• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.276-282
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• 1993

This study has been undertaken to examine the effect of 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) on rat uterine growth and to understand the mechanism of action of 3MC in rat uterus. After diethylstilbesterol(DES) or tamoxifen(TAM) or 3MC or DES plus TAM or DES plus 3MC was administered into immature female rats, uterine weight over corn oil-treated uteri. 3MC treatment had no effect on uterine weight but, DES stimulated uterine weight was inhibited by 3MC concomitant tratment. While TAM alone treatment showed slight increase in uterine wieght, inhibited uterine growth simulated by DES when it was adiministrated with DES condirect binding assay with $[^3H]$ estradiol and the relative binding affinities of 3MC and TAM were estimated by competetion assy. Estradiol tumed out to have high affinity for rat uterine estrogen receptor (kd = 0.4 nM). The relative binding affinities of TAM and 3MC were 1% and 4.7% that of DES for rat uterine estrogen receptor, respectively. 3MC was shown to have similar affinity for eat uterine estrogen receptor to that of TAM. Effects of DES 3MC and TAM administration in vivo on rat uterine estrogen recptor level were examined. It was confirmed that the estrogen, DES and antiestrogen, TAM decreased estrogen receptor levels from rat ulterus and also 3MC decreased rat uterine estrogen receptor level when rats were treated with DES, TAM and 3MC in vivo. Data indicates that 3MC acts as an antiestrogen mediated through estrogen receptor system.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.179-185
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• 2011

Some phytoestrogens in soy and red wine, for example, might have beneficiary rather than adverse effects. In particular, dietary soy intake seems to be highly correlated with protection of breast cancer, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disorders. However, questions persist on the potential adverse effects of the main soy constituent genistein (GS) on female reproductive physiology. Previously we found that prepubertal exposure to GS could activate the reproductive system of immature female rats leading to precocious puberty onset, and intracerebroventricularly (ICV) injected GS could directly activate hypothalamic kisspeptin-GnRH neuronal circuits in adult female rats. The present study was performed to examine the hypothalamus-specific GS effects in prepubertal female rats and which subtype of estrogen receptor is mediated in this GS effect. Prepubertal female rats (PND 30) were anaesthetized, treated with single dose of GS (3.4 ${\mu}g$/animal), and sacrificed at 2 hrs post-injection. To determine the transcriptional changes of reproductive hormone-related genes in hypothalamus, total RNAs were extracted and applied to the semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). ICV infusion of GS significantly lowered the transcriptional activities of mTOR (1:$0.361{\pm}0.058$ AU, p<0.001) but increased that of GAD67 (1:$1.285{\pm}0.099$ AU, p<0.05), which are known to act as an upstream modulator of kisspeptin and GnRH neuronal activities in the hypothalamus, respectively. GS administration enhanced significantly the mRNA levels of KiSS-1(1:$1.458{\pm}0.078$ AU, p<0.001), and exerted no effect on the mRNA level of kisspeptin receptor GPR-54 (1:$1.29{\pm}0.08$ AU). GnRH gene expression was significantly decreased in GS-treated group compared to control group (1:$0.379{\pm}0.196$ AU, p<0.05). There was no difference in the mRNA level of $ER{\alpha}$ in the GS-treated group compare to control group (1:$1.180{\pm}0.390$ AU, Fig. 3A). However, icv infusion of GS significantly increased the transcriptional activities of $ER{\beta}$ (1:$4.209{\pm}0.796$ AU, p<0.01, Fig. 3B). Taken together, the present study indicated that the acute exposure to GS could directly alter the hypothalamic GnRH modulating system in prepubertal female rats. Our study strongly suggested the involvement of $ER{\beta}$ pathway in GS's hypothalamus-specific action, and this idea is consistent with the GS's well-known $ER{\beta}$-mediated protective action in breast cancer.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.36-46
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• 1987

The present work was designed to understand the mechanism of superovuiation and the cause of early embryo loss and Implantation failure in the superovulating immature female rats which were elaborated by a pituitary gland transplantation. A pituitary gland obtained from the orchidectomized rats was transplanted under the right kidney capsule of 28 day old female rats (PGT group) on the starting day of experiment which was designated as Day 2. The grafted pituitary glands were removed at 6h (RPGT 6h group), 12h (RPGT 12hgroup) and 24h (RPGT 24h group) after the transplantation. Control rats were treated with 41U PMSG on Day 2 (PMSG group). The estrous cycle and the levels of plasma progesterone and estradiol-17$\beta$ were observed on Day 0, Day 5, respectively. The implantation sites, the weights of ovary and uterus, and the number of corpora lutea were examined in all group on Day 8. The resuft obtained were summarized as follows: 1. The percentages of the number of the rats in proestrus and estrus were 93.0%, 82.6%, 0%, 90.7% and 89.5% in PMSG, PGT, RPGT6h, RPGT12h and RPGT24h group, respectively. The synchronization of estrus cycle was dchieved in all groups. 2. The mating rates of each group were 80.2, 75.0, 0, 56.4, 57.8% in PMSG, PGT, RPGT6h, RPGT12h, RPGT24h group, respectively. 3. The numbers of copora lutea on Day 8 were 47.1 i 4.9, 18.1 $\pm$0.5, 14.1 i 0.3 and 8.9 $\pm$ 0.3 in PGT, RPGT24h, RPGTl2h and PMSG group, respectively. There were signIficantly difference between all groups (P<0.05). 4. The numbers of implantation sites (18.1 +- 4.0) in PGT group on Day 8 were higher than those of PMSG (8.5 $\pm$ 2.5), RPGT 12h (9.8 i 0.2) and RPGT 24h group (10.8 i 0.2) (P<0.05). 5. The ovarlan weights in PGT (95.2 $\pm$ 14.3mgIlOOg BW), RPGT 12h (51.7 $\pm$ 0.6mgIlOOg BW), and RPGT24h (57.9 $\pm$ 0.9mg/l00g 8W) groups were significantly higher than those of PMSG group (30.4 $\pm$7.4mg/l00g BW) (P<0.05). 6. The uterine weights in PMSG (672.4 $\pm$ 4.7mg/l00g 8W), and PGT (660.7 $\pm$7.8mg/l00g BW) groupswere greater than those of RPGT 12h (403.0 $\pm$ 1.lmg/lOOg BW) and RPGT 24h (490.1 $\pm$ 0.9mg/l00g BW) group (P<0.05). 7. The plasma progesterone levels in PGT groups (15 lng/ml) on Day 5 were higher than those of PMSG (83ng/ml), RPGT 12h (S7ng/ml), RPGT24h (8lng/ml) group (P<0.05). 8. The plasma estradiol-17$\beta$ levels in PMSG group (lBSpg/ml) on Day S were higher than those of RPGT 24h (l3pg/ml) group (P<0.05). But estradiol-17$\beta$ levels in PGT and RPGT 12h group were too low to discuss.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.333-340
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• 2024

Background: Korean red ginseng (KRG) is a product from ginseng roots, which is enriched with ginsenosides and has been utilized for a long time as an adaptogen to alleviate various physiological or disease conditions. While KRG is generally considered safe, conducting a thorough toxicological assessment of the spray-dried powder G1899 during the juvenile period is essential to establish its safety profile. This study aimed to assess the safety of G1899 during the juvenile period using Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: Two studies were conducted separately: a juvenile toxicity study and a uterotrophic bioassay. To assess the potential toxicity at systemic, postnatal developmental, and reproductive levels, G1899 was orally gavaged once a day in post-weaning juvenile Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 0, 1250, 2500, or 5000 mg/kg/day. Estrogenicity was assessed by orally gavaging G1899 in immature female SD rats at 0, 2500, or 5000 mg/kg/day on postnatal days (PND) 19-21, followed by a uterotrophic bioassay. These studies were conducted in accordance with the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations and regulatory test guidelines. Results: Regarding juvenile toxicity, no abnormalities related to the G1899 treatment were observed in any group during the experiment. Moreover, no uterotrophic responses were observed in the dosed female group. Based on these results, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of G1899 was determined to be at least 5000 mg/kg/day for general systemic function, developmental/reproductive function, and estrogenic activity. Conclusion: Our results suggest that G1899 is not toxic to juveniles at doses of up to 5000 mg/kg/day.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.97-105
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• 2008

Vinclozolin (VCZ) is a systemic fungicide commonly used in fruits, vegetables and the wine industry. VCZ and its metabolites, butenoic acid (M1) and enanilide (M2) derivatives, act as anti-androgens through actions on the androgen receptor. Although there is growing body of evidence that VCZ's action as an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) in male reproductive physiology and pathphysiology, no evidence on the VCZ's EDC action in female is available yet. Previously we found that the prepubertal VCZ exposures could effectively delay the onset of puberty in female rats, suggesting the postponed or weakened activities of hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary (H-P-O) reproductive hormonal axis. The present study was performed to examine whether the VCZ administration affects the transcriptional activities of reproductive hormone-related genes in the same animal model. VCZ (10 mg/kg/day) was administered daily from postnatal day 21 (PND 21) through the day when the first vaginal opening (V.O.) was observed. To determine the transcriptional changes of reproductive hormone-related genes in hypothalamus and pituitary, total RNAs were extracted and applied to the semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). As a result, treatment with VCZ significantly lowered the transcriptional activity of nitric oxide synthase-2 (NOS-2) which is known to adjust gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion in the hypothalamus (p<0.01). Similarly, the mRNA levels of KiSS-1, G protein-coupled receptor 54 (GPR54) and GnRH were significantly decreased in hypothalamus (p<0.01) from VCZ-treated group. As expected, the transcriptional activities of luteinizing hormone-${\beta}$ (LH-${\beta}$) and follicle stimulating hormone-${\beta}$ (FSH-${\beta}$) in the anterior pituitary from VCZ-treated group were also significantly lower than those from the control group. The present study indicates that(i) the inhibitory effect of VCZ exposure on the onset of puberty in immature female rats could be derived from the reduced transcriptional activities of gonadotropin subunits and their upstream modulators such as GnRH and KiSS-1 in hypothalamus-pituitary neuroendocrine axis, and (ii) these inhibitory effects could be mediated by NO signaling pathway.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 1985

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of unilateral ovariectomy on the weight of the remaining ovary, the change of number of ovarian follicle, number of corpus luteum and serum progesterone level. Sixty Sprague-Dawley female rats, 23$\pm$2 days old, were divided into 2 groups (control and unilaterally ovariectomized goup) with 30 heads per groups. Each group was again subdivided into 6 groups according to 6 experimental periods; Day 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 after uniteral ovariectomy. Five arts at every 4 day intervals were sacrificed for the measuring of ovarian weight and for quantitative histologic examination of ovary and at the same time, blood samples were taken for the determination of serum progesterone level of radioimmunoassy. The results obtained were as follows: During the experimental periods, a significant hypertrophy occured in the remaining ovary of unilaterally ovariectomized group from day 16 after operation. The average ovarian weight of control group at day 16 was 21.0$\pm$1.7mg, which is samller than that of unilaterally ovariectomized group weighing 50.5$\pm$8.4mg(P<0.01). The ovarian weight of the unilaterally ovariectomized rats at day 20 and day 24 was 75.9$\pm$2.2 mg and 63.3$\pm$7.0 mg, which is heavier than those of control group; 29.1$\pm$2.3 and 26.3$\pm$1.7 mg(P<0.01 and P<0.01). 2. A same degree of ovarian follicle development was observed in the unilaterally ovariectomized group. Following unilateral ovariectomy and there was no change in total number of follicles larger than 130$\mu$ during the period from day 4 till day 24 after operation. 3. Although the size fo ovarian follicle did not significantly change between two groups from day 4 till day 16, the size of vesicular follicle in unilaterally ovariectomized group (406.3$\pm$26.2$\mu$) was significantly greater as compared to that of control group (323.8$\pm$19.3$\mu$)(P<0.05). 4. Corpus luteum in unilaterally ovariectomized and control group began to a, pp.ar from day 16 after operation and then the number of corpus luteum slightly increased. The number of corpus luteum in unilaterally ovariectomized group at day 24 ws remarkably increased (13.7$\pm$1.41) than that of control (5.2$\pm$2.01)(P<0.01). 5. Serum progesterone levels in unilaterally ovariectomized group were slightly higher than those of control but there were no significant difference between treatment groups.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.341-348
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• 2011

Sloan-Kettering virus gene product of a cellular protooncogene c-Ski is an unique nuclear pro-oncoprotein and belongs to the Ski/Sno proto-oncogene family. Ski plays multiple roles in a variety of cell types, it can induce both oncogenic transformation and terminal muscle differentiation when expressed at high levels. The aim of the present study was to locate Ski protein in rat ovaries in order to predict the possible involvement of Ski in follicular development and atresia. First, expression of c-Ski mRNA in the ovaries of adult female rats was confirmed by RT-PCR. Then, ovaries obtained on the day of estrus were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for Ski and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in combination with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL). Ski was expressed in granulosa cells that were positive for TUNEL, but negative for PCNA, regardless of the shape and size of follicles. Expression of Ski in TUNEL-positive granulosa cells, but not in PCNA-positive granulosa cells, was also verified in immature hypophysectomized rats having a single generation of developing and atretic follicles by treatment with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). These results indicate that Ski is profoundly expressed in the granulosa cells of atretic follicles, but not in growing follicles, and suggest that Ski plays a role in apoptosis of granulosa cells during follicular atresia.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.57-69
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• 2003

It is well known that many pesticides possess hormonal activity, and affect the developments of wildlife and mammals including human. Currently, pyrethroid insecticides are in worldwide use to control in and outdoor pests, providing potential far environmental exposure. Hormonal activities of these pyrethroid insecticides, however, have been little studied, and the developmental effects of them were no reported. Therefore, we firstly examined the potential estrogenic activities of some pyrethroid insecticides (permethrin, cypermethrin, tetramethrin, deltamethrin, sumithrin, fenvalerate and bioallethrin) by immature rat uterotrophic assay, luciferase reporter gene assay and Calbindin-D$\sub$9k/ (CaBP-9k) gene expression assay. Uterine wet weights were increased by permethrin and the permethrin-induced weights were inhibited by ICI 182780 in the uterolrophic assay. On the other hand tetramethrin significantly reduced uterine and vaginal wet weights, and also inhibited the E2-induced weight increases at all doses tested. Cypermethrin and sumithrin had a tendency to increase uterine weights, although not statistically significant. Permethrin and cypermethrin dose-dependently increased the luciferase activity in reporter gene assay. Northern blot analysis showed that permethrin induced CaBP-9k mRNA expression whereas tetramethrin inhibted. Subsequent studies were conducted to investigate the possible developmental effects of four pyrethroid insecricides (permethrin, cypermethrin, sumithrin and teramethrin). Either diethlbestrol (DES) or 17${\beta}$ -estradiol (E2) was used as a reference control in this study. Pyrethroid insecticides were administered to Sprague Dawley rats via subcutaneous injection at 6 to 18 days of gestation or 1 to 5 days after birth. In utero treatment of permethrin (10mg/kg/day) in female rat resulted in significant increases in uterine and ovarian weights while significant decreases in serum E2 concentration, uterine and ovarian ER${\alpha}$ mRNA levels. Sumithrin and permethrin led to acceleration in vaginal opening of female rat, while delay in preputial separation of male after neonatal treatment. Anogenital distances of PND 18 were significantly reduced in sumthrin-treated, and permerhrin-treated male rats after neonatal treatment. All the pyrethroid insecticides tested caused significant increases in uterine weights on PND 18, while significant reductions in the first diestrus phase when neonataly treated. In addition, exposure to pyrethroids in neonatal period led to significant reduction in relative brain weight in female rat on PND 18, but its weight was recovered in diestrus phase. In summary, Our experimental data demonstrate the possibilities of developmental effects of pyrethroid insecticides via estrogenic or antiestrogenic activity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.735-744
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• 1994

Catheters were placed into the external jugular veins of immature female rats. On the following day (day 28 of age), the animals were injected subcutaneously with pregnant mare serm gonadotropin(PMSG): 4IU(control) or 20IU(superovulation). Each animal was sequentially bled at Ohr and 12hr and subsequently at 6hr intervals until sacrifice at 72hr after PMSG. The superovulatory dose of PMSG significantly(P<0.05) increased the ovulatory response by 4.0 fold above controls. On the other hand, superovulated oocytes displayed considerably different stages of meiotic maturation: prophase I (14.7%), anaphase I (36.2%), telophase I (10.3%), metaphase I/II (32.4%), while in control rats a majority of the oocytes examined(94.0%) consistently showed a metaphase II configuration. Serum luteinizing hormone(LH) levels were determined by RIA. Both groups exhibited a similar time relationship with two distinct peaks: an initial slight rise at 0-18hr and a second sharp rise at 54-60hr. However, there was a marked change in the magnitude of LH levels between the two groups. In superovulated animals, prior to the second peak, overall LH levels were significantly(P<0.001) higher than controls. In contrast, at the peak occurring at 60hr, LH concentrations were significantly(P<0.001) reduced by 54% below that of control. Additionally, a maximum increase of mean ${\Delta}LH$ between two peaks was much less in superovulated as compared to control rats. The initial prolonged elevation of serum LH before 54hr in superovulated rats was found to result from actual cross-reaction of the injected PMSG with LH antibody in the assay, while a precipitous second elevation between 54hr and 60hr resulted primarily from an endogenous LH surge. This study clearly defines time-course features of serum LH in PMSG-treated rats. The overall results indicate that, following superovulatory treatment with PMSG, the increased ovulatory response is primarily associated with PMSG-derived intrinsic gonadotropin, and that the recovery of immature or asynchronously mature oocytes at ovulation may reult from the circulatory alteration of LH activity characterized by an initial prolonged elevation of serum LH and its subsequent attenuation.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.173-178
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• 1998

Leptin, the product of the obese gene, is produced by adipose tissue and is known to be a hormone concerned with regulation of appetite and metabolism. Recent reports have shown that leptin is associated not only with obesity but also with female reproduction, but it has not yet been ascertained whether leptin acts directly on the ovaries or indirectly via the hypothalamus or pituitary pathway. The object of this study is to determine the expression of leptin and its receptor in the ovaries of 3 and 8 weeks old rats by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. In the ovaries of 3 and 8 weeks old rats, leptin was stained in the theca cells and portions of granulosa cells of atretic follicles, whereas leptin receptors was stained in interstitial cells and ova of preantral follicles. The RT-PCR results showed that leptin receptor mRNA was expressed in the ovaries of both immature and adult rats, while leptin mRNA was not. In conclusion, leptin mRNA was not expressed in the ovaries, however, leptin was detected by immunohistochemistry. Compared to leptin itself, leptin receptors in the ovaries were ascertained by both RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. These results suggest that leptin is related to the regulation of the physiological functions of the ovaries.