• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.383-387
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• 1999

Objective: There is increasing evidence for the expression of rat in gene in several extrapituitary sites including testis and ovary. We also have demonstrated that the local LH expression in the rat epididymis and uterus, the major accessory sex organs in male and female reproductive system, respectively. Design: The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether the gene for LH receptor is expressed in rat uterus and whether the expressions of uterine LH and its receptor are differentially regulated during estrous cycle. Presence of the transcripts for rat LH receptor in the rat uterine tissue were confirmed by touchdown reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: In $LH{\beta}$ semi-quantitative RT-PCR, the highest expression level was shown in estrus stage. The level of ill receptor transcripts was also fluctuated during estrous cycle. In ovariectomized rats (OVX + Oil), the expressions of both uterine LH and LH-R were markedly reduced when compared to those from normal rats. Supplement with estradiol $17{\beta}$ to the ovariectomized rats (OVX + $E_2$) restored the expression levels of LH and its receptor to the levels in uteri from normal rats. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that 1) LH and its receptor gene are expressed in the rat uterus from cycling rats, 2) the expression of uterine LH and its receptor is mainly, if not all, under the control of ovarian sex steroid(s). These results suggested that the uterine LH may act as a local regulator with auto and/or paracrine manner, though the posibility that the pituitary LH may act directly on the regulation of uterine functions could not be discarded.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.605-613
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• 1997

This study was to investigate interaction between dietary protein and Ca levels in Ca metabolism and renal function in osteporosis rats. Five week-old female rats were fed a low Ca diet for 4 weeks after ovariectomy operation to establish rat models of osteoporosis. The ovariectomized osteoporosis rats were divided into six groups and were fed experimental diets which contained two levels of protein, normal (20%) and high(40%) , and three levels of Ca, low (0.06%), normal (0.47%) and high(0.94%) for 4 weeks , respectively. The ovaricetmized rat model of osteoporosis showed a remarkable decrease in serum Ca concentration, fresh weight and breaking force of femur, Ca and P contents of femur, and apparent absorption and retention of Ca. The supplementations of Ca and P contents of femur, and apparent absorption and retention of Ca. The supplementations of Ca at the dietary levels of normal and high levels significantly enhanced Ca bioavailability shown in the above experimental rat models of osteoporosis, regardless of dietary protein levels ; whereas the rats which were fed the low Ca diet demonstrated rather a decrease in its bioavailability. Irrespectively of the dietary Ca levels, the rats which were fed high protein diet exhibited an increase in kidney weight, urinary Ca, volume and hydroxyproline, and glomerular filtration ratio(GFR). The results show that dietary protein and calcium levels affect the renal function and Ca metabolism independently, while the interaction between protein and calcium have not been shown.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.275-280
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• 2016

Prenatal nicotine exposure over an entire pregnancy has been associated with an increased prevalence of hyperactivity, anxiety-like behavior and depression-like behavior in mature rats. However, the effects of maternal nicotine exposure in late gestation and lactation on the psychology and behavior of adolescent rat offspring are unclear. Thus, we investigated the effect of nicotine exposure during late gestation and lactation on anxiety-like and impulsive decision-making behavior in adolescent offspring of rat. Female rats were orally exposed to nicotine which is within range of plasma level of human chronic smokers during the period of third last period of gestation and lactation. When the offspring were weaned, we observed alterations in the anxiety-like behavior and decision-making ability of adolescent rat offspring using light/dark box test and T-maze delay-based cost-benefit decision-making task. The maternal consumption of nicotine reduced both the time spent in the light compartment and the number of transitions compared to nicotine-free rats. Moreover, such nicotine exposed adolescent offspring rats showed impulsive decision making which chose the instant reward in a decision-making situation. We found that nicotine exposure during late gestation and lactation induces an increase in anxiety-like and impulsive decision-making behavior at this developmental stage. These findings suggest that maternal nicotine-exposed offspring are at an increased risk of developing anxious and impulsive behavior.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 1987

It has been well known that estrogens stimulate the uterine contractility and progestins inhibit it. Then, one may expect that the uterine contractility and sensitivities to oxytocin (OT) and prostaglandin $F_{2{\alpha}}\;(PGF_{2{\alpha}})$ would be different among the estrus cycle. These hypotheses were tested using the mature female rat. Spontaneous isometric contractions of isolated uterine strips $(1{\times}0.3\;cm)$ from cyclic rats in various stages of the estrus cycle, bilateral ovarectomized rats and hypophysectomized rats were recorded in absence or presence with $estradiol-17{\beta}\;(E_2)$, progesterone $(P_4)$, OT and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$. The results were summarized as follows: 1) The spontaneous uterine contractile force was the highest in the estrus rat and the lowest in the ovarectomized or the hypophysectomized rat. In the proestrus rat, the contractile frequency was the lowest (2.7 beats/10 min) and the contractile duration was the longest (70 sec). In the other groups, there were no any differencies in frequency (9 beats/10 min) and in duration (30 sec). 2) OT and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ stimulated the uterine contractility in all groups tested except in the hypophysectomized rat in which OT failed to stimulate the uterine contraction. $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ was more effective in stimulating the uterine contraction than OT in all groups tested except in the estrus rat. OT-induced contraction was the highest in the estrus rat and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}-induced$ contraction was the lowest in the hypophysectomized rat. 3) Uterine contractilities were not changed by the in vitro treatments of $E_2$ or $P_4$ under the influence of endogenous steroids, however, $E_2$ and $P_4$ stimulated the uterine contraction in the ovarectomized rat in which endogenous steroids were almost abolished. 4) Increased uterine contraction by the treatment of OT was suppressed by in vitro $E_2$ or $P_4$ in the estrus rat, while it was potentiated by the $P_4$ in the proestrus rat. In other groups, exogenous $E_2$ or $P_4$ did not affect the OT-induced uterine contraction. 5) $PGF_{2{\alpha}}-induced$ uterine contraction was suppressed in the ovarectomized rat by $E_2$ and $P_4$, in the diestrus and proestrus rats by $P_4$ and in the hypophysectomized rat by $E_2$. In other groups, exogenous $E_2$ or $P_4$ was ineffective in altering the $PGF_{2{\alpha}}-induced$ uterine contraction. According to the above results, it may conclude that the mechanisms of the different uterine contractility and the different uterine sensitivity to OT or $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ according to the estrus cycle are not explicable with only the serum concentrations of steroids, OT and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ but also other unknown factors.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.57-69
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• 2003

It is well known that many pesticides possess hormonal activity, and affect the developments of wildlife and mammals including human. Currently, pyrethroid insecticides are in worldwide use to control in and outdoor pests, providing potential far environmental exposure. Hormonal activities of these pyrethroid insecticides, however, have been little studied, and the developmental effects of them were no reported. Therefore, we firstly examined the potential estrogenic activities of some pyrethroid insecticides (permethrin, cypermethrin, tetramethrin, deltamethrin, sumithrin, fenvalerate and bioallethrin) by immature rat uterotrophic assay, luciferase reporter gene assay and Calbindin-D$\sub$9k/ (CaBP-9k) gene expression assay. Uterine wet weights were increased by permethrin and the permethrin-induced weights were inhibited by ICI 182780 in the uterolrophic assay. On the other hand tetramethrin significantly reduced uterine and vaginal wet weights, and also inhibited the E2-induced weight increases at all doses tested. Cypermethrin and sumithrin had a tendency to increase uterine weights, although not statistically significant. Permethrin and cypermethrin dose-dependently increased the luciferase activity in reporter gene assay. Northern blot analysis showed that permethrin induced CaBP-9k mRNA expression whereas tetramethrin inhibted. Subsequent studies were conducted to investigate the possible developmental effects of four pyrethroid insecricides (permethrin, cypermethrin, sumithrin and teramethrin). Either diethlbestrol (DES) or 17${\beta}$ -estradiol (E2) was used as a reference control in this study. Pyrethroid insecticides were administered to Sprague Dawley rats via subcutaneous injection at 6 to 18 days of gestation or 1 to 5 days after birth. In utero treatment of permethrin (10mg/kg/day) in female rat resulted in significant increases in uterine and ovarian weights while significant decreases in serum E2 concentration, uterine and ovarian ER${\alpha}$ mRNA levels. Sumithrin and permethrin led to acceleration in vaginal opening of female rat, while delay in preputial separation of male after neonatal treatment. Anogenital distances of PND 18 were significantly reduced in sumthrin-treated, and permerhrin-treated male rats after neonatal treatment. All the pyrethroid insecticides tested caused significant increases in uterine weights on PND 18, while significant reductions in the first diestrus phase when neonataly treated. In addition, exposure to pyrethroids in neonatal period led to significant reduction in relative brain weight in female rat on PND 18, but its weight was recovered in diestrus phase. In summary, Our experimental data demonstrate the possibilities of developmental effects of pyrethroid insecticides via estrogenic or antiestrogenic activity.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to see the radiation protection effect of the oral injected Dendranthema zawadskii var. latilobum (Maxim.) Kitam. extracts on the small intestine and uterus of female SD Rat as a natural radiation protection agent. The experimental group was divided into four groups: Normal Control group (NC group), Injected Dendranthema zawadskii var. latilobum (Maxim.) Kitam. extracts group (DZ group), irradiated group after injecting Dendranthema zawadskii var. latilobum (Maxim.) Kitam. extracts (DZ+IR group). The whole body of SD Rat was irradiated with gamma-ray 10Gy, and the administration of oral Dendranthema zawadskii var. latilobum (Maxim.) Kitam. Extract was 2 cc (71.56 mg/day/kg) once a day for 2 weeks. For this study, chages in blood cell levels, SOD assay, small intestine and uterus were observed. In the 21st white blood cell level, the DZ+IR group recovered to a normal level, and the IR group didn't. The IR group villus length was lower than other groups on Day 1. IR group was partially recovered, and DZ+IR group was recovered like the NC group on Day 21. In the case of the first-day endometrium, the IR group was thin and the boundary was cloudy, and the DZ+IR group was thicker and the boundary was clearer than the IR group. Day 21 IR group still did not recover, and DZ+IR group recovered like NC group. This is believed to have radiation protection effects in the blood cells and small intestine and uterus of the irradiated female SD Rat, and is expected to be useful for the study of natural radiation protection materials.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.590-593
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• 1996

This study was done to evaluate the effect of dietary calcium level (a diet which met 100% or twice the calcium level in AIN-76 diet) on preventing bone loss in ovariectomized rats. Forty Sprauge-Dawley female rats(body weight 200$\pm$5g)were divided into two groups. One group were ovariecotomized (Ovx) while the others received sham operation(Sham). Thereafter, each rat group was further divided into normal calcium diet(0.52%) and high calcium diet(1.04%) subgroups. All rats were fed on experimental diet and deionized water ad libitum for 8 weeks. The total body, spine and femur bone mineral densities and bone mineral contents were measured by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, Eight weeks following operation, ovariectomized rats fed a high calcium diet had a significantly higher total bone mineral content, total bone calcium content, spine bone mineral density, spine bone mineral content and femur bone mineral content than ovariectomized rats fed control calcium diet. The correlation between dietary calcium intake level and spine bone mineral density were positive, but there was no correlation between dietary calcium intake and femur bone mineral density. The findings from the present study demonstrated that bone loss due to ovarian hormonal deficiency can be partially prevented by a high calcium diet. Futhermore, these findings support the strategy of the use of a high calcium diet in the prevention of estrogen depleted bone loss(postmenopausal osteoporosis)

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.311-322
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• 1990

This study primarily attempted to investigate the effects of methamphetamine on stereotyped behavior. Furthermore, an extensive experiment was conducted to examine the cortex methamphetamine concentration and levels of dopamine, serotonin, and their metabolites in striatum, septum and hypothalamus. Following treatment with 10 mg/kg methamphetamine, stereotyped behavior was observed in 10 minutes. Consequently female rats displayed more intense and longer lasting activity than the male. The concentration of cortex methamphetamine was even higher in female than male. The administration of methamphetamine increased the rate of dopamine turnover-i.e. lower dopamine, higher homovanillic acid in the striatum, septum. The highest rate was found in the striatum. Methamphetamine decreased the levels of serotonin, and its metabolite of 5-indoleacetic acid in the striatum, septum. An intensity in behavioral response was accompanied by an increase in dopamine turnover, a decrease in serotonergic transmission. The reduction of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid-i.e. the metabolite of dopamine was due not to the inhibition of monoamine oxidase but to the induction of monoamine oxidase but to the induction of catechol-O-methyltransferase. The phenomenon of biogenic amines by methamphetamine concurred upon the concentration of methamphetamine in the brain. This process preceded stereotyped behavior. After single injection of 10 mg/kg methamphetamine, the levels of biogenic amines recovered within 6 hours.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.121-128
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• 2012

Objectives : This research investigates the single oral dose toxicity of ACM in SD rats. Methods : ACMs were administered to female and male SD rats, as an oral dose of 5000 mg/kg. Animals were monitored for the mortality and changes in the body weight, clinical signs and gross observation during the 14 days after dosing, upon necropsy. Results : We could not find any mortality. Compared with the control group, significant weight change was not observed in the experimental group. First day after administration, compound-colored stool was observed in all rats. After the second day of administration, the more common symptoms were not observed. There were no gross abnormalities in all cases. [ED NOTE: highlight: given the context, this is very vague] Conclusions : The results obtained in this study suggest that the approximate lethal dose of ACM in both female and male rats were considered as over 5000 mg/kg.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.265-270
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to determine pharmacokinetic parameters and tissue distribution patters of urinary trypsin inhibitor(UTI) in Sprague-Dawley rats. $Na^{125}$I was conjugated to UTI to make $^{125}I-UTI$ and the concentrations were determined by $\gamma$-counter. With the aid of nonlinear least-square regression analysis for i.v bolus injection of 1,000 unit UTI including $^{125}I-UTI$, the temporal concentration curves were best fitted by 2-compartment open model. The distribution phase half-life was 0.39$\pm$0.02 hours whereas the elimination half-life was 12.99$\pm$1.05 hours in male rats. The volume of distribution and total body clearance in male rats were 0.28$\pm$0.01 1/kg and 83.16$\pm$1.15 ml/kg/h, respectively. We could not find any difference of pharmacokinetic parameters of UTI between male and female rats. UTI were distributed widely in rat organs. In both male and female rats, the kidney was the highest distributed organ. Amount of UTI in 24 hour cumulative urine in male rats was 36.22$\pm$8.74% and that in 48 hours was 43.32$\pm$10.55%. Excretion via feces was very scanty, with the 24 hours cumulative amount being only 2.76$\pm$0.97%. This data suggest the main excretion route of UTI is urine.