• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.148-155
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• 1988

Holstein cows being raised in the Kangweon district were examined on the breeding status and occurrence of reproductive disorder. The results obtained were as follows; 1. The cows above six years old in the alpine area were raised more than those in high level zone and plate zone. 2. A total of 1,350 Holstein cows were examined on the breeding status. They were 71.9% conceived cows, 7.9% of uncertain1$\frac{1}{2}$ regnancy, 7.0 of physiological vacancy and 13.3 of reproductive disorder. 3. The percentage of cows conceived by 1, 2, 3 and more than 4 times of A.I. was 49.9, 29.2, 13.3 and 7.6, respectively. 4. In the nutritional condition of infertile coes, excellent, good, fair and poor were 6.7, 30.2, 34.1 and 29.1, respectively. In the good and fair nutritional condition, the cows of ovarian syndrome were 15.6% of persistent corpus luteum, and 11.7% of follicular cystic ovary and lutein cystic ovary, respectively. 5. Among 179 inferTile cows, distributions of reproductive disorder were 43.0, 39.1, 3.9, 3.9 and 10.1% in ovary, uterus vagina, oviduct and others, respectively. Ovary showed higher percentage than any other reproductive organs. Among the ovarian syndromes, follicular cystic ovary, lutein cystic ovary and persistent corpus luteum were 28.6, 28.6 and 23.4%, respectively. 6. A cow group of six and seven-year old showed the highest percentage(21.0% and 23.3%) among the age groups in infertile cows. In the syndrome of reproductive disorder, catarrhal endometritis, latent endometritis, follicular cystic ovary and lutein cystic ovary were 14.5, 14.0, 12.3 and 12.3%, respectively. 7. Infertile cows with complex syndrome of genital disease was 31.8%.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.135-139
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• 2003

Objective: We investigated whether serum testosterone to estradiol ratio was decreased in infertile men and whether this condition can be corrected with oral aromatase inhibitor. Method: The serum testosterone to estradiol ratio of 26 men with testicular failure were compared with those of normal semen analysis parameter, 89 control reference group. All of 26 testicular failure group were diagnosed with the previous testicular biopsy. Then 46 men with oligospermia and/or asthenospermia were selected and treated with 1 mg of the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole ($Arimidex^{(R)}$) orally once daily for 3 months. Testosterone to estradiol ratio and semen analyses were evaluated during anastrozole therapy. Results: The testosterone level of testicular failure group was significantly lower and the testosterone to estradiol ratio was more decreased than normal semen parameter group. Forty six on-anastrozole group had significantly lower testosterone (4.6 versus 5.7 ng/ml, p<0.01) and higher estradiol (15.9 versus 23.4 pg/ml, p<0.01) than pre-anastrozole group, resulting in a decreased testosterone to estradiol ratio ($0.21{\pm}0.07$ versus $0.39{\pm}0.15$, p<0.01). Semen analyses before and during anastrozole treatment revealed significant increases in sperm count (35.5 versus 52.2 million sperm per ml, p<0.01) and motility (22.9% versus 29.3%, p<0.01). Conclusions: We identified infertile men with testicular failure had hormonal changes characterized by a decreased serum testosterone to estradiol ratio. The ratio can be corrected with aromatase inhibitor, resulting in a significant improvement in semen parameters.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.81-91
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• 1989

It has been suggested that the prognosis for fertility of the infertile patients with healed pelvic tuberculosis is very poor. Total 60 patients(77 cycles) with previous history of pelvic tuberculosis who underwent IVF-ET from January 1988 to March 1989 at SNUH were classified into three groups according to the principal histopathological lesions : tuberculous endometritis group(N=20, 28 cycles), tuberculous salpingitis group(N=32, 37 cycles) and pelvic peritoneal tuberculosis group(N=8, 12 cycles). To evaluate the effects of previous pelvic tuberculous lesions on ovarian follicular growth and development in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF-ET and its final outcome, serum E2 levels on the day of hCG administration(Day 0) and the day after hCG administration(Day +1), the number of ovarian follicles with mean diamete ${\geqq}$ 12 mm on Day 0, the number of oocytes retrieved by transvaginal aspiration, and pregnancy rate per cycle were measured and compared with control group(N=123, 161 cycles). There were no significant differences in cancellation rate during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, total dosage of FSH and hMG administrated, menstrual cycle date(MCD) of hCG injection, serum E2 levels, the number of ovarian follicles with mean diameter ${\geqq}$ 15 mm, and the number of oocytes retrieved between pelvic tuberculosis group and control group. But in pelvic tuberculosis group, the number of ovarian follicles with mean diameter 12-14 mm, total number of ovarian follicles(${\geqq}$ 12 mm), and pregnancy rate per cycle were significantly decreased. These data suggest that previous pelvic tuberculous lesions have no significant adverse effects on the ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation. IVF-ET proved to be an useful treatment modality for infertile patients with previous history of pelvic tuberculosis in spite of its relatively lowered pregnancy rate.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.136-142
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• 2015

Objective: Smoking has been reported to harm nearly every organ of the body, but conflicting results have been reported regarding the effects of smoking on assisted conception. In this prospective cohort study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of positive urinary cotinine tests in infertile couples and whether cotinine positivity was associated with infertility treatment outcomes. Methods: A qualitative urinary cotinine test was administered to 127 couples who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF, n=92) or intrauterine insemination (IUI, n=35). Results: The overall prevalence of positive urinary cotinine test was 43.3% (55/127) in the male partners and 10.2% (13/127) in the female partners with similar prevalence rates in both genders in the IUI and IVF groups. Semen characteristics, serum markers of ovarian reserve, and number of retrieved oocytes were comparable among cotinine-positive and cotinine-negative men or women (with the exception of sperm count, which was higher among cotinine-positive men). The results of urinary cotinine tests in infertile couples were not associated with IVF and IUI outcomes. Conclusion: The presence of cotinine in the system, as indicated by a positive urinary cotinine test, was not associated with poorer outcomes of infertility treatment.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.179-189
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing depression of participants in the National Supporting Program for Infertile Couples (NSPI) who received a treatment of IVF (in vitro fertilization) or IUI (intra-uterine insemination). Methods: Using the 2013 NSPI Satisfaction On-line Survey data, secondary data analyses were conducted on 830 cases of IVF and 706 cases of IUI. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, ${\chi}^2$ test, and logistic regression were performed using SPSS/WIN 21.0. Results: Logistic regression analysis showed that non-pregnancy status (OR=3.05), unexplained infertility (OR=4.29), relationship trouble with spouse (OR=3.57), and relationship trouble with the in-law family (OR=2.78) were significant factors predicting the depression level in the IUI treatment group. Non-pregnancy status (OR=5.28), childlessness (OR=1.92), financial support helpful hardly or not at all (OR=2.63), relationship trouble with spouse (OR=3.28), relationship trouble with the in-law family (OR=2.83), and unemployment (OR=1.60) were significant factors in the IVF treatment group. Conclusion: To reduce infertile women's depression, adequate attention and care need to be paid to these psychological symptoms. It is suggested to develop counseling and couple-therapy along with methods to enhance social support (including that from the in-law's family).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.311-318
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• 1996

Mycoplasmas have long been suspected of contributing to involuntary infertility in couples. However considerable disagreement exits concerning the role of genital mycoplasma infection in human infertility. Several investigators have noted abnormalities in the semen analysis of men with positive mycoplasma cultures, and early epidemiologic studies indicated that Ureaplasma urealyticum was linked to human reproductive failure on the basis of higher frequencies of isolation from infertile versus fertile couples and successful pregnancies in infertile couples after doxycycline therapy. However, subsequent investigators have questioned these findings because there are many studies in which treatment for mycoplasma in the male or female did not demonstrate an improved pregnancy rate, and semen samples from unexplained infertile men containing ureaplasmas have not revealed poorer motility, fewer spermatozoa and more aberrant forms. The objective of this study were to investigate the incidence rate of mycoplasma in semen and to investigate whether the presence of mycoplasma in semen makes significant difference to the semen volume, sperm motility and sperm counts. The results were that the rate of isolation of mycoplasma species was 70.3%. Semen volume is $2.84{\pm}1.01ml$ for culture negative and $3.15{\pm}1.42ml$ for culture positive group. Sperm motility is $46.23{\pm}15.80%$ for culture negative and $50.09{\pm}15.69%$ for culture positive group, and sperm count is $95.47{\pm}47.14({\times}(P)10^6/ml)$ for culture negative and $86.73{\pm}47.59({\times}10^6/ml)$ for culture positive group. In conclusion, we suggest that the presence of mycoplasma in semen makes no significant differences to the sperm parameters.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.240-246
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• 2016

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the efficacy of intrauterine instillation of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on the day of ovulation triggering or oocyte retrieval in infertile women with a thin endometrium. Methods: Fifty women whose endometrial thickness (EMT) was ${\leq}8mm$ at the time of triggering during at least one previous in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle and an index IVF cycle were selected. On the day of triggering (n = 12) or oocyte retrieval (n = 38), $300{\mu}g$ of G-CSF was instilled into the uterine cavity. Results: In the 50 index IVF cycles, the mean EMT was $7.2{\pm}0.6mm$ on the triggering day and increased to $8.5{\pm}1.5mm$ on the embryo transfer day (p< 0.001). The overall clinical pregnancy rate was 22.0%, the implantation rate was 15.9%, and the ongoing pregnancy rate was 20%. The clinical pregnancy rate (41.7% vs. 15.8%), the implantation rate (26.7% vs. 11.7%), and the ongoing pregnancy rate (41.7% vs. 13.2%) were higher when G-CSF was instilled on the triggering day than when it was instilled on the retrieval day, although this tendency was likewise not statistically significant. Aspects of the stimulation process and mean changes in EMT were similar in women who became pregnant and women who did not. Conclusion: Intrauterine instillation of G-CSF enhanced endometrial development and resulted in an acceptable pregnancy rate. Instillation of G-CSF on the triggering day showed better outcomes. G-CSF instillation should be considered as a strategy for inducing endometrial growth and good pregnancy results in infertile women with a thin endometrium.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2006

gel electrophoresis (CGE) with poly(ethylene oxide) has been applied to the measurement of CAG repeat number in Androgen receptor (AR) gene related to male infertility. Non-linear regression analysis was performed using the standard X174 RF/Hae III, 100bp step ladder DNA in order to investigate the exact number of CAG repeat. For 79 Korean infertile males and 89 controls, CAG repeats at exon 1 in AR gene was compared and analyzed by CGE. It turned out that CAG repeat numbers were 24.972.6 range, 17-29) for the infertile male, and 23.992.4 range, 18-29) for the control, respectively. P value (0.018) was less then 0.05, meaning that the result was statistically meaningful.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2000.06a
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• pp.37-42
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• 2000

Objective: To determine whether particular semen characteristics in various clinical diagnoses of infertility are associated with high oxidative stress and whether any group of infertile men is more likely to have high seminal oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in sperm physiological functions, but elevated levels of ROS or oxidative stress are related to male infertility. Design: Measurement of sperm concentration, motility, morphology, seminal ROS, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in patients seeking infertility treatment and controls. Setting: Male infertility clinic of a tertiary care center. Patient(s): One hundred sixty-seven infertile patients and 19 controls. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Semen characteristics, seminal ROS, and TAC in samples from patients with various clinical diagnoses and controls. Result(s): Fifteen patients (9.0%) were Endtz positive and 152(91.0%) Endtz negative. Sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were significantly reduced in all groups compared with the controls (P = .02), except in varicocele associated With infection group. Mean (${\pm}$SD) ROS levels in patient groups ranged from 2.2 ${\pm}$ 0.13 to 3.2 ${\pm}$ 0.35, signilicantly higher than controls (1.3 ${\pm}$ 0.3; P<.005). Patient groups had a significantly lower mean (${\pm}$SD) TAC from 1014.75 ${\pm}$ 79.22 to 1173.05 ${\pm}$ 58.07 than controls (1653 ${\pm}$ 115.28, P<.001), except ill the vaseclony reversal group (1532.02 ${\pm}$ 74.24). Sperm concentration was negatively correlated with ROS both overall and within all groups (P${\leq}$.007), with the exception of idiopathic infertility. Conclusion(s): Irrespective of the clinical diagnosis and semen characteristics, the presence of seminal oxidative stress in infertile men suggests its role in the pathophysiology of infertility. Medical or surgical treatments for infertility in these men should include strategies to reduce oxidative stress.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.281-291
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• 2003

Objectives: In determining to perform non-spousal artificial insemination by donor (AID) to an infertile married couple, infertile couple requires not only the thorough understanding of the medical procedure but also scrutinizing the effect, which it will have on the relationship of the family including the baby to be born itself. Materials and methods: 148 cases with non-curable male infertility were enrolled in this inquiry survey. The donor insemination questionnaire consists of 18-items which are assessing subjects' clinical properties, the background for AID practice, psychological traits, and long term influence. Results: Of the survey, 49 cases were returned (33.1%) and 10 cases (20.4%) of these gave birth after AID practice. The mean age of husbands and wives of the 49 cases were $34.6{\pm}4.2$ and $32.1{\pm}3.0$ yers old, respectively and the duration of marriage was 5 years and 4 months. In about half of the cases, AID was first suggested by husband and the decision was made by only the couple. The major reason for the operation was to form a complete family. In the item of the psychological effects, two-third of the couples felt anxiety related to the procedure which are mostly about the possible congenital or acquired deformity of baby. The AID was positively suggested in overall by all of recipients. After giving birth to a child, most couples felt positive about their decision. As a child grows up, about half of the couples felt the child as their own and expected not to tell of the AID. In overall, about 50% of couples presented satisfaction with the procedure. Conclusions: As the above results, various psychological impacts including anxiety about a child-to-be-born were accompanied to those who were recommended of AID. To overcome these problems, sufficient medical information and consultation about the course of selecting the donor and the whole procedures of AID should be provided beforehand.