• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1998.11a
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• pp.136-136
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• 1998

L-asparaginyl and L- aspartyl residues in proteins are subject to spontaneous degradation reactions generating isomerized and racemized aspartyl derivatives. Proteins containing L-isoaspartyl and D-aspartyl residues usually have altered structures and diminished biological activities. These residues can be recognized and be repaired to normal L-aspartyl residues by protein L-isoaspartyl methyltransferase(PIMT), which is present at high levels in testis. Although testicular PIMT have been shown to be involved in either sperm motility or sperm maturation, it may play an important role in the repair of damaged sperm proteins during the prolonged period of epididymal transport and storage. In the present study, as a initial step toward elucidating the function of protein carboxylmethylation in testis, we purified PIMT from porcine testicular cytosol as a momeric 27,000 Da species by ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-sephacel chromatography, SAH-liganded affinity chromatography, and gel filtration chromatography. The optimum pH for the reaction was 6.0. $K_{m}$ values of the enzyme for the S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM), synthetic oligopeptide(VYP-L-isoD-HA) and histone type II-As were 1.0 ${\mu}$M, 33.2 ${\mu}$M and 276 ${\mu}$M respectively. Consequently, properties of the porcine testicular PIMT is similar to that of other mammalian PIMTs.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1999

The aim of the present study was to investigate with transmission electron misroscope the comparative morphology of epididymal spermatozoa in two species of the Korean insectivorous bats belonging to 'prolonged sperm storage' type (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum korai) and 'delayed implantation' type (Miniopterus schreibersi fuliginosus). Sperm head of the R. ferrumequinum korai was bullet shaped and that of M. schreibersi fuliginosus was spatula shaped. The nuclei of the sperm head of the R. ferrumequinum korai and M. schreibersi fuliginosus occupied two-third and a half of it, respectively. The segmented columns of R. ferrumequinum korai were about 12 to 14 in number, and those of the M. schreibersi fuligincsus were about 10 to 12. Particularly, a pile of the satellite fibers in middle piece of R. ferrumequinum korai remained the inner aspect of the outer dense fibers, but those of the M. schreibersi fuliginosus were not.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.273-277
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• 1997

This case report describes the pregnancy following the transfer of cryopreserved embryos generated from intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using frozen-thawed sperm obtained by microepididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) in patient with congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD).

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 1997

생쥐의 부정소에서 진행되는 정자 성숙과정 동안의 첨체반응 능력의 변화를 조사하였다. 자발적 첨체반응 및 난포액, 프로게스테론, 또는 A23187에 의해 유발되는 첨체반응은 모두 정자의 성숙에 의존저긍로 일어났다. 두부 부정소의 매우 적은 정자만이 난포액 및 프로게스테론에 반응하여 첨체반응을 일으켰으며 체부 및 미부 부정소간에 첨체반응율에 차이가 없었다. 반면 A23187 처리시 상당수의 두부 부정소 정자가 첨체반응을 진행하였다. 이러한 결과에서 두부 부정소를 거쳐 체부 부정소에 도달한 생쥐 정자는 첨체반응 능력을 획득하여 이 과정에서 정자의 원형질막 표면에서는 첨체반응을 유발하는 물질과 상호작용에 필요한 변화가 진행되는 것으로 사료된다. 반면 정자내로의 $Ca^{2+}$ 유입 후 진행되는 막융합과 첨체내용물의 분비에 필요한 능력은 두부 부정소 정자도 일부 갖고 있는 것으로 사료된다.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2002.06a
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• pp.83-83
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• 2002

This study was to compare the characteristics of parthenogenetic mES (P-mES) cells and in vitro fertilization mES cells. Mouse oocytes were recovered from superovulated 4wks hybrid F1 (C57BL/6xCBA/N) female mice. The oocytes were treated with 7% ethanol for 5 min and 5 ㎍/㎖ cytochalasin-B for 4 h. For IVF, the oocytes were inseminated with epididymal sperm of hybrid Fl male mice (1×10/sup 6//㎖). IVF and parthenogenetic embryos were cultured in M16 medium for 4 days. Cell number count in blastocysts was carried out differential labelling using propidium iodide (red) and bisbenzimide(blue). (omitted)

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.187-195
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• 2014

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are ubiquitous in the air, are present as volatile and particulate pollutants that result from incomplete combustion. Most PAHs have toxic, mutagenic, and/or carcinogenic properties. Among PAHs, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) are suspected endocrine disruptors. The testis is an important target for PAHs, yet effects on steroidogenesis in Leydig cells are yet to be ascertained. Particularly, disruption of testosterone production by these chemicals can result in serious defects in male reproduction. Exposure to B[a]P reduced serum and intratesticular fluid testosterone levels in rats. Of note, the testosterone level reductions were accompanied by decreased steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and $3{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isomerase ($3{\beta}$-HSD) expression in Leydig cells. B[a]P exposure can decrease epididymal sperm quality, possibly by disturbing the testosterone level. StAR may be a key steroidogenic protein that is targeted by B[a]P or other PAHs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1566-1577
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• 2010

Nandrolone, 19-nortestosterone, is a synthetic androgenic-anabolic steroid promoting muscle growth. Nandrolone is also present in pig meat and sera at non-negligible levels. A number of scientific reports have suggested a positive relationship between incidence of infertility and increased meat consumption in humans. The present study was designed to determine out the effect of feeding nandrolone on the testis of the male reproductive tract. Mixtures of food and nandrolone at different concentrations (0.005 ppm and 0.5 ppm) were supplied to pubertal male rats for 6 weeks. Body weight was recorded every week during the entire experimental period. At the end of the treatment, the testis, epididymis, and epididymal fat were collected and weighted. Sperm numbers in the caudal epididymis were counted. Differential gene or protein expression of steroidogenic enzymes in the testes among experimental groups was determined by semi-quantitative real-time PCR or western blotting analysis, respectively. Histological changes of the testis induced by nandrolone treatment were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Immunohistochemical analysis was employed to detect changes in the localization of steroidogenic enzymes in the testes among experimental animals. There were no significant changes on body, testis, epididymis, and epididymal fat weights among experimental groups. A significant increase of caudal sperm number was found in the 0.5 ppm nandrolone-treated group. Histological examination of the testes noted a high frequency of germ cell sloughing in seminiferous tubules of 0.5 ppm nandrolone-treated rats. Even though transcript levels of $3{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) I, $17{\beta}$-HSD4, and $17{\alpha}$-hydroxylase were influenced by nandrolone treatments, protein levels of all molecules examined in the present study were not significantly affected. Immunohistochemical analysis showed no visible changes in the localization of steroidogenic enzymes in the testes among experimental groups. The current study showed that oral intake of nandrolone in male rats for 6 weeks did not cause significant damage to the testis. It is considered that a feeding effect of nandrolone on male fertility would not be remarkable.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.301-306
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• 2004

본 연구는 개의 신선 및 동결 정소상체 정액과 정소상체 정액을 saline가 tris-buffer액으로 희석하고 원심분리에 의해 정장성분을 제거한 정액의 성상과 및 동결보존 시의 생존성 및 난포란과 정소상체 정자의 체외수정 후 체외수정율과 분할율에 대해 조사하였다. 개 정소상체 정액을 saline으로 희석한 정액을 20분간 배양했을 때 정자농도는 3.50$\pm$0.80${\times}$l0$^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$, 정자의 활력은 72.45$\pm$4.55%, 기형정자 수는 7.40$\pm$1.20%로 나타났으며, 대조군인 사출정액의 정자농도는 5.45$\pm$0.50${\times}$$10^{6}$cells/$m\ell$, 정자의 활력은 92.55$\pm$4.65%, 기형정자 수는 3.25$\pm$0.45%와 비교할 때 정자농도와 활력은 낮았으며, 기형정자 수는 많았다. 개 정소상체 정액과 tris-buffer로 희석한 정액을 20분간 배양했을 때 정자농도는 3.80$\pm$0.36${\times}$$10^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$, 정자활력은 78.45$\pm$3.50%, 기형정자 수는 5.54$\pm$0.85%였으며, 희석하지 않은 정소상체 정액의 성상에 비해 약간 높게 나타났다. Tris-buffer로 희석한 개 정소상체 정액을 동결 융해했을 때 생존율은 57.50$\pm$4.20%, 활력은 52.70$\pm$5.50%였으며, 희석하지 않은 대조군의 생존을 74.50$\pm$6.25%와 활력 78.50$\pm$5.20%에 비해 현저히 높게 나타났다. 개 난포란과 신선 몇 동결 정소상체 정자와 체외수정시켰을 때 체외수정율은 각각 63.10$\pm$6.45%, 49.50$\pm$4.28% 및 42.84$\pm$5.90%, 22.30$\pm$5.60%로서 신선 정자에 비해 동결 정소상체 정자로 수정시킨 군의 분할율이 유의하게 낮았다.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.307-313
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• 2004

본 연구는 고양이의 신선 및 동결 정소상체 정액과 정소상체 정액 성상과 및 동결보존시의 생존성 및 난포란과 정소상체 정자의 체외수정 후 체외수정율과 분할율에 대해 조사하였다. 고양이 정소상체 정액의 정자농도는 3.25$\pm$0.75${\times}$$10^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$, 정자의 활력은 70.85$\pm$4.20%, 기형정자 수는 8.55$\pm$1.85%로서 대조군인 사출정액의 정자농도는 5.05$\pm$0.40${\times}$$10^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$, 정자의 활력은 90.24$\pm$455%, 기형정자 수는 4.20$\pm$0.50%와 비교할 때 정자농도와 활력은 낮았으며, 기형정자 수는 많았다. 고양이 정액과 tris-buffer로 희석한 정액을 20분간 배양했을 때 정자농도는 3.50$\pm$0.40${\times}$$10^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$, 정자활력 은 75.50$\pm$2.55%, 기 형정자 수는 6.75$\pm$0.58%로서 희석하지 않은 정소상체 정액의 성상에 비해 약간 높게 나타났다. Tris-buffer로 희석한 고양이 정소상체 정액을 동결 융해했을 때 생존율은 54.50$\pm$4.45, 활력은 47.50$\pm$6.40%로서 희석하지 .않은 대조군의 생존을 74.50$\pm$6.25%와 활력 78.50$\pm$5.20%에 비해 현저히 높게 나타났다. 고양이의 난포란과 신선 및 동결 정소상체 정자를 수정시켰을 때 체외수정율과 분할율은 68.30$\pm$5.35%, 57.25$\pm$4.35% 및 48.65$\pm$4.95%, 35.65 $\pm$4.75%로서 신선 정자에 비해 동결 정소상체 정자로 수정시킨 군의 분할율이 유의하게 낮았다.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.245-255
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• 2021

The spermatozoa become mature in the epididymis which is divided into initial segment and caput, corpus, and cauda epididymis. The water movement across the epididymal epithelium is important for creating luminal microenvironment for sperm maturation. Aquaporins (Aqps) are water channel proteins, and expression of Aqps is regulated by androgens. The current research was focused to examine expressional regulation of Aqp1 and Aqp9 by an androgenic-anabolic steroid, nandrolone decanoate (ND). The ND at the low dose (2 mg/kg body weight/week) or high dose (10 mg) was subcutaneously administrated into male rats for 2 or 12 weeks. Transcript levels of Aqp1 and Aqp9 were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses. In the initial segment, level of Aqp1 was decreased with 12 week-treatment, while Aqp9 level was decreased by the high dose treatment for 12 weeks. In the caput epididymis, Aqp9 expression was decreased by the low dose treatment. The 2 week-treatment resulted in an increase of Aqp1 level but a decrease of Aqp9 expression in the corpus epididymis. In the corpus epididymis, the 12 week-treatment at the low dose caused the reduction of Aqp1 and Aqp9 levels, but the high dose treatment resulted in an increase of Aqp1 expression and a decrease of Aqp9 level. In the cauda epididymis, Aqp1 expression was decreased by 2 and 12 week-treatments, while increases of Aqp9 levels was detected with the high dose treatment for 2 weeks and with 12 week-treatment. These findings indicate differential regulation of Aqp1 and Aqp9 expression among epididymal segments by ND.