The objectives of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the bacteria eliminated sperm by percoll gradient method on sperm quality and embryo cleavage in vitro in pig. The semen of miniature pig collected by gloved-hand method pre-warmed (37℃) in thermos bottle, and separated by 65% percoll. Analysis of sperm ability was estimated by examining viability, capacitation and acrosome reaction using chlortetracycline (CTC) and the abnormality. Also, fertility of sperm was monitored with cleavage rate of embryo after IVF using separated and un-separated sperm by percoll. The result, viability of separated sperm was significantly(p<0.05) higher(83.6±2.0 vs 59.0±4.4%) than un- separated sperm. The results of CTC analysis showed the percentage of F- and B-patterned separated sperm was higher in separated that than un-separated sperm. On the contrary, the percentage of AR-patterned form un-separaed sperm was significantly(p<0.05) higher(13.6±0.8 vs 8.1±0.6%) than separated sperm. Also, abnormality of un-separated sperm was significantly(p<0.05) higher(20.2±0.4 vs 16.8±2.8%) than separated sperm. However, the cleavage rates of embryo using separated sperm by percoll and un-separated sperm had not significantly difference on 2 cell stage(9.25 vs 11.88%), 4 cell stage(26.76 vs 24.51%) and >4 cell stage(63.99 vs 63.61%) at 48h of IVF. Therefore, the sperm separated by percoll method showed improvement in sperm quality than un-separated sperm in miniature pig.

The aim of this study was to examine the microtubule distributions of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and parthenogenetic porcine embryos. Porcine SCNT embryos were produced by fusion of serum-starved fetal fibroblast cells with enucleated oocytes. Reconstituted and mature oocytes were activated by electric pulses combined with 6-dimethlyaminopurine treatment. SCNT and parthenogenetic embryos were cultured in vitro for 6 days. Microtubule assembly of embryos was examined by confocal microscopy 1 hr and 20 hr after fusion or activation, respectively. The proportions of embryos developed to the blastocyst stage were 25.7% and 30.4% in SCNT and parthenogenetic embryos, respectively. The frequency of embryos showing β-tubulins was 81.8% in parthenogenetic embryos, whereas 31.3% in SCNT embryos 1 hr after activation or fusion. The frequency of the embryos underwent normal mitotic phase was low in SCNT embryos (40.6%) compared to that of parthenogenetic ones (59.7%) 20 hr after fusion or activation (p<0.05). The rate of SCNT embryos with an abnormal mitosis pattern is about twice compared to that of parthenogenetic ones. The spindle assembly and its distribution of SCNT embryos in the first mitotic phase were not different from those of parthenogenetic ones. The result shows that although microtubule distribution of porcine SCNT embryos shortly after fusion is different from parthenogenetic embryos, and the frequency of abnormal mitosis 20 hr after fusion or activation is slightly increased in SCNT embryos, microtubule distributions at the first mitotic phase are similar in both SCNT and parthenogenetic embryos.

This study was performed to confirm the microtubule assemblies and methylation patterns of porcine IVF and parthenogenetic embryos. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were collected and matured in vitro for 42 hr. Oocytes were fertilized by prepared fresh sperm or activated parthenogenetically by exposure to electric stimulation and 6-dimethylaminopurine. Porcine IVF and parthenogenetic embryos were cultured in vitro for 6 days. Embryos were stained by immunofluorescence staining method to observe the dynamic of nucleus and microtubules in the first mitotic phase and the methylation patterns in different developmental stages. After then, samples were confirmed and analyzed through a laser-scanning confocal microscope. IVF embryos had a centrosome originated from sperms, which was shown a ɤ-tubulin spot. However, ɤ-tubulin spot was not observed in parthenogenetic embryos. A lower methylation level was observed in IVF embryos compared to parthenogenetic ones at the morula and blastocyst stages. In conclusion, it is considered that microtubule assemblies and genetic regulation mechanism differ between parthenogenetic and IVF embryos.

Somatic cells such as oviduct epithelial cell, uterine epithelial cell, cumulus-granulosa cell and buffalo rat river cell has been used to establish an effective culture system for bovine embryos produced in in vitro. But nitric oxide (NO) metabolites secreted from somatic cells were largely arrested the development of bovine in vitro matured/ in vitro fertilized (IVM/IVF) embryos, suggesting that NO was induced the embryonic toxic substance into culture medium. The objective of this study was to investigate whether BOEC co-culture system can ameliorate the NO-mediated oxidative stress in the culture of bovine IVM/IVF embryos. Therefore, we evaluated the developmental rate of bovine IVM/IVF embryos under BOEC co-culture system in the presence or absence of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), as a NO donor, and also detected the expression of growth factor (TGF-p , EGF and IGFBP) and apoptosis (Caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2) genes. The supplement of SNP over 5 uM was strongly inhibited blastocyst development of bovine IVM/IVF embryos than in control and 1 uM SNP group (Table 2). The developmental rates beyond morulae stages of bovine IVM/IVF embryos co-cultured with BOEC regardless of SNP supplement (40.4% in 5 uM SNP+ BOEC group and 65.1% in BOEC group) were significantly increased than those of control (35.0%) and SNP single treatment group (23.3%, p<0.05: Table 3). The transcripts of Bax and Caspase-3 genes were detected in all experiment groups (1:Isolated fresh cell (IFC), 2:Primary culture cell (PCC), 3:PCC after using the embryo culture, 4: PCC containing 5 uM SNP and 5: PCC containing 5 uM SNP after using the embryo culture), but Bcl-2 gene was not detected in IFC and PCC (Fig. 1). In the expression of growth factor genes, TGF-p gene was found in all experimental groups, and EGF and IGFBP genes were not found in IFC and PCC (Fig. 2). These results indicate that BOEC co-culture system can increase the development beyond morula stages of bovine IVM/IVF embryos, possibly suggesting the alleviation of embryonic toxic substance like nitric oxide.

This study was conducted to examine the protein kinase inhibitors, 6-dimethylaminopurine (DMAP) and cycloheximide (CHXM) on the development and chromosome constitution of porcine parthenogenetic embryos. In vitro matured oocytes were activated by electric stimuli (ES) or a combination of ES with culture in 2 mM DMAP or 10 μg/ml CHXM for 4 hr. Activated oocytes were cultured in PZM-3 for 6 days. Some 1-cell embryos and blastocysts were fixed by air dry method to analyze the chromosome constitutions and/or total cell number. Blastocyst development of DMAP-treated group (26.7%) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of CHXM-treated and ES control groups. Ploidy in 1-cell stage embryos was not different among groups (77.3 to 81.0%), however, proportion of diploid chromosome constitutions was high in DMAP-treated group (61.9%, p<0.05). In the blastocyst stage, proportion of diploid chromosome plates was significantly high in DMAP-treated group (64.2%, p<0.05), and proportion of abnormal chromosome plates was higher in CHXM-treated group (36.6%, p<0.05) than DMAP-treated group (28.3%,). Proportion of embryos with abnormal chromosome constitutions was slightly increased by DMAP (40.0%) and CHXM (42.1%) treatment due to the increasing of mixoploid (47.4 and 52.0%). The present study shows that the DMAP treatment increase the development of porcine parthenotes. However, parthenogenetic activation by ES or combined treatment with ES and DMAP or CHXM detrimentally affects the chromosome constitutions of porcine parthenotes during early embryonic development, leads to increased abnormal ploidy in the blastocyst stage.

This study was conducted to examine the viability of Korean native striped cattle (Bos namadicus Falconer, Chikso) clone embryos after embryo transfer. Chikso somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos were produced by fusion of ear skin cells derived from a female Chikso with enucleated oocytes matured in vitro for 18-24 hr. After in vitro culture of SCNT embryos for 7 to 8 days, fresh or vitrified blastocysts derived from SCNT were transferred into a uterine horn of recipient cows. Fifteen of total 43 recipients were pregnant at Day 50 and 4 recipients were maintained to term. Three IVF-derived calves and 1 clone Chikso calf were born. Pregnancy rate was higher when fresh embryos were transferred to recipients compared to vitrified embryos, but development to term was not different between both groups. The clone Chikso calf died at 5 days after birth due to the fullness of amniotic fluid in rumen and the infection of umbilical cord. The result of the present study shows that clone Chikso calf can produced from the embryo transfer of SCNT embryos, however, solution of abortion problem is necessary to improve the cloning efficiency.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of periods of sperm preincubation, concentrations and storage periods of miniature pig sperm on in vitro penetration of porcine follicular oocytes. High concentration (1×105, 2.5×105, 5×105, 1×106, 5×106 and 1×107) did support sperm penetration than low concentrations (P<0.05). However, polyspermic oocyte rates were increased with high concentrations of sperm. On the other hand, sperm preincubated during 1, 2 or 5h could be penetrated than sperm preincubated during 0, 3 or 4h (P<0.05). When sperm were storaged with different periods, in vitro pentration rates were significantly higher 0～2 days than 3～4 days of sperm storage (p<0.05). These results indicate that sperm treatment factors can effect in vitro penetration in miniature pig.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of orvus es paste(OEP) on the sperm characteristics during freezing in boar semen. Semen quality was evaluated the motility, membrane integrity, mitochondria function, acrosome status, viability and abnormality. Boar semen were frozen until 5℃ for 2 hours using cell freezer and making the straws, and then freezing by lowing the straws into styrofoam box on the 8cm above the LN2 and plunged into LN2 for cryopreservation. In different concentration of OEP (0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0%) into cryo-extender, sperm motility, membrane integrity, acrosome status, viability and mitochondria function were significantly higher in 0.5% OEP than those of any other groups, but sperm abnormality were highest in 1.0% OEP group among all treatment groups (P<0.05). In the relationships of the evaluation methods for sperm viability, CBB vs membrane integrity, CBB vs HO/PI and CBB vs mitocondria function were positively correlated (0.67~0.92). Among the evaluation methods, CBB vs membrane integrity, CBB vs HO/PI and CBB vs mitocondria function were significantly correlated (P<0.001). These results of this study indicate that supplementation of 0.5% OEP in boar semen cryo-extender can improve the semen quality.

본 연구는 0.5 ml straw를 이용한 정자 동결융해 시 융해 온도가 동결정자의 성상에 미치는 영향을 파악하고 미니 돼지의 동결정액에 최적화된 적정 융해 조건을 찾기 위하여 실시하였다. 정액동결 straw를 37, 50 및 70℃에서 각각 5초, 10초 및 45초간 융해하여 생존율(SYBR-14/PI staining), 정자원형질막기능검사 (Hypoosmotic Swelling Test) 및 첨체반응율 (CTC : chlorotetracycline staining)을 검사 한 결과 70℃에서 5초간 융해한 정자의 생존율과 CTC 결과가 37℃와 50℃에서 10초 및 45초간 융해한 처리구보다 유의적(p<0.05)으로 높은 생존율과 낮은 비율의 첨체 반응율을 얻었다. 따라서 미니 돼지의 동결 정액은 고온에서 단시간 융해를 하는 것이 정자의 성상에 유리한 것으로 사료된다.

The objective of this study was to establish the optimal conditions for hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test to assess the functional integrity of the membranes of boar fresh or frozen/thawed spermatozoa. When pooled semen sample was incubated for 30 min at 37℃ with different test solution of varied osmolarity, the highest percentage of HOS positive spermatozoa was observed in a 150 mOsmol fructose/Na-citrate solution (33.6%). Incubation time did not affect significantly the score of HOS positive spermatozoa observed in a 150 mOsmol fructose/Na-citrate solution at 37℃, but the osmolarity affected the score of HOS positive spermatozoa under the same condition above. Fresh semen was significantly better than frozen/thawed semen in semen parameters evaluated such as motility, viability, membrane integrity and lipid peroxidation (p<0.05). In the relationships of sperm parameters, motility vs viability, motility vs membrane integrity and viability vs membrane integrity were positively correlated (0.82～0.94) but lipid peroxidation vs other estimated factors was negatively correlated (－0.90～－0.98). Among the evaluation methods, motility vs viability, motility vs membrane integrity and lipid peroxidation vs other estimated factors were significantly correlated (p<0.05). These results of this study indicate that the optimal condition of HOST in boar spermatozoa is a 150 mOsmol fructose/Na-citrate solution for 30 min incubation at 37℃ and HOST can substitute the examination of motility, viability and lipid peroxidation.

This study was conducted to examine the effect of several saccharides on the induction of capacitation and acrosome reaction (AR) and to examine the effects of mono and polysaccharides on the penetration activity of boar spermatozoa. Spermatozoa were inseminated in medium with fucose, galactose and mannose as monosaccharide, and fucoidan, galactan and mannan as polysaccharide. The penetration rates were significantly (p<0.05) lower in medium with galactose (40.6%), mannose (38.1%), fucose (41.6%) and fucoidan (36.6%) compared with control (56.7%). The rates of AR were increased (40.7 to 59.8%) by the preincubation periods prolonged from 0 to 4 hr (p<0.05). Similar tendencies were observed in AR when spermatozoa were treated with monosaccharides, but not significantly differ among the groups treated with different time of preincubation with some exception of galactose. When spermatozoa were treated with polysaccharides, the rates of AR were significantly (p<0.05) increased by preincubation time prolonged from 0 to 4 hr with an exception of fucoidan. In conclusion, the present study suggests that penetration rate of spermatozoa is higher in presence of polysaccharides than monosaccharides. Also, it may resume that the comparing to control, the all saccharides (L-fucose, D-galactose, D-mannose, fucoidan, galactan and mannan)-treated groups slightly increase the AR pattern as preincubation time prolonged.

The objective of this study was to analyzed pattern of proteins expression abnormally in cloned bovine placenta. TIMP-2 protein whose function is related to extracellular matrix degradation and tissue remodeling processes was one of differentially up-regulated proteins in SCNT placenta. And one of down-regulated protein in SCNT placenta was identified as vimentin protein that is presumed to stabilize the architecture of the cytoplasm. The expression patterns of these proteins were validated by Western blotting. To evaluate how regulatory loci of TIMP-2 and vimentin genes was programmed reprogramming in cloned placenta, the status of DNA methylation in the promoter region of TIMP-2 and vimentin genes was analyzed by sodium Bisulfite mapping. The DNA methylation results showed that there was not difference in methylation pattern of TIMP-2 and vimentin loci between cloned and normal placenta. Histone H3 acetylation state of the nucleosome was analyzed in the cloned placental and normal placenta by Western blotting. A small portion of the protein lysates were subjected to Western blotting with the antibodies against anti acetyl-Histone H3. Overall histone H3 acetylation state of SCNT placenta was significantly higher than those of normal placenta cells. It is postulated that cloned placenta at the end of gestation seems to be unusual in function and morphology of placenta via improper expression of TIMP-2 and vimentin by abnormal acetylation states of cloned genome.