Earticle

This experiment was to investigate whether the mitochondria function assessment can be used for the prediction of sperm fertility through examining the correlation between mitochondria fluoromicroscopic frequency of frozen-thawed eight Hanwoo bull semen using rhodamine123 (R123) and in vitro embryo development following fertilization. Individual sperm were stained in 5ug/mL R123-added calcium-free Sp-TALP for 30 min at 0 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after thawing and examined their mid-piece under an epifluorescence microscope using 495 nm excitation filter (x1,000). Three replications were taken, and at least 300 sperm per individual were examined. When semen samples were separated into two groups (good and poor) by sperm motility and fluorescent frequencies at just after thawing, average fluorescent frequencies were remarkably reduced as time going (0 h; 53.29~72.94%, 6 h; 21.40~58.90%, 12 h; 8.26~25.93%, 24 h; 1.00~13.78%, irrespective of selected group, and there were no differences at 6 h or 12 h after thawing between selected groups but indicated significant difference at 24 h after thawing (p<0.05). In vitro fertilization rates in good and poor groups ranging 70.8~77.8% and 52.1~84.5%, respectively, were not significantly different. However, in vitro development rates of the same groups ranging 25.7~40.0% and 12.9~1.8%, respectively, were significant different (p<0.05). These results demonstrate that mitochondria fluoromicroscopic assessment of frozen-thawed bovine sperm may be used as a criterion to select more fertile sperm.

Autocrine or paracrine mediators released by the early embryo are implicated in the support of embryonic development. Their mechanisms and optimal embryo density in the medium, however, are uncertain. This study was conducted to establish the optimal embryo density and culture medium volume in mouse parthenogenetic embryo culture. In experiment 1, culture of parthenogenetirally activated oocytes at a concentration of 2~4 embryos/ uL significantly improved development to the blastoryst stage (72%≤) compared with culture at the lower (0.2~1 embryos㎕, 0~37.5%) and the higher (5~6 embryos㎕, 30~53%) concentration for 120 h when the oocytes were cultured in a 5㎕ drop under mineral oil In experiment 2, the embryos cultured at a concentration of 2~4 embryos㎕ in a 10㎕ drop (81.1%) showed significantly higher blastocyst rates than those in a 5㎕ drop (68.5%). This study optimizes in vitro culture condition by modifying embryo density and the volume of culture medium It may give appropriate level of autocrine and/or paracrine factors to enhance viability and subsequent normal development of mouse parthenogenetic embryos in vitro.

The purpose of this study was the analysis of sperm ability in Specific Pathogen Free (SPE) miniature pig for production of bio-organ. The collected semen was diluted with extender and stored at 17℃ for up to 7 days. The semen samples were evaluated at 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 days of storage for analysis of sperm ability. Sperm ability was evaluated by examining viability, progressive motility, sperm abnormality and intensity of the sperm membrane. Also, the semen was processed according to the convenient freezing method, and frozen-thawed sperm was evaluated by examining viability, capacitation and acrosome reaction using chlortetracycline (CTC) staining. Motility of spermatozoa of SPF miniature pig was significantly (P<0.05) lower on 3 days or later compared to the Duroc, Yorkshire and Landrace in domestic boar. The percentage of abnormal spermatozoa of Landrace were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in SPF miniature pig, Duroc and Yorkshire that had a similar percentage on 5 or 7 days of sperm storage. The percentage of spermatozoa with coiled tail decreased during the storage period but there were no significant difference. On the other hand, viability of frozen-thawed spermatozoa had a significantly (P<0.05) lower in SPF miniature pig than in other domestic boars. CTC patterns had no significant difference, but SPF miniature pig had higher percentage of capacitated spermatozoa and lower percentage of acrosome-reacted it than domestic boars. Therefore, this study suggest that it is necessary to develop the suitable extender and freezing methods methods for the high viable rate and fertilizing ability in vitro.

본 연구는 돼지 정자 동결시 taurine과 ａ-tocopherol의 첨가가 융해후 정자 성상과 정자 기능 활성산소계(reactive oxygen species; ROS)의 발생 정도 및 지질 산화(lipid peroxidation, LPO)에 미치는 영향을 구명하기 위하여 시행하였다. 1차 및 2차 희석액내 taurine과 ａ-tocopherol이 첨가된 돼지 동결정액의 융해 후 정자 운동성 양상, 정자 생존성, 정자 기법을 적용하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. Taurine(25mM, 50mM), ａ-tocopherol(500㎛, 1,000㎛) 단일처리군 그리고 taurine과 ａ-tocopherol의 혼합처리군(25mM~500㎛, 50mM~1,000㎛)은 동결ㆍ융해 후 대조군과 비해 정자 운동성과 생존성은 유의적인 차이를 나타내지 않았다. Taurine과 ａ-tocopherol의 혼합처리군 50mM~1,000㎛에서 HOST, 점체 반응이 대조군과 비교하여 유의차는 인정되지 않았으나 다소 증가하였다. 동결ㆍ융해 정자의 ROS 발생 억제를 위한 taurine과 ａ-tocopherol의 모든 처리군은 대조군과 비교하여ㆍO₂- 발생을 유의적으로 완화시키지 못하였다. 그러나 taurine 단일처리군(25mM), ａ-tocopherol 단일처리군(50mM,1,000㎛)과 혼합처리군(25mM~50mM,50mM~1,000㎛)은 H₂O₂의 발생을 대조군과 비교하여 유의적으로 완화시켰다(P<0.05). 동결ㆍ융해 정자의 malondialdehyde의 생산은 taurine과 ａ-tocopherol의 모든 처리군에서 대조군과 비교하여 유의적인 감소를 보였다(P<0.05). 이상의 결과를 종합해 보면 돼지 정액의 동결보존시 taurine와 ａ-tocopherol 같은 항산화제의 처리는 ROS 발생과 LPO을 효과적으로 완화시킴에 따라 돼지 정액의 동결보존 효율을 증진시킬 수 있는 유용한 방법이라 사료된다.

The present study evaluated whether an exogenous antioxidants, taurine and ａ-tocopherol, could, when added to the freezing extender, improve the post-thaw sperm characteristics, function, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in frozen-thawed porcine semen. CASA (computer-aided sperm analysis), HOST (hypoos-motic swelling test), chemiluminescence using luminol and lucigenin and the detection of malondialdehyde for LPO was performed in frozen-thawed porcine sper-matozoa. The results obtained in these studies are as follows. While no beneficial effects of taurine and ａ-tocopherol supplementation were visible in motility, viability, acrosome reaction, tail swelling patterns, and the generation of O₂- of frozen-thawed porcine sper-matozoa, H₂O₂ was decreased by all treatments except taurine 50mM treatment. In conclusion the taurine and ａ-tocopherol treatments during freezing reduced generation of reactive oxygen species and production of malondialdehyde in frozen-thawed porcine semen, and the ROS savangers may minimize various damages of spermatozoa during freezing.

본 연구는 New Zealand White 수토끼에서 춘기발동 기간 동안에 혈청내 IGF-I(insulin-like growth factor-I)과 GH(growth hormone) 수준의 변화, 정자 형성에 따른 정소내 세포 구성 변화 및 이들 측정치들 간에 관계를 조사하기 위하여 실시되었다. 주령과 관련된 정소내 세포의 DNA 함량 변화 조사를 위하여 10~28주령 수토끼 정소 조직의 fine-needle biopsy를 flow cytometry(FCM)로 분석하였다. 생체중은 12~20주령 때 크게 증가되었고(P<0.05), 28주령 체중은 3.4kg이었다. 혈청 IGF-I 수준(451.3ng/mL)은 20주령에서 가장 높았으며(P<0.05), 그 후 낮은 수준으로 유지되었다. 혈청 GH 수준은 183.3pg/mL으로 다른 주령 때보다 현저히 높았으며(P<0.05), 상승시기가 IGF-I보다는 다소 빨랐다. 정소 조직세포 중 1C-세포의 상대적 비율은 18주령 때 48.2%로 16주령보다 크게 상승되었고(P<0.05), 주령 증가와 더불어 68%로 증가되었다. 2C-세포 비율은 18주령 때 26.8%로 16주령의 54.3%보다 현저히 낮았다(P<0.05). 4C-세포 비율은 18주령 때 9.9%를 제외하고 2~6%를 유지하였다. 이상 결과에서 토끼는 춘기 발동 개시가 약 18주령에 일어나고 이 기간 중 IGF-I과 GH 수준의 변화가 나이 또는 체성장과 관계가 있었으며 그 영향이 정자 형성과 관련이 있음을 알 수 있었다. Fine-needle biopsy와 연계된 FCM은 춘기 발동 개시와 관련된 정자의 형성 과정을 평가하는데 매우 정확한 방법임을 확인할 수 있었다.

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and growth hormone (GH) in serum, the quantitation of spermato-genesis and the comparable relationships among these measurements during pubertal period in New Zealand White male rabbits. To investigate the age-related testicular changes in DNA contents of spermatogenic cells, the fine-needle testicular biopsies from males aged 10 to 28 wks were evaluated by flow cytometry(FCM). Body weight increased significantly between the ages of 12 and 20 wks (P<0.05) and reached 3.4 kg at 28 wks of age. The highest serum IGF-I level (451.3ng/mL) was observed at 20wks of age (P<0.05) and thereafter remained stable at low levels. Serum GH level at 18 wks of age was 183.3 pg/mL which was significantly higher compared to the other ages (P<0.05), and the rising time in serum GH tend to be somewhat earlier than that of IGF-I. The relative percentage of It-cells in testicular cell compartments was 48.2% at the age of 18 wks which significantly increased than those of 16-wk-old (P<0.05) and thereafter increased with the advance of age to 68%. The percentage of 2C-cells in testis was 26.8% at 18 wks of age which was significantly lower than 54.3% at 16 wks old (P<0.05). The percentage of 4C-cells was constantly maintained 2~6% except the 9.9% at 18 wks of age. In conclusion, the results suggest that the puberty onset occurred at about the 18 wks of age and that the IGF-I and GH in serum during the pubertal period showed the age/growth-specific changes and these changes might be related to the spermatogenesis. The DNA FCM combined with fine-needle testicular biopsy could offer a very sensitive method to monitor the quantitative spermatogenic events related to the puberty onset.

본 연구는 배양액의 종류에 따른 돼지 난자의 성숙 및 단위발생란의 배반포 형성율을 검토하였으며, 배양액의 삼투압과 발달 시기에 따른 배양액의 삼투압 변화가 돼지 단위발생란의 발달에 미치는 영향을 검토하였다. 실험 1에서 난포란을 NCSU-23 mWM 및 mKRB에 각각 성숙배양한 결과 성숙률은 62.1~71.3%로 배양액에 따른 차이가 없었다. 실험 2에서는 각각의 배양액으로 성숙된 난자를 활성화 처리 후 동일한 배양액으로 6일간 배양하여 발달율을 검토한 결과, 배반포 발육율은 NCSU-23에 배양 시 22.9%로 타 그룹(0~0.6%)보다 유의적으로 높게 나타났다(P<0.05). 실험 3에서는 단위발생란을 NaCl 안에 의해 256, 280 및 300 mOsmol(mOsm)로 조정한 NCSU-23에 6일간 배양한 결과, 배반포 발육율은 11.0~14.4%로 실험군 간에 유의적인 차이는 없었으나 삼투압이 낮을수록 난자의 fragment 비율이 높게 나타났다(P<0.05). 실험 4에서는 단위발생란을 삼투압이 조정된 세 종류의 NCSU-23에 48시간 배양한 후 삼투압이 높거나 낮은 NCSU-23으로 옮겨 4일간 추가 배양한 결과 배반포 형성율은 배양 48시간 후에 배양액의 삼투압을 낮춰 주었을 때(21.0%)가 높여 주었을 때 (11.8%) 보다 유의적으로 높게 나타났다(P<0.05).본 실험의 결과는 돼지 단위발생란의 발육이 배양액의 종류 및 삼투압에 의해 영향을 받으며, 배양액의 삼투압은 돼지 단위발생란의 발육 단계별로 영향을 주어, 초기에는 높은 삼투압의 배양액에서 배양하고 일정 시간 후 낮은 삼투압의 배양액으로 배양함으로써 발육이 증진될 수 있음을 시사한다.

This study was comducted to examine the effects of culture medium, and the osmolarity and osmotic change of the culture medium on in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes and developement of porcine parthenogenetic embryos. In Experiment 1, cumulus-oocyte complexes were matured in NCSU-23, mWM and mKRB, respectively, There was no difference in maturation rate(62.1~71.3%) among groups. In Experiment 2, matured oocytes in each medium were activated and cultured for 6 days in the same media. Blastocyst formation rate was higher in NCSU-23(22.9%) than those of others(0~0.6%, P<0.05). In Experiment 3, parthenogenetic embryos were cultured for 6 days in NCSU-23 with different osmolarity(300, 280 and 256 mOsmols) adjusted by NaCl. There were no differences in development rates to the blastocyst stage(11.0~14.4%) among groups. In Experiment 4, activated oocytes were cultured for 2 days in NCSU-23 with 300, 280 and 256 mOsmols and then transferred to increased or decreased osmotic condition. Blastocyst formation rate was higher in a group which was transferred from the higher osmotic condition to the lowe. osmotic condition(21.0%) than a contrary group( 11.8%, (P<0.05). This result shows that the culture medium and the osmolarity of the culture medium affect the development of porcine parthenogenetic embryos, and the change of osmolarity from the higher condition to the lower condition at a certain developmental stage can enhance the development of porcine parthenogenetic embryos.

본 연구는 demecolcine 처리에 의한 탈핵과 수핵란 세포질의 세포 주기가 소 체세포 핵이식란의 발육에 미치는 영향을 검토하였다. 체외에서 16~20시간 성숙배양된 난자를 극체 방출 유무 및 MI, MII기 난자로 구분하여 0.4㎕/mL demecolcine으로 40분간 처리 후 염색체 부위가 돌출된 난자는 탈핵 후 핵이식에 공시하였다. 소의 귀 피부 세포를 탈핵란에 이식하여 전기융합과 활성화 처리(Ca-ionophore+DMAP)를 거쳐 체외 배양하였다. Demecolcine처리 후 86.2%의 난자가 염색체 부위의 돌출을 보여 이 중 98.8%가 탈핵에 성공하였다. Demecolcine은 핵이식란의 발육에 영향을 주지 않았다. 제1극체 방출란 유래 핵이식란의 배반포 발육율은 극체 미방출란 유래 핵이식란에 비하여 유의적으로 높았다(18.2% vs.4.6%, P<0.05). 한편, MI 난자 유래 핵이식란의 분할율 및 배반포 발육율은(69.4%와 5.9%) MII 난자 유래 핵이식란에 비하여 유의적으로 낮았다(96.7%와 23.9%, P<0.05). 본 연구의 결과는 demecolcine 처리가 소 난자의 탈핵에 매우 효과적이며 MII기 난자가 MI기 난자에 비하여 수핵란 세포질로 더 적절하나 극체 미방출란 및 MI기 난자도 비록 제한적이기는 하지만 핵이식란의 배반포 발육을 지원할 수 있음을 보여준다.

This study was conducted to examine the effects of demecolcine-assisted enucleation and recipient cell cycle stage on the development of bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (NT) embryos. In vitro cultured oocytes for 16~20 h were classified by first polar body (1st PB) extrusion and cell cycle stage (MI and MII) and treated 0.4㎕/mL demecolcine for 40 min before enucleation. Enucleated oocytes were fused electrically with bovine ear skin cells, activated by Ca-ionophore+DMAP, and cultured in vitro. Most of eggs (86.2%) treated with demecolcine protruded a chromosome mass and enucleated efficiently (98.8%, (P<0.05). Demecolcine did not have a deteriorative effect on the development of NT embryos. Developmental rate of NT embryos reconstituted with oocytes extruded 1st PB significantly higher than that of NT embryos produced by oocytes without 1st PB (18.2% vs.4.6%, P<0.05). Cleavage and blastocyst formation rate of embryos reconstituted with MI oocytes (69.4% and 5.9%, respectively) were significantly lower than those of embryos reconstituted with MII oocytes (96.7% and 23.9%, respectively, P<0.05). From the present result, it is suggested that domecolcine is useful for the enucleation of recipient oocytes in bovine NT procedures, and MII oocytes rather than MI oocytes are more appropriate for recipient cytoplasm. Although, the potential to develop into blastocysts of NT embryos produced by 1st PB-nonextruded and MI oocytes was very low, these oorytes could be used for NT.

본 연구에서는 배양 체계(혈청 첨가 TCM199, TALP, CRlaa 및 혈청 미첨가; IVMD101, IVF100, IVMD101)가 체외수정 또는 미세주입된 수정란의 체외 발달에 미치는 효과를 검토하였다. 또한 미세주입에 사용하는 GFP유전자의 양 및 미세주입 수정란에서 형광발현 양상을 검토하였다. 체외수정된 수정란의 ≥2세포기, 8세포기 및 배반포 도달율이 미세주입 수정란에 비하여 유의하게 높았다. 혈청 미첨가 배지에서의 8세포기 발달율이 수정란의 종류에 관계없이 유의하게 높았으나(p<0.05; 3.3% vs. 15.5% 및 21.4% vs. 39.4%, respectively), 배반포 도달율은 유사한 경향이었다(2.7% vs. 2.3% 및 23.0% vs. 23.6%, respectively). 한편, 2ng/uL 유전자를 미세주입한 수정란의 ≥2세포기, 8세포기 및 배반포 도달율이 4 및 8ng/uL의 것에 비하여 높은 경향이었다. 미세주입 수정란의 형광발현율은 1세포기가2및 8세포기에 비하여 유의하게 높았으나(p<0.05), 4세포기 및 배반포 단계와는 차이가 없었다.

This experiment was conducted to investigate effects of the two different in vitro production systems, serumcontaining system (IVM, IVF and IVC; TCM199, TALP and CR1aa) and serum-free system (IVM, IVF and IVC; IVMD101, IVMD100 and IVMD101), on the development of in vitro fertilized or DNA-microiniected embryos. We also examined the effect of DNA dosage and its expression pattern in embryos. The DNA used for microinjection was a green fluorescence protein gene. The development rates to ≥ 2cell, 8cell and blastocyst stage were significantly higher in vitro fertilized embryos than those in DNA-microinjected embryos. The development rate to the 8-cell stage was significantly higher in serum-free system than in serum-containing system (p<0.05; 3.3% vs.15.5% and 21.4%, respectively). The development rates to the blastocyst stage of in vitro fertilzed or DNA-microinjected embryos between two different culture system (2.7% vs. 2.3% and 23.0% vs. 23.6%, respectively) were not different. The development rates of embryos injected 2 ng/uL DNA was higher. than those of embryos injected 4 or 8 ng/uL DNA. The GFP expression rate of 1-cell embryos was significantly higher than that of 2-cell and 4-cell embryos, whereas the rates were not different between 4-cell and blastocyst-stage embryos.

본 연구는 한우 난포란이 체외성숙된 환경의 변화를 단백질 측면으로부터 검토하기 위하여 체외성숙 배지와 세포질내 단백질 변화와 종류를 검토하였다. 그 결과 배지 내의 단백질 발현량은 배양 4.5시간째까지 감소하였고, 배양 13.5시간째까지는 변화가 없었다. 그러나 배양 13.5~18시간 사이에 증가한 후 배양 18시간 이후에 다시 감소하는 경향이었다. 세포질내의 단백질 발현량은 배양 4.5시간째까지 증가하였고 배양 9시간째까지 급격히 감소하였다. 배양 9시간째부터 18시간째 까지는 단백질 발현량이 유사한 경향이었으나 배양 18시간째부터 24시간째까지 다시 증가하였다. 한편 체외성숙한 배지와 세포질을 2차원 전기영동하여 각각 298개 및 35개의 단백질 spot을 확인하였고, 그 중 배지에서는 28개, 세포질에서는 5개의 spot이 유의적인 변화를 확인하였다. 이들 spot 대한MALDI-TOP분석으로 배지와 세포질에서 각각 8개 및 1개의 단백질을 동정하였다. 그 종류는 aldose reductase, alpha enolase, apolipoprotein A-1 precursor, 43M1a collectin precursor, heat shock 27kDa protein, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 precursor, thrombospondin 1 transitional endoplasmic reticulum ATPase 및 β-tubulin이었다.

This study was designed to investigate the changes of quantity and quality of proteins in medium and cytoplasm during in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes. The total quantity of proteins in medium decreased from 0 to 4.5 hr, but increased from 13.5 to 18 hr after the onset of in vitro maturation. The total quantity of protein in cytoplasm increased from 0 to 4.5 hr, decreased from 4.5 to 9 hr, and increased after 18 hr after the onset of in vitro maturation. A total of 298 protein spots was detected on a gel of 2D SDS-PAGE form maturation medium. Among 28 protein spots expressed significant differences in their quantity, 8 proteins were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting (aldose reductase, alpha enolase, apolipoprotein A-1 precursor, 43kDa collectin precursor, heat shock 27kDa protein, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 precursor, thrombospondin 1, transitional endoplasmic reticulum ATPase). Among total of 35 protein spots detected on gel of 2D SDS-PACE from oorytes cytoplasm, β-tubulin was identified by peptide mass fingerprinting.

인간의 불임을 극복하기 위한 번식공학 기술의 효율성을 증가시키기 위해 성세포의 동결이 널리 수행되고 있으나 동결 기술의 효율성에 있어서 논란의 여지가 있다. 본 연구에서는 체외수정란을 생산하기 위한 난자세포질내 정자미세주입(ICSI) 시술에 사용되는 정자와 이들 기술을 이용 생산한 체외수정란의 동결이 배 발생 및 임신에 미치는 효과를 조사하였다. ICSI방법으로 체외수정란을 생산하는 경우 정자의 동결이 체외수정, 발생 및 임신에 영향을 미치지 않았으며, 특히 동결융해한 사출 및 정소정자에 의한 체외수정율과 발생율 및 임신율도 차이가 없었다. 한편 체외수정란을 동결하는 경우 완만동결과 초자화동결에 의한 체외수정란의 생존율과 임신율은 차이가 없었으나, 동결수정란은 신선수정란에 비하여 임신율이 유의하게 낮았다(p<0.05). 결론적으로 ICSI에 사용되는 정자와 달리 ICSI에 의해 생산된 수정란을 동결하는 경우 임신율을 저하시킬 수 있다.

The cryopreservation of germ cells, sperm and embryos, has been largely used to increase the effect of artificial reproductive techniques for human infertility, but the efficiency of germ cell cryopreservation has been conkoversial till now. Thus, the effect of the cryopreservation of human sperm used for ICSI and the effect of the cryopreservation of embryos produced by ICSI on fertilizatiof development and pregnancy were investigated. Sperm freezing did not affect fertilizatiort development and pregnancy rates. Also, there was no significant difference between ejaculated and testicular sperm in ferclizatiort development and pregnancy. Embryo freezing methods, slow freezing and vitrificatior did not differ each other in viability and pregnncy rates. However, ICSI embryo freezing significantly decreased pregnancy rate compared to fresh embryos freezing (p<0.05). In conclusiof this result suggested that cryopreservation of sperm for ICSI did not affect on the resulted embryo development and pregnancy, but ICSI embryo cryopreservation would significantly inhibit pregnancy.

본 연구는 아미노산의 첨가가 돼지 수정란의 체외 발달율에 미치는 영향을 구명하고자 PEF가 함유된 NCSU-23을 기본배지로 체외성숙 및 체외배양액을 조성한 후 EA(Essential amino acid), NA(Non-essential amino acid) 및 EANA(EA+ NA)를 첨가하여 체외성숙, 체외수정 및 체외발달에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 체외성숙 배지에 아미노산을 첨가한 결과 MH 단계까지의 체외성숙율은 NA 첨가군이 83.3%로 대조구 70.0%에 비하여 유의적으로(p<0.05) 높았다. 그러나 체외 수정 이후의 배 발달율과 수정율에서는 아미노산 첨가군과 무첨가군 사이에 유의적인 차이는 없었다. 체외배양액에 아미노산을 첨가한 후 배반포의 내부세포괴(ICM) 세포와 영양배엽(TE) 세포의 발달에 미치는 영향을 조사한 결과, ICM에서는 유의차를 발견할 수 없었으나 TE 세포는 EANA 처리구가 18.0±0.5개로 대조구 16.09±0.56개에 비해 유의적(p<0.05)으로 많았다. 총세포수에서도 EANA 처리구가 50.0±1.0개로 대조구 44.2±1.1개보다 유의적(p<0.05)으로 많았다. 이상의 결과를 종합할 때, 돼지의 체외수정란 생상에 있어서 아미노산의 첨가는 배반포로의 발달율에는 영향을 미치지 못하였으나 체외성숙율을 높이고 배반포의 세포수 향상에 도움을 주는 것으로 판단된다. 특히, 영양배엽(W) 세포의 발달율이 높은 것으로 보아 아미노산의 첨가는 돼지수정란의 착상에 도움을 줄 것이라 기대된다.

The objective of this study was to investigative the effects of amino acids supplementation on maturation, fertilization and embryo development of pig oocytes. Essential amino acids (EA), non-essential amino acids (NA) or both amino acids (EA + NA) were supple-mented to North Carolina State University (NCSU) 23 medium containing porcine follicular fluid (pFF). When the amino acids were supplemented to the maturation medium, the maturation rates were higher (p<0.05) in the NA group than control (83.3±0.04% versus 70.0±0.05%, but the subsequent cleavage rates and development to morula and blstocyst stage between aminoacid supplement groups and control were not different. The developmental rates to morula and blastocysts stage were not significantly different regardless of amino acid supplementation to culture medium. In addition, supplementation of amino acids did not significantly affect the rate of fertilization and polyspermy. When the amino acids were supplement to culture medium, the number of trophectodermal (TE) cells was significantly (p<0.05) higher in amino acid supplement group than that of control (18.6±0.5 versus 16.1±0.6), whereas the numbers of inner cell mass (ICM) cells were not different among the treaonent groups and control (29.0±0.9~31.5±1.2). Total cell number was also significantly (p<0.05) higher in EANA group (50.0±1.0) than that of control group (44.2±1.1). These results indicate that the amino acid supplementation to maturation and culture medium may not significantly stimulate early embryo development, but may improve the TE cell number of blastocyst stage in the pig.