• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2022

Objective: The impact of imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on ovarian follicles and several proteins related to follicular function and apoptosis was investigated in mice. Methods: Saline, cyclophosphamide (Cp; 50 or 75 mg/kg), or imatinib (7.5 or 15 mg/kg) was injected once intraperitoneally into female B6D2F1 mice (18 mice in each group). In multiple ovarian sections, the number of various types of follicles and the proportion of good-quality (G1) follicles were counted. The levels of six proteins (anti-Müllerian hormone [AMH], BCL-xL, BAX, acid sphingomyelinase [A-SMase], caspase-3, and α-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA]) within the whole ovaries were quantified using Western blots. Results: Compared to the saline group, a significant reduction of the primordial follicle count was observed in the group treated with imatinib 7.5 and 15 mg/kg, as well as in the group treated with Cp 75 mg/kg. Administration of Cp significantly decreased the proportion of G1 primordial follicles, but administration of imatinib did not. No differences in the AMH, anti-apoptotic BCLX-L, pro-apoptotic BAX, and A-SMase levels in the ovarian tissues were observed among the five groups. However, caspase-3 and α-SMA levels were significantly higher in the imatinib and Cp groups than in the saline group. Conclusion: The administration of imatinib to mice significantly reduced the primordial follicle count and increased the protein levels of caspase-3 and α-SMA. Our findings suggest that imatinib potentially exerts ovarian toxicity via apoptotic processes, similarly to Cp.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.238-241
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• 2023

This study determined the effect of ovarian status at the beginning of the modified Double-Ovsynch program on reproductive performance in dairy cows. In the study, 1,302 cows were treated with a modified Double-Ovsynch program at 56 days after calving. This program comprises administering gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH), prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α) 10 days later, GnRH 3 days later, GnRH 7 days later, and GnRH 56 h later, followed by timed artificial insemination (TAI) 16 h later. At the beginning of the program, cows were categorized according to the size of the largest follicle and the presence of a corpus luteum (CL) in the ovaries as follows: 1) small follicle (<5 mm, SF group, n = 100), 2) medium follicle (8-20 mm, MF group, n = 538), and 3) large follicle (≥25 mm, LF group, n = 354) without a CL, or 4) the presence of a CL (CL group, n = 310). The pregnancies per AI after the first TAI were analyzed by logistic regression using the LOGISTIC procedure, and the logistic model included the fixed effects of the herd size, parity, body condition score (BCS) at the first TAI, TAI period, and ovarian status. A larger herd size, higher BCS at the first TAI, and TAI period with no heat stress increased (p < 0.05) the probability of pregnancy per AI after the first TAI. However, ovarian status at the beginning of the program did not affect (p > 0.05) the pregnancies per AI (ranges of 37.9% to 42.9%). These results show that the modified Double-Ovsynch program can be used effectively while maintaining good fertility regardless of the ovarian status in dairy herds.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.165-173
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• 1992

In order to study the mechanism of follicle growth and maturation, and also to supplement the criteria identifying the follicle state of normal of atretic, the histochemical investigation on the ovarian follicles according to the ovarian cycle of mouse, rat and pig has been done. The intercellular space of granulosa cells, especailly Call-Exner body, and follicular fluid in the antrum showed positive to PAS, and blue stain by trichrome dye. The resutls suggest that the mucous polysaccharide was synthesized by the granulosa cells, and secreted into the antrum through Call-Exner body so as to be the components of the follicular fluid as the follicles proceeded to growth and maturation. The further the follicles proceeded to atresia the more densely their theca externa were stained blue by follicles proceeded to atresia the more densely their theca externa were stained blue by trichrome dye, and the more densely the granulosa cells were stained red by oil red 0 dye. Therefore, these staining methods can be applied to the criteria identifying the follicle atresia.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.10-14
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• 2012

The ovarian follicles develop initially from primordial follicles. The majority of ovarian primordial follicles are maintained quiescently as a reserve for the reproductive life span. Only a few of them are activated and develop to an advanced follicular stage. The maintenance of dormancy and activation of primordial follicles are controlled by coordinated actions of a suppressor/activator with close communications with somatic cells and intra-oocyte signaling pathways. Many growth factors and signaling pathways have been identified and the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily plays important roles in early folliculogenesis. However, the mechanism of maintaining the dormancy and survival of primordial follicles has remained unknown for decades. Recently, since the first finding that all primordial follicles are activated prematurely in mice deficient forkhead box O3a, phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) signaling pathway was reported to be important in the regulation of dormancy and initial follicular activation. With these informations on early folliculogenesis, clinical application can be expected such as in vitro maturation of immature oocytes or in vitro activation of follicles by PTEN inhibitor in cryopreserved ovarian cortical tissues for fertility preservation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.292-298
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• 2023

Objective: Ovarian torsion is a gynecological disorder that causes ischemia-reperfusion injuries in the ovary. Our study investigated berberine's short- and long-term effects on ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injuries. Methods: This study included 28 Wistar albino female rats weighing 180 to 220 g, which were divided into four groups: sham (S), torsion/detorsion (T/D), torsion/ detorsion+single dose berberine (T/D+Bb), and torsion/detorsion+15 days berberine (T/D+15Bb). The torsion and detorsion model was applied in all non-sham groups. In the T/D+Bb group, a single dose of berberine was administered, while in the T/D+15Bb group, berberine was administered over a period of 15 days. After the rats were euthanized, their ovaries were excised. The left ovaries were used for histopathologic evaluation, which included ovarian injury scoring and follicle count, while the right ovaries were used for biochemical analyses (tissue transforming growth factor-β [TGF-β] and alpha-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA] levels). Results: The histopathologic evaluation scores for the ovaries were significantly lower in the T/D+B group (p<0.05) and the T/D+15B group (p<0.005) than in the T/D group. The follicle counts in the T/D group were lower than those in both the sham and treated groups (p<0.005). The TGF-β levels were significantly lower in the T/D+15B group (p<0.005), whereas the α-SMA levels did not show a significant difference. Conclusion: Both short- and long-term berberine use could potentially have therapeutic effects on ovarian torsion. Long-term berberine use exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by reducing TGF-β levels, thereby preventing ischemia-reperfusion injuries. Therefore, we suggest that long-term berberine use could be beneficial for ovarian torsion.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2017

Granulosa cells, which surround the oocyte within the ovarian follicle, play an essential role in creating conditions required for the development of oocytes and follicles. The solute carrier family (SLC) is comprised of influx transporters of steroidal hormones, various drugs, and several other substrates. The differential expression of selected DEGs was confirmed using in situ hybridization analysis. SLC23A3 and SLC39A10 were highly expressed in the ovary. The SLC39A10 gene was expressed in the primordial follicle stage, but SLC23A3 was expressed in the growing follicle stage. Contrastingly, the expression of SLC23A3 was increased in granulosa cells at the growing follicle stage. The differential expressions of SLC23A3 and SLC39A10 between the primordial and primary follicles were additionally confirmed by using follicle isolations. The gene expression profile from the present study may provide insight for future studies on the mechanism(s) involved in primordial-primary follicular transition and suggestions to promote follicular development in ovarian dysfunction.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.203-210
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• 1999

In this stuyd, the effect of the dominant follicle aspiration for the superovulatory response in HanWoo was investigated. The criterion for the presence or absence of a dominant follicle based on their morphological examination. The dominant follicle was aspirated 48hr before the onset of superovulation treatment by 6.5MHz convex probe connected with a carrier and superovulation induced by FSH (Super-Ov Tyrer, Texas, U.S.A) adminstered twic a day s.c. over 4 day in a decreasing regimen. From 13 HanWoo scanned daily to determine the presence and growth of the dominant follicle, its an average diameter of 15.4mm was measured and an average diameter of corpora lutea was 18.7mm on day of follicular aspiration. In the experiment, a follicular remove by ultrasound-guided aspiration, the ovarian response was significantly enhanced when animals were superovulated in the aspiation of a dominant follicle compare with animals superovulated non-aspiration of a dominat follicle. In the aspiration of a dominant follicle donors yieleded more corpora lutea(14.4$\pm$4.7 vs 8.6$\pm$3.4) and transferable embryos(8.9$\pm$4.2 vs 5.4$\pm$2.7) than control. In cows in which the dominant follicle had been aspirated under sonographical control 2 days before superovuation, the number of corpus lutea and transferable embryos were significantly enhanced compared with animals superovulated in the presence of a dominant follicle (14.4$\pm$4.7 vs 6.9$\pm$2.7, ; 8.9$\pm$4.2 vs 3.3$\pm$1.6). After 7 days of artificial insemination, the embryos at 7 days were cllected by uterine flushing after dominant follicle insemination, the embryos at 7 days were collected by uterine flushing after dominant follicle aspiration and superovulation treatment, and evaluated their quality by morphological criteria. Sixteen embryos with excellent and good grade were transferred into 8 recipient cows. Six pregnancies were identified at 60 and 120 days of gestation by rectal palpations. In conclusion, the present study showed that 1) the presence or absence of a dominant follicle signficicnatly affects superovulatory responses, and 2) ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration of the dominant follicle and superovuation treatment provides an accurate and procedure to increase ovarian responses in HanWoo.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 1985

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of unilateral ovariectomy on the weight of the remaining ovary, the change of number of ovarian follicle, number of corpus luteum and serum progesterone level. Sixty Sprague-Dawley female rats, 23$\pm$2 days old, were divided into 2 groups (control and unilaterally ovariectomized goup) with 30 heads per groups. Each group was again subdivided into 6 groups according to 6 experimental periods; Day 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 after uniteral ovariectomy. Five arts at every 4 day intervals were sacrificed for the measuring of ovarian weight and for quantitative histologic examination of ovary and at the same time, blood samples were taken for the determination of serum progesterone level of radioimmunoassy. The results obtained were as follows: During the experimental periods, a significant hypertrophy occured in the remaining ovary of unilaterally ovariectomized group from day 16 after operation. The average ovarian weight of control group at day 16 was 21.0$\pm$1.7mg, which is samller than that of unilaterally ovariectomized group weighing 50.5$\pm$8.4mg(P<0.01). The ovarian weight of the unilaterally ovariectomized rats at day 20 and day 24 was 75.9$\pm$2.2 mg and 63.3$\pm$7.0 mg, which is heavier than those of control group; 29.1$\pm$2.3 and 26.3$\pm$1.7 mg(P<0.01 and P<0.01). 2. A same degree of ovarian follicle development was observed in the unilaterally ovariectomized group. Following unilateral ovariectomy and there was no change in total number of follicles larger than 130$\mu$ during the period from day 4 till day 24 after operation. 3. Although the size fo ovarian follicle did not significantly change between two groups from day 4 till day 16, the size of vesicular follicle in unilaterally ovariectomized group (406.3$\pm$26.2$\mu$) was significantly greater as compared to that of control group (323.8$\pm$19.3$\mu$)(P<0.05). 4. Corpus luteum in unilaterally ovariectomized and control group began to a, pp.ar from day 16 after operation and then the number of corpus luteum slightly increased. The number of corpus luteum in unilaterally ovariectomized group at day 24 ws remarkably increased (13.7$\pm$1.41) than that of control (5.2$\pm$2.01)(P<0.01). 5. Serum progesterone levels in unilaterally ovariectomized group were slightly higher than those of control but there were no significant difference between treatment groups.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.139-145
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• 2016

Measurements of ovarian reserve play an important role in predicting the clinical results of assisted reproductive technology (ART). The ideal markers of ovarian reserve for clinical applications should have high specificity in order to determine genuine poor responders. Basal follicle-stimulating hormone levels, antral follicle count, and serum anti-$M{\ddot{u}}llerian$ hormone (AMH) levels have been suggested as ovarian reserve tests that may fulfill this requirement, with serum AMH levels being the most promising parameter. Serum AMH levels have been suggested to be a predictor of clinical pregnancy in ART for older women, who are at a high risk for decreased ovarian response. We reviewed the prognostic significance of ovarian reserve tests for patients undergoing ART treatment, with a particular focus on the significance of serum AMH levels in patients at a high risk of poor ovarian response.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.313-316
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• 2004

Ultrasonographic studies were conducted on eight Murrah buffaloes daily from day 6 postpartum (pp) onwards till day 77 pp to monitor changes in the cervix, uterine horn and ovarian follicular growth and development. The mean size of horn and cervix on day six ($9.07{\pm}0.74$ and $8.58{\pm}0.00cm$) decreased significantly to $4.09{\pm}0.09$ and $3.56{\pm}0.08cm$ by day 27 pp, respectively. Follicles in 50% of the buffaloes ovulated within 24 to 54 days pp and the size of the largest follicle on different days increased to more than 5 mm. The remaining 50 percent of animals ovulated after 65 days postpartum. Large size follicles (>8.5 mm) appeared in six out of eight buffaloes between 10 to 30 days pp and five animals had ovulated during early postpartum period. Waves pattern of follicular growth was observed during early postpartum period. Ovulatory follicles growth rate was more than the anovulatory follicles and increase in size was more as compared to the subordinate follicle. Anovulatory follicles persisted for longer period. Mean size of large follicle was more from day 6 to 41 pp and again from 50 to 65 pp in cyclic animals. Second large follicle were large during early postpartum (18days), thereafter, its size was more in acyclic animals. Small follicles population was less in cyclic animals upto day 50 postpartum. Mean medium size follicle growth pattern did not differ in cyclic and acyclic groups. Large size follicle number was more in cyclic group (5/8) during 14 to 20 days postpartum. Presence of large follicles (>8.5 mm) showed initiation of ovarian activity.