Challenges and Considerations during In Vitro Production of Porcine Embryos

Genetically modified pigs have become valuable tools for generating advances in animal agriculture and human medicine. Importantly, in vitro production and manipulation of embryos is an essential step in the process of creating porcine models. As the in vitro environment is still suboptimal, it is imperative to examine the porcine embryo culture system from several angles to identify methods for improvement. Understanding metabolic characteristics of porcine embryos and considering comparisons with other mammalian species is useful for optimizing culture media formulations. Furthermore, stressors arising from the environment and maternal or paternal factors must be taken into consideration to produce healthy embryos in vitro. In this review, we progress stepwise through in vitro oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo culture in pigs to assess the status of current culture systems and address points where improvements can be made.

PSVI-14 Characteristic of hybrid chicken derived from crossing of Ogye and white leghorn

Ogye, an indigenous Korean chicken breed has entirely black external features and internal organs. White Leghron, an transboundary breed has white color features as opposed to Ogye. We make crossbreed (Ogye x White Leghorn) to investigate how the phenotype appeared in F1. In F0, 5 females and 1 male were selected for each parental type; 1) Ogye(♂) x White leghorn(♀), 2) White leghron(♂) x Ogye(♀). We A total of 321 individuals of F1 were made through artificial insemination. We measured body weights at birth, 8 weeks, 16 weeks, 24 weeks, and 32 weeks of age. In 1) type females, the average of body weight at each period was 39.04±0.32, 613.18±6.86, 1149.37±7.76, 1463.97±13.25, 1718.02±14.83 respectively. In 2 type females, that was 30.57±0.21, 543.19±7.54, 1069.63±12.92, 1410.06±10.80, 1527.53±13.73. The P-value values for each period were less than 0.05. In 1) type males, the average of body weight at each period was 39.18±0.34, 744.70±7.84, 1579.39±15.76, 2014.63±19.15, 2310.89±20.58. In 2 type females, that was 30.71±0.24, 683.75±9.51, 1419.79±15.76, 1800.00±18.88, 2064.79±19.68. The P-value values for each period were also less than 0.05. In the case of feather color, it was generally white, but black spots appeared only in females produced in type 1). Comb and beak color was generally also red, but black appeared only in in females produced in type 1). From these results, it can be estimated that paternal factors such as weight and appearance are greatly affected, and we plan to investigate the genetic patterns of each trait through F2 construction in the future.

P–718 Paternal smoking in the preconception period is associated with an increased risk of spontaneous miscarriage in a dose-dependent manner: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Study question What is the association between paternal lifestyle factors in the preconception period and the risk of spontaneous miscarriage? Summary answer: Preconception paternal cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of spontaneous miscarriage, while no associations were found with paternal alcohol consumption and obesity. What is known already Although maternal lifestyle risk factors for miscarriage are well-established, studies on potentially contributing paternal factors remain sparse. Recently, a significant association was found between advanced paternal age and spontaneous miscarriage. Biological evidence indicates that smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and obesity may lead to sperm oxidative DNA damage, being a known risk factor for miscarriage. Study design, size, duration: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Participants/materials, setting, methods PubMed and Embase databases were searched in August 2020. Paternal factors examined were: cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and Body Mass Index (BMI). A qualitative risk of bias assessment was performed for all included studies. Meta-analysis was performed if sufficient data was available from studies that controlled for maternal factors. PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews were followed. Main results and the role of chance The systematic search included 3386 articles of which 11 articles met the inclusion criteria. In a meta-analysis of eight studies, paternal smoking of > 10 cigarettes per day in the preconception period was found to be associated with an increased risk of spontaneous miscarriage, after adjustment for maternal smoking status (1–10 cigarettes per day: 1.01, 95% CI 0.97–1.06; 11–20 cigarettes per day: 1.12, 95% CI 1.08–1.16; >20 cigarettes per day: 1.23, 95% CI 1.17–1.29). Based on five available studies, no clear association was found between paternal alcohol consumption and spontaneous miscarriage. No studies were retrieved that evaluated the association between paternal BMI and spontaneous miscarriage. Limitations, reasons for caution Investigating the relation between paternal lifestyle factors and spontaneous miscarriage is challenging and prone to different forms of bias, especially in retrospective studies. Wider implications of the findings: Awareness of the association between heavy paternal smoking in the preconception period and the risk of spontaneous miscarriage should be raised. More well-designed studies are needed to further investigate the effects of other paternal lifestyle factors on the risk of spontaneous miscarriage. Trial registration number Not applicable

P-718 Paternal smoking in the preconception period is associated with an increased risk of spontaneous miscarriage in a dose-dependent manner: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Study question What is the association between paternal lifestyle ­factors in the preconception period and the risk of spontaneous miscarriage? Summary answer Preconception paternal cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of spontaneous miscarriage, while no associations were found with paternal alcohol consumption and obesity. What is known already Although maternal lifestyle risk factors for miscarriage are well-established, studies on potentially contributing paternal factors remain sparse. Recently, a significant association was found between advanced paternal age and spontaneous miscarriage. Biological evidence indicates that smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and obesity may lead to sperm oxidative DNA damage, being a known risk factor for miscarriage. Study design, size, duration Systematic review and meta-analysis. Participants/materials, setting, methods PubMed and Embase databases were searched in August 2020. Paternal factors examined were: cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and Body Mass Index (BMI). A qualitative risk of bias assessment was performed for all included studies. Meta-analysis was performed if sufficient data was available from studies that controlled for maternal factors. PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews were followed. Main results and the role of chance The systematic search included 3386 articles of which 11 articles met the inclusion criteria. In a meta-analysis of eight studies, paternal smoking of > 10 cigarettes per day in the preconception period was found to be associated with an increased risk of spontaneous miscarriage, after adjustment for maternal smoking status (1-10 cigarettes per day: 1.01, 95% CI 0.97-1.06; 11-20 cigarettes per day: 1.12, 95% CI 1.08-1.16; >20 cigarettes per day: 1.23, 95% CI 1.17-1.29). Based on five available studies, no clear association was found between paternal alcohol consumption and spontaneous miscarriage. No studies were retrieved that evaluated the association between paternal BMI and spontaneous miscarriage. Limitations, reasons for caution Investigating the relation between paternal lifestyle factors and spontaneous miscarriage is challenging and prone to different forms of bias, especially in retrospective studies. Wider implications of the findings Awareness of the association between heavy paternal smoking in the preconception period and the risk of spontaneous miscarriage should be raised. More well-designed studies are needed to further investigate the effects of other paternal lifestyle factors on the risk of spontaneous miscarriage. Trial registration number not applicable

Impacts of paternal environment and lifestyle on maternal heath during pregnancy

Pregnancy represents a time of dramatic physiological adaptation by the mother in which dramatic changes in maternal cardiovascular, metabolic and immune systems occur. These adaptations, initiated from the earliest stages of gestation, are crucial for the implantation and continued development of the embryo, the establishment of the placenta and the growth of the fetus. Impairments in the normal adaptation of the maternal cardiovascular, metabolic and immune systems underlie the aetiology of gestational disorders such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Studies have shown that the development of such gestational complications not only affects the well-being of the mother but also the short- and long-term health of her offspring. While the connection between maternal lifestyle factors and the development of gestational disorders such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes has been studied in detail, the link between a father’s lifestyle and the well-being of the mother during pregnancy has received less attention. In this review we will explore the evidence that a range of paternal factors, such as age and diet, at the time of conception can not only affect the development of his offspring, but also the well-being of the mother during pregnancy. In addition, we will examine the sperm- and seminal plasma-specific mechanisms that connect the health of the father with that of the mother and his offspring.

Sperm Has an Impact on Embryonic Development and Clinical Outcomes: A Study of Sibling Oocytes.

BackgroundGood quality gametes are necessary to produce high-quality embryos in assisted reproductive technology (ART). Both the sperm and oocyte genomes constitute the embryonic genome. Up to now, there is debate about the effect of paternal factors on embryo quality and reproductive outcomes. To investigate whether paternal factors can influence embryonic development and the clinical outcomes.MethodsThe study included 50 patients undergoing split IVF/ICSI procedures: half with sperm from the partner and half with sperm from the donor. In total, 295 sibling oocytes were obtained and fertilized in two groups: partner sperm group (n=145) and donor sperm group (n=150). The main outcomes were the oocyte utilization rate (OUR) and the live birth rate (LBR).ResultsThe OUR in the partner sperm group was significantly lower than that in the donor sperm group (18.62% vs. 38.00%, P<0.001). The clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and the LBR in the group of oocytes fertilized by the partner’s sperm was significantly lower than that in the group fertilized by donor sperm (25.00% vs. 57.14%, P=0.03; 16.67% vs. 50.00%, P=0.02, respectively). Furthermore, logistic regression analysis results showed the partner sperm was associated with a significant decrease in the utilized oocyte rate and the live birth rate compared to the donor sperm (OR=0.63; 95% CI [0.42-0.94]; P=0.023 and OR=0.16; 95% CI [0.04-0.69]; P=0.014, respectively ).ConclusionsThis study provides strong evidence to support the fact that paternal factors exert influence on embryonic development and clinical outcomes. Further studies are required to confirm and elaborate on our conclusions.

Association between Breastfeeding and Parental Socioeconomic Status: Analysis of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013–2017

Purpose: The importance of breastfeeding is well known. Socioeconomic status is one of the factors affecting breastfeeding. We investigated the association between breastfeeding and parental socioeconomic status to help design future breastfeeding promotion projects.Methods: Data on demographic characteristics and socioeconomic status of parents of 1,220 children aged under 60months were extracted from the 2013–2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.Results: Some socioeconomic factors were associated with breastfeeding. Maternal factors such as education level (≥13 years: odds ratio [OR], 2.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21–6.42), middle high income level (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.18–4.49), no smoking status (OR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.28–7.36) and body mass index (BMI) (<25 kg/m² : OR, 1.82; 95%CI, 1.12–2.95) were associated with breastfeeding (p<0.05). In addition, paternal factors such as age (30s: OR, 4.88; 95%CI, 1.82–13.04) and education level (≥13 years: OR, 7.94; 95% CI, 3.12–20.18) were associated with breastfeeding (p<0.05). After controlling for confounding factors, mother’s BMI, father’s age, and father’s educational level were found to be statistically significant predictors of breastfeeding.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that some parental socioeconomic factors were associated with breastfeeding in Korea.

Sperm a cell in distress: Yoga to the rescue

Sperm, one of the complex cells of biological inheritance, are not only considered as mere vectors of transmission of paternal genome at the time of fertilization but also to events post-fertilization. The contribution of sperm molecular factors as a critical determinant of optimal embryonic development and pregnancy outcomes has been brought to surface. Spermatozoa with derangements in redox status, nuclear and mitochondrial genomic integrity, and dysregulated gene expression may affect the fertility status of the male and may result in impaired embryonic development and increase risk of genetic and epigenetic diseases in offspring. The integration of yoga-based lifestyle (YBL) as a part of the modern lifestyle has been found to be beneficial in the management of the derangements in the male reproductive functions in the distressing issue of infertility and early pregnancy loss (EPL) patients. As infertility and EPL are issues with a strong psychosomatic component, yoga a mind body intervention may be a useful adjunctive therapy in the management of these cases and may not only improve the sperm quality but also positively impact the reproductive potential, embryogenesis, and the health of the progeny. This short communication intends to highlight the importance of paternal factors as a causal factor for infertility, EPL, and also the promising role of integration of YBL in the management of such disorders.