• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.89-99
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to develop the diagnosis techniques for sex determination of rabbit embryos at preimplantation stage. To detect male specific sequences using polymerase chain reaction, two genes functional on sex determination including SRY and ZFX/Y genes were targeted using multiple oligonucleotide primer sets. Three of them for conserved SRY gene were used for appropriate amplification pattern, and then only one primer set #3 proved to be most efficient, showing male-specific strong signal ofamplified sequences. Using this male specific bandsfrom human, cattle, pig and mouse, the gender of rabbit was determined. As an another system for sex determination system, amplified 910bp fragment from ZFX/Y was digested with several restriction endonuclease and showed gender specific restriction fragments only by Hinf I. Using two different system for sex identification of rabbit in this study, blind tests for 17 samples was conducted and showed identical results from two different methods. And then, amplification limit of PCR reaction for template DNA was estimated using various amounts of DNA for both SRY and ZFX/Y systems, resulted as 20pg and 800pg, respectively. With this results, test for gender identification of rabbit embryos were performed using SRY derived amplification system. From total 22 embryos selected for its developmental state 18 were identified as male embryos, showing significant difference from expected sex ratio 1:1. This biased sex ratio was interpreted as to have been caused by the fact, reported by the fact, reported by several researchers, that male embryos develop more rapidly and are more resistant against the in vitro manipulation than female embryos.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.189-203
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• 1999

To determine sex of bovine embryos using hamster histocompatibility Y(H-Y) antibodies, bovine compact morulae were incubated for 6 hours in TCM199 supplemented with 10% hamster H-Y antiserum and the embryos with developmental arrest were diagnosed as male embryos, while the embryos showing development during the incubation as female embryos. This presumptive embryo sexing was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)method. 1. In the result of hamster sperm cytotoxicity test to measure H-Y antibody titer, the rate of dead sperm was considerably lower in H-Y antiserum absorbed with hamster male splenocytes than in H-Y antiserum absorbed with hamster female splenocytes or H-Y antiserum unabsorbed with splenocytes(p<0.01). 2. The rate of oocytes fertilized in vitro and the rate of blastocysts of the fertilized oocytes were 58.5% and 32.4%, respectively. The rate of blastocysts on day 8 was 15.9%, denoting the highest rate during whole culture period posterior to in vitro fertilization (IVF). 3. The bovine 16 cell and compact morulae embryos incubated in the medium supplemented with hamster H-Y antibodies showed 37.1% and 48.9% of developmental arrest which were diagnosed as male, respectively, and rates of redeveloped embryos from the arrested were 24.1% in 16 cell and 44.3% in compact morulae embryos, respectively, denoting higher rate of sex determination and rate of redevelopment in compact morulae than 16 cell embryos. 4. Bovine compact morulae of Korean cattle and Holstein were treated with hamster H-Y antibodies for sex determination and the rates of developmental arrest(diagnosed as male) were 48.4% for Korean cattle and 47.9% for Holstein, respectively. The rates of redeveloped embryos to blastocyst after treatment were 42.6% for Korean cattle and 41.8% for Holstein, respectively, showing no significant differences of sex determination and redevelopment between both breed. 5. The sex determination of bovine embryos(Korean cattle and Holstein) using hamster H-Y antibodies was diagnosed by PCR for confirmation, denoting the rates of 86.1% for Korean cattle and 85.9% for Holstein male embryos, respectively, and the rates of 91.9% for Korean cattle and 90.1% for Holstein female embryos, respectively, with no significant differences of sex determination between both breed. These results indicated that hamster H-Y antibodies can be usable for sex determination of bovine embryos of Korean cattle and Holstein, the viability of bovine embryos was sustained while being cultured in the medium supplemented with hamster H-Y antibodies of appropriate titer and sex determination of bovine embryos by PCR can be feasible for confirmation.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.271-278
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• 1996

The present study was carried out to sex effectively mouse and rabbit embryos using rat H-Y antiserum and to improve the rate of rat producing H-Y antiserum with H-Y antibody. The H-Y antiserum was prepared from inbred SD strain female rat immunized by intrasplenic injection and subsequent intraperitioneal booster of testis cell of syngenic male newborn rat. the titer of antiserum was identified by in vitro cytotoxicity test of mouse embryos. The rabbit embryos exposed to the H-Y antiserum was classified to the developed (H-Y negative) or delayed (H-Y positive) group. The H-Y negative rabbit embryos were transferred to recipients and sex of offspring was examined. 1. When mouse embryos were exposed to the rat H-Y antisera, the ratio of embryos developed vs delayed was various. The H-Y antisera where the ratio of embryos developed vs delayed showed the range of 40~60% were recognized as having titer of H-Y antibody. 2. When the subsequent intraperitioneal boosters were followed after priming of intrasplenic injection of H-Y antigen, the rate of rat producting the H-Y antiserum with H-U antibody was 13, 27, 70 and 73% in control, 1st B, 2nd B and 3rd B, respectively. The rate in 2nd B and 3rd B was significantly(P<0.05) higher than that in control and 1st B. 3. When the rabbit morulae were exposed to the rat H-Y antiserum with H-Y antibody, the ratio of morulae developed versus delayed was 42:58% and it was close to the natural sex ratio 50:50%. It was confirmed that the rat H-Y antiserum was cross reactive to the rabbit morulae. 4. When the H-Y negative rabbit embryos were transferred to the recipients, the pregnancy rate was 50% and 83% of the newborns were females. In conclusion, the rat H-Y antiserum with high titer of H-Y antibody was able to be obtained from the female rat immunized by the intrasplenic injection followed by the second intrapent oneal booster of testis cells at a week interval. When the rabbit embryos negative to the rat H-Y antiserum were transferred, 83% of the newborns were females.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.40-40
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• 2001

Heat stress to bovine oocytes and embryos has suggested a potential role of retardation of their development. Limited study has reported on the effect of heat shock on sperm before using it for IVF. Caudal epididymal sperm cultured in 42$^{\circ}C$ incubator for 0.5, 1 and 2 h compared on sperm viability and oocyte development after its use for IVF to those of control. Oocytes were matured for 22 h and then inseminated with treated or control sperm for 16 h. Embryos were cultured in CRlaa medium, transferred to TCM199＋10% FBS on day 4, and maintained on day 9. A higher proportion (84.1%, 0.5 h; 72%, 1 h: 65%, 2 h) in treated sperm was observed dead and abnormal pattern as 100% of consider as control. In control the rates of cleavage and development into blastocyst were 76% and 22%, respectively, and did not differ the rates between 1 h and 2 h of culture. Significant differences were appeared in the rates between treated for an hour and control (32% and 5% vs. 54% and 10%, respectively). Moreover increased time of culture is more retardation to be cleaved the oocytes. However, the rates of blastocyst from cleaved embryos in treated group similar to control (25% vs. 29%, respectively). The reason for this remains unclear, but male sperm, from preliminary experiment(data un-shown) for sexing of resulting embryos, would be more fragility on heat stress.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.41-52
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• 1983

Animal in dustry in Korea urgently needs the domestic introduction and the industrial a, pp.ication of embryo transfer technique. Namely, this technique can be utilized effectively, as means of the improvement of livestocks, as means of the increase of meat production, as means of substitute for the livestock import, and dissemination of new breed. However, as this technique avaliable in our country is remaining initial stage, we can not make use of the technique industrially unless we make much improvement as follows; induction of superovulation, non-surgical recovery of embryos, synchronization between the estrus such cycles of donor and recipient, non-surgical transfer of embryos, etc. Simultaneously, the basic studies such as harvesting oocytes from ovary, in vitro culture of oocytes, in vitro capacitation of spermatozoa, cloning by culture of blastomeres and transfer of nuclei, sexing embryo, etc. should not be neglected in order to make the technique of embryo transfer more simple and convenient. For the success of these studies, universities, national and public institutes, large scale cattle farms, and small scale cattle farms should cooperate each other. For instance, universities undertake basic researches, and the national and public institutes a, pp.y the results of the researches to animal industry along with cooperation by large scale cattle farms. By the help of the cooperative organizations, the technique relevant to our environment and farm condition may be able to be finalized, and to be a, pp.ied to samll scale cattle farm. Consequently, being served to stimulate animal productivity, this technique can be contributed to the development of livestock industry in Korea.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2001

Predetermination of sex in livestock of offpring is in great demand and is of critical importance to providing for the most efficient production of the animal ariculture. Such a sexing techlology would also enhance the economy of conventional artificial insemination(AI) and aid the porcine industry. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of enriching X-bearing porcine sperm using discontinuous percoll gradients and PCR mefhod. Semen was collected from mature boars of proven fertility center (AI center KimHae). Sperm was leaded on the isotonic discontinuous percoll gradient and then it was centrifuged at 120 ${\times}$ g for 20 minutes. After centrifugation, sperm included in each fraction were recovered (7${\times}$10$^6$ sperms/ml) and then sperm genomic DNA was extractedfor the PCR. SRY gene was used to evaluate the ratio between X and Y sperm in the separated fractions. Ju viro ffrtilization wascarried out by adding the unseparated sperm (control) or separated (experimental poop) to the matured oocytes in TCM-199. Embryos for sex determination were obtained at 2 cell stage and then was used for SRY gene amplification. After centrifugation of discontinuous percoll gradient, the most motile sperm was obtained at 95% fiaction (94.4% ${\pm}$ 5.1%, p < 0.01). The PCR analysis evaluated that 30%, 50% and 65% fractions were Y sperm rich, whereas 80% and 95% fractions were X sperm rich. PCR analysis with each porcineembryo showed that 33.3% of control and 66.7% of experimental group were determined as female embryos. In conclusion, in vitro matured oocytes inseminated with sperms (95% fraction) prepared by percoll gradient centrifugation showed high fertilization rates and female embryos than control sperms.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2008

This study was carried out to examine the efficiency of biopsy methods, and the pregnancy rate, calving and abortion rates, gestation length and birth weight of Hanwoo calves following transfer of fresh, frozen and sexed Hanwoo embryos produced in vitro. The survivability of biopsied embryos was 80.0 and 90.0% using aspiration and punching methods at 24 h after culturing, respectively. The ratios of male and female embryos were 42.1 and 52.6%, respectively, and the percentage of sex unidentified was 5.3%. Pregnancy rates was not significantly different between hCG and control group (46.4 vs. 38.5%), fresh and frozen embryos (41.3 vs. 35.0%), and sexed and IVP embryos (27.5 vs. 41.2%) (p>0.05). Calving and abortion rates of IVP and sexed embryos were not significantly different in calving (85.0 vs. 87.0%) and in abortion (15.2 vs. 13.3%) (p<0.05). Gestation length of IVP and sexed calves were 281.3 and 288.2 days in female and 283.0 and 282.3 days in male, and the birth weight of IVP and sexed calves were 23.6 and 25.0 kg in female and 24.6 and 23.8 kg in male, respectively. There were no difference in gestation length and birth weight between IVP embryos and sexed embryos (p>0.05). Administration of hCG to recipients did not improve the pregnancy rate following transfer of Hanwoo embryos produced in vitro and sexed embryos. Although the production of calves derived from sexed Hanweoo embryos cultured in vitro can be obtained, the efficiency of sexed calves production need to be improved in biopsy methods and pregnancy rate. Further study should be focused on the improvement of pregnancy rates for commercial application of embryo transfer.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.163-168
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• 2005

The objective of this study was to produce superior cows by sexual distinction of embryos collected from the donor with pedigree information. Collected embryos distinguished by biopsy using punching or bisection methods and Loop-mediated isothermal amplification of sex-determined DNA for sexing. Six embryos predicted as female were transplanted to recipients and then 2 pregnant cows were normally delivered of calves at 278 and 285 days after embryo transfer. Birth weights of calves named Barani and Borani were 18kg and 25kg, respectively. Adjusted body weights for 90 days were 61.1kg and 88.8kg, respectively. Average daily gains were 0.48kg and 0.71kg, respectively.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.325-333
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• 1997

수정란이식의 주변기술인 초기배의 미세조작및 성 판정은 가축의 경우, 경제 형질의 유전적 개량에 크게 기여하였다. 본 연구는 미세조작 biopsy와 PCR에 의한 체외생산 소 초기배의 급속. 정확한 성 판정 기법을 확립하기 위해 실시하였다. 체외성숙 및 체외수정에 의해 생산된 소수정란은 소 난관상피세포와 공배양을 통해 8-세포부터 배반포시시까지 체외발생시킨 후 미세조작 biopsy에 이용되었다. 미세조작 biopsy 과정중에 약간의 형태적인 손상이 관찰되었지만 대부분의 demi-embryo는 정상적인 배반포와 나화배반포로 발생하였다. 8~16 세포, 상실배, 초기배반, 포 시기에서 미세조작 biopsy 후 확장 또는 나환배반포기시기까지의 발달율은 각각 62.8(27/43), 83.3(30/36) 및 80.9%(55/68)로 정상적인 초기배와 큰 차이가 없는 것으로 나타났다. 총 136개의 소 초기배로 부터 2~10개의 할구세포를 미세조작 biopsy에 의해 분리하여 소 특이와 Y-특이염기서열을 가진 두 쌍의 염기서열을 이용하여 PCR을 수해하였다. 이들중 112(82.4%)개를 성공적으로 성 판정하였으며, 암/수 비율은 각각 34.8(39/112)/65.2%(73/112)로 나타났다. 본 실험에서 얻은 결과는 확립된 소 초기배의 미세조작기술과 성 판정 방법을 통해 계획적인 암.수 송아지의 선별 생산뿐만 아니라 소 수정란 이식을 통한 유전적 개량을 촉진시키는데 효과적으로 이용될 수 있는 기술이 확립된 것을 보여주었다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.341-349
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• 1996

초기배의 성판정은 대상가축의 성을 선발하는 수단으로써 뿐만아니라 인간의 유전적 질병의 조기진단법으로서 매우 가치가 크다. 체외수정 소 초기배의 성을 결정하기 위해 PCR과 PRINS를 이용하였으며 성판정에 이용된 8 세포${\sim)$배반포기 초기배는 체외수정후 난관상피세포와의 공배양에 의해 생산되었다. 초기배 의 DNA는 $200{\mu}g/ml$ proteinase K가 함유된 PCR lysis buffer에 하나의 초기배를 부유한 후 $50^{\circ}C$에서 1시간동안 처리하여 준비하였다. 중기 염색체 spreads는 초기배를 nocodazole로 처리한 후 air-drying 방법을 이용하여 준비하였다. 가능한 false positive signals을 배제하기 위해 소특이 및 Y 염색체 특이 primers를 이용하여 PCR을 수행한 결과, 웅성 초기배에서는 두 개의 증폭산물 (소특이 및 Y 염색체 특이)이 합성된 반면 자성 초기배에서는 하나의 증폭산물만 합성되었다. 한편 중기염색체상의 Y 염색체를 동정하기 위해 FISH와 PRINS를 수행한 결과, FISH에서보다 PRINS에서 더 강한 Y 염색체 특이 형광 signals이 탐지되었다. 이러한 결과는 PCR에 의한 체외생산 소 초기배의 신속정확하고 효율적인 성판정이 가능함을 보여주었다. 또한 PRINS를 통해 PCR 에 이용된 Y 특이 probe의 신뢰성이 염색체 수준에서 확인되었다.