• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.114-121
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• 2020

Objective: Despite extensive research on implantation failure, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the crosstalk between the embryo and the maternal endometrium, which is critical for successful pregnancy. Profilin 1 (PFN1), which is expressed both in the embryo and in the endometrial epithelium, acts as a potent regulator of actin polymerization and the cytoskeletal network. In this study, we identified the specific role of endometrial PFN1 during embryo implantation. Methods: Morphological alterations depending on the status of PFN1 expression were assessed in PFN1-depleted or control cells grown on Matrigel-coated cover glass. Day-5 mouse embryos were cocultured with Ishikawa cells. Comparisons of the rates of F-actin formation and embryo attachment were performed by measuring the stability of the attached embryo onto PFN1-depleted or control cells. Results: Depletion of PFN1 in endometrial epithelial cells induced a significant reduction in cell-cell adhesion displaying less formation of colonies and a more circular cell shape. Mouse embryos co-cultured with PFN1-depleted cells failed to form actin cytoskeletal networks, whereas more F-actin formation in the direction of surrounding PFN1-intact endometrial epithelial cells was detected. Furthermore, significantly lower embryo attachment stability was observed in PFN1-depleted cells than in control cells. This may have been due to reduced endometrial receptivity caused by impaired actin cytoskeletal networks associated with PFN1 deficiency. Conclusion: These observations definitively demonstrate an important role of PFN1 in mediating cell-cell adhesion during the initial stage of embryo implantation and suggest a potential therapeutic target or novel biomarker for patients suffering from implantation failure.

• 한국초지조사료학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.345-352
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• 2011

축산농가의 밭 사료포는 농가에 따라 다량의 축분을 시용하는 경우가 있어 농가마다 사료포장의 토양비옥도 차이가 컸다. 따라서 본 시험은 토양 유기물함량의 차이가 총체맥류의 생육 및 수량에 미치는 영향을 분석하여 토양비옥도에 따라 적합한 총체맥류를 선정코자 하였다. 가. 이삭수는 보통지 대비 비옥지에서 증가되는 비율은 삼한귀리> 청우밀> 곡우호밀> 영양보리> 신영트리티케일 순으로 높았고, 척박지에서 감소되는 비율은 영양보리> 곡우호밀 > 청우밀 > 신영트리티케일 > 삼한귀리 순이었다. 전체적으로 토양비옥도에 따른 이삭수의 변화는 신영트리티케일이 다른 총체맥류에 비하여 변화가 적었다. 나. 척박지에서 총체수량이 높은 총체맥류는 신영트리티케일로서 청보리인 영양보리에 비하여 69% 증수되었다. 다. 신영트리티케일이 다른 총체맥류에 비하여 비옥지, 보통지, 척박지 모두 절대적인 건물 수량과 가소화 건물수량이 높았고, 다음은 청우밀이었으며, 곡우호밀이 가장 낮았다. 라. 토양유기물 함량에 따라 가소화건물수량이 증감에 대한 안정성 측면에서 본다면 비옥지에서는 삼한귀리와 영양보리가 증수효과가 다른 총체맥류에 비하여 크게 나타났고, 척박지에서는 신영 트리티케일과 청우밀에서의 감수율이 다른 총체맥류에 비하여 낮았다.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.265-270
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• 2015

Growth rate during rearing, which varies depending on provided nutrition, has been related with age at $1^{st}$ calving (AFC). This study investigated the effect of upgrowth parameters during the rearing period on the reproduction of nulliparous Holstein heifers. The study comprised 77 successively born heifers from the same herd. Growth rate and fertility traits were measured during rearing and fertility parameters were recorded in lactations 1. Growth parameters (body weight, height, heart girth and body length) were measured at the approximate birth time, 270 and 450 d of age. Reproduction data collected included age at $1^{st}$ breeding, number of services per conception (S/C), pregnancy rate to $1^{st}$ artificial insemination, AFC. Animals were subsequently divided into 4 AFC groups for analysis: <23 mo, 23~25 mo, 26~30 mo and >30 mo. The AFC reflected both upgrowth rate and heifer reproduction, with later calving heifers smaller. Increased skeletal growth (at 270 and 450 d) was related with a reduced AFC (p<0.05). Early calving animals (<23 mo) had the best reproduction as nulliparous heifers, with most conceiving at first service (87.5%). Fertility in the first lactation was the worst in the oldest AFC group (>30 mo). In the 1st lactation period, a number of services per conception ($3.1{\pm}0.3$) increased with increasing AFC (>30 mo). Sub-optimal upgrowth related with an increased AFC could be mitigated by improved monitoring of replacement heifers during the rearing period.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.111-124
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• 2008

In the present study, an attempt has been made to assess whether the effect of benzene extract of Ocimum sanctum leaves on the ultrastructural changes in the epithelial cells of the cauda epididymis, its subsequent recovery in the seminiferous epithelium and fertility of male albino rats. Wistar strain male albino rats were orally administered benzene extract of 250 mg/kg body weight of O. sanctum leaves followed by subsequent recovery maintaining suitable controls for 48 days. Results indicate decrease in the weights of testis, epididymis and seminal vesicles. Other accessory organs were not affected. Total count, cell and nuclei diameters of germ cells and Leydig cells were reduced. Cauda epididymis exhibited significant reduction in epithelial height and nuclei diameter of epithelial cells. Cells showed vacuolization with exhibit of signs of degeneration. Ultra study revealed that, in general, the cauda epididymis was affected and in particular, the principal, clear and basal cells were highly disturbed. Further, there was decrease in the size of lipid droplets, mitochondria, Golgi complex, endoplasmic reticulum and accumulation of lysosomal bodies. Fertility performance test showed no implantation in female rats mated with O. sanctum treated rats. Moreover, their recovery after withdrawal of treatment was observed suggesting that the effect of the treatment is transient and reversible. A recovery period resulted in normal spermatogenesis and fertility, suggesting reversible antispermatogenic and antifertility effects of the plant.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.630-635
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• 2000

Previous research has not evaluated the effects of various rates and frequencies of manure application and frequencies of cutting on yield and stand persistence of cool-season grasses and alfalfa-grass mixtures. The primary objective of this study was to compare the effects of cutting management systems on herbage yield and stand persistence of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and an alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)-orchardgrass mixture from various rates and frequencies of dairy slurry application. A randomized complete block design with treatments in a sub-subplot arrangement with four replicates was used. The main plot consisted of 2 cutting management systems (4 and 5 annual cuttings). The subplots were 9 fertility treatments: 7 slurry rate and frequency of application treatments, one inorganic fertilizer treatment, and an unfertilized control. The split-split-plots were the two forage species: orchardgrass and alfalfa-orchardgrass mixture. The study was initiated after 1st cutting in 1995. Cumulative yields of the 2nd and subsequent cuttings of both orchardgrass and alfalfa-orchardgrass in 1995 were higher for the 5-cutting system than the 4-cutting system. The 1995 growing season was abnormally dry. In 1996, an abnormally wet year, the reverse was true, total herbage yields being higher for the 4-cutting system than the 5-cutting system. Species response to fertility rate/frequency treatments was different in both years. Higher application rates early in the season and carryover of nutrients from late season applications the previous year appear to be responsible for the yield increases of those fertility treatments having significant yield differences between the cutting management systems. The stand ratings of orchardgrass were not affected by cutting management. In the spring of 1997, however, the stand ratings of alfalfa-orchardgrass in the 4-cutting management system were significantly greater than the 5-cutting management system. The very high manure application rate significantly reduced the stand ratings of alfalfa-orchardgrass in the 5-cutting system.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.413-433
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• 2010

South Dakota is an important agricultural state in the United States with annual cash receipts from agricultural products exceeding $9 billion dollars. This production is possible because of large areas of productive soils. This publication describes the general characteristics and qualities of the major soil groups recognized in South Dakota. The soil forming factors are briefly described, soil classification is introduced, and the genesis of typical Udalf and Ustoll soils are discussed. Soil management issues impacting the use of SD soils are considered. Long-term (>70 yrs) cultivation has significantly reduced surface soil organic carbon levels (>30% reduction) when compared to non-cultivated soil. Soil test phosphorus levels significantly increased in cultivated fields due to commercial P fertilization. The major long-term production problems for SD soils are conservation of soil moisture, organic matter and nitrogen losses, fertility management, and wind and water erosion control.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2013

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) has been known for having strong anti-oxidant, anti-mutagenic, and anti-carcinogenic activities. The free radical theory of aging, also known as the oxidative stress theory of aging, claims that cellular oxidative damage accumulated with time is a major causal factor of aging. In the present study, we investigated the effect of buckwheat extracts on resistance to oxidative stress and aging using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system. Survival under an oxidative-stress condition induced by paraquat increased markedly following 500mg/L buckwheat extracts treatment, suggesting lower cellular oxidative damage by buckwheat extracts. A lifespan assay also revealed that treatment of buckwheat extracts significantly extended both the mean and maximum lifespan in C. elegans. Interestingly, this lifespan-extension by buckwheat extracts was not accompanied by reduced fertility. These findings suggest that buckwheat extracts can confer longevity phenotype to C. elegans through its strong anti-oxidant activity and support the aging theory which emphasizes a pivotal role of oxidative stress during aging.

• 시스템엔지니어링학술지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.117-125
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• 2022

In the early 2000s, the rapid decline in the fertility rate resulted in a decrease in military resources to maintain the conscription system. In addition, there has been a further decline in the fertility rate in recent years. So, it is necessary to efficiently utilize military resources to prepare for future problems. The Republic of Korea Navy is planning to reduce the number of crew to operate the newly built warships to prepare for this trend of decreasing in troop resources. However, if the number of crew is reduced without reviewing the appropriate number of crew for the operation of the warship, a bigger problem may be encountered in the future. In order to solve this problem, research is being conducted to examine whether the number of crew aboard a warship is appropriate using simulation. However, it is difficult to create a crew simulation model due to the lack of detailed data related to crew operation. In this study, to solve this problem, a method of generating quantitative data using qualitative survey results was suggested, and the process of creating a crew simulation model was performed using this.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제8권5호
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• pp.526-532
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Acanthopanax sessiliflorus is a native Korean plant and used as a traditional medicine or an ingredient in many Korean foods. The free radical theory of aging suggests that cellular oxidative stress caused by free radicals is the main cause of aging. Free radicals can be removed by cellular anti-oxidants. MATERIALS/METHODS: Here, we examined the anti-oxidant activity of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus extract both in vitro and in vivo. Survival of nematode C. elegans under stress conditions was also compared between control and Acanthopanax sessiliflorus extract-treated groups. Then, anti-aging effect of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus extract was monitored in C. elegans. RESULTS: Stem extract significantly reduced oxidative DNA damage in lymphocyte, which was not observed by leaves or root extract. Survival of C. elegans under oxidative-stress conditions was significantly enhanced by Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem extract. In addition, Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem increased resistance to other environmental stresses, including heat shock and ultraviolet irradiation. Treatment with Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem extract significantly extended both mean and maximum lifespan in C. elegans. However, fertility was not affected by Acanthopanax sessiliflorus stem. CONCLUSION: Different parts of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus have different bioactivities and stem extract have strong anti-oxidant activity in both rat lymphocytes and C. elegans, and conferred a longevity phenotype without reduced reproduction in C. elegans, which provides conclusive evidence to support the free radical theory of aging.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.540-572
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• 2011

The present review focuses on the effects of energy intake on performance, changes in body tissue during lactation, and metabolic parameters in dairy cows. Especially, pre-partum nutrition and its influence on lactation are emphasized. In recent decades the increase in genetic potential of dairy cows has increased milk yield. This fact sharpens the problem of a negative energy balance in early lactation because the amount of energy required for maintenance and milk production exceeds the amount of energy cows can consume. Around parturition, reduced feed intake reinforces the situation. Continuing negative energy balance causes decreasing milk yield, fertility problems, and incidence of metabolic diseases. Hence, the cow has to rely on body reserves that were stored in late lactation and the dry period. It is evident that the nutritional status pre-partum acts as the key factor for milk yield and fertility parameters in the following lactation. Cows overfed during the foregoing gestation and which have gained large quantities of body fat have lower dry matter intake along with the need to mobilize larger quantities of body reserves in lactation. The milk yield in the following lactation is lower than in cows fed according to their requirements. Cows restrictively fed in late gestation have a higher feed intake in lactation and a lower mobilization of body reserves. The effect of energy intake post-partum plays only a minor role for performance parameters in lactation. Lipid mobilized from body reserves makes a substantial contribution to the energetic cost of milk production in early lactation and adipose tissue undergoes specific metabolic alterations. Adipose tissue is degraded to free fatty acids, which are used in liver for energy purposes. High lipid mobilisation promotes the development of a fatty liver and therefore a reduced gluconeogenesis.