Prognostic significance of bone marrow 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose uptake in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: relation to iliac crest biopsy results

AIM

To investigate the prognostic significance of bone marrow (BM) 2-[¹⁸F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) uptake in relation to posterior iliac crest BM biopsy (BMB) results in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pretreatment integrated positron-emission tomography(PET)/computed tomography (CT) images of 512 DLBCL patients who underwent BMB and received rituximab combined with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) chemotherapy were analysed retrospectively. BM uptake was assessed visually and by maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax). Associations with lymphoma-specific survival (LSS) were assessed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

FDG(+) BM was observed in 64 cases (41 focal, 12 heterogeneous, 11 diffuse). This finding distinguished iliac crest involvement (positive in 59 and negative in 453) with 89.6% accuracy (459/512) and 93.6% specificity (424/453). In BMB(+) patients, BM-to-liver SUVmax ratio >1.8 concurred perfectly with FDG(+) BM. During 52 months of follow-up, there were 156 lymphoma-related deaths. In the entire population, multivariate analysis revealed high International Prognostic Index (IPI; p<0.001), old age (p=0.003), bulky disease (p=0.011), BMB(+) (p=0.028), and FDG(+) BM (p=0.019) as independent predictors of worse LSS. In the BMB(+) subgroup, high National Comprehensive Cancer Network-revised IPI (NCCN-IPI; p=0.029) and FDG(+) BM (p=0.008) were significant independent predictors. Among BMB(+) patients with low to low-intermediate NCCN-IPI, FDG(+) BM was associated with significantly worse 2-year LSS (33.3% versus 100%; p=0.017). The same was true among those with high-intermediate NCCN-IPI (34.7% versus 76.9%.; p=0.026).

CONCLUSION

Increased BM FDG in DLBCL is a predictor of worse LSS independent of BMB results and other prognostic variables including IPI/NCCN-IPI.

Demetylation of the sex-determining region Y gene promoter and incidence of disorder of sex development in cloned dog males

Canine cloning is occasionally accompanied by abnormal sexual development. Some male donor cells produce cloned pups with female external genitalia and complete male gonadal dysgenesis, which is classified as an XY disorder of sex development (XY DSD). In this study, we examine the potential of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC), a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, to reduce the phenotypic abnormality XY DSD in somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)- derived pups. We used a 9-year-old normal male German Shepherd dog as a cell donor. Donor cells were treated with 10 nM 5-aza-dC for 4 days before being used for SCNT. At the same stage of cell development, significantly lower levels of DNA methylation of the sex-determining region Y (SRY) promoter was observed in the treated donor cells compared to that in the untreated cells (95.2% versus 53.3% on day 4 for the control and treated groups, respectively). No significant differences were observed in the control or treatment groups concerning fusion rate, pregnancy rate (30 days or entire period), the number of pups, or the incidence of XY DSD. However, more XY DSD dogs were observed in the control group (31.25%) than in the treatment group (14.29%). Hypermethylation of the SRY promoter was observed in the XY DSD cloned pups in both the treatment (84.8%) and control groups (91.1 ± 1.4%) compared to the methylation level in the phenotypically normal male pups of the treatment (23.2 ± 20.9%) and control groups (39.1 ± 20.1%). These results suggest that 5-aza-dC treatment of donor cells can reduce the methylation level of the SRY promoter in donor cells, and thus, 5-aza-dC is advantageous for reducing the incidence of XY DSD in canine cloning.

Pre-treatment 18F-FDG PET-based radiomics predict survival in resected non-small cell lung cancer

AIM

To assess the prognostic value of 2-[¹⁸F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) positron-emission tomography (PET)-based radiomics using a machine learning approach in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-three patients with stage I-III NSCLC who underwent combined PET/computed tomography (CT) followed by curative resection. A total of 35 unique quantitative radiomic features was extracted from the PET images, which included imaging phenotypes such as pixel intensity, shape, and texture. Radiomic features were ranked based on score according to their correlation with disease recurrence status within a 3-year follow-up. The recurrence risk classification performances of machine learning algorithms (random forest, neural network, naive Bayes, logistic regression, and support vector machine) using the 20 best-ranked features were compared using the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and validated by the random sampling method.

RESULTS

Contrast and busyness texture features from neighbourhood grey-level difference matrix were found to be the two best predictors of disease recurrence. The random forest model obtained the best performance (AUC: 0.956, accuracy: 0.901, F1 score: 0.872, precision: 0.905, recall: 0.842), followed by the neural network model (AUC: 0.871, accuracy: 0.780, F1 score: 0.708, precision: 0.755, recall: 0.666).

CONCLUSION

A PET-based radiomic model was developed and validated for risk classification in NSCLC. The machine learning approach with random forest classifier exhibited good performance in predicting the recurrence risk. Radiomic features may help clinicians to improve the risk stratification for clinical practice.

Abstract P3-08-12: PIK3CA mutations in breast cancer: Mutational landscape and clinical implications in ER+/HER2- subtype

Introduction: PIK3CA mutation is one of the most frequent genomic alterations in breast cancer. We evaluated PIK3CA mutational status including spatial and temporal heterogeneity, clinical characteristics and prognostic impact focused on ER+/HER2- subtype.

Methods: We performed targeted ultra-deep sequencing (CancerSCAN™) of breast cancer tissue in a prospective cohort. Burden of disease was assessed by metabolic tumor volume(MTV) in 18F-FDG-PET scan. Association with clinical characteristics or survival were tested in ER+/HER2- subtype, using Chi square test or Kaplan-Meier method.

Results: PIK3CA analyses were performed in 1274 breast cancer specimens from 1091 patients. 957 patients had early breast cancer. PIK3CA alterations were found in 397 patients(36.3%), and frequency of PIK3CA mutation was significantly lower in triple negative breast cancer(19.0%), compared with 40.4% in ER+/HER2-, 40.9% in ER+/HER2+, and 45.2% in ER-/HER2+ subtype(p&lt;0.0001). 158 patients had more than two biopsies. Among 92 patients with second biopsy within one month, 11%(10/92) had spatial heterogeneity of PIK3CA mutation. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 10%(3/30) of patients had change of PIK3CA mutational status. Serial biopsy at time of recurrence revealed loss or gain of PIK3CA mutation in 10 out of 59 patients (17%). In ER+/HER2- subtype, PIK3CA had a trend toward longer distant disease free survival without statistical significance. In patients with stage IV ER+/HER2- disease, PIK3CA hotspot mutations were associated with significant longer overall survival(OS) (71.0 vs. 37.8 months, p=0.048) and better progression free survival(PFS) at 1st line palliative treatment (37.7 vs. 9.4 months, p = 0.0004). Frequency of symptomatic recurrence, recurrence as oligometastases, and specific metastatic sites were not associated with PIK3CA mutational status, except that bone metastases at first distant metastases was less prevalent in patients with PIK3CA hotspot mutations(35.6% vs. 53.8% in PIK3CA wt, p=0.048). Metabolic tumor volume(MTV) at time of first distant metastases was not associated with presence of PIK3CA mutation.

Conclusion: We observed variations in PIK3CA mutational status in more than 10% of patients with &gt;1 repeated biopsy. In stage IV ER+/HER2- disease, PIK3CA hotspot mutation seemed to be associated with longer PFS and OS, however metabolic tumor burden was not associated with PIK3CA alterations.

Citation Format: Ahn HK, Park S, Hyun SH, Park K, Lee E, Kim J-Y, Nam SJ, Kim SW, Lee JE, Lee SK, Yu JH, Ahn JS, Im Y-H, Park YH. PIK3CA mutations in breast cancer: Mutational landscape and clinical implications in ER+/HER2- subtype [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-08-12.

Intratumoural heterogeneity measured using FDG PET and MRI is associated with tumour-stroma ratio and clinical outcome in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

AIM

To evaluate the association between the tumour-stroma ratio and intratumoural heterogeneity measured using 2-[¹⁸F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) positron-emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and further investigate the prognostic significance of imaging biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Textural-based imaging parameters of the primary tumour were extracted in 44 patients. In addition, the difference between the minimum and maximum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values (ADCdiff) was calculated on MRI. The relationships between the tumour-stroma ratio and imaging parameters were evaluated. The associations between imaging parameters and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were assessed using Cox proportional hazard regression models.

RESULTS

Coarseness (r=-0.382) on PET and ADCdiff (r=0.534) on MRI were significantly correlated with the proportion of stroma. The best imaging biomarkers for the 2-year RFS prediction were coarseness (AUC=0.741) and ADCdiff (AUC=0.779). Multivariate analysis showed that coarseness (hazard ratio=10.549, 95% confidence interval=2.544-43.748, p=0.001) was an independent prognostic factor for RFS.

CONCLUSION

Heterogeneity imaging parameters are significantly associated with the tumour-stroma ratio. These imaging biomarkers may help to facilitate the risk stratification for tumour recurrence in HNSCC.

171 PRE-IN VITRO MATURATION OF PORCINE OOCYTES USING PITUITARY ADENYLATE CYCLASE-ACTIVATING PEPTIDE: EFFECTS ON MEIOSIS PROGRESSION AND DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE

Porcine immature oocytes derived from small follicle (SF, ≤3 mm in diameter) are able to resume meiosis, but few oocytes are capable to progress to the metaphase 2 stage. To improve capacitation of oocytes derived from SF and inhibit spontaneous maturation, a pre-in vitro maturation (IVM) system was applied to in vitro culturing of cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC). Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptides (PACAP), increasing cellular cyclic adenosine 3′5′-monophosphate, have pleiotropous actions and multiple functions throughout the body as a neuropeptide. Recently, studies have described the role PACAP play in fertility and reproduction, including follicular development, antiapoptotic effects, and implantation. The purpose of this study is to improve the developmental competence of oocytes derived from SF by exogenous addition of PACAP on pre-IVM. In the conventional IVM group, COC obtained from follicles ≤3 mm in diameter (SF group) and 3 to 6 mm in diameter (medium follicles; MF group) were subjected to IVM for 42 h. In the pre-IVM group, COC obtained from SF were matured with nontreatment [pre-SF(-)PACAP group] and 1μM PACAP [pre-SF(+)PACAP group] for 18 h pre-IVM and were immediately subjected to IVM for 42 h. We examined nuclear stage assessment, intracellular reduced glutathione and reactive oxygen species levels, and embryo developmental competence by parthenogenesis and IVF. After IVM, the result of the nuclear stage assessment of groups showed that the pre-SF(+)PACAP group had the highest metaphase 2 rate in the groups (P < 0.05). Reduced glutathione levels in MF and pre-SF(+)PACAP groups showed significantly higher levels than that of the other groups (P < 0.05). After parthenogenesis, the cleavage rates were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the others in pre-SF(+)PACAP group. In the IVF experiment, the embryo cleavage rate was significantly higher in that of MF and pre-SF(+)PACAP groups compared with that of SF and pre-SF(-)PACAP groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, no significant differences were found in the cleavage rate between MF and pre-SF(+)PACAP groups. In all groups derived from SF, the pre-SF(+)PACAP group rate of blastocyst formation and total cell number of blastocysts was significantly higher than that of the other groups (P < 0.05). These results indicated that pre-IVM system using PACAP is able to improve meiotic maturation and developmental competence although the oocytes were derived from SF.

22 PRODUCTION OF PORCINE TRANSGENIC CELL LINE INSERTED WITH SV40LT, EGFRvIII Gene, AND INDUCIBLE CreERT SYSTEM

Transgenic pigs are currently believed to be an important model for biomedical research, including for disease models, pharmaceutical toxicity testing, and regenerative medicine. However, production efficiency of animal disease models using somatic cell NT (SCNT) is very low. One of the main reasons is probably characteristics of the transgene. In this study, we introduce SV40LT oncogene into the fibroblast cells in order to establish immortalized transgenic cell line for producing the pig model of human brain cancer. We evaluated the effect of SV40LT oncogene on transgenic SCNT embryo development. As a results, the cleavage rates (73.8 ± 4.0 and 48.6 ± 2.4 in the normal and SV40LT group, respectively; P < 0.05) and blastocyst formation rates (19.5 ± 1.2 and 5.6 ± 1.8 in the normal and SV40LT group, respectively; P < 0.05) of transgenic SCNT embryos was significantly lower than the case of using normal cells. In addition, we evaluated the transgenic SCNT embryo development of the donor cell transfected with SV40LT and HrasV12 genes (SV40LT+HrasV12 group). As a results, there was no significant difference between the groups in the cleavage rates, but blastocyst formation rates of transfected SCNT embryos (SV40LT+HrasV12 group) was significantly lower than the case of using normal cells (19.5 ± 1.2 and 6.2 ± 1.8 in the normal and SV40LT+HrasV12 group, respectively; P < 0.05). Genes SV40LT or HrasV12 showed a negative effect on SCNT cloned embryo development. Therefore, a Cre/loxP inducible system was applied to producing donor cells transfected with EGFRvIII and SV40LT gene. As a result, the cleavage rates (73.8 ± 4.0 and 68.6 ± 6.6 in the normal and Cre/loxP-EGFRvIII-SV40LT group, respectively; P < 0.05) and blastocyst formation rate (19.5 ± 1.2 and 23.0 ± 3.7 in the normal and Cre/loxP-EGFRvIII-SV40LT group, respectively; P < 0.05) were improved to the same level, when used as a donor cell to a normal cell. In conclusion, these results indicated that harmful effects of transgenic SCNT embryo development caused by the characteristics of the inserted genes can be overcome through the inducible system. Further studies are needed to experiment with mRNA expression of apoptotic gene and target gene in 4- to 8-cell embryos and blastocysts. This work was supported, in part, by a grant from the Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science and Technology Development (Project No. PJ011077, PJ011288), Rural Development Administration, and the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean government (NRF-2013R1A2A2A04008751), Republic of Korea.

295 EFFECT OF TREHALOSE DURING IN VITRO MATURATION OF PIG OOCYTES ON OOCYTE MATURATION AND EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT AFTER PARTHENOGENESIS

Autophagy is a critical process for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and mammalian early embryogenesis. Autophagy can be regulated by various chemical inducers. However, there are few reports about effect of autophagy inducer in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocyte. The present study investigated the effects of supplementary trehalose, a novel mTOR-independent autophagy enhancer, on oocyte maturation and embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA). Immature oocytes were treated with various concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 100 mM) of trehalose in M-199 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) supplemented with 10 ng mL–1 of epidermal growth factor (EGF; Sigma-Aldrich Corp.), 1 ug mL–1 of insulin (Sigma-Aldrich Corp.), 4 IU mL–1 of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG; Intervet, Boxmeer, Holland), 4 IU mL–1 of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; Intervet), and 10% (vol/vol) porcine follicular fluid (pFF) for 10 h, and transferred to another IVM medium without trehalose. Osmolality of each groups (0, 25, 50, and 100 mM trehalose) was in the 290 to 295, 310 to 315, 330 to 335, and 375 to 380 osmol range, respectively. After 44 h of IVM, trehalose treatment during IVM did not improve nuclear maturation rates of oocytes in any group (90.7, 92.1, 92.7, and 90.1%, respectively). The developmental competence of oocytes matured with different trehalose concentrations was evaluated after PA. There were no significant differences in cleavage rates. However, blastocyst (BL) formation was different. Oocytes treated with 25 mM of trehalose during IVM had a significantly higher (P < 0.05) BL formation rate (64.2%) after PA compared with the control (52.0%). The BL quality was also improved in the 25 mM trehalose-treated group. Early BL rate significantly reduced in the 25 mM trehalose-treated group as compared to control (19.6 v. 29.9%, P < 0.05). By contrast, expanded BL rate significantly increased in the 25 mM trehalose-treated group than of control (27.7 v. 11.0%, P < 0.05). Total cell numbers of BL were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the 25 mM trehalose-treated group compared to those in the control group (52.2 v. 36.8). However, BL rate and quality of oocytes treated with 50 and 100 mM trehalose were similar with control group. In conclusion, these results indicate that 25 mM trehalose during IVM improved the developmental potential of porcine embryos. Trehalose will be useful for large-scale production of BL with good quality in porcine in vitro production.This work was supported by a grant from the Next-Generation Bio Green 21 Program (No. PJ009563032014), Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

28 EFFECTS OF RECLONING ON THE PRODUCTION OF PIGS OVEREXPRESSING 11 β-HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE TYPE 1 (11β-HSD1)

The incidence of metabolic syndrome is increasing globally, as the prevalence of obesity continues to rise. However, the basic mechanisms of metabolic syndrome are not completely known yet. Therefore, animal disease models are required for the study of metabolic syndrome. The overexpression of 11 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) in mice leads to metabolic syndrome; thus, we attempted to produce pigs with overexpression of 11β-HSD1 gene by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). However, low transgenic (TG) efficiency has been an obstacle to the production of TG pigs. A SCNT method in which somatic cells derived from TG pig are used as the nuclear donor (re-cloning method) is an effective technique for TG pig production. In this study, we attempted to increase TG efficiency by the re-cloning method. Pregnancy efficiency, production efficiency, and TG efficiency were compared with sources of donor cells (transfected TG fetal fibroblast v. TG fibroblast derived from newborn TG cloned pig). A total of 1382 and 881 TG SCNT embryos were produced from fetal fibroblast v. cloned fibroblast, and then transferred to 13 and 10 recipients. The pregnancy rate was not significantly different (30.8% v. 20.0%). Seventeen live piglets and 5 stillborn piglets were born from 4 recipients in the fetal fibroblast group, and 8 live piglets, 2 stillborn piglets, and 3 mummies were born from 2 recipients in the cloned fibroblast group. There were no significant differences in the production efficiency (3.7% v. 5.0%). All of the 13 re-cloned piglets showed reporter and target gene integration. But, of 22 fetal fibroblast-cloned piglets, reporter gene integration was confirmed in 9, but only 3 clone piglets showed reporter gene integration. Efficiency of TG was significantly increased in re-cloning group (13.6% v. 100.0%). In this study, TG efficiency of 11β-HSD1 overexpressed pigs was improved by re-cloning method. These results indicate that re-cloning is an efficient method for production of TG cloned pigs.This work was supported by a grant from the Next-Generation Bio Green 21 Program (No. PJ009563032014), Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

154 THE EFFECT OF ZINC ON PORCINE IN VITRO MATURATION AND SUBSEQUENT EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT AFTER IN VITRO FERTILIZATION

Zinc (Zn) is one of the abundant transition metals in biology and is an essential component of most cells. However, there are few reports about the effect of Zn in porcine oocytes. The objective was to investigate the effects of supplementary Zn during in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes. We investigated nuclear maturation, intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and subsequent embryonic development after IVF. Before the experiment, Zn concentrations in IVM medium and body fluids were measured using inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometer (sensitivity: 1 μM) and treatment concentrations were determined. Zinc concentration was 12.6 μM in porcine plasma and 12.9 μM in porcine follicular fluid. We confirmed that Zn was not detected in IVM medium. A total of 541 cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) were used for the evaluation of nuclear maturation. The COC were matured in TCM-199 medium supplemented with various concentrations of Zn (0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 μM). After 44 h of IVM, no significant difference was observed in all groups (metaphase II rate: 85.7, 88.7, 90.4, 90.3, and 87.2%, respectively). A total of 100 matured oocytes were examined for the effects of different Zn concentrations (0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 μM) on porcine oocyte intracellular GSH and ROS levels, which were measured through fluorescent staining and image analysis program. The groups of 12, 18, and 24 μM showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in intracellular GSH levels (1.45, 1.67, and 1.78, respectively) compared with the control and 6 μM group (1.00 and 1.08, respectively). The intracellular ROS level of oocytes matured with 12, 18, and 24 μM (0.82, 0.68, and 0.55) were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased compared with the control and 6 μM groups (1.00 and 1.03, respectively). Finally, the developmental competence of oocytes matured with different concentrations of Zn (0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 μM) was evaluated after IVF. There were no significantly different in cleavage rates. However, cleavage patterns and blastocyst (BL) formation were different. Fragmented embryo ratio of the 12 μM group (14.9%) was significantly lower than that of the other groups (control, 6, 18, and 24 μM: 26.4, 17.8, 18.4, and 18.0%, respectively). Oocytes treated with 12 μM Zn during IVM had a significantly higher BL formation rate (28.2%) after IVF compared with the control (19.8%). In conclusion, these results indicate that Zn treatment as body fluid concentration during IVM improved the developmental potential of IVF in porcine embryos by increasing the intracellular GSH concentration and decreasing the ROS level. This work was supported, in part, by a grant from the Next-Generation Bio Green 21 Program (No. PJ00956901), Rural Development Administration, and the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2012R1A1A4A01004885, NRF-2013R1A2A2A04008751), Republic of Korea.

156 EFFECTS OF MORPHOLOGY TYPE OF POLAR BODY ON PORCINE OOCYTE QUALITY AND DEVELOPMENTAL POTENTIAL AFTER IN VITRO FERTILIZATION

Evaluation of morphology of first polar body (1st PB) could be a method for the oocyte's quality and developmental competence. The developmental potential of oocyte with fragmented PB after in vitro maturation (IVM) is a controversial issue. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of PB morphology type on oocyte quality and developmental competence after IVF. Porcine ovaries were obtained from prepubertal gilts at a local slaughterhouse and transported to the laboratory within 2 h in physiological saline supplemented with 100 IU mL–1 penicillin G and 100 mg mL–1 streptomycin sulfate. The cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) were aspirated using an 18-gauge needle attached to a 10-mL disposable syringe from superficial follicles 3 to 6 mm in diameter followed by IVM. After IVM, oocytes were classified into 3 types as follows, oocytes with normal PB (A type), oocytes with a little of fragmented PB (B type), and oocytes with separated 2 PBs (C type), respectively. As classification of PB types, we analysed the distribution ratio of each PB type after IVM, and then performed IVF for analysis of fertilization rate and developmental potential. The ratio of oocyte with A type (73%) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of B type (24.5%) or C type (2.5%) after IVM. Only mature oocytes were selected from A and B type and were subjected to IVF because of a small number of oocytes with C type. In the IVF experiment, the efficiency of monospermy and fertilization were significantly higher in oocytes of A type (46.7%) than those of type B (20.0%). The cleavage rate of oocytes with A type (63.9%) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the oocytes with B type (43.8%). Embryonic developmental competence to the blastocyst stage after IVF was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the A-type oocytes (26.3%) than in the B-type oocytes (16.9%). The levels of glutathione and reactive oxygen species were not affected by the morphological classification of the PB. In summary, these results suggest that polar body morphology could be a marker of oocyte quality after IVM. We are currently studying gene expression of each oocytes and blastocysts. This work was supported, in part, by a grant from the Next-Generation BioGreen 21 Program (No. PJ00956901), Rural Development Administration, and the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2012R1A1A4A01004885, NRF-2013R1A2A2A04008751), Republic of Korea.

4 PRODUCTION OF 11β-HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE TYPE 1 (11β-HSD1) OVER-EXPRESSED PIGS FOR THE STUDY OF METABOLIC SYNDROME DISEASE

Metabolic syndrome shows a complication at risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. With the high prevalence of obesity globally, the incidence of metabolic syndrome is increased. However, the basic mechanisms of metabolic syndrome are not completely known yet. Therefore, we attempted to develop large-animal model for the study of metabolic syndrome disease. Some studies have shown that constitutive overexpression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) in mice leads to metabolic syndrome. Therefore, we tried to produce the 11β-HSD1 gene overexpressed pig by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). First, we established 11β-HSD1 overexpressed cells for the preparation of the transgenic (TG) donor cells. Porcine fetal fibroblasts were transfected with cytomegalovirus vector that included the porcine 11β-HSD1 gene. The 11β-HSD1-TG cell was injected into the enucleated ooplasm to produce 11β-HSD1-TG cloned embryos. In total, 833 TG porcine SCNT embryos (TG-SCNT embryos) were made. Of these, 155 TG-SCNT embryos were cultured in procine zygote medium-3 to evaluate the in vitro developmental potential of TG-SCNT embryos. Among these porcine SCNT-TG embryos, 109 embryos (70.3%) were cleaved at 48 h. On Day 7, 31 transgenic porcine SCNT embryos (20.0%) developed to the blastocyst stage. The remaining 678 TG-SCNT embryos were transferred to 6 surrogates (average 113 embryos per surrogate). On 25 days after embryo transfer, 2 surrogates were diagnosed as pregnant (pregnancy rate, 33.3%). On Day 114, we obtained 9 live piglets and 3 stillborn piglets from 2 surrogates. By PCR analysis, we confirmed that 1 live piglet and 2 stillborn piglets were integrated with 11β-HSD1 gene. We succeeded to obtain TG piglets at sixth trials, and for the re-cloning by SCNT, a stable cell line transfected with the 11β-HSD1 gene was established from a TG cloned piglet. This study presents new possibilities for large-animal model development for the study of metabolic syndrome disease. This work was supported, in part, by a grant from the Next-Generation Bio Green 21 Program (No. PJ00956901), Rural Development Administration, and the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2012R1A1A4A01004885, NRF-2013R1A2A2A04008751), Republic of Korea.

153 ZINC INSUFFICIENCY DURING PORCINE OOCYTES IN VITRO MATURATION CAUSED MEIOTIC BLOCK AND DEVELOPMENTAL FAILURE

The objective was to investigate the effects of zinc (Zn) insufficiency during in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes. Zinc insufficiency was induced by treatment of Zn chelator, N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis-(2-pyridylmethyl)-ethylendiamine (TPEN). In experiment 1, we investigated the effect of duration of Zn insufficiency in IVM on oocytes maturation and subsequent embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA). First, 10 μM TPEN was added to the IVM medium for 0, 7, 15, or 22 h. After TPEN treatment, 10 μM Zn were supplemented on IVM medium except in the 0 h group. Reductions in the nuclear maturation rates were dependent on TPEN duration. The 0-h-treated oocytes showed 83.9 ± 3.9% metaphase II (MII) rate; the 7-h-treated oocytes had significantly lower MII rate (44.8 ± 3.0%) than 0-h-treated oocytes. The majority of 15- and 22-h-treated oocytes were arrested at metaphase I (MI rate: 98.0 ± 1.0 and 97.2 ± 1.7%, MII rate: 0 and 0%, respectively). Embryonic developmental competence was similar to maturation results. Reduction in cleavage and blastocyst (BL) rates were also dependent on duration of TPEN treatment (cleavage rate: 65.3 ± 1.4, 42.6 ± 4.8, 2.6 ± 0.1, and 3.0 ± 1.6%; BL formation rate: 29.3 ± 2.8, 9.2 ± 1.5, 0, and 0% for 0, 7, 15, and 22 h). Total cell number of BL was also significantly different. Total cell number of BL in the 0-h-treated group (51.4 ± 4.5) was significantly higher than that in the 7-h-treated group (23.2 ± 1.6). In experiment 2, to confirm that the Zn insufficiency caused oocyte immaturities and loss of developmental competence in TPEN-treated oocytes, we investigated nuclear maturation and subsequent embryonic development following 3 groups: (1) non treatment (control); (2) 10 μM TPEN treatment during 22 h of IVM; (3) 10 μM TPEN + 10 μM Zn treatment during 22 h of IVM. Only TPEN-treated oocytes and TPEN+Zn-treated oocytes showed contrasting results. Oocyte maturation rates and subsequent embryonic development competence in TPEN with Zn-treated oocytes were similar to control (MII rate: 93.0 ± 1.2 and 92.7 ± 1.8%, BL formation rate: 42.0 ± 6.7 and 40.0 ± 7.5% for TPEN+Zn-treated oocytes and control). These results were significantly different compared with only TPEN-treated oocytes’ results (MII rate: 0.61 ± 0.61%, BL formation rate: 0%). In conclusion, Zn is an essential element for successful oocyte maturation and embryo development in porcine. Zinc insufficiency caused meiotic block and had lasting effects on early embryo development. This work was supported, in part, by a grant from the Next-Generation BioGreen 21 Program (No. PJ00956901), Rural Development Administration, and the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2012R1A1A4A01004885, NRF-2013R1A2A2A04008751), Republic of Korea.

174 RECOVERY OF LONG-BEAKED COMMON DOLPHIN OOCYTES FROM KOREAN WATERS

The aims of this study were to collect oocytes from ovaries of Delphinus capensis (long-beaked common dolphin) and to examine the morphological characteristics of their reproductive organ. Female genital organs were collected from 2 incidentally caught Delphinus capensis (ID-96: estimated 5–6 years, and ID-97: estimated 7–8 years). Collected ovaries were transported to the laboratory over 3.5 h in 0.9% saline at 39°C. To perform assisted reproductive techniques in wild animals, it is important to maximize the number of oocyte recovered per ovary. In this study, Delphinus capensis oocytes were collected by 2 methods: (1) aspiration of visible follicles (2 to 3 mm in diameter) and (2) remnant dissection, in which the ovary is finely dissected. The collected cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) were separated by ovary of origin and collection method. Oocytes were subjected to in vitro maturation (IVM). Immature oocytes were placed into IVM medium [TCM-199 supplemented with 10% (vol/vol) fetal bovine serum, 0.5 IU mL–1 LH, and 0.5 IU mL–1 porcine FSH] in the 4-well dish for 120 h at 37°C in 5% CO2 in a humidified atmosphere. The uterus type was observed to be a uterus bicornis. Morphology of ovary was similar to the bovine ovary among land animals. In total, 114 oocytes were obtained. From the ovary of ID-97, the number of oocytes recovered by aspiration and ovary dissection were 15 and 57, respectively. However, only 42 oocytes were recovered by ovary dissection from the ovary of ID-96. The number of oocytes recovered per ovary by dissection (49.5 ± 7.5) was higher than that by the aspiration (7.5 ± 7.5) method, but not significantly different (P = 0.06). For accurate statistical analysis, additional trials will be performed. Most oocytes had either no cumulus cells or had only 1 to 2 layers attached to the zona pellucida enclosing a homogeneous cytoplasm. After IVM, all oocytes were at the metaphase I stage, with even fewer attached cumulus cells than at recovery. To summarise, we describe the gross morphology of the female reproductive tract of the long-beaked common dolphin and determined that dissection of the ovary is required for maximal recovery of oocytes. This work was supported, in part, by a grant from the Next-Generation Bio Green 21 Program (No. PJ00956901), Rural Development Administration, and the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2012R1A1A4A01004885, NRF-2013R1A2A2A04008751), Republic of Korea.

155 EFFECT OF CO-CULTURE WITH CUMULUS-DERIVED SOMATIC CELLS DURING IN VITRO MATURATION ON PORCINE CUMULUS–OOCYTE COMPLEXES AND SUBSEQUENT EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT AFTER IN VITRO FERTILIZATION

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of co-culture with cumulus-derived somatic cells (CSC) during porcine in vitro maturation (IVM) and subsequent embryonic development after IVF. The CSC were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium for 48 h with various numbers of cumulus-derived somatic cells (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 × 104), and then cultured in TCM-199 for 4 h before the oocytes were added. Cumulus-oocytes complexes from 3- to 6-mm follicles were matured in 500 μL of TCM-199, with eCG and hCG, for 22 h, and then cultured in M199 without hormones for 22 h. Each experiment consisted of at least 4 replicates. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS 17.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Percentage data were compared by one-way ANOVA, followed by Duncan's multiple range test. Data were presented as means ± s.e.m. Differences were considered to be significant if the P-value was 0.05. After IVM, no significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed in nuclear maturation rate among the 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 × 104 groups (88.0 ± 2.37, 81.5 ± 2.17, 87.0 ± 1.98 and 86.0 ± 1.93%, respectively). The 2.5 × 104 group showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels compared with that of the other groups. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of mature oocyte in all groups showed no significant differences. The developmental competence of matured oocytes in all groups was evaluated after IVF. The 2.5 and 5.0 × 104 groups showed significantly (P < 0.05) high cleavage rates (60.0 ± 4.7 and 64.52 ± 5.9%, respectively) compared with the 0 and 10.0 × 104 groups (43.15 ± 5.0 and 53.8 ± 5.0%, respectively). The 2.5 × 104 group showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher BL formation rate (35.7 ± 2.9) than control group (21.0 ± 3.8%, respectively), and higher total cell number (127.25 ± 7.7) compared with the 0 and 10 × 104 groups (89.3 ± 4.0 and 92.6 ± 3.7, respectively). In the analysis of gene expression, IVF-BL derived from the 2.5 and 5.0 × 104 groups showed higher (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of PCNA, which is an essential component of the DNA replication and repair machinery and POU5F1 has been used to evaluate developmental potential in embryos. The 10.0 × 104 group showed higher (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of caspase-3 and Bak as known pro-apoptotic factors, compared with the control group IVF-BL. The results of cortical granules distribution which leads digesting sperm receptor proteins ZP2 and ZP3 to block polyspermy, showed that the 2.5 × 104 group was increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with the other co-culture groups (13.7 ± 6.1, 29.2 ± 9.5, 18.3 ± 0.8 and 19.52 ± 5.3, respectively). In conclusion, co-culture with 2.5 × 104 cumulus-derived somatic cells during IVM improved the developmental potential of porcine IVF embryos by increasing the intracellular GSH level and distribution of cortical granules during oocyte maturation. This work was supported, in part, by a grant from the Next-Generation BioGreen 21 Program (No. PJ00956901), Rural Development Administration, and the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2012R1A1A4A01004885, NRF-2013R1A2A2A04008751), Republic of Korea.

43 PATTERN OF NUCLEOLI FORMATION IN RACCOON-PORCINE INTERSPECIES SOMATIC CELL NUCLEAR TRANSFER EMBRYOS

Recently, great focus has been on the rescue of endangered animals through somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Because it is difficult to obtain the oocytes of endangered species, interspecies SCNT (iSCNT) methods have been attempted. Numerous iSCNT embryos have shown unsuccessful development due to aberrations in expression of housekeeping genes and genes dependent on the major embryonic genome activation (EGA). In particular, aberrant EGA may cause the arrest of nucleoli formation and developmental block in embryos. According to this concept, we performed raccoon iSCNT using porcine oocytes and analyzed iSCNT embryo development pattern and formation of nucleoli. Enucleated porcine oocytes were fused with raccoon fibroblasts by electrofusion. Cleavage and blastocyst formation were evaluated under a stereomicroscope at 48 and 168 h post-activation (hpa), respectively. To confirm the formation of nucleoli, which can be detected by C23 antibody labeling in many mammalian species, C23 immunocytochemistry was performed at 48 and 72 hpa. A total of 158 iSCNT embryos were cultured; 68.5% of the raccoon iSCNT embryos were cleaved at 48 hpa (1-cell stage: 9.7%; 2-cell stage: 14.4%; 4-cell stage: 34.1%; 6-cell stage: 12.7%; 8-cell stage: 7.3%; fragmented: 21.8%). But, the embryos seen as 5- to 8-cell stage did not have the same number of nuclei as their blastomere number. When raccoon iSCNT embryos were stained by Hoechst 33342, 5- to 8-blastomere raccoon iSCNT embryos had only 4 nuclei. The raccoon iSCNT embryos did not develop past the 4-cell stage and failed to form blastocysts. In the control group, 65.2% of pig SCNT embryos were cleaved at 48 hpa (1-cell stage: 8.0%; 2-cell stage: 4.2%; 4-cell stage: 23.6%; 6-cell stage: 13.6%; 8-cell stage: 23.8%; fragmented: 26.8%), and 10.0% of pig SCNT embryos developed to blastocysts. In raccoon iSCNT embryos, raccoon nuclei failed to form nucleoli at 48 and 72 hpa. By contrast, pig SCNT embryos showed 18.8 and 87.9% nucleoli formation at 48 and 72 hpa. Our results demonstrate that 4-cell-stage embryos of raccoon-porcine hybrid embryos may be produced by SCNT methods. The pig oocytes partly supported the remodeling and reprogramming of the raccoon somatic cell nuclei, but they were unable to support nucleoli formation. Moreover, aberrant nucleoli formation caused the unsuccessful development of raccoon SCNT embryos to the blastocyst stage. This work was supported by a grant from the Next Generation BioGreen 21 program (no. PJ008121012011), Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

323 PRODUCTION OF Mx2-TRANSGENIC PIGS FOR INFLUENZA STUDY

A worldwide flu pandemic occurred in 2009, resulting in many victims and high social damages. In the A (H1N1) virus spreading process, the pig is the intermediate host, and this virus is amplified and genetically changed through recombination in pigs. The objective of this study was to develop influenza-resistant pigs. In interferon-α and interferon-γ treated cells, the porcine Mx2 protein has been observed near the nuclear envelope, which consequently has been linked with inhibition of influenza virus proliferation. Therefore, we attempted to produce transgenic (TG) pigs overexpressing the Mx2 gene by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Porcine fetal fibroblasts were transfected with the cytomegalovirus vector, which includes the porcine Mx2 gene. The established transgenic cell was injected into the enucleated ooplasm to produce Mx2-TG cloned embryos. In total, 511 female TG porcine embryos were transferred to 5 surrogates. Two recipients were diagnosed pregnant (pregnancy rate, 40%) on Day 25. On Day 114, 6 fetuses and 4 mummies were collected. The PCR analysis concluded that there was no integration of the Mx2 gene. Then, a male Mx2-TG cell line was established to use as donor cell of SCNT. In total, 547 male TG-SCNT embryos were produced. Of these, 38 embryos were cultured in vitro to confirm the developmental capacity of the embryos. Among these porcine SCNT-TG embryos, 26 embryos (68.4%) cleaved and 5 (13.2%) developed to the blastocyst stage. The PCR analysis confirmed that all male TG-SCNT blastocysts were for integration of the Mx2 gene. The remaining 509 male embryos were transferred to 5 surrogates. Two recipients (pregnancy rate, 40%) were diagnosed pregnant at Day 25. To date, 1 of the surrogate has maintained pregnancy and another recipient gave birth to 9 piglets. Two days after birth, 2 piglets died and the remaining piglets remain healthy. Verification analysis of gene targeting and resistance to influenza is in progress. This study has presented new possibilities of production of influenza virus resistant pig by SCNT for translational research. This work was supported by a grant from Next-Generation BioGreen 21 program (# PJ008121012011), Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

303 THE MODIFIED CULTURE SYSTEM OF PORCINE IN VITRO PRODUCTION IMPROVES COLONIZATION OF PUTATIVE EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

The establishment of porcine embryonic stem cells (pESC) using in vitro-produced blastocysts derived from IVF, parthenogenesis (PA), and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) have a great potential. However, porcine in vitro-produced blastocysts show a lower quality than do in vivo-derived blastocysts. In this study, to improve in vitro-derived blastocyst quality, and then to establish pESC, we treated IVF embryos and PA embryos with resveratrol (RES), porcine granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (pGM-CSF), and β-mercaptoethanol (β-ME). The control system was produced using M199 medium in in vitro maturation (IVM) and porcine zygote medium-3 (PZM3) in in vitro culture (IVC). The modified group was produced using M199 with 2 µM RES in IVM and PZM5 with 10 ng mL–1 pGM-CSF, 2 µM RES, and 10 µM β-ME in IVC. Data were analysed with SPSS 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) using Duncan’s multiple range test. In total, 1210 PA, 612 IVF, and 5 SCNT embryos were evaluated (for SCNT, we examined only the control system). We observed that overall blastocyst quality was increased. The blastocyst formation rates were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the modified system (54.5%) compared with the control system (43.4%) in PA and hatched blastocysts rates at Day 6 and 7 were also increased significantly. Total blastocyst cell numbers were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the modified system (55.1) compared with the control system (45.6). Hatching rate of Day 7 IVF blastocysts was also significantly increased. After seeding porcine blastocysts, the attachment rates were higher in the modified system (32.2% in PA and 36.2% in IVF; not examined in SCNT) than the control system (19.5% in PA, 26.6% in IVF, and 40.0% in SCNT). In addition, colonization rates and cell line derivation rates were higher in the modified system than in the control system. Colonization rates of modified system were 13.1% for PA and 17.75% for IVF embryos, whereas the control system generated 2.4% for PA, 10.8% for IVF, and 20.0% for SCNT. We also investigated the correlation between blastocyst state and attachment rate. The highest attachment rate is in hatched blastocyst (78.35 ± 15.74%). Therefore, the modified system increased quality of porcine blastocysts in vitro produced, and subsequently increased attachment rates. The cell line derivation rates were 2.4% (PA), 4.2% (IVF), and 20.0% (SCNT) in control group. In modified system, they were 7.2% (PA) and 10.0% (IVF). We established 3 cell lines from PA blastocysts (1 cell line in control system and 2 cell lines in modified system) and 1 cell line from SCNT-control system. All cell lines showed alkaline phosphatase activity and expressed pluripotent markers. In conclusion, the modified system of IVM and IVC (the treatment of RES during IVM and RES, β-ME, and pGM-CSF during IVC) increased quality of in vitro-produced porcine blastocysts, and subsequently increased derivation rates of putative pESC. This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (#2012004885).

189 THE EFFECTS OF RESVERATROL ON PORCINE OOCYTES IN VITRO MATURATION AND SUBSEQUENT DEVELOPMENT AFTER PARTHENOGENETIC ACTIVATION AND IN VITRO FERTILIZATION

The present study investigated the effects of resveratrol (a phytoalexin with various pharmacological activities) during in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes on nuclear maturation, intracellular glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, gene expression in matured oocytes and subsequent embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA) and IVF. Data were analyzed with SPSS 17.0 using Duncan's multiple range test. In experiment 1, a total of 1146 cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) were divided into 5 groups (0, 0.1, 0.5, 2.0 and 10.0 μM resveratrol). In the nuclear maturation after 44-h IVM, the groups of 0.1, 0.5 and 2.0 μM (83.0, 84.1 and 88.3%, respectively) had no significant difference compared to the control group (84.1%). The group of 10.0 μM decreased the nuclear maturation (75.0%) significantly (P < 0.05). In experiment 2, a total of 300 matured oocytes were examined for the effects of different resveratrol concentrations (0, 0.5, 2.0 and 10.0 μM) on porcine oocyte intracellular GSH and ROS levels. The groups of 0.5 and 2.0 μM showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in intracellular GSH levels (1.3 and 1.3, respectively) compared with the control and 10.0 μM groups (1.0 and 1.0, respectively). The intracellular ROS level of oocytes matured with 2.0 μM resveratrol (0.4) was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased compared to other groups (control: 1.0; 0.5 μM: 0.6; and 10.0 μM: 0.7). In experiment 3, lower expression of apoptosis-related genes (Bax, Caspase-3 and Bak) was observed in matured oocytes treated with 2.0 μM resveratrol when compared with that of the control (P < 0.05). In experiment 4, a total of 728 oocytes were divided into 4 groups (control, 0.5, 2.0 and 10.0 μM) and examined subsequent to embryonic development after PA. Oocytes treated with 2.0 μM resveratrol during IVM had a significantly higher cleavage (CL) rate, blastocyst (BL) formation rate and total cell numbers (TCN) after PA compared with those of the control (2.0 μM: 96.6%, 62.1% and 49.1 vs control: 88.3%, 48.8% and 41.4, respectively) and the 10.0 μM groups (87.3%, 41.4% and 40.9, respectively). Oocytes treated with 0.5 μM resveratrol (87.2%, 50.5% and 48.6, respectively) during IVM had significantly higher TCN, but there were no differences in CL and BL formation rates. In experiment 5, a total of 935 oocytes in 3 groups (control, 2.0 and 10.0 μM resveratrol) were conducted in IVF. The BL formation rate and TCN were significantly higher in the group of 2.0 μM resveratrol (20.5% and 54.0, respectively) than the control (11.0% and 43.4, respectively) and 10.0 μM group (11.7% and 45.0, respectively), but there was no significant difference in CL rate. In conclusion, 2.0 μM resveratrol supplementation during IVM improved the developmental potential of PA and IVF in porcine embryos by increasing the intracellular GSH concentration, decreasing the ROS level and decreasing apoptosis-related gene expression during oocyte maturation. This work was supported by a grant from the Next-Generation BioGreen 21 Program (No. PJ008121), Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

82 EXPRESSION OF CELL MEMBRANE Mg2+ INORGANIC PHOSPHATE CHANNELS IN THE HUMAN PLACENTA DERIVED FROM PREGNANT WOMEN AND HUMAN PLACENTAL CELL LINES (BeWo, JEG3, hPC)

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disease characterised by de novo development of concurrent hypertension and oxidative stress in the placenta. The human placenta is a highly vascularized organ whose major function is to allow maternal–fetal exchange of solutes such as Ca2+ and oxygen. The transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily is known to contain channels activated by such various stimuli as intracellular Ca2+ membrane potential, cold and pH. However, signalling mechanisms mediating hormonal regulation of Mg2+ inorganic phosphate channels during the placenta duration of pregnancy are incompletely understood. We examined the expression of cell membrane Mg2+ inorganic channels in 3 sections (fetal-, central-, maternal-) of preeclamptic placenta (PEP) and from placental cell lines, BeWo, JEG3 and hPC (isolated during the first trimester) by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. Placental tissues (∼3 cm) from women (n = 75) between the ages of 28 to 45 years undergoing normal or Caesarean delivery were dissected into 1-cm sections. Data were analysed by one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's multiple comparison test. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. During preterm labour, human placental expression of Mg2+ inorganic channel mRNA and protein fluctuated in the 3 sections of PEP compared with normal placenta. In hPC, the expression of Mg2+ inorganic channel (TRPM6/7, MagT1, NIPA2, SLC41A1 to 3 and SLC34A1 to 3) mRNA and protein were decreased in placental cell lines by hypoxic stress (2% O2/93% N2/5% CO2) compared with normoxia (20% O2/75% N2/5% CO2). The levels of Mg2+ inorganic channel mRNA and protein were distinctly expressed between BeWo and JEG3 cells. These results indicate that placental Mg2+ inorganic channels play potential roles in differential sections of placenta between normal and PEP, suggesting that induced Mg2+ inorganic channels of PEP may be involved in preeclamptic stress in human placenta and placental cell lines, which are a determinant factor affecting calcium transfer.

297 DERIVATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE TRANSGENIC SOMATIC CELL NUCLEAR TRANSFER-DERIVED BOVINE EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

Bovine transgenic embryonic stem (ES) cells have not been reported yet because it seems that the derivation methods and the culture conditions for the inner cell mass are neither consistent nor optimized. Isolation of inner cell mass and primary culture of ES colonies is a critical step toward the establishment of authentic bovine ES cell lines. Herein, we reconstructed somatic cell nuclear transferred (SCNT) bovine blastocysts carrying a vector expressing the human INF-α gene, and isolated inner cell masses to derive transgenic bovine embryonic stem cells. In addition, we added 2 inhibitors, inhibition (2i system) of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (Erk1/2) cascade, PD0325901(3 Î1/4M), and of glycogen synthase kinase 3, CHIR99021 (1 Î1/4M), in the inner cell mass primary culture to check reliability of the 2i system for bovine ES culture. The 2 inhibitors made the morphology of colonies more intact, and primary colonies were better maintained in early passages. However, there were no significant effects on the attachment rate and maintenance in late passages (percent of percent over 3 passages: 2i system, 21/38 (55.3%); control, 22/42 (33.3%); P < 0.05). Inner cell masses were isolated mechanically and subcultured by an enzymatic in primary inner cell mass culture. Massive growth of trophoblast cells appears to inhibit inner cell mass growth, so hatching and hatched blastocysts were cut with a needle to remove trophoblast cells. Poor quality blastocysts were attached by the whole seeding method, and the margin trophoblast cells were consecutively removed in early passages. Established bovine ES cells express alkaline phosphatase, Oct-4, SSEA1, SSEA4, Tra-1–60, and Tra-1–81. We confirmed pluripotent gene expression of bovine ES like cells; Oct-4, SSEA1, and Rex 1 were positive, but trophoblast marker CDX2 was negative. This study shows that the 2i system is a reasonable method for use during inner cell mass culture in early passages. We established 6 transgenic nuclear transfer bovine ES cell lines with the 2i system and 4 in vitro fertilized bovine ES cell lines (all were over 10 passages).

282 IDENTIFICATION OF SRY AND STEROIDOGENIC FACTOR-1 (SF1) GENES IN CANINE XY MALE-TO-FEMALE SEX DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER

Cloning by the process of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has been achieved in a variety of mammalian species and has many promising applications. In this process, however, due to reasons beyond current scientific understanding, many results contrary to expectation have also been produced. For instance, abnormal sex development such as demasculinization has been observed in 1 of 6 healthy German shepherd offspring produced with SCNT (1 normal donor (not cloned), 5 cloned but normally developed progenies, 1 cloned sex reversed progeny, and 1 recloned sex reversed progeny from 1 cloned sex reversed progeny). Sex-determining region Y (SRY) is one of the most basic and crucial genes that initiate male sex determination in many mammals. Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF1, NR5A1), which is closely related to SRY, also regulates several genes involved in sex determination. Numerous studies have reported that reduced or deleted SRY gene expression as well as SF1 gene mutations can produced XY sex reversal. To verify the hypothetical association between phenotypic disorder of sex determination and genetic modification by SCNT, we extracted genomic DNA from tissues of normal progeny (not cloned), primary cultured cells of cloned but normally developed progeny, cloned sex reversed progeny, and recloned sex reversed progeny at the age of 1 year and carried out PCR with produced primers based on available SRY and SF1 gene information (SRY gene from AF107021 in GenBank; SF1 gene from ENSCAFG00000023086 in Ensembl). The cloned PCR products were subcloned into T-vector for sequence analysis, which showed no mutation in genetic sequences of SRY and SF1. Taken together, in our case of abnormal sex determination, there was no apparent association between phenotypic sex determination disorder and SRY/SF1 gene mutation. Other sex reversal and related mutation studies have pointed to a wide range of signal networks that include Sox9 and so forth. Further studies should be focused on these other genes in the signal network.

45 IN VITRO DEVELOPMENT OF BOVINE TRANSGENIC NUCLEAR TRANSFER EMBRYOS IN SERUM-FREE AND SERUM-SUPPLEMENTED MEDIA

Novel serum-free media (IVD101) has been shown to be effective for the production of in vitro-produced embryos for subsequent implantation into cows (Hoshi 2003 Theriogenology 59, 675–685). The objective of the present study was to determine whether serum-free embryo cultivation during preimplantation stage could be used for the production of bovine transgenic nuclear transfer embryos. Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos were produced by using donor cells containing a vector to induce the production of human erythropoietin in cow's milk. αS1-casein was selected as the promoter to be used in this study through the specific promoter activity test, and enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP) gene was attached to the CMV promoter to allow observation of the donor cell during the experiment. Adult fibroblast cells were transfected with lipofectamine. After G418 selection, the transfected cells were injected to the enucleated oocytes, and injected embryos were accomplished by cell-to-cell fusion. These embryos were then activated with calcium ionomycin and 6-dimethylaminopurine. The reconstructed embryos were cultured in IVD101 and mSOF media at 38.5°C, in a 5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2 atmosphere. Embryos were cultured for 4 days, followed by addition of FBS in case of mSOF media. On day-7, the developmental ability and the number of cells in the reconstructed embryos were determined. Statistical analysis of embryo development data was carried out using unpaired t-test, or ANOVA. There were no significant differences in the cleavage rate (69.6 ± 3.2% v. 64.5 ± 5.0%), blastocyst rate (18.7 ± 1.3% v. 22.0 ± 1.6%), and cell number (113.9 ± 7.5 v. 103.6 ± 7.9) between IVD101 and mSOF+FBS cultured embryos. These results indicated that serum-free media did not reduce the developmental competence of SCNT embryos compared with serum-supplemented media. Further studies are required to investigate whether this serum-free transgenic embryo cultivation could be used for developmental potential in terms of full-term development after embryo transfer.

57 GENE EXPRESSION PATTERN OF MINIATURE PIG SOMATIC CELL NUCLEAR TRANSFER EMBRYOS TREATED WITH THE HISTONE DEACETYLASE INHIBITOR SCRIPTAID

It was recently shown that treatment of cloned embryos with histone deacetylase inhibitors improves efficiency for the success rate of developmental potential to term in several species. The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of the histone deacetylase inhibitor Scriptaid (Sc) on in vitro development in early porcine SCNT embryos and on their gene expression pattern. Based on the findings of previous porcine studies (Zhao et al. 2009), the reconstructed oocytes were treated with 500 nM Scriptaid for 14 to 16 h after post-fusion activation (6-DMAP/demecolcine). In our preliminary study, blastocyst rate significantly increased in the Sc-treated group, compared with the control group (25.1 ± 2.8% and 13.8 ± 1.9%, respectively, P < 0.05). We determined gene expression using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The results showed that OCT3/4 gene was expressed at a similar level in in vivo and SCNT blastocysts with/without Sc. IGF2 and H19 genes tended to be highly expressed in both SCNT blastocysts with (1.6-fold and 3.1-fold, respectively) and without (2.0-fold and 5.8-fold, respectively) Sc than that of the in vivo blastocysts. We found differences in imprinted gene expression patterns between in vivo and cloned blastocysts. Expression of H19 and IGF2 in SCNT blastocysts after Scriptaid treatment decreased towards the expression levels of in vivo blastocysts. These results indicated that Scriptaid treatment in SCNT embryos may also have beneficial effects on in vitro developmental competence as well as their gene expression pattern.

330 REDUCED HYPERACUTE REJECTION BY TRIPLE TRANSGENIC EXPRESSION OF HUMAN COMPLEMENT REGULATORY FACTORS (hDAF and hCD59) AND H-TRANSFERASE

The present study was conducted to establish a porcine transgenic cell line with human CRPs and HT genes, focused on hyperacute rejection (HAR) considering clinical xenotransplantation as alternative sources of human organs. As a first step towards establishing the stable cell line, the cDNA for 3 genes encoding human DAF, CD59, and H-transferase were cloned and sequenced. A tricistronic expression vector was constructed with the aid of 2 IRES elements (pCMV-hDAF_IRES-hHT_IRES-hCD59). The CMV-based expression vector was then introduced into miniature pig ear fibroblast cells by electroporation. Reverse transcription PCR analysis revealed that cell lines stably expressing human transgene-specific transcripts were established. The inhibitory effect of immune response in the established transgenic cell lines was measured by human serum-mediated cytolysis assay, as measured by ELISA. Under the assay conditions (based on human serum from 10 to 50%), the transgenic cell group showed significantly greater survival rate under various serum concentrations than did the nontransgenic cell control group. Moreover, the transgenic cell lines used as nuclear donors for a subsequent NT experiment were confirmed to be expressing their transgene transcripts in vitro developed preimplantation stage embryos. These results indicated that the established cell lines with human transgenes might have an inhibitory effect against lysis by human complement. It is possible that these transgenic cells could serve as nuclear donors to produce transgenic cloned pigs for xenotransplantation.

217 EFFECTS OF PORCINE GRANULOCYTE-MACROPHAGE COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR ON PORCINE IN VITRO-FERTILIZED EMBRYOS

The cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is expressed in the female reproductive tract and is one of the regulatory molecules that mediate maternal effects on the growth and development of pre-implantation embryos in several species. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of porcine GM-CSF (pGM-CSF) on the developmental potential of porcine IVF embryos. All experiments were performed with zygotes that were produced in vitro and cultured in porcine zygote medium-3–polyvinyl alcohol-based medium. Data were analysed with PASW statistics-17 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) using Duncan’s multiple range test. A total 865 zygotes in 4 replicates were used with different concentrations of pGM-CSF (0, 2, 10, 100 ng mL–1) in Experiment 1. It was demonstrated that 10 ng mL–1 of pGM-CSF could increase (15.1 ± 2.2) blastocyst development significantly (P < 0.05) compared with the control (6.1 ± 0.7). There was no effect on cleavage rate. In blastocyst formation, early and expanded blastocysts were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the 10 ng mL–1 of pGM-CSF group compared with the control. In Experiment 2, a total 839 zygotes with at least 5 replicates in each group were used, and whether pGM-CSF would act to increase blastocyst yield before or after Day 4 development was tested. Zygotes were cultured with the following treatments: 1) zygotes cultured with fresh porcine zygote medium–polyvinyl alcohol medium from Days 0 to 7 post-insemination as a control; 2) medium supplemented with 10 ng mL–1 of pGM-CSF from Days 0 to 4 followed by no pGM-CSF from Days 4 to 7; 3) medium alone from Days 0 to 4 followed by supplementation with 10 ng mL–1 of pGM-CSF from Days 4 to 7; and 4) medium supplemented with 10 ng mL–1 of pGM-CSF from Days 0 to 7. As compared with the controls (7.8 ± 0.7), pGM-CSF influenced the percentage of blastocyst formation when pGM-CSF was added from Days 4 to 7 (14.6 ± 1.6) or Days 0 to 7 (15.2 ± 1.8), but not from Days 0 to 4 (8.7 ± 1.5). Similarly, the early blastocyst formation rates were significantly higher in the Day 4 to 7 culture period compared with the control, and expanded blastocyst formation was significantly higher in the Day 4 to 7 and Day 0 to 7 culture periods. There was no significant different in cleavage rate among these groups. In conclusion, these data suggest that supplementation of pGM-CSF in in vitro culture medium at Days 4 to 7 or Days 0 to 7 promotes the developmental potential of porcine IVF embryos. This work was supported by a grant (20070301034040) from the BioGreen 21 Program, Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

218 ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION (ENTEROBACTER CLOACAE) DERIVED FROM EGG YOLK, FROZEN SEMEN EXTENDER, IN PORCINE IN VITRO-FERTILIZED EMBRYOS

The semen storage medium and the embryo culture environment are important for the further development of pre-implantation embryos, and these environments provide an ideal habitat for the propagation of a variety of microorganisms. Even though all precautions are taken to prevent contamination, this happens frequently during IVF and in vitro culture (IVC). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the source of contamination during semen processing for in vitro uses. In the present study, frozen semen was prepared from liquid semen (liquid semen was prepared according the method of (Weitze 1990 Reprod. Dom. Anim., 231–253 suppl. 1), and purchased from the Veterinary Service Laboratory, Department of Livestock Research (Yongin city, Gyeonggi-do, Korea) in our laboratory for IVF experiments because of a lack of fresh semen. Antibiotics were added to the frozen semen extender (kanamycin and gentamicin) and IVC medium (gentamicin) to further inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Nevertheless, microorganisms were observed to proliferate in the IVC drop when culturing IVF embryos using frozen semen. Three samples were randomly taken from the liquid semen, frozen semen, and egg yolk. Contaminated IVC medium, frozen–thawed semen, liquid semen, and egg yolk were cultured in de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe agar medium. Identical whitish colonies were detected in the contaminated IVC drop, frozen–thawed semen samples, and egg yolk, but no colonies were formed in liquid semen samples. Identical gram-negative and rod-shaped bacteria were found in both the frozen–thawed semen sample and the contaminated IVC drop and egg yolk samples. Enterobacter cloacae were confirmed by API 20E kit according to the manufacturer’s instructions, with an identification value of 94.3% and a T index of 0.88. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were done according to CLSI (Wayne, PA) by using an ampicillin, amikacin, cephalothin, gentamicin, kanamycin, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, norfloxacin, and ciprofloxacin test. Among them, E. cloacae were resistant to ampicillin, amikacin, cephalothin, gentamicin, and kanamycin but were susceptible to tetracycline, oxytetracycline, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, norfloxacin, and ciprofloxacin. We suggest, based on these findings, that the sources of contamination might be from egg yolk. Therefore, synthetic semen extenders, which are free of egg yolk, might be considered during semen preparation. This work was supported by a grant (20070301034040) from the BioGreen 21 Program, Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

120 SUPPLEMENTATION OF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR DURING IN VITRO MATURATION OF PORCINE IMMATURE CUMULUS - OOCYTE COMPLEXES AND SUBSEQUENT DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE AFTER PARTHENOGENESIS AND SOMATIC CELL NUCLEAR TRANSFER

In the present study, pig cumulus–oocyte complexes were cultured in medium supplemented with different concentrations (0, 5, 50, and 500 ng mL–1) of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and then the maturation and intracellular glutathione (GSH) concentration of oocytes were examined. In addition, the development of oocytes matured with different concentrations of VEGF after parthenogenetic activation (PA) or somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) was observed. Although the maturation rate of oocytes was not affected by VEGF concentrations (81.13 ± 2.61%, 83.93 ± 1.97%, 82.14 ± 4.03%, 75.24 ± 2.68%, respectively), the intracellular GSH concentrations of oocytes matured with 5 and 50 ng mL–1 VEGF were significantly higher (12.68 ± 0.08, 12.33 ± 0.53 pMol/oocyte, respectively) than those of oocytes matured with 0 or 500 ng mL–1 VEGF (10.19 ± 0.66, 10.54 ± 0.54 pMol/oocyte, respectively). The blastocyst formation rates after PA of oocytes matured with 5 and 50 ng mL–1 VEGF were significantly higher (58.99 ± 4.70% and 54.00 ± 1.09%, respectively) than that of oocytes matured with 0 or 500 ng mL–1 VEGF (30.15 ± 4.52%, 34.79 ± 4.01%, respectively). Total cell number of PA blastocyst after oocytes matured with 5 and 50 ng mL–1 VEGF was significantly higher (83.21 ± 4.89, 78.16 ± 6.15, respectively) than that of control and 500 ng mL–1 VEGF (56.91 ± 4.78, 55.93 ± 3.89, respectively). Similarly, the blastocyst formation rate after SCNT of oocytes matured with 5 ng mL–1 VEGF was significantly higher (14.54 ± 1.42%) than that of oocytes matured without VEGF (7.95 ± 1.44%). Total cell number of SCNT blastocyst after oocytes matured with 5 ng mL–1 VEGF was significantly higher (67.83 ± 6.56) than control (48.09 ± 5.36). Fully cumulus cell expansion was significantly higher in the 5 ng mL–1 VEGF treated group (85.37 ± 0.73%) compared with the control (58.89 ± 0.88%). In conclusion, adding 5 ng mL–1 VEGF during IVM improved the developmental potential of PA and SCNT in porcine embryos by increasing the intracellular GSH level. This work was supported by a grant (#20070301034040) from BioGreen 21 program, Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

Characterization of congenital lymphatic and blood vascular malformations in the head and neck using blood pool scintigraphy and spect

The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness and diagnostic efficacy of blood pool (BP) scintigraphy and SPECT for characterizing congenital vascular malformations (CVMs) in the head and neck area. A total of 154 patients suspected of having head and neck CVMs underwent whole-body BP scintigraphy and head and neck BP SPECT using 99mTc-labeled red blood cells. Based on SPECT findings, CVMs were classified into lymphatic malformation/ non-(blood) vascular disease (LM/NVD, no distinct uptake), arterio-venous malformation (AVM, abnormal uptake in lesions and asymmetrically increased jugular vein uptake on ipsilateral side), venous malformation (VM, strong uptake in lesions with symmetric jugular vein uptake), and veno-lymphatic malformation (VLM, no or mild uptake on lesions with symmetric jugular vein uptake). The sensitivities and specificities of BP SPECT for diagnosing each subtype of head and neck CVM were 100% (13/13) and 97.1% (137/141) for LM/NVD, 61.1% (22/36) and 99.1% (117/118)for AVM, 91.7% (88/96) and 79.3% (46/58) for VM, and 55.6% (5/9) and 93.7% (136/145) in VLM, respectively. The overall accuracy for characterizing CVMs by head and neck BP SPECT was 83.1% (128/154). In conclusion, BP SPECT is a useful method for classifying CVMs in the head and neck area due to its high diagnostic efficacy.

242 POTENTIAL ESTROGENIC EFFECT(S) OF PARABENS AT THE NEONATAL STAGE OF AN IMMATURE FEMALE RAT MODEL

In this study, to examine the estrogenic activity effects of parabens on hormonal responsiveness and on change in the morphology of reproductive target tissues during a critical development stage in female rats, analyses for parabens including methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, isopropyl-, butyl-, and isobutylparaben were performed in an immature female Sprague-Dawley rat model. Two hundred female immature rats (n = 10/group) were orally treated with these parabens from postnatal day 21 to 40 in a dose-dependent manner based on our previous study [62.5, 250, and 1000 mg/kg of body weight (BW) per day]. 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE;1 mg/kg of BWper day) was used as a positive control and corn oil as a vehicle.A high doseofmethyl- and isopropylparaben (1000 mg/kg of BW per day) resulted in a significant delay in the date of vaginal opening and a decrease in length of the estrous cycle (P < 0.05). In measurements of organ weight and body weight, we observed significant weight changes in ovaries, adrenal glands, thyroid glands, liver, and kidneys(P < 0.05); conversely, body weight was not altered following paraben treatment. In all groups exposedto paraben treatment, histological analysis of the ovaries from the immature rats revealed interstitial cell disorders, a lack of corpora lutea, an increase in the number of cystic follicles, and thinning of the follicular epithelium, which occurred in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, morphological studies of the uterus revealed the myometrial dysplasia suchas myometrial hyperplasia inthe high-doseofpropyl- and isopropylparaben (1000 mg/kgof BWper day) group and in all dose of butyl- and isobutylparabens groups. We also observed a significant decrease in serum estradiol and T4 concentrations in methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, isopropyl-, and isobutylparaben-treated groups (P < 0.01 and 0.05).A receptor-binding assay indicated that the relative binding affini- ties of parabens to estrogen receptors occurred in the order: isobutylparaben > butylparaben > isopropylparaben = propylparaben > ethylparaben. These values were much less than the binding affinity for 17?-estradiol. Taken together, long-term exposure to parabens, which show less estrogenic activity than EEl, can produce suppressive effects on hormonal responsiveness and can disrupt the morphology of reproductive target tissues during this critical stage of development in immature female rats.

73 IMPROVEMENT OF CANINE CLONING EFFICIENCY BY OPTIMIZED DONOR CELL PREPARATION

The Tibetan Mastiff is the oldest dog breed in the world, and it is at the edge of extinction. Li et al. (2008) believe that protection of and research on the Tibetan Mastiff is extremely urgent, yet few studies have been carried out, particularly at the molecular level. Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is an efficient technique for the conservation of endangered animals because it can increase the number of individuals within a population. Considering the virtually unlimited value of cloned canids in critical biotechnology applications, including gene conservation of endangered canids and disease models, the effect of cell-cycle synchronization methods, including the use of cycling canine adult skin fibroblasts (CASF), on the cell-cycle stage and viability of donor nuclei was analyzed. To improve the efficiency of cloned dog production, optimal conditions of donor cells were analyzed by culture duration (Days 1, 2, 3, and 4), passages (2, 4, 7, 10, and 11 passages) and mitotic regulator Plk-1/-4 gene expression. Simerly et al. (2003) reported that the depletion of microtubule motors and centrosomal proteins during enucleation of SCNT procedures caused abnormal development of SCNT embryos. We therefore analyzed Plk-1/-4-induced centriole biogenesis in CASF at different passages of donor cells. In this study, somatic cells were collected from a purebred 9-month-old male Mastiff and an 11-month-old female mastiff. In vivo-matured oocytes were retrieved from outbreed dogs by operation. Cycling cells cultured at Day 4 showed a similar effect to that of cells that were artificially synchronized (contact inhibition or serum starvation). It was also confirmed that fresh and short-term culture (<5 passages) resulted in fewer harmful effects and the same cell viability as control cells, using proliferation assays and expression levels of Plk-1/-4 genes. Therefore, 4 passage-cycling cells at Day 4 were used as donor cells of SCNT. A total of 289 oocytes were reconstructed with each male or female somatic cell and then simultaneously fused/activated with 2 DC pulses of 1.9 kV cm-1 for 30 s of electrical stimulation. Finally, 224 embryos were transferred to 16 naturally synchronized recipients. As a result, we were able to use somatic cells collected from both female and male Tibetan Mastiffs to produce 10 female and 6 male mastiffs. Moreover, one surrogate delivered a quartet of identical cloned female Tibetan Mastiffs puppies; each of 3 surrogates also delivered triplets. Microsatellite analysis demonstrated the genotypic identity of the cloned puppies. In conclusion, the present study shows that (1) cell-cycle synchronization of donor cells by serum starvation/contact inhibition is not required, (2) Plk-1/-4 mRNA can be used to select the donor cells, (3) electrical stimulation alone is sufficient for the activation of SCNT embryos for the production of SCNT cloned dogs, and (4) the cloned dog delivery efficiency (7.1%) was threefold higher than in previous reports. SWP and YWJ contributed equally to this work. WSH was corresponding author and SHH was co-corresponding author.

60 EFFECTS OF REPETITIVE IONOMYCIN TREATMENT ON BOVINE SOMATIC CELL NUCLEAR TRANSFER (SCNT) EMBRYOS

In bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), oocyte activation is an essential element for the successful development of cloned embryos. Chemical treatment with ionomycin induces transient levels of Ca2+, and this has been used in the activation of reconstructed embryos. In vitro-fertilized oocytes are naturally activated by sperm following several Ca2+ transients known collectively as Ca2+ oscillations. We aimed to improve the developmental efficiency of embryos produced by SCNT by mimicking this Ca2+ oscillation artificially. SCNT was performed as follows; bovine calf skin fibroblast cells were transferred into the perivitelline space of IVM oocytes, and then these NT couplets were treated with electrical fusion (2 pulses, 1.75 kV cm-1, 15 μs). Reconstructed embryos were subsequently cultured in SOF medium (5% CO2, 5% O2, and 38°C). To mimic Ca2+ oscillation, we carried out 3 different repetitive ionomycin (10 μM) treatments at 1-h intervals. There were 3 groups: group 1 (4 min, 1 time), group 2 (30 s, 4 times), and group 3 (1 min, 4 times). The difference in embryo development amongst these experimental groups was then analyzed using the one-way ANOVA test after arcsine transformation to maintain homogeneity of variance. All analyses were performed using SAS (version 8.1, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Significant differences among the treatments were determined when the P-value was <0.05. In experiment 1, to assess developmental efficiency, the cleavage rate was investigated on Day 2 and the formation rate of blastocysts (BL) was examined on Day 7. In group 3, a significant increase in BL formation was observed [47/263 (17.8%), 50/259 (19.3%), and 67/258 (26.0%), respectively]. In experiment 2, culturing each group of embryos with different ionomycin treatments caused no significant differences among the groups in terms of the total number of BL (164.3, 158.5, and 145.1, respectively). In experiment 3, expression of apoptosis-related genes in each group was evaluated by real-time PCR and the TUNEL assay. The 3 BL within each group were analyzed for the expression of apotosis-related genes. Expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene was increased in group 3, whereas the expression of the pro-apoptotic Bax was decreased. A decrease in the number of apoptotic nuclei was also observed in group 3. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that repetitive ionomycin treatment is an improved activation method that can increase the developmental competence of SCNT embryos by decreasing the incidence of apoptosis.

Characterization of congenital vascular malformation in the extremities using whole body blood pool scintigraphy and lymphscintigraphy

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical usefulness of combined whole body blood pool scintigraphy (WBBPS) and lymphscintigraphy (LS) in the characterization of patients with congenital vascular malformations (CVMs) of the extremities. Subjects included 134 patients who underwent Tc-99m RBC WBBPS and Tc-99m filtered tin colloid (or antimony sulfur colloid) LS on initial diagnosis. Scintigraphic results were interpreted as arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), venolymphatic malformations (VLMs), lymphatic malformations (LMs), and venous malformations (VMs). Final diagnosis of the type of vascular malformation was determined by physical examination, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), angiography, duplex ultrasonography, and/or biopsy results. The final diagnosis demonstrated that 14 of the study subjects had an AVM, 29 had a HLM, 20 had a LM, and 71 had a VM. The sensitivity of WBBPS and LS in the characterization of CVM was 85.7% (12/14) for AVMs, 96.6% (28/29) for VLMs, 95.0% (19/20) for LMs, and 88.7% (63/71) for VMs. The specificity was 100% for AVMs (120/120), 91.4% for VLMs (96/105), 99.1% for LMs (113/114), and 98.4% for VMs (62/63). The overall accuracy of WBBPS and LS was 91.0% (122/134). Our results show that combination of WBBPS with LS can characterize extremity CVMs in patients with high diagnostic accuracy, and may thus be useful for making optimal treatment decisions.

210 CLEAVAGE ASSESSMENT AT DAY 2 TO PREDICT BLASTOCYST DEVELOPMENTAL POTENTIAL IN PORCINE IN VITRO-FERTILIZED EMBRYOS

Porcine embryos could be a valuable tool to study preimplantation development, implantation, and pregnancy, but to do this it is necessary to establish an efficient in vitro embryo production system. Because the cause of high mortality in embryos during preimplantation development is not clear, a noninvasive method of determining the developmental potential of cleavage-stage embryos is needed. The objective was to evaluate the developmental potential of Day 2 embryos in a porcine in vitro fertilization (IVF) system. Specifically, this study was conducted to examine the relationship between embryo morphology 48 h after IVF on rates of blastocyst formation 5 days later. To prepare in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes, cumulus–oocyte complexes were obtained from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries and matured in M-199 medium supplemented with 10% pig follicular fluid and 0.57 mm cysteine for 44 h and then freed from cumulus cells. After IVM, cumulus-free oocytes were coincubated with frozen–thawed sperm (2 × 106 cells mL–1) and 2 mm caffeine for 6 h. Inseminated embryos were cultured in NCSU-23 medium that was supplemented with 0.5 mm pyruvate and 0.5 mm lactate. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan’s test (P < 0.05). Morphology data on a total of 919 embryos were analyzed retrospectively. Forty-eight hours after insemination, embryos were classified into the following 5 groups based on the cleavage state: 1 cell, 2 cells, 4 cells, 5 to 8 cells, and fragmentation. These groups were cultured another 120 h and then evaluated for blastocyst formation. Blastocyst formation rates were significantly higher in the 4-cell (38.07%) and 5- to 8-cell (40.65%) cleaving groups than in the other groups (P < 0.05). In contrast, the 2-cell and fragmentation groups produced 7.5 and 2.9% blastocysts, respectively. Data suggest that embryos reaching 4 cells and 5 to 8 cells by 48 h after insemination have high developmental competence, and this parameter may be useful to predict the development of preimplantation embryos and their ability to establish pregnancy. This work was supported by a grant (No. 20070301034040) from the BioGreen 21 program, Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

38 EFFECTS OF 5-AZACYTIDINE ON DNA HYPERMETHYLATION STATUS OF CLONED MINIATURE PIG EMBRYO

During somatic cell nuclear transfer, somatic cells should undergo epigenetic reprogramming in order to attain successful totipotency. Although there are many reasons of low efficiency of cloning, the aberrant DNA methylation status in donor cells is thought to reduce efficiency and increase abnormalities in cloned embryos. The methylation level of cloned embryos is higher than that of in vivo-produced or in vitro-fertilized embryos before occurring de novo methylation. This hyper DNA methylation status has been considered as a reason for the abnormal development of cloned embryos and the related decrease in term number. The aim of this research is to validate the DNA methylation pattern in cloned porcine embryos and to confirm whether reduction of hyper DNA methylation levels results in an improvement in cloning efficiency. First, immunostaining was used to evaluate the stage-specific changing pattern of DNA methylation of cloned embryos. In this result, we demonstrated that the 1-cell stage embryos and blastocyst had the highest level of methylation compared to 2- or 4-cell stage embryos. Second, this methylation level was higher in SCNT-derived embryos compared to parthenogenic embryos, suggesting that the methylation level was associated with the nucleus of donor cells. Third, cloned embryos were treated with various concentration of 5-azacytidine, which is a demethylating agent, to find adequate concentration. In results, 500 nm of 5-azacytidin group from 0 to 24 h after activation produced significantly more blastocysts compared to control group (control; 5.4 ± 2.3, 500 nm/0 24-h treatment; 12.7 ± 2.1, P < 0.05) and also showed low DNA methylation level of inner cell mass different from that of control group. In conclusion, our results suggest that cloned porcine embryos show typical demethylation. But, they are generally on a hyper level of DNA methylation. This high DNA methylation level is associated with somatic cells and affects on blastocyst development. We also suggest that 5-azacytidine could improve blastocyst development rate of cloned porcine embryos by aiding weak and abnormal demethylation process.

115 APOPTOSIS EVENT OF PREIMPLANTATION DEVELOPMENT STAGES IN PORCINE IN VITRO-FERTILIZED EMBRYOS

Little is known about apoptosis events in porcine preimplantation embryos. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the evaluated markers of cell death could be found at particular developmental stages of normal porcine in vitro-fertilized (IVF) embryos. We investigated the characteristics of spontaneous and induced apoptosis during preimplantation development stages of porcine IVF embryos. In experiment 1, to induce apoptosis of porcine IVF embryos, porcine IVF embryos at 22 h postinsemination were treated at different concentrations of actinomycin D (0, 5, 50 and 500 ng mL–1 in NCSU medium). Four groups were incubated at 37°C in 5% CO2, 5%O2 for 8 h, and then washed to NCSU medium and incubated until blastocyst (BL) stage. We examined cleavage rate at 2 days and BL development rate at 7 days after in vitro culture (IVC). A significantly less rate of cleavage was found in the 500 ng mL–1 group compared with others (500 ng mL–1 v. 0, 5, 50 ng mL–1; 15.4% v. 48.6%, 40%, 32%). In the results of BL formation rate, there was a significantly less BL formation rate in 500 ng mL–1 compared with others (500 ng mL–1 v. 0, 5, 50 ng mL–1; 0% v. 10%, 8.8%, 9%). In experiment 2, to evaluate apoptotic cells at different stage (2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell and BL stage) of all groups, we conducted TUNEL assay based on morphological assessment of nuclei and on detection of specific DNA degradation under fluorescence microscope. This result showed that apoptosis is a normal event during preimplantation development in control group (0 ng mL–1 actinomycin D). A high number of the BL derived control group contained at least one apoptotic cell. Actinomycin D treated BL responded to the presence of apoptotic inductor by a significant decrease in the average number of blastomeres and a significant increase in the incidence of apoptotic cell death. In the 500 ng mL–1 group, the incidence of apoptosis increased at the 4-cell stage and later. This result suggested that apoptosis is a process of normal embryonic development and actinomycin D is a useful tool for the apoptosis study of porcine preimplantation embryos. This work was supported by a grant (#20070301034040) from BioGreen 21 program, Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.

41 PRODUCTION OF CLONED MINIATURE PIGS USING BONE MARROW MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS

The cloning of miniature pigs (Mini-pig) are considered to advance in genetic engineering technology and xenotransplantation. A few researches have recently been reported successfully produce cloned Mini-pigs using somatic cells, however its efficiency is still low. The present study was aimed to successfully produce cloned Mini-pigs derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by NT, and compared the developmental ability of cloned Mini-pigs between fetal fibroblast (FF) and differentiated MSCs. For the production of the cloned Mini-pig derived from MSCs, MSCs were isolated from a 1 month old of female Mini-pigs (T-type, PWG Micro-pig®, PWG Genetics Korea, Ltd.). MSCs were differentiated into osteocytes, adipocytes, and chondrocytes under controlled conditions and characterized by cell surface antigen profile using specific markers. These differentiated or undifferentiated MSCs, FFs of Mini-pig were transferred into enucleated oocytes of domestic pigs, and 2-cell stage of 100 NT embryos were surgical transferred to the synchronized recipients. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, t-test, Duncan’s and Tukey’s multiple comparisons test by SPSS (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The developmental potential of NT embryos derived from MSCs (differentiated and undifferentiated), the rates of blastocyst formation was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than NT embryos derived from FFs, however the NT embryos derived from three different types of differentiated MSCs were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than undifferentiated MSCs. In addition, total cell numbers in NT blastocysts derived from MSCs were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than NT blastocysts derived from FFs, but it did not significantly (P < 0.05) differ between differentiated or undifferentiated MSCs. NT embryos derived from MSCs were transferred to 5 domestic pig recipients, and 5 cloned Mini-pigs were obtained from 2 recipients (one stillbirth and 4 viable offspring). All of them were confirmed by the microsatellite analysis (8 markers) of the genomes of cloned offspring, donor MSCs and recipients. Physical and histological studies are in the process for the characterization of a cloned Mini-pig derived from MSCs as animal model. The results demonstrated that, in vitro developmental ability of NT embryos derived from undifferentiated MSCs were a higher than those from differentiated MSCs or FFs. Moreover, multipotent MSC might have a potential for the production of viable cloned Mini-pigs. Therefore, MSCs as a nuclear donor might a key to improving the production of cloned Mini-pig as animal model for xenotransplantation. This work was supported by Grant No. 20070301034040 from Bio-organ, Republic of Korea.

Identification of glutathione conjugates and mercapturic acids of 1,2-dibromopropane in female BALB/c mice by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Based on recent results that 1,2-dibromopropane (1,2-DBP) causes hepatotoxicity and immunotoxicity in female BALB/c mice as well as a reduction of hepatic glutathione levels, the possible formation of glutathione conjugates and mercapturic acids of 1,2-DBP was investigated in vivo in the present studies. The following four metabolites were identified in the liver at 12 h after treatment with 1,2-DBP, by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS): M1, 2-hydroxypropylglutathione; M2, 2-oxopropylglutathione; M3, N-acetyl-S-(2-hydroxypropyl)-L-cysteine; and M4, N-acetyl-S-(2-oxopropyl)-L-cysteine. Ions of individual conjugates were observed at m/z 366, 364, 222 and 220, respectively. Characteristic product ions at m/z 237, 217, 204 and 202 for the identification of M1, M2, M3 and M4 were observed, respectively. In the sera isolated from the same animals, only mercapturic acids (M3 and M4) were observed by LC-ESI/MS. When female BALB/c mice were treated orally with 1,2-DBP at doses of 150, 300 and 600 mg kg(-1) once for 12 h, the production of glutathione conjugates and mercapturic acids in liver was apparently dose dependent, as were the concentrations of them in sera. When the production of metabolites from 1,2-DBP was investigated in liver following oral treatment with 600 mg kg(-1) 1,2-DBP for 6, 12, 24 and 48 h, metabolite concentrations were greatest at the first time point (6 h). The results explain the authors' previous studies that oral treatment with 1,2-DBP reduces the hepatic content of glutathione.

99 EFFECT OF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR ON IN VITRO-PRODUCED PORCINE OOCYTES AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT DEVELOPMENT: A PARTHENOGENETIC STUDY

The addition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to maturation media has beneficial effects on oocyte maturation and blastocyst formation (Einspanier et al. 2002 Mol. Reprod. Dev. 62, 29–36). The present study was conducted to examine the effect of parthenogenesis on in vitro-matured porcine oocytes with VEGF along with porcine follicular fluid in the maturation media. Porcine ovaries were collected from a local slaughter house in physiological saline. After aspiration, COC were matured in vitro in TCM-199 supplemented with 10 ng mL–1 of epidermal growth factor and (1) Group A: 10% pFF; (2) Group B: 10% pFF and 5 ng mL–1 of VEGF; (3) Group C: 10% polyvinyl alcohol; or (4) Group D: 5 ng mL–1 of VEGF plus 10% polyvinyl alcohol. Fifty COC were cultured for the first 22 h at 390�C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in 95% air with 4 IU mL–1 of eCG and 4 IU mL–1 of hCG. They were then transferred to hormone-free medium and cultured for an additional 20 h. After culture, COC were denuded with hyaluronidase, and a proportion were stained with Hoechst 33342 for evaluating the metaphase II stage. The remaining oocytes were subjected to electrical parthenogenesis by using a 1-mm fusion chamber and were activated by applying 2 direct current pulses of 110V for 60 µs. Cleavage and blastocyst formation rate were evaluated under a stereomicroscope at 48 and 168 h after activation, respectively. Blastocyst quality was assessed by differential staining of inner cell mass and trophectoderm cells according to a modified staining procedure (Thouas et al. 2001 Reprod. Biomed. Online 3, 25–29). All data are presented as mean � SD and were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Duncan's multiple range test using SPSS 12.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The maturation rate was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Groups A and B than Groups C and D (76.1 � 9.6, 78.9 � 6.0 v. 60. � 14.2 and 58.3 � 14.3, respectively). The cleavage rate was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Groups A and B (73.2 � 1.8 and 64.6 � 1.1, respectively) than Groups C and D (47.9 � 1.8 and 48.3 � 1.7, respectively). The blastocyst formation rate was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Group B (32.6 � 2.4) compared to other groups. There was no significant difference in blastocyst cell number (inner cell mass or trophectoderm) among these groups. These data indicate that the exogenous VEGF along with pFF in the maturation media helps to increase the blastocyst formation rate in vitro, and it might be due to presence of some ligand/protein kinase in the pFF that plays an important role during the cyclic growth of oocytes.

244 AMPHIREGULIN CAN ASSIST IMMATURE PORCINE OOCYTES TO DEVELOP IN AN IN VITRO SYSTEM

Porcine IVM-IVF technique has been used and improved. However, polyspermic penetration, low rate of blastocyst (BL) formation, and poor quality of BLs are induced by imperfect nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation. It has been reported that epidermal growth factor (EGF) is beneficial for oocyte maturation to improve the IVM system, and amphiregulin (AR) is a growth factor containing an EGF-like domain. Consequently, the present study was performed to investigate whether TCM199 supplemented with EGF and/or AR is profitable for improving oocyte maturation and embryo development. The experimental groups were control (A), EGF 15 ng mL–1 (B), AR 15 ng mL–1 (C), and EGF 15 ng mL + AR 15 ng mL–1 (D) in TCM199. In Experiment 1, oocytes were selected and maturated in each group. After 44 h, oocytes were stained with Hoechst, and metaphase II and development rate were evaluated. In Experiment 2, maturated oocytes were fertilized with proven sperm and stained with Hoechst; the penetration rate after 10 h of post-insemination was evaluated. In Experiment 3, after 168 h of in vitro culture, cleavage rate and BL formation rate were recorded. BLs were stained with differential stain and the cell numbers calculated. In Experiment 4, porcine oocytes were maturated for 44 h and denuded by hyaluronidase. Thereafter, oocytes were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled peanut agglutinin and the distribution of cortical granules (CGs) was evaluated by laser confocal microscopy. All data was analyzed by a Duncan test using SPSS (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). In Experiment 1, the maturation rate into metaphase II stage in groups B, C, and D (71.0 � 15.5%, 75.8 � 9.8%, and 71.5 � 10.8%, respectively) was significantly different (P < 0.05) from that of group A (51.4 � 18.3%). In Experiment 2, there was no difference among all groups in relation to penetration rate. But polyspermy was decreased (P < 0.05) in group D (26.2 � 11.3%) compared with group A (42.3 � 13.0%). In Experiment 3, there was no significant difference among all groups regarding the cleavage rate. However, BL developmental rates in group D (17.3 � 11.5%) were increased (P < 0.05) compared with groups A and B (9.6 � 3.2% and 13.3 � 4.6%, respectively). In groups B, C, and D, the cell number in BL increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with that of group A(81.4 � 32.0%, 79.7 � 27.3%, and 80.3 � 28.5% v. 56.3 � 25.5%). In Experiment 4, group D had the largest CG area among the groups. The results of this study indicate that the addition of EGF or AR or both to TCM199 promotes oocyte maturation and increases the total cell number. EGF plus AR increases development to the BL stage and decreases polyspermy. It is suggested that AR can assist immature porcine oocytes to the metaphase II stage, that AR may enhance developmental ability in the in vitro system, and that there is a synergistic effect between EGF and AR during the maturation period.

Lymphscintigraphy predicts response to complex physical therapy in patients with early stage extremity lymphedema

We investigated whether baseline lymphscintigraphic findings can predict long-term response to complex physical therapy (CPT) in patients with early stage extremity lymphedema. Twenty patients with unilateral extremity lymphedema of clinical stage I or II underwent CPT after baseline lymphscintigraphy. Therapeutic responses (good vs. poor) were evaluated at 1 year post-CPT based on changes in skin status and subjective symptoms, and percent volume reductions and compared with clinical factors and lymphscintigraphic findings. Eleven patients showed good response to CPT with significant volume reduction of edematous extremities, and no significant volume reduction was observed in the remaining 9. Patients with good or poor responses to CPT showed no significant differences in terms of clinical variables. However, significant differences were observed between the lymphscintigraphic findings of these patients. More specifically, a lymphscintigraphic finding of main lymphatic vessels without collateral lymphatic vessels was the best predictor for a good response to CPT; the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of this lymphscintigraphic finding is 91% (10/11), 100% (9/9) and 95% (19/20), respectively. In patients with unilateral extremity lymphedema of early stage, baseline lymphscintigraphy may usefully predict long-term response to CPT.

Evaluation of polymerization in fluoride-containing composite resins

Fluoride-containing restorative materials are frequently utilized to delay or inhibit caries. The quality of the fluoride-containing composite resins was evaluated by testing their microhardness, polymerization shrinkage, thermal expansion coefficient, and surface morphology. Some of them were evaluated in conjunction with the thermocycling process. The microhardness values of the thermocycled specimens were similar to those of the specimens immersed only in distilled water. Among the specimens, Surefil showed the highest (68.6 +/- 1.2 Hv) value. A linear correlation was found between microhardness and the filler content (vol%) of the specimens regardless of their states. Polymerization shrinkage rapidly increased during the light curing, and then it reached a plateau. The shrinkage values increased as the specimens became thicker. In a temperature range of 30 approximately 80 degrees C, the coefficients of thermal expansion of the control specimens ranged between 43 x 10(-6)/ degrees C and 77 x 10(-6)/ degrees C. An inverse correlations were observed between the filler content (vol%) and the coefficient of thermal expansion and between microhardness and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the control specimens. Tetric Ceram showed a perforated or "Swiss-cheese" morphology after thermocycling. It was unique and occurred only in this product.

212 EFFECT OF OVULATION STATUS ON PREGNANCY RATES IN RECIPIENT GILTS TRANSFERRED WITH CLONED EMBRYO TRANSFER

This study was conducted to determine the optimal stage of the estrus cycle to achieve the highest pregnancy rates in surrogate recipient gilts receiving somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. Potential surrogate gilts over 7 months of age were checked at Day 21 of their estrus cycle for their estrous status by observing external signs: vaginal fluid, vulva redness, vulva swelling, and standing response to back pressure. Viscosity of vaginal fluid was evaluated and classified as none, medium, and strong. Vulva redness and swelling were respectively assessed as none or shrink, medium, and strong. Back pressure was estimated by an immediate move, standing less than 10 s, and standing over 10 s. Ovulation status was observed when surrogates had SCNT embryos transferred into their oviducts, and then ovulation status of each surrogate was classified depending on the follicular diameter, as follows: preovulation (PO – 17 surrogates; follicular diameter of PO was 3 to 5 mm), just prior to ovulation (JPO – 20 surrogates; follicular diameter of JPO was 6 to 8 mm), ovulating (IO – 12 surrogates; ovulation mark with JPO follicles), just after ovulation (JAO – 14 surrogates; ovulation mark without follicles), and after ovulation (AO – 24 surrogates; ovaries showed only corpora lutea). Real-time ultrasonograpy was used for pregnancy diagnosis by observing amniotic vesicles. All data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and protected least significant difference (LSD) test using general linear models in a statistical analysis system (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA) program to determine differences among experimental groups. The first pregnancy diagnosis was done on Day 30 after ET and then repeated in 2-week intervals until Day 114. SCNT embryos transferred into JPO surrogates gave better pregnancy rates (9/20, 45%) than others (4% to 11%) on Day 30 after ET (P &lt; 0.05). These results suggest that ovulation status of surrogate gilts is an important critical factor for pregnancy. This information indicates that surrogate gilts implanted with SCNT pig embryos just prior to ovulation can achieve optimal pregnancy rates. In conclusion, the JPO surrogate selected should strongly show all parameters (vaginal fluid, vulva redness, vulva swelling, and standing response to back pressure) for the preparation of surrogates. This study was supported by the bio-organ production research grant (No.06020602) of the NLRI.

A micromachined electrochemical sensor for free chlorine monitoring in drinking water

In this work, we designed, fabricated and tested a disposable, flow-through amperometric sensor for free chlorine determination in water. The sensor is based on the principle of an electrochemical cell. The substrate, as well as the top microfluidic layer, is made up of a polymer material. The advantages include; (a) disposability from low cost; (b) stable operation range from three-electrode design; (c) fluidic interconnections that provide on line testing capabilities; and (d) transparent substrate which provides for future integration of on-chip optics. The sensor showed a good response and linearity in the chlorine concentration ranging from 0.3 to 1.6 ppm, which applies to common chlorination process for drinking water purification.

The analysis of telomere length and telomerase activity in cloned pigs and cows

Inefficiency in the production of cloned animals is most likely due to epigenetic reprogramming errors after somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). In order to investigate whether nuclear reprogramming restores cellular age of donor cells after SCNT, we measured telomere length and telomerase activity in cloned pigs and cattle. In normal pigs and cattle, the mean telomere length was decreased with biological aging. In cloned or transgenic cloned piglets, the mean telomere length was elongated compared to nuclear donor fetal fibroblasts and age-matched normal piglets. In cloned cattle, no increases in mean telomere length were observed compared to nuclear donor adult fibroblasts. In terms of telomerase activity, significant activity was observed in nuclear donor cells and normal tissues from adult or new-born pigs and cattle, with relatively higher activity in the porcine tissues compared to the bovine tissues. Cloned calves and piglets showed the same level of telomerase activity as their respective donor cells. In addition, no difference in telomerase activity was observed between normal and transgenic cloned piglets. However, increased telomerase activity was observed in porcine SCNT blastocysts compared to nuclear donor cells and in vitro fertilization (IVF)-derived blastocysts, suggesting that the elongation of telomere lengths observed in cloned piglets could be due to the presence of higher telomerase activity in SCNT blastocysts. In conclusion, gathering from the comparative studies with cattle, we were able to demonstrate that telomere length in cloned piglets was rebuilt or elongated with the use of cultured donor fetal fibroblasts.

Effect of maturation media and oocytes derived from sows or gilts on the development of cloned pig embryos

In order to develop a culture system and recipient cytoplasm that could improve the developmental competence of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos for successful cloning of pigs, we evaluated the effect of donor oocytes and in vitro maturation (IVM) media on maturation of oocytes and developmental competence of SCNT embryos. In Experiment 1, oocytes derived from sows or gilts were matured in two IVM media (TCM-199 versus NCSU-23) and maturation of oocytes was evaluated by the status of chromatin configuration, the diameter of matured oocytes, the thickness of the zona pellucida, and the size of the perivitelline space (PVS). Sow oocytes matured in TCM-199 (S-TCM group) and NCSU-23 (S-NCSU group) showed significantly higher (P<0.05) maturation rates (S-TCM and S-NSCU, 86+/-4 and 82+/-4%, respectively) when evaluated by metaphase-II status than the gilt oocytes matured in TCM-199 (G-TCM group, 71+/-3%) and in NCSU-23 (G-NCSU-23 group, 71+/-3%). Oocyte diameter, the thickness of the zona pellucida, and the perivitelline space of sow oocytes (S-TCM and S-NCSU) were larger than those of gilt oocytes (G-TCM and G-NCSU) after IVM (P<0.05). In Experiment 2, SCNT was performed, using in vitro-matured oocytes from each group as recipient cytoplasm and porcine fetal fibroblasts as karyoplasts. The reconstructed embryos were electrically fused and activated, and cleavage and blastocyst formation were monitored under a stereomicroscope. The total cell number of flattened blastocysts stained with 5 microM bisbenzimide on day 7 were counted. In addition, in vitro matured non-enucleated oocytes were also electrically activated (parthenogenetic activation) and pronuclear formation was monitored. No difference in pronuclear formation rate after parthenogenetic activation and fusion rate after SCNT was observed among experimental groups. A significantly higher cleavage rate (P<0.05) was observed in S-TCM (69+/-4%) when compared with only G-NCSU (58+/-4%), but not with G-TCM (60+/-4%) or S-NCSU (68+/-4%). The rate of blastocyst formation was significantly higher (P<0.05) in sow oocytes (24% in S-TCM and S-NCSU), when compared to that observed in G-TCM (15%), and G-NCSU (14%). When the same source of oocytes was used, there was no significant difference in rate of blastocyst formation in the two culture media. Total cell number of blastocysts were not significantly different among experimental groups. In conclusion, the present study clearly demonstrated that sow oocytes have a greater developmental competence than gilt oocytes, regardless of the maturation medium examined.

Weber-Christian disease presenting with proptosis: a case report

Weber-Christian disease (WCD) is a rare inflammatory disease of adipose tissue, which is characterized by painful cutaneous nodules and constitutional symptoms. Although any area of the body containing fat can be affected by WCD, the involvement of retrobulbar fat is uncommon and proptosis is a rare presenting manifestation. We report a case who presented with proptosis of the right eye which is accompanied by painful subcutaneous nodules, high fever and myalgia. Biopsies of retrobulbar tissue and suprapubic nodule showed lobular panniculitis with mixed cellular infiltration, mainly composed of histiocytes and lymphocytes. He responded well to high-dose glucocorticoid.