This study was conducted to investigate the effects of alpha-lipoic acid (aLA) as an antioxidant that decrease the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in bovine embryonic development. Slaughterhouse derived bovine immature oocytes were collected and 4 different concentrations (0, 5, 10 and 20 mM) of aLA was supplemented in bovine in Vitro maturation (IVM) medium. After 20 hrs of IVM, maturation rates, levels of ROS and glutathione (GSH), and further embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA) and in Vitro fertilization (IVF) was investigated according to aLA concentrations. Maturation rate was significantly higher in 10 mM group than other groups (80.5% vs. 62.9, 73.9, 64.2%; P<0.05). In the levels of ROS and GSH in matured oocytes as an indicator of oocyte quality, significantly better results were shown in 5 and 10 mM groups compared with other 2 groups. After IVM, significantly higher rates of blastocyst formation were shown in 10 mM groups in both of PA (27.9% vs. 18.8, 22.3, 14.2%; P<0.05) and IVF (32.6% vs. 23.9, 27.3, 16.2%; P<0.05) embryos. In addition, significantly more cell total cell number and higher inner cell mass ratio in 10 mM PA and IVP blastocysts showed developmental competence in 10 uM groups. Therefore, based on the entire data from this study, using 10 μM of aLA confirmed to be the optimal concentration for bovine oocyte maturation and embryonic development.

The objective of this experiment was to explore the effects of Roscovitine (Rosco) prior to in vitro maturation (IVM) of immature pig oocyte. Brilliant cresyl blue test has been used to select the good quality of oocyte. Specifically, the effects of Rosco exposure on nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, diameter, intracellular glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), and gene expression levels in SCNT embryos have been measured. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) have been exposed in 75 μM of Rosco for 22 and 44 h. The COCs that were matured in the IVM for 44 h without Rosco used as control group. Diameter of matured porcine oocytes 44 h culture with Rosco was significantly lower than 22 h culture with Rosco and control groups. GSH was higher in control group than 22 h and 44 h with Rosco but reduction of ROS in 22 h than 44 h with Rosco. In PA, exposure with Rosco 44 h oocytes group has been significantly lower than 22 h and control group in rates of maturation, cleavage and blastocyst formation. Similarly, in SCNT embryos rates of maturation, cleavage and formation of blastocyst have been also significantly lower in 44 h Rosco treated group than other two groups. SCNT embryos treated with Rosco 22 h showed greater expression levels of POU5F1, DPPA2 and NDP52Il mRNA compared with other two groups. Our results demonstrate that Rosco treatment with 22 h prior to IVM improves the development competence of porcine oocyte.

This study was conducted to establish the optimal chemical post-activation conditions in porcine embryonic development after parthenogenesis (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) using 4 different chemical compositions (cytochalasin B (CB), cyclohexamide (CHX), demecolcine (DC), 6-dimethylaminopurine (DMAP). Porcine embryos were produced by PA and SCNT and then, cultured for post-activation with CB (7.5 μg/mL), CB (7.5 μg/mL) + CHX (10 μg/mL), CB (7.5 μg/mL) +DC (0.4 μg/mL), and CB (7.5 μg/mL) + DMAP (2 mM). In PA embryonic development, cleavage rates have been significantly higher in CB group (94.7%) and CB+DMAP group (94.1%) than that of CB+CHX and CB+DC group (88.1 and 84.3%, respectively). There have been no significant differences in blastocyst formation rates among the four groups. In cell number of blastocyst was shown in CB group (42.3%) significantly higher than CB+CHX and CB+DC group (40.6 and 40.6%, respectively). In SCNT embryonic development, CB+DMAP group (89.7%) significant differences were found on embryo cleavage rates when compared with other three groups. Blastocyst formation rates in CB+DMAP group (26.9%) were significantly higher when compared with CB, CB+CHX, and CB+DC groups (25.5, 20.2, and 22.1%, respectively). In blastocyst cell number, CB+DMAP group (41.4%) was found higher significant difference compared with other three groups. Additionally, we have investigated survivin expression in early development stages of porcine SCNT embryos for more confirmation. Our results establish that CB group and CB+DMAP group for 4 h during post-activation improves pre-implantation improvement of PA and SCNT embryos.

The objective of this study was to establish the effect of post-activation treatment with cytoskeletal regulators of CB, CB+CHX, CB+DC, CB+6’DMAP on embryonic development of pig oocytes after parthenogenesis (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). PA and SCNT embryos were produced by using in vitro matured pig oocytes and treated for 4 h after electric activation with cytochalasins B (7.5 μg/ml), CB+cycloheximide (10 μg/ml), CB+demecolcine (0.4 μg/ml), and CB+2mM 6-Dimethylaminopurine. Post-activation treatment of PA oocytes with CB, CB+CHX, CB+DC and CB+6’DMAP no significant differences were found in embryo cleavage (83.2～91.5%), mean cell number of blastocysts (40.6～ 42.3% cells/blastocyst) but significantly (P<0.05) differences blastocyst formation (28.6～36.4%). When PA oocytes were treated with CB, CB+CHX, CB+DC, CB+6’DMAP, blastocyst formation was significantly (P<0.05) improved by CB (36.6%) compared to CB+CHX (30.9%), CB+DC (28.6%) and CB+6’DMAP (35.2%). In SCNT, was not significantly (P<0.05) increased by post-activation treatment with CB+CHX (81.3%), CB+DC (83.9%) and CB+6’DMAP (90.0%) compared to CB (84.5%) on embryo cleavage, blastocyst formation (19.1%~23.6%) and blastocyst cell number (39.6～41.4% cells/blastocyst) also were not influenced. But increased tendency in CB+6’DMAP. In addition, we investigated survivin expression in porcine SCNT embryos during the early developmental stages. The levels of survivin mRNA in 2-4 cell stage SCNT embryos were significantly higher 6’DMAP treated group than other treatment groups of SCNT embryos. These observations suggested that 2-4 cell cleaving embryos at have high developmental competence, and which may be influenced by survivin expression in porcine SCNT embryos. Our results demonstrate that post-activation treatment with CB, CB+CHX, CB+DC, CB+6’DMAP improves pre-implantation development of SCNT embryos and the stimulating effect of cytoskeletal modifiers on embryonic development is differentially shown depending on the origin (PA or SCNT) of embryos in pigs.

Introduction Porcine embryonic stem cells (pESCs) derived from cloned embryos might be a useful animal model in biomedical research, however, establishment of cloned pESCs is difficult by its incomplete nuclear reprogramming. Here, we report the improved development competence of porcine cloned embryos by vitamin C (VC) supplement to establish the pESCs. Materials and Methods Slaughterhouse-derived oocytes were in vitro matured for 44h and parthenogenetic and cloned embryos were produced using matured oocytes. Both of embryos were cultured for 6 days in PZM-5 media and development rates were examined. Four different concentration of VC (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml) was supplemented in IVM and IVC media and preimplantation developments in the 5 groups were compared in both of embryos Results and Discussion In the cleavage rates of IVM group, significantly higher rate was shown in 50 mg/ml group than other groups (84.5 ± 0.6% vs. 69.8 ± 5.5, 75.7 ± 1.8, 80.4 ± 0.2, 72.4 ± 0.1%; P<0.05), respectively. Significantly higher rates of blastocyst development also were shown in 50 mg/ml group than other groups (27.0 ± 2.0% vs. 20.4 ± 1.4, 22.1 ± 1.3, 23.7 ± 1.2, 19.6 ± 1.3%; P<0.05), respectively. In the cleavage rate of IVC group, non-significantly different with each group (84.0 ± 1.3, 86.7 ± 1.0, 88.4 ± 1.4, 76.7 ± 3.0, 64.6 ± 4.4; P<0.05). In the blastocyst rate of IVC group, significantly higher rate was shown in 25mg/ml and 50 mg/ml group than other groups (22.3 ± 1.7, 23.8 ± 1.7% vs. 19.1 ± 1.3, 15.9 ± 1.0, 5.8 ± 1.5%; P<0.05) In conclusion, supplement of 50μg/ml of VC in IVM and IVC media enhanced the development of porcine parthenogenetic embryos and these results will be a helpful information in the development of porcine cloned embryos and derivation of its embryonic stem cells.

Introduction The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of staining of porcine cumulus-oocytes complexes (COCs) by brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) test prior to in vitro maturation may be used to select developmentally competent oocytes. Furthermore, milrinone can be used to promote developmental competence of porcine embryos produced during parthenogenesis (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Materials and Methods Slaughterhouse-derived porcine cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) were exposed to BCB and treated oocytes divided into BCB+ (colored cytoplasm), BCB- (colorless cytoplasm) groups. After division into 2 groups, intracellular glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) of matured oocytes were compared. And, preimplantation development of PA and SCNT embryos were also compared between 2 groups. BCB- oocytes were exposed to milrinone with different concentrations (0, 50, 75, and 100μM) for 6 h prior to IVM for further development of embryos. Results and Discussion GSH was higher in BCB+ group than BCB- group whereas ROS was lower in BCB+ than BCBgroup. In parthenogenetic embryos, BCB+ oocytes group was significantly higher on maturation (87.5 vs 80.6, 71.3%), cleavage (88.6 vs 82.9, 76.3%), and blastocyst formation rates (34.3 vs 27.8, 25.3%) than control and BCB- oocytes groups, respectively. Moreover, ratio of ICM:TE cells were higher in BCB+ oocytes group (30.3% vs. 28.6, 26.4%, respectively) than other groups. In cloned embryos, the significant higher blastocyst formation rates were shown BCB+ groups (30.6% vs. 26.0, 20.1%) than BCB- groups. To improve the cytoplasmic maturation in BCB- oocytes, 4 different concentrations of milrinone (0, 50, 75, and 100μM) were supplemented in the IVM media for 6 h. BCB- oocytes supplemented with 75μM milrinone showed the significantly higher rates of blastocyst formation than other groups. Our results demonstrate that staining of porcine oocytes with BCB before IVM may be used for selection of good quality oocytes and milrinone supplementation can be used to improve embryo developmental competence of porcine embryos.

This study was conducted to evaluate a visual surveillance system. The advancement of recording technology and network service make it easy to record and transfer the videos. Moreover, progressed recognition technology help to make a distinction each other. Cows show distinguishing behaviors during their estrus period. The mounting is one of the behaviors. The result was different depending on the breed of the cows and the size of the farm. In the case of Korean native cattle, the estrus detection rate was 71.15%, however, dairy cows, the estrus detection rate was 39.38%. At the farms having below 6 modules, the estrus detection rate was 87.41%. On the other hand, at the farms having over 6 modules, the estrus detection rate was 77.78%. With the proper progress, the visual surveillance system can be used to detect heat detection.

Since the first success of animal cloning, somatic cell nuclear transfer presented various ideas in many research areas such as regenerative medicine. However, SCNT embryos has poor survival rate. Therefore, numerous researches carried out to enhance the developmental capability of porcine nuclear transfer embryos. Cytochalasin B, demecolcine, latrunculin A, cycloheximide and 6-dimethylaminopurine are efficient chemicals treated in post-activation procedure to increase the efficiency of SCNT. This review study is aim to investigate the effects of these chemicals applied to post-activation in porcine SCNT. Cytochalasin B, demecolcine, latrunculin A are cytoskeletal manuplators inhibit extrusion of pseudo-polar body. Cytochalasin B and demecolcine showed considerably higher blastocyst formation proportion (26-28%) compared to when they are not treated (16%). And when latrunculin A was treated for postactivation, blastocyst formation proportion was increased in SCNT embryos exposed to LA (38%) than those in control (14%). On the other hand, cycloheximide and 6-dimethylaminopurine are protein synthesis and kinase inhibitors. And they help to maintain Ca2+ fluctuation in oocytes. Cleavage and blastocyst rates of NT embryos were increased when they were exposed to CHX (16.9% and 5.4% with no CHX).And 6-DMAP also showed higher blastocyst formation (21.5% compared to 15.7%, control). Although all these chemicals have different mechanisms, they showed developmental competence enhancement in NT embryos. However, there are only few studies comparing each chemical’s post-activation effect. Therefore, further research and study should be conducted to find optimal chemical for improving the efficiency of SCNT.

This study is performed to evaluate the effect of insulin in the porcine parthenogenetic embryo development. In porcine embryo culture, insulin is helpful factor in the process of embryo development. To identify this, insulin is used in pig embryos development. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the effect of insulin on early embryonic development in pigs. For that, insulin positive or negative (0, 10 ug/mL) was supplemented in the porcine IVM media and then compared two groups divided by the cytoplasm of the black groups and white ring groups based on the distribution of lipid material of the cell cytoplasm in microscope. In maturation rates of porcine oocytes, significant higher black group rates were shown in the insulin positive groups compared with other groups (56.0±2.1 vs 46.2±0.3). In the embryo culture, black groups were showed the significant higher cleavage rates (82.1±0.8, 78.3±0.1 vs 63.2±0.3, 63.4±0.0), and blastocyst formation rates (15.5±3.6, 16.6±0.4 vs 11.7±1.3, 7.4±0.2) regardless of whether the addition of insulin. Also, black groups were showed higher cell number of blastocyst (33.2±2.5, 35.5±2.6 vs 31.2±2.1, 31.3±2.2). In conclusion, supplement of insulin producing black group in vitro maturation, it was effective in vitro maturation and embryonic development of pig embryos.

In the last 10 years, porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer to generate transgenic pig has been performed tremendous development with introduction and knockout of many genes. However, efficiency of porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer is still low and embryo transfer (ET) is one of important step for production efficiency. In porcine ET for production of transgenic cloned pig, we can consider many of points to increase production rates. In respect of seasonality and weather, porcine ET usually is not performed in summer and winter. Cloned transgenic embryos must be transferred into reproductive tracts of recipients where embryos are located after natural fertilization with similar estrous cycle. If cloned embryos with 2∼4 cell stage are transferred, they must be transferred into oviducts in periovulatory stage. Number and deposition sites of transferred cloned embryos are important. And we must compare the methods of ET between surgical and non-surgical ones in respect of production efficiency. Sow recipients after natural estrus is most preferred recipients however its cost is must be considered. Here we will review many of current studies about porcine embryo transfer to increase production efficiency of transgenic pigs and strategies for further studies.