• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.1347-1354
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• 2006

The aims of this study were to establish a simple and effective method for isolating male germline stem cells (GSCs), and to test the possibility of using these cells as a new approach for male infertility treatment. Testes obtained from neonatal and adult mice were manually decapsulated. GSCs were collected from seminiferous tubules by a two-step enzyme digestion method and plated on gelatin-coated dishes. Over 5-7 days of culture, GSCs obtained from neonates and adults gave rise to large multicellular colonies that were subsequently grown for 10 passages. During in vitro proliferation, oct-4 and two immunological markers (Integrin ${\beta}1,\;{\alpha}6$) for GSCs were highly expressed in the cell colonies. During another culture period of 6 weeks to differentiate to later stage germ cells, the expression of oct-4 mRNA decreased in GSCs and Sertoli cells encapsulated with calcium alginate, but the expression of c-kit and testis-specific histone protein 2B(TH2B) mRNA as well as the localization of c-kit protein was increased. Expression of transition protein (TP-l) and localization of peanut agglutinin were not seen until 3 weeks after culturing, and appeared by 6 weeks of culture. The putative spermatids derived from GSCs supported embryonic development up to the blastocyst stage with normal chromosomal ploidy after chemical activation. Thus, GSCs isolated from neonatal and adult mouse testes were able to be maintained and proliferated in our simple culture conditions. These GSCs have the potential to differentiate into haploid germ cells during another long-term culture.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 1994

Purpose of the present study was to find the optimal culture conditions for the maturation and fertilization of immature oocytes by the use human body fluids and gonadotropins (Gn) in the mouse model. Cumulus-enclosed mouse immature oocytes were incubated in the medium containing various human body fluids with or without Gn in vitro, and examined to confirm nuclear maturation (NM) and fertilization. Female ICR mice were stimulated with 7.5 IU pregnant mares' serum gonadotropin (PMSG). Cumulus-enclosed immature oocytes were isolated at 48-52 hr post PMSG injection and cultured in TCM 199 supplemented with various concentrations (20, 50, and 70%) of human body fluids such as fetal cord serum (hCS), follicular fluid (hFF), peritoneal fluid (hPF) and amniotic fluid (hAF) in the presence or absence of 10 IU/ml PMSG and 10 IU/ml human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for 18 hr. Fetal calf serum (FCS) was used as a control for the supplements. Matured oocytes were fertilized with sperm collected from the epididymis of male mice. Fertilization was conducted in T6 medium containing 15 mgl ml bovine serum albumin, and confirmed at 6 hr post-insemination. Evaluation of nucler maturation and fertilization was carried out by rapid staining using fuchin. There was no significant difference between the effects of human body fluids and FCS supplements on nuclear maturation of cumulus enclosed mouse immature oocytes. When maturation medium was supplemented with 20% hPF or 20% hAF, fertilization rates were significantly (P<0.01) lower than that of 20% FCS, hCS and hFF groups. However, higher concentrations of body fluids during IVM were not more beneficial on fertilizability of oocytes. The addition of Gn significantly increased the fertilization rates in hPF and hAF groups (hPF without Gn; 51.5%, compared with 85.1% for addition of Gn, and hAF without Gn; 30.1% compared with 85.8% for addition of Gn) at 20% concentration. These results suggest that human body fluids at 20% concentration and gonadotropins can be used as supplements for the maturation of mouse immature oocytes in vitro. When gonadotropins supplemented with the human body fluids in the maturation medium, fertilizability of mouse immature oocytes was increased in hPF and hAF groups. These results can be applied to maturation of human immature oocytes in vitro.

• 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.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.301-309
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• 2014

Nesfatin-1, an anorexic nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2)-derived hypothalamic peptide, controls appetite and energy metabolism. Recent studies show that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 is expressed not only in the brain but also in gastric and adipose tissues. Thus, we investigated the distributions of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 in various tissues of male and female mice by real-time PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining. Real-time PCR analyses showed that NUCB2 mRNA was predominantly expressed in the pituitary and at lower levels in the hypothalamus, spleen, thymus, heart, liver, and muscle of both male and female mice. Expression was much higher in reproductive organs, such as the testis, epididymis, ovary, and uterus, than in the hypothalamus. Western blot analysis of the nesfatin-1 protein level showed similar results to the real-time PCR analyses in both male and female mice. These results suggest that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 have widespread physiological effects in endocrine and non-endocrine organs. In addition, immunohistochemical staining revealed that nesfatin-1 was localized in interstitial cells, including Leydig cells and in the columnar epithelium of the epididymis. Nesfatin-1 was also expressed in theca cells and interstitial cells in the ovary and in epithelial cells of the endometrium and uterine glands in the uterus. These results suggest that nesfatin-1 is a novel potent regulator of steroidogenesis and gonadal function in male and female reproductive organs. Further studies are required to elucidate the functions of nesfatin-1 in various organs of male and female mice.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 1972

Two-Cell mouse embryos were incubated in the anterior chamber of the rat eye, which has been known as the best place among other animals' for the mouse ovum maturation, in order to observe the capability of their early development. Within 120 hours after incubation, 71.0% of two-cell embryos have developed to the blastocysts in the male rat eye, while only 38.5% in the eye of the same mouse as donated two-cell embryos. Thus, the rat eye chamber provides more favourable environment to the embryos than the mouse itself. The results are consistent with those of the previous studies comparing the maturation of the mouse follicular oocytes in the mouse and the rat eye chamber. Although the aqueous humor which is filled in the anterior chamber of the eye is characterized by its specific properties, being of higher osmolarity, higher concentrations of ascorbic acid, pyruvate and lactate, but lower of proteins and lower temperature than those in blood or lymph serum, The embryos are able to under-take their cleavage as normal as in vivo or in vitro. Concerning with a number of studies in vitro on the development of the mouse embryos which are requiring a very limited condition, the fact that they are able to manage their further development under very different enviroment from our knowledges would provide us a moment to understand their behavior during the early development. The difference of the proportion of the developed blastocysts between in the mouse eye chamber and in the rat can possibly be resulted from the species specific difference in the physicochemical properties between their eye chambers. This assumption is based upon the findings by many investigators who chmpared the nature of the eye chamber of various animals. As a consequence, the rat eye chamber might consist of better properties for the embryonal growth than the mouse eye chamber. The mouse embryos cleaved with a delayed period. In normal development they complete almost the cleavage within 94 hours after fertilization. However, in the present studies, 81.1% of two-cell embryos developed to the blastocysts and the morula in 120 hours in the eye chamber, assumed to be about 154 hours after fertilization. Such delay in development would be caused mainly by the low temperature of the eye chamber. At present we can make two assumptions to explain the capability of the emtryonal development in the eye chambers. One is that the embryos would possess an ability to adapt themselves to the environment which provides unfavourable conditions. The other is that the embryos might remain for a certain duration in the eye chamber, which is filled with a new body fluid produced immediately after the loss of the aqueous humor and the fluid of which becomes similar to blood serum in component. The first assumption is highly reliable since the embryonal cells are mostly at the undifferentiated state and so they probably engage a simple metabolism during their early period. The second assumption is induced by the fact that the rabbit eye chamber produces a plasmoid humor which has mostly similar components to blood serum after loss of aqueous humor through cornea by puncturing. However, the plasmoid humor is substituted by the initial aqueous humor in eight hours. Even though this finding, production of the new fluid, could be applied to the rat eye, it is hardly reliabel that the plasmoid humor remains for such a long period as 120 hours. Consequently, the development of the embryos is more likely due to their adaptability to the new environment during their early developmental stages.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.391-396
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• 2013

In this study, we investigated the effects of onion(Allium cepa L.) peel extraction aplication on UVB-induced damage of mouse skin. The male C57BL/6 weeks mice were divided into three groups; the control group(Con), the UVB irradiated group(UVB) and the group treated with onion peel extract after UVB irradiation(UVB+Onion peel). Onion peel extraction were topically treated after UVB irradiation(800 $mJ/cm^2$) to dorsal skin. We were measured TEWL, melanin value, erythema index and histological of mouse skin. In the TEWL, melanin value and erythema index observation, UVB+onion peel group were decreased then in the UVB group and 120 and 168 hr groups were similar to the control group. In the histological observation, UVB+onion peel group were indicated hyperkeratosis then in the UVB. These results showed that onion peel extract as a topical application may have preventive effect against UVB-induced skin damage. Therefore onion peel extract might be good material for UVB-damage skin care.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.21-33
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• 1988

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of chlorambucil on the mouse Leydig cell by electron microscopy. Chlorambucil suspended in the 0.5N sodium bicarbonate(pH 8.0) was injected I.P.(intraperitoneal) at a dosage of level 20mg/kg for 1 weeks, 3 weeks and 5 weeks, respectively. The results obtained from this experiment are as follows: 1. One week after the administration of chlorambucil, there was an increase in heterochromatin, swelling and cristae disruption in some mitochondria, mild vacuolation between cells and the occurrence of membrane bound inclusions in some nuclei. 2. After 3 weeks, smooth endoplasmic reticulum dilations, cytoplasmic vacuolation, mitochondrial swelling, inner mitochondrial cristae disruption, membranous whorls, and intranuclear inclusions were observed in the treated cells. 3. After 5 weeks of treatment, most mitochondria were swollen and their membranes were severely disrupted. Further, smooth endoplasmic reticulum dilations and vacuolation of the cytoplasm were apparent in the treated Leydig cells. In addition numerous membranous whorls and intranuclear inclusion bodies were present. The nuclei displayed invaginatons of the nuclear membrane and large clumps of heterochromatin. From these results it is concluded the longer the duration of chlorambucil administration, the greater the degeneration of the nucleus and cytoplasmic organelles.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.327-332
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the immuno-regulatory effect and apoptosis of L1210 and HL60 leukemia cells of methanol-extracts of Cornus kousa Burg(CKB). The proliferation of mouse splenocytes and thymocytes enhanced by the addition of $10\;{\mu}g/ml$ of CKB. CKB were administered p.o. once a day for 7 days in adult male BALB/c mice. CKB increased the splenic and thymic T lymphocytes, especially the number of $T_H$ cells markedly increased by the treatment of CKB. CKB treatment induced the apoptotic cell death in L1210 mouse leukemia and HL60 human leukemia cells. In addition, CKB also accelerated the phagocytic activity in peritoneal macrophages and increased the production of plaque forming cells. These results suggest that CKB have an various immuno-regulatory property.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.221-233
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• 1996

In order to study process of spermiogenesis of the Korean manchurian field mouse, Apodemus spesiosus peninsulae, the testis obtained from sexually matured male reproductive organs, were examined with electron microscopy, and the following results were obtained based on the characters of cell differentiation. 1. According to the features of cell structure, spermiogenesis of the Apodemus spesiosus peninsulae was five phases: Golgi, cap, acrosome, maturation and spermiation phase. They were further subdivided into two steps of early and late phases respectively. Hence, the spermiogenesis consists of ten steps. 2. In the changes of the chromatin, the chromatin granules began to be condenced in the cap phase and regularizated at maturation phases, and a perfect nucleus of sperm was formed at the spermiation phases. 3. The formative period of sperm tail began to be develop in the early Golgi phase and completed at the spermiation phases 4. The outer dence fibers of middle piece were arranged in a horseshoe fashion. Nos. 1, 5, 6 and 9 of the outer dense fibers were larger than the others. The structure of axoneme in the middle piece was 9+2, and the axonemal complex consists of A and B microtubules, dynein arms and radial links.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1-12
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• 2008

Background and Objectives: Sinusitis is a common disease in the otorhinolaryngology field. It is inflammatory change of the mucous membrane which surrounds the sinus. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the Taklisodok-eum (TSE) extract on the mouse model with acute sinusitis induced by S. pneumoniae. Methods: Thirty six-week-old male BALB/c mice were divided into three groups: the normal group, the group inoculated with S. pneumoniae which caused allergic rhinitis (control group), and the group treated with the TSE extract after it was treated the same as the control group (sample group). Results: $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation was suppressed, and iNOS & COX-2 production were inhibited by TSE in acute sinusitis. Apoptosis was increased by TSE in acute sinusitis. The number of eosinophils in the sample group noticeably decreased when compared to the control group. In the general morphologic change, the increase of damaged respiratory ciliated epithelia & eosinophils' infiltration was lessin the sample group. Goblet cells were maintained in the sample group. MMP-9, HSP-70 and BrdU decreased in the sample group. Apocrine secretion decreased in the sample group. Conclusion: The findings in this study show that TSE reduces acute sinusitis through its anti-inflammatory effects, such as the inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity.