• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.270-276
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• 2023

Objective: This study investigated the clinical and laboratory factors associated with the presence of dysmorphic oocytes in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Methods: The study involved 200 ICSI cycles, performed from 2020 to 2021, that yielded at least one mature oocyte. Clinical characteristics and ovarian stimulation methods were compared between 68 cycles with at least one dysmorphic oocyte (the dysmorphic group) and 132 cycles with normal-form oocytes only (the non-dysmorphic group). Dysmorphic oocytes were characterized by dark cytoplasm, cytoplasmic granularity, cytoplasmic vacuoles, refractile bodies in the cytoplasm, smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm, an oval shape, an abnormal zona pellucida, a large perivitelline space, debris in the perivitelline space, or an abnormal polar body. Results: The ages of the women, indications for in vitro fertilization, serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels, and rates of current ovarian endometrioma were similar between the dysmorphic and non-dysmorphic groups. In both groups, the three ovarian stimulation regimens, two types of pituitary suppression, and total gonadotropin dose were employed similarly. However, the dual-trigger method was used more frequently in the dysmorphic group (67.6% vs. 50%, p=0.024). The dysmorphic group contained significantly more immature oocytes and exhibited significantly lower oocyte maturity (50% vs. 66.7%, p=0.001) than the non-dysmorphic cycles. Within the dysmorphic group, significantly lower oocyte maturity was found in the cycles using a dual-trigger, but not in those with a human chorionic gonadotropin trigger. Conclusion: ICSI cycles with dysmorphic oocytes are closely associated with reduced oocyte maturity. This association was observed exclusively in dual-trigger cycles.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1184-1195
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• 2015

The zebrafish is an emerging vertebrate model organism in reproductive biology. The oocyte maturation of zebrafish is triggered by maturation inducing hormone (MIH, 17α,20β-Dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one). In almost all animals, the oocyte maturation is governed by activation of pre-MPF which consists of cyclinB and inactive Cdk1. In the oocyte of Xenopus and mice, the activity of Cdk1 is regulated in two ways, one is the interaction with cyclinB and the other is phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of T14/Y15 residues on the Cdk1 by Wee1 and Cdc25. Unlike Xenopus and mice that have a sufficient amount of pre-MPF, pre-MPF is absent in GV oocyte of most teleost including zebrafish. Therefore, the activation of MPF during zebrafish oocyte maturation might totally depend on de novo synthesis of cyclinB proteins. It is reported that the translation of maternal mRNA is regulated by combination of several RNA binding proteins such as CPEB, Dazl, Pum1/Pum2, and insulin-like growth factor2 mRNA-binding protein 3 in the zebrafish oocytes. However, the definitive mechanism of these proteins to regulate the translation of stored maternal mRNAs remains to be elucidated. Therefore, the investigation of the maturation process of the zebrafish oocyte will provide new information that can help identify the role of translational control in early vertebrate oocyte maturation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.193-202
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• 2011

Objective: We found previously that $interferon$ $regulatory$ factor ($Irf$)-1 is a germinal vesicle (GV)-selective gene that highly expressed in GV as compared to metaphase II oocytes. To our knowledge, the function of $Irf-1$ in oocytes has yet to be examined. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between retinoic acid (RA) and RA-mediated expression of $Irf-1$ and the mouse oocyte maturation. Methods: Immature cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) were collected from 17-day-old female mice and cultured $in$ $vitro$ for 16 hours in the presence of varying concentrations of RA (0-10 ${\mu}M$). Rate of oocyte maturation and activation was measured. Gene expression was measured by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and cytokine secretion in the medium was measured by Bio-Plex analysis. Apoptosis was analyzed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Results: The rates of oocyte maturation to metaphase II and oocyte activation increased significantly with RA treatment (10 nM-1 ${\mu}M$). With 100 nM RA treatment, lowest level of $Irf-1$ mRNA and cumulus cell's apoptosis was found. Among 23 cytokines measured by Bio-Plex system, the substantial changes in secretion of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, macrophage inflammatory protein-$1{\beta}$, eotaxin and interleukin-12 (p40) from COCs in response to RA were detected. Conclusion: We concluded that the maturation of oocytes and $Irf-1$ expression are negatively correlated, and RA enhances the developmental competence of mouse immature oocytes $in$ $vitro$ by suppressing apoptosis of cumulus cells. Using a mouse model, results of the present study provide insights into improved culture conditions for $in$ $vitro$ oocyte maturation and relevant cytokine production and secretion in assisted reproductive technology.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 1990

The viability and developmental potential of rat oocyte was assessed by the use of eosin B. Dye was prepared as a stock solution to contain 1.0 mg eosin B per ml of Brinster's Medium for Ovum Culture plus glucose (BMOC) -2 medium. Three dye concentrations were selected for the Oocytes from rat ovarian follicles were collected and assessed under various conditions of heat oocyte studies by dilution of the stock solution with BMOC: 0.12mM, 0.60mM and 1.20mM. treatment and preservation duration by dye exc¬lusion assay using eosin B. It is suggested that live oocyte excludes eosin B whereas dead oocyte does not.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.105-117
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• 1995

This study was carried out to investigate the histomorphological changes and the electrophoretic patterns of egg components, obtained from 100 of 1-year-old female catfish(Silurus asotus). Especially, the light microscopic and ultrastructural changes of ooplasm and follicular membranes of oocytes, were observed by light and transmission electron microscope. All data were collected from October in 1992 to May in 1993. The size of the nucleoli and number of the yolk granules increased as the oocyte grew. Yolk granules were deposited in the oocyte as fluid. Due to the presence of large early and late maturing oocytes, their ovaries were large, transparent, granular, and greenish in color. As the percentages of fish in LMO and RO stage increased from March to April, mean of GSI values(19.95%) increased. Follicle cells such as granulosa cell and thecal cell change a squamous into cuboid shape in LPO and EMO stage. Processes, microvilli, from the granulosa cells and from the oocyte grow and make contact with each other in the pore canals of the zona radiata during vitellogenesis, but are withdrawn as the zona radiate becomes more compact and devoid of pore canals during oocyte maturation. The electrophoretic pattern of major band in mature stage was much thicker(21k, 24k, 32k, 45k, 67∼110k, 170k dalton) than that in previtellogenic phase.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.45-56
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• 1997

Befor fertilization, mammalian oocytes undergo meiotic maturation, which consists of nuclear and cytoplasmic differentiation. In this study, changes of $Ca^{2+}$ stores in mouse oocytes were examined during meiotic maturation and the role of $Ca^{2+}$ in the regulation of the maturation was investigated by using monoclonal antibodies against smooth endoplasmic reticulum $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase(SERCA-ATPase) and calreticulin. Observations were made under epifluorescence microscope and/or confocal laser scanning microscope. In immature oocytes which did not resume meiotic maturation, SERCA-ATPases were mostly localized in the vicinity of the germinal vesicle and calreticulins were distributed evenly throughout the cytoplasm. In mature oocytes, SERCA-ATPases were observed throughout the cytoplasm, butwere absent from the nuclear region. In contrast, calreticulins were localized mostl in the cortex of the oocyte and were absent from the cytoplasm. However, bright fluoresence stainings were wbserved in the perimeiotic spindle region of mature oocyte when labeled with antibodies against calreticulin. These results indicate that mouse oocytes undergo distinct rearrangement of the localization of $Ca^{2+}$-ATPases and calreticulins during meiotic maturation. Thus it can be suggested that redistribution of the $Ca^{2+}$ stores, as revealed by differential fluorescence stainings, is deeply involved in the regulatory mechanism of mammalian oocyte maturation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.115-115
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• 2002

To evaluate the correlations between the expression of cyclin B1 mRNA and protein after stimulation and oocyte activation and development of nuclear transferred mouse embryos, this study was performed. The oocyte activation was induced by 7% ethanol or 10$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ Ca-ionophore without (single) or with (combined) 10$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ cycloheximide (CH). Cyclin B1 mRNA and protein in mouse oocytes was evaluated by PCR and western blot. The activation and blastocyst development in both single (P<0.05) and combined (P<0.01) stimulation was higher than in non-activated group. The cyclin B1 mRNA and protein levels were significantly reduced in both single and combined stimulation groups (P<0.05), respectively. Cyclin B1 mRNA expression showed a negative correlation between activation and blastocyst development in both single and combined stimulation groups. And also the expression of cyclin B1 protein showed a negative correlation with between oocyte activation and blastocysts development in both single and combined stimulation groups. In conclusion, it may suggest that single and combined stimulation increases the oocyte activation and blastocyst development of nuclear transferred embryos, because it induces the degradation of cyclin B1 mRNA and protein after activation in enucleated mouse oocytes.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.86-100
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• 1985

A observation of the ovarian development and oogenesis of Pieris rapae Linne has been carried out during metamorphosis using stereo-microscope, light microscope and electron microscope. The results obtained through this experiment are as follows: 1. The ovarian development and vitellogenesis begin at the 3-day old pupa and the 6-day old pupa respectively, and the adult ovary right after their emergence contains a few mature eggs. 2. The species described above are further observed at six different stages in oogenesis, and the results are summarized as follows. 1) Pieris rapae has polytrophic ovarioles. The cell organelles of the nurse cells are transfered to the oocyte through the ring canal at the early oogenesis. 2) At stage 2, the nuclear envelope of oocyte nucleus is less infolding than that of nurse cell nucleus. In the oocyte cytoplasm a large number of ribosomes are observed. 3) At stage 3 and 4, many micropinocytotic vesicles are observed in the oocyte cytoplasm. These vesicles are fused together to form large proteid yolks. 4) At stage 5, the vitelline membrane is laid down in the intercellular space between the follicle cells and oocyte. 5) At stage 6, the chorion is formed by the follicle cells. 6) A micropyle and a number of aeropyle are observed on the surface of a mature egg.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.105-109
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• 2017

Autophagy is an intracellular degradation and recycling system. Oocyte maturation is dynamic process, in which various proteins should be synthesized and degraded. In our previous study, we reported the loci of autophagosome and dynamics of autophagic activity in porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation. In this study, we verified loci of autophagosome in porcine follicular cumulus-oocyte complex by detection of microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) which is the reliable marker of autophagosome. Porcine ovary including various sizes of follicles was fixed within 1 hour after collection from slaughterhouse. After fixation, immunohistochemistry was conducted on sliced ovary tissue containing various sizes of follicles by using LC3 antibody. As a result, LC3 signal was clearly detected in both cumulus and oocytes of various sizes of follicles. We also found ring shaped signal which represent autophagosome near oocyte membrane. Most of the signals in oocytes were localized nearby cellular membrane while evenly dispersed in cumulus cells. Therefore, this result suggests that autophagy occurs in porcine COCs (cumulus-oocyte complexes) at follicular stage.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.102-111
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• 2020

Nitric oxide (NO)-induced protein S-nitrosylation triggers mitochondrial dysfunction and was related to cell senescence. However, the exact mechanism of these damages is not clear. In the present study, to investigate the relationship between in vitro aging and NO-induced protein S-nitrosylation, oocytes were treated with sodium nitroprusside dihydrate (SNP), and the resultant S-nitrosylated proteins were detected through biotin-switch assay. The results showed that levels of protein S-nitroso thiols (SNO)s and expression of S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) increased, while activity and function of mitochondria were impaired during oocyte aging. Addition of SNP, a NO donor, to the oocyte culture led to accelerated oocyte aging, increased mitochondrial dysfunction and damage, apoptosis, ATP deficiency, and enhanced ROS production. These results suggested that the increased NO signal during oocyte aging in vitro, accelerated oocyte degradation due to increased protein S-nitrosylation, and ROS-related redox signaling.