• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.213-220
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• 2020

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the potential adverse effect of spontaneously decreasing serum estradiol (SE) levels on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. Methods: This retrospective single-subject study analyzed IVF cycles conducted at a hospital IVF unit between 2010 and 2017. Overall, 2,417 cycles were analyzed. Only cycles with spontaneously decreasing SE before human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) triggering were included. Each patient served as her own control, and subsequent cycles were analyzed for recurrent SE decreases. The main outcome was the number of oocytes retrieved. Results: Cycle characteristics were similar between the study (SE decrease) and control groups, with the exception of the median SE on the day of hCG triggering (899.7 pg/mL; interquartile range [IQR], 193-2,116 pg/mL vs. 1,566.8 pg/mL; IQR, 249-2,970 pg/mL; p< 0.001). The study group, relative to the control group, had significantly fewer total oocytes (5 [IQR, 2-9] vs. 7 [IQR, 3-11]; p= 0.002) and significantly fewer metaphase II (MII) oocytes (3 [IQR, 1-6] vs. 4 [IQR, 2-8]; p= 0.001) retrieved. The study group had fewer cleavage-stage embryos than the control cycles (3 [IQR, 1-6] vs. 4 [IQR, 2-7]; p= 0.012). Compared to cycles with a ≤ 20% SE decrease, cycles with a > 20% decrease had significantly fewer total and MII oocytes retrieved. SE decrease recurred in 12% of patients. Conclusion: A spontaneous decrease in SE levels adversely affected IVF outcomes, with a linear correlation between the percentage decrease and the number of oocytes retrieved. SE decrease can repeat in later cycles.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 2004

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate and compare the embryonic developmental capacity and pregnancy rates in conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with ejaculated sperm or testicular sperm cycles. Materials and Methods: Fertilization was examined in the following morning after IVF (group I), ICSI (group II) or TESE-ICSI cycles (group III). Fertilized oocytes were co-cultured with Vero cells until embryo transfer (ET). On day 2 and $5{\sim}7$, grades of embryos (<4- or $\geq$4-cell) and blastocysts (BG1, 2, 3 or early) were evaluated. Clinical pregnancy rate was determined by detecting G-sac with transvaginal ultrasonogram. We analyzed the results by $X^2$ and Student's t-test and considered statistically significant when P value was less than 0.05. Results: Fertilization rate was significantly higher (p<0.05) in group I ($79.0{\pm}21.2%$) than in group II and III ($56.8{\pm}21.6%$ and $36.7{\pm}25.3%$). Cleavage and blastulation rate of group I ($95.8{\pm}13.8%$ and $59.5{\pm}25.3%$) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of group III ($83.4{\pm}18.6%$ and $40.4{\pm}36.5%$). Clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher (p<0.05) in group I and II (40.7% and 41.7%) than that in group III (12.5%). No differences were found in the rates of multiple pregnancy and abortion among three groups. Embryonic implantation rate was higher in group I ($15.1{\pm}20.2%$, p<0.05) and II ($14.7{\pm}20.6%$, NS) than that in group III ($5.1{\pm}15.6%$). However, embryonic implantation rate was increased in ET with blastocyst(s) among three groups. Conclusions: Fertilized oocytes obtained from TESE-ICSI were harder to be successfully cultured to blastocyst stage for 5$\sim$7 days than that from IVF cycles. However, all blastocyst(s) ET increased the embryonic implantation rate equally in IVF, ICSI and TESE-ICSI cycles.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.80-87
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• 2021

In this study, the toxic effects of PFOA and PFOS potassium salt on Mesocentrotus nudus using 10 min-fertilization rate and 48 h-normal embryogenesis were confirmed through the calculation of toxicity values such as Non-observed effective concentration, Low-observed effective concentration, and 50% of effective concentration. The case of 10 min-fertilization rate and 48 h-normal embryogenesis showed the concentration-dependent reduction pattern when exposed to PFOA and PFOS potassium salt, in tested concentration, respectively. The EC50 values of 10 min-fertilization rates for PFOA and PFOS potassium salt were 1346.43 mg/l and 536.18 mg/l, respectively, and the EC50 values of 48 h-normal embryogenesis were 42.67 mg/l and 17.81 mg/l, respectively. Both toxicity test methods showed high toxicity sensitivity to PFOS potassium salt. Recent studies have shown that the concentration of PFOA and PFOS in the marine environment has continuously decreased, and it is not enough to show acute toxicity to sea urchin. However, PFOA and PFOS have a very long half-life and can accumulate throughout the life of marine life, so it is still observed at a high concentration in shellfish. Therefore, a study on chronic toxicity through the whole-life cycle of marine organisms in coastal environments should be needed.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.4.1-4.16
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• 2023

Background: In vitro culture of preantral follicles is a promising technology for fertility preservation. Objectives: This study aims to investigate an optimized three-dimensional (3D) fetal bovine serum (FBS)-free preantral follicle culture system having a simple and easy operation. Methods: The isolated follicles from mouse ovaries were randomly divided in an ultra-low attachment 96-well plates supplement with FBS or bovine serum albumin (BSA) culture or encapsulated with an alginate supplement with FBS or BSA culture. Meanwhile, estradiol (E₂) concentration was assessed through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of culture supernatants. The diameter of follicular growth was measured, and the lumen of the follicle was photographed. Spindle microtubules of oocytes were detected via immunofluorescence. The ability of oocytes to fertilize was assessed using in vitro fertilization. Results: The diameters were larger for the growing secondary follicles cultured in ultra-low attachment 96-well plates than in the alginate gel on days 6, 8, and 10 (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the E2 concentration in the BSA-supplemented medium was significantly higher in the alginate gel than in the other three groups on days 6 and 8 (p < 0.05), and the oocytes in the FBS-free system could complete meiosis and fertilization in vitro. Conclusions: The present study furnishes insights into the mature oocytes obtained from the 3D culture of the preantral follicle by using ultra-low attachment 96-well plate with an FBS-free system in vitro and supports the clinical practices to achieve competent, mature oocytes for in vitro fertilization.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.301-310
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• 2009

Objective: To compare the embryonic development and pregnancy results using sperms retrieved from fresh and frozen-thawed testicular tissue in patients with obstructive (OA) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Methods: A total two hundred twenty-two cycles of TESE-ICSI were performed in OA and NOA. Sperms were retrieved from fresh and frozen-thawed testicular tissue. ICSI was performed patient's own sperm. Fertilization was assessed 16~18 hrs after ICSI. Embryo development and pregnancy rates were analysed. Results: The fertilization rates were significantly different between OA and NOA patients (75.2% vs. 56.7%, p<0.05), however, embryo development did not differ between the groups (96.9% vs. 98.0%). Likewise, OA and NOA groups had no differences in their clinical pregnancy and delivery rates, 33.9% vs. 36.0% and 28.1% vs. 28.0%, respectively. With regard to sperm retrieved from fresh testicular tissue, fertilization rates were significantly different between the OA and NOA groups (76.4% vs. 52.9%, p<0.05); however, embryo development, clinical pregnancy and delivery rates were not different. For sperm retrieved from thawed testicular tissue, the fertilization rates were significantly different between the two groups (74.7% OA group vs. 65.6% NOA group, p<0.05); however, embryo development, clinical pregnancy and delivery rates were not different. Conclusions: Embryo development and clinical pregnancy did not differ in patients with obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia, whether sperm retrieved from fresh and thawed testicular tissue were used, although the fertilization rates were different. Therefore, ICSI with sperm retrieved from fresh and thawed testicular tissue could achieve relevant clinical pregnancy results in patients with azoospermia.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.43-55
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• 1976

Fertilization and early development of turbo cornutus was studied based on the samples which were collected in Yeosu area. Particular emphasis was paid on induction of artificial spawing, fertilization rate, preembryonic development, the growth of the early larva and larval survival to various salinity. Among the various methods for induction of artificial spawning which have been tested for the present study, drying by exposure to air is the. most efficient, and percentage fertilization rate was $83.8-96.4\%$. The diameter of fertilized eggs was $0.182{\pm}0.0028mm$; and the diameter of egg membrane was $0.245{\pm}0.093mm$. Under the temperature range of $20.6-25.4^{\circ}C$ the larvae hatched out after 11:05-11:15 hours of fertilization. After 3.0-3.5 days of fertilization the planktonic larvae begand to settle, and the settlement terminated within 5 days. During the period of 150 days of early culturing the diameter growth of shell(M) and the diameter of shell aperture(A) was formulated as follows: $$1972\;M=0.33e^{0.02070D}$$ $$A=0.19e^{0.02282D}$$ $$1973\;M=0.32e^{0.02282D}$$ $$A=0.16e^{0.02596D}$$ During the same period of early culturing the relative growth of shell diameter and the diameter of shell aperture was formulated as follows : 1972 A=0.6478 S-0.1575 1973 A=0.5897 S-0.0515 After 11 days of larval hatching $0.02-0.18\%$ of planktonic larvae settled. After 150 days of settlement the survival rate of the early shells was $7.4-21.6\%$. Under the temperature range of $21.0-22.7^{\circ}C$ the optimum salinity range for the development of egg and the planktonic larvae was $30-35\%_{\circ}$.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.373-377
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• 2001

This study was conducted to find optimum pollination methods for overcoming pre-fertilization incompatibility in interspecific crosses between L. longiflorum 'Gelria' (LG) and L. cernuum (LC). In cross combination of $LC{\times}LG$, the survival rate of the ovaries was higher in the cut style pollinations than in normal stigmatic pollination. Among the various cut style pollination methods, pollination after cutting the styles 2 3mm length above the ovary and top of the ovary were the most effective ones. No ovaries and ovules survived in cross pollination of $LC{\times}LG$. In self-pollination of LG and cross pollination of $LC{\times}LG$, pollens germinated on the stigma by 12 hours and reached to the ovules by 90 hours after pollination. However, in the cross pollination of $LC{\times}LG$, pollen tubes elongated very slowly until 48 hours after pollination and a lot of deformed tubes were observed in the styler canal having swelled tube tip and irregular heavy callose deposition. The pollination time after anthesis also affected on the survival rate of ovaries and ovules showing the best result when pollinated on three days after anthesis. Stigma exudate promoted slightly the enlargement of ovaries, but the survival rate of ovaries and ovules was not increased.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.333-339
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• 2009

Various cultural practices have been promoted as management options for enhancing soil quality and health. The use of soil management methods can cause changes in fertility by affecting soil chemical properties. This study aimed to evaluate interactions between soil chemical properties and soil management methods in protected cultivation, and to classify soil management methods that similarly affect soil chemical properties. Water-logging and irrigation reduced soil pH and available $P_2O_5$ content. Application of animal manures has a positive effect on levels of organic matter, Av.$P_2O_5$, K, Zn, and Cu. The electrical conductivites tened to be low in the application of organic amendments, including rice and wood residues. Deeper plowing caused a reduction in Ca content. Practicing soil nutrient-considering fertilization and fertigation did not exert an influence on nutrient element contents. In a cluster analysis of the soil management methods according to major nutrients, low similarities were found with deeper plowing and crop rotation with rice in comparison with other practices. In a cluster analysis by minor nutrient characteristics, crop rotation and application of animal manures and rice residues were linked at a high Ward's distance, while other practices were found to be relatively low distinct. Each soil management method has a similar or different effect on soil chemical properties. These results suggest the necessity of establishing limits and standards according to the effects of soil management methods on soil chemical properties for economic soil practices.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.400-404
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• 2014

Purpose: Concerns over the quantity of available freshwater for agriculture have triggered the development of technologies intended to increase efficiency of water use, especially with regard to irrigation. A new technique called fertirrigation has been developed to use the same irrigation equipment for fertilization. Methods: Since the above-mentioned technique requires care during installation and use on farms, current analysis focuses on some of its characteristics. Results: High uniformity irrigation systems provide the best distribution of fertilizers, especially when used in combination with drip irrigation or micro-aspersion. The factors purity, compatibility, acidification, salinity, and solubility should be taken into account. Conclusions: Fertirrigation provides a significant increase in productivity as it allows for highly controlled nutrient application during the entire growing season. However, it may cause serious problems if misused or overused.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.159-170
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• 1998

This study was initiated to investigate the applicability of the dredged soil from agricultural reservoirs on the crop cultivation. Four reservoirs were selected for this experiment, and properties of the dredged soils were analyzed physically and chemically. Soil textures were sandy loam(SL), silty loam(SiL), gravelly loam(GL), graveHy silty loam(GSiL), respectively. General chemical components, organic matter contents, main cations, heavy metals, etc. showed no adverse effects on crop growth. Tomato, cucumber, radish, Chinese cabbage were cultivated during 8 months period, in the soil treated with fertilizer and compost(Tmt.1), fertilizer(Tmt.2), compost(Tmt.3) and none (Tmt.4). Data for plant height, root zone depth and crop yield were collected and analyzed, and the yield for most crops showed increase as Tmt.1 >Tmt.2>Tmt.3>Tmt.4 by fertilizing methods, and as GL>GSiL>SL>SiL by soil textures. From the results, the crop cultivation using dredged soil was considered to be effective, due to its soil texture, organic matter content and fertilization.