• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.157-163
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• 2012

The male reproduction is precisely controlled by a number of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. These factors usually involve in expressional regulation of various molecules influencing on sperm production in the testis. A number of ways are employed to control the transcription of specific genes, including epigenetic modifications of DNA and histone molecules. DNA methylation of CpG dinucleotides is a commonly used regulatory mechanism for testicular genes associated with the fertility. Previous studies have demonstrated the infertility induced by improper DNA methylation of these genes. In the present research, we attempted to determine transcriptional expression of some of these genes in the rat testis at different postnatal ages using real-time PCR analysis. These genes include neurotrophin 3 (Ntf3), insulin-like growth factor II (Igf2), JmjC-domain-containing histone demethylase 2A 1 (Jhm2da), paired box 8 transcription factor (Pax8), small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide N (Snrpn), and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (Mthfr). The expression levels of Ntf3, Igf2, and Snrpn genes were the highest at the neonatal age, followed by transient decreases at the prepubertal age. Expression of Jhm2da and Mthfr genes were continuously increased from the neonate to 1 year of age. The levels of Pax8 mRNA at the early ages were higher than those at the later ages of postnatal development. These findings suggest that expression of some fertility-associated testicular genes in the rat during postnatal period could be differentially regulated by the control of the degree of DNA methylation.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.550-558
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• 2015

To analyze the linkage relationships among molecular markers recently reported to be linked to onion (Allium cepa L.) Ms, a restorer-of-fertility locus, in onion (Allium cepa L.), three single nucleotide polymorphism markers were converted into cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers based on onion transcriptome sequences and the rice genome database. Analysis of the recombinants selected from 4,273 segregating plants using CAPS and other linked markers demonstrated the jnurf13 and jnurf610 markers to perfectly co-segregate with the Ms locus. In contrast to jnurf13, the jnurf610 marker was not in perfect linkage disequilibrium with the Ms locus in diverse breeding lines. Thus, the jnurf13 marker and the marker for identification of cytoplasm types were utilized to enhance the efficiency of onion breeding through four applications. First, 89 maintainer lines containing the normal cytoplasm and homozygous recessive Ms genotypes were successfully identified from 100 breeding lines. Second, these two molecular markers were used to analyze the main sources of male-fertile contaminants frequently found in the male-sterile parental lines during F1 hybrid seed production. The majority of the contaminants contained heterozygous Ms genotypes, indicating that pollen grains harboring the dominant Ms genotype may have been introduced during propagation of the maintainer lines. Therefore, the genetic purity of the two maintainer lines was analyzed in the third application, and the results showed that both maintainer lines contained 13-21% off-types. Finally, the two markers were used to increase the seed yield potentials of two open-pollinated varieties containing sterile cytoplasms by removing the plants harboring homozygous recessive and heterozygous Ms genotypes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.108-114
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• 2014

Male factors account for 20%-50% of cases of infertility and in 25% of cases, the etiology of male infertility is unknown. Effective treatments are well-established for hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, male accessory gland infection, retrograde ejaculation, and positive antisperm antibody. However, the appropriate treatment for idiopathic male infertility is unclear. Empirical medical treatment (EMT) has been used in men with idiopathic infertility and can be divided into two categories based on the mode of action: hormonal treatment and antioxidant supplementation. Hormonal medications consist of gonadotropins, androgens, estrogen receptor blockers, and aromatase inhibitors. Antioxidants such as vitamins, zinc, and carnitines have also been widely used to reduce oxidative stress-induced spermatozoa damage. Although scientifically acceptable evidence of EMT is limited because of the lack of large, randomized, controlled studies, recent systematic reviews with meta-analyses have shown that the administration of gonadotropins, anti-estrogens, and oral antioxidants results in a significant increase in the live birth rate compared with control treatments. Therefore, all physicians who treat infertility should bear in mind that EMT can improve semen parameters and subsequent fertility potential through natural intercourse.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.49-57
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• 1980

A $F_1$ hybrid out of 143 crosses of rape (Brassica napus) using cytoplasmic-genetic male sterility yielded 5.18 tons per hectare. European and native varieties used, were found out to have 78% and 58% of genes restoring fertility, respectively. The $F_1$ hybrids of three way cross using non-isogenic maintainer showed higher heteroses than those of double cross. To produce F 1 hybrids of three way cross, three stages of crossing operations are needed and seeds produced from about 60 hectares can be covered to 60, 000 hectares.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.622-637
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• 2017

Fatty acids such as n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are critical nutrients, used to improve male reproductive performance through modification of fatty acid profile and maintenance of sperm membrane integrity, especially under cold shock or cryopreservation condition. Also, PUFA provide the precursors for prostaglandin synthesis and can modulate the expression patterns of many key enzymes involved in both prostaglandin and steroid metabolism. Many studies carried out on diets supplemented with PUFA have demonstrated their capability to sustain sperm motility, viability and fertility during chilling and freezing as well as improving testis development and spermatogenesis in a variety of livestock species. In addition to the type and quantity of dietary fatty acids, ways of addition of PUFA to diet or semen extender is very crucial as it has different effects on semen quality in male ruminants. Limitation of PUFA added to ruminant ration is due to biohydrogenation by rumen microorganisms, which causes conversion of unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids, leading to loss of PUFA quantity. Thus, many strategies for protecting PUFA from biohydrogenation in rumen have been developed over the years. This paper reviews four aspects of PUFA in light of previous research including rumen metabolism, biological roles, influence on reproduction, and strategies to use in male ruminants.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.93-100
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• 2022

This study is a descriptive survey study that applies the planned behavior theory to identify the factors influencing the childbirth intention of unmarried men and women. Data were collected from April 05 to April 23, 2021 for 168 unmarried men and women. As a result of the study, in general characteristics, male, old, highly educated, occupational, and non-regular workers had statistically significantly higher childbirth intentions. As a result of examining the correlation between the variables constituting the theory of planned behavior(TPB), it was found that the more positive the attitude toward childbirth, the greater the subjective norm, and the greater the perceived behavior control, the higher the intention to give birth. Multiple regression analyses showed that the factors affecting fertility intention on men and women. The factors affecting fertility intention in men was attitude, with an explanatory power of 62.2% and the factors affecting fertility intention in women were attitudes and perceived behavioral control, and the explanatory power of these variables on fertility intention was 69.0%. In order to increase the intention to give birth, a comprehensive approach is needed, and the research is meaningful in that the results of this study provided basic data in the development of policies and education programs related to low birth rates in the future.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.473-475
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• 1999

This study was carried out to restore the fertility by suppression of male sterility-induced gene using an antisense construct. Tobacco (cv. Petit Havana SR1) was transformed with the binary vector containing a GBAN215-6 promoter, an antisense diphtheria toxin (DTx-A) gene (pKDA215b) and a hygromycin resistant gene. Seventy-six confirmed transgenic plants regenerated from leaf disks were designated as the $R_0$ generation and selfed to produce the $R_1$ generation. From the inheritance study, five $R_1$ lines with multiple copies of the antisense construct were selected and selfed to identify homozygosity for the antisense construct. In order to restore fertility and finally to select restore lines, five $R_2$ lines with multiple copies of the antisense construct were crossed with male sterile plants. From these crosses, three different phenotypes have been observed: completely restored, partially restored, and not restored pollens, and otherwise tobacco plants were phenotypically same as normal plants. These plants were scored for the degree of restoration and selected for further study.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2002.07a
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• pp.208-208
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• 2002

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.57-62
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• 2001

One of recent advances of mammalian fertilization is the understanding of the molecular basis of fertilization. Several proteins localized in sperm nucleus or on sperm surface are necessary for the fertilization process. Protamines, sperm nuclear proteins, are required for normal sperm function that leads to fertilization. Fertilin and cyritestin are sperm surface proteins and essential for sperm-egg binding. Fertilin is also required for sperm transport in the female reproductive tracts. Metalloproteses on sperm plasma membrane are found to play a role in sperm-egg fusion. The functional analysis of these proteins provides a new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying mammalian fertilization and male fertility.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1566-1577
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• 2010

Nandrolone, 19-nortestosterone, is a synthetic androgenic-anabolic steroid promoting muscle growth. Nandrolone is also present in pig meat and sera at non-negligible levels. A number of scientific reports have suggested a positive relationship between incidence of infertility and increased meat consumption in humans. The present study was designed to determine out the effect of feeding nandrolone on the testis of the male reproductive tract. Mixtures of food and nandrolone at different concentrations (0.005 ppm and 0.5 ppm) were supplied to pubertal male rats for 6 weeks. Body weight was recorded every week during the entire experimental period. At the end of the treatment, the testis, epididymis, and epididymal fat were collected and weighted. Sperm numbers in the caudal epididymis were counted. Differential gene or protein expression of steroidogenic enzymes in the testes among experimental groups was determined by semi-quantitative real-time PCR or western blotting analysis, respectively. Histological changes of the testis induced by nandrolone treatment were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Immunohistochemical analysis was employed to detect changes in the localization of steroidogenic enzymes in the testes among experimental animals. There were no significant changes on body, testis, epididymis, and epididymal fat weights among experimental groups. A significant increase of caudal sperm number was found in the 0.5 ppm nandrolone-treated group. Histological examination of the testes noted a high frequency of germ cell sloughing in seminiferous tubules of 0.5 ppm nandrolone-treated rats. Even though transcript levels of $3{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) I, $17{\beta}$-HSD4, and $17{\alpha}$-hydroxylase were influenced by nandrolone treatments, protein levels of all molecules examined in the present study were not significantly affected. Immunohistochemical analysis showed no visible changes in the localization of steroidogenic enzymes in the testes among experimental groups. The current study showed that oral intake of nandrolone in male rats for 6 weeks did not cause significant damage to the testis. It is considered that a feeding effect of nandrolone on male fertility would not be remarkable.