• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.873-880
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• 1994

Progesterone catabolizing enzyme, the enzyme $20{\alpha}$-hydroxysteroid deltydrgenase($20{\alpha}$-HSD) is pivotal in the regulation of ovarian function in rodents, which catabolizes progesterone into biologically inactive $20{\alpha}$ hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one($20{\alpha}$-OHP). In this study was carried out the influence of $20{\alpha}$-HSD activity to ovarian function and regulation such as ovulation, formation of corpus luteum, maintenance of estrous cycles and pregnancy, we investigated changes in activities of the splenic macrophages and ovarian histological findings in rat. During the estrous cycles, the ratious of phagocytotic macrophage in splenic adherent cells were highest on the proestrous, but they were lowest on metestrous. During the pregnancy, the ratious of phagocytotic macrophages in splenic adhrent cells were lowest by 1 day and then significantly increased toward the pregnancy, which were highest pregnancy on day 12. On histological findings in rat ovary, the mean number of growing, antral and mature follicles were 15.9(72.9%), 3.4(15.9%), and 2.4(11.2%), respectively. Growing follicles reached to lowest number at diestrus and mature follicle reached to lowest number at metestrus. The numbers of corpus luteums per tissue section of the ovary were 14.4 and the number of normal and atretic follicles were 11.0(76.4%) and 3.4(23.6%), respectively. The number of corpus luteum with vacolated cell were 1.7(11.8%). In this study suggests splenic macrophages are as a source of the substance which maintainer progesterone secretion from luteal cells, and are recognized pass the vessels and reside in the fresh corpora lutea soon after ovulation via inflammatory reactions, and these macrophages are felt to have a stimulatory effect on the formation of cropora lutea. In view of the results include previous report, ovarian $20{\alpha}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme and splenic macrophages consider play central role in the control and maintenance of estrous cycles and pregnancy, and also applicable to both clinical and research in a wide variety such as control of reproductive system.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.636-642
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• 2009

The corpus luteum (CL) is a transient endocrine gland that produces progesterone, a product required for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. In the absence of pregnancy, the production of progesterone in the CL decreases and the structure itself regresses in size. The life span and function of the CL are regulated by complex interactions between stimulatory (luteotrophic) and inhibitory (luteolytic) mediators. When an ovum is released from a mature follicle, angiogenesis and rapid growth of follicular cells form the CL. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether steroidogenesis, proliferation, and hypoxiarelated proteins are expressed in caprine CL. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and hypoxia-inducible factor $1{\alpha}$ (HIF-$1{\alpha}$) were determined in caprine CL during the estrous cycle. Cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage protein did not vary significantly during the estrous cycle; however, there was an increased expression of $3{\beta}$ -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the early and middle stages, which rapidly decreased in the late stage. The same observations were made with respect to steroidogenic acute regulatory protein. Variations in progesterone content and expression of PCNA, HIF-$1{\alpha}$, and VEGF were consistent with this result. Thus, the steroidogenic proteins, PCNA, HIF-$1{\alpha}$, and VEGF in caprine CL are dependent on the stage of the estrous cycle.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.71-79
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• 1985

Systemic extrogen therapy promotes multiple preantral follicular development in immature mice. Estrogen pretreated ovaries might therefore be a useful source of cells for in vitro studies of oocytes maturation. Silastic capsules (5.0 mm length; 3.18 mm outer diameter, 1.57 mm inner diameter) filled with diethylstilbesterol were implanted subcutaneously in experimental mice (ICR) for up to 6 days. Ovarian weight and histology in diethylstilbesterol pretreated and control animal were assessed before and after pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin treatment and after human chorionic gonadotrophin. The following results were obtained; 1. Ovarian weight was significantly increased by 6 days of diethylstilbesterol pretreatment. Subsequent ovarian weight gain in response to pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin and human chorionic gonadotrophin was increased. 2. Diethylstilnbesterol pretreatment stimulated the developed healthy preantral follicles. 3. Forty eight hours after pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin treatment, a larger number of the antral follicles which developed in diethylstilbesterol pretreated animals showed signs of atresia, whereas in the control ovaries there was a higher incidence of premature luteinization. 4. Forty eight hours after human chorionic gonadotrophin, numerous corpora lutea and occasional luteinized unruptured follicles were present in both control and diethylstilbesterol ovaries. 5. Ovulation rate, fertilization rate and subsequent preimplantation development in vitro were not adversely affected by diethylstilbesterol pretreatment. However, there was considerable variation in the ovulation rate the number of animals with more than 60 ovulations was greater in the diethylstilbesterol gorup (52.4%) as compared to the control (33.3%).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.486-490
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• 1998

The present study examined the follicular populations prior to and during superovulation and investigated their relationship with superovulatory response in crossbred cattle. Eleven animals were administered i.m. 8 doses of Folltropin of 2.5 ml each (1.75 mg/ml) spread over 4 days beginning on Day 10 of oestrous cycle, and 30 and 20 mg Lutalyse was given alongwith the 5th and 6th injections of Folltropin, respectively, to induce luteolysis. The animals were artificially inseminated 48, 60 and 72 h after the first Lutalyse injection. The number of corpora lutea (CL) was recorded by palpation per rectum and embryos were recovered non-surgically on Day 6 (Day 0 day of superoestrus). The ovarian follicular population was examined by transrectal Ultrasonography 15 h prior to and 52 h after the first FSH injection, and then on the day of superoestrus and the day of flushing. The follicles were classfied on the basis of diameter as small (3-5 mm), medium (6-9 mm) and large (${\geq}10mm$). The total number of follicles increased significantly (p < 0.01) from $2.45{\pm}0.35$, 15 h prior to the first FSH injection to $8.09{\pm}1.12$, 52 h after the first FSH injection and then further to $13.27{\pm}1.89 $ on the day of superoestrus. A positive correlation was observed between the number of small follicles 15 h prior to the first FSH injection (r = 0.60, p < 0.05), the number of large follicles 52 h after the first FSH injection (r=0.59, p < 0.05) and the number of CL. The follicular population prior to and during superovulation was, however, not significantly different between high (> 6 CL) and low responders (${\leq}6CL$). The present study suggests that the follicular populations undergo dynamic changes during superovulation and that follicular populations prior to superovulation have a limited application as an indicator of the superovulatory response.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.72-85
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• 1983

This presentation firstly is discussed the characteristics of estrus, the time of first postpartum estrus, and the relative accurate of various estrus detection aids and secondly discussed the abnormalities of estrus and ovarian function and its control by treatment of exogenous hormones in cattle and pig. Longer estrus cycles as well as the shorter than 18 day cycles showed the lowered conception rates as compared to the normal cycles of 18 to 25 days. Other characteristics of est겨s such as duration of estrus, intensity of estrus and time of estrus are reviewed to affect fertility. The first postpartum ovulation and estrus in cows usually occurs about 20 to 30 days and 40 to 50 days after parturition, respectively. Irregularities in estrus cycle length have been conducted during early postpartum period. In sows, weaning is followed by ovulation and estrus although there is some individual variation. The most common method of estrus detection is direct visual observation on standing estrus behavior, but various aids of estrus detection have been empolyed with varying degree of effectiveness. The results from heat detector devices are about as accurate as twice-daily observation(about 90%). The abnormal estrus can be classified into three types; irregular or continuous estrus, silent estrus and anestrus. Cystic ovarian disease, follicular cysts and luteal cysts, is a serious cause of reproductive failure in cattle and pig. The follicular cysts are much more common than luteal cysts and the incidence of ovarian cysts in dairy cattle is higher than beef cattle and pig. The occurrences of ovarian cysts have been closely associated with levels of milk production, stages of postpartum period, nutritional levels and seasons. The luteal cysts and persistent corpora lutea are responsive to the luteolytic effects of the recently synthetic analogues of PGF2$\alpha$ in cows and sows and recently GnRH or LH-RH has been successfully used as a treatment for cows and sows with ovarian follicular cysts.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.229-235
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• 2011

Sloan-Kettering virus gene product of a cellular protooncogene c-Ski is an unique nuclear pro-oncoprotein and belongs to the Ski/Sno proto-oncogene family. Ski plays multiple roles in a variety of cell types, it can induce both oncogenic transformation and terminal muscle differentiation when expressed at high levels. Ski protein is implicated in proliferation/differentiation in a variety of cells. The alternative fate of granulosa cells other than apoptosis is to differentiate to luteal cells, however, it is unknown whether Ski is expressed and has a role in granulosa cells undergoing luteinization. Thus, the aim of this study was, by means of immunohistochemical methods, to locate Ski protein in the rat ovaries during ovulation and corpora lutea (CL) formation to predict the possible involvement of Ski in luteinization. In addition, we performed to examine whether the initiation of luteinization with luteinizing hormone (LH) directly regulates expression of Ski in the luteinized granulosa and luteal cells after ovulation by in vivo models. In order to examine the expression pattern of Ski protein along with the progress of luteinization, follicular growth was induced by administration of equine chorionic gonadtropin to immature female rat, and luteinization was induced by human chorionic gonadtropin treatment to mimic luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. While no Ski-positive granulosa cells were present in preovulatory follicle, Ski protein expression was induced in response to LH surge, and was maintained after the formation of corpus luteum (CL). These results indicate that Ski is profoundly expressed in the luteinized granulosa cells and luteal cells of CL during luteinization, and suggest that Ski may play a role in luteinization of granulosa cells.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.179-190
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• 1998

Prolactin (PRL) surge in cycling rats at proestrous afternoon has previously been reported as an inducer of apoptotic cell death of luteal cells. This death-inducing action of PRL seeins unusual, because PRL can he categorized as a cell-survival factor, if other known physiological functions of PRL are taken into account. In this study, the apoptotic action of PRL was assessed in cultured cells prepared from rat luteal tissue and underlying molecular /cellular mechanism of PRL-induced luteolysis was analyzed. The latest crop of corpora lutea (CLs) were enucleated from rat ovaries at 18:00 h on the proestrous day before the next ovulation. Donor rats were pretreated with CB154, a dopamine agonist, in order to he exempted from the endogenous PRL surge. The harvested GLs were dispersed and cultured with or without PRL (2$\mu$g /ml) for 24 or 48 h. An addition of PRL to the culture medium changed the parameters indicative of cell death via apoptosis: a decrease in cell viability (MTT) and an increase in chromatin condensation. Most of the DNA breakdown in nuclei induced by PRL occurred in steroidogenic cells which were identified by 3$\beta$-HSD activity staining, and the number of 3$\beta$-HSD-positivecells were significantly decreased. Interestingly, most of the cells with an apoptotic nucleus adhered to one or more intact and seemingly non-steroidogenic cells. Because the expression of Fas has heen shown to be abundant in murine ovary, and Fas is known to have an exact physiological role in occurrence of apoptotic cell death, the membrane form-Fas ligand (rnFasL) was quantified in the cell lysate. An addition of PRL increased expression of mFasL. Moreover, an addition of concanavalin A (ConA), a T-cell specific activator, in place of PRL, enhanced the apoptotic parameters. Cumulatively, the apoptotic PRL action was addressed to cells unknown than steroidogenic lute~ cells. The most prohable candidate for the direct target cells is Tcells in the luteal tissue that can express mFasL in response to PRL.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.123-128
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• 2002

The present study aimed at determining the effective dose of Folltropin, a follicle timulating hormone (FSH), on superovulation in indigenous cows of Bangladesh. Fifteen regularly cycling 5～7 years old dry cows, weighing 200～250 kg with 2.5～3.0 body condition scores (BCS) were divided into three groups (n＝5). Individual groups were superovulated with 100, 200 or 300 mg of Folltropin per animal. The superovulation treatment was initiated at Day 10 or Day 11 of the estrous cycle (Day 0＝day of estrus). Alfaprostol (6 mg) was injected to each cow 72 h after the initiation of superovulation treatment to induce eestrus. After confirming standing estrus, the cows were inseminated 2～3 times, 12 h apart, depending on the duration of estrus. At Day 6 or Day 7, individual horns of the uterus were flushed with 150～200 $m\ell$ of phosphate buffered saline supplemented with BSA (0.2％), penicillin (100 IU／$m\ell$) and streptomycin (100 $\mu\textrm{g}$／$m\ell$) using a two-way foley catheter. The embryos were concentrated, removing the excess medium through an embryo filter, and identified under a stereomicroscope. The identified embryos were collected, washed four times, evaluated and graded as excellent, good, fair or poor. The excellent, good and fair embryos were considered as transferable quality embryos. The mean (range). numbers of embryos collected vs. transferable quality embryos far 100, 200 and 300 mg of Folltropin were 4.5 (1～10) vs. 3.5 (1～8); 2.5 (1～4) vs. 1 (0～2) and 0.0 (0～0) vs. 0.0 (0～0), respectively, Folltropin at a dose of 100 or 200 mg produced suitable ovarian stimulation for superovulation in indigenous zebu cows of Bangladesh. A dose of 300 mg or more Folltropin consistently caused preovulatory corpora lutea formation in the ovaries and resulted in zero embryo recovery.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.143-157
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• 2010

Objectives : The objective of this study was to access the effect of Artemisiae capillaris herba Extracts on the organogenetic reproductive toxicity of New Zealand White rabbits when administered by oral gavage. Methods : Gestational New Zealand White rabbits were dosed from 6 days of gestation to 18 days of gestation. It was conducted in accordance with the recommendations of the KFDA Guideline for Detection of Toxicity to Reproduction for Medicinal Products. In addition, serum AST, ALT, LDH and ALP levels were detected with their necropsy and histopathological observation Results: No significant changes of body weights, gains and food consumption were demonstrated in all dosed groups compared to those of vehicle control group except for 2,000mg/kg-dosing group, which showed significantly increase of body weight compared to that of vehicle control group. Normal gross findings were demonstrated in all tested groups. No significant changes of number of corpora lutea, implantation, implantation rate, number of fetal death, loss rate of post-implantation, number of live youngs at C-section, survival rate of post-implantation, number of male live youngs at C-section, number of female live youngs, sex ratio of live young, external anomalies of live youngs and body weight of live youngs were demonstrated in all dosed groups compared to those of vehicle control group. Although some visceral variations such as thymic reminant in the neck, dilation of renal pelvis, dilated ureter and malpositioned left common carotid artery, no significant changes were demonstrated in all dosed groups compared to that of vehicle control group. Some malformations and variation were demonstrated with retardations. However, no significant changes were demonstrated in all dosed groups compared to that of vehicle control group. In addition, similar ossification numbers were detected in sternebrae, metacarpals, metatarsals, phalanges, cervical vertebrae, and sacral and caudal vertebrae. No Artemisiae capillaris herba Extracts treatment-related changes of serum AST, ALT, LDH and ALP levels were demonstrated in all dosed levels in this study. Conclusions : We could conclude that oral administration of Artemisiae capillaris herba Extracts hasn't an influence on the organogenetic reproductive toxicity.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2 s.62
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• pp.32-51
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• 2005

Objectives: To study the effect of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba extracts, that have been used as oriental medicine to treat liver disease, on the perinatal and lactational n;)productive toxicity of SD rats when administered by oral lavage. Methods: Female SD rats were dosed from 6 days of gestation to 3 weeks postpartum. This was conducted in accordance with the recommendations of the KFDA Guidelines for Detection of Toxicity to Reproduction for Medicinal Products. Results: No Artemisiae Capillaris Herba extracts treatment-related changes in clinical signs, mortalities, implantation number, dead fetus number, loss rate of fetus, number of live young, survival rate of fetus, sex ratio of live young, external anomalies, pregnancy periods, viability index, lactational index, survival rate of litters at 4 days after birth or delivery index were demonstrated in any dosed levels in this study. However, the body weight and gains, food consumption and absolute organ weights of brain, adrenal glands, liver, spleen, kidney, ovaries and heart were significantly increased in 2000 or 1000mg/kg-dosing groups and the relative organ Weights of adrenal glands were significantly increased in 2,000mg/kg-dosing groups. Therefore, it was concluded that this increase was natural according to growth. Also, no changes of gross findings, clinical signs, mortalities, body weight and gains, physical development results, necropsy findings, organ weight, faculty test, open filed test and water-filled simple T-maze test, copulation, fertility, pregnancy indices, body weight and gains during gestation periods, necropsy findings, corpora lutea number, implantation number, implantation rate, dead fetus number, post-implantation loss rate, live young, post-implantation survival rate, sex ratio of live young, external anomalies and individual body weights of live young were demonstrated in any dosed levels in this study. Conclusions: It is considered that the NOAEL (No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level) for perinatal and lactational reproductive toxicity of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba extracts was up to 2000mg/kg/day because no changes of other perinatal and lactational reproductive indices were demonstrated.