• Development and Reproduction
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.137-145
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• 2000

The regulatory mechanisms of the initiation and the formation of ovarian follicles during fetal stage of mammals are largely unknown. In addition to the gonadotropins secreted from pituitary, various growth factors, and steroid hormones are believed to be involved in the differentiation and initiation of growth of primordial follicles consisting of primordial germ cells migrated from yolk sac and streamed cells from mesonephric somatic cells. In human, primordial follicles that have already initiated differentiation at fetal stage undergo either folliculogenesis to ovulate or atresia after growth. Some of primordial follicles remain without growth for 50 years or longer. The objective of this paper is to review the mechanism of the formation, growth arrest, and initiation of primordial follicles in human fetal and neonatal ovaries.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.57-57
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• 2003

수정란의 체외생산(IVP)기술은 동물생산기술의 적용과 생리학이나 세포생물학의 기본 연구에 새로운 biotchnologies의 발생에 있어 매우 중요하고 흥미로운 사건으로서 여러 종류의 포유류에 적용되고 있다. 이러한 기술은 3가지의 절차를 밟아야 하는데 In vitro maturation(IVM), In vitro fertilization(IVF) 및 In vitro development(culture)(IVD)가 그것이다. 그런데 돼지는 다태동물로서 난소의 난포가 성장할 때 난포간 meiotic competence가 난자에 의하여 진행되므로 난포내의 난포액에 의하여 난자의 발육이 좌우된다고 보고 있다 돼지WP에 사용되는 난자는 난포의 직경이 3~5mm에서 수집하고 cumulus-oocyte complexes(COCs)의 형태에 따라 선택하는 것이 보편화되어 있다. 실험목적은 돼지 난소의 antral follicles이 성장할 때 크기에 의하여 oocyte meiotic competence의 방출에 어떤 영향을 주는지를 난자의 체외성숙과 체외수정 및 체외발육 비율을 각각 조사하여 미성숙 난자의 체외배양 기술을 개선할 목적이었다. 수행내용은 도축돈 난소의 난포크기별 3mm<, 3~5mm, 5mm)로 나누어, 다시 말해서 preantral stage, antral stage, postantral stage으로 구분하여 채취한 COCs를 IVM, IVF, IVC 상태에서의 COCs 형태, cell cleaved rate, developmental rate 등을 조사하였다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2006

Objective: Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), a novel hypothalamic neuropeptide, has been suggested to play a role in ovarian folliculogenesis. The present study evaluated the effect of PACAP on the growth of preantral follicles. Methods: Preantral follicles were mechanically isolated from ovaries of 21-day-old rats and cultured in groups for 3 days in serum-free medium in the absence or presence of PACAP-38 ($10^{-6}M$). Results: Treatment with PACAP-38 resulted in an increase in follicle diameter by 75% whereas treatment with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) increased follicle diameter by 65%. PACAP-38 treatment enhanced the granulosa cell proliferation as measured by thymidine incorporation analysis. Furthermore, the production of progesterone by cultured granulosa cells and GFSHR-17 cell line was stimulated by PACAP-38. Interestingly, PACAP enhanced FSH action on stimulation of SF-1 and aromatase gene expression. Conclusion: The present results demonstrate that PACAP stimulated preantral follicle growth by potentiating proliferation and by stimulating steroidogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2017

Granulosa cells, which surround the oocyte within the ovarian follicle, play an essential role in creating conditions required for the development of oocytes and follicles. The solute carrier family (SLC) is comprised of influx transporters of steroidal hormones, various drugs, and several other substrates. The differential expression of selected DEGs was confirmed using in situ hybridization analysis. SLC23A3 and SLC39A10 were highly expressed in the ovary. The SLC39A10 gene was expressed in the primordial follicle stage, but SLC23A3 was expressed in the growing follicle stage. Contrastingly, the expression of SLC23A3 was increased in granulosa cells at the growing follicle stage. The differential expressions of SLC23A3 and SLC39A10 between the primordial and primary follicles were additionally confirmed by using follicle isolations. The gene expression profile from the present study may provide insight for future studies on the mechanism(s) involved in primordial-primary follicular transition and suggestions to promote follicular development in ovarian dysfunction.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.253-259
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• 2010

Objective: To evaluate if there is any correlation between the growth rate of dominant follicles and clinical characteristics or outcome variables in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). Methods: This study was performed in 313 in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) were measured on day 3 of menstrual cycle, and serial ultrasonographic measurement of the diameter of growing follicles was performed. The growth rates of dominant follicles calculated by diameter difference divided by days were correlated with clinical characteristics and outcome variables. Results: There was no significant difference in the growth rate of the dominant follicles between gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and antagonist cycles. No significant correlation was found between the growth rates and evaluated factors such as age, body mass index, LH, FSH, $E_2$, retrieved oocytes and fertilization rate. Conclusion: The Growth rate of dominant follicles seems to show an independent feature of basal characteristics and ovarian response.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.131-139
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• 1998

Progesterone을 함유하고 있는 CIDR(Controlled Internal Drug Release)의 질내삽 입은 황체기를 인위적으로 연장시킬 수 있다. CIDR의 삽입이,삽입시 존재했던 우세난포 (dominant follicle)의 반응과 난포의 발육반응 그리고 2회 또는 3회의 난포주기를 가지고 있는 처려우에서 CIDR의 삽입기간동안 난포의 성장 및 발육에 어떠한 영향을 미치는가를 비교검 토하기 위하여 배란후 16일째의 처녀우 4마리에 7일동안 CIDR를 삽입하였다. CIDR의 삽입 은 발정의 발현을 억제시켰으며 그리고 발정주기의 길이를 정상 발정주기보다 유의성있게 연 장시켰다($26.3{\pm} 0.5 vs 20.8{\pm}$ 1.5일, p<0.05). CIDR의 삽입시 혈장 progesterone 농도는 $3.6{\pm}$ 2.7 ng/ml 이었으며, 17일과 23일 사이에는 2.1-4.4 ng/ml($3.6{\pm}1.2 ng/ml$) 사이를 유지했다. 혈 장 estradiol-179의 농도는 난포의 발육 및 배란전 배란난포의 성숙을 나타내는 특징적인 변화 양상을 나타래었다. 4마리의 처녀우중 2마리는 CIDR 삽입전 발정주기당 2회의 난포주기를 가진 반면, 나머지 2마리는 주기당 3회의 난포주기를 가졌다. 그렇지만 CIDR의 삽입기간동안 모든 처녀우는 주기당 3회의 발정주기를 가졌다. CIDR의 삽입전 발정주기당 3회의 난포주기 를 갖는 처녀우에서 CRR의 삽입은 세 번째 난포주기에서 배란성 우세난포의 우세기 (dominant phase)를 연장시켰다. 3회의 난포주기를 갖는 2마리에서 CIDR의 삽입후 배란난포 는 존속시간과 우세기가 유의성있게 연장되었다. CIDR의 삽입전 발정주기당 2회의 난포주기 를 갖는 다른 2마리의 처녀우에서 CIDR의 삽입후 우세난포는 곧바로 퇴행되었고 새로운 난 포주기를 형성하였으며, 우세난포의 우세기와 배란난포의 존속기간을 연장시키지 않았다. CRR의 삽입은 CIDR의 삽입후 이어지는 발정주기동안 난포의 발육 및 성장에 영향을 미치 지 않았으며 발정주기의 길이, 난포주기, 혈장 progesterone 및 estradiol-179 농도에 영향을 미치지 않았다. 결과적으로 황체기 후반부에 CIDR의 삽입은 CIDR삽입전 발정주기동안 3회 의 난포주기를 갖는 처녀우에서 배란성 우세난포의 발육과 배란까지의 기간을 연장시켰고 2회 난포주기를 갖는 처녀우에서는 우세난포를 곧바로 퇴행시킨후, 새로운 난포주기를 형성 하였다.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.117-130
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• 2003

This research investigates the fine structural as well as the morphological changes of the mouse ovarian tissue after irradiation of various dose rates of 6 MeV LINAC radiation. The normal structure of the ovarian tissue is consisted of various stages of follicles including primordial and growing follicles, and ovarian stromal connectives. When we observed the ovarian tissues irradiated with a dose rate of 200 cGy/min using light and electron microscopes, granular cells in growing follicles are in irregular shape unlike normal follicles. Small segments of cells scattered in follicular antrum among granular cells. We could observe neutrophils and macrophages around the segments, which means the cells already got in the process of decease owing to the effects radiation. With coincident to the increase of the dose rate of x-ray irradiation as 400 or 600 cGy/min, the mature follicles appeared as an irregular form and the granular cells surrounding oocyte also deformed comparing to their normal counterparts. The granulosa cells within mature follicle are already occurred necrotic change and apoptosis. The nuclei in some cells got so fragmented that the segments formed the shape of a horseshoe or scattered in small and condensed pieces. All the cells at a granular layer irradiated with a dose rate of 600 cGy/min show typical characteristics of apoptosis. The neutrophils involved in inflammatory reaction appear evidently in follicular antrum of growing follicles, and macrophage scattered with residual and apoptotic bodies.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.323-329
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• 1996

In vitro cultrue systems for the growth of sma-II oocytes and for meiotic maturation are expected to provide a new source of a large population of oocytes as well as assistance in basic physiological studies of oogenesis. Mouse oocytes mid-growth phase can complete grovvth and acquire full developmental capacity in vitro. On the other hand, growing pig oocytes need some other factors. FSH at a low concentration maintains the viability of both oocytes and granulosa cells, and hypoxanthine promotes the meiotic competence of the oocytes during culture period. Considerable improvement in the culture systems for growth of pig oocytes, suggested from mouse studies, and for oocyte maturation could help to develop this technology in larger species.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.140-156
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• 2007

This research was performed to investigate the morphological changes of folliculus ovary according to the radiation dose. The whole body radiation of 200 cGy, 400 cGy, and 600 cGy was given to the each groups of 5 months-aged female mouse. Various staining methods used in this research are: Hematosylin-Eosin method, and immunohistochemistrical methods using BrdU, TUNEL, p53, p21, PCNA and inhibin. The minute structural changes of folliculus ovary were observed through an electron microscope with high magnification. The morphological changes of growing folliculus ovary became distinct as the dose of X-rays increased. Especially, the nuclei of granular cells showed manifest condensation and the changes of the transparent zone were distinct. As a result of histochemical reaction according to Masson's trichrome method and reticular fiber method, the changed granular cells, the deformed basilar membrane of folliculus ovary and the abnormal arrangement of the reticular fiber were observed. In the reaction of BrdU, the granular cells of normal folliculus ovary with positive reaction rapidly decreased according to the increase of the dose of X-rays. In TUNEL study, granular cells showing positive reaction in retarded folliculus ovary were expanded to growing folliculus ovary and primordial folliculus ovary according to the increase of the dose of X-rays. In case of 600 cGy of X-rays, oocyte underwent apoptosis. In p53 immunohistochemistry, p53 manifested to be stronger as the dose of X-rays increased. p53 reactivity was manifested distinctively in all cells comprising folliculus ovary following irradiation of 600 cGy. p21 was manifested in granular cells of folliculus ovary and showed very positive reaction around follicular antrum according to the increase of the dose of X-rays. In PCNA, positive reaction was manifested in growing folliculus ovary, mature folliculus ovary and primordial folliculus ovary, but the extent of the reaction decreased as the dose of the X-rays decreased. The finding that the reaction of granular cells around folliculus ovary was stronger than that near follicular membrane indicates that what was damaged first by X-ray was the cells near folliculus ovary and follicular antrum. The reactivity of $inhibin-{\alpha}$ showed difference according to the growing stage of folliculus ovary: $inhibin-{\alpha}$ showed the most strong reaction in mature folliculus ovary with follicular antrum. There was strong reaction in granular cells around follicular membrane but $inhibin-{\alpha}$ did not occur at all in theca cells comprising follicular membrane. $Inhibin-{\alpha}$ in ovary tissue exposed to 400 cGy of X-rays was manifested more strongly than in ovary tissue exposed to 600 cGy of X-rays, which was related to the phenomenon that granular cells of mature folliculus ovary underwent necrosis or apoptosis increasingly due to X-rays. In an electron microscope with high magnification, nuclei and protoplasm of granular cells in growing folliculus ovary abruptly underwent minute structural changes according to the increase of dose of X-rays. Cell residue, by-product of cell decease, neutrophil and macrophage around follicular antrum were observed. The minute structural changes in granular cells showed typical characteristics of apoptosis: the increase of electronic density due to nuclear condensation, fragmentation of nuclei and atrophy of protoplasm. Necrosis of cells was identified but it was not so remarkable. Macrophage with apoptotic bodies was scattered. Proportional to the radiation dose, we found that the generation of heterogeneous substance of normal ovary texture's follicular fluid, the emergence of dyeing characteristic in the basilar membrane of folicle, the generation of apoptosis, and the transformation of macrophages, etc. From this results, we can infer the possible radiation hazard on the ovary of cervix cancer patient with radiation therapy.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2000

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates follicle growth, and inhibits the follicle atresia in the immature rodent ovaries. The present study was carried out to know the histological changes of ovarian follicles after FSH treatment in the prepubertal mice. Ten i.u. of recombinant FSH was i.p. injected on 3 weeks old mice. After the treatment, at 1, 2 and 3 days, left ovaries were collected for the histological study. The atretic ratio of preantral follicles increased with time after FSH treatment. However, in the case of antral follicles, there was no significant change in the ratio. The degenerating follicles contained apoptotic granulosa cells, macrophage, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the follicular cavity. The present results suggest that follicular degeneration caused by FSH hyperstimulation could be mediated by apoptosis as well as the acute inflammation.