• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.249-252
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• 2007

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of administration of Prostaglandin $F_2{\alpha}$ ($PGF_2{\alpha}$) on semen collection training and semen characteristics in sexually inexperienced boars. Boars were moved individually to a semen collection pen and were trained to mount dummy sow. During the first and second semen collection secessions, 4 out of 17 boars and 4 out of remaining 13 boars allowed collection of semen. The 9 boars that failed semen collection from first 2 attempts received immediately 15 mg of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ i.m. (intramuscular injection) upon entering the collection pen for semen collection resulted in successful semen collection from all 9 boars. Total numbers of spermatozoa were higher in $PGF_2{\alpha}$ treated boars but there was no significant difference in % motility kinematics characteristics between control and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ treated groups during 72 hr period. Overall, administration of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ in sexually inexperienced boars increased the sex drive and facilitated the mounting activity to the dummy sow for semen collection.

• 한국가시화정보학회지
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.43-48
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• 2015

Collective cell migration is a fundamental phenomenon observed in various biological processes such as development, wound healing, and cancer metastasis. During the collective migration, cells undergo changes in their phenotypes from those of stable to the migratory state via the process called epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Recent findings in biology and biochemistry have shown that EMT is closely related to the cancer invasion or metastasis, but not much of the correlations in kinematics and physical forces between the neighboring cells are known yet. In this study, we aim to understand the cell migration and stress distribution within the expanding cell cluster. We constructed the in vitro cell cluster on the hydrogel, employed traction force microscopy (TFM) and monolayer stress microscopy (MSM) to visualize the physical forces within the expanding cell monolayer. During the expansion, cells at the cluster edge exhibited enhanced motility and developed focal adhesions that are the essential features of EMT while cells at the core of the cluster maintained the epithelial characteristics. In the aspect of mechanical stress, the cluster edge had the highest traction force of ~90 Pa directed toward the cluster core, which means that cells at the edge actively pull the substrate to make the cluster expansion. The cluster core of the tightly confined cells by neighboring cells had a lower traction force value (~60 Pa) but the highest intercellular normal stress of ~800 Pa because of the accumulation of traction from the edge of the monolayer.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.327-335
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• 2010

We reported previously that the administration of Korean red ginseng water extract (KRG-WE) protected the guinea pig testis against damage induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (a potent endocrine disruptor). We also found that crude saponin from ginseng was the active ingredient responsible for this protection. Here, we examined the biological role of KRG-WE in an animal model of age-induced dysfunction of spermatogenesis. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley (six 2-month-old and eighteen 12-month-old) rats were used. The young and old control groups received only vehicle. The ginseng saponin (GS)- and KRG-WE-treated groups received GS (40 mg/kg body weight/day) and KRG-WE (200 mg/kg body weight/day), respectively, for 4 months. The number of cells, Sertoli cell index, Johnsen's score, and sex hormone levels decreased significantly with age. However, the administration of KRG-WE and GS markedly improved the number of germ cells, seminiferous tubular size, and Johnsen's score in the old rats. Ginseng produced a distinct testicular histological improvement in old rats. KRG-WE and GS elevated testosterone levels, while attenuating the aberrant increase in follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels. Sperm kinematics evaluated by a computer-assisted sperm analyzer demonstrated improvement in the percentage of motile sperm, progressive sperm motility, and curvilinear velocity associated with sperm quality, supporting the beneficial role of red ginseng in senile spermatogenesis. Overall, the total water extract had a more potent effect than the corresponding saponin fraction. In conclusion, Korean red ginseng rejuvenated age-induced testicular dysfunction. Additionally, the total water extract was more potent than the corresponding saponin fraction.