• Toxicological Research
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.331-338
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• 1997

A teratogenic study on Original Woo-Whang-Chung-Sim-Won was carried out in SpragueDawley rats. Original Woo-Whang-Chung-Sim-Won suspended in distilled water was administered to pregnant dams by oral gavage during organogenesis period (from 7th to 17th day of gestation) at daily doses of 1/9, 1/3 and I pill/kg. About two-thirds of dams were sacrificed at 20th day of gestation to scrutinize the pregnant performances and fetal development, and the remaining dams were allowed to deliver. The growth, reflex, behaviour and reproductive function of F1 offsprings were examined. There was no treatment-related difference in body weight, food consumption and necropy findings of dams. No gross, skeletal and visceral abnormalities was observed in F1 fetuses from dams treated with Original Woo-Whang-Chung-Sim-Won. F1 offsprings did not show any treatment-related difference in growth, reflex, behaviour and reproductive peuformance. At caesarean section of F1 dams, no growth retardation and gross abnormality was observed in F2 fetuses. In conclusion, Original Woo-Whang-Chung-Sim-Won did not show any potential teratogenic activity in rats.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.259-267
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• 2005

The present study was conducted to investigate gelatinolytic activities in HAM and to determine whether there are any changes in gelatinolytic activity profiles when the cells are cultured in hepatogenic medium. Placenta was obtained during caesarean section of the volunteers, with informed consent. HAM were isolated from amniotic membrane using collagenase type A HAM were cultured in hepatogenic medium for 3 weeks and the conditioned media were obtained at day 7, 14 and 21. The zymographic pattern of gelatinolytic activity of the HAM did not undergo a change during passages. When the HAM were cultured in a fibronectin-coated dishes in a hepatogenic medium, there was no significant difference of the gelatinase pattern between before and after culture. However, when bFGF was added to the culture, a dramatic increase of 62kDa and 59kDa gelatinases was observed. Interestingly, when ITS instead of FN was present, HAM-conditioned medium also showed a similar increase of both gelatinases. Immunoblotting analysis demonstrated that both 62kDa and 59kDa gelatinases were the active form of MMP-2 resulting from the turnover of MMP-2 proform. Futher study will be necessary to determine the relationship between bFGF and active MMP-2 during hepatogenesis of HAM.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.301-305
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• 2000

Globozoospermia is a rare type of teratozoospermia. It occurs in 0.1% of all andrological patient's and used to be considered sterile. Globozoospermic patient has 100% round headed spermatozoa, but the spermiogram is normal. The spermatozoa show oval-shape head, the lack of a nuclear envelope, acrosome, and post acrosomal sheath. Objective: To report that a couple with infertility secondary to globozoospermia received ICSI treatment. Material and Method: Case report Results: In the first trial, fertilization was failed. In the second trial, 40% of oocytes were fertilized and all of these embryos were cleaved, but pregnancy did not achieved. In the third trial, sperm injected oocytes were exposed to 10 ${\mu}M$ calcium ionophore for 15 min. All of the injected oocytes were fertilized and proceeded to develop. Triplet pregnancy was achieved after the transfer of six embryos in their third cycle. One embryo vanished and the remaining twins (female) were delivered at 33 weeks of gestation by Caesarean section. Conclusion: This result shows that assisted activation following ICSI may overcome infertility associated with globozoospermia.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.292-299
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• 1999

SKI 2053 R, cis-Malonato [(4R, 5R)-4,5-bis(aminomethyl)-2-isopropyl-1,3-dioxolane] platinum(II), is a newly developed antitumor platinum complex derived from cisplatin. Preclinical studies suggest that it may have greater antitumor activity and lower toxicity than cisplatin. Effects of test agent on general toxicity of does and embryonic development of Fl fetuses were investigated in rabbits. Sixty eight New Zealand white rabbits were distributed among three treated groups and a control group. SKI 2053R was administered intravenously to pregnant rabbits from days 6 to 18 of gestation at dose levels of 0, 0.67, 2.0, or 6.0 mg/kg/day. The pregnant does were subjected to the caesarean section on day 28 of gestation. No treatment-related changes in clinical signs, body weight, food consumption, and necropsy findings were observed in all groups. Fl fetuses showed no changes related to the treatment of SKI 2053R, except that an increase in the incidence of skeletal variations were observed at 6.0 mg/kg. There were no signs of material toxicity or embryotoxicity at 0.67 and 2.0 mg/kg. The results show that the administration of 6.0 mg/kg SKI 2053R induces skeletal variations in fetuses and that the no observed adverse effect levels(NOAELS) of SKI 2053R are considered to be over 6.0 mg/kg for does and 2.0 mg/kg for Fl fetuses in rabbits.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.139-149
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between variety pregnancy related factors and postpartum BMI change. Methods: Analyzing the BMI of 125 postpartum women in oriental medical hospital of O O university from March, 2008 to May, 2008. Age, pregnancy period. type of delivery, parity, pregravida(PG) BMI, weight and BMI gain during pregnancy, gestational maximum(GMx) BMI were recorded. BMI also checked on each postpartum 7days(P7d), 14days(P14d), 90days(P90d), And we distinguished into Sasang Constitution by QSCC II. Results: The following results were obtained: 1. Age. pregnancy period were not correlated to postpartum BMI change. 2. PG BMI were lower in normal delivery group than caesarean delivery group. 3. PG BMI was lower in primipara group than multipara group. Weight and BMI gain during pregnancy. P90d BMI were lower in multipara group. 4. PG, GMx, P7d, P14d, P90d BMI were significally high in Taeumin. 5. PG BMI were correlated to GMx, P7d, P14d, P90d BMI. 6. Weight and BMI gain during pregnancy were correlated to GMx BMI and P7d, P14d, P90d BMI, BMI loss. Conclusion: This results suggested that weight and BMI gain during pregnancy have the best relationship with postpartum weight change.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.227-234
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• 2003

2-Bromopropane (2-BP), a halogenated propane analogue, is a substitute for chlorofluorocarbones (CFCs) which have a great potential to destroy the ozone layer and to warm the earth's environment. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential adverse effects of 2-BP on pregnant dams and embryo-fetal development after maternal exposure during the gestational days (GD) 6 through 17 in ICR mice. The test chemical was administered subcutaneously to pregnant mice at dose levels of 0, 313, 625 or 1,250 mg/kg/day. All dams were subjected to caesarean section on GD 18 and their fetuses were examined for external, visceral and skeletal abnormalities. In the 1,250 mg/kg group, maternal toxicity included an increase in the incidence of abnormal clinical signs and a decrease in the maternal body weight, body weight gain, and corrected body weight. Developmental toxicity included a decrease in the fetal body weight, a reduction in the placental weight, an increase in the fetal skeletal variation and ossification delay. There were no adverse effects on either pregnant dams or embryo-fetal development in the 313 and 625 mg/kg groups. These results suggest that a 12-day subcutaneous dose of 2-BP is embryotoxic at a maternally toxic dose (i.e., 1,250 mg/kg/day) in ICR mice. In the present experimental condition, the no-observed-adverse-effect level of 2-BP is considered to be 625 mg/kg/day for dams and embryo-fetuses, respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.368-375
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• 2020

Objectives: Some animal studies have reported that methyl mercury causes developmental toxicities such as placental and fetal weight loss, but the mechanism is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the developmental toxicities of methyl mercury, focusing on placental endocrine function and fetal growth retardation in rats. Methods: Positively same-time-mated female Sprague-Dawley rats were purchased on gestational day (GD) eight and treated with 0, 5, 10 and 20 ppm of methyl mercury (n=5) dissolved in tap water from GD eight through 19. During treatment, the drinking water (methyl mercury) intake and body weight of each pregnant rat was measured daily. On day 19, caesarean sections were performed and blood samples were collected. Developmental data such as placental and fetal weights, fetus numbers, and placental efficiency (fetal weight/placental weight) were also collected. Placental prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) family, such as placental lactogen (PL) -Iv, II, and prolactin-like protein (PLP) -B, levels in serum were analyzed by ELISA. Also, placental tissues were assigned to histochemistry. Results: The mean cumulative methyl mercury exposure for the 5, 10, and 20 ppm groups were 2.37, 4.63, and 9.66 mg, respectively. The mean daily exposure of the 5, 10, and 20 ppm groups were 0.24, 0.47, and 0.97 mg, respectively. Maternal body weight increased in accordance with GD. There was no significant difference in weight gain among the experimental groups. Histopathologic changes were not observed in placental tissues among the experimental groups. However, mean placental and fetal weights were lower in the 10 and 20 ppm exposed groups compared to the control. Placental efficiency was also lower in the 10 and 20 ppm exposed groups compared to the control. Serum PL-Iv and II levels were lower in the 10 and 20 ppm exposed groups than the control, in accordance with the changing pattern of placental and fetal weights and placental efficiency. Conclusion: The inhibitory effects of methyl mercury on the serum levels of placental PRL-GH family such as PL-Iv and II may be secondary leads to the reduction of placental efficiency and fetal growth retardation in rats.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.230-239
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• 2016

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the effect of geographic units of analysis on measuring geographic variation in medical services utilization. For this purpose, we compared geographic variations in the rates of eight major procedures in administrative units (districts) and new areal units organized based on the actual health care use of the population in Korea. Methods: To compare geographic variation in geographic units of analysis, we calculated the age-sex standardized rates of eight major procedures (coronary artery bypass graft surgery, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, surgery after hip fracture, knee-replacement surgery, caesarean section, hysterectomy, computed tomography scan, and magnetic resonance imaging scan) from the National Health Insurance database in Korea for the 2013 period. Using the coefficient of variation, the extremal quotient, and the systematic component of variation, we measured geographic variation for these eight procedures in districts and new areal units. Results: Compared with districts, new areal units showed a reduction in geographic variation. Extremal quotients and inter-decile ratios for the eight procedures were lower in new areal units. While the coefficient of variation was lower for most procedures in new areal units, the pattern of change of the systematic component of variation between districts and new areal units differed among procedures. Conclusions: Geographic variation in medical service utilization could vary according to the geographic unit of analysis. To determine how geographic characteristics such as population size and number of geographic units affect geographic variation, further studies are needed.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.331-339
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• 2001

This study was conducted to examine the predicting factors for the intention of breastfeeding with The Theory of Planned Behavior. The questionnaires were distributed to 131 primigravidas who were in their third trimester of pregnancy in Seoul, Kyonggido, Kyongsangbukdo, and Kyongsnagnamdo. Descriptive statistics, Pearsons Correlation and Multiple Regression were used to analyse the data. The subjects showed strong intention of breastfeeding. The subjects showed favorable attitudes toward breastfeeding. This fact showed significant correlation with the belief that their breastfeeding intention was due to the advantage of breast milk for the infant with regard to allergy prevention, disease protection, contribution to intellectual development, psychological closeness between mother and infant, convenience, cost, and the reduction of breast cancer risk and weight of the mother. No item of outcome evaluation did showed significant correlation with behavioral intension. The subjects were influenced about breastfeeding by their referents such as siblings and friends with breastfeeding experience, their mothers and husbands, and mothers-in-law. Most items of the control beliefs had a significant influence on the intention of breastfeeding. The subjects felt they could not control the situation ie. "when I have to breastfeed in public". However they felt they could control the situation ie. "when I suffer from mastitis", "when I have to cut down on coffee, alcohol, and smoking", "when I have Caesarean section", "when I need to maintain breast condition", and "when the infant hates to suck my nipple". Regression analysis revealed that control beliefs and attitudes toward breastfeeding could predict the behavioral intention of breastfeeding. Control beliefs were the most important factor in predicting behavioral intention. Therefore, nutrition education is needed to enhance the ability to cope with difficult situations while breastfeeding and increase faborable attitudes toward breastfeeding.eding and increase faborable attitudes toward breastfeeding.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.12.1-12.7
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• 2017

Background: Despite the widespread use of dexamethasone in veterinary and human medicine, it is reported to cause some severe pregnancy related side effects like abortion in some animals. The mechanism of the response is not clear but seems to be related to interspecies and/or breed difference in response which may involve alterations in the concentrations of some reproductive hormones. Methods: Twenty Sahel goats comprising 18 does and 2 bucks were used for this study. Pregnancies were achieved by natural mating after synchronization. Repeated dexamethasone injections were given at 0.25 mg/kg body weight. Blood samples were collected biweekly for hormonal assay. Uterine biopsies were harvested at days 28 and day 78 of gestation through caesarean section for immunohistochemical analysis using 3 pregnant does randomly selected from each group at each instant. Data were expressed as Means ${\pm}$ Standard Deviations and analyzed using statistical soft ware package, GraphPad Instant, version 3.0 (2003) and progesterone receptor (PR) were scored semi-quantitatively. Results: Dexamethasone treatments had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on progesterone and estrogen concentrations in pregnant Sahel goats but up regulated PR from 2+ to 3+ in second trimester. Conclusion: As dexamethasone adverse effect on placenta is an established fact, the lack of effect on progesterone level in this study may be due to the fact that unlike other species whose progesterone production during pregnancy is placenta - dependent, in goats is corpus luteum - dependent. Consequently dexamethasone adverse effect on placenta reported in literatures did not influence progesterone levels during pregnancy in Sahel goat. The up regulation of progesterone receptor (PR) in Sahel goat gravid uterus is a beneficial effects and that dexamethasone can safely be used in corpus luteum - dependent progesterone secreting pregnant animal species like Sahel goat and camel. Therefore source of progesterone secretions during pregnancy should be considered in clinical application of dexamethasone in pregnancy.