Sestrin-2 (SESN2) as a stress-metabolic protein is known for its anti-oxidative effects as a downstream factor of PERK pathways in mammalian cells. However, the expression patterns of SESN2 in conjunction with the UPR signaling against to ER stress on porcine oocyte maturation in vitro, have not been reported. Therefore, we confirmed the expression pattern of SESN2 protein, for which to examine the relationship between PERK signaling and SESN2 in porcine oocyte during IVM. We investigated the SESN2 expression patterns using Western blot analysis in denuded oocytes (DOs), cumulus cells (CCs), and cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) at 22 and 44 h of IVM. As expected, the SESN2 protein level significantly increased (p < 0.01) in porcine COCs during 44 h of IVM. We investigated the meiotic maturation after applying ER stress inhibitor in various concentration (50, 100 and 200 μM) of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA). We confirmed significant increase (p < 0.05) of meiotic maturation rate in TUDCA 200 μM treated COCs for 44 h of IVM. Finally, we confirmed the protein level of SESN2 and meiotic maturation via regulating ER-stress by only tunicamycin (Tm), only TUDCA, and Tm + TUDCA treatment in porcine COCs. As a result, treatment of the TUDCA following Tm pre-treatment reduced SESN2 protein level in porcine COCs. In addition, SESN2 protein level significantly reduced in only TUDCA treated porcine COCs. Our results suggest that the SESN2 expression is related to the stress mediator response to ER stress through the PERK signaling pathways in porcine oocyte maturation.

Fermented total mixed ration (TMR) is a novel feed for ruminants in South Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the quality of TMR and in vitro ruminal fermentation. Strains of three LAB spp. (Lactobacillus plantarum, L. brevis, L. mucosae) were used in fermentation of TMR. Inoculations with the three LAB spp. lowered pH and increased concentrations of lactic acid, acetic acid, and total organic acid compared to non-LAB inoculated control (only addition of an equivalent amount of water) (p<0.05). Bacterial composition indicated that aerobic bacteria and LAB were higher. However, E. coli were lower in the fermented TMR than those in the control treatment (p<0.05). Among the treatments, L. brevis treatment had the highest concentration of total organic acid without fungus detection. Gas production, pH, and ammonia-nitrogen during ruminal in vitro incubation did not differ throughout incubation. However, ruminal total VFA concentration was higher (p<0.05) in the LAB spp. treatments than the control treatment at 48 hours. Overall, the use of L. brevis as an inoculant for fermentation of high moisture. TMR could inhibit fungi growth and promote lactic fermentation, and enhance digestion in the rumen.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different feed inoculation method on rumen fermentation in an in vitro. Three experimental treatments were used: control (CON, direct dispersion of feed (2 g) in rumen fluid), combinations of direct dispersion (1 g) and nylon bag (DNB, pore size: 50 μm, 1 g), and nylon bag (NB, 2 g). An in vitro fermentation experiment was carried out using strained rumen fluid for 48 h incubation time and timothy was used as a substrate. At the end of the incubation, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility (IVNDFD), pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), and microbial community were evaluated and gas production was estimated at 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 h incubation periods. Gas production was higher in CON than DNB and NB at 6 and 12 h incubation time (p<0.01). There were no differences in final gas production, pH, NH3-N concentration, total VFA production, and VFA profiles among treatments. The IVDMD was lowest in CON (p<0.01) but the IVNDFD was not differed by feed distribution methods. There were no significant differences in general bacteria and fungi. Protozoa count was highest in NB treatment among treatments (p<0.01). The abundance of cellulolytic bacteria, Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Fibrobacter succinogenes, was highest in the CON among treatments (p<0.01).

Among fatty acid families, the polyunsaturated fatty acids were demonstrated to be mediators in various reproductive processes as precursor of steroid hormone (via cholesterol) and prostaglandins (via arachidonic acid), and in the last decade, major research was focused on the effects of omega-6 and especially omega-3 fatty acid. Eicosapentaenoic acid, the longest members of omega-3 fatty acid family, can be produced by a series of desaturation and elongation reactions from shorter member such as α-Linolenic acid. However, very few studies have provided detailed descriptions of Eicosapentaenoic acid effects and mechanisms of action in mammalian oocytes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation on in vitro maturation and developmental potential of porcine oocytes. Various concentrations of Eicosapentaenoic acid was added into in vitro maturation medium, and we evaluated the degree of cumulus expansion, nuclear maturation rate, blastocysts quality, and levels of prostaglandin E2, 17β-estradiol, progesterone in the spent medium. High doses (100 mM) of Eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation significantly inhibited cumulus expansion and oocyte nuclear maturation, and prostaglandin E2 synthesis also significantly decreased compared with other groups (p < 0.05). Supplementation of 50 mM Eicosapentaenoic acid showed higher quality blastocysts in terms of high cell numbers and low apoptosis when compared with other groups (p < 0.05), and synthesis ratio of E2/P4 also significantly increased compared with control group (p < 0.05). However, Supplementation of 100 mM Eicosapentaenoic acid showed high apoptosis when compared with other groups (p < 0.05), and synthesis ratio of 17b-estradiol/progesterone also significantly decreased compared with control group (p < 0.05). Our results indicated that supplementation with appropriate levels of Eicosapentaenoic acid beneficially affects the change of hormone synthesis for controlling oocyte maturation, leading to improved embryo quality. However, high doses of Eicosapentaenoic acid treatment results in detrimental effects.

In this study, we investigated the possibility of using mouse embryonic stem cell conditioned medium (ESCM) and embryonic stem cell medium (ESM) for in vitro maturation in the efficient in vitro production of blastocysts from porcine follicular oocyte. Depending on the concentration of supplement of ESCM added to the NCSU-23 solution did not affect 2-cell development rates and blastocysts development. However, in particular, the survival rate (10 days of culture) of blastocyst was significantly higher than that of the control group as the additive concentration (30%) increased (p < 0.05). The survival rate of blastocysts showed a similar tendency even with addition of ESM (30%) alone. On the other hand, the duration of the addition of these additives during IVM (0-44 h) was that the IVM I period (0-22 h) were more effective than the IVM II period (22-44 h). Thus, the effect of these additives is probably due to the combination of the various physiologically active substances of ESCM or the appropriate amino acids and vitamins of ESM. In particular, these additives were more effective during the first half (IVM I) of in vitro maturation. In summary, optimization of ESCM or ESM supplementation may improve in vitro maturation of porcine oocyte and affect developmental competency. Therefore, if more efficient methods of adding ESCM or ESM to basal culture medium can be developed during in vitro maturation of porcine follicle oocytes, high quality blastocysts will be developed from low porcine follicular oocyte compared to other domestic animals.

Although somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-derived embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in pigs have great potential, their use is limited because the establishment efficiency of ESCs is extremely low. Accordingly, we tried to develop in-vitro culture system stimulating production of SCNT blastocysts with high performance in the colony formation and formation of colonies derived from SCNT blastocysts for enhancing production efficiency of porcine ESCs. For these, SCNT blastocysts produced in various types of embryo culture medium were cultured in different ESC culture medium and optimal culture medium was determined by comparing colony formation efficiency. As the results, ICM of porcine SCNT blastocysts produced through sequential culture of porcine SCNT embryos in the modified porcine zygote medium (PZM)-5 and the PZM-5F showed the best formation efficiency of colonies in α-MEM-based medium. In conclusion, appropriate combination of the embryo culture medium and ESC culture medium will greatly contribute to successful establishment of ESCs derived from SCNT embryos.

The objective of this study was to establish an in vitro culture system for ovarian preantral follicles of B6D2F1. First, we optimized the in vitro preantral-follicle culture by culture duration, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) type, and activin A concentration. Duration of in vitro culture for 9, 11, and 13 days was sufficient for the normal development of preantral follicles to antral follicles. Formation of cumulus cell–oocyte complex (COC) was induced by treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; 2.5 IU/mL) and epidermal growth factor (EGF; 5 ng/mL). In addition, metaphase II (MII) oocytes formed during this in vitro culture of preantral follicles. In vitro preantral-follicle culture for 9 days showed higher rates of growth and maturation, thus yielding a greater number of antral follicles, and there were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the number of MII oocytes (that formed from these preantral follicles via differentiation) between the 9-day culture and 11-day or 13-day culture. The follicles cultured for 9 days contained a tightly packed well-defined COC, whereas in follicles cultured for 11 days, the COC was not well defined (spreading was observed in the culture dish); the follicles cultured for 13 days disintegrated and released the oocyte. Second, we compared the growth of the preantral follicles in vitro in the presence of various FSH types. There were no significant differences in the growth and maturation rates and in differentiation into MII oocytes during in vitro culture between preantral follicles supplemented with FSH from Merck and those supplemented with FSH from Sigma. To increase the efficiency of MII oocyte formation, the preantral follicles were cultured at different activin A concentrations (0 to 200 ng/mL). The control follicles, which were not treated with activin A, showed the highest rate of differentiation into antral follicles and into MII oocytes among all the groups (0 to 200 ng/mL). Therefore, activin A (50 to 200 ng/mL) had a negative effect on oocyte maturation. Thus, in this study, we propose an in vitro system of preantral-follicle culture that can serve as a therapeutic strategy for fertility preservation of human oocytes for assisted reproductive medicine, for conservation of endangered species, and for creation of superior breeds.

본 연구는 한국에 자생하는 대표적인 식충식물인 끈끈이주 걱(Drosera rotundifolia)에 있어서 기내 대량번식 체계를 확립 하기 위해 잎 부위별로 절편체(엽신, 사각형으로 자른 엽신, 엽병, 엽신+엽병, 엽신+엽병의 중앙에 칼집)를 달리하여 신초 증식 및 재분화에 적합한 배지농도(1/4MS, 1/2MS, 1MS, 2MS) 및 배양방법(고체 및 액체배지 그리고 암 4주후 명 1주, 암 2 주후 명 3주, 명 5주처리)을 구명하고자 하였다. 고체배지의 경우, 식물체 재생율과 신초수는 1/4MS~1/2MS배지에서 사각 형으로 자른 엽신 절편(100%, 1.8개)과 엽신+엽병 절편(100%, 1.6~1.8개)에서 가장 높게 나타났다. 액체배지의 경우, 식물체 재생율은 1/2MS배지의 사각형으로 자른 엽신 절편에서 100%, 신초수는 1/4MS와 1/2MS배지의 사각형으로 자른 엽신과 엽 신+엽병(중앙-칼집) 절편에서 2.6~2.7개로 높게 나타났다. 고 체배지와 액체배지를 비교해 볼 때, 액체배지에서 5주간 배양 한 결과가 고체배지에서 8주간 배양한 결과보다 좋은 것으로 나타나 끈끈이주걱의 재분화를 위해서는 액체배양이 효율적 인 것으로 판단된다. 배양조건에서는 암 4주 후 명 1주 처리 와 암 2주 처리 후 명 3주 처리의 1/4MS배지에서 신초수가 각각 3.5개, 3.6개로 가장 높았으나 생장상태를 고려한다면 암 2 주처리후 명 3주처리의 1/4MS배지가 가장 좋은 것으로 판단 된다. 본 실험에서는 오히려 cytokinin이 첨가된 배지보다는 첨가되지 않은 배지에서 신초 및 뿌리생장이 양호한 것으로 나타났다.

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of hyaluronidase during IVM on oocyte maturation, oxidative stress status, expression of cumulus expansion-related (PTX, pentraxin; GJA1, gap junction protein alpha 1; PTGS2, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2) and fatty acid metabolism-related (FADS1, delta-6 desaturase; FADS2, delta-5 desaturase; PPARα, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha) mRNA, and embryonic development of porcine oocytes. The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were incubated with 0.1 mg/mL hyaluronidase for 44 h. Cumulus expansion was measured at 22 h after maturation. At 44 h after maturation, nuclear maturation, intracellular glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured. Gene expression in cumulus cells was analyzed using real time PCR. The cleavage rate and blastocyst formation were evaluated at Day 2 and 7 after insemination. In results, expansion of cumulus cells was suppressed by treatment of hyaluronidase at 22 h after maturation. Intracellular GSH level was reduced by hyaluronidase treatment (p < 0.05). On the other hand, hyaluronidase increased ROS levels in oocytes (p < 0.05). Only PTGS2 mRNA was enhanced in COCs by hyaluronidase (p < 0.05). Population of oocytes reached at metaphase II stage was higher in control group than hyaluronidase treated group (p < 0.05). Both of cleavage rate and blastocyst formation were higher in control group than hyaluronidase group (p < 0.05). Our present results showed that developmental competence of porcine oocytes could be reduce by hyaluronidase via inducing oxidative stress during maturation process and it might be associated with prostaglandin synthesis. Therefore, we suggest that suppression of cumulus expansion of COCs could induce oxidative stress and decrease nuclear maturation via reduction of GSH synthesis and it caused to decrease developmental competence of mammalian oocytes.

Omega-3 α-linolenic acid and omega-6 linoleic acid are essential fatty acids for health maintenance of human and animals because they are not synthesized in vivo. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid supplementation on in vitro maturation and developmental potential of porcine oocytes. Various concentrations of α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid were added into in vitro maturation medium, and we evaluated the degree of cumulus expansion, oocyte nuclear-maturation rate, blastocyst rate, blastocyst quality, and levels of prostaglandin E2, 17b-estradiol, and progesterone in the spent medium. High doses (100 μM) of α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid supplementation significantly inhibited cumulus expansion and oocyte nuclear maturation, and prostaglandin E2 synthesis also significantly decreased compared with other groups (p < 0.05). Supplementation of 50 μM α-linolenic acid and 10 μM linoleic acid showed higher quality blastocysts in terms of high cell numbers and low apoptosis when compared with other groups (p < 0.05), and synthesis ratio of 17b-estradiol / progesterone also significantly increased compared with control group (3.59 ± 0.22 vs. 2.97 ± 0.22, 3.4 ± 0.28 vs. 2.81 ± 0.19, respectively; p < 0.05). Our results indicated that supplementation with appropriate levels of α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid beneficially affects the change of hormone synthesis (in particular, an appropriate increase in the 17b-estradiol / progesterone synthesis ratio) for controlling oocyte maturation, leading to improved embryo quality. However, high doses of α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid treatment results in detrimental effects.

In vivo 측정법은 비용이 많이 들고 연구기간이 길며 동물복지 측면에서 여러 문제점이 있다. 이에 대한 대안으로 지난 수십년간 in vitro 소화율 측정법이 개발되어 왔다. 본 총설에서는 대표적인 단위동물로써 사양되고 있는 돼지의 소화기관 특징 및 소화작용에 대한 논하였다. 또한, 최근에 개발된 daisy II incubator 를 이용한 in vitro 방법을 통해 돼지에서 주요 곡류사료로 이용되고 있는 옥수수, 쌀, 소맥 및 대맥의 회장 및 전분 건물소화율을 측정하였다.

This study aimed to recover the ovarian function through in vitro culture of preantral follicles from aged mice. First, we isolated the preantral follicles from ovaries of sixty-seven-week old B6D2F1 mice with decreased fecundity to know how many follicles were present in them, which was 6 preantral follicles including 2 primary, 2 early secondary and late secondary follicles from 8 aged mice. It was confirmed that a few follicles (~2) were present in aged mice through histological analysis compared to adult mice as control. The 9 days of in vitro culture of preantal follicles showed in vitro growth and induced maturation after treatment with hCG (2.5 IU/mL) and EGF (5 ng/mL). Cumulus cells in the cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were removed using hyaluronidase and oocytes at the germinal vesicle (GV) and GV breakdown (GVBD) were obtained from preantral follicle culture of aged mice in vitro. In conclusion, these observations demonstrated that there still were a few preantral follicles in the ovaries of 67 week-old mice, which we were able to culture in vitro and oocytes were obtained from them. This study proposed an in vitro culture system using preantral follicle as a therapeutic strategy for fertility preservation in humans for assisted reproductive medicine.

Morphology of cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) at germinal vesicle (GV) stage as one of the evaluation criteria for oocyte maturation quality after in vitro maturation (IVM) plays important roles on the meiotic maturation, fertilization and early embryonic development in pigs. When cumulus cells of COCs are insufficient, which is induced the low oocyte maturation rate by the increasing of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in porcine oocyte during IVM. The ROS are known to generate including superoxide and hydrogen peroxide from electron transport system of mitochondria during oocyte maturation in pigs. To regulate the ROS production, the cumulus cells is secreted the various antioxidant enzymes during IVM of porcine oocyte. Our previous study showed that Mito-TEMPO, superoxide specific scavenger, improves the embryonic developmental competence and blastocyst formation rate by regulating of mitochondria functions in pigs. However, the effects of Mito-TEMPO as a superoxide scavenger to help the anti-oxidant functions from cumulus cells of COCs on meiotic maturation during porcine oocyte IVM has not been reported. Here, we categorized experimental groups into two groups (Grade 1: G1; high cumulus cells and Grade 2: G2; low cumulus cells) by using hemocytometer. The meiotic maturation rate from G2 was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased (G1: 79.9 ± 3.8% vs G2: 57.5 ± 4.6%) compared to G1. To investigate the production of mitochondria derived superoxide, we used the mitochondrial superoxide dye, Mito-SOX. Red fluorescence of Mito-SOX detected superoxide was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in COCs of G2 compared with G1. And, we examined expression levels of genes associated with mitochondrial antioxidant such as SOD1, SOD2 and PRDX3 using a RT-PCR in porcine COCs at 44 h of IVM. The mRNA levels of three antioxidant enzymes expression in COCs from G2 were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than COCs of G1. In addition, we investigated the anti-oxidative effects of Mito-TEMPO on meiotic maturation of porcine oocyte from G1 and G2. Meiotic maturation and mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes were significantly (p < 0.05) recovered in G2 by Mito-TEMPO (0.1 μM, MT) treatment (G2: 68.4 ± 3.2% vs G2 + MT: 73.9 ± 1.4%). Therefore, our results suggest that reduction of mitochondria derived superoxide by Mito-TEMPO may improves the meiotic maturation in IVM of porcine oocyte.

미토콘드리아는 세포질 칼슘 항상성 및 ATP 생산에 중요한 역할을 하는 세포 소기관으로 이러한 미토콘드리아의 기능은 성숙과 수정 그리고 배 발달에 매우 중요한 역할을 한다. 미토콘드리아 칼슘 축적은 기능장애를 일으킨다. 그러나 돼지 체외성숙란 및 수정란에서 미토콘드리아 칼슘 변화의 관련성에 관한 연구는 보고된 적이 없다. 본 연구의 목적은 미토콘드리아 칼슘 지시자로 알려진 Rhod-2 염색을 이용하여 성숙란 및 수정란에서 미토콘드리아 칼슘 축적의 변화를 확인하였다. 형태학적 모습의 기준을 통해 난구세포의 세포층과 세포질의 균질도를 바탕으로 G1과 G2로 나누어서 체외성숙을 진행하였다. 이후 두 그룹에서 핵 성숙율을 비교하였을 때, G2가 G1에 비해 낮게 나타났다(p<0.001). 돼지 체외성숙란 및 수정란에서 평균적인 Rhod-2 spot 의 수는 G1보다 G2에서 더 많이 나타났다(6시간째 체외수정란: p<0.05). 다음으로 Rhod-2 spot 수에 따른 난모세포의 비율을 확인하기 위해 Rhod-2 spot 의 수를 4개의 군(n<10, 10≤n<20, 20≤n<30, 그리고 30≤n)으로 나누어 해당 난모세포의 비율을 확인하였다. 체외성숙란 및 체외수정란 모두 G1이 G2에 비해 10개 미만(n<10)인 Rhod-2 spot 의 수를 가지는 난모세포가 많았으며, 체외수정란에서는 유의적으로 높았다(p<0.05). 마지막으로 체외성숙란 및 수정란에서 Rhod-2 intensity 값을 측정하여 두 그룹을 비교하였을 때, G2가 G1에 비해 유의적으로 높은 것을 확인 할 수 있었다(성숙란; p<0.001 그리고 수정란; p<0.05). 본 연구의 결과를 토대로 돼지에서 미성숙 난포란의 형태학적인 품질은 체외성숙 및 체외수정 과정 동안 미토콘드리아 내 칼슘 축적과 관련이 있음을 확인하였다.

This study was conducted to investigate the fermentation characteristics and anti-obesity effects of Cheonnyuncho (Oputia Humifusa) fruit fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum SRCM 100320 (FC). The pH gradually decreased from 4.77 to 3.63 at 72 hours during fermentation. Counts of lactic acid bacteria, total polyphenol and flavonoid contents and DPPH scavenging activity were the highest at 48 hours during fermentation. Evaluation of the composition of polyphenols and flavonoids of FC fermented at 48 hours by HPLC revealed hyperoside (quercetin 3-galactoside), luteolin and kaempferol were the major components. The hyperoside content of FC was decreased, while the luteolin and kaempferol contents of FC were increased compared to unfermented Cheonnyuncho (NFC). Evaluation of the anti-obesity effects of FC in 3T3L-1 cells revealed that the accumulation of triglyceride was inhibited by about 27.3% in cells treated with FC at 150 μg/mL compared to NFC. These findings indicate FC has the potential for use as an anti-obesity material.