• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.85-93
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• 1994

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of gonadotropins added during maturation of porcine oocytes on the in vitro maturation(IVM), in vitro fertilization(IVF) and developmental potential of embryos. The follicular oocytes were cultured in TCM-199 medium containing different combination of gonadotropins(5$\mu$g /ml FSR or 1OIU /ml PMSG and 1O$\mu$g /ml LH or 1OIU /ml hCG), 10% FCS and 10% PFF for 36~48h in a incubator with 5% $CO_2$ in Air at 39$^{\circ}C$ and then matured oocytes were again cultured to 120h after IVF for 6~7h with heparin(100$\mu$g /m')-treated sperm. When the oocytes were matured for 42brs in the medium containing FSH+LH, FSH+hCG, PMSG+LH or PMSG+hCG, the JVF rate of each treatment was 50.0%, 52.9%, 66.7% and 70.0%, respectively. The highest CEI (cumulus cell expansion index) was obtained from PMSG+hCG-added medium and the highest polyspermic penetration resulted from FSH+LH-added medium. The cleavage of IVF oocytes derived from hormone added IVM was significantly(P<0.05) promoted by PMSG+hCG and the cleavage rate after 36-h, 42-h and 48-h maturation aws 53.0%, 56.7% and 45.6%, respectively. The highest developmental potential resulted from the oocytes derived from PMSG+LH -added IVM.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.165-176
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• 1994

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of the timing and dose of human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG) on oocyte recovery, in vitro fertilization, and preimplantation development in superovulation of mouse. F1 hybrid($C57BL{\times}CBA$) mice were obtained and superovulation was induced in female mice by sequential intraperitoneal injection of PMSG and hCG. In the first series of experiments, mice received 5 IU of PMSG given intraperitoneally, and 48 hours later were injected 1 IU, 5 IU, or 10 IU of hCG respectively. In the second series of experiments, mice received 5 IU of PMSG given intraperitoneally and were injected 5IU of hCG 36, 48, or 60 hours later respectively. 1. When the mice received 5 IU of PMSG given intraperitoneally and 48 hours later were injected 1 ItT, 5 IU, or 10 IU of hCG respectively, there were no differences in the total number of the oocytes obtained from the three experimental groups. When the cultures were examined 48 hrs after the termination of insemination the proportion of unfragmented oocytes which had developed over two-cell stage was observer to be lowest in 10 IU hCG group. When the cultrues were examined 120 hour after termination of insemination the proportion of embryos which had developed to the blastocyst stage was observed to be significantly higher in 10IU hCG group than 5IU hCG group(p<0.05), but there was no difference between 10 IU hCG group and 1IU hCG group. 2. When the mice received 5 IU of PMSG and were injected 5 IU of hCG 36, 48, or 60 hours later respectively, there were no differences in the total number of oocytes obtained from the three experimental groups. When cultures were examined 48 hour after the termination of insemination the proportion of unfragmented oocytes which had developed over two-cell stage was observed to be significantly lower in 36 hour interval group than 48 hour interval and 60 hour interval group(p<0.05). When the cultures were examined 120 hour after termination of insemination the proportion of embryos which had developed to the blastocyst stage was found to be higher in 60 hour interval group than 36 interval or 48 hour interval group (P<0.05), and the proportion of hatching blastocyst was found to be higher in 60 hour interval group as well. In this study, it was concluded that the administration of adequate dose of hCG, and long (60 hour) PMSG-hCG interval were necessary in superovulation of mice($C57BL{\times}CBA$) in order to get a large number of oocytes which had an early oocytes which had an early embryonic developmental capability when fertilized in vitro, and especially it had better have been avoided to administer a large dose of hCG.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2011

Objective: To determine whether the serum ${\beta}$-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) profile following preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is lower than that of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Methods: A total of 129 PGD cycles and 1,161 age-matched ICSI cycles, which resulted in pregnancy (serum ${\beta}-hCG{\geq}5$ mIU/mL) on post-ovulation day (POD) 12 were included. We compared the mean serum ${\beta}$-hCG levels on POD 12, 14, 21, and 28, doubling time of serum hCG, and created a cut-off value for predicting a singleton pregnancy in each group. Results: The mean serum ${\beta}$-hCG concentration of the PGD group was significantly lower than that of the control group on POD 12, 14, and 21. The doubling time of serum ${\beta}$-hCG at each time interval showed no significant difference. The cut-off-value of serum ${\beta}$-hCG for predicting a single viable pregnancy was 32.5 mIU/mL on POD 12 and 113.5 mIU/mL on POD 14 for the PGD group, which was lower than that for the control group. Conclusion: Blastomere biopsy may decrease the ${\beta}$-hCG-producing activity of the trophoblasts, especially in early pregnancy. Setting a lower cut-off value of serum ${\beta}$-hCG for predicting pregnancy outcomes in PGD may be needed.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.373-379
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• 1997

This study was carried out to determine the hormone treatment scheme for an efficient superovulation and optimal recovery time for obtaining pronuclear embryos suitable for DNA injection in Korean native goats. For a superovulation, FSH(5.6mg) was given over four days in twice daily injections with (FSH/hCG group) or without(FSH group) hCG(100 IU) co-injection at the time of 7th FSH injection. Estrus cycle was synchronized by norgestomet ear-implantation for 11 days and its removal at the time of 6th FSH injection. Among the treated goats, the percentage of ovulated goats, which were examined at 70 to 76 h following implant removal, was greater in FSH/hCG group than in FSH group (100% vs 36.4%) but there was no significant difference in the mean numbers of ovulation points and fertilization rates between the two groups. To optimize hCG treatment scheme and recovery time, we injected hCG at the time of 7th (FSH/hCGa) or 8th(FSH/hCGb) FSH injection and then examined the developmental stage of the embryos recovered at different times after implant removal. In FSH/hCGa group, significant portions(31 to 44%) were beyond 1-cell stage, which was non-injectable, irrespective of their recovery time. However, in FSH/hCGb group recovered at 70 to 76 h after implant removal, great portions(69%) were fertilized and most of them(96.6%) were injectable 1-cell stage. Considering together the fertilization rate and developmental stage of recovered embryos, it is recommendable to administrate hCG at the time of final 8th FSH injection and collect the embryos at 70 to 76 h after implant removal to obtain injectable embryos as many as possible in Korean native goats.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.83-83
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• 2003

The lutropin/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHR) is a member of the rhodopsin-like subfamily of G protein coupled receptor (GPCRs), that has been shown to mediate the internalization of its two naturally occurring agonist, lutropin and choriogonadotropin (CG). The clustered agonist-receptor complex is internalized by a dynamin-dependent pathway and traverses the endosomal compartment without agonist dissociation Dissociation of the agonist-receptor complex occurs in the lysosomes, where both the agonist and receptor are degrade. Recently, constitutively activating mutations of the receptor have been identified that are associated with familial male-precocious puberty (FMPP). A FMPP is a form of sexual precocious puberty in boys in which testosterone levels are elevated independent of changes in luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and serum luteinizing hormone levels, We have now analyzed two naturally occurring, constitutively active mutants of the human LHR. These mutations were introduced into the rat LHR (rLHR) and are designated L435R and D556Y. Cells expressing rLHR-D556Y bind human choriogonadotropin (hCG) with normal affinity, exhibit a 25-fold increase in basal cAMP and respond to hCG with a normal increase in cAMP accumulation. Cells expressing rLHR-L435R also bind hCG with normal affinity, exhibit a 47-fold increase in basal cAMP, and do not respond to hCG with a further increase in cAMP accumulation. This mutation enhances the internalization of the free and agonist-occupied receptors ~2- and ~17- fold, respectively We conclude that the state of activation of the rLHR can modulate its basal and/or agonist-stimulated internalization. Since the internalization of hCG is involved in the termination of hCG actions, we suggest that the lack of responsiveness detected in cells expressing rLHR-L435R is due to the fast rate of internalization of the bound hCG. The finding that membranes expressing rLHR-L435R respond to hCG with an increase in adenylyl cyclase activity supports this suggestion. Autonomous Leydig cell activity in FMPP is caused by a constitutively activating LH/CGR.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.37-37
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• 2005

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone consisting of non-covalently linked two subunits, the ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ subunit. It has been used as a infertility drug for ovulation to mimic luteinizing hormone $(LH).^{1)}$ A stable cell line was established by transfection of Rc/CMV-i-dhfr-hCG, expression vector containing hCG ${\alpha}-$ and ${\beta}-genes$, into dihydrofolate reductase-deficient CHO cells and subesquent methotrexate-mediated gene amplification. Anchorage-dependent CHO cells were adapted into a serum-free and/or animal component-free suspension medium through gradual serum weaning for the hCG production. The established cell line showed typical morphological characteristics and growth profile of CHO cells, and could produce FSH with passage-to-passage consistency. The high density perfusion culture of the CHO cells was carried out in Celligen Plus bioreactor equipped with a spin-filter as a internal cell retention device. The cell density reached up to $>1x10^{7}$ cells/ml in less than 7 days and a perfusion-control strategy based on cellular consumption rates of glucose was $established.^{2)}$ Biologically active recombinant hCG was purified by a series of chromatographic steps including anion exchange chromatography and hydrophobic interaction chromatography to homogeneity. The highly purified recombinant hCG was characterized for physicochemical, immunological and biological properties.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.306-311
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• 2020

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether co-administration of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for final oocyte maturation improved mature oocyte cryopreservation outcomes in young women with decreased ovarian reserve (DOR) compared with hCG alone. Methods: Between January 2016 and August 2019, controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) cycles in women (aged ≤35 years, anti-Müllerian hormone [AMH] <1.2 ng/mL) who underwent elective oocyte cryopreservation for fertility preservation were retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 76 COS cycles were triggered with a GnRH agonist and hCG (the dual group) or hCG alone (the hCG group). The mean age and serum AMH levels were comparable between the two groups. The duration of stimulation, total dose of follicle-stimulating hormone used, and total number of oocytes retrieved were similar. However, the number of mature oocytes retrieved and the oocyte maturation rate were significantly higher in the dual group than in the hCG group (p=0.010 and p<0.001). After controlling for confounders, the dual-trigger method remained a significant factor related to the number of mature oocytes retrieved (p=0.016). Conclusion: We showed improved mature oocyte collection and maturation rate with the dual triggering of oocyte maturation in young women with DOR. A dual trigger appears to be more beneficial than hCG alone in terms of mature oocyte cryopreservation for young women with DOR.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.174-183
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• 2001

During the rapid phase of gonadal development of the freshwater teleost, the catfish (Silurus asotus), the influence of hCG upon the inducement of final oocyte maturation and spawning was investigated electrophoretically and ultrastructurally. The electrophoretic patterns obtained were different in the presence and absence of some of the major or minor zones, because of the hormone level in catfish. The vitellogenin of hormone-treated fish was stained more intensively than that of sham-treated fish. These proteins showed some minor or main bands of egg extracts which migrated at positions corresponding to molecular weights of approximately 90,000. However, the thickness of electrophoretic band in molecular weight for hCG-treated fish was slightly lower than that for saline control. It seemed the plasma protein with molecular weight of approximately 45,000 in hCG-treated fish disappeared. In contrast to the control fish, the ovaries in the catfish treated with hCG shows a marked ultrastructural change under the electron microscope. No dilated profiles were seen in the granulosa cells of the mature oocyte before ovulation. After germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), the zona radiata interna (ZRI) becomes more compact, and there is a loss of all the processes from the pore canals. There is a wide space between the vitelline membrane and zona radiata. Also, during final maturation, the microvillar processes from the oocyte are seen no longer to penetrate deeply into the extracellular spaces of the overlying granulosa cells, and the reticulate patterns of the zona radiata interna becomes occluded, giving the zona radiata a more solid appearance. It has been possible to initiate 100% oocyte maturation in yolk granules and follicles in vivo by treatment with hCG and a high water temperature ($27^{\circ}C$). In hCG-treated fish, the percentages of successful artificial fertilization and hatching were maximal at 15 h after a single injection. It seems clear that a long acting preparation containing hCG can be successfully used in prespawning fish to advance the final events of gonadal maturation and initiate spawning. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the potential of hCG to either stimulate or inhibit the reproductive development of fish at other stages of the seasonal reproductive cycle.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2007

The present study investigated the effects of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and human chorionic gona-dotrophin (hCG) on the nuclear maturation of canine oocytes. Oocytes were recovered from mongrel female ovaries in various reproductive states; follicular, luteal or anestrous stage. Oocytes were cultured in sserum-free tissue culture medium (TCM)-199 supplemented with various concentrations of FSH (Exp. 1: 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 10 IU) or hCG (Exp.2:0, 0.5, 1.0 or 10 IU) or both (Exp. 3:1 IU FSH +1 IU hCG) for 72 hr to determine the effective concentration of these hormones, and to examine their combined effect. After maturation culture, oocytes were denuded in PBS containing 0.1% (w/v) hyaluronidase by gentle pipetting. The denuded oocytes were stained with $1.9\;{\mu}M$. Hoechst 33342 in glycerol and the nuclear state of oocytes was evaluated under UV light. More (p<0.05) oocytes matured to MII stage when follicular stage oocytes were supplemented with 1 IU FSH (6.2%) compared with the control, 0.1 or 10.0 IU FSH (0 to 1.2%). Significantly higher (p<0.05) maturation rate to MII stage was observed in follicular stage oocytes supplemented with 1.0 IU hCG (7.2%) compared with the control or other hCG supplemented groups (0 to 1.5%). However, the combination of FSH and hCG did not improve the nuclear maturation rate of canine oocyte (2.4 %) compared with FSH (6.2%) and hCG alone (7.2%). In conclusion, FSH or hCG alone significantly increased the maturation of canine oocytes to MII stage.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.245-256
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• 1985

It has been found that the rat oocytes maintain germinal vesicle (GV) in general in the follicles either untreated or punctured, or in the foreign follicles for 17 hours culture unless they are cultured in the medium supplemented with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). That is, the proportion of oocytes with GV was in range of 88.8% and 95.2% in the plain medium, and on the other hand, only 11.1% to 19.4% of the oocytes were intact with GV when the follicles were exposed to hCG. The experiments with the oocytes which had once been cultured in the presence of dbcAMP or IBMX, and returned to the follicles for the additional culture showed almost the same results as above. That is, when the oocytes exposed to dbcAMP or IBMX for a certain length of period had been returned to the follicles, and set the additional culture, their maturation continuously suppressed even in the cultivation in the plain medium in which most of the oocytes usually resume meiosis. That is, despite of the cultivation in the plain medium, the oocytes transferred into the follicles failed to start maturation division, while the oocytes once exposed to the inhibitors immediately resume their maturation process in the inhibitor-free medium. Thus, it is apparent that the follicles provide inhibitory environment to the oocytes, and the inhibitory function is nullified by the presence of hCG.