Effectiveness of Soft Stimulation Protocol, Compared with Conventional GnRH Antagonist Multiple dose Protocol in Patients Undergoing Controlled Ovarian Stimulation with Intrauterine Insemination

김정훈,강혁재,김소라,전균호,이향아,김성훈,채희동,강병문,Kim, Chung-Hoon,Kang, Hyuk-Jae,Kim, So-Ra,Jeon, Gyun-Ho,Lee, Hyang-Ah,Kim, Sung-Hoon,Chae, Hee-Dong,Kang, Byung-Moon The Korean Society for Reproductive Medicine 2010 Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine Vol.37 No.2

목 적: 과배란유도하 자궁강내 인공수정시술을 받는 불임 환자들을 대상으로 연성자극요법의 효과를 성선자극호르몬분비호르몬 길항제 다회투여법과 비교, 평가하고자 본 연구가 시행되었다. 연구방법: 불임 환자 80명을 연성자극요법군 (n=40)과 성선자극호르몬분비호르몬 길항제 다회투여법군 (n=40)으로 무작위로 1:1로 배정하였다. 두 군 모두에서 질식초음파상 평균 직경이 18 mm에 도달한 난포가 1개, 또는 17 mm에 도달한 난포가 2개 이상 관찰될 때, 재조합 사람융모성성선자극호르몬 250 ${\mu}g$을 1회 투여했으며, 이 후 36~40시간째에 자궁강내 인공수정이 시행되었다. 결 과: 과배란유도를 위해 사용된 재조합 사람난포자극호르몬의 총용량과 투여일수는 연성자극요법군에서 유의하게 적었다 (p<0.001, p<0.001). 두 군 모두에서 조기 황체화호르몬 급상승은 관찰되지 않았다. 시술 주기당 임상적 임신율, 자연유산율, 다태임신율, 중증 난소과자극증후군의 발생빈도는 두 군간에 차이를 보이지 않았다. 결 론: 연성자극요법은 성선자극호르몬분비호르몬 길항제 다회투여법에 비하여 재조합 사람난포자극호르몬을 적은 용량, 짧은 기간 사용하면서도 유사한 임신율을 나타내므로, 과배란유도하 자궁강내 인공수정을 시행 받는 환자를 위한 환자 친화적이고 효과적인 과배란유도법이 될 수 있을 것이다. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of soft stimulation protocol using GnRH antagonist/clomiphene citrate (CC)/recombinant FSH (rFSH) in patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) with intrauterine insemination (IUI), compared with GnRH antagonist multiple dose protocol (MDP) using GnRH antagonist/rFSH. Methods: Eighty infertile women were randomized to soft stimulation protocol group (n=40) or GnRH antagonist MDP group (n=40). In both groups, IUI was performed 36~40 hours after hCG injection. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test, $\chi^2$ test or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. Results: Total dose and days of rFSH required for COS were significantly fewer in soft stimulation protocol group (p<0.001, p<0.001). A premature LH surge did not occur in any patients of both groups. Clinical pregnancy rate per cycle was similar between the two groups. Conclusion: Soft stimulation protocol provides comparable pregnancy rates to GnRH antagonist MDP despite fewer total dose and days of rFSH, and so can become one of the patient-friendly, cost-effective alternatives for infertile patients undergoing COS with IUI.

정상 갑상선기능을 가진 여성에서 항갑상선항체가 체외수정시술결과에 미치는 영향

김정훈,Kim, Chung-Hoon 대한생식의학회 1997 Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine Vol.24 No.1

The present study was designed to investigate if antithyroid antibodies (ATA) could affect the pregnancy outcome in euthyroid women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). From October 1995 to September 1996, 28 euthyroid women with ATA who underwent IVF-ET were studied. Fifty-one euthyroid women without ATA who underwent IVF-ET served as control. Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOA) and thyroglobulin antibody (TGA) were assayed using radio ligand assay kits as ATA. All patients included in study and control groups had only tubal factor in infertility. Long protocol of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) was used for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) in all patients. There were no significant differences between study and control groups in patient characteristics such as age, infertility duration and hormonal profile. There were also no significant differences between two groups with respect to the clinical response to COH and IVF results such as number of retrieved oocytes, fertilization rate, number of embryos frozen and number of embryos transfered. There were no correlations between ATA (TPOA and TGA) titers and fertilization rate. The clinical pregnancy rate per cycle seemed to be lower in the study group than in the control group (26.3% vs 39.3%), but the difference was not statistically significant. The biochemical pregnancy rate per cycle and miscarriage rate were significantly higher in the study group at 18.4% (7/38) and 40.0% (4/10) compared with 5.6% (5/89) and 11.4% (4/35) in the control group. In the study group, both TPOA and TGA titers were significantly higher in the biochemical pregnancy group than in the clinical pregnancy group or non-pregnancy group. In 10 women with ATA who achieved pregnancy following IVF-ET, both TPOA and TGA titers were significantly higher in the miscarriage group than in the ongoing or delivery group. In conclusion, euthyroid women with ATA appear to represent a less favorable subset within other tubal factor patients when treated with IVF-ET.

Down's Syndrome(몽고증)의 세포유전학적 연구

김정훈,오선경,김정구,문신용,이진용,장윤석,Kim, Chung-Hoon,Oh, Sun-Kyung,Kim, Jung-Koo,Moon, Shin-Yong,Lee, Jin-Yong,Chang, Yoon-Seok 대한생식의학회 1986 Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine Vol.13 No.2

The purpose of this study is to investigate the cytogenetic characteristics of Down's syndrome in Korea. For this study, selected were 92 patients who were diagnosed as Down's syndrome by the chromosomal analyses, among 115 patients who were supected of Down's syndrome and referred to the Cytogenetic Laboratory, Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Population, Seoul National University, for 2 years from January 1984 to December 1985. Among 92 patients with Down's syndrome 83 (90.2%) had G-trisomy, 4 (4.3%) had translocation, and 2 (2.2%) had mosaicism of normal and G-trisomic cell lines. Two patients of the remaining 3 had both G-trisomic and translocation, 47, XX, t (1:21) (p32:q22), +21, 47, XX, t (9:11) (q34:q14), +21. The remaining 1 patient had 47, XY, +mar.

체외수정시술시 예후 인자로서 정자 첨체반응 유발검사의 유용성

김정훈,채희동,강은희,추형식,전용필,강병문,장윤석,목정은,Kim, Chung-Hoon,Chae, Hee-Dong,Kang, Eun-Hee,Chu, Hyung-Sik,Cheon, Yong-Pil,Kang, Byung-Moon,Chang, Yoon-Seok,Mok, Jung-Eun 대한생식의학회 1998 Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine Vol.25 No.3

It is well known that the clinical test for responsibility of accurate fertilization capacity in male partners is very important to diagnose and treat the infertility. However, it has been reported that the traditional semen analysis cannot accurately predict fertilization and pregnancy potential. The present study was performed to evaluate the acrosomal reaction to ionophore challenge (ARIC) test as a prognostic indicator for fertilization of sperm and oocyte in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program. From March 1996 to Februry 1997, 30 couples undergoing IVF program were allocated to this study group. All female partners in the study group were 35 years old or less and their serum level of basal follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol $(E_2)$ were normal. All the male partners have normal parameters of semen analysis. The ARIC tests were performed on the day of ovum pick up and in vitro insemination in all the male partners. The controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) using luteal long protocol of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist was used in all couples for IVF-ET. The acrosomal reaction with $10{\mu}l$ of 10% DMSO was induced spontaneously in $10.1{\pm}9.8%$, and acrosomal reaction with calcium ionophore A 23187 was induced in $27.4{\pm}18.1%$, and the ARIC value was $17.4{\pm}16.2%$. There were no significant correlation between the ARIC value and the fertilization rate ($r^2$=0.044, p=0.268). There were also no significant correlation between the ARIC value and the percentage of the grade I, II embryos ($r^2$=0.046, p=0.261). On the basis of above results, it was suggested that ARIC test might not be a useful prognostic indicator for fertilization in IVF-ET in male partners with normal parameters of conventional semen analysis. We guessed that IVF-ET could be performed to the patients primarily without universal appilcation of ARIC test to all male partenrs, and if fertilization failure occurs, the micro assisted fertilization (MAF) such as intracytoplsmic sperm injection (ICSI) might be used as an alternative mode of treatment with acceptable success rate.

Natural cycle versus minimal stimulation using rhFSH and GnRH antagonist for IVF treated patients of advanced age(초)

김정훈 ( Chung Hoon Kim ),( Gyun Ho Jeon ),( So Ra Kim ),( Il Kyung Jeon ),( Ji Won Lee ),( Sung Hoon Kim ),( Hee Dong Chae ),( Byung Moon Kang ),( Chung Hoon Kim ) 대한산부인과학회 2009 대한산부인과학회 학술대회 Vol.95 No.-

Administration of oxytocin antagonist improves implantation rates in patients with repeated failure of IVF/ICSI treatment(초)

김정훈 ( Chung Hoon Kim ),( So Ra Kim ),( Gyun Ho Jeon ),( Joon Wu Ahn ),( Il Kyung Jeon ),( Ji Won Lee ),( Sung Hoon Kim ),( Hee Dong Chae ),( Byung Moon Kang ),( Chung Hoon Kim ) 대한산부인과학회 2009 대한산부인과학회 학술대회 Vol.95 No.-

진행된 간세포암에서의 간문맥 혈전증에 대한 방사선치료 효과

김정훈(Jung Hoon Kim),최은경(Eun Kyung Choi),안승도(Seung Do Ahn),이상욱(Sang-wook Lee),신성수(Seong Soo Shin),최원식(Wonsik Cho),임영석(Young-suk Lim),김강모(Kang Mo Kim),서동진(Dong Jin Suh),정영화(Young Wha Chung),이영상(Young San 대한방사선종양학회 2007 Radiation Oncology Journal Vol.25 No.3

목 적: 치료방법이 정립되지 않은 진행된 간세포암에서의 간문맥 혈전증에 대한 방사선치료의 효과와 간독성을 측 정함으로써 향후 방사선치료의 효용성에 대하여 알아보고자 한다. 대상 및 방법: 2000년 5월부터 2005년 12월까지 서울아산병원에서 원발성 간세포암으로 진단받은 환자 중 간문맥혈전증이 동반된 70명의 환자를 대상으로 후향적 분석을 하였다. 대상 환자들의 나이는 24∼74세(중앙값 51세)였으며, 대부분이 Child-Pugh’s class A, B였고 Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 2 이하였다. 방사선치료는 3차원입체조형치료를 시행하였으며, 1회 선량은 2∼4 Gy로 총방사선량은 40∼60 Gy (중앙값 48 Gy)였으며, 생물학적 유효선량(biologic effective dose)은 31.3∼78.0 Gy10 (중앙값 61.6 Gy10)였다. 결 과: 치료 반응평가는 치료 전과 치료 종료 후 최소 1개월 이상 경과 후 컴퓨터 단층촬영(CT)을 시행하여 평가하였으며, 대상 환자들의 추적관찰기간은 2∼24개월(중앙값 9개월)이었다. 방사선치료 후 완전반응인 경우가 2명(2.9%), 부분반응 31명(44.3%), 무반응 35명(50.0%), 진행병변 2명(2.9%)이었다. 1년 무진행 생존율(progression-free survival)은 60%였으며, 중앙 무진행 생존기간은 17개월이었다. 전체 환자의 중앙 생존기간(overall survival)은 11개월이었으며, 치료반응 유무에 따라 부분 반응 이상을 보인 환자군의 중앙 생존기간은 15개월, 무반 응이거나 진행병변을 보인 환자군은 8개월로 통계학적 차이를 보였다(p=0.032). 치료 중 일시적인 간기능 저하가 4명(5.7%), 방사선 간염은 1명(1.4%)에서 발생하였다. 결 론: 진행된 간세포암에서의 간문맥 혈전에 대해 방사선치료를 시행한 경우 비교적 유용하며 안전한 치료법이며,앞으로의 연구에서는 방사선치료가 생존율을 향상시킬 수 있는지 여부와 적절한 방사선량을 결정하기 위한 연구가 필요할 것으로 생각된다. Purpose: To determine the role of radiotherapy for the treatment of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 70 patients that had been diagnosed with HCC and were treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for the PVT. The radiation dose ranged from 40 Gy to 60 Gy (median dose: 48 Gy) and the biological effective dose (BED) ranged from 31.3 Gy to 78.0 Gy10 (median dose: 61.6 Gy10). Response was determined by measuring the extent of the PVT on a CT image at 0, 1 and 3 months after completion of the radiotherapy. The median follow-up period was 9 months. Results: The response rate was 47.1% (33 patients), with two patients (2.9%) showing a complete response, 31 patients (44.3%) showing a partial response, and 35 patients (50%) showing stable disease or no response. The 1-year progression-free survival rate was 60%, and the median progression-free survival time was 17 months. The median overall survival time was 11 months, the median survival time in the responders was 15 months and in the nonresponders was 8 months (p=0.032). Four patients (5.7%) had transient liver function impairment during treatment. Radiation induced liver disease (RILD) was observed in only one patient (1.4%). Conclusion: Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for the treatment of PVT from advanced HCC was a relatively effective and safe method.

과배란유도에 대한 난소반응의 예후인자로서 기저 혈중 황체화호르몬의 임상적 의의

김정훈(Chung Hoon Kim),채희동(Hee Dong Chae),강병문(Byung Moon Kang),장윤석(Yoon Seok Chang),강은희(Eun Hee Kang),서미덕(Mi Duk Seo),황보천(Cheon Hwangbo) 대한산부인과학회 1999 Obstetrics & Gynecology Science Vol.42 No.8

목적 : 기저 혈중 난포자극호르몬 농도가 정상인 환자에서 기저 혈중 황체화호르몬 농도가 과배란유도에 대한 난소반응의 예측인자로서 유용성이 있는지를 알아보고자 본 연구를 시도하였다. 연구방법 : 1997년 1월부터 1999년 1월까지 울산대학교 의과대학 서울중앙병원 산부인과 불임클리닉에서 난관인자를 이유로 체외수정시술을 시행하였던 불임환자들을 대상으로 하였다. 이들중 난관인자 이외의 다른 불임의 원인이 있는 경우, 나이가 40세 이상인 경우, 갑상성기능항진증 및 저하증, 당뇨병 등과 같은 내과적 질환이 동반된 경우, 기저 혈중 난포자극호르몬 농도가 8.5 mIU/ml 이상인 경우, 기저 혈중 에스트라디올 농도가 50 pg/ml 이상인 경우는 본 연구대상에서 제외되었다. 총 91명의 환자들을 기저 혈중 황체화호르몬치가 3.0 mIU/ml 미만인 저황체화호르몬군 (n=38)과 3.0 mIU/ml 이상인 대조군 (n=53)의 두군으로 분류한 후, 두군간에 과배란유도에 대한 난소반응과 체외수정시술 결과를 비교,분석하였다. 결과 : 환자의 연령, 배우자들의 연령, 불임기간, 원발성 불임의 비율, 내분비학적 특성 및 배우자의 정액검사 소견 등의 비교에 있어 기저 혈중 황체화호르몬 농도를 제외하고는 양군간에 모두 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 저황체화호르몬군의 경우 61주기, 대조군의 경우 78주기의 체외수정시술이 시행되었는데, 과배란유도를 위하여 사용된 외인성 성선자극호르몬의 총 투여용량은 저황체화호르몬군에서 유의하게 많았으며 (p < 0.001), 투여기간도 저황체화호르몬군에서 유의하게 길었다 (p < 0.005). 인간융모성성선자극호르몬 투여일에 질식초음파로 관찰된 평균직경이 14mm 이상인 우성난포의 수는 저황체화호르몬군에서 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 적었으며 (p < 0.001), 혈중 에스트라디올치도 저황체화호르몬군에서 유의하게 낮은 값을 보였다 (p < 0.005). 회수된 난자의 수, 수정된 난자의 수 그리고 동결보존된 수정란의 수에 있어서도 저황체화호르몬군에서 대조군에 비하여 모두 유의하게 적었다 (p < 0.001; p < 0.001; p < 0.005). 저황체화호르몬군의 경우 시술주기당 임상적 임신율은 26.2%로 대조군의 39.7%에 비하여 낮게 나타났으나 통계학적 유의성에는 도달하지 못하였다 (p=0.13). 임상적 임신당 다태임신율과 자연유산율에 있어서는 두군간에 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 결론 : 본 연구의 결과는 3 mIU/ml 미만의 낮은 기저 혈중 황체화호르몬 농도는 과배란유도에 대한 난소 반응의 저하를 예측할 수 있는 유용한 지표라는 것을 보여준다. Objective: To evaluate whether the basal serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in the presence of normal serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are useful as a prognostic indicator of ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). Methods: From January 1997 to January 1999, 91 infertile women with tubal factor who had undergone in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were enrolled in the present study. COH was performed using long protocol of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. All patients included in this study had blood samples drawn on cycle day 2 or 3 prior to COH for measurement of basal FSH and LH. Women who had other infertility factors or high basal FSH levels (≥ 8.5 mIU/ml) were excluded from this study. The results of COH and IVF-ET were compared between two groups according to the level of basal LH (low LH group [< 3mIU/ml] vs. control group [≥ 3mIU/ml]). Results: Patient's characteristics were comparable in both groups except basal LH level. The number of ampules and duration of exogenous gonadotropins required were significantly higher in the low LH group than those in the control group (p<0.001; p<0.005, respectively). The number of follicles ≥ 14mm diameter on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection was significantly less in the low LH group than that in the control group (p<0.001). The serum estradiol level on the day of hCG injection was also significantly lower in the low LH group, with 1115.5 ± 380.9 pg/ml compared with 1340.6 ± 403.0 pg/ml in the control group (p<0.005). There were significantly lower numbers in oocytes retrieved, oocytes fertilized and embryos frozen in the low LH group than those in the control group (< 0.001; < 0.001; <0.005, respectively). However, there was no difference in the fertilization rate between the two groups. The clinical pregnancy rate per cycle seemed to be lower in the low LH group, but the difference did not achieve significance (26.2% vs 39.7%). There were no differences in the miscarriage rate and multiple pregnancy rate between the two groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the low basal LH levels ( < 3 mIU/ml) could be predictive of low ovarian response to COH and poor IVF results.

변형성장인자 - α 의 처리가 생쥐 배아 내의 Mmatrix Metalloproteinase - 2 ( MMP-2 ) 와 Mmatrix Metalloproteinase - 9 ( MMP-9 ) mRNA 의 발현에 미치는 영향

김정훈(Chung Hoon Kim),김성훈(Sung Hoon Kim),박은주(Eun Ju Park),홍석호(Seok Ho Hong),채희동(Hee Dong Chae),강병문(Byung Moon Kang) 대한산부인과학회 2002 Obstetrics & Gynecology Science Vol.45 No.3

N/A Objective: To investigate the influence of transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) on the expression of Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2)and Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) mRNA in mouse embryos. Materials and Method: Eight-cell stage mouse embryos were cultured for 48hours with TGF-α at concentrations of 1,10 and 100ng/ml.Embryos not treated with TGF-α served as control. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)has been used to examine the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA in developed blastocysts. Following reverse transcription, strategically designed nested primers, optimized for specificity, were used for amplification from the cDNA equivalent of a single embryo. The products were then verified by restriction enzyme digestion and sequence analysis. Results were analyzed with analysis of variance (ANOVA)and statistical significance was defined as p<0.05. Results :The relative quantities (relative volume ×intensity)of MMP-2 mRNA expressed in embryos of 10 and 100ng/m of TGF-α treatment groups were significantly increased than in the control and 1ng/ml of TGF-α treatment group (67.2±7.5 and 77.4±11.6 vs.38.6±4.5 and 43.4±6.1,p<0.001).The relative quantities of MMP-9 mRNA of 100ng/ml TGF-α treatment group was significantly increased than in the control and 1ng/ml TGF-α treatment groups (67.6±6.5 vs.36.6±14.2 and 40.2±11.3,p<0.001,p<0.01, respectively) Conclusion: This study suggests that TGF-α itself may induce the expression of MMP-2 and 9 mRNA in mouse embryos.

Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor 및 Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor가 생쥐 배아로부터의 Matrix Metalloproteinase-2, 9의 발현에 미치는 영향

김정훈(Chung Hoon Kim),채희동(Hee Dong Chae),강은희(Eun Hee Kang),전용필(Yong Pil Cheon),강병문(Byung Moon Kang),장윤석(Yoon Seok Chang) 대한산부인과학회 1999 Obstetrics & Gynecology Science Vol.42 No.10

목적: Granulocyte colony stimulating factor(M-CSF) 및 granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor(GM-CSF)의 처리가 과배란유도후 수정된 생쥐 배아내의 기질 금속단백효소-2, 9(matrix metalloproteinase-2, 9, MMP-2, 9)의 발현에 어떤 영향을 미치고 있는가를 알아보기 위하여 본 연구를 시행하였다. 연구 대상 및 방법: 1997년 10월부터 1998년 12월까지 과배란유도에 의하여 얻어진 생쥐의 상실배 시기의 배아를 0.1 pg/ml, 1 pg/ml, 10 pg/ml, 100 pg/ml, 1 ng/ml 그리고 10 ng/ml 농도의 G-CSF 및 GM-CSF로 각각 처리한후 48시간 동안 배양하였고 대조군은 성장 인자의 처리없이 배양하였다. 배아 내에 발현된 MMP-2, 9 mRNA의 상대적인 양을 알아보기 위하여 역전사 중합효소연쇄반응(reverse transcription -polymerase chain reaction, RT-PCR)을 시행하여 처리된 G-CSF 및 GM-CSF의 농도에 따라 MMP-2 또는 9의 발현양에 차이가 있는지 관찰하였다. 관찰 결과의 통계적 유의성 검정은 Kolmogorov-Smirnov test와 analysis of variance (ANOVA)로 하였으며, p < 0.05인 경우에 통계학적으로 유의한 차이가 있는 것으로 판정하였다. 연구 결과: G-CSF로 처리한 모든 농도군에서 배아내에 발현된 MMP-2의 mRNA의 상대적 양(relative quantity; relative volume x intensity)이 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 증가되어 있었고, 특히 10, 100 pg/ml 그리고 1 ng/ml 처리군에서 이러한 효과가 더욱 뚜렷한 것으로 나타났다. 이와 유사하게 GM-CSF로 처리한 모든 농도군에서도 배아내에 발현된 MMP-2의 mRNA의 상대적 양이 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 증가되어 있었고, 특히 100 pg/ml 처리군에서 더욱 뚜렷한 증가를 보였다. GM-CSF로 처리한 군에서는 배아내에 발현된 MMP-9의 mRNA의 상대적 양이 10 ng/ml군을 제외한 모든 군에서 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 증가되어 있었다. 그러나, G-CSF로 처리한 경우에서는 10 ng/ml 군에서만 대조군 및 다른 농도군보다 유의한 증가를 보였다. 결론: 본 연구의 결과로 미루어 G-CSF와 GM-CSF는 생쥐 배아의 MMP-2 또는 9의 발현에 농도 특이적인 항진 효과를 나타내는 것으로 추측된다. Objectives: To investigate the effect of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2, 9 (MMP-2, 9) mRNA in mouse embryos. Materials and Method: From October 1997 to December 1998, morula stage mouse embryos were cultured for 48 hours with G-CSF and GM-CSF at concentrations of 0.1 pg/ml, 1 pg/ml, 10 pg/ml, 100 pg/ml, 1 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml, respectively. Embryos not treated with G-CSF or GM-CSF were served as control. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been used to examine the expression of MMP-2, 9 mRNA in developed blastocysts. Following reverse transcription, strategically designed nested primers, optimized for specificity, were used for amplification from the cDNA equivalent of a single embryo. The products were then verified by restriction enzyme digestion and sequence analysis. Results were analyzed with Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Results: The relative quantities (relative volume x intensity) of MMP-2 mRNA expressed in embryos of all G-CSF treatment groups were significantly increased than in the control, especially in 10, 100 pg/ml and 1 ng/ml treatment groups. The relative quantities of MMP-2 mRNA in all GM-CSF treatment groups were also significantly increased than in the control, especially in 100 pg/ml treatment group. The relative quantities of MMP-9 mRNA of all GM-CSF treatment groups except 10 ng/ml group were significantly increased than in the control, especially 10, 100 pg/ml and 1 ng/ml treatment group. However, the relative quantity of MMP-9 mRNA was significantly increased in only 10 ng/ml G-CSF treatment group than in the control and other treatment groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that G-CSF and GM-CSF may increase the m-RNA expression of MMP-2 or 9 in mouse blastocysts with the concentration-specific manner.