Tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 4 (TRAF4)는 TNF receptor associated factor 군의 하나로 암세포 전이, 활성산소 생성, 세포극성에 관여한다. 쥐 배아발생의 8.5 에서 13.5 days post-coitum 시기에 TRAF4 의 발현이 높게 관찰된다. 세포 특성의 변화를 보이는 상피간엽이행(EMT)시에 TRAF4 가 세포막의 세포밀접에 위치하는 것으로 알려져 세포분화가 시작되는 배 발생 시에도 주요한 역할을 할 것으로 여겨진다. 하지만 돼지에서는 TRAF4 의 기능과 특성에 대한 연구가 미비하다. 본 연구는 돼지 TRAF4 의 mRNA 전장서열과 조직에서의 발현을 확인함으로써 TRAF4 의 특성에 대한 정보를 제공할 것이다. TRAF4 mRNA 의 전장 서열을 밝히기 위해서 돼지 신장유래세포(pK15)에서 total RNA 를 추출하여 RACE(Rapid Amplification of cDNA ends) PCR 이 수행되었다. 이 후 클로닝을 통해 얻은 암호영역, 5`UTR, 3`UTR 의 서열로 2,030 염기쌍의 mRNA 전장서열을 확인하였다. 조직에서 TRAF4 의 발현은 qPCR 로 상대정량되었다. 돼지 TRAF4 는 470 개의 아미노산을 지정하는데 이는 사람과는 8 개, 쥐와는 12 개 차이를 보였다. TRAF4 단백질의 TRAF 도메인은 다른 TRAF 군과 다르게 GTWRGS 의 고리를 가지는데 돼지에서도 동일한 서열이 확인되었다. 돼지에서 TRAF4 는 난소와 위에서 상대적으로 높은 발현을 보였다. TRAF4 의 mRNA 서열은 돼지의 TRAF4 에 대한 기초정보가 될것으로 여겨진다.

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a useful biotechnological tool for animal cloning. Until now, SCNT has been inefficient, especially in dog. It is believed that an embryo developmental block in SCNT embryos is cause of low production efficiency. However, no studies have been performed on canines for embryo developmental block. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the beneficial role of EDTA in canine parthenogenic (PA) embryos development to overcome embryo developmental block. The PA embryos were divided into 0.01 mM EDTA treated and non-treated groups. Embryo developmental efficiency was measured by activating chemically parthenote. After EDTA induction, PA embryos were evaluated for embryonic development, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) activity, mitochondrial integrity, ATP production and genomic activation. The EDTA treated PA embryos showed significantly higher survival rate and improved cavity formation compared to non-treated. Furthermore, cytoplasmic ROS level was mitigated and mitochondrial membrane potential was found significantly higher in EDTA treated group followed by higher ATP production. Moreover, major embryonic genomic activation specific markers/factors were also elevated in EDTA treated group. Conclusively, we elucidated that EDTA showed substantially positive effect to overcome embryo developmental block in canine.

Tissue engineering (TE) has been developed to create functional organs and tissue by combining 3D matrix and cells in vitro. Vascularization and angiogenesis are utmost important for supply of nutrients and oxygen in tissue engineered organs. The present study was performed to isolate and characterize primary endothelial cells (EC) from aorta of alpha 1, 3-enzyme galactosyltransferase knock out (GalT KO) pig, to minimize immune rejection and analyze body immune system for future xenotransplantation studies. Isolation of primary EC from aorta were performed by incubation with dispase for 8-10 min at 37°C. Primary EC were cultured in EC growth medium on different extra cellular matrix (ECM), either collagen or gelation. Primary EC exhibits morphological characteristics and showed positive expressions of EC specific marker proteins i.e. PECAM1, KDR and VWF despite of their ECM surface; however, on collagen based surface they showed increase in mRNA level analyzed by qPCR. Primary EC cultured on collagen were sorted by flow cytometer using KDR marker and cultured as KDR positive cells and KDR negative cells, respectively. KDR positive cells showed dramatically increased in PECAM1 and VWF level as compared to KDR negative cells. Based on the above results, primary EC derived from GalT KO are successfully isolated and survived continuously in culture without becoming overgrown by fibroblast. Therefore, they can be utilize for xeno organ transfer, tissue engineering, and immune rejection study in future.

돼지의 장기를 영장류에 이식할 때 단시간 내에 발생하는 초급성 면역거부반응 문제를 해결하기 위해 이를 제어할 수 있는 alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase knock out (Gal-T-/-) 돼지를 생산하였다. 그럼에도 불구하고 그 심장을 이식을 받은 영장류가 사망하는 것으로 보고되었으며, 그 원인은 non-Gal 항원-항체 반응에 의한 면역반응과 돼지와 영장류 간 분자, 생리적 차이에 의해 발생하는 급성 체액성 거부반응 때문이라고 알려져 있다. 본 연구는 어떤 인자와 기전에 의해 이식된 장기가 손상되고 사망하게 되는지 분자 수준에 서 알아보기 위하여, 영장류에 이식한 Gal-T-/- 돼지 심장에서 유전자의 발현 변화를 분 석하였다. 이를 위해 동일 부모에서 태어난 Gal-T-/- 돼지의 이식에 활용하지 않은 심장 을 대조군으로 하여 cynomolous 원숭이에 이식 후 9일째 채취한 심장으로부터 총 RNA 를 추출한 후 Sequencing을 통해 전 돼지 유전자의 발현수준을 비교하였다. 분석 결과, 이식된 심장에서 1292개의 유전자 발현이 유의적으로 증가하였고, 949개는 유의적으로 감 소하는 것으로 분석되었다. 이 중에서 심근 경색 등과 같이 심장이 손상되면 발현이 증가 하는 matricellular 단백질 유전자인 tenascin C(23.7배), Tsp-1(13.9배), -2(5.8배), -4(6.6 배), SPARC(3.6)의 발현이 증가한 것으로 분석되었다. 특히 혈관에서 혈액 응고를 촉진 시킨다고 알려진 Tsp-1의 발현이 유의하게 증가한다는 것을 quantitative RT-PCR 분석 으로 확인하였다. 또한 혈액응고의 중요한 조절 인자인 TF의 발현이 증가한 반면 억제 인자인 TFPI와 TBM의 발현은 변화가 없다는 것을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과는 이식 과 정 중에 가해진 생리적 또는 물리적 손상 및 원숭이 혈액의 재관류 자극에 의해 심장의 기능 마커 유전자가 지속적으로 발현되는 것으로 예측된다.

Nucleotide metabolism in endothelium is variable between different species. Recent studies demonstrated that this variability could contribute coagulation dysfunction, even though organs of the alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase gene knockout pig were transplanted into the primate. CD73 (ecto-5'-nucelotidase) is an enzyme at cell surface catalyzing the hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate to adenosine, which plays role on a substance for anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant. Thus, overexpression of CD73 in endothelial cells of the pig is considered as an approach to reduce coagulopathy. In this study, we constructed a human CD73 expression vector under control of porcine Icam2 promoter (pIcam2-hCD73), which is expressed specifically at endothelial cells, and of CMV promoter as a control (CMV-CD73). First, we transfected the CMV-CD73 vector into HEK293 cells, and then confirmed CD73 expression at cell surface by flow cytometry analysis. Next, we transfected the pIcma2-CD73 and CMV-CD73 vectors into primary porcine fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Consequence was that the pIcma2-CD73 vector was expressed only at the porcine endothelial cells, meaning that the pIcam2 promoter lead to endothelial cell-specific expression of CD73 in vitro. Finally, we nucleofected the pIcam2-hCD73 vector into passage 3 fibroblasts, and enforced hygromycin selection of 400mg/ml. We were able to obtain forty three colonies harboring pIcam2-CD73 to provide donor cells for transgenic cloned porcine production.

Diabetes mellitus, the most common metabolic disorder, is divided into two types: type 1 and type 2. The essential treatment of type 1 diabetes, caused by immune-mediated destruction of β-cells, is transplantation of the pancreas; however, this treatment is limited by issues such as the lack of donors for islet transplantation and immune rejection. As an alternative approach, stem cell therapy has been used as a new tool. The present study revealed that bone marrowderived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) could be transdifferentiated into pancreatic cells by the insertion of a key gene for embryonic development of the pancreas, the pancreatic and duodenal homeobox factor 1 (PDX1). To avoid immune rejection associated with xenotransplantation and to develop a new cell-based treatment, BM-MSCs from α-1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout (GalT KO) pigs were used as the source of the cells. Transfection of the EGFP-hPDX1 gene into GalT KO pig-derived BM-MSCs was performed by electroporation. Cells were evaluated for hPDX1 expression by immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. Transdifferentiation into pancreatic cells was confirmed by morphological transformation, immunofluorescence, and endogenous pPDX1 gene expression. At 3∼4 weeks after transduction, cell morphology changed from spindle-like shape to round shape, similar to that observed in cuboidal epithelium expressing EGFP. Results of RT-PCR confirmed the expression of both exogenous hPDX1 and endogenous pPDX1. Therefore, GalT KO pig-derived BM-MSCs transdifferentiated into pancreatic cells by transfection of hPDX1. The present results are indicative of the therapeutic potential of PDX1-expressing GalT KO pig-derived BM-MSCs in β-cell replacement. This potential needs to be explored further by using in vivo studies to confirm these findings.

체외 배양액에 성장호르몬 및 사이토카인의 첨가는 초기배 발육 및 생산된 배반포의 질에 영향을 미칠 수 있다. 본 연구는 돼지 유도만능줄기세포(porcine induced pluripotent stem cell, piPSC)의 조정배지(conditioned medium, CM)가 돼지 난자의 체외성숙 및 단위발생 후 초기배 발육에 미치는 영향을 검토하기 위하여 수행하였다. 난자-난구세포 복합체(cumulus-oocyte complex, COC)는 0(control), 25, or 50%의 줄기세포 배양액(stem cell medium, SM) 또는 CM이 첨가된 체외성숙 배양액으로 배양하였으며, 성숙된 난자는 활성화 유도 후 같은 농도의 SM 또는 CM을 첨가한 체외배양액에서 배양하였다. 체외 성숙율은 CM-25% 그룹에서 대조구보다 유의적으로 높았으나(p<0.05), 다른 SM 또는 CM 처리구와는 차이가 없었다. 배반포 형성율은 CM-25% 그룹(29.2%)에서 대조구(20.7%), SM-50%(19.6%) 및 CM-50%(23.66%) 처리구보다 유의적으로 높았다(p<0.05). 배반포에서의 세포수 및 세포사 비율은 SM-25% 그룹이 대조구에 비하여 유의적인 차이가 나타났다(p<0.05). 난자의 질과 연관되어 있는 유전자들(Oct4, Klf4, Tert 및 Zfp42)의 발현은 CM-25% 그룹에서 대조구보다 유의적으로 증가되었다(p<0.05). 따라서 본 실험의 결과 체외성숙(IVM) 및 체외발달(IVC) 배양액에 25% 수준의 CM의 첨가는 돼지 단위발생 난자의 배발달과 난자의 질적 향상에 기여하는 것으로 사료된다.

This study was carried out to investigate effective condition for producing somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos of Jeju native cattle. As donor cells for SCNT, ear skin cells from Jeju native cattle were used. In experiment 1, the effect of recipient oocyte sources on the development of Jeju native cattle SCNT embryos were examined. Fusion rate of recipient oocyte and donor cell was not different between the Hanwoo and Holstein recipient oocytes (86.0% vs 89.9%). The rate of embryos developing to the blastocyst stage was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Hanwoo recipient oocytes than in Holstein recipient ones (28.2% vs 14.7%). Blastocysts derived from Hanwoo recipient oocytes contained higher numbers of total cells than those derived from Holstein ones ( vs ), although there were no significant difference. The mean proportion of apoptotic cells in blastocyst was not different between the sources of recipient oocytes. In experiment 2, the development of Jeju native cattle and Hanwoo SCNT embryos were compared. Hanwoo oocytes were used as the recipient oocytes. Fusion rate was not different between the Jeju native cattle and Hanwoo SCNT embryos (92.1% vs 92.9%). The blastocyst rate of SCNT embryos was significantly (p<0.05) lower in Jeju native cattle than in Hanwoo (16.9% vs 31.0%). Blastocysts derived from Jeju native cattle SCNT embryos contained smaller numbers of total cells than those derived from Hanwoo ones ( vs ), but there were no significant difference. The mean proportion of apoptotic cells in blastocyst was not different between the Jeju native cattle and Hanwoo SCNT embryos. The present study demonstrated that Hanwoo recipient oocytes were more effective in supporting production of Jeju native cattle SCNT embryos, although Jeju native cattle SCNT embryos showed reduced developmental capacity when compared to Hanwoo SCNT embryos.

동물의 장기를 인간에게 이식하게 되면 초급성거부반응(Hyperacute rejection, HAR)이 일 어난다. 초급성거부반응은 면역계의 구성요소 중 보체(complement)에 의해 일어나는 거부 반응으로 돼지의 혈관세포 표면에 있는 Galα(1,3)Gal 당분자에 인간의 항체가 즉각 반응하 기 때문에 일어나며, α1,3-galactosyltransferase(α1,3-GT) 유전자는 돼지 혈관세포 표면의 Galα(1,3)Gal 당분자 생성에 관여한다. 따라서 인간에게 돼지의 장기를 이식하기 위해서는 α1,3-galactosyltransferase 유전자를 제거하는 것이 필요한 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구 실 의 이전 연구에서, 시카고 미니돼지 귀체세포에서 상동 재조합(Homologous recombination) 을 통해 α1,3-galactosyltransferase 유전자가 제거된 체세포를 개발한 바 있으며, 이 체세 포 를 통하여 α1,3-GT 유전자가 제거된 돼지도 생산된 바 있다. 본 연구에서는, Human serum 처리 시 돼지 세포를 보호해준다고 보고되고 있는 human complement regulator인 human Decay-accelerating factor(hDAF)와 human α1,2-fucosyltransferase(hHT) 유전자를 α1,3 -GT 유전자 위치에 gene targeting하여 동시에 hDAF와 hHT가 발현하는 체세포를 개발하였다. Knock-in vector는 hDAF와 hHT 두 유전자가 발현할 수 있도록 IRES로 연결하였으며 α 1,3-GT 유전자의 start codon을 이용하여 발현할 수 있도록 구축하였다. 구축한 vector는 electroporation을 통해 미니돼지 체세포에 도입하였으며, PCR 결과 α1,3-GT 유전자 위치 에 서 상동 재조합이 일어났음을 확인하였다. Positive-negative 선별 방법을 통해 얻은 gene targeting된 체세포는 RT-PCR에 의해 hDAF와 hHT 유전자의 발현이 확인되었으며, 대조군 (NIH minipig)에 비해 α1,3-GT 유전자의 발현이 감소하였다. 또한, 이들 세포에 100% human complement serum을 처리하였을 때 Knock-in 세포가 대조군에 비해 30% 정도 더 높 은 생존율을 보였다. 따라서 개발된 체세포는 이종간 장기이식을 위한 돼지 생산과 함께 이를 이용한 이종간의 장기 이식 시 초급성 거부반응을 억제하는 데 사용 될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

This study was conducted to analyze the transgenic efficiency and sex ratio in -1,3-galactosyltransferase (GalT) knock-out (KO) transgenic pigs according to generation. GalT KO piglets were produced by artificial insemination or natural mating. The transgenic confirmation of GalT KO was evaluated by PCR amplification using specific primers. After electrophoresis, three types of bands were detected such as 2.3 kb single band (Wild), 2.3 and 3.6kb double bands (GalT KO -/+; heterozygote), and 3.6kb single band (GalT KO -/-; homozygote). Transgenic efficiency in F1 generation was 64.5% (23/35) of GalT KO (-/+). In F2 generation, GalT KO transgenic efficiency was 36.4% (21/57, Wild), 47.5% (28/57, GalT KO -/+), and 16.1% (8/57, GalT KO -/-), respectively. Interestingly, no homozygote piglets were born in 6 deliveries among total 11 deliveries, although they were pregnant between male (M) and female (F) heterozygote. In the 5 litters including at least one GalT KO -/- piglet, the transgenic efficiency was 13.3% (2/24, Wild), 51.3% (14/24, GalT KO -/+), and 35.3% (8/24, GalT KO -/-), respectively. The sex ratio of M and F was 40:60 in and 49:51 in generation, respectively. Based on these results, GalT KO transgenic pigs have had a reproductive ability with a normal range of transgenic efficiency and sex ratio.

This study was conducted to examine the effect of oocyte donor age and micromanipulation medium on the development of mouse cloned embryos receiving cumulus cells. Mouse oocytes were obtained from 6 to 11 week-old mice BDF1 female mice(experiment 1) and cumulus cells were used as donor cells. Micromanipulation procedures for nuclear transfer(NT) were performed in FHM, M2 or Hepes-buffered TCM199(TCM199) medium(experiment 2). After nuclear transfer, the reconstructed oocytes were activated by 10 mM SrCl2 in Ca-free CZB medium in the presence of 5 μg/ml cytochalasin B for 5 h and cultured in KSOM medium for 4 days. In experiment 1, the survival rate of oocytes after injection of cumulus cells were significantly(p<0.05) lower in oocytes from 6～7 week-old mice(53.3%) than in oocytes from 8～9(80.9%) and 10～11 week-old mice(77.1%). In experiment 2, the survival rate of oocytes after cell injection were significantly(p<0.05) higher in FHM and M2 medium(71.7% and 76.9%) than in TCM199 medium (51.2%). The activation rates of cloned embryos were not different among the micromanipulation media. However, the embryos developed to blastocyst stage were significantly(p<0.05) higher in FHM medium(13.9%) than in M2 and TCM199 medium(0.0% and 0.0%). In conclusion, the present study suggest that oocytes from above 8 week-old mice are superior to oocytes from 6～7 week-old mice as a source of recipient cytoplasm and FHM is superior to M2 and TCM199 as a micromanipulation medium for mouse somatic cell cloning.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of donor cell treatments on the production of transgenic cloned piglets. Ear fibroblast cell obtained from NIH MHC Inbred minipig was used as control. The GalT knock-out/CD46 knock-in (GalT/CD46) transgenic cell lines were established and used as donor cells. The reconstructed GalT/CD46 embryos were surgically transferred into oviduct of naturally cycling surrogate sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) on the second day of standing estrus. Unlike control (1.2 kV/cm,, 75.4%), the fusion rate of the GalT/CD46 donor cells was significantly higher in 1.5 kV/cm, (84.5%) than that of 1.25 kV/cm, (20.2%) (p<0.01). When the number of the transferred embryos were more than 129, the pregnancy and delivery rates were increased to 13/20 (65%) and 5/20 (25%) compared to less than 100 group [1/6 (16.7%) and 0/6 (0%)], respectively. To analyze the effect of donor cell culture condition on pregnancy and delivery rates, the GalT/CD46 donor cells were cultured with DMEM or serum reduced medium. In serum reduced medium group, the pregnancy and delivery rates were improved to 8/12 (66.7%) and 5/12 (41.7%) compared to DMEM group [3/7 (42.9%) and 0/7 (0%)], respectively. In conclusion, it can be postulated that an appropriate fusion condition and culture system is essential factors to increase the efficiency of the production of transgenic cloned piglets.

Previously, we reported that the osmolarity conditions in the satellite region were affected CpG DNA methylation status while Pre-1 sequence was not affected CpG DNA methylation in pNT blastocyst stage. This study was conducted to investigate the DNA methylation status of repeat sequences in pig nuclear transfer (pNT) embryos produced under different osmolarity culture conditions. Control group of pNT embryos was cultured in PZM-3 for six days. Other two treatment groups of pNT embryos were cultured in modified PZM-3 with 138 mM NaCl or 0.05 M sucrose (mPZM-3, 320 mOsmol) for two days, and then cultured in PZM-3 (270 mOsmol) for four days. The DNA methylation status of the Pre-1 sequences in blastocysts was characterized using a bisulfite-sequencing method. Intriguingly, in the present study, we found the unique DNA methylation at several non-CpG sequences at the Pre-1 sequences in all groups. The non-CpG methylation was hypermethylated in all three groups, including in vivo group (86.90% of PZM- 3; 83.87% of NaCl; 84.82% of sucrose; 90.94% of in vivo embryos). To determine whether certain non-CpG methylated sites were preferentially methylated, we also investigated the methylation degree of CpA, CpT and CpC. Excepting in vivo group, preference of methylation was CpT>CpC>CpA in all three groups investigated. These results indicate that DNA methylation of Pre-1 sequences was hypermethylated in CpG as well as non-CpG site, regardless modification of osmolarity in a culture media.

This study was performed to identify the differentially methylated region (DMR) and to examine the mRNA expression of the imprinted H19 gene in day 35 of SCNT pig fetuses. The fetus and placenta at day 35 of gestation fetuses after natural mating (Control) or of cloned pig by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) were isolated from a uterus. To investigate the mRNA expression and methylation patterns of H19 gene, tissues from fetal liver and placenta including endometrial and extraembryonic tissues were collected. The mRNA expression was evaluated by real-time PCR and methylation pattern was analyzed by bisulfite sequencing method. Bisulfite analyses demonstrated that the differentially methylated region (DMR) was located between -1694 bp to -1338 bp upstream from translation start site of the H19 gene. H19 DMR (-1694 bp to -1338 bp) exhibits a normal mono allelic methylation pattern, and heavily methylated in sperm, but not in oocyte. In contrast to these finding, the analysis of the endometrium and/or extraembryonic tissues from SCNT embryos revealed a complex methylation pattern. The DNA methylation status of DMR Region In porcine H19 gene upstream was hypo methylated in SCNT tissues but hypermethylated in control tissues. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of H19 gene in liver, endometrium, and extraembryonic tissues was significantly higher in SCNT than those of control (p<0.05). These results suggest that the aberrant mRNA expression and the abnormal methylation pattern of imprinted H19 gene might be closely related to the inadequate fetal development of a cloned fetus, contributing to the low efficiency of genomic reprogramming.

This study was performed to comprehend the plasma proteins expressed specifically during early pregnancy in pregnant or non-pregnant Hanwoo using proteomic analysis technique. Plasma samples (0, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 11 weeks after AI) were obtained from pregnant (P, n=3) or non-pregnant (NP, n=4) Hanwoo, respectively. To evaluate proteins differentially expressed, 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) was conducted. Normalized protein spots were selected for the significant expression variation deviated over two fold in its expression level between two groups. Molecular functions of the proteins were DNA binding, protein binding, hemoglobin binding, ferrochelatase and transporter activity and arylestera, respectively. According to western blotting, haptoglobin was specifically expressed only in NP group during early pregnancy; however, paraoxonase 1 was highly expressed in pregnant group. Based on these results, pregnancy was maintained successfully by the activation of specific plasma proteins associated with immune system and antioxidant regulation during early pregnancy in Hanwoo

Osmolarity of culture media is one of the most important factors affecting in vitro development. This study was conducted to investigate the DNA methylation status of Pre-1 and satellite sequence in pig nuclear transfer (pNT) embryos produced under different osmolarity culture conditions. Control group of pNT embryos was cultured in PZM-3 for six days. Other two treatment groups of pNT embryos were cultured in modified PZM-3 with 138 mM NaCl or 0.05M sucrose (mPZM-3, 320 mOsmol) for two days, and then cultured in PZM-3 (270 mOsmol) for four days. Previous our studies have reported that pNT embryos cultured in both hypertonic media showed significantly higher blastocyst formation rate than that of control. The DNA methylation status of the satellite sequences in blastocyst was characterized using bisulfite-sequencing technology. The satellite region had a similar methylation pattern of in vivo blastocyst among two culture groups excepting the control group. Each level of methylation is that the satellite DNA moderately methylated (43.10% of PZM-3; 56.12% of NaCl; 55.06% of sucrose; 60.00% of in vivo embryos). As a result of the sequence of PRE-1, CpG methylation pattern was similar to three groups, including in vivo group. In case of the satellite DNA region, the osmolarity conditions were affected CpG DNA methylation status while PRE-1 sequence was not affected CpG DNA methylation in pNT blastocyst stage. These results indicate that the modification of osmolarity in a culture media may influence to spatially change of DNA methylation of repetitive sequence for pNT embryo development.

Spermatogonial stem cells(SSCs) only are responsible for the generation of progeny and for the transmission of genetic information to the next generation in male. Other in vitro studies have cultured SSCs for proliferation, differentiation, and genetic modification in mouse and rat. Currently, information regarding in vitro culture of porcine Germline Stem Cell(GSC) such as gonocyte or SSC is limited and is in need of further studies. Therefore, in this study, we report development of a successful culture system for gonocytes of neonatal porcine testes. Testis cells were extracted from 10～14-day-old pigs. These cells were harvested using enzymatic digestion, and the harvested cells were purified with combination of percoll, laminin, and gelatin selection techniques. The most effective culture system of porcine gonocytes was established through trial experiments which made a comparison between different feeder cells, medium, serum concentrations, temperatures, and O2 tensions. Taken together, the optimal condition was established using C166 or Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast(MEF) feeder cell, Rat Serum Free Medium(RSFM), 0% serum concentration, 37℃ temperature, and O2 20% tension. Although we discovered the optimal culture condition for proliferation of porcine gonocytes, the gonocyte colonies ceased to expand after one month. These results suggest inadequate acquirement of ingredients essential for long term culture of porcine GSCs. Consequently, further study should be conducted to establish a successful long-term culture system for porcine GSCs by introducing various growth factors or nutrients.