• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.44-50
• /
• 2009

The occurrence of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), chemicals that interfere with human hormone system, are increasing in the freshwater, waste water and subsurface as well. In this study, we determined the reactivity of three EDCs in the presence of birnessite. In aqueous phase, bisphenol A, 2,4-dichlorophenol and 17${\beta}$-estradiol, which possesses phenoxy-OH, were very rapidly transformed by birnessite: up to 99% of initial concentrations (50 mg/L for bisphenol A, 100mg/L for 2,4-dichlorophenol, and 1.5mg/L for 17${\beta}$-estradiol) were destroyed within 60 minutes. Especially, bisphenol A was the most reactive chemical, disappearing by 99% in a few minutes. The reaction occurred on the surface of birnessite, showing a linear increase of first-order kinetic constants with the increase of the surface area of birnessite. In soil slurry phase, the reactivity of birnessiteto EDCs was faster than in aqueous phase probably due to the cross coupling reaction of phenoxy radicals with soil organic matter. Considering the rapid transformation of the EDCs in the both phases, this oxidative cross coupling reaction mediated by birnessite would be an effective solution for the remediation of EDCs in environmental media, especially in soil.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.166-173
• /
• 2000

Objectives : These experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effect of the administration on Korean herbal medicines, Kyoaekungkue-tang, Bojungykki-tang, Kungso-san, Antae-eum, and Antaegumchul-tang, on the reproductive functions in pregnant mice. Methods : Prepared herbal medicines(Kyoaekungkue-tang, Bojungykki-tang, Kungso-san, Antae-eum, Antaegumchul-tang) were administered to three different pregnant staged mice. We designed 3 experiments as follows; prepared herbal medicine administered from ovulation to embryo implantation (Experiment I), or administered after implantation to fetal organogenesis (Experiment II) and lastly administered from end of organogenesis to parturition (Experiment III). At day 14 of pregnancy, the whole uteri of half of the treated mice were retrieved from the Experiment I and in the Experiment II the implantation and mean weight of the fetuses were examined. The mean numbers of offspring, sex ratio and mean birth weight were examined in the other half of the mice. Results : The results from these studies were summarized as followed; 1. From the experiment I (administered from ovulation to embryo implantation), the no. of implantation between control and herbal medicine treated groups were shown similar results. Litter size after parturition was significantly decreased in the herbal medicine treated groups, except for Antaegumchul-tang. However, the mean weight of offspring after parturition showed a tendency to increase in the three herbal medicine treated groups. 2. From the experiment II (administered after implantation to fetal organogenesis), the implantation rates from the herbal medicine treated groups increased more significantly than that of the control Also, litter size and birth weight in the herbal medicine groups, except Antaeeum, increased more significantly than that of the control group. 3. From the experiment III group (administered after organogenesis to parturition), the mean number of offspring in Kyoaekungkue-tang and Antaegumchul-tang treated groups were significantly increased than that of control However, the litter size of the Kungso-san treated mice was significantly decreased compared with that of the control group. Compared with the control and other herbal treated groups, the mean weight of fetuses after parturition in the Kyoaekungkue-tang and Antaegumchul-tang treated groups increased significantly. Conclusions : From these results, it can be concluded that Antaegumchul-tang showed more beneficial effects on the reproductive functions, implantation, maintenance of pregnancy, litter size and mean weight than other herbs.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.55-68
• /
• 2006

Purpose : This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the different administration duration of Epimedium Herb extract solution on the spermatogenic abilities such as concentration, motility and morphological normality of sperm from the testis and the activities of sperm hyaluronidase. Methods : We used the 2-month-old mice and administered the extract solution of Epimedium Herb 0.3 ml/g/day for 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. The control group was administered the normal saline as the same way. We examined the number of total, motile and normal sperm from the cauda epididymis, the activities of sperm hyaluronidase. Also we observed changes of isolated testis before and after administration of Epimedium Herb extract solutions in the mice. And we compared the testicular tissue especially seminiferous tubules with the control and treated group by histochemical methods. Results : The significant differences were observed in the concentration of total sperm and normality of spermatozoa of the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group in 60, 90 and 120 days groups. The significant differences were observed the motility of the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group in 60 days group. In the histological analysis of the testicular tissues, the enlargement of testicular lobe diameter and apparent vasculogenesis between testicular lobes were observed in the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group, respectively. And the activity of hyaluronidase was significantly increased in the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group. Conclusion : This study shows that Epimedium Herb has the beneficial effect on the concentration, morphology and motility of sperm, the testicular tissues and the activities of sperm hyaluronidse in 60 days administration group. We can suggest that Epimedium Herb extract solution be useful for the treatment of male sexual dysfunction and infertility.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.41-54
• /
• 2006

Purpose : These studies were undertaken to evaluate the effects of Allii tuberosi Semen (ATS) on the spermatogenic abilities such as concentration, motility and morphological normality of sperm from the testis and the activities of sperm hyaluronidase, testicular peroxidase and testicular catalase. Materials and Methods : We used the 8-week-old mice and administered the 0.2 ml extract solution of ATS in the different concentration (0.1 mg/ml, 1 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml) once a day for 60 days. The control group was administered the distilled water in the same way. After the administration of each extract solution, we examined the number of total, motile and normal sperm, the activities of sperm hyaluronidase, testicular peroxidase and testicular catalase. Also we observed the histological changes of isolated testis. And we compared to the testicular tissue especially seminiferous tubules between control and treated group by histochemical methods. Results : The concentration of total sperm, the motility and normality of spermatozoa were significantly increased in ATS groups, especially in 1 and 10 mg/ml groups, compared to control group. In the histological analysis of the testicular tissues, the enlargement of testicular lobe diameter and apparent vasculogenesis between testicular lobes were observed in the ATS groups compared to the control group, respectively. Also, the activity of hyaluronidase was significantly increased in the ATS groups compared to the control group. In the antioxidant activity analysis, the activity of testicular peroxidase was significantly increased in the ATS groups compared to the control group, especially in 1 mg/ ml group. The activity of testicular catalase was increased in ATS groups. Conclusion : This study shows that ATS has the beneficial effect on the concentration, morphology and motility of sperm, the activities of sperm hyaluronidase and testicular peroxidase. We can suggest that ATS extract solution be useful for the treatment of male sexual dysfunctions and infertility.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.43 no.3 s.136
• /
• pp.225-231
• /
• 2004

An endoparasitoid wasp, Cotesia plutellae, has been used for a biological control agent against the diamondback moth, Plutellae xylostella. It has a symbiotic polydnavirus in their reproductive tract, which is required for its successful parasitization. Here, we measured a specific replication time of the polydnavirus during female development of C. plutellae. We, also, analyzed the reproductive potentials of female C. plutellae under mating or different host conditions. At $25^{\circ}C$, pupal C. plutellae began to develop adult tissues such as compound eyes and wings since day 2. At day 5, all adult tissues including antennae were developed and were ready to emerge. With polyclonal antibody raised against C. plutellae polydnavirus, an immunobloting could confirm virus replication at day 4 during pupal stage. Virus particles could be visualized by transmission electron microscope in the oviduct lumen of day 5 pupae. After adult eclosion, venom gland and ovarian calyx increased in size, though ovarioles did not. Mated females layed large number of eggs (over $60\%$) at first 4 days during their mean longevity of ca. 8 days at $25^{\circ}C$. Unmated females showed less active ovipositional behavior, where all the eggs developed into males. C. Plutellae parasitized both P. xylostella and fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea. However, C. Plutellae developed faster and showed higher successful paarasitization in P. xylostella than in H. cunea.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.38-56
• /
• 2010

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of administration of Foeniculi Fructus on ovarian functions and differential gene expressions related cell viability such as caspase-3, MAPK and MPG in female mice. Methods: We administered the Foeniculi Fructus to 6-week-old female CF-1 mice for 4, 8, 12 days. After administration of Foeniculi Fructus with 0.1, 1, 10, $100\;mg/m{\ell}$ concentration in the comparison of control group with $0\;mg/m{\ell}$, we observed the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes. After entosomatic fertilization, we observed the rate of fertilized 2-cell embryos to blastocyst stage in vitro. Also we chose the caspase-3 for cell apoptosis, MAPK and MPG genes for cell viability and DNA repair by RT-PCR. Results: 1. In case of 4, 8, 12day administration of Foeniculi Fructus with 0.1, 1, 10, $100\;mg/m{\ell}$, the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes were increased in the comparison of control group. 2. In case of 4, 8, 12day administration of Foeniculi Fructus with 0.1, 1, 10, $100\;mg/m{\ell}$, the rates of blastocyst formation from 2-cell stages were increased in the comparison of control group. 3. In case of 4, 8, 12day administration of Foeniculi Fructus with 0.1, 1, 10, $100\;mg/m{\ell}$, the gene expression of caspase-3, MAPK, MPG didn't show significant result in the comparison of control group. Conclusion: This study shows that Foeniculi Fructus has significant effects on the increase of the function on ovulation and embryonic development of female mice. But this results have nothing to do with caspase-3, MAPK and MPG genes. So we need a further study for which genes are related to the activation of reproductive functions of Foeniculi Fructus.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.72-81
• /
• 2004

Sexually matured guppies (Poeiria reticulata) were exposed to TBTCI (0.1, 0.32, 1, 3.2, 10, 25, 32, 50, 75 and 100 $\mug/l$) for 144 hours to determine the bioaccumulation rate and effects on the reproduction and behavior. The ratio of TBT residues to $\SigmaBTs\; (TBT:\SigmaBTs)$ was 67% or higher in all the guppies exposed to TBTCl, and the higher the level of TBTCl exposed, the higher the ratio of TBT:∑BTs, suggesting that the higher the level of TBTCl exposed, the lower the metabolism rate of the fish. TBTCl exposure led to a poor reproductivity and an abnormal sexual behavior in the fish, i.e. a reduced number of the male sexual sigmoid display and of spermatophore in the efferent duct was observed in the fish exposed to 0.1 $\mug/l$ and higher levels of TBTCl, and a decreasing ratio of the testicular spermatophore cyst to the whole germ cell cysts was observed in the fish exposed to 0.32∼10 $\mug/l$)of TBTCl. The reduced ratio of the spermatophore cyst seems to be an effect of the endocrine disrupter inhibiting spermiogenesis. In the fish exposed to 25 $\mug/l$ and higher levels of TBTCl, more serious effects, such as a rapid increase of mortality, the necrosis of most of the germ cells, great damages in Sertoli cells and epithelial cells of the efferent duct, a significant increase of abnormal swimming behavior, and a cessation of feeding were observed, which suggest the acute toxicity of TBTCl inhibiting not only the reproduction and behavior but also the survival of the fish itself.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.43-50
• /
• 2004

In this study, we examined effects of environmental endocrine disruptor bisphenol A on the reproduction of Xiphophorus maculatus. We exposed the males of X. maculatus to the bisphenol A adjusted to the various concentrations such as 100 ppb, 200 ppb, 400 ppb and 800 ppb for 3 months for the experimental groups and then inbreeded with normal females that was not any treated. We counted the number of second generation for confirmation of fertilizing ability of first generation. Also, we observed the ratios of female and male, the abnormality and mortality, and spermatogenesis of the second generation was exposed to bisphenol A for 6 months. As the result, the number of fry in the second generation was $11.50{\pm}2.22$ in 100 ppb, $6.40{\pm}2.76$ in 200 ppb, $5.70{\pm}1.34$ in 400 ppb and $3.70{\pm}2.11$ in 800 ppb at the experimental groups while it was $19.00{\pm}3.02$ at the control group which was not treated with bisphenol A. This result showed that the experimental groups exhibited a decreasing tendency according to the increase of bisphenol A concentration comparing with the control group. The ratio of female and male of the second generation had no relations with the concentration of bisphenol A, and the ratios of abnormality and mortality were 0%. The spermatogenesis of experimental groups was normal in 800 ppb as well as 100 ppb, 200 ppb, 400 ppb after even 6 months.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.62-76
• /
• 2006

Purpose : These studies were undertaken to evaluate the effects of the Cynomorii Herba (CH) on the spermatogenic abilities such as the concentration, motility and morphological normality of sperm from the testis, and the activities of sperm hyaluronidase, testicular peroxidase and testicular catalase. Materials and Methods : We used the 2-month-old mice and administered 0.2ml extract solution of CH in the 0.1mg/ml, 1mg/ml, 10mg/ml and 100mg/ml once a day for 60days. The control group was administered the distilled water in the same way. After the administration of extract solution, we examined the number of total, motile and normal sperm from the cauda epididymis, the activities of sperm hyaluronidase, testicular peroxidase and testicular catalase. We observed the histological changes of isolated testis and compared to the testicular tissue especially seminiferous tubules between control and CH groups by histochemical method. Results : The concentration of total sperm and the motility of spermatozoa were significantly increased in the 1mg/ml, 10mg/ml and 100mg/ml CH groups, especially in 10mg/ml group, compared to the control group. The significant differences were observed in the normality of spermatozoa of the CH groups compared to the control group. In the histolocal analysis of the testicular tissues, the enlargement of testicular lobe diameter and apparent vasculogenesis between testicular lobes were observed in the CH groups compared to the control group. Also, the activity of hyaluronidase was significantly increased in the CH groups compared to the control group. In the antioxidant activity analysis, the activities of testicular peroxidase and testicular catalase were significantly increased in the CH groups compared to the control group, respectively. Conclusion : This study shows that CH has the beneficial effect on the concentration, morphology and motility of sperm, the activities of sperm hyaluronidase, testicular peroxidase and testicular catalase. We can suggest that CH extract solution be useful for the treatment of male sexual dysfunctions and infertility.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.16-31
• /
• 2007

Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the different administration duration of Cynomorii Herba extract solution on the spermatogenic abilities such as concentration, motility and morphological normality of sperm from the testis and the activities of sperm hyaluronidase. Methods : We used the 8-week-old ICR mice and administered 0.3mg/g extract solution of Cynomorii Herba once a day for 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. The control group was administered the normal saline in the same way and duration. We examined the number of total, motile and normal sperm from the cauda epididymis. And we compared the testicular tissue especially seminiferous tubules between control and treated groups by histochemical methods. At the end we observed the difference of sperm hyaluronidase activities between control and treated groups. Results : The significant differences were observed in the concentration of total sperm, the motility and normality of spermatozoa of the Cynomorii Herba extract solution administered groups compared to the control group in 60 and 90 days groups. In the histological analysis of the testicular tissues, the enlargement of testicular lobe diameter and apparent vasculogenesis between testicular lobes were observed in the Cynomorii Herba extract solution administered groups compared to the control group, respectively. Also, the activity of hyaluronidase was significantly increased in the Cynomorii Herba extract solution administered groups compared to the control group. Conclusion : This study shows that Cynomorii Herba has the beneficial effect on the concentration, morphology and motility of sperm especially in 60 and 90 days administration group. We can suggest that Cynomorii Herba extract solution be useful for the treatment of male sexual dysfunctions and infertility.