• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.1282-1290
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• 2010

The study was carried out to assess the developmental abnormalities induced by Cytotec in mice during intrauterine life. Pregnant mice were exposed to a single dose of 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and $0.1{\mu}g$/g BW on day 8 of gestation. Fetuses were recovered on day 18 of gestation. These fetuses were subjected to morphological and morphometric studies. Morphological studies showed abnormalities like anophthalmia, microophthalmia, micromelia and syndactyly. In addition to these, resorptions were also encountered in the higher dose groups. Morphometric analysis showed an overall reduction in body weight, crown rump length, brain and eye circumference, pinna and snout size, length of fore and hind limb and tail size with a significant difference (p<0.001) compared to controls. The outcomes of histological studies revealed some brain defects like hydrocephaly, enlarged third ventricle and undifferentiated ectoneural cells and abnormalities of the heart included right auricle thrombosis and degeneration of trabecular zone.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.40-48
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• 2022

Objective: As the associations of sperm DNA fragmentation with morphology have not been examined in detail, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between abnormalities of morphological details and DNA integrity in human sperm. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, men from infertile couples were enrolled at Hue Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Vietnam. Conventional semen parameters, including morphological details, were analyzed following the World Health Organization 2010 criteria. Sperm DNA fragmentation was evaluated using a sperm chromatin dispersion assay. The relationships and correlations between semen parameters, sperm morphology, and the type of halosperm and the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were analyzed. Results: Among 130 men in infertile couples, statistically significant differences were not found in the sperm halo type between the normal and abnormal sperm morphology groups. The percentage of round-head spermatozoa was higher in the DFI >15% group (16.98%±12.50%) than in the DFI ≤15% group (13.13% ±8.82%), higher values for amorphous heads were found in the DFI >15% group, and lower values for tapered heads were observed in the DFI ≤15% group; however, these differences were not statistically significant. Small-halo sperm and the DFI were positively correlated with round-head sperm (r=0.243, p=0.005 and r=0.197, p=0.025, respectively). Conclusion: The rate of general sperm morphological abnormalities in semen analysis was not related to sperm DNA integrity. However, round sperm heads were closely associated with sperm DNA fragmentation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.156-162
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• 2015

Objective: To investigate fertilization and embryo quality of dysmorphic mature oocytes with specific morphological abnormalities obtained from intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Methods: The fertilization rate (FR) and embryo quality were compared among 58 dysmorphic and 42 normal form oocytes (control 1) obtained from 35 consecutive ICSI cycles, each of which yielded at least one dysmorphic mature oocyte, performed over a period of 5 years. The FR and embryo quality of 441 normal form oocytes from another 119 ICSI cycles that did not involve dysmorphic oocytes served as control 2. Dysmorphic oocytes were classified as having a dark cytoplasm, cytoplasmic granularity, cytoplasmic vacuoles, refractile bodies in the cytoplasm, smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm, an oval shape, an abnormal zona pellucida, a large perivitelline space, debris in the perivitelline space, or an abnormal polar body (PB). Results: The overall FR was significantly lower in dysmorphic oocytes than in normal form oocytes in both the control 1 and control 2 groups. However, embryo quality in the dysmorphic oocyte group and the normal form oocyte groups at day 3 was similar. The FR and embryo quality were similar in the oocyte groups with a single abnormality and multiple abnormalities. Specific abnormalities related with a higher percentage of top-quality embryos were dark cytoplasm (66.7%), abnormal PB (50%), and cytoplasmic vacuoles (25%). Conclusion: The fertilization potential of dysmorphic oocytes in our study was lower, but their subsequent embryonic development and embryo quality was relatively good. We were able to define several specific abnormalities related with good or poor embryo quality.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2004

The present study was carried out to establish a short-term teratogenicity study for detecting developmental toxic potential induced by gamma radiation in ICR mice. Pregnant mice were exposed at dose levels of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, or 4 Gy on gestational day 8.5. All dams were subjected to caesarean section on gestational day 10.5 and their embryos were examined for growth, differentiation, and morphological abnormalities. An increase in the number of resorption was found at 4 Gy in a dose-dependent manner. Dose-dependent decreases in the developmental score of yolk sac circulation and olfactory system at above 1 Gy, in the number of somite pairs and developmental score of allantois, optic system, and maxillary process at above 2 Gy, and in the all growth and developmental parameters examined at 4 Gy were found. Various types of morphological abnormalities were seen at dose levels of 0.5 Gy or greater. Characteristic malformations induced by gamma radiation were abnormal axial rotation, hematoma, craniofacial hypoplasia, open neuropore, shortened prosencephalon, kinked somites, irregular somites, swelling, hydropericardium, absent branchial bar, and absent limb bud. Morphological alterations such as hematoma, craniofacial hypoplasia, open neuropore, and kinked somites were noted even in the lowest dose (0.5 Gy). These results indicated that the short-term teratogenicity study established in this study can be a useful tool for not only detecting the developmental toxic potential induced by gamma radiation, but also screening radio-protective agents in ICR mice.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.29
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• pp.8.1-8.8
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• 2014

Objectives An ecofriendly alternative to chemical pesticides is bio-pesticides, which are derived from natural sources. The interest in bio-pesticides is based on the disadvantages associated with chemical pesticides. Methods We conducted acute toxicity assessments of camphor, a major component of bio-pesticides, by using Daphnia magna (D. magna) as well as assessed the morphological abnormalities that occurred in Danio rerio (D. rerio) embryos. Results The median effective concentration of camphor on D. magna after 48 hours was $395.0{\mu}M$, and the median lethal concentration on D. rerio embryos after 96 hours was $838.6{\mu}M$. The no observed effect concentration and predicted no effect concentration of camphor on D. magna, which was more sensitive than D. rerio, were calculated as $55.2{\mu}M$ and $3.95{\mu}M$, respectively. Morphological abnormalities in D. rerio embryos exposed to camphor increased over time. Coagulation, delayed hatching, yolk sac edema, pericardial edema, and pigmentation of embryos mainly appeared between 24 and 48 hours. Further, symptoms of scoliosis and head edema occurred after 72 hours. In addition, bent tails, ocular defects and collapsed symptoms of fertilized embryonic tissue were observed after 96 hours. Conclusions The camphor toxicity results suggest that continuous observations on the ecosystem are necessary to monitor toxicity in areas where biological pesticides containing camphor are sprayed.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.613-619
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• 2016

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), a serious complication of diabetes mellitus, is associated with changes in myocardial structure and function. This study sought to explore the ability of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) to modulate DCM and its related mechanisms. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were injected with streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/kg) to mimic diabetes mellitus. Myocardial fibrosis and apoptosis were evaluated by histopathologic analyses, and relevant proteins were analyzed by Western blotting. Inflammatory factors were assessed by ELISA. Markers of oxidative stress were tested by colorimetric analysis. Rats with DCM displayed decreased body weight, metabolic abnormalities, elevated apoptosis (as assessed by the bcl-2/bax ratio and TUNEL assays), increased fibrosis, increased markers of oxidative stress (MDA and SOD) and inflammatory factors (TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$), and decreased phosphorylation of Akt and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-$3{\beta}$). IGF-1 treatment, however, attenuated the metabolic abnormalities and myocardial apoptosis, interstitial fibrosis, oxidative stress and inflammation seen in diabetic rats, while also increasing the phosphorylation levels of Akt and GSK-$3{\beta}$. These findings suggest that IGF-1 ameliorates the pathophysiological progress of DCM along with an activation of the Akt/GSK-$3{\beta}$ signaling pathway. Our findings suggest that IGF-1 could be a potential therapeutic choice for controlling DCM.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 1994

Morphological estimation of human spermatozoa is complicated by the fact that there is great natural variation in shape. This natural variation in shapes makes it difficult to say which forms are associated with infertility and which are normal variations. Possibly post coital test or in vitro cervical mucus penetration tests will help to clarify this question by showing which sperm are capable of penetration. The purpose of this investigation was performed to assess distribution of various morphological abnormalities according to the ability of sperm to penetrate cervical mucus. The sperm-mucus penetration using hen's egg white as substituting mucus for human cervical mucus was done in 45 fertile men with normal semen analysis and 122 infertile men with abnormal seminal parameters more than one. The female partners of 122 infertile couples showed normal results in the female fundamental test for fertility. Conventional semen analysis was evaluated according to the WHO standard normal(l980). The detailed classification of the abnormal sperm was made according to David et al(l975). The vitality of the sperm samples determined by eosin yellow-nigrosin stainig according to the method of Eliasson(l977). Results were as follw; 1. The patients had significantly lower total sperm count, motility (%), normal morphology (%), viability and total functional sperm fractions(TFSF) than fertile donors. 2. The mean value of sperm penetration distance of the patients(28.69${\pm}$11.02mm) showed significantly lower than fertile donors(37.33${\pm}$5.49mm). And 43/45 fertile donors(95.5%) as well as 57/122 patients(46.7%) had over 30mm in sperm penetration distance respectively. While 2/45 fertile donors(4.5 %) and 65/122 patient(53.3%) had under 30mm in sperm penetration distance respectively. 3. The morphological abnormalities in fertile donors were significantly lower 23.04${\pm}$5.83% (head = 12.89${\pm}$4.98, neck=6.11${\pm}$3.83%, and tail=3.43${\pm}$2.65%), compared to 36.03${\pm}$14. 40% in patients(head = 15.98 8.60%, neck 11.20${\pm}$6.56% and tail=8.70${\pm}$6.55%). Also, 3 types of sperm abnormalities including head, neck and tail were significantly lower in patient than fertile donors, respectively. Both the patients and fertile donors showed higher distribution of sperm with abnormal head than abnormal neck and tail. 4. The mean morphological abnormalities(SP>30mm) of the patients(30.68 11.64%; head = 15.95${\pm}$9.35%, neck=8.14${\pm}$4.21 %, tail=6.56${\pm}$5.64%) were significantly lower compared to patients(40.72${\pm}$15.01 %; head=16.02${\pm}$7.69%, neck 13.89${\pm}$7.82%, tail=1O.58${\pm}$6.75%) under 30mm in sperm penetration distance. Also, both groups over 30mm and under 30mm in sperm penetration showed distance higher distribution of sperm with abnormal head than abnormal neck and tail. The morphological abnormalities of head did not show significant difference but abnormal neck and tail were significant difference between the over 30mm and under 30mm group in sperm penetration distance.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.171-175
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• 1999

Morphological alteration of floral organ development in rice affected by chilling stress was examined. Three varieties of rice were grown under natural conditions and subjected to 12$^{\circ}C$ for 3 or 6 days starting from the ineffective tillering stage, before heading stage and returned to natural condition. Headings were delayed by a 6 day chilling treatment. After heading the panicles were collected and examined for any possible alteration in floral organ development. It appears that there were some differences in sensitivity to chilling stress and degree of injury depending on treatment stages and variety. Chuchungbyeo was the most frequent in producing abnormal flowers among the three varieties examined. Meiosis stage was shown to be the most vulnerable to chilling stress in both Chuchungbyeo and Ilpumbyeo and young panicle differentiation stage was the frequent stage to alter flower development in response to chilling stress only in Chuchungbyeo. It was confirmed that abnormalities occurred in pollen due to chilling stress is a major factor leading to low yield, but to some extent the alterations in carpel development may playa certain role in determining a total yield in response to chilling stress at the reproduction stage in rice. There were abnormalities like extra stigmata, extra lemma, double ovary as well as abnormal anther formation in response to chilling stress. Further studies of the phenocopy observed in rice floral development may be useful for an understanding of the resistance against chilling injury during reproductive stages in rice.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.58-64
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• 2020

This present study was conducted to investigate protective effect of discontinuous Percoll gradient containing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) before freezing process on viability, acrosome damage, mitochondrial activity, and oxidative stress of frozen-thawed boar spermatozoa. The separation of spermatozoa by discontinuous Percoll gradient was performed by different concentration of Percoll solution (45/90%) containing ALA combined with bovine serum albumin (BSA), and collected sperm in each Percoll layer was cryopreserved. To evaluate viability, acrosome damage, mitochondrial activity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level of frozen-thawed sperm, flow cytometry was used. Morphological abnormalities were observed under light microscope. In results, viability of sperm from 90% Percoll layer was higher than control and 45% Percoll group (p < 0.05). Separated sperm in 90% Percoll layer had lower acrosome damage and morphological abnormalities than control as well as viability, whereas 45% Percoll group was higher (p < 0.05). Similar with acrosome damage and abnormalities, mitochondrial activity was slightly enhanced and the population of live sperm with high ROS level was decreased by 90% Percoll separation, however, there was no significant difference. Supplementation of 3 ng/mL ALA into Percoll solution increased sperm viability and decreased population of live sperm with high ROS compared to control (p < 0.05). In conclusion, discontinuous Percoll gradient before freezing process could improve efficiency of cryopreservation of boar sperm through selection of sperm with high freezing resistance, and supplement of ALA during Percoll gradient might contribute suppression of ROS generation via stabilizing of plasma membrane during cryopreservation.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.424-433
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to understand the changes on species composition of the epilithic diatoms and the appearance of morphological abnormalities in the upper region of the Nakdong River where heavy metal inflow is observed. The samples were collected once a week for a month of September 2016 from selecting 7 sampling stations. The heavy metals of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) were not detected during the survey period, but zinc (Zn) was detected in st.4 - st.6 with the range of $0.015{\sim}0.188mg\;L^{-1}$. Metal sensitive species such as Achnanthes convergens, Cocconeis placentula, Cocconeis placentula var. euglypta, Cocconeis placentula var. lineata showed high dominance in st.1 - st.3, st.7. However, metal tolerant species such as Nitzschia palea, Achnanthes minutissima showed high dominance in st.4 - st.6. It is concluded that heavy metal inflow directly affects the changes in species composition of epilithic diatoms. As a result of CCA, the characteristics of the sampling sites were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 was represented the non-detected Zn sites with C. placentula, C. placentula var. euglypta, C. placentula var. lineata. Group 2 was showed the detected Zn sites with Navicula minima and Nitzschia palea. Group 3 was included st.3 - st.7 on 4th week that was stabilized the community structure. Total 8 taxa of abnormal frustules observed. This occurrence of abnormal frustules reflected the temporal and quantitative indicators of heavy metal pollution, in particular, it was confirmed that genus Fragilaria, which has a high abnormality according to heavy metal pollution, can be used as an indicator species.