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.

The purpose of this study was to analyze whether FSH and LH hormone treatment directly or indirectly affect embryo development in embryonic development. To determine this, we compared the development of embryonic cells through the expression pattern of MMPs. As a result, 33.8% of blastocysts were formed in FSH added group, 20.8% in LH added group and 10% in FSH + LH added group. In addition, the activity of MMP-9 was highly detected in the FSH-added group, and the expression of Casp-3 was much lower than that of the other groups. These results suggest that the addition of FSH seems to increase the activity of MMP-9 in embryonic cells, and that LH, on the contrary, may activate MMP-2 activity. In addition, the expression level of MMP-2 in the FSH-added group was high in the Trophoblast cell group and in the LH-added group, the hormone ideal secretion might affect the development of the embryonic cell.

In this study, we analyzed signal transduction by equine follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (eFSHR) on stimulation with recombinant eelFSHβ/α (rec-eelFSHβ/α), natural porcine FSH (pFSH), and natural human FSH (hFSH). cAMP stimulation in CHO-K1 cells expressing eFSHR was determined upon exposure to different doses (0-1450 ng/mL) of these hormones. The EC50 value of rec-eelFSHβ/α was 53.35 ng/mL. The Rmax values of rec-eelFSHβ/α and pFSH were 28.12 and 2.88 ng/mL, respectively. The activity of rec-eelFSHβ/α was much higher than that of natural pFSH. However, signal transduction in CHO PathHunter Parental cells expressing eFSHR was not enhanced by stimulation with natural hFSH. Thus, rec-eelFSHβ/α was completely active in cells expressing eFSHR. However, natural hFSH did not invoke a signal response in cells expressing eFSHR. Particularly, natural pFSH was weakly active in the same cells. These results showed that eelFSHβ/α has potent activity in cells expressing eFSHR. Thus, rec-eelFSHβ/α may efficiently bind to eFSHR, where as natural hFSH does not bind to eFSHR.

The glycoprotein hormone family consists of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH; GTH1), luteinizing hormone (LH; GTH2), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which are secreted by the pituitary gland in all mammalian species, and chorionic gonadotropin, which is secreted by placental trophoblast cells in primates and equids. These hormones consist of non-covalently associated α-, β- subunits. Within a species, the amino acid sequence of α-subunit is identical across all glycoprotein hormones and is encoded by a single gene. The αβ dimer is the active form of the hormone, and biological specificity is conferred by the β-subunit. Both of α and β subunit of eel FSH has two N-glycosylation sites (α-subunit: Asn56 and Asn79; β -subunit: Asn5 and Asn22, respectively). In the present study, we constructed deglycosylated mutants at single and double sites in each subunits of eel FSH for identification of Asn linked oligosaccharides' biological role. Mutant cDANs were cloned into pcDNA3 expression vector and transiently transfected into CHO suspension cells. The quantity of rec-eelFSHs were quantified by sandwich ELISA system, using monoclonal antibodies produced in our lab. The wild type rec-FSH protein was detected at the predicted molecular weight of 34 kDa by western blot. The molecular weight of deglycosylated mutants at single site decreased with about 4 kDa and of mutants at double sites decreased with 8 kDa. After PNGase treatment in the rec-eel FSH proteins, molecular weight also decreased to 7-8 kDa. We generated stably parental cell lines, engineered to express a β-arrestin 2EA fusion protein, expressing eel FSHR and C-terminal deleted mutant. 2 out of 5 receptor cells each were selected by G-418 and we tested these cell lines in a receptor functionality using PathHunter β arrestin assay (DiscoverX). Follicle stimulating hormone acts through binding to its specific receptor. Binding of ligand to the receptor activates the adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) pathway (McFarland et al., 1989; Ji and Ji, 1991a; Rose, 1998) and the inositol 1phosphate (IP1) the second messenger systems. After stimulation of eelFSH receptor stably transfected Parental CHO cells with FSH wild type and mutant hormones as a ligand, production of cAMP and IP-1 were evaluated (Cisbio). cAMP IC-50 values by eelFSHwt; αΔ56; αΔ79; αΔ56_79; and βΔ5 were 33.1; 1154.7; 22; 410 and 311.9 ng/ml, respectively. IP-1 IC-50 values by eelFSHwt; αΔ56; αΔ79; αΔ56_79 and βΔ5 were 6.8; 7.1; 4.4; 3.8 and 10.2 ng/ml, respectively too. The cAMP activation was greatly decreased in the αΔ56αmutant. Thus, the site of α56 oligosaccharide in the eel plays an pivotal role for the cAMP stimulation using eel FSH receptor cell lines. In the IP-one assay, the activity in the αΔ56 and βΔ5 mutants was a little decreased than the wt. The biological roles of N-linked oligosaccharides in GPCR internalization are going to be estimated by measuring β arrestin recruitment system.

한우(韓牛, Korean Cattle, Bos taurus coreanae)는 모색에 따라 황소, 칡소, 흑소로 나 누어지고 있다. 칡소는 현재 1,700여두가 전국에 사육되고 있는 것으로 추정하고 있다. 그러나 사육기반이 취약하여 멸종위험종으로 분류하고 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 칡소 대량 증식에 필요한 수정란이식의 효율성 제고를 위하여 FSH 투여 용량에 따른 과배란, 수정란회수, 이식후 임신율 및 송아지 생시체중을 조사하였다. 공란우는 각각 시험군에 10두씩 배치하였고, FSH 용량은 280 mg 4일 투여 및 240 mg 3일투여법을 사용하였다. 과배란 처리 및 수정란회수는 일반적인 수정란 채란 프로그 램을 준용하였다. FSH 240 mg 및 280 mg 투여시 발정유기는 87.5, 85.3%, 과배란은 81.3, 79.4%로서 차이가 없었다. 수정란 회수 성적이 평균 황체수는 240 mg 및 280 mg 처리군에서 각각 16.5개, 13.6개, 총 수정란수는 각각 7.5±1.8, 6.9±1.8, 이식 가능한 수정란수는 각각 4.1± 1.2, 3.5±1.0, 변성란 1.4±0.6, 2.3±1.1, 미수정란 2.0±0.9, 1.1±0.5개로 유사한 경향이었 다. 용량별 처리군에서 회수된 1등급과 2등급의 수정란을 이식한 후 임신율은 240 mg 군이 38.7%, 280 mg 군은 46%로 280 mg 군이 차이가 없었다. 칡소의 수정란이식 및 인공수정으로 태어난 송아지의 생시체중과 성비를 조사한 결과, 수정란이식으로 태어난 송아지의 생시체중은 24.8±2.9, 인공수정으로 태어난 송아지가 25.6±3.3 kg으로 다소 높 았지만 유의차는 없었다. 본 연구를 통하여 칡소에서 수정란 생산시 FSH 용량에 따른 과배란 및 수정란회수 성 적은 차이가 없었다. 그러나 FSH의 용량이 감소하여도 유사한 결과로서 경제적으로 효 과가 있을 것으로 생각된다.

This study was performed to investigate the FSH levels for superovulation procedure in Korean Native Cattle (Hanwoo). The effectiveness of 200 mg and 400 mg of FSH to initiate superovulation was examined in Hanwoo. Donors, at random stages of the estrous cycle, received a CIDR. 7 days later, 200 mg FSH group was treated with 40, 30, 20, 10 mg FSH levels in declining doses twice daily by intramuscular injection for 4 days. Also, 400 mg FSH group was treated with 80, 60, 40, 20 mg FSH levels. On the 3rd day administration of FSH, 25 mg PGF2α was administered and CIDR was withdrawn. Donors were artificially inseminated twice at 12 hr intervals. The donor cattle received 250 μg GnRH at time of 1st insemination and embryos were recovered 8 days after the 1st insemination. As a results, average number of CL treated with FSH 200 mg was higher as 20.9±1.20 than 15.8±0.63 for donors treated with FSH 400 mg, respectively(p<0.05). Treated group of 200 mg FSH level increased (p<0.05) the number of embryos recovered per procedure compared to 400 mg FSH level (18.2±1.18 vs. 12.38±0.52, respectively). When treatment of 200 mg FSH was performed, average transferable embryos/ova increased (p<0.05) to 14.1±1.12 from 6.8±0.33 of treated of 400 mg FSH. Group of 200 mg FSH increased (p<0.05) to 8.3±0.76 from 2.0±0.26 in morula stage compare to 400 mg FSH group. Mean of total early blastocyst and expanded blastocyst stage embryos was similar (p<0.05) between the 200 mg and 400 mg FSH levels group (4.7±1.19 vs. 2.9±0.18 and 1.2±0.40 vs. 1.9±0.17). These results suggest that 200 mg FSH level-based superovulation protocol with CIDR may be effectively used for production of superior embryos in Hanwoo. In other words, the less level of FSH may be effectively applied for Hanwoo (Korean Native Cattle), because Hanwoo was smaller body size than beef or daily cow.

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.

The objective of present study was to investigate the effect of seasons on reproductive performance of Hanwoo and Holstein heifers. Heat stress in summer or cold stress in winter stress to Hanwoo and Holstein heifers may bring reproduction failure, which would pose an important economic loss, even around Daegwallyeong region located in high mountainous area. Seasonal differences in the serum levels of LH, FSH and progesterone () in response to environmental factors (hot and cold) out of 20 pubertal Hanwoo heifers in Daegwallyeong, Gangwon Province and 20 non-lactating Holstein heifers in Chonan city of Republic of Korea at 2-3 years of age were compared. Blood samples for hormonal analysis were from jugular vein after detection of estrus repeatedly over four seasons within four-week intervals (Spring: May to June, Summer: July to August, Autumn: October to November and Winter: January to February). In Hanwoo heifer population, averages of LH and FSH concentration in spring and in summer were greater compared to those in winter (p<0.05). LH or FSH levels tended to be greater (p=0.06) in spring and less (p=0.09) in winter compared to the levels in autumn. Only in summer, cattle seemed to show lower LH or FSH secretion (p<0.05). Similar to the results in Hanwoo heifers, the serum concentrations of LH and FSH in Holstein heifers decreased further by heat stress in summer when P 4 levels were high during luteal phase. The results demonstrate significant effect of summer heat on reproduction of Hanwoo or Holstein heifers. Although parameters indicating the extent of heat stress were not measured in this study, we suggest that serum hormone levels could be considered as successful indicators of summer heat stress condition for Hanwoo and Holstein heifers even under rather cool summer climate.

본 실험은 polyethylene glycol (PEG)에 용해시킨 FSH의 투여 방법과 용량에 따른 체내 수정란 생산 효율을 난소 반응과 회수되는 수정란의 수량과 품질, 수정란 이식 효율을 조사하였다. 공란우 88마리를 네 군으로 구분하였다. 처리 1군은 50 mg의 FSH를 하루 2회 4일 동안 투여하였으며, 처리 2 및 3군은 30% PEG 에 녹인 400 mg과 200 mg의 FSH 용량을 1회 투여하였으며, 처리 4군은 CIDR로 처리 후 7일째에 30% PEG에 녹인 200 mg의 FSH를 처리하였다. 과배란 처리 후 황체수에서는 처리 1, 2, 3 및 4군에서 각각 11.2, 18.5, 13.1 및 13.9개로서, 처리 2군에서 다른 처리군보다 유의적으로(p<0.05) 높았다. 회수된 난자의 총 수에서 각 군의 결과는 8.5, 10.4, 8.7 및 7.9개였으며, 이식 가능한 수정란 수에서 각 군의 결과는 3.9, 4.3, 4.7 및 3.7개로 군간의 유의적인 차이는 보이지 않았다. 각 과배란 처리 방법에 따라 생산된 수정란의 이식 후 수태율 (36.0～50.0%) 및 채란시 혈중 progesterone 농도 또한 군간의 유의적인 차이는 보이지 않았다. 결론적으로 공란우에 스트레스를 적게 주며 과배란 처리 호르몬 비용과 노동력을 줄일 수 있으며, 여러 마리의 공란우를 발정 주기에 상관없이 한 번에 과배란 처리를 할 수 있는 CIDR를 사용 후 7일째 200 mg의 FSH를 1회 투여 방법이 축산 현장에서 적용하기에 매우 유용한 방법이라 사료된다.

개 난자의 체외성숙율을 높이기 위하여 다양한 방법들이 시도되고 있지만 여전히 그 효율성은 낮다. 본 연구는 개 난자의 체외성숙 시, 성선 자극 호르몬인 황체형성호르몬(LH)과 난포자극호르몬(FSH), 상피세포성장인자(Epidermal growth factor, EGF) 그리고 시스테인(cysteine)을 각각 첨가하여 72시간 동안 체외성숙시킨 후 핵성숙율(GV: germinal vesicle, GVBD: germinal vesicle break down, MI: metaphase I, MII: metaphase II, UK: unknown stage)을 확인하였다. LH와 FSH를 첨가하였을 때 첨가하지 않은 군과 GV, MI 및 MII율에는 유의적인 차이는 없었다. 하지만 GVBD율은 첨가군이 유의적으로(p<0.05) 높았다. 성선 자극 호르몬을 첨가한 배지에 10 ng/ml의 EGF를 첨가하였을 때 MII율이 첨가하지 않은 군보다 유의적으로(p<0.05) 높았다(4.54% vs. 7.06%). cysteine을 첨가하였을 경우, 핵성숙율에 유의적인 차이는 보이지 않았지만 전반적으로 핵성숙율이 향상된 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 따라서 개 난자의 체외성숙 시, 10 μg/ml의 LH와 FSH, 10 ng/ml의 EGF 그리고 0.57 mM의 cysteine을 첨가하는 것이 핵성숙율을 향상시키는 것으로 사료된다.

본 연구는 종모돈의 정액성상 동결-융해 후 정자의 생존성 그리고 혈청 중 FSH, LH, estradiol-17β 및 testosterone 농도에 미치는 품종과 계절의 영향을 조사하여 우수한 종모돈의 선발을 위한 기초자료를 얻고자 실시하였다. 요크셔종이 듀록종보다 봄, 여름, 가을, 겨울에서 정액량이 많았으며, 정액농도에서는 차이가 없었다. 계절별 정액량은 듀록 및 요크셔종에서 봄철이 여름, 가을 및 겨울철에 비하여 많았고, 정자농도는 차이가 없었다. 듀록종과 요크셔종에서 각각 봄철에 생산한 정자가 여름, 가을 및 겨울철에 생산한 정자보다 동결-융해 후 정자운동성 및 정상첨체 비율이 높았다. 한편 듀록종과 요크셔종에서 동결-융해 후 정자운동성은 모든 계절에서 요크셔종이 높게 나타났으나, 정상첨체에서는 차이가 없었다. 혈청 중 FSH의 농도를 비교한 결과 요크셔종이 듀록종보다 모든 계절에서 낮은 농도를 나타내었다. 그러나 두 품종 모두에서 각각 계절 간에 차이가 없었다. 혈청 중 LH와 estradiol-17β의 농도를 비교한 결과 요크셔종과 듀록종 간에 차이가 없었다. 또한 두 품종 모두에서 계절 간에 차이가 없었다. 종모돈의 품종별, 계절별 혈청 중 testosterone의 농도를 비교한 결과 요크셔종이 듀록종보다 모든 계절에서 높게 나타났다. 또한 두품종 모두에서 각각 봄철이 여름, 가을 및 겨울철에 비하여 혈청 중 testosterone의 농도가 높은 것으로 나타났다. 이상의 결과를 종합하여 보면, FSH의 농도가 낮을수록 정액생산량이 높은 것으로 나타났으며, 혈청 중 testosterone의 농도가 높을수록 동결-융해 정자의 운동성 및 정상첨체의 비율이 높은 것으로 나타났다.