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.

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.

본 연구는 혈통이 확인된 한우 암소의 체중과 월령에 따라 난소에서 난포의 분포 양상을 확인하고, 체외성숙배양 배지가 채취된 미성숙 난자/난구세포의 배양시 분할율에 미치는 영향을 확인하고자 수행하였다. 도축장에서 도축된 암소들의 혈통, 생체중, 및 월령을 기준으로 적출된 난소를 분류한 후, 난소 모양, 황체, 백체 및 난포액 분포 양상을 확인하였고, 개체별 한우 난소에서 18G 주사침이 장착된 5ml 주사기를 이용하여 난자를 채취한 후, 실체현미경으로 관찰하여 난구세포가 난자주변을 둘러싸고 있는 난자를 회수 하였다. 회수한 미성숙난자를 25mM HEPES 와 10% FBS 가 첨가된 TCM-199 으로 옮겨 2~3 회 세정한 후, follicle stimulating hormone(FSH, Sigma) 0.5 μg/ml, luteinizing hormone(LH, Sigma) 0.5μg/ml, β-estradiol(Sigma)1μg/ml 가 첨가된 미성숙 난자의 체외성숙배지 BO, TCM199, 및 IVMD101 를 각각 사용하여 22 시간 동안 38.5℃, 5% CO2 배양기에서 성숙시켰다. 동결정액은 동일한 보증씨수소 정액을 37.5℃에서 30 초간 융해 하였으며, 최종 정자에는 IVF100 을 첨가하여 각각의 정자 droplet 에 난자들을 38.5℃, 5% CO2 조건의 배양기에 5~6 시간동안 체외수정 하였다. 연구 결과, 무혈통 번식 한우의 체외성숙 배지별 분할율은 BO 배양액에서 23.99%였고, TCM199 에서 47.99%, IVMD101 에서 40.04%로, BO 가 가장 낮았고 TCM199 가 높은 경향을 나타냈다. 개체별 체중에 따른 난자의 체외성숙 배지별 분할율은 480kg 미만의 경우, TCM199 에서 72.73%였고, IVMD101 에서 33.77%로 TCM199 이 월등히 높았다. 480-639kg 의 경우, TCM199 에서 50.05%였고, IVMD101 에서 55.11%로 IVMD101 가 높았으나 비슷한 양상을 나타냈다. 640-699kg 의 경우는 TCM199 에서 65.38 %였고, IVMD101 에서 47.92%로 TCM199 가 높았으며, 700kg 이상의 경우에는 TCM199 에서 61.75%, IVMD101 에서 55.63%로 TCM199 가 더 높게 나타났다. 개체별 월령에 따른 난자의 체외성숙 배지별 분할율은 39 개월 미만의 경우, TCM199 에서 62.41%, IVMD101에서 50.00%로 TCM199 이 높았고, 39-50 개월미만의 경우에는 TCM199 에서 51.22%, IVMD101 에서 49.89%로 TCM199 이 더 높은 경향을 보였다. 50 개월 이상의 경우에는 IVMD101 에서 57.40%로 TCM199 에서 52.25%보다 높게 나타났다. 결과적으로 체중별로 채취된 난자는 TCM199 에서 분할율이 높았으며, 월령별로 채취된 난자는 50 개월이상의 경우 IVMD101 에서 분할율이 높았으나 39-50 개월미만과 39 개월미만의 경우 TCM199 에서 분할율이 높아 다른 경향을 보였다. 본 연구결과를 바탕으로 체중, 월령 및 배양 배지에 따라서 분할율의 향상과 이때 발현되는 번식형질 유전자의 발현에 관한 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of fructose that was supplemented to a chemically defined in Vitro maturation (IVM) medium on oocyte maturation and embryonic development after parthenogenesis in pigs. The base medium for in Vitro maturation (IVM) was porcine zygote medium (PZM) that was supplemented with 0.05% (w/v) polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or 10% (v/v) porcine follicular fluid (pFF). In the first experiment, when immature pig oocytes were matured in a chemically defined medium that was supplemented with 5.5 mM glucose or with 1.5, 3.0 and 5.5 mM fructose, 3.0 mM fructose resulted in a higher nuclear maturation (91.5%) than 1.5 and 5.5 mM fructose (81.9 and 81.9%, respectively) but showed a similar result with 5.5 mM glucose (94.2%). However, there was no significant differences among groups in the embryo cleavage (89.4-92.4%), blastocyst formation (37.5-41.1%), and mean cell number of blastocyst (30.8-34.2 cells). Fructose at the concentration of 3.0 mM (1.08 pixels/oocyte) resulted in a higher intra-oocyte glutathione (GSH) content than 1.5 and 5.5 mM fructose (1.00 and 0.87 pixels/oocytes, respectively) while the cumulus cell expansion was not influenced. In the second experiment, effect of individual and combined supplementation of a chemically defined maturation medium with 5.5 mM glucose or 3.0 mM fructose was examined. No significant effect was found in the nuclear maturation (86.3-92.6%). Embryo cleavage was significantly increased by the combined supplementation with glucose and fructose (95.2%) compared to that with 3.0 mM fructose only (85.7%) while blastocyst formation (37.3-42.8%) and embryonic cell number (33.3-34.1 cells) were not altered. Effect of supplementation of pFF-containing medium with glucose and fructose + glucose was examined in the third experiment. No significant effect by the supplementation with glucose and fructose or glucose alone was observed in the nuclear maturation of oocytes (90.7-94.1%) and blastocyst formation (51.0-56.5%). Our results demonstrate that 3.0 mM fructose was comparable to 5.5 mM glucose in supporting in Vitro oocyte maturation and embryonic development after parthenogenesis and could be used as an alternative energy source to glucose for in Vitro maturation of pig oocytes.

In most mammals, metaphase II (MII) oocytes having high maturation promoting factor (MPF) activity have been considered as good oocytes and then used for assisted reproductive technologies including somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Caffeine increases MPF activity in mammalian oocytes by inhibiting p34cdc2 phosphorylation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeine treatment during in Vitro maturation (IVM) on oocyte maturation and embryonic development after SCNT in pigs. To this end, morphologically good (MGCOCs) and poor oocytes (MPCOCs) based on the thickness of cumulus cell layer were untreated or treated with 2.5 mM caffeine during 22-42, 34-42, or 38-42 h of IVM according to the experimental design. Caffeine treatment for 20 h during 22-42 h of IVM significantly inhibited nuclear maturation compared to no treatment. Blastocyst formation of SCNT embryos was not influenced by the caffeine treatment during 38-42 h of IVM in MGCOCs (41.1-42.1%) but was significantly improved in MPCOCs compared to no treatment (43.4 vs. 30.1%, P<0.05). No significant effects of caffeine treatment was observed in embryo cleavage (78.7-88.0%) and mean cell number in blastocyst (38.7-43.5 cells). The MPF activity of MII oocytes in terms of p34cdc2 kinase activity was not influenced by the caffeine treatment in MGCOCs (160.4 vs. 194.3 pg/ml) but significantly increased in MPCOCs (133.9 vs. 204.8 pg/ml). Our results demonstrate that caffeine treatment during 38-42 h of IVM improves developmental competence of SCNT embryos derived from MPCOCs by influencing cytoplasmic maturation including increased MPF activity in IVM oocytes in pigs.

The elevated temperature and high humidity has been known as main reason for heat stress on animals and cause detrimental effects on productivity of organisms and physiological conditions of normal bioactivities. The aims of this study were to evaluate the relationship between time of heat shock simulation during in vitro maturation and developmental competence of subsequent embryo after in vitro fertilization. Heat shocked cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) of Korean native cattle were subjected to normal conditions for 22, 21, 18 and 12 h respectively and transferred to heat stress inducing condition at 40.5 °C in other incubator for 0 (control), 1 and 4 h. After maturation for 22 h, the oocytes were fertilized and cultured in mSOF media for 8 d and examined the developmental capacity of embryos. There were no differences in maturation and cleavage rates between 0, 1 and 4 h heat socked oocytes, but blastocysts formation were lower in the 4 h heat stressed oocytes. The apoptotic cells of developed blastocysts were also increased in at day 8 with 4 h heat shocked oocytes. These results indicate that heat shock on oocytes during maturation could cause negative effects on the developmental competence of embryos.

Hyaluronan은 난포액, 나팔관과 자궁에 존재하는 물질로 돼지의 다정자 수정을 억제하고 체외배 양액에 첨가시 배 발육을 향상시키는 것으로 알려져 있다. Glucuronic acid와 N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc)은 이중결합하여 hyaluronan을 구성하는 물질이다. 본 연구에서는 체외성숙 배양액 내 Glucuronic acid 및 GlcNAc 첨가가 돼지 난자의 성숙 및 단위발생 난자의 배 발육에 미치는 영향 을 조사하였다. 난자의 체외성숙 배양액으로는 0.1% PVA (polyvinyl alcohol)가 첨가된 Medium-199 을 기본배양액으로 이용하였고, 여기에 cysteine, pyruvate, epidermal growth factor, kanamycin, insulin 및 호르몬을 추가하여 44시간 동안 난자를 배양하여 체외성숙을 유도하였다. 실험설계에 따라 glucuronic acid 및 GlcNAc를 각각 0, 0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 mM의 농도로 체외성숙 배양액에 첨가 하였다. 체외성숙된 난자는 전기자극을 통해 단위발생을 유도하였고 porcine zygote medium-3에서 7일간 체외 배양하였다. 실험 결과 난자의 체외성숙 배양액 내 glucuronic acid 첨가는 난자의 핵 성숙률(91.3-94.4%), 단위발생 후 분할률(85.5-93.6%) 및 배반포 발달율(42.0-51.0%)에 영향을 미치지 않았으나 배반포 세포수는 0.05 mM glucuronic acid 첨가 군에서 38.0개로 대조군의 31.5개에 비해 유의적으로(P<0.05) 증가하였다. 난자의 체외 성숙 배양액에 GlcNAc를 첨가하였을 때 난자의 핵 성숙률(94.3-97.2%) 및 단위발생 후 배반포 세포수(40.0-43.1)는 대조군 및 첨가 농도의 차이에 따라 유의적인 차이를 보이지 않았으나 분할률은 0.05 mM 처리군에서 91.8%로 대조군(85.0%) 및 0.005 mM 처리군(84.6%)에 비해 유의적(P<0.05)으로 증가하였다. 또한 0.05 mM 처리군의 배반포 발달 율은 59.6%로 대조군(46.3%), 0.005 mM 처리군(44.3%) 및 0.1 mM 처리군(45.2%)에 비해 유의적으 로 높았다. 이상 결과로 보아 체외성숙 배야액 내 0.05 mM glucuronic acid 및 GlcNAc 첨가는 돼 지 난자의 단위발생 후 배 발육을 증가시키는 것으로 사료된다.

돼지 난자의 체외성숙 배양액에서 다양한 농도의 육탄당 처리는 난자의 성숙률과 배 발 육능, 세포수 증가에 영향을 주는 것으로 보고되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 육탄당의 일종인 fructose가 돼 지 난자의 체외성숙에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 난자의 체외배양액으로는 cysteine, pyruvate, epidermal growth factor, kanamycin, insulin 및 호르몬이 첨가된 porcine zygote medium (PZM)-4 또는 10% 돼지 난포액이 첨가된 PZM-3을 이용하였고 실험설계에 따라 다양한 농도의 fructose 및 5.5 mM의 glucose를 첨가하여 44시간 동안 배 양함으로써 난자의 성숙을 유도하였다. 첫 번째 실험에 서는 1.5, 3.0 및 5.5 mM의 fructose 와 5.5 mM의 glucose가 첨가된 성숙배양액에서 배양된 난자의 성숙률 및 단위발생 후 배 발육능을 조사하였다. 실험 결과 1.5, 3.0 및 5.5 mM fructose를 첨가한 배양액에서 성숙된 난자는 5.5 mM glucose가 첨가된 배양액에서 성숙된 난자와 비교하였을 때 유 사한 핵 성숙 률(81.9-91.5% vs. 94.2%), 단위발생 후 분할률(89.4-92.4% vs. 90.1%), 배반포 발달률 (39.3-41.1% vs. 39.4%) 및 배반포 세포수(30.8-34.2% vs. 31.8%)를 보였다. 두 번째 실험에서, 10% 돼지 난포액이 첨가된 PZM-3 배양액에서 무처리 및 3.0 mM fructose, 5.5 mM glucose 및 3.0 mM fructose와 5.5 mM glucose 병행 첨가 성숙배양액에서 성숙된 난자의 성숙률 및 단위발생 후 배 발 육률을 조사하였다. 실험 결과 3.0 mM fructose (93.1%), 5.5 mM glucose(91.7%) 및 3.0 mM fructose 와 5.5 mM glucose 병행 처리군(93.5%)이 무처리군(74.4%)에 비해 유의적으로(P<0.05) 높은 핵 성 숙률을 보였다. 또한 5.5 mM glucose(90.1%) 및 병행 처리군(97.2%)은 대조군(67.6%)에 비해 유의 적으로(P<0.05) 높은 분할률을 보였다. 배반포 발달률은 3.0 mM fructose(52.6%) 및 병행 처리군 (58.8%) 에서 무처리군(44.4%) 및 5.5 mM glucose (51.0%)에 비해 유의적으로(P<0.05) 증가하였다. 본 실험 결과로 보아 체외성숙 합성배양액 내 fructose 첨가는 glucose와 유사한 수준의 배 발육률 을 보임으로써 glucose를 대체할 수 있는 에너지원으로 이용 가능함을 확인하였다.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG)는 아미노산의 일종인 글루탐산에 나트륨이 결합된 것으로 구수한 맛, 감칠맛을 내는 인공조미료로 사용되고 있다. 이전 연구에 의하면 쥐에서MSG의 섭취가 난모세 포의 발달에 유해하다는 결과가 보고되었다. 본 연구에서는 돼지 난자의 체외성숙 및 체외 배양액 에 MSG 첨가가 난자의 성숙 및 배 발육에 미치는 영향을 검토하였다. 난자의 체외성숙배양액으 로는 10% 돼지 난포액이 첨가된 Medium-199 (positivecontrol) 또는 비필수아미노산이 제거된 Porcine zygote medium (PZM)-4를 기본배양액으로 하여 여기에 cysteine, pyruvate, epidermal growth factor, kanamycin, insulin 및 호르몬을 첨가하여 사용하였다. 실험설계에 따라 MSG를 각각 0, 0.1, 1, 10 mM 농도로 체외성숙 배양액에 첨가하였다. 체외성숙 난자는 전기자극을 통해 단위발생을 유도하였고 PZM-3배양액에서 7일간 체외 배양하였다. 체외배양에서의 MSG 효과를 알아보기 위하 여 돼지 난포액 첨가 Medium-199에서 체외성숙된 난자들 중 제1극체가 방출된 난자만을 선별하여 단위발생 유도 후 PZM-3 (positive control) 또는 비필수아미노산이 제거된 PZM-4에 0,0.1, 1, 10 mM의 MSG를 첨가하여 배 발육에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 체외성숙 단계에서 MSG 효과를 조 사한 결과 MSG 농도에 따른 체외성숙률(61.3-70.3%)에는 차이를 보이지 않았지만 10 mM의 MSG 처리군(83.5%)이 0.1 mM 처리군(93.7%)에 비해 유의적으로 낮은 분할률을 보였다. 또한 MSG 처리 군들이 (14.5-25.5%) 무처리군(30.0%)에 비해 낮은(P<0.05) 배반포 발달률을 보였다. 체외배양 단계 에서 MSG 효과를 조사한 결과 10mM MSG 처리군(90.8%)이 1 mM 처리군(96.5%)에 비해 유의적 으로 낮은 분할률을 보였으며, 10 mM 처리군(32.8%)이 0.1과 1 mM MSG 처리군에(55.1, 51.4%)에 비해 유의적으로(P<0.05) 낮은 배반포 발달률 보였으나 무처리 대조군(46.6%)과 유의적 차이는 없 었다. 이러한 결과를 보아 체외성숙 배양액 내 MSG 첨가는 난자의 핵 성숙률에는 영향을 주지 않지만 고농도의 MSG 처리는 단위발생 후 분할률을 억제하며 배반포 발육능을 억제하는 것으로 확인되었다.

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.

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.

Recent 2 decades, including in vitro maturation (IVM), assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) achieved noteworthy development. However the efficiency of ARTs with in vitro matured oocytes is still lower than that with in vivo oocytes. To overcome those limitations, many researchers attempted to adapt co-culture system during IVM and consequently maturation efficiency has been increased. The beneficial effects of applying co-culture system is contemplated base on communication and interaction between various somatic cells and oocytes, achievement of paracrine factors, and spatial effects of extracellular matrix (ECM) from somatic cell surface. The understanding of co-culture system can provide some information to narrow the gap between in vitro and in vivo. Here we will review current studies about issues for understanding cu-culture system with various somatic cells to improve in vitro maturation microenvironment and provide bird view and strategies for further studies.

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of thymidine treatment during in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine follicular oocytes on blastocyst development. Porcine oocytes were treated with thymidine (10 mM, 20 mM and 30 mM) for 2 or 6 hr in the preiods of IVM I and/or II. The survival rates of the blastocysts in the 6 hr treatment groups of 10 mM and 20 mM during IVM I period were significantly higher than those of control group (p<0.05). However, the survival rate of the blastocysts in the 2 hr treatment group of 20 mM during IVM II period was significantly higher than control group (p<0.05). Furthermore, the survival rate of the blastocysts in the 6 hr treatment group of 30 mM during IVM II period was significantly lower than control group (p<0.05). Consistent with the previous result, blastocyst development of both IVM I and II treatment group was also showed as similar pattern. Total and apoptotic cell numbers of blastocysts derived from thymidine treated porcine oocytes were examined by using Tunel assay. The results showed that there was no significant differences in total cell number of blastocysts between thymidine treated and untreated groups. However, apoptosis-positive cells in the thymidine treated group (6 hr IVM I) were significantly lower than those of other groups (p<0.05). Taken together, these results indicate that high quality oocytes were selected by DNA synthesis mechanism according to high concentration thymidine treatment during porcine oocyte maturation. Therefore, we concluded that presumptive selected oocytes by thymidine treatment during maturation periods improved the further embryo development and embryonic quality of IVF embryos by decreasing the incidence of apoptosis in preimplantation porcine embryos.

Transducin-like enhancer protein 1(TLE-1) is protein associated with cell proliferation. This study analyzed change of TLE-1 mRNA expression during in vivo and in vitro maturation in porcine oocytes. Oocytes and granulose cells were collected from follicles of <2 mm, 2～6 mm and >6 mm in diameter in slaughtered pig’s ovaries. Oocytes collected from follicles of 2～6 mm in diameter were used after in vitro maturation for 0, 10, 20 and 44 h. Cumulus cells and granulose cells were collected after treatment with hyaluronidase. In results, TLE-1 mRNA expression in oocytes collected from follicle >6 mm in diameter is increased, TLE-1 RNA expression in cumulus cells and granulosa cells from follicles <2 mm, 2 mm 6 mm and >6 mm in diameter. However, there is no significant difference. On the other hand, TLE-1 mRNA expression from oocytes cultured for 10 h and 44 h is increased, TLE-1 mRNA in cumulus cells cultured for 10 h is significant increased(p<0.05) than other culture periods. In conclusion, these results show that TLE-1 is expressed in all cell types of oocytes, cumulus cells and granulose cells, and associated with oocyte maturation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of co-culture of bovine oocytes with cumulus cells on in vitro maturation and development following in vitro fertilization in bovine oocytes. Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and denuded oocytes (DO) were co-cultured with the cumulus cells in TCM199 for 20~22 hr, and evaluated the nuclear type of oocyte. After in vitro maturation, oocytes were coincubated for in vitro fertilization with frozen-thawed spermatozoa selected by 65% percoll in DM-Heparin and DM-Caffeine for 15~18 hr. Presumptive zygotes were cultured for 48 hr in CR1aa in vitro culture medium with 10% FBS, and evaluated the cleavage rates. The results confirmed that the highest percentage of metaphase II (M-II) stage was observed in COCs (30.1±3.5%, 24.2±1.8%) as compared to DO (7.1±1.3%, 17.4±13.9%) (p<0.05). In addition, the increased cleavage rates were obtained from COCs (69.6±2.1%, 75.6±2.9%) when compared to DO (21.6±7.5%, 29.5±12.6%) (p<0.05). In conclusion, this study suggested that cumulus cells secreted positive factors during in vitro maturation of oocytes and early embryonic development after in vitro fertilization of bovine oocytes.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) play important roles in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling during ovarian follicular development, oocytes development and ovulation. In an attempt to investigate the effect of MMP activation in development cumulus-oocytes complexes, we examined the localization and expression of MMP, and monitored MMP expression profile. Cumulus-oocytes complexes were collected and matured in vitro for 24 hr, 36 hr and 48 hr. A mRNA expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 was detected in all culture medium regardless of CC, OC and COCs. Activity of MMP-2 in the OC progressively was increased from 24 hr to 48 hr. But MMP-9 was not detected in all culture medium. The localization of MMP-2 was also measured by immunohistochemistry analysis. The MMP-2 and TIMP-2 was detected in cumulus cell and oocyte zone pellucida. Expression of MMP-2 protein in the COCs was progressively increased from 24 hr to 48 hr. However, MMP-9 protein was progressively decreased from 24 hr to 48 hr. And TIMP-2 protein was most highly expressed in the COCs 36 hr. Expression of TIMP-3 protein in the COCs was progressively increased from 24 hr to 48 hr. In conclusion, these results suggest that MMP-2 plays a role in maintaining normal maturation and development by controlling the ECM inhibitor concentration on cumulus cell and oocytes.

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of eCG and various concentrations (20, 40, and 80 ) of porcine FSH on nuclear maturation and intracellular glutathione (GSH) level of oocytes, and embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in pigs. Immature pig oocytes were matured in TCM-199 supplemented with porcine follicular fluid, cysteine, pyruvate, EGF, insulin, and hormones (10 IU/ml hCG and 10 IU/ml eCG or FSH) for the first 22 h and then further cultured in hormone-tree medium for an additional 22 h. Nuclear maturation of oocytes () was not influencem foreCG and various concentrations FSH. Embryonic development to the cleavage stage () and mean number of cells in blastocyst ( cells) after PA were not altered but blastocyst formation e-treignificaddlor(p<0.05) improvem forthe supplementation eith 80 FSHr(64%) compared to 47%, io8%, iand 47% in oocytes that were treated with eCG, 20,i and 40 FSH,i numectivelo. In SCNT, fusion () of cell-cytoplast couplets and siosequent embryo cleavage () were not influencem fordifferent gonadotropins but blastocyst formation tended to increase forthe supplementation eith 80 FSHr(25% vs. ). Our nuults demonstrated that oocyte maturation and embryonic development after PA and SCNT e-frinfluencem fortype of gcem fortype of gits concentration. In this study, supplementation of maturation medium eith 80 FSHrimproved preimplantation development of PA and SCNT pig embryos, probably by increasing intracellular GSH concentration of matured oocytes.