• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.26-33
• /
• 2013

The present study explored studies directed at elucidating the effectiveness of Korean medicine in the treatment of sterility and systematically analyzed the trends of studies on sterility. The standardization and objectification based on results for this study may contribute to the development of effective Korean medicine in reducing sterility. In the annual tendency of sterility-related clinical studies, the number of papers began to increase rapidly from 2000, and 15 papers were published from 2000 till 2011. Then, in the technical journals publishing them, The Journal of Oriental Obstetrics & Gynecology published 13 the most papers. In the institutions to which the first authors belonged, Dongguk University Hospital had 5 the most papers. In the number of test subjects was also analyzed and as the result the studies with 1~9 were the most as 10. In the study design analysis, there were 10 case reports, 5 case series and 4 before and after studies. In the analysis of intervention methods, there were 10 papers where only the Korean medicines were given, next 6 papers where the acupuncture and moxibustion were added, and 3 papers where the Korean medical therapies and other subsidiary therapies were used. In the analysis on the existence of pattern identification, there were 12 papers with the pattern identification, 6 without the pattern identification and 1 with the four constitution identification. In the IRB approval, 18 or most papers had not received the IRB approval and just 1 paper got the IRB approval. When the sterility-related clinical studies published in the Korean medical journals were surveyed, it turned out that there are no RCT studies and there is just one study with the IRB approval. And there were 6 papers without the pattern identification of Korean medicine. So, it seems necessary in the future to improve the papers in these respects for the development of Korean medicine sterility treatment with a good basis through the more systematic and accurate study method.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.151-154
• /
• 1991

We performed the effect of Oh-ja-yeun-jong-tang kami in patients with sperm deficience, reported as follows ; 1. The cause of sterility was sperm deficience of the man, The cause of Oriental medicine were classified into Sin Hyu(腎虧), Junghu(精虛), Kihyulyanghu (氣血兩虛) generally belong to Hujeong(虛證) in Oriental med. 2. The treatment ; Boshin(補腎), Bojung(補精), Boikgihyul(補益氣血). 3. The treatment effect of Oh-ja-yeun-jong-tang kami ; Bosinjunjung(補腎塡精), Egumsaengjin(益陰生津), Bogihyul(補氣血), Hwalhyulguea(活血祛瘀).

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.129-135
• /
• 2003

Rehmanniae Radix Preparata attributes good blood circulation and it has been used for the treatment of dizziness, men's sterility, excessive loss of blood and weakness. On the quality control of commercial Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, quantitative determination of 5-hydroxymethyl (5-HMF) using HPLC method has been conducted. Quantitative analysis of S-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (5-HMF) in commercial Rehmanniae Radix Preparata showed average of $0.136{\pm}0.057%$ in 14 samples collected throughout the regions of Korea.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.69-87
• /
• 2014

Objectives: We analyzed retrospective clinical data of Korean medical institutes for infertility care and investigated current status and outcome of the Korean medical treatment of infertility as a part of foundational research for verifying validity of constructing national support system and developing appropriate policy on Korean medical treatment of infertility. Methods: We investigated data uploaded on the homepage of The Society of Korean Medicine for Subfertility (http://www.okinfertility.org) by Korean medical institutes for infertility care to get informations such as patients' age, body height, weight, methods of Korean medical treatment, cost and duration of treatment, success or failure of pregnancy and result of treatment. Results: The average age of patients was $33.1{\pm}3.8$ and the average body height was $161.2{\pm}5.3cm$ and the average body weight was $55.2{\pm}8.5kg$. The method of Korean medical treatment was Herbal medicine (97.5%), acupuncture (80.4%), moxibustion (57.7%), cupping (32.7%). The average cost of treatment was $1,160,625{\pm}882,499$ won, and the average medical cost per visit was $357,845{\pm}241,602$ won. The average duration of treatment was $11.26{\pm}10.58$ weeks, and the average number of visits per patient was $4.78{\pm}6.10$ times. The average duration of treatment was the longest in the group of infertile patients with the highest average medical cost per visit. The average pregnancy success rate was 30.9% overall, and that of the group of infertile patients was 25.8%. Conclusions: When we develop the standard project model with expectation for about 25% success rate of pregnancy and delivery in the group of patients who have idiopathic and ovulatory factors, it is desirable to perform acupuncture and moxibustion treatment 1-2 times a week with herbal medicine. The treatment period is set to at least 12 weeks. Average treatment fee maybe calculated by converting the averaged treatment cost of clinic's one month worth of daily treatment fee and medical hospital's ten day treatment fee into weekly treatment cost.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.218-233
• /
• 2005

Purpose : To investigate clinical-epidemologic aspect of infertility patients in Conmaul Oriental Hospital. Methods : From 2003, 5 to 2004, 4, a total 1223(female 943, male 280) patients was recruited, and their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Results : The mean age of female was $31.83{\pm}3.63$ yesrs, and $34.08{\pm}3.66$ years in male. The mean BMI of female was $20.83{\pm}2.74$, and $24.36{\pm}3.03$ in male. The most common occupation of female was profession, administration, management.The primary infertility was 52.9% and the secondary infertility 47.1%. The most common past history in female was laparotomy. The mean duration of infertility was $3.32{\pm}2.5$ years and $3.9{\pm}2.63$ years in female and male. 83.6% of secondary infertility women experienced abortion. The incidence of patients with both combinded infertility factors of female and male was the most highest, and the most common single factor was ovulatory. 92.4% of female patients took sterility tests, 71.0% of male patients took semen analysis. 50.8% female took ovulation induction, IUI, IVF before coming. 8.91% of female and 72.14% of male were accompanied by their spouse. 61.2% of female took sterility test with their spouse. Female's duration of treatment was longer than man's. The most reliable source of choices was encouragement of family members, acquaintance. Conclusion : In this study, we presented staus concerend with infertility and the characteristics of patients went to oriental hospital. Furthermore, the study about oriental treatments and the results of that treatments is required.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.301-314
• /
• 2005

Objective: Rebamipide is a propionic acid derivative that has an action of the inhibition of superoxide production and removal of hydroxyl radical with the sperm incubation and cryopreservation. In the present study, to investigate whether rebamipide is useful to treat male infertility and sterility, the author observed the antioxidative effects in patient with male infertility and also examined its absorption and distribution in rat genital organ. Methods: To measure the distribution of rebamipide in reproductive organ in the rat, carbon indicated rebamipide, $^{14}C-OPC-12759$, was orally administered to 10 Spraque-Dawley rats and its organ concentration in serum, liver, kidney, stomach, duodenum, colon, urinary bladder, seminal vesicle, epididymis and testicle were measured each time after 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24 hours by using HPLC fluorescent method. The concentrations in semen were measured by HPLC fluorescent method in a sample of 50 infertile males who took 900 mg of rebamipide daily for 3 months. To measure the antioxidative effect and fertility rate for 3 months, each month before and after the treatment, sperm motility, vitality, the oxygen free radical formation, level of peroxidation, fetilizing capacity of semen sample which were obtained from infertile male patients by masturbation after at least 48 hours abstinence were analyzed by computer assisted semen analyzer, eosin-nigrosin stain, chemiluminescence, thiobarbituric acid method and hypo-osmotic swelling test. Simultaneously in a sample that wanted baby, both pregnancy and delivery were researched. Results: The $^{14}C-OPC-12759$ concentration in the body of white rats was highest in gastrointestinal organ like stomach, smal intestine and duodenum and followed by genital organ like seminal vesicle, testis and epididymis. The rebamipide concentration in semen of infertile males was $220.77{\pm}327.84ng/mL$ (SD) which showed a large deviation but it was higher than serum which was $126{\pm}76ng/mL$ (SD). In the infertile males, after the treatment with rebamipide, the level of seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation have significantly decreased in duration of the treatment (p<0.05) and sperm vitality and fertilizing capacity except sperm motility significantly improved on post treatment of 2~3 months (p<0.05). Out of the 41 cases who hoped for pregnancy, 15 cases (36.6%) became pregnant and 12 cases had childbrith, 2 cases had miscarriage and one case is ongoing. The side effect was observed in 1 case (2%) which experienced diarrhea but it was lost spontaneously. Conclusions: We conclude from this study that rebamipide showed relatively high tendancy of absorption and excretion in the genital organ. In infertile males who had elevated ROS in semen, by specifically inhibiting the cell damage from the antioxidation, a way to preserve sperm motility, vitality and fertilizing capacity was confirmed.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.243-249
• /
• 2015

Background: Anticancer agents induce a variety of adverse effects when administered to cancer patients. Busulfan is a known antileukemia agent. When administered for treatment of leukemia in young patients, busulfan could cause damage to the male reproductive system as one of its adverse effects, resulting in sterility. Methods: We investigated the effects of Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRGE) on busulfan-induced damage and/or dysfunction of the male reproductive system. Results: We found that administration of busulfan to mice: decreased testis weight; caused testicular histological damage; reduced the total number of sperm, sperm motility, serum testosterone concentration; and eventually, litter size. Preadministration of KRGE partially attenuated various busulfan-induced damages to the male reproductive system. These results indicate that KRGE has a protective effect against busulfan-induced damage to the male reproduction system. Conclusion: The present study shows a possibility that KRGE could be applied as a useful agent to prevent or protect the male reproductive system from the adverse side effects induced by administration of anticancer agents such as busulfan.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.101-110
• /
• 2005

The present study was conducted to compare antioxidant activity of Cuscutae Semen, Psoraleae Fructus, Cnidii Fructus and Epimedii Herba by DPPH radical scavenging activity. The extract was studied using diphenyl-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) for DPPH method. DPPH radical scavenging activity was measured after. .10, 20 and 30 minutes. The extract was tested by 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and $1000{\mu}g/ml$ concentrations. The results showed that the extract scavenged DPPH radical with time-dependent manner. Also, the extract showed dose-dependent DPPH radical scavenging activity. The extract of Cuscutae Semen, Psoraleae Fructus, Cnidii Fructus and Epimedii Herba scavenged DPPH radical with the IC50 being 2.7, 3.2, 2.9 and 1.1 mg/ml, respectively. In conclusion, the extract of Epimedii Herba, Cuscutae Semen, Cnidii Fructus and Psoraleae Fructus have antioxidant activity for the treatment of male sterility.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.48-72
• /
• 2011

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the effects of Yongdamsagantang on the polycystic ovary(PCO) induced by estradiol valerate(EV) in rats. Methods: After administrating Yongdamsagan-tang to PCO induced rats, we measured the weight of body, ovaries, adrenal glands, and uterus of rats. The observation through naked eye and histopathological observation of ovaries were evaluated. Also, the number of follicle and corpora lutea and content of androstenedione(ADD) and total estrogen were evaluated. The expressions of nerve growth factor(NGF) and corticotropin releasing factor(CRF) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The breeding rate and number of implantation with normal male rats were evaluated. Results: - The weight(mg) of ovaries in YST treated group($73.8{\pm}7.6$) was significantly increased(p<0.001) compared with control group($54.3{\pm}4.5$). - The number of mature follicles in YST treated group($7.3{\pm}2.4$) was significantly increased(p<0.01) compared with control group($3.5{\pm}1.2$). - The number of atretic follicles in YST treated group($9.0{\pm}1.5$) was significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group($13.4{\pm}3.8$). - The number of cystic follicles in YST treated group($3.1{\pm}1.1$) was significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group($6.0{\pm}2.0$). - The number of corpora lutea in YST treated group($3.8{\pm}2.1$) was significantly increased(p<0.001) compared with control group($0.3{\pm}0.7$). - The expression of NGF-immunoreactive cells in the ovarian granulosa cells in YST treated group was lesser observed than control group. - The expression of NGF-immunoreactive cells in the adrenal cortex in YST treated group was lesser observed than control group. - The breeding rate in YST treated group(100 %) was significantly increased (p<0.05) compared with control group(50 %). - The number of implantation in YST treated group($6.4{\pm}4.7$) was significantly increased(p<0.05) compared with control group($1.4{\pm}2.6$). Conclusions: We concluded that Yongdamsagan-tang activates the maturation of follicles, normal ovulation, breeding rate and number of implantation. Therefore, this may be effective for the treatment of anovulation, amenorrhea and sterility of PCOS patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.47-70
• /
• 1985

This study was presented of the 1,872 cases of infertile couples who visited and examined at the sterility clinic of Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Seoul National University Hospital from Sept., 1980 to Dec., 1983. Age, duration of infertility, past medical history, and other general factors were analyzed, and the factors responsible for infertility were classified and discussed. Mode of treatment, outcome of pregnancy, pregnancy rate responsible for each factor were also presented. The results were as follows: 1) The infertility was primary in 1,128, or 60.3% and secondary in 744, or 39.7%. 2) The age between 26 and 30 years of age comprised about one half of the total patients. 3) The duration of infertility between 1 and 4 years comprised about three quarters of the total patients, and the mean duration was 3.8 years. 4) The most common medical history in primary infertility was tuberculous disease, and that in secondary infertility was history of previous laparotomy. 5) About two thirds of antecedent pregnancies were abortion. 6) The major etiologic factor of infertility were male factor in 12.3%, tubal factor in 38.8%, ovulatory failure in 25.4%, uterine factor in 8.8%, cervical factor in 5.2%, peritoneal factor in 9.5%, and no demonstrable cause in 11.3%. 7) The types of male factor were azoospermia in 61.6%, oligospermia in 25.8%, low motility in 11.6%, and other abnormality in 1.0%. 8) The types of ovulatory failure were ovarian failure in 7.4%, hypothalamo-pituitary failure in 8.1 %, hypothalamo-pituitary dysfunction (including Polycystic ovarian syndrome) in 30.2%, and hyperprolactinemia in 22.4%. 9) The types of uterine factor were endometrial tuberculosis in 27.5%, uterine synechia in 33.8%, uterine anomaly in 19.7%, myoma and polyp in 9.1 %, and luteal phase defect in 9.9%. 10) The types of peritoneal factor were pelvic adhesion in 80.9% and endometriosis in 19.6%. 11) Surgeries were done in 408 patients, and they were salpingolysis, lysis of extraadnexal adhesion, salpingostomy, fimbrioplasty, ovarian wedge resection for polycystic ovarian disease, tubo-tubal anastomosis, and tubo-uterine implantation in orders. 12) 243 pregnancies were achieved during the infertility work-up, of which livebirth was 46.5%, ectopic pregnancy was 7.4%, spontaneous abortion was 7.8%, and on-going pregnancy or lost to follow-up was 36.2%. 13) Pregnancy rates in various factors were male factor in 18.7%, ovulatory factor in 31.7%, tubal factor in 24.2%, uterine factor in 34.6%, cervical factor in 19.0%, peritoneal factor in 29.0%, combined factors in 10.5%, and unexplained infertility in 37.1%. Pregnancy rate in whole patients was 25.2%.