• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.261-270
• /
• 2014

This study was conducted to establish the method for preserving chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs) that enables long-term storage in liquid nitrogen ($LN_2$) for developmental engineering or preservation of species. The purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of simple freeze-thaw treatment on viability of PGCs in chickens and to the optimal protocol for PGCs freezing. PGCs obtained from the germinal gonade of an early embryos of 5.5~6 day (stage 28) of Isa Brown, Korean Ogye (KO), White Leghorn and Commercial breeds, using the MACS method were suspended in a freezing medium containing a freezing and protecting agents (e.g. dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG) and propylene glycol (PG)). The gonadal cells, including PGCs, were then frozen in 1 of the following cryoprotectant treatments : 2.5%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 0% cryoprotectant (DMSO, EG, PG) as a control. Effects of exposure to simple freezing, with different concentrations of the cryoprotectant solution, were examined. After simple freezing, the viability of PGCs after freeze-thawing was significantly higher for Commercial breeds ($88.7{\pm}2.4%$) than KO ($85.1{\pm}0.4%$), Isa Brown ($84.6{\pm}0.2%$) and White Leghorn ($85.9{\pm}0.1%$) (p<0.05) using 10% EG cryoprotectant. Therefore, these systems may contribute in the improvement of cryopreservation for a scarce species in birds preservation. This study established a method for preserving chicken PGCs that enables systematic storage and labeling of cryopreserved PGCs in liquid ($LN_2$) at a germplasm repository and ease of entry into a database.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.113-120
• /
• 1989

In order to determine the sex of preimplantation embryos prior to transfer in cattle, a series of experiments were carried out using 45 Holstein donor cows to examine the ovarian response on the gonadotropin and PGF2${\alpha}$, and the morphology of fresh embryos or frozen/thawed embryos after deep freezing at -196$^{\circ}C$. The sexing of embryos treated with the medium containing H-Y antiserum(10%, v/v) and FITC anti-mouse IgG(10%, v/v) were analysed by chromosomal analysis, and the sex of the embryos which survived were ascertain after delivering the pups. The results obtained were summarized as follows ; 1. The average number of developed follicle and corpus luteum per cow were 13.5 and 8.1, and the ovalation rate was 60.1%. 2. Of 220-ova recovered, 75(34.1%) were morula and 91(41.4%) were blastocyst, and the morphological normal and abnormal rate of ova recovered were 75.5% and 24.5%, respectively. 3. Of 39 frozen/thawed embryos, the scores of normal morula and blastocyst, after thawing were 79.2%(19/24) and 73.3%(11/15). The average rate of frozen/thawed embryos which appeared morphologically normal post thawing was 76.9%(30/39). 4. The sex ratio was measured using the embryos treated with immunofluorescence assay to examine the relationship between embryo developmental stage, sex ratio of morula stage embryo was 42.2%(19/45) fluorescing and 57.8%(26/45) non-fluorescing, on the other hand, the ratio switched to 46.8%(29/62) fluorescing and 53.2%(33/62) non-fluorescing embryo in blastocyst stage. The sex ratio was also measured between fresh and frozen/thawed embryos, fresh and frozen/thawed treated embryos were indicated 45.8%(38/83) fluorescing, 54.2%(45/83) non-fluorescing and 41.7%(10/24) fluorescing, 58.3%(14/24) non-fluorescing. This trend indicated the approximal sex ratio was 1 : 1. 5. The result of karyotype test showed the successful rate of sexing embryo is fluorescing and non-fluorescing was 21.2%(7/33) and 29.6%(8/27). The female to male ratio within 33 fluorescing was 28.6 : 71.4, and the ratio of 27 non-fluorescing embryos was 87.7 : 12.5. 6. Of the embryo transferred after assignment of H-Y phenotype, five of the fluorescing embryos survived to term, all was males. Whereas six non-fluorescing embryos also survived to term and the sexes of the calves were 1 male 5 female.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.394-400
• /
• 1998

Cryopreservation of embryos by vitrification is a simple method to preserve bovine embryos for subsequent embryo transfer, but embryonic viability after vitrification has been inconsistent and low compared with conventional slow freezing. The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of serum or serum albumin in a vitrification solution and epidermal growth factor(EGF) or fibroblast growth factor(FGF) on in vitro viability of bovine blastocysts frozen by vitrification. Bovine blastocysts were produced by in vitro maturation, fertilization of follicular oocytes and culture of embryos in a synthetic oviduct fluid medium(SOFM) containing BSA and 19 essential and nonessential amino acids. Blastocysts with excellent or good morphology were selected at 7 or 8 days after culture and utilized for vitrification. In experiment 1, blastocysts were vitrified in a solution containing semi-fetal calf serum(SFCS) or BSA(5 or 10mg/ml) and then their subsequent viabilities were examined by culturing thawed embryos in a SOFM containing BSA and 19 amino acids. Effect of EGF or FGF added to a SOFM containing polyvinyl alcohol(PVA) on the viability of vitrified-thawed blastocysts was investigated in experiment 2. BSA added at 5 or 10mg/ml to a vitrification solution showed significantly higher(p < 0.05) developmental rate to expanded and hatching blastocysts than SFCS, but there was no significant difference in the developmental rate to hatched blastocysts after thawing. Supplementation of a culture medium with EGF and/or FGF significantly increased(p < 0.05) embryo development to expanded blastocysts compared with control but showed no beneficial effect on the development to hatching or hatched blastocysts. Coculture of thawed embryos with granulosa cells in a TCM 199 containing 10% fetal calf serum(FCS) showed the highest developmental rate to expanded, hatching and hatched blastocysts among the groups tested. In conclusion, supplementation of a vitrification solution with BSA at 5mg/ml and culture of thawed blastocysts in a medium containing EGF and/or FGF can improve in vitro viability of bovine blastocysts frozen by vitrification.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.249-259
• /
• 2014

Cryopreserving cells which are maintaining their viability are the very complex process. This study has been carried out in order to find the effects of cryopreservation steps and freezing media on the rates of viability of cryopreserved chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs). PGCs obtained from the germinal gonade of 5.5~6 day (stage 28) chick embryos of Korean Ogye (KO) and Commercial breeds (C), using the MACS method were suspended in a freezing medium containing a freezing and protecting agents (e.g. dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG) and propylene glycol (PG)). Gonads were harvested from stage 28 chick embryos and pooled in groups of 5, 10, 15, 20E embryos, contributing gonads to the cell suspension. The gonadal cells, including PGCs, were then frozen in 1 of the following cryoprotectant treatments : 2.5%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 0% cryoprotectant (DMSO, EG, PG) as a control. Effects of exposure to slow freezing and vitrification, with different concentrations of the cryoprotectant solution, were examined. After vitrification and slow freezing, survival rates of the frozen-thawed PGCs from the 10% EG plus FBS treatment were 85.63%, and 66.14% (p<0.05), respectively. The viability of PGCs after freeze-thawing was significantly higher for 10% EG plus FBS treatment than for 10% PG + FBS treatment (p<0.05) (85.63% vs 66.81%) by vitrification. This study established a method for preserving chicken PGCs that enables systematic storage and labeling of cryopreserved PGCs in liquid ($LN_2$) at a germplasm repository and ease of entry into a data base. In the future, the importance for this new technology is that poultry lines can be conserved while work is being conducted on improving the production of germline chimeras.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.285-294
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the viability of periodontal ligament cells of rat teeth after low-temperature preservation under high pressure by means of MTT assay, WST-1 assay. 12 teeth of Sprague-Dawley white female rats of 4 week-old were used for each group. Both side of the first and second maxillary molars were extracted as atraumatically as possible under tiletamine anesthesia. The experimental groups were group 1 (Immediate extraction), group 2 (Slow freezing under pressure of 3 MPa), group 3 (Slow freezing under pressure of 2 MPa), group 4 (Slow freezing under no additional pressure), group 5 (Rapid freezing in liquid nitrogen under pressure of 2 MPa), group 6 (Rapid freezing in liquid nitrogen under no additional pressure), group 7 (low-temperature preservation at $0^{\circ}C$ under pressure of 2 MPa), group 8 (low-temperature preservation at $0^{\circ}C$ under no additional pressure), group 9 (low-temperature preservation at $-5^{\circ}C$ under pressure of 90 MPa). F-medium and 10% DMSO were used as preservation medium and cryo-protectant. For cryo-preservation groups, thawing was performed in $37^{\circ}C$ water bath, then MTT assay, WST-1 assay were processed. One way ANOVA and Tukey HSD method were performed at the 95% level of confidence. The values of optical density obtained by MTT assay and WST-1 were divided by the values of eosin staining for tissue volume standardization. In both MTT and WST-1 assay, group 7 ($0^{\circ}C$/2 MPa) showed higher viability of periodontal ligament cells than other group (2-6, 8) and this was statistically significant (p < 0.05), but showed lower viability than group 1, immediate extraction group (no statistical significance). By the results of this study, low-temperature preservation at $0^{\circ}C$ under pressure of 2 MPa suggest the possibility for long term preservation of teeth.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.145-150
• /
• 2011

Variations of physical properties such as weight loss rate, wave velocity and uniaxial compressive strength after performing freeze-thaw cyclic test were measured in order to define weathering characteristics of sandstone and andesite. Weight change in specimens of the two rocks decreased with increasing the repetition number of freeze-thaw cyclic test. In particular, weight loss of andesite specimens was very irregular. P-wave velocity of sandstone specimens decreased more than 5%. On the other hand, P-wave velocity of andesite specimens do not vary up to 500 cycles and decreased more than 5% after 1000 cycles. This implies that the sandstone are easily weakened and loosened by weathering processes, while the andesite are relatively strong. In addition, the wave velocity changes of the andesite specimens coincident with the weight change. Uniaxial compressive strengths of the sandstone specimens slightly decreased at the early stage of the freezing-thawing cyclic test, then tended to be irregular after 64 cycles. In conclusion, the rock specimens showed smaller weight loss, less had lower strength reduction rate.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
• /
• 2008.11a
• /
• pp.397-400
• /
• 2008

MgO powder-mixed concrete, expanded at the lower temperature around $850{\sim}1000$ degree celcius, might have long-term expansibility, which could remunerate for the contraction of concrete with delayed expansion, and through the process, the crack resistance of mass concrete might be improved. Currently used expandable concrete additive has three different types : CSA, CaO and MgO. In this study, therefore, such tests as carbonation, chloride diffusivity, freezing-thawing resistance and sulfate resistance after 56 days' curing were implemented and compared the results with the concrete with no MgO mixed to evaluate the durability of 5% MgO-mixed concrete after longer period of time. The degree of hydration for the MgO-mixed cement paste was analyzed after 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 28 days, and 56 days using SEM, XRD, DSC.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.558-565
• /
• 2008

Although the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa is greatly reduced after freezing, complete understanding of alterations induced by cryopreservation has not been elucidated. The present study evaluates the effects of cryopreservation on the $Ca^{2+}$ handling of boar spermatozoa using several sperm activators. Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signals from single spermatozoa were measured using confocal $Ca^{2+}$ imaging of unfrozen samples and of other spermatozoa after having been frozen. Elevation of the external $K^{2+}$ concentration elicited a three times larger $Ca^{2+}$ increase in fresh spermatozoa than in cryopreserved spermatozoa. Caffeine elicited $Ca^{2+}$ transients with some oscillations in the fresh spermatozoa, but not in the thawed spermatozoa. Depletion of the $Ca^{2+}$ store with thapsigargin induced a rapid rise in $Ca^{2+}$ in the control but generated a smaller increase of $Ca^{2+}$ after thawing. Exposure to progesterone induced a biphasic rise of the $Ca^{2+}$ level in the fresh spermatozoa only. Sperm viability was reduced by cryopreservation. Resting $Ca^{2+}$ levels in fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa were similar. Longer incubation (2.5 h) of thawed spermatozoa partly recovered the $Ca^{2+}$ response to the interventions. These results suggest that cryopreservation reduces the responsiveness of spermatozoa to depolarization, modulators of the internal $Ca^{2+}$ store and progesterone in terms of the $Ca^{2+}$ signal, thus providing a possible mechanism for reduced fertility observed in cryopreserved boar spermatozoa.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.81-87
• /
• 1991

There studies were carried for evaluation of the efficiency of freezing of hamster oocytes for use in a human sperm penetration assay. The hamster oocytes fully equilibrated in various cryoprotectant agents and inseminated with human sperm. After insemination with hamster oocytes, there was no difference in penetrated rates. Cumulus free oocytes equilibrated in 1.5M various cryoprotective agents and slowely cooled to temperature $-30^{\circ}C$ before rapid cooling and storage in nitrozen tank. After rapid thawing, survival rates of frozen oocytes according to cryo-protective agents were examined and the human sperm penetration assay with zona free hamster oocytes was conducted. 1. Survival rates of oocytes after cryoprotectants exposure have no significant difference (range 88-91%) and peneration rate was 51.1%. 2. Recovery and survival rate of frozen-thawed oocytes were 85.1 and 66.8%. There was no significant difference on cryoprotective agents. 3. Penetration rates of the frozen-thawed and intact oocytes were 69.0 and 77.0%, respectively. 4. Hamster oocytes cryopreservation provides a convenient way of supplying and trans-porting hamster oocytes for the assessment of the fertilizing potential of human spermatozoa.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.37-44
• /
• 2002

Objective : Heat shock protein family is related to protective mechanism of cells by environmental changes. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of cryopreservation on the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) expression in mouse ovarian tissue. Methods : Cryopreservation of mouse ovarian tissue was carried out by slow freezing method. The mRNA level of Hsp90 expression in both fresh and cryopreserved mouse ovarian tissue was analyzed by RT-PCR. The protein expression of Hsp90 was evaluated by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Results: The mRNA and protein of Hsp90 were expressed in both fresh and cryopreserved mouse ovarian tissue. The amount of Hsp90 mRNA was increased in cryopreserved ovarian tissue after 60 and 90 minutes after thawing and incubation. The amount of Hsp90 protein was increased in the cryopreserved ovarian tissue after 6 hours of the incubation in Western blot analysis. In immunohistochemical study, Hsp90 protein was localized in cytoplasm of oocytes and granulosa cells. Significant level of immunoreactive Hsp90 protein was detected in theca cells contrast to the weak expression in ovarian epithelial cells. Conclusion: This results showed the increase of Hsp90 expression in both mRNA and protein level in the cryopreserved mouse ovarian tissue. It can be suggested that Hsp90 may play a role in the protective or recovery mechanism against the cell damage during cryopreservaion.