• Development and Reproduction
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2002

5-Hydroxytryptamine(5-HT; serotonin) system has been implicated in the modulation of male sexual behaviors and the secretion of reproductive hormones. In human males, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors(SSRIs) are known to improve the major male sexual dysfunction, premature ejaculation, through the central nervous system-mediated pathways. As numerous hormone and local factors, 5-HT may have peripheral role in the regulation of male sexual function. The expression of 5-HT receptor subtypes in the target tissue, however, has not been explored yet. The present study was undertaken to test whether the 5-HT receptor subtypes are expressed in the reproductive tissues of male rat, especially in ejaculatory machinery such as seminal vesicle and vas deferens. To do this, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and Southern blot analysis were employed. The transcripts for the 1A, 1B and 2C subtypes of 5-HT receptor were amplified in all the tested tissues. The present study demonstrated the expression of 5-HT receptor in the rat ejaculatory machinery, suggesting that 5-HT may play a pivotal role in the male sexual function via not only central pathway but also peripheral route. Further study on the receptor subtype-specific effect and their harmonized mode of action will be needed to establish the understanding of ejaculation mechanism and drug design.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.994-1001
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• 2012

Quality changes of pre-processed garlic, peeled and chopped, were analyzed during storage at $-18^{\circ}C$ or $2^{\circ}C$ for 30 days and at $20^{\circ}C$ for 3 days only for chopped garlic. As storage time increased, Hunter L values decreased and a, b values increased, indicating browning regardless of the pre-process type and storage temperature. Decay and sprouting rates of peeled garlic during storage at $2^{\circ}C$ significantly increased while those of peeled garlic were maintained during storage at $-18^{\circ}C$. Weight loss of peeled garlic during storage was greater at $-18^{\circ}C$ than at $2^{\circ}C$. Hardness of peeled garlic rapidly decreased by half from 1.04 kg to 0.58 kg by freezing, and it did not significantly change during the storage period. Viable numbers of total aerobic bacteria of peeled and chopped garlic did not significantly change during the storage period at $2^{\circ}C$ but were reduced at $-18^{\circ}C$. Total aerobic bacterial count of chopped garlic stored at $20^{\circ}C$ slightly increased during the storage period. Pyruvic acid content of chopped garlic was almost 2.5 times higher than that of peeled garlic at the initial stage (463.87 ${\mu}mol/g$ and 190.52 ${\mu}mol/g$, respectively). As storage time increased, pyruvic acid content of peeled garlic increased while that of chopped garlic decreased. These results indicate that pre-process type and storage temperature affected the quality changes of garlic during storage.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.345-352
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• 2011

TMR feed was developed by adding mugwort (Artemisia capillaris), and was fed to Hanwoo cattle to investigate the effects of feeding mugwort on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of rump meat, and to determine the feasibility of producing Hanwoo beef with high quality and functionality. The experimental samples consisted of the Hanwoo rump from cattle fed with fattening TMR feed without mugwort (T0), and those fed with fattening cattle TMR feed supplemented with mugwort (T1). T1 was significantly higher than T0 for Hanwoo rump characteristics of Hunter's $L^*$, $a^*$, $b^*$ values (p<0.05). VBN content for T0 was significantly higher than for T1, and EDA for T1 was significantly higher than for T0 (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between T0 and T1 in terms of pH, TBARS, and total bacterial numbers. Water holding capacity for T1 was significantly higher than for T0 (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference between T0 and T1 in terms of freezing loss, thawing loss, and cooking loss. Springiness for T1 was significantly higher than for T0 (p<0.05), and there was no significant difference between T0 and T1 in terms of hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and shear force. There was no significant difference between T0 and T1 in terms of acid value, peroxide value, and iodine value. However, the melting point for T1 was significantly lower than for T0 (p<0.05). Aroma of raw meat for T1 was significantly superior to aroma for T0 (p<0.05). Taste, palatability of boiled meat, and juiciness of roasted meat for T1 were significantly superior to those parameters for T0 (p<0.05). These results suggest that the feed containing mugwort can be used to improve color and sensory characteristics, inhibit VBN formation, and also to increase antioxidant ability as a functional feed.