본 연구는 이종간 핵이식란의 생산성 향상에 기여하기 위한 기초연구로서 핵이식 수정란의 융합과 활성화 과정에 있어서 수핵난자 및 전기적 융합조건이 핵이식 수정란의 융합 및 체외 발달에 미치는 요인들을 조사하기 위하여 실시하였다. 도축되어지는 소 및 돼지의 난소에서 난포란을 채취하여 TCM-199 및 NCSU-23에 혈청 및 호르몬을 첨가하여 39℃, 5% CO₂ 배양기내에서 24 및 48시간 체외성숙을 실시하여 수핵난자를 준비하고, 공여세포의 준비는 산양의 귀세포를 채취하여 0.25% Trypsin-EDTA의 처리로 세포를 분리, 배양하여 사용하였으며, 계대배양과 함께 세포는 TCM-199 ＋ 10% FBS ＋ 10% DMSO로 동결을 실시하였다. 핵이식은 성숙된 난자의 극체 및 전핵을 laser system으로 투명대를 drilling 하여 제거하고 준비된 공여세포를 핵이 제거된 난자에 주입하여 전기적 자극으로 융합을 실시하여 융합된 난자는 전기적 자극으로 활성화를 유도하였다. 활성화가 이루어진 복제 수정란은 수핵란이 소난자의 경우 monolayer가 형성된 10% FBS가 첨가된 TCM199 배양액에서 7∼9일 동안 체외배양하였으며, 수핵란이 돼지의 경우 10% FBS가 첨가된 NCSU-3 배양액으로 6∼8일 동안 체외배양을 실시하여 배반포기로 유도하였다. 본 연구에서 얻은 결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. 전기자극의 세기를 1.95 kv/cm와 2.10 kv/cm로 주었을 때 수핵란이 소 난자의 경우 융합율은 47.7및 44.6%였으며, 분할율도 41.9 및 54.5%로써 차이가 없었다. 수핵란이 돼지 난자인 경우는 융합율은 51.3 및 46.1%로써 차이가 없었으며, 분할율도 75.0및 84.9%로써 차이가 없었다. 전기자극 시간을 30 또는 60μsec, 횟수는 1 또는 2회 주었을 때 수핵란이 소 난자의 경우 융합율은 30 μsec 1회(50.8%) 와 2회(31.0%) 간에 차이가 없었으나, 60μsec 1회(19.3%)가 가장 낮았다(P＜0.05). 융합란의 분할율은 30μsec 1회(53.3%)와 2회(50.0%) 간에 차이가 없었으나, 60μsec 1회(18.2%)보다 유의적(P＜0.05)으로 높게 나타났다. 돼지 난자의 경우 융합율은 30μsec 1회(48.1%), 2회(45.2%)및 60μsec 1회(48.6%)간에 차이가 없었으며, 분할율은 30μsec 1회(78.4%)와 60μsec 1회 (79.4%)간에 차이가 없었으나, 30μsec 2회(53.6%)보다 유의적(P＜0.05)으로 높게 나타났다. 이종간 핵이식란의 체외발달에 있어서 수핵란이 소 난자의 경우 상실배와 배반포기로의 발달율이 22.6%로써 단위발생란 30.6%와 차이가 없었으며, 돼지 난자의 경우는 이종간 핵이식란이 5.1%로써 단위발생란 37.4%보다 유의적(P＜0.05)으로 낮게 나타났다. 이상의 실험결과로 보아 산양의 체세포를 이용한 이종간 핵이식 복제수정란의 생산을 위하여 수핵란으로 소와 돼지를 사용하여 복제수정란의 발달을 확인할 수 있었으며, 이종간 핵이식에 있어서 수핵란, 공여세포, 융합, 활성화 및 배양조건 등 아직 초보 수준에 있으며, 앞으로 보다 많은 연구를 통하여 이러한 문제들이 해결되면 멸종위기 상태에 있는 동물들의 종 보존에도 활용이 가능할 것으로 생각된다.

This study was conducted to investigate the developmental ability of caprine embryos after somatic cell interspecies nuclear transfer. Donor cells were obtained from an ear-skin biopsy of a caprine, digested with 0.25% trypsin-EDTA in PBS, and primary fibroblast cultures were established in TCM-199 with 10% FBS. After maturation, expanded cumulus cells were removed by vigorous pipetting in the presence of 0.3% hyaluronidase. The matured oocytes were dipped in D-PBS plus 10% FBS＋7.5 ㎍/ml cytochalasin B and 0.05 M sucrose. The reconstructed oocytes were electrically fused with donor cells in 0.3 M mannitol fusion medium. After the electofusion, embryos were activated by electric stimulation. Interspecies nuclear transfer embryos with bovine cytoplasts were cultured in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 10% FBS including bovine oviduct epithelial cells for 7∼9 day. On the other hand, the NT embryos with porcine cytoplasts were cultured in NCSU-23 medium supplemented with 10% FBS for 6∼8 day at 39℃, 5% CO₂ in air. In caprine-bovine NT embryos, the cleavage(2-cell) rate was 36.8% in confluence and 43.8% in serum starvation. The developmental rate of morula- and blastocyst-stage embryos was 0.0% in confluence and 18.8% in serum starvation. In caprine-porcine NT embryos, the cleavage(2-cell) rate was 76.7% in confluence and 66.7% in serum starvation. The developmental rate of morula and blastocyst stage embryos was 3.3% in confluence and 3.0% in serum starvation, and no significant difference was observed in synchronization treatment between donor cells. In caprine-bovine NT embryos, the cleavage(2-cell) rate of cultured donor cells was 30.8% and 17.6% in 5∼9 and 10∼14 passage(P＜0.05). The developmental rate of morula and blastocyst stage embryos were significantly higher(P＜0.05) in 5∼9 passage(23.1%) than in 10∼14 passage(0.0%) of cultured donor cells. In caprine-porcine NT embryos, the cleavage rate was significantly higher(P＜0.05) in 5∼9 passage(86.7%) than in 10∼14 passage(50.0%) of cultured donor cells. The developmental rate of morula and blastocyst stage embryos were 3.3 and 0.0% in 5∼9 and 10∼14와 passage of cultured donor cells. In caprine-bovine NT embryos, the developmental rate of morula and blastocyst stage embryos were 22.6% in interspecies nuclear transfer, 33.9% in in vitro fertilization and 28.1% in parthenotes, which was no significant differed. The developmental rate of morula and blastocyst stage embryos with caprine-porcine NT embryos were lower(P＜0.05) in interspecies nuclear transfer(5.1%) than in vitro fertiltzation(26.9%) and parthenotes(37.4%).

The purpose of this study was to investigate the development of bovine nuclear transfer (NT) embryos cultured in serum-free conditions. Bovine NT embryos cultured in various culture conditions were compared blastocyst development, total cell number and apoptosis using TUNEL assay. In experiment 1, blastocyst rates of NT embryos were significantly higher (P<0.01) in FBS (22.0％) and BSA (26.6％) groups than in PVA (6.3％) group. Total cell number was significantly higher in FBS (78.4±19.4) and BSA (90.9±29.1) groups than in PVA group (46.0±0.0). Apoptotic cell number was significantly fewer in FBS (3.1±1.4) and BSA (1.7±1.4) groups than in PVA group (7.0±20.0) However, all of results were not different between the FBS and BSA group. In experiment 2, blastocyst rates of NT embryos were significantly higher (P<0.05) in fatty acid free-BSA (FAF-BSA) group (26.8％) than in fraction V-BSA group (11.2％). Total cell number were somewhat higher in FAF-BSA group (89.8±30.7) than in fraction V-BSA group (88.1±19.3). Apoptotic cell number were somewhat fewer in FAF-BSA (1.7±1.5) group than in fraction V-BSA group (4.2±2.9). These findings suggest that serum free condition were effective for the in vitro development of bovine NT embryos. Therefore, we concluded that fatty acid free-BSA has beneficial effect in development bovine NT embryos and can be use as a serum substitute.

This study was performed to test the cellulose digestibility using the transgenic pigs harboring cellulose degradation gene D (CelD). After delivered offsprings between normal pig and transgenic swine, DNA was isolated from piglets tail for PCR analysis. In first generation, five out of 65 piglets showed CelD positive. Unfortunately, four CelD-positive pigs were died during growing, but one survived pig was used as a transgenic founder to produce F₁ descendents. Among 3 F₁ transgenic pigs produced, one died and the remaining two pigs were used to test the fiber digest efficiency. An assorted feed was composite of 5％ fiber with other ingredients. The feed of 3 kg per day was provided to the pigs including transgenic founders and littermate controls. The manure quantity was measured daily for a month, and all manures were dried for three days to analysis nitrogen, phosphate and fiber concentrations. The fiber digestion efficiencies of the transgenic F₁ pigs showed approximately 10％ higher than those of control pigs. Fiber digestion was not greatly improved in transgenic pigs as it had been expected approximately 30％. Nitrogen concentration of transgenic pig′s manure was slowly decreased compare to the control pigs. Because there were only two transgenic pigs tested, a large number of transgenic pigs may be necessary to obtain more reliable data. Breeding of animals to obtain sufficient transgenic pigs subjected for a further study is on progress. Taken together, this study demonstrated successful production of transgenic pigs with increase of cellulose digestibility in the porcine feed.

The present study were performed to analysis the hematocrit and the red blood cells content into the blood plasma of the transgenic pigs harboring recombinent human erythropoietin gene (rhEPO). Mouse whey acidic protein (mWAP) linked to rhEPO gene was microinjected into pronuclei of porcine one-cell zygotes. After delivered of offspring, PCR analyses identified one mWAP-rhEPO transgenic founder offspring(F/sub 0/). The first generation of transgenic pig (F/sub 0/) harboring mWAP-hEPO appeared to be a male, and the second generation (F₁) pigs were made by natural mating of F/sub 0/ with domestic swine, and male and female transgenic pigs (F₁) were identified by PCR. The blood samples from transgenic and normal pigs were collected for 50 days during lactation and were counted the red blood cell (RBC) numbers and Hematocrit (HCT) content into the blood. The transgenic pigs expressing rhEPO in their blood gave rise to higher RBC numbers and HCT contents than control animals. rhEPO was secreted both in the blood and milk of genetically engineered pigs harboring rhEPO gene. Therefore, this study provides a model regarding the production of transgenic pig carrying hEPO transgene for biomedical research.

This study was carried out to find out the changes on serum concentrations of estradiol-17β, progesterone in primiparous Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire sows weaned at 7 or 21 days. Also, we compared the litter size at birth and weaning among the breeds weaned after lactation for 7 or 21 days. The estradiol-17β concentrations among the breeds were 6.9∼8.8 pg/ml and 6.4∼8.8 pg/ml after lactation for 7 or 21 days, respectively. The progesterone concentrations ranged from 0.3 ng/ml to 1.6 ng/ml. Duroc sow showed higher progesterone concentration compared with Landrace and Yorkshire sows weaned after lactation for 7 or 21 days. Also, we found out that litter size at birth and weaning, respectively, did not show any differences between day 7 and day 21 of lactation. From the facts mentioned above, it was suggested that very early weaning systems could work with no apparent adverse effect on prolificacy.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of cysteamine addition during in vitro maturation, fertilization and culture of porcine oocytes. Oocytes were matured for the first 22 h in mTCM -199 media supplemented with or without 150 μM cysteamine. They then were matured for an additional 22 h in mTCM-199 media without hormones supplemented with or without 150 μM cysteamine. When cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured in the mTCM-199 media supplemented with cysteamine, the rates of GVBD and maturation (metaphase Ⅱ) were enhanced as compared to the media without the addition of cysteamine. Also, when COCs were matured in the mTCM-199 media supplemented with cysteamine, the rates of sperm penetration, male pronucleus formation, cleavage and blastocyst formation after in vitro fertilization were enhanced as compared to the media without the addition of cysteamine. In conclusion, it was suggested that oocytes matured for the first 22 h in mTCM-199 media supplemented with 150 μM cysteamine increased the rates of metaphase Ⅱ, sperm penetration, male pronucleus and blastocyst formation were higher as compared to the media without addition of cysteamine.

본 연구는 xanthine(X)-xanthine oxidase(XO) system하에서 돼지 난자의 체외성숙과 체외수정에 대한 catalase의 영향을 검토하였다. 그 결과 돼지 난포난자가 X 또는 XO하에서 배양되었을 때, 난포난자의 성숙율은 다른 배양시간에도 불구하고 catalase 첨가 유무에 따른 유의적인 차이를 나타내지 않았다. 그렇지만, X-XO-catalase system하에서 배양한 경우 유의적으로 높은 성숙율을 얻었다(P<0.05). 퇴행난자의 비율은 배양기간이 늘어남에 따라 증가되었으며, 배양 120시간에서는 catalase 첨가시보다 무첨가시에 유의적으로 높았다. 다른 한편으로, 단위발생 난자들이 배양 72시간에 높은 비율로 관찰되었지만, 다양한 배양시간에서 catalase 첨가유무에 따른 차이는 발견되지 않았다. 또 다른 실험에서, 동결-응해된 돼지 정자가 체외수정을 위해 X-XO system으로 처리되었다. 난자투명대에 대한 정자침입율은 none (P<0.05), XO, X+XO하에서 체외수정시 catalase 무첨가시보다 첨가시에 높게 나타났다. 다른 한편으로, 돼지정자가 none, X, XO, X+XO로 처리되었을 때, lipid peroxidation은 catalase 첨가시보다 무첨가시에 높은 비율로 나타났으며, 그 결과 정자침입과 lipid peroxidation에서의 변화가 상반되는 양상을 보였다. 그렇지만, 모든 조건하에서 정자의 sulfhydry (-SH) group의 함량은 catalase 첨가시에 높게 측정되었다. 난자의 투명대에 대한 정자의 접착 정도는 salt-stored 돼지 난자에 대한 정자접착을 통해서 평가되었으며, control group의 경우 X, XO, X+XO group에 비해 높은 정자접착율이 관찰되었다. 그렇지만, catalase 첨가유무에 따른 유의적인 차이는 인정되지 않았다. 본 연구의 결과는 X-XO-catalase system에 대한 난포난자와 정자의 노출이 돼지에서의 체외성숙과 체외수정을 촉진시키는 것으로 생각된다.