• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.139-147
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• 2018

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a useful biotechnological tool for animal cloning. Until now, SCNT has been inefficient, especially in dog. It is believed that an embryo developmental block in SCNT embryos is cause of low production efficiency. However, no studies have been performed on canines for embryo developmental block. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the beneficial role of EDTA in canine parthenogenic (PA) embryos development to overcome embryo developmental block. The PA embryos were divided into 0.01 mM EDTA treated and non-treated groups. Embryo developmental efficiency was measured by activating chemically parthenote. After EDTA induction, PA embryos were evaluated for embryonic development, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) activity, mitochondrial integrity, ATP production and genomic activation. The EDTA treated PA embryos showed significantly higher survival rate and improved cavity formation compared to non-treated. Furthermore, cytoplasmic ROS level was mitigated and mitochondrial membrane potential was found significantly higher in EDTA treated group followed by higher ATP production. Moreover, major embryonic genomic activation specific markers/factors were also elevated in EDTA treated group. Conclusively, we elucidated that EDTA showed substantially positive effect to overcome embryo developmental block in canine.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.627-632
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• 2007

FoxO1, FoxO3a and FoxO4 belong to the FoxO gene family, which play important roles in the PI3K/PKB pathway. In this study, we cloned the porcine FoxO1, FoxO3a and FoxO4 sequences and assigned them to SSC11p11-15, SSC1p13 and SSC xq13 using somatic cell hybrid panel (SCHP) and radiation hybrid panel (IMpRH). RT-PCR results showed that these three genes are expressed in multiple tissues. Sequencing of PCR products from different breeds identified a synonymous T/C polymorphism in exon 2 of FoxO3a. This FoxO3a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) can be detected by AvaII restriction enzyme. The allele frequencies of this SNP were investigated in Dahuabai, Meishan, Tongcheng, Yushan, Large White, and Duroc pigs. Association of the genotypes with growth and carcass traits showed that different genotypes of FoxO3a were associated with carcass length and backfat thickness between 6th and 7th ribs (BTR) and drip loss (p<0.05).

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.323-331
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• 1996

Predetermination of sex in mammalian species has many aspects of application including the prenatal diagnoses of genetic disorders in humans and sex-selected breeding programs in the animal industry. Embryos sexing can be carried out using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify specific sequences present in the sex chromosomes, or by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) of specific probes to the X and Y chromosomes. A 3.3 kb porcine male-specific DNA fragment (pEM39) was cloned previously in our laboratory. In this study, FISH and PCR methods were employed to examine if the pEM39 can be used a sex-specific DNA probes Porcine ovaries were obtained from a local slaughter house and oocytes collected. All oocytes were subjected to in vitro maturation followed by 1n vitro fertilization. Parthenogenetically activated embryos were served as a negative control. Embryonic samples were collected at the 2-cell stages and PCR was performed to analyze DNA. Among 10 embryos examined, four embryos were identified as males and six were females. The cloned male-specific DNA fragment showed male-specificity for the cells in the liver tissue and the porcine early embryos by FISH. It was also demonstrated that the cloned male-specific DNA is localized on the hetero chromatic region of the long arm in the Y chrom-osome (Yq) as shown by the FISH and karyotyping. The results suggest that the cloned male-specific DNA fragment may be useful for predetermination of sex with a few embryonic cells. The porcine male-specific sequence can be a reliable index for embryo sexing by PCR.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.267-271
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• 2014

Accurate determination of in vivo oocyte maturation is particularly critical for dog cloning compared to other assisted reproductive technologies because oocytes in metaphase II stage have to be recovered in order to undergo somatic cell nuclear transfer right after its recovery. The aim of present study was to evaluate the reliability and to set a reference range of a chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA) compared to radioimmunoassay (RIA) method to retrieve in vivo matured oocytes. Serum progesterone concentration during proestrus and estrus was analyzed by RIA and CLEIA to determine ovulation day (Day 0). On Day 3, in vivo oocytes were recovered surgically and evaluated microscopically maturation status after staining nucleus with bisbenzimidazole dye. Mean progesterone concentration by CLEIA ($7.64{\pm}0.06ng/ml$) was significantly higher than by RIA ($6.46{\pm}0.04ng/ml$, P < 0.0001). It was not different between CLEIA ($10.01{\pm}0.34ng/ml$) and RIA values ($7.91{\pm}0.14ng/ml$, P < 0.05) on Day 0, but significantly higher CLEIA level on Day -1 and Day 1 ($6.41{\pm}0.15$ and $14.25{\pm}0.44ng/ml$) was assessed compared to RIA ($4.95{\pm}0.10$ and $11.29{\pm}0.34ng/ml$). However, with both methods, progesterone level was significantly increased from Day -1 to Day 2. To determine oocyte maturation with CLEIA method, a wider and higher reference range has to be considered.