• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.151-157
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• 2023

Background: The potential impact of aqueous extracts from Psidium guajava leaves on the reproductive system of female rabbits was evaluated. Methods: Twenty-eight rabbits, aged five to six months were utilized. Rabbits were divided into four groups and were randomly assigned to receive one of the following oral doses of the guava leaf extracts: 0 (control group), 10, 20, or 30 mg/kg of body weight. After a treatment period of 30 days, blood was collected via jugular venipunture and the serum was extracted for the assessment of serum biochemical traits levels. The females were bred and monitored throughout their pregnancy to ascertain reproductive outcomes. Results: The results indicated that the guava leaf extract significantly increased the body weight of the rabbits during both pre- and post-pregnancy compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The litter size at three weeks post-birth, prolificity rate, FSH, LH, and protein levels were notably higher (p < 0.05) at a dose of 20 mg/kg of body weight. The viability rate three weeks post-birth increased with escalating extract doses, and the highest values were observed at doses of 20 and 30 mg/kg of body weight (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that, the aqueous extract of guava leaves appears to stimulate the production of FSH, LH and enhance body weight, prolificity, and pregnancy outcomes in mammals. As such, it is suggested that a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight could be beneficial in improving the reproductive performance of female.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.177-185
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• 2020

Although many aquaporin (AQP) transcripts have been demonstrated to express in the female reproductive tract, the defined localizations and functions of AQP subtype proteins remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the expression of AQP1, AQP3, AQP5, AQP6, and AQP9 proteins in female reproductive tract of mouse and characterized their precise localizations at the cellular and subcellular levels. Immunofluorescence analyses for AQP1, AQP3, AQP6, and AQP9 showed that these proteins were abundantly expressed in female reproductive tract and that intense immunoreactivities were observed in mucosa epithelial cells with a subtype-specific pattern. The most abundant aquaporin in both vagina and uterine cervix was AQP3. Each of AQP1, AQP3, AQP6, and AQP9 exhibited its distinct distribution in stratified squamous or columnar epithelial cells. AQP9 expression was predominant in oviduct and ovary. AQP1, AQP3, AQP6, and AQP9 proteins were mostly seen in apical membrane of ciliated epithelial cells of the oviduct as well as in both granulosa and theca cells of ovarian follicles. Most of AQP subtypes were also expressed in surface epithelial cells and glandular cells of endometrium in the uterus, but their expression levels were relatively lower than those observed in the vagina, uterine cervix, oviduct and ovary. This is the first study to investigate the expression and localization of 5 AQP subtype proteins simultaneously in female reproductive tract of mouse. Our results suggest that AQP subtypes work together to transport water and glycerol efficiently across the mucosa epithelia for lubrication, proliferation, energy metabolism and pH regulation in female reproductive tract.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.243-249
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• 2015

Background: Anticancer agents induce a variety of adverse effects when administered to cancer patients. Busulfan is a known antileukemia agent. When administered for treatment of leukemia in young patients, busulfan could cause damage to the male reproductive system as one of its adverse effects, resulting in sterility. Methods: We investigated the effects of Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRGE) on busulfan-induced damage and/or dysfunction of the male reproductive system. Results: We found that administration of busulfan to mice: decreased testis weight; caused testicular histological damage; reduced the total number of sperm, sperm motility, serum testosterone concentration; and eventually, litter size. Preadministration of KRGE partially attenuated various busulfan-induced damages to the male reproductive system. These results indicate that KRGE has a protective effect against busulfan-induced damage to the male reproduction system. Conclusion: The present study shows a possibility that KRGE could be applied as a useful agent to prevent or protect the male reproductive system from the adverse side effects induced by administration of anticancer agents such as busulfan.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.163-178
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• 2003

This study was done to examine knowledge and attitude towards sex and the needs for sex education of korea female students in college. Data for this study was collected through questionnaires filled-out by 464 female students from September 2002 to December 2002. The result of this study were as follows； The subjects' scores of sex knowledge was 19.60 on average devided into the lovest 1 to the highest 25. Reproductive physiology scored highest at 0.82 and the contraceptive method was the lowest at 0.54. The subjects showed a positive sex attitude as 48％ were for the abortions before marriage, a they appeared the most negative as 4.3％ were for extramarital coitus of women. The subjects who responded that sexual education is necessary were 423 (91.2％), and they wanted ‘the sexual mentality of men and women’ most, 419 (99.1％). Also, ‘contraceptive method’ of 404 (95.5％), ‘veneral disease.’, ‘sexual behavior’, ‘sexual physiology’, ‘reproductive physiology’, ‘sexual morals’ etc followed. Based on above results of the study, it is more essential to organize the sex education programs centering around ‘contraceptive method’, ‘veneral disease.’, ‘sexual behavior’ etc which are not too difficult but more needed than ‘reproductive physiology’. It is required to develope sex education programs through research between specialists in various fields rather than through specialists in one field. It is considered that sex education programs can lead female students to forming and maintaining a correct sexual identity.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1996.11a
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• pp.13-21
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• 1996

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2002

Follicular fluid (FF) contains an oocyte maturation inhibitor with unknown chemical properties. This study was carried out to chemically define the factor(s) inhibiting cumulus cell denudation (CD) and first polar body formation (PBF). Porcine FF (PFF) was extracted with methanol and the extract was serially separated using gel filtration on Superose 12 and Superdex columns. A Superdex fraction was derived with PITC and analyzed with an amino acid analysis column. The results obtained are as follows; PFF had an activity inhibiting both CD and PBF of porcine primary oocytes. Superdex fractions RV2.11 prepared from PFF exhibited an activity inhibiting CD and PBF. By amino acid analysis, the fraction RV2.11 appeared to be proline having the same activity inhibiting CD and PBF. In conclusion, PFF had oocyte maturation inhibitors, of which proline should inhibit CD and PBF.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.26-35
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• 1997

This study was done to examine knowledge about, and need for sex education among university students in Korea. This study design was descriptive survey design. The data were collected from 540 university students from June 10 to June 30, 1996, using questionnaires developed by the authors. The results are as follows : Those who had sex education had higher scores in sex knowledge than those had not had sex education. The average score for sex knowledge was 71.9 of a maximum score of 100. Knowledge of sexually transmitted disease was scored highest of 79.8, and knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system was scored lowest at 60.9. The subjects who answered 'yes' about the necessity of sex education numbered 529(98%) and the most important reason given for needing sex education was to cope well with physical and psychological developments. Regarding the content of sex education, a choice of relevant contraceptive methods was given the highest rating. Anatomy and physiology of reproductive system was the least choser subject as the first priority among five topics. Yet, sex education for university students should include anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system, considering the low level of knowledge on this topic in the subjects of this study and its importance as a part of sex education.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.166.1-166.1
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• 2006

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.193-196
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• 2017

This study investigated the development characteristics of Dermacentor everestianus under laboratory conditions. The time taken for D. everestianus to complete the whole life cycle was 110.2 days on average, and the average developmental durations of larvae and nymphs were 17.1 days and 29.5 days, respectively. The summation of the prefeeding, feeding, and preoviposition periods of females was 17.8 days, and the oviposition and egg incubation lasted for 18.1 days and 27.7 days, respectively. A highly positive correlation was observed between the weight of engorged female and the number of egg mass laid (r=0.947). The reproductive efficiency index and the reproductive fitness index were 7.1 and 6.1, respectively.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.189-197
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• 2009

Two-pore domain $K^+(K_{2P})$ channels contribute to setting the resting membrane potential in excitable and nonexcitable cells. However, the cellular or tissue distribution and function of $K_{2P}$ channels expressed in mammalian germ cells and reproductive organs have not yet been reviewed by researchers. In this review, we focus on expression, localization and expected properties of $K_{2P}$ channels in germ cells and reproductive organs. The $K_{2P}$ channels are expressed in human cytotrophoblast cells, myometrium, placental vascular system, uterine smooth muscle, and pregnant term tissue, suggesting that $K_{2P}$ channels might be involved in the processes of pregnance. The $K_{2P}$ channels are also expressed in mouse zygotes, monkey sperm, ovary, testis, germ cells, and embryos of Korean cattle. Interestingly, $K_{2P}$ channels are modulated by changes in temperature and oxygen concentration which play an important role in embryonic development. Also, $K_{2P}$ channels are responsible for $K^+$ efflux during apoptotic volume decreases in mouse zygotes. These expression patterns and properties of the $K_{2P}$ channels in reproductive organs and germ cells are likely to help the understanding of ion channel-related function in reproductive physiology.