• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.39-48
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• 1994

The purpose of this study was to determine the mercury accumulated at maternal and fetal organs, and compare its levels between maternal and fetal organs on day 20 of gestation, in pregnant Fisher-344 rats which given orally methylmercuric chloride on day 7 of gestation. Pregnant rats were divided four groups by dose: control group, and methylmercuric chloride treatment groups of 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg, respectively. The results obtained are as follows: I The mercury concentrations in maternal organs were the highest in kidney, and followed by blood, spleen, liver and brain. 2. The slopes of regression equation among mercury dose levels in maternal organs were as follows: Kidney 3.62 (r$^2$=0.943), Blood 2.75 (r$^2$=0.941), Spleen 2.49 (r$^2$=0.990), Liver 1.13 (r$^2$= 0.949), Brain 0.33 (r$^2$=0.984). 3. The mercury concentrations in fetal organs and placenta were the highest in liver, and followed by kidney, placenta and brain. 4. The slopes of regression equation among mercury dose levels in fetal organs and placenta were as follows: Liver 1.79 (r$^2$= 0.968), Kidney 0.79 (r$^2$= 0.976), Placenta 0.68 (r$^2$= 0.920), Brain 0.52 (r$^2$= 0.978), All Body 0.58 (r$^2$= 0.941). 5. As to the mercury levels in kidney, dams were 4.8~14.9 times higher than fetus. But as to the mercury levels in liver and brain, fetus were 1.6~2.5 and 1.5~1.9 times higher than dams. In conclusion, the mercury which exposured to pregnant rats can easily pass through the placenta and accumulated in fetus, especially higher in fetal liver and brain.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.17-27
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the decreasing effects of Korean garlic against the accumulation of mercury levels in maternal and fetal organs in pregnant Fischer 344 rats, based on the theory and information that neutral amino acids have protective effects against mercury poisoning and garlic contains a large of neutral amino acids. The results obtained are as follows: 1. On the 20th day of gestation, the maternal body weight in 20 mg/wt$\cdot$kg methyl mercuric chloride groups was 76.1% of those in control group, but those recovered to be 81.2% and 93.6% by treating with garlic (0.5 g/wt$\cdot$kg and 1.0 g/wt$\cdot$kg). 2. The mercury levels in maternal organs were reduced 6.2% and 47.2% (p<0.05) in kidney, 8.2% and 42.1% (p<0.05) in spleen, 9.7% and 40.9% (p<0.05) in blood, 35.6% (p<0.05) and 67.2% (p<0.05) in liver, 38.0% (p<0.05) and 57.6% (p<0.05) in brain, by treating with garlic (0.5 g/wt$\cdot$kg and 1.0 g/wt$\cdot$kg). 3. The mercury levels were reduced 22.4% and 44.3% (p<0.05) in placenta, and 34.7% (p<0.05) and 54.9% (p<0.05) in fetal body, by treating with garlic (0.5 g/wt$\cdot$kg and 1.0 g/wt$\cdot$kg). 4. The mercury levels in fetal organs were reduced 17.5% and 46.7% (p<0.05) in kidney, 15.1% and 37.0% (p<0.05) in brain, 30.2% (p<0.05) and 46.7% (p<0.05) in liver, by treating with garlic (0.5 g/wt$\cdot$kg and 1.0 g/wt$\cdot$kg). 5. Mercury levels in maternal kidney were 6.73~7.71 times higher than those in fetal kidney, but those in fetal liver and brain were 1.67~2.25 times and 1.98~2.93 times higher than those in maternal liver and brain, respectively. In conclusion, Korean garlic decrease the accumulation of mercury levels in maternal and fetal organs in pregnant Fischer 344 rats as increasing the dose.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1633-1639
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• 2009

This study investigated the effect of maternal undernutrition during late pregnancy on the growth and development of ovine fetal visceral organs. One hundred Mongolian ewes were mated at a synchronized oestrus and divided into three groups and offered 0.175 MJ ME $kgw^{-0.75}\;d^{-1}$ (Restricted Group1; RG1), 0.33 MJ ME $kgw^{-0.75}\;d^{-1}$ (Restricted Group2; RG2) and ad libitum access to feed (Control Group; CG) during late pregnancy (90 days). Selected animals in each group were slaughtered immediately at d 90 of pregnancy and after parturition (neonatal lambs), and major visceral organs were removed and weighed separately. The results indicated that the weights of lung (p<0.01), spleen (p<0.01), heart (p<0.05), liver (p<0.05) and abomasum (p<0.01) in RG1 were significantly lighter than those of CG. For RG2, only the weights of the lung (p<0.05) and spleen (p<0.01) were significantly lighter than those of CG; when expressed as a percentage of body weight, significance was retained in the spleen (p<0.01) for both restricted groups, but the percentage of brain in RG1 was significantly higher than that in CG (p<0.01). For lung and spleen, the amount of DNA was significantly lower (p<0.01) in both groups of restricted neonatal lambs compared to CG; however, there was a significant difference only between RG1 and CG for protein: DNA ratio (p<0.01). The DNA content of kidney, abomasum and jejunum were decreased (p<0.05) in RG1 neonatal lambs, but protein: DNA ratio in the liver was decreased compared with that of CG (p<0.05). The plane of maternal undernutrition during late pregnancy had a significant effect on the growth and development of fetal visceral organs, which altered ontogeny of fetal organ growth and development. These perturbations in fetal visceral development may have significant implications on postnatal growth and adult health.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.331-339
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to evaluate maternal organ and fetal doses by week of pregnancy for pregnant women nuclear medicine practitioners in the nuclear medicine field. In addition, we intend to present basic data for the management of exposure doses of female nuclear medicine practitioners. In this study, phantoms of childbearing women, 3, 6, 9 months pregnant women were simulated using MCNPX(Monte Carlo N-Particle Extended) among the Monte Carlo methods. First, volume source was constructed based on 10 cm of the anterior part of the lower abdomen of the phantom, and the organ and fetal doses were evaluated for each week of the pregnant woman according to the type of radioactive isotope. Second, the organ and fetal dose of pregnant women were evaluated by increasing the distance between the source and the abdominal surface by 50 and 100 cm. As a result, ¹⁸F sources showed high organ and fetal doses in pregnant women 0 to 3 months, and the dose distribution gradually decreased in 6 to 9 months pregnant women. The distribution of organ and fetal doses for ⁹⁹mTc and ¹²³I sources showed the same tendency as that of ¹⁸F, and the overall absorbed dose distribution was relatively lower than that of ¹⁸F. Through this study, it is considered that workers in the early stages of pregnancy within 3 months will need appropriate management to minimize occupational exposure dose.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.10
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• pp.425-433
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• 2014

Adrenal and thyroid hormones are essential for the regulation of intrauterine homeostasis, and for the timely differentiation and maturation of fetal organs. These hormones play complex roles during fetal life, and are believed to underlie the cellular communication that coordinates maternal-fetal interactions. They serve to modulate the functional adaptation for extrauterine life during the perinatal period. The pathophysiology of systemic vasopressor-resistant hypotension is associated with low levels of circulating cortisol, a result of immaturity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in preterm infants under stress. Over the past few decades, studies in preterm infants have shown abnormal clinical findings that suggest adrenal or thyroid dysfunction, yet the criteria used to diagnose adrenal insufficiency in preterm infants continue to be arbitrary. In addition, although hypothyroidism is frequently observed in extremely low gestational age infants, the benefits of thyroid hormone replacement therapy remain controversial. Screening methods for congenital hypothyroidism or congenital adrenal hyperplasia in the preterm neonate are inconclusive. Thus, further understanding of fetal and perinatal adrenal and thyroid function will provide an insight into the management of adrenal and thyroid function in the preterm infant.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.383-392
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• 2003

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and their binding proteins (IGFBPs) are important regulators on the development of maternal tissues during pregnancy. This study was performed to examine the relationship between maternal IGFs/IGFBPs system (i.e: IGF-I, II, their receptors, and IGFBPs) in pre- and post-partum rats. The liver and kidney are important organs for the synthesis of IGFs and IGFBPs in adults. The levels of materanal IGFs and IGFBPs in serum, liver, and kidney were examined at 14 and 21 days of gestation and at 3, 7, 11, and 14 days after birth. The expression of IGFs and their receptors mRNA was also examined in fetal and maternal rat liver, kidney. IGF-I concentrations in maternal serum and liver were decreased during pregnancy. However, IGF-I concentration in maternal kidney was increased, having maximal effect at 14 days of gestation. IGF-I concentrations were decreased in serum, liver, and kidney of postpartum rat, compared to control (p < 0.05). On the other hand, IGF-II concentrations in serum, liver, and kidney were increased during pregnancy (p<0.05) and gradually decreased to control level in postpartum period. The levels of IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-2 are expressed in serum, liver, and kidney. However, IGFBP-3 is mainly expressed in serum and liver, and IGFBP-2 in kidney. The levels of IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-2 in maternal serum were markedly decreased during pregnancy and gradually recovered to control level during postpartum period by western ligand blotting. However, there was no change of IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-2 levels by western immunoblotting. The levels of IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-2 in maternal liver and kidney also showed the same pattern of serum, although the main IGFBP is different. In normal rat serum, IGF-I 150 kDa and 50 kDa carrier proteins were detected. The level of IGF-I 150 kDa carrier proteins in pregnant rat was decreased compared to normal rat, but that of 50 kDa carrier proteins was increased. IGFBP-3 protease activity was identified in pregnant rat serum and maternal placenta, and it was inhibited by EDTA ($Ca^{2+}$ chelating agent) and aprotinin (serine proteinase inhibitor). Taken together, these results suggest that the changes of IGFs and IGFBPs in maternal rats are regulated by liver and kidney IGFs and their receptors mRNA during the pregnancy.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.306-316
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• 2007

This study have a object to found out the effects of oriental herb medicine, Antaeeum, to dams of rats and their offsprings. The Antaeeum was savaged to female Sprague-Dawley rats at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks during gestation periods. Dams of rat were sacrificed at 20th day of gestation, and were observed major internal and reproductive organs. Approximately live fetuses in the 20th days of gestation were selected randomly and examined with stereo microscopes. Others offsprings were fixed with 95% ethanol for skeletal examinations. The fixed fetuses were stained with alcian blue and alizarin red S to observe skeletal variations or malformations. Maternal body weight of Antaeeum treated dams have a tendency of increasing compared with control dams. There were no significant difference in internal and reproductive organs of weight or findings. The spleenic organ relative weight of treated dams were decreased compared with the control significaltly (p<0.05). There were no significant changes between two groups in blood chemistry and hematological values. There were no significant changes in number of corpus luteum, implantation, live fetuses and implantation rate, delivery rate, late resorption rate and sex ratio. But in the Antaeeum treated group showed lower early resorption rate than that of the control dams. Fetal body weight and number of fetus a dam at Antaeeum treated group were higher than that of control group. The fetuses of dams treated with Antaeeum didn't induced external malformations. Vertebral and sternal variations were observed in Antaeeum group, but compared with the control, those variations were not significant. The ossification numbers of rib, cervical, thoracic, and lumber were normal. Fetuses treated with Antaeeum to the dams showed no significant difference in the number of caudal vertebra (P>0.01). From these results, it can be concluded that Antaeeum showed no toxicity effects on maternal side especially on body weight, early resorption rate, and number of live fetuses. Also there were no significant changes on maternal organ weights except spleen, hematological data, reproductive organs. Although skeletal variations were examined at vertebra and sternum, this Antaeeum could not induced significant choses in bone malformation.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.21 no.2 s.24
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• pp.207-216
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• 1988

Premature rupture of membrane is the most frequent cause of low birth weight infant delivery which increase the maternal and fetal morbidity and perinatal mortality. A retrospective case-control study was performed on 315 mothers who delivered low birth weight infants($\leq$2.5kg) with premature rupture of membrane and as control group 546 mothers who delivered normal birth weight infants(2.9-3.7kg) without premature rupture of membrane were chosen. The results obtained from this study were as follows: 1. The proportion of low birth weight infants due to premature rupture of membrane among all low birth weight infant deliveries was 14.5%, and this is equivalent to 1.1% among all deliveries. 2. The most significant maternal risk factor of low birth weight infant deliveries with premature rupture of membrane was infections on vagina, cervix and uterus during pregnancy. Compared with control, adjusted odds ratio was 7.61(95% confidence interval(CI) 1.88-30.88, p=0.004). Other significant maternal risk factors were the history of induced abortion, spontaneous abortion, and the experience of premature delivery. The risk ratios were 1.82, 2.07, 4.42, respectively. 3. Breech presentation did increase the risk of low birth weight infant delivery with premature rupture of membrane compared with control(Adjusted Odds ratio=2.66, 95% CI 1.35-5.26, p=0.005). 4. Mothers who had not taken antenatal care were having higher risk of low birth weight infant delivery with premature rupture of membrane against control(Adjusted odds ratio=1.73, 95% CI 1.19-2.53, p=0.004). These study results show that maternal factors such as the infection of genital organs during pregnancy, the history of induced abortion and breech presentation are significantly associated with the premature rupture of membrane in the low birth weight deliveries, and that most of these risk factors are controllable ones through proper antenatal cares.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.16-22
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• 2003

BBP (Butyl benzyl phthalate), a widely used plasticizer. can enter the food and environment as consequence of its manufacture, use, and disposal. BBP was found to be developmental and teratogenic or endocrine disrupting chemical in rats. The effects of BBP were investigated in female rats (P) and second generation (F1) via lactations. Sprague-Dawley were given BBP by oral administration at 0, 5, 10, 100, 1000 mg/kg on day 0 to 21 of lactation period. The results were as follows : At maternal findings, there were some significant changes (p<0.05) in relative organ weight, especially liver and uterus weight by BBP administration. In estrous cycle, high treated group was inclined to be proestrus or estrus compared to control group. BBP indues estrous cycle earlier than the control group. At fetal findings, there were some significant changes in relative liver and spleen weight, especially 100, 1000 mg/kg administered groups. The relative weight of ventral prostate was decreased, so it was represent to dose-response tendency. Parent rats (P) were detected monobenzyl phthalate (MBeP) 3.21~5.81 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml in 100, 1000 mg/kg dose groups. MBeP of male and female fetuses (F1) were detected at the level of 1.21~2.63 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of serum. Male serum concentration oi MBeP was higher than the females'. Estrogen receptor $\alpha$ expression by BBP and bisphenol A in uterus and testis of F1 were studied. The ER$\alpha$ expression were increased in F1 male testis and female uterus. F1 male showed distint ER$\alpha$ expression, especially in the combined exposrue. Synergistic ER$\alpha$ expression was found by combined treatment group of BBP and bisphenol A. From the above results, it could be concluded that the effects of dams and F1 by BBP administration during lactation period were estrogenic, and BBP can transfer to F1 via lactation, and make estrogenic at F1 reproductive organs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.720-732
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• 2001

Skeletal muscle is of major economic importance since it is finally converted to meat for consumers. The increase in meat production with low costs of production may be achieved by optimizing muscle growth, whereas a high meat quality requires, among other factors, the optimization of intramuscular glycogen and fat stores. Thus, research in energy metabolism aims at controling muscle metabolism, but also liver and adipose tissue metabolism in order to optimize energy partitioning in favour of muscles. Liver is characterized by high anabolic and catabolic rates. Metabolic enzymes are regulated by nutrients through short-term regulation of their activities and long-term regulation of expression of their genes. Consequences of liver metabolic regulation on energy supply to muscles may affect protein deposition (and hence growth) as well as intramuscular energy stores. Adipose tissues are important body reserves of triglycerides, which result from the balance between lipogenesis and lipolysis. Both processes depend on the feeding level and on the nature of nutrients, which indirectly affect energy delivery to muscles. In muscles, the regulation of rate-limiting nutrient transporters, of metabolic enzyme activities and of ATP production, as well as the interactions between nutrients affect free energy availability for muscle growth and modify muscle metabolic characteristics which determine meat quality. The growth of tissues and organs, the number and the characteristics of muscle fibers depend, for a great part, on early events during the fetal life. They include variations in quantitative and qualitative nutrient supply to the fetus, and hence in maternal nutrition. During the postnatal life, muscle growth and characteristics are affected by the age and the genetic type of the animals, the feeding level and the diet composition. The latter determines the nature of available nutrients and the rate of nutrient delivery to tissues, thereby regulating metabolism. Physical activity at pasture also favours the orientation of muscle metabolism, towards the oxidative type. Consequently, breeding systems may be of a great importance during the postnatal life. Research is now directed towards the determination of individual tissue and organ energy requirements, a better knowledge of nutrient partitioning between and within organs and tissues. The discovery of new molecules (e. g. leptin), of new molecular mechanisms and of more powerful techniques (DNA chips) will help to achieve these objectives. The integration of the different levels of knowledge will finally allow scientists to formulate new types of diets adapted to sustain a production of high quality meat with lower costs of production.