This study was designed to determine the effect of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes and early development of parthenogenesis (PA) embryos in pigs. Each IVM and IVC medium was supplemented with various concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.5 and 5 mM) of MSG and non-essential amino acids (NEAA) depending on the experimental design. Immature pig oocytes were matured for 44 h and then oocytes reached metaphase II (MII) stage were electrically activated to induce parthenogenesis (PA). When immature oocytes were treated with MSG in the absence of NEAA during IVM, nuclear maturation (83.1-87.1%), intra-oocyte glutathione content, cumulus expansion, and cleavage (91.4-93.4%) of PA embryos were not influenced by MSG treatment at all concentrations. However, blastocyst formation of PA embryos was significantly increased by 5.0 mM MSG (45.3 ± 6.2%) compared to control (25.6 ± 3.4%). MSG treatment during IVM in the presence of NEAA did not show significant effect on nuclear maturation of oocytes and blastocyst formation after PA while 0.5 mM MSG (89.3 ± 1.9%) decreased (P < 0.05) cleavage of PA embryos compared to 0.1 mM MSG (94.6 ± 1.1%). When PA embryos were treated for 7 days with MSG during IVC, 5.0 mM MSG significantly decreased blastocyst formation (27.8 ± 4.9%) compared to no treatment (41.4 ± 1.9%) while no decrease in blastocyst formation was observed in 0.1 and 0.5 mM (37.4 ± 3.4% and 34.4 ± 2.6%, respectively). Our results demonstrated that 5 mM MSG in a NEAA-free chemically defined maturation medium showed positive effect on PA embryonic development while 5 mM MSG treatment during IVC was deleterious to PA embryonic development in pigs.

Staphylococcus (S.) aureus is commonly found on the skin and mucous membranes of animals. Moreover, some isolates producing staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) are also responsible for food poisoning. This study was conducted to explore the prevalence of S. aureus enterotoxin from slaughtered pigs and cattle. A total of 202 carcass swabs were collected from slaughterhouses: 102 samples were taken from slaughtered pigs and 100 were taken from cattle, respectively. Among them, 16 (7.9%) from slaughtered pigs were found to contain S. aureus, while S. aureus was not isolated from any of the slaughtered cattle samples. Additionally, six (37.5%) of the S. aureus isolates contained genes that encode staphylococcal enterotoxin type A. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the management of food-borne pathogens based on differences in the process by which pigs and cattle are slaughtered.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of supplementation of hot melt extrusion (HME) processed Zn sulfate on growth performance, nutrients digestibility, small intestinal morphology and excretion of Zn in weanling pigs. A total of 200 piglets of mixed sex randomly allotted to four treatments on the basis of initial BW (7.15±0.81 kg). There were five replicates in each treatment with 10 pigs per replicate. The experimental treatments consisted of: 1) basal diet containing ZnSO4; 2) basal diet containing Zn-Methionine (ZnMet); 3) basal diet containing low level of nano-Zn as HME (ZnHME50); 4) basal diet containing medium level of nano-Zn as HME ZnSO4 (Zn-HME75). The average daily gain was improved by the ZnMet and ZnHME75 compared with the pigs fed ZnSO4 supplemented diets (p=0.009). Moreover, ZnHME75 and ZnMet affected on the ATTD of CP during phase 2 (p=0.014). The villus height (VH) was affected by increasing when pigs fed diets supplemented the ZnHME75 (P=0.044). The pigs fed diets supplemented ZnHME50 had significantly the lowest (p=0.037) Zn content in liver compared with other treatments. The Zn content in the feces was significantly higher (p<0.001) in ZnSO4 and ZnMet compared with ZnHME50 or ZnHME75. In conclusion, it could be concluded that dietary Zn can be reduced by 25% with ZnHME without any detrimental effect on performance of weanling pigs.

Tissue engineering (TE) has been developed to create functional organs and tissue by combining 3D matrix and cells in vitro. Vascularization and angiogenesis are utmost important for supply of nutrients and oxygen in tissue engineered organs. The present study was performed to isolate and characterize primary endothelial cells (EC) from aorta of alpha 1, 3-enzyme galactosyltransferase knock out (GalT KO) pig, to minimize immune rejection and analyze body immune system for future xenotransplantation studies. Isolation of primary EC from aorta were performed by incubation with dispase for 8-10 min at 37°C. Primary EC were cultured in EC growth medium on different extra cellular matrix (ECM), either collagen or gelation. Primary EC exhibits morphological characteristics and showed positive expressions of EC specific marker proteins i.e. PECAM1, KDR and VWF despite of their ECM surface; however, on collagen based surface they showed increase in mRNA level analyzed by qPCR. Primary EC cultured on collagen were sorted by flow cytometer using KDR marker and cultured as KDR positive cells and KDR negative cells, respectively. KDR positive cells showed dramatically increased in PECAM1 and VWF level as compared to KDR negative cells. Based on the above results, primary EC derived from GalT KO are successfully isolated and survived continuously in culture without becoming overgrown by fibroblast. Therefore, they can be utilize for xeno organ transfer, tissue engineering, and immune rejection study in future.

Pig has been known to be one of the most feasible animals as a bioreactor to produce pharmaceuticals in milk and as a mediator in xenotransplantation research. Previously, we generated transgenic pigs for both purposes, which were expressing Factor 8, vWF, hTPA, and hEPO in milk, along with expression of MCP at GalT gene locus (GalT-MCP/-MCP) as well as expressing MCP at GalT gene loci with CD73 expression (GalT-MCP/+/CD73). In this study, we performed comparative analyses of sperm parameters between wild type male (WT) pig and those transgenic males to examine the effects of transgenes integrated into the pigs on motility, morphology, viability, and acrosome integrity of the spermatozoa. Our results showed that the rates of actively motile spermatozoa of WT, Factor 8, vWF, hTPA, hEPO, GalT-MCP/+/CD73, and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs were 85.0%, 83.3%, 82.5%, 83.3%, 82.5%, 77.5%, and 78.7%, respectively. Whereas, the rates of morphologically normal spermatozoa of WT, Factor 8, vWF, hTPA, hEPO, GalT-MCP/+/CD73, and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs were 90.0%, 80.0%, 80.0%, 83.3%, 85.0%, 91.8%, and 80.8%, respectively. In addition, the viability in spermatozoa of WT, Factor 8, vWF, hTPA, hEPO, GalT-MCP/+/CD73, and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs were 93.9%, 82.4%, 89.9%, 83.9%, 87.4%, 92.8%, and 83.6%, respectively. The rates of spermatozoa with normal acrosome integrity in WT, Factor 8, vWF, hTPA, hEPO, GalT-MCP/+/CD73, and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs were 98.1%, 98.6%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.1%, 99.5%, and 95.1%, respectively. There were no significant differences in motility, morphology, viability, and acrosome integrity of the spermatozoa among WT, Factor 8, vWF, hTPA, and hEPO, GalT-MCP/+/CD73, and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs. These mean that neither random integration nor targeted integration of the transgene into chromosome of pig effect on characteristics of spermatozoa. Ultimately, the transgenic male pigs subjected in this study could apply to propagate their progenies for production of human therapeutic proteins and advancing the xenotransplantation research.

Pigs have been extensively used as mediators of xenotransplantation research. Specifically, the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) miniature pig was developed to fix major histocompatibility antigens for use in xenotransplantation studies. We generated transgenic pigs for xenotransplantation using MGH pigs. However, it has not been studied yet whether these pigs show similarity of reproductive physiological characteristics to wild types of MGH miniature pig. In this study we analyzed the estrous cycles and pregnancy characteristics of wild type (WT) and transgenic MGH miniature pigs, which were α1,3-galactosyltransferase (GalT) heterozygous and homozygous knock-out, and membrane cofactor protein (MCP) inserted in its locus, GalT-MCP/+ and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs. Estrous cycles of WT, GalT-MCP/+ and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs were 20.9±0.74, 20.1±1.26, and 17.3±0.87 days, respectively, and periods of estrous were 3.2±0.10, 3.1±0.12, and 3.1±0.11 days. The periods of gestation of WT, GalT-MCP/+ and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs were 114.2±0.37, 113.3±0.67, and 115.4±0.51 days, respectively. Litter sizes of WT, GalT-MCP/+ and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs were 4.8±0.35, 4.8±1.11 and 3.0±0.32 respectively. There were no significant differences on estrous cycle, periods of estrous and gestation, and litter size among WT, GalT-MCP/+ and GalT-MCP/-MCP pigs, meaning that GalT knock-out and additional expression MCP of the MGH miniature pig did not effect on reproduction traits. These results provide relevant information to establish breeding system for MGH transgenic pig, and for propagation of GalT-MCP/-MCP pig to supply for xenotransplantation research.

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.

This study was conducted to investigate effects of feeding fermented milk on growth, intestinal microorganisms and fecal noxious gas emission in suckling pigs. A total of a hundred birth piglets (Landrace×Yorkshire×Duroc) were randomly assigned into feeding group and control group during suckling period that ten pigs per sow. Fermented milk contained 3.0×108/g of Bacillus and 3.5×108/g of Lactobacillus, and was supplied by top dressing method. Fermented milk fed to the sulking pigs indicated tendency to increase weaning body weight (p=0.052) and average daily gain (p=0.094). Total microbial flora and Escherichia coli in the feces were lower (p<0.05) in the feeding group than the non-feeding group. Reversely, Lactobacillus was higher (p<0.01) in feces of the pigs fed fermented milk than the pigs of the control group. Hydrogen sulfide emitted in feces was decreased in feeding group compared with control group (p<0.05). Similarly, fecal total mercaptans was diminished in the feeding group than the control group (p<0.01). Therefore, the fermented milk fed to the sulking pigs may improved growth and can influence positively intestinal microorganisms and fecal noxious gas emission.

Transplantation is considered to be a very useful approach to improve human welfare and to prolong life-span. Heterologous organ transplantation using pig organs which are similar to human beings and easy to make mass-production has known as one of the alternatives. To ensure potential usage of the pig organ for transplantation application, it is essentially required to generate transgenic pig modifying immuno-related genes. Previously, we reported production of heterozygous α 1,3-galactosyltransferase (GalT) knock-out and human membrane cofactor protein (MCP) expressing pig (GalT-MCP/+), which is enforced for suppression of hyperacute and acute immunological rejection. In this study, we reported generation of homozygous pig (GalT-MCP/-MCP) by crossbreeding GalT-MCP/+ pigs. Two female founders gave birth to six of GalT-MCP/-MCP, and seven GalT-MCP/+ pigs. We performed quantitative real-time PCR, western blot, and flow cytometry analyses to confirm GalT and MCP expression. We showed that fibroblasts of the GalT-MCP/-MCP pig do not express GalT and its product Gal antigen, while efficiently express MCP. We also showed no expression of GalT, otherwise expression of MCP at heart, kidney, liver and pancreas of transgenic pig. Taken together, we suggest that the GalT-MCP/-MCP pig is a useful candidate to apply xenotransplantation study.

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of feed withdrawal on gastrointestinal weight, digestive condition, and carcass yield. The effects were studied in 36 HANWOO and 245 pigs. The weight of the gastrointestinal tract decreased with fasting time in both HANWOO and pigs. No significant differences in weight of HANWOO stomachs, intestinal tracts, and carcass yields were observed throughout the experimentals. Among pigs, significant differences in gastrointestinal tract weight were observed when comparing short fasting time (4 h) with long fasting time (above 12 h) (p<0.05). HANWOO and pigs showed no significant differences in carcass yield during fasting times. These results suggested that feed withdrawal for 16 and 12 hours is appropriate for HANWOO and pigs.

Eighty pigs (40 pigs per farm aged 40 days old) that had been raised on two commercial pig farms A and B were used to evaluate oxidative stress status. The results from each farm were compared to investigate a relationship between pig performance and oxidative stress status. Pig performance on farm A was relatively better than that on farm B for the period of 3 years. The level of plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) of the pigs in group 1 (farm A) was significantly higher (p=0.045<0.05 ) than that of the pigs in group 2 (farm B). The level of plasma total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) value of the pigs in group 2 were significantly higher (p= 0.045<0.05 and p=0.001<0.05) than those of the pigs in group 1 These results revealed that pig performance was associated inversely with oxidative stress status.

기존 온·습도 센서와 여러 가스센서에 의해 측정 및 제어되는 돈사환경제어시스템에 돼지의 체온조 절행동에 근거한 생체정보를 이용하여 외부 환경정보를 보정한다면 보다 정밀한 축사 환경제어를 할 수 있다. 이를 위한 본 연구는 ICT기술을 접목한 스마트돈사의 정밀환경제어를 위한 기초연구로 획득된 이 미지를 바탕으로 돼지의 행동특성을 3가지로 분류하기 위한 영상처리시스템 알고리즘을 제시하고자 한 다. 공시재료는 실험돈사에서 사육되고 있는 육돈용 자돈(F2, 36~40kg) 3마리를 이용하였으며, 영상처 리를 수행하고자 천정에 설치된 카메라를 통해 획득된 이미지를 이용하였다. 영상처리를 위한 프로그램 은 Visual Studio C과 다양한 영상처리를 위해 개발된 오픈 소스 라이브러리인 OpenCV Library를 이 용하여 구현하였다. 행동분류 알고리즘은 각 돼지의 중심점 데이터, 돼지가 차지하는 면적, 돼지 사이 의 거리를 구하고자 전처리를 수행한 이미지를 RGB 색상계에서 YCrCb 색상계로 변환하였으며, 히스토 그램 평활화(Histogram Equalization), cvBlob함수를 사용하여 Labeling 알고리즘을 수행하였다. 영상 처리 결과, 검증 이미지를 대상으로 군집형태 A로 판단된 결과는 면적만 고려한 것과 거리와 면적을 같 이 고려하였을 때 인식률 95%를 나타내었다. 군집형태 B의 경우 면적만을 고려하였을 경우 65%, 면적 과 거리를 모두 고려하였을 경우 95%로 나타났다. 군집형태 C의 경우 면적만을 고려하였을 경우 25%, 면적과 거리를 모두 고려하였을 경우 100%로 나타나 환경정보 보정자료로 활용이 가능한 것으로 판단 되었다.

이유자돈 시기에 자돈의 성장성적을 개선하기 위하여 자돈의 사료섭취량을 극대화하는 것은 중요 하다. 본 연구는 사료섭취량을 증대시키기 위한 방법으로써의 향미제의 사용이 이유자돈의 성장성적 및 혈액성상에 미치는 영향을 규명하기 위해 수행되었다. 평균 체중 6.43±0.955kg의 3원 교잡종 ([Yorkshire×Landrace])×Duroc) 160두를 공시하였으며, 4처리 5반복 펜당 8마리씩 성별과 체중에 따 라 난괴법으로 배치하였다. 처리구는 1)향미제를 첨가하지 않은 처리구, 2)밀크-바닐라향 0.3%를 첨가 한 사료 3)버터향 0.3%를 첨가한 사료 4)어분향 0.3%를 첨가한 사료이다. 실험결과 성장성적, 혈액성 상 및 설사지수에서 처리구간 유의적인 차이를 발견하지 못하였다. 따라서 향미제의 종류에 상관없이 향미제를 0.3% 첨가한 사료는 그렇지 않은 사료에 비해 이유자돈의 성장성적이나 혈액성상에 있어서 아무런 긍정적인 영향을 끼치지 않을 것으로 판단된다.

본 연구는 고온기 때 사료 내 다른 에너지 수준 및 비테 인 첨가 급여가 육성돈의 영양소 소화율 및 생리학적 변화 에 미치는 영향을 구명하기 위해 실시하였다. 실험동물은 삼원교잡종(L×Y×D; initial body weight, 73.5±0.5kg) 거세 수퇘지 12두를 사용하였고 대사틀에 배치하였다. 실험기간 은 고온기인 7~8월에 실시하였다. 실험계획은 에너지 2수 준(3,300 및 3,400kcal/kg)과 비테인 2수준(0 및 0.5%)이며 4×4 Latin square로 하였다. 조단백질 소화율은 고에너지 사료(3,400kcal/kg)가 저에너지 사료보다 유의적으로 높았 다(p<0.01). 그러나, 비테인급여는 영양소소화율에 영향을 미치지 않았다. 혈액생화학적 분석 결과에서는 에너지 수 준 및 비테인 첨가가 육성돈 내 생리적 변화를 보이지 않 았다. 면역반응을 나타내는 혈중 IgG에서는 고에너지 사료 가 저에너지사료보다 높았으나(p<0.05) 스트레스 지표를 나타내는 cortisol농도에서는 차이가 나지 않았고, 비테인 첨가급여는 IgG 및 cortisol 농도 변화를 나타내지 않았다. 결론적으로 사료 내 비테인 첨가급여보다 에너지 수준을 높이는 것이 돼지 체내에 더 긍정적인 효과를 보이며, 여 름철 고온스트레스를 받는 돼지 사료 내 고에너지를 급여 했을 때 어떠한 결과가 나오는지 추후 더 연구해 볼 만한 것으로 사료된다.

An intensive analysis was conducted of the maternal lineages of the Jeju native pigs (JNPs). A total of 100 mtDNA sequences from Asian wild boars (AWB), European wild boars (EWB), Asian domestic pigs (ADP), European domestic pigs (EDP), and JNPs were used for the phylogeny and network analyses. Two distinct JNP groups were found JNPA and JNPE in the Asian and European cluster. The maternal lineage of JNPE was the closest to that of EWB and a clear haplogroup sharing an identical haplotype (hap16) among 15 individuals of JNPE and 2 individuals of EWB was identified. However, except for hap18, no EDP shared any identical haplotypes with JNPE, suggesting that no obvious maternal contribution of EDP has occurred in JNPE in recent years. The possible existence of an additional and unknown path of maternal lineage from EDP into JNPE could therefore be postulated, in addition to those from AWB and ADP into the JNPA groups. Thus, JNPE appeared to have a pure maternal lineage that had no recent contact with EDP, and both the JNPA groups and JNPE are pure Jeju native pigs.

Alterations affecting the status of robustness and health can bring about physiological changes including hematological parameters in pigs. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with 8 hematological phenotypes (one leukocyte trait, six erythrocyte traits, and one platelet trait), we performed a genome-wide association study using the Porcine SNP 60K BeadChip in an intercross population between Landrace and Korean native pigs. A total of 36,740 SNPs from 816 F2 offspring were analysed for each blood related traits after filtering by quality control. Data were analysed genome-wide rapid association using the mixed model and regression (GRAMMAR) approach. A total of 257 significant SNPs (P<1.36x10-6) on SSC3, 6, 8, 13, and 17 were detected for blood related traits in this study. Interestingly, the genomic region between 17.9 and 130 Mb on SSC8 was found to be significantly associated with RBC, MCV, and MCH. Our results include 5 significant SNPs within five candidate genes (KIT, IL15, TXK, ARAP2, and ERG) for hematopoiesis. Further validation of these identified SNPs could give valuable information for understanding the variation of hematological traits in swine.

Previously, we reported a quantitative trait locus (QTL) that affect total teat number (TTN) on pig chromosome 7 (SSC7) in a large F2 intercross population between Landrace and Korean native pigs. The aim of this study was to refine the QTL associated with TTN and to identify positional candidate gene(s) within the refined genomic region. TTN was recorded in 1,105 F2 progeny. All experimental animals were genotyped using 998 informative single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers located on SSC7. A haplotype-based linkage and association analysis using the PHASEBOOK programme was applied to perform high-resolution QTL analysis. Additionally, linear mixed-effect models were used to assess the effect of a positional candidate gene on TTN and other economically important traits [i.e., thoracic vertebrae number (THO), carcass body length (CBL) and weight (CW), back fat thickness (BFT) and intramuscular fat content (IMF) in loin muscles]. Joint linkage and association analysis refined the critical region to a 1.07 Mb region that included a novel positional candidate gene, BRMS1L, that encodes the breast cancer metastasis-suppressor 1-like protein, which could possibly be implicated in normal mammary gland development. Significant association of an SNP marker (g.-1087 G>A) in the 5’-flanking region of BRMS1L with TTN (P=1.10x10-8), THO (P=5.80x10-4), and CBL (P=0.038) was observed. Based on these data, we propose BRMS1L as a positional candidate gene for TTN in pigs. After validation of the association in other independent populations and further functional studies, these results could be useful in optimizing breeding programmes that improve TTN and other economically important traits in swine

Ganglioside GT1b, glycosphigolipids with three sialic acid, is known to play an important role in signal transduction such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). EGF is also known to induce resumption of meiosis and cumulus cells expansion during porcine oocyte maturation. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ganglioside GT1b on resumption of meiosis and cumulus cells expansion in porcine oocyte maturation. First, porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes were cultured in NCSU-23 medium supplemented with GT1b (0, 1, 2 and 4 μM) at 44 h. We observed that the proportion of the metaphase II (M II) stage was significantly increased in the 2 μM GT1b (78.0 ± 2.3) treated group than in the other groups. Furthermore, expression of cumulus cells expansion factor genes (Has2, TNFAIP6, Ptx3) were significantly increased in the 2 μM GT1b treated group than in the other groups. Next, we investigated the meiotic maturation and the expressions of cumulus cells expansion factor genes after GT1b and/or EGF treatment. The proportion of the M II stage was significantly higher in the GT1b+EGF (90.1 ± 2.3) treated group than in the other groups. Moreover, expressions of cumulus cells expansion factor genes were significantly increased in the GT1b+EGF treated group than in the control group. After in vitro fertilization, fertilization rate, preimplantation development competence and quality of blastocyst were improved in oocytes derived from GT1b+EGF treated group. Taken together, these results suggest that exogenous ganglioside GT1b improving the developmental competence of porcine embryos via increase of resumption of meiosis and cumulus cells expansion during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes.