• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.167-180
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• 2015

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid that exists ubiquitously in the environment, and affects global health problems due to its carcinogenicity. In most populations, the main source of arsenic exposure is the drinking water. In drinking water, chronic exposure to arsenic is associated with increased risks of various cancers including those of skin, lung, bladder, and liver, as well as numerous other non-cancer diseases including gastrointestinal and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurologic and cognitive problems. Recent emerging evidences suggest that arsenic exposure affects the reproductive and developmental toxicity. Prenatal exposure to inorganic arsenic causes adverse pregnancy outcomes and children's health problems. Some epidemiological studies have reported that arsenic exposure induces premature delivery, spontaneous abortion, and stillbirth. In animal studies, inorganic arsenic also causes fetal malformation, growth retardation, and fetal death. These toxic effects depend on dose, route and gestation periods of arsenic exposure. In males, inorganic arsenic causes reproductive dysfunctions including reductions of the testis weights, accessory sex organs weights, and epididymal sperm counts. In addition, inorganic arsenic exposure also induces alterations of spermatogenesis, reductions of testosterone and gonadotrophins, and disruptions of steroidogenesis. However, the reproductive and developmental problems following arsenic exposure are poorly understood, and the molecular mechanism of arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity remains unclear. Thus, we further investigated several possible mechanisms underlying arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.67-72
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• 2008

Adult male albino rats were treated with 0.5 mg and 0.75 mg morphine/100 g body weight intraperitoneally for 30 days. All the animals were autopsied on $31^{st}$ day. Epididymis and vas deferens were dissected out, weighed and processed for histological and biochemical studies. Morphine has caused a reduction in the weight of epididymis and vas deferens in both the doses of drug treated groups. The total cholesterol content is increased while protein, DNA and RNA contents and epididymal sperm counts are decreased. The acid phosphatase content is decreased 10.12 $\pm$ 0.11 in caput, 9.26 $\pm$ 0.30 in cauda of epididymis and in vas deferens 8.14 $\pm$ 0.15 in 0.5 mg treated groups and in 0.75 mg treated rats shows 9.52 $\pm$ 0.27 in caput, 9.14 $\pm$ 0.18 in cauda of epididymis and in vas deferens 7.84 $\pm$ 0.11is decreased, whereas alkaline phosphatase is increased. The surface epithelial cell height of these ducts is reduced and secretory activity is inhibited with the disruption of epithelial cell projections. The gravimetric and histometric changes of epididymis and vas deferens may be due to non-availability of androgens in morphine treated rats.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.179-185
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• 1991

We experienced a case of sarcoidosis accompanied with azoospermia due to the involovement of epididymis, besides the generalized involvement of the para tracheal and hilar lymph nodes, skin and lung. Final diagnosis of sarcoidosis was established by pathological evidence of noncaseating granuloma from the involved organs, typical radiological findings and consistent clinical features. A movable, nontender $1.5{\times}0.8\;cm$ sized nodule was palpated on epididymis, and multiple small nodules were noticed in both testis and epididymis by scrotal ultrasonogram. Semen analysis showed azoospermia initially. After treatment with prednisolone for 12 months, sperm was increased to 64,800,000/ml, and 70% of them were motile when they were measured at 15 minutes after ejaculation. The patient's condition became better and the typical radiological findings of involved organs were improved as well. As far as we studied, sarcoidosis is known to involve multiple organs, but epididymal sarcoidosis is very rare. So we report a case of sarcoidosis involving epididymis which caused azoospermia.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.451-454
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• 2004

본 실험의 목적은 Saccharomyces cereuisiea를 단백분해효소로 처리하여 얻은 가수분해물 SCP-20의 첨가가 마우스의 생식 기능에 미치는 영향을 평가하기 위하여 실시하였다. 개시시 체중 32∼33 g의 7주령 ICR 웅성 마우스 40수를 공시하여 SCP-20의 급여가 정소무게 및 정소상체 미부 정자의 운동특성 미치는 영향을 평가하였다. 실험 설계는 분쇄한 가루형태의 일반 마우스 식이를 급여 한 대조군(CON)과 대조군 식이에 효모가수분해물 SCP-20을 1.5% 첨가한 처리군(TRT)으로 하였다. 정소무게에 있어서는 대조군과 비교하여 처리군의 정소무게가 유의적으로 더 높게 평가되었다. (p<0.05). 정자의 직선운동속도(VSL)는 대조군과 비교하여 처리군에서 유의적으로 높았다(p<0.05). 평균경로속도(YAP)와 곡선경로선형도(LIN)는 대조군과 비교하여 처리군이 더 높았다(p<0.05). 또한, 웅성 마우스에게 SCP-20을 급여하면 정소상체 미부 정자의 운동속도가 증가하는 것으로 나타났다(p<0.05). 결론적으로, 마우스에게 SCP-20를 급여하면 정자의 운동속도가 증가하는 것으로 나타났다.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.121-130
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• 2017

4-Nonylphenol (NP) is a surfactant that is a well-known and widespread estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC). Although it has been known that the affinity of NP to ERs is low, it has been suggested that low-dose NP has toxicity. In the present study, the endocrine disrupting effects on reproduction, and the weight of gonads, epididymis, and uterus were evaluated with the chronic lower-dose NP exposing. This study was designed by following the OECD test guideline 443 and subjected to a complete necropsy. In male, NP had an effect on the weight of the testis and epididymis in both $F_0$ and $F_1$. In females, NP decreased the weight of ovary and uterus in $F_0$ but not in pre-pubertal $F_1$ pubs. Fertility of male and female in $F_0$ or $F_1$ was no related with NP administration. The number of caudal-epididymal sperm by body weight (BW) was not different between groups in both $F_0$ and $F_1$. Besides, the difference of the sperm number between generations was not detected. The number of ovulated oocytes was similar between groups in $F_0$, but significantly decreased in NP 50 group of $F_1$. The litter size and sex ratios of offspring in $F_1$ and $F_2$ were not different. The accumulated mating rate and gestation period were not affected by the NP administration. Those results shows that chronic lower-dose NP administration has an effect of endocrine disruptor on the weight of gonads and epididymis of $F_0$ and $F_1$ but not in reproduction. Based on the results, it is suggested that chronic lower-dose NP exposing causes endocrine disruption in the weight of gonad and epididymis but not in the reproductive ability of next generations.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.514-521
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• 2010

음양곽(Epimedicum Koreanum nakai)은 예부터 생식기 장애치료를 위해 사용되어 왔다. 본 연구에서는 2-브로모프로판(2-bromopropane; 2-BP)으로 유발된 생식기 장애에서 음양곽 물추출물의 생식기장애 치료효과를 평가하였다. 2-BP를 체중kg당 1,355 mg씩 28일간 피하로 투여하여 생식기 장애를 유발하였으며, 음양곽 추출물은 용량별(10, 100, 500 mg/kg)로 4주간 경구투여 하였다. 그 결과 일일정자생성(daily sperm production)은 대조군에 비하여 증가하였으나 용량의존적 감소를 나타내었으며, 정세관과 부고환관에서는 조직학적 유의한 변화를 나타내었다. 이러한 결과는 음양곽물추출이 2-BP로 유발된 생식기장애의 치료에 도움이 될 것으로 생각된다.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.206-211
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• 1996

본 실험은 수정배양액 및 난구세포가 돼지난포란의 체외수정에 미치는 영향을 구명하고자 실시하였는 바, 그 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 체외수정배양액에 따른 수정률은 BO, mTALP 및 TCM-HEPES 배양액에서 각각 14.0~24.3%, 30.8~32.7% 및 21.4~23.9%의 정상수정률을 나타내서 mTALP 배양액이 가장 적합한 수정배지였다. 2. 수정에 이용된 두 종류 정액간의 정상수정률은 정소상체미부정액이 BO, mTALP 및 TCM-HEPES 배양액에서 각각 24.3%, 30.8% 및 23.9%이었고, 사출정액이 14.0%, 32.7% 및 21.4%로 나타나서 mTALP 배양액을 수정배지로 하여 사출정액을 사용한 경우가 가장 높은 정상수정률(32.7%)을 나타냈다 3. 난자-난구세포복합체와 난구세포를 제거한 나화난자의 정자침투률은 각각 54.0% 및 72.0%로 나화난자에서 높게 나타났다 그러나, 정상수정률은 난자-난구세포복합체 및 나화난자에서 각각 11.9% 및 21.5%로 난구세포를 제거하지 않은 난자-난구세포복합체에서 유의적(P<0.05)으로 높은 성적을 나타냈다.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.137-148
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• 1983

This study was made for the better information of the male reproductive system on the meat-type drake, Cherry Belly X White Golden. The epithelium of ductules of epididymal region and deferent duct were observed histologically and histochemically with the progress of their development. India-ink absorbability on the luminal epithelium was also investigated after the administration of India-ink. The results are as follows; 1. Rete testis and various round ductules in immature form appeared in epididymis within 6 weeks after hatching, and simple cuboidal and simple columnar epithelium were found in the epithelia of the ductules within 8 weeks after hatching. Larger ductules were found on epididymal surface which was in the developing stage near to the immature efferent ductule. From 10th to 20th week, various ductules appeared in epididymis, and developing form of efferent ductules were much more increased on epididymal surface. The luminal epithelium of the ductules were composed of ciliated simple columnar and pseudostratified ciliated columnar cells. At the same time, deferent duct appeared. From the 21th week, various ductules in epididymis became abruptly matured. Lumen of rete testis was lined by simple squamous or simple cuboidal epithelium, and that of efferent ductules, having many folds and being larger than any others were lined by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium in which ciliated columnar cells, non-ciliated cells(clear cells) and basal cells were noted. Connecting tubules of star shaped lumen were composed of pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium in which ciliated columnar cells, nonciliated cells, and basal cells were observed. The luminal surface of epididymal ducts was smooth and has thick pseudostratified columnar epithelium which was composed of high columnar cells and basal cells. From 26th week after hatching, sperm pooling was started in various ductules. 2. From 4th to 10th week, simple cuboidal epithelium of deferent duct transformed to simple columnar epithelium with the progress of aging. At the basement of epithelium, clear round cells were noted. From 12th to 20th week, high columnar cells with enlongated nucleus were noted on the luminal border of deferent ducts, forming folds of pseuclostratified columnar epithelium. From 20th week, the deferent duct started to have septa in it's lumen and composed mainly of pseudostratified columnar epithelium, and round cells disappeared. From 20th week, the lumen diameter of deferent duct became wider with the progress of aging, but there was no difference among the values of lumen diameter in upper, middle, and lower part of deferent ducts. At 26th week, the pooling period of sperms in deferent ducts, the lumen diameter became rapidly widen, especially in the lower part of deferent ducts. Thickness of muscular layer of ductus deferens showed gradual growth within 24 weeks but did abrupt thickening from 26th week. 3. Saliva resistant PAS granules were dotted on the top of nucleus in efferent ductules epithelium but the amount of the granules were little in the connecting ductules's epithelium. The granules reactive to acid phosphatase were abundant in the some epithelial cells of efferent ductules and connecting ductules, especially above the nucleus of cells. The granules reactive to alkaline phosphatase were noted on the luminal border of efferent ductules. Parts of free border of efferent ductules and middle portion of deferent ducts were stained slightly by alcian blue technique. India ink granules were found mainly in the epithelium of efferent ductules but were few in that of connecting ductules.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.207-215
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• 2003

Objective: To compare the pregnancy outcomes after in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI) between obstrucvtive and non-obstrucvtive azoospermia. Methods: From January 1994 to December 2002, 524 patients with obstructive azoospermia (886 cycles) and 163 patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (277 cycles) were included in this study. Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) or testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in obstructive azoospermia and TESE in non-obstructive azoospermia were perfomed to retrieve sperm, which was used for ICSI and then fertilized embryos were transferred. The results of ICSI - fertlization rate (FR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), clinical abortion rate (CAR) and delivery rate (DR) - were statistically analysed in obstructive versus non-obstructive azoospermia. Results: There were no differences in the number of retrieved oocytes, injected oocytes for ICSI and oocyte maturation rate. FR was significantly higher in obstructive than non-obstructive azoospermia (71.7% vs. 61.1%, p<0.001). There was no difference in CPR per embryo transfer cycle. After pregnancy was established, however, CAR was significantly higher in non-obstructive than obstructive azoospermia (25.6% vs. 12.5%, p=0.004). DR per clinical pregnancy cycle was significantly higher in obstructive than non-obstructive azoospermia (78.0% vs. 64.4%, p=0.012). In the karyotype ananlysis of abortus, abnormal karyotypes were found in 75.0% (6/8) of obstructive and 55.6% (5/9) of non-obstructive azoospermia. Conclusion: Our data show significantly higher FR in obstructive than non-obstructive azoospermia. Though there was no differrence in CPR, CAR was significantly higher in non-obstructive than obstructive azoospermia. The abortion may be related to the abnormal karyotype of embryo, but further investigations are necessary to elucidate the cause of clinical abortion in azoospermia.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.492-498
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• 2015

본 연구에서는 야관문, 호로파 복합추출인 YHM이 남성갱년기증상의 완화에 영향을 미치는 지를 알아보기 위해 흰쥐에게 YHM을 4주간 투여한 후, testosterone, SHBG, PSA, 체지방, 혈중지방, 근육량, 운동수행능력, 정자수, 간독성 등에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. YHM 투여 후 남성갱년기의 지표로 사용되는 남성호르몬인 testosterone이 유의적으로 증가하였고, testosterone과 결합하여 기능을 저하시키는 SHBG의 농도는 감소하였다. 또한 남성호르몬 보충요법에서 나타날 수 있는 전립선 관련 부작용을 알아보기 위해 PSA를 측정하였으나, 대조군과 별다른 차이를 나타내지는 않았다. 지방조직과 근육량을 측정한 결과 지방 조직은 줄이고 근육량은 늘리는 것으로 나타나 남성갱년기에서 흔히 있는 근육량 감소 및 체지방 증가를 완화시킬 수 있을 것으로 생각된다. 아울러 혈중지질농도에 있어서도 YHM 투여군이 대조군에 비해 총 콜레스테롤과 중성지방은 감소한 반면 고밀도 콜레스테롤은 증가하였음을 관찰하였다. 강제수영을 통한 운동수행능력 측정에서도 YHM 투여군이 대조군에 비하여 수영시간이 길었고 이는 YHM의 투여가 운동수행능력 향상에 도움을 준 것으로 볼 수 있다. 총 정자수와 활동성 정자수를 측정한 결과에서도 YHM 투여군이 유의적으로 증가한 것으로 나타났고 이는 정자형성과 활동성에 영향을 주는 testosterone 농도의 증가에 기인한 것으로 생각된다. 마지막으로 YHM의 투여가 간독성을 가지는지를 알아보기 위해 AST와 ALT를 측정한 결과 대조군과 별다른 차이를 나타내지 않음으로써 간독성을 가지지는 않는 것으로 판단하였다. 또한, 실험결과 전반적으로 저농도 투여군인 YHM-40에서 고농도 투여군인 YHM-80에서 보다 긍정적인 효과를 나타냈다. 이는 YHM의 효과가 농도 의존적이지 않다는 것을 의미하며, 최적의 생체 이용률을 나타내는 농도가 YHM 40mg/kg인 것으로 판단된다. 결론적으로 YHM의 투여는 남성갱년기에 나타나는 여러 가지 지표들을 개선시키는 것으로 나타났고, 이를 활용하여 남성갱년기 개선에 도움을 줄 수 있는 건강기능성식품 소재로 개발할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.