• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.12
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• 2022

Background: Domestic yaks are the most important livestock species on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Adult female yaks normally breed in the warm season (July to September) and enter anestrous in the cold season (November to April). Nevertheless, it is unclear how ovarian activity is regulated at the molecular level. Objectives: The peculiarities of yak reproduction were assessed to explore the molecular mechanism of postpartum anestrus ovaries in yaks after pregnancy and parturition. Methods: Sixty female yaks with calves were observed under natural grazing in Haiyan County, Qinghai Province. Three yak ovaries in pregnancy and postpartum anestrus were collected. RNA sequencing and quantitative proteomics were employed to analyze the pregnancy and postpartum ovaries after hypothermia to identify the genes and proteins related to the postpartum ovarian cycle. Results: The results revealed 841 differentially expressed genes during the postpartum hypoestrus cycle; 347 were up-regulated and 494 genes were down-regulated. Fifty-seven differential proteins were screened: 38 were up-regulated and 19 were down-regulated. The differential genes and proteins were related to the yak reproduction process, rhythm process, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway categories. Conclusions: Transcriptome and proteomic sequencing approaches were used to investigate postpartum anestrus and pregnancy ovaries in yaks. The results confirmed that BHLHE40, SF1IX1, FBPX1, HSPCA, LHCGR, BMP15, and ET-1R could affect postpartum hypoestrus and control the state of estrus.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.109-120
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• 2023

Background: Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) including embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer the immense therapeutic potential in stem cell-based therapy of degenerative disorders. However, clinical trials of human ESCs cause heavy ethical concerns. With the derivation of iPSCs established by reprogramming from adult somatic cells through the transgenic expression of transcription factors, this problems would be able to overcome. In the present study, we tried to differentiate porcine iPSCs (piPSCs) into endothelial cells (ECs) for stem cell-based therapy of vascular diseases. Methods: piPSCs (OSKMNL) were induced to differentiation into ECs in four differentiation media (APEL-2, APEL-2 + 50 ng/mL of VEGF, EBM-2, EBM-2 + 50 ng/mL of VEGF) on cultured plates coated with matrigel^® (1:40 dilution with DMEM/F-12 medium) for 8 days. Differentiation efficiency of these cells were exanimated using qRT-PCR, Immunocytochemistry, Western blotting and FACS. Results: As results, expressions of pluripotency-associated markers (OCT-3/4, SOX2 and NANOG) were higher observed in all porcine differentiated cells derived from piPSCs (OSKMNL) cultured in four differentiation media than piPSCs as the control, whereas endothelial-associated marker (CD-31) in the differentiated cells was not expressed. Conclusions: It can be seen that piPSCs (OSKMNL) were not suitable to differentiate into ECs in the four differentiation media unlike porcine epiblast stem cells (pEpiSCs). Therefore, it would be required to establish a suitable PSCs for differentiating into ECs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.48-57
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• 2024

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is toxic heavy metal that accumulates in organisms after passing through their respiratory and digestive tracts. Although several studies have reported the toxic effects of Cd exposure on human health, its role in embryonic development during preimplantation stage remains unclear. We investigated the effects of Cd on porcine embryonic development and elucidated the mechanism. Methods: We cultured parthenogenetic embryos in media treated with 0, 20, 40, or 60 µM Cd for 6 days and evaluated the rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation. To investigate the mechanism of Cd toxicity, we examined intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels. Moreover, we examined mitochondrial content, membrane potential, and ROS. Results: Cleavage and blastocyst formation rates began to decrease significantly in the 40 µM Cd group compared with the control. During post-blastulation, development was significantly delayed in the Cd group. Cd exposure significantly decreased cell number and increased apoptosis rate compared with the control. Embryos exposed to Cd had significantly higher ROS and lower GSH levels, as well as lower expression of antioxidant enzymes, compared with the control. Moreover, embryos exposed to Cd exhibited a significant decrease in mitochondrial content, mitochondrial membrane potential, and expression of mitochondrial genes and an increase in mitochondrial ROS compared to the control. Conclusions: We demonstrated that Cd exposure impairs porcine embryonic development by inducing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Our findings provide insights into the toxicity of Cd exposure on mammalian embryonic development and highlight the importance of preventing Cd pollution.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.63-72
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• 2017

Objective: Hyperstimulation methods are broadly used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) in patients with infertility; however, the side effects associated with these therapies, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), have not been well studied. N-glycoproteomes are subproteomes used for the remote sensing of ovarian stimulation in follicular growth. Glycoproteomic variation in human follicular fluid (hFF) has not been evaluated. In this study, we aimed to identify and quantify the glycoproteomes and N-glycoproteins (N-GPs) in natural and stimulated hFF using label-free nano-liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-quad time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Methods: For profiling of the total proteome and glycoproteome, pooled protein samples from natural and stimulated hFF samples were selectively isolated using hydrazide chemistry to obtain the total proteomes and glycoproteomes. N-GPs were validated by the consensus sequence N-X-S/T (92.2% specificity for the N-glycomotif at p<0.05). All data were compared between natural versus hyperstimulated hFF samples. Results: We detected 41 and 44 N-GPs in the natural and stimulated hFF samples, respectively. Importantly, we identified 11 N-GPs with greater than two-fold upregulation in stimulated hFF samples compared to natural hFF samples. We also validated the novel N-GPs thyroxine-binding globulin, vitamin D-binding protein, and complement proteins C3 and C9. Conclusion: We identified and classified N-GPs in hFF to improve our understanding of follicular physiology in patients requiring assisted reproduction. Our results provided important insights into the prevention of hyperstimulation side effects, such as OHSS.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.249-256
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• 2011

Nesfatin-1/NUCB2, which is secreted from the brain, is known to control appetite and energy metabolism. Recent studies have been shown that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 was expressed not only in the brain, but it was also expressed in the gastric organs and adipose tissue. However, little is known about the expression of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 in the male reproductive system. Therefore, we examined whether the nesfatin-1/NUCB2 and its binding site exists in the male reproductive organs. Nesfatin-1/NUCB2 mRNA and protein were detected in the mouse testis and epididymis by PCR and Western blot analysis. As a result of the immunohistochemistry staining, the nesfatin-1 protein was localized at the interstitial cells and Leydig cells in the testis. Nesfatin-1 binding sites were also displayed at boundary cells in the tunica albuginea. Furthermore, in order to examine if the expression of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 mRNA in the testis and epididymis were affected by gonadotropin, its mRNA expression was analyzed after PMSG administration into mice. NUCB2 mRNA expression levels were increased in both of the testis and epididymis after PMSG administration. These results demonstrated for the first time that nesfatin-1 and its binding site were expressed in the mouse testis and epididymis. In addition, nesfatin-1/NUCB2 mRNA expression was controlled by gonadotropin, suggesting a possible role of nesfatin-1 in the male reproductive organs as a local regulator. Due to this, further study is needed to elucidate the functions of nesfatin-1 on the male reproductive system.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.573-582
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• 2008

We report a newly found natural habitat of Abeliophyllum distichum in mountainous slope range of Yeongdong-gun, Chungbuk Province. Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai is one of the Korean monotypic endemic species. Natural growth habitats of this species have been recorded from seven sites up to now, and all of the natural habitats are located in middle (Chungbuk Prov.) and middle west (Jeonbuk Prov.) parts of South Korea. Among the previously recorded seven natural habitats, six sites have been designated as Korean national monuments and protected with in situ conservation. New natural habitat of A. distichum is located on northwest slope of stiff hillock area beside the small stream, Seolgye-ri, Yeongdong-eup, Yeongdong-gun, Chungbuk Province. Total growing area is nearly $3,000 m^2$. It is 10-25 cm in soil depth and pH 5.0-6.5 in soil acidity in that area. And many of A. distichum are clustered with 2-5 individuals extended by stoloniferous asexual reproduction. And the total numbers of A. distichum are about 700 individuals with only typical white flowers, and the ratio between pin type and thrum type is 37% and 63%, respectively. The huge population of A. distichum is growing with Quercus mongolica-Fraxinus rhynchophylla association in a mixed forest, and it shows high affinity with Stephanandra incisa, Ligustrum obtusifolium, Euonymus alatus for. ciliatodentatus, and Smilax sieboldi.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2000

A phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is a upstream component of insulin signaling by which protein synthesis can be stimulated in many systems. To elucidate involvement of PI3K and its downstream mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in the insulin signaling in pleimplantation mouse embryos, 8-cell embryos were cultured to blastocysts in the presence or absence of insulin and／or inhibitor drugs. The number of blastomeres per blastocyst, protein synthesis, and protein phosphorylation were examined. There was significant difference in embryonic development to blastocyst stage and hatching was potentiated by the insulin supplementation. The increase in the mean celt numbers per blastocyst was apparent in the insulin culture. Wortmannin, a PI3K inhibitor and rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTOR abolished the stimulatory effect of insulin on morphological development mitosis and protein synthesis. In autoradiography, phosphoproteins pp22 and pp30 which undergo phosphorylation in response to insulin were identified. Taken together, it can be suggested that PI3K and mTOR engaged in insulin signaling in the mouse embryo 8-cell onward and mediate embryotropic offset of insulin.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2005

The present report aimed at evaluating the effect of bisphenol A(BPA) and diethylstilbestrol(DES) on Leydig or Sertoli cell-lines. To identify the differences in the susceptibility to BPA upon different cell-types, assay of the cell viability was done on TM3(Leydig cells) and TM4(Sertoli cells) cell-lines. The result indicates that Sertoli cells are more sensitive to low dose of BPA than Leydig cells. Also, the BPA- or DES-treated Sertoli cells showed a reduction of phospholipase D(PLD) activity identically. According to the confirmation of the mRNA expression of fas receptor and fas ligand in the BPA-treated cells, fas/fasL system activated by BPA will deliver the apoptosis signal onto Sertoli TM4 cells. However, Fas/FasL system was not activated in the DES-treated cells unlike the BPA-treated cells.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.65-83
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• 2005

The three important phases in the development of ligand immunoassays are identified and summarized. The competitive radiolabelled hormone measurement had been developed in the first and early in the second generations(1950s to 1960s), such as radioimmunoassays(RIA) or immunoradiometric(saturation) assays(IRMA), and used in all most of the hormone and also analyte in biological samples. In the second generation, ultrasensitive non-isotopic immunoassays(NIA) were developed using monoclonal antibodies(McAb), labelling the McAb and high specific activity non-isotopic labels. After their usefulness, advantages and disadvantages has been evaluated and non-competitive methods are discussed. The chip/microarray based multianalyte ligand assays(microspot or genechip methods) are developed and known as alternative ones in the third generation. We summarize the developments of NIAs and its usefulness, and then introduce briefly the new ligand assays.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.94 no.6
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• pp.387-396
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• 2005

Having employed the transitional probability model based on Markov chain, the study was carried out to examine successional trends for community types in the natural deciduous forest of Mt. Jumbong. The species composition of oncoming generation in overstory was estimated from that of mid-story, and the species composition in mid-story was based upon that of understory. Successional trend for each community was predicted from the reorganized probability matrix of tree replacement by the square of climax index, which was evaluated by the factors of light absorption, reproduction, and wood quality. As the result of analysis, following table shows the oncoming generation of steady state and dominant species in overstory and mid-story by community types. Even though Acer pseudo-sieboldianum and Carpinus cordata could hardly reach the canopy layer due to the intrinsic growth form, these species were predicted to maintain high compositional ratio so as to play an important ecological role in the study forest ecosystem.