• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.107-114
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• 2013

Homeobox genes play essential roles in embryonic development and reproduction. Recently, a large cluster of homeobox genes, reproductive homeobox genes on the X chromosome (Rhox) genes, was discovered as three gene clusters, ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, and ${\gamma}$ in mice. It was found that Rhox genes were selectively expressed in reproduction-associated tissues, such as those of the testes, epididymis, ovaries, and placenta. Hence, it was proposed that Rhox genes are important for regulating various reproductive features, especially gametogenesis in male as well as in female mammals. It was first determined that 12 Rhox genes are clustered into ${\alpha}$ (Rhox1-4), ${\beta}$ (Rhox5-9), and ${\gamma}$ (Rhox10-12) subclusters, and recently Rhox13 has also been found. At present, 33 Rhox genes have been identified in the mouse genome, 11 in the rat, and three in the human. Rhox genes are also responsible for embryonic development, with considerable amounts of Rhox expression in trophoblasts, placenta tissue, embryonic stem cells, and primordial germ cells. In this article we summarized the current understanding of Rhox family genes involved in reproduction and embryonic development and elucidated a previously unreported cell-specific expression in ovarian cells.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.42-47
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• 1988

This experiment was carried out to investigate the sex ratio of produced lamb after artificial insemination into the cervix with spermatozoa from the top and bottom portion of ram semen separated by diluting semen a column of protein, and after implantation into the uterus with normal morulae and blastocyst cultured in BMOG-3 and Ham F-10 medium containing H-Y anbibody and complement treated with spleen and testis, respectively. All embryos developed to morulae and blastocyst were cultrued in medium under gas phase of 5% CO2 in air at 37$^{\circ}C$, 24 hrs. Estrus of ewes induced by a MAP vaginal sponge and 750 IU PMSG during the non-breeding season. The result obtained in these experiments were summarized as follows: 1. The ratio of heating, lambing, and prolificacy after artificial inseminatin into the cervix of ewes induced by a MAP vaginal sponge and 750 IU PMSG during the non-breeding season were 100%, 40% and 2.74 heads, respectively. 2. Involving 44 ewes, spermatozoa from the top of the protein column produced 23.1% male and 76.9% female lambs, while spermatozoa from the bottom of the column produced 81.3% male and 18.8% female offspring, respectively. 3. The sex ratio (male-to-female) of progeny produced after implantation with normal morulae and blastocyst cultured in medium containing H-Y antibody and complement treated with spleen and testis were 21.0%, 79.0% and 17.4%, 82.6%, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 1996

Bovine immature oocytes cultured for various times in TC-199 medium were inseminated with frozne-thawed spermatozoa in TC-199 medium supplemented with caffeine(5mM) and heparin(10$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml). Sperm penetraton was possible in oocytes at any stage of maturation, but penetration rates were lower in oocytes inseminated 0~16h (60~76%) than 20h (98%) after culture. Formation of male and female pronuclei were first observed in oocytes inseminated 8h after cultrue. Formation of male and female pronuclei were first observed in oocytes inseminated 8h after culture. The proportions of polyspermy were high(50~76%) in oocytes inseminated at any stage of maturation. Sperm penetration into oocytes at the GV stage started at 8h after insemination and the penetration rates gradually increased as time after insemination proceeds. The proportion(35%) of oocytes matured beyond metaphase-II 20h after sperm-oocytes incubation was low. When oocytes were incubated without spermatozoa in TC-199 medium, maturation rates were significantly higher (P<0.001) in those without(45 and 84% for 16 and 20 h) than with (0 and 36% for 16 and 20 h) caffeine and heparin. These results indicate that TC-199 medium with caffeine and heparin is not suitable for maturation and fertilization of immature oocytes and may inhibit male pronuclear formation in the cytoplasm.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 1999

It is believed that genetic defects make an important contribution to male infertility. Since spermatogenesis is such a complex process, it seems inevitable that many genes are involved in controlling the entire development of germ cells. Genes for infertility, however, are considered to be only those which are defected in the reproduction ability, but normal in other functions. Microdeletions of the Y chromosome have been observed frequently in infertile males. At least two genes, RBM and DAZ, are known to present in the loci where microdeletions occur frequently. A number of autosomal genes were also considered as candidates of infertility genes, based on phenotypes of knockout mice that were deficient of these genes.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.80-86
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• 2022

The ability to determine the sex of bovine embryos before the transfer is advantageous in livestock management, especially in dairy production, where female calves are preferred in milk industry. The milk production of female and male cattle benefits both the dairy and beef industries. Pre-implantation sexing of embryos also helps with embryo transfer success. There are two approaches for sexing bovine embryos in farm animals: invasive and non-invasive. A non-invasive method of embryo sexing retains the embryo's autonomy and, as a result, is less likely to impair the embryo's ability to move and implant successfully. There are lists of non-invasive embryo sexing such as; Detection of H-Y antigens, X-linked enzymes, and sexing based on embryo cleavage and development. Since it protects the embryo's autonomy, the non-invasive procedure is considered to be the safest. Invasive methods affect an embryo's integrity and are likely to damage the embryo's chances of successful transformation. There are different types of invasive methods such as polymerase chain reaction, detection of male chromatin Y chromosome-specific DNA probes, Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), cytological karyotyping, and immunofluorescence (FISH). The PCR approach is highly sensitive, precise, and effective as compared to invasive methods of farm animal embryonic sexing. Invasive procedures, such as cytological karyotyping, have high accuracy but are impractical in the field due to embryonic effectiveness concerns. This technology can be applicable especially in the dairy and beef industry by producing female and male animals respectively. Enhancing selection accuracy and decreasing the multiple ovulation embryo transfer costs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.427-433
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• 1992

Reproduction and growth to weaning were compared for Brahman crossbred (BX) and a local strain of South-East Asian cattle, "Javanese Zebu" (JZ) and their reciprocal crosses at "Erap" in the humid equatorial lowlands of Papua New Guinea. Forty heifers of each breed were mated continuously, half to bulls of each breed, for five years. BX calved first at 35 months while JZ calved at 31 months. Subsequent calving intervals were very short, at 370 and 341 days. JZ cows weighed about two thirds of the BX cattle at each stage of reproduction. Birth weights and growth to weaning were : BX 35 kg and 0.68 kg/d ; BX male $\times$ JZ female 29.3 kg and 0.53 kg/d ; JZ male $\times$ BX female 30.8 kg and 0.61 kg/d ; JZ 25 kg and 0.50 kg/d. The combination of small cow size, short calving interval and rapid calf growth resulted in the BX male $\times$ JZ female being the most efficient producer, in kg of calf weaned per cow mated per year while the reciprocal cross was the least efficient ; both straight-breds were equal and intermediate. These data show that indigenous equatorial cattle may not be inferior under good grazing conditions. For all traits, breed interactions (heterosis) was small and non-significant.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.443-451
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• 1997

These studies were conducted to determine the sex of preimplantation Hanwoo embryos produced in vitro using polymerase chain reaction(PCR). Y chromosome specific and bovine speicific DNA primers were synthesized and tested for embryo sexing. Bovine IVF embryos were produced in TCM 199 and CR1aa medium, and classified by developmental stages on Day 7 to 9. The effects of developmental rates to bovine IVF blastocysts on sex ratio were also investigated using PCR methods. The results obtained in this study were as follows; 1. Developmental rates to blastocyst from IVM/IVF embryos in TCM 199 and CR1aa medium for 9 days were 23.5 and 30.2%, respectively, and there was significant difference between the media(P<0.05). 2. Male to female ratio of early, mid, expanded and hatching balstocyst produced on Day 7 were 0.7:1, 1.4:1, 2.2:1, and 2.5:1, respectively, and male embryos was significantly higher proportion in expanding and hatching blastocysts(P<0.01). 3. On Day 8, male to female ratio of early, mid, expanded and hatching blastocysts were 0.6:1, 1:1, 2.5:1, and 2.7:1, respectively. Both expanded and hatching blastocysts obtained a significantly higher proportion of males(P<0.01). 4. The male : female ratio of early, mid, expanded and hatching blastocyst produced on Day 9 was 0.6:1, 0.8:1, 1:1, and 2.2:1, respectively. Hatching blastocysts had a significantly higher ratio of males(P<0.01). The developmental rate of IVM/IVF embryos to blastocyst for 9 day culture was higher in CR1aa than that in TCM 199 medium. For the sex ratio by developmental stages of IVF embryos, male ratio was higher in expanded blastocyst but female in early blastocysts.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.89-99
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to develop the diagnosis techniques for sex determination of rabbit embryos at preimplantation stage. To detect male specific sequences using polymerase chain reaction, two genes functional on sex determination including SRY and ZFX/Y genes were targeted using multiple oligonucleotide primer sets. Three of them for conserved SRY gene were used for appropriate amplification pattern, and then only one primer set #3 proved to be most efficient, showing male-specific strong signal ofamplified sequences. Using this male specific bandsfrom human, cattle, pig and mouse, the gender of rabbit was determined. As an another system for sex determination system, amplified 910bp fragment from ZFX/Y was digested with several restriction endonuclease and showed gender specific restriction fragments only by Hinf I. Using two different system for sex identification of rabbit in this study, blind tests for 17 samples was conducted and showed identical results from two different methods. And then, amplification limit of PCR reaction for template DNA was estimated using various amounts of DNA for both SRY and ZFX/Y systems, resulted as 20pg and 800pg, respectively. With this results, test for gender identification of rabbit embryos were performed using SRY derived amplification system. From total 22 embryos selected for its developmental state 18 were identified as male embryos, showing significant difference from expected sex ratio 1:1. This biased sex ratio was interpreted as to have been caused by the fact, reported by the fact, reported by several researchers, that male embryos develop more rapidly and are more resistant against the in vitro manipulation than female embryos.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.276-284
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• 2022

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in many commercial products may interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system and are unsafe because of their cumulative effect on the human body. However, little is known about the effects of combinations of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in humans. Methoxychlor and bisphenol A are toxic to male reproductive organs. Therefore, we studied the effects of methoxychlor and bisphenol A on male reproductive function. Male mice were divided into four treatment groups: control, 400 mg methoxychlor, 1 mg bisphenol A, and 400 mg methoxychlor + 1 mg bisphenol A/kg/day. Methoxychlor and bisphenol A were dissolved in sesame oil and acetone and administered orally for 4 weeks. After administration, the weight and histological changes in the testicles and epididymis, sperm count and health were observed biochemical tests and whole blood counts were performed. The results showed that the mice in the bisphenol A and methoxychlor + bisphenol A groups gained more weight than those in the control and methoxychlor group. The weights of the testes and epididymis were higher in the experimental groups than in the control. Sperm motility and progression were significantly reduced in the bisphenol A and methoxychlor + bisphenol A groups. Histological observation showed a reduced number of sperm, smaller seminiferous tubules, and destroyed lumen in the methoxychlor + bisphenol A group compared to the other groups. In conclusion, our study showed that methoxychlor and bisphenol A destroy male reproductive tissues and decrease sperm quality.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.63-70
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to compare the difference of joint position sense between measurements. Fourteen healthy male subjects were recruited for this study. The elbow joint position senses were measured using angle reproduction test. The elbow joint position sense was assessed with three experimental conditions: ipsilateral reproduction test in open-chain condition, contralateral reproduction test in open-chain condition, ipsilateral reproduction test with weight in open-chain condition and ipsilateral reproduction test in closed-chain condition. The angular difference between stimulus position and the reproduced position (angular error) was calculated in all testing conditions to examine the accuracy of the joint position sense. One way ANOVA was used to compare the error angles in all experimental conditions. The error angles between measurements were significantly different in elbow joint. The error angles was smallest in ipsilateral reproduction test with weight in open-chain condition and was greatest in the contralateral reproduction test in open-chain condition. Findings of this study indicate that testing methods, types of task, existence of resistance should be considered in clinical assessment for the joint position sense.