• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.149-155
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• 2015

Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum progesterone (P4) levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration and the pregnancy rate among women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (ICSI-ET) using a flexible antagonist protocol. Methods: This prospective study included 200 IVF and ICSI-ET cycles in which a flexible antagonist protocol was used. The patients were divided into five distinct groups according to their serum P4 levels at the time of hCG administration (0.80, 0.85, 0.90, 0.95, and 1.00 ng/mL). The clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) was calculated for each P4 interval. Statistically significant differences were observed at a serum P4 level of 0.9 ng/mL. These data suggest that a serum P4 concentration of 0.9 ng/mL may represent the optimal threshold level for defining premature luteinization (PL) based on the presence of a significant negative impact on the CPR. Results: The CPR for each round of ET was significantly lower in the PL group defined using this threshold (25.8% vs. 41.8%; p=0.019), and the number of oocytes retrieved was significantly higher than in the non-PL group ($17.3{\pm}7.2$ vs. $11.0{\pm}7.2$; p=0.001). Elevated serum P4 levels on the day of hCG administration were associated with a reduced CPR, despite the retrieval of many oocytes. Conclusion: Measuring serum P4 values at the time of hCG administration is necessary in order to determine the optimal strategy for embryo transfer.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제27권10호
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• pp.1097-1103
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• 2017

뱀장어(Anguilla japonica)의 인공종묘생산은 연어뇌하수체추출물(SPE, salmon pituitary extract)을 암컷 뱀장어에게 지속적인 투여를 하고 인위적으로 성성숙을 유도로 얻은 난과 정자를 인공수정을 하고 부화 시켜 생산한다. 하지만 SPE를 반복적으로 복강에 주사하는 방법은 암컷 뱀장어에게 많은 스트레스를 주며, 결국 스트레스로 인하여 완전한 성성숙을 하지 못하고 폐사에 이르게 되거나 배란한 난의 질이 좋지 않아 부화율과 자어의 생존율이 떨어지는 문제점을 갖고 있다. 본 연구에서는 뱀장어의 성성숙 유도에 유효하다고 알려진 호르몬이 주입된 osmotic pump를 복강에 삽입 후 암컷 뱀장어의 성성숙 유도를 하였다. 본 연구결과 SPE를 투여한 실험어의 GSI가 hCG, GnRHa, MT를 각각 또는 함께 투여한 실험구 보다 유의하게 증가하였으며 조직학적 분석결과에서도 난소의 난모세포가 핵이동기 단계로 발달되었음을 관찰할 수 있었다. 본 결과를 통해 osmotic pump를 이용한 암컷 뱀장어 인위적 성성숙 유도 방법으로 이용 가능할 것으로 생각된다.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.204-210
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• 1999

본 연구에서는 GTH I과 II의 분비조절기구을 밝히기 위하여 T을 경구투여한 미성숙 무지개 송어의 뇌하수체 세포배양계를 이용하여, activin에 의한 GTH I과 II의 분비량을 RIA로 조사하였다. 그 결과, T의 positive feedback에 의해 뇌하수체내 GTH II 함량이 증가하였으나, 뇌하수체내 GTH I 함량는 T에 의해 영향을 받지 않았다. 이러한 뇌하수체를 이용한 세포배양 실험에서, 장시간 (3 일간)의 activin 처리에 의해 GTH II 분비량은 증가하였지만, 단시간 (24시간)의 activin 처리에 의해 GTH II 분비량은 영향을 받지 않았다. 또한 activin의 자극에 의해서 분비된 GTH II 분비량은 DA에 의해 부분적으로 억제되었지만, sG-nRH의 자극에 의해서 분비된 GTH II는 DA에 의해 완전히 억제되었다. activin의 자극에 의해서 분비된 GTH II는 부분적으로 억제되었다. 그러나 activin으로 전처리에 의해 방출된 GTH II 분비량은 sGnRH 자극에 의한 증폭현상은 나타나지 않았다. 한편 GTH I 분비는 본 실험에서 사용된 호르몬에 의해서 영향을 받지 않았다. 이상의 결과들을 종합해보면, GTH I과 II는 서로 다른 합성기구에 의해 조절되며, T에 의해 GnRH, activin 그리고 DA 수용체의 감수성이 발현되어 GTH II 분비를 조절하였다. 그러나 GTH I의 분비조절 기구는 차후 계속해서 연구되어야 할 것으로 판단된다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제28권11호
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• pp.1573-1582
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• 2015

This study was to investigate the effect of soyabean isoflavones (SIF) on onset of puberty, serum hormone concentration, and gene expression in hypothalamus, pituitary and ovary of female Bama miniature pigs. Fifty five, 35-days old pigs were randomly assigned into 5 treatment groups consisting of 11 pigs per treatment. Results showed that dietary supplementation of varying dosage (0, 250, 500, and 1,250 mg/kg) of SIF induced puberty delay of the pigs with the age of puberty of pigs fed basal diet supplemented with 1,250 mg/kg SIF was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to control. Supplementation of SIF or estradiol valerate (EV) reduced (p<0.05) serum gonadotrophin releasing hormone and luteinizing hormone concentration, but increased follicle-stimulating hormone concentration in pigs at 4 months of age. The expression of KiSS-1 metastasis-suppressor (KISS1), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta-5-delta-4 isomerase ($3{\beta}-HSD$) was reduced (p<0.01) in SIF-supplemented groups. Expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor in the pituitary of miniature pigs was reduced (p<0.05) compared to the control when exposed to 250, 1,250 mg/kg SIF and EV. Pigs on 250 mg/kg SIF and EV also showed reduced (p<0.05) expression of cytochrome P450 19A1 compared to the control. Our results indicated that dietary supplementation of SIF induced puberty delay, which may be due to down-regulation of key genes that play vital roles in the synthesis of steroid hormones.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2001

골든 햄스터의 생식활동은 광주기(하루 중 조명 시간)에 의해 결정된다. 광주기는 일년 동안 예측할 수 있는 환경요인이다. 주간 길이가 야간 길이보다 긴 여름에 햄스터의 생식 활동은 왕성하다. 생식 기능을 유지시키는 조명 시간은 하루에 적어도 12.5시간이다. 송과선을 제거시키면 광주기의 정보가 억제되기 때문에, 광주기의 정보는 송과선을 통하여 중재된다. 송과선을 제거 당한 핼스터는 생식 활동이 유지되고, 생식소 기능을 억제하는 상황에서도 생식 기능을 촉진시킨다. 송과선은 멜라토닌을 분비하고 멜라토닌은 광주기 정보를 반영 한다. 멜라토닌을 적절히 투입하면 송과선과 무관하게 생식소 퇴화가 유도된다. 생식체계를 기능적으로 통합하는 신경내분비 신호로 환경 정보가 전환하는 기전을 멜라토닌이 조절함을 시사한다. 광범위한 연구에도 불구하고, 멜라토닌의 작용부위는 알려지지 않았다. 이는 멜라토닌이 생식 호르몬의 분비에 미치는 즉각적인 효과가 없기 때문이다. 그러나, 성적으로 퇴화된 동물들은 생식 호르몬 수준이 낮고 시상하부 내 GnRH 양이 증가한다. 광주기 혹은 멜라토닌 처리가 생식 기능을 억제하는 효과는 GnRH 신경계에 의해 중재됨을 의미한다. 멜라토닌이 GnRH 신경에 미치는 작용 기전이 조사되어야 한다. 멜라토닌 수용체가 클로닝되어, 목적 조직에 미치는 멜라토닌의 작용 기전과 해부학적 위치를 통하여 멜라토닌의 다양하고 잠재적인 능력을 분자수준에서 연구하는데 공헌할 것이다.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.5-8
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• 2002

Photoperiodism is an important adaptive phenomenon in various physiological parameters including reproduction to cope with seasonal changes. Involvement of extraretinal photoreceptors in the photoperiodism in non-mammalian vertebrates has been well established. In addition, circadian clock system is known to be involved in the photoperiodic time measurement. The pathway consists of light-input system, time measurement system (circadian clock), gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) production in the hypothalamus, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) production in the pituitary, and final gonadal development. Recently, several laboratories reported photopigments newly cloned in the pineal, eyes and deep brain in addition to already known visual pigments in the retina. These are pinopsin, parapinopsin, VA-opsin, melanopsin, etc. All these photopigments belong to the opsin family having retinal as the chromophore. However, the function of these photopigments remains unknown. I reviewed the studies on the location of the photopigments by immunocytochemistry. I also discussed the results on the action spectra for induction of gonadal development in relation with the location of the photoreceptors. Various physiologically active substances distribute in the vertebrate brain. Such substances are GnRH, GnIH, neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal peptide, c-Fos, galanin, neurosteroids, etc. I summarized the immunhistochemical studies on the distribution and the photoperiodic changes of these substances and discussed the route from the deep brain photoreceptor to GnRH cells.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.469-475
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• 2013

In mammals, puberty is a process of acquiring reproductive competence, triggering by activation of hypothalamic kisspeptin (KiSS)-gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal circuit. During peripubertal period, not only the external genitalia but the internal reproductive organs have to be matured in response to the hormonal signals from hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (H-P-G) axis. In the present study, we evaluated the maturation of male rat accessory sex organs during the peripubertal period using tissue weight measurement, histological analysis and RT-PCR assay. Male rats were sacrificed at 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 70 postnatal days (PND). The rat accessory sex organs exhibited differential growth patterns compared to those of non-reproductive organs. The growth rate of the accessory sex organs were much higher than the those of non-reproductive organs. Also, the growth spurts occurred differentially even among the accessory sex organs; the order of prepubertal organ growth spurts is testis = epididymis > seminal vesicle = prostate. Histological study revealed that the presence of sperms in seminiferous tubules and epididymal ducts at day 50, indicating the puberty onset. The number of duct and the volume of duct in epididymis and prostate were inversely correlated during the experimental period. Our RT-PCR revealed that the levels of hypothalamic GnRH transcript were increased significantly on PND 40, suggesting the activation of hypothalamic GnRH pulse-generator before puberty onset. Studies on the peripubertal male accessory sex organs will provide useful references on the growth regulation mechanism which is differentially regulated during the period in androgen-sensitive organs. The detailed references will render easier development of endocrine disruption assay.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.267-274
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• 2016

Cichlid fish species exhibit characteristic sexual behaviors according to not only reproductive stages but also social status. In a reproductive season, Astatotilapia burtoni males compete for females and a small number of dominant winners finally obtain the chance of spermiation. In addition to the characteristic behaviors, the dominant males have relatively bigger gonadotropin-releasing hormone 1 (GnRH1) neurons in the preoptic area (POA) of brain compared to those of subordinate males. Although the stimulatory effect of GnRH1 in vertebrate reproduction is well established, little is known about the triggering signal pathway to control GnRH1 neurons and GnRH1-mediated sexual behavior. In the present study, we evaluated the potential effect of TOR inhibitor rapamycin in relation to the cichlid male behaviors and GnRH1 neuron. After 14 h and 26 h of intraventricular injection of rapamycin, behavior patterns of chasing and courtship display did not show significant changes between rapamycin- and DMSO-injected males. Behaviors of spawning site entry increased in rapamycin-injected fish at 26 h post-injection than at 14 h post-injection significantly (P<0.05). Meanwhile, there was a tendency that GnRH1 neurons' soma size in the POA shrank by rapamycin injection, whereas the testes did not show notable changes. Taken together, these results suggest the possible role of TOR signal on GnRH1-mediated sexual behavior in cichlid dominant males, although further biological characterization of the TOR signaling pathway will be required to clarify this matter.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.181-186
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• 2017

With advances in the methods of cancer treatment used in modern medicine, the number of breast cancer survivors has been consistently rising. As the number of women who wish to become pregnant after being diagnosed with breast cancer increases, it is necessary to consider fertility preservation in these patients. However, medical doctors may be unaware of the importance of fertility preservation among cancer patients because most patients do not share their concerns about fertility with their doctors. Considering the time spent choosing and undergoing treatment, an early referral to a reproductive specialist is the best way to prevent a delay in cancer treatment. Since it is not easy to make decisions on matters related to cancer diagnosis and fertility, patients should be provided with enough time for decision-making, and to allow for this, an early referral will provide patients with sufficient time to choose an appropriate method of fertility preservation. The currently available options of fertility preservation for patients with breast cancer include cryopreservation of embryos, oocytes, and ovarian tissue and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment before and during chemotherapy. An appropriate method of fertility preservation must be selected through consultations between individual patients and health professionals and analyses of the pros and cons of different options.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.8-14
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• 2008

스트레스 반응은 위급 상황에서만 활성화 되는 것이 아니라 우리 주변을 둘러싼 모든 사회적, 물리적 환경에 의해 끊임없이 기인된다. 예를 들어 소음, 강한 빛과 열, 주거의 공간 등과 같은 물리적 환경과 타인과의 관계, 부당한 대우, 규칙, 형식과 같은 사회적 관계 이 그것이다. 고려 인삼은 항스트레스 작용을 한다고 알려져 있으나 현재까지 대부분의 연구는 인삼 엑기스 또는 총 사포닌을 투여 시 나타나는 물리화학적인 척도 (수영 시간, 뜨거움에 대한 반응, 포도당 및호르몬 수준 등)를 측정하였으며 뇌에서 ginsenoside의 기능연구는 매우 미흡한 수준이다. 특히 신호전달, 전사체 (transcriptome),proteomics, system biology와 같은 분자생물학적인 방법을 이용한 기전 연구는 전혀 수행된 바 없다. 따라서 인삼의 항 스트레스 반응 기전을 이해하기 위해서는 인삼투여 후 뇌에서 나타나는 분자적 변화에 대한 연구가 앞으로 요구된다. 또한 microarray 등의 분자생물학적 기법을 이용하여 인삼 투여에 의해 반응하는 유전자를 발굴함으로써 이러한 인자들이 인삼 효능 시험 등에 지표로 응용될 수 있을것이다.