The present study was conducted to examine the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation levels in porcine parthenogenetic embryos. Porcine in vitro matured oocytes were activated by the combination of electric stimulus and 6‐ DMAP before in vitro culture. Porcine oocytes and parthenogenetic embryos were stained in 10 μM dichlorohydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF) or 10 μM hydroxyphenyl fluorescein (HPF) dye each for 30 min at 39℃. The fluorescent emissions from the samples were recoded as JPEG file and the intensity of fluorescence in oocytes and embryos were analyzed. H2O2 and ˙OH radical levels of porcine oocytes were reduced immediately after electric stimulation. However, H2O2 and ˙OH radical levels of parthenogenetic embryos were increased with time elapsed after electric stimulation from 0 h to 3 h and after DMAP culture. During in vitro culture, H2O2 and ˙OH radical levels were gradually increased from the one‐cell stage to the two‐ and four‐cell stages. The result of the present study suggests that the ROS was not increased by electric pulse in porcine embryos. Rather than it seems to be associated with the stage of development and the culture condition.

ABSTRACT   INTRODUCTION   MATERIALS AND METHODS    In Vitro Maturation (IVM) of Oocytes    Parthenogenesis and In Vitro Culture    Analysis of ROS Products    Experimental Designs    Statistical Analysis   RESULTS    ROS Levels at Activation Procedures    ROS Levels by the Time Elapsed after Electric Stimulation    ROS Levels of Parthenogenetic Embryos during In Vitro Culture   DISCUSSION   REFERENCES

• In-Sun Hwang(College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University)
• Choon-Keun Park(College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University)
• Boo-Keun Yang(College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University)
• Hee-Tae Cheong(College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University) Corresponding author