• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.189-195
• /
• 2008

The objective of this study is to investigate the changes in concentrations of leptin and insulin in serum of Korean cattle (Hanwoo) with reproductive disorders and to examine the relationship among leptin, insulin, and body condition score (BCS). The concentration of leptin in serum of pregnant Hanwoo showed insignificant difference from that in serum of Hanwoo with reproductive disorder, such as repeat breeding, follicular cyst, corpus luteum cyst, ovarian atrophy, and feeble estrus (p>0.05). However, the concentrations of leptin and insulin in serum were changed with different BCS value. In emaciated Hanwoo (BCS $2.0\sim2.9$), they were significantly decreased compared to BCS $3.0\sim3.4$ (p<0.05). The leptin showed different genotypes with different BCS value. In BCS $2.0\sim2.9$, C/T genotype was expressed (83.3%) more than C/C (16.7%) or T/T (0%) genotype, whereas C/C genotype was expressed (62.5%) more than C/T (25.0%) or T/T (12.5%) genotype in BCS $3.5\sim4.0$. The insulin concentration in follicular fluid obtained from ovary with follicular cyst which has follicles having diameter of $25\sim40 mm$ was significantly higher (p<0.05) than those in normal follicle fluid which has follicles having diameter of $3\sim10 mm$. These results showed that concentration of leptin and insulin in serum were related to BCS value and follicular size and suggest that the changes in concentration of leptin and/or insulin in serum could be a potent biomarker for diagnosis of bovine reproductive disorder.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.47-57
• /
• 2002

The subacute oral toxicity of 1-(4-methylpiperazinyl)-3-phenylisoquinoline (CWJ- a-5) was investigated in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Five groups of 5 males and 5 females were orally administered at doses of 0, 37.5, 75, 150 and 200 mg/kg with CWJ-a-5 for 2 weeks. In clinical signs, Salivation was observed in the 75, 150 and 500 mg/kg male and female groups. Loss of fur was observed in the 500 mg/kg male and female group. Body weight were significantly decreased in the 150 and 500 mg/kg male groups and in the 500 mg/kg female group. Food consumption was significantly decreased in the 300 mg/kg male group. In serum biochemistry, total cholesterol and phospholipid were significantly increased in 500 mg/kg male and female group. Aspartate aminotransferase was significantly increased in the 500 mg/kg female group. In histopathological examination, vacuolar degeneration of renal tubules in the kidney, vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes in the liver vacuolar degeneration of myocytes in the heart, vacuolar degeneration of histiocytes in the spleen and thymus, atrophy of seminiferous tubule and degeneration of germinal epithelium in the testis, vacuolar degeneration of corpus luteum, granulosa cell and theca cell in the ovary were observed in the 150 and 500 mg/kg male and female groups. Based on these results, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) with CWJ-a-5 was considered to be 75 mg/kg and the absolute toxic dose was considered to be 150 mg/kg in this study

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.845-855
• /
• 2000

As high as 50% of pregnancies are known to fail and the majority of such losses occur during the peri-implantation period. For the establishment of pregnancy in mammalian species, therefore, implantation of the conceptus to the maternal endometrium must be completed successfully. Physiological events associated with implantation differ among mammals. In ruminant ungulates, an elongation of the trophohlast in early conceptus development is required before the attachment of the conceptus to the uterine endometrium. Moreover, implantation sites are restricted to each uterine caruncula where tissue remodeling, feto-maternal cell fusion and placentation take place in a coordinated manner. These unique events occur under strict conditions and are regulated by numerous factors from the uterine endometrium and trophoblast in a spatial manner. Interferon-tau (IFN-${\tau}$), a conceptus-derived anti-Iuteolytic factor, which rescues corpus luteum from its regression in ruminants, is particularly apt to play an important role as a local regulator in coordination with other factors, such as TGF-${\beta}$, Cox-2 and MMPs at the attachment and placentation sites.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.31-35
• /
• 2007

The main purpose of this study was to improve the efficiency and quality of in vitro embryo production in Korean Native Cows (KNC). We examined the effects of ovarian morphologies (Experiment 1) and the culture vessel (Experiment 2) on in vitro maturation (IVM). We measured the subsequent development rates and cell numbers of blastocysts. In Experiment 1, the ovaries of KNC were divided into six groups, based on follicle and corpus luteum (CL) morphology. The development rates to the 2- and 8-cell stages were similar among the six groups. The development rates to blastocyst stages were significantly higher in the group without a CL or follicle (WOCL/F) than in the groups with follicular cysts (FCs), regressive CLs (RCLs) or cystic CLs (CCLs) (p<0.05). The cell number of the inner cell mass (ICM) of blastocysts in the FCs and RCLs groups, and the number of cells in the trophectoderm (TE) in the WOCL/F group, FCs, growing CLs (GCLs) and RCLs were significantly higher than in other groups (p<0.05). The total cell number (TCN) in the WOCL/F, FC and RCL groups was also significantly higher than in other groups (p<0.05). The ICM cell number/TCN ratio was significantly higher in the FC and RCL groups than in the GCL and DF groups (p<0.05). In Experiment 2, oocyte IVM was carried out in culture dishes, in 0.25- or 0.5-ml straws used for freezing sperm. The development rate to the 2-cell stage was significantly higher in the 0.5-ml straw group than in the 0.25-ml straw group. The development rates to the blastocyst stage were similar in the dish and the two straw groups. There were no differences in the cell numbers of ICM, TE or TCN or ICM cell number/TCN ratios between groups.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.37-41
• /
• 2005

The aim of this study was to improve efficiency and quality of the production of Korean Native Cow embryos. We examined effects of ovarian morphology and maturation vessel on the development and cell number of blastocysts. The development rates to the 2-cell embryos from oocytes collected from the ovaries of different morphological statues were similar ranging between 70.3 and 84.1%. The development rate to the 8 cell- and blastocyst-stage embryos was the highest in the group without both corpus luteum (CL) and follicle. The inner cell mass (ICM), trophectoderm (TE) and total cell number (TCN) were significantly higher in the groups of follicular cyst and regressive CL than other treatment groups, and the same pattern was observed in the ICM/TCN ratio. The development rate to the 2-cell stage was significantly higher in 0.5-㎖ straw group than 0.25-㎖ straw group. However, the development rates to the blastocyst stage were similar between the dish and the straw group. There were no differences in the number of ICM and TE cells, TCN and ICM/TCN ratio of blastocysts from oocytes matured in the different vessels.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between conception rate and other parameters (body condition score; BCS, progesterone concentrations and follicle size) before estrus induction with CIDR(intravaginal progesterone-releasing controlled internal drug release). The conception rate in cows with < 2.75, 2.75 to 3.25, and 3.25 <, BCS regardless of AI (artificial insemination) time was 46.6%, 63.3%, and 46.6% at CIDR insertion, respectively. The conception rate regardless of BCS was 54.9% in cows inseminated based on detected estrus, and 48.7% in cows inseminated at 72 to 80 hours (timed artificial insemination, TAI) after removal of CIDR. The conception rate regardless of AI time was 40.0% in cows with low progesterone concentrations (less than 1.0 ng/ml), and 56.6% in cows with high progesterone concentrations (more than 1.0 ng/ml) at CIDR injection. The conception rate regardless of progesterone concentrations was 53.8% in cows inseminated based on detected estrus, and 38.0% in cows of TAI after removal of CIDR. The conception rate regardless of AI time was 43.3% in cows with small follicle (less than 5 mm), 53.3% in cows between 5 mm to 10 mm of follicle, and 63.3% in cows with large folliclc (more than 10 mm) at CIDR injection, respectively. The conception rate regardless of follicle size was 58.4% in cows inseminated based on detected estrus, and 45.9% in cows of TAI after removal of CIDR. These results indicated that if the cows with BCS 2.75 to 3.25, active corpus luteum, and/or large dominant follicle (more than 10 mm) are used for estrus induction, the conception rate will be greater.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.159-174
• /
• 2007

Introduction : The experiments was undertaken to evaluate the effects of herbal medicine, Sibjeondaebotang, Yugmijihwangtang, in pregnant rats and fetuses. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered with the Sibjeondaebotang, Yugmijihwangtang at dose of 5mg/kg/day for 20 days. Pregnant rats were sacrificed at 20th day of gestation, and observed internal and reproductive organs. Approximately live fetuses in the 20th day of gestation were randomly selected and fixed in 95% ethanol. To observe skeletal malformations, fetuses were stained with alcian blue and alizarin red S. Effect on pregnant rats : Maternal body weight of Sibjeondaebotang, Yugmijihwangtang treated group has a tendency to increase compared to that of control group. There were no significant difference in internal and reproductive organs. There were no significant changes between two groups in blood chemistry and hematological values. There were no significant changes in number of corpus luteum, implantation, live fetuses and implantation rate, delivery rate, and sex ratio. But Yugmijihwangtang administered group showed higher early resorption rate than the control group(p<0.05). Also Sibjeondaebotang administered group showed higher late resorption rate than the control group(p<0.05). From the sex ratio, number of females, bigger than number of males in the control group, and more males than females in Yugmijihwangtang administered group(p<0.05).

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.89-102
• /
• 2008

Purpose : The experiments was undertaken to evaluate the effects of herbal medicine, Ojeoksan, in pregnant rats Methods : Female Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered with the Ojeoksan at dose of 5mg/kg/day for 20 days. Pregnant rats were sacrificed at 20th day of gestation, and observed internal and reproductive organs. Approximately live fetuses in the 20th day of gestation were randomly selected and fixed in 95% ethanol. Results : Maternal body weight of Ojeoksan treated group has a tendency to increase compared to that of control group. There were no significant difference in internal and reproductive organs. There were no significant changes between two groups in blood chemistry and hematological values. There were no significant changes in number of corpus luteum, implantation, live fetuses and sex ratio. But Ojeoksan administered group showed higher delivery rate, early resorption rate than the control group. Also Ojeoksan administered group showed higher implantation rate, late resorption rate than the control group. Conclusion : From these results, it can be concluded that Ojeoksan showed no toxicity effects on maternal body weight and number of live fetuses. There were no significant changes in organ weight, hematological data, reproductive organs. We need more precise study to investigate the mechanism of early or late resoption by the herbal medicines such as Ojeoksan.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.79-84
• /
• 1989

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of LH-RH and Gn-RH treatment in Holstein cows with ovarian quiescence and follicular cystic ovaries. The cows with ovarian quiescence and follicular cystic ovaries injected intramuscularly with 100$\mu\textrm{g}$, 200$\mu\textrm{g}$ and 400$\mu\textrm{g}$ of LH-RH and 200$\mu\textrm{g}$ and 400$\mu\textrm{g}$ of Gn-RH respectively. The cows was diagnosed by repeated rectal palpation. The plasma progesterone and estradiol-17$\beta$ concentrations were assayed by radioimmunoassay methods. The resutls of this study were summarized as follows : 1. Ovulations were induced after treatment of LH-RH and Gn-RH. The concentrations of progesterone reached small peak level at luteal phase and estradiol-17$\beta$ reached obvious peak level with the development and maturation of the follicle during the periods of degeneration of the corpus luteum, and normal ovarian cycle activity started subsequently. 2. The cows with ovarian quiescence and follicular cystic ovaries were induced ovulation at 38.9$\pm$5.3 hrs. after treatment of LH-RH in 66.7% cows and at 52.7$\pm$7.9 hrs after treatment of Gn-RH in 60.0% cows respectively. 3. The good ovarian responses were indicated in treatment with 200$\mu\textrm{g}$ to 400$\mu\textrm{g}$ of LH-RH than those treated with 100$\mu\textrm{g}$ in cows with ovarian quiescence, and did not show difference of ovarian responses between treatments with 200$\mu\textrm{g}$ to 400$\mu\textrm{g}$ of Gn-RH in cows with follicular cystic ovaries.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.355-361
• /
• 2011

Ski protein is implicated in proliferation/differentiation in a variety of cells. We had previously reported that Ski protein is present in granulosa cells of atretic follicles, but not in preovulatory follicles, suggesting that Ski has a role in apoptosis of granulosa 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 the present study was to locate Ski protein in the rat ovary during luteinization to predict the possible role of Ski. 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 gonadotropin to immature female rat, and luteinization was induced by human chorionic gonadotropin 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). Though Ski protein is absent in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicle, its mRNA (c-ski) was expressed and the level was unchanged even after LH surge. Taken together, these results demonstrated that Ski protein expression is induced in granulosa cells upon luteinization, and suggested that its expression is regulated post-transcriptionally.