Comparison of Development and Antioxidative Ability in Fertilized Crossbred (Yorkshire × Landrace × Duroc) Oocytes Using Duroc and Landrace Sperm.

Pig production through crossbreeding methods is a pillar of the swine industry; however, research on the fertilization ability of male pigs in crossbreeds is lacking. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of Duroc sperm (DS) and Landrace sperm (LS) on fertility in Yorkshire × Landrace × Duroc (YLD) oocytes. Sperm were collected from the Duroc and Landrace species, and sperm characteristics, viability, and acrosome reactions were analyzed using flow cytometry.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Zinc Oxide and Berberine in Rats with Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced Colitis.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is frequently used in high concentrations to prevent diarrhea in weaning pigs. However, it can produce environmental pollution, because it is not absorbed by the intestines and is excreted in the feces. In studies to identify an alternative substance to ZnO, we used a model of colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in rats to compare the anti-inflammatory effects of berberine with ZnO.

Protective immune response induced by Leghorn male hepatoma cell-adapted fowl adenovirus-4.

Fowl adenovirus-4 (FAdV-4) is a highly contagious virus that causes acute and lethal hepatitis. It leads to substantial economic losses in the poultry industry. Among the structural proteins of FAdV-4, hexon and fiber2 are associated with immunopathogenesis.

Deep Learning-Based Precision Analysis for Acrosome Reaction by Modification of Plasma Membrane in Boar Sperm.

The analysis of AR is widely used to detect loss of acrosome in sperm, but the subjective decisions of experts affect the accuracy of the examination. Therefore, we develop an ARCS for objectivity and consistency of analysis using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) trained with various magnification images. Our models were trained on 215 microscopic images at 400× and 438 images at 1000× magnification using the ResNet 50 and Inception-ResNet v2 architectures.

Effect of Magnetized Freezing Extender on Membrane Damages, Motility, and Fertility of Boar Sperm Following Cryopreservation.

Magnetized water is defined as the amount of water that has passed through a magnet. The magnetic field weakens the hydrogen bonds between the water molecules, leading to the magnetized liquid acquiring special characteristics such as easy supercooling and forming smaller ice crystals. We researched the influences of a magnetized freezing extender on cell membrane damage and in vitro fertilization of boar sperm during cryopreservation.

5-Azacytidine (5-aza) Induces p53-associated Cell Death Through Inhibition of DNA Methyltransferase Activity in Hep3B and HT-29 Cells.

Background/aim: DNA methylation regulates the expression of genes that control mechanisms of cell death. TP53 gene expression inhibits tumorigenesis, and its action is closely associated with cell death. 5-Azacytidine (5-aza), increases the expression of the TP53 gene by inhibiting DNA methyltransferase.

Comparison of the Fecal Microbiota of Horses with Intestinal Disease and Their Healthy Counterparts.

(1) Background: The intestinal microbiota plays an essential role in maintaining the host's health. Dysbiosis of the equine hindgut microbiota can alter the fermentation patterns and cause metabolic disorders. (2) Methods: This study compared the fecal microbiota composition of horses with intestinal disease and their healthy counterparts living in Korea using 16S rRNA sequencing from fecal samples.

Development of Porcine Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Embryos Following Treatment Time of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Inhibitor.

We examine the effect of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibitor treatment time on the development of porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. Porcine SCNT embryos were classified by four groups following treatment time of ER stress inhibitor, tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA; 100 μM); 1) non-treatment group (control), 2) treatment during micromanipulation process and for 3 h after fusion (NT+3 h group), 3) treatment only during culture after fusion (IVC group), and 4) treatment during micromanipulation process and culture (NT+IVC group). SCNT embryos were cultured for six days to examine the X-box binding protein 1 () splicing levels, the expression levels of ER stress-associated genes, oxidative stress-related genes, and apoptosis-related genes in blastocysts, and development.

Effect of 5-azacytidine (5-aza) on UCP2 expression in human liver and colon cancer cells.

The function of the uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is different for each cancer cell. However, the mechanism of expression is still unclear. DNA methylation affects protein expression and is one factor that transforms normal cells into cancer cells.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress Inhibitor or Antioxidant Treatments during Micromanipulation Can Inhibit Both ER and Oxidative Stresses in Porcine SCNT Embryos.

We investigated the effects of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibitor and antioxidant treatments during the micromanipulation of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) on development of SCNT embryos. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), an ER stress inhibitor and vitamin C (Vit. C), an antioxidant, were treated by alone or in combination, then, the level of X-box binding protein 1 () splicing and the expressions of ER stress-associated genes, oxidative stress-related genes, and apoptotic genes were confirmed in the 1-cell and blastocyst stages.

Effects of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Inhibitor Treatment during the Micromanipulation of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer in Porcine Oocytes.

We examined the effects of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibitor treatment during the micromanipulation of porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) on the development of SCNT embryos. ER stress inhibitors such as salubrinal (200 nM) and tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA; 100 μM) were added to the micromanipulation medium and holding medium. The expression of X-box binding protein 1 (), ER-stress-associated genes, and apoptotic genes in SCNT embryos was confirmed at the one-cell and blastocyst stages.

Effect of Alpha-Linolenic Acid with Bovine Serum Albumin or Methyl-Beta-Cyclodextrin on Membrane Integrity and Oxidative Stress of Frozen-Thawed Boar Sperm.

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) combined with bovine serum albumin (BSA) or methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MBCD) on plasma and acrosomal membrane damages, mitochondrial activity, morphological abnormality, motility, and oxidative stress in frozen-thawed boar sperm. In previous our study, 3 ng/mL ALA had been shown protective effect during freezing process of boar sperm. Therefore, we used 3 ng/mL ALA in present study and ALA was combined with same molar ratio of BSA or MBCD (ALA+BSA and ALA+MBCD, respectively).

Erratum to : Effect of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress Inhibitor Treatment during Parthenogenetic Activation on the Apoptosis and Development of Parthenogenetic Porcine Embryos.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.12717/DR.2018.

Effects of Progesterone and 17β-Estradiol under Presence or Absence of FBS on Plasminogen Activators Activity in Porcine Uterine Epithelial Cells.

The present study was conducted to investigate the regulatory mechanism of plasminogen activators (PAs) activation by 17β-estradiol (E) and progesterone (P) in porcine uterine epithelial cells (pUECs). pUECs were collected from porcine uterine horn and cultured at 80% confluence. Then, 0.

Alpha-Linolenic Acid: It Contribute Regulation of Fertilization Capacity and Subsequent Development by Promoting of Cumulus Expansion during Maturation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) during maturation (IVM) on cumulus expansion, nuclear maturation, fertilization capacity and subsequent development in porcine oocytes. The oocytes were incubated with 0, 25, 50, and 100 μM ALA. Cumulus expansion was measured at 22 h, and gene expresison and nuclear maturation were analyzed at 44 h after maturation.

Correlation of spontaneous adipocyte generation with osteogenic differentiation of porcine skin-derived stem cells.

The objective of this study was to examine effects of spontaneous adipocyte generation on osteogenic differentiation of porcine skin-derived stem cells (pSSCs). Correlation between osteogenic differentiation and adipocyte differentiation induced by osteocyte induction culture was determined using different cell lines. Osteogenic differentiation efficiency of pSSCs was then analyzed by controlling the expression of adipocyte-specific transcription factors during osteogenic induction culture.

Effect of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress Inhibitor Treatment during Parthenogenetic Activation on the Apoptosis and Development of Parthenogenetic Porcine Embryos.

We investigate the effect of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibitor treatment during parthenogenetic activation of oocytes on the ER stress generation, apoptosis, and development of parthenogenetic porcine embryos. Porcine matured oocytes were activated by 1) electric stimulus (E) or 2) E+10 μM Ca-ionophore (A23187) treatment (EC). Oocytes were then treated by ER stress inhibitors such as salubrinal (200 nM) and tauroursodeoxychloic acid (TUDCA, 100 μM) for 3 h prior to culture.

Effects of 17β-estradiol, Interleukin-1β, and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin on Activity and mRNA Expression of Plasminogen Activators in Porcine Endometrial Cells.

This study aimed to investigate changes in the activity and mRNA expression of plasminogen activators (PAs) induced by 17β-estradiol (E), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in porcine endometrial cells. Endometrial cells were isolated from the epithelium and cultured to 80% confluence. They were then treated for 24 h with E (0.

Analysis of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress Induced during Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) Process in Porcine SCNT Embryos.

This study investigates the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and subsequent apoptosis in duced during somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) process of porcine SCNT embryos. Porcine SCNT and fertilization (IVF) embryos were sampled at 3 h and 20 h after SCNT or IVF and at the blastocyst stage for mRNA extraction. The x-box binding protein 1 (Xbp1) mRNA and the expressions of ER stress-associated genes were confirmed by RT-PCR or RT-qPCR.

Effect of Alpha-Linolenic Acid on Oocyte Maturation and Embryo Development in Pigs.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of additional alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) supplementation during maturation (IVM) and culture (IVC) on nucleic maturation and embryo development of pigs. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were incubated in IVM medium containing different concentration of ALA (25, 50 and 100 μM) for 44 h. After maturation, nuclear maturation of oocytes were evaluated by aceto-orcein stain.

Treatment of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) enhances Nuclear Maturation of Porcine Oocytes and Stimulates Expression of ER/Golgi Transport Proteins.

This study was conducted to investigate stimulatory effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on nuclear maturation and the expression level of EGF-receptor (EGFR), GM-130 (a marker of Golgi apparatus), transport protein Sec61 subunit beta (Sec61β), and coatomer protein complex subunit gamma 2 (COPG2) in porcine oocytes. The cumulus-oocyte complexes were collected from follicle with 3-6 mm in diameter. They were incubated in medium with/without EGF for 22 h (IVMⅠ) and subsequently incubated hormone-free medium with/without EGF for 22 h (IVMⅡ).

Comparison of the characteristics and multipotential and in vivo cartilage formation capabilities between porcine adipose-derived stem cells and porcine skin-derived stem cell-like cells.

Objective: To compare the characteristics and multipotential and in vivo cartilage formation capabilities of porcine adipose-derived stem cells (pASCs) with those of porcine skin-derived stem cell-like cells (pSSCs).

Animals: Three 6-month-old female pigs and four 6-week-old female athymic mice.

Procedures: Adipose and skin tissue specimens were obtained from each pig following slaughter and digested to obtain pASCs and pSSCs.

Antioxidant treatment during manipulation procedures prevents mitochondrial and DNA damage and enhances nuclear reprogramming of bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos.

We tried to prevent the mitochondrial and DNA damage caused by mechanical stress-associated reactive oxygen species (ROS), and to improve the reprogramming of bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos by antioxidant treatment during the manipulation procedures of SCNT. Bovine recipient oocytes and reconstituted oocytes were treated with antioxidants during manipulation procedures. The H2O2 level, mitochondrial morphology, membrane potential and apoptosis at the one-cell stage, and in vitro development and DNA methylation status of blastocysts were evaluated.

Mitochondrial and DNA damage in bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos.

The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent mitochondrial and DNA damage in bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos were examined. Bovine enucleated oocytes were electrofused with donor cells and then activated by a combination of Ca-ionophore and 6-dimethylaminopurine culture. The H2O2 and ˙OH radical levels, mitochondrial morphology and membrane potential (ΔΨ), and DNA fragmentation of SCNT and in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos at the zygote stage were analyzed.

Correlation of developmental differences of nuclear transfer embryos cells to the methylation profiles of nuclear transfer donor cells in Swine.

Methylation of DNA is the most commonly studied epigenetic mechanism of developmental competence and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Previous studies of epigenetics and the SCNT procedures have examined the effects of different culture media on donor cells and reconstructed embryos, and the methylation status of specific genes in the fetus or live offspring. Here we used a microarray based approach to identify the methylation profiles of SCNT donor cells including three clonal porcine fetal fibroblast-like cell sublines and adult somatic cells selected from kidney and mammary tissues.