• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2007

The object of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of lyophilized water extract of Radix Araliae Cordatae (RA) in male and female mice. The extract was administered to female and male ICR mice as an oral dose of 2000 mg/kg (body wt.) according to the recommendation of KFDA Guidelines. Animals were monitored for the mortality and changes in body weight, clinical signs and gross observation during 14 days after dosing, upon necropsy, organ weight and histopathology of 12 principle organs were examined. As results, we could not find any mortality, clinical signs, changes in the body weight and gross findings except for increases of hypertrophy of lymph nodes in male RA extracts-dosing group. In addition, no RA extracts-treatment related abnormal changes in the organ weight and histopathology of principle organs except for some sporadic accidental findings. The results obtained in this study suggest that the RA extracts does not cause any toxicological signs. The LD$_{50}$ and approximate LD of RA extracts in both female and male mice were considered as over 2000 mg/kg.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.17 no.4
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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.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.69-75
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• 2004

It has been known for many years that administration of estrogen, a so-called female hormone, has harmful effects on male fertility. However, studies employing transgenic mice deficient in estrogen receptors reveal substantial roles for estrogen in male fertility. The aim of this article is to review and summarize the current knowledge on the estrogen receptor localization in male reproductive organs including male germ cells of rodents. Also, informations about the mice models with disrupted estrogen signaling and associated phenotypes will be provided.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.37 no.2 s.145
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• pp.85-91
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• 2006

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of evening primrose oil (EPO) on the male sexual functions. EPO (daily 0.5 ml/mouse) was orally intubated for 28 consecutive days to experimental ICR mice, and same vol. of vehicle to control mice. On the 14th and 28th experimental day, the testis weight, number of complete intromissions and mating, serum testosterone and cGMP levels, prostaglandin leveIs of penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells, and NO-productive activity of endothelial cells were determined. The weight of body and testis, the number of complete intromissions during the 3hour period were somewhat increased in EPO treated mice than those of control. The number of sperm-positive females and testosterone level in serum were increased in experimental groups. The serum cGMP level was significantly increased but the NO production of ionomycin-stimulated HUVEC cells was not affected when EPO was added into cultures. These results suggest that oral administration of EPO enhanced the sexual functions of male mice, and EPO could be developed as a tonic improving sexual functions.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.21-38
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• 2011

Objective : This study was to evaluate the single dose toxicity of Bojungikki-tang(Buzhongyiqi-tang, BJIKT) in male and female mice. Method : Aqueous extracts of BJIKT were administered to female and male ICR mice as an oral dose of 2,000, 1,000 and 500 mg/kg (body weight) according to the recommendation of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) Guidelines. Animals were monitored for the mortality and changes in body weight, clinical signs and gross observation during 14 days after dosing, upon necropsy ; organ weight and histopathology of 12 principle organs were examined. Results : we could not find any mortality, clinical signs, and changes in the body and organ weight. In addition, no BJIKT-treatment related abnormal gross findings and changes in histopathology of principle organs were detected except for some sporadic accidental findings. Conclusion : The results obtained in this study suggest that the 50% lethal dose and approximate lethal dose of BJIKT aqueous extracts in both female and male mice were considered as over 2,000 mg/kg, the limited highest dosage recommended by KFDA Guidelines, and can be safety used in clinics.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.245-251
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• 2007

The object of this study was to evaluate the single dose toxicity of Kong-Jin-Dan (KJD), a polyherbal formula in male and female mice. KJD was administered to female and male ICR mice as an oral dose of 2000, 1000 and 500 mg/kg (body wt.) according to the recommendation of KFDA Guidelines. Animals were monitored for the mortality and changes in body weight, clinical signs and gross observation during 14 days after dosing, upon necropsy, organ weight and histopathology of 12 principle organs were examined. As results, we could not find any mortality, clinical signs, and changes in the body and organ weight except for increases of lymphoid organ weights in KJD-dosing groups. These increases of lymphoid organ weights considered that related to the immune modulate effect of KJD not toxicological signs. In addition, no KJD-treatment related abnormal gross findings and changes in histopathology of principle organs were detected except for some sporadic accidental findings. The results obtained in this study suggest that the KJD does not cause any toxicological signs. The $LD_{50}$ and approximate LD of KJD extracts in both female and male mice were considered as over 2000 mg/kg.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 2014

The object of this study was to evaluate the single dose toxicity of Choweseuncheng-tang (CWS), a polyherbal formula have been traditionally used as prevention or treatment agent for various diseases as Tae-eumin prescription on Korean medicinal theory, Sasang-euihak, in male and female mice. Aqueous extracts of CWS (yield = 11.00%) was administered to female and male mice as an oral dose of 2,000, 1,000 and 500 mg/kg (body weight) according to the recommendation of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) Guidelines. Animals were monitored for the mortality and changes in body weight, clinical signs and gross observation during 14 days after dosing, upon necropsy; organ weight and histopathology of 14 principle organs were also examined. As results, we could not find any CWS treatment related mortality and clinical signs, changes in the body and organ weights, gross findings and changes in histopathology of principle organs, except for some dose-independent accidental findings. The results obtained in this study suggest that the 50% lethal dose and approximate lethal dose of CWS aqueous extracts in both female and male mice were considered as over 2,000 mg/kg, the limited highest dosage recommended by KFDA Guidelines, and can be safety used in clinics.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.591-596
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• 1993

The smear preparations of the semen from Korean native bull and the tissue preparations of the organs from male and female mice were performed by fluorescent staining method. More than 600 spermatozoa per straw from two semen straw groups and more than 300 cells per mouse organ from two mice per sex were observed and then the ratio of spermatozoa bearing B-body and the cells bearing F-body were assessed, respectively. 1. The ratios of spermatozoa bearing B-body in semen of Korean native bull were $37.3{\pm}3.1%$. 2. The ratios of cells bearing F-body in the organs of mice were $63.5{\pm}4.5%$ in male tissues and $7.5{\pm}3.2%$ in female tissues. 3. The organs with higher appearance frequency of F-body were ordered as brain, kidney, stomach, lung, testis, liver, small intestine, spleen and pancreas in male mice and pancreas, small intestine, liver, brain, kidney, lung, spleen and stomach in female mice.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.518-526
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• 2005

Hwanggumgung (HGG) is a hair-care product which is composed of several plant extracts used in oriental medicine. This study was carried out to investigate effect of HGG on hair regrowth in a shaving model of C57BL6 mice. Five-week-old mice were acclimated for 1 week under 23$\pm$3$^{\circ}C$, 50$\pm10\%$ relative humidity and 12 h of a light/dark cycle before beginning experiment. There were four experimental groups including distilled water (D.W., control), 10$\%$ ethanol (EtOH, vehicle control), a positive control of 3$\%$ minoxidil (MXD), and HGG for female and male mice, respectively; Six-weeks old mice were trimmed by electric clippers so as not to damage the skin. The next day; mice without visible scraches were selected, randomized and separated in groups of 11 mice. The test compounds were topically treated with 0.15ml per mouse per day for 21 days. The hair regrowth was photographically and histologically determined during the experimental period of 21 days. Enzyme activities of $\gamma$-glutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphatase were also determined using a rate assay method. There were no clinical signs in all experimental groups. The topical application of 3$\%$ MXD and HGG in female mice promoted hair regrowth earlier and faster than the control groups. In male mice, the topical application of 3$\%$ MXD and HGG also accelerated hair growth compared with the controls. Ten percent ethanol also promoted hair growth faster than D.W group. The histology of hair growth in experimental groups was strongly associated with the hair regrowth. 3$\%$ MXD and HGG promoted elongation of hair follicles compared with the controls in both female and male mice. Activities of alkaline phosphatase and $\gamma$-glutamyl transpeptidase, enzymes related to hair growth, significantly increased after treatments of 3$\%$ MXD and HGG for 2 weeks in both female and male mice (p < 0.05). These results suggest that HGG has hair growth promoting activities and it can be for treatment for alopecia.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.149-155
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• 2013

Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) is a member of the TGF-${\beta}$ (transforming growth factor-${\beta}$) family whose members play key roles in development, suppression of tumour growth, and feedback control of the pituitary-gonadal hormone axis. MIS is expressed in a highly tissue-specific manner in which it is restricted to male Sertoli cells and female granulose cells. The serum levels of MIS in prenatal and postnatal ICR mice were measured using the enzyme-linked immuno-solvent assay (ELISA) using the MIS/AMH antibody. Mice were grouped by age: the significant periods were at the onset of development. During sex organ differentiation, no remarkable difference between female and male foetus MIS serum levels (both<0.1 ng/ml) was observed. However, MIS serum levels in pregnant mice markedly changed (4.5~12.2 ng/ml). After birth, postnatal female and male mice serum MIS levels changed considerably (male: <0.1~138.5 ng/ml, female: 5.3~103.4 ng/ml), and the changing phase were diametrically opposed (male: decreasing, female: fluctuating). These findings suggest that MIS may have strong associations with not only develop-ment but also puberty. For further studies, establishing the standard MIS serum levels is of importance. Our study provides the basic information for the study of MIS interactions with reproductive organ disability, cancer, and the effect of other hormone or menopause. We hypothesise that if MIS is regularly injected into middle-age women, meno-pause will be delayed. We detected that serum MIS concentration curves change with age. The changing phase is different between males and females, and this difference is significant after birth. Moreover, MIS mRNA is expressed during the developmental period (prenatal) and also in the postnatal period. This finding indicates that MIS may play a significant role in the developmental stage and in growth after birth.