• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.55-61
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• 2009

The epididymis in the male reproductive tract is the site where spermatozoa produced from the testis become mature. The epididymis is divided into 4 different segments, initial segment and caput, corpus, and caudal epididymis, depending upon functional and morphological features. Aquaporins (Aqps) are water channel molecules, which are present in the epididymis and play a major role in removal of epididymal water, resulting in creation of microenvironment for sperm maturation and concentration of sperms. Nandrolone decanoate (ND) is a synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid, which is used to treat clinical diseases and improve physical ability and appearance. Even though it is well determined that the ND causes the male infertility by affecting the testis, little is known the effect of the ND on the epididymis. The present study was focused to examine the effect of ND at different treatment doses and periods on expression of Aqp1 and Aqp9 genes in the epididymis of pubertal rats. Results showed that mRNA expression of Aqp1 and Aqp9 genes among the parts of the epididymis was differentially regulated by ND treatment doses. In addition, treatment periods of ND caused differential expression of Aqp1 and Aqp9 mRNAs among segments of the epididymis. Therefore, it is believed that male infertility induced by ND could be resulted not only from malfunction of the testis but also from aberrant gene expression of Aqp1 and Aqp9 in the epididymis.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.461-467
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• 2013

Nesfatin-1/NUCB2, which is associated with the control of appetite and energy metabolism, was reported for the first time to be expressed in the hypothalamus. However, recent studies have shown that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 was expressed not only in the hypothalamus, but also in various tissues including digestive and reproductive organs. We also demonstrated that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 was expressed in the reproductive organs, pituitary gland, heart, lung, and gastrointestinal tract of the adult mouse. However, little is known about nesfatin-1/NUCB2 expression in fetal and neonatal mice. Therefore, we examined here the distribution of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 in various organs of fetal and neonatal mice and compared them with the distribution in adult mice. As a result of immunohistochemical staining, nesfatin-1/NUCB2 protein was expressed relatively higher in the lung, kidney, heart, and liver compared to other organs in the fetus. Western blot results also showed that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 protein was detected in the lung, kidney, heart, and stomach. Next, we compared the expression levels of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 mRNA in the fetus and neonate with the expression levels in both male and female adult mice. The expression levels in heart, lung, stomach, and kidney were higher compared with other organs in fetal and neonatal mice and in both male and female adult mice. Interestingly, the expression of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 mRNA in the kidney was dramatically increased in male and female adult mice compared to fetal and neonatal mice. These results indicate that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 may regulate the development and physiological function of mouse organs. In the future, we need more study on the function of nesfatin-1/NUCB2, which is highly expressed in the heart, lung, and kidney during mouse development.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제53권3호
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• pp.195-202
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• 2011

Maintenance of adequate telomere length in developing cells is the most important concern to preserve the integrity of the genome. The length of telomere is strictly regulated by numerous telomere-binding proteins and/or interacting factors. Even though the expression of telomerase in the male reproductive tract has been characterized, developmental expressional profiling of telomerase and other telomere-associated proteins has not been determined in detail. The present study was attempted to examine expression patterns of catalytic subunit (Tert) and RNA component (Terc) of telomerase and two telomerase associated factors, telomerase associated protein 1 (Tep1) and TERF1 (TRF1) interacting nuclear factor 2 (Tinf2) in the testis and seminal vesicle of male rat during postnatal development. The real-time PCR analysis was utilized to quantify mRNA expression of molecules. The abundance of Tep1 mRNA in the testis and seminal vesicle was the highest at 5 months of age. Expressional fluctuation of Tinf2 during postnatal development was found in the testis, while expression of Tinf2 in the seminal vesicle was gradually increased until 5 months of age and then significantly decreased later. mRNA level of Tert gene in the testis was significantly increased at the adult and the elder, while the highest expression of Tert gene in the seminal vesicle was found at 5 months of age. Expression of Terc transcript in the testis and seminal vesicle was the highest at 5 months of age, followed by significant reduction at 1 and 2 years of ages. Such differential gene expression of telomere-associated factors and telomerase components in different male reproductive tissues during postnatal development indicates that maintenance of telomere length would be regulated in tissue- and/or age-specific manners.

• 한국발생생물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국발생생물학회 1998년도 제4차 학술발표대회 및 정기총회
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• pp.50-51
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• 1998

guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT) catalyzes the last step of creatine biosynthesis in mammals. Creatine plays an important role in cellular energy metabolism in variety of tissues including brain and male reproductive tract. Congenital deficiency of the enzyme leads to a neurologic disorder in humans. We used an interspecific backcross DNA panel to map Gamt to the central region of mouse Chromosome (Chr) 10 near the locus of hesitant mutation affecting male fertility. We assigned the human GAMT gene to Chr 19 by PCR analysis of a human/rodent somatic hybrid cell line DNA panel, and further localized the human gene to Chr 19 at band p13.3 by PCR analysis of a human radiation hybrid DNA panel. Human chr 19p13.3 is homologous to the central part of mouse Chr 10 where mouse Gamt is located. Furthermore, this part of mouse Chr 10 contains mutant loci the phenotype of which is similar to the GAMT deficiency in human.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.97-101
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• 1999

Male genital tract inflammatory conditions may be associated with unexplained infertility. The presence of cytokine such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) was reported in the semen of infertile men. However, the effect of these cytokines on human sperm function is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the in-vitro effects of TNF-alpha on human sperm motility with computer assisted sperm analysis. Washed sperm from 16 normal men were incubated without and with TNF-${\alpha}$ (0.1, 10, 1000 ng/ml). The changes of parameters of sperm motility were recorded at different time intervals (0, 5, 24 hour). There was no significant change of parameters of sperm motility in the incubation with TNF-${\alpha}$. It is suggested that TNF-${\alpha}$ alone does not interfere with the sperm motility and more studies are needed.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제50권6호
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• pp.783-792
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• 2008

본 연구는 생후 발달과정에서 숫 흰쥐의 생식기인 Efferent ductules(EDs)과 부정소에서 cytochrome P450 aromatase(Cyp19) 유전자의 발현과 연령별 발현 양상을 알아보는데 목적이 있다. 조직으로부터 추출된 total RNA는 역 전사 반응을 통해 cDNA로 바뀌어진 후 real-time PCR 기법을 사용하여 부위별 그리고 연령별로 Cyp19 유전자 발현을 알아보았다. Cyp19 유전자의 발현은 EDs에서 90일령을 제외한 7일, 14일, 그리고 30일령 등 성숙기 이전의 모든 연령에서 나타났으며, 부정소에서는 7일령을 제외한 모든 연령에서 보여졌다. 특히 부정소에서 Cyp19의 발현은 부정소의 각 부위별로 특이한 양상을 보였다. 본 연구 결과를 통해 남성 생식기의 EDs와 부정소의 각 부분에서 Cyp19 유전자 발현은 연령과 부위에 따라 차별적으로 조절되는 것을 알 수 있었다.

• 한국환경독성학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국환경독성학회 2002년도 추계국제학술대회
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• pp.168-168
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• 2002

To establish a test protocol for the rodent 20-day thyroid/pubertal assay, flutamide and diethylstilbestrol (DES) were administered to intact male Sprague-Dawley rats from postnatal day 33 for 20 days. Flutamide (1, 5, and 25 mg/kg/day) or DES (10, 20, and 40 ug/kg/day) was given once daily by oral gavage to immature male rats. Prepuce separation was significantly delayed in flutamide group and in DES group. One day after the last dose, the rats were killed and pituitary, thyroid, and reproductive organs were removed and weighed. Flutamide treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the weights of epididymides, ventral prostate, seminal vesicles plus coagulating glands and fluid (SVCGF), levator ani. bulbocarvenus muscles (LABC), Cowper's glands, and glans penis. The weight of adrenal glands decreased at % mg/kg/day, while testes and any other organ weights were unaffected. No microscopic changes were observed in the thyroid glands. Serum levels of testosterone wert significantly increased in the flutamide-treated groups and serum levels of estradiol were also increased. A significant reduction in the weights of testes, epididymides, ventral prostate, SVCGF, LABC, Cowpers glands, and glans penis of DES treated group. Serum testosterone and LH decreased significantly in DES group. Decrease of estradiol was observed, but not significant. These results indicate that flutamide and DES delay puberty in the male rat and its mode of action appears to be via altered secretion of steroids, which subsequently affect the development of the reproductive tract. (Supported by the grant from NITR/Korea FDA for Endocrine Disrupter Research.)

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제49권3호
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• pp.309-320
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• 2007

본 연구에서는 남성 생식 기관인 efferent ductules(ED)에서 monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) isoform과 Basigin(Bsg)의 mRNA 발현을 탐구하고, MCT1의 발현이 에스트로젠 수용체 α에 의해 조절되는지를 연구하였다. 생후 여러 연령대의 백서 ED에서 MCT isoform과 Bsg의 mRNA 발현 여부는 real-time PCR에 의해 조사 되었고, 정상 생쥐와 에스트로젠 수용체 α knockout 생쥐를 사용하여 에스트로젠 수용체 α에 의한 MCT1의 발현 조절 여부는 immunohistochemistry 방법에 의해 간접적으로 알아 보았다. 본 연구 결과는 백서의 ED에서 MCT1, 2, 3, 4와 8 그리고 Bsg 유전자의 발현은 연령에 따라 다르게 나타나며, MCT1의 발현이 ED의 ciliated 세포의 basolateral 지역에서 발현되고 어떤 측면에서 ERα에 의해 조절되어 질 수 있음을 보여 주었다. 따라서 본 연구 결과는 MCT가 monocarboxylate의 세포 내, 외부로 운반을 조절함으로써 남성 생식기의 일부인 ED의 역할을 조절하는데 관여함을 시사한다.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.43-51
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• 2015

Connexin (Cx) is a complex which allows direct communication between neighboring cells via exchange of signaling molecules and eventually leads to functional harmony of cells in a tissue. The initial segment (IS) is an excurrent duct of male reproductive tract and expression of numerous genes in the IS are controlled by androgens and estrogens. The effects of these steroid hormones on gene expression in the IS during postnatal development have not extensively examined. The present research investigated expressional modulation of Cx isoforms in the IS by exogenous exposure to estrogen agonist, estradiol benzoate (EB), or androgen antagonist, flutamide (Flu), at weaning age. Two different doses of EB or Flu were subcutaneously administrated in 21-day old of male rats, and expressional changes of Cx isoforms in the adult IS were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Treatment of a low-dose EB ($0.015{\mu}g/kg$ body weight) resulted in an increased expression of Cx31 gene and a decreased expression of Cx37 gene. A high-dose EB ($1.5{\mu}g/kg$ body weight) treatment caused an increase of Cx31 gene expression. Increased levels of Cx30.3 and Cx40 transcripts were observed with a low-dose Flu ($500{\mu}g/kg$ body weight) treatment. Treatment of high-dose Flu (50 mg/kg body weight) led to expressional increases of Cx30.3, 40, and 43 genes. Our previous and present findings suggest differential responsiveness on gene expression of Cx isoforms in the IS by androgens and estrogens at different postnatal ages.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.45-56
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• 2008

본 연구는 생후 발달 과정 동안 monocarboxylate transporter(MCT) isoform과 MCT의 발현 조절 단백질로 알려진 basigin(Bsg)과 embigin의 mRNA 발현을 흰쥐의 부정소에서 부위별로 real-time PCR 방법을 사용하여 알아보았으며, 에스트로젠과 에스트로젠 수용체 α의 작용에 의해 MCT1 발현이 조절되는지를 알아보기 위해 estrogen receptor α knockout(αERKO) 마우스를 이용하여 immunohistochemistry 방법을 통해 탐구하였다. 본 연구 결과는 다양한 MCT isoform(MCT1, 2, 3, 4와 8), Bsg과 embigin의 mRNA 발현이 부정소의 부위별로 연령에 따라 다르게 나타나며, 부정소에서 MCT1 단백질 발현은 corpus와 caudal 부위에서 apical 지역에 한정되어 나타나는 것을 보여 주었다. 또한 부정소에서 MCT1 단백질 발현은 에스트로젠 수용체 α의 존재 여부와 상관 없음이 보여졌다. 따라서, 본 연구는 MCT가 남성 생식기관인 부정소에서 정자 성숙과 저장을 위한 적절한 환경을 형성함으로써 남성 생식력의 유지에 관여 할 수 있음을 시사한다. (색인어 : Epididymis, Monocarboxylate transporter, Basigin, Embigin)