• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.239-243
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• 2002

Changes of plasma vitellogenin (VTG) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) were examined for determining whether hepatocyte was damaged during the process of VTG induction in the juvenile rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli exposed to exogenous estrogen (estradiol-l7$\beta$, E$_2$). Rockfishes were intraperitoneally injected with E$_2$(5 mg/kg B.W.) in 70% ethanol and plasma sampling were extracted at 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 days af-ter E$_2$administration. VTG and GPT were then analyzed by SDS -PAGE and Reitman -Frankel method, respectively. VTG band was detected at a molecular weight position of 175 kDa on Day 3 after E$_2$administration. This band became more distinct at 6 days, but its was gradually thinned with time -course, and not detected at 15 days. GPT was suddenly increased at 1 days after 22 administration and highest GPT was detected at 3 days. However. GPT was gradually decreased with time -course as the change of VTG. These results suggest that the process of VTG induction by exogenous E$_2$damage to hepatocyte, and plasma GPT was temporarily increased in the juvenile rockfish.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.259-269
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• 1996

To establish whether or not androgens is responsible for the induction of vitellogenin(Vg) synthesis and secretion, primary hepatocytes prepared from immature eels were used. The results are follows: 1. Eel hepatocytes were prepared using a collagenase perfusion technique. The isolated cells attached efficiently to fibronectin-coated dishes and subsequently formed monolayers in serum-free medium. These cultures maintained in medium for 10 days with minimal cell loss. 2. Estradiol-17$\beta$(E2) alone was insufficient to induce Vg synthesis. The combination of E2 with methyltestosterone(MT) markedly stimulated Vg synthesis. High vg production occurred in MT concentration from 10-6~10-5M in the presence of E2 (10-6M). Testosterone and androsterone were also effective, but progesterone was not effective in inducing Vg synthesis. Neither MT alone nor testosterone and androsterone alone had any effect on Vg synthesis. 3. E2-primed hepatocytes showed Vg synthesis in both media with and without hormones 1 day after culture. In the cultures with the vehicle, MT, or progesterone, the rate of synthesis seemed to decrease with time. But the combination of E2 and MT showed an intense increase in Vg synthesis. Hepatocytes isolated from E2-primed eels also required androgens for continuating of Vg synthesis. 4. These results demonstrate that androgens act together with E2 in synthesis and secretion of eel Vg.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.161-167
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• 2010

This study investigated the estrogenicity of 4-nonylphenol (NP) and diethylstilbestrol (DES) in vitro during oocyte maturation in the marine fish, Tridentiger obscurus, using steroid hormone assays and GVBD assay. Vitellogenic (0.53mm diameter) and fully vitellogenic (0.75mm diameter) oocytes were in vitro exposed to NP (0.045 453.82 nM and DES (0.037 372.62 nM). In vitellogenic oocytes, 45.38 and 453.82nM NP and 3.73 372.62nM DES increas the estradiol-$17{\beta}$ (E2)/testosterone (T) ratio. In fully vitellogenic oocytes, 0.45, 45.38 and 453.82nM NP and 3.73nM DES increased E2/T. In the GVBD assay, 0.45 and 4.54nM NP and 0.037, 3.73 and 37.26nM DES inhibited GVBD. These results suggest that NP and DES have estrogen-agonistic effects in oocyte maturation in T. obscurus. In addition, NP and DES have different sensitivity according to the oocyte developmental stage, and the estrogenagonistic effects of DES were greater than were those of NP.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1365-1375
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• 2005

The antiestrogenic effects of marijuana smoke condensate (MSC) and three major cannabinoids, i.e., $\bigtriangleup^{9}$-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN), were evaluated using in vitro bioassays, viz., the human breast cancer cell proliferation assay, the recombinant human estrogen receptor (ER) competitive binding assay, and the reporter gene assay. The inhibitory effects on estrogen were also examined using the ethoxyresorufin-O­deethylase (EROD) assay, the aromatase assay, and the 17$\beta$-estradiol ($E_{2}$) metabolism assay. The results showed that MSC induced the antiestrogenic effect via the ER-mediated pathway, while THC, CBD, and CBN did not have any antiestrogenic activity. This suggests that the combined effects of the marijuana smoke components are responsible for the antiestrogenicity of marijuana use. In addition, MSC induced the CYP1A activity and the $E_{2}$ metabolism, but inhibited the aromatase activity, suggesting that the antiestrogenic activity of MSC is also related to the indirect ER-dependent pathway, as a result of the depletion of the in situ $E_{2}$ level available to bind to the ER. In conclusion, pyrogenic products including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the non-polar fraction, which is the most biologically active fraction among the seven fractions of MSC, might be responsible for the antiestrogenic effect.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.121-125
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• 2019

Chronic exposure to atrazine (ATR) raises concerns about adverse effects on reproductive functions. We tested our previously validated filtering device, the OBP-based filter, onto a biological model constituted of cultured swine granulosa cells treated for 48 h with media conditioned with 0.1 or $10{\mu}M$ ATR evaluating cell viability and steroidogenesis. The tested atrazine concentrations did not change granulosa cell viability and no filtering effects was observed following treatments with media prepared with differently filtered water. As for steroidogenesis, treatment of water with OBP-based filter containing $10{\mu}M$ atrazine completely suppressed the stimulatory effect of $10{\mu}M$ atrazine on progesterone production as well as the inhibitory effect of $0.1{\mu}M$ ATR on estradiol-$17{\beta}$ production by granulosa cells. Our data demonstrate that the impairment of steroidogenesis induced by ATR is effectively removed after water filtration in the experimental device thus suggesting potential use in biotechnological applications on living cells and/or organisms.

• Journal of Convergence Korean Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.11-16
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity effects of the aqueous extract of Schizandra chinensis (SC) in menopausal mice. Methods: To induce menopausal obesity, female mice were ovariectomized (OVX) and fed a high-fat diet (HFD; 60% fat, 28% carbohydrates, 14% protein) for 12 weeks. The mice were divided into 6 groups (n = 8): NOR (sham-operated and vehicle-treated), HFD+OVX (vehicle-treated), E2 (17-beta estradiol 50 ㎍/kg-treated), SC1 (1 mg/kg SC-treated), SC10 (10 mg/kg SC-treated), and SC100 (100 mg/kg SC-treated). Samples were orally administered for 6 weeks, after which all experimental mice were sacrificed. Body weight, feeding efficiency, white adipose tissue weight, adipocyte diameter, and fat vacuoles in liver were analyzed. Results: By treating with SC extract, the body weight and feeding efficiency of mice were significantly decreased. The weight of visceral fat tissues was decreased in the SC10 and SC100 groups. Histopathology showed that fat cell diameters of white adipose tissue were also decreased in the SC10 and SC100 groups. Additionally, SC extract regenerated the hepatocyte damage and decreased the size and number of follicular adipocytes Conclusion: In summary, these results suggest that SC has inhibitory effects against menopausal obesity. Schizandra chinensis may be a potential alternative for obesity among female menopausal diseases.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.1 s.106
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• pp.122-129
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• 2004

In an effort to develop the biomarker for monitoring the contamination of xenoestrogen in the freshwater environment of Korea, reverse transcription-polymerasechain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of vitellogenin (VTG) gene expression was optimized in Hearisarsus Iaseo, Based on the homology of the VTG cDNA sequences between the common carp and zebra fish, a set of PCR primers for VTG mRNA amplification for H; labo was designed. VTG mRNA level in livers from female and male fishes was analyzed by RT-PCR following single injection of 17 beta estradiol($E_2$ 10 mg $kg^{-1}$ B.W.). As an internal control, beta actin mRNA was amplified. One us of total liver RNA was subjected to RT-PCR. In female the amount of PCR productof VfC gradually increased in the range from 16 to 34 cycles of amplification. On the contrary, in control male, PCR product first detected at 32 cycles of amplification and linearly increased up to 40 cycles of amplification. In $E_2$ injected male liver, the VTC mRNA level was similar to that in the female. Taken together, this result suggests that liver of male H. labo expresses minute amount of VTG mRNA which are2-l6 equivalent of female and that induction of VTG mRNA occurs in male liver after estrogen treatment. In conclusion, the optimized protocol for RT-PCR analysis of VTG mRNA expression in liver of male H. labo will provide the environmental monitoring method for the xenoestrogen contamination in the rivers in Korea.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2012

Ginseng has been used as a traditional medicine for treatment of many diseases and for general health maintenance in people of all ages. Ginseng is also used to ameliorate menopausal systems. We investigated the estrogenic activity of Korean red ginseng (KRG) in a transient transfection system, using estrogen receptor (ER) and estrogen-responsive luciferase plasmids in MCF-7 cells. The extract activated both ER${\alpha}$ and ER${\beta}$. KRG modulated the mRNA levels of estrogen-responsive genes such as pS2 and ESR1 and decreased the protein level of ER${\alpha}$. In order to examine in vivo estrogenic activity of KRG, sixteen female Sprague-Dawley rats separated into four groups were studied for nine weeks: non-ovariectomized (OVX) rats treated with olive oil, OVX rats treated with olive oil, OVX rats treated with 17-${\beta}$-estradiol (E2) in olive oil, and OVX rats treated with KRG extract in olive oil. The experiments were repeated for three times and the data of twelve rats were combined. Body weight of OVX rats was greater than that of sham-operated control rats and was decreased by E2 treatment. Uterine weight increased after E2 treatment compared to OVX rats. However, no difference in body or uterine weight was observed with KRG intake. KRG induced reductions in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol/total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol/total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol, but not to the same degree as did E2 intake. These results show that KRG does contain estrogenic activity as manifested by in vitro study but the activity is not strong enough to elicit physiological responses.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.383-387
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• 1999

Objective: There is increasing evidence for the expression of rat in gene in several extrapituitary sites including testis and ovary. We also have demonstrated that the local LH expression in the rat epididymis and uterus, the major accessory sex organs in male and female reproductive system, respectively. Design: The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether the gene for LH receptor is expressed in rat uterus and whether the expressions of uterine LH and its receptor are differentially regulated during estrous cycle. Presence of the transcripts for rat LH receptor in the rat uterine tissue were confirmed by touchdown reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: In $LH{\beta}$ semi-quantitative RT-PCR, the highest expression level was shown in estrus stage. The level of ill receptor transcripts was also fluctuated during estrous cycle. In ovariectomized rats (OVX + Oil), the expressions of both uterine LH and LH-R were markedly reduced when compared to those from normal rats. Supplement with estradiol $17{\beta}$ to the ovariectomized rats (OVX + $E_2$) restored the expression levels of LH and its receptor to the levels in uteri from normal rats. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that 1) LH and its receptor gene are expressed in the rat uterus from cycling rats, 2) the expression of uterine LH and its receptor is mainly, if not all, under the control of ovarian sex steroid(s). These results suggested that the uterine LH may act as a local regulator with auto and/or paracrine manner, though the posibility that the pituitary LH may act directly on the regulation of uterine functions could not be discarded.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 1986

We have reviewed 59 cases of patients amoung 65 cases who underwent IVF and ET with reasonable indications irom 1984 and the results as follows. 1. Major indications for IVF and ET were tubal factor (40.7%), unexplained infertility (25.4%), endometriosis (15.3%), failed AID and AIH (10.1 %), and sperm abnormality (8.5%). 2. For superovulation of human oocytes, l00mg of clomiphene citrate and 75 IU of HMG used. The monitoring of oocyte maturation was bone by ultrasound examination and serum 17-${\beta}$ estradiol, LH values. The peak $E_2$ value was 956.36${\pm}$702.13 pg/ml. 3. The oocytes were obtained by laparoscopy 24-36 hours after the injection of HCG. 4. The mean numbers of follicles at laparoscopy was 3.06 and the successful rate of laparoscopy was 79.7%. 5. And 165 follicles were aspirated from which 98 oocytes were recovered, 59.4% of all follicles had at least one oocyte aspirated. 21.4% of the eggs were mature, 52.0% were moderate, 26.5%. were immature. 6. 67.3% of oocytes were cleaved and were transferred at 4-6 cell stages. 7. Four pregnancies including one chemical pregnancy and one spontaneous abortion were established by ${\beta}$-subunit, u-hCG and ultrasound examinations.