• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.243-247
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• 1990

A study was conducted to improve the reproductive performance of Korean native cows. Plasma progesterone concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. Plasma progesterone concentrations during the estrous cycle in the 15 cows were the lowest (0.30ng/ml) at estrus, gradually increased after 6 days, remained high from 8 to 17 days (3.87~5.59ng/ml) and drastically decreased thereafter to reach minimal concentrations at the next estrus. Plasma progesterone concentrations of the 10 pregnant cows at 20 days after insemination were $5.82{\pm}1.33ng/ml$ (mean${\pm}$SD) and those of 10 non-pregnant cows were $0.30{\pm}0.21ng/ml$, respectively. Therefore, plasma progesterone concentrations in the pregnant cows at 20 days after insemination were significantly higher than in non-pregnant cows (p<0.001).

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.165-172
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• 2007

Gonadal development, reproductive cycle and sex ratio of the purplish Washington clam, Saxidomus purpuratus were investigated monthly by histological observations. Samples were collected from May 2006 to April 2007 in the Gangjin Bay of Namhea, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. The clams are dioecious. The gonads consist of a number of oogenic follicle and acinus. Monthly changes in the gonad index reached a maximum in April and a minimum in July. Monthly changes in the condition index reached a maximum in June and a minimum in November. The reproductive cycle of this species can be divided into five successive stages: the recovery and resting stage (June to December), early active stage (January to April), late active stage (February to July), ripe stage (March to October), spent stage (April to October). The main spawning of the clam occurred in July and September in Gangjin Bay. The sex ratio of female to male was not significantly different from 1:1.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2009

The seasonal reproductive cycle of Gomphina melanaegis collected in the coastal area of Jumunjin, between April 2006 and March 2007, was analyzed. Maturation cycle parameters such as the gonad index (GI), ovarian egg diameter, frequency of developmental stages, protein content, and RNA/DNA variation in the gonads were analyzed monthly for the 40 samples. According to the indices from histological sections, the frequency of gonad developmental stages, and the oocyte diameter, this clam has a long-term partial spawning pattern from March to October. However, GI and nucleic acid values showed that the mature stage is from March to July and that the main spawning season is August. The peak RNA and DNA contents were good indicators of sexual maturation in females and males, respectively. The variation in protein content corresponded with the RNA/DNA ratios.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.63-70
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• 2014

Plasminogen activators (PAs) are serine proteases that convert plasminogen to plasmin. Two type of PAs are urokinase-type PA (uPA) and tissue-type PA (tPA). Plasminogen is present in most extracellular fluids. PAs play in various reproductive processes including implantation, ovulation and fertilization. In the spermatozoa, PAs and PAIs play a role in sperm motility and fertilization. PAs in the sertoli cell are stimulated spermatozoa maturation and sperm activation through the phospholipase A2. The oocyte maturation is the process for fertilization and implantation. PAs in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) are related to oocyte maturation by protein kinase A and C. In the ovulatory process, PAs activity are changed and it are related to reducing the tensile strength of ovarian follicle wall. The uterine environment is important for reproduction and the uterus undergo tissue remodeling. In the uterus and oviduct of mammals, expression and activity of PAs are changed during estrous cycle. Thus, expression and activity of PAs are concerned to many reproductive functions. Therefore, PAs seem to important factor of regulator in reproductive events.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.183-188
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• 2014

A study was carried out on 16 indigenous ewes in Bangladesh in order to assess the reproductive physiology, the pattern of vaginal cell exfoliation and progesterone profiles during the estrous cycle period. The mean estrous cycle length and duration of estrus were $15.8{\pm}0.12$ days and $31.1{\pm}0.57$ h respectively. The exfoliated epithelial cells were categorized into parabasal, intermediate, superficial and keratinized and their relative occurrences. The percentages of parabasal, intermediate and superficial cell type during proestrus were similar. The percentage of superficial cell type during estrus was 61.7%, which was significantly (p<0.01) differ from other types of cells and stages of estrus cycle. Metoestrus was predominant with neutrophils in addition with other cell types. Dioestrus was dominated by neutrophils. On days 0 to 5 of the cycle the progesterone concentration was 0.09 to $1.6{\pm}0.07ng/ml$. The length of diestrus was 5~10 days with a range of mean progesterone level of $1.6{\pm}0.07$ to $2.8{\pm}0.11ng/ml$. Progesterone levels increased significantly (p<0.01) after Day 5 and maximum level was $2.8{\pm}0.11ng/ml$ observed on Day 10 of the estrous cycle. Thereafter it dropped rapidly to basal level of $0.11{\pm}0.04ng/ml$ on Day 0 (p<0.01). These results indicate that the pattern of exfoliation of vaginal cells along with progesterone concentration could be used to determine the reproductive stages of indigenous ewe.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.179-186
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• 2003

Reproductive cycle, gonadal development and the spawning period of the Korean anchovy Coilia nasus were investigated by histologhical observations. Samples were collected at the coastal area of Geumgang dyke which is connected to Gunsan and Janghang, Korea, from February 2002 to January 2003. C. nasus is dioecious; the ovary consists of a pair of saccular structure with many ovarian lobules, and the testis consists of a pair of lobular structure with many testicular lobules and connected to the posterior seminal vesicle. Monthly changes in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) began to increase in April when seawater temperature increased and reached the maximum in June when the ovary was getting mature, the summer season of longer day length with higher water temperature. The reproductive cycle can be classified into five successive stage in females: early growing stage (February to March), late growing stage (March to April), mature stage (May to June), ripe and spent stage (June to July), and recovery and resting stage (July to January): in males, the cycle can be divided into four successive stages; growing stage (February to April), mature stage (May to July), ripe and spent (June to July), and recovery and resting stages (July to January). According to the frequency distributions of egg diameters in the spawning season. C. nasus is presumed to be summer spawning species and polycyclic species to spawn 2 times or more during the spawning season.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.305-311
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• 2014

It is imperative to know the reproductive parameters of the existing swine breed for profitable farming in Bangladesh. This study was designed to determine the reproductive parameters of sows at hilly areas. A total of 245 pigs with 47 breedable sows were included. The data on age at puberty, oestrous cycle length, oestrus duration, gestation length, interval between furrowing and onset of oestrus, first service pregnancy rate, service per pregnancy and number of piglets born per sow in local and cross bred sows were determined. The present study revealed that age at puberty of local and cross breed sows was $232.5{\pm}8.4$, $221.3{\pm}6.9$ days, respectively. Oestrous duration was $41.1{\pm}3.1$ hours. The interval between furrowing and onset of oestrus was shorter in cross bred sows. There was no variation in values of oestrus cycle length and gestation length. The first service pregnancy rate was higher in both the local and cross bred sow. Number of piglets per sow per farrowing was $6.1{\pm}2.2$ and 60.9% local sows gave birth of 3 to 5 piglets per farrowing whereas 75.0% cross bred sows gave birth of 6 to 9 piglets. These results suggest that reproductive parameters of local sow need to be improved for better production, and cross bred sows should be reared for obtaining expected productivity.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.95-106
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• 2012

It has been revealed that multiple cohorts of tertiary follicles develop during some animal estrous cycle and the human menstrual cycle. To reach developmental competence, oocytes need the support of somatic cells. During embryogenesis, the primordial germ cells appear, travel to the gonadal rudiments, and form follicles. The female germ cells develop within the somatic cells of the ovary, granulosa cells, and theca cells. How the oocyte and follicle cells support each other has been seriously studied. The latest technologies in genes and proteins and genetic engineering have allowed us to collect a great deal of information about folliculogenesis. For example, a few web pages (http://www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov; http://mrg.genetics.washington.edu) provide access to databases of genomes, sequences of transcriptomes, and various tools for analyzing and discovering genes important in ovarian development. Formation of the antrum (tertiary follicle) is the final phase of folliculogenesis and the transition from intraovarian to extraovian regulation. This final step coordinates with the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. On the other hand, currently, follicle physiology is under intense investigation, as little is known about how to overcome women's ovarian problems or how to develop competent oocytes from in vitro follicle culture or transplantation. In this review, some of the known roles of hormones and some of the genes involved in tertiary follicle growth and the general characteristics of tertiary follicles are summarized. In addition, in vitro culture of tertiary follicles is also discussed as a study model and an assisted reproductive technology model.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.191-198
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• 2007

The ultrastructure of germ cells and follicle cells during oogenesis, oocyte degeneration, reproductive cycle, and first sexual maturity in female Cyclina sinensis were investigated for clams collected from Simpo, Jeollabuk-do, Korea, by cytological and histological observations. Vitellogenesis occured by way of endogeous autosynthesis and exogenous heterosynthesis: vitellogensis occurred through a process of autosynthesis, which involves a combined activities of the Golgi complex, mitochondria, and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The process of heterosynthesis involved endocytotic incorporation of extraovarian precursors into the basal region of the early vitellogenic oocytes prior to the formation of vitelline envelope. The follicle cells appear to play an integral role in vitellogenesis and oocyte degeneration, functioning in phagocytosis and digestion of products originating from the degenerated oocytes: these functions can permit the transfer of yolk precursors needed for vitellogenesis. Follicle cells might have a lysosomal system for breakdown and might also resorb phagosomes in the cytoplasm for nutrient storage during oocyte degeneration.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1983

Women were used as their own controls in the comparison of presterilization and poststerilization menstrual patterns. Five parameters were studied: regularity of cycle length, duration and amount of flow and incidence of dysmenorrhea and intermenstrual bleeding. Three parameters in the electrocoagulation group (regularity of cycle length and duration and amount of flow) and one parameter in the tubal ring group (duration of flow) showed significant changes after sterilization. However, by controlling for the effect of previous contraceptive methods used, no significant menstrual pattern changes following sterilization were discerned in either technique group.