• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.95-99
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• 1998

Three experiments were conducted with follicular oocytes, to compare some somatic cells, growth factors and media for in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes. In the first experiment, the type of somatic cells had no effects on in vitro maturation of bovine follicular ooctyes. In the second experiment, oocytes were matured in TCM199 su, pp.emented with growth factors on IVM of bovine follicular oocytes, then all were co-cultured with cumulus cells. The proportion of used oocytes that developed to expanding blastocysts was 22.2%, 20.2%, 17.7%, 22.2%, 24.4% and 20.2% after maturation in TCM199 su, pp.emented with control, insulin, IGF-I, IGF-Ⅱ, FGF and EGF, respectively. In the third experiment, oocytes were matured in BO, Ham's F10 and TCM199, then all were fertilized in BO, and embryos cultured in BO, Ham's F10 and TCM199, respectively. Cleavage rates in BO were 90%, had higher than in Ham's F10(80%) or in TCM199(64%). But production of expanding blastocysts in TCM199(21%) or Ham's F10(20.6%), had higher than in BO(4.6%).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.105-108
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• 1995

본 연구는 혈청 무첨가 단순배양액인 CR1이 체외에서 생산된 소 수정란의 체외 배발생에 미치는 영향을 검토하고자 실시하였다. 본 연구에서 얻어진 결과를 요약해보면, 1) 총 1250개의 체외성숙 난자로 부터 체외 수정결과 본 실험의 목적상 이용될 수 있는 1,025개 (82.0%)의 분할란 (>1세포기)을 얻을 수 있었으며, 체외배양 결과 배반포기와 부화율은 각각 27.1%와 20.2%였다. 2) CR1 배양액은 소난포란 (>1세포기)의 체외발생시 난관상피세포, 난구세포, 영양배엽세포 등의 체세포와 공동배양을 유도하지 않고서도 높은 배발생율을 얻을 수 있었으며, 이러한 결과로 미루어 볼때 CR1은 난자의 체외배양시 난자성장촉진 인자를 연구하는데 효과적으로 사용될 수 있다는 것을 시사한다.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.160-168
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• 2017

Tscherskia triton is widely distributed in Northern China, Korea, and the adjacent areas of Russia. Except its distribution, reproduction, and growth development related to life history, reproductive cycle and reproductive organs of T. triton are rarely studied in Korea. The purpose of this study was characterized the estrous cycle of T. triton captured in Jeju Island in order to provide information to a better information of captive breeding of the species when long-day (16L : 8D) and short-day (8L : 16D) photoperiod. Then, histological study of the ovaries and uterus with five females in each photoperiod was performed. The duration of the estrus cycle was 4~5 days and it showed regular cycle pattern. Results of the vaginal cytology examination showed four characteristic phase of the estrous cycle in long-day photoperiod (16L : 8D): proestrus, estrus, metestrus and diestrus. However, in short-day photoperiod, the diestrus phage of the estrus cycle was maintained from the $6^{th}$ to $12^{th}$ day. In the long-day photoperiod, females had many Graafian follicles and corpus luteums in large ovaries, and developed uterine glands in the thick endometrium. But they had some primary, secondary and tertiary follicles, and undeveloped uterine glands in the thin endometrium during short-day photoperiod. These results were identified difference of the estrus cycle and histological characteristics of reproductive tracts according to the photoperiod. These results are very important clues to the reproductive biology of T. triton, and it will be widely used as date for maintaining biodiversity.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2003

In the previous study, we obtained list of differentially expressed genes between postnatal day 1 and day 5 mouse ovaries using suppression subtractive hybridization(SSH) and found that MT Oansposon-like element, clone MTi7(MTi7) was one of the highly expressed genes in the day 5 mouse ovary(Park et at., 2002). Results of in situ hybridization and RNA interference revealed that the expression of MTi7 is oocyte-specific in the ovary and may be involved in the regulation of oocyte maturation(Park et at., 2003). At present, MTi7 sequence has been known only in the mouse. Therefore, the present study was accomplished 1) to identify MTi7 sequence in the other mammalian species, such as bovine, porcine, rat, and human, and 2) to evaluate the flanking sequence of the mouse MTi7 since it has transposon characteristics. Using ovarian cDNAs derived from low different species, we cloned and identified new MTi7 sequence showing a high degree of sequence homology with the mouse MTi7(87∼98%). By using inverse PCR, we found that the mouse MTi7 may intercalated the beta-carotene 15, 15'-monooxygenase(Bcdo) gene and/or serine protease inhibitor, Kunitz Dpe I(Spint 1) gene. By finding the MTi7 sequences in the other mammalian species and the flanking gene of the MTi7 in mouse, it is expected to reveal the role(s) of MTi7 in the oogenesis as well as folliculogenesis in the near future.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1764-1768
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• 2009

This study was carried out to examine a concentration of steroid hormones and in vitro development of mouse embryos in culture supernatant of bovine granulosa cells (GC). To obtain the culture supernatant, granulosa cells were retrieved from mature follicles (6~15 mm diameter) and immature follicles (2~5 mm diameter) of bovine ovary and were cultured, respectively, in media of Ham's F-10 with 15% FCS for 16 days. Mature and immature granulosa cells formed their monolayers easily and showed similar growth patterns in culturing. There was no morphological difference between mature and immature granulosa cells. High levels of both progesterone and estradiol were detected in the culture supernatant of mature granulosa cells and immature granulsa cells, and the endocrine profiles of the two types of cells were similar. Progesterone secretion of granulosa cells was high in the late stage of culturing and estradiol secretion was high in the early stage of culturing. In vitro development rates of mouse embryos to morula, blastocyst and hatched blastocyst were significantly (p<0.05) higher in culture supernatant of mature granulosa cells (92.7%, 78.1% and 34.5%) and in culture supernatant of immature granulosa cells (96.4%, 78.5% and 26.8%) than in Ham's F-10 (86.7%, 41,7% and 13.3%). However, there was no difference between the culture supernatant of mature granulosa cells and the culture supernatant of immature granulosa cells in the development of embryos.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.19 no.6 s.89
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• pp.433-436
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• 2004

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a very common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. There are some evidences that nerve growth factor (NGF) is involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS. In this study, we investigated the effect of Korean red ginseng total saponin (GTS) on the ovarian morphology and NGF expressions in the ovaries, pituitary and hippocampus. The oil control animals were injected with 0.2 ml oil/rat. Animals in estradiol valerate (EV) control group were injected i.m. with 4 mg EV in 0.2 ml oil/rat. The GTS was administered (100 mg/kg) i.p. every other day for 60 days, beginning 1 day after the EV injection. PCO was induced by a single injection of EV (4 mg, i.m.). At day 60, the expressions of NGF were examined by immunohistochemistry. The main findings were as follows; PCO was fully developed with a single i.m. injection of EV, and PCO showed the increased expression of NGF, and GTS administration decreased NGF expressions in the ovaries without affecting pituitary and hippocampus significantly. The present results demonstrate that GTS attenuates PCOS by the stimulation of NGF expression.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2004

This study was carried out to examine the expression of the circadian clock genes in the mouse ovary and testis at different developmental stages. Expression of Period1(Per 1), Period2(Per2), Period3(Per3), Cryptochrome1(Cry1), Cyptochrome2(Cry2), Clock Small and Prokineticin1 and Prokineticin2 receptor(Prok1r, Prok2r) genes in mouse ovary was explored by semiquantitative reverse transcription Polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) according to the developmental stage(post partum day; ppd 1, 7, 10, 21 and 35). Immunohistochemistry using PER1 antibody was also analyzed. The differential expression pattern of clock genes was presented according to stages of the mouse ovarian development (ppd 1, 7, 10, 21 and 35). In the cases of ovaries, at the starting point of follicle growth at ppd 7 and 10, the clock gene expression patterns were changed vastly. According to the developmental stages, the clock genes were highly expressed at ppd 7 and 10 in mouse testis also. Receptors for Prok2, the circadian output molecule of SCN, were also expressed in ovary at ppd 7 and in testis at ppd 1 and 7, respectively. Immnunohistochemical analysis of PER1 showed positive signals in the cytoplasm of oocytes and granulosa cells. The level or PER1 expression was increased in cells at the spermatogonia and the condensing spermatids. The expression pattern of Perl and localization of PER1 were showed similar patterns according to the developmental stages in ovary and testis. Taken together, it could be observed that the expression of clock genes was highly correlated with gonadal development and germ cell differentiation in mice. Therefore, in this study, circadian programming of the genes in the ovary and testis is strongly imposed across a wide range of core reproductive cycles and normal development of gametes. Although the existence of circadian genes is clearly investigated, further studies on the direct evidence is required for the understanding of the relationship between circadian genes and regulation of gonadal differentiation and germ cell development.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.147-154
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• 2006

Phthalates such as di(2-ethyl hexyl)phthalate(DEHP) are industrial chemicals with wide-ranging human exposures because of their use in plastics and other common consumer products. Consequently, their adverse effects as endocrine disruptor in the reproductive physiology of both laboratory rodents and human have been studied extensively. The present study was undertaken to examine whether prepubertal exposure to DEHP affects on the onset of puberty and the associated reproductive parameters such as hormone receptor expressions in female rats. DEHP(100mg/kg/day) was administered daily from postnatal day 25(PND 25) through the day when the first vaginal opening(VO) was observed, and the animals were sacrificed on the next day. Gross anatomy and weight of reproductive tissues were compared to test the DEHP's effects on the cell proliferation. Furthermore, histological studies were performed to assess the structural alterations in the tissues. Specific radioimmunoassay was carried out to measure serum LH levels. To determine the transcriptional changes in progesterone receptor(PR), total RNAs were extracted and applied to the semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). As a result, delayed VO was shown in the DEHP group(PND $37.3{\pm}0.7$) compared to the control group(PND $35.3{\pm}0.7$; p<0.05). DEHP treatment significantly decreased the wet weight of ovaries and uteri compared to the control group(p<0.05). Interestingly, elevation of serum LH levels was shown in the DEHP group(p<0.05). Graafian follicles and corpora lutea were observed only in the ovaries from the control animals. Numerous primary, secondary follicles and small atretic follicles were observed in the ovaries from DEHP-treated animals. Similarly, hypotrophy of luminal and glandular uterine epithelium was found in the DEHP-treated group. These effects were probably due to the inhibitory effects of DEHP on the synthesis and secretion of estrogen from granulosa cells. In the semiquantitative RT-PCR studies, the transcriptional activities of PR in both ovary(p<0.05) and uterus(p<0.01) from DEHP-treated animals were significantly lower than those from the control animals. The present studies demonstrated that the acute exposure to DEHP during the critical period of prepubertal stage could inactivate the reproductive system resulting delayed puberty in female rats.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.245-251
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• 2007

Vinclozolin(VCZ), a systemic dicarboximide fungicide, has been used in the control of diseases caused by microorganism of some species in fruits, vegatables and ornamental plants. Although VCZ itself is a very weak antagonist for androgen receptor binding, both melabolites M1 and M2 are effective antagonists. The present study was undertaken to examine whether prepubertal exposure to VCZ affects on the onset of puberty and the associated reproductive parameters such as hormone receptor expressions in female rats. VCZ(10 mg/kg/day) was administered daily from postnatal day 21(PND 21) through the day when the first vaginal opening(V.O.) was observed. Gross anatomy and weight of reproductive tissues were compared to test the VCZ's effects on the cell proliferation. Furthermore, histological studies were performed to assess the structural alterations in the tissues. To determine the transcriptional changes in progesterone receptor(PR), total RNAs were extracted and applied to the semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). As a result, delayed V.O. was shown in the VCZ group(PND $34.00{\pm}1.22$) compared to the control group(PND $38.20{\pm}1.92$; p<0.01). VCZ treatment significantly decreased the wet weight of ovaries and uteri compared to the control group(p<0.01). Graafian follicles and corpora lutea were observed only in the ovaries from the control animals, while numerous primary, secondary follicles and small atretic follicles were observed in the ovaries from VCZ group. Similarly, hypotrophy of luminal and glandular uterine epithelium was found in the VCZ group. In the semi-quantitative RT-PCR studies, the transcriptional activity of PR in ovary(p<0.01) from VCZ group were significantly lower than those from the control group while in uterus were similar compared with the control group. The present studies demonstrated that the acute exposure to VCZ during the critical period of prepubertal stage could inactivate the reproductive system resulting delayed puberty in female rats.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 1997

This study was designed to investigate the number of the growing and mature follicles following gonadotrophin treatments for superovulation in mature rats. Eighteen mature rats (Sprague-Duwely, initially 190~230gm) were randomly alloted into 3 groups. One group was control group, another FSH-treated group was injected intramuscularly with 0.5 units of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) / rat, and third PMS and HCG-treated group was intramuscularly injected with 20~25IU of pregnant mare serum (PMS) / rat and then at the 48 hrs later, with 20~25IU of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) / rat. The uteri and ovaries of rats were collected and then were observed grossly and serial sections of paraffin embedding ovaries were stained with H-E. Number of ovarian follicles by following 3 grades of large, middle and small follicles from secondary and tertiary follicles were investigated by LM photography of preparations. Small follicles were classified as secondary follicles of preantral follicles with more than 2 layers of granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte and middle follicles were classified as secondary follicles with early signs of antral cavity or with more than one small cavity on either side of the oocytes and large follicles were classified as tertiary follicles with a single medium sized antral cavity or large well-formed antral cavity. In gross findings, the uteri were slightly swelling in FSH-treated group and markedly swelling or filled with fluid in the uterine lumen in PMS and HCG-treated group. In histological findings, the shape and size of the follicles were diverse in middle and large follicles of FSH-treated group and PMS and HCG-treated group, and proportion of atretic follicles was increased in FSH-treated group and PMS and HCG-treated group than those in control group. The uteri of FSH-treated group and PMS and HCG-treated group were hypertropied or filled with fluid in the lumens and walls of uteri. The wall tissue layers were flattened and their blood and lymph vessels were dilated. The mean number of follicle per ovary in control group were appeared to be $17.1{\pm}5.6$($14.0%{\pm}4.6%$), $37.8{\pm}9.1$($30.9{\pm}7.4%$) and $67.6{\pm}30.1$($55.2{\pm}24.6%$) respectively at large, middle and small follicles and total number of these 3 grade follicles were appeared to be $122.5{\pm}40.0$. The mean number of follicle per ovary in FSH-treated group were appeared to be $22.8{\pm}7.0$($17.4%{\pm}5.3%$), $43.4{\pm}6.6$($33.2{\pm}5.1%$) and $64.5{\pm}13.0$($49.3{\pm}9.9%$) respectively at large, middle and small follicles and total number of these 3 grade follicles were appeared to be $130.7{\pm}16.6$. The mean number of follicle per ovary in PMS and HCG-treated group were appeared to be $29.7{\pm}11.0$($16.3%{\pm}6.0%$), $61.9{\pm}17.2$($33.9{\pm}9.4%$) and $91.1{\pm}28.2$($49.9{\pm}15.4%$) respectively at large, middle and small follicles and total number of these 3 grade follicles were appeared to be $182.6{\pm}32.7$. The above findings reveal that large follicles were increased 29.8% in FSH-treated group and 73.7% in PMS and HCG-treated group than those in control group and in histologic findings, proportion of atretic follicles were more increased in ovaries with more number of more developing follicles.