• 대한약침학회지
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• 제10권1호통권22호
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• pp.109-119
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• 2007

In order to study the effects of Pinus densiflora on hyperlipidemia and lipid in rats, we divided the rats into groups(Normal group, Control group and Sample group) and perfomed the experimental research. Hyperlipidemia and lipid in rats were induced by high fat diets for 8weeks. The sample group was administerd the extract of Pinus densiflora for 14 days and control group was administerd equal dose of oral. And then we measured the amount of serum triglyceride, Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, Free Fatty Acid, phospholipid, Insuline, Laptin, Body weight, epididymis fat weight & rate, epididymis fat cell, Cardiac Risk Factor(CRF). The results were as followers : 1. Sample Group showed decreasing effects on Total cholesterol, Trigylceride, LDL-cholesterol, and Phospholipid levels in serum and CRF significantly. 2. Sample Group showed increasing effects on HDL-cholesterol level in serum significantly. 3. Sample Group showed decreasing effects on Insuline in serum significantly. 4. Sample Group showed increasing effects on Laptin in serum significantly. 5. Sample Group showed decreasing effects on Body weight, epididymis fat weight & rate, epididymis fat cell significantly. According to the above results, Pinus densiflora showed significant decreasing effects on hyperlipidemia and lipid in rats, it is considered that it is appropriate to apply for hyperlipidemia, obesity.

• 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.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.317-325
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• 2017

Direct communication between neighboring cells through connexin (Cx)-based gap junction is a crucial biological manner to regulate functions of a tissue consisting of multi-cell types. The present research evaluated expressional changes of Cx isoforms in the caput epididymis of adult rat exposed to estradiol benzoate (EB) or flutamide (Flu) at the early postnatal age. A single subcutaneous administration of EB at a low-dose [$0.015{\mu}g/kg$ body weight (BW)] or a high-dose ($1.5{\mu}g/kg\;BW$) or Flu at a low-dose ($500{\mu}g/kg\;BW$) or a high-dose (5 mg/kg BW) was performed to an animal at 1 week of age. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was employed to determine expressional changes of Cx isoforms. The transcript levels of Cxs30.3 and 37 were decreased by a low-dose EB treatment, while decreases of Cxs31, 31.1, 32, 40, and 45 transcript levels were observed with a low-dose EB treatment. The treatment of a high-dose EB resulted in expressional reduction of Cxs30.3, 31, 31.1, 37, 40, 43, and 45. The Flu treatment at a low dose caused increases of Cxs26, 37, and 40 transcript levels but decreases of Cxs31.1, 43, and 45 transcript levels. Increases of Cxs30.3, 31, 37, and 40 mRNA amounts were induced by a high-dose Flu treatment. However, exposure to a high-dose Flu produced expressional decreases of Cxs31.1, 32, and 43 in the adult caput epididymis. These observations suggest that exposure to EB or Flu at the neonatal period could lead to aberrant expression of Cx isoforms in the adult caput epididymis.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.349-357
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• 2016

The present research was chiefly designed to determine the effect of the treatment of estrogenic agonist, estradiol benzoate (EB), or antiandrogenic compound, flutamide (Flu), at the weaning age on the expression of connexin (Cx) isoforms in the caudal epididymis of adult male rat. Animals were subcutaneously administrated with a single shot of either EB at a low-dose ($0.015{\mu}g$ of EB/kg body weight (BW)) or a high-dose ($1.5{\mu}g$ of EB/kg BW) or Flu at a low-dose ($500{\mu}g$ of EB/kg BW) or a high-dose (5 mg of EB/kg BW). Expressional changes of Cx isoforms in the adult caudal epididymis were examined by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. The treatment of a low-dose EB caused significant increases of Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx32, and Cx43 transcript levels but reduction of Cx31.1, Cx37, and Cx45 expression. Exposure to a high-dose EB resulted in very close responses observed in a low-dose EB treatment, except no significant expressional change of Cx37 and a significant induction of Cx40. Expression of all Cx isoforms, except Cx45, was significantly increased by a low-dose Flu treatment. Expressional increases of all Cx isoforms were detected by a high-dose Flu treatment. The current study demonstrates that a single exposure to estrogenic or antiandrogenic compound during the early postnatal developmental period is sufficient to disrupt normal expression of Cx isoforms in the adult caudal epididymis.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.217-226
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• 2015

A proper development of the epididymis during the early postnatal development is required for successful fertility in the adult male. Direct cell-cell communication via connexin (Cx) molecules is a common way of cellular interactions to achieve normal development of a given tissue consisting of different cell types. The present research was attempted to determine the effect of exogenous exposure to estrogenic agonist or antiandrogen at the weaning age on expression of Cx isoforms in the adult corpus epididymis. Male rats were subcutaneously administrated with estradiol benzoate (EB) or flutamide (Flu) at the weaning age. The tissue was collected at 4 months of age. Expressional levels of Cx isoforms were determined by a quantitative real-time PCR. Statistical comparison showed significant increases of Cxs31, 32, 37, 40, and 43 transcript amounts by a treatment of $0.015{\mu}g$ of EB /kg body weight (BW). A treatment of $1.5{\mu}g$ of EB /kg BW caused a significant decrease of Cx43 gene expression but increases of Cxs26, 31, 32, 37, and 40 transcript levels. Exposure to $500{\mu}g$ of Flu/kg BW induced an increase of Cx37 expression but significant decreases of Cxs43 and 45 mRNA levels. Expression of Cx37 was increased by a treatment of 5 mg of Flu/kg BW, while transcript levels of Cxs26, 30.3, 31, 31.1, 32, and 43 were significantly decreased by same treatment. These results demonstrate that exposure to steroidal compounds at the early developmental age alters expression of Cx isoforms in the adult corpus epididymis.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.89-102
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• 1992

This research was undertaken to determine the effects of the anticancer and immunosuppressive drug cyclophosphamide (CP) on the epididymal caput of the male rat in terms of ultrastructural alteration and protein analysis by SDS-PAGE at different groups; control group, 1 week group, 3 weeks group, 5 weeks group were treated with saline (control group) or CP at doses of 20 mg/kg/week, 1 time a week, respectively. In the cytoplasm of the principal cells on the epididymis, the mitochondrial outer and inner membranes were significantly swollen or disrupted. The lumens of rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) were also swollen, and the number of Golgi vesicles were increased, respectively. It is suggested that treatment with CP alters the specific cell organelles in the epididymis. CP caused changes in protein concentrations in caput of epididymis after CP treatment. Total proteins of 32 to 37 species such as lactate dehydrogenase, carnitine acetyltransferase and succinate dehydrogenase were expressed in the caput fluid. Then the more CP was increased, the more concentration of proteins caused to decrease, synthesize or increase in epididymis. In contrast to the control group, in particular carnitine acetyltransferase and the other 9 proteins in the caput fluid were decreased or disappeared, respectively, whereas lactate dehydrogenase and the other 5 proteins in the caput fluid were increased or synthesized, respectively. The other proteins are not showed distinctive difference. These alterations could be direct mediated by toxic effects of the drug on the epithelium or be secondary to changes in the spermatozoa as a result of the CP treatment.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제51권6호
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• pp.493-502
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• 2009

Glucose is a major source of metabolic fuel and lipid and protein syntheses. Transport of glucose into the cell is regulated by an action of glucose transport.associated transporters, especially solute carriers 2A (Slc2a, protein symbol GLUT). The present study was focused on examination of mRNA expression of various Slc2a isoforms in the epididymis during postnatal development. Total RNAs isolated from different epididymal segments (caput, corpus, and caudal epididymis) were utilized for real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses. Results showed that Slc2a 1, 3, 4, 5, and 8 were expressed in the entire epididymal regions. In addition, the abundance of these Slc2a isoforms' transcripts was different within each epididymal regions. Moreover, the present study showed differential expression of these Slc2a isoforms among different epididymal segments according to postnatal ages. The current study suggests that glucose transport in the epididymis via various Slc2a isoforms would be necessary for maintenance of the epididymal functions.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.360-366
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• 2001

Gangliosides are ubiquitous membrane components in mammalian cells and are suggested to play important roles in various functions such as cell-cell interaction, adhesion, cell differentiation, growth control and signaling. Among all ganglio-series gangliosides, GM3 has the simplest carbohydrate structure, and has been shown as a major gangliosides, in male reproductive system. To study GM3 distribution in the seminiferous tubule and epididymis, frozen sections were stained with specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) against ganglioside GM3. In the seminiferous tubule of testis, pachytene spermatocytes and spermmatids expressed ganglioside GM3, but not in spermatogonia and sertoli cells. Spermatogonia and sertoli cells near the basement membrane were negatively reacted to anti-GM3. In the epididymis, GM3 was expressed only in some interstitial cells. Taken togethers, these results suggest that the expression of ganglioside GM3 in rat seminiferous tubule and epididymis is spatio-temporally regu lated during spermatogenesis.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.23-36
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• 1990

Several types of the epithelial cells were classified by ultrastructural observation through transmission electron microscope in the rat epididymis. Ultrastructural studies showed that the principal cells, basal cells and narrow cells are located in all the regions of the epididymis and the light cells are present only in the corpus and cauda epididymis. It was observed that the columnar epithelial cells like the principal cells, light cells and narrow cells contain several secretory vesicles and there are halo cells migrating in the several regions. The basal cells showed the elliptical forms in the caput and corpus region and the global forms in the cauda region.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.203-209
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• 2006

Ethane 1,2-Dimethane sulfonate(EDS)은 Leydig cells(LC)만을 선별적 사멸을 유도하는 약물로서 가역적인 테스토스테론 결핍 흰쥐 모델을 만드는데 널리 사용된다. EDS 투여에 의해 유도된 'LC 녹아웃' 흰쥐의 경우 부정소와 저정낭과 같은 테스토스테론 의존성 부속 생식기관들의 급격한 무게 감소가 초래됨이 이전의 연구들에서 보고되었는데, 이러한 무게 감소의 상당 부분은 세포자연사에 의한 것으로 보인다. 본 연구는 흰쥐 부정소에서 세포자연사 관련 유전자들의 발현에 미치는 EDS 투여 효과를 조사한 것이다. 성숙한 수컷 흰쥐(SD strain, $300{\sim}350\;g\;B.W.$)에 EDS(75 mg/kg, i.p.)를 1회 복강주사하고 주사 후 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 그리고 7주가 경과한 날 희생시켰다. 희생 직후 조직 무게와 부정소 미부의 정자수를 측정하였다. 부정소로부터 total RNA를 추출한 후 세포자연사 관련 유전자들 가운데 bcl-2, bax, Fas 그리고 Fas ligand(Fas-L)의 발현 변화를 semi-quantitative RT-PCR로 측정하였다. 예상한 바처럼, 부정소 무게와 정자 수는 EDS 주사 후 $1{\sim}2$주 동안에 급격히 감소하였다. 이후 어느 정도 회복하였지만, 최종적으로 주사 후 7주경 부정소 무게(71%)와 정자 수(38%) 모두 최초 수준에는 미달하였다. 부정소에서의 bcl-2 전사 수준은 주사 직후부터 6주 후까지 지속되다가 주사 후 7주에 유의하게 상승하였다. 또한 bax 전사 수준은 주사 후 6주에 유의하게 감소하였으며 나머지 전 기간 동안에는 별다른 차이가 없었다. 한편 Fas 전사 수준은 EDS 주사 후 $1{\sim}2$ 주간 상승하였다가 주사 후 3주부터 정상 수준으로 감소하여 7주까지 지속되었다. 유사하게, Fas-L의 전사 수준도 주사 후 $1{\sim}3$주 동안 상승하였다가 주사 후 4주부터 정상 수준으로 복귀하였다. 본 연구의 결과는 EDS 주사가 흰쥐 부정소에서의 세포자연사 관련 유전자 발현을 유도할 가능성을 보여준 것이며, 특히 Fas와 Fas-L 유전자 활성이 초기 세포자연사 유도 과정에 중요하고, 그 결과로 부정소 무게 감소와 정자 수 감소가 초래되는 것으로 추정된다.