• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.229-235
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• 2012

This research was investigated the relationship, in high-producing Holstein donor cows, between the number of the transferable embryos and the blood serum concentrations of Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), glucose and cholesterol, which affect the nutritional state of cows. CIDRs were inserted into the vaginas of twenty two heads of Holstein cows, regardless of estrous cycle. Superovulation was induced using folliclar stimulating hormone (FSH). For artificial insemination, donor cows were injected with $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ and estrus was checked about 48 hours after the injection. Then they were treated with 4 straws of semen 3 times, with 12-hour intervals. Embryos were collected by a non-surgical method 7 days after the first artificial insemination. The total numbers of ova collected from 3 experimental groups whose blood BUN concentrations were <10 mg/dl, 11~18 mg/dl and ${\geq}19$ mg/dl were 8.9, 12.5 and 19.0, respectively; whereas the numbers of transferable embryos were 5.8 + 1.9, 7.9 + 2.8 and 5.2 + 1.4, respectively. When glucose concentration was <60 mg/dl, the total number of collected ova was 9.9, which was smaller than when the concentration was 60~70 mg/dl or ${\geq}70$ mg/dl. When glucose concentration was 60~70 mg/dl, the number of transferable embryos was 7.1 + 2.4, which was slightly larger than the numbers 6.4 + 2.1 and 6.1 + 1.7 that were obtained when the concentrations were <60 mg/dl and ${\geq}70$ mg/dl, respectively ; however, the differences were not significant (p>0.05). When cholesterol concentrations were <150 mg/dl, 150~200 mg/dl and ${\geq}200$ mg/dl, the total numbers of collected ova were 11.2, 11.3 and 8.6, respectively. Whereas the numbers of transferable embryos were 7.1 + 2.1, 7.3 + 1.9 and 5.6 + 1.3, respectively ; however, the differences were again not significant (p>0.05). The result of this research showed no significant difference in ovum recovery rate and the number of transferable embryos according to major metabolite concentrations in high-producing Holstein donor cows. However, it is considered that the failure of maintaining proper nutritional status would cause the fall in in vivo embryo productivity.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.237-243
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• 2012

This research was investigated the relationship between the number of the transferable embryos and estrus expression rate, BCS (Body Condition Score), which affect the nutritional state of the cow, in Holstein donor cows. CIDRs were inserted into the vaginas of twenty two head of Holstein cows, regardless of estrous cycle. Superovulation was induced using folliclar stimulating hormone (FSH). For artificial insemination, donor cows were injected with $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ and estrus was checked about 48 hours after the injection. Then they were treated with 4 straws of semen 3 times, with 12-hour intervals. Embryos were collected by a non-surgical method 7 days after the first artificial insemination. When BCS was $$\leq_-$$2.5, the total number of collected ova was 7.3 + 1.9, which is significantly lower (p<0.05) than the numbers 15.4 + 2.8 and 15.4 + 2.1 that were obtained when BCSs were 2.75 and $$\geq_-$$3.0, respectively. Whereas the numbers of transferable embryos were 5.2 + 1.4 when BCS was $$\leq_-$$2.5, which was smaller than the numbers 6.0 + 2.1 and 8.5 + 1.8 that were obtained when BCSs were 2.75 and $$\geq_-$$3.0, respectively; however, the differences were not significant. As for estrus induction rate, the cow groups whose BCSs were 2.75 and $$\geq_-$$3.0 showed 100.0% and 95.0%, respectively. Whereas the cow group whose BCS was $$\leq_-$$2.5 showed 57.1%, and the differences were significant (p< 0.05). As for estrous expression rate, the cow groups whose BCSs were $$\leq_-$$2.5, 2.75 and $$\geq_-$$3.0 showed 100.0%, 100.0% and 85.7%, respectively; however, the differences were not significant. According to the result of this research, it is considered that the total number of collected ova and the number of transferable embryos will be affected by the nutritional state before and after in vivo embryo production and superovulation treatment, and that although the mechanism is not clear, poor stockbreeding management and nutritional level would cause the decrease of ovum recovery rate and the number of transferable embryos in high-producing cows. On the other hand, diverse researches on the superovulation treatment method that is suitable for high-producing Holstein donor cows would contribute to preventing ovarian cyclicity disorder, as well as to the early multiplication of cows with superior genes by increasing the utilization value of donor cows.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.24-34
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• 1996

There are many kinds of free flaps for management of extensive soft tissue defect of extremities in orthopaedic field. Free vascularized scapular flap is one of the most useful and relatively easy to application. This flap has been utilize clinically from early eighties by many microsurgical pioneers. Authors performed 102 cases of this flap from 1984 to 1995. We have to consider about the surgical anatomy of the flap, technique of the donor harvesting procedures, vascular varieties and anatomical abnormalities and success rate and the weak points of the procedure. This flap nourished by cutaneous branches from circumflex scapular vessels emerges from the lateral aspect of the subscapular artery 2.5-5cm from its lateral origin passing through the triangular space(bounded by subscapularis, teres minor, teres major, long head of triceps). The terminal cutaneous branch runs posteriorly around the lateral border of the scapular and divided into two major branches, those transeverse horizontally and obliquely to the fascial plane of overlying skin of the scapular body. We can utilize these arteries for scapular and parascapular flap. The vascular pedicle ranged from 5 to 10 cm long depends on the dissection, usually two venae comitantes accompanied circumflex scapular artery and its major branches. The diameter of the circumflex scapular artery is more than 1mm in adult, rare vascular variation. Surgical techniques : The scapular flap can be dissected conveniently with prone or lateral decubitus position, prone position is more easier in my experience. There are two kinds of surgical approaches, most of the surgeon prefer elevation of the flap from its outer border towards its base which known easier and quicker, but I prefer elevation of the flap from its outer border because of the lowering the possibilities of damage to vasculature in the flap itself which runs just underneath the subcutaneous tissue of the flap and provide more quicker elevation of the flap with blunt finger dissection after secure pedicle dissection and confirmed the course from the base of the pedicle. There are minimal donor site morbidity with direct skin closure if the flap size is not so larger than 10cm width. This flap has versatility in the design of the flap shape and size, if we need more longer and larger one, we can use parascapular flap or both. Even more, the flap can be used with latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap and serratus anterior flap which have common vascular pedicle from subscapular artery, some instance can combined with osteocutaneous flap if we include the lateral border of the scapular bone or parts of the ribs with serratus anterior. The most important shortcoming of the scapular free flap is non sensating, there are no reasonable sensory nerves to the flap to anastomose with recipient site nerve. Results : Among our 102 cases, overall success rate was 89%, most of the causes of the failure was recipient site vascular problems such as damaged recipient arterial conditions, and there were two cases of vascular anomalies in our series. Patients ages from 3 years old to 62 years old. Six cases of combined flap with latissimus dorsi, 4 cases of osteocutaneous flap for bone reconstruction, 62 parascapular flap was performed - we prefer parascapular flap to scapular. Statistical analysis of the size of the flap has less meaningful because of the flap has great versatility in size. In the length of the pedicle depends on the recipient site condition, we can adjust the pedicle length. The longest vascular pedicle was 14 cm in length from the axillary artery to the enter point cutaneous tissue. In conclusion, scapular free flap is one of the most useful modalities to manage the large intractable soft tissue defect. It has almost constant vascular pedicle with rare anatomical variation, easy to dissect great versatility in size and shape, low donor morbidity, thin and hairless skin.