• Development and Reproduction
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2005

The effects of various physicochemical stimuli in parturition induction were assayed on ovoviviparous freshwater melania snails, Semisulcospira libertina libertina and S. gottschei. Both of them did not respond to $NH_4OH$ and $H_2O_2$, but showed responses to the water temperature raising, serotonin and acetylcholine. S. gottschei showed stronger responses to the stimulants in parturition induction compared with S. libertina libertina. In case of S. libertina libertina exposed to $10^{-9}M$ acetylcholine, the number of newly born larvae and juveniles per adult and juvenile parturition rate were 68 individuals and 57.5%, which were the most among experimental groups, respectively. In the parturition induction with temperature raising of $9^{\circ}C$, S. gottschei bred 113 larvae and juveniles in which juvenile parturition rate was 56.3% and $10^{-12}M$ acetylcholine also induced very high juvenile parturition rate(61.7%) and 83 larvae and juveniles. It could be concluded that the treatment of acetylcholine has a high effectiveness in the parturition induction of S. libertina libertina and S. gottschei.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 2009

Spermatogenesis and ultrastructural characteristics of sperm of brackish water diploid Corbicula japonica were investigated by electron microscope observations. Based on the cytological studies, the spermatozoon of this species (brackish water diploid) C japonica is approximately 55 ${\mu}m$ in length. The sperm head (about 12 ${\mu}m$ long) is elongated and tapers with a slight curve. Sperm nucleus is about 7.90 ${\mu}m$ long, and the acrosome is about 2.70 ${\mu}m$ long: The morphologies of the sperm nucleus type and the acrosome shape of this species are a long arrow-like type and long cone-like shape, respectively. The sperm head of this species (external fertilization, dioecious and oviparous species) is partially modified from that of the primitive type, as seen in triploid Corbicula species (internal fertilization, hermaphrodite and ovoviparous species), reported by some authors. However, this species produces uniflagellate spermatozoa, unlike freshwater triploid hermaphroditic clams being possessed of partially modified biflagellate spermatozoa. Diploid C japonica is similar to those of other bivalves being possessed of a short midpiece containing four mitochondria surrounding the centrioles. The axoneme of the sperm tail flagellum consists of nine pairs of microtubules at the periphery and a pair at the center. The axoneme of the sperm tail shows a 9+2 structure, and from uniflagellate sperm cross sectioned, in particular, wing-like axonernal lateral fins are observed, as seen in external fertilization fishes.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.413-431
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• 1992

Gonadal development, fertilization and egg development in the maternal body and reproductive cycle of ovoviviparous rockfish, Sebastes inermis, were investigated histologically. Gonadosomatic index(GSI) of male and female were increased from September and reached maximum values in December. In the male, GSI decreased from January, but in the female maintained high values till February and decreased from March. Hepatosomatic index(HSI) was related to GSI conversely. In both sex, HSI increased from February and reached maximum in August as the gonad were degenerating and resting, and began to decrease from September as gonad were glowing. This ovoviviparous rockfish copulates in December. Fertilization with sperms maintained between ovulated oocytes in the ovary occurs in January mainly. Egg development in the ovarian cavity and discharging of hatched preiarva occurs from January to February. The reproductive cycle includes the successive stages: Growing(September), Mature (October-November), Ripe and Fertilization(Decembr-Janua), Egg development and Discharging of hatched larva(January-February), Degeneration and Resting(February-August). According to the frequency distribution of egg diameter and histological observation, the ovoviviparous rockfish discharged the prelarva at a time in a spawning season. The sexual maturation is first attained at 2 ages. All females and males reaches first maturity at body length of 17.1cm and 15.1cm respectively. The mean number of the embryos increased with the increase of the total length of female.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.188-197
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• 2003

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can alter hormone regulation that control reproductive system in animals. The effects of endosulfan, molinate, and alachlor that suspected to have examined disruption EDCs effect on a fish species of interest, Xiphophorus helleri (swordtail fish), were studied using vitellogenin (Vtg) and aromatase as diagnostic biomarkers. Induction of Vtg proteins was detected by RT-PCR in male fish treated with alachlor, and mixture of endosulfan and molinate in dose response manner. Also, induction of aromatase was detected by RT-PCR in male fish treated with alachlor, endosulfan, and mixture of endosulfan and molinate in sinlilar manner. In this study, swordtail fish exposed to endosulfan or molinate individually did not show any adverse effects. However, Vtg and aromatase expressions and apoptosis were detected in swordtail. fish exposed to the mixture of endosulfan and molinate. These results suggested that low concentrations of mixture of molinate and endosulfan individually do not affect swordtail fish, but may influence genital system, and induce apoptosis.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.58-77
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• 1998

Four species(25%) of Viperidae(Agkistrodon brevicaudus, Agkistrodon ussuriensis, Agkistrodon saxatilis) and Cloubridae(Rhabdophis tigrenus tigrenus) were Korean poisonous snake. Copulation season of these species was from July to August. Reproduction mode of genus Agkistrodon species was ovoviviparous but Rhabdophis tigrinus tigrinus was the other pattern of oviparous. Optimal movement temperature range was from 20$\circ $C to 29$\circ $C(March~September). Wjen atmosphere temperature was below 10$\circ $C, at that time they hibernate at the ground, rock bottom, stone wall and embankment around the end of a field. The venom of these snakes consist mainly Hematoxin, Cytolysin, Neurotoxin and Cardiotoxin of poisonous liquids. These material injection to animal cause systemic syndrome such as Dizziness(25.7%), Vomitting(23.1%), Fever(22%), Visual trouble(18%), Headace(17.7%), Dyspnoea(17.6%) and bring about other local syndrome such as Discoloration(54.2%), Bleeding(20.2%), Bullae(10.7%) and Skin ulcer(!0.8%). The annual distribution was appeared to decrease 1972 after 1992 and average snakebiting patients was 25.6 per year, but practically total estimated snakebiting was 2,700 per year. The seasonal distribution was most frequent in August(25%), and mortality was 1.8%(26 per 1,430). The sex ratio was 2:1 and according to age distribution, it was most prevalent at one's fifties(19%). The most frequent place where the accident happened was the field(48.2%) and most predilection site of the body for victim were hand(47.8%) and foot(39.5%), Commonly bite snake were Agkistrodon ussuriensis(27.1%), Agkistrodon brevicaudus(22.6%) and Agkistrodon saxatilis(9.6%) but 40.7% of species could not be identified. Treatment of antivenin patient was 75.9% (1,068/1,407).

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.213-232
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• 2000

The development of the knee joint was studied by electron microscopy in human fetuses ranging from 20 mm to 260 mm crown-rump length ($7\sim30$ weeks of gestational age). The appearance of the primordium of the meniscus and cruciate ligament was conspicuous as the mesenchymal cells , preceeding that of joint space at 30 mm fetus. The primitive joint cavity was first seen in the interzone from the 40 mm fetus and its intermediate layer proceeded developing as a narrow cleft which was closely incorporated with two chondrogenic layers. Poorly differentiated mesenchymal cells of the meniscus at 40 mm fetus containing predominantly free ribosomes differentiated into fibroblasts at 60 mm fetus. By 100 mm fetus, the fibroblast in inner zone of the meniscus presented as oval profiles with a short cell processes, whereas middle and peripheral zones presented as elongated cells. Differentiation of the synovial membrane coincided with clarification of the joint cavity When dilatation of the synovial cavity occurred, the two types of synovial cells were identified at 60 mm fetus. By 100 mm fetus a majority of the intimal cells were B-type. B-type cells were clearly distinguishable from A-type cells by their content of extensive rough endoplasmic reticula and well developed Golgi complexes. In contrast, A-type cells had numerous filopodia, pinocytotic vesicles, lysosomes and large vacuoles. At 260 mm fetus the B-type cells were also a majority of intimal cells. At 260 mm fetus the inner zone of the meniscus was filled with parallel oriented fascicles of collagenous fibers and oval fibroblasts. The middle zone was constituted of parallel and radially arranged fibers and fibroblasts. The outer zone was populated by elongated fibroblasts encircled by crossed collagenous fibers with the blood vessels. At 30 mm fetus the fibroblasts of the cruciate ligament contained rough endoplasmic reticula and mitochondria. Collagen fibrils were noted within narrow cytoplasmic processes which were continued with the extracellular space. Collagen fibrils of ligament were filled in the bulk of extracellular space at 100 mm fetus. By $150\sim260mm$ fetus, the cruciate ligaments were constituted of longitudinally oriented bundle of collagen fibrils with irregular rows of round cells between.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2009

To understand the steroidogenic activities and plasma vitellogenin (VTG) profiles according to the reproductive phases in the oblong rockfish Sebastes oblongus, we examined changes in sex steroid hormones and plasma vitellogenin. Plasma levels of testosterone (T) was significantly higher value in only ovulation stage (P<0.05). In vitellogenesis, plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ ($E_2$) had a high level in August which was a similar higher level until ovulation than other ovarian development stages (P<0.05). However, $E_2$ was significantly decreased after embryo stage (P<0.05). This indicates that variability in $E_2$ at different stage is associated with the development of the oocytes. Plasma levels of $17{\alpha}$, $20{\beta}$-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) were significantly high at the stages of vitellogenesis and ovulation (P<0.001). It is assumed that DHP plays an important role in vitellogenesis. Also, We determined the plasma levels of vitellogenin (VTG) divided the development stage into four steps: immaturation, vitellogenesis, and ovulation and parturition. A significant lower levels of VTG were shown in immaturation and parturition (P<0.05), which did not discriminate between them. However, in vitellogenesis and ovulation were shown in a remarkable higher levels of VTG(P<0.05), but not significantly different between them. Consequently, plasma VTG levels were considerably increased after October and maintained a higher concentration until ovulation, but significantly decreased after ovulation. It is suggested that VTG plays also an important role in the development of vitellogenesis and oogenesis.