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Inhibitory Effect against Helicobacter pylori and Biological Activity of Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) Extracts (Thyme(Thymus vulgaris L.) 추출물의 Helicobacter pylori 억제효과 및 생리활성)

  • Kim, Jeung-Hoan;Kwon, Jung-Hyo;Lee, Kyeong-Hwan;Chun, Sung-Sook;Kwon, Oh-Jun;Woo, Hi-Seob;Cho, Young-Je;Cha, Won-Seup
    • Applied Biological Chemistry
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    • v.49 no.3
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    • pp.243-247
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    • 2006
  • The biological activity of functional food source with thyme extracts were examined. Total phenol contents in the 60% ethanol extracts $(26.8{\pm}0.35\;mg/g)$ with thyme leaf was higher than water extracts $(25.7{\pm}0.20\;mg/g)$. This HPLC analysis is significant in that physiological activity is related with phenolic compound content such as rosemarinic acid, quercetin and chlorogenic acid. Electron donating ability was shown as 90.1% in the water extracts and 77.7% in the 60% ethanol extracts. Antioxidant protection factor of 60% ethanol extracts was higher than water extracts. Helicobacter pylori of the water extracts from thyme leaves did not have antimicrobial activity, but the 60% ethanol extracts revealed the high antimicrobial activity as 9 mm of clear zone in $50\;{\mu}g/ml$ of phenol content, 10 mm in $100\;{\mu}g/ml$, 13 mm in $150\;{\mu}g/ml$ and 16 mm in $200\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition activity showed no inhibition activity in 60% ethanol extracts but 39.9% inhibition activity in water extracts. Xanthine oxidase inhibition activity showed high inhibition activity at 73.5% in water extracts and 100% in 60% ethanol extracts. The result suggests the development of phenol compound in thyme as anti Helicobacter pylori, antioxidant and anti-gout agents.

Fractionation and Potential Mobility of Heavy Metals in Tailings and Paddy Soils near Abandoned Metalliferous Mines (폐광산 광미와 논토양의 중금속 분획화 및 잠재적인 이동도)

  • Jung, Goo-Bok;Lee, Jong-Sik;Kim, Won-Il;Kim, Jin-Ho;Shin, Joung-Du;Yun, Sun-Gang
    • Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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    • v.38 no.5
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    • pp.259-268
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    • 2005
  • Most of the tailings have been left without any management in their mines and have become the main source of serious environmental problems in nearby groundwater, stream and cultivated lands. To compare fractionation and potential mobility of heavy metals in tailings and paddy soils near abandoned 10-metalliferous mines in Korea, the distribution and chemical fractions of heavy metal and their mobility in relation to chemical compositions were investigated. The pollution index of heavy metal in mine tailing calculated with the permissible levels were in the order Cheongyang>Dogok>Beutdeun>Baegwoul mine, which were considered sufficient to raise environmental problems. The rates of 0.1M-HCl extractable Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Ni to total content in paddy soils were 49.1, 50.7, 26.8, 18.4 and 2.9%, respectively, and their rates of heavy metals in paddy soils were higher than that of mine tailing. Dominant chemical forms of heavy metals in tailings were sulfide and residual form (63-91%), specially, the exchangeable portion of Cd (21%) was relatively higher than that of other metals in paddy soils. The mobility factor of heavy metals in tailings and paddy soils was in the order Cd>Zn>Cu>Pb, and the mobility factor in tailing varied considerably among the mines. The potential mobility of heavy metals in tailings showed significant positive correlation with water-soluble $Al^{3+}$ and $Fe^{3+}$ contents, while in paddy soils, it correlated negatively with soil pH values.

Biological Activity of Extracts from Acanthopanax sessiliflorum Fruit (오가피(Acanthopanax sessiliflorum) 열매 추출물의 생리활성)

  • Jo, Bun-Sung;Cho, Young-Je
    • Food Science and Preservation
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    • v.19 no.4
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    • pp.586-593
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    • 2012
  • This study was carried out to determine the biological activity of Acanthopanax sessiliflorum fruit extracts. The phenolic compound contents of the extracts were 21.4 and 15.8 mg/g in hot water and 60% ethanol extracts. The total anti-oxidant activities of the water and the 60% ethanol extracts at a 200 ${\mu}g/mL$ phenolic concent ration were at $92.4{\pm}0.8$ and $89.2{\pm}1.1%$ in terms of the DPPH radical scavenging activity, $98.3{\pm}1.1$ and $96.5{\pm}3.5%$ in terms of the ABTS radical decolorization, $2.0{\pm}0.6$ and $1.2{\pm}2.8$ PF in terms of the anti-oxidant protection factor, and $66.3{\pm}0.8$ and $61.4{\pm}2.3%$ in terms of the TBARs inhibitory activity. The activities that inhibited the angiotensin-converting enzyme and xanthin oxidase were at $85.1{\pm}3.2$ and 0% in the water extracts and $59.3{\pm}1.5$ and $9.5{\pm}0.8%$ in the 60% ethanol extracts at the 200 ${\mu}g/mL$ phenolic concentration. The tyrosinase and elastase inhibitory activities were at $56.6{\pm}1.8$ and $53.1{\pm}1.1%$ in the water extracts and $33.7{\pm}2.2$ and $22.4{\pm}3.1%$ in the 60% ethanol extracts. The astringent effect of the water and the 60% ethanol extracts were at $50.5{\pm}0.9$ and $11.5{\pm}4.1%$.

Determination of Optimum Rate and Interval of Silicate Fertilizer Application for Rice Cultivation in Korea (벼에 대한 규산질비료의 시용량 및 시용주기 결정)

  • Song, Yo-Sung;Jun, Hee-Joong;Jung, Beung-Gan;Park, Woo-Kyun;Lee, Ki-Sang;Kwak, Han-Kang;Yoon, Jung-Hui;Lee, Choon-Soo;Yeon, Byeong-Yeol;Kim, Pil-Joo;Yoon, Young-Sang
    • Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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    • v.40 no.5
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    • pp.354-363
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    • 2007
  • In order to investigate the optimum rate and interval of silicate fertilizer application for rice cultivation, Chucheong byeo variety, one of commonly cultivated rice cultivar in Korea was planted on two different wetland rice soils located on Hwaseong-si from 2002 to 2005; Jisan series(a member of the fine loamy, mixed, mesic family of Fluvaquentic Endoaquepts), known as "Productive Paddy Soil", without any conspicuous limiting factor, and Seokcheon series (a member of the coarse loamy, mixed, nonacid, mesic family of Fluvaquentic Endoaquetps), known as "Sandy Paddy Soil", sandiness being major limiting factor. There were three rate treatments of silicate fertilizer application; the amount of silicate fertilizers needed to adjust the available soil silicate contents to 130, 200, and $270mg\;kg^{-1}$ was applied, in the first year only. There was an additional plot; applying the amount of silicate fertilizer needed to adjust soil available silicate to 130 ppm every year, which would serve as the base for the evaluation of residual effects of silicate fertilizers in the plots where different rates of silicate fertilizer were applied. From the yield data in first year, it was found that optimum available silica in the soil are $154mg\;kg^{-1$ and $160mg\;kg^{-1}$, in Jisan and Seogcheon soils, respectably. The duration of residual effects of silicate fertilizer was different depending upon the amount of applied silicate fertilizers and the soils. The higher the application rate, the residual effect lasted longer, and the residual effect was lasted longer in Jisan(clay loam) soil than in Seogcheon(sandy loam) soil. During four years, sum of the rate of contribution to increase available soil silica of applied silicate fertilizer in different soils ranged 18.6% and 24.1% in Jisan soil and Seogcheon soil, respectively. This may suggest that much portion of applied silicate would be either lost from the soil or remain in the soil as insoluble form. This deserves further study.

Effect of Lead Content on Atomic Structures of Pb-bearing Sodium Silicate Glasses: A View from 29Si NMR Spectroscopy (납 함량에 따른 비정질 Pb-Na 규산염의 원자 구조에 대한 고상 핵자기 공명 분광분석 연구)

  • Lee, Seoyoung;Lee, Sung Keun
    • Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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    • v.34 no.3
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    • pp.157-167
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    • 2021
  • Lead (Pb) is one of the key trace elements, exhibiting a peculiar partitioning behavior into silicate melts in contact with minerals. Partitioning behaviors of Pb between silicate mineral and melt have been known to depend on melt composition and thus, the atomic structures of corresponding silicate liquids. Despite the importance, detailed structural studies of Pb-bearing silicate melts are still lacking due to experimental difficulties. Here, we explored the effect of lead content on the atomic structures, particularly the evolution of silicate networks in Pb-bearing sodium metasilicate ([(PbO)x(Na2O)1-x]·SiO2) glasses as a model system for trace metal bearing natural silicate melts, using 29Si solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. As the PbO content increases, the 29Si peak widths increase, and the maximum peak positions shift from -76.2, -77.8, -80.3, -81.5, -84.6, to -87.7 ppm with increasing PbO contents of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.67, 0.86, and 1, respectively. The 29Si MAS NMR spectra for the glasses were simulated with Gaussian functions for Qn species (SiO4 tetrahedra with n BOs) for providing quantitative resolution. The simulation results reveal the evolution of each Qn species with varying PbO content. Na-endmember Na2SiO3 glass consists of predominant Q2 species together with equal proportions of Q1 and Q3. As Pb replaces Na, the fraction of Q2 species tends to decrease, while those for Q1 and Q3 species increase indicating an increase in disproportionation among Qn species. Simulation results on the 29Si NMR spectrum showed increases in structural disorder and chemical disorder as evidenced by an increase in disproportionation factor with an increase in average cation field strengths of the network modifying cations. Changes in the topological and configurational disorder of the model silicate melt by Pb imply an intrinsic origin of macroscopic properties such as element partitioning behavior.

Spatio-Temporal Variation Characteristics of Primary Productivity and Environmental Factors of Shellfish Mariculture in Jaran Bay, Korea (자란만 패류양식어장의 기초생산력 및 환경인자 변동 특성)

  • Lee, Dae In;Choi, Yong-Hyeon;Hong, SokJin;Kim, Hyung Chul;Lee, Won-Chan
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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    • v.28 no.5
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    • pp.721-734
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    • 2022
  • This study analyzed the spatio-temporal variation characteristics of major environmental factors such as primary productivity (PP), chlorophyll a, nutrients, sinking particle matters, and organic contamination and biochemical composition of surface sediment on a monthly basis for approximately 2 years around shellfish mariculture in Jaran Bay, Korea. In addition, PP in Jaran Bay was compared with that in other coastal areas and related policy plans were proposed. The average PP of the study area was high in summer and autumn with 6.43~115.43 mgC m-2 hr-1 range. This was lower than that in Gamak Bay and Masan Bay, whereas higher than that in Garorim Bay and the West Sea. The PP in coastal waters, where many aquaculture farms were distributed, significantly fluctuated. The different size compositions of phytoplanktons constituting chlorophyll a slightly varied by month, and little restriction existed on the productivity of phytoplanktons owing to the depletion of nutrients. Typically, the Redfield ratio was less than 16, indicating that nitrogen was the limiting factor for the growth of phytoplanktons. The biochemical composition of particulate organic matters in the water column showed the highest carbohydrates, but lipids and protein contents were high in surface sediments. The concentration of TOC and AVS of the surface sediments was high at inside of bay, and sometimes, exceeded the environmental criteria of fishing grounds. The organic C:N ratio of sediments ranged from 8.1 to 10.4 on average. PP had the highest correlation with chlorophyll a, nitrogen and protein of particle organic materials. Recently, chlorophyll a, DIN, and DIP of water column trends tended to decrease, however, the contamination of sediments increased. Considering the annual PP of 125.9 gC m-2 yr-1 and mariculture area (oyster) of 4.97 km2, the annual carbon production from phytoplanktons was estimated to be about 625 tons, and the annual total wet weight of shellfish (oyster) was estimated to be about 6,250 tons.

Success Factor in the K-Pop Music Industry: focusing on the mediated effect of Internet Memes (대중음악 흥행 요인에 대한 연구: 인터넷 밈(Internet Meme)의 매개효과를 중심으로)

  • YuJeong Sim;Minsoo Shin
    • Journal of Service Research and Studies
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    • v.13 no.1
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    • pp.48-62
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    • 2023
  • As seen in the recent K-pop craze, the size and influence of the Korean music industry is growing even bigger. At least 6,000 songs are released a year in the Korean music market, but not many can be said to have been successful. Many studies and attempts are being made to identify the factors that make the hit music. Commercial factors such as media exposure and promotion as well as the quality of music play an important role in the commercial success of music. Recently, there have been many marketing campaigns using Internet memes in the pop music industry, and Internet memes are activities or trends that spread in various forms, such as images and videos, as cultural units that spread among people. Depending on the Internet environment and the characteristics of digital communication, contents are expanded and reproduced in the form of various memes, which causes a greater response to consumers. Previously, the phenomenon of Internet memes has occurred naturally, but artists who are aware of the marketing effects have recently used it as an element of marketing. In this paper, the mediated effect of Internet memes in relation to the success factors of popular music was analyzed, and a prediction model reflecting them was proposed. As a result of the analysis, the factors with the mediated effect of 'cover effect' and 'challenge effect' were the same. Among the internal success factors, there were mediated effects in "Singer Recognition," the genres of "POP, Dance, Ballad, Trot and Electronica," and among the external success factors, mediated effects in "Planning Company Capacity," "The Number of Music Broadcasting Programs," and "The Number of News Articles." Predictive models reflecting cover effects and challenge effects showed F1-score at 0.6889 and 0.7692, respectively. This study is meaningful in that it has collected and analyzed actual chart data and presented commercial directions that can be used in practice, and found that there are many success factors of popular music and the mediating effects of Internet memes.

Effects on antioxidant, whitening, and anti-wrinkle improvement of ethanol extracts from fermented Trigonotis radicans var. sericea by Lactobacillus brevis (Lactobacillus brevis 발효가 참꽃마리(Trigonotis radicans var. sericea) 에탄올 추출물의 항산화, 미백 및 주름 개선 활성에 미치는 영향)

  • Da-Eun Jeong;Ji-Hye Kim;Byung-Oh Kim;Young-Je Cho
    • Food Science and Preservation
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    • v.31 no.1
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    • pp.173-182
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    • 2024
  • This study was designed to compare the effects on antioxidant, whitening, and anti-wrinkle improvement of 60% ethanol extracts from Trigonotis radicans var. sericea (TR) and Lactobacillus brevis-fermented T. radicans var. sericea (FTR). The total phenolics contents of TR was 18.6 mg/g, and FTR was 18.2 mg/g. The HPLC analysis confirmed more phenolic compounds were produced in FTR by bioconversion than in TR. The FTR showed higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity than TR. The results of the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation decolorization assay, FTR and TR showed higher activity than BHT (positive control). The FTR (1.21-1.29 PF) showed higher antioxidant protection factor (PF) activity than the TR (1.15-1.22 PF) and showed higher tyrosinase, collagenase and elastase inhibitory activities. This results showed L. brevis -fermentation of Trigonotis radicans var. sericea changed the composition profile and has effects on antioxidant, whitening and anti-wrinkle improvement.

Relationship Between Usage Needs Satisfaction and Commitment to Apparel Brand Communities: Moderator Effect of Apparel Brand Image (의류 브랜드 커뮤니티의 이용욕구 충족과 커뮤니티 몰입의 관계: 의류 브랜드 이미지의 조절효과)

  • Hong, Hee-Sook;Ryu, Sung-Min;Moon, Chul-Woo
    • Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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    • v.17 no.4
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    • pp.51-89
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    • 2007
  • INTRODUCTION Due to the high broadband internet penetration rate and its group-oriented culture, various types of online communities operate in Korea. This study use 'Uses and Gratification Approach, and argue that members' usage-needs satisfaction with brand community is an important factor for promoting community commitment. Based on previous studies identifying the effect of brand image on consumers' responses to various marketing stimuli, this study hypothesizes that brand image can be a moderate variable affecting the relationship between usage-needs satisfaction with brand community and members' commitment to brand community. This study analyzes the influence of usage-needs satisfaction on brand community commitment and how apparel brand image affects the relationships between usage-needs satisfactions and community commitments. The hypotheses of this study are proposed as follows. H1-3: The usage-needs satisfaction of apparel brand community (interest, transaction, relationship needs) influences emotional (H1), continuous (H2), and normative (H3) commitments to apparel brand communities. H4-6: Apparel brand image has a moderating effect on the relationship between usage-needs satisfaction and emotional (H4), continuous (H5), and normative (H6) commitments to apparel brand communities. METHODS Brand communities founded by non-company affiliates were excluded and emphasis was placed instead on communities created by apparel brand companies. Among casual apparel brands registered in 6 Korean portal sites in August 2003, a total of 9 casual apparel brand online communities were chosen, depending on the level of community activity and apparel brand image. Data from 317 community members were analyzed by exploratory factor analysis, moderated regression analysis, ANOVA, and scheffe test. Among 317 respondents answered an online html-type questionnaire, 80.5% were between 16 to 25 years old. There were a total of 150 respondents from apparel brand communities(n=3) recording higher-than-average brand image scores (Mean > 3.75) and a total of 162 respondents from apparel brand communities(n=6) recording lower-than-average brand image scores(Mean < 3.75). In this study, brand community commitment was measured by a 5-point Likert scale: emotional, continuous and normative commitment. The degree of usage-needs satisfaction (interest, transaction, relationship needs) was measured on a 5-point Likert scale. The level of brand image was measured by a 5-point Likert scale: strength, favorability, and uniqueness of brand associations. RESULTS In the results of exploratory factor analysis, the three usage-needs satisfactions with brand community were classified as interest, transaction, and relationship needs. Brand community commitment was also divided into the multi-dimensional factors: emotional, continuous, and normative commitments. The regression analysis (using a stepwise method) was used to test the influence of 3 independent variables (interest-needs satisfaction, transaction-needs, and relationship-needs satisfactions) on the 3 dependent variables (emotional, continuous and normative commitments). The three types of usage-needs satisfactions are positively associated with the three types of commitments to apparel brand communities. Therefore, hypothesis 1, 2, and 3 were significantly supported. Moderating effects of apparel brand image on the relationship between usage-needs satisfaction and brand community commitments were tested by moderated regression analysis. The statistics result showed that the influence of transaction-needs on emotional commitment was significantly moderated by apparel brand image. In addition, apparel brand image had moderating effects on the relationship between relationship-needs satisfaction and emotional, continuous and normative commitments to apparel brand communities. However, there were not significant moderate effects of apparel brand image on the relationships between interest-needs satisfaction and 3 types of commitments (emotional, continuous and normative commitments) to apparel brand communities. In addition, the influences of transaction-needs satisfaction on 2 types of commitments (continuous and normative commitments) were not significantly moderated by apparel brand image. Therefore, hypothesis 4, 5 and 6 were partially supported. To explain the moderating effects of apparel brand image, four cross-tabulated groups were made by averages of usage-needs satisfaction (interest-needs satisfaction avg. M=3.09, transaction-needs satisfaction avg. M=3.46, relationship-needs satisfaction M=1.62) and the average apparel brand image (M=3.75). The average scores of commitments in each classified group are presented in Tables and Figures. There were significant differences among four groups. As can be seen from the results of scheffe test on the tables, emotional commitment in community group with high brand image was higher than one in community group with low brand image when transaction-needs satisfaction was high. However, when transaction-needs satisfaction was low, there was not any difference between the community group with high brand image and community group with low brand image regarding emotional commitment to apparel brand communities. It means that emotional commitment didn't increase significantly without high satisfaction of transaction-needs, despite the high apparel brand image. In addition, when apparel brand image was low, increase in transaction-needs did not lead to the increase in emotional commitment. Therefore, the significant relationship between transaction-needs satisfaction and emotional commitment was found in only brand communities with high apparel brand image, and the moderating effect of apparel brand image on this relationship between two variables was found in the communities with high satisfaction of transaction-needs only. Statistics results showed that the level of emotional commitment is related to the satisfaction level of transaction-needs, while overall response is related to the level of apparel brand image. We also found that the role of apparel brand image as a moderating factor was limited by the level of transaction-needs satisfaction. In addition, relationship-needs satisfaction brought significant increase in emotional commitment in both community groups (high and low levels of brand image), and the effect of apparel brand image on emotional commitment was significant in both community groups (high and low levels of relationship-needs satisfaction). Especially, the effect of brand image was greater when the level of relationship-needs satisfaction was high. in contrast, increase in emotional commitment responding to increase in relationship-needs satisfaction was greater when apparel brand image is high. The significant influences of relationship-needs satisfaction on community commitments (continuous and normative commitments) were found regardless of apparel brand image(in both community groups with low and high brand image). However, the effects of apparel brand image on continuous and normative commitments were found in only community group with high satisfaction level of relationship-needs. In the case of communities with low satisfaction levels of relationship needs, apparel brand image marginally increases continuous and normative commitments. Therefore, we could not find the moderating effect of apparel brand image on the relationship between relationship-needs satisfaction and continuous and normative commitments in community groups with low satisfaction levels of relationship needs, CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS From the results of this study, we draw several conclusions; First, the increases in usage-needs satisfactions through apparel brand communities result in the increases in commitments to apparel brand communities, wheres the degrees of such relationship depends on the level of apparel brand image. That is, apparel brand image is a moderating factor strengthening the relationship between usage-needs satisfaction and commitment to apparel brand communities. In addition, the effect of apparel brand image differs, depending on the level and types of community usage-needs satisfactions. Therefore, marketers of apparel brand companies must determine the appropriate usage-needs, depending on the type of commitment they wish to increase and the level of their apparel brand image, to promote member's commitments to apparel brand communities. Especially, relationship-needs satisfaction was very important factor for increasing emotional, continuous and normative commitments to communities. However the level of relationship-needs satisfaction was lower than interest-needs and transaction-needs. satisfaction. According to previous study on apparel brand communities, relationship-need satisfaction was strongly related to member's intention of participation in their communities. Therefore, marketers need to develope various strategies in order to increase the relationship- needs as well as interest and transaction needs. In addition, despite continuous commitment was higher than emotional and normative commitments, all types of commitments to apparel brand communities had scores lower than 3.0 that was mid point in 5-point scale. A Korean study reported that the level of members' commitment to apparel brand community influenced customers' identification with a brand and brand purchasing behavior. Therefore, marketers should try to increase members' usage-needs satisfaction and apparel brand image as the necessary conditions for bringing about community commitments. Second, marketers should understand that they should keep in mind that increasing the level of community usage needs (transaction and relationship) is most effective in raising commitment when the level of apparel brand image is high, and that increasing usage needs (transaction needs) satisfaction in communities with low brand image might not be as effective as anticipated. Therefore, apparel companies with desirable brand image such as luxury designer goods firms need to create formal online brand communities (as opposed to informal communities with rudimentary online contents) to satisfy transaction and relationship needs systematically. It will create brand equity through consumers' increased emotional, continuous and normative commitments. Even though apparel brand is very famous, emotional commitment to apparel brand communities cannot be easily increased without transaction-needs satisfaction. Therefore famous fashion brand companies should focus on developing various marketing strategies to increase transaction-needs satisfaction.

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Changes in Serum IGF-I and Spermatogenesis Analysed by Flow Cytometry in Growing Male Rabbit (성장 중인 수토끼에서 혈청 IGF-I 수준과 Flow Cytometry 측정에 의한 정자 형성의 변화)

  • Lee J. H.;Kim C. K.;Chang Y. M.;Ryu J. W.;Park M. Y.;Chung Y. C.;Pang M. G.
    • Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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    • v.29 no.3
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    • pp.163-168
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    • 2005
  • The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and growth hormone (GH) in serum, the quantitation of spermato-genesis and the comparable relationships among these measurements during pubertal period in New Zealand White male rabbits. To investigate the age-related testicular changes in DNA contents of spermatogenic cells, the fine-needle testicular biopsies from males aged 10 to 28 wks were evaluated by flow cytometry(FCM). Body weight increased significantly between the ages of 12 and 20 wks (P<0.05) and reached 3.4 kg at 28 wks of age. The highest serum IGF-I level (451.3ng/mL) was observed at 20wks of age (P<0.05) and thereafter remained stable at low levels. Serum GH level at 18 wks of age was 183.3 pg/mL which was significantly higher compared to the other ages (P<0.05), and the rising time in serum GH tend to be somewhat earlier than that of IGF-I. The relative percentage of It-cells in testicular cell compartments was $48.2\%$ at the age of 18 wks which significantly increased than those of 16-wk-old (P<0.05) and thereafter increased with the advance of age to $68\%$. The percentage of 2C-cells in testis was $26.8\%$ at 18 wks of age which was significantly lower than $54.3\%$ at 16 wks old (P<0.05). The percentage of 4C-cells was constantly maintained $2\~6\%$ except the $9.9\%$ at 18 wks of age. In conclusion, the results suggest that the puberty onset occurred at about the 18 wks of age and that the IGF-I and GH in serum during the pubertal period showed the age/growth-specific changes and these changes might be related to the spermatogenesis. The DNA FCM combined with fine-needle testicular biopsy could offer a very sensitive method to monitor the quantitative spermatogenic events related to the puberty onset.