Myo-inositol improves developmental competence and reduces oxidative stress in porcine parthenogenetic embryos.

Objective: Myo-inositol (Myo-Ins), the most abundant form of inositol, is an antioxidant and plays a crucial role in the development and reproduction of mammals and humans. However, information elucidating the role of Myo-Ins in porcine embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA) is still lacking. Therefore, we investigated the effect of Myo-Ins on porcine embryos and its underlying mechanisms.

Establishment of porcine embryonic stem cells in simplified serum free media and feeder free expansion.

Background: The establishment of stable porcine embryonic stem cells (pESCs) can contribute to basic and biomedical research, including comparative developmental biology, as well as assessing the safety of stem cell-based therapies. Despite these advantages, most pESCs obtained from in vitro blastocysts require complex media and feeder layers, making routine use, genetic modification, and differentiation into specific cell types difficult. We aimed to establish pESCs with a single cell-passage ability, high proliferative potency, and stable in long-term culture from in vitro-derived blastocysts using a simplified serum-free medium.

Effects of MnTBAP on Porcine Semen Cryopreservation and Capacitation.

Antioxidants protect cellular function and structure by neutralizing the oxidative stress caused by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) during sperm freezing. Studies on cryopreservation using various antioxidants have demonstrated encouraging results. Many studies have used antioxidants to increase the efficiency of sperm freezing and to improve the success rate of artificial insemination and pregnancy.

Slow freezing cryopreservation of Korean bovine blastocysts with an additional sucrose pre-equilibration step.

Introduction: Embryo cryopreservation is a valuable technique used for preserving genetic resources for long periods. However, the survival rate of embryos is dependent on the method used. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the efficiency of slow freezing method but with an additional dehydration step prior to freezing to overcome the formation of ice crystals.

Influence of international industrial transfer on the structural power of global value chain -Empirical evidence from manufacturing in RCEP Countries.

International industrial transfer (IIT) has spawned changes in the deep-seated structural power of value-added. We creatively construct an IIT index which includes both scale and direction, and constructs the structural power (SP) of value-added based on added value. Furthermore, based on 15 RECP countries from 1995 to 2018, this study uses a two-fixed-effect regression model to investigate the IIT on the structural power of value-added of RCEP countries.

Tetraploid embryo aggregation produces high-quality blastocysts with an increased trophectoderm in pigs.

Tetraploid complementation is an ideal method for demonstrating the differentiation potential of pluripotent stem cells. In this study, we selected the most efficient tetraploid production method for porcine embryos and investigated whether tetraploid blastomere aggregation could enhance the quality of tetraploid embryos. Three methods were investigated to produce tetraploid embryos: First, tetraploid embryos were produced using electro-fusion of two-cell stage parthenogenetic blastomere (FUTP).

Supplementation with fibroblast growth factor 7 during maturation of porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes improves oocyte maturation and early embryonic development.

generation of porcine embryos is an indispensable method in the realms of both agriculture and biomedicine. Nonetheless, the extant procedures encounter substantial obstacles pertaining to both the caliber and efficacy of the produced embryos, necessitating extensive research to maturation (IVM), the seminal commencement phase. One potentially fruitful approach may lie in refining the media and supplements composition utilized for oocyte maturation.

Effects of pupil size in video head-impulse tests.

The results of video head impulse tests (video-HITs) may be confounded by data artifacts of various origins, including pupil size and eyelid obstruction of the pupil. This study aimed to determine the effect of these factors on the results of video-HITs. We simulated ptosis by adopting pharmacological dilatation of the pupil in 21 healthy participants (11 women; age 24-58 years).

Effects of niacin supplementation during in vitro culture on the developmental competence of porcine embryos.

Niacin is a water-soluble vitamin belonging to the vitamin B complex. It has been found to possess various biological activities, including antioxidant and lipid modification capacities. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of niacin treatment in porcine in vitro culture (IVC) medium on embryo developmental competence after parthenogenetic activation.

Myo-inositol improves the viability of boar sperm during liquid storage.

Introduction: Liquid preservation of boar semen is a highly preferred method for semen preservation in pig production. However, oxidative stress is the main challenge during the liquid preservation of boar semen in a time dependent manner. Therefore, supplementation of sperm with antioxidants during storage to protect them from oxidative stress has been the focus of recent research.

Neurotrophin-4 promotes the specification of trophectoderm lineage after parthenogenetic activation and enhances porcine early embryonic development.

Neurotrophin-4 (NT-4), a neurotrophic factor, appears to affect early embryonic development because it is secreted not only by neurons but also by oviductal and uterine epithelial cells. However, no studies have characterized the effects of NT-4 on early embryonic development in pigs. In this study, we applied the experimental model of parthenogenetic-activation (PA)-derived embryos.

Effect of Growth Factors and Hormones during In Vitro Growth Culture of Cumulus-Oocyte-Complexes Derived from Small Antral Follicles in Pigs.

This study evaluated the effect of various growth factors and hormones in an in vitro growth (IVG) medium on the in vitro maturation (IVM) and developmental competence of oocytes derived from small antral follicles (SAFs) in pigs. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) derived from SAFs were either untreated or treated with epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin, or growth hormone (GH) for 2 days of IVG. Following IVG, COCs were cultured for maturation, and IVM oocytes were induced for parthenogenesis (PA).

Antioxidant effect of ergothioneine on maturation of porcine oocytes.

Background: Ergothioneine (EGT) is a natural amino acid derivative in various animal organs and is a bioactive compound recognized as a food and medicine.

Objectives: This study examined the effects of EGT supplementation during the maturation (IVM) period on porcine oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development competence after fertilization (IVF).

Methods: Each EGT concentration (0, 10, 50, and 100 µM) was supplemented in the maturation medium during IVM.

The effect of C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 supplementation on maturation of porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes and subsequent developmental competence after parthenogenetic activation.

Porcine embryos are used for a variety of applications. However, the maturation rate remains low, and novel maturation (IVM) techniques that facilitate the collection of mature oocytes are necessary. C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) is a key periovulatory chemokine present in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs).

Interleukin-7 enhances development and blastocyst quality in porcine parthenogenetic embryos.

Interleukin-7 (IL-7), a vital factor that affects cell development, proliferation, and survival, plays an important role in oocyte maturation. However, its role in embryonic development remains unknown. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of IL-7 supplementation on culture (IVC) of porcine embryos after parthenogenetic activation (PA) based on characteristics such as cleavage, blastocyst formation rate, intracellular glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cleaved embryos, total cell number, apoptosis rate, and cell lineage specification in blastocysts.

Blastomere aggregation using phytohemagglutinin-L improves the establishment efficiency of porcine parthenogenesis-derived embryonic stem-like cell lines.

Aggregation of blastomeres is a promising method to improve the developmental competence of blastocysts and may be useful for the production of chimeric animals and the establishment of embryonic stem cell lines by increasing inner cell masses. Here, we determined the optimal conditions for blastomere aggregation using phytohemagglutinin-L (PHA-L) and examined PHA-L efficiency by comparing it with Well of the Well (WOW), a general blastomere aggregation method. As a result, we confirmed that treatment with 15 μg/ml PHA-L for 144 h was effective for blastomere aggregation and embryonic development of three zona-free 2-cell stage embryos (TZ2Es) after parthenogenetic activation (PA).

Copper deficiency affects the developmental competence of porcine oocytes matured .

The trace element Cu is required for the activity of various enzymes essential for physiological processes. In this study, we elucidated the copper transport system in porcine follicular cells and investigated the effect of Cu chelation during maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes and subsequent embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA). Cu chelation was induced by adding tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) to the maturation media (TCM199-PVA).

Systemic TM4SF5 overexpression in Apc mice promotes hepatic portal hypertension associated with fibrosis.

Mutation of the gene for adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), as seen in Apc mice, leads to intestinal adenomas and carcinomas via stabilization of β-catenin. Transmembrane 4 L six family member 5 (TM4SF5) is involved in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, fibrosis, and cancer. However, the functional linkage between TM4SF5 and APC or β-catenin has not been investigated for pathological outcomes.

maturation using αMEM with reduced NaCl enhances maturation and developmental competence of pig oocytes after somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Background: Compared to medium containing 108 mM sodium chloride (NaCl), maturation (IVM) using a simple medium with reduced (61.6 mM) NaCl increases the cytoplasmic maturation and embryonic development of pig oocytes.

Objectives: This study determines the effect of a complex medium containing reduced NaCl on the IVM and embryonic development of pig oocytes.

Exploring the mechanism of trehalose: dual functions of PI3K/Akt and VPS34/mTOR pathways in porcine oocytes and cumulus cells†.

Autophagy, an intracellular recycling system, is essential for the meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes. Trehalose has been reported as a novel mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-independent autophagy inducer in many cells. Furthermore, we previously have demonstrated that trehalose supplementation during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes improves the developmental competence of parthenogenetic embryos, possibly via autophagic activation, whereas the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Beneficial Effects of Neurotrophin-4 Supplementation During Maturation of Porcine Cumulus-Oocyte Complexes and Subsequent Embryonic Development After Parthenogenetic Activation.

Neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) is a neurotrophic factor that plays an important role in follicular development and oocyte maturation. However, it is not yet known whether NT-4 is related to oocyte maturation and follicular development in pigs. This study aims to investigate the effects of NT-4 supplementation during maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes and subsequent embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA).