• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.217-226
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• 2009

Effects of sera from several fish species on monolayer formation, viability and functions of catfish hepatocytes were investigated to establish a primary hepatocyte culture system for screening endocrine disruptors. Hepatocytes of Korean catfish (Silurus asotus) were attached and formed monolayer using the media supplemented with their own serum or sera from eel and tilapia, but not with fetal bovine serum (FBS). The amount of fish sera (0.5~3%) for monolayer culture of the catfish hepatocytes was less than 1/10 of FBS (5~20%) that is commonly used for primary culture of hepatocytes of other species. The results indicate that FBS can be replaced with sera from some fish species and the fish sera are more effective than FBS in maintaining the shape and functions of the hepatocytes. The primary culture of catfish hepatocytes was maintained monolayer with fish sera for at least 10 days, which makes possible to be used for screening the activities of endocrine disruptors. In conclusion, the primary culture system of hepatocytes with fish sera in the present study could be a useful tool for screening and studying endocrine disruptors.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.105-117
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• 1995

This study was carried out to investigate the histomorphological changes and the electrophoretic patterns of egg components, obtained from 100 of 1-year-old female catfish(Silurus asotus). Especially, the light microscopic and ultrastructural changes of ooplasm and follicular membranes of oocytes, were observed by light and transmission electron microscope. All data were collected from October in 1992 to May in 1993. The size of the nucleoli and number of the yolk granules increased as the oocyte grew. Yolk granules were deposited in the oocyte as fluid. Due to the presence of large early and late maturing oocytes, their ovaries were large, transparent, granular, and greenish in color. As the percentages of fish in LMO and RO stage increased from March to April, mean of GSI values(19.95%) increased. Follicle cells such as granulosa cell and thecal cell change a squamous into cuboid shape in LPO and EMO stage. Processes, microvilli, from the granulosa cells and from the oocyte grow and make contact with each other in the pore canals of the zona radiata during vitellogenesis, but are withdrawn as the zona radiate becomes more compact and devoid of pore canals during oocyte maturation. The electrophoretic pattern of major band in mature stage was much thicker(21k, 24k, 32k, 45k, 67∼110k, 170k dalton) than that in previtellogenic phase.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.1180-1186
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• 1999

A wide ranges of chemicals released into the environment have potential to interfere with physiological and development process by disrupting endocrine pathways. Endocrine system embraces a multitude of mechanisms of action, including effect on growth, behavior, reproduction and immune function. These environmental endocrine disruptors are present in environment and pose potential health consequences to human and wildlife. The best known form in endocrine distruptors involves substances which mimic or block the action of natural hormone in the body. Endocrine disruptor have been variously defined as exogenous agents that interfere with the synthesis, secretion, transport, metabolism, binding action or elimination of the natural hormones in the body which are responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis, reproduction developmental and/or behavior. Many compounds polluted into the environment by human activity are capable of disrupting the endocrine system of animals, including fish, wildlife, and humans. Among these chemicals are pesticides, industrial chemicals, and other anthropogenic products. It has been alleged that several adverse effects on human health are linked with exposure to chemicals which are claimed to be endocrine disrupters, that is, increased incidence of testicular, prostate and female breast cancer, time dependent reductions in sperm quality and quantity, increased incidence of cryptorchidism (undescended testicles) and hypospadias(malformation of the penis), altered physical and mental de velopment in children. This observation is currently the only example of chemically mediated endocrine disruption which has resulted in a clear effect at the population level.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.48-54
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• 2017

The ecological characteristics of Pseudoblennius cottoides were investigated off Dolsan Island, Yeosu, Korea, from June to December, 2001. Their habitats were the reef zone and surrounding embankment which was covered with seaweeds. Their range of total length (TL) was 6.10-8.40 cm (n=15), and the individuals (over 8.10 cm) of them accounted for in June. It was 8.60-15.7 cm (n=67), and the individuals 11.1-12.0 cm in TL accounted for in October, 2001. The female to male sex ratio was 1:0.48 (n=185). The gonads were in the shape of a rod and the ovaries were large in size. In June, the histology of the seminiferous tubules was observed. In August, the testicles appeared. In October, spermatocyte was observed in the testes, and ovaries were observed in relation to circumference popularity and oocyte.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.207-220
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• 1991

This study was carried out to investigate the ultrastructural changes of ooplasm and follicular membrane of oocytes, obtained from 150 of 3-year-old female rainbow trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss). All data were collected from March in 1989 to February in 1990, and from August to October in 1991. The size of the nucleoli and number of the yolk granules increased as the oocyte growed. Yolk granules were deposited in the oocyte as crystalline granules. Due to the presence of large early and late maturing oocytes, their ovaires were enlarged, transparent and granular. The lattice was broken down at hydration, leaving the egg transparent. As thepercentages of fish in LPO and EMO stage increased from September to October, Mean GSI values increased. Follicle cells such as granulosa cell and thecal cell change a squamous into cuboid shape in LPO and EMO stage. Seasonal changes in the microscopic appearance of the ovaries were well correlated with those in bothgonadosomatic index and macroscopic apearance. Under the natural conditions,t he ovarian follicle influences the histological development and periodical secretion of the hormones, sufficient for a oogenesis and gonadal steroid production. The electrophoretic pattern of major band in mature stage was much thicker(70∼110k dalton) than that in previtellogenic phase.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.247-260
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• 1992

This study was carried out to investigate the histomorphological changes of ovaries obtained from 100 of 1-year-old female Korean loach(misgurnus anguillicaudatus). The light microscopic and ultrastructural changes ofooplasm and follicular membranes of oocytes, were observed by lightand transmission electron microscope during the reproductive cycle. All data were collected from November in 1991 to May in 1992. The results obtained in this study were as follows: The size of the nucleoli and number of the yolk granules increased as the oocytes grown. Yolk granules were loosely deposited in the oocytes as crystalline granules. Due to the presence of large early and late maturing oocytes, their ovaries were enlarged, transparent, granular and yellowish in color. The lattice was broken down at hydration, leaving the egg transparent. As the percentages of fish in LMO and RO stage increased from March to April, mean gonadosomatic index(GSI) values(18.49%) increased. Zona radiata change a squamous into cuboid shape in EMO stage. Processes from the granulosa cells and from the oocyte, microvilli grow and make contact with other in the pore canals of the zona radiata during vitellogenesis, but are withdrawn as the zona radiata becomes more compact and devoid of pore canals during oocyte maturation. Seasonal changes in the microscopic appearance of the ovaries were well correlated with those in both GSI and macroscopic appearance.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.1 s.52
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• pp.35-43
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• 2006

Reproduction and organ structure of the pale chub, Zacco platypus in Isa stream were investigated by means of histological methods. The results of the study confirmed reproductive abnormality and histopathological features in the pale chub. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) of the fish showed two peak in April and August. In summer season, GSI of the male was about two times of the female's GSI. Monthly variation of the gonadal development was very irregular. From the histological analysis of the organ structure, epidermal atrophy, necrosis and hyperplasia of pigment cell were observed in the skin. Epithelial layer lifting and clubbing of the lamella and bifurcation of the filament were observed in the gill. Also histological changes as congestion, cytoplasmic degeneration of hepatic cell, degeneration of bile duct, glomerular dilatation, degeneration of renal tubule and pycnosis of interstitial cell were identified in the liver and kidney, respectively.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.314-322
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• 2021

Paired box protein, PAX7, is a key molecule for the specification, maintenance and skeletal muscle regeneration of muscle satellite cells. In this study, we identified and characterized the cDNA and amino acid sequences of PAX7 from black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) via molecular cloning and sequence analysis. A. schlegelii PAX7 cDNA was comprised of 1,524 bp encoding 507 amino acids and multiple sequence alignment analysis of the translated amino acids showed that it contained three domains including paired DNA-binding domain, homeobox domain and OAR domain which were well conserved across various animal species investigated. Pairwise Sequence Alignment indicated that A. schlegelii PAX7 had the same amino acid sequences with that of yellowfin seabream (A. latus) and 99.8% identity and similarity with that of gilt-head bream (Sparus aurata). Molecular phylogenetic analysis confirmed that A. schlegelii PAX7 formed a monophyletic group with those of teleost and most closely related with those of the fish that belong to Sparidae family including A. latus and S. aurata. In the investigation of its tissue specific mRNA expression, the expression was specifically identified in skeletal muscle tissue and a weak expression was also shown in gonad tissue. The cultured cells derived from skeletal muscle tissues expressed PAX7 mRNA at early passage but the expression was not observed after several times of subculture.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.176-182
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• 2022

Norflurazon is widely used on agricultural lands and has a high potential to pollute water sources. However, its effects on fish have not been fully elucidated. The purpose of our study was to determine whether norflurazon adversely affects the developmental stage of zebrafish, which are frequently used as a model system to evaluate the environmental impact of pollutants. Norflurazon interfered with the hatching of zebrafish embryos and induced several sublethal deformities including body length reduction, increased yolk sac volume, and enlargement of the pericardial region. We further examined the cardiotoxicity of norflurazon in the flk1:eGFP transgenic zebrafish line. The vascular network, mainly in the brain region, was significantly disrupted in norflurazon-exposed zebrafish. In addition, due to the failure of cardiac looping, norflurazon-exposed zebrafish had an abnormal cardiac structure. These developmental abnormalities were related to the apoptotic process triggered by norflurazon. Overall, the present study demonstrated the non-target toxicity of norflurazon by analyzing the hazardous effects of norflurazon on developing zebrafish.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.80-86
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• 2022

The ability to determine the sex of bovine embryos before the transfer is advantageous in livestock management, especially in dairy production, where female calves are preferred in milk industry. The milk production of female and male cattle benefits both the dairy and beef industries. Pre-implantation sexing of embryos also helps with embryo transfer success. There are two approaches for sexing bovine embryos in farm animals: invasive and non-invasive. A non-invasive method of embryo sexing retains the embryo's autonomy and, as a result, is less likely to impair the embryo's ability to move and implant successfully. There are lists of non-invasive embryo sexing such as; Detection of H-Y antigens, X-linked enzymes, and sexing based on embryo cleavage and development. Since it protects the embryo's autonomy, the non-invasive procedure is considered to be the safest. Invasive methods affect an embryo's integrity and are likely to damage the embryo's chances of successful transformation. There are different types of invasive methods such as polymerase chain reaction, detection of male chromatin Y chromosome-specific DNA probes, Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), cytological karyotyping, and immunofluorescence (FISH). The PCR approach is highly sensitive, precise, and effective as compared to invasive methods of farm animal embryonic sexing. Invasive procedures, such as cytological karyotyping, have high accuracy but are impractical in the field due to embryonic effectiveness concerns. This technology can be applicable especially in the dairy and beef industry by producing female and male animals respectively. Enhancing selection accuracy and decreasing the multiple ovulation embryo transfer costs.