• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.45-49
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• 2008

We have previously produced transgenic (TG) mice expressing the human lactoferrin (hLF), interleukin-10 (hIL-10), and thrombopoietin (hTPO) proteins in the milk. In this study, we examined whether simple crossbreeding between two kids of a single transgenic mouse can produce double transgenics co-expressing two human proteins.. The hLF male, and the hIL-10 male were crossbred with the hIL-10 and hTPO females, and the hTPO female, respectively. PCR analysis for genotyping showed 32%, 23% and 24% double transgenic rates for hLF/hIL-10, hLF/hTPO, and hIL-10/hTPO transgenes, respectively. We analyzed the expression levels of the human proteins from double transgenic mice and compared those with their single transgenic siblings. All double transgenic co-expressed two human proteins at comparable levels to singles', unless hTPO was not co-expressed: for hLF, 1.1 mg/ml in hLF/hIL-10, whereas 0.5 mg/ml in hLF/hTPO; for hIL-10, 4.1 mg/ml in hIL-10/hLF, whereas 1.4 mg/ml in hIL-10/hTPO. Ihe downregulation of hTPO to half level of singles' was observed in double transgenic mice. The possible reason why hTPO co-expressed might lead to down-regulation of another human protein was discussed. These results suggested that double transgenic generated by crossbreeding between two singles' could be useful system for bioreactor.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.173-179
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• 2000

Evidence suggested that atypical antipsychotics (APs) such as clozapine show less side effects than those of typical APs such as haloperidol and sulpiride. However, little is known about chronic effects of these drugs on changes in gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) mRNA expression and luteinizing hormone (LH) immunoreactivity. Male rats were divided into water-, haloperidol-, sulpiride-, and clozapine-treated groups, and these drugs were administered orally for 4 weeks. The changes in the expression of GnRH mRNA and the LH immunoreactivity were determined in the hypothalamus and pituitary, respectively, using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. GnRH mRNAs were clearly expressed in the water-treated control vats. This was significantly reduced by the chronic treatments with the typical APs, especially with haloperidol, but not with atypical APs clozapine. Likewise, LH immunoreactivity was clearly stained in the control group. While its immunoreativity was significantly reduced by the chronic APs treatments, clozapine treatment showed only slight attenuation. The results show that the atypical APs clozapine has less side effects in the gonadal function than the typical APs haloperidol and the sulpiride. These results suggest that clozapine is a safer drug than the typical APs, at least in the reproductive system.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.148-150
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• 2011

Cordyceps militaris(CM) has been used as a traditional folk medicine to strengthen the immune system and regain energy for hundreds of years in Far East Asian countries. In the present studies, we determined that the stimulatory effect of Cordyceps militaris on testosterone production in male mouse rats. Results illustrated that changes of the body weight, food and water intake of the rats were not observed in this study but the concentration of testosterone in the serum of the rats was significantly increased by CM(p < 0.05). Therefore fruiting bodies of CM grown on the drone bee medium may be an integrative medicine for the treatment of reproductive problems caused by insufficient testosterone levels in human males.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.119-128
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• 2024

Glucocorticoids play a physiologic role in the adult male reproductive functions, modulating gonadal steroid synthesis and spermatogenesis, through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). The expression of GR has been described in several key testicular cell types, including somatic cells and early germ cell populations. Nothing is known on GR in human spermatozoa. Herein, we explored the GR expression and its possible role in normal and testicular varicocele semen samples from volunteer donors. After semen parameter evaluation by macro- and microscopic analysis, samples were centrifuged; then spermatozoa and culture media were recovered for further investigations. By western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses we evidenced for the first time in spermatozoa the presence of GR-D3 isoform which was reduced in sperm from varicocele patients. By treating sperm with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEXA), we found that survival, motility, capacitation, and acrosome reaction were increased in both healthy and varicocele samples. GR involvement in mediating DEXA effects, was confirmed by using the GR inhibitor mifepristone (M2F). Worthy, we also discovered that sperm secretes different cortisol amounts depending on its physio-pathological status, suggesting a defence mechanism to escape the immune system attach in the female genital tract thus maintaining the immune-privilege as in the testis. Collectively, our data suggests a role for glucocorticoids in determining semen quality and function, as well as in participating on sperm immune defensive mechanisms. The novelty of this study may be beneficial and needs to take into account in artificial insemination/drug discovery aimed to enhancing sperm quality.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 1998

This study was carried out to evaluate the testicular toxicity of 2-bromopropane (2-BP), which recently caused occupational intoxication on the reproductive and hematopoietic system in Koreans, using light microscopy, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. 10 weeks old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with 0.5 g/㎏/day of 2-BP orally for 8 consecutive weeks. The testes of the rats were vascularly perfused with Karnovsky's solution or immersed in Bouin's solution, embedded in plastic and evaluated with light microscopy. And relative proportions of haploid, diploid, and tetra-ploid states of DNA ploidy in the testicular cell suspensions of the SD rats were examined by flow cytometry. 2-BP induced severe testicular atrophy, depletion and degeneration of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids and mild hyperplasia of Leydig cells without significant morphological changes. The Leydig cell hyperplasia was confirmed by immunohistochemistry using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The immunopositive cells against PCNA were observed in the nuclei oj some interstitial cells. Relative proportions of haploid states of DNA ploidy decreased in the atrophic testicular cell suspensions comparing with those of the control. In conclusion, 2-BP induced testicular atrophy with Leydig cell hyperplasia as examined by histopathology, immunohistochemistry and DNA flow cytometry.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the antioxidant effects of the extract of Rubi Fructus on TM4 Sertoli cells. Methods : The extract was studied for diphenyl-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and cell viability assays on Sertoli cells. In addition, hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress on Sertoli cells were examined by MTT assay. The antioxidant enzyme of Cu/Zn SOD, Mn SOD, catalase protein expression on Sertoli cells were also measured. Results : The results showed that the extract scavenged DPPH radical dose-dependent manner. The extract showed no cytotoxicity at concentration of 1, 5, 10, 50, $100{\mu}g/ml$. The hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity of Sertoli cells was protected to 88.3% by the extract at concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$. Cu/Zn SOD and Mn SOD protein expression were significantly increased on Sertoli cells, but catalase protein expression was not significantly changed. Conclusions : In conclusion, the extract of Rubi Fructus has antioxidant effects on Sertoli cells and protect male reproductive system against oxidative stress.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.349-359
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• 1994

To elucidate pathogenicity to hamster of encephalomyocarditis virus $K_3$ strain that was isolated in Korea from the swine with reproductive failures, adult male syrian hamsters were experimentally infected intraperitoneally with the virus at $10^{7.0}\;TCID_{50}/0.1ml$ and pathological and immunohistochemical studies were performed. The results obtained through the experiment were as follows. 1. Clinical signs such as depression, unkempt hair and bilateral parlysis of hind limbs were observed. 2. At necropsy, mild congestion was observed in the cerebrum, liver, kidney and lung, and atrophy was evident in testis. 3. In microscopic observation, degeneration and necrosis of the nervous cells and perivascular mononuclear cell infiltration were manifested in central nerve system, and various degrees of degeneration and necrosis of parenchymal cells were detected in pancreas, lacrimal gland, liver, kidney and testis. 4. In immunohistochemical observation, strong positive reactions were observed in degenerated parenchymal cell of testis, and weak positive reactions, in hepatocytes.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.220-229
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• 2021

Lonicera caerulea (Honey berry, HB) has been used in medical treatment in Russia, Japan, China and Korea. It has high level of vitamin C and polyphenolics. Polyphenolics can improve anti-inflammatory effect and prevent cancer, diabetes mellitus type 2. Also, Vitamin C is a representative anti-oxidant. however, it is still unknown what effect it will have on the oxidation stress of the reproductive system. In previous studies, ROS can be produced when it is exposed to heat stress and has negative effect on sperm's maturation, capacitation, hyperactivation, acrosome reaction and fusion of egg and sperm. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the antioxidant effects of L. Caerulea on the sperm and mice. At first, it conducted using ICR mouse (n = 20) for 4 weeks. There are four groups of mice (n = 5 per group). Also, L. Caerulea was taken by oral gavage. Group I (control) kept at 23℃-27℃ and administer D.W (0.5 mL/day), Likewise, Group II (HB) kept at room temperature but gave HB (250 mg/kg, 0.5 mL/day), Group III (HB + HS) received heat stress (40℃) using hyperthermia induction chamber and gave HB at same dose. and Group IV (HS) exposed heat stress only. Mainly, we showed degree of gene expression using Western blot in SOD, HSP 70, 17β-HSD and Real-time PCR. It can find correlation between intracellular activity like steroid hormone, apoptosis under ROS and antioxidant activity of L. Caerulea.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.59-69
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• 2022

Many efforts have been made to study the expression of aquaporins (AQP) in the mammalian reproductive system, but there are not enough data available regarding their localized expression to fully understand their specific roles in male reproduction. The present study investigated the expression and localization patterns of different AQP subtypes in the adult mouse testes and testicular spermatozoa using an immunofluorescence assay. All the studied AQPs were expressed in the testes and revealed subtype-specific patterns in the intensity and localization depending on the cell types of the testes. AQP7 was the most abundant and intensive AQP subtype in the seminiferous tubules, expressing in Leydig cells and Sertoli cells as well as all stages of germ cells, especially the spermatids and testicular spermatozoa. The expression pattern of AQP3 was similar to that of AQP7, but with higher expression in the basal and lower adluminal compartments rather than the upper adluminalcompartment. AQP8 expression was limited to the spermatogonia and Leydig cells whereas AQP9 expression was exclusive to tails of the testicular spermatozoa and elongated spermatids. Taken together, the abundance and distribution of the AQPs across the different cell types in the testes indicating to their relavance in spermatogenesis, as well as in sperm maturation, transition, and function.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.98-101
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• 2022

The genus Tripylina Brzeski, 1963 is a group of terrestrial nematodes that inhabit soil and semi-wet biomes, most of which have been reported from Europe, Asia, America, Africa, and New Zealand. Tripylina stramenti (Yeates, 1971) Tsalolikhin, 1983, belonging to the family Trischistomatidae Andrassy, 2007, is newly discovered from Korea. The specimens were collected from the edge of the valley of Ulleung-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. Tripylina stramenti described herein shows typical morphological characters of the genus Tripylina, including six and four setae in a single whorl, present dorsal tooth and subventral teeth, prodelphic reproductive system of female, absence post-uterine sac, narrow sickle-shaped spicule of male and generally S-shaped tail. The specimens differ in their body width (from the New Zealand populations), outer labial setae length, cuticles thickness(from the West African populations), and nerve ring position (from Indian populations). This species is distinguished from other Tripylina species by its relatively large body, two anterior and subventral teeth, and single cervical seta. In this study, morphological characteristics and morphometric information of the Korean T. stramenti isolate are described, illustrated, and compared with the same species from other geographic origins.