• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.193-199
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the optimal physiologic mating time in Hanwoo for protection to decrease of reproductivity and improvement of production of offspring. We observed 32 cows that were devide into 4 parts of treatment : T1(12 months of age and 0.5kg daily gain), T2(12 months of age and 0.8kg daily gain), T3(15 months of age and 0.5kg daily gain) and T4(18 months and 0.5kg daily gain). The first heat of treated cows was 263.3$\pm$6.4 days and average weight was 181.1$\pm$11.3kg. It was revealed the conception rates of first insemination were 25%(T1), 75%(T4) and number of insemination of T3 and T4(both 1.5) was lower than T1 and T2(2.3 and 2.4). In return of estrus after heifer's first parturition, they(T1, T2, T3 and T4) showed 66.2 days, 76.7 days, 62.4 days and 68.5 days respectively and the average was 65.7 days. Plasma progesterone(P4) concentration was nearly the same during the observation periods of treated cows and P4 was released just after 12 months. Only 5 cows (15.6%) in 32 were showed normal estrus cycle and ovulation before 12 months. Before and after parturition, P4 concentration was decreased fastly and then there was no detection of P4 from after parturition to 40 days after milking. P4 would be released again on 45 day after parturition. The results were summarized as that the optimal mating time of Hanwoo heifers was decided by the 14 months of age, 110 cm height and 265kg weight.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.110-118
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the physiology of optimal reproductive age in Hanwoo for protection to decrease of reproductivity and improvement of production of offspring. Thirty two cows were devided into 4 groups of treatments : T1(12 months of age and 0.5kg daily gain), T2(12 months of age and 0.8kg daily gain), T3(15 months of age and 0.5kg daily gain) and T4(18 months of age and 0.5kg daily gain). The days of the first heat of treated cows were 263.3±6.4 days and average weight was 181.1±11.3kg. The conception rates of first insemination were 25%(T1) and 75%(T4), and the number of insemination of T3 and T4(both 1.5) was lower than those of T1 and T2(2.3 and 2.4), respectively. With regard to estrus return after the first parturition, T1, T2, T3 and T4 showed 66.2,76.7, 62.4 and 68.5 days, respectively, indicating the average days of estrus return was 65.7. Plasma progesterone(P4) concentration was nearly the same during the observation periods of treated cows and P4 began to be detected after 12months. Only 5(15.6%) out of 32cows showed normal estrus cycle and ovulation before 12 months. During the peri-parturition period, P4 concentration was rapidly decreased and there was no detection of P4 from parturition to 40 days after milking. P4 would be released again on 45 day after parturition. The results imply that the optimal reproductive age of Hanwoo heifers would be around at the 14 months of age, 110cm height and 265kg weight.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.109-119
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• 2006

This study was conducted to examine relationship between vaginal cytology and reproductive hormones during the estrous cycle and to provide basic data to estimate for ovulation time and optimal mating time in 6 beagle dogs The duration of proestrus, estrus and diestrus were $8.5{\pm}1.4,\;10.0{\pm}1.4\;and\;54.0{\pm}2.8$ days at pregnant respectively, and $7.9{\pm}2.1,\;9.5{\pm}0.7\;and\;62.0{\pm}11.3$ days at non-pregnant respectively. The duration of interestrous intervals were $246.2{\pm}24.5$ days at pregnancy, and $175.3{\pm}34.5$ days at non-pregnancy. The duration of interestrous intervals at pregnancy was longer than that of non-pregnancy. A characteristic features of vaginal cytology during the estrous cycle were the high proportion of superficial cell, anuclear cell and erythrocyte in proestrus and estrus, parabasal cell, small intermediate cell and leukocyte in diestrus, and parabasal cell and small intermediate cell in anestrus, respectively. Cornification index (CI) in proestrus and estrus were significantly higher than that of CI in diestrus and anestrus. Plasma progesterone concentration was below 1.0 ng/ml at the first day of vulval bleeding at pregnancy and non-pregnancy, and then it was above 2.0 ng/ml at Day -2 in all bitches. When plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml, it was the second day after the first day of male acceptance. Plasma progesterone concentration showed above 40 ng/ml on Day $20{\sim}22$ in all bitches, and then it was gradually decreased until Day 35. Plasma progesterone concentration at pregnancy was higher than that of non-pregnancy from Day 35 to Day 63. Plasma estradiol-$17\;{\beta}$ concentration was above 9.0 pg/ml at the first day of vulval bleeding, and it showed 26.4 pg/ml on Day -2. When it was timed from the first day of male acceptance (Day 0), plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ concentration showed a peak on Day 0 and plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml on Day 2 which was the third day after plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ peak. CI was first increased above 80 and 90% on Day -1 and Day 1, respectively. CI was maintained above 80% from Day -1 to Day 8 (10 days) and above 90% from Day 1 to Day 6 (6 days), respectively. CI was maintained above 80% from Day 0 to Day 8 (9 days) and above 90% from Day 1 to Day 6 (6 days), respectively. Plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml on the second day after the day which CI was first increased above 90%. In conclusion, beagle bitches ovulated on the second day after the day which CI was first increased above 90% and on the day which plasma progesterone concentration was first increased 4.0 ng/ml, and it was estimated that the optimal mating time was the day which the second day after CI was first increased above 90% and plasma concentration was between $2{\sim}25ng/ml$. The measurement of plasma progesterone was used to determine of and accurate ovulation time and the optimal mating time, but vaginal cytology is low-priced and simple method to estimate estrous cycle, optimal mating time and ovulation time.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.17
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• pp.1-44
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• 1974

These studies were made at Suwon in 1972 and at Suwon, Iri, and Kwangju in 1973 to investigate grain filling process and variation of grain quality of NB 68513 and Caprock as hard red winter wheat, Suke ＃169 as soft red winter wheat variety and Yungkwang as semi-hard winter variety, grown under-three different fertilizer levels and seeding dates. Other experiments were conducted to find the effects of temperature, humidity and light intensity on the grain filling process and grain quality of Yungkwang and NB 68513 wheat varieties. These, experiments were conducted at Suwon in 1973 and 1974. 1. Grain filling process of wheat cultivars: 1) The frequency distribution of a grain weight shows that wider distribution of grain weight was associated with large grain groups rather than small grain group. In the large grain groups, the frequency was mostly concentrated near mean value, while the frequency was dispersed over the values in the small grain group. 2) The grain weight was more affected by the grain thickness and width than by grain length. 3) The grain weight during the ripening period was rapidly increased from 14 days after flowering to 35 days in Yungkwang and from 14 days after flowering to 28 days in NB 68513. The large grain group, Yungkwang was rather slowly increased and took a longer period in increase of endosperm ratio of grain than the small grain group, NB 68513. 4) In general, the 1, 000 grain weight was reduced under high temperature, low humidity, while it was increased under low temperature and high humidity condition, and under high temperature and humidity condition. The effect of shading on grain weight was greater in high temperature than in low temperature condition and no definite tendency was found in high humidity condition. 5) The effects of temperature, humidity and shading on 1, 000 grain weight were greater in large-grain group, Yungkwang than in small grain group, NB 68513. Highly significant positive correlation was found between 1, 000 grain weight and days to ripening. 6) The 1, 000 grain weight and test weight were increased more or less as the fertilizer levels applied were increased. However, the rate of increasing 1, 000 grain weight was low when fertilizer levels were increased from standard to double. The 1, 000 grain weight was high when planted early. Such tendency was greater in Suwon than in Kwangju or Iri area. 2. Milling quality: 7) The milling rate in a same group of varieties was higher under the condition of low temperature, high humidity and early maturing culture which were responsible for increasing 1, 000 grain weight. No definite relations were found along with locations. 8) In the varieties tested, the higher milling rate was found in large grain variety, Yungkwang, and the lowest milling rate was obtained from Suke ＃ 169, the small grain variety. But the small grained hard wheat variety such as Caprock and NB 68513 showed higher milling rate compared with the soft wheat variety, Suke ＃ 169. 9) There were no great differences of ash content due to location, fertilizer level and seeding date while remarkable differences due to variety were found. The ash content was high in the hard wheat varieties such as NB 68513, Caprock and low in soft wheat varieties such as Yungkwang and Suke ＃ 169. 3. Protein content: 10) The protein content was increased under the condition of high temperature, low humidity and shading, which were responsible for reduction of 1, 000 grain weight. The varietal differences of protein content due to high temperature, low humidity and shading conditions were greater in Yungkwang than in NB 68513. 11) The high content of protein in grain within one to two weeks after flowering might be due to the high ratio of pericarp and embryo to endosperm. As grains ripen, the effects of embryo and pericarp on protein content were decreased, reducing protein content. However, the protein content was getting increased from three or four weeks after flowering, and maximized at seven weeks after flowering. The protein content of grain at three to four weeks after flowering increased as the increase of 1, 000 grain weight. But the protein content of matured grain appeared to be affected by daily temperature on calender rather than by duration of ripening period. 12) Highly significant positive correlation value was found between the grain protein content and flour protein content. 13) The protein content was increased under the high level of fertilizers and late seeding. The local differences of protein content were greater in Suwon than in Kwangju and Iri. 14) Protein content in the varieties tested were high in Yungkwang, NB 68513 and Caprock, and low in Suke ＃ 169. However, variation in protein content due to the cultural methods was low in Suke ＃ 169. 15) Protein yield per unit area was increased in accordance with increase of fertilizer levels and early maturing culture. However, nitrogen fertilizer was utilized rather effectively in early maturing culture and Yungkwang was the highest in protein yield per unit area. 4. Physio-chemical properties of wheat flour: 16) Sedimentation value was higher under the conditions of high temperature, low humidity and high levels of fertilizers than under the conditions of low temperature, high moisture and low levels of fertilizers. Such differences of sedimentation values were more apparent in NB 68513 and Caprock than Yungkwang and Suke ＃ 169. The local difference of sedimentation value was greater in Suwon than in Kwangju and Iri. Even though the sedimentation value was highly correlated with protein content of grain, the high humidity was considered one of the factors affecting sedimentation value. 17) Changes of Pelshenke values due to the differences of cultural practices and locations were generally coincident with sedimentation values. 18) The mixing time required for mixogram was four to six minutes in NB 68513, five to seven minutes in Cap rock. The great variation of mixing time for Yungkwang and Suke ＃ 169 due to location and planting conditions was found. The mixing height and area were high in hard wheat than in soft wheat. Variation of protein content due to cultural methods were inconsistent. However, the pattern of mixogram were very much same regardless the treatments applied. With this regard, it could be concluded that the mixogram is a kind of method expressing the specific character of the variety. 19) Even though the milling property of NB 68513 and Caprock was deteriorated under either high temperature and low humidity of high fertilizer levels and late seeding conditions, baking quality was better due to improved physio-chemical properties of flour. In contrast, early maturing culture deteriorated physio-chemical properties, milling property of grain and grain protein yield per unit area was increased. However, it might be concluded that the hard wheat production of NB 68513 and Caprock for baking purpose could be done better in Suwon than in Iri or Kwangju area. 5. Interrelationships between the physio-chemical characters of wheat flour: 20) Physio-chemical properties of flour didn't have direct relationship with milling rate and ash content. Low grain weight produced high protein content and better physio-chemical flour properties. 21) In hard wheat varieties like NB 68513 and Caprock, protein content was significantly correlated with sedimentation value, Pelshenke value and mixing height. However, gluten strength and baking quality were improved by the increased protein content. In Yungkwang and Suk ＃ 169, protein content was correlated with sedimentation value, but no correlations were found with Pelshenke value and mixing height. Consequently, increase of protein content didn't improve the gluten strength in soft wheat. 22) The highly significant relationships between protein content and gluten strength and sedimentation . value, and between Pelshenke value, mixogram and gluten strength indicated that the determination of mixogram and Pelshenke value are useful for de terming soft and hard type of varieties. Determination of sedimentation value is considered useful method for quality evaluation of wheat grain under different cultural practices.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.17
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• pp.115-133
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• 1974

This study was done on the metabolism of chemical components during the seed development of ginseng. The changes of the chemical components were inspected in the following periods: from the early stage of flower organ formation to flowering time, from the early stage of fruiting to maturity, during the moisture stratification before sowing. From flower bud forming stage to meiosis stage, the changes in the fresh weight, dry weight, contents of carbohydrates, and contents of nitrogen compounds were slight while the content of TCA soluble phosphorus and especially the content of organic phosphorus increased markedly. From meiosis stage to microspore stage the fresh and dry weights increase greatly. Also, the total nitrogen content increases in this period. Insolub]e nitrogen was 62-70% of the total nitrogen content; the increase of insoluble nitrogen seems to have resulted form the synthesis of protein. The content of soluble sugar (reducing and non-reducing sugar) increases greatly but there was no observable increase in starch content. In this same period, TCA soluble phosphorus reached the maximum level of 85.4% of the total phosphorus. TCA insoluble phosphorus remained at the minimum content level of 14.6%. After the pollen maturation stage and during the flowering period the dry weight increased markedly and insolub]e nitrogen also increased to the level of 67% of the total nitrogen content. Also in this stage, the organic phosphorus content decreased and was found in lesser amounts than inorganic phosphorus. A rapid increase in the starch content was also observed at this stage. In the first three weeks after fruiting the ginseng fruit grows rapidly. Ninety percent of the fresh weight of ripened ginseng seed is obtained in this period. Also, total nitrogen content increased by seven times. As the fruits ripened, insoluble nitrogen increased from 65% of the total nitrogen to 80% while soluble nitrogen decreased from 35% to 20%. By the beginning of the red-ripening period, the total phosphoric acid content increased by eight times and was at its peak. In this same period, TCA soluble phosphorus was 90% of total phosphorus content and organic phosphorus had increased by 29 times. Lipid-phosphorus, nucleic acid-phosphorus and protein-phosphorus also increased during this stage. The rate of increase in carbohydrates was similar to the rate of increase in fresh weight and it was observed at its highest point three weeks after fruiting. Soluble sugar content was also highest at this time; it begins to decrease after the first three weeks. At the red-ripening stage, soluble sugar content increased again slightly, but never reached its previous level. The level of crude starch increased gradually reaching its height, 2.36% of total dry weight, a week before red-ripening, but compared with the content level of other soluble sugars crude starch content was always low. When the seeds ripened completely, more than 80% of the soluble sugar was non-reducing sugar, indicating that sucrose is the main reserve material of carbohydrates in ginseng seeds. Since endosperm of the ripened ginseng seeds contain more than 60% lipids, lipids can be said to be the most abundant reserve material in ginseng seeds; they are more abundant than carbohydrates, protein, or any other component. During the moisture stratification, ginseng seeds absorb quantities of water. Lipids, protein and starch stored in the seeds become soluble by hydrolysis and the contents of sugar, inorganic phosphorus, phospho-lipid, nucleic acid-phosphorus, protein phosphorus, and soluble nitrogen increase. By sowing time, the middle of November, embryo of the seeds grows to 4.2-4.7mm and the water content of the seeds amounts to 50-60% of the total seed weight. Also, by this time, much budding material has been accumulated. On the other hand, dry stored ginseng seeds undergo some changes. The water content of the seeds decreases to 5% and there is an observable change in the carbohydraes but the content of lipid and nitrogen compounds did not change as much as carbohydrates.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.599-607
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• 1998

To clarify annual reproductive cycle of Korean dark sleeper, Odontobutis platycephala (Iwata et Jeon), we examined the seasonal changes of gonadosomatic index (GSI), the proportional frequency of oocyte development stages in the ovary and the changes of sex steroid hormone levels in blood from December 1995 to November 1997. In July and August, GSI was 0.35 to 0.72 and most oocytes in the ovary were chromatin-nucleolus stage and perinucleolar stage (proportional frequency: $87\%\~96\%$). In September, GSI was 1.20 $\pm$ 0.12, some oocytes in the ovary were yolk vesifle stage (proportional frequency: $22.8\%$) and vitellogenic stage which appeared very rarely(proportional frequency: $2.2\%$). GSI increased gradually from October and reached 4.59± 0.61 to December. During this period, oocytes of vitellogenic stage increased slightly (proportional frequency in December: $22.1\%$). In January, GSI was 4.32 $\pm$ 0.72 but the proportional frequency of oocytes in vitellogenic stage increased (proportional frequency: $51.2\%$). from February, GSI was increased sharply and reached to 10.51 $\pm$ 1.04 in March, the highest value throughout the year and the proportional frequency of oocytes in vitellogenic stage also reached the highest levels (proportional frequency: $60\%$). From April, GSI was gradually decreased and fell down to 1.11 $\pm$ 0.35 in June. During this period, the proportional frequency of mature oocytes was the highest in April (proportional frequency of mature oocyte stage: $40\%$ in April, $12\%$ May, $5\%$ June) throughout the year, and atretic ovarian follicles were appeared. The blood level of estradiol-17$\beta$ ($E_2$), which stimulates the hepatic synthesis and secretion of vitellogenin, was $0.84{\pm}0.20\;ng/m{\ell}$ in August, and thereafter was not changed until December. from January, it increased sharply and reached the highest level of $ 2.85{\pm}0.35\;ng/m{\ell}$ in March throughout the year, but fell to $0.14{\pm}0.02\;ng/m{\ell}$ in July(P<0.05), 17$\alpha$-hydroxprogesterone(17$\alpha$-OHP) was the peak $13.37{\pm}0.52ng/m{\ell}$ in March, but no significant changes in other period(below $3ng/m{\ell}$, P<0.05). 17$\alpha$, 20$\beta$-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one(17$\alpha$, 20$\beta$-P), which was known as the final maturation inducing hormone in teleost, was $0.74{\pm}0.09ng/m{\ell}$ in April and $0.54{\pm}0.07ng/m{\ell}$ in May, but no significant changes in other period (below $0.26\;ng/m{\ell}$, p<0.05). Taken together these results, the annual reproductive cycle of O. platycephala divided into 4 periods as follows: 1) ripe and spawning period from April to June, main spawning period was from April to May, 2) Resting period from July to August, 3) Growing period from September to December, 4) Maturing period from January to March. Moreover, It was showed that the changes of sex steroid hormone in blood played a important roles in the annual reproductive cycle of O. platycephala.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.33-37
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• 2009

Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) has the potential to increase the rates of genetic improvement in cattle. Thus this study was performed to investigate several factors influencing in vivo embryo production in Holstein cattle under field conditions. The donors were superovulated with Folltropin-V and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ combination method. From Day 10 onward, donors were superovulated by i.m., twice daily, administration of 400mg Folltropin-V given in a series of decreasing doses over a 4-day period: on the first day, 3.5ml; on the second day, 3.0ml; on the third day, 2.0ml; and on the fourth day, 1.5ml (20ml in total, equivalent to 400mg of NIH-FSH-P1). Estrus was induced by i.m. administration of 25mg prostaglandin $F_2{\alpha}$ on the sixth and seventh of FSH treatment. Estrus detection was performed twice daily beginning 24h after the first prostaglandin $F_2{\alpha}$ injection. Donor cows were artificially inseminated 12 and 24 h after first standing estrus with semen from a proven Holstein sire. Embryos used in this study were recovered Day 7.5 of the cycle (Day 0: first standing estrus). From 195 superovulated dairy cows, 2,104 eggs were recovered, of which 1,172 were classified as transferable embryos based on morphological evaluation of quality. The results are summarized as follows: 1. The numbers of recovered and transferable embryos did not significantly differ among the capacity of milk production that were < 10,000kg/305days (group 1), $10,000{\sim}12,000\;kg$/305days (group 2) or > 12,000kg/305 days (group 3) (p>0.05, Table 1). 2. No differences in the numbers of recovered and transferable embryos were found among the donor's postparient days (p>0.05, Table 2). 3. Also, the numbers of recovered and transferable embryos of each superovulation seasons did not significantly differ among the four groups (p>0.05, Table 3).

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.31-46
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• 1995

Gonadal maturation and annual reproductive cycle in ovoviviparous oblong rockfish, Sebastes oblangus on the basis of monthly gonadosomatic indices (GSI), hepatosomatic indices (HSI) and histological observations of gonadal tissues. GSI values of female were in a wide range from $0.l5\pm0.0l\;(July)\;to\;58.54\pm3.86$ (December) and began to increase in August and reached the maxium in December, then decreased rapidly thereafter. Male GSI values were in a range from $0.08\pm0.03$ (July) to $1.55\pm0.27$ (September) and began to increase rapidly in July and reached the maximum in September, then decreased gradually, thereafter. Female HSI was in a range from $0.89\pm0.12$ (December) to $3.73\pm0.15$ (October), and male's was from $2.09\pm0.76$ (October) to $3.62\pm0.48$ (August). HSI reached the maximum values one or two months before GSI reached their maxium values in both sex, and then decreased rapidly thereafter. Mature oocytes began to appear in late October as being oocytes began to mature in August, and the type of oocyte development is categorized in the roup-synchronous oocyte development'. Ovulation and fertilization of ripe oocytes occurred in November, and hatched larvae were born from December to January. Maturation of testis was progressed in short term from August to October and spermatozoa were released in October. Sperm balls consisted of many spermatozoa were preserved in ovarian cavity of female after copulation. These results may suggest that the annual reproductive cycle of oblong rockfish could be divided into the following successive stages: growing (August and September), mature (September and October), gestation (November and December), parturition (December and January) and resting (February to July) in female, and growing (August and September), mature (September and October), copulation (October) and resting (November to July) in male.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.247-268
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• 1996

It has been known for a long time that gonadotropins and steroid hormones play a pivotal role in a series of reproductive biological phenomena including the maturation of ovarian follicles and oocytes, ovulation and implantation, maintenance of pregnancy and fetal growth & development, parturition and mammary development and lactation. Recent investigations, however, have elucidated that in addition to these classic hormones, multiple growth factors also are involved in these phenomena. Most growth factors in reproductive organs mediate the actions of gonadotropins and steroid hormones or synergize with them in an autocrine/paracrine manner. The insulin-like growth factor(IGF) system, which is one of the most actively investigated areas lately in the reproductive organs, has been found to have important roles in a wide gamut of reproductive phenomena. In the present communication, published literature pertaining to the intrauterine IGF system will be reviewed preceded by general information of the IGF system. The IGF family comprises of IGF-I & IGF-II ligands, two types of IGF receptors and six classes of IGF-binding proteins(IGFBPs) that are known to date. IGF-I and IGF-II peptides, which are structurally homologous to proinsulin, possess the insulin-like activity including the stimulatory effect of glucose and amino acid transport. Besides, IGFs as mitogens stimulate cell division, and also play a role in cellular differentiation and functions in a variety of cell lines. IGFs are expressed mainly in the liver and messenchymal cells, and act on almost all types of tissues in an autocrine/paracrine as well as endocrine mode. There are two types of IGF receptors. Type I IGF receptors, which are tyrosine kinase receptors having high-affinity for IGF-I and IGF-II, mediate almost all the IGF actions that are described above. Type II IGF receptors or IGF-II/mannose-6-phosphate receptors have two distinct binding sites; the IGF-II binding site exhibits a high affinity only for IGF-II. The principal role of the type II IGF receptor is to destroy IGF-II by targeting the ligand to the lysosome. IGFs in biological fluids are mostly bound to IGFBP. IGFBPs, in general, are IGF storage/carrier proteins or modulators of IGF actions; however, as for distinct roles for individual IGFBPs, only limited information is available. IGFBPs inhibit IGF actions under most in vitro situations, seemingly because affinities of IGFBPs for IGFs are greater than those of IGF receptors. How IGF is released from IGFBP to reach IGF receptors is not known; however, various IGFBP protease activities that are present in blood and interstitial fluids are believed to play an important role in the process of IGF release from the IGFBP. According to latest reports, there is evidence that under certain in vitro circumstances, IGFBP-1, -3, -5 have their own biological activities independent of the IGF. This may add another dimension of complexity of the already complicated IGF system. Messenger ribonucleic acids and proteins of the IGF family members are expressed in the uterine tissue and conceptus of the primates, rodents and farm animals to play important roles in growth and development of the uterus and fetus. Expression of the uterine IGF system is regulated by gonadal hormones and local regulatory substances with temporal and spatial specificities. Locally expressed IGFs and IGFBPs act on the uterine tissue in an autocrine/paracrine manner, or are secreted into the uterine lumen to participate in conceptus growth and development. Conceptus also expresses the IGF system beginning from the peri-implantation period. When an IGF family member is expressed in the conceptus, however, is determined by the presence or absence of maternally inherited mRNAs, genetic programming of the conceptus itself and an interaction with the maternal tissue. The site of IGF action also follows temporal (physiological status) and spatial specificities. These facts that expression of the IGF system is temporally and spatially regulated support indirectly a hypothesis that IGFs play a role in conceptus growth and development. Uterine and conceptus-derived IGFs stimulate cell division and differentiation, glucose and amino acid transport, general protein synthesis and the biosynthesis of mammotropic hormones including placental lactogen and prolactin, and also play a role in steroidogenesis. The suggested role for IGFs in conceptus growth and development has been proven by the result of IGF-I, IGF-II or IGF receptor gene disruption(targeting) of murine embryos by the homologous recombination technique. Mice carrying a null mutation for IGF-I and/or IGF-II or type I IGF receptor undergo delayed prenatal and postnatal growth and development with 30-60% normal weights at birth. Moreover, mice lacking the type I IGF receptor or IGF-I plus IGF-II die soon after birth. Intrauterine IGFBPs generally are believed to sequester IGF ligands within the uterus or to play a role of negative regulators of IGF actions by inhibiting IGF binding to cognate receptors. However, when it is taken into account that IGFBP-1 is expressed and secreted in primate uteri in amounts assessedly far exceeding those of local IGFs and that IGFBP-1 is one of the major secretory proteins of the primate decidua, the possibility that this IGFBP may have its own biological activity independent of IGF cannot be excluded. Evidently, elucidating the exact role of each IGFBP is an essential step into understanding the whole IGF system. As such, further research in this area is awaited with a lot of anticipation and attention.