• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.16 no.9
• /
• pp.1347-1354
• /
• 2006

The aims of this study were to establish a simple and effective method for isolating male germline stem cells (GSCs), and to test the possibility of using these cells as a new approach for male infertility treatment. Testes obtained from neonatal and adult mice were manually decapsulated. GSCs were collected from seminiferous tubules by a two-step enzyme digestion method and plated on gelatin-coated dishes. Over 5-7 days of culture, GSCs obtained from neonates and adults gave rise to large multicellular colonies that were subsequently grown for 10 passages. During in vitro proliferation, oct-4 and two immunological markers (Integrin ${\beta}1,\;{\alpha}6$) for GSCs were highly expressed in the cell colonies. During another culture period of 6 weeks to differentiate to later stage germ cells, the expression of oct-4 mRNA decreased in GSCs and Sertoli cells encapsulated with calcium alginate, but the expression of c-kit and testis-specific histone protein 2B(TH2B) mRNA as well as the localization of c-kit protein was increased. Expression of transition protein (TP-l) and localization of peanut agglutinin were not seen until 3 weeks after culturing, and appeared by 6 weeks of culture. The putative spermatids derived from GSCs supported embryonic development up to the blastocyst stage with normal chromosomal ploidy after chemical activation. Thus, GSCs isolated from neonatal and adult mouse testes were able to be maintained and proliferated in our simple culture conditions. These GSCs have the potential to differentiate into haploid germ cells during another long-term culture.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.75-91
• /
• 1986

Differentiation of the rat testis was studied by light and electron microscope from the fetal stage up to the newborn or adult stage. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the ultrastructural changes of seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue during the developmental process. The results were as follows: the seminiferous tubule diameter began to increase from birth and was fully developed at 30 to 40 days of age through intratubular cell proliferations. Basement membrane and myoid cells lining the seminiferous tubules were differentiated at 17 days gestation. At the fetal stage, seminiferous tubules were primarily composed of Sertoli cells and the differentiation of Sertoli and germ cells progressed from the newborn stage. Spermatids and immature spermatozoa are appeared at 40 days of age, so from this time, spermatogenesis occurred actively until the adult stage. Sertoli cells aided germ cell differentiation and phagocytosed the parts of the spermatid cytoplasm. Leydig ce]] development follows a biphasic pattern: a fetal phase and then an adult phase from 20 days of age. In conclusion, the rat testis is already developed to some extent by the fetal stage and is functional after 50 days of age. Therefore, these findings indicate that differentiation of Sertoli and Leydig cells precedes the onset of spermatogenesis.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.243-250
• /
• 2003

Ultrastructural changes of the male germ cells and structure of spermatozoa in Paralichthys olivaceus were examined by means of the light and transmission electron microscopes. The spermatogonium has a large nucleus with a single nucleus with a single nucleolus in the interphase. Primary spermatocytes are identified by the formation of the synaptonemal complex in the karyoplasm. The secondary spermatocytes are more concentrated and contains numerous cell organelle in the cytoplasm. The nucleus of spermatid in spermiogenesis is more condensed in the karyoplasm, and show spherical structure in shape. Mitochondria of the spermatids are observed in the lower portion of the nucleus. The spermatozoon consists of the head, mid piece and tail. The acrosome is not observed in the head. Axial filaments of the flagellum consists of nine pairs of the peripheral microtubules and one pair of the central microtubules.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.13 no.7
• /
• pp.894-896
• /
• 2000

In vitro fertilization can be used for salvaging superior buffalo germplasm which otherwise goes waste after the slaughter of animals. This technology has also increased our basic understanding of growth of germ cells and embryos. The requirement of growing embryos is peculiar and stage specific. In the present study the cleavage and development of buffalo embryos were studied with homologous (buffalo) and heterologous (goat) oviductal cell co-culture systems. The cleavage rate improved significantly (p<0.01) in both homologous and heterologous co-culture as compared to control (55.3, 46.8 and 11.4%). The morula formation using homologous and heterologous oviductal cells also increased significantly as compared to control group (43.6, 21.9 & 1.9%). There was no blastula formation in control group, but addition of oviductal cells either from homologous or heterologous species significantly increased the blastula formation (9.5, 12.5%). The cleavage rate and embryo development was slightly better (non significant) in homologous as compared to heterologous oviductal cell culture. It was concluded that the use of oviductal cell co-culture (homologous and heterologous species) have significantly improved cleavage and development of buffalo embryos in vitro.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.33-40
• /
• 1981

The author studied on the effects of x-irradiation to the development of digital malformation in gestation rats. The time-matings occured between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. and females with copulation. plugs at 8 a.m. were isolated and properly marked for evidence of copulation. The lower abdomen of mothers were exposed to x-irradiation on the 11½th day of gestation, the critical period developing digital malformation, respectively 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 and 350 rads. At 18½th day of post-conception total 50 pregnant females were dissected and the incidence of digital malformations were obtained. Rat embryos on the 12, 13, 14, 15, 16th day of gestation irradiated by 250 rads were examined for morphogenesis of digital malformation. Digital radiating lines were examined in water and histologically by H-E stain. Supra vital stain samples by Nile-blue sulfate in 37℃ normal saline were prepared for the observation of cell necrosis regions and morphogenesis of digits. The results obtained were as follows; 1. By x-irradiation on 11th day of gestation, digital malformations of Ectrodactylia, Syndactylia Polydactylia and Hematodactylia were developed. Ectrodactylia showed the effective relationship to the amount of irradiation, however Syndactylia ans Polydactylia did not. 2. By x-irradiation, cell necrosis of digital germ was appeared markedly, but in 48 hours after irradiation was depressed to the periphery of digital germ and in 72hours after irradiation was disappeared. Digital radiating line showed marked stage of malformation in 48hours after irradiation and continued to show the same amount of physiological cell necrosis as the compared control group in 72hours. after irradiaion. But in the Syndactylia, physiological cell necrosis was not able to be recognized. 3. Ectrodactylia induced by x-irradiation was considered as the direct resoult of cell necrosis of digital origin, however, Polydactylia and Syndactylia were considered as the resoult of some effect in repair process of x-irradiation damages.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
• /
• 2005.11a
• /
• pp.66-67
• /
• 2005

The domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) is an important model for research in developmental biology because its embryonic development occurs in ovo. To examine the mechanism of embryonic germ cell development, we constructed proteome map of gonadal primordial germ cells (gPGC) from chicken embryonic gonads. Embryonic gonads were collected from 500 embryos at 6 day of incubation, and the gPGC were cultured in vitro until colony formed. After 7-10 days in cultured gPGC colonies were separated from gonadal stroma cells (GSCs). Soluble extracts of cultured gPGCs were then fractionated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (pH 4-7). A number of protein spots, including those that displayed significant expression levels, were then identified by use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and LC-MS/MS. Of the 89 gPGC spots examined, 50 yielded mass spectra that matched avian proteins found in on-line databases. Proteome map of thistype will serve as an important reference for germ cell biology and transgenic research.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.56-60
• /
• 1999

Sexual reproduction is an essential process in the propagation of flowering plants. Recent advances in plant cell biology and biotechnology have brought new and powerful methodologies to investigate and manipulate the reproductive processes of angiosperms including agronomically important crop plants. Successful cryopreservation of maize, rye and triticale pollen and young embryos of microspore-and zygote-origine contributes to long term preservation of important plant germ-lines in gene banks. Discovering morphogenetic characteristics of the different developmental pathways taking place in wheat and maize androgenesis in vitro helps to influence the procedure to produce genetically and phenotipically stable homozygous doubled haploid plants for breeding purposes. Detailed ultrastructural and cell-biological studies on the developmental sequences of male and female gametophyte development in wheat, experimental protocols developed to isolate and micromanipulate egg cell protoplasts, make it possible to use plant gametes and the sexual route itself to produce genetically improved organisms. Plant gametes can become useful tools for crop improvement in the near future. Recent achievements by our laboratory in this field are reviewed in the present paper

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.152-158
• /
• 2020

Background: The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) was developed to enhance chemical classification and hazard communication systems worldwide. However, some of the elements such as building blocks and data sources have the potential to cause "disharmony" to the GHS, particularly in its classification results. It is known that some countries have developed their own lists of classified chemicals in accordance with the GHS to "standardize" the classification results within their respective countries. However, the lists of classified chemicals may not be consistent among these countries. Method: In this study, the lists of classified chemicals developed by the European Union, Japan, Malaysia, and New Zealand were selected for comparison of classification results for carcinogenicity, germ cell mutagenicity, and reproductive toxicity. Results: The findings show that only 54%, 66%, and 37% of the classification results for each Carcinogen, Mutagen and Reproductive toxicants hazard classes, respectively are the same among the selected countries. This indicates a "moderate" level of consistency among the classified chemicals lists. Conclusion: By using classification results for the carcinogenicity, germ cell mutagenicity, and reproductive toxicity hazard classes, this study demonstrates the "disharmony" in the classification results among the selected countries. We believe that the findings of this study deserve the attention of the relevant international bodies.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.353-362
• /
• 1999

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticize. known as one of endocrine disruptors. The present study was carried out to investigate the ultrastructural changes of prepubertal rat testis after oral administration of DEHP in dosages of 1 g/kg, 3 g/kg or 5g/kg in 0.5 ml of corn oil daily for a week. This study revealed the DEHP inhibited the development of seminiferous tubules and induced structural changes on various cell types of the rat testis. Leydig cells, Sertoli cells and the developing germ cells seemed to be impaired their differentiations in terms of the structural changes of cell organelles. The increase of heterochromatin in amount were common features in all 3 cell types. In addition, the Leydig cells were characterized by the increases in number and size of lysosomes and the scantiness of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The Sertoli cells became irregular in nuclear envelope and the cytoplasm decreased, but the number of lysosomes and vacuoles seemed to be increased. There were some indications of necrosis of the germ cells, such as vacuolized nucleus and segregated nucleolus. These detrimental effects of DEHP on the rat testis were dose dependent and suppressed spermatogenesis decreasing developing germ cells in number and appearances. The effect of DEHP on ultrastructure of rat testis, as its known physiological functions, seems come from the decreased level of testosterone by Leydig cells, followed by the abnomalities of Sertoli cells and the germ cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2012

The safety of human exposure to an ever-increasing number and diversity of electromagnetic field (EMF) sources both at work and at home has become a public health issue. To date, many in vivo and in vitro studies have revealed that EMF exposure can alter cellular homeostasis, endocrine function, reproductive function, and fetal development in animal systems. Reproductive parameters reported to be altered by EMF exposure include male germ cell death, the estrous cycle, reproductive endocrine hormones, reproductive organ weights, sperm motility, early embryonic development, and pregnancy success. At the cellular level, an increase in free radicals and $[Ca^{2+}]i$ may mediate the effect of EMFs and lead to cell growth inhibition, protein misfolding, and DNA breaks. The effect of EMF exposure on reproductive function differs according to frequency and wave, strength (energy), and duration of exposure. In the present review, the effects of EMFs on reproductive function are summarized according to the types of EMF, wave type, strength, and duration of exposure at cellular and organism levels.