93 PRODUCTION OF LIVE PIGLETS BY CRYOPRESERVATION OF IN VITRO-PRODUCED PORCINE ZYGOTES

Successful cryopreservation of in vitro-produced porcine zygotes is reported in the present study. Follicular oocytes were collected from prepubertal gilts. They were matured (IVM), fertilized (IVF), and cultured (IVC) in vitro (Kikuchi et al. 2002 Biol. Reprod. 66, 1033–1041). Ten or 23 h after IVF, the oocytes were centrifuged at 10 000g at 37�C for 20 min to permit visualization of pronuclei. Zygotes with two or three pronuclei were selected under stereomicroscope and used for solid surface vitrification (SSV). Briefly, after equilibration in 4% ethylene glycol (EG) for 15 min, zygotes were washed in vitrification solution (35% EG, 5% polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and 0.3 m trehalose), and then dropped with about 2 µL vitrification solution onto the dry surface of aluminum foil floating on the surface of liquid nitrogen (LN2). Microdroplets were transferred into cryotubes and stored in LN2. During warming, vitrified droplets were transferred in warming solution (0.4 m trehalose) at 37�C for 1 min, and then consecutively transferred for 1-min periods into 0.2 m, 0.1 m, or 0.05 m trehalose solutions. Survival of vitrified/warmed zygotes was determined by their morphology. To assess their developmental competence, vitrified (SSV), cryoprotectant-treated (CT), and untreated (control) zygotes were cultured in vitro for 6 days. There was no difference in developmental competence between control and CT zygotes in terms of cleavage rates (88.1% and 86.1%, respectively), blastocyst rates (23.2% and 20.8%, respectively), and blastocyst cell numbers (38.0 � 2.0 and 41.2 � 1.7, respectively). The rate of live zygotes after SSV and warming was similar to that of the control (93.4% and 100%, respectively). Cleavage rates (71.7% and 86.3%, respectively) and blastocyst rates (15.8% and 24.5%, respectively) of SSV were significantly reduced after vitrification compared to control (P < 0.05, ANOVA). Blastocyst cell numbers of SSV and control embryos were similar (41.2 � 3.4 and 41.6 � 3.3, respectively). There was no difference in developmental ability between zygotes cryopreserved at an early (10 h after IVF) or late (23 h after IVF) pronuclear stage. When embryo culture medium was supplemented with 1 µm of the antioxidant glutathione, development of cryopreserved zygotes to the blastocyst stage did not differ significantly from that of the control zygotes (18.6% and 22.1%, respectively). To test their ability to develop to term, 150 vitrified zygotes were transferred into a recipient, resulting in pregnancy and the production of five live piglets. These data demonstrate that a high rate of porcine zygotes could be successfully cryopreserved at the pronuclear stage, preserving their full developmental competence.

44 EFFECT OF CYTOPLAST VOLUME ON FERTILIZATION AND EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT IN PORCINE M-II OOCYTES RECONSTRUCTED WITH KARYOPLASTS AND CYTOPLASTS OBTAINED BY THE 'CENTRI-FUSION' METHOD

Metaphase-II chromosome transfer (M-II transfer) of oocytes is considered to be one of the advanced procedures to improve fertilization and developmental abilities of oocytes with poor cytoplasmic maturation. The aim of this study was to investigate the developmental capacity after IVF and IVC of porcine oocytes reconstructed from karyoplasts and cytoplasts produced by centri-fusion (Fahrudin et al. 2007 Cloning Stem Cells 9, 216–228). In brief, IVM oocytes (Kikuchi et al. 2002 Biol. Reprod. 66, 1033–1041) with a visible first polar body were centrifuged at 13 000g for 9 min to stratify the cytoplasm. Then the zonae pellucidae were removed with pronase treatment. Zona-free oocytes were layered on a 300-µL discontinuous gradient of Percoll in TCM-HEPES with 5 µg mL–1 of cytochalasin B. After centrifugation at 6000g for 4 s, fragmented cytoplasms with approximately equal volumes were obtained, stained with Hoechst-33342, and classified into cytoplasm with (K; karyoplast) or without (C; cytoplast) chromosomes. One karyoplast was fused with 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 cytoplasts (K, K + 1C, K + 2C, K + 3C, and K + 4C, respectively) by an electric stimulation with a single DC pulse (1.5 kV cm–1 for 20 µs) and cultured for 1 h. Zona-free oocytes without any reconstruction served as control oocytes. The diameters of the reconstructed and control oocytes were measured. All specimens were fertilized in vitro with frozen–thawed boar sperm, and cultured using the well of the well (WOW) system (Vajta et al. 2000 Mol. Reprod. Dev. 55, 256–264). Their fertilization status and developmental competence were examined. Data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Duncan's multiple range tests. The diameter differed significantly among K to K + 4C oocytes (75.0–127.1 µm; P < 0.05), whereas the diameter of K + 2C oocytes was similar to that of the control oocytes (110.5 µm). Regardless of the cytoplast volume, sperm penetration rates (73.1–93.8%) for K to K + 4C oocytes were not significantly different compared to control oocytes (78.0%). Male pronuclear formation rates of K to K + 4C oocytes (92.3–97.1%) were also not different significantly different compared to control oocytes (96.6%). However, monospermy rates of K oocytes was significantly higher (61.6%; P < 0.05) than those of the reconstructed (K + 1C to K + 4C; 18.2–34.9%) and control oocytes (32.9%). The blastocyst formation rates in K, K + 1C, K + 2C, and K + 3C groups (0.0–9.8%; P < 0.05) were significantly lower than those in the control and K + 4C groups (17.8% and 15.3%, respectively; P < 0.05). The total cell numbers per blastocyst in K + 1C and K + 2C groups (7.5 and 8.3 cells, respectively) were significantly lower than in the control, K + 3C, and K + 4C groups (15.3–26.2 cells; P < 0.05). These results suggest that the cytoplast volume of porcine M-II transferred oocytes, produced by reconstruction from a karyoplast and cytoplast(s) and centri-fusion, is important for their ability to develop to the blastocyst stage and influences cell number.

247 EFFECTS OF CYSTEINE IN IVM MEDIA ON IN VITRO MATURATION UNDER LOW OXYGEN TENSION, IN VITRO FERTILIZATION, AND IN VITRO CULTURE OF PORCINE OOCYTES

Cysteine is considered to promote male pronuclear (MPN) formation in porcine through oocyte glutathione (GSH) synthesis (Yoshida et al. 1993 Biol. Reprod. 49, 89–94). The GSH has an important role in providing cells with a redox state and in acting to protect cells from toxic effects of oxidative damage (Meister et al. 1976 AM Rev. Biochem. 45, 559–604). However, such previous investigations were carried out under high O2 tension (20% O2) incubation conditions. Here we simply study IVM-IVF-IVC competence of porcine oocytes matured in IVM media supplemented with cysteine of different concentrations under low oxygen tension (5% O2). Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) from prepubertal gilts were collected, matured, and fertilized in vitro according to Kikuchi et al. (2000 Biol. Reprod. 66, 1033–1041). COCs were cultured in IVM medium supplemented with 0 (Group 1; control), 0.05 (Group 2), 0.1 (Group 3), 0.2 (Group 4), and 0.6 mm (Group 5) cysteine under low oxygen tension. Nuclear maturation of oocytes, fertilization status, and number of cells in resultant embryos were assessed with orcein staining; also, the GSH content of IVM oocytes was measured by the method described by Ozawa et al. (2002 Reproduction 124, 683–689). Maturation rates of Groups 1–5 were 68.2 � 3.2, 70.6 � 7.7, 69.7 � 15.9, 75.9 � 7.7, and 68.8 � 8.0%, respectively, indicating no difference in maturation competence among the groups (P > 0.05 by ANOVA). The rates of sperm penetration, MPN formation (95.9 � 2.4, 100 � 0, 92.8 � 4.7, 94.0 � 4.1, and 92.4 � 2.7%, respectively), monospermy, and even blastocyst rates after 6 days of IVC were not different among the groups (P > 0.05 by ANOVA). Moreover, the cell numbers of blastomeres in blastocysts (38.68 � 3.5, 40.1 � 3.1, 37.5 � 3.0, 36.2 � 3.3, and 43.8 � 4.0, respectively) were uniformly the same among the groups (P > 0.05 by ANOVA). However, GSH content of IVM oocytes increased significantly (P < 0.05 by ANOVA) as the concentration of cysteine increased (12.2 � 0.6, 14 � 0.8, 15.1 � 0.5, 16.4 � 0.4, and 16.4 � 0.5 pmol/oocyte, respectively). The GSH level of oocytes in Group 1 (control) seems to be higher than that reported by Aberydeera et al. (1998 Biol. Reprod. 58, 213–218), who matured porcine oocytes under high O2 tension. This may reflect the effect of low O2 tension and explain the same developmental rate to the blastocyst stage as that of oocytes matured in the media supplemented with cysteine in this study. In conclusion, an addition of 0.05–0.6 mm cysteine during IVM, under 5% O2 tension, of porcine oocytes significantly increased intracellular GSH synthesis according to its concentration. However, it had no promoting effects on nuclear maturation, fertilization, male pronucleus formation, and subsequent embryonic development to the blastocyst stage. Thus, O2 tension during IVM of oocytes is suggested to be important for the in vitro production of porcine blastocysts.

218 DEVELOPMENT OF EVENLY AND UNEVENLY CLEAVED TWO-CELL PORCINE EMBRYOS

Mammalian eggs are so microlecithal that the embryos would be expected to divide in unison and that each division would lead to 2 equal blastomeres, which are believed to have a greater competence for further development than zygotes with unequal cleavage. However, some studies have shown that uneven blastomere size commonly occurs from the very first division in mammals, and it seems to be concerned with the generation of the first cell lineages of the blastocyst cells: trophectoderm and the inner cell mass (Gueth-Hallonet and Maro 1992 Trends Genet. 8, 274–279). In our study, we produced porcine embryos in vitro (Kikuchi et al. 2002 Biol. Reprod. 66, 1031–1041), and newly formed 2-cell embryos were collected. Based on the timing of the first cleavage (30 or 36 h after insemination), the cleavage pattern (E: equal; U: unequal) and the presence or absence of a second cleavage (+ or –) within the first 2 days of IVC was classified into groups: 30E(–), 30E(+), 30U(–), 30U(+), 36E(–), 36E(+), 36U(–), or 36U(+). There was no difference between the 30E and 30U groups in proportions of the 2-cell stage, which had a nucleus in both blastomeres (99.0 � 0.8% and 91.4 � 3.6%, respectively) or between the 36E and 36U groups (98.2 � 1.1% and 88.0 � 7.2%, respectively). Comparison of further development between the 30E and 30U groups showed that there was no difference in blastocyst rates (70.7 � 5.7% and 61.7 � 7.8%, respectively) and total cell numbers (39.1 � 2.1 and 31.7 � 2.3, respectively). Although the blastocyst rate in the 36E group (37.3 � 6.7%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of the 36U group (12.0 � 5.1%), the total cell number was not different (26.3 � 5.5 and 25.3 � 5.2, respectively). The timing of the first division, however, had a great influence on further development of the embryos; the 30-h cleaved embryos had a greater rate of blastocyst development (68.2 � 6.3%) than did the 36-h embryos (28.2 � 4.8%, P < 0.01 by ANOVA). The cell numbers of blastocysts derived from 30-h cleaved embryos (37.2 � 2.6) were significantly higher than those of the 36-h embryos (26.2 � 2.3, P < 0.01) as well. Two-cell embryos that were newly formed at 30 h and underwent the next cleavage within the first 2 days of IVC (30 + group) had a higher blastocyst rate (74.8 � 7.0%) and greater cell numbers (40.6 � 2.6) than those not showing a second division during this period (30– group; 46.8 � 5.0% and 19.9 � 2.2, respectively). In contrast, for embryos showing the first cleavage at 36 h of insemination, the presence of the next cleavage within 2 days after the first cleavage did not have any effect on embryonic development. These results suggest that the developmental ability of porcine embryos was influenced by the timing and shape of the first cleavage and by the subsequent occurrence of the second cleavage.

14th International HLA and Immunogenetics Workshop: Report on the Prospective Chronic Rejection Project

An international collaborative study of 45 transplant centers was undertaken at the 14th International HLA (human leukocyte antigen) and Immunogenetics Workshop to see if HLA antibodies detected posttransplant are predictive of chronic graft failure. With the newly developed assay, MICA (major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A) antibodies were also measured and their effect analyzed. Total of 5219 sera from patients who were more than 6 months posttransplant with functioning graft were tested for HLA antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, or Luminex. HLA antibodies were found in 27.2% of kidney patients, 23.6% in the liver, 52.7% in the heart, and 21.7% in the lung. The method of antibody testing did not have a marked influence on the frequency of antibodies detected. MICA antibodies were detected in 15% of kidney patients, 30% of heart patients, and 31% of liver patients. Among 948 kidney patients who had HLA antibodies, 7.3% had rejected their graft within 1 year of testing, compared with 1.7% in 2615 patients without HLA antibodies (P= 0.8 x 10(-17)). Death occurred in 1.4% of total kidney patients and did not correlate to the presence of antibodies. We conclude that patients with posttransplant HLA antibodies indeed have a higher rate of chronic graft failure and that posttransplant antibodies are predictive of chronic rejection.

The importance of anti-HLA-specific antibody strength in monitoring kidney transplant patients

Approximately 25% of patients who undergo kidney transplantation develop HLA-specific antibodies, the strength of which has not been previously correlated with graft failure. The strength of these de novo antibodies is investigated in this study. Serial dilution of strong HLA-specific allo-antibodies (up to 1:25,600) and testing with HLA-antigen-coated beads showed that the titer of the reaction to different HLA antigens is directly correlated to maximum fluorescence values and the molecules of equivalent soluble fluorochrome (MESF) values obtained by Luminex machines. Thus, the strength of antibodies can be measured utilizing maximum fluorescence and MESF. The strength of antibodies in the sera from 39 patients who subsequently had graft failure were markedly higher than those in the sera of 26 patients who continued to have good graft function (p = 0.0084). A clear increase in the strength of antibodies was identified in nine patients with a subsequent increase in serum creatinine levels. If analyzed for donor specificity, a strong association was noted for donor-specific MESF and failure (p = 0.00000027). Our results suggest that it is important to monitor the strength of antibodies when evaluating patient sera posttransplant.

Cytoplasmic glutathione regulated by cumulus cells during porcine oocyte maturation affects fertilization and embryonic development in vitro

It is generally accepted that cumulus cells support the nuclear maturation of mammalian oocytes. In the present study, we examined relationships between the cytoplasmic glutathione (GSH) content of porcine oocytes, and oocyte nuclear maturation, fertilization or subsequent embryonic development. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs; control group) and oocytes denuded of cumulus cells after collection (DO 0h group) were cultured for 24h with dibutyryl cAMP, eCG and hCG (first culture step) and then for a further 20h without supplements (second culture step; 44h total culture). After the first culture step, some of the COCs were denuded, either completely (DO 24h group) or partly (H-DO 24h group), and then matured by the second culture step. Also, in the second culture step, some DOs were co-cultured with cumulus cells that had been pre-cultured for 24h (DO 24h+CC group). The maturation rates of all the cumulus-removed groups (DO 0h, DO 24h, H-DO 24h and DO 24h+CC groups) were lower (34.3-45.0%) than that of the control group (64.5%; P<0.05). The GSH contents of matured oocytes in the completely denuded groups (DO 0h, DO 24h and DO 24h+CC groups) were lower (4.03-5.26pmol/oocyte) than that of the control group (9.60pmol/oocyte; P<0.05); however, the H-DO 24h group had an intermediate value (7.0pmol/oocyte). The male pronuclear formation rates of completely denuded oocytes were lower (41.4-59.3%) than that of the control group (89.4%; P<0.05), whereas the H-DO 24h group had an intermediate rate (80.0%). The blastocyst formation rates of the completely denuded oocytes were lower (3.0-4.5%) than that of the control group (19.9%; P<0.05), and the H-DO 24h group again had an intermediate rate (11.6%). The GSH content was correlated with the rates of male pronuclear formation (P<0.01) and blastocyst formation (P<0.01), and also with the number of cells per blastocyst (P<0.01). In conclusion, we inferred that GSH synthesized by intact cumulus cells during maturation culture improved oocyte maturation and played an important role in fertilization and embryonic development.

Four-year follow-up of a prospective trial of HLA and MICA antibodies on kidney graft survival

In 2002, 1329 patients with functioning transplants were prospectively tested for HLA antibodies in the 13th International Histocompatibility Workshop. Four years after testing, deceased donor graft survival among 806 patients not having antibodies in 2002 was 81% compared to 58% for 158 patients with HLA antibodies (p < 0.0001) and 72% for 69 patients with MICA antibodies (p = 0.02). Hazard ratio (HR) using death-censored graft survival from multivariate analysis of HLA antibodies was 3.3 (p < 0.00001) and 2.04 for MICA (p = 0.01). In the 14th Workshop, at 1 year follow-up, survival for 1319 patients receiving deceased donor grafts and no HLA antibodies was 96% compared to 94% for 344 patients with HLA antibodies (p = 0.0004) and 83% survival for 33 patients with MICA (p = 0.0005). HR from multivariate analysis: HLA antibodies was 3.6 (p < 0.00001) and 6.1 for MICA (p = 0.006). Twelve patients with donor specific antibodies tested by single antigen beads had a 1 year survival of 64% (p = 0.008), and 27 patients with non-donor specific 'strong' antibodies had a 66% survival (p = 0.0003) compared to 92% survival in those with no antibodies. In conclusion, these two prospective trials, after 1 and 4 years, provided strong evidence that HLA and MICA antibodies are associated with graft failure.

Effects of chelating agents during freeze-drying of boar spermatozoa on DNA fragmentation and on developmental ability in vitro and in vivo after intracytoplasmic sperm head injection

Successful offspring production after intracytoplasmic injection of freeze-dried sperm has been reported in laboratory animals but not in domesticated livestock, including pigs. The integrity of the DNA in the freeze-dried sperm is reported to affect embryogenesis. Release of endonucleases from the sperm is one of the causes of induction of sperm DNA fragmentation. We examined the effects of chelating agents, which inhibit the activation of such enzymes, on DNA fragmentation in freeze-dried sperm and on the in vitro and in vivo developmental ability of porcine oocytes following boar sperm head injection. Boar ejaculated sperm were sonicated, suspended in buffer supplemented with (1) 50 mM EGTA, (2) 50 mM EDTA, (3) 10 mM EDTA, or (4) no chelating agent and freeze-dried. A fertilization medium (Pig-FM) was used as a control. The rehydrated spermatozoa in each group were then incubated in Pig-FM at room temperature. The rate of DNA fragmentation in the control group, as assessed by the TUNEL method, increased gradually as time after rehydration elapsed (2.8% at 0 min to 12.2% at 180 min). However, the rates in all experimental groups (1–4) did not increase, even at 180 min (0.7–4.1%), which were all significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of the control group. The rate of blastocyst formation after the injection in the control group (6.0%) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those in the 50 mM EGTA (23.1%) and 10 mM EDTA (22.6%) groups incubated for 120–180 min. The average number of blastocyst cells in the 50 mM EGTA group (33.1 cells) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that in the 10 mM EDTA group (17.8 cells). Finally, we transferred oocytes from 50 mM EGTA or control groups incubated for 0–60 min into estrous-synchronized recipients. The two recipients of the control oocytes became pregnant and one miscarried two fetuses on day 39.

The results suggested that fragmentation of DNA in freeze-dried boar sperm is one of the causes of decreased in vitro developmental ability of injected oocytes to the blastocyst stage. Supplementation with EGTA in a freeze-drying buffer improves this ability.

376 EFFECT OF SPERM TREATMENT ON THE ABILITY TO ACTIVATE OOCYTES AFTER ICSI IN PIGS

During fertilization, sperm penetration (gamete membrane fusion and exposure of sperm cytoplasm) allows oocyte activation (resumption of oocyte meiosis, pronuclear formation, etc.) by inducing an elevation of the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration. So a spermatozoon ought to be able to fully activate an oocyte. However, in pig ICSI oocytes, although a spermatozoon is injected successfully into ooplasm, complete activation is deficient in some of the oocytes. A variety of sperm pre-treatments before ICSI have been reported; however, there is a possibility that the treatment affects the ability to activate oocytes after the injection. We examined the effect of sperm treatments (freezing, freeze-drying, and sonication) on the ability to activate oocytes. Ejaculated boar semen was centrifuged (10 min, 600g) and the supernatant was discarded. The sperm pellet was resuspended in Modena solution (Weitze 1991 Reprod. Domest. Anim. (Suppl. 1), 231–253). The sperm were then treated with or without sonication for 10 s (fresh whole and sonicated sperm, respectively). The freezing of sperm was carried out as was described (Kikuchi et al. 1998 Theriogenology 50, 615–623). Frozen–thawed spermatozoa were then treated with or without sonication (frozen–thawed sonicated and whole sperm, respectively). The fresh whole and sonicated sperm were subjected to a freeze-drying system and the sperm were then re-hydrated (freeze-dried whole and sonicated sperm, respectively). A whole sperm or 1 or 3 sonicated sperm heads were then injected into in vitro-matured oocytes, as described previously (Nakai et al. 2003 Biol. Reprod. 68, 1003–1008; 2006 Reproduction 131, 603–611). Sham injection was also performed. No artificial stimulation was added to the injected oocytes. The oocytes with more than one pronucleus(i) at 10 h after the injection were defined as being activated. As shown in Table 1, the rates of activated oocytes after injection of one sonicated head or sham injection were significantly lower than those of the oocytes injected with whole sperm or 3 sonicated sperm heads in each sperm source (P &lt; 0.05 by ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range test). Furthermore, the rates of activated oocytes for each injection category were not different among the 3 sperm sources. These results suggest that sonication before ICSI may reduce the quantity of activation-inducing sperm factor. It is also suggested that sperm pre-treatment such as freezing or freeze-drying does not affect the ability for oocyte activation. Table 1. Effect of sperm treatment on oocyte activation after ICSI

35 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ONSET OF ENUCLEATION DURING MEIOTIC MATURATION OF RECIPIENT OOCYTES AND DEVELOPMENTAL ABILITY OF SOMATIC CELL NUCLEAR TRANSFER EMBRYOS IN PIGS

In somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), maturation promoting factor (MPF) is believed to be one of the factors involved with nuclear envelope breakdown and chromatin condensation of the transferred nucleus. Although MPF activity is high both in metaphase-I or -II oocytes (M-I and M-II, respectively), only M-II oocytes have been used exclusively as recipient cytoplasts in SCNT. In this study, we examined the effect of different onset of (1) enucleation of recipient oocytes at the M-I and M-II stages, and (2) fusion and activation of the couplets on their developmental ability to the blastocyst stage in pigs. The primary cultured cumulus cells were used as donor karyoplasts, and recipient cytoplasts were prepared by enucleation of in vitro-matured oocytes using gradient centrifugation in percoll solution. A karyoplast and a cytoplast were fused by 2 DC pulses of 1.5 kV cm-1 for 20 �s, and then the couplets were activated by 2 DC pulses of 0.8 kV cm-1 for 30 �s. The reconstructed embryos were cultured according to Kikuchi et al. (2002 Biol. Reprod. 66, 1033–1041) except for the addition of 5% FCS to NCSU-37 during Days 2–7 (Day 0 is the day of SCNT) of embryo culture using the WOW culture system (Vajta et al. 2000 Mol. Reprod. Dev. 55, 258–264). Some of the embryos were fixed at 1, 10, and 24 h after activation and examined for morphology of nuclei. After 30 h of IVM, oocytes (mainly at the M-I stage) were enucleated. Then the couplets were fused immediately (Group A) or at 48 h after the onset of IVM (Group B); activation was conducted at 48 h of IVM (Group A) or at 1 h after fusion (Group B). As a control group, oocytes were enucleated after 48 h of IVM and then the couplets were fused and activated. None of the embryos in Group B developed to the blastocyst stage. However, a few of the embryos [2/117 (1.7%)] in Group A developed to the blastocyst stage; however, the rate was significantly lower than that of the control group [10/112 (8.9%); chi-square; P = 0.03]. The rates of embryos undergoing premature chromosome condensation (PCC) in Group B at 1 h and 10 h after activation were significantly lower than those in Group A [1 h: 51/69 (73.9%) vs. 76/76 (100%); 10 h: 24/76 (31.6%) vs. 45/91 (49.5%), respectively); some of them had pseudo-pronuclei. By 24 h after activation there were no detectable differences in the rates of cleavage [2/70 (2.9%) vs. 2/61 (3.3%)]; however, the rates were significantly lower than that of the control group [23/90 (25.6%); chi-square; P &lt; 0.05]. These results suggest that MPF activity might be changed in oocytes without nucleus during the maturation culture. Thus, a specific nucleus-associated factor(s) that may present in the cytoplasm seems to be essential for the successful remodeling of the transferred nucleus and the development of SCNT embryos to the blastocyst stage.

308 EFFECT OF GONADOTROPIN TREATMENT ON OOCYTE COLLECTION AND IN VITRO FERTILIZATION IN THE BAN MINIPIG

The Ban minipig is a local breed characterized by small ovaries with a scant number of follicles available for in vitro maturation (IVM). The combination of eCG and hCG has been used successfully to control estrus in pig breeding programs. In this paper we present the first results of IVF in this breed in comparison with 2 types of oocyte preparation: (1) from animals not receiving gonatotropin treatment (group 1, n = 9); and (2) from animals receiving an injection of mixed pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and hCG, 300 IU/animal, for 3 days before oocyte collection (group 2, n = 4). All animals were 1 to 3 years old and with body weights that varied from 8 to 12 kg. At the time of collection, the ovaries were observed for follicle development; the cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated using a 18-gauge needle. COCs of categories A (with more than 4 layers of cumulus cells) and B (with 2 to 4 layers of cumulus cells) were collected and matured in vitro as described previously (Kikuchi et al. 2002 Biol. Reprod. 66, 1033–1041) at 39�C under 5% CO2 in air. Matured oocytes with expanding cumulus cells were inseminated using male Ban minipig epididymal semen frozen by the methods reported by Kikuchi et al. (1998 Theriogenology 50, 615–623). The frozen–thawed spermatozoa were pre-incubated for 1 h in modified medium-199 adjusted to pH 7.8 in the incubator at 37�C. The capacitated spermatozoa were diluted and added to drops of fertilization medium (Fig-FM; Suzuki et al. 2002 Int. J. Androl. 123, 135–142) containing oocytes; the final concentration of sperm was 106/mL. After 3 h of co-incubation, attached spermatozoa and cumulus cells were removed from oocytes and the oocytes were the cultured in vitro as described previously (Kikuchi et al. 2002). The results obtained from 4 replicates showed that the number of follicles with a diameter larger than 2 mm and the rates of oocytes categorized as A and B were significantly lower (P &lt; 0.05; ANOVA test) in the nontreated animals (0.0 and 67.5%, respectively) than in the treated group (25.5 and 87.1%, respectively). The rates of oocytes with a clearly expanding cumulus obtained after IVM were 78.6 (n = 136) and 88.1% (n = 101) for groups 1 and 2, respectively. The rates of cleaved embryos and embryos developed to the compact morula stage were 47.2 and 9.1% (n = 39), respectively, for group 1; and 89.1 and 18.8% (n = 101), respectively, for group 2. In conclusion, gonadotropin treatment before the collection of oocytes is recommended for application of IVM–IVF to local Ban minipigs. This work was supported by a grant from the VAST-Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Project.

63 PARTHENOGENETIC DEVELOPMENT OF PORCINE OOCYTES RECONSTRUCTED BY CENTRIFUGATION AND ELECTROFUSION AFTER METAPHASE-II CHROMOSOME TRANSFER

Metaphase-II chromosome transfer (M-II transfer) is considered to be a useful technique for studying nucleus–cytoplasm relationships, or for generating oocytes with good developmental ability after transfer of the nucleus to the cytoplasm. The reconstructed oocytes carry the original genomic information within the metaphase chromosomes from the donor oocytes. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the parthenogenetic developmental ability of porcine M-II transferred oocytes. In vitro maturation was carried out as reported previously (Kikuchi et al. 2002 Biol. Reprod. 66, 1033–1041). After culture for 44 h, cumulus cells were removed by hyaluronidase treatment and gentle pipetting. Oocytes that had extruded the first polar body were selected and centrifuged at 13 000g for 9 min to stratify the cytoplasm. The zonae pellucidae were removed after exposure to pronase, and zona-free oocytes were layered on a 300 �L discontinuous gradient (100 �L each of 45%, 30%, and 7.5%) of Percoll in TCM-HEPES supplemented with 5 �g mL-1 cytochalasin B. After centrifugation of the oocytes on the gradient in microcentrifuge tubes at 6000g for 20 s, fragmented cytoplasm with an equal volume was obtained, stained with Hoechst 33342, and classified as cytoplasm with or without chromosomes by observation with a fluorescence microscope. One fragmented cytoplasm with chromosomes and 2 fragmented cytoplasms without chromosomes were fused by electric stimulation with a single DC pulse (1.5 kV cm-1, 20 �s) and cultured temporarily for 1 h. The reconstructed oocytes were then stimulated again to induce parthenogenetic activation (0.8 kV cm-1, 30 �s, 2 DC pulses) (treatment group). Zona-free mature oocytes that had not been subjected to reconstruction were activated as a control group. The oocytes in both groups were treated with 5 �g mL-1 cytochalasin B for 2 h, and then cultured for 6 days in media (Kikuchi et al. 2002) using the WOW system (Gabor et al. 2000 Mol. Reprod. Dev.). The blastocyst formation rate in the control group (22.9 � 5.5%) was significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05; ANOVA and PLSD-test) than that in the treatment group (7.6 � 1.8%). The total cell number per blastocyst in the control group (28.7 � 4.6) was significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) than that in the treatment group (16.7 � 1.0). These results suggest that reconstructed porcine oocytes following M-II transfer by centrifugation and electrofusion can develop to the blastocyst stage in vitro. This technique enables transfer of the nucleus to cytoplasm with good developmental ability without the use of a micro-manipulation system.

133 VITRIFICATION CAUSES DAMAGE OF THE ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSE SYSTEM IN IVM PORCINE OOCYTES

The present study investigated the ability of in vitro-matured (IVM) porcine oocytes to be fertilized in vitro after vitrification. Oocytes matured in vitro for 46 h according to Kikuchi et al. (2002 Biol. Reprod. 66, 1033–1041) were cryopreserved by solid surface vitrification (SSV; Dinnyes et al. 2000 Biol. Reprod. 63, 513–518) or subjected to the steps of SSV without cooling (toxicity control, TC). Oocyte viability was assessed 2 h after treatment by morphology and fluorescein diacetate staining. Live oocytes were in vitro-fertilized (IVF) and cultured (IVC) for 6 days according to Kikuchi et al. (2002). Fertilization and pronuclear development of oocytes were assessed 10 h after IVF by aceto-orcein staining. Cleavage and blastocyst rates were recorded during IVC. Glutathione (GSH) and hydrogen peroxide levels in oocytes were analyzed by DTNB-glutathione disulfide reductase recycling assay and 20,70-dichlorofluorescein fluorescence assay, respectively. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and paired t-test. The rate of live oocytes after SSV was lower compared to the control and the TC groups (54.4%, 100%, and 100%, respectively; P &lt; 0.05). Sperm penetration rates of SSV oocytes were lower than those of the control group (51.9% and 67.8%, respectively; P &lt; 0.05). Significantly fewer penetrated oocytes in the SSV group formed male pronuclei than those in the control and the TC groups (66.7%, 96.5%, and 98.5%, respectively; P &lt; 0.05). There were no differences in second polar body extrusion and monospermy rates between the treatment groups. The cleavage rate of SSV oocytes was significantly lower than that of the control and the TC groups (13.3%, 46.6%, and 47.7%, respectively; P &lt; 0.05). Blastocyst rates of control and TC oocytes were similar (20.7% and 23.6%, respectively), whereas only a single embryo developed to the blastocyst stage in the SSV group. GSH content of SSV oocytes was significantly lower than that of the control oocytes (7.3 pM and 10.5 pM, respectively), whereas the peroxide level was higher in SSV oocytes than in the control oocytes (59.0 and 50.5 FIU, respectively; P &lt; 0.05). Our results reveal a cryopreservation-related drop of intracellular GSH level in oocytes, which may cause their decreased ability to form a male pronucleus and their increased sensitivity to oxidative stress. These factors might contribute to the low developmental competence of vitrified oocytes. This work was supported by a grant-in-aid for the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science Postdoctoral Fellowship for Foreign Researchers (P05648) and the Bilateral Scientific and Technological Collaboration Grant between Hungary and Japan (TET, no. JAP-11/02).

350 EFFECT OF INDIRECT MAINTENANCE OF INTRACELLULAR cAMP IN CUMULUS - OOCYTE COMPLEXES USING 3-ISOBUTYL-1-METHYLXANTHINE ON GAP JUNCTIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AND OOCYTE MEIOTIC MATURATION

Oocyte and cumulus cells communicate through an extensive network of gap junctions (GJs), which permit the transfer of small molecules such as cAMP. Gonadotropin strongly enhances the intracellular cAMP concentration in cumulus cells, and induces oocyte meiotic resumption. Enhanced cAMP also triggers a reduction of GJ communications (GJCs) in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), accompanied by cumulus expansion. Intracellular cAMP is modulated by both adenylate cyclase (AC) for synthesizing and phosphodiesterase (PDE) for degrading. Addition of AC to gonadotropin-free medium induces meiotic resumption of bovine oocytes without cumulus expansion, suggesting that maintenance of cAMP at a certain level in COCs may be crucial for either prolonged maintenance of GJCs or the timing of oocyte meiotic resumption. In the present study, we investigated the intracellular cAMP concentrations in porcine COCs or oocytes, and GJCs during in vitro oocyte maturation culture using PDE inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). Porcine COCs obtained from prepubertal gilts were cultured for 20 h (1st culture) using M199 containing 10% FCS (basic medium, BM group) with FSH (FSH group) or IBMX (IBMX group). Following this, the COCs were transferred into the basic medium containing FSH and LH, and cultured for another 24 h (2nd culture). At 6, 12, and 20 h of the 1st culture, intracellular cAMP in COCs or oocytes was measured. To determine GJCs in each COC, Lucifer Yellow fluorescent dye was microinjected into cumulus-enclosed oocytes at 6 or 12 h of the 1st culture, and the ability of dye transfer, which is related to the GJCs, from the oocyte to the surrounding cumulus cells was observed. At the end of the 1st culture, 30.8 � 6.0% of the oocytes in the FSH group underwent germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), whereas only a few oocytes in the BM group (8.6 � 2.4%) and the IBMX group (5.8 � 3.0%) achieved GVBD (P &lt; 0.05). In contrast, ratios of metaphase-II (M-II) stage oocytes at the end of the 2nd culture did not differ between the FSH group (75.7 � 3.9%) and the IBMX group (68.2 � 6.8%), although a few oocytes in BM group (10.1 � 3.7%) reached the M-II stage (P &lt; 0.05). Concentrations of cAMP in COCs and oocytes increased drastically in the FSH group compared to those of the BM and IBMX groups (P &lt; 0.05). In addition, the concentration of cAMP in IBMX group oocytes was also higher than that in the BM group, with a significant difference detected at 20 h (P &lt; 0.05). The GJCs in the FSH group were gradually closed, depending on the length of time in culture (54.9 � 3.7% of COCs closed their GCJs at 12 h of the 1st culture). In contrast, in the IBMX group, only 23.0 � 3.7% of COCs closed their GJCs at 12 h of the 1st culture, which was significantly different from that of the other two groups (P &lt; 0.05). These results suggest that treatment with IBMX during the first half of IVM culture can induce subsequent meiotic resumption of porcine oocytes, and that a moderate increase of cAMP concentration in COCs or oocytes prolongs GJCs during the treatment.

183 ADDITION OF DIPHENYLENEIODONIUM OR DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE TO CULTURE MEDIA INHIBITS REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES PRODUCTION DURING THE EARLY CLEAVAGE STAGES OF IN VITRO-PRODUCED PORCINE EMBRYOS

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase (NADPH oxidase), an enzyme required to catalyze the oxidation of NADPH to NADP during the metabolism of glucose via the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), was considered as contributing to intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Production of superoxide anion and H2O2 via NADPH oxidase has been reported on a rabbit blastocyst surface (Manes and Lai 1995 J. Reprod. Fertil. 104, 69–75). The objective of this study was to examine the effects on in vitro development and intracellular ROS content after the addition of diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), an inhibitor of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), to culture medium during the early embryonic development of in vitro-produced (IVP) porcine embryos. To confirm that these inhibitors lead to reduction in NADPH concentration in the embryo and hence likely to be inhibiting the PPP, a brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) test was performed on Day 2 (the day of insemination = Day 0) of culture. Porcine cumulus–oocyte complexes were matured and fertilized in vitro as described previously (Kikuchi et al. 2002 Biol. Reprod. 66, 1033–1041). Prezumptive zygotes were then cultured in NCSU-37 supplemented with 5.5 mM glucose and DPI at concentrations of 0.5 or 1 nM or DHEA at concentrations of 10 or 100 �M (DPI-0.5, DPI-1, DHEA-10 and DHEA-100 groups, respectively) from Day 0 to Day 2 of culture. All of the embryos were cultured subsequently until Day 6 in NCSU-37 supplemented with only 5.5 mM glucose. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. On Day 6, the development to the blastocyst stage of embryos in DPI-0.5, DPI-1, DHEA-10, and DHEA-100 groups were 16.1, 17.6, 16.1, and 19.5%, respectively, which were not significantly different from that of the control group (17.5%) (n d 165 per group, 5 replicates). However, the mean cell number in blastocysts derived from DPI-1, DHEA-10, and DHEA-100 groups (40.8 � 2.3, 39.3 � 1.7, and 42.5 � 2.7, respectively) was significantly higher (P &lt; 0.01) than those in the control (33.4 � 1.6) and DPI-0.5 (32.7 � 1.6) groups. At 20 min after an exposure to BCB, the percentage of BCB+ embryos in DPI-1, DHEA-10, and DHEA-100 groups (73.8, 79.9, and 77.8%, respectively) were significantly higher (P &lt; 0.01) than those in the control and DPI-0.5 groups (42% and 53.9%, respectively) (n = 81-92 per group, 6 replicates), indicating that these two inhibitors effectively induce the reduction of NADPH concentration in the embryos. Moreover, the addition of DPI at 1 nM or DHEA at 10 or 100 �M significantly decreased the H2O2 content of Day 2 embryos as compared with control embryos (n = 48-53 per group, 7 replicates). These results suggest that the addition of either DPI or DHEA to the medium during the first 2 days of culture did not impair the development of the embryos to the blastocyst stage. Decrease of cellular ROS production in Day 2 embryos in this study is interpreted as a result of inhibition of the NADPH oxidase by DPI or of the G6PDH by DHEA.

14th International HLA and Immunogenetics Workshop Prospective Chronic Rejection Project: a three-year follow-up analysis

The three-year follow-up of 4,144 patients of the 14th International Workshop Prospective Chronic Rejection study has reinforced the evidence that post-transplant HLA antibodies are predictive of long-term graft loss. Three years after a single testing for HLA antibodies, 10% of kidney recipients who were antibody-positive had lost their grafts, in contrast to only 5% of antibody-negative patients (p<0.0001). The adverse effect of post-transplant antibodies on graft survival was also observed in lung, heart, and liver transplants. Donor-specific antibodies and 'strong' non-DSA had stronger association with graft loss than 'moderate' non-DSA. Periodic antibody monitoring, combined with specificity and strength analysis, would help in the early identification of allograft recipients who are at high risk of graft failure.

PACAP Stimulates the Release of Interleukin-6 in Cultured Rat Muller Cells

We have investigated the in vivo effect of PACAP on rat Müller cells that are the predominant glial element in the retina. Müller cells were treated with PACAP38, either alone or in the presence of the PACAP-selective antagonist, PACAP6-38. Cellular proliferation was determined by measuring the incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine, while interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in the culture medium were examined using a B9 cell bioassay. In cultured rat Müller cells, the expression of PACAP receptor (PAC1-R) was assessed with immunohistochemistry using a PAC1-R-specific antiserum. PACAP stimulated IL-6 production in Müller cells at a concentration as low as 10(-12) M, which was not sufficient to induce cell proliferation. This elevation of IL-6 production was significantly inhibited by PACAP6-38. These data suggest that Müller cells are one of the target cells for PACAP, stimulating the release of IL-6, and providing a mechanism whereby PACAP exerts a significant neuroprotective effect in the retina.

Successful autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation using thiotepa in a patient with systemic sclerosis and cardiac involvement

A 19-year-old man with systemic sclerosis (SSc) was hospitalized for autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) due to progressive scleroderma and cardiac involvement despite conventional treatment. During the administration of cyclophosphamide (60 mg/kg/day for 2 days) for mobilization and collection of CD34+ selected peripheral blood stem cells, he developed congestive heart failure. Echocardiogram showed hypokinetic asynergy from the septum to posterior wall, which might indicate underlying cardiac damage. We were also concerned about the risk of high-dose cyclophosphamide-induced cardiotoxicity. Since the dose-limiting toxicity of thiotepa, an alkylating agent, is myelosuppression, and cardiac toxicity due to thiotepa is less common, we used a conditioning regimen consisting of thiotepa (10 mg/kg/day, day -5) and low-dose cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg/day, days -3 and -2), instead of the conventional high-dose cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg/day x 4 days/course). The post-transplant course was uneventful, and the modified Rodnan skin thickness score improved from 32 to 15. The present case report demonstrates that thiotepa can be employed as a conditioning regimen for auto-PBSCT in SSc patients with cardiac involvement in order to reduce cyclophosphamide-induced cardiotoxicity.

[Surgical technique of aortic valve replacement for small aortic annulus in elderly patients]

Recent reports have shown that aortic valve replacement in elderly patients over 65 years with atherosclerotic aortic stenosis and a small aortic annulus is possible by using a small sized bioprosthesis (Carpentier-Edwards pericardial valve). Here we present out surgical technique. Firstly, the native calcified aortic valve was removed completely to gain total exposure of the surrounding aortic root and sinus of Valsalva like Bentall procedure. Secondly, a small sized bioprosthesis was implanted with intermittent noneverting mattress 2-0 sutures with spaghetti and small polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) felt. Aortic annulus is the dilated by inserting Hegar dilator sizing from 25 to 27 mm. Therefore, aortic valve replacement for small aortic annulus in intra- or supra-annular position should be easily accomplished. Good surgical results and hemodynamic state were achieved in 25 consecutive cases using this technique.

318 INHIBITION OF FIRST POLAR BODY EXTRUSION BY CYTOCHALASIN B DURING IN VITRO MATURATION OF PORCINE OOCYTES LEADS TO RE-ARRANGEMENT OF THE SEGREGATED CHROMOSOMES AND IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY OF THE PARTHENOGENETIC BLASTOCYSTS

Diploid parthenotes are usually obtained by the inhibition of second polar body (PB2) extrusion after activation of metaphase II (MII) oocytes. However, diploid embryos can be generated by the inhibition of the first polar body (PB1) extrusion as well, using cytochalasin B (CB) during in vitro maturation prior the activation procedure. A higher percentage of mouse embryos generated by the activation of MII oocytes and the inhibition of PB2 extrusion were proven to be homozygous than for parthenotes obtained by the latter method (Kubiak et al. 1991 Development 111, 763-769). The aim of the present study was to examine if such difference has any effect on the development of parthenogenetic embryos in vitro. Nuclear progression and in vitro embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation of porcine oocytes exposed to CB during in vitro maturation (IVM) was investigated in the present study. The tendency of nuclear maturation was similar in oocytes matured in the presence of 1 �g/mL CB (IVM-CB group) and control oocytes matured without CB after 37 h of IVM; at this time the frequency of oocytes that had reached/or passed through anaphase-I stage did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) between the IVM-CB and the control groups (61.3% and 69.9%, respectively), however, no polar body extrusion was observed in the IVM-CB group and the two lumps of homologue chromosomes remained in the oocyte and turned into two irregular sets of condensed chromosomes. By 41 h of IVM, the double sets of chromosomes re-united in 89.5% of IVM-CB oocytes and formed a single large metaphase plate, whereas 68.8% of the control oocytes had reached metaphase-II stage (MII) by this time. When IVM-CB oocytes were electrically (1.5 kV/cm for 100 �s) activated and subsequently cultured without CB, 39% of the oocytes extruded a polar body (PB) and 82.9% of them had a female pronucleus. When those oocytes with PB were cultured, the blastocyst rate of the cleaved embryos did not differ (P < 0.05) from those of the control that were stimulated at MII and subsequently treated with CB (43.3% and 48.2%, respectively). The number of blastomeres in Day 6 blastocysts was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the IVM-CB derived embryos than in those in the control group (47.8 and 40.7, respectively); moreover, the ratio of dead blastomeres (dead cells : live cells) was higher (P < 0.05) in the control than in the IVM-CB blastocysts (0.047 and 0.031, respectively). A possible explanation for this result might be a lower frequency of homozygous genes in IVM-CB parthenotes, in which segregation of sister chromatids were promoted instead of segregation of homologous chromosomes to obtain diploid embryos. In such embryos the expression of recessive lethal, sublethal and subvital genes might have a lower probability. This work was supported by the Japanese-Hungarian bilateral scientific and technological cooperation (TET JAP-11/02).

357 FERTILIZATION AND EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT OF PORCINE OOCYTES FOLLOWING INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM HEAD INJECTION ENHANCED BY ELECTRIC STIMULATION TO OOCYTES BUT NOT BY PRE-TREATMENT OF SPERMATOZOA WITH DITHIOTHREITOL

Failure of sperm nuclear decondensation has been reported after injection into oocytes in pigs (Kren et al. 2003 J. Reprod. Dev. 49, 271-273). We examined the effects of pretreatment of spermatozoa with Triton X-100 (TX-100) and dithiothreitol (DTT) and electric stimulation of oocytes after injection on sperm decondensation, male pronuclear formation, and in vitro development to the blastocyst stage. We performed three replicates in each experimental group, with a total of about 70 oocytes per group. In Experiment 1, spermatozoa were pretreated with 1% TX-100 and 5 mM DTT (T+D), and injected into IVM oocytes that were collected from crossbred gilts. Electric stimulation (1.5 kV/cm, 20 �s; Nakai et al. 2003 Biol. Reprod. 68, 1003-1008) was applied 1 h to the oocytes after the injection (the stimulated group) or was not applied (the nonstimulated group). Some of the oocytes in each group were evaluated for morphological changes of sperm nuclei at hourly intervals until 10 h post-injection. Of nonstimulated oocytes, those injected with untreated spermatozoa showed a delayed peak in nuclear decondensation (39.4 to 44.1%, 3-6 h after the injection) compared to that of oocytes injected with T+D treated spermatozoa (57.0 to 52.6%, 1-1 h). The rate of male pronuclear formation increased after 4 h post-stimulation (by 40 to 60%) when the injected oocytes were stimulated, whether or not spermatozoa were pretreated. In nonstimulated oocytes, the rate of male pronuclear formation stayed at the basal level (less than 20%) throughout the culture period regardless of sperm treatments. Thus, the T+D treatment of spermatozoa did not affect decondensation and pronuclear formation. In Experiment 2, the effects of electric stimulation and sperm treatments with T+D on the rate of blastocyst formation and the mean numbers of cells per blastocyst were evaluated. Oocytes that were stimulated after injection of either T+D-treated or untreated spermatozoa showed significantly higher percentages of blastocyst formation (24.8% and 27.1%, respectively) than did nonstimulated oocytes (1.1% and 4.1% for T+D-treated and untreated, respectively; P < 0.01). The rate of blastocyst formation was not different between the T+D-treated and the untreated groups. The mean number of cells per blastocyst was not different among all groups (14.0-29.4). In conclusion, the pretreatment of sperm with TX-100 and DTT shifted the timing of sperm nuclear decondensation forward. However, pronuclear formation and development to the blastocyst stage in vitro were not improved by the sperm treatment. Electric stimulation to the injected oocytes enhances in vitro development to the blastocyst stage in pigs.

280 PORCINE BLASTOCYSTS DERIVED FROM IN VITRO-MATURED OOCYTES INJECTED INTRACYTOPLASMICALLY WITH SPERM FROM TESTICULAR TISSUE XENOGRAFTED INTO NUDE MICE

The utilization of spermatogonia from testicular tissue after xenografting into immuno-deficient mice should lead to new insights for the conservation of male gametes. However, successful embryo production using sperm cells from xenografted testicular tissues has been limited to rhesus monkeys (Honaramooz et al. 2004 Biol. Reprod. 70, 1500-1503). In the present study, the objective was to establish this new technology for pig conservation in combination with intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Testes were obtained from male piglets 6 to 15 days old, in which most of the germ cells were gonocytes; these were minced into pieces of approximately 1.5 � 1.5 � 1.5 mm. Approximately 20 fragments were transplanted under the back skin of castrated nude mice 5 to 8 weeks old. The testicular grafts were recovered between 125 and 192 days after xenografting, minced in Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline, and centrifuged several times, to serve as a sperm suspension. In vitro maturation of the recipient oocytes (Kikuchi et al. 2002 Biol. Reprod. 66, 1033-1041) and injection with an intact spermatozoon, followed by electrical stimulation at 1 h post-injection (Nakai et al. 2003 Biol. Reprod. 68, 1003-1008), were carried out. The putative zygotes were cultured in vitro for 6 days (Kikuchi et al. 2002), and were then fixed, stained, and assessed for embryonic development and quality. From a total of 27 mice that were xenografted with testicular tissues, spermatids and spermatozoa were obtained in 19 of the mice (70.4%). Most of the spermatozoa were matured morphologically, showing faint motility after release into the collection medium. From a total of 253 oocytes (four replications) that were injected with sperm, 63 (24.9 � 7.1%) oocytes developed to the blastocyst stage. The average total cell number was 41.9 � 3.9. These values are comparable to those in in vitro fertilization by frozen-thawed spermatozoa, resulting in developmental ability to piglets after embryo transfer (25.3% and 48.7 cells; Kikuchi et al. 2002). These results suggest the possibility of embryo production using porcine spermatozoa that are differentiated from gonocytes within the xenografts.

34 DEVELOPMENTAL ABILITY OF ZONA-FREE PORCINE CLONED EMBRYOS RECONSTRUCTED BY SOMATIC CELLS AND CENTRIFUGED CYTOPLASTS

The combination of bulk enucleation and zona-free cloning will offer simplification of the conventional nuclear transfer technique. A bulk enucleation method such as enucleation by centrifugation could reduce the time of manipulation that is necessary for removing genetic materials from the oocytes. The present study was conducted to examine the ability of cytoplasts obtained by centrifugation of zona-free in vitro maturation (IVM) porcine oocytes to support remodeling of the somatic cell nucleus and the subsequent development in vitro of somatic cell nuclear transferred (SCNT) embryos. A primary culture of cumulus cells was used as the source of donor cells, and recipient cytoplasts were derived from IVM oocytes that were cultured for 48 h, denuded of zonae pellucidae, and subjected to gradient centrifugation in Percoll solution to separate the ooplasm into fragments. Fragments were stained with Hoechst-33342 and cytoplasts were selected under an epifluorescence microscope. Then two or three cytoplasts were aggregated with a single somatic cell in phytohemagglutinin solution (500 �g/mL). Fusion between somatic cell and cytoplasts was induced by two DC pulses of 1.5 kV/cm for 20 �s, and activation was accomplished by two DC pulses of 0.8 kV/cm for 30 �s at 1 h after fusion in 0.28 M mannitol solution supplemented with 0.05 mM CaCl2 and 0.1 mM MgSO4. The resultant embryos were transferred to a WOW culture system (Vajta et al. 2000 Mol. Reprod. Dev. 55, 256-264) and cultured in glucose-free NCSU-37 containing 4 mg/mL BSA supplemented with 0.17 mM sodium pyruvate and 2.73 mM sodium lactate from Days 0 to 2; from Days 2 to 7 they were cultured in NCSU-37 supplemented with 5.55 mM {D}-glucose and 5% FCS. Some of the reconstructed embryos were fixed at 1, 10, and 24 h after activation and stained with 1% (w/v) orcein to display the morphology of the transferred somatic nuclei. The results showed that 53.6% (30/56) of the SCNT embryos underwent premature chromosome condensation at 1 h, 90.9% (50/55) formed pseudo-pronuclei at 10 h, and 21% (19/90) of them cleaved to the two-cell stage at 24 h after the activation. The development to the blastocyst stage of the embryos that were reconstructed by quartet cells (three cytoplasts and one somatic cell; 8.9%, 10/112) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of the triplet ones (2.2%, 3/139). However, these blastocyst rates were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the blastocyst development rate of parthenogenetic embryos with the intact zonae pellucidae (28.3%, 17/60). These results suggest that (1) cytoplasts obtained by gradient centrifugation could support reprogramming of somatic cells and in vitro development of SCNT embryos to the blastocyst stage, and (2) the volume of cytoplasts apparently affects their in vitro development in pigs.

153 ALLEVIATIVE EFFECTS OF ANTIOXIDANT ADMINISTRATION ON MATERNAL HYPERTHERMIA-INDUCED EARLY EMBRYONIC DEATH IN MICE

Hyperthermia-induced early embryonic death is generally ascribed to the high susceptibility of early embryos to elevated maternal body temperature. However, recent studies have indicated that the disruption of embryonic development by maternal hyperthermia has relevance to not only high temperature exposure to the embryo, but also hyperthermia-associated changes in the maternal body. Hyperthermia enhances physiological production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) systemically. Early embryos are susceptible to oxidative stress and it becomes easy to arrest their development when the oxidative stress is exposed. These findings led us to speculate that maternal hyperthermia-induced early embryonic death is caused by an increase in oxidative stress to the embryo. Vitamin E and melatonin are both well known to function as antioxidants in vivo when they are administered exogenously. In this study, we administered vitamin E or melatonin to heat-stressed pregnant mice, aiming to alleviate the hyperthermia-induced embryonic death. Female mice were heat-stressed (35�C with 60% relative humidity) for 12 h on the day of mating. In Experiment 1, vitamin E (1000 mg/kg body weight) was injected intraperitoneally just before stress treatment, or melatonin (3 mg/kg body weight) was injected subcutaneously for every 2 h during heat exposure. Then, zygotes were collected and in vitro developmental ability was assessed. In Experiment 2, intracellular glutathione (GSH) content in the zygote, ROS level and free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) in the oviduct, and lipid peroxidation level in the liver were measured to evaluate the effects of melatonin administration on physiological redox status. All data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Fisher's protected least-significant test. The percentage of embryos that developed to the morula or blastocyst stage was significantly (P < 0.01) increased by administration of either vitamin E (58.6%) or melatonin (47.9%) compared with that in heat-stressed mice that were administered placebos (14.8%). Intracellular GSH content in zygotes derived from melatonin-administered mice was not significantly different from that in unstressed mice (1.67 and 1.82 pmol/zygote, respectively), whereas in heat-stressed mice that were administered placebo, intracellular GSH content was significantly decreased (1.48 pmol/zygote, P < 0.05) compared to that in unstressed mice. There were no significant differences in lipid peroxidation levels in the liver and in ROS levels in the oviduct between melatonin-administered stressed mice and unstressed mice, although these parameters in heat-stressed mice with placebo were significantly higher than in unstressed mice (P < 0.05). Furthermore, FRSA in the oviduct was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the melatonin-administered mice than in the heat-stressed mice. These findings suggest that antioxidant administration to heat-stressed mice alleviates the hyperthermia-induced early embryonic death, and this may be accomplished in part by maintaining a neutral redox status within the mother.

172 ADMINISTRATION OF GLUTATHIONE OR THIOREDOXIN TO MEDIUM REDUCES INTRACELLULAR REDOX STATUS AND IMPROVES EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT TO THE BLASTOCYST STAGE OF PORCINE IVM/IVF OOCYTES

Successful in vitro production of blastocysts from immature oocytes can be carried out using in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM), fertilization (IVF), and embryo culture (IVC) at a high level of repeatability in the porcine. However, the rates of in vitro development of IVM/IVF oocytes to the blastocyst stage remained around 20%. The environment in vitro is so simple and materially limited that there exist several stressors in vitro that disturb normal embryo development. Oxidative stress, which is caused by excess production of reactive oxygen species, is a major disturbing factor for the development of pre-implantation embryos in vitro. The series of present experiments were conducted using culture conditions with enhanced reducing capacity by the addition of glutathione (GSH) or thioredoxin to the culture medium to monitor developmental competence of porcine embryos and to verify their intracellular redox status. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were obtained from ovaries recovered from prepubertal gilts. Putative zygotes were produced by IVM of oocytes, followed by IVF (designated as Day 0). They were then cultured in modified NCSU-37 media containing GSH or thioredoxin as an antioxidant, or without any antioxidant (control), and blastocyst development rates on Day 6 were monitored. In addition, intracellular GSH content as a reducing parameter and intracellular H2O2 level as an oxidative parameter were measured; the intracellular redox status in the embryo was verified by the ratio of the GSH to the H2O2. Measurements in each group were replicated six times. Percentages of the embryos that developed to the blastocyst stage were significantly increased when 0.5 or 1.0 �M GSH (29.6 � 2.7% or 30.4 � 3.5%, and P < 0.05 or 0.01, respectively) or 1.0 mg/mL thioredoxin (30.6 � 2.4%, P < 0.01) was added to the medium compared to the percentage in the control group (20.1 � 2.2%). Intracellular redox status in embryos at the 8- to 12-cell stage or blastocysts was drastically reduced in GSH- or thioredoxin-added groups compared to that in the control group (P < 0.05 to 0.001). Furthermore, GSH or thioredoxin addition to the medium increased total cell numbers (48.3 � 2.1 to 49.2 � 2.1) and lowered ratios of apoptotic cells (6.2 � 0.6% to 7.0 � 0.7%) in blastocyst compared to those values in the control group (P < 0.05; cell number = 39.3 � 2.0, apoptosis rate = 11.1 � 1.1%) (37 to 53 embryos in each group were used for the TUNEL assay). These results suggest that the administration of GSH or thioredoxin to the culture medium improves in vitro embryonic development after IVM/IVF of oocytes, and that these beneficial effects are associated with maintenance of the intracellular redox status in a reduced state in porcine embryos.

283 EFFECTS OF CUMULUS CELL REMOVAL ON IN VITRO OOCYTE MATURATION, FERTILIZATION, AND EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT IN PIGS

It is generally accepted that cumulus cells (CCs) support the nuclear maturation of immature oocytes in mammals. However, the precise mechanism of interaction between cumulus cells and oocytes has not been clarified. Furthermore, the role of cumulus cells in embryonic development has not been reported. In the present study, the effect of denuding cumulus cells from porcine oocytes on oocyte maturation, ertilization, and their subsequent development to the blastocyst stage was examined in vitro. In vitro maturation, fertilization, and culture were carried out as previously reported (Kikuchi et al. 2002 Biol. Reprod. 66, 1033-1041). Porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected; some of them were completely denuded of cumulus cells immediately after the collection (DO-0 group). The remaining intact COCs and the DO-0 oocytes were cultured for 24 h in the presence of dbcAMP and hormones. After the initial culture, some of the intact COCs were denuded either completely (DO-24 group) or partially (H-DO-24 group). Additionally, some of DO-24 oocytes were co-cultured with the cumulus cells removed at 0 h and pre-cultured for 24 h (DO-24 + CCs group). The denuded oocytes in each experimental group and intact COCs (control) were further cultured for total 46 h. The remaining oocytes with a first polar body were either examined for the levels of intracellular glutathione (GSH) or fertilized in vitro with frozen-thawed boar spermatozoa. The inseminated oocytes were cultured and examined for their fertilization status after 10 h and for their developmental competence after 6 days. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, followed by the Duncan's multiple range tests. The maturation rates of all denuded groups were significantly lower (P < 0.05; 34.3 to 45.0%) than that of the control group (64.5%). Intracellular GSH concentrations of all denuded groups were also significantly lower (P < 0.05; 4.03 to 7.00 pmol/oocyte) than that of the control group (9.60 pmol/oocyte); however, the GSH level of H-DO-24 oocytes was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the GSH levels in the other denuded groups. Male pronuclear formation rates of completely denuded oocytes (DO-0, DO-24, and DO-24 + CCs groups) were significantly lower (P < 0.05; 41.4 to 59.3%) than those of the control (89.4%) and the H-DO-24 (80.0%) groups. The blastocyst rate of the control group was significantly higher (P < 0.05; 19.9%) than that of H-DO-24 group (11.6%), and these rates were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of the completely denuded groups (3.0 to 4.5%). The results suggest that the presence of cumulus cells during maturation culture improves nuclear maturation of oocytes and plays an important role in embryonic development to the blastocyst stage in vitro.

Alterations in follicular dynamics and steroidogenic abilities induced by heat stress during follicular recruitment in goats

We investigated the changes in follicular dynamics and steroidogenic activity during heat stress in goats. Adult female goats were exposed to heat stress at 36 degrees C and 70% relative humidity for 48 h and then injected with prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha (the time of PGF2alpha injection was designated as 0 h). In experiment 1, every follicle greater than 2 mm in diameter was monitored by ultrasonography to investigate the follicular dynamics, and plasma concentrations of FSH, LH, progesterone, and oestradiol were measured from -48 h to 120 h. In experiment 2, the follicles were recovered from the goats at 48 h, and the concentration of oestradiol, the aromatase activity, and the LH receptor level in the follicles were determined. In control (non-heat-stressed) goats, ovulatory follicles were mainly recruited from -24 h to 0 h, whereas no follicles recruited during that period were ovulated in the heat-stressed goats. The timing of the recruitment of ovulatory follicles was delayed by heat stress by approximately 24 h. The plasma concentration of oestradiol in the heat-stressed goats was significantly lower from 36 to 54 h compared with the controls, although the concentrations of FSH and progesterone did not differ between the treatments. In addition, the concentration of oestradiol, the aromatase activity, and the LH receptor level in the follicles from heat-stressed goats were significantly lower compared with the controls. These results indicate that heat stress during follicular recruitment suppresses subsequent growth to ovulation, accompanied by decreased LH receptor level and oestradiol synthesis activity in the follicles.

299 IN VITRO DEVELOPMENT OF IMMATURE PORCINE OOCYTES FERTILIZED IN VITRO TO THE BLASTOCYST STAGE

In vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryonic development of mature and meiotically arrested porcine oocytes were compared in this study. After in vitro maturation (IVM) for 48 h of cumulus-oocyte complexes, 75.4% (n = 442) of them extruded a visible polar body (PB). Most oocytes with a polar body (PB+ group) were found to be at metaphase II (M-II) stage (91.4%). Most oocytes without a visible polar body (PB− group, n = 144) appeared to be arrested at the germinal vesicle (GV) (41.6%) and first meiotic metaphase (M-I) (34.0%) stages. After IVF of oocytes (the day of IVF = Day 0), there was no significant difference between PB+ and PB− groups in rates of sperm penetration, monospermy, and oocyte activation after the penetration. Embryonic development was assessed by staining with 1% orcein. On Day 2, although there was no difference between the embryo cleavage in PB+ (n = 447) and PB− (n = 217) groups (47.0% and 35.9%, respectively), PB+ embryos had more cells than the PB− embryos (3.37 and 2.81 cells, respectively) (P < 0.05; ANOVA). On Day 4, the cleavage rate of PB+ embryos was higher than that of PB− embryos (45.4% and 24.3%, respectively), and PB+ embryos had more cells than the PB− embryos (8.26 and 6.0 cells, respectively) (P < 0.05; ANOVA). On Day 6, a significantly higher number of PB+ embryos developed to the blastocyst stage than that of the PB− embryos (34.6% and 20.7%, respectively) (P < 0.05). However, by subtracting the GV oocytes from the PB− group, there was no difference in blastocyst rates between the M-I arrested and M-II oocytes (35.3% and 34.6%, respectively). The number of blastomer nuclei in embryos obtained from the PB+ group (52.0) was significantly higher than that of the PB− group (29.1); however, the proportion of inner cell mass and trophectoderm cells in PB+ and PB− blastocysts did not differ significantly (1:1.9 and 1:2.2, respectively) (P < 0.05). Chromosome analysis revealed that PB+ blastocysts had significantly more diploid blastomeres (69.7%) than PB− blastocysts (44.0%), whereas PB− blastocysts had significantly more triploid cells (34.0%) compared with PB+ oocytes (8.4%)(P < 0.05; χ2 test). These results indicate that porcine oocytes arrested at the M-I stage undergo cytoplasmic maturation during culture and have the same ability to develop to blastocysts after IVF as M-II oocytes but with a lower cell number; the latter might be caused by the slower embryonic development.

321 DEVELOPMENT IN VIVO AND IN VITRO OF PORCINE OOCYTES FERTILIZED BY INTRACYTOPLASMIC INJECTION OF A FREEZE - DRIED SPERM HEAD

The present study investigated the development in vivo and in vitro of in vitro matured porcine oocytes injected with a freeze-dried (FD) boar sperm head. In mice, DNA damage was induced during the holding period after rehydration and before sperm injection (Wakayama, T. and Yanagimachi, R. 1998, Nat. Biotechnol., 16, 639–641). Here, we examined the relationship between duration of rehydration of FD sperm and in vitro development of FD sperm-injected porcine oocytes. We also assessed the in vivo developmental competence of the injected oocytes after embryo transfer. Ejaculated boar spermatozoa were suspended in Pig-FM (Suzuki, K. et al. 2002, Int. J. Androl. 25, 84–93) and sonicated for 1 min to separate sperm heads from the tails. An aliquot (100 μL) of the sperm suspension was put into a glass tube and then pre-cooled at −40°C for 6 h. Each tube was attached to a freeze-dry system (DuraDry μP, FTS Systems, Stone Ridge, NY, USA) for 12 h. The ampules were closed and stored at 4°C for more than 7 days before use. For rehydration, 100 μL of distilled water was added into the ampules. In Experiment I, we injected FD sperm heads which were kept for 0–60, 60–120, or 120–180 min after rehydration. At 1 h after the injection, the injected oocytes were stimulated with a DC pulse and cultured for 6 days. The rate of blastocyst formation and the number of cells in the blastocysts were examined. Embryos after in vitro fertilization (IVF) were evaluated as a control. As shown in Table 1, the rates of blastocyst formation were not different (by χ2 test) for duration of rehydration and the control. However, the cell numbers of FD groups were lower (P < 0.05; by Student's t-test) than that in the control. In Experiment II, oocytes injected with a single FD sperm head and stimulated were transferred to both oviducts of a total of ten recipient gilts. Two recipients were diagnosed as pregnant at Day 30 of gestation. At Day 39, one of the pregnant recipients had an abortion, and two fetuses were recovered. The other pregnancy was not maintained. The results suggest that oocytes fertilized with a single FD sperm head have competence to be implanted and to develop to the early fetal stage, and also that the duration for rehydration does not influence in vitro developmental ability in pigs. Table 1. Effects of the duration from rehydration of freeze-dried sperm heads to the injection of the heads into in vitro matured oocytes on in vitro development of the oocytes in pigs

Quantitative flow visualization of fluidized-bed heat exchanger by neutron radiography

Quantitative flow visualization of a gas-solid fluidized-bed installed vertical tube-bank has been successfully conducted using neutron radiography and image processing technique. The quantitative data of void fraction distribution as well as the fluctuation data are presented. The time-averaged void fraction is well correlated by the drift-flux model. The bubbles formed in the bed, rise along the vertical tubes and the observed bubble size is smaller than that in a free bubbling bed without tube-banks. The bubble diameter is well correlated by the modified Mori and Wen's correlation taking into account the pitch of tube arrangement. The bubble rise velocity is also well correlated by applying the drift-flux model. These results are consistent for both bed materials of Geldart's B- and A-particles, while the bubble size is significantly different between two kinds of particles.

277ENERGY REQUIREMENT DURING DEVELOPMENT TO THE BLASTOCYST STAGE OF PORCINE EMBRYOS PRODUCED IN VITRO

A successful in vitro production (IVP) of porcine blastocysts, which enables piglet production after transfer to recipients, was reported (Kikuchi et al., 2002 Biol. Reprod. 66, 1033–1041). Generally, in the IVP system, both glucose and glutamine as energy sources were included in vitro culture (IVC) medium from Day 2 (Day 0=the day of in vitro fertilization) until Day 6. However, the exact requirement of these substances for the development to the blastocyst stage of IVP embryos has not yet been clarified. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether these two substances are necessary for embryonic development to the blastocyst stage in culture during the period. Porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes were matured for 46h and fertilized in vitro as reported by Kikuchi et al. (see above). After removal of cumulus cells and spermatozoa, the oocytes were cultured subsequently in NCSU-37 supplemented with pyruvate and lactate (IVC-PyrLac) for 2 days. Then they were cultured until Day 6 in other IVC medium prepared as follows (1–6); Basic IVC medium (BM) was a modified NCSU-37 consisting of 108.7mM NaCl, 4.8mM KCl, 1.7mM CaCl2, 1.2mMKH2PO4, 1.2mM MgSO4, 25.1mM NaHCO3 and 4mgmL−1 fatty acid-free BSA. Then one or more of the following energy sources were supplemented to BM;; (1) 12mM sorbitol (SigmaUltra), 5.55mM glucose (Wako special grade) and 1.0mM glutamine (Sigma) (NCSU-37/Gln+), (2) 19.2mM sorbitol and 1.0mM glutamine (IVC-Sorbitol/Gln+); (3) 19.2mM mannitol (SigmaUltra) and 1.0mM glutamine (IVC-Mannitol/Gln+), (4) 12mM sorbitol and 5.55mM glucose (NCSU-37/Gln−); 5) 19.2mM sorbitol (IVC-Sorbitol/Gln−); and 6) 19.2mM mannitol (IVC-Mannitol/Gln−). The osmolarity of these media was adjusted to 283–285 osmolg−1. All embryos were fixed as whole mounts, stained and evaluated. The rate of blastocysts in NCSU-37/Gln+ (26.8%) was significantly higher (P&lt;0.05; by analysis of variance and Duncan’s multiple range test) than those in IVC-Sorbitol/Gln+, IVC-Mannitol/Gln+ and NCSU-37/Gln− (19.0%, 17.0% and 15.5%, respectively). A remarkable decrease in the rates in IVC-Sorbitol/Gln− and IVC-Mannitol/Gln− (P&lt;0.05; 1.4% and 2.0%, respectively) was observed. The cell numbers of NCSU-37/Gln+, IVC-Sorbitol/Gln+, IVC-Mannitol/Gln+ and NCSU-37/Gln− (55.5, 52.0, 49.6 and 58.7, respectively) had a tendency to be higher than those of IVC-Sorbitol/Gln− and IVC-Mannitol/Gln− (38.0 and 35.2, respectively). These results confirm that the supplementation of maturation medium with at least one energy source (glucose or glutamine) promotes embryonic development in vitro to the blastocyst stage, that the combination of both sources improves the chance of the embryonic survival, and that porcine embryos do not utilize sorbitol or mannitol as an energy source. The importance of glucose and glutamine is suggested for the development to the blastocyst stage of porcine IVP embryos.

Developmental competence and oxidative state of mouse zygotes heat-stressed maternally or in vitro

Mammalian preimplantation embryos are sensitive to maternal and direct heat stress. However, the mechanisms by which heat stress affects early embryonic development in vivo or in vitro are unknown. This study examined whether heat-stress-induced loss of developmental competence in mouse embryos was mediated by physiological changes in the maternal environment or by high temperatures alone. After fertilization, zygotes at the same stage were heat-stressed at 39.5 degrees C for 12 h either maternally (measured by maternal rectal temperature) or directly in culture. Zygotes in each group were cultured at 37.5 degrees C for a further 84 h to assess their developmental ability. Neither type of heat stress affected the first cleavage rate. However, the proportion of embryos that developed to morulae or blastocysts was significantly lower in the maternally heat-stressed group, but not in the directly heat-stressed group. Moreover, maternal heat stress significantly reduced intracellular glutathione concentrations and enhanced hydrogen peroxide concentrations in both zygotes and two-cell embryos that were recovered immediately after heat stress or 12 h later, respectively. In contrast, direct heat stress had little effect on concentrations of glutathione or hydrogen peroxide in cultured early embryos. These results demonstrate that maternal heat stress at the zygote stage reduces the developmental ability of mouse embryos via physiological changes in the maternal environment that lead to an increase in intracellular oxidative stress on the embryo.

Non-myeloablative haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for severe aplastic anaemia with various complications

We report a 20-year-old-male with severe aplastic anaemia who was treated with nonmyeloablative haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (NSCT) from a sibling donor. As the patient presented with complications consisting of mental retardation, severe obesity, a bone fracture, and recurrent infections, we selected NSCT instead of a myeloablative regimen, to reduce regimen-related toxicity (RRT). Conditioning therapy consisting of busulfan, fludarabine, antithymocyte globulin and FK506 was used to obtain immune suppression. RRT was limited and he is now in complete remission 19 months after NSCT. On day 91, he developed chronic graft-vs.-host disease; it was resolved by the combination of FK506, corticosteroids, and mycophenolate mofetil. Our experience contributes to the growing interest in NSCT as a modality for treating not only malignant haematological disorders associated with complications, but also nonmalignant haematological diseases.

Comparison of sequences of cDNA clones obtained from oligo-capping cDNA libraries with those from unigene

We compared in detail the characteristics of the sequences of the cDNA clones obtained by the oligo-capping method (oligo-capping clones) with that of the sequences in the UniGene database. To compare the completeness of the sequences, three new variables, "fullness-proportion of clones" (the ratio of complete clones to total clones in a library), "fullness-proportion of genes" (the ratio of complete genes to total genes in a library), and "fullness-proportion of database" (the ratio of complete genes to total genes in a database sampled from a library), were defined. The fullness-proportion of clones of oligo-capping clones was 57.3%, 2.2 times larger than that of UniGene (25.9%). The fullness-proportion of genes of oligo-capping clones was 41.8%, 2.4 times larger than that of UniGene (17.8%). When gene length was restricted to > or = 1.5 kb, the fullness-proportion of genes of oligo-capping clones was four times larger than that of UniGene. The fullness-proportion of database of oligo-capping clones was approximately the same as that of UniGene. By simulating the clone redundancy, this coincidence was found to be due to the large redundancy of the UniGene database. Consequently, the cDNA sequence database of oligo-capping clones enabled high throughput selection of full-length cDNA clones.