• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.285-291
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• 2023

Objective: Infertility can result from a diminished ovarian reserve, but a potential remedy exists in the form of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) administration. This treatment involves both biological factors and tissue trauma mechanisms, which stimulate folliculogenesis, making it a promising and effective strategy. We assessed the impact of direct PRP injections into the ovaries on the fertility outcomes of women classified as poor responders. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted from April 2021 to December 2022, focusing on patients classified as POSEIDON grade 3 or 4. PRP injections were administered into both ovaries. After 3 months, data were collected on anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) level, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level, and the numbers of oocytes, mature oocytes, and good-quality embryos following ovarian stimulation. We then compared the data from before and after PRP injection. Results: This study included 50 women, with a mean of 39 years (interquartile range [IQR], 35 to 43) and 4 years (IQR, 2 to 6) for age and infertility duration, respectively. FSH levels decreased after treatment, while AMH levels and the numbers of oocytes, metaphase II oocytes, and high-quality embryos increased. However, only the increase in high-quality embryos was significant. The pregnancy and spontaneous pregnancy rates were 20% and 14%, respectively. Notably, women with secondary infertility exhibited a significantly higher pregnancy rate than those with primary infertility. Conclusion: Ample evidence suggests that PRP can enhance ovarian function. However, further studies are needed to identify the appropriate candidates for this procedure, establish the optimal PRP preparation method, and standardize the procedure for its adjuvant use in assisted reproductive technology cycles.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.271-278
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• 2020

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli is one of the major causative infectious agents of diarrhea in newborn and post-weaning pigs and leads to a large economic loss worldwide. However, there is limited information on the distribution and characterization of virulence genes in E. coli isolated from diarrheic piglets, which also applies to the current status of pig farms in Korea. To investigate the prevalence and characterization of virulence genes in E. coli related to diarrhea in piglets, the rectal swab samples of diarrheic piglets (aged 2 d to 6 w) were collected from 163 farms between 2013 and 2016. Five to 10 individual swab samples from the same farm were pooled and cultured on MacConkey agar plates, and E. coli were identified using the API 32E system. Three sets of multiplex PCRs were used to detect 13 E. coli virulence genes. As a result, a total of 172 E. coli isolates encoding one or more of the virulence genes were identified. Among them, the prevalence of individual virulence gene was as follows, (1) fimbrial adhesins (43.0%): F4 (16.9%), F5 (4.1%), F6 (1.7%), F18 (21.5%), and F41 (3.5%); (2) toxins (90.1%): LT (19.2%), STa (20.9%), STb (25.6%), Stx2e (15.1%), EAST1 (48.3%); and (3) non-fimbrial adhesin (19.6%): EAE (14.0%), AIDA-1 (11.6%) and PAA (8.7%), respectively. Taken together, various pathotypes and virotypes of E. coli were identified in diarrheic piglets. These results suggest a broad array of virulence genes is associated with coliform diarrhea in piglets in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.55-59
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• 2000

A specific and sensitive sandwich enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) using Avidin-Biotin complex was developed for the measurement of GTH II levels in pituitary content and pituitary cell culture medium of the rainbow trout-(Oncorhpchus mykiss). Biotin-salmon GTH II rabbit IgG (sefondary antibody) wai purified by a protein A sepharose affinity chromatography column and that was biotinylated by using Biotin-N-hydroxysuccinimide ofter (BNHS). Non-biotin salmon GTH II rabbit IgG (first antibody) was obtained only through a protein A sepharose affinity chromatography column. The assay was performed by the so-called 'sandwich' method using a microtiter plate, A dose-response curve was obtained between $0.12 to 125 ng/ml$ of salmon GTH II. The displacement curves for pituitary extraction and pituitary cell culture medium of testosterone-treated rainbow trout were Parallel to the standard curie. The intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CV) were $8.2{\%} (N=5) and 12.5{\%} (N=6)$, respectively, This assay system was used to measure the amount of GTH II that accumulated in the culture medium of dispersed pituitary cells in testosterone-treated immature rainbow trout, The accumulation was increased with the amount or salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone. GTH II values determined by the present method were well correlated with those determined by radioimmunoassay. As a result, this assay system was found to be suitable for the measurement of GTH II for pituitary extraction and pituitary culture medium in many salmonid fishes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.73-77
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• 1993

We obtained the following results from determination of the sodium and potassium content contained in Denjang made in Korea and Japan. The mean sodium content of commercial denjang and home made denjang made in Korea and those of Japan are 4181.3 mg/100g, 6015.6 mg/100g and 5082.5 mg/100g, 5890.6 mg/100g, respectively. The mean potassium content of commercial denjang and home made denjang made in Korea and those of Japan are 595.8 mg/100g, 331.3 mg/100g and 365.4 mg/100g, 381.3 mg/100g, respectively. The mean NaCl concentration of commercial denjang and home made denjang made in Korea and those of Japan are 10.62%, 15.28% and 12.91%, 14.96% respectively. The mean Na/K ratios of commercial denjang and home made denjang made in Korea and those of Japan are 7.25, 21.54 and 14.42, 16.14 respectively.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2000

We used a mammalian GnRH antagonist, $[Ac-3,4-dehydro-Pro^1,\;D-p-F-Phe^2,\;D-Trp^{3.6}]$-GnRH, to examine the details of the salmon type gonadotropin-releasing hormone (sGnRH) and GnRH agonist analog $(Des-Gly^{10}$[d-Ala^6]-ethylamide GnRH; GnRHa) functions in the control of maturational gonadotropin (GTH II) secretion, in precocious male rainbow trout, in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. In the in vivo study, plasma GTH II levels increased by sGnRH or GnRHa treatment, but the response was more rapid and stronger in the GnRHa treatment group. The increase in GTH II was significantly suppressed by the GnRH antagonist, while the antagonist had no effect on basal GTH II levels in both groups. The GnRH antagonist showed stronger suppression of GTH II levels in the sGnRH treatment fish than in the GnRHa treatment fish. In addition, plasma androgenic steroid hormones (testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone) increased by the sGnRH or GnRHa treatment. The GnRH antagonist significantly inhibited the increases in plasma androgenic steroid hormone levels stimulated by the sGnRH or GnRHa, while the antagonist had no effect on basal androgenic steroid hormone levels in both groups. In the in vitro study, treatment with sGnRH or GnRHa increased GTH II release from the cultured dispersed pituitary cells, but the response was stronger in the GnRHa treatment group. The increase in GTH II release by GnRH was suppressed by adding the GnRH antagonist, dose­dependently. On the other hand, basal release of GTH II did not decrease by the GnRH antagonist treatment in both groups. These results suggest that the GnRH antagonist, $[Ac-3,4-dehydro-Pro^1,\;D-p-F-Phe^2,\;D-Trp^{3.6}]-GnRH$, used in this study is effective in blocking the action of GnRH-induced GTH II release from the pituitary gland both in vivo and in vitro.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.191-195
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• 2016

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in females. Its incidence is higher in developed countries than in developing ones partly due to variation in risk exposure and partly due to better detection methods. Scattered evidence in Basrah, Iraq, suggests that breast cancer has been increasing at a significant pace in recent years. This study aimed to measure the current level of risk of breast cancer among females in Basrah and to describe the time trend over almost a decade of years. Data on breast cancer cases from all sources of cancer registration in Basrah governorate were compiled for the years 2005-2012. The data for each year were first checked separately for duplicate reporting of cases among various sources. Then the eight files were pooled together and checked again for any duplicate cases among years of registration. The final set of data contained 2,284 cases of breast cancer (2,213 female cases and 71 male cases). All patients were inhabitants of Basrah governorate at the time of diagnosis. Figures on the Basrah population were obtained from various sources including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Planning and Developmental Collaboration and local household surveys. It was possible to have total population estimates for each year and by age and sex. The data were imported into SPSS (version 17) software. Age specific and year specific incidence rates were calculated. The age standardized incidence rate was also calculated using world population as the standard population to be 34.9 per 100,000 females. Age-wise, no case was reported among children aged less than 15 years and the incidence increased with advancing age reaching a peak of 123.8/100,000 females at the age range of 50-54 years. The time trend of the crude incidence rate showed only modest increased risk with passage of years and no age shift could be documented in this study. Breast cancer in females in Basrah is a significant health problem. The current incidence rate (crude, 23.7/100,000, age-standardized, 34.9/100,000) is high and justifies intensive efforts to improve early detection of cases, provide better treatment amenities and introduce long term preventive measures. Using the age standardized incidence rate as reported in this paper, it is possible to put the risk in Basrah within a regional and international context.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.302-306
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• 2000

Gonad and blood samples were taken from cultured greenling (Hexagrammos otakii), and changes of steroid hormone levels in serum were examined in relation to the gonadosomatic index (GSI). GSI of female and male were not changed significantly between March and August and then began to increase from September showing the highest value in January. Hepatosomatic index (HSI) of female was the highest in December,'then decreased gradually until May. $Estradiol-l7{\beta} (E_2)$ level in blood of female reached to the highest level in December, then decreased rapidly in January. The level was maintained low until August and started to increase In September. Testosterone (T) level in blood of female was similar to trend of $E_2$ in female. $17{\alpha}2{\beta}-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17{\alpha}20{\brta}-OHP)$ level in blood of female reached to the maximum in January, and then decreased rapidly from Febuary and maintained low until July. T level in blood of male reached to the highest value in December, and it started to decrease from January and maintained low until July, after then increased again, while $17{\alpha}20{\beta}-OHP$ level of male was similar to trend of female's.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.204-210
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• 1999

The present studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of activin-A on gonadotropins (GTHs) release in testosterone-treated immature rainbow trout Oncorhpynchus mykiss. The administration of testosterone elevated pituitary level of GTH II but not of GTH I. In this study using primary cultures of dispersed pituitary cells in static incubation, dose-dependent increases in GTH II release was observed in the activin-treated group at day 3 of incubation (long-term incubation), but not at day 1 of incubation (short-term incubation). Dopamine, a potent inhibitor of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-stimulated GTH II release in rainbow trout, was only partially effective in decreasing actvin-induced GTH II release. Furthermore, salmon GnRH (sGnRH)-stimulated GTH II release was not potentiated by the pretreatment with activin. However, the control mechanisms of GTH I release by activin and other hormones were not observed in the all tested experiments. The results of these studies support the contention that in contrast with the usual stimulatory effects of activin on GTH release in mammals, activin exerts long-term stimulatory actions on GTH II release in rainbow trout. The control mechanism of GTH I release, however, is a question that remains to be elucidated.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.574-580
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• 1998

Changes in plasma levels of thyroid and sex steroid Hormones were examined during maturation and parturition periods in rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli) cultured in net pens. Plasma L-thyroxine levels were $35.2{\pm}5.7\;ng/m{\ell}\;(n=\;5;\;mean\;{\pm}\;sem)$ at vitellogenesis stage and then significantly decreased to $20.5\;{\pm}\;4.2\;ng/m{\ell}$ at parturition stage (P<0.05), and rapidly returned to high level, $44.9{\pm}\;7.2\;ng/m{\ell}$ at resting stage. Plasma 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine levels were 12.9 $\pm$ 1.6 ng/ml at vitellogenesis stage, but significantly decreased to $3.7{\pm}0.7\;ng/m{\ell}$ at ovulation stage (P<0.05) and increased to $52.9{\pm}7.0\;ng/m{\ell}$ at jesting stage. Plasma estradiol-17 $\beta$ level showed the highest value ($4.3{\pm}0.9\;ng/m{\ell}$) at vitellogenesis stage, but the level significantly decreased to $0.3{\pm}0.1\;ng/m{\ell}$, during parturition stage (P<0.05). In vitellogenesis and ovulation stages, plasma testosterone levels were $1.8{\pm}0.3\;ng/m{\ell}$ and $2.1{\pm}0.7\;ng/m{\ell}$, respectively, thereafter the level significantly decreased to $0.1{\pm}0.1\;ng/m{\ell}$ at parturition stage (P<0.05). These findings suggest that thyroid hormones may have relation to maturation and parturition of mother rockfish.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.624-628
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• 1999

Annual plasma levels of vitellogenin and sex steroids were investigated in relation to the gonadal development for understanding the endocrine control of reproduction in spotted flounder, Verasper variegatus. The plasma vitellogenin level was highest, 6.36 mg/ml, in November when vitellogenesis was most active. The level, thereafter, decreased to 3.81 mg/ml in December with the initiation of spawning. On the other hand, estradiol-17 $\beta$ was highest, 2.7 ng/ml, in December, and rapidly decreased in January when spawning occurred. The decreased level of estradiol-17$\beta$, around 0.2 ng/ml, remained unchanged until May. The profiles of plasma testosterone were similar to those of estradiol-17$\beta$ in the fish, The plasma 17 $\alpha$-hydroxyprogesterone level was relatively low throughout the spawning period, but increased slightly with the initiation of ovarian development, In males, the plasma testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone were highest in December when spermiation actively proceeded, but rapidly decreased during the spawning period (January).