• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.109-114
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• 2000

본 연구는 사춘기전과 사춘기가 시작될 무렵의 흰쥐난소에서 에탄올이 steroidogenic acute regulatory protein(StAR)의 유전자 발현에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 조사하고자 수행되었다. 생후 25일 째부터 매일 흰쥐에 에탄을 또는 생리식염수를 복강주사하고 생후 27일, 32일 째에 실험동물을 희생시켜 혈액과 난소를 적출하였다. 실험결과 에탄올은 혈중의 황체호르몬 함량을 유의하게 감소시켰으며, 자궁의 무게는 27일 째에는 에탄올처리군에서 유의하게 적었으나, 32일 째에는 차이를 나타내지 않았다. 사춘기의 시작을 나타내는 지표의 하나인 viginal opening은 에탄올처리군에서 현저히 지연되었으며, 난소에서의 StAr mRNA발현 또한 유의하게 감소됨을 알 수 있었다. 따라서 본 연구결과는 에탄올이 적어도 사춘기 난소의 기능 및 사춘기의 시작을 교란시킬 수 있으며, 이러한 영향의 일부는 난소내 StAR유전자 발현을 억제함으로써 나타난다고 사료된다.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.35-41
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• 2010

Mammalian reproduction is regulated by a feedback circuit of the key reproductive hormones such as GnRH, gonadotropin and sex steroids on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. In particular, the onset of female puberty is triggered by gain of a pulsatile pattern and increment of GnRH secretion from hypothalamus. Previous studies including our own clearly demonstrated that genistein (GS), a phytoestrogenic isoflavone, altered the timing of puberty onset in female rats. However, the brain-specific actions of GS in female rats has not been explored yet. The present study was performed to examine the changes in the activities of GnRH neurons and their neural circuits by GS in female rats. Concerning the drug delivery route, intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection technique was employed to eliminate the unwanted actions on the extrabrain tissues which can be occurred if the testing drug is systemically administered. Adult female rats (PND 100, 210-230 g BW) were anaesthetized, treated with single dose of GS ($3.4{\mu}g$/animal), and sacrificed at 3 hrs post-injection. To determine the transcriptional changes of reproductive hormone-related genes in hypothalamus, total RNAs were extracted and applied to the semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). ICV infusion of GS significantly raised the transcriptional activities of enhanced at puberty1 (EAP-1, p<0.05), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67, p<0.01) which are known to modulate GnRH secretion in the hypothalamus. However, GS infusion could not change the mRNA level of nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS-2). GS administration significantly increased the mRNA levels of KiSS-1 (p<0.001), GPR54 (p<0.001), and GnRH (p<0.01) in the hypothalami, but decreased the mRNA levels of LH-$\beta$ (p<0.01) and FSH-$\beta$ (p<0.05) in the pituitaries. Taken together, the present study indicated that the acute exposure to GS could directly activate the hypothalamic GnRH modulating system, suggesting the GS's disrupting effects such as the early onset of puberty in immature female rats might be derived from premature activation of key reproduction related genes in hypothalamus-pituitary neuroendocrine circuit.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.91-99
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• 2016

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin, elicits strong immune responses in mammals. Several lines of evidence demonstrate that LPS challenge profoundly affects female reproductive function. For example, LPS exposure affects steroidogenesis and folliculogenesis, resulting in delayed puberty onset. The present study was conducted to clarify the mechanism underlying the adverse effect of LPS on the delayed puberty in female rats. LPS was daily injected for 5 days ($50{\mu}g/kg$, PND 25-29) to treated animals and the date at VO was evaluated through daily visual examination. At PND 39, animals were sacrificed, and the tissues were immediately removed and weighed. Among the reproductive organs, the weights of the ovaries and oviduct from LPS-treated animals were significantly lower than those of control animals. There were no changes in the weights of uterus and vagina between the LPS-treated and their control animals. immunological challenge by LPS delayed VO. Multiple corpora lutea were found in the control ovaries, indicating ovulations were occurred. However, none of corpus luteum was present in the LPS-treated ovary. The transcription level of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), CYP11A1, CYP17A1 and CYP19 were significantly increased by LPS treatment. On the other hand, the levels of $3{\beta}$-HSD, $17{\beta}$-HSD and LH receptor were not changed by LPS challenge. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the repeated LPS exposure during the prepubertal period could induce multiple alterations in the steroidogenic machinery in ovary, and in turn, delayed puberty onset. The prepubertal LPS challenge model used in our study is useful to understand the reciprocal regulation of immune (stress) - reproductive function in early life.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.31-38
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• 2012

Kisspeptin has been implicated in the process of puberty onset in various animal groups. This peptide is encoded by a gene, Kiss1 in avian and mammalian species. Contrary to these higher vertebrates, however, fish appeared to have another gene, Kiss2 that also codes for the precursor peptide of kisspeptin. To figure out biological significance of this gene during the puberty onset in fish, the expression profile of Kiss2 gene was investigated in the brain of Nile tilapia together with genes of GPR54, GnRH receptorI (rGnRHI) and GTH subunits ($LH{\beta}$ and $FSH{\beta}$). Expression of Kiss2 mRNA significantly increased at 2 weeks post hatch (wph) and 13 wph ($P$<0.05). This increase coincided with the increases of GPR54 and rGnRH I gene expression. Detection of $LH{\beta}$ and $FSH{\beta}$ subunit gene expression was possible later than 13 wph, indicating the activation of gonadotrophs in the pituitary. Data obtained from this study strongly suggest that, in addition to Kiss1 gene, Kiss2 gene is deeply associated with the onset of puberty by the activation of hypothalamus pituitary gonadal axis in Nile tilapia.

• 대한유전성대사질환학회지
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.120-125
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• 2013

Purpose: McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) is caused by activating mutations in the GNAS gene, resulting in peripheral precocious puberty, caf$\acute{e}$-au-lait spots, and polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (POFD). The aim of the present study was to describe the diverse clinical and endocrine characteristics of patients with MAS. Methods: Seven patients with MAS were included in this study and medical charts were reviewed retrospectively for following parameters: patient's sex and age at diagnosis, POFD, ovarian cysts, and precocious puberty. Results: The mean age at diagnosis was $5.8{\pm}4.2$ years. One patient was male (14%) and the other six patients were female (86%). Peripheral precocious puberty was associated with 6 patients (86%). Five patients manifested premature menarche as early as 2 to 5 years of age. Letrozole was administered to 4 patients, tamoxifen to one patient and GnRH agonist to one patient. Five females developed ovarian cysts. Thyroid function tests were performed in all patients and one patient showed hyperthyroidism (14%) and has been treated with methimazole. One patient presented with pseudohypoparathyroisdism, phosphaturia, calciuria suggesting hypophosphatemic rickets. Six patients (86%) revealed POFD. One patient had symptoms of optic nerve compression and secondary esotropia and 2 patients had bone pain. Conclusion: This study described clinical characteristics and endocrine complications of patients with MAS. Careful physical examinations with history taking and serial endocrine function tests should be needed to detect complications such as endocrinologic hyperfunction and POFD.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제52권2호
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• pp.142-151
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• 2009

The incidence of small for gestational age (SGA) births is frequent, accounting for 2.3% to 8% of all live births. Several childhood and adult diseases are related to early postnatal growth and birth size, and 10% of children born SGA may have a short stature throughout postnatal life. Additionally, they may have abnormal growth hormone (GH)-insulin like growth factor axis, HPA axis, and gonadal function. Permanent changes are detrimental in an environment of nutritional abundance, and predispose SGA children to an array of diseases in adolescence and adulthood. Such changes may also cause premature pubarche, adrenarche, and precocious puberty. The varying results from clinical studies necessitate more prospective case control studies. Reproductive tract abnormalities and reproductive dysfunction are related to SGA births. GH treatment is required for SGA infants who do not experience catch-up growth.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제50권2호
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• pp.198-204
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• 2007

목 적: 성조숙증에서 관찰된 최근의 연구 결과를 보면 사춘기 발육이 빠른 당시에는 신장이 커보일 수 있으나 결국 최종성인신장은 감소하게 된다. 이에 사춘기를 중단시킴으로써 최종 성인신장을 증가시킬 수 있을 것이라는 기대로 성선자극호르몬 방출호르몬 효능약제를 사용하여 골성숙의 기간을 연장하고자 하였다. 또한 조기 사춘기로 인하여 최종성인신장의 예후가 불량한 소아에서 성선자극호르몬 방출호르몬 효능약제 및 성장호르몬의 병합요법 효과를 성선자극호르몬 방출호르몬 효능약제 단독 사용 시의 효과와 비교하여 각각의 성장 촉진 효과를 알아보고자 하였다. 방 법: 역연령에 비하여 골연령이 증가되어 있으며 조기 사춘기를 보이는 여아를 대상으로 GnRHa 및 성장호르몬을 단기간 투여하였다. 제 1군은 triptorelin을 단독으로 4주에 한 번씩 근육주사하였고, 제 2군은 성장호르몬을 병합하여 치료하였다. 치료 기간은 약 1년이었으며 치료 시작시와 치료 후의 두 군간의 역연령, 골연령, 역연령과 골연령의 차이, 예측성인신장, 표적키, 표적키와 예측성인신장과의 차이, 혈청 IGF-1 및 IGFBP-3치를 비교하였다. 결 과: 치료 시작시 두 군 간의 골연령, 표적키, 예측성인신장, 예측성인신장과 표적키의 차이는 없었으나 골연령과 역연령의 차이 및 역연령은 유의한 차이를 보였다. 혈청 IGF-1 및 IGFBP-3값의 차이는 없었고 평균 치료기간은 $1.06{\pm}0.93$년이었다. 치료 후의 골연령과 역연령의 차이는 전체적으로 감소하였으며 두 군간에도 유의한 차이를 보였다. 치료 후의 예측성인신장은 치료전과 비교했을 때 모두 증가하여 단기간의 치료에도 효과가 있었으며 두 군 모두 의미 있는 값을 가지나 특히 성장호르몬을 같이 사용한 2군에서 더욱 큰 차이를 보여 병합요법의 성장촉진효과를 알 수 있었다. 표적키와 예측성인신장의 차이는 전체적으로 치료전보다 의미 있는 감소를 보였으며 두 군을 비교했을때 역시 2군에서 더욱 의미 있게 감소하였다. 혈청 IGF-1과 IGFBP-3는 GnRHa 사용 후에 성장호르몬-IGF 축이 억제되어 1군에서 모두 감소하였으나 성장호르몬을 병합한 2군에서는 모두 증가하였고 이때 통계적인 의미는 없었다. 결 론: 조기 사춘기로 인하여 역연령에 비해 골연령이 증가함으로써 성인신장에 나쁜 영향을 끼치는 경우에는 단기간의 GnRHa의 사용으로 사춘기의 빠른 진행을 억제하고 골성숙의 기간을 연장시킴으로써 예측성인신장을 증가시킬 수 있다. 또한 성장호르몬 병합요법으로 예측성인신장이 표적키에 도달하는데 있어 GnRHa 만으로 성장호르몬-IGF 축이 억제된 경우보다 성장촉진 효과를 나타낸다. 그러나 이는 단기간 사용 시의 치료효과이므로 최종성인신장의 비교를 위해서는 향후 장기적인 추적관찰이 필요하다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제61권12호
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• pp.375-380
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• 2018

With the increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity worldwide, early adiposity rebound, which is known to have a strong association with obesity, has recently been a focus of research. Early adiposity rebound is conventionally known to have a close relationship with non-communicable diseases. However, novel insights into early adiposity rebound have implied an acceleration of growth and puberty, which is directly reflected in the trends in the timing of adiposity rebound, in the 21st century compared with in the past. Furthermore, the observation that lean mass changes rather than fat mass changes show a more similar pattern to body mass index trajectories is interesting. In this article, the later outcomes and risk factors of early adiposity rebound are briefly summarized, and the current trends in the timing of adiposity rebound and novel insights into its relationship with body composition are reviewed.

• Annals of Laboratory Medicine
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.503-511
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• 2018

Background: Sampling a healthy reference population to generate reference intervals (RIs) for complete blood count (CBC) parameters is not common for pediatric and geriatric ages. We established age- and sex-specific RIs for CBC parameters across pediatric, adult, and geriatric ages using secondary data, evaluating patterns of changes in CBC parameters. Methods: The reference population comprised 804,623 health examinees (66,611 aged 3-17 years; 564,280 aged 18-59 years; 173,732 aged 60-99 years), and, we excluded 22,766 examinees after outlier testing. The CBC parameters (red blood cell [RBC], white blood cell [WBC], and platelet parameters) from 781,857 examinees were studied. We determined statistically significant partitions of age and sex, and calculated RIs according to the CLSI C28-A3 guidelines. Results: RBC parameters increased with age until adulthood and decreased with age in males, but increased before puberty and then decreased with age in females. WBC and platelet counts were the highest in early childhood and decreased with age. Sex differences in each age group were noted: WBC count was higher in males than in females during adulthood, but platelet count was higher in females than in males from puberty onwards (P <0.001). Neutrophil count was the lowest in early childhood and increased with age. Lymphocyte count decreased with age after peaking in early childhood. Eosinophil count was the highest in childhood and higher in males than in females. Monocyte count was higher in males than in females (P <0.001). Conclusions: We provide comprehensive age- and sex-specific RIs for CBC parameters, which show dynamic changes with both age and sex.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제52권1호
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• pp.111-118
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• 2009

목 적 : 어린시기에 genistein과 같은 식물성 에스트로겐의 섭취가 사회적 관심사로 대두되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 어린 쥐에서 genistein에 노출이 사춘기 개시 및 생식기관에 미치는 영향을 알아 보았다. 방 법 : 이유기(3주령) 암컷 흰쥐를 저용량 genistein (10 mg/kg/day), 고용량 genistein (100 mg/kg/day), 대조군의 세 그룹 (각 그룹 당 n=6)으로 나누고 첫 번째 질구 개방이 확인되는 날까지 농도별로 각각 경구 투여하였다. 질구 개방일을 확인하고 생식 기관의 무게를 측정하며 난소와 자궁에서 $ER{\alpha}$, $ER{\beta}$, PR 유전자들의 발현양상을 RT-PCR을 이용해 비교하였고, 난소와 자궁의 구조적 이상을 확인하기 위해 조직학적 분석을 실시하였다. 결 과 : 고용량 genistein 투여군은 저용량군 및 대조군에 비해 질구 개방일이 유의하게 촉진되었다. RT-PCR결과, $ER{\alpha}$, $ER{\beta}$, PR의 전사활성은 genistein에 노출된 쥐들의 난소와 자궁에서 유의하게 증가하였다. 그라프 난포와 황체는 genistein 투여군의 난소에서만 발견되었고, 대조군의 난소에서는 1차, 2차 난포들과 작은 미성숙 난포들만이 관찰되었다. Genistein 처리군의 자궁에서도 내막층 근막층 및 상피층이 과다성장상태였으나 대조군에서는 모든 세포층과 분비선이 미약하게 발달하였다. 결 론 : 결론적으로, 사춘기 이전 시기에 비교적 단기간의 genistein 노출이라도 미성숙 암컷 흰쥐에서 생식 내분비 활성을 일으켜 조기 사춘기와 성 스테로이드 호르몬 수용체의 발현 양상 변화를 초래할 수 있으며, genistein의 노출이 아동기 성성숙에 미치는 영향에 대한 더욱 많은 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.