Development of osteoporosis animal model using micropigs.

Osteoporosis is a known major health problem and a serious disease of the bone, there has been a great need to develop more and newer animal models for this disease. Among animal models used for testing drug efficacy, the minipig model has become useful and effective due to its close similarity with humans (validity), particularly with the pharmacokinetics of compounds via subcutaneous administration, the structure and function of the organs, the morphology of bone and the overall metabolic nature. Based on these advantages, we sought to develop a new animal model of osteoporosis using micropig, which differs from other miniature pigs in the genetic background.

Metformin enhances the action of insulin on porcine granulosa-lutein cells in vitro.

Metformin is an oral antidiabetic drug extensively used to treat the polycystic ovary syndrome in women. Metformin increases insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and has direct effects on ovarian steroidogenesis in humans. However, the molecular mechanisms of metformin' action on the ovary are not clear.

Development of a type II diabetic mellitus animal model using Micropig®.

Diabetes, which has shown an explosive increase in terms of its incidence, is regarded as a serious disease that must be overcome for the sake of human life. Among animal models used for testing of drug efficacy, the mini-pig model has shown a rapid upload due to its many similarities with human, particularly concerning the pharmacokinetics of compounds after subcutaneous administration, the structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract, the morphology of the pancreas, and overall metabolic status. Based on these various advantages, we sought to develop an animal model of type II diabetic mellitus using the Micro-pig, which differs from other miniature pigs.

Oxidative stress in the testis induced by tamoxifen and its effects on early embryo development in isogenic mice.

Oxidative stress induced by tamoxifen (TAM) in male testis and its effects on fertility and early embryo development were investigated. TAM was orally administered for 4 weeks repeatedly to two isogenic male mice strains, inbred strain of C57BL/6J (B6) mice and hybrid strain of C57BL/6J x CBA F1 (B6CBAF1) mice. Oxidative stress in mice testis was measured based on the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO).

Human endometrial cell coculture reduces the endocrine disruptor toxicity on mouse embryo development.

Backgrounds: Previous studies suggested that endocrine disruptors (ED) are toxic on preimplantation embryos and inhibit development of embryos in vitro culture. However, information about the toxicity of endocrine disruptors on preimplantation development of embryo in human reproductive environment is lacking.

Methods: Bisphenol A (BPA) and Aroclor 1254 (polychlorinated biphenyls) were used as endocrine disruptors in this study.

Temporal effects of alpha-tocopherol and L-ascorbic acid on in vitro fertilized porcine embryo development.

The susceptibility of embryos to reactive oxygen species (ROS) varies in different stages of embryo development. The present study evaluated temporal effects of alpha-tocopherol and L-ascorbic acid on the porcine embryo development, and investigated whether a single or twice supplements of these two antioxidants at a divided concentrations favors the embryo development. In order to determine temporal effects of alpha-tocopherol and/or L-ascorbic acid, 100 microM alpha-tocopherol or 200 microM L-ascorbic acid were supplemented to the North Carolina State University (NCSU)-23 embryo culture media at 0, 48, 96 and 120 h of culture.

The beneficial effects of insulin and metformin on in vitro developmental potential of porcine oocytes and embryos.

To investigate whether insulin and/or metformin improve the developmental competence of porcine oocytes and embryos, insulin (100 ng/ml) and/or metformin (10(-5) M) were supplemented during in vitro maturation (IVM) and/or in vitro culture (IVC) periods. Insulin (33 to 34% vs. 21%) or insulin plus metformin (27 to 39% vs.