• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.47-53
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• 2023

Despite numerous advances in in-vitro embryo production (IVP), many documented factors have been shown to influence the development of mammalian preimplantation embryos and the success of IVP. In this sense, elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) correlate with poor outcomes in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) due to oxidative stress (OS), which results from an imbalance between ROS production and neutralization. Indeed, excessive production of ROS compromises the structural and functional integrity of gametes and embryos both in vivo and in vitro. In particular, OS damages proteins, lipids, and DNA and accelerates cell apoptosis. Several in-vivo and in-vitro studies report an improvement in qualityrelevant parameters after the use of various antioxidants. In this review, we focus on OS and the source of free radicals and their effects on oocytes, sperm, and the embryo during IVP. In addition, antioxidants and their important role in IVP, supplementation during oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM), in vitro culture (IVC), and semen extenders were discussed. Nevertheless, various methods for determining the level of ROS in germ cells have been briefly described. Still, it is crucial to develop standardized antioxidant supplement systems to improve overall IVP success. Further studies should explore the safety, efficacy, mechanism of action, and combination of different antioxidants to improve IVP outcomes.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.217-222
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• 2008

In previous studies, we reported that sow which was transferred OPS-freezing embryos not able to deliver a piglet (Kim et al, 2004). This study was conducted to investigate a possibility of gilt as recipients which produce piglets after transfer of OPS-freezing embryos. All transferred embryos were prepared by in vitro production (IVP) system. In vitro culture (IVC) medium used glucose-free NCSU23 supplemented with 5mM sodium pyruvate, 0.5 mM sodium lactate and 4 mg/ml bovine serum albumin for 2 days at $39^{\circ}C$. From day 3 of IVC, 10% fetal bovine serum albumin was added to the culture medium. In preparing of freezing embryos, embryos were treated with 7.5 $\mu g/ml$ cytochalasin-B for 30 min and centrifuged at $13,000{\times}g$ for 13 min. And then, embryos were exposed sequentially to an ethylene glycol (EG) solution, aspirated into open pulled straw (OPS), and plunged or thawed into the liquid nitrogen. In embryo transfer (ET), we used two kinds of type (surgical method vs. non-surgical method). In surgical method of embryo transfer, $55\sim65$ embryo were transferred in both uterine horn of two recipient gilts by plastic straw. Non-surgical method which is like artificial insemination was performed on three gilts. Each 140 frozen embryos were transferred to two gilts and 40 fresh embryos to one gilt. Pregnancy establishment was shown one recipient at 45 days after ET. However, the one recipient was also aborted at 58 days after ET. These results suggest that gilts can be considered as a candidate of recipients for OPS-freezing embryo transfer.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.181-186
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• 2005

본 연구에서는 배양 체계(혈청 첨가 TCM199, TALP, CRlaa 및 혈청 미첨가; IVMD101, IVF100, IVMD101)가 체외수정 또는 미세주입된 수정란의 체외 발달에 미치는 효과를 검토하였다. 또한 미세주입에 사용하는 GFP유전자의 양 및 미세주입 수정란에서 형광발현 양상을 검토하였다. 체외수정된 수정란의 $\geq$ 2세포기, 8세포기 및 배반포 도달율이 미세주입 수정란에 비하여 유의하게 높았다. 혈청 미첨가 배지에서의 8세포기 발달율이 수정란의 종류에 관계없이 유의하게 높았으나(p<0.05; $ 3.3\%\;vs.\;15.5\%$ 및 $21.4\%\;vs.\;39.4\%$, respectively), 배반포 도달율은 유사한 경향이었다($2.7\%\;vs.\;2.3\%$ 및 $23.0\%\;vs.\;23.6\%$, respectively). 한편, 2ng/uL 유전자를 미세주입한 수정란의 $\geq$ 2세포기, 8세포기 및 배반포 도달율이 4 및 8ng/uL의 것에 비하여 높은 경향이었다. 미세주입 수정란의 형광발현율은 1세포기가2및 8세포기에 비하여 유의하게 높았으나(p<0.05), 4세포기 및 배반포 단계와는 차이가 없었다.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.21-27
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• 2009

This study was performed to elucidate the effects of addition of ${\beta}-lactoglobulin$ and bovine serum albumin (BSA) in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro culture (IVC) medium on porcine embryo production. The development rate to the 2 cell ($71.4{\sim}75.6%$) and blastocyst stages ($6.8{\sim}13.3%$) with different BSA concentrations in IVM medium were similar among treatment groups. Blastocyst hatching rate was significantly higher in the control group (0.0mg/ml) than in the group of 1.0mg/ml supplement (20.0% vs. 0.0%; p<0.05). The development rate to the 2 cell ($62.0{\sim}70.6%$) and blastocyst stages ($15.4{\sim}38.5%$) with different ${\beta}-lactoglobulin$ concentrations in IVM medium was similar among treatment groups. The development rate to the blastocyst was significantly higher in the group of 1.0mg/ml(15.3%) than in the group of 0.5mg/ml supplement (7.6%, p<0.05). The development rate to the 2 cell and blastocyst stages following the first addition of ${\beta}-lactoglobulin$ in IVM medium was significantly higher in the control group (77.0% and 18.9%) and was $0{\sim}44\;hr$(77.2% and 16.9%) greater than that observed in other treatment groups (p<0.05). The development rate to the 2 cell stage ($68.1{\sim}74.8%$) and blastocyst stages ($9.2{\sim}12.7%$) with different BSA concentrations in IVC medium was similar among treatment groups. However, blastocyst hatching rate was significantly higher in the group of 3.0mg/ml supplement (30.0%) than in the control group (0.0%; p<0.05). The development rate to the 2 cell stage ($72.9{\sim}78.0%$), blastocyst ($7.1{\sim}14.2%$) and hatching stages ($33.3{\sim}38.1%$) were not different. The development rate to the 2 cell stage ($63.6{\sim}72.5%$), blastocyst ($8.4{\sim}16.1%$) and hatching stages ($18.2{\sim}37.5%$) at the different culture periods were similar among treatment groups. This study suggested that if the addition level and periods of ${\beta}-lactoglobulin$ addition are adjusted, it is possible to replace BSA in the in vitro porcine embryo production.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.757-762
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• 1993

The ovaries of Korean Native cows or heifers were obtained from an abattoir and kept on 20 to $25^{\circ}C$ and transported to laboratory within 2 hrs. The follicular oocystes were collected from 2~6mm follicles in diameter and classified into 3 grades by the morphology of cumulus cells attached. The oocytes were matured in vitro(IVM) for 24 hrs. in TCM-199 supplemented with $23{\mu}g/ml$ FSH, $10{\mu}g/ml$ LH, $1{\mu}g/ml$ estradio-17 ${\beta}$ and granulosa cells at $39^{\circ}C$ under 5% $CO_2$ in air. They were fertilized in vitro(IVF) by incubation for 12 hrs. of epididymal spermatozoa pretreated with heparin, and then the zygotes were co-cultured in vitro(IVC) with oviductal epithelial cells for 7 to 9 days. Assessment of maturation revealed that 93.0%(147/158) of grade I oocytes had expanded of cumulus cells, which was higher(p<0.05) than the 79.4%(85/107) of grade II oocytes. Compared to epididymal sperm(32.9%), the insemination with frozen and thawed sperm resulted in slightly lower(20.5%), but not significant, development to morulae and blastocysts from grade I oocytes. Co-culture of bovine IVF embryos with oviductal epithelial cells improved the development to transferable embryos significantly(38.1%), compared to co-culture with granulosa cells(20.0%). When VF bovine embryos were vitrified at blastocyst, the post-thaw survival rate was obtained higher resulf for 1 min. equilibration time(82.6%) or 2 min.(73.9%) than 3 min.(18.2%) in EFS solution.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.173-181
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• 2012

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has a many function involved proliferation, differentiation and survival of many cells. In this study, to investigate whether S1P improve the developmental competence of porcine embryos, 50 nM of S1P were supplemented during in vitro maturation (with EGF or without EGF) medium and/or in vitro culture (IVC) medium. Addition of S1P was significantly increased the rate of oocytes reaching metaphase II (MII) compared to the control (83.5 vs. 64.1%) in without EGF medium, but not with EGF medium (89.5 vs. 84.6%). When treated with $1{\mu}M$ of N1N-dimethylsphingosine (DMS), a sphingosine kinase inhibitor which is blocked endogenous generation of S1P, the meiotic progression rates to MII stage (without EGF: 45.2 and with EGF: 66.7%) were significantly decreased and degeneration rates (without EGF: 51.2 and with EGF: 30.1%) were increased in both medium compared to control group during IVM periods. Also, the rates of blastocyst formation was significantly increased in the S1P treated group compared to control group (29.0 vs. 19.2%) of EGF supplemented medium, whereas there were no effect in the EGF free medium (9.0 vs. 10.5%). After 12 h IVM, the phosphorylation of ERK1 and ERK2, which is major signaling pathway of MAP kinase, were increased in the S1P group than that of control or DMS group. When supplemented of S1P during IVC, the rates of blastocyst formation and total cell number (30.2% and 40.6) were significantly increased in S1P-treated group compared with control (20.1% and 32.5), DMS (12.3% and 25.1), and S1P plus DMS group (24.7% and 33.6). The percentage of apoptosis nuclei in the S1P group was significantly decreased than other groups. Also, the rates of blastocyst formation (26.7 vs. 14%) and total cell number (42.8 vs. 32.5) were significantly increased in the S1P group than those of control group when S1P added during the entire IVM and IVC periods. Taken together, our results indicate that S1P supplementation in IVM and/or IVC medium affects beneficial effect of meiotic maturation and subsequent developmental competence of porcine embryos.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제15권12호
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• pp.1695-1701
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• 2002

The purposes of this study were to optimize the in vitro maturation (IVM) and culture (IVC) systems of rabbit oocytes. Cytoskeletal structures in the germinal vesicle stage (GV) and during IVM are also investigated. Ovaries were transported from local slaughterhouses and the cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from ovarian follicles (${\geq}1mm$). COCs were randomly allocated to TCM199-based medium ($T_1$, TCM-199) supplemented with $NaHCO_3$, glucose, sodium pyruvate and FSH ($T_2$), $T_2+E_2+LH$ ($T_3$), $T_3+FBS$ ($T_4$), or $T_1+E_2+LH+FSH+FBS$ ($T_5$), for IVM. In Experiment 1, COCs were retrieved from the follicles and 51 GV oocytes were fixed in the fixative (MTSB-XF) for nuclear and cytoplasmic examinations. In Experiment 2, progressive changes of both the nucleus and the cytoskeleton were examined at 0, 6, 16, and 20 h after IVM. Maturation (MR) and developmental rates were assessed in Experiment 3. Cytoplasmic microtubules (MT) were clearly observed in rabbit GV oocytes. To our knowledge, this is the first report that describes the appearance of MT structures in the GV stage ooplasm. Tremendous variations in cytoskeletal alterations were observed among treatments with the exception of the vitelline ring (VR), which is constantly visible and unchanged during maturation. Germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) does not occur at 6 h after onset of maturation culture. When the oocytes for IVM were collected within 2 h, results from Experiment 3 showed that rates of nuclear maturation were 42, 8, 42, 37 and 65% at 16 h of IVM for $T_1$ through $T_5$, respectively, in which $T_1$, $T_4$ and $T_5$ had significantly greater MR than those in other groups (p<0.05). Morula/blastocyst development after parthenogenetic activation ranged from 20 to 63% with significantly greater rates in $T_3$, $T_4$ and $T_5$ (p<0.05). These results suggested that oocytes recovered from slaughterhouse ovaries can be matured and parthenogenetically activated in vitro, but the MR remained low in this study. Addition of $E_2$ and LH in the medium may be beneficial for cytoplasmic maturation, but FBS exerts a nega- tive role in the subsequent development of parthenogenetic embryos when energy substrates are provided in the IVC media. More studies are required for improving the MR and further development of the GV stage rabbit oocytes.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.275-285
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• 2017

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is an important signaling molecule. Here, the effect and mechanism of LPA on the preimplantation development of porcine embryos during in vitro culture (IVC) was examined. Porcine embryos were cultured in porcine zygote medium (PZM-3) supplemented with $30{\mu}M$ LPA during different days. There was a significantly higher cleavage rate in Day 1-7 and significantly higher total cell number of blastocysts in Day 1-3 and Day 4-7. It was also found that messenger RNA (mRNA) expression level of PCNA, BCL2 and BAX in blastocysts obtained from D1-7 group were significantly higher and BCL2/BAX mRNA ratio in D1-3 group was significantly lower than control group but Day 4-7 and Day 1-7 groups were comparable with control group. Treatment with $20{\mu}M$ PLC inhibitor significantly decreased the embryo cleavage rate and blastocyst formation rate. Moreover, LPA as an activator of PLCs, enhanced the $30{\mu}M$ LPA + $20{\mu}M$ U73122 group embryo cleavage rate which similar with control group. In conclusion, the results suggest that treatment with LPA during IVC improves the porcine early embryo cleavage by activation of PLC signaling pathway and regulate the mRNA expression that contribute to total cell number of blastocysts during blastocyst formation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.307-310
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• 1998

The present studies were undertaken to evaluate the effects of a low concentration of dimethyl-sulfoxide (DMSO) on in vitro maturation and development of bovine oocytes fertilized in vitro. Significantly more oocytes reached the metaphase stage of the second meiotic division in TCM-199 supplemented with $50{\mu}M$ DMSO than in the control medium (p < 0.05), and the highest rates of development up to the blastocyst stage were obtained when $50{\mu}M$ DMSO was added to the maturation and culture media (p < 0.05). The avarage of cell numbers of the blastocysts, expanded and hatched blastocysts cultured with $50{\mu}M$ DMSO were 81.7, 125.7 and 129.9 cells, respectively. The proportion of blastocysts with normal chromosome numbers was 90.5%. These results suggest that the addition of $50{\mu}M$ DMSO is beneficial for the maturation of bovine oocytes and production of the blastocysts with high quality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제14권10호
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• pp.1360-1366
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• 2001

The aims of this study were first to evaluate the effects of different levels (20, 40 and 100%) and sources (follicular size: large, >7 mm; medium, >5-7 mm; small, 3-5 mm) of porcine follicular fluid (pFF) on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes, and the effects of fertilization treatments and different culture conditions on development of fertilized oocytes were also investigated. No differences in the maturation (63.6-76.6%) and cleavage (24.8-34.3%) rates were observed among the 20,40 and 100% pFF groups (p>0.05). The cleavage rates of oocytes cultured and fertilized in 40% and 100% pFF maturation media were significantly higher than those fertilized in m199-NBCS (51.0-61.2% vs. 12.8-31.8%. p<0.05), regardless of sources of the pFF. When oocytes were fertilized in m199-NBCS followed by culture in rabbit oviducts for 4 days, the cleavage rate in 40% pFF group was better than that in 100% pFF group (46.9% vs. 32.5%, p<0.05). Two oocytes recovered from the oviducts in the 40% pFF group developed to blastocysts after IVC. However, none developed to blastocysts when fertilized in the IVM medium after being transferred to rabbit oviducts. In conclusion, addition of pFF accompanied with gonadotropins (FSH, LH) in IVM medium enhanced maturation and cleavage rates of porcine oocytes. Direct addition of sperm suspension to IVM medium may be an alternative to simplify the fertilization procedures and to reduce the mechanical lesion during manipulation. Furthermore, rabbit oviducts provide a better environment for the in vitro fertilized oocyte developing to the morula and blastocyst stages.