• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.37-45
• /
• 2010

Captured wild specimens of the big white-toothed shrew, Crocidura lasiura were classified into three age classes by tooth wear and height of molars, and seasonal variations of breeding and reproductive organs were examined. Juveniles had not tooth wear in molars and height of the third molars were lower than the first and second molars, and had only non-breeding condition. Young adults had little tooth wear and the third molars reached to the first and second molars, and old adults had heavy tooth wear in molars, young adults and old adults had breeding or non-breeding condition according to the season. On the basis of histological examination, seasonal variations of breeding were confirmed that breeding condition of young and old adult males were continued from early February to early October although the breeding activity was the highest in April, that of females were continued from the end of March to October, males reached sexual maturity earlier than females. Whereas the breeding condition seems to cease for non-breeding season because of the deficiency of food resources, soil invertebrates. Young and old adult males of the breeding season had large testes with enlarged seminiferous tubules that were filled with numerous germ cells, and expanded caudal epididymides with a vast number of spermatozoa, and were more than 10.0 g in the body weight and 0.03 g in the testis and epididymis weight. The females of the breeding season were pregnant condition with 4~6 litters or had the Graafian follicles and the corpus lutea in the ovary, and were more than 9.6 g in the body weight.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.267-274
• /
• 2008

There are many kinds of anti-oxidant materials in natural plant resources. The Siberian ginseng and Eucommia are well known as anti-oxidant and medicinal plants. To investigate the effect of their anti-oxidant-like activity on telomere quantity and egg quality, diets containing Siberian ginseng leaf and Eucommia leaf at 0.5% and 1% were given Hyline Brown commercial laying hens during two periods of age: 20 to 30 wks and 60 to 70 wks. The amount of telomere in lymphocyte, liver, ovary, heart and lung was analyzed by quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization using telomeric DNA probe. Egg weight, albumin height, Haugh unit, egg yolk color, egg shell color, egg shell thickness, egg shell weight and egg shell density were measured to analyze egg quality. The chickens consuming diets Siberian ginseng and Eucommia had higher telomeric DNA in lymphocytes than control chickens in younger layers whereas no significant differences were detected in all target cells analyzed from older layers. Egg quality was increased in younger hens with dietary supplementation as determined by egg weight, albumin height and Haugh unit but there were no effects in older hens. These results imply that dietary supplementation of Siberian ginseng and Eucommia in layers improves bio-activity and egg quality at early laying stage.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.125-132
• /
• 2010

Captured specimens of the lesser white-toothed shrew, Crocidura suaveolens were classified into three age classes by tooth wear and seasonal variations of reproductive organs were investigated. Molars of juveniles had not tooth wear and the height of the third molars were lower than the first and second molars, young adults had smooth tooth wear and the third molars reached to the first and second molars, and old adults had heavy tooth wear and the third molars also reached to the first and second molars. On the basis of histological examination, seasonal variation of breeding was confirmed that breeding season of adult males was from early February to early October, having a peak of the breeding in April and July, and non-breeding season was from in the middle of October to late January. Young and old adult males of the breeding season had large testes with enlarged seminiferous tubules filling with numerous germ cells and expanded caudal epididymides with a vast number of spermatozoa, Young and old adult males of the non-breeding season had the small testes with the extremely slender seminiferous tubules filling with only spermatogonia and the reduced caudal epididymides without spermatozoa. Males weighing more than 3.9 g in the body weight and 0.013 g in the testis and epididymis weight reached sexual maturation in breeding season, and the females weighing more than 3.8 g in body weight of the breeding season were pregnant condition having 5~6 litters or had the Graafian follicles and the corpus lutea in the ovary.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.292-301
• /
• 2010

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a pituitary glycoprotein hormone that is encoded by separate alpha- and betasubunit genes. It plays a key role in stimulating and regulating ovarian follicular development and egg production in chicken. FSH signal transduction is mediated by the FSH receptor (FSHR) that exclusively interacts with the beta-subunit of FSH, but characterization of prokaryotic expression of the FSHb gene and its effect on the expression of the FSHR gene in local chickens have received very little attention. In the current study, the cDNA fragment of the FSHb gene from Dagu chicken was amplified using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and inserted into the pET-28a (+) vector to construct the pET-28a-FSHb plasmid. After expression of the plasmid in E. coli BL21 (DE3) under inducing conditions, the recombination protein, $FSH{\beta}$ subunit, was purified and injected into the experimental hens and the effect on the mRNA expression levels of the FSHR gene was investigated. Sequence comparison showed that the coding region of the FSHb gene in the local chicken shared 99%-100% homology to published nucleotides in chickens; only one synonymous nucleotide substitution was detected in the region. The encoded amino acids were completely identical with the reported sequence, which confirmed that the sequences of the chicken FSHb gene and the peptides of the $FSH{\beta}$ subunit are highly conserved. This may be due to the critical role of the normal function of the FSHb gene in hormonal specificity and regulation of reproduction. The results of gene expression revealed that a recombinant protein with a molecular weight of about 19 kDa was efficiently expressed and it was identified by Western blotting analysis. After administration of the purified $FSH{\beta}$ protein, significantly higher expression levels were demonstrated in uterus, ovary and oviduct samples (p<0.05). These observations suggested that the expressed $FSH{\beta}$ protein possesses biological activity, and has a potential role in regulation of reproductive physiology in chickens.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.216-223
• /
• 2020

This study investigated the ecological characteristics of Coreoperca herzi at Jaho stream from September 2018 to August 2019. This species inhabited riffle and midstream of the stream, where the riverbed structure was mostly covered with cobble and pebble. The depth of the habitat was 32-157 cm, and the velocity of stream fast at 0.64±0.28 (0.32-1.28) m/sec. The gender ratio of females to males was 1:0.95. The age according to the frequency analysis of total length indicated that the group with 42-80 mm in total length was one year old, the group with 80-130 mm was two years old, the group with130-200 mm was three years old, and the group over 200 mm was four years old. The total length of sexually mature fishes was 65 mm for females and 70 mm for males. The sexually mature individuals grown in nature had a smaller total length than those reared in a laboratory. The spawning season was from May to late July, and the water temperature was 18.4-26.4℃ during the period. The prosperous spawning season was from May to June, and the water temperature was 18.4-21.8℃ during the period. The average number of eggs in the ovaries was 462 (151-919) per mature female, and the matured eggs were yellowish and spherical with a mean diameter of 2.31±0.33 (1.93-3.10) mm. Calculation length-weight relation of Korean aucha perch showed the constant a as 0.00002 and b as 3.01, condition factor (K) as 1.76 (1.01-2.63) on average, and the slope was a positive value of 0.0005.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.10
• /
• pp.1606-1611
• /
• 2007

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dihydropyridine on laying performance and fat metabolism of laying hens. Five hundred and forty laying hens, 40 weeks old, were randomly allotted to three groups, each of which included four replicates of 45 hens. The groups were given a basal corn-soybean meal diet supplemented with 0, 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg dihydropyridine. Results showed that compared with the control group (0 mg/kg dihydropyridine), supplements of 150 and 300 mg/kg dihydropyridine increased egg production rate by 9.39% (p<0.01) and 12.97% (p<0.01), increased mean egg weight by 3% (p>0.05) and 4.8% (p>0.05), and improved feed efficiency by 9.54% (p<0.05) and 7.25% (p<0.05), respectively; The addition of 150 and 300 mg/kg dihydropyridine decreased percentage of abdominal fat by 35.4% (p<0.05) and 46.9% (p<0.05), decreased liver fat content by 32.4% (p<0.05) and 10.5% (p<0.05), increased HSL activity of abdominal fat by 39.64% (p<0.05) and 48.48% (p<0.05), increased HSL activity of liver by 9.4% (p>0.05) and 47.34% (p<0.05) and increased the content of cAMP in adenohypophysis by 14.67% (p<0.05) and 10.91% (p<0.05), respectively; The inclusion of 150 mg/kg dihydropyridine increased liver superoxide dismutase activity by 69.61% (p<0.05), and increased hepatic apoB concentration by 53.96% (p<0.05); The supplementation of 150 or 300 mg/kg dihydropyridine decreased malondialdehyde concentration of hepatic mitochondria by 30.90% (p<0.01) and 10.39% (p<0.05), respectively; Supplemented dihydropyridine had no significant effects on TG, Ch HDL-C and VLDL-C concentrations in serum; addition of 150 or 300 mg/kg dihydropyridine increased T3 levels in serum by 15.34% (p<0.05) and 11.88% (p<0.05) and decreased insulin concentration by 40.44% (p<0.05) and 54.37% (p<0.05), respectively. The results demonstrated that adding dihydropyridine had the tendency of improving very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) content in the ovary. It was concluded that dihydropyridine could improve laying performance and regulate the fat metabolism of laying hens and that 150 mg/kg dihydropyridine is the optimum dose for laying birds in practical conditions.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.432-442
• /
• 1992

To identify the histological site of synthesis of yolk protein precursor, vitellogenin, by immunocytochemical method in the freshwater crab Eriocheir japonicus, we purified the yolk protein, vitellin, from crude egg extracts, and prepared the anti-rabbit serum against vitellin. Then, the site of vitellogenin synthesis was demonstrated by immunotytochemical method with PAP(peroxidase-antiperoxidase) reaction using the rabbit antiserum aganist vitellin. Female specific serum protein was identified in female serum by immunoelectrophoresis and Ouchterlony's immunodiffusion test for mature male and female sera. Based on the immunoelectrophoresis and Ouchterlony's diffusion test for mature male and female sera and crude egg extracts using antiserum against vitellogenic female serum absorbed with male serum, the female specific serum protein was identified as vitellogenin, detected in female serum only. The major yolk protein, vitellin, was purified from the crude egg extracts by DEAE-cellulose ion exchange chromatography, followed by sepharose CL-4B gel filteration chromatography. The molecular weight of vitellin was estimated to be about 245,000 dalton by sepharose CL-4B gel filteration chromatography. from the results of immunological analysis for vitellin, it was found that the vitellin antiserum contained the antibody against vitellogenin. In the results of immunocytochemical reaction by PAP method with the rabbit antiserum against vitellin, the vitellogenic oocytes and the hepatopancreas of mature female showed positive PAP reaction, but not in follicle cells and previtellogenic oocytes nf ovary, muscle of female and mature male hepatopancreas. Therefore, it showed that the hepatopancreas of mature female is the site of vitellogenic synthesis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.77-96
• /
• 1976

In order to investigate the effects and acting mechanism on ovaries, thyroid glands and hypophyses of rabbits in short term administration of sulfadimethoxine (SDM) as medical dose, a total of 90 virgin albino rabbits (mean body weight, 1,362g) were selected at random and alloted to two groups. Rabbits in one group served as controls and the others were administered SDM of 50 mg/kg/day for 5 weeks, and then reared without medication for 4 weeks. Pathological changes of the three organs were observed each week for 9 weeks and the results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. Mean body weights of both groups manifested slow increasing tendency but mean hypophysis weights fluctuated throughout the experimental term. Mean ovary weights of experiments were decreased significantly from the 3rd to 6th week but mean thyroid weights of experiments were increased significantly from the 1st to 6th week compared with those of controls. 2. Many ovarian follicles of each developing stage showed follicular atresia accompanying atrophy or necrosis of oocytes and of disintegrated follicular cells. Theca interna cells and sudanophilic interstitial cells showed atrophy and diminished sudanophilic granules and also liquor folliculi were diminished. These changes icreased from the 1st week, remaining so for 5 weeks and returned to normal status in the 8th or 9th week. 3. The thyroid gland showed a typical hyperplastic goiter. Hypertrophic and hyperplastic epithelia follicular manifested cuboidal or columnar form showing tiny or small vacuoles in cytoplasm. The follicles showed atrophy and decreasing colloidal materials. Necrotic and regenerative changes were also present. The interfollicular vessels showed congestion and hemorrhage. These changes increased from the 1st week, remaining so for 5 weeks and returned to normal status in the 9th week. 4. The rates of differential cell counts of hypophyses revealed increase of basophils (gonadotrophs and thyrotrophs) and decrease of chromophobes. Basophils which had diminished granules stainable with HE, PAS and AF revealed hypertrophy, hyperplasia, and increasing of tiny or small vacuoles in cytoplasm. These changes increased from the 1st week, remaining so for 5 weeks and returned to normal status in the 8th or 9th week. As summarized above histologically, administration of SDM led thyrotrophs and gonadotrophs of pituitary glands to hyperactivity but revealed retrogressive and compensatory changes with functional disturbance in ovaries and thyroid glands. These changes were transitional and attributed to direct actions of the drugs on the ovaries and thyroid glands.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.67-76
• /
• 2002

Objective: To assess the difference of baseline hormonal status and pathophysio logy, and confirm the risk factors for long term complication according to Body Mass Index in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Materials and Methods: Serum level of LH, FSH, Estradiol, Prolactin, Testosterone, DHEA-S, fasting insulin were measured and 100 gm oral glucose tolerance test and endometrial biopsy were performed in total 75 chronic anovulation patients and 20 normal cycling infertility patients. 95 evaluated patients were divided into 3 groups including patients with chronic anovulation having BMI below 25, BMI beyond 25.1, normal cycling infertility patients, Group 1 (n=39), Group 2 (n=36), Group 3 (n=20), respectively. Statistical analysis was performed respect to relationship between BMI and measured hormone level, sum of glucose level during 100 gm OGTT, insulin resistance using t-test, ANOVA test, Post Hoc test, Mann-Whitney test. p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Serum LH level and LH/FSH ratio was significantly higher in Group 1, compared than Group 2 or 3 (p<0.05), BMI and LH, LH/FSH ratio was negatively correlated (r=-0.351, r=-0.318). There was no significant difference according to BMI in FSH, testosterone, estradiol, prolactin, DHEA-S level. Fasting insulin and sum of glucose level during 100 gm OGTT were significantly higher in Group 2 compared than Group 1 or Group 3 (p<0.05), there was no significant difference between Group 1 and Group 3. Insulin resistance was more frequently identified in Group 2 compared than Group 1 (p=0.001). Conclusions: BMI and LH, LH/FSH ratio were negatively correlated, so clinical significance of LH, LH/FSH ratio in diagnosis of PCOS may be attenuated by increasing body weight. Overweight patients with chronic anovulation may be the risk group for developing insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance, later type 2 DM. Hyperinsulinemia may operate mainly in overweight chronic anovulation patients in development of hyperandrogenism.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.118-126
• /
• 2005

In our study, osteoporosis was induced by ovariectomized in female Sprague-Daweley (SD) rats, and the prevention and treatment efficacy of the climacteric disease the ostmenopausal type I pattern was examined by using the experimental substance soybeans and arowroot. No clinical signs and mortality after continuous oral administration of experimental substances for 14 weeks were not observed, however, the weight of experimental animals underwent ovariectomized was increased significantly in comparison with control group (p<0.01). The atrophy of the uterus due to T3 group was 23.64% after 7 weeks, 24.44% after 14 weeks (in comparison with N.C. group), and it was statistically significantly increased. In regard to the change of blood cells, it was observed that platelets were statistically significantly reduced in the ovariectomized group, and administered orally experimental substances continuously for 7 weeks, in all groups administered experimental substances, it was found that platelets had the tendency to be increased more than N. C. group. In regard to He change of blood biochemistry, removed the ovary, the concentration of ALP showed the tendency to be increased than control group, and particularly in T3 group, it was increased significantly. In regard to the concentration of cholesterol, in comparison with negative control group, it was reduced 68% at 7 weeks and 35% at 14 weeks. After ovariectomized, the amount of estrogen was found to be reduced by 21.37% in comparison with control group, it showed the tendency to be increased by 4.49% in T1 group and 7.62% in T2 group, the concentration of estrogen in each group showed the tendency to be increased than negative control group, and in T3 group, it was increased to 100.46% and 117.65% in T4 group, and it was increased more than control group. Based on the above experimental results, in the experimental animals female rats, because of the hormonal imbalance induced by ovariectomized, a large mount of fat is accumulated in the body and due to it osteoporosis, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, fat of the liver, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, and other metabolic diseases were developed. Hence, when the experimental substance Extraction of ferment arrowroot was orally administered continuously for 14 weeks, it was thought that a certain proportion of the hormonal balance was maintained that functioned as a substance interfering the accumulation of fat, and it was considered to be of help in the treatment of not only osteoporosis Type I, but also for the prevention and treatment of various endocrinal diseases.