• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.197-204
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• 2019

This study was investigated to test whether the zygote recognized the topoisomerase II beta (TOP2B) mediated DNA fragmentation in epididymal spermatozoa or the nuclease degradation in vas deferens spermatozoa by testing for the presence of gammaH2AX (γH2AX). The γH2AX is phosphorylation of histone protein H2AX on serine 139 occurs at sites flanking DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs). The presence of γH2AX in the pronuclei of mouse zygotes which were injected with DNA broke epididymal spermatozoa was tested by immunohistochemistry at 5 and 9 h post fertilization, respectively. Paternal pronuclei that arose from epididymal spermatozoa treated with divalent cations did not stain for γH2AX at 5 h. On the other hand, in embryos injected with vas deferences spermatozoa that had been treated with divalent cations, γH2AX was only present in paternal pronuclei, and not the maternal pronuclei at 5 h. Interestingly, both pronuclei stained positively for γH2AX for all treatments and controls at 9 h after sperm injection. In conclusion, the embryos recognize DNA that is damaged by nuclease, but not by TOP2B because H2AX in phosphorylated in paternal pronuclei resulting from spermatozoa treated with fragmented DNA from vas deferens spermatozoa treated with divalent cations, but not from epididymal spermatozoa treated the same way.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2011

Change in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$-concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) is an essential event for egg activation and further development. $Ca^{2+}$ ion is originated from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$-store via inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor and/or $Ca^{2+}$ influx via $Ca^{2+}$ channel. This study was performed to investigate whether changes in $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaM KII) activity affect $Ca^{2+}$ influx during artificial egg activation with ethanol using $Ca^{2+}$ monitoring system and whole-cell patch clamp technique. Under $Ca^{2+}$ ion-omitted condition, $Ca^{2+}$-oscillation was stopped within 30 min post microinjection of porcine sperm factor, and ethanol-induced $Ca^{2+}$ increase was reduced. To investigate the role of CaM KII known as an integrator of $Ca^{2+}$- oscillation during mammalian egg fertilization, CaM KII activity was tested with a specific inhibitor KN-93. In the eggs treated with KN-93, ethanol failed to induce egg activation. In addition, KN-93 inhibited inward $Ca^{2+}$ current ($I_{Ca}$) in a time-dependent manner in whole-cell configuration. Immunostaining data showed that the voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels were distributed along the plasma membrane of mouse egg and 2-cell embryo. From these results, we suggest that $Ca^{2+}$ influx during fertilization might be controlled by CaM KII activity.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2009

Objectives : Previously we reported that the roots of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Araliaceae) increased sperm count and motility. also induced spermatogenesis via cAMP-responsive element modulator(CREM) activation in rat testes. In this study, for the first step of spermatogenesis in germ cell lines, the antioxidant activity of Panax ginseng were examined in mouse GC-1 spermatogonia cells. Methods : The extract was studied on diphenyl-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, GC-1 cell viability by a modified MIT assay. H202-induced cytotoxicity by MIT assay and lipid peroxidation by malondialdehyde (MDA) formation. respectively. Results: The results showed that the extract scavenged DPPH radical with the IC50 being 0.631 mg/mi. The extract at concentrations of 5, and 10, 50, 100, 250 ${\mu}$g/mi increased GC-1 cell viability significantly(p < 0.05, and p < O.O1). Hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity (73.8%, p < O.O1) was blocked by the extract at concentrations of 50, and 100, 250, 500 ${\mu}$g/ml significantly (p < 0.05, and p < O.O1). The extract at concentrations of 10. and 50 ${\mu}$g/ml decreased the MDA formation on hydrogen peroxide-induced lipid peroxidation. Conclusions : In conclusion, the extract of Panax ginseng has potent antioxidant activity and increases the survival rate of GC-1 spg cells against $H_20_2$-induced cytotoxicity.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to use a mouse model to investigate the blastocyst formation rate in vitrified-warmed embryos derived from vitrified-warmed oocytes. Methods: Metaphase II oocytes obtained from BDF1 mice were vitrified and warmed, followed by fertilization with epididymal sperm. On day 3, a total of 176 embryos, at either the eight-cell or the morula stage, were vitrified-warmed (representing group 1). For group 2, 155 embryos at the same developmental stages were not vitrified, but rather were directly cultured until day 5. Finally, group 3 included day-5 blastocysts derived from fresh oocytes, which served as fresh controls. The primary outcome measured was the rate of blastocyst formation per day-3 embryo at the eight-cell or morula stage. Results: The rates of blastocyst formation per day-3 embryo were comparable between groups 1 and 2, at 64.5% and 69.7%, respectively (p>0.05). The formation rates of good-quality blastocysts (expanded, hatching, or hatched) were also similar for groups 1 and 2, at 35.5% and 43.2%, respectively (p>0.05). For the fresh oocytes (group 3), the blastocyst formation rate was 75.5%, which was similar to groups 1 and 2. However, the rate of good-quality blastocyst formation in group 3 was 57.3%, significantly exceeding those of group 1 (p=0.001) and group 2 (p=0.023). Conclusion: Regarding developmental potential to the blastocyst stage, vitrified-warmed day-3 embryos originating from vitrified-warmed oocytes demonstrated comparable results to non-vitrified embryos from similar oocytes. These findings indicate that day-3 embryos derived from vitrified-warmed oocytes can be effectively cryopreserved without incurring cellular damage.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.37 no.2 s.145
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• pp.85-91
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• 2006

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of evening primrose oil (EPO) on the male sexual functions. EPO (daily 0.5 ml/mouse) was orally intubated for 28 consecutive days to experimental ICR mice, and same vol. of vehicle to control mice. On the 14th and 28th experimental day, the testis weight, number of complete intromissions and mating, serum testosterone and cGMP levels, prostaglandin leveIs of penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells, and NO-productive activity of endothelial cells were determined. The weight of body and testis, the number of complete intromissions during the 3hour period were somewhat increased in EPO treated mice than those of control. The number of sperm-positive females and testosterone level in serum were increased in experimental groups. The serum cGMP level was significantly increased but the NO production of ionomycin-stimulated HUVEC cells was not affected when EPO was added into cultures. These results suggest that oral administration of EPO enhanced the sexual functions of male mice, and EPO could be developed as a tonic improving sexual functions.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 1998

Many trials have been made to produce transgenic animals using sperm cells as a vector transferring foreign DNA into eggs, but reliable results are yet to be obtained (Brinster et al., 1989; Lavitrano et al., 1989; Bachiller et al., 1991; Sato et al., 1994). Recently, one of author(SO) demonstrated that mouse blastocysts derived from eggs fertilized by spermatozoa of male mice single injected with liposome-DNA complexes within the testis expressed thegene (Ogawa et al., 1995.) Here we report that a single injection of liposome-encapsulated DNAs into the testis of either male rats or mice resulted in successfully gene transfer to the postpartum progeny. The expression of mRNA derived from transgenes was also demonstrated in transgenic animals thus obtained. Further, the transmission of the exogenous gene to the descedants was confirmed in one line of transgenic rat up to F4 generation, indicating that the gene was stably incorporated into the germ line. Thus, direct single injection of foreign DNA into the testis provides a novel and convenient means to generate transgenic animals.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.231-239
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• 2000

In this study, we observed the effects of dioxin on weights of body, testes and other organs, the number and motility of sperm in the a various dose after two days' of administration in mice. Animals were treated with oral dose of dioxin 10, 20, 30, 40 mg/kg body weight, respectively. 1, After administration dioxin at doses of 10, 20, 30 and 40 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg to the mice, the changes in body weights were 30.6 $\pm$ 2.g~40.7 $\pm$ 3.9g and 30.8 $\pm$4.1g~39.5g $\pm$3.1 for 10 and 20 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg dosed group, 31.0 $\pm$ 3.5g ~ 39.0 $\pm$ 3.5g, 30.6 $\pm$ 3.4g~38.3 $\pm$ 4.0g for 30 and 40 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg dosed group. The body weight of dioxin-administered group showed lower value when compared to 30.6 $\pm$ 2.8g ~ 44.5 $\pm$ 3.1g of which is control group's. 2. After administration of dioxin at doses of 10, 20, 30 and 40 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg to the mice, the increase in the number of WBC was prominent, but the increase in the number of RBC wasn't significant, though the values of Hb, PCV, and PLT were higher than those of control group's. 3. After administration of dioxin at doses of 10. 20, 30 and 40 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg to the mice, the changes in sperm number were 112.5 $\pm$ 3.7~119.4 $\pm$4.2 $\times$ 10$^{6}$ $m\ell$, 103.9 $\pm$3.8 ~ 110.2 $\pm$ 3.6 $\times$ 10$^{6}$ $m\ell$, 97.5 $\pm$ 3.4 ~105.7 $\pm$ 4.4 $\times$ 10$^{6}$ $m\ell$, 87.2 $\pm$ 3.7~98.5 $\pm$ 3.8 $\times$ 10$^{6}$ $m\ell$, respectively. The sperm number of dioxin-administered group showed lower value than that of control group's, which was 119.0 $\pm$ 4.3 ~ 120.7 $\pm$ 4.8 $\times$ 10$^{6}$ $m\ell$. After administration of dioxin at doses of 10~40 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg to the mice, the sperm motility were 69.4$\pm$ 3.0 ~ 86.6 $\pm$4.7%. The sperm motility of dioxin-administered group showed lower value than that of control group's. 4. After administration of dioxin at doses of 10, 20, 30 and 40$\mu\textrm{g}$/kg to the mice, the organ weight of each dioxin-administered group's was decreased a little compared to that of control group's. 5. After administration of dioxin at doses of 10, 20, 30 and 40 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg to the mice, the weights of spleen, kidneys, and liver showed increase a little.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2000

Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are exogenous chemicals which interfere several aspects of natural hormone properties. EDs with estrogenic activity have been recently reported to cause animal reproductive problems. This study was performed to investigate the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on the mouse spermatogenesis in vivo. Male ICR mice were orally injected on a daily basis with low dose of BPA 20 mg/kg, high dose of BPA 200 mg/kg, or corn oil (vehicle control) for 7 days, and litter size and weights of body, testis, and cauda epididymis were measured. The level of serum testosterone and the expression of TGF- $\beta$$_1$ mRNA were also analyzed using RIA and RT-PCR, respectively. Also, morphological differences of testes after treatments were examined. Sperm concentration and level of serum testosterone showed a decreasing tendency detected as untreated >corn oil >low >high dose BPA treated mice, although there were no significant statistical differences. Interestingly, in mice treated with a high dose of BPA, partial disappearance of spermatozoa in seminiferous tubular lumen and the expression of TGF-$\beta$$_1$ mRNA were observed. Spermatogenesis was disrupted through TGF-$\beta$ system in the seminiferous tubules, resulting in no development of germ cells. Similarly, the litter size treated with a high dose of BPA was significantly different from that of untreated control group. In conclusion, these results that a high dose of BPA (200 mg/kg) acts as an endocrine disruptor during apermatogenesis in male mice md that there are BPA-specific lesions in the adult male reproductive tract might represent a permanently altered responsiveness to testosterone by BPA in the affected target tissue.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.167-173
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• 2001

To characterize the difference in glycoconjugates of mouse epididymis, lectin labeling of the tissue section was conducted using Ulex europaeus agglutinin I(UEA I), succinylated wheat germ agglutinin(sWGA), and Griffonia simplicifolia lectin-I(GSL-I). UEA I which binds to outer $\alpha$-L-fucose residue that is a terminal sugar of the side chain branched from oligosaccharide chain gave the labeling in the proximal caput epithelia exclusively. Lumen was commonly labeled in all of the organ. It suggested that the glycoconjugates bearing outer $\alpha$ -L-fucose residue were largely expressed in the initial segments ot epididymis and subjected to secretion. GSL-I which binds to terminal $\alpha$ -D-galactosyl residue of glycoconjugates gave the labeling in the cytoplasm of clear cells and basal cells, and cilia in corpus and cauda regions but not in the caput region. There was no vast difference in labeling pattern by sWGA which binds to N-acetyl-glucosamine residue among the epididymal regions. Clear cells in corpus and cauda epithelia showed more intense labeling by sWGA compared to principal cells, suggesting the functional specialization of this type of cells. The labeling intensities of luminal content by UEA I and sWGA decreased in cauda region compared to corpus region suggesting the presence of enzymatic activities responsible for processing the $\alpha$-L-fucose and N-acetyl-glucosamine residues from secreted glycoconjugates. In summary, the difference in glycoconjugates bearing the $\alpha$-L-fucose, $\alpha$-D-galactose, and N-acetyl-glucosamine residues according to the type of epithelial cells and epididymal segments suggests functional specialization and different roles of each segment in the processing of sperm surface antigens during the epididymal transit.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2002

Objective: This study was to compare the characteristics between parthenogenetic mES (P-mES) cells and in vitro fertilization mES cells. Materials and Methods: Mouse oocytes were recovered from superovulated 4 wks hybrid F1 (C57BL/6xCBA/N) female mice. For parthenogenetic activation, oocytes were treated with 7% ethanol for 5 min and $5{\mu}g$/ml cytochalasin-B for 4 h. For IVF, oocytes were inseminated with epididymal sperm of hybrid F1 male mice ($1{times}10^6/ml$). IVF and parthenogenetic embryos were cultured in M16 medium for 4 days. Cell number count of blastocysts in those two groups was taken by differential labelling using propidium iodide (red) and bisbenzimide (blue). To establish ES cells, b1astocysts in IVF and parthenogenetic groups were treated by immunosurgery and recovered inner cell mass (ICM) cells were cultured in LIF added ES culture medium. To identify ES cells, the surface markers alkaline phosphatase, SSEA-1, 3,4 and Oct4 staining were examined in rep1ated ICM colonies. Chromosome numbers in P-mES and mES were checked. Also, in vitro differentiation potential of P-mES and mES was examined. Results: Although the cleavage rate (${\geq}$2-cell) was not different between IVF (76.3%) and parthenogenetic group (67.0%), in vitro development rate was significantly low in parthenogenetic group (24.0%) than IVF group (68.4%) (p<0.05). Cell number count of ICM and total cell in parthenogenetic b1astocysts ($9.6{\pm}3.1,\;35.1{\pm}5.2$) were signficantly lower than those of IVF blastocysts ($19.5{\pm}4.7,\;63.2{\pm}13.0$) (p<0.05). Through the serial treatment procedure such as immunosurgery, plating of ICM and colony formation, two ICM colonies in IVF group (mES, 10.0%) and three ICM colonies (P-mES, 42.9%) in parthenogenetic group were able to culture for extended duration (25 and 20 passages, respectively). Using surface markers, alkaline phosphatase, SSEA-l and Oct4 in P-mES and mES colony were positively stained. The number of chromosome was normal in ES colony from two groups. Also, in vitro neural and cardiac cell differentiation derived from mES or P-mES cells was confirmed. Conclusion: This study suggested that P-mES cells can be successfully established and that those cell lines have similar characteristics to mES cells.