• Journal of Genetic Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.68-72
• /
• 2020

Purpose: Trisomy 21, the cause of Down syndrome (DS) with various medical problems, is the most common aneuploidy during the fetal period. For diagnosis, a non-invasive screening test using maternal blood, which cannot be confirmed and invasive confirmation test with a risk of miscarriage, may be performed. The trophoblast retrieval and isolation of the cervix (TRIC) have been proposed by some researchers as an alternative to overcome the limitations of current tests. We experimented using TRIC to identify the possibility of trisomy 21 for the first time in Asia. Materials and Methods: Three cases of DS were analyzed confirmed by invasive tests (chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis). All samples of trophoblasts immediately were immersed in phosphate-buffered saline and processed with formalin for fixation. The trophoblasts were isolated using an anti-human leukocyte antigen-G antibody coupled to magnetic nanoparticles. β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-expressing cells were considered as trophoblast cells, and the detection rate calculated. DS was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Results: The mean trophoblast detection rate using β-hCG was 78.1%, and the detection rate using FISH was 22.2%. In all cases, the trisomy of chromosome 21 was identified. Conclusion: Trophoblast can be obtained from the five weeks of gestation and has a high detection rate, so it is noted that it can replace the current prenatal genetic test. To realize the clinical application as a prenatal genetic test, we will need additional efforts to identify trisomy 21 as well as other chromosomal abnormalities in future large-scale studies.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.125-132
• /
• 2008

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), a major hormone of pineal gland in vertebrates, is known to be associated with regulation of the dynamic physiological functions in general and has some functions on reproduction in the ovarian follicles in particular. And its antioxidant properties as a scavenger are also reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of melatonin on the in vitro maturation of mouse germinal vesicle (GV)-stage oocytes. Oocyte maturation, apoptosis, and mRNA expression of melatonin receptor were analyzed in the cumulus cell-enclosed oocytes (CEOs) cultured with melatonin for 18 h. The CEOs were obtained from 3 wk-old ICR female mice cultured in media with 0, 0.1 nM, 10 nM, or 1,000 nM melatonin for 18 h. And then the extrusion of the first polar body was assessed to evaluate the maturation rate. The apoptosis and mRNA expression of melatonin receptor (Mtnr1-a and Mtnr1-b) in cumulus cells of each group were measured by TUNEL assay, ELISA, and real time RT-PCR after in vitro maturation(IVM). The addition of melatonin in the IVM medium significantly improved nuclear maturation of the mouse GV oocytes and the highest maturation rate were obtained from the group treated with 1,000 nM melatonin. Apoptosis was not detected in IVM oocytes, but detected in cumulus cells. And cumulus cells treated with 1,000 nM melatonin exhibited significantly lower apoptosis. In the group treated with 1,000 nM melatonin, the expression of melatonin receptor mRNA was decreased in CEOs. In conclusion, melatonin has a potentially important role for regulating oocyte maturation and reduces the apoptosis of cumulus cells in vitro.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.785-796
• /
• 2006

This study was designed to evaluate the changes in sperm motility, viability, HOST(hypo-osmotic swelling test), IVP(in vitro penetration), SCSA(sperm chromatin structure assay) during storage of liquid semen collected from boars with different farrowing rates using AI, and to find the relationship between boar fertility through AI and sperm diagnostic parameters during semen storage. The results of HOST were significantly decreased according to the increasing of in semen storage days and the results of IVP were significantly decreased at 3 days of semen storage (P<0.05). The %Red was significantly different among the >80%, 70󰠏80% and <70% farrowing rate group at semen storage day 6(P<0.05). The correlation coefficients between the %Red and farrowing rate were increased according to the semen storage. In conclusion, these results suggest that the sperm parameters evaluated in these studies may be useful indicators to predict the fertility of AI and evaluate the semen quality in boars.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.226-235
• /
• 1991

This experiment was carried out to obtain the information on the crossability, germination rate, and pollen viability of the progeny from the cross between hexaploid triticale cv. Sinkihomil and five hexaploid wheat varieties. The results are summarized as follows. Seed set was 28.8 to 41.8% (ave-raged 34.1%) in the cross between triticale and wheat, which resulted in 3.61% in F$_2$(selfed F$_1$), 3.99% in F$_1$/P$_1$ 21. 9% in F$_1$/P$_2$ respectively. However, seed set was extremely low in reciprocal crosses when triticale was used as male. In the backcross, crossability was higher in F$_1$/wheat and triticale/F$_1$ than that in wheat/F$_1$ and F$_1$/triticale, respectively. Germination rate of the crossed seed was 95% in F$_1$ 66.3% in F$_2$ (selfed F$_1$), 62.0% in F$_1$/P$_1$ and 81.0% in F$_1$/P$_2$ from the cross between triticale and wheat, respectively. When triticale cv. Sinkihomil was used as male, seeds were degenerated because of the failure of endorsperm development. This might be caused by AAABBBDDR genome constitution in the cytoplasm from a hexaploid wheat. Pollen fertility of F, plant was averaged 34.1% in the cross between triticale and wheat. Significant positive correlation between the pollen fertility and seed set rate in the cross between triticale and wheat were detected.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.135-142
• /
• 2018

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed early gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol compared to a conventional midfollicular GnRH antagonist protocol and a long GnRH agonist protocol for in vitro fertilization (IVF) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: Randomized patients in all three groups (early antagonist, n = 14; conventional antagonist, n = 11; long agonist, n = 11) received 21 days of oral contraceptive pill treatment prior to stimulation. The GnRH antagonist was initiated on the 1st day of stimulation in the early antagonist group and on the 6th day in the conventional antagonist group. The GnRH agonist was initiated on the 18th day of the preceding cycle. The primary endpoint was the number of oocytes retrieved, and the secondary endpoints included the rate of moderate-to-severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and the clinical pregnancy rate. Results: The median total number of oocytes was similar among the three groups (early, 16; conventional, 12; agonist, 19; p= 0.111). The early GnRH antagonist protocol showed statistically non-significant associations with a higher clinical pregnancy rate (early, 50.0%; conventional, 11.1%; agonist, 22.2%; p= 0.180) and lower incidence of moderate-to-severe OHSS (early, 7.7%; conventional, 18.2%; agonist, 27.3%; p= 0.463), especially among subjects at high risk for OHSS (early, 12.5%; conventional, 40.0%; agonist, 50.0%; p= 0.324). Conclusion: In PCOS patients undergoing IVF, early administration of a GnRH antagonist may possibly lead to benefits due to a reduced incidence of moderate-to-severe OHSS in high-risk subjects with a better clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer. Further studies with more subjects are required.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.143-151
• /
• 2010

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare day 3 embryo transfer (D3ET) with day 5 ET (D5ET) in fresh in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle on pregnancy outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective matched case control study that included 90 women with D3ET and 90 women with D5ET from January 2007 to June 2009. Subjects were matched for reproductive profiles and IVF cycle characteristics. Two good quality embryos were transferred in both groups. Pregnancy rates (PR), implantation rate, and multiple PR were compared. Results: Demographics, stimulation parameters and embryological data were comparable in both groups. Main pregnancy outcomes with D3ET and D5ET groups were not statistically different: implantation rate (39.4% vs. 32.8%), positive PR (57.8% vs. 46.7%), clinical PR (53.3% vs. 45.6%), ongoing PR (50.0% vs. 42.2%), respectively. Both groups showed high multiple PR (37.5% vs. 34.1). Conclusion: D5ET may not be beneficial and necessary in comparison with D3ET on pregnancy outcomes, and elective single ET should be considered to decrease multiple pregnancies in women with favorable conditions and good quality embryos undergoing IVF.

• Korea journal of population studies
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.32-49
• /
• 1988

The social conditions in Koreas until 1950s were similar to the model phenomena of low level eqilibrium trap which was named by Prof. Nelson, with the continuation of high population growth rate and low economic growth rate. To escape from the trap, Korean government adopted two different policies, one is economic development plans and the other is family planning programs. Theses policies were successful in both increasing the national products and decreasing the population growth rate. In 1985 per capita GNP increased to over two thousand dollars, fertility rate reduced to replacement level(2.1) and unemployment rate was stabilized at 4 percent level. From various prospects, we were successfully escaped from the Malthusian trap and many economists, who studied developed countries, belive that population growth has positive effects on technological progress, economies of scale, specialization, individual attitude on work, and economic growth. Therefore we need to reexamine the anti-natalistic population policy of Korea in this situation.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.133-137
• /
• 2007

The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between the mRNA expression levels of sperm phospholipids hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) and heparin-binding protein (HBP), and in-vivo fertility in boars. The farrowing rate was not correlated with litter size. Sperm PHGPx mRNA expression level of the larger litter size (over 10) group $(2,414.7{\pm}400.7)$ was high that of smaller litter size (below 8) group $(1,875.8{\pm}311.2)$. Sperm HBP mRNA expression level was also higher in the larger litter size $(2,255.9{\pm}360.8)$ group than the smaller litter size $(2,155.4{\pm}378.0)$. However, significant differences were not observed. Sperm PHGPx mRNA level was correlated positively with litter size (r=0.206). Because the expression levels of PHGPx and HBP are not strongly correlated with in-vivo fertility, PHGPx and HBP can not be considered a predictive measure for fertility in boars.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
• /
• v.9 no.6
• /
• pp.197-221
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the child care support policies and the birth rate in 33 OECD countries. In the structural equation modelling, the birth rate was the dependent variable while the cash-support policies, the child-care facility service policies, and the tax benefits policies were the independent variables. The analysis showed that the most effective factor on the birth rate was the child-care facility service policies. Regarding the effectiveness of the policy expenses, the cash-support policies showed stable fluctuation of effectiveness according to the fluctuation of cash amount, the child-care facility service policies. In conclusion, in order to increase the effectiveness of the cash-support policies, the adequate cost calculation to decrease the parents' burden for child-bearing, re-allocation of budget, and support methods and timing should be continually discussed. In addition, for the better effectiveness of the facility service policies, more various, comprehensive and high-quality facility service policies that could balance home and work, should be implemented.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.16 no.9
• /
• pp.1268-1273
• /
• 2003

Sixty postpartum lactating Friesian cows in 3 treatments at a commercial dairy farm were used to study the effect of using progesterone supplementation with GnRH and PGF2$\alpha$ synchronization with and without timed AI on fertility during summer. Cows in treatment1($Tr_1$) and treatment2 ($Tr_1$) were fitted with progesterone releasing intravaginal device (PRID) device and injected with 10 g GnRH agonist on $51{\pm}3$ d postpartum (pp). Seven days later, PRID was removed and cows received 25 mg PGF2$\alpha$. Two days later, $Tr_1$ cows received another injection of 10 g GnRH and timed AI 16-20 h later. Control cows received only 25 mg PGF2$\alpha$ $58{\pm}3d\;pp$. $Tr_2$ and control cows were AI at detected estrus. Serum progesterone for all cows was determined on days of injection, AI and 21, 23 and 28 d postinsemination. Pregnancy rates from first AI based on serum P4 concentrations on d 21, 23 and 28 postinsemination (50, 40 and 35%) and that based on rectal palpation 40-45 d postinsemination (30, 15 and 15% for $Tr_1$, $Tr_2$ and control cows, respectively) did not differ among the three groups. Whereas, pregnancy rate at 120 d pp for $Tr_1$ (65%) was higher (p<0.05) than that in $Tr_2$ (30%) or control (30%). The overall pregnancy rate was not significantly different (90, 90 and 75% for $Tr_1$, $Tr_2$ and control, respectively). Days open for cows in $Tr_1$ ($100.3{\pm}9$) was less (p<0.03) than that in $Tr_2$ ($130.9{\pm}9$) or control ($135.1{\pm}10$). Results indicate that using PRID device with Ovsynch program had significantly increased pregnancy rate and decreased days open compared to AI at detected estrus after synchronization with GnRH, PRID and PGF2$\alpha$ or synchronization with one injection of PGF2$\alpha$.