• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.116-121
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare serum fetuin-A levels and oxidative stress markers, as indicators of insulin resistance, in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and in healthy controls. Methods: This prospective case-control study included 46 patients with PCOS and 48 age- and body mass index-matched control women. Levels of serum hormones, fetuin-A, and oxidative stress markers were measured in blood samples taken during the early follicular period from each participant. Results: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), total testosterone levels, and the LH/FSH ratio were found to be significantly higher in women with PCOS than in controls. Serum total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, and oxidative stress index parameters all indicated significantly higher levels of oxidative stress in PCOS patients than in controls. Serum fetuin-A levels, which were analyzed as an indicator of insulin resistance, were higher in the PCOS group than in the control group ($210.26{\pm}65.06{\mu}g/mL$ and $182.68{\pm}51.20{\mu}g/mL$, respectively; p= 0.024). Conclusion: The data obtained from the present study suggest that higher levels of both serum fetuin-A and oxidative stress markers might be related with PCOS.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.245-254
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• 2021

Objective: In humans, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an androgen-dependent ovarian disorder. Aberrant gene expression in folliculogenesis can arrest the transition of preantral to antral follicles, leading to PCOS. We explored the possible role of altered gene expression in preantral follicles of estradiol valerate (EV) induced polycystic ovaries (PCO) in a mouse model. Methods: Twenty female balb/c mice (8 weeks, 20.0±1.5 g) were grouped into control and PCO groups. PCO was induced by intramuscular EV injection. After 8 weeks, the animals were killed by cervical dislocation. Blood serum (for hormonal assessments using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique) was aspirated, and ovaries (the right ovary for histological examinations and the left for quantitative real-time polymerase) were dissected. Results: Compared to the control group, the PCO group showed significantly lower values for the mean body weight, number of preantral and antral follicles, serum levels of estradiol, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone, and gene expression of TGFB1, GDF9 and BMPR2 (p<0.05). Serum progesterone levels were significantly higher in the PCO animals than in the control group (p<0.05). No significant between-group differences (p>0.05) were found in BMP6 or BMP15 expression. Conclusion: In animals with EV-induced PCO, the preantral follicles did not develop into antral follicles. In this mouse model, the gene expression of TGFB1, GDF9, and BMPR2 was lower in preantral follicles, which is probably related to the pathologic conditions of PCO. Hypoandrogenism was also detected in this EV-induced murine PCO model.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.221-228
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• 2021

Objective: This study investigated the effect of crocin in methylglyoxal (MGO)-induced diabetic male mice. Methods: Seventy 1-month-old male NMRI mice weighing 20-25 g were divided into seven groups (n=10): sham, MGO (600 mg/kg/day), MGO+crocin (15, 30, and 60 mg/kg/day), MGO+metformin (150 mg/kg/day), and crocin (60 mg/kg/day). MGO was administered orally for 30 days. Starting on day 14, after confirming hyperglycemia, metformin and crocin were administered orally. On day 31, plasma and tissue samples were prepared for experimental assessments. Results: Blood glucose and insulin levels in the MGO group were higher than those in the sham group (p<0.001), and decreased in response to metformin (p<0.001) and crocin treatment (not at all doses). Testis width and volume decreased in the MGO mice and improved in the crocin-treated mice (p<0.05), but not in the metformin group. Superoxide dismutase levels decreased in diabetic mice (p<0.05) and malondialdehyde levels increased (p<0.001). Crocin and metformin improved malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase. Testosterone (p<0.001) and sperm count (p<0.05) decreased in the diabetic mice, and treatment with metformin and crocin recovered these variables. Luteinizing hormone levels increased in diabetic mice (p<0.001) and crocin treatment (but not metformin) attenuated this increase. Seminiferous diameter and height decreased in the diabetic mice and increased in the treatment groups. Vacuoles and ruptures were seen in diabetic testicular tissue, and crocin improved testicular morphology (p<0.01). Conclusion: MGO increased oxidative stress, reduced sex hormones, and induced histological problems in male reproductive organs. Crocin and metformin improved the reproductive damage caused by MGO-induced diabetes.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.341-354
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• 2021

Cardamonin (CARD) is a chalconoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and it is present in several plants. We sought to explore whether CARD exerts any positive effects against hyperglycemia-induced testicular dysfunction caused by type 2 diabetes and aimed to identify its possible intracellular pathways. Adult male rats were subdivided into six groups: control, CARD, diabetic (DM), DM + glibenclamide (GLIB), DM + CARD and DM + GLIB + CARD. Type 2 DM induced a significant increase in blood glucose and insulin resistance, along with diminished serum insulin, testosterone and gonadotropins levels, which were associated with the impairment of key testicular androgenic enzymes and cellular redox balance. Administration of CARD at a dose of 80 mg/kg for 4 weeks effectively normalized all of these alterations, and the improvement was confirmed by epididymal sperm analysis. After treatment with CARD, the pathological changes in spermatogenic tubules were markedly improved. Significantly, CARD upregulated testicular glucose transporter-8 (GLUT-8) expression and had inhibitory effects on elevated autophagy markers and caspase-3 immunoreactive cells. Furthermore, our results revealed that CARD was able to attenuate damage via activation of Nrf2 through the p62-dependent degradation of testicular anti-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap-1). In conclusion, this study suggests that CARD provides protection against diabetic stress-mediated testicular damage. The use of CARD with conventional anti-diabetic therapy was associated with improved efficacy compared with conventional therapy alone.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.59-67
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• 2019

We investigated whether ${\beta}$-carotene (${\beta}-CA$) or ellagic acid (EA), originating from various fruits and vegetables, has a preventive effect against male infertility induced by exogenous scrotal hyperthermia. ICR adult mice were intraperitoneally treated with 10 mg/kg of ${\beta}-CA$ or EA daily for 13 days consecutively. During this time, mice were subjected to transient scrotal heat stress in a water bath at $43^{\circ}C$ for 20 min on day 7, and their testes and blood were obtained on day 14 for histopathologic and biochemical analyses. Heat stress induced significant testicular weight reduction, germ cell loss and degeneration, as well as abnormal localization of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in spermatogenic and Leydig cells. Heat stress also altered the levels of oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation, SOD activity, and PHGPx, MnSOD, and $HIF-1{\alpha}$ mRNAs), apoptosis (Bax, Bcl-xL, caspase 3, $NF-{\kappa}B$, and $TGF-{\beta}1$ mRNAs), and androgen biosynthesis (serological testosterone concentration and $3{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase mRNA) in testes. These changes were all improved significantly by ${\beta}-CA$ treatment, but only slightly improved by EA treatment. These findings indicate that ${\beta}-CA$, through modulations of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and androgen biosynthesis, is a potent preventive agent against testicular injuries induced by scrotal hyperthermia.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.200-205
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• 2023

Objective: Polycystic ovary (PCO), a diagnostic component of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), requires either an ovarian volume (OV) criterion or a follicle number per ovary (FNPO) criterion. This study investigated the association of OV and FNPO criteria with various manifestations of PCOS. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a university hospital among 100 patients newly diagnosed with PCOS (according to the revised Rotterdam criteria). Fasting blood samples were collected to measure glucose, total testosterone (TT), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), lipid, insulin, and hemoglobin A1c levels. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed. Transabdominal or transvaginal ultrasound of the ovaries was done, depending on patients' marital status. All investigations were conducted in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. OV >10 mL and/or FNPO ≥12 indicated PCO. A homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (IR) value ≥2.6 indicated IR, and metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined according to the international harmonization criteria. Results: Seventy-six participants fulfilled the OV criterion, 70 fulfilled the FNPO criterion, and 89 overall had PCO. Both maximum OV and mean OV had a significant correlation with TT levels (r=0.239, p=0.017 and r=0.280, p=0.005, respectively) and the LH/FSH ratio (r=0.212, p=0.034 and r=0.200, p=0.047, respectively). Mean OV also had a significant correlation with fasting insulin levels (r=0.210, p=0.036). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that IR (odds ratio [OR], 9.429; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.701 to 52.271; p=0.010) and MS (OR, 7.952; 95% CI, 1.821 to 34.731; p=0.006) had significant predictive associations with OV alone, even after adjustment for age and body mass index. Conclusion: OV may be more closely related to the androgenic and metabolic characteristics of PCOS than FNPO.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.720-725
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• 2003

Effects of Gastrodiae Rhizoma on serum lipids and body fat in rats fed high-fat diet supplemented with 10% (w/w) lard during 11-week experimental period were investigated. Ninety-six male rats were randomly divided into eight groups: A, negative control (lard 10%); B, positive control (lard 10%+rat chow+5 brix water extract); C, lard 10%+1% G. Rhizoma powder; D, lard 10%+5% G. Rhizoma powder; E, lard 10%+2 brix 50% ethanol extract; F, lard 10%+10 brix 50% ethanol extract; G, lard 10%+2 brix water extract; H, lard 10%+10 brix water extract. Body weight gain, although slightly higher in groups A, B, and G, did not differ significantly among dietary groups. Weights of liver, spleen, kidney, and testis were significantly higher among dietary groups. Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were markedly higher in both control groups than group H (p<0.05). Serum HDL concentration was significantly higher in group E, and lower in group A (p<0.05). Serum LDL+VLDL concentration was significantly lower in groups E, G, and H (p<0.05). Serum testosterone level was slightly higher in groups E, D, and H. Blood glucose level was significantly higher in groups B and G, whereas lower in group H (p<0.05). Epididymal fat pad (EFP) was markedly higher in control groups than G. Rhizoma diet-fed groups (p<0.05). The results indicated that decrease in serum lipids (TC, TG, LDL+VLDL) and body fat, and increase in serum HDL and testosterone levels were higher in groups E and H extracts than groups fed G. Rhizoma powder.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.42-46
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• 2022

Purpose In the meantime, there have been not many samples that require dilution, and it has been difficult for the examiner to set an appropriate dilution multiple for RIA test item and report the results. Accordingly, it was judged that it was necessary to set the maximum dilution multiple for each test and to verify the upper limit of the clinical reportable range. Therefore, in this study, the maximum dilution multiple for each RIA test was set and the upper limit of the clinical reportable range was verified accordingly Materials and Methods Among all RIA tests conducted at Asan Medical Center, the study treated on 30 types of tests which also conduct the dilution test. Data from March to July 2021 were collected and analyzed. The study was conducted on samples subjected to serial dilutions such as X2, X4 or X10, X10², X10³, X10⁴, X10⁵. Results Among a total of 30 test types, 18 test types have more than 5 N values in the tolerance range of 80~120%. As a result of the verification of maximum dilution multiples, the test set to 10⁴ is 𝛼-fetoprotein and thyroglobulin, and the test set to 10³ is CA-125, CEA, and 𝛽-hCG, and the test set to 10² is Free PSA, PSA, CA15-3, SCC, Ferritin, PTH, Cortisol, and Calcitonin. Tests set to 10 include three categories: 𝛽2-Microglobulin, C-peptide, and Testosterone. Conclusion It is expected that it will contribute to improving the quality of nuclear medicine blood tests as the results of dilution experiments can be reported quickly and accurately through the verification of the clinical reportable range.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.475-485
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• 1998

To clarify annual reproductive cycle of Koran dark sleeper, odontobutis platycephala, we examined the seasonal changes of gonadosomatic index(GSI), testicular development stages and sex steroid hormones in blood from December 1995 to November 1997. Testis was podlike shape from July to October, and tadpole-like shape from November because of its expanded posterior part. GSI was 0.14~0.18 from July to September and increased to $0.43{\pm}0.04$ in October and then was not changed significantly until February. GSI was reincreased to $0.52{\pm}0.09$ from March and then was kept at similer levels until May, but fell down to $0.28{\pm}0.05$ in June. As results of histological observation, testis was divided into 3 parts(anterior, boundary, posterior) in the development progress of germ cells. In July, the testis was composed of only spermatogonia without seminiferous tubules in most fishes. In the anterior part of testis, the ferquency of spermatogenesis stage seminiferous tubules appearing in August was more than 80% from September to December. decreased gradually from January to March and drastically in April, and then disappeared in June. The frequency of spermiogenesis stage seminiferous tubules appearing in December, increased gradually from January to March and drastically to 80% in April, and reached to 90% the highest levels of the year in June. Post-spawning stage seminiferous tubules did not appear throughout the year. The frequency of spermatogonia was 100% and 65% in July and August, and less than 20% in the rest period of the year. In the boundary part, the frequency of spermatogenesis stage seminiferous tubules appearing in August increased from September and reached to 82% in November, decreased from December, adn disappeared in March. The frequency of spermiogenesis stage seminiferous tubules appearing in November was less than 18% until February, and increased to 29%~57% from March to June. The frequency of post-spawning stage seminiferous tubules appeared 12%~25% only from March to June. The frequency of spermatogonia was 100% in July, decreased to 85% in August and 10% in November, and increased gradually from December to 50% in April, and decreased again from May to June. In the posterior part, seminiferous tubules with some seminiferous tubules increased drastically 80%~85% in August and September, decreased drastically from October to November and remained below 10% until February, and disappeared after March. The frequency of spermiogenesis stage seminiferous tubules appearing in August increased sharply from October and reached to 75% in November. decreased to 15% in December and no significant changes until March, and disappeared after April. The frequency of post-spawning stage seminiferous tubules appearing very early in November increased to 82% in December and 85%~95% until June. The frequency of spermatogonia was 100% in July, decreased drastically to 15% in August, disappeared from October to Mrch, but reappeared from April and kept at less than 10% until June. The blood level of testosterone (T) increrased gradually from August was $0.61{\pm}0.09 ng/m\ell$ in November, increrased drastically to $3.99{\pm}1.22 ng/m\ell$ in December and maintained at in similar level until March, and decreased to $0.25{\pm}0.14 ng/m{\ell} ~ 0.17{\pm}0.13ng/m{\ell}$ in April and May and no significant changes until July (P<0.05). The blood level of 17, 20 -dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one $ng/m{\ell}$in the rest of year without significant changes(P<0.05). Taken together these results, the germ cell development of testis progressed in the order of posterior, boundary, anterior part during annual reproductive cycle in Korean dark sleeper. The testicular cycle of Korean dark sleeper was as follows. The anterior part of testis : i.e. spermatogonial proliferation period (July), early maturation period (from August to November), mid maturation period (from December to March), late maturation period (from April to May) and functional maturation period (June) were elucidated. The boundary of testis, i.e. spermatogonial proliferation period (July), early maturation period (from August to October), mid maturation period (from November to February) and the coexistence period of late maturation, functional maturation and post-spawn (from March to June) were elucidated. The posterior of testis, i.e. spermatogonial proliferation period (July), mid maturation period (from August ot September), late maturation period (October), functional maturation period (November) and post-spawn period (from December to June) were elucidated. It was showed that the changes of sex steroid hormone in blood played a important roles in the annual reproductive cycle of Korean dark sleeper.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.835-841
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the reversibility and safety of KISS1 metastasis suppressor (KISS1) gene vaccine in immunocastration. Methods: Six eight-week old ram lambs were randomly divided into vaccinated and control groups. The vaccine (1 mg/ram lamb) was injected at weeks 0, 3, and 6 of the study. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein before primary immunization and at weeks 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 22, and 30 after primary immunization. All ram lambs were slaughtered at 38 weeks of age, and samples were collected. Results: The specific anti-KISS1 antibody titers in vaccinated animals were significantly higher and the serum testosterone level was significantly lower than those in the control groups from week 4 to 14 after primary immunization (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed at weeks 22 and 30 after the primary immunization. Similar results were also found for scrotal circumference, testicular weight, length, breadth, and spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubules in week 30 after primary immunization. KS (KISS1-hepatitis B surface antigen S) fusion fragment of KISS1 gene vaccine was not detected in host cell genomic DNA of 9 tissues of the vaccinated ram lambs by polymerase chain reaction. Conclusion: The effects of KISS1 gene vaccine in immunocastration were reversible and no integration events were recorded.