• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate expression of apoptosis-related differentially expressed gene (DEG) in ovaries of Korean cattle with follicular and luteal cysts and to identify the relationship between cyst and apoptosis using microarray, real-time PCR, TUNEL staining, and Western blot analysis. Microarray data showed that PIK3R2 and AKT1 were significantly up-regulated in follicular cyst, and TNF-RAF2, PRLR, FOXL2, STK4, and COL4A3 were up-regulated whereas INHA, CIDEB, BCL10, and FASLG were down-regulated in luteal cyst. Real-time PCR was performed to validate DEGs altered in luteal cyst. Of nine DEGs, four DEGs down-regulated in luteal cyst showed a positive corelation between microarray data and real-time PCR data. In this study, we focused on INHA, among many DEGs, which was highly down-regulated in both follicular and luteal cysts. Real-time PCR and micro array data showed that INHA was down-regulated by 12.3-fold and by 1.4-fold, respectively, in the bovine follicular cyst. TUNEL assay and Western blot analysis for ERK, JNK, p38, PI3K, and Akt, which were used to detect whether apoptosis is occurred, showed no significant changes in cystic ovaries (p>0.05). In the expression and activity of caspase-3, Bax, Bel-2, and Bel-xL, there was no significant changes between follicular cystic ovary and normal ovary. Rather, the expression levels of PI3K and p-Akt were decreased in follicular cystic ovary. These results suggest that deficiency of apoptosis in cystic ovary is associated with decreased expression of apoptotic effectors.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.133-143
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• 2006

Diagnosis on reproductive failures of dairy cows by ultrasonography was performed for 151 dairy cows. To diagnose types of reproductive failures, ultrasonography (SA 600, Medison, 5.0 MHz rectal linear transducer) was carried out in combination with rectal examination. Of 151 dairy cows, pregnant cows were 13 and the cows in normal estrual cycle were 40 cows, thereby the cows with reproductive failures were 98 cows. 1. Of 98 cows with reproductive failures, the cows with ovarian diseases were 34 cows (34.7%) and the cows with uterine diseases were 41 cows (41.8%). 2. The diameter of follicle in proestrus was 1.94 cm and it was longer than that of follicle in diestrus (p<0.05). 3. The mean size of corpus luteum of pregnant cows was bigger than that of corpus luteum in normal diestrus (p<0.05). 4. The length of cystic corpus luteum was 3.26 and the width of that was 1.91 cm. The length of corpus luteum tissue was 1.95 and the width of that was 1.91 cm excluding the size of cavity in corpus luteum. 5. The mean length of follicular cyst was 3.31 and the mean width of that was 2.3 cm. 6. The mean length and width of luteal cyst was 3.45 and 2.25 cm, respectively. The mean length and width of corpus luteum tissue was 1.15 and 0.67 cm, respectively, excluding the size of cyst in the luteal cyst. 7. The width of uterine horn associated with endometritis was significantly reduced as the period after parturition was elapsed (p<0.05). The mean width of uterine horn within 40 days after parturition was 4.55 cm. These results indicated that ultrasonography is of great use for accurate diagnosis both on ovarian diseases and uterine diseases and that it is very effective to diagnose endometritis in dairy cows.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.138-144
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• 1999

To establish the differential diagnosis and treatment method in bovine ovarian cysts, specially ovarian cysts with corpus luteum, serum progesterone (P$_4$) concentration and ultrasonography for measuring the cystic wall thickness and diameter of cyst and corpus luteum were investigated from slaughtered cows with ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts were classified 8 types by the number of cyst, cystic wall thickness and present of corpus luteum. Ovarian cysts with corpus luteum were 11 (13.6%) of 81 cows and ovarian cysts without corpus luteum were 70 (86.4%) cows. The incidence rates of 8 various types of ovarian cysts were as follows; 2Ba 33.3%, 2Aa 25.9% and 2Bb 14.8%, respectively. The incidence rates of ovarian cysts without corpus luteum were follicular cyst 59.2% and luteal cyst 27.2%. The cystic wall thickness were 2Ab 3.7 mm and 2Bb 3.5 mm, and the serum P4 concentrations were above 2.0 ng/ml in 1Aa, 1Ab, 1Ba, 2Ab and 2Bb, respectively. In ovarian cysts with corpus luteum, the correlation coefficients between corpus luteum area and serum P$_4$ concentration were 0.45. In ovarian cysts without corpus luteum, there was significantly positive correlations between cystic wall thickness and serum P$_4$ concentration ($r^2$= 0.54, p＜0.01). These results indicate that PGF$_2$$\alpha$ analogues can be choice for treatment of ovarian cysts with corpus luteum and above 3 mm the cystic wall thickness because serum P$_4$ concentrations were above 2.0 ng/ml in ovarian cysts with corpus luteum and thickened cystic wall. In conclusion, it is suggest that ultrasonography is useful diagnostic tool for diagnosis and selection of treatment remedy in cystic ovaries of bovine.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2000

To establish the differential diagnosis and treatment method in bovine ovarian cysts, specially ovarian cysts with corpus luteum, serum progesterone ($P_4$) concentration and ultrasonography for measuring the cystic wall thickness and diameter of cyst and corpus luteum were investigated from slaughtered cows with ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts were classified 8 types by the number of cyst, cystic wall thickness and present of corpus luteum. Ovarian cysts with corpus luteum were 11 (13.6%) of 81 cows and ovarian cysts without corpus luteum were 70 (86.4%) cows. The incidence rates of 8 various types of ovarian cysts were as follows; 2Ba 33.3%, 2Aa 25.9% and 2Bb 14.8%, respectively The Incidence rates of ovarian cysts without corpus luteum were follicular cyst 59.2% and luteal cyst 27.2%. The cystic wall thickness were 2Ab 3.7mm and 2Bb 3.5mm, and the serum P4 concentrations were above 2.0 ng/$m\ell$ in IAa, tAb, IBa, 2Ab and 2Bb, respectively In ovarian cysts with corpus luteum, the correlation coefficients between corpus luteum area and serum $P_4$ concentration were 0.45. In ovarian cysts without corpus luteum, there was significantly positive correlations between cystic wall thickness and serum $P_4$ concentration($r^2$ = 0.54, p<0.01). These results indicate that $PGF_2$$\alpha$ analogues can be choice for treatment of ovarian cysts with corpus luteum and above 3mm the cystic wall thickness because serum $P_4$ concentrations were above 2.0 ng/$m\ell$ in ovarian cysts with corpus luteum and thickened cystic wall. In conclusion, it Is suggested that ultrasonography is useful diagnostic tool for diagnosis and selection of treatment remedy in cystic ovaries of bovine.

• 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.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.376-383
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• 2003

To establish the differential diagnosis and treatment method in bovine ovarian cysts, specially ovarian cysts with corpus luteum, serum progesterone concentration, rectal palpation and ultrasonography for measuring the cystic wall thickness and diameter of cyst and corpus luteum were investigated from 1,188 dairy cows with ovarian cysts. The plasma progesterone concentrations were 0.3$\pm$0.4 (mean$\pm$SD) ng/ml in 629 cows with follicular cysts, 3.7$\pm$1.1 ng/ml in 431 cows with luteal cysts, and 3.8$\pm$1.2 ng/ml in 128 cows with coexist of ovarian cysts and corpus luteum, respectively. The cystic wall thickness by ultrasonography were 1.6$\pm$0.4 mm in 629 cows with follicular cysts, 4.2$\pm$1.5 mm in 431 cows with luteal cysts, and 1.6$\pm$0.6 mm in 128 cows with coexist of ovarian cysts and corpus luteum, respectively. The days from initial treatment to insemination in follicular cysts were 28.1$\pm$6.9 days in treatment of GnRH alone, 15.9$\pm$2.9 days in combination of GnRH and dinoprost, and 15.1$\pm$3.1 days in combination of GnRH and cloprostenol. The percentages of cows conceived within 100 days after initial treatment were 61 %, 68% and 73% in treatment of GnRH alone, combination of GnRH and dinoprost, and combination of GnRH and cloprostenol, respectively. The days from initial treatment to insemination in luteal cysts were 3.8$\pm$0.6 days in treatment of dinoprost alone and 3.8$\pm$0.7 in cloprostenol alone. The percentages of cows conceived within 100 days after initial treatment were 69.5% and 68.5% in treatment of dinoprost and cloprostenol, respectively. The days from initial treatment to insemination in coexist of cysts and corpus luteum were 3.7$\pm$0.7 days in treatment of dinoprost alone and 3.8$\pm$0.6 in cloprostenol alone. The percentages of cows conceived within 100 days after initial treatment were 87% and 84% in treatment of dinoprost and cloprostenol, respectively. These results suggest that the best choice for treatment agents in ovarian cysts were combination of GnRH and PGF$_2$$\alpha$ in follicular cysts, and the PGF$_2$$\alpha$ in luteal cysts and in coexist of cysts and corpus luteum, respectively. In conclusion, it is suggest that ultrasonography is useful diagnostic tool for diagnosis and selection of treatment remedy in cystic ovaries of bovine.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 1998

To establish the differential diagnosis and treatment method in bovine ovarian cysts, specially ovarian cysts with corpus luteum, serum progesterone concentration and ulrasonography for measuring the cyclic area, thickness of cystic wall and echogenicity of corpus luteum were investigated in cystic ovaries from slaughtered cows. The incidence rates of ovarian cysts were follicular cyst 69.2% and luteal cyst 30.8%. The incidence rates of 8 various types of ovarian cysts were as follows; 2Ba 32.3%, 2Aa 25.8% and 2Bb 14.5%, respectively. The thickness of cystic wall were 2Bb 3.93mm, 2Ab 3.70mm and 1Aa 1.93mm and the serum progesterone concentrations were above 1.0ng/$m\ell$ in 2Ab, 2Bb and IAa, respectively. The cystic area of ovarian cysts with corpus luteum was 288.30mm2, but ovarian cysts without corpus luteum 542.30$\textrm{mm}^2$, and the thickness of cystic wall 2.12mm and 2.40mm, respectively. The serum progesterone concentration was 1.91ng/$m\ell$ in ovarian cysts with corpus luteum and 1.20ng/$m\ell$ ovarian cysts without corpus luteum. There was not the correlations between thickness of cystic wall and serum progesterone concentration in ovarian cysts with corpus luteum, whereas, was the correlations in ovarian cysts without corpus. These results indicated that PGF2$\alpha$ analogues can be choice for treating the ovarian cysts with corpus luteum because serum progesterone concentrations were above 1.0ng/$m\ell$ in ovarian cysts with corpus luteum. In conclusion, it is suggest that ultrasonography is useful diagnostic tool for diagnosing and choicing of treatment remedy in cystic ovaries of bovine.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2008

The objective of this study is to investigate the changes in concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and sex steroid hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in Korean cattle (Hanwoo) with reproductive disorders and to examine the relationship between BUN and body condition score (BCS) in Hanwoo. The concentration of BUN was 16.2 mg/dl, 17.8 mg/dl, 15.1 mg/dl, 17.9 mg/dl, and 28.3mg/dl in pregnancy, repeat breeding, follicular cyst, luteal cyst, and ovarian atrophy, respectively. In Hanwoo with BCS $2.0{\sim}2.9$, $3.0{\sim}3.5$ and $3.6{\sim}4.0$, the concentration of BUN was 15.8 mg/dl, 17.0 mg/dl, and 17.6 mg/dl, respectively. Fluoroimmunoassay showed that serum estrogen and progesterone levels were decreased in reproductive disorders Hanwoo, such as ovarian atrophy, endometritis, and weak estrus. The testosterone level was significantly decreased in Hanwoo with reproductive disorders compared to that in pregnant Hanwoo ($0.02{\sim}0.03\;ng/ml$ vs 0.13 ng/ml, p<0.05). The progesterone and estrogen concentrations in follicular fluid obtained from ovary with follicular cyst were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those in normal follicle fluid. These results show that there is no relationship between BUN and BCS in Hanwoo, and the concentration of sex steroid hormone in serum and follicular fluid are changed in reproductive disorders Hanwoo.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.211-216
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate inflammation-related gene expression altered in ovary and endometrium of Korean cattle with reproductive disorders using microarray. In the present study, nine inflammation-related differential1y expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the cystic ovary and endometrium with endometritis. In the follicular cyst, eotaxin and alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein (AHSG) were up-regulated, whereas complement component 3 (C3) and oxidised low density lipoprotein (lectin-like) receptor 1 (OLR1) were down-regulated. Complement component 4A (C4A) was up-regulated in luteal cyst. In the endometritis, chemokine 1igand l and 2 (CXCL1 and CXCL2), protein C (inactivator of coagulation factors Va and VIIIa), and complement component C5 were up-regulated, whereas kininogen was down-regulated. Of these genes, we focused on eotaxin and kininogen, which were highly regulated in the follicular cyst and endometritis, respectively and on C3 commonly regulated in both reproductive disorders. The microarray data of eotaxin, kininogen, and C3 were validated by semi-quantitative PCR. Consistent with microarray data, eotaxin was up-regulated by 4-fold in the follicular cyst, while kininogen was down-regulated by 5-fold in the endometritis. C3 was down-regulated in the both follicular cyst and endometritis. Our results suggest that these inflammation-related genes could be useful markers for diagnosis of cystic ovary and endometritis of Korean cattle.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.603-613
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• 1995

Plasma progesterone($P_4$) assay has been introduced to apply to the differential diagnosis of reproductive disorders and the monitoring of responses of ovarian dysfunction to $PGF_2{\alpha}$ or GnRH treatment in the 204 postpartum and postinsemination subestrus dairy cows. 1. The incidence rate of reproductive disorders in 204 subestrus cows, diagnosed by palpation per rectum and plasma $P_4$ determination using 'Two sample test'(Day 0+Day 10) were as follows; silent heat or error of estrus detection 110(53.9%), persistent corpus luteum 26(12.7%), follicular cyst 16(7.8%), inactive ovary 12(5.9%), luteal cyst 11(5.4%), granulosa cell tumor of ovary 1(0.5%), fetal mummification 1(0.5%), endometritis 15(7.4%) and pyometra 12(5.9%), respectively. 2. After the $PGF_2{\alpha}$ treatment to the 76 cows with silent heat or error of estrus detection, persistent corpus luteum, or luteal cyst, plasma $P_4$ concentrations at day 3 post treatment using 'Two sample test'(Day 0+Day 3) remained low(<1.0ng/ml) in all 76 cows. Therefore all 76 cows responded positively to $PGF_2{\alpha}$ treatment. Seventeen cows with follicular cyst or inactive ovary were treated with GnRH. All 7 cows with follicular cyst and 4 cows with inactive ovary remained high($${\geq_-}1.0ng/ml$$) a plasma $P_4$ concentrations at day 12 post treatment using 'Two sample test'(Day 0+Day 12), but 6 cows with inactive ovary remained low(<1.0ng/ml) a plasma $P_4$ concentrations. Therefore all 7 cows with follicular cyst and 4 cows with inactive ovary responded positively, but 6 cows with inactive ovary responded negatively to GnRH treatment. 3. The mean days from treatment to first service, number of cows conceived on first service(%), mean number of services per conception, mean days from initial treatment to conception, and mean number of cows conceived by 100 days post treatment(%) were 5.0 and 26.2 days, 45(59.2%) and 6(35.3%) cows, 1.5 and 1.7 services, 13.6 and 22.6 days, and 62(81.6%) and 9(52.9%) cows in group of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ and GnRH treatment, respectively. These results indicated that plasma $P_4$ assay was practical as an aid to diagnosing reproductive disorders and to monitoring responses of ovarian dysfunction to $PGF_2{\alpha}$ and GnRH treatment in subestrus cows.