• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.15-23
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• 1985

Therapy for anovulation represents one of the more gratifying and successful type of infertility management. Despite the introduction of bromocriptine, human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG), and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), clomiphene citrate remains the mainstay of ovulation induction therapy. There is wide variability in reported rates of ovulation induction (57-91%) and conception (25-43%) following clomiphene therapy. Factors contributing to this variability among different reports are the differences in dosage and duration of therapy, different criteria utilized in selecting patients for clomiphene therapy and different luteal phase parameters of presumptive ovulation. A review of recent experience with clomiphene citrate in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Seoul National University from January, 1983 to May, 1985 yields the following conclusions: 1. Ovulation rate per total patients treated was, 69.0% 2. Pregnancy rate per total patients treated was 31.7%, and that per total patients ovulated was 45.9%. 3. Ovulation rate at the dosage level up to 150 mg/day (50.3-53.8%) was somewhat higher than that at 200 mg/day or more (33.3-34.6%), and pregnancy rate per total patients treated was comparable at each dosage level. 4. Ovulation rate per total patients ovulated at each dosage level, where ovulation and conception occurred, showed a decreasing tendency as the dosage increased, but pregnancy rate per total patients conceived was comparable except at 200 mg/day. 5. Cumulative pregnancy rate per total patients conceived in each ovulatory cycle was 68.9% in 3 cycles, 88.9% in 4 cycles, and 100% in 6 cycles.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.1850-1859
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• 2022

Objective: The quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is the most accurate and reliable technique for analysis of gene expression. Endogenous reference genes (RGs) have been used to normalize qPCR data, although their expression may vary in different tissues and experimental conditions. Verification of the stability of RGs in selected samples is a prerequisite for reliable results. Therefore, we attempted to identify the most stable RGs in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in sows. Methods: The cycle threshold values of nine commonly used RGs (18S, HPRT1, GAPDH, RPL4, PPIA, B2M, YWHAZ, ACTB, and SDHA) from HPG axis-related tissues in the domestic sows in the different stages of estrus cycle were analyzed using two RG-finding programs, geNorm and Normfinder, to rank the stability of the pool of RGs. In addition, the effect of the most and least stable RGs was examined by normalization of the target gene, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), in the hypothalamus. Results: PPIA, HPRT1, and YWHAZ were the most stable RGs in the HPG axis-related tissues in sows regardless of the stages of estrus cycle. In contrast, traditional RGs, including 18S and ACTB, were found to be the least stable under these experimental conditions. In particular, in the normalization of GnRH expression in the hypothalamus against several stable RGs, PPIA, HPRT1, and YWHAZ, could generate significant (p<0.05) elevation of GnRH in the preovulatory phase compared to the luteal phase, but the traditional RGs with the least stability (18S and ACTB) did not show a significant difference between groups. Conclusion: These results indicate the importance of verifying RG stability prior to commencing research and may contribute to experimental design in the field of animal reproductive physiology as reference data.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2008

Stress activates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and subsequently increases the systemic levels of glucocorticoids. It also inhibits the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from hypothalamus. Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng CA Meyer) has been proven as an anti-stress agent. However, most of the anti-stress effects of ginseng on stresses such as immobilization, electronic foot shock, and cold swim, which subsequently cause oxidative damage in brain, were obtained by using ginseng extract or ginseng total saponin. Moreover, anti-stress and anti-oxidative effects of ginseng were demonstrated by determination of enzyme or hormone levels but not mRNA as well as transcriptome. Further studies on transcriptome, proteomics, and systems biology as well as signal transduction would be required to elucidate molecular action mechanisms of ginseng on stresses.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 1999

Objectives: The aims of this study are 1) to determine if GAST is a better indicator in predicting ovarian response to COH compared with patient's age or basal FSH level and 2) to evaluate its role in detecting abnormal ovarian response. Design: Prospective study in 118 patients undergoing IVF-ET using GnRH-a short protocol during May-September 1995. Materials and Methods: After blood sampling for basal FSH and estradiol $(E_2)$ on cycle day two, 0.5ml (0.525mg) GnRH agonist ($Suprefact^{(r)}$, Hoechst) was injected subcutaneously. Serum $E_2$ was measured 24 hours later. Initial $E_2$ difference $({\Delta}E_2)$ was defined as the change in $E_2$ on day 3 over the baseline day 2 value. Sixteen patients with ovarian cyst or single ovary or incorrect blood collection time were excluded from the analysis. The patients were divided into three groups by ${\Delta}E_2$; group A (n=30):${\Delta}E_2$<40 pg/ml, group B (n=52): 40 pg/ml${\leq}{\Delta}E_2$<100 pg/ml, group C (n=20): ${\Delta}E_2{\leq}100$ pg/ml. COH was done by GnRH agonist/HMG/hCG and IVF-ET was followed. Ratio of $E_2$ on day of hCG injection over the number of ampules of gonadotropins used ($E_2hCGday$/Amp) was regarded as ovarian responsiveness. Poor ovarian response and overstimulation were defined as $E_2$ hCGday less than 600 pg/ml and greater than 5000 pg/ml, respectively. Results: Mean age $({\pm}SEM)$ in group A, B and C were $33.7{\pm}0.8^*,\;31.5{\pm}0.6\;and\;30.6{\pm}0.5^*$, respectively ($^*$: p<0.05). Mean basal FSH level of group $A(11.1{\pm}1.1mlU/ml)$ was significantly higher than those of $B(7.4{\pm}0.2mIU/ml)$ and C $(6.8{\pm}0.4mIU/ml)$ (p<0.001). Mean $E_2hCGday$ of group A was significantly lower than those of group B or C, i.e., $1402.1{\pm}187.7pg/ml,\;3153.2{\pm}240.0pg/ml,\;4078.8{\pm}306.4pg/ml$ respectively (p<0.0001). The number of ampules of gonadotropins used in group A was significantly greater than those in group B or C: $38.6{\pm}2.3,\;24.2{\pm}1.1\;and\;18.5{\pm}1.0$ (p<0.0001). The number of oocytes retrieved in group A was significantly smaller than those in group B or C: $6.4{\pm}1.1,\;15.5{\pm}1.1\;and\;18.6{\pm}1.6$, respectively (p<0.0001). By stepwise multiple regression, only ${\Delta}E_2$ showed a significant correlation (r=0.68, p<0.0001) with $E_2HCGday$/Amp, while age or basal FSH level were not significant. Likewise, only ${\Delta}E_2$ correlated significantly with the number of oocytes retrieved (r=0.57, p<0.001). All four patients whose COH was canceled due to poor ovarian response belonged to group A only (Fisher's exact test, p<0.01). Whereas none of 30 patients in group A (0%) had overstimulation, 14 patients among 72 patients (19.4%) in group B and C had overstimulation (Fisher's exact test, p<0.01). Conclusions: These data suggest that initial $E_2$ difference after GAST may be a better prognostic indicator of ovarian response to COH than age or basal FSH level. Since initial $E_2$ difference demonstrates significant association with abnormal ovarian response such as poor ovarian response necessitating cycle cancellation or overstimulation, GAST may be helpful in monitoring and consultation of patients during COH in IVF-ET cycle.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.143-151
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• 1997

The present study was designed to investigate if antithyroid antibodies (ATA) could affect the pregnancy outcome in euthyroid women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). From October 1995 to September 1996, 28 euthyroid women with ATA who underwent IVF-ET were studied. Fifty-one euthyroid women without ATA who underwent IVF-ET served as control. Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOA) and thyroglobulin antibody (TGA) were assayed using radio ligand assay kits as ATA. All patients included in study and control groups had only tubal factor in infertility. Long protocol of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) was used for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) in all patients. There were no significant differences between study and control groups in patient characteristics such as age, infertility duration and hormonal profile. There were also no significant differences between two groups with respect to the clinical response to COH and IVF results such as number of retrieved oocytes, fertilization rate, number of embryos frozen and number of embryos transfered. There were no correlations between ATA (TPOA and TGA) titers and fertilization rate. The clinical pregnancy rate per cycle seemed to be lower in the study group than in the control group (26.3% vs 39.3%), but the difference was not statistically significant. The biochemical pregnancy rate per cycle and miscarriage rate were significantly higher in the study group at 18.4% (7/38) and 40.0% (4/10) compared with 5.6% (5/89) and 11.4% (4/35) in the control group. In the study group, both TPOA and TGA titers were significantly higher in the biochemical pregnancy group than in the clinical pregnancy group or non-pregnancy group. In 10 women with ATA who achieved pregnancy following IVF-ET, both TPOA and TGA titers were significantly higher in the miscarriage group than in the ongoing or delivery group. In conclusion, euthyroid women with ATA appear to represent a less favorable subset within other tubal factor patients when treated with IVF-ET.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.759-766
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• 2023

Visual estrus observation can only be confirmed at a rate of 50%-60%, which is lower than that obtained using a biosensor. Thus, the use of biosensors provides more opportunities for artificial insemination because it is easier to confirm estrus than by visual observation. This study determines the accuracy of estrus prediction using a ruminoreticular biosensor by analyzing ruminoreticular temperature during the estrus cycle and measuring changes in body activity. One hundred and twenty-five Hanwoo cows (64 with a ruminal biosensor in the test group and 61 without biosensors in the control group) were studied. Ruminoreticular temperatures and body activities were measured every 10 min. The first service of artificial insemination used gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-based fixed-time artificial insemination protocol in the control and test groups. The test group received artificial insemination based on the estrus prediction made by the biosensor, and the control group received artificial insemination according to visual estrus observation. Before artificial insemination, the ruminoreticular temperature was maintained at an average of 38.95 ± 0.05℃ for 13 h (-21 to -9 h), 0.73℃ higher than the average temperature observed at -48 h (38.22 ± 0.06℃). The body activity, measured using an indwelling 3-axis accelerometer, averaged 1502.57 ± 27.35 for approximately 21 h from -4 to -24 h before artificial insemination, showing 203 indexes higher body activity than -48 hours (1299 ± 9.72). Therefore, using an information and communication techonology (ICT)-based biosensor is highly effective because it can reduce the reproductive cost of a farm by accurately detecting estrus and increasing the rate of estrus confirmation in cattle.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.55-59
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• 2000

A specific and sensitive sandwich enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) using Avidin-Biotin complex was developed for the measurement of GTH II levels in pituitary content and pituitary cell culture medium of the rainbow trout-(Oncorhpchus mykiss). Biotin-salmon GTH II rabbit IgG (sefondary antibody) wai purified by a protein A sepharose affinity chromatography column and that was biotinylated by using Biotin-N-hydroxysuccinimide ofter (BNHS). Non-biotin salmon GTH II rabbit IgG (first antibody) was obtained only through a protein A sepharose affinity chromatography column. The assay was performed by the so-called 'sandwich' method using a microtiter plate, A dose-response curve was obtained between $0.12 to 125 ng/ml$ of salmon GTH II. The displacement curves for pituitary extraction and pituitary cell culture medium of testosterone-treated rainbow trout were Parallel to the standard curie. The intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CV) were $8.2{\%} (N=5) and 12.5{\%} (N=6)$, respectively, This assay system was used to measure the amount of GTH II that accumulated in the culture medium of dispersed pituitary cells in testosterone-treated immature rainbow trout, The accumulation was increased with the amount or salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone. GTH II values determined by the present method were well correlated with those determined by radioimmunoassay. As a result, this assay system was found to be suitable for the measurement of GTH II for pituitary extraction and pituitary culture medium in many salmonid fishes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2017

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the changes of follicular fluid (FF) and serum levels of cerebellin precursor protein 1 (cbln1) and betatrophin in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol. Methods: Twenty infertile women with PCOS and 20 control women diagnosed as poor responders undergoing ovarian stimulation with a GnRH antagonist were included. Blood samples were obtained during ovum pick-up. Follicular fluid from a dominant follicle was collected from the subjects. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, FF and serum levels of cbln1 and betatrophin were measured in both groups of participants. Metabolic and hormonal parameters were also determined and correlated with each other. Results: Both groups of women had similar serum and FF betatrophin levels ($55.0{\pm}8.9ng/mL$ vs. $53.1{\pm}10.3ng/mL$, p=0.11). The serum and FF betatrophin levels of poor responders were found to be similar ($49.9{\pm}5.9ng/mL$ vs. $48.9{\pm}10.7ng/mL$, p=0.22). Conversely, the FF cbln1 levels of PCOS women were found to be significantly higher than the serum cbln1 levels ($589.1{\pm}147.6ng/L$ vs. $531.7{\pm}74.3ng/L$, p<0.02). The FF cbln1 levels of control participants without PCOS were significantly higher than their serum cbln1 levels ($599.3{\pm}211.5ng/L$ vs. $525.3{\pm}87.0ng/L$, p=0.01). Positive correlations were detected among body mass index, insulin resistance, serum insulin, total testosterone, and betatrophin levels in the PCOS group. Conclusion: Follicular fluid betatrophin and cbln1 concentrations may play a pivotal role on follicular growth in PCOS subjects undergoing IVF/ICSI with an antagonist protocol.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.355-362
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• 1999

Objective: This study was performed to compare the clinical response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) according to the size of baseline ovarian cyst. Method: From February 1992 to March 1999, a retrospective analysis was done of 272 cases who underwent COH using mid-luteal phase long protocol of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) for IVF-ET. These cases were divided into four group; group 1 (n=63) had cysts with mean diameters between 20.0 and 29.0 mm on their baseline ultrasound on cycle day 3, group 2 (n=57, $30.0{\sim}49.0mm$), group 3 (n=68, >50.0 mm) and control group (n=84). Cases were excluded according to the following criteria; pure male factor infertility, the presence of only one ovary, high CA-125 level and previous endometriosis. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between cases with baseline ovarian cyst <50.0 mm in diameter and control group in any of the parameters. However, cases with baseline ovarian cyst>50.0 mm in mean diameter needed more amount of human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), showed significantly lower estradiol ($E_2$) level, the number of follicle >15.0 mm on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration, the number of oocytes retrieved, the number of mature oocytes, and pregnancy rate compared with control group. Conclusion: This study suggests that cases with baseline ovarian cyst <50.0 mm in diameter do not adversely impact on IVF-ET outcome. However, cases with baseline ovarian cyst >50.0 mm in diameter had adverse effects on various parameters. Therefore, to improve the outcome of IVF-ET in these cases, ovarian cyst aspiration prior to initiating COH may be required.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.135-141
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• 1997

The early studies demonstrated that the relative amount of FSH was important for stimulating normal ovarian activity and demonstrated the existence of a threshold level for FSH, above which follicular growth was activated. It was found that only a modest increase in circulating FSH level above the threshold (between 10 and 30%) was required to stimulate folliculogenesis. In addition, FSH is primary responsible for initiating estradiol production through the activation of the aromatase enzyme system in granulosa cells, follicular secretion and growth. LH on the other hand, plays a supportive role in ovarian steroidogenesis, stimulating the ovarian thecal cells to produce androgen, the precursor for estradiol synthesis. But there is now an increasing number of reports in the literature demonstrating an adverse effect of LH on fertility and miscarriage in infertile and fertile women. So HP-FSH is the drug of a highly purified FSH preparation which has a higher specific activity and far fewer impurities than FSH. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HP-FSH administered (SC; subcutaneous) versus FSH(IM; intramuscular) for ovulation induction. 20 candidates patients for ovulation induction were participated. All patients underwent pituitary desensitizing with a long gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist protocol and ovulation induction was started with HP-FSH SC (10 patients; group I) or FSH IM (10 patients; group II). After ovulation, outcome of ovulation induction and local reaction of injection site were compared. There were no difference of outcome of ovulation in two groups except pregnancy rate/embryo transfer. Group I had a higher pregnancy rate/ embryo transfer than Group II (44.4% Vs 28.6%). Pain, redness, tenderness, bruising and itching when the injection received on the first 5 days of treated (50 SC and 50 IM injections) were assessed. There were no significant difference (P>0.05) in the incidence of tenderness, bruising and itching between the IM and SC injection. But IM injection (FSH) had a tendency of higher above incidence. The number of reports of pain, redness were significantly increased in IM injection group (P<0.05). These results indicate that SC administration of HP-FSH has been shown to be as effect for superovulation as traditional gonadotropins, with an improved safety profile due to the removal of extaneous proteins.