• Toxicological Research
• /
• 제18권2호
• /
• pp.167-174
• /
• 2002

Historical control data have been shown to be valuable in the proper interpretation and validation of reproductive toxicology studies. The present data were compiled from rat fertility and early embryonic development studies conducted at Korea Institute of Toxicology during the 1994∼2001 period. These data were assembled in order to provide background information for the general and reproductive data collected in 11 fertility and early embryonic development studies using Sprague-Dawley rats obtain-ing from the Breeding Facility, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Korea. A total of 274 males and 274 females were used in these studies during the eight-year period. Parameters of fertility and early embryonic development included clinical sign, body weights, food consumption, organ weights, estrus cycle, copulation index, precoital time, fertility index, pregnancy index, sperm parameters, and early embryonic development parameters. Most of the values were comparable to the previous historical control data reported by other investigators. These data can be wed not only as a historical data base for the meaningful interpretation of data from reproductive and developmental toxicity studies, but also as a contribution to biological characterization of Sprague-Dawley rats.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• 제8권1호
• /
• pp.67-72
• /
• 2008

Adult male albino rats were treated with 0.5 mg and 0.75 mg morphine/100 g body weight intraperitoneally for 30 days. All the animals were autopsied on $31^{st}$ day. Epididymis and vas deferens were dissected out, weighed and processed for histological and biochemical studies. Morphine has caused a reduction in the weight of epididymis and vas deferens in both the doses of drug treated groups. The total cholesterol content is increased while protein, DNA and RNA contents and epididymal sperm counts are decreased. The acid phosphatase content is decreased 10.12 $\pm$ 0.11 in caput, 9.26 $\pm$ 0.30 in cauda of epididymis and in vas deferens 8.14 $\pm$ 0.15 in 0.5 mg treated groups and in 0.75 mg treated rats shows 9.52 $\pm$ 0.27 in caput, 9.14 $\pm$ 0.18 in cauda of epididymis and in vas deferens 7.84 $\pm$ 0.11is decreased, whereas alkaline phosphatase is increased. The surface epithelial cell height of these ducts is reduced and secretory activity is inhibited with the disruption of epithelial cell projections. The gravimetric and histometric changes of epididymis and vas deferens may be due to non-availability of androgens in morphine treated rats.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제23권12호
• /
• pp.1566-1577
• /
• 2010

Nandrolone, 19-nortestosterone, is a synthetic androgenic-anabolic steroid promoting muscle growth. Nandrolone is also present in pig meat and sera at non-negligible levels. A number of scientific reports have suggested a positive relationship between incidence of infertility and increased meat consumption in humans. The present study was designed to determine out the effect of feeding nandrolone on the testis of the male reproductive tract. Mixtures of food and nandrolone at different concentrations (0.005 ppm and 0.5 ppm) were supplied to pubertal male rats for 6 weeks. Body weight was recorded every week during the entire experimental period. At the end of the treatment, the testis, epididymis, and epididymal fat were collected and weighted. Sperm numbers in the caudal epididymis were counted. Differential gene or protein expression of steroidogenic enzymes in the testes among experimental groups was determined by semi-quantitative real-time PCR or western blotting analysis, respectively. Histological changes of the testis induced by nandrolone treatment were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Immunohistochemical analysis was employed to detect changes in the localization of steroidogenic enzymes in the testes among experimental animals. There were no significant changes on body, testis, epididymis, and epididymal fat weights among experimental groups. A significant increase of caudal sperm number was found in the 0.5 ppm nandrolone-treated group. Histological examination of the testes noted a high frequency of germ cell sloughing in seminiferous tubules of 0.5 ppm nandrolone-treated rats. Even though transcript levels of $3{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) I, $17{\beta}$-HSD4, and $17{\alpha}$-hydroxylase were influenced by nandrolone treatments, protein levels of all molecules examined in the present study were not significantly affected. Immunohistochemical analysis showed no visible changes in the localization of steroidogenic enzymes in the testes among experimental groups. The current study showed that oral intake of nandrolone in male rats for 6 weeks did not cause significant damage to the testis. It is considered that a feeding effect of nandrolone on male fertility would not be remarkable.

• 한국동물학회지
• /
• 제34권2호
• /
• pp.159-172
• /
• 1991

흰쥐 부정소 정자의 성숙 전후에 일어나는 변화를 몇가지 효소를 중심으로 관찰하였고 그 성숙과정중에 일어나는 상피세포, 내강 및 정자 사이의 상호관계를 알아보기 위하여 실험군 별로 몇가지 효소의 활성도와 탄수화물 잔기의 함량을 측정하였으며, 전기영동을 이용하여 각 군의 차이를 관찰하고 이에 대한 웅성호르몬의 관련성을 알아보았다. 1. 부정소 두 정자와 부정소미 정자에서 활성도 측정시 lactate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphatase 및 Na+ -K+ -ATPase의 경우는 유의한 차이가 없었으며, $Mg^2$+-ATPase의 경우만이 부정소미 정자가 부정소두 정자보다 유의성 있게 높은 활성도를 가지는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 부정소두와 부정소미 상피세포 , 내강 및 정자의 세군으로 나누어 각각 탄수화물 잔기를 정량하였을 때 hexosamine은 상피세포에서, sialic acid는 상피세포와 내강액에서 부정소미의 경우가 더 높은 함량이 존재하였으며, 내강액과 정자의 crude membrance fraction을 SDS-PAGE 했을 때 분자량이 33-37 KD 사이에 존재하던 band가 부정소미 내강액과 부정소미 정자의 crude membrance fraction에서 관찰되었으므로 흰쥐에서 정자의 성숙과정과 관련된 부정소내의 여러 변화를 비교하는 자료가 될 수 있었다. 2. 부정소 내강액에서 $\beta$ -glucuronidase와 $\beta$ -glucosidase의 활성도 및 웅성호르몬에 대한 의존성을 측정하였을 때 거세 후 5일째부터 이 두 효소의 활성도가 모두 유의하게 감소하기 시작하였고, tentosterone을 투여하였을 때는 $\beta$ -glucuronidase는 투여 5일, $\beta$ -glucosidase는 투여 10일 후부터 유의하게 증가하였으며 웅성호르몬에 대한 내강액의 의존성을 알아보기 위하여 SDS-PAGE하였을 때 tentosterone투여군의 부정소두에서 분자량이 약 21 KD에 해당하는 band를 새로이 관찰하였다.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제25권7호
• /
• pp.765-772
• /
• 2015

2세대동물에 있어 bisphenol A (BPA)에 대하여 decursin and decursinol angelate (D/DA)의 투여가 출산률 회복에 미치는 영향에 대하여 연구하였다. 실험그룹은 대조군, BPA 투여군, BPA와 D/DA 병용투여군으로 이루어졌으며, BPA와 D/DA 병용투여군에서 BPA 투여군과 비교 시 어미개체에서 몸무게, 장기무게에서 차이를 보였다. 정자수는 대조군과 비교 시 BPA군에서는 64.70%로 감소하였고 BPA와 D/DA 병용투여군에서는 7.69% 감소를 확인하였다. 고용량의 BPA (50 mg/kg/day)의 복용개체에서는 1세대에 임신 및 출산을 하지 못하였다. 하지만, BPA와 D/DA 병용투여군에서는 BPA 투여군과 비교 시 임신(98.87%) 및 출산률(55.78%)이 회복 됨을 확인하였다. 또한, 2세대의 임신 및 출산률은 대조군(75.02%)과 비교 시 BPA와 D/DA 병용투여군(78.11%)에서는 차이가 없음을 확인하였다. 이 연구결과는 D/DA (50 mg/kg/day)의복용은 임신 및 출산에 있어 긍정적인 영향을 주는 것으로 확인하였다.

• 한국산업보건학회지
• /
• 제18권3호
• /
• pp.224-238
• /
• 2008

The aim of this study is to confirm the physicochemical property and hazard of thinner (012), which is a diluent of enamel paint used for floor coating for waterproofing and oil painting for the outer wall. The literatures of physicochemical property and hazard of thinner were surveyed and its physicochemical property were evaluated. And then, the inhalation toxicity of thinner affecting the central nervous system and reproductive organs in rats were examined by subchronic (6 h./day. 5 days/ week for 13 weeks) inhalation test. 1) According to the 13-week subchronic inhalation test, there were no significant changes in clinical test and body weight. However, a significant evidence of toxicity was observed in the hematological test and organ weight such as heart, kidney, liver and brain (p<0.01) in the 200 ppm and 1,000 ppm exposure groups in a dose response manner. In the histopathology analysis, there were no significant evidence of toxicity. Therefore, thinner was not classified as an organ targeted toxic agent. In case of Harmfulness, it could be classified as a chronic toxic agent 3($500 ppm/4hr, rat). 2) The reproductive toxicity such as extension of the period of estrous cycle, reduction of serum estradiol concentration and increase of frequency of the abnormal sperm was observed in the 1,000 ppm exposed animals. 3) The result of the physicochemical property of the test material showed that the specific gravity was 0.793, boiling point $155.8^{\circ}C$, steam pressure 2.1 kPa, ignition point $34.5^{\circ}C$, and spontaneous ignition point $280^{\circ}C$. The endothermic and exothermic values were 371.4 J/g and 159.1 J/g. respectively. The explosion limit was 214 mg/l. These data showed that thinner could be classified as an explosion agent level 1.2 and ignitive liquid agent 3 ($23-60^{\circ}C$) according to the notification No. 2008-1 of the Labor Ministry, "Classifying Standard of Chemical Materials."

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• 제55권4호
• /
• pp.249-255
• /
• 2013

Intercellular interactions are important for the proper development and regulation of tissue function. This is especially necessary in the epididymis, a part of male reproductive tract where sperm become mature and acquire their fertilizing capacity. The caput region of the epididymis consists of several types of cells, including principal, basal, and apical cells. Direct intercellular communication is thus required to precisely regulate the functions of the caput epididymis. In this regard, connexin (Cx) is a molecule that forms channels, which allow the direct exchange of small molecules between cells, enabling intercellular communication. In this study, the expression of Cx isoforms in the caput epididymis at different postnatal ages was determined by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Nine of 13 Cx isoforms were detected. The transcript levels of Cx30.3, 31, 31.1, 32, and 40 were highest at 45 days of age, while the expression of Cx43 and 45 gradually decreased with age. A substantial fluctuation of Cx26 expression was detected, with significant decreases before and during puberty, followed by a transient increase at adult-hood and rapid decreases at an old age. A significant increase in Cx37 transcript was observed at 25 days of age, followed by gradual decreases at adult and old ages. These results indicate the significant differential expression of various Cx isoforms in the caput epididymis during postnatal development. It further suggests that the functional regulation and developmental maturation of the caput epididymis are highly related to the postnatal age-related differential expression of Cx isoforms.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• 제33권1호
• /
• pp.55-61
• /
• 2009

The epididymis in the male reproductive tract is the site where spermatozoa produced from the testis become mature. The epididymis is divided into 4 different segments, initial segment and caput, corpus, and caudal epididymis, depending upon functional and morphological features. Aquaporins (Aqps) are water channel molecules, which are present in the epididymis and play a major role in removal of epididymal water, resulting in creation of microenvironment for sperm maturation and concentration of sperms. Nandrolone decanoate (ND) is a synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid, which is used to treat clinical diseases and improve physical ability and appearance. Even though it is well determined that the ND causes the male infertility by affecting the testis, little is known the effect of the ND on the epididymis. The present study was focused to examine the effect of ND at different treatment doses and periods on expression of Aqp1 and Aqp9 genes in the epididymis of pubertal rats. Results showed that mRNA expression of Aqp1 and Aqp9 genes among the parts of the epididymis was differentially regulated by ND treatment doses. In addition, treatment periods of ND caused differential expression of Aqp1 and Aqp9 mRNAs among segments of the epididymis. Therefore, it is believed that male infertility induced by ND could be resulted not only from malfunction of the testis but also from aberrant gene expression of Aqp1 and Aqp9 in the epididymis.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• 제40권3호
• /
• pp.181-186
• /
• 2013

Background Partial or complete necrosis of a skin flap is a common problem. Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) can be extracted from trout sperm and used as a tissue repair agent. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PDRN could improve the survival of random pattern skin flaps in rats. Methods Twenty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: the PDRN treatment group (n=11) and the control group (n=11). Caudally pedicled random pattern skin flaps were elevated on their dorsal skin and resutured. The treatment group received daily intraperitoneal administration of PDRN (8 mg/kg/day), and the control group received fluid vehicle (NaCl 0.9%, 8 mg/kg/day) from day 0 to day 6. On day 7, the flap survival was evaluated and the harvested tissue surrounding the demarcation line of the necrotic area was stained with H&E, anti-rat vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) antibody, and PECAM-1/CD31 antibody. Results The average necrotic area of the flap in the PDRN group was significantly smaller when compared with that of the control group. Histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation showed that granulation thickness score and VEGF-positive staining cells were marked higher in the PDRN group than in the control group. PECAM-1/CD31-positive microvascular densities were significantly higher in the PDRN group when compared with the control group. Conclusions This study confirms that PDRN improves the survival of random pattern skin flaps in rats. These results may represent a new therapeutic approach to enhancing flap viability and achieving faster wound repair.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
• /
• 제18권4호
• /
• pp.293-300
• /
• 2014

Direct cell-cell communication through connexin (Cx) complexes is a way to achieve functional accordance of cells within a tissue or an organ. The initial segment (IS), a part of the epididymis, plays important roles in sperm maturation. Steroid hormones influence on expression of a number of genes in the IS of adult animals. However, developmental effect of sex hormones on the gene expression in the IS has not been examined. In this study, estradiol benzoate (EB, an estrogen agonist) or flutamide (Flu, an androgen antagonist) was exogenously administrated at 1 week of postnatal age, and expressional changes of Cx genes in the IS were determined at 4 months of age by a quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Treatment of EB at $0.015{\mu}g/kg$ body weight (BW) increased expression of Cx30.3, 31.1, and 43 genes. However, treatment of 1.5 mg EB/kg BW resulted in expressional decreases of Cx31, 32, and 45 genes and caused increases of Cx30.3 and 43 gene expression. Significant decreases of Cx31, 31.1, 32, 37, and 45 gene expression were detected with a treatment of $500{\mu}g\;Flu/kg$ BW, while expression of Cx43 gene was significantly increased with a treatment of $500{\mu}g\;Flu/kg$ BW. A treatment of $50{\mu}g\;Flu/kg$ BW led to significant increases of Cx30.3, 32, 37, 40, and 43 gene expression. These findings imply that exogenous exposure of steroidal hormones during the early developmental period would result in aberrant expression of Cx genes in the adult IS.