were divided into six groups, based on follicle and corpus luteum (CL) morphology. The development rates to the 2- and 8-cell stages were similar among the six groups. The development rates to blastocyst stages were significantly higher in the group without a CL or follicle (WOCL/F) than in the groups with follicular cysts (FCs), regressive CLs (RCLs) or cystic CLs (CCLs) (p<0.05). The cell number of the inner cell mass (ICM) of blastocysts in the FCs and RCLs groups, and the number of cells in the trophectoderm (TE) in the WOCL/F group, FCs, growing CLs (GCLs) and RCLs were significantly higher than in other groups (p<0.05). The total cell number (TCN) in the WOCL/F, FC and RCL groups was also significantly higher than in other groups (p<0.05). The ICM cell number/TCN ratio was significantly higher in the FC and RCL groups than in the GCL and DF groups (p<0.05). In Experiment 2, oocyte IVM was carried out in culture dishes, in 0.25- or 0.5-ml straws used for freezing sperm. The development rate to the 2-cell stage was significantly higher in the 0.5-ml straw group than in the 0.25-ml straw group. The development rates to the blastocyst stage were similar in the dish and the two straw groups. There were no differences in the cell numbers of ICM, TE or TCN or ICM cell number/TCN ratios between groups.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.232-238
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• 2017

Objective: To determine whether reducing the cetrorelix dose in the antagonist protocol to 0.125 mg had any deleterious effects on follicular development, the number and quality of retrieved oocytes, or the number of embryos, and to characterize its effects on the affordability of assisted reproductive technology. Methods: This randomized controlled study was conducted at the Fertility Unit of Tanta Educational Hospital of Tanta University, the Egyptian Consultants' Fertility Center, and the Qurrat Aien Fertility Center, from January 1 to June 30, 2017. Patients' demographic data, stimulation protocol, costs, pregnancy rate, and complications were recorded. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: group I (n = 61) received 0.125 mg of cetrorelix (the study group), and group II (n = 62) received 0.25 mg of cetrorelix (the control group). Results: The demographic data were comparable regarding age, parity, duration of infertility, and body mass index. The dose of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone units required was $2,350.43{\pm}150.76$ IU in group I and $2,366.25{\pm}140.34$ IU in group II, which was not a significant difference (p= 0.548). The duration of stimulation, number of retrieved oocytes, and number of developed embryos were not significantly different between the groups. The clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates likewise did not significantly differ. The cost of intracytoplasmic sperm injection per cycle was significantly lower in group I than in group II (US $ $494.66{\pm}4.079$ vs. US $ $649.677{\pm}43.637$). Conclusion: Reduction of the cetrorelix dose in the antagonist protocol was not associated with any significant difference either in the number of oocytes retrieved or in the pregnancy rate. Moreover, it was more economically feasible for patients in a low-resource country.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.547-554
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• 2008

Bacteriospermia is a frequent finding in fresh boar semen and can result in detrimental effects on semen quality and longevity. The objectives of this study was to evaluate types of bacterial contaminants in porcine fresh semen and the reducing effect of antibiotic and density gradient with percoll on the bacterial contaminants. Fresh semen was collected by gloved-hand method into a pre-warmed($37^{\circ}C$) thermostable bottle, and was inoculated onto blood agar and MacConkey agar, respectively. After incubated for 48 hour, 7.5% $CO_2$ at $37^{\circ}C$, bacterial colonies were selected and identified by Gram staining, oxidase test, catalase test and finally identified using API kits and Vitek system. Aerobic culture yielded a variety of bacteria from different genera. The most prevalent contaminant of fresh semen were Leclecia adecarboxylata, Acineobacter banmanni, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus cohni spp urealyticus, Proteus mirabilis. Most of identified bacteria were Gram(-) and non-pathogenic bacteria. It seems that bacterial contaminants in fresh semen were seem originated from multiple sources at the stud/farm, and were from animal and non-animal origins. Gentamicin treatment did not eliminate the bacterial contaminants completely but 3 step-density gradient with percoll completely removed the bacterial contaminants in fresh semen. Therefore, future study is necessary to prove that density gradient method with percoll can eliminate bacteria in fresh semen without significantly affecting sperm viability or function.