배스(Micropterus salmoides)는 수생태계에서 최상위단계에 위치하는 생태계교란 어종으로 심각한 담수생태계의 불균형을 초래하고 있다. 배스의 퇴치 및 관리를 위한 다양한 시도를 하고 있지만 효과적인 방안은 없는 상황이므로 배스의 고유한 특성에 기반한 개체군 감소의 효율성을 극대화할 수 있는 방식을 모색하였다. 본 연구에서는 배스의 Transcriptom 분석으로 Unigene contigs는 182,887개, 그리고 정자-난자 인식 단백질인 IZUMO1과 Zona pellucida sperm-binding protein의 유전자에서 CRISPR/Cas9 system을 적용할 최종 Target sequence는 12종을 산출하였다. 각 Target sequence를 인식할 수 있는 12종의 sgRNA를 합성한 후 후속 연구에 사용할 12종의 Cas9-sgRNA ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex를 제작하였다. 본 연구에서는 차세대염기서열 분석법으로 정자-난자 인식 단백질을 암호화하는 유전자를 탐색하였고, CRISPR/Cas9 system으로 유전자를 편집하여 번식행동은 하지만 수정란을 형성하지 못하는 생식세포를 생산하는 불임개체를 유도하기 위한 조성물 개발 과정을 확립하였다. 그리고 배스와 동일한 수계에 있는 고유 생물종의 서식에는 영향을 미치지 않는 생태교란종 관리 방안으로서의 유용성을 검증하기 위한 후속 연구의 귀중한 기초 자료를 확보하는데 기여했다고 판단된다.

To preserve the superior genetic resources and restore the endangered species, Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has been used widely. In Korea, the research of dog cloning has made outstanding achievements including the production of the world`s first cloned dog. Sapsaree (Sapsalgae), the representative dog of Gyeongsan-si was designated as a Korea natural monument (No. 368). This male dog used in this study has azoospermia due to unknown cause. In this study, the aim was to confirm the cause of infertility in the cell donor dog and to evaluate the reproduction potential of dog cloning using infertile male dog by SCNT. First, to confirm the infertility of the cell donor dog, the reproductive history and the testis were evaluated. The breeding histology was not recorded in individual document. In histopathology, the Sertoli cell tumor was confirmed in biopsy of the cell donor dog after death. But, these tumors are predominantly in older dogs. Second, we produced the cloned dogs with the somatic cells of the infertile dog and the appearance was similar with the cell donor dog. Also, microsatellite analysis confirmed the genetic relationship between the cell donor and clone dogs. Third, the potential breeding capacity of the cloned dog was confirmed. In T4 assay, the normal dog (same age with cloned dogs), cell donor dog, and cloned dogs was investigated. The cell donor dog with azoospermia had very low T4 level, and cloned dogs showed higher level of T4 than normal dogs. In CASA, There was no significant difference in sperm motor ability between normal dogs and cloned dogs. As a result, cloned dogs produced by SCNT had no problem regarding the reproductive function of the testis. In AI experiment, the semen of clone dogs was used to fertilize a natural female bitch and was diagnosed pregnancy by ultrasonography. In total, 7 puppies were born by normal delivery (male: 3, female: 4). In conclusion, this study confirmed that the reproduction problem of non-genetic infertility can generate a normal descendant by SCNT. Also, the first successful research to restore infertile dogs was completed. Furthermore, SCNT would be useful for the restoration of endangered species and application of superior traits.

Infertility of the pig is directly affects on economic loss and failure of the embryo transfer. In the present case report, we show one rare case of porcine infertility resulted from oviductal obstruction. A gilt showing normal heat behaviors was selected as a recipient of embryo transfer. During the laparotomy surgery, abnormality of the reproductive tract was founded. Several large sized cyst-like structures were founded on infundibulum and body of uterus. Severe enlargement of oviduct represents that obstruction of the oviduct. Sign of fibrosis on the surface of uterus and other internal organs revealed that the obstruction was come arise from prior peritonitis. Mild neutropenia and elevated number of monocytes, eosinophils and platelets in blood smear represent that the peritonitis might be due to chronic parasitic infection. Ovarian function was seems to be normal due to blood progesterone concentration was higher than basal level. The pig was culled because she cannot be recovered by surgical or hormonal treatment.

DGCR8 is a RNA-binding protein working with DROSHA to produce pre-microRNA in the nucleus, while DICER does not only mature microRNA but also endogenous siRNAs in the cytoplasm. Here, we have produced Dgcr8 conditional knock-out mice using progesterone receptor (PR)-Cre (Dgcr8flox/flox; PRcre/+ mice, Dgcr8d/d) and demonstrated that canonical microRNAs dependent of DROSHA-DGCR8 complex are required for uterine development as well as female fertility in mice. Adult Dgcr8d/d females did not undergo regular reproductive cycle and produce any pups when housed with fertile males, whereas administration of exogenous gonadotropins induced normal ovulation with corpus luteal formation in these mice. Ovulated oocytes from Dgcr8d/d mice had comparable fertilization potentials and were normally developed to the blastocyst after fertilization as compared to those in control Dgcr8f/f mice. Interestingly, PR-Cre-dependent Dgcr8 deletion showed aberrant infiltration of acute inflammatory immune cells to female reproductive organs only when Dgcr8d/d mice were mated with male mice. With respect to uterine development, gross morphology, histology, and weight of Dgcr8d/d uterus were similar to those of control at 3-week-old age. However, multiple uterine abnormalities were noticeable at 4-week-old age when PR expression is significantly increased, and these deformities became severe onwards. Gland formation and myometrial layers were significantly reduced, and stromal cell compartment did not expand and became atrophic during uterine development in these mice. These results were consistent with aberrantly reduced cell proliferation in stromal cell compartments of Dgcr8d/d mice. Collectively, our results suggest that DGCR8 dependent-canonical microRNAs are essential for development and physiology of the uterus with respect to morphogenesis, proper immune modulation, reproductive cycle, and steroid hormone responsiveness in mice.

Since the first case of pregnancy by in vitro matured oocyte was reported (Cha et al., 1991), in vitro maturation (IVM) could be used as an alternative choice for the treatment of infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and poor responders to ovarian stimulation and as one of the strategies for fertility preservation (Chian, 2004). Immature oocyte retrieval followed by IVM is a promising potential treatment option, especially for women who are infertile through PCOS. Although the pregnancy and implantation rates of IVM treatment are not as high as conventional IVF treatment, IVM treatment has many advantages for infertile women with PCOS, because this group of patients is extremely sensitive to stimulation with exogenous gonadotropins and is at increased risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Different protocols have been used before immature oocyte retrieval, indicating that there are beneficial effects with FSH or LH priming on oocyte maturation. To date, the clinical pregnancy and implantation rates obtained from IVM treatment in infertile women with PCOS are approximately 30-35% and 10-15% respectively (Chian, 2004). The clinical outcome has substantially improved in recent years with pregnancy rates between 20 and 54% and the postnatal follow-up studies of the children have been reassuring (Suikkari, 2008). Currently, more than 400 healthy infants have been reported with IVM method (Jurema and Nogueira, 2006; Suikkari, 2008). Although good results have been reported by some clinics, IVM has not yet become a mainstream fertility treatment. The most important reason for this is the lower chance of a live birth per treatment compared with conventional IVF. Despite its clinical success, there has been little information about the suitable conditions for human IVM. Therefore, improving developmental competency of immature oocytes continues to be an important concern of most IVM centers. Among many factors which affect efficacy of IVM, culture conditions are believed to be the most important factor, because different culture medium with changes of constituents can affect the oocyte maturation potential and subsequent embryonic development (Trounson et al., 2001). Currently, many different types of commercially available maturation media have been used in clinical IVM. They are commonly supplemented with hormone (recombinant FSH, hCG) and protein sources. Protein component may serve as a nitrogen source and act as a chelator of toxic metal ions and an antioxidant within culture media. In this respect, a development of well defined maturation medium supplemented with an efficient and safe protein source would improve IVM results. We previously reported that developmental competency of immature oocytes (either GV or MI) obtained from stimulated IVF cycles was comparable when matured in vitro with commercial G2 media supplemented by either human follicular fluids (hFF) or human serum albumin (HSA) (Jee et al., 2008). Our results suggest that hFF as a protein supplement for human in vitro maturation can be replaced by highly defined HSA. A development of well defined maturation medium should be continued in the effort to improve IVM results. More research is also needed to determine the roles of specific components and optimal culture conditions required in maturing oocytes. IVM of human oocytes retrieved from antral ovarian follicles is an emerging procedure quickly being incorporated into the realm of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). This new technology has several potential advantages over traditional controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF, such as reduction of costs by minimizing gonadotropin and GnRH analogue use, elimination of OHSS, and simplicity of protocol. IVM of oocytes for ART in human beings still is undergoing refinement but currently is providing efficacy and safety outcome comparable to that of traditional IVF in recent selected studies. Implementing IVM into an established IVF practice is feasible and requires only a few simple adjustments. Crucial to the advancement and optimization of the technology is a better understanding of how to maximize immature oocyte developmental competence and endometrial receptivity.

남성 불임에 있어서 유전적 결함은 중요한 요인 중 하나이다. 정자 형성은 매우 복잡한 과정을 거치므로 생식세포의 완전한 발달을 조절하는데 많은 유전자들이 관여할 개연성이 높다. 이들 유전자 중에서 불임 유발 유전자는 다른 기능은 정상이되 생식에만 제한적으로 영향을 미치는 유전자들로 정의될 수 있다. 불임 남성에게서 Y 염색체의 미세결실(microdeletion)이 자주 관찰되었고, RBM과 DAZ라는 유전자가 그 위치에 존재함이 알려졌다. 또한 상 염색