The present study was conducted to develop a simple method for porcine oocyte maturation without CO2 regulation. In experiment 1, we evaluated that the effect of CO2 non-supplement on porcine oocyte maturation. Cumulusoocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from 2~6 mm follicles and divided into three groups (Control, tube-CO2, and tube-non-CO2). For control, COCs were cultured in 4-well multidish in a CO2 incubator. For tube-CO2, COCs were cultured in a round-bottom tube in a CO2 incubator, and for tube-non-CO2, COCs were cultured in a round-bottom tube sealed tightly without CO2 supplement in a dry incubator. The proportion of oocytes reached to metaphase II (M-II) was not significantly different among three groups (87.9% to 91.4%). In experiment 2, we evaluated the effect of CO2 non-supplement during oocyte maturation on development of embryos. Oocytes with a polar body were divided into two groups (Control and tube-non-CO2) and applied 1.1 kV/cm or 1.2 kV/cm voltages for parthenogenetic activation. After activation, embryos were cultured for 6 days and examined the development. The proportion of embryos cleaved was not significantly different among treatment (86.3% to 91.5%). The proportion of embryo reached to blastocyst stage was not significantly different among treatment (13.9% to 25.2%). The cell number of blastocysts was not significantly different among treatment (29.0 to 32.4). In conclusion, oocytes cultured in a dry incubator without CO2 supplement have enough competence to development after parthenogenetic activation. These results would be useful for transporting oocytes or embryos a long distance.
This study was designed to determine whether low-density lipoproteins (LDL) from egg yolk and taurine, hypotaurine and trehalose as antioxidant in extender improve the freezability and fertility of Korean Jeju Black Bull semen. The semen was cryopreserved with tris egg yolk extenders containing 7% glycerol and treated 4% LDL, 20 mM taurine, hypotaurine and trehalose. Frozen-thawed sperm were evaluated motility, viability, membrane, and acrosome integrity and sperm penetration ability. The results were compared to semen cryopreserved in tris egg yolk extender only as control. Frozen-thawed semen evaluation cleary indicated that the addition of LDL and LDL-antioxidants (taurine, hypotaurine and trehalose) combination were significantly improved (p<0.05) the viability (%; with staining test using eosin-Y) compared to control spermatozoa. Also, in membrane integrity (%; with supravital hypo-osmotic swelling test), not only LDL-antioxiants combination but also LDL were significantly increased (p<0.05) the swelled sperm using HOST compared to control. Sperm acrosome integrity state was classified by CTC (chlortetracycline) staining test. F pattern was significantly increased in LDL-antioxidant combination than control (p<0.05) and B pattern was not significantly differences among all treatments and control. However, AR pattern was significantly decreased in LDL-antioxidants combination than control (p<0.05). Pronucleus formation and sperm penetration index (SFI) were significantly increased in LDL and LDL-antioxidants combination than control (p<0.05). Especially, LDL-taurine significantly improved pronucleus fomation and SFI than LDL (p<0.05). It was concluded that LDL and LDL-antioxidants in extender improved the freezability and fertility of Korean Jeju Black bull spermatozoa.
Germ cell-specific hyaluronidases such as sperm adhesion molecule 1 (SPAM1) and hyaluronoglucosaminidase 5 (Hyal5) are in part responsible for dispersal of the cumulus cell mass, which is a critical step in establishing fertilization in mammals. In this study, we identified two testis-hyaluronidases, SPAM1 and Hyal5, in hamster and rat. These two genes were expressed specifically in the testis. At the protein level, hamster SPAM1 and Hyal5 display 78.7% and 75.4% identity with mouse SPAM1 and Hyal5. Further, the activity of the enzymes with respect to cumulus cell dispersion did not differ, although we observed that the enzymatic activity differed in pH range. These studies suggest that different sperm hyaluronidases are capable of dispersing the cumulus cell mass despite differences in enzyme activity.
This study was conducted to determine the relationship between elapsed time after semen preservation on the changes of bacteria and semen quality. Semen was diluted with BTS(Beltsville Thawing Solution) extender without antibiotic for 7 days and sperm parameter and fertility were measured. Sperm motility was measured by CASA and total bacteria number was counted after 22~24 hr incubation from counting agar plate in which sperm dilute to 10 ~106 in 0.9% saline solution and inoculate to agar. Acrosomal integrity was measured by Chlortetracycline (CTC) staining. CTC patterns were uniform fluorescence over the whole head (pattern F), characteristic of incapacitated acrosome- intact spermatozoa; fluorescence-free band in the post-acrosomal region (pattern B), characteristic of capacitated acrosome-intact spermatozoa; and almost no fluorescence over the whole head except for a thin band in the equatorial segment (pattern AR), characteristic of acrosome reacted spermatozoa. Total number of bacteria was significantly increased (p<0.0001) 3 days after preservation. Sperm motility, viability, and morphological abnormality on elapsed time after preservation were lower from 5 (77.24±6.47, p<0.001) and 7 days (77.24±6.47, p<0.001) after preservation compared to 1 (15.71±7.18) and 3 days(18.39±7.22) after preservation, respectively. Sperm viability was significantly lower (53.25± 35.03, p<0.0001) at 7 days after preservation. Morphological abnormality of sperm was lower (p<0.001) at 1 (15.71±7.18) and 3 (18.39±7.22) days compared to 5 (21.84±7.91) and 7 (22.59±9.93) days after preservation. Acrosomal integrity and capacitation rate (pattern F) were significantly lower (p<0.001) from 5 days after preservation. Based on the data we obtained from this study suggested that semen preserved more than 5 days without antibiotic would not recommend use for artificial insemination.
The key regulators of apoptosis are the interacting protein of the Bcl-2 family. Bcl-2, an important member of this family, blocks cytochrome C release by sequestering pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins such as Bid, Bad, Bax and Bim. The pro-survival family members (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Bcl-W) are critical for cell survival, since loss of any of them causes cell death in certain cell type. However, its role during early porcine embryonic development is not sufficient. In this study, we traced the effects of Bcl-2 inhibitor, ABT-737, on early porcine embryonic development. We also investigated several indicators of developmental potential, including gene expression (apoptosis-related genes) and apoptosis, which are affected by ABT-737. Porcine embryos were cultured in the PZM-3 medium with or without ABT-737 for 6 days. In result, significant differences in developmental potential were detected between the embryos that were cultured with or without ABT-737 (14.7±3.0 vs 30.3±4.8%, p<0.05). TUNEL assay showed that the number of containing fragmented DNA at the blastocyst stage increased in the ABT-737 treated group compared with control (4.7 vs 3.7, p<0.05). The mRNA expression of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax increased in ABT-737 treated group (p<0.05), whereas expressions of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Bcl-W) decreased (p<0.05). Also, expressions of the ER stress indicator genes (GRP78, XBP-1 and sXBP-1) increased in ABT-737 treated group (p<0.05). In conclusion, Bcl-2 is closely associated with of apoptosis- and ER stress-related genes expressions and developmental potential in pig embryos.
Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has a many function involved proliferation, differentiation and survival of many cells. In this study, to investigate whether S1P improve the developmental competence of porcine embryos, 50 nM of S1P were supplemented during in vitro maturation (with EGF or without EGF) medium and/or in vitro culture (IVC) medium. Addition of S1P was significantly increased the rate of oocytes reaching metaphase II (MII) compared to the control (83.5 vs. 64.1%) in without EGF medium, but not with EGF medium (89.5 vs. 84.6%). When treated with 1 μM of N1N-dimethylsphingosine (DMS), a sphingosine kinase inhibitor which is blocked endogenous generation of S1P, the meiotic progression rates to MII stage (without EGF: 45.2 and with EGF: 66.7%) were significantly decreased and degeneration rates (without EGF: 51.2 and with EGF: 30.1%) were increased in both medium compared to control group during IVM periods. Also, the rates of blastocyst formation was significantly increased in the S1P treated group compared to control group (29.0 vs. 19.2%) of EGF supplemented medium, whereas there were no effect in the EGF free medium (9.0 vs. 10.5%). After 12 h IVM, the phosphorylation of ERK1 and ERK2, which is major signaling pathway of MAP kinase, were increased in the S1P group than that of control or DMS group. When supplemented of S1P during IVC, the rates of blastocyst formation and total cell number (30.2% and 40.6) were significantly increased in S1P-treated group compared with control (20.1% and 32.5), DMS (12.3% and 25.1), and S1P plus DMS group (24.7% and 33.6). The percentage of apoptosis nuclei in the S1P group was significantly decreased than other groups. Also, the rates of blastocyst formation (26.7 vs. 14%) and total cell number (42.8 vs. 32.5) were significantly increased in the S1P group than those of control group when S1P added during the entire IVM and IVC periods. Taken together, our results indicate that S1P supplementation in IVM and/or IVC medium affects beneficial effect of meiotic maturation and subsequent developmental competence of porcine embryos.
The bovine fatty acid binding protein 4 and 5 (FABP4 and 5) is a major positional and physiological candidate gene for the bovine marbling and carcass weight. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between economic traits of Korean cattle (Hanwoo) and genetic variation in fatty acid binding protein 4 and 5 (FABP4 and 5) genes within carcass/meat quality traits and the before/after of fatting in breed Hanwoo. Here, we characterized the nucleotide polymorphism of FABP4 and 5 in 86 cattle. We were detected the variability of three types (GG, AG, and AA) by PCR, and economic traits were analyzed by the mixed regression model implemented in the ASReml program. As the result of statistical and supersonic analysis, FABP4 gene was highly showed significant effect (p<0.006) on marbling score (MS), in contrast FABP5 gene was lowed (p<0.084) on MS before fatting. But, FABP4 gene was highly showed significant effect (p<0.0054) on MS, in contrast FABP5 gene lowest (p<0.0899) on MS in the after of fatting. Compare to supersonic result before fatting in FABP4 gene, it was detected type GG: (p<7.18), AG: (p<8.50), and AA: (p<10.50) (n=50), showed type GG: (p<4.88), AG: (p<2.33), and AA: (p<0.00) after weed out (n=20). Futhermore, it was detected type GG: (p<9.30), AG: (p<7.95), and AA: (p<7.40) (n=50) before fatting in the FABP5 gene. It was shown type GG: (p<2.67), AG: (p<3.50), and AA: (p<5.00) after weed out (n=50). Our results indicate that FABP4 and 5 gene transcription is regulated by the environment of feeding and management, and suggest that feeding and management could be potential key in determining FABP4 and 5 genes transcription for carcass/meat quality traits in breed Hanwoo.
Male factor infertility or sub-fertility contributed half of all cases of infertility while the semen abnormality is the current topic of argument. Conventional analysis of semen showed poor correlation with fertility. Therefore, evaluation of current semen analysis method is necessary to improve standards of semen assessment. The goal of this study was to investigate that correlation between motion kinematic before and after capacitation and litter size in porcine. Sperm motility and kinematics were measure by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). The motility of spermatozoa was positively correlated with curvilinear velocity (VCL), average path velocity (VAP), and mean amplitude of head lateral displacement (ALH) (p<0.05). Where as VCL positively correlated with VSL, VAP and ALH (p<0.01). Straight-line velocity (VSL) was positively correlated with VAP and ALH (p<0.01). VAP was significantly positively correlated with ALH (p<0.01). Also, we found significant positive correlation among variation of VSL, VAP and ALH (p<0.05). No motility and kinematic parameter are correlated with litter size. However, litter size was significantly correlated with breed (p<0.05). Our results suggested that analysis of sperm motility and kinematics using CASA is questionable for prediction of litter size. However, it has some practical importance to evaluate semen commercially.
This study was to examine expression of the recombinant full-length adiponectin (recombinant adiponectin) in insect ovarian cell culture system and to characterize structural properties of the recombinant adiponectin secreted in medium. Gene construct encoding the recombinant adiponectin contained N-terminal collagen-like domain (110 Amino Acids, AAs), C-terminal globular domain (137 AAs) and C-terminal peptides for detection with V5 antibody (26 AAs included adaptor peptide) and purification using the 6xHis tag (6 AAs). The approximate molecular weight of the product (monomer) was 35 kDa. Molecular mass species of the expressed recombinant adiponectin were monomer (~35 kDa), dimer (~70 kDa), trimer (~105 kDa) and hexamer (~210 kDa). The major secreted species were the LMW forms, such as monomer, dimer, and trimer. There was MMW of hexamer as minor form. HMW multimers (~300 kDa) were shown as a tracer or not detected on the SDS-PAGE in several experiments (data not shown). The multimer forms in this study were not compatible to those in animal or human serum and adipose tissue by other researcher’s study in which the major multimer forms were HMW. By protein denaturing experiments with reducing reagent (β- MeOH), anionic detergent (SDS) and heat (95℃) on the SDS-PAGE, not all adiponectin multimers seemed to have disulfide bond linked structure to form multimers. The recombinant adiponectin which expressed in insect ovarian cell culture system seemed to have the limitation as full physiological regulator for the application to animal and human study.
Cryopreservation induces sublethal damage to the spermatozoa, which leads to their reduced fertile life. This study was designed to determine effect of glycerol and ethylene glycol as cryoprotectant in extender on improve the freezability of Jeju horse semen. The semen was cryopreserved with glucose-EDTA extender containing each 5% glycerol, 5% ethylene glycol, 8% glycerol or 8% ethylene glycol, respectively. Post-thawed sperm were evaluated motility, viability, Membrane integrity and acrosome integrity. Post-thawed sperm motility were not significantly differences among treatments. However, sperm viability were significantly higher (p<0.05) in 8% glycerol (39.85% ±11.41) than in 5% glycerol treatment (18.08%±1.61). In membrane integrity, swelling sperm ratio was significantly higher (p<0.05) in 8% glycerol (34.12%±11.02) than other treatments. In the percentage of capacitated sperm assessed by CTC staining, F pattern was significantly higher in 8% ethylene glycol than 5% glycerol and 5% ethylene glycol (p<0.05). B pattern ratio was significantly increased in 5% ethylene glycol compared with 8% glcerol and 8% ethylene glycol (p<0.05). Moreover, 8% ethylene glycol treatment was significantly decreased AR pattern ratio compared with other treatments (p<0.05). It is concluded that treatment of 8% glycerol was improved the sperm viability and 8% ethylene glycol was improved the sperm ascrosome integrity after thawing. However, they were not significantly difference between 8% glycerol and 8% ethylene glycol on post-thawed sperm viability. Therefore, 8% ethylene glycol was more effective sperm cryoprotectant than 8% glycerol in Jeju Horse.
The shortage of human organs for transplantation has induced the research on the possibility of using animal as porcine. However, pig to human transplantation as known as xeno-transplantation has major problem as immunorejection. Recently, the solutions of pig to human xenotransplantation are commonly mentioned as having a genetically modification which include alpha 1, 3 galatosyl transferase knockout (GTKO) and immune-suppressing gene transgenic model. Unfortunately, the expression level of transgenic gene is very low activity. Therefore, development of gene overexpression system is the most urgent issue. Also, the tissue specific overexpression system is very important. Because most blood vessels are endothelial cells, establishment of the endothelial-specific promoter is attractive candidates for the introduction of suppressing immunorejection. In this study, we focus the ICAM2 promoter which has endothelial-specific regulatory region. To detect the regulatory region of ICAM2 promoter, we cloned 3.7 kb size mini-pig ICAM2 promoter. We conduct serial deletion of 5' flanking region of mini-pig ICAM2 promoter then selected promoter size as 1 kb, 1.5 kb, 2 kb, 2.5 kb, and 3 kb. To analyze promoter activity, luciferase assay system was conducted among these vectors and compare endothelial activity with epithelial cells. The reporter gene assay revealed that ICAM2 promoter has critical activity in endothelial cells (CPAE) and 1 kb size of ICAM2 promoter activity was significantly increased. Taken together, our studies suggest that mini-pig ICMA2 promoter is endothelial cell specific overexpression promoter and among above all size of promoters, 1 kb size promoter is optimal candidate to overcome the vascular immunorejection in pig to human xenotransplantation.
The decreased fertility is frequently thought to be problem of cattle production. However, studies figure out that number of these problems is related to bull factors especially in artificial insemination setting. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the fertility status of bull by their estimated relative conception rate of cows that were inseminated by frozen semen from Korean proven bulls. Here we use the non-return rate (NRR) to access the bull fertility whereas, the NRR was define as the proportion of bulls that semen were used to inseminate cows and the number of cows that did not return for another service within 60 days. The data from 54,388 artificial inseminations (AI) were analyzed from 88 KPN semen. The NRRs of highest and lowest fertile bull were 83.81 and 51.33%, respectively. And mean NRR was 68.27%. In comparison to previously reported study, our data shows 17.38% higher NRR and the absolute value of difference in 50%>NRR and 50%<NRR group was 22.17 and 10.51, respectively (p< 0.001). In conclusion, the decreased fertility might consider as key aspect in achieving considerable conception of cows in existing integrated farming system at Korea.
The present study was performed to identify the relationship between plasminogen activator (PA) and Heat Shock Protein-90 (HSP-90) in porcine uterus tissues during the estrous cycle. Porcine uterus tissues were obtained from preovulatory (Pre-Ov), post-ovulatory (Post-Ov) and early to mid-luteal (Early-mid L) stages. The protein was extracted from uterus tissue by using M-PER Mammalian Protein Extraction Reagent. Proteins were refined by RIPA Buffer and quantified by BCA methods. As results, t-PA expression was significantly (p<0.05) higher from pre-ovulatory(Epithelium tissue: 29,067 μg/μl, Myometrium tissue: 30,797 μg/μl) compared to the post-ovulatory stage(Epithelium tissue: 54,357 μg/μl, Myometrium tissue: 53,270 μg/μl) and early to mid-luteal stage(Epithelium tissue: 42,380 μg/μl, Myometrium tissue: 43,139 μg/μl). On the other hand, the uPA expression indicated higher from early to mid-luteal stage (Epithelium tissue: 0.02198 μg/μl, Myometrium tissue: 0.02412 μg/μl) than pre-ovulatory stage (Epithelium tissue: 0.01577 μg/μl, Myometrium tissue: 0.01531 μg/μl) and post-ovulatory stage(Epithelium tissue: 0.01414 μg/μl, Myometrium tissue: 0.01429 μg/μl). However, expression of u-PA did not differ from each estrous cycle in the epithelium tissue and myometrium tissue(p<0.05). Expression of HSP-90 was differ t-PA and u-PA from pre-ovulatory in Epithelium tissue(25,423 μg/μl) and early to mid-luteal stage in epithelium tissue(177,922 μg/μl) and myometrium tissue(26,664 μg/μl). These results suggest that HSP-90 and u-PA were related with change of uterus cycle according to the reformation of the tissues in porcine uterus.
Interferon induced transmembrane protein-1 (Ifitm-1) has been reported to have an important role in primordial germ cell formation, and it has expressed in female reproductive organ. In the present study, Ifitm-1 gene expression was identified in testes and all part of epididymis using western immunoblot and immunohistochemistry. Interestingly, Ifitm-1 expression was observed on the head of spermatozoa. To investigate the role of Ifitm-1 gene expression in behavior of spermatozoa after acrosome reaction, fresh sperm was incubated with calcium ionophore to induce acrosome reaction, whereas the expression of Ifitm-1 was not altered after the acrosome reaction. Then to identify the effect of Ifitm-1 in sperm motility and other seminal parameters, different concentration of Ifitm-1 antibody was incubated with spermatozoa, and seminal parameters were assessed using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Interestingly, motility, progressive, and VAP were increased in the sperm with Ifitm-1 antibody treated compared to rabbit serum, however other parameters such as straightness were not changed. In order to identify the functional significance of Ifitm-1 in fertilization, capacitated spermatozoa were pre-incubated with anti- Ifitm-1 antibody and subsequently examined the ability to adhere to mouse oocytes. However, any defection or alteration in sperm-egg fusion was not found, Ifitm-1 antibody treated or non-treated spermatozoa showed a normal penetration. Although the precise role of Ifitm-1 in sperm motility and following fertilization need to be elucidated, this study suggests that the activation of Ifitm-1 on the sperm may enhance the motility of spermatozoa in mice.
The objective of this study was to investigate the comparison of transferable embryos and pregnancy rate between Hanwoo and Chickso. The results obtained were as follows: No differences were observed in the efficiency of superovulation rates on Hanwoo 78%, and Chickso 85%, respectively. The mean number of total embryos are each 14.76± 2.16 and 6.23±1.07. So the mean number of transferable embryos are each 10.94±1.91 and 4.58±1.05. In addition, the mean number of total Hanwoo embryo from <10 and 10≤ of corpora luteum was 0.50±0.50, 11.56±1.92, respectively. In case of Chickso, The mean number of transferable embryo from <10 and 10≤ of CL was 2.75±1.39, 6.00±1.00, respectively. The pregnancy rates were Hanwoo 40%, and Chickso 37% following transfer of fresh embryos produced in vivo. Also, the pregnancy rates of Chickso 60% were significantly greater (p<0.05) than the Hanwoo 42.48% following transfer of following transfer of frozen embryos, respectively. In conclusion, these results suggest that Chickso may be effectively used for transferable embryos production in Hanwoo. Although the transferable embryos number was not enough, it seems the Chickso greatly affect pregnancy rate. The results indicated that the possibility of transferable embryos from Chickso for embryo transfer could be confirmed in this study. Based on the present findings, it was suggested that it is very important to evaluate in vivo embryo production and pregnancy rate of embryo transfer following superovulation for effective Hanwoo and Chickso production.