본 연구는 돼지의 정자와 난소내 과립막세포에서 bisphenol S(BPS)가 생존성과 활성산소 생산에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 연구하였다. 돼지정액은 0, 5μM BPS를 처리하여 3, 6시간동안 배양하였다. 정자의 생존성은 SYBR14/PI를 이중 염색하여 분석하였으며, 활성산소의 생산을 측정하였다. 또한, BPS(0, 5, 10, 20μM)를 과립막세포에 처리하여 24, 48, 72시간동안 처리하였다. 처리 후, 세포의 생존율과 활성산소 생산(단, 5μM BPS)을 측정하였다. 그 결과, 돼지에서 정자의 생존율은 BPS에 의해 감소하였고, 활성산소의 생산은 모든 처리시간에서 증가하였다(p<0.05). 또한 과립막세포의 생존은 BPS에 의해 억제되었고, 활성산소는 유의적으로 증가하였다(p<0.05). 이상의 결과를 토대로, BPS의 노출은 정자의 활성과 번식과 관련된 세포에 나쁜 영향을 미칠 것이다.

This study was to investigate effect of tunicamycin (TM) on sperm viability, mitochondrial activity and motility in boar semen. Collected sperm were incubated with semen extender containing 0, 1, 2, and 5 μM TM for 3, 6 and 9 h. Sperm viability was analyzed using SYBR14/PI doubling staining, and mitochondrial activity was detected using Rhodamine123/PI staining methods. Sperm viability, mitochondrial activity and motility were measured every 3 h during incubation. In results, boar sperm viability, mitochondrial activity and motility were significantly decreased in 2 and 5 μM TM groups compare to control group at all incubation time (p<0.05). In addition, mitochondrial activity and motility were significantly decreased in 1, 2, and 5 μM TM groups compare to control group at 9 h after incubation (p<0.05). These results suggest that TM can inhibit sperm viability, mitochondrial activity and motility in boar semen, and it may influence on the fertility of sperm.

본 연구는 열 스트레스 하에서 오리사료 내 대사에너지(ME) 수준이 오리의 간, 십이지장 융 모, 미생물, 유전자 조절에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 총 240마리의 육용 오리 채리밸리(Anas platyrhynchos)를 4처리구로 완전임의배치 한 후 42일 동안 사육하였다. 처리구는 ME 2900 kcal/kg, ME 3000 kcal/kg, ME 3100 kcal/kg 및 ME 3200 kcal/kg로 구분하였다. 간 조직은 처리구 사이의 차이가 없었고, 십이지장 융모 및 창자샘 길이는 ME 3000과 비교할 때 2900은 10.58% 감소하였으나 3100, 3200과의 사이에 차이는 없었다. 맹장 Latobacillus는 ME 3000과 비교할 때 2900은 9.47% 감 소하였으나 3100, 3200은 각각 2.52, 3.24% 증가하였다. Total aerobic bacteria, E. coli, Coliform bacteria는 ME 3000과 비교할 때 2900은 증가하였으나 3100, 3200은 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 간에서 HSP (heat shock proteins)-mRNA 중 HSP 90-α는 ME 3000과 비교할 때 2900은 48.60% 감소하였 으며 3100, 3200은 차이가 없거나 증가하였다.

본 연구의 목표는 분변토로부터 분리한 Bacillus subtilis외 2종의 복합 생균제를 이용하여 제 조한 발효사료가 산란계 생산성, 계란품질 및 양계장 악취저감에 미치는 효과를 조사하는 것이었다. 산 란계 240마리를 4개의 처리구로 구분하여 완전임의 배치하였다. 실험 처리구는 대조구, 분변토발효사료 0.3, 0.5% (FECF3, FECF5), 일반생균제 0.2% (CP)로 구분하였다. 산란율은 일반사료를 섭취한 대조구 와 비교할 때 FECF 처리구는 유의하게 높았으나 CP 처리구는 차이가 없었다. 호우유닛, 난각두께, 파 란강도, 난황색 지수 및 농후난백 높이는 대조구와 비교할 때 FECF 처리구가 증가하였으나 CP 처리구 와 차이는 없었다. 계란의 n-3 함량은 대조구와 비교할 때 FECF 처리구가 높았으나 n-6/n-3 비율은 낮았으며 CP 처리구와의 차이는 없었다. 계분을 실온에서 5일간 방치 후 암모니아 발생량은 대조구와 비교할 때 CP와 FECF 처리구가 낮았다.

The oocyte undergoes various events during In vitro maturation (IVM) and subsequence development. One of the events is production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that is a normal process of cell metabolism. But imbalances between ROS production and antioxidant systems induce oxidative stress that negatively affect to mammalian reproductive process. In vitro environments, In vitro matured oocytes have many problems, such as excessive production of ROS and imperfect cytoplasmic maturation. Therefore, In vitro matured oocytes still have lower maturation rates and developmental competence than in vivo matured oocytes. In order to improve the IVM and In vitro culture (IVC) system, antioxidants, vitamins were added to the IVM, IVC medium. Antioxidant supplementation was effective in controlling the production of ROS and it continues to be explored as a potential strategy to overcome mammalian reproductive disorders. Based on these studies, we expect that the use of antioxidants in porcine oocytes could improved maturation and development rates.

The aim of this study was to investigate change of plasminogen activators (PAs) and their inhibitors (PAIs) mRNA and protein expression level by heat stress in porcine endometrial cells. The endometrial epithelial cells were isolated from endometrial epithelium in porcine uterus and cultured in different temperature conditions (38.5 and 41.5℃) for 24 h. Expression of urokinase-type PA (uPA), tissue-type PA (tPA), PA inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and -2 (PAI-2) mRNA in epithelial cells were analyzed using reverse transcription-PCR and protein levels were measured by immunofluorescence. In result, mRNA expression of uPA, tPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 were decreased in 41.5℃ than 38.5℃ culture condition, however, significant differences were no detected. uPA, tPA and PAI-2 protein were mainly expressed in nucleus, whereas PAI-1 was distributed in cytoplasm and nucleus. uPA and tPA protein levels were increased by heat stress treatment and significant difference was only detected in tPA level (p<0.05). In contrast, two types of PAIs protein level were decreased in 41.5℃ cultured group compared with 38.5℃ group. In present study, tPA protein expression was upregulated by heat stress in porcine endometrial cells. This result suggest that change of tPA by heat stress may be related to blood flow into uterus and intrauterine microenvironments, and could directly and indirectly influence to reproductive performance in pigs.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of taurine and vitamin E on ovarian granulosa cells damaged by bromopropane (BP) in pigs. We evaluated cell viability, plasma membrane integrity (PMI) and apoptotic morphological change in porcine ovarian granulosa cells. The cells were treated with 1-BP (0, 5.0, 10, and 50 μM), 2-BP (0, 5.0, 10, and 50 mM), taurine (0, 5.0, 10, and 25 mM), and vitamin E (0, 100, 200, and 400 μM) for 24 h. 10 μM 1-BP and 50 μM 2-BP inhibited viability and PMI, and induced apoptosis in porcine ovarian granulosa cells (p < 0.05). Cell viability and PMI were increased by taurine (10 and 25 mM) and vitamin E (100 and 200 μM), and apoptosis decreased (p < 0.05). Finally, the porcine ovarian granulosa cells were co-treated with BPs (10 μM), taurine (10 mM) and/or vitamin E (200 μM). Cell viability and PMI in the co-treated cells were increased, and apoptosis was decreased. In conclusion, taurine and vitamin E can improve cell viability and inhibition of apoptosis in porcine ovarian granulosa cells damaged by bromopropane.

The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of α-linolenic acid (ALA) on viability, acrosome reaction and mitochondrial intact in frozen-thawed boar sperm. The boar semen was collected by gloved-hand method and cryopreserved in 20% egg yolk freezing extender containing ALA (0, 3, 5, and 10 ng/mL) with 0.05% ethanol. The frozen-boar spermatozoa were thawed at 37.5°C for 45 sec in water-bath. The spermatozoa samples were evaluated the plasma membrane integrity, acrosome reaction, and mitochondrial integrity using flow cytometry. In results, population of live sperm with intact plasma membrane was significantly higher in control and 3 ng/mL ALA treatment group than ethanol group (p<0.05). In contract, dying sperms were higher in ethanol group than 3 ng/mL ALA treatment (p<0.05). Acrosomal membrane damage in all sperm population was reduced in 3 ng/mL ALA groups compared with ethanol treatment (p<0.05). However, acrosome damage in live sperm population was no significant difference among the all treatment groups. Mitochondrial integrity was not influenced by ALA treatments in both of live and all sperm population. In conclusion, this results show that supplement of ALA during the cryopreservation process could reduce the membrane damages including plasma and acrosomal membrane, whereas ALA did not influence to mitochondria in boar spermatozoa. Therefore, these results suggest that ALA can protect against the membrane damage derived cryo-stress, and cryopreservation efficiency of boar semen would be improved by use of ALA.

This study was to investigate effect of progesterone (P4) on prostaglandin (PG) synthases and plasminogen activators (PAs) system in bovine endometrium during estrous cycle. Endometrium tissues were collected from bovine uterus on follicular and luteal phase and were incubated with culture medium containing 0 (Control), 0.2, 2, 20 and 200 ng/ml P4 for 24 h. The PGF2α synthase (PGFS), PGE2 synthase (PGES), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), urokinase PA (uPA), and PA inhibitors 1 (PAI-1) mRNA in bovine endometrium were analyzed using reverse transcription PCR and PA activity was measured using spectrophotometry. In results, COX-2 was higher at 2 ng/ml P4 group than control group in luteal phase (p<0.05), but, it did not change in follicular phase. Contrastively, PGES was significantly increased in 2 ng/ml P4 group compared to control group in follicular phase, but there were no significant differ among the treatments in luteal phase. uPA was no significant difference between P4 treatment groups and control group in both of different phase. PAI-1 was decreased in 20 ng/ml P4 group compared to control group in follicular phase (p<0.05). PA activity was decreased in 2 ng/ml P4 group compared to other groups in follicular and luteal phase (p<0.05). In conclusion, we suggest that P4 may influence to translation and post-translation process of PG production and PA activation in bovine endometrium.

The objective of the research was to identify the presence of adiponectin receptors and to study adiponectin action on glucose uptake and growth in mouse mammary epithelial cells. These cells expressed adiponectin receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. Insulin (10 ng/ml) or insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I, 10 ng/ml) alone did not alter the degree of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 genes expression from 0 to 4 h incubation. Prolactin (10 ng/ml) or epidermal growth factor (EGF, 10 ng/ml) alone also did not induce the two genes’ mRNA in the incubation time. Adiponectin (1 μg/ml) alone or pre-incubation of insulin alone (100 ng/ml) for 2 h prior to adiponectin stimulation did not increase 2-deoxy-D-glucose,[1,2-3H] uptake but adiponectin+pre-incubation of insulin significantly increased glucose uptake compare to control (p<0.05). In a similar way, insulin alone or pre-incubation of adiponectin alone (2 h) did not increase glucose uptake but insulin+pre-incubation of adiponectin increased glucose uptake compare to control (p<0.05). Insulin sensitization for 2 h prior to adiponectin stimulation tended to increase glucose uptake response by the following adiponectin stimulation showing small interaction effect between insulin and adiponectin (p<0.1). However, adiponectin sensitization for 2 hours prior to insulin stimulation did not shown interaction effect between adiponectin and insulin (p>0.1). The glucose uptake by both of hormones seems to be not interactive but additive (p<0.05). Adiponectin in the presence of 2% FBS decreased DNA synthesis of mammary epithelia (p<0.05). AICAR (100 or 200 μM), AMPK activator, decreased mammary epithelial cell growth in the presence of 2% FBS. These results indicate that adiponectin pathway has inhibitory effect on mammary epithelial cell growth.

In order to achieve successful in vitro production of embryo, it is necessary to establish intrauterine environment during in vitro culture. Thus, this study was investigated to establish embryo culture system using co-incubated collagen matrix gel (CM) with endometrial epithelial cells (EC). Endometrial epithelial cells were isolated from porcine endometrium at follicular phase, the cells seeded in insert dish for co-incubation with CM-coated culture dish. Then, culture media treated with/without 2.0 IU/ml hCG or 10 ng/ml IL-1β. After incubation for 24 h, the co-incubated insert dishes were removed from CM-coated culture dish before embryo culture. Embryos at 48 h after in vitro fertilization (IVF) were cultured on the dish for 120 h with porcine zygote medium. We determined PTGS-2 expression in the ECs, VEGF protein in co-incubated CM with EC and observed cleavage rate and blastocyst development of embryos at 168 h after IVF. In result, expression of PTGS-2 was higher at co-incubated EC with hCG and IL-1β groups than EC without hCG and IL-1β. The VEGF protein was detected at co-incubated CM with EC, EC treated with hCG and IL-1β groups higher than CM group. Also, cleavage rate was no significantly difference among all group, however, blastocyst development was significantly higher in co-incubated CM with EC treated with hCG group than un-treated groups (p<0.05). Therefore, we suggest that novel embryo culture system using co-incubated collagen matrix gel with endometrial epithelial cells treated with IL-1β is beneficial and useful for enhancing the production of porcine blastocysts in vitro.

Three-dimensional (3D) culture system is useful technique for study of in vivo environment and it was used various experiments. This study was investigated to establish of embryo co-culture system and changes of PAs activity in 3D cultured endometrial cells of pigs. In results, growth of stromal cells into gel matrix were detected only with endometrial and myometrial cells. The most rapid growth of stromal cells were confirmed in 2.5x105cells/ml and gel matrix containing 15% FBS. Expression of urokinase-PA (uPA) after treatment of hCG (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 IU/ml) were higher than without hCG, but, there are not significant difference among the treatment. On the other hand, expression of uPA after treatment of IL-1β (0.1, 1, 10 and 100 ng/ml) were higher than without IL-1β, but, there are not significant difference. Expression of uPA after treatment of estrogen (0.2, 2, 20 and 200 ng/ml) were not difference, but PA activity was significantly decreased (p＜0.05). Blastocyst was producing in PZM-3 medium containing FBS and endometrial cells were grown in PZM-3 medium. When embryos development with cultured endometrial cells, cleavage rates were not significant difference and blastocyst were not produced in co-culture with stromal cells and 3D culture system. 3D culture system had similar activity to in vivo tissue and these features are very useful for study of in vivo physiology. Nevertheless 3D culture system was not proper in embryo co-culture system. Therefore, we suggest that 3D culture system with embryo co-culture need continuous research.

The objective of this study was to investigate the changes of oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme during in vitro development with washing culture oil in porcine embryos. During the culture, the four types of culture oil such as paraffin oil with or without washing and mineral oil with or without washing were examined. The oil was washed with PZM-3 during 7 days and collected oil only. The embryos were stained with CellTrackerTM Red, DC-FDA and Hoechst 33342 to confirm the effects of the oil. As a results, Cleavage rates and total cell number were no difference among the four oil groups. However, ≥16 cell embryos were significantly different in fore type oil treat-ment and blastocyst rate was significantly higher washing paraffin treatment than in other group(p<0.05). Also, the expression of free radical were lower in washing paraffin oil than in other groups (p<0.05). On the other hand, the expression of glutathione were not significant different among paraffin oil with or without washing and mineral oil with or without washing, however washing paraffin oil and washing mineral groups were higher than other treat-ment groups. In conclusion, the washing oil was expected with positive effects on in vitro development in porcine embryos.

This experiment was conducted to investigate effect of brine mineral water (BMW) on growth performance and properties of blood in weaning pigs. Treatments allotted were 0% (general water), 2%, 3% and 5% BMW. In growth trial, a total of 36 weaning pig barrows [(Landrace×Yorkshire)×Duroc] weaned after 21 days with an average initial weight of 5.38±0.89 kg were used. Each treatment had 3 replications of 3 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design. Weaning pigs were investigated for growth performance, complete blood corpuscle count and blood biochemical assay. In results, growth performance of 2% and 3% treatment groups were significantly higher than other groups (p<0.05). In addition, high density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly (p<0.05) higher in 2% group than other treatment groups. On the other hand, mean corpuscular volume of supplement of BMW treatment groups were significantly (p<0.05) increased than control. Therefore, this study suggests that supplementation of BMW could improve growth performance and level of red blood cell in weaning pigs.

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between fertility and protein pattern change using in vitro fertilization, analysis of sperm characteristics and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in different pig types. In results, the viability and mitochondria integrity of sperm were higher significantly (p<0.05) but the portions of ac-rosome reaction was lower significantly (p<0.05) in Duroc and F1 (potbellied×PWG miniature pig) than PWG minia-ture. On in vitro fertilization to investigate fertility, the fertility of F1 semen war higher significantly (p<0.05) than in Duroc and PWG miniature pig. On the other hand, protein patterns showed similar function among the different boar semen. Especially, the heat shock 70 kDa 1-like and G patch domain-containing protein 4 were significantly (p<0.05) higher expressed in F1 than in Duroc and PWG miniature pig. The proteins associated with mitochondria in Duroc were significantly (p<0.05) higher expressed than in F1 and PWG miniature pig. The developmental rates to blastocyst stage of oocytes fertilized with sperm of F1 pig were significantly (p<0.05) higher than in PWG miniature pig. However, phosphoglycerate kinase 2 and zinc finger protein 431 were significantly (p<0.05) higher expressed in PWG miniature pig than in F1 and Duroc pigs. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that different proteins were expressed in different pig types, and were associated with a sperm functions and embryo develop-ment.

The aim of this study was to establish a three dimensional (3D) culture system of endometrial cells and to examine the plasminogen activators (PAs) activity in porcine uterine. The 3D culture system in porcine endometrial cells was composed to mixture 3D gel, stromal cells and epithelial cells. The 3D culture system was used to identify normal structure search as uterine tissue and PAs expression in this study. In results, porcine endometrium epithelial cells forming a top monolayer and endometrium stromal cells developed as fibroblast-like within 3D matrix scaffold. Expression of urokinase-type PA (uPA) and tissue-type PA (tPA) were observed during the 3D culture using immunofluorescence. PA activity in 3D-cultured endometrial cells was no significant difference between the tissue type, but 2D culture system were significantly lower than in 3D-cultured endometrial cells (P<0.05). Therefore, basic system and functional aspect of 3D culture could be established with similar system of endometrium tissue. We suggest that this study was assumed applicable as baseline data to investigate mechanism between porcine uterus cells in vitro.

The endometrium undergoes a cyclic growth and tissue remodeling as changes of epithelial cells, and plasminogen activators (PAs) are related to endometrium tissue remodeling. This study was to evulate expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) in porcine uterine epithelial cells. In results, the uPA and tPA were expressed in uterine tissue, epithelium and secretory glands in porcine endometrial cell. In addition, the uPA and tPA were expressed in cultured epithelial cells, and it were mainly expressed in cytoplasm. In porcine uterine tissue and epithelial cells, uPA activity was higher than activity in tPA. In PAs mRNA expression levels, uPA mRNA level was significantly higher than tPA mRNA level (P<0.05). The fluorescence intensity of uPA protein was also higher than fluorescence intensity of tPA protein, and uPA protein expression was significantly higher than in tPA protein expression (P<0.05). Therefore, we suggest that a physiological function in porcine uterine epithelial cells should be more influenced by uPA than in tPA during pre-ovulatory phase. The endometrium undergoes a cyclic growth and tissue remodeling as changes of epithelial cells, and plasminogen activators (PAs) are related to endometrium tissue remodeling. This study was to evulate expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) in porcine uterine epithelial cells. In results, the uPA and tPA were expressed in uterine tissue, epithelium and secretory glands in porcine endometrial cell. In addition, the uPA and tPA were expressed in cultured epithelial cells, and it were mainly expressed in cytoplasm. In porcine uterine tissue and epithelial cells, uPA activity was higher than activity in tPA. In PAs mRNA expression levels, uPA mRNA level was significantly higher than tPA mRNA level (P<0.05). The fluorescence intensity of uPA protein was also higher than fluorescence intensity of tPA protein, and uPA protein expression was significantly higher than in tPA protein expression (P<0.05). Therefore, we suggest that a physiological function in porcine uterine epithelial cells should be more influenced by uPA than in tPA during pre-ovulatory phase.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of L-cysteine on sperm characteristics and oocyte cleavage in vitro in Korean native cattle. For this study, the freezing of diluted semen were added with Triladyl containing 20% eggyolk and/or 0, 5, 10 and 20 mM L-cysteine before cryopreservation. The viability in frozen-thawed sperm were estimated by SYBR14/PI double stain, acrosome damage with FITC-PNA, mitochondria intact with Rhodamin123 and hydrogen peroxide(H2O2) level with carboxy-DCFDA by flow-cytometry. The developmental capacity was also assessed with cleavage rates in oocytes fertilized in vitro by frozen-thawed sperm. In results, the sperm viability was significantly increased in 10 mM and 20 mM concentrations of L-cysteine than other groups (p<0.05). In addition, acrosome damage was significantly decreased in 10 mM and 20 mM concentrations of L-cysteine than other groups (p<0.05). The mitochondria intact was also significantly increased in 10 mM and 20 mM concentrations of L-cysteine than other groups (p<0.05). On the other hand, the cleavage rates were significantly increased in 0 mM, 5 mM and 10 mM groups than 20 mM concentration of L-cysteine (p<0.05). The oocyte degeneration of oocytes were significantly decreased in 0 mM, 5 mM and 10 mM groups than in 20 mM L-cysteine group (P<0.05). However, there are no significantly differences among the L-cysteine treatment groups. We suggest that concentration of 10 mM L-cysteine have beneficial impact for sperm cryopreserved in Korean native cattle. This result also could be recommended for artificial insemination program if supported by an improvement in the fertility results and required further study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of protein patterns in granulosa cells and corpus luteum in ovaries during the estrus cycle in cows. The estrus cycle was devided into five steps of follicular, ovulatory, early-luteal, mid-luteal and late-luteal phases. In results, 61 spots of total 85 spots were repeated on follicular phase and 51 spots of total 114 spots were repeated on ovulatory phase. The 40 spots of total 129 spots were repeated on early-luteal phase and 49 spots of total 104 spots were repeated on mid-luteal phase. Also 41 spots of total 60 spots were repeated on late-luteal phase. On the other hands, the 16 spots were indicated difference in follicular phase and ovulation phase had a difference 10 spots. It was showed difference No. 103 spot in ovulation phase, No. 135 spot in early-luteal phase and No. 175 and 176 spots in mid-luteal phase. Also, the 11 spots were expressed specifically in mid-luteal phase and No. 178 and 179 spots were difference of expression in late-luteal phase. We confirmed that there were 7 spots for ovulation, 4 spots for luteinization and 2 spots for luteolysis. Spot No. 89～93 in ovulation phase were transferrin, and spot No.94～98 were HSP60. Spot No. 103 was Dusty PK, spot No. 135 was OGDC- E2, and spot No. 175 and 176 were Rab GDI beta from luteinization. Spot No. 178 and 179 in luteolysis were vimentin. This results suggest that will be help to basic data about infertility.

An uterus is female reproductive tract organ that affected estrus cycle. During a various changes occur at uterus in estrus cycle, one of them is body fluids secretion be called uterine fluid. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the changes of protein patterns using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in uterus fluids during the follicular and luteal phases in estrus cycle of pigs. In changes of protein spots were confirmed during the follicular and luteal phases. The 136 spots were expressed in follicular phase, the 57 spots of them showed reproducibility. On the other hand, the 140 spots were expressed in luteal phase, the 73 spots of them showed reproducibility. Also, spots expressed in follicular phase were number 69 and 94 spots and spots expressed in luteal phase only were number 156, 157, 184～187, 190 and 191 spots. The spots which of higher expression levels in the luteal phase than in follicular phase were number 76 and 79 spots. In conclusion, the spots expressed in follicular and luteal phases were confirmed with difference levels and these differences are function of RNA resolving, protein synthesis and cytoskeletal architecture.