• Title/Summary/Keyword: 5R

Search Result 27,159, Processing Time 0.083 seconds

The Relationship between Zinc protoporphyrin and Lead levels in Normal Adults' Blood And Comparison of Zinc protoporphyrin values by High Performance Liquid Chromatograph and Hematofluorometer (정상인에서 혈중 연과 zinc protoporphyrin과의 상관관계 및 HPLC 와 Hematofluorometer로 측정한 zinc protoporphyrin량간의 비교)

  • Kim, Kangyoon;Kim, Hyunwook
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
    • /
    • v.3 no.2
    • /
    • pp.141-151
    • /
    • 1993
  • Blood samples obtained from 200 adults who had visited the "S" general hospital were analyzed to compare the zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels quantified by high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) and by hematofluorometer (HF) to investigate the methodological difference if any and the relationship between the levels of blood lead and ZPP among no-lead exposed adults. Also investigated were the distribution of ZPP and protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) concentrations, the establishment of normal levels of blood ZPP and blood lead, and the contribution of age and sex factors to these values. These subjects had no previous occupational exposure to lead. The results obtained were as follows : 1. The mean values of blood lead for male and female subjects were $9.46{\pm}2.44{\mu}g/dl$ and $8.09{\pm}2.17{\mu}g/dl$, respectively. The difference observed in the mean concentrations between male and female subjects was statistically very significant. 2. The mean values of blood ZPP by HPLC for male and female subjects were $15.94{\pm}4.55{\mu}g/dl$ and $22.26{\pm}6.61{\mu}g/dl$, respectively. The difference observed in the mean concentrations between male and female subjects was statistically not significant. The mean values of blood PPIX by HPLC for male and female subjects were $2.51{\pm}1.78{\mu}g/dl$ and $2.81{\pm}1.56{\mu}g/dl$, respectively. The difference observed in the mean concentrations between male and female subjects was statistically not significant. 3. The mean values of blood ZPP by HF for male and female subjects were $28.44{\pm}7.11{\mu}g/dl$ and $37.77{\pm}8.04{\mu}g/dl$, respectively. The difference observed in the mean concentrations between male and female subjects was statistically very significant. 4. No statistically significant correlation was found between the levels of blood ZPP and blood lead. 5. The ratio of ZPP and protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) concentration to erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP, EP=ZPP+PPIX) concentration was 87.4% and 12.6%, respectively. 6. A statistically very significant correlation was found between the ZPP concentrations determined by HPLC and the values by HF (r=0.7565). The ZPP concentraitons quantified by HF were 1.75 times as high as the values obtained by HPLC. 7. The blood ZPP concentrations quantified by HPLC, HF, and spectrofluorometer (SF) from the blood samples obtained from 14 lead-exposed workers and from 16 no-lead exposed adults showed wide variations. The ZPP concentrations by HF were the highest followed by the levels obtained by SF and by HPLC. In the exposed group, no statistically significant difference was found among three methods of quantifying blood ZPP levels. In the no-lead exposed group, however, statistically significant difference was observed among these methods. The ZPP concentrations by HF were about twice as high as those of by HPLC or by SF. Among three methods of quantifying blood ZPP (HPLC, SF and HF), the results revealed significant difference. Therefore it is suggested that objective methods of quantifying blood ZPP and a system of correcting different ZPP levels be developed by the ministry of Labor.

  • PDF

Significance of Serum Ferritin in Multiple Trauma Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (다발성 외상 환자에서 발생되는 급성 호흡 곤란 증후군의 예측 인자로서 혈청 페리틴의 의의)

  • Ji, Yae-Sub;Kim, Nak-Hee;Jung, Ho-Geun;Ha, Dong-Yeup;Jung, Ki-Hoon
    • Journal of Trauma and Injury
    • /
    • v.20 no.2
    • /
    • pp.57-64
    • /
    • 2007
  • Purpose: Clinically, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurs within 72 hours after acute exposure of risk factors. Because of its high fatality rate once ARDS progresses, early detection and management are essential to reduce the mortality rate. Accordingly, studies on early changes of ARDS were started, and serum ferritin, as well the as injury severity score (ISS), which has been addressed in previous studies, thought to be an early predictive indicator for ARDSMethods: From March 2003 to March 2005, we investigated 50 trauma patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit in Dongguk University Medical Center, Gyeongju. The patients were characterized according to age, sex, ISS, onset of ARDS, time onset of ARDS, serum ferritin level (posttraumatic $1^{st}\;&\;2^{nd}$ day), amount of transfused blood, and death. Abdominal computed topography was performed as an early diagnostic tool to evaluate the onset of ARDS according to its diagnostic criteria. The serum ferritin was measured by using a $VIDAS^{(R)}$ Ferritin (bioMeriux, Marcy-1' Etoile, France) kit with an enzyme-linked fluorescent assay method. For statistical analysis, Windows SPSS 13.0 and MedCalc were used to confirm the probability of obtaining a predictive measure from the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. Results: The ISS varied from 14 to 66 (mean: 33.8) whereas the onset of ARDS could be predicted with the score above 30 (sensitivity: 90.0%, specificity: 60.0%, p<0.05). On the posttraumatic $1^{st}$ day, the serum ferritin levels were measured to be from 31 mg/dL to 1,200 mg/dL (mean: 456 mg/dL), and the onset of ARDS could be predicted when the value was over 340 mg/dL (sensitivity: 80.0%, specificity: 65.0%, p<0.05). On the posttraumatic $2^{nd}$ day, the serum ferritin levels were measured to be from 73 mg/dL to 1,200 mg/dL (mean: 404 mg/dL), and the onset of ARDS could be predicted when the value was over 627 mg/dL (sensitivity: 60.0%, specificity: 92.5%, p<0.05). The serum ferritin levels and the ISS were significantly higher on the posttraumatic $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ day in the ARDS group, suggesting that they are suitable indices predicting the onset of ARDS, however relationship between the serum ferritin levels and the ISS was not statistically significant. Conclusion: In this study, we discovered increasing serum ferritin levels in multiple- trauma patients on the posttraumatic $1^{st}$ & $2^{nd}$ day and concluded that both the serum ferritin level and the ISS were good predictors of ARDS. Although they do not show statistically significant relationship to each other, they can be used as independent predictive measures for ARDS. Since ARDS causes high mortality, further studies, including the types of surgery and the methods of anesthesia on a large number of patients are essential to predict the chance of ARDS earlier and to reduce the incidence of death.

Effect of Root-Zone Temperature in Hydroponics on Plant Growth and Nutrient Uptake in Vegetable Crops (수경재배(水耕栽培)에서 양액온도(養液溫度)가 채소작물(菜蔬作物)의 생장(生長) 및 무기양분흡수(無機養分吸收)에 미치는 영향(影響))

  • Jang, Byoung-Choon;Hong, Young-Pyo;Chun, Jae-Chul
    • Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
    • /
    • v.25 no.3
    • /
    • pp.242-248
    • /
    • 1992
  • This study was carried out to investigate the effects of root-zone temperature in hydroponics on the plant growth and nutrient uptake of lettuce(Lactuca sativa L), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill), and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L). Respiration rate in roots increased with increase in root-zone temperature. At $10^{\circ}C$ of root-zone temperature, respiration rate in lettuce root was higher than those in tomato and cucumber. Increasing rate of root respiration in tomato with increase in root-zone temperature was greater than those in lettuce and cucumber. The lowest dry weight and leaf area of the crops studied were obtained at $10^{\circ}C$ of root-zone temperature, but they were not different between 20 and $30^{\circ}C$. Increase in root-zone temperature generally resulted in increase in T/R ratio and net assimilation rate. At the low root-zone temperature, root growth and leaf area of tomato and cucumber were severely affected. Relative growth rates of lettuce and cucumber were also greatly reduced by the low root-zone temperature. Contents of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in the crops increased as root-zone temperature increased from 10 to $20^{\circ}C$, whereas only Ca content in tomato and cucumber increased with increase in root-zone temperature to $30^{\circ}C$. Remarkably low contents of P and Mg in the crops were found at the low root-zone temperature. Inhibition of plant growth and nutrient uptake due to low root-zone temperature was much greater in cucumber than in lettuce and tomato.

  • PDF

Correlation between Expiratory Increase of Lung Attenuation and Age and Smoking in the Subjects with Normal Inspiratory Low Dose CT and Pulmonary Function Test (저선량 흉부전산화단층촬영의 흡기 영상과 폐기능이 정상인 성인에서 호기 말 폐 감쇄도 증가 정도와 연령 및 흡연과의 연관성)

  • Kwon, Sung-Youn;Hwang, Yong-Il;Yoon, Ho-Il;Lee, Jae-Ho;Lee, Choon-Taek;Lee, Kyung Won
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
    • /
    • v.65 no.6
    • /
    • pp.457-463
    • /
    • 2008
  • Background: The attenuation of the lung parenchyma increases on expiration as a consequence of decreased air in the lung. Expiratory CT scans have been used to show air trapping in patients with chronic airway disease and diffuse parenchymal disease and also in asymptomatic smokers. Although there have been several reports investigating the regional air trapping on a expiratory CT scan, there have been only a few reports evaluating the changes of whole lung attenuation with considering its clinical significance, and especially in healthy subjects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation of an expiratory increase of lung attenuation with age and smoking in healthy subjects. Methods: Asymptomatic subjects who underwent a low dose chest CT scan as part of a routine check-up and who showed normal spirometry and a normal inspiratory CT scan were recruited for this study. We excluded the subjects with significant regional air trapping seen on their expiratory CT scan. Lung attenuation was measured at 24 points of both the inspiratory and expiratory CT scans, respectively, for 100 subjects. The correlations between an expiratory increase of the lung attenuation and the amount of smoking, the patient's age and the results of spirometric test were assessed. Results: There were 87 men and 13 women included in this study. Their median age was 49.0 years old (range:25~71). Sixty current smokers, 24 ex-smokers and 16 non-smokers were included. As age increased, the expiratory increase of lung attenuation was reduced at every measuring points (r=-0.297~-0.487, Pearson correlation). The statistical significance was maintained after controlling for the effect of smoking. Smoking was associated with a reduction of the expiratory increase of lung attenuation. But the significance was reduced after controlling for the patient's age. The $FEV_1$, FVC, $FEV_1/FVC$ and $FEF_{25{\sim}75%}$ were not associated with an expiratory increase of lung attenuation. Conclusion: The expiratory increase of lung attenuation in subjects with a normal inspiratory CT scan was negatively correlated with age. It was also reduced in heavy smokers. It may reflect aging and the smoking related changes.

An Overview of Korean Sharks Listed by the IUCN and CITES (IUCN과 CITES에 등재된 한국산 상어류의 현황)

  • Jeong, Choong-Hoon;Choi, Youn;Oh, Jeong-Kyu;Kim, Min-Seop;Jeong, Seung Jin
    • Korean Journal of Ichthyology
    • /
    • v.28 no.2
    • /
    • pp.125-133
    • /
    • 2016
  • Sharks (Selachii) comprising about 510 valid species worldwide. Forty-three shark species belonging to 30 genera, 19 families and 8 orders have been found in Korean coastal waters, and all these are registered at the IUCN Red List as followings: endangered (EN) 1 species (2.3%) (vs. worldwide 15 spp., 3.2%), vulnerable (VU) 11 spp. (25.6%) (vs. 48 spp., 10.3%), near threatened (NT) 10 spp. (23.3%) (vs. 67 spp., 14.4%), least concern (LC) 9 spp. (20.9%) (vs. 115 spp., 24.7%), data deficient (DD) 12 spp. (27.9%) (vs. 209 spp., 44.9%), and critically endangered (CR) absent (vs. 11 spp., 2.4%). Twelve species among 43 sharks distributing in Korean waters are assessed as Threatened in the IUCN Red List categories and criteria as followings: Sphyrna lewini (EN, A2bd+4bd), Rhincodon typus (VU, A2bd+3d), Cetorhinus maximus (VU, A2ad+3d), Carcharodon carcharias (VU, A2cd+3cd), Isurus oxyrinchus (VU, A2abd+3bd+4abd), Alopias pelagicus (VU, A2d+4d), A. vulpinus (VU, A2bd+3bd+4bd), Carcharhinus plumbeus (VU, A2bd+4bd), S. zygaena (VU, A2bd+3bd+4bd), Squalus suckleyi (VU, A2bd+3bd+4bd), Squatina japonica (VU, A2d+4d), and S. nebulosa (VU, A2d+4d). Eighteen chondrichthyan species are registered in the list of the CITES Appendices, among them five sharks are distributing in Korean waters as Appendix II, i.e., R. typus, C. maximus, C. carcharias, S. lewini and S. zygaena. The scientific name of "Gobsangeo" has been changed from Squalus acanthias of the North Pacific to S. suckleyi, and "Mojorisangeo" from S. megalops of the Northwest Pacific to brevirostris.

Bionomics of Schlechtendalia chinensis(Aphidoidea: Homoptera) in the Galls (오배자면충(진딧물상과: 매미목) 충영의 생태)

  • 이원구;황창연;소상섭
    • The Korean Journal of Ecology
    • /
    • v.22 no.5
    • /
    • pp.287-294
    • /
    • 1999
  • During the period from April to October, 1998 the authors investigated the gall development process of Chinese gallnuts (Schelchtendalia chinensis) on sumac (Rhus javanica) at Mt. Goduk near Chonju city in Chonbuk province. The majority (56.8%) of chinese gallnuts were formed on first pinnates and 24.3% on second pinnates of sumac leaves. Galls began to form from the 1st of June and grew slowly until the 24th of June. Galls enlarged rapidly after the 1st of August, but their growth rates decreased after the 26th of August and stopped growing after the 8th of September. Alate viviparous females escaped from galls after the 24th of September. Fundatricies, the second generation in the galls, exuviated three times to become adults on the 24th of June. Fundatrix adults bore 1∼10 eggs in the body and laid 1∼16 nymphs of the second generation. Nymphs of the second generation began to appear on the 17th of June and had matured completely on the 14th∼24th of July. Adults of the second generation bore eggs in the body. Thus the developmental period of the second generation was 27∼37 days. Nymphs of the third generation appeared on the 14th of July and finally alate viviparous females were developed on the 24th of September. During the two months from the beginning of the third generation to the appearence of the final alate viviparous females, there should be at least two generations, that is, the third and fourth generations. The fourth generation seems to begin at about the 20th August because the number of inhabitants (2,859 individuals) in galls on the 26 th of August had increased more than 10 times those (263 individuals) on the 19 th of August. The tannin content of galls was 65.04∼68.23% while that of sumac leaves and stems was 11.56%, 3.49% respectively.

  • PDF

A HISTOPATHOLOGIC STUDY ON THE PULPAL RESPONSE TO DEMINERALIZED FREEZE-DRIED BONE IN DOGS (탈회냉동건조골에 대한 성견의 치수조직반응에 관한 연구)

  • Jung, Moon-Yong;Lee, Chang-Seop;Park, Joo-Chul;Lee, Sang-Ho
    • Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
    • /
    • v.27 no.2
    • /
    • pp.318-332
    • /
    • 2000
  • The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of demineralized freeze-dried bone (DFDB) on mechanically exposed pulp of dog by evaluating the pulpal inflammation and healing process, formation of dental hard tissue, and structural changes of fibroblasts of the remaining pulp tissue. Teeth of 4 dogs, weighing 10kg, were used in this study. Class V cavities were prepared followed by exposed the pulp tissue mechanically by sterilized round bur. In control group, exposed pulps were capped with calcium hydroxide paste followed by sealed with IRM. In experimental groups, the exposed pulps of one group were capped with the collagen and those of the other group were capped with DFDB. All cavities were sealed with same manor as control group. The animals were sacrificed at the intervals of 3, 7, 14, and 28 days for histopathlogic evaluation. The specimens were observed by the light microscope and trans-electron microscope. The results were as follows: 1. Pulp necrosis was not observed in all groups. Inflammatory response was disappeared from 1 week in control group and group 2. But it was not disappeared until 2 weeks and also irregular arrangement of odontoblasts was showed at the lateral walls of root canal just beneath the amputated site of the pulp in group 1. 2. Dentinal bridge was formed incompletely at 2 weeks but it was formed completely at 4 weeks in control group. Odontoid tissue was also found in control group at 4 weeks from treatment. Amputated site of pulp was encapsulated with fibrous tissue and odontoblast and dentinal bridge was not found in group 1. Preodontoid tissue and reparative dentin which were formed by odontoblast differentiated around DFDB were found, but dentinal bridge was not found in group 2. 3. Cell with large basophillic-stained nuclei infiltrated to amputated site and DFDB at 1 week from treatment in control group and group 2. They were found more in group 2 than in control group. Odontoblasts arranged more regularly and reparative dentin was found more as time elapsed. 4. Dentin-formative odontoblasts which showed ultramicrostructure of cytoplasm with polarized nucleus, rEM, Golgi complex, secretory granules, secretion of organic matrix in control of group and group 2. In regards to above results, the demineralized freeze-dried bone(DFDB) induce odontoblastic differentiation and further come up to the dentin formation in amputated pulp.

  • PDF

Effects of Heat-treated Brown Rice on Total Phenolics and Antioxidant Activities (열처리 온도에 따른 현미 에탄올 추출물의 항산화 성분 및 활성 변화)

  • Kwak, Jieun;Oh, Sea-Kwan;Kim, Dae-Jung;Lee, Jeong-Heui;Yoon, Mi-Ra;Kim, Hye-Won;Lee, Jeom-Sig
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
    • /
    • v.42 no.4
    • /
    • pp.534-541
    • /
    • 2013
  • In the present study, the effects of heat treatments on the phenolic components and antioxidative activities of various rice cultivars (from Hwaseongbyeo, Keunnunbyeo, Hongjinjubyeo, and Heugkwangbyeo) were investigated. Each brown rice cultivar was heated at six temperatures (40, 60, 90, 120, 150, and $180^{\circ}C$) for 15 min. The total polyphenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of 70% ethanol extracts from heated brown rice were quantified using spectrophotometrical methods, and antioxidant activities determined using DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging activities and reducing power. Hongjinjubyeo had the highest TPC (6.50 mg GAE/g, DB) and ABTS radical scavenging activity (5.85 AAE/g, DB) at $60^{\circ}C$. Also, Heugkwangbyeo showed considerable values for TPC (6.57 and 6.89 mg GAE/g, DB) and ABTS radical scavenging activity (6.29 and 6.11 AAE/g, DB) at $40^{\circ}C$ and $180^{\circ}C$, respectively. Overall, the antioxidant activities of both Hongjinjubyeo and Heugkwangbyeo extracts had a strong positive correlation ($R^2{\geq}0.916$, ${\alpha}$=0.01) with TPC and TFC. These results indicate that heat treatment effectively enhances the antioxidant activity of Hongjinjubyeo and Heugkwangbyeo.

Factors Influencing the Adoption of Location-Based Smartphone Applications: An Application of the Privacy Calculus Model (스마트폰 위치기반 어플리케이션의 이용의도에 영향을 미치는 요인: 프라이버시 계산 모형의 적용)

  • Cha, Hoon S.
    • Asia pacific journal of information systems
    • /
    • v.22 no.4
    • /
    • pp.7-29
    • /
    • 2012
  • Smartphone and its applications (i.e. apps) are increasingly penetrating consumer markets. According to a recent report from Korea Communications Commission, nearly 50% of mobile subscribers in South Korea are smartphone users that accounts for over 25 million people. In particular, the importance of smartphone has risen as a geospatially-aware device that provides various location-based services (LBS) equipped with GPS capability. The popular LBS include map and navigation, traffic and transportation updates, shopping and coupon services, and location-sensitive social network services. Overall, the emerging location-based smartphone apps (LBA) offer significant value by providing greater connectivity, personalization, and information and entertainment in a location-specific context. Conversely, the rapid growth of LBA and their benefits have been accompanied by concerns over the collection and dissemination of individual users' personal information through ongoing tracking of their location, identity, preferences, and social behaviors. The majority of LBA users tend to agree and consent to the LBA provider's terms and privacy policy on use of location data to get the immediate services. This tendency further increases the potential risks of unprotected exposure of personal information and serious invasion and breaches of individual privacy. To address the complex issues surrounding LBA particularly from the user's behavioral perspective, this study applied the privacy calculus model (PCM) to explore the factors that influence the adoption of LBA. According to PCM, consumers are engaged in a dynamic adjustment process in which privacy risks are weighted against benefits of information disclosure. Consistent with the principal notion of PCM, we investigated how individual users make a risk-benefit assessment under which personalized service and locatability act as benefit-side factors and information privacy risks act as a risk-side factor accompanying LBA adoption. In addition, we consider the moderating role of trust on the service providers in the prohibiting effects of privacy risks on user intention to adopt LBA. Further we include perceived ease of use and usefulness as additional constructs to examine whether the technology acceptance model (TAM) can be applied in the context of LBA adoption. The research model with ten (10) hypotheses was tested using data gathered from 98 respondents through a quasi-experimental survey method. During the survey, each participant was asked to navigate the website where the experimental simulation of a LBA allows the participant to purchase time-and-location sensitive discounted tickets for nearby stores. Structural equations modeling using partial least square validated the instrument and the proposed model. The results showed that six (6) out of ten (10) hypotheses were supported. On the subject of the core PCM, H2 (locatability ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA) and H3 (privacy risks ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA) were supported, while H1 (personalization ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA) was not supported. Further, we could not any interaction effects (personalization X privacy risks, H4 & locatability X privacy risks, H5) on the intention to use LBA. In terms of privacy risks and trust, as mentioned above we found the significant negative influence from privacy risks on intention to use (H3), but positive influence from trust, which supported H6 (trust ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA). The moderating effect of trust on the negative relationship between privacy risks and intention to use LBA was tested and confirmed by supporting H7 (privacy risks X trust ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA). The two hypotheses regarding to the TAM, including H8 (perceived ease of use ${\rightarrow}$ perceived usefulness) and H9 (perceived ease of use ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA) were supported; however, H10 (perceived effectiveness ${\rightarrow}$ intention to use LBA) was not supported. Results of this study offer the following key findings and implications. First the application of PCM was found to be a good analysis framework in the context of LBA adoption. Many of the hypotheses in the model were confirmed and the high value of $R^2$ (i.,e., 51%) indicated a good fit of the model. In particular, locatability and privacy risks are found to be the appropriate PCM-based antecedent variables. Second, the existence of moderating effect of trust on service provider suggests that the same marginal change in the level of privacy risks may differentially influence the intention to use LBA. That is, while the privacy risks increasingly become important social issues and will negatively influence the intention to use LBA, it is critical for LBA providers to build consumer trust and confidence to successfully mitigate this negative impact. Lastly, we could not find sufficient evidence that the intention to use LBA is influenced by perceived usefulness, which has been very well supported in most previous TAM research. This may suggest that more future research should examine the validity of applying TAM and further extend or modify it in the context of LBA or other similar smartphone apps.

  • PDF

Effects of Steroid Hormone in Avian Follicles

  • Caicedo Rivas, R.E.;Nieto, M. Paz-Calderon;Kamiyoshi, M.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
    • /
    • v.29 no.4
    • /
    • pp.487-499
    • /
    • 2016
  • The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of testosterone (T) and estradiol-$17{\beta}$ ($E_2$) on the production of progesterone ($P_4$) by granulosa cells, and of the $E_2$ on the production of $P_4$ and T by theca internal cells. In the first experiment, granulosa cells isolated from the largest ($F_1$) and third largest ($F_3$) preovulatory follicle were incubated for 4 h in short-term culture system, $P_4$ production by granulosa cells of both $F_1$ and $F_3$ was increased in a dose-dependent manner by ovine luteinizing hormone (oLH), but not T or $E_2$. In the second experiment, $F_1$ and $F_3$ granulosa cells cultured for 48 h in the developed monolayer culture system were recultured for an additional 48 h with increasing doses of various physiological active substances existing in the ovary, including T and $E_2$. Basal $P_4$ production for 48 h during 48 to 96 h of the cultured was about nine fold greater by $F_1$ granulosa cells than by $F_3$ granulosa cells. In substances examined oLH, chicken vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (cVIP) and T, but not $E_2$, stimulated in a dose-dependent manner $P_4$ production in both $F_1$ and $F_3$ granulosa cells. In addition, when the time course of $P_4$ production by $F_1$ granulosa cells in response to oLH, cVIP, T and $E_2$ was examined for 48 h during 48 to 96 h of culture, although $E_2$ had no effect on $P_4$ production by granulosa cells of $F_1$ during the period from 48 to 96 h of culture, $P_4$ production with oLH was found to be increased at 4 h of the culture, with a maximal 9.14 fold level at 6 h. By contrast, $P_4$ production with cVIP and T increased significantly (p<0.05) from 8 and 12 h of the culture, respectively, with maximal 6.50 fold response at 12 h and 6, 48 fold responses at 36 h. Furthermore, when $F_1$ granulosa cells were precultured with $E_2$ for various times before 4 h culture with oLH at 96 h of culture, the increase in $P_4$ production in response to oLH with a dose-related manner was only found at a pretreatment time of more than 12 h. In the third experiment, theca internal cells of $F_1$, $F_2$ and the largest third to fifth preovulatory follicles ($F_{3-5}$) were incubated for 4 h in short-term culture system with increasing doses of $E_2$. The production of $P_4$ and T by theca internal cells were increased with the addition of $E_2$ of $10^{-6}M$. These increases were greater in smaller follicles. These results indicate that, in granulosa cells of the hen, T may have a direct stimulatory action in the long term on $P_4$ production, and on $E_2$ in long-term action which may enhance the sensitivity to LH for $P_4$ production, and thus, in theca internal cells, $E_2$ in short term action may stimulate the production of $P_4$ and T.