Search

Simple Summary The use of frozen semen is essential for the success of in vitro fertilization in the bovine embryo transfer industry. Therefore, we aimed to maximize the use of a single frozen semen straw by employing a cutting protocol. To the best of our knowledge, the current study is the first to apply ultrasonic cutting to frozen semen. The mechanical damage of spermatozoa was studied in frozen bovine semen by assaying sperm motility, acrosome abnormalities, and developmental competence. These findings may help to optimize the utilization of frozen semen for in vitro fertilization in the bovine industry. Abstract The objective of the present study was to establish conditions for using technology that can potentially enhance the efficiency of bovine embryos derived from in vitro fertilization (IVF) with frozen semen. Frozen semen from selected bulls can be stored indefinitely in liquid nitrogen as genetic resources; however, these resources are considered consumable because they cannot be regenerated. Therefore, to optimize the utilization of frozen semen, as many oocytes as possible should be fertilized with one straw. However, a sufficient number of prepared oocytes might not be available for one experiment, which can limit the use of the total spermatozoa population. Thus, an economical method for producing embryos needs to be established by optimizing technology for transplantable embryos. In this study, the utilization of frozen semen was increased by dividing the straw with an ultrasonic cutter. The post-thaw survival rate of uncut straws from Korean Proven Bulls did not differ from that of half cuttings. When ultrasonic cutting was applied to frozen semen, spermatozoa could be prepared for IVF trials at least four times, and blastocysts were produced. Therefore, cutting frozen semen with an ultrasonic cutter represents a potentially useful tool to expand genetic resources from excellent breeding stocks. This approach could also be valuable in the field of IVF of endangered species or rare breeds for their preservation, as well as in ovum pick-up (OPU) techniques.

The acidic luminal environment of the epididymis is regulated by the communication networks among epididymal epithelial cells, it is necessary for sperm maturation and storage. To characterize epididymal epithelial cell differentiation, the localization and expression of hydrogen-pumping vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase) and cytokeratin 5 (KRT5) in the clear and basal cells, respectively, of immature and mature goat epididymis and vas deferens was examined. The epididymides and vas deferens were obtained from goats aged 1, 2, and 12&ndash, 14 months. To assess the localization and expression patterns of V-ATPase and KRT5 in the caput, corpus, and cauda of the epididymis and proximal vas deferens, the tissue sections were subjected to immunofluorescence labeling and observed by confocal microscopy. Both clear and basal cells progressively started to differentiate in a retrograde manner. Clear cells disappeared from the cauda region after puberty, and they were maintained only in the caput and corpus regions of the adult goat epididymis. V-ATPase and KRT5 were co-expressed in the differentiated cells located at the base of the epithelium (i.e., basal cells). This cell type-specific differentiation and distribution of the epithelial cells plays a critical role in establishing a unique luminal environment for sperm maturation and storage in the goat epididymis.

This study elucidated the molecular markers that decrease oocyte quality during in vitro culture, restricting optimal developmental potential. Here, we evaluated the transcriptomic differences betw...

SummaryMany studies of the main gap junction protein, Cx43, have been conducted in porcine oocyte research, but they have been limited to investigations of cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs). In this study, we verified Cx43 not in COCs, but in porcine oocytes during maturation, and conducted a quantitative time course analysis. The location and dynamics of Cx43 were examined by immunocytochemistry and western blotting, respectively. COCs were cultured in NCSU23 medium and processed for immunocytochemistry and western blotting at 0, 14, 28, and 42 h after denuding. A Cx43 signal was detected on oolemmas, transzonal projections and the surface of zona pellucidae. Western blotting showed that Cx43 band density increased from 0 to 14 h, and gradually decreased thereafter. Our results clarified that Cx43 is localized in the ooplasmic membrane through zona pellucidae and its level changes over time during culture in porcine oocytes.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the abnormal accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ). Multiple Aβ-aggregated species have been identified, and neurotoxicity appears to be correlated with the amount of non-fibrillar oligomers. Potent inhibitors of Aβ oligomer formation or Aβ-induced cell toxicity have emerged as attractive means of therapeutic intervention. Eremochloa ophiuroide Hack. (Poaceae), also known as centipedegrass (CG), originates from China and South America and is reported to contain several C-glycosyl flavones and phenolic constituents.We investigated whether CG could suppress Aβ aggregation, BACE1 activity, and toxicity at neuronal cell.The inhibitory effect of CG extracts toward aggregation of Aβ42 was investigated in the absence and presence of 50 µg/mL CG. We investigated the inhibitory effects of CG (0-5 µg/mL) on BACE1 using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based assay. The effects of CG (0-75 µg/mL) on Aβ42-induced neurotoxicity were examined in PC12 cells in the presence or absence of maysin and its derivatives of CG.We isolated EA-CG fraction (70% MeOH fraction from EtOAc extracts) from methanol extracts of CG, which contained approximately 60% maysin and its derivatives. In the present studies, we found that several Aβ oligomeric forms such as the monomer, dimer, trimer, and highly aggregated oligomeric forms were remarkably inhibited in the presence of 50 µg/mL of EA-CG. EA-CG also inhibited BACE1 enzyme activity in a dose-dependent manner. EA-CG treatment generated approximately 50% or 85% inhibition to the control at the tested concentrations of 1 or 5 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the neurotoxicity induced by Aβ42 was significantly reduced by treatment of EA-CG, and the 75 µg/mL EA-CG treatment significantly increased cell viability up to 82.5%.These results suggested that the anti-Alzheimer's effects of CG occurred through inhibition of neuronal cell death by intervening with oligomeric Aβ formation and reducing BACE1 activity. Maysin in CG could be an excellent therapeutic candidate for the prevention of AD.

The importance of genetic resource preservation has been highlighted in the literature as a means of maintaining genetic diversity. Investigations for hematologic values and the differential count of white blood cell count (WBC) for Korean indigenous cattle (KIC) and endangered indigenous cattle (EIC) are rarely performed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the hematologic values of total 40 EIC (White, Black, Mini cattle) and 35 KIC as control by analysis of hematologic characteristics. As a result, the mean values of RBC and platelet of EIC were significantly decreased by age (p

Sloan-Kettering virus gene, a product of a cellular protooncogene c-Ski is a unique nuclear pro-oncoprotein and belongs to the Ski/Sno proto-oncogene family. The aim of the present study was to locate Ski protein in rat ovaries in order to find insights into the possible involvement of Ski in follicular development and atresia. Ovaries obtained on the day of estrus were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for Ski and PCNA in combination with TUNEL. Ski was expressed in granulosa cells that were positive for TUNEL, but negative for PCNA, regardless of the shape and size of the follicles. Expression of Ski in (TUNEL)-positive granulosa cells, but not in (PCNA)-positive granulosa cells, was verified in immature hypophysectomized rats having a single generation of developing and atretic follicles by treatment with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). These results indicate that Ski is profoundly expressed in the granulosa cells of atretic follicles, but not in growing follicles. Based on the present findings, Ski has maybe played plays a role in apoptosis of granulosa cells during follicular atresia.

The cloning efficiency is extremely low despite successful somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) method producing cloned animals in several mammals. In general, faulty epigenetic modifications underlying the incomplete reprogramming of donor cell nuclei after SCNT mainly results in low cloning efficiency. The nuclear reprogramming process involves epigenetic modifications, such as DNA demethylation and histone acetylation, which may be an important factor in enhancing the cloning efficiency. Recently, the histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), such as trichosatin A (TSA) and m-carboxycinnamic acid bishydroxamide (CBHA), to increase histone acetylation have been used to improve the developmental competence of SCNT embryos. Therefore, we compared the effects of TSA with CBHA on the in vitro developmental competence and pluripotency-related gene expression (Oct4, Nanog and Sox2) in porcine cloned blastocysts and histone acetylation pattern (H3K9ac). The porcine cloned embryos were treated with a 50nM concentration of TSA and 100μM concentration of CBHA during the in vitro early culture (10h) after cell fusion and then were assessed to cleavage rate, development to the blastocyst stage and pluripotency-related gene expression in NT blastocyst also, level of histone acetylation in zygote, 2cell, 4cell stage. As results, Although NT, TSA and CBHA treated NT embryos were not different between all groups for cleavage rates, the developmental competence to the blastocyst stage was significantly increased in CBHA treated embryos (22.7%) compared to that of normal NT and TSA treated NT embryos (8.1% and 15.4%)(p

Recently, several approaches have been used to measure the oxygen consumption rates of individual embryos, but relationship between oxygen consumption and pregnancy rates of Hanwoo following embryo transfer has not yet been reported. In this study, we investigated the correlation between oxygen consumption rate and pregnancy rates of Hanwoo embryo using a SECM. In addition to, the expression of apoptosis-related genes was determined using real-time PCR by extracting RNA according to the oxygen consumption of in vivo embryo. First, we found that the oxygen consumption significantly increased in blastocyst-stage embryos (blastocyst) compared to early blastocyst stage embryos, indicating that oxygen consumption reflects the embryo quality (Grade I). The oxygen consumption or GI blastocysts were significantly higher than those of GII blastocysts (10.2×1014/mol s–1 versus 6.4×1014/mol s–1, p

The present study was designed to explore the antioxidant effect of Bamboo powder and its immunoreactivity in pigs. We investigated the functional properties of Bamboo extracts by means of measuring the contents of total polyphenols and flavonoid as well as determining ABST, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and anticancer activity. The total phenolic compound and flavonoids contents of Bamboo extracts were 171.25 mg/g and 127.5 mg/g, respectively. The DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, ABST radical scavenging activity of Bamboo extracts were 17.3%, 12.5% and 21.5%, respectively. Evidenced by MTT and cell cycle assay, Bamboo dose-dependently inhibited the cell proliferation and induced G0/G1-phase arrest in CHO cells at concentrations of 100, 250, and 500 μg/ml Bamboo extracts. More than 80% of apoptotic cells were observed by staining with annexin V in 500 μg/ml Bamboo-treated CHO cells, indicating that Bamboo had potent anticancer activities. Next, to investigate the effect of Bamboo on cytokine, immunoglobulin concentration, and blood compositions, flatting pigs were fed with Bamboo powder for 38 days. Flatting pigs were divided into 4 groups; basal diet (control), basal diet supplemented with 1% Bamboo powder (T1), 2% Bamboo powder (T2), and 3% Bamboo powder (T3). The level of hemoglobin increased in the all Bamboo-fed groups compared with the normal control group. In particular, platelet levels in the all Bamboo-treated groups increased by approximately 90% compared with the levels from pig on a normal control. Serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA) in the pigs fed Bamboo powder were modestly increased, and the interferon-γ level also was strongly increased in 2% or 3% Bamboo-fed groups compared with the levels in control groups. Together, these results demonstrated that Bamboo extracts had an effective capacity of scavenging for ABTS, DPPH, and hydroxyl radicals and showed correlation with potent phenol and flavonoid contents, thus suggesting its antioxidant potential. Moreover, administration of Bamboo in 2∼3% improved blood parameters and platelets, and especially immunity-related ones such as IgG, IgA, and interferon-γ, leading to be potential feed additives in flatting pigs.

The aim of the current study is to examine the improving effect of Sasa borealis stem (SBS) extract extracts on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis in rats. To determine the hepatoprotective effect of SBS, we fed rats a normal regular diet (ND), HFD, and HFD supplemented with 150 mg/kg body weight (BW) SBS extracts for five weeks. We found that the body weight and liver weight of rats in the HFD + SBS group were significantly lower than those in the HFD group. Significantly lower serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) concentrations were observed in the SBS-supplemented group compared with the HFD group. We also found that the HFD supplemented with SBS group showed dramatically reduced hepatic lipid accumulation compared to the HFD alone group, and administration of SBS resulted in dramatic suppression of TG, TC in the HFD-induced fatty liver. In liver gene expression within the SBS treated group, PPAR alpha was significantly increased and SREBP-1c was significantly suppressed. SBS induced a significant decrease in the hepatic mRNA levels of PPAR gamma, FAS, ACC1, and DGAT2. In conclusion, SBS improved cholesterol metabolism, decreased lipogenesis, and increased lipid oxidation in HFD-induced hepatic steatosis in rats, implying a potential application in treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Poutry Science Division, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA, Seonghwan 330-801, KoreaABSTRACT To preserve chicken genetic materials like cryopreserved spermatozoa, various kinds of freezing agents like glycerol, dimethylsuloxide, dimethylformamide or dimethylacetamide have been used for rooster semen preparation. Recently, the usage of N-methylacetamide (MA) for Ogye rooster semen preservation resulted in hatched chicken successfully. In this study, we investigated the effects of 7, 9 and 11% of MA on the viability, fertility and hatchability of frozen-thawed rooster semen using artificial insemination. The results of viability, fertility and hatchability in frozen semen with 7%, 9% or 11% MA were 35.16±6.12%, 67.83±15.3% and 66.2±16.3% of motile sperm rate, 21.5%, 34.7% and 25% of fertility rate, and 100%, 89.5% and 87.5% of hatchability rate. The results of control group with frozen semen were 96.0% of fertility rate and 92.2% of hatchability rate. With these results, the concentration range of MA as a freezing agent of rooster semen could be 79% of media. The higher concentration of 9 % MA could decrease the fertility rate of thawed semen not the rate of hatchability rate. So the use of MA without affecting fertility rate would be a key point of freezing method of rooster semen for poultry genetic resource preservation.(Key words : Ogye, cryopreservation, N-methylacetamide, semen)

The aim of the study was to investigate the anti-obesity effect of Coprinus comatus (CC) in high-fat diet-fed Zucker rat (fa/fa). Obesity was induced by feeding on high-fat diet (HFD) containing 60% kcal fat for 10 weeks, in which CC extracts were administrated through the gastrointestinal tract at a concentration of 200 mg/kg BW/day for 10 weeks. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of CC extracts were found to be 18.5±1.1 mg of catechin equivalent/g, and 5.24±0.54 mg of quercetin equivalent/g extract, respectively. The DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities of CC extracts were 15.34 %, 17.25%, and 16.18%, respectively. In animal study, CC administration significantly reduced the body weight, while there were no significant differences in the daily food intake between the HFD-fed Zucker rats and HFD plus CC-fed rats. CC treatment decreased epididymal and perirenal fat weights in HFD-fed Zucker rats. Significant decreases in the levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol in the serum and liver were observed in the CC-treated group compared with HFD-fed Zucker rats. Serum HDL-cholesterol levels in the CC-treated group were increased compared with the HFD-fed groups. Serum AST and ALT activities in the CC group were significantly lower than those of the HFD-fed group. Taken together, these data demonstrated that CC has potential in preventing high-fat diet induced obesity and is a good candidate for an anti-obesity agent.

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has generally demonstrated that a differentiated cell can convert into a undifferentiated or pluripotent state. hi the SCNT experiment, nuclear reprogramming is induced by exposure of introduced donor nuclei to the recipient cytoplasm of matured oocytes. However, because the efficiency of SCNT still remains low, a combination of SCNT technique with the ex-ovo method may improve the normal development of SCNT embryos. Here we hypothesized that treatment of somatic cells with extracts prepared from the germinal vesicle (GV) stage Siberian sturgeon oocytes prior to their use as nuclear donor for SCNT would improve in vitro development. A reversible permeability protocol with 4 mu g/mL of digitonin for 2 min at 4 degrees C in order to deliver Siberian sturgeon oocyte extract (SOE) to porcine fetal fibroblasts (PFFs) was carried out. As results, the intensity of H3K9ac staining in PFFs following treatment of SOE for 7 h at 18 degrees C was significantly increased but the intensity of H3K9me3 staining in PFFs was significantly decreased as compared with the control (p

Schisandra chinensis (SC), a traditional herbal medicine, has been prescribed for patients suffering from various liver diseases, including hepatic cancer, hypercholesterolemia, and CCl₄-induced liver injury. We investigated whether SC extract has a protective effect on alcohol-induced fatty liver and studied its underlying mechanisms. Rats were fed with ethanol by intragastric administration every day for 5 weeks to induce alcoholic fatty liver. Ethanol treatment resulted in a significant increase in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels and caused fatty degeneration of liver. Ethanol administration also elevated serum TG and total cholesterol (TC) and decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. However, after administration of ethanol plus SC extracts, the ethanol-induced elevation in liver TC and TG levels was reversed. Elevation in serum TG was not observed after treatment with SC. Moreover, compared with the ethanol-fed group, the rats administered ethanol along with SC extracts for 5 weeks showed attenuated fatty degeneration and an altered lipid profile with decreased serum TC and TG, and increased HDL cholesterol levels. Chronic ethanol consumption did not affect peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) levels, but it decreased PPARα and phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) levels in the liver. However, SC prevented the ethanol-induced decrease in PPARα expression and induced a significant decrease in sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 expression and increase in phospho-AMPK expression in rats with alcoholic fatty liver. SC administration resulted in a significant decrease in intracellular lipid accumulation in hepatocytes along with a decrease in serum TG levels, and it reversed fatty liver to normal conditions, as measured by biochemical and histological analyses. Our results indicate that the protective effect of SC is accompanied by a significant increase in phospho-AMPK and PPARα expression in hepatic tissue of alcoholic rats, thereby suggesting that SC has the ability to prevent ethanol-induced fatty liver, possibly through activation of AMPK and PPARα signaling.

The development of embryos reconstructed by nuclear transfer (NT) is dependent upon numerous factors. Central to development is the quality and development of the recipient cytoplast. Typically oocytes Corresponding author: Joon-Hee Lee Tel: +82-55-772-1886 Fax: +82-55-772-1889 E-mail: sbxjh@gnu.ac.kr 168 ... Journal of Agriculture & Life Science 47(6) at either AI/TI or MII are potential candidates used as recipient cytoplasts for NT, because they contain active MPF, which causes NEBD and PCC in the transferred nucleus and may be essential for nuclear reprogramming. In vitro maturation of porcine oocytes generally spend longer times (44-48h), progress asynchronously from immature stage and also present insufficient MPF for NEBD and PCC. Here, we have developed three stages establishment of in vitro porcine oocyte maturation to select good quality of oocytes used as recipient cytoplasts for NT. Firstly, oocytes were assessed by the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) before in vitro oocyte maturation. Positively BCB stained oocytes reached to MII (67.0% vs. 58.4%) and produced more parthenogenetic blastocysts (50.2% vs. 29.6%) as compared with negatively BCB stained oocytes (P < 0.05). Secondly, positively BCB stained oocytes were treated with 5 μg/ml CHXM to block meiotic progression for synchronizing the cell cycle of oocytes for 16 hr. All of oocytes (130/130) were efficiently synchronized at GV stage by treatment with CHXM, whereas most of oocytes (w/o CHXM) were passed through GV stage (80/176). In addition, retrieval from treatment of CHXM could reversibly induce meiotic resumption and progresses synchronously in porcine oocytes. However, there was no difference between CHXM treated and non-treated group (21.9% vs. 22.3%) in the developmental rate to the blastocyst stage of parthenogenetic embryos. Following treatment of 5 mM caffeine (a phosphatase inhibitor) for 12 hr, all of oocytes were significantly increased the activity of MPF (P < 0.05). Finally, a piglet was produced from NT embryos reconstructed by using non-caffeine treated recipients.

We sought to provide a method for freezing and preserving primordial germ cells, or an avian germ cell of a bird, as a material for developmental engineering or species preservation. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of slow freezing with a vitrification method for the cryopreservation of chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs). PGCs obtained from the germinal gonad of day 5.5-6 day (stage 28) cultured chick embryos, using the MACS method, were classified into two groups: slow freezing and vitrification. We examined the viability of PGCs after Cryopreservation. Four freezing methods were compared with each other, including the following: Method 1: The PGCs were frozen by a programmed freezer in a plastic straw, including 2.0 M ethylene glycol (EG) as cryoprotective additive (slow freezing) Method 2: The PGCs were vitrified in a plastic straw, including 8.0 M EG, plus 7% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) (rapid freezing). Method 3: The slow freezing was induced with a cryotube including 2.0 M EG Method 4: The PGCs were frozen in a cryotube including 10% dimethyl suloxide (DMSO) (rapid freezing). After freezing and thawing, survival rates of the frozen-thawed PGCs from Method 1 to 4were 76.4%, 70.6%, 80.5% and 78.1% (p

This study was conducted to establish methods for preserving chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs) for long-term storage in liquid nitrogen and for developmental engineering or preservation of species. The purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of fetal bovine serum (FBS) or chicken serum (CS) treatment on the viability of cryopreserved PGCs from Korean Native Chicken (Ogye). PGCs separated from a germinal gonad of an early embryo at day 5.5-6 (stage 28) were suspended in a freezing medium containing freezing and protective agents (dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG) and glycerol). The values from 0, 5, 10, and 15 % DMSO plus FBS treatment were 21.6, 30.36, 36.42, 50.39, and 48.36 %, respectively. The viability of PGCs after freeze-thawing was significantly higher for 10% EG plus FBS treatment than for 10% EG + FCS treatment (p

Cryopreservation of poultry semen has been reported, but preservation of female genetic material has not been possible because of the unique anatomical and physiological characteristics of the avian egg. Thus an alternative strategy for conservation of oviparous species of animals must be developed. Recent technological developments for producing germline chimeras by the transfer of primordial germ cells (PGCs) into recipient embryos has enabled the conservation and retrieval of chicken genetic resources in their complete form. In the present study, fertilized eggs were incubated for about 5.5 days to obtain embryos at stage 28. The whole embryo was collected from the germinal gonad using a fine glass micro pipette under a microscope. The PGCs were then purified using MACS method. Two commercially available cryoprotectants (A and B) were used to preserve the PGCs, and EG were used as a control. The average recovery rate of PGCs after thawing was 35.5% and 60.5% with the A and B treatments, respectively. There was no significant difference between B treatments and control, which showed an average recovery rate of 52.8%. However, the recovery rate obtained using A cryoprotectant (35.5%) was significantly lower than using treatment control and B. The average viability of the PGCs after thawing were 77.9% and 77.4% for cryoprotectants A and B, respectively, and the control were was 81.6%. There was no statistically significant difference between the two treatments and control. It was concluded that all of the available cryoprotectants examined in this study could be used for preservation of PGCs from embryos. Further experiments to produce germline chimera from PGCs preserved using this techniques are strongly recommended.

This study was conducted to establish the method for preserving PGCs that enables long-term storage in liquid nitrogen for developmental engineering or preservation of species. The purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of freeze- thaw treatment on viability of PGCs in chickens. PGCs were collected separately from a germinal gonad of an early embryo of 5.5 6 day (stage 28) of Isa brown, Korean Oge (KO), White Leghorn and Commercial breeds. PGCs separated from a germinal gonad of an early embryo of 5.5 6 day (stage 28) are suspended in a freezing medium containing a freezing and protecting agents (e.g. dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG) and glycerol). The PGCs were then purified using magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) method. The viability of PGCs after thawing was 87.4±0.4% and 89.4±0.2% with the 10% EG treatments with no significant difference between the Isa brown and Commercial breeds. The viability of PGCs after freeze- thawing was significantly higher for Isa brown (87.4 ± 0.4%) and Commercial breeds (89.4 ± 0.2%) than Korean Oge (KO) (77.6 ± 1.1%) and White Leghorn (76.2 ± 0.9%)(p

This study was conducted to investigate whether administration of IH901, a ginseng intestinal metabolite, ameliorates exercise-induced oxidative stress while preserving antioxidant defense capability in rat skeletal muscles and lung. Eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats per group were randomly assigned to the resting control, exercise control, resting with IH901 (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) consumption (R/IH901), or exercise with IH901 (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) consumption (E/IH901) group. The trained groups ran 35 min 2 days/week for 8 weeks. To analyze the IH901-training interaction, serum biochemical analysis, lipid peroxidation, citrate synthase, protein oxidation, antioxidant and superoxide dismutase in skeletal muscles and lung tissue were measured. Compared to the exercise control group, animals that consumed IH901 had significantly increased exercise endurance times (p < 0.05) and decreased plasma creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels (p < 0.05), while those in the E/IH901 groups had increased citrate synthase and anti-oxidant enzymes and decreased lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, IH901 consumption in aging rats after eccentric exercise has beneficial effects on anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities through down-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators, lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation and up-regulation of anti-oxidant enzymes.

The abnormal development of embryos reconstructed by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is considered to be associated with consequent changes in gene expression following errors in epigenetic reprogramming. In this study, we carried out SCNT using donor fibroblast cells derived from 3-way hybrids (Landrace × Duroc × Yorkshire). A total of 655 SCNT embryos were transferred, and 6.97 ± 2.3 cloned fetuses were successfully recovered from three surrogates at gestational day 30. An analysis of the 6.97 ± 2.3 cloned embryos revealed that most had severe extraembryonic defects. The extraembryonic tissue from the SCNT embryos was abnormally small compared with that of the control. To investigate the differentially expressed genes between the SCNT and control extraembryonic tissues, we compared the gene expression profiles of the extraembryonic tissues from gestational day 30 cloned pig embryos with those from the control using an annealing control primer-based GeneFishing polymerase chain reaction. As a result, we found that a total of 50 genes were differentially expressed by utilizing 120 ACPs, 38 genes of which were known. Among them, 26 genes were up-regulated, whereas 12 genes were down-regulated. Real-time RT-PCR showed that apoptosis-related genes were expressed significantly higher in SCNT extraembryonic tissue than in the control, whereas metabolism-related genes were expressed at significantly lower levels in the SCNT extraembryonic tissue. These observations strongly indicate that early gestational death of SCNT embryo is caused, at least in part, by the disruption of developing extraembryonic tissues as a result of aberrant gene expression, which results in abnormal apoptosis and metabolism.

DNA methyltransferase1o (Dnmt1o), which is specific to oocyte and preimplantation embryo, plays a role in maintaining DNA methylation in mammalian cells. Here, we investigated the methylation status of CpGs sites in the Dnmt1o 5'-flanking region in germ cells at different stages of oogenesis or spermatogenesis. The methylation levels of the CpG sites at the 5'-flanking regions were hypermethylated in growing oocytes of all follicular stages, while the oocytes in meiotic metaphase II (MII) were demethylated. The methylation pattern within the CpGs sites in the 5'-flanking region, however, was dramatically changed during spermatogenesis. We observed that there was significant non-CpG methylation both in MII oocytes and spermatocytes. Although a low methylation level in non-CpG sites was observed in primary and secondary oocytes, the CpA site of position 25 and CpT site of position 29 within the no-CpG region in the 5'-flanking region of Dnmt1o was highly methylated in MII oocytes. During spermatogenesis, the low degree of methylation at CpG sites in spermatocytes increased to a higher degree in sperm, while the high ratio of methylation in non-CpG sites in spermatocytes decreased. Together, germ cells showed inverted methylation patterns between CpG and non-CpG sites in the Dnmt1o 5'-upstream region, and the methylation pattern during oogenesis did not drastically change, remaining generally hypomethylated at the MII stage.

Several biomarkers are routinely used clinically for predicting preterm labor; however, these factors are either nonspecific or detected too late. Here, we performed protein profiles in preterm- and term-derived human umbilical cord by using 2DE. Approximately 200 different proteins were identified between preterm- and term-delivered umbilical cords. Among them, 48 proteins were identified. A comparison of preterm proteome to that of term proteome revealed potential candidates for biomarkers, such as hypoxia-inducible proteins, phosphorylated heat-shock protein 27 (HSP27), transgelin, vimentin, and transferrin that are specific to preterm umbilical cords. Especially, HSP27 in preterm-derived umbilical cords shows a significant increase in the mono- and tetra-phosphorylation. The real importance of all of HSP27 phosphorylation as well as hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha, and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase require further validation in vitro and in vivo; nevertheless, we believe that they could represent promising diagnostic targets for detection of sudden early delivery. In conclusion, the results of the current study may provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying umbilical cord development.

Department of Animal Science, Institute Agriculture and Life Graduate School Gyengsang National University, Jinju 660-701, KoreaABSTRACT The use of methylacetamide (MA) as a cryoprotective agent for freezing Korean Native Black rooster Ogye semen was examined with artificial insemination. The diluted Ogye semen with HS-1 was subjected for 2 step dilution method of cryopreservation in which the final concentration of MA was adjusted to 7.5%. The sperm viability after thawing was reduced from 95.17±0.93% to 55.93±1.38% which was confirmed by live-death analysis based on Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS). The rates of fertilized eggs with fresh or frozen-thawed semen were reduced from 94.98±3.93% to 66.36±8.43% at day 7 with significant difference. However, the hatching rates of experiments at day 21 did not shown difference between 92.64±2.33% and 90.45±8.05% (P

Sloan-Kettering virus gene, a product of a cellular protooncogene c-Ski is a unique nuclear pro-oncoprotein and belongs to the Ski/Sno proto-oncogene family. The aim of the present study was to locate Ski protein in rat ovaries in order to find insights into the possible involvement of Ski in follicular development and atresia. Ovaries obtained on the day of estrus were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for Ski and PCNA in combination with TUNEL. Ski was expressed in granulosa cells that were positive for TUNEL, but negative for PCNA, regardless of the shape and size of the follicles. Expression of Ski in (TUNEL)-positive granulosa cells, but not in (PCNA)-positive granulosa cells, was verified in immature hypophysectomized rats having a single generation of developing and atretic follicles by treatment with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). These results indicate that Ski is profoundly expressed in the granulosa cells of atretic follicles, but not in growing follicles. Based on the present findings, Ski has maybe played plays a role in apoptosis of granulosa cells during follicular atresia.

Ski protein is implicated in proliferation/differentiation in a variety of cells. We had previously reported that Ski protein is present in granulosa cells of atretic follicles, but not in preovulatory follicles, suggesting that Ski has a role in apoptosis of granulosa cells. The alternative fate of granulosa cells other than apoptosis is to differentiate to luteal cells; however, it is unknown whether Ski is expressed and has a role in granulosa cells undergoing luteinization. Thus, the aim of the present study was to locate Ski protein in the rat ovary during luteinizationto predict the possible role of Ski. In order to examine the expression pattern of Ski protein along with the progress of luteinization, follicular growth was induced by administration of equine chorionic gonadtropin to immature female rats, and luteinization was induced by human chorionic gonadtropin treatment to mimic luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. While no Ski-positive granulosa cells were present in preovulatory follicle, Ski protein expression was induced in response to LH surge, and was maintained after the formation of the corpus luteum (CL). Though Ski protein is absent in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicle, its mRNA (c-Ski) was expressed and the level was unchanged even after LH surge. Taken together, these results demonstrated that Ski protein expression is induced in granulosa cells upon luteinization, and suggests that its expression is regulated post-transcriptionally.

Imprinted genes are essential for fetal development, growth regulation, and postnatal behavior. However, little is known about imprinted genes in livestock. We hypothesized that certain putatively imprinted genes affected normal peri-implantation development such as embryo elongation, initial placental development, and preparation of implantation. The objective of the present study was to investigate the mRNA expression patterns of several putatively imprinted genes during the porcine peri-implantation stages from day 6 to day 21 of gestation. Imprinted genes were selected both maternally (Dlk1, IGF2, Ndn, and Sgce) and paternally (IGF2r, H19, Gnas and Xist). Here, we report that the maternally imprinted gene IGF2 was expressed from day 6 (Blastocyst stage), but Dlk1, Ndn, and Sgce were not expressed in this stage. These genes were first expressed between days 12 and day 14. All the maternally imprinted genes studied showed significantly high expression patterns from day 18 of embryo development. In contrast, paternally imprinted genes IGF2r, H19, Gnas, and Xist were first expressed from day 6 of embryo development (BL). Our data demonstrated that the expression of H19 and Gnas genes was significantly increased from day 14 of the embryo developmental stage, while IGF2r and Xist only showed high expression after day 21. This study is the first to show that the putatively imprinted genes were stage-specific during porcine embryonic development. These results demonstrate that the genes studied may exert important effects on embryo implantation and fetal development.

This study examined whether high osmolarity of culture medium at the early culture stage affects development and expression of apoptosis related genes (Bax-alpha and Bcl-xl) of porcine nuclear transfer (NT) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos. NT and IVF embryos were divided into three groups and the basic medium was PZM-3 (260-270 mOsmol, control group). The control group of embryos was cultured in PZM-3 for whole culture period. Other two groups of embryos were cultured in a modified PZM-3 with 0.05 M sucrose (300-320 mOsmol, sucrose group) or increased NaCl to 138 mM (300-320 mOsmol, NaCl group) for the first 2 days, and then cultured in PZM-3 for 4 days. NT embryos cultured in NaCl group showed a significantly higher developmental rate to the blastocyst stage with a decreased apoptosis rate compared to the control (P < 0.05). There was no difference in blastocyst formation and apoptosis incidence among the three culture treatments for IVF-derived embryos. Bax-alpha mRNA expression was significantly higher in the control than sucrose or NaCl group for both NT and IVF embryos (P < 0.05). Moreover, the relative abundance of Bax-alpha/Bcl-xl was higher in the control than the treatment groups. These results indicate that the higher osmolarity at the early embryonic stage of porcine NT and IVF embryos can improve the in vitro development with reduced apoptosis through regulating the Bax-alpha/Bcl-xl gene expression.

SummarySloan-Kettering virus gene, a product of a cellular proto-oncogene c-Skiis a unique nuclear pro-oncoprotein and belongs to the Ski/Sno proto-oncogene family. The aim of the present study was to locate Ski protein in rat ovaries in order to find insights into the possible involvement of Ski in follicular development. First, expression of c-SkimRNA in the ovaries of adult female rats was confirmed by RT-PCR. Then, ovaries obtained on the day of estrus were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for Ski and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in combination with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). RT-PCR andin situhybridization revealed that c-SkimRNA was expressed in the ovaries of the adult rat on the day of estrous and localized mainly in the granulose cells. Ski was expressed in granulosa cells that were positive for TUNEL, but negative for PCNA, regardless of the shape and size of follicles. Expression of Ski in TUNEL-positive granulosa cells, but not in PCNA-positive granulosa cells, was also verified in rats having atretic follicles with double staining. These results indicate that Ski is profoundly expressed in the granulosa cells of atretic follicles, but not in growing follicles. Based on the present findings, Ski may play a role in the apoptosis of granulosa cells during follicular atresia.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of weekly administration of implant type recombinant porcine somatotropin (rpST) on the performance and carcass characteristics in finishing pigs. A total of 120 crossbred (Landrace× Yorkshire×Duroc) pigs were employed for 11 weeks in a growth trial in experiment. A rpST designed to implant every 7 d was used. Forty pigs, each weighing 75 kg, were allocated into three rpST treatments; control (CONT), implant of rpST from 75 kg (TRT1) or 90 kg (TRT2) of body weight. The CONT pig and pigs in TRT2 from 75 kg to 90 kg were treated without rpST but with placebo. In rpST- treated pigs, each 100 mg and 125 mg of the equivalent rpST was implanted from live weight of 75 kg to 90 kg and from 90 kg to market weight, respectively. Half of the pigs from each treatment were marketed at live weight of 110 kg and the rest at 130 kg. All pigs were allowed ad libitum access to a commercial feed containing 0.94% and 0.88% of lysine from 75 to 110 kg, 110 to 130 kg of body weights, respectively. rpST had no effect on daily gain, while feed efficiency was improved by 7 to 13% (p

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary wormwood powder (Artemisia montana Pampan; WP) supplementation on growing performance and fecal noxious gas emission in weanling pigs. One hundred and twelve pigs were alloted into four treatments and offered for 4 weeks one of the diets supplemented with 0% (control), 0.5% (0.5), 1.0% (1.0) and 2.0% (2.0) WP. Each treatments has four replicate with 7 pigs per replicate. ADG, ADFI and F/G were improved by 1.0 and 2.0 WP supplementation during 0 dq14d feeding. Feed intake of 1.0 WP diet was higher (Px 0.05) than any other diet during 15dq28d feeding. But there were no differences among the other treatments in the weight gain and feed conversion. During the whole feeding period, daily weight gain and feed intake of pigs fed 1.0 and 2.0 treatments were higher than those of pigs fed control and 0.5 diet. DM digestibility was significantly (Px 0.05) higher in weanling pigs fed 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 WP than that of the control. The protein digestibility was significantly improved in 1.0 WP treatment and the phosphorus digestibility was improved in 2.0 WP treatment. Excretion of nitrogen and phosphorus was significantly (Px 0.05) decreased by 2.0 treatment than control. Emission of fecal ammonia after 48 hours storage in vinyl bag dramatically decreased by all the treatments except control. However, there was no statistical difference in fecal hydrogen sulfide emission among treatments. In conclusion, this study suggested that the dietary 1.0q2.0 supplementation of WP can improve productivity of pigs decrease fecal NH3 and H2S gas emission.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of probiotics on the performance, nutrients digestibility, noxious gas emission and microflora population on the cecum of broilers. A total of 120 broilers, consisted of 4 treatments X 3 replicates X 10 broilers per replicates, were fed the experimental diets containing 0, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5C� probiotics for 5 weeks. Broilers fed the diets containing 0.1 and 0. 3C� probiotic had higher (px 0.05) body weight gain and feed conversion than those of the others from the 3rd to 4th week. Broilers fed 0.3C� probiotic had higher (px 0.05) body weight gain and feed conversion than those of the other levels from the 5th to 6th week. Broilers fed the diets containing 0.1% and 0.3C� probiotic had higher (px 0.05) body weight gain and feed conversion than those of the others from the 2nd to 6th week. Dry matter digestibility was significantly (px 0.05) improved with 0.3% probiotic. Emission of ammonia and sulfate hydrogen gas was significantly (px 0.05) decreased at 6th week. However, there was no (px 0.05) difference at the levels of 0, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5% at the 4th weeks. There was an increase in the lactobacillus sp, but there was a decrease in the microflora population of coliforms in the cecum of broiler with 0.1% and 0.3% probiotics. These results indicated that the compound probiotics of 0.1q0.3% were effective in the body weight gain, feed conversion, nutrients digestibility, noxious gas emission and microflora population on the cecum

There exists considerable evidence that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is involved in the regulation of ovulation rate and follicle development. IGF-I is believed to modulate the effects of gonadotropins on follicular growth and cell differentiation via paracrine and autocrine mechanisms. Therefore, this study was performed to relate the expression of IGF-I on ovaries and follicles with egg productivity at 60 wk. The egg productivity of 70 KNOC was recorded from 20 to 60 wk. Blood was taken every 10 wk and ovaries and follicles were taken at 60 wk. Serum IGF-I and IGF-I of ovaries and follicles were measured by radioimmunoassay. Based on egg production levels up to 60 wk and ovarian IGF-I expression at 60 wk, respectively. Chickens were divided into two groups, high and low. Egg production and serum IGF-I in the high IGF-I group were higher than those in the low group. Moreover, the IGF-I expression of follicles in the high ovarian IGF-I expression group was higher than that in the low group. These finding are consistent with the report that IGF-I indirectly regulates ovulation in chickens, suggesting that this regulation may play an important role in improved egg productivity.

bryos reconstructed by using donor cells: iPS cell vs. AID transfected cell* Tae Suk Kim1, Sang Ki Baek2, Song Yi Moon2, Sang Jin Jin2, Yeoung-Gyu Ko3, Sung Woo Kim3, Hae-Geum Park3, Hwan-Hoo Seong3 and Joon Hee Lee2 1Institute of Agriculture & Life Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 660-701, Republic of Korea, Jin ju, Republic of Korea 2Animal Development & Biotechnology Group, Department of Animal Bioscience, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jin ju, Republic of Korea 3National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Namwon, Republic of Korea

This study assessed the effects of Coprinus comatus cap (CCC) on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and the effects of CCC on the development of diet-induced obesity in rats. Here, we showed that the CCC has an inhibitory effect on the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells, resulting in a significant decrease in lipid accumulation through the downregulation of several adipocyte specific-transcription factors, including CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β, C/EBPδ, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Moreover, treatment with CCC during adipocyte differentiation induced a significant down-regulation of PPARγ and adipogenic target genes, including adipocyte protein 2, lipoprotein lipase, and adiponectin. Interestingly, the CCC treatment of the 3T3-L1 adipocytes suppressed the insulin-stimulated Akt and GSK3β phosphorylation, and these effects were stronger in the presence of an inhibitor of Akt phosphorylation, LY294002, suggesting that CCC inhibited adipocyte differentiation through the down-regulation of Akt signaling. In the animal study, CCC administration significantly reduced the body weight and adipose tissue weight of rats fed a high fat diet (HFD) and attenuated lipid accumulation in the adipose tissues of the HFD-induced obese rats. The size of the adipocyte in the epididymal fat of the CCC fed rats was significantly smaller than in the HFD rats. CCC treatment significantly reduced the total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the serum of HFD rats. These results strongly indicated that the CCC-mediated decrease in body weight was due to a reduction in adipose tissue mass. The expression level of PPARγ and phospho-Akt was significantly lower in the CCC-treated HFD rats than that in the HFD obesity rats. These results suggested that CCC inhibited adipocyte differentiation by the down-regulation of major transcription factor involved in the adipogenesis pathway including PPARγ through the regulation of the Akt pathway in 3T3-L1 cells and HFD adipose tissue.

Background Obesity is a health hazard that is associated with a number of diseases and metabolic abnormalities, such as type-2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and coronary heart disease. In the current study, we investigated the effects of Citrus aurantium flavonoids (CAF) on the inhibition of adipogenesis and adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. Methods During adipocyte differentiation, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with 0, 10, and 50 μg/ml CAF, and then the mRNA and protein expression of adipogenesis-related genes was assayed. We examined the effect of CAF on level of phosphorylated Akt in 3T3-L1 cells treated with CAF at various concentrations during adipocyte differentiation. Results The insulin-induced expression of C/EBPβ and PPARγ mRNA and protein were significantly down-regulated in a dose-dependent manner following CAF treatment. CAF also dramatically decreased the expression of C/EBPα, which is essential for the acquisition of insulin sensitivity by adipocytes. Moreover, the expression of the aP2 and FAS genes, which are involved in lipid metabolism, decreased dramatically upon treatment with CAF. Interestingly, CAF diminished the insulin-stimulated serine phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473) and GSK3β (Ser9), which may reduce glucose uptake in response to insulin and lipid accumulation. Furthermore, CAF not only inhibited triglyceride accumulation during adipogenesis but also contributed to the lipolysis of adipocytes. Conclusions In the present study, we demonstrate that CAF suppressed adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our results indicated that CAF down-regulates the expression of C/EBPβ and subsequently inhibits the activation of PPARγ and C/EBPα. The anti-adipogenic activity of CAF was mediated by the inhibition of Akt activation and GSK3β phosphorylation, which induced the down-regulation of lipid accumulation and lipid metabolizing genes, ultimately inhibiting adipocyte differentiation.

In this paper, we report on the effects of a diet containing cloned-cattle meat on the reproductive parameters in pregnant rabbits. The artificially inseminated rabbits (gestation day 0) were fed a diet containing 5% or 10% of normal or cloned-cattle meat during the gestation period. Rabbits fed commercial pellet (no additional supplementations) were used as the control. Supplementation of cloned-cattle meat diets did not have any toxicologically significant effects on reproductive performance in dams (body weight, clinical signs, organ weight, and cesarean section analysis). And it also did not affect on fetal development (body and placental weight, and external, visceral and skeletal findings) compared to the controls. The only difference was a food consumption in the first week of gestation for all meat-based diet groups (p < 0.05, 0.01, and 0.001, respectively). Our results collectively suggest that there are no obvious differences in reproductive parameters in pregnant rabbits fed cloned-cattle meat.

We identified a 3.4-kb 5′-flanking region of the rPL-I gene and examined its promoter activity using rat trophoblast Rcho-1 cells. A regulatory element between base pairs (bp) −2,487 and −2,310 in the 5′-flanking region was essential for maximum promoter activity of the rPL-I gene. This regulatory element was further characterized between bp −2,443 to −2,415 and −2,374 to −2,345. Electrophoretic mobility shift analysis showed that the interaction of nuclear extract proteins from differentiated Rcho-1 cells was inhibited by competition with a GATA-like sequence in the promoter, but not by a mutated GATA sequence. Moreover, the promoter activity of 2487 eLuc containing two novel GATA sites was significantly elevated by co-transfection of a GATA-2 expression vector in proliferating Rcho-1 cells. Our results demonstrate that GATA-2 is involved in multiple promoter regions to activate the specific expression of the rPL-I gene in placental tissue.

The objective of this study was to investigate hormonal and TGF-beta(1) characterizations of delayed parturition in the SCNT recipients (Korean native beef cattle: Hanwoo). The SCNT blastocysts produced by Hanwoo fetal fibroblast cells were transferred into the synchronized Hanwoo recipients. The artificially inseminated Hanwoo recipients (AI-R) were used as control. All AI-R were labored by natural delivery. The SCNT recipients (SCNT-R) with no signs of delivery were operated by Caesarean section. The blood and placentomes were collected during parturition. The weight of placentomes in SCNT-R (n=12, 301+/-41.22 g) was significantly higher than that of AI-R (n=10, 204.8+/-24.89 g) (p

This study examined the anti-obesity effect and mechanism of action of blueberry peel extracts (BPE) in 3T3-L1 cells and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats. The levels of lipid accumulation were measured, along with the changes in the expression of genes and proteins associated with adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. Evidenced by Oil-red O staining and triglyceride assay, BPE dose-dependently inhibited lipid accumulation at concentrations of 0, 50, and 200 µg/ml. BPE decreased the expression of the key adipocyte differentiation regulator C/EBPβ, as well as the C/EBPα and PPARγ genes, during the differentiation of preadipocytes into adipocytes. Moreover, BPE down-regulated adipocyte-specific genes such as aP2 and FAS compared with control adipocytes. The specific mechanism mediating the effects of BP revealed that insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt was strongly decreased, and its downstream substrate, phospho-GSK3β, was downregulated by BPE treatment in 3T3-L1 cells. Together, these data indicated that BP exerted anti-adipogenic activity by inhibiting the expression of PPARγ and C/EBPβ and the Akt signaling pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Next, we investigated whether BP extracts attenuated HFD-induced obesity in rats. Oral administration of BPE reduced HFD-induced body weight gain significantly without affecting food intake. The epididymal or perirenal adipose tissue weights were lower in rats on an HFD plus BPE compared with the tissue weights of HFD-induced obese rats. Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the rats fed BPE were modestly reduced, and the HDL-cholesterol level was significantly increased in HFD plus BP-fed rats compared with those of HFD-fed rats. Taken together, these results demonstrated an inhibitory effect of BP on adipogenesis through the down-regulation of C/EBPβ, C/EBPα, and PPARγ and the reduction of the phospho-Akt adipogenic factor in 3T3-L1 cells. Moreover, BPE reduced body weight gain and inhibited fat accumulation in an HFD-induced animal model of obesity.