• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1999.11a
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• pp.43-44
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• 1999

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.207-215
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• 2009

Numerous factors can affect the activities of hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) hormonal axis, resulting in alteration of reproductive capacity or status such as onset of puberty and menopause. Soon after the finding of leptin, a multifunctional hormone secreted from adipocytes, a close relationship between reproduction and body energy balance have been manifested. Ghrelin, another multifunctional hormone from gastrointestinal tract, is an endogenous ligand of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), and is thought to be a counterpart of leptin in the regulation of energy homeostasis. As expected, ghrelin can also modulate the reproductive capacity through the modulation of activities of HPG axis. This paper summarizes the current knowledge on the discovery, gene structures, tissue distribution and roles of ghrelin and GHSRs in mammalian reproduction in particular modulation of reproductive hormone secretion in HPG axis. Like POMC gene expression in pituitary gland, preproghrelin gene can generate a complex repertoire of transcripts which further undergo alternative splicing and posttranslational modifications. Concerning the roles of preproghrelin gene products in the control of body physiology except energy homeostasis, limited knowledge is available so far. Several lines of evidence, however, show the interplay of ghrelin between metabolism and reproduction. In rat and human, the distribution of ghrelin receptor GHSRs (GHSR1a and GHSR1b) has been confirmed not only in the hypothalamus and pituitary which were originally postulated as target of ghrelin but also in the testis and ovary. Expression of the preproghrelin gene in the brain and gonads was also verified, suggesting the local role (s) of ghrelin in HPG axis. Ghrelin might play a negative modulator in the secretions of hypothalamic GnRH, pituitary gonadotropins and gonadal steroids though the action on pituitary is still questionable. Recent studies suggest the involvement of ghrelin in regulation of puberty onset and possibly of menopause entry. It is now evident that ghrelin is a crucial hormomal component in 'brain-gut' axis, and is a strong candidate links between metabolism and reproduction. Opposite to that for leptin, ghrelin signaling is likely representing the 'hunger' state of body energy balance and is necessary to avoid the energy investment into reproduction which has not a top priority in maintaining homeostasis. Further researches are needed to gain a deep insight into the more precise action mechanism and role of ghrelin in reproduction, and to guarantee the successful biomedical applications.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.647-649
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• 2009

An orchiopexy was performed in an 18-month old adult English bulldog with bilateral cryptorchidism. One month postoperatively, the dog was twice-treated with GnRH (50 ug/kg) at an interval of 2 weeks. Semen was collected and evaluated before and after surgery. Fertility was determined by artificial insemination. No spermatozoa were observed before orchiopexy and 2 months postoperatively. However, 6 live sperm were detected 4 months postoperatively and normal sperm characteristics (except sperm concentration) were present 7 months postoperatively. A female bulldog, inseminated with the semen from the bulldog 8 months postoperatively, delivered 6 offsprings. Spermatogenesis and spermatozoa with fertilizing capacity were recovered by postpubertal orchiopexy and GnRH therapy in a bilateral cryptorchid dog.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2007

In all female mammals, reproductive system is one of the first biological systems to show age-related decline. Female mammals in reproductive aging, though the phenomena is somewhat species-specific, start to show declining fertility and changes of numerous physiological functions. This review will present a current information on the aging of the female reproductive hormonal axis and introduce three useful rodent models for studying this field. Middle age($8{\sim}12$ months old) in female rats and mice is comparable to the stage prior to the entry of menopause in human. In this period pulsatile and surge GnRH secretion from hypothalamus gradually attenuated, then reduced pulsatile and surge LH secretion is followed consequently. This age-related defects in GnRH-LH neuroendocrine axis seem to be highly correlated with the defects in brain signals which modulate the activities of GnRH neuron. Many researchers support the idea which the age-related hypothalamic defects are the main cause of reproductive aging, but some ovarian factors such as inhibin response also could contribute to the induction of reproductive senescence. Some rodent models are quite valuable in studying the reproductive aging. The follitropin receptor knockout(FORKO) mice, both of null and haploinsufficient state, could produce depletion of oocyte/follicle with age. Dioxin/aryl hydrocarbon receptor(AhR) knockout mice also show severe ovarian defects and poor reproductive success early in their life compared to the age-matched normal mice. Further studies on the reproductive aging will be a great help to evaluate the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy(HRT) and to improve the safety of HRT.

• The Korea Swine Journal
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• v.23 no.9 s.265
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• pp.146-150
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• 2001

양돈장의 소득향상을 위하여 능력이 우수한 번식돈을 확보하여 모돈두당 년간 이유두수(PSY)를 높여 품질이 우수한 비육돈의 출하두수와 출하체중을 증가시켜야 한다. 고능력 번식모돈을 확보하기 위해서는 유전적으로 산자수가 많고 비유능력이 우수하여 자돈의 복당 이유시 체중이 무거운 가계능력이 우수한 혈통을 가진 후보돈을 구입해야 하고, 외형적으로는 건강상태가 양호하여 후보돈의 교배시 등지방층이 16mm이상이고, 유두수가 많고 유두의 배열 및 간격이 일정하고 유두상태가 양호하여 부유두와 맹유두가 2개 이하이며, 외부 생식기의 발달이 좋으며, 지제가 튼튼한 후보돈을 선발 구입하여 돈군의 적정한 산차 구성을 유지하는 것이 바람직하다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Fisheries Technology Conference
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• 1995.06a
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• pp.230-231
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• 1995

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.209.1-209.1
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• 2016

우리에게 잘 알려져 있지 않은 강장동물 히드라는 뛰어난 세포 분열 능력을 가지고 있다. 출아(무성생식)를 하면서도 환경에 따라 유성생식을 하기도 하는 몇 안 되는 생물 중 하나인 히드라는 재생능력이 강하여 몸의 200분의 1만 잘려도 재생을 할 수 있는 능력을 가지고 있다. 이러한 히드라의 재생능력을 높은 에너지인 플라즈마에 노출시켜 보았다. 플라즈마는 열, 빛, 화학 활성종, 이온, 전자를 발생하며 이 중 열 및 화학적 자극을 중심으로 관찰하였다. 생물이 수용할 수 있는 열에너지를 넘게 받는다면 그 성질이 변하는 점을 이용해 액체 방전소스를 이용하여 플라즈마의 열적인 효과를 주었고, DBD소스로는 약 염기를 띠는 라디칼(활성종)용액을 배양액으로 만들어 히드라에게 배양시켜 히드라의 생장능력 변화를 알아보았다. 생장능력의 변화는 히드라의 개체 수를 통해 관찰하였다. 플라즈마를 발생시키는 소스는 다양하며 그 중 이번 실험에서는 액체 방전 소스와 DBD를 이용하였다. 액체방전 소스는 누전을 막기 위해 세라믹 관에 금속선을 넣어 고전압을 인가하여 방전하였고, DBD(Dielectric Barrier Discharge의 약어)는 유전체 장벽을 이용하여 기체를 방전시키는 방식이다. DBD는 주로 살균 용도로 연구 중이며, DBD는 주변 기체들을 반응시켜 라디칼을 상당히 만들어 낼 수가 있다. 한편, 생물학에서 주목 받고 있는 히드라는 200분의 1만 잘려도 재생이 되는 재생능력을 갖고 있다. 히드라의 이러한 생장 및 재생속도는 생체모방 기술로도 주목을 받고 있다. 이번 실험은 최근 연구되고 있는 플라즈마의 효과를 히드라에 적용한 것으로 플라즈마의 간접적인 영향이 히드라에 어떠한 영향을 줄 것인지 알아보았다. 간접적인 영향으로는 크게 열적인 요인과 화학적인 요인으로 나누어 관찰하였다. 실험을 통해 히드라의 변화를 알아보고 그 결과가 실용가능한지를 알아보고자 한다.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.224-231
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• 2002

Photoperiod (length of light per day) is a major factor in regulating reproductive function in golden hamsters. The information of photoperiod is transmitted to the reproductive endocrine system by melatonin. Thus the effects of melatonin aye investigated in male golden hamsters exposed to photoperiods. Paired testicular weights were markedly reduced in the animals housed in short photoperiod $(SP,\le{12\;hours\;day^{-1})$ and injected with melatonin in the evening, but not in long photoperiod $(LP,\le{12.5}\;hours\;day^{-1})$ and injected with melatonin in the morning. The histological examination of regressed testes showed reduction of tubular lumen diameter including the numbers of cells and Leydig cell number. The mean values of both follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were also lowered in the sexually inactive animals than in the sexually active animals. Melatonin receptor was identified by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and its expression was examined in various tissues to scrutinize the action site of melatonin. It turned out 309 nucleotides and was definitely expressed in hypothalamus and pituitary including spleen, retina, and epididymis. And gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) gene, which is a key element in regulating reproduction, was identified by RT-PCR but the expression of GnRH was not modified by the treatment of melatonin. Taken together, photoperiod via melatonin indirectly affects reproductive endocrine system, possibly through the release of GnRH, not the synthesis of GnRH.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.834-840
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• 2003

To examine the effect of Saengshik on parameters related to hepatoprotective, anthropometric, blood pressure, serum lipid and blood related indices, nonalcoholic fatty liver subjects were treated with two meal portion of Saengshik in the replacement of meals for a period of three months. Weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and systolic blood pressure were significantly decreased after the treatment. Chronically elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-Glutamyl transferase (r-GTP) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) levels showed reduction to the near normal range. Serum total triglyceride level were reduced following the treatment. Whereas, there were no changes of serum total cholesterol with Saengshik consumption. Also, additional study was conducted to investigate the effect of Saengshik supplementation to high cholesterol and fat diet on lipid metabolism in rats. Male Spraque-Dawley rats were administrated hyperlipidemiainducing diet containing 1% cholesterol and 10% lard to induce hyperlipidemia for 4 weeks and were fed on diet containing Saengshik (30%, w/w) for 7 weeks. The feeding of diet containing 30% Shaengshik significantly decreased total cholesterol (TC) contents and total triglyceride. These results demonstrate Saengshik may be beneficial for fatty liver patients in improving their lipid metabolism.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2001

Golden hamsters show the reproductive activity that is determined by the photoperiod (length of light per day). Photoperiod is an environmental factor that is predictable through an entire year. The hamsters are sexually active in summer during which day length exceeds night time. The critical length is at least 12.5 hours of light in a day where reproductive function is maintained. The information of photoperiod is mediated by the pineal gland because removal of pineal gland blocks the influence of photoperiod on reproductive activity. The hamsters without pineal gland maintain sexual activity and promote it in a situation that suppresses gonadal activity. The pineal gland secretes melatonin that reflects the photoperiod. The appropriate administrations of melatonin into both pineal intact and pinealectomized hamsters lead to a gonadal reression. The results suggest that melatonin constitutes a part of control mechanism whereby environmental information is transduced to neuroendocrine signal respensible for the functional integrity of the reproductive system. Despite of the intense studies, the action site of melatonin is on the whole unknown. It is mainly due to the lack of acute efffct of melatonin on the secretion of reproductive hormones. However, sexually regressed animals display the low levelsof gonadotropins and the augmentation of the hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) content, implying that the antigonadotropic effects either by photoperiod and/or by the treatment of melatonin are mediated by the GnRH neuronal system. The action mechanism by which melatonin exerts its effect on GnRH neuron needs to be investigated. Recent cloning of melatonin receptor will contribute to examine various and putative potencies of melatonin via its anatomical identification and the action mechanism of melatonin on target tissues at the molecular level.