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Immunohistochemical study on the atretic and the growing follicles after experimental superovulation in rats I. Number of follicles by superovulation (과배란 유기된 rat 난소에 퇴축난포와 성장난포에 대한 면역조직화학적 연구 I. 동원된 난포수에 대하여)

  • Kwak, Soo-dong
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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    • v.37 no.1
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    • pp.71-78
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    • 1997
  • This study was designed to investigate the number of the growing and mature follicles following gonadotrophin treatments for superovulation in mature rats. Eighteen mature rats (Sprague-Duwely, initially 190~230gm) were randomly alloted into 3 groups. One group was control group, another FSH-treated group was injected intramuscularly with 0.5 units of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) / rat, and third PMS and HCG-treated group was intramuscularly injected with 20~25IU of pregnant mare serum (PMS) / rat and then at the 48 hrs later, with 20~25IU of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) / rat. The uteri and ovaries of rats were collected and then were observed grossly and serial sections of paraffin embedding ovaries were stained with H-E. Number of ovarian follicles by following 3 grades of large, middle and small follicles from secondary and tertiary follicles were investigated by LM photography of preparations. Small follicles were classified as secondary follicles of preantral follicles with more than 2 layers of granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte and middle follicles were classified as secondary follicles with early signs of antral cavity or with more than one small cavity on either side of the oocytes and large follicles were classified as tertiary follicles with a single medium sized antral cavity or large well-formed antral cavity. In gross findings, the uteri were slightly swelling in FSH-treated group and markedly swelling or filled with fluid in the uterine lumen in PMS and HCG-treated group. In histological findings, the shape and size of the follicles were diverse in middle and large follicles of FSH-treated group and PMS and HCG-treated group, and proportion of atretic follicles was increased in FSH-treated group and PMS and HCG-treated group than those in control group. The uteri of FSH-treated group and PMS and HCG-treated group were hypertropied or filled with fluid in the lumens and walls of uteri. The wall tissue layers were flattened and their blood and lymph vessels were dilated. The mean number of follicle per ovary in control group were appeared to be $17.1{\pm}5.6$($14.0%{\pm}4.6%$), $37.8{\pm}9.1$($30.9{\pm}7.4%$) and $67.6{\pm}30.1$($55.2{\pm}24.6%$) respectively at large, middle and small follicles and total number of these 3 grade follicles were appeared to be $122.5{\pm}40.0$. The mean number of follicle per ovary in FSH-treated group were appeared to be $22.8{\pm}7.0$($17.4%{\pm}5.3%$), $43.4{\pm}6.6$($33.2{\pm}5.1%$) and $64.5{\pm}13.0$($49.3{\pm}9.9%$) respectively at large, middle and small follicles and total number of these 3 grade follicles were appeared to be $130.7{\pm}16.6$. The mean number of follicle per ovary in PMS and HCG-treated group were appeared to be $29.7{\pm}11.0$($16.3%{\pm}6.0%$), $61.9{\pm}17.2$($33.9{\pm}9.4%$) and $91.1{\pm}28.2$($49.9{\pm}15.4%$) respectively at large, middle and small follicles and total number of these 3 grade follicles were appeared to be $182.6{\pm}32.7$. The above findings reveal that large follicles were increased 29.8% in FSH-treated group and 73.7% in PMS and HCG-treated group than those in control group and in histologic findings, proportion of atretic follicles were more increased in ovaries with more number of more developing follicles.

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Annual Reprodutive Cycle of the Jackknife Clams, Solen strictus and Solen gordonis (맛조개, Solen strictus와 붉은맛, Solen gordonis의 생식년주기)

  • CHUNG Ee-Yung;KIM Hyung-Bae;LEE Taek-Yuil
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.19 no.6
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    • pp.563-574
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    • 1986
  • The structure of gonads, gametogenesis and reproductive cycle of the jackknife clams, Solen strictus and Solen gordonis were investigated mainly by histological observation. The first species used were monthly sampled at the coastal area of Dadaepo, Pusan, Korea and Naechodo, Kunsan, Korea for one year from February 1982 to January 1983. The second species were monthly sampled at the sand beach of Dadaepo, Pusan, Korea, from February 1982 to January 1983. Sexualities of Solen strictus and Solen gordonis are dioecious, and these species are oviparous. The gonads are irregularly arranged from the subregion of mid-intestinal gland in visceral cavity to reticular connective tissue of foot. The ovary was composed of a number of small ovarian sacs and the testis was composed of several testicular lobuli which from the tubular structure. Early multiplicating oogonium was about $10{\mu}m$ in diamater. Nucleus and nucleolus, at that time, were distinct in appearance. Each of the early growing oocytes made an egg-stalk, connected to the germinal epithelium of the ovarian sac. A great number of undifferentiated mesenchymal tissue and eosinophilic granular cells are abundantly distributed in the ovarian sacs in the early development stages. With the further development of gonad, these tissue and cells gradually disappeared. Then the undifferentiated mesenchymal tissue and eosinophilic granular cells function as nutritive cells in the formation and development of the early stage germ cells. Mature oocytes were free in the lumen of ovarian sacs and gradually become round or oval. Ripe oocyte was about 80 to $90{\mu}m$ in diameter. With the further development of testis, each of the testicular lobuli formed stratified layers composed of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa in groups on the germinal epithelium. After spawning, the gonad gradually degenerated, and disorganized completely. Then new differentiated tissues were rearranged next year. The annual reproductive cycle of those species could be classified into five stages; multiplicative, growing, mature, spent, degenerative and resting stage. It seems that the spawning season is closely related to the water temperature, and the spawning of Solen strictus occurs from June to July at above $20^{\circ}C$ in water temperature. The peak spawning season appeared in June at Dadaepo and in July at Kunsan, The spawning of Solen gordonis occurs from May to June with the peak spawning season in June. Percentages of the first maturity in female of Solen strictus ranging from 5.1-6.0 cm and 7.1-8.0 cm in shell length were $50\%$ and $100\%$, respectively.

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Study of Rat Mammary Epithelial Stem Cells In Vivo and In Vitro (생체 및 시험관에서 유선 상피 모세포의 분리와 동정)

  • Nam Deuk Kim;Kee-Joo Paik
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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    • v.24 no.3
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    • pp.470-486
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    • 1995
  • Mammary epithelial cells contain a subpopulation of cells with a large proliferativ potential which are responsible for the maintenance of glandular cellularity and are the progenitor cells of mammary cancer. These clonogens give rise to multicellular clonal alveolar or ductal units(AU or DU) on transplantation and hormonal stimulation. To isolate putative mammary clonogens, enzymatically monodispersed rat mammary epithelial cells from organoid cultures and from intact glands are sorted by flow cytometry according to their affinity for FITC labeled peanut lectin(PNA) and PE labeled anti-Thy-1.1 antibody(Thy-1.1) into four subpopulations : cells negative to both PNA and Thy-1.1(B-), PNA+cells, Thy-1.1+cells, and cells positive to both reagents(B+). The in vivo transplantation assays indicate that the clonogenic fractions of PNA+cells from out-growths of organoids in primary cultures for three days in complete hormone medium(CHM) are significantly higher than those of cells from other subpopulations derived from cultrues or from intact glands. Extracellular matrix(ECM) is a complex of several proteins that regulated cell function ; its role in cell growth and differentiation and tissue-specific gene expression. It can act as a positive as well as a negative regulator of cellular differentiation depending on the cell type and the genes studied. Regulation by ECM is closely interrelated with the action of other regulators of cellular function, such as growth factors and hormones. Matrigel supports the growth and development of several different multicellular colonies from mammary organoids and from monodispersed epithelial cells in culture. Several types of colonies are observed including stellate colonies, duct-like structures, two- and three-dimensional web structures, squamous organoids, and lobulo-duct colonies. Organoids have the greatest proliferative potential and formation of multi-cellular structures. Phase contrast micrographs demonstrate extensive intracellular lipid accumulation within the web structures and some of duct-like colonies. At the immunocytochemical and electron micrograph level, casein proteins are predominantly localized near the apical surface of the cells or in the lumen of duct-like or lobulo-duct colonies. Squamous colonies are comprised of several layers of squamous epithelium surrounding keratin pearls as is typical fo squamous metaplasia(SM). All-trans retinoic acid(RA) inhibits the growth of SM. The frequency of lobulo-ductal colony formation increased with the augmentation of RA concentration in these culture conditions. The current study models could provide powerful tools not only for understanding cell growth and differentiation of epithelial cells, but also for the isolation and characterization of mammary clonogenic stem cells.

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Mammalian Reproduction and Pheromones (포유동물의 생식과 페로몬)

  • Lee, Sung-Ho
    • Development and Reproduction
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    • v.10 no.3
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    • pp.159-168
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    • 2006
  • Rodents and many other mammals have two chemosensory systems that mediate responses to pheromones, the main and accessory olfactory system, MOS and AOS, respectively. The chemosensory neurons associated with the MOS are located in the main olfactory epithelium, while those associated with the AOS are located in the vomeronasal organ(VNO). Pheromonal odorants access the lumen of the VNO via canals in the roof of the mouth, and are largely thought to be nonvolatile. The main pheromone receptor proteins consist of two superfamilies, V1Rs and V2Rs, that are structurally distinct and unrelated to the olfactory receptors expressed in the main olfactory epithelium. These two type of receptors are seven transmembrane domain G-protein coupled proteins(V1R with $G_{{\alpha}i2}$, V2R with $G_{0\;{\alpha}}$). V2Rs are co-expressed with nonclassical MHC Ib genes(M10 and other 8 M1 family proteins). Other important molecular component of VNO neuron is a TrpC2, a cation channel protein of transient receptor potential(TRP) family and thought to have a crucial role in signal transduction. There are four types of pheromones in mammalian chemical communication - primers, signalers, modulators and releasers. Responses to these chemosignals can vary substantially within and between individuals. This variability can stem from the modulating effects of steroid hormones and/or non-steroid factors such as neurotransmitters on olfactory processing. Such modulation frequently augments or facilitates the effects that prevailing social and environmental conditions have on the reproductive axis. The best example is the pregnancy block effect(Bruce effect), caused by testosterone-dependent major urinary proteins(MUPs) in male mouse urine. Intriguingly, mouse GnRH neurons receive pheromone signals from both odor and pheromone relays in the brain and may also receive common odor signals. Though it is quite controversial, recent studies reveal a complex interplay between reproduction and other functions in which GnRH neurons appear to integrate information from multiple sources and modulate a variety of brain functions.

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THE ROLE OF TYPE 2 DIABETES AS A PREDISPOSING RISK FACTOR ON THE PULPO-PERIAPICAL PATHOGENESIS: REVIEW ARTICLE (치수 치근단 병소의 전구 위험요인으로서의 제 2 형 당뇨의 역할에 관한 소고)

  • Kim, Jin-Hee;Bae, Kwang-Shik;Seo, Deog-Gyu;Hong, Sung-Tae;Lee, Yoon;Hong, Sam-Pyo;Kum, Kee-Yeon
    • Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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    • v.34 no.3
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    • pp.169-176
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    • 2009
  • Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a syndrome accompanied with the abnormal secretion or function of insulin, a hormone that plays a vital role in controlling the blood glucose level (BGL). Type land 2 DM are most common form and the prevalence of the latter is recently increasing, The aim of this article was to assess whet her Type 2 DM could act as a predisposing risk factor on the pulpo-periapical pathogenesis. Previous literature on the pathologic changes of blood vessels in DM was thoroughly reviewed. Furthermore, a histopathologic analysis of artificially-induced periapical specimens obtained from Type 2 diabetic and DM-resistant rats was compared. Histopathologic results demonstrate that the size of periapical bone destruction w as larger and the degree of pulpal inflammation was more severe in diabetic rats, indicating that Type 2 D M itself can be a predisposing risk factor that makes the host more susceptible to pulpal infection. The possible reasons may be that in diabetic state the lumen of pulpal blood vessels are thickened by atheromatous deposits, and microcirculation is hindered, The function of polymorphonuclear leukocyte is also impair ed and the migration of immune cells is blocked, leading to increased chance of pulpal infection. Also, lack of collateral circulation of pulpal blood vessels makes the pulp more susceptible to infection. These decrease the regeneration capacity of pulpal cells or tissues, delaying the healing process, Therefore, when restorative treatment is needed in Type 2 DM patients, dentists should minimize irritation to the pulpal tissue un der control of BGL.

Studies on Spermatogenesis in Japanese Quail(Coturnix coturnix japonica) (메추리(Coturnix coturnix)의 정자 발생에 관한 연구)

  • 김재홍;박영석
    • Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.91-100
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    • 1989
  • This study was conducted to observe 1) the changes of cellular association in seminiferous tubles from 2 to 8 weeks of age, and 2) the cycle phenomena of seminiferous epithelia at 14 weeks of age in Japanese quail. Total 80 birds were examined at a week interval from 2 to 8 weeks, and 14 weeks of age. The results were summarized as follows: 1) The body and testis weights showed most prominent increase during 4 to 5 weeks and 6 to 8 weeks of age respectively. And also the diameters of seminiferous tubles were abruptly enlaged during 6 to 8 weeks of age. 2) Genocytes in the seminiferous tubles were still in existence at 3 weeks of age, however they did not come out after 4 weeks of age. Spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes and spermatids made their first arpearances in the seminiferous from 3, 4 and 6 weeks of age, respectively. Spermatozoa were observed for the first time at 7 weeks of age, but full spermatogenic activity was completed from 8 weeks of age. 3) At 14 weeks of age, the average weight at testis was 3.7g and its ratio to the body weight was approximately 3.0 percent. And at this age, average diameter of seminiferous tubules was 192.08 $\mu\textrm{m}$, and average numbers of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa within the cross section of seminiferous tubules were 7.74, 40.81, 28.42, 104.55 and 105.98, respectively. Spermatogonia and spermatid were classfied into 2 and 3 types, respectively. 4) At 14 weeks of age, the cycle of seminiferous epithelium could be divided into S stages with following characteristics. (1) Stage I: Seminiferous tubules showing type I and II spermatids. (2) Stage II: Seminiferous tubules showing type III spermatids only. (3) Stage III: Immature spermatozoa gathered near the sertoli cytoplasm. (4) Stage IV: Forming a bundle of 15-20 spematozoa. (5) Stage V: Spermatozoa bundle leaving the sertoli cytoplasm into lumen of the seminferous tubule. 5) Usually 2-3 stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle were concurrently appeared within a tubular cross section, and frequency of each stage from I to V within cross section of seminiferous tubules were 11.91%, 27.03%, 27.96%, 19.04% and 17.98%, respectively.

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Computerized Quantative Analysis of Cornary Angiogram in Patients without Coronary Pathology (Computer System을 이용한 정상 관상동맥 조영 사진의 양적분석)

  • Yun, Yang-Koo;Park, Kay-Hyun;Choi, Young-Soo;Kim, Kwhan-mien;Jun, Tae-Gook;Kim, Jhin-gook;Shim, Young-Mog;Park, Pyo-Won;Chae, Hurn
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.31 no.5
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    • pp.488-493
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    • 1998
  • In the preoperative evaluation before coronary artery bypass surgery, review of the coronary arteriogram is the most important step. Expected "normal" lumen diameter at a given coronary anatomic location is a basis for quantative estimation of coronary disease severity that could be more useful than the traditional "percent stenosis". The distribution and number of major coronary artery branches are determinants of number of bypass grafts needed. We reviewed the coronary artery anatomy in 174 adult patients who revealed no coronary pathology in angiographic studies done from September 1994 to June 1996. Quantative analysis was done in all cases by a single person using a Computerized System (Arripro 35ⓡ). The results were follows; 1) The mean diametre of left main coronary artery was 4.45 mm(range 2.74~6.72). The pattern of branching was bifurcation in 67.24%, trifurcation in 28.74% and quadrifurcation in 4.02% of the patients. 2) The mean diametre of left anterior descending artery was 3.17 mm(range 2.10~5.85), 2.79 (range 1.55~5.59) and 2.17 mm(range 1.37~3.81) in the proximal, mid, and the distal portions, respectively. The number of diagonal branches of left anterior artery was from one to four(mode=2). 3) The mean diametre of proximal and distal left circumflex artery were 3.17mm(range 1.74~4.89) and 2.19 mm(range 1.21~4.46). The number of obtuse marginal branches of left circumflex artery is from one to six(mode 2). 4) The mean diametre of proximal and distal right coronary artery, the posterior descending artery and the largest posterolateral branch were mean 3.51 mm(range 2.07~5.67), 2.09 mm (range 1.42~3.60), 2.09 mm(range 1.02~3.60) and 2.30 mm(range 1.39~4.39). 5) The right coronary artery dominant was 163 cases(93.68%) of the total 174 cases. 6) The large significant acute marginal artery was visualized in more than half of the people. half of the people.

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Antigenic localities in the tissued of Metagonimus yokogawai observed by immunogoldlabeling method (면역황금 표식법을 이용한 요꼬가와흡충의 조직내 항원성 부위에 관한 연구)

  • Ahn, Hyuk;Rim, Han-Jong;Kim, Soo-Jin
    • Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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    • v.29 no.3
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    • pp.245-258
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    • 1991
  • In order to determine the antigenic localization in the tissues of the adult Metagonimus yokegawai, immunogoldlabeling method was applied using serum immunoglobulins (IgG) of cats which were infected with isolated metacercariae from Plecoglossus altivelis. The sectioned worm tissue was embedded in Lowicryl HM 20 medium and stained with infected serum IgG and protein A gold complex (particle size: 12 nm) , It was observed by electron microscopy at each tissue of the worm. The gold particles were observed on the tegumental syncytium as well as cytoplasm of tegumental cells and epithelial lamella of the caecum. The gold particles were not observed on the basal lamina of the tegument, interstitial matrix of the parenchyma, the muscle tissue and mitochondria of the tegument. The gold particles were specifically labeled in the secretory granules in the vitelline cells. They were also labeled on the lumen of bladder and egg shell. The above findings showed that antigenic materials in the tissue of adult worms were specifically concentrated on the tegumental syncytium as well as cytoplasm of tegumental cells and epithelial lamella of the caecum.

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Comparison of Imposed Work of Breathing Between Pressure-Triggered and Flow-Triggered Ventilation During Mechanical Ventilation (기계환기시 압력유발법과 유량유발법 차이에 의한 부가적 호흡일의 비교)

  • Choi, Jeong-Eun;Lim, Chae-Man;Koh, Youn-Suck;Lee, Sang-Do;Kim, Woo-Sung;Kim, Dong-Soon;Kim, Won-Dong
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.44 no.3
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    • pp.592-600
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    • 1997
  • Background : The level of imposed work of breathing (WOB) is important for patient-ventilator synchrony and during weaning from mechanical ventilation. Triggering methods and the sensitivity of demand system are important determining factors of the imposed WOB. Flow triggering method is available on several modern ventilator and is believed to impose less work to a patient-triggered breath than pressure triggering method. We intended to compare the level of imposed WOB on two different methods of triggering and also at different levels of sensitivities on each triggering method (0.7 L/min vs 2.0 L/min on flow triggering ; $-1\;cmH_2O$ vs $-2cm\;H_2O$ on pressure triggering). Methods : The subjects were 12 patients ($64.8{\pm}4.2\;yrs$) on mechanical ventilation and were stable in respiratory pattern on CPAP $3\;cmH_2O$. Four different triggering sensitivities were applied at random order. For determination of imposed WOB, tracheal end pressure was measured through the monitoring lumen of Hi-Lo Jet tracheal tube (Mallincrodt, New York, USA) using pneumotachograph/pressure transducer (CP-100 pulmonary monitor, Bicore, Irvine, CA, USA). Other data of respiratory mechanics were also obtained by CP-100 pulmonary monitor. Results : The imposed WOB was decreased by 37.5% during 0.7 L/min on flow triggering compared to $-2\;cmH_2O$ on pressure triggering and also decreased by 14% during $-1\;cmH_2O$ compared to $-2\;cmH_2O$ on pressure triggering (p < 0.05 in each). The PTP(Pressure Time Product) was also decreased significantly during 0.7 L/min on flow triggering and $-1\;cmH_2O$ on pressure triggering compared to $-2\;cmH_2O$ on pressure triggering (p < 0.05 in each). The proportions of imposed WOB in total WOB were ranged from 37% to 85% and no significant changes among different methods and sensitivities. The physiologic WOB showed no significant changes among different triggering methods and sensitivities. Conclusion : To reduce the imposed WOB, flow triggering with sensitivity of 0.7 L/min would be better method than pressure triggering with sensitivity of $-2\;cm\;H_2O$.

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Roles of the Insulin-like Growth Factor System in the Reproductive Function;Uterine Connection (Insulin-like Growth Factor Systems의 생식기능에서의 역할;자궁편)

  • Lee, Chul-Young
    • Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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    • v.23 no.3
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    • pp.247-268
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    • 1996
  • It has been known for a long time that gonadotropins and steroid hormones play a pivotal role in a series of reproductive biological phenomena including the maturation of ovarian follicles and oocytes, ovulation and implantation, maintenance of pregnancy and fetal growth & development, parturition and mammary development and lactation. Recent investigations, however, have elucidated that in addition to these classic hormones, multiple growth factors also are involved in these phenomena. Most growth factors in reproductive organs mediate the actions of gonadotropins and steroid hormones or synergize with them in an autocrine/paracrine manner. The insulin-like growth factor(IGF) system, which is one of the most actively investigated areas lately in the reproductive organs, has been found to have important roles in a wide gamut of reproductive phenomena. In the present communication, published literature pertaining to the intrauterine IGF system will be reviewed preceded by general information of the IGF system. The IGF family comprises of IGF-I & IGF-II ligands, two types of IGF receptors and six classes of IGF-binding proteins(IGFBPs) that are known to date. IGF-I and IGF-II peptides, which are structurally homologous to proinsulin, possess the insulin-like activity including the stimulatory effect of glucose and amino acid transport. Besides, IGFs as mitogens stimulate cell division, and also play a role in cellular differentiation and functions in a variety of cell lines. IGFs are expressed mainly in the liver and messenchymal cells, and act on almost all types of tissues in an autocrine/paracrine as well as endocrine mode. There are two types of IGF receptors. Type I IGF receptors, which are tyrosine kinase receptors having high-affinity for IGF-I and IGF-II, mediate almost all the IGF actions that are described above. Type II IGF receptors or IGF-II/mannose-6-phosphate receptors have two distinct binding sites; the IGF-II binding site exhibits a high affinity only for IGF-II. The principal role of the type II IGF receptor is to destroy IGF-II by targeting the ligand to the lysosome. IGFs in biological fluids are mostly bound to IGFBP. IGFBPs, in general, are IGF storage/carrier proteins or modulators of IGF actions; however, as for distinct roles for individual IGFBPs, only limited information is available. IGFBPs inhibit IGF actions under most in vitro situations, seemingly because affinities of IGFBPs for IGFs are greater than those of IGF receptors. How IGF is released from IGFBP to reach IGF receptors is not known; however, various IGFBP protease activities that are present in blood and interstitial fluids are believed to play an important role in the process of IGF release from the IGFBP. According to latest reports, there is evidence that under certain in vitro circumstances, IGFBP-1, -3, -5 have their own biological activities independent of the IGF. This may add another dimension of complexity of the already complicated IGF system. Messenger ribonucleic acids and proteins of the IGF family members are expressed in the uterine tissue and conceptus of the primates, rodents and farm animals to play important roles in growth and development of the uterus and fetus. Expression of the uterine IGF system is regulated by gonadal hormones and local regulatory substances with temporal and spatial specificities. Locally expressed IGFs and IGFBPs act on the uterine tissue in an autocrine/paracrine manner, or are secreted into the uterine lumen to participate in conceptus growth and development. Conceptus also expresses the IGF system beginning from the peri-implantation period. When an IGF family member is expressed in the conceptus, however, is determined by the presence or absence of maternally inherited mRNAs, genetic programming of the conceptus itself and an interaction with the maternal tissue. The site of IGF action also follows temporal (physiological status) and spatial specificities. These facts that expression of the IGF system is temporally and spatially regulated support indirectly a hypothesis that IGFs play a role in conceptus growth and development. Uterine and conceptus-derived IGFs stimulate cell division and differentiation, glucose and amino acid transport, general protein synthesis and the biosynthesis of mammotropic hormones including placental lactogen and prolactin, and also play a role in steroidogenesis. The suggested role for IGFs in conceptus growth and development has been proven by the result of IGF-I, IGF-II or IGF receptor gene disruption(targeting) of murine embryos by the homologous recombination technique. Mice carrying a null mutation for IGF-I and/or IGF-II or type I IGF receptor undergo delayed prenatal and postnatal growth and development with 30-60% normal weights at birth. Moreover, mice lacking the type I IGF receptor or IGF-I plus IGF-II die soon after birth. Intrauterine IGFBPs generally are believed to sequester IGF ligands within the uterus or to play a role of negative regulators of IGF actions by inhibiting IGF binding to cognate receptors. However, when it is taken into account that IGFBP-1 is expressed and secreted in primate uteri in amounts assessedly far exceeding those of local IGFs and that IGFBP-1 is one of the major secretory proteins of the primate decidua, the possibility that this IGFBP may have its own biological activity independent of IGF cannot be excluded. Evidently, elucidating the exact role of each IGFBP is an essential step into understanding the whole IGF system. As such, further research in this area is awaited with a lot of anticipation and attention.

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