• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.273-277
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• 2015

This study was conducted to provide the reproductive biological information and basic data on the artificial sex control of Haliotis discus hannai. The morphological sex differentiation process of H. discus hannai could be classified into following five phases: 1) formation of gonad outer membrane (FGOM) (${\leq}SL\;10.0{\pm}1.0mm$), 2) primordial germ cells (PGCs) appearance in the connective tissue between intestine and hepatopancreas (PAC), and formation of gonadal cavity (FGC) (SL $15.0{\pm}2.0mm$), 3) PGCs appearance in the epithelial layer of gonadal cavity (PAG) (SL $18.0{\pm}2.0mm$), 4) formation of gametogenic follicle and appearance of early oocytes and spermatogonia (FGOC) (SL $21.0{\pm}2.0mm$), 5) morphological sex differentiation (MSD) (${\geq}SL\;23.0{\pm}2.0mm$). From histological analysis sex differentiation rate in SL 24.1-25.0 mm of H. discus hannai was 90.0% and sex ratio (female : male) was 1:0.8.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.40-46
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• 2001

The use of pluripotent stem cells has tremendous advantages for various purposes but these cell lines with proven germ-line transmission have been completely established only in the mouse. Embryonic germ (EG) cell lines are also pluripotent and undifferentiated stem cells established from primordial germ cells (PGCs). This study was conducted to establish and characterize the chicken EG cells derived from gonadal primordial germ cells. We isolated gonadal PGCs from 5.5-day-old (stage 28) White leghorn (WL) embryos and established chicken EG cells lines with EG culture medium supplemented with human stem cell factor (hSCF), murine leukemia inhibitory factor (mLIF), bovine basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), human interleukin-11 (hIL-11), and human insulin-like growth factor-I (hIGF-I). These cells grew continuously for 4 months (10 passages) on a feeder layer of mitotically active chicken embryonic fibroblasts. These cells were characterized by screening with the Periodic acid-Shiff＇s reaction, anti-SSEA-1 antibody, and a proliferation assay after several passages. As the results, the chicken EG cells maintained characteristics of undifferentiated stem cells as well as that of gonadal PGCs. When cultured in suspension, the chicken EG cells successfully formed an embryoid body and differentiated into a variety of cell types when re-seeded onto culture dish. The chicken EG cells were injected into blastodermal layer at stage X and dorsal aorta of recipient embryo at stage 14 (incubation of 53hrs) and produced chimeric chickens with various differentiated tissues derived from the EG cells. The germline chimeras were also successfully induced by using EG cells. Thus, Chicken EG cells will be useful for the production of transgenic chickena and for studies of germ cell differentiation and genomic imprinting.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.327-331
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• 2001

There is a critical developmental period during which brain sexual differentiation proceeds irreversibly under the influence of gonadal hormone. Recently, kinesin superfamily-associated protein 3 (KAP3) gene expressed during the 'critical period' of rat brain differentiation was identified by us (Choi and Lee, 1999). KAP3 functions as a microtubule-based motor that transports membranous organelles anterogradely in cells, including neurons (Yamazaki et al., 1996). mRNA level of KAP3 gene markedly increased before the initiation of puberty. Neonatal treatment of estrogen clearly inhibited the prepubertal increase in KAP3 mRNA level (Choi and Lee, 1999). In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as endocrine disruptors (EDs) on the expression of KAP3 gene during the 'critical period' of rat brain development. In our data, PCBs significantly decreased the expression of KAP3 gene in the fetal (day 17) and the neonatal (day 6 after birth in) male and female rat brains. The body weight and the breeding ability were significantly decreased in the PCBs-exposed rats compared with the control. These results showed that PCBs affect the transcriptional level of brain sexual differentiation related gene, KAP3, in the fetal and the neonatal rat brains. The maternal exposure to the PCBs may lead to toxic response in embryonic brain sexual differentiation and breeding ability after sexual maturation. This study indicates that KAP3 gene may be useful as a gene marker to analyze the molecular mechanism of toxic response in the animal brain development and sexual maturation exposed to PCBs.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.76-80
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• 2005

The early gonadal development and sex differentiation of the mandarin fish, Siniperca scherzeri was described from hatch to the 130th day post-hatch (DPH). Primordial germ cells were observed on the just hatched fry (5.10 mm in total length (TL)) and began to protrude into the peritoneal cavity between mesonephric duct and gut. The primordial gonad, with the formation of genital ridge, developed on the 8-10th DPH (10.77-12.47 mm TL). Ovarian differentiation was identified by the presence of ovarian cavity and meiotic oocytes from the 40th DPH (29.75 mm TL). Testicular differentiation was identified by the presence of spermatogonial cells with efferent duct also from the 40th DPH. Sex differentiation of the mandarin fish was identified as gonochoristic type.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.248-253
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• 2001

An histological study was conducted to determine the initial treatment time and treatment duration in the use of sex-reversal hormones in relation to gonadal development and sexual differentiation in the bagrid catfish, Leiocassis ussuriensis. The primordial germ cell, which could be recognized from one-day-old fry, began to protrude into the peritoneal cavity between the mesonephric duct and the gut. The primordial gonad with a genital ridge was developed at 5~10 days after hatching. Sex differentiation of the ovary was identified by the ovarian cavity and meiotic oocytes from 20-day-old larvae. Testicular differentiation was also identified by spermatogonial cells from 20-day-old larvae. It may therefore be concluded that this species belongs to the differentiated type of gonochoristic teleost.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.255-262
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• 2008

The endemic Korean stumpy bullhead Pseudobagrus brevicorpus is a first-grade endangered wild fish as designated by the Ministry of Environment of Korea. As part of its restoration and proliferation effort, a histological study of this fish was carried out to investigate sex differentiation and gonadal development based on F1 generation individuals obtained by artificial breeding. On days 4~5 after hatching, a pair of genital ridges including clusters of primordial germ cells was observed between the gut and the mesonephric duct. On days 20 after hatching, the ovary began to initially differentiate and contained early oocytes with chromatin-nucleolus and peri-nucleolus stages on days 30~40 after hatching. As yolk material accumulated after day 80 from hatching, the oocytes grew increasingly large and were surrounded by a distinct follicular layer. On days 306 after hatching, the oocytes grew toward a mature ovum. In the males, the testis was distinguished by emergence of spermatogonium cells on 25 days after hatching, and day 40 after hatching it contained a small number of seminal lobes forming cysts. From 173 days after hatching, the testis consisted of numerous enlarged seminal lobes including spermatocytes and spermatids. Over 14 months after hatching, some seminal lumens were filled with spermatozoa.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.141-148
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• 2009

Sex differentiation and gonad development were investigated in a marine medaka species, Oryzias dancena (Beloniformes; Teleostei). The average time to hatch was 11 days post-fertilization (dpf) at $25^{\circ}C$. Primordial germ cell (PGC) was first observed at 5 dpf and migrated to presumptive gonadal area between the gut and pronephric duct at 9 dpf. Male and female gonads were morphologically differentiated at 12 days post-hatching (dph). Early oocytes at perinucleolus stage as well as the formation of spermatid and efferent duct were observed at 28 dph. At 6 weeks of age, the ovary exhibited yolk granulation in many oocytes, while testis possessed a considerable number of spermatogonia and spermatids. The first ovulation was observed in 9-week-old females, and at the same age, males contained fully-matured spermatozoa. Data obtained in this study indicate that the gonad differentiation of O. dancena is the typical type of differentiated gonochorism.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.215-222
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• 2000

The primordial germ cell of the sweet fish was recognized from the 2-day old fry (tl : 0.66 cm), when it began to protrude into peritoneal cavity between meaonephric duct and gut. The primordial gonad, with the formation of genital ridge, developed on the 30-day old fry. Ovarian differentiation was identified by the presence of ovarian cavity and meiotic oocytes from the 90-day old fry (tl : 3.42 cm). Testicular differentiation was identified by the presence of spermatogonial cells with efferent duct from the 100-day old fry (11 : 4.50 cm). Hence the sweet fish belongs to the differentiated type of gonochoristic teleost.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.142-151
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• 2009

The incidence of small for gestational age (SGA) births is frequent, accounting for 2.3% to 8% of all live births. Several childhood and adult diseases are related to early postnatal growth and birth size, and 10% of children born SGA may have a short stature throughout postnatal life. Additionally, they may have abnormal growth hormone (GH)-insulin like growth factor axis, HPA axis, and gonadal function. Permanent changes are detrimental in an environment of nutritional abundance, and predispose SGA children to an array of diseases in adolescence and adulthood. Such changes may also cause premature pubarche, adrenarche, and precocious puberty. The varying results from clinical studies necessitate more prospective case control studies. Reproductive tract abnormalities and reproductive dysfunction are related to SGA births. GH treatment is required for SGA infants who do not experience catch-up growth.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.69-70
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• 2001

Lectins have great potential as to determine the alternation of the distribution of cell surface carbohydrates during cellular development and differentiation. Here, we investigated the presence and distribution of cell surface carbohydrates on chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs) during the migration and gonadal stages using a variety of lectins. A total of six FITC-labelled lectins from several specificity classes were used: ConA (glucose/mannose), WGA (N-acetylglucosamine), STA (N-acetylglucosamine), DBA (N-acetylgalactosamine/galactose), UEA-I (fucose) and PHA-E (oilgosaccharide). As a results, PGC-specific binding was observed in STA. PGCs of migration stage (2.5- and 5.5-day embyos) were STA-positive whereas PGCs of 10-day embryonic gonad were not. The results suggest that N-acetylglucosamine residuse are present specifically in migrating chicken PGCs and changes during development.