• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.45-56
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• 2002

Objectives: Recently, recombinant FSH (rFSH) has been manufactured using a Chinese hamster ovary cell line transfected with the gene encoding human FSH. Both rFSH and urinary gonadotropin (uFSH) could be used for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). However, uFSH implies a number of disadvantages, such as batch-to-batch inconsistency, no absolute source control, dependence on large amounts of urine, low specific activity, and low purity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of rFSH in human IVF-ET program. Materials and Methods: A total of 508 infertile women was enrolled in this study. They are classified into rFSH group (n=177) or uFSH group (n=331), and all of them were matched by age and cause of infertility in same period. The $Puregon^{(R)}$ (Organon, Holland) was used as rFSH, and the Metrodin-$HP^{(R)}$ (Serono, Switzeland) and $Humegon^{(R)}$ (Organon, Holland) was used as uFSH. We subdivided the patients into three age groups. The outcomes of IVF-ET program were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Results: There was no significant differences in the level of estradiol on hCG injection day, the numbers of retrieved oocytes, matured oocytes, fertilized oocytes, transferred embryos, frozen embryos between the two groups. The total dose (IU) of gonadotropin for COH was significantly lower in the rFSH group compared to uFSH group ($1339{\pm}5491.1$ vs $2527.8{\pm}1075.2$ IU, p<0.001). Clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer in the rFSH group showed increasing tendency, compared to the uFSH group, but there was no statistical significance (35.2% vs 29.3%). Our results demonstrated that the relative efficiency of rFSH compared with uFSH is higher in older patients. Conclusions: The ovarian stimulatory effect and clinical outcome of recombinant FSH was similar to that of the urinary gonadotropin. The IVF-ET cycles with significantly lower dose of gonadotropin in rFSH group showed comparable results. Therefore, we suggest that recombinant FSH is more potent and effective than urinary gonadotropin.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.78-83
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• 2000

The objective of this study was to prevalidate the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) rodent uterotrophic assay as a test method for screening of potential endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). This study was conducted exactly as described in the OECD protocol documents. A positive control substance, 17$\alpha$-ethinyl estradiol (EE), was administered daily for three days to ovariectomized (OVX) Sprague-Dawley rats at various doses for determine the dose-response curve. Additionally, a pure antiestrogenic chemical, ZM189, 154 was administered to OVX rats at the same time EE to determine the effectiveness of the material against blocking the estrogenic effects of EE. At higher concentration of EE (10 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg), a statistically significant difference in body weight gain and food consumption was observed compared to vehicle controls. In uterine responses, EE produced a dose-related increase in uterus weights compared to vehicle control. These increases were statistically significant at the >1.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg doses. However, a similar dose-response relationship was not observed in vagina weight. A comparison of the two groups receiving ZM189,154 (0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg) with 0.3 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg of EE and the group receiving only 0.3 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg of EE showed dose-related decreases in uterus weights. However, statistical significance was shown in 1.0 mg/kg of ZM189,154. In conclusion, administration of EE produced a dose-related increase in uterine (wet and blotted) weights. Additionally, the 1.0mg/kg dose of ZM189,154 was effective in blocking the estrogenic activity of EE. These data suggest 3-day uterotrophic assay using OVX rats may serve as a good tool for EDCs screening.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3635-3640
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• 2014

Aim: To determine whether induced abortion (IA) increases breast cancer (BC) risk. Materials and Methods: A population-based case-control study was performed from Dec, 2000 to November, 2004 in Shanghai, China, where IA could be verified through the family planning network and client medical records. Structured questionnaires were completed by 1,517 cases with primary invasive epithelial breast cancer and 1,573 controls frequency-matched to cases for age group. The information was supplemented and verified by the family planning records. Statistical analysis was conducted with SAS 9.0. Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, induced abortions were not found to be associated with breast cancer with OR=0.94 (95%CI= 0.79-1.11). Compared to parous women without induced abortion, parous women with 3 or more times induced abortion (OR=0.66, 95%CI=0.46 to 0.95) and women with 3 or more times induced abortion after the first live birth (OR=0.66, 95%CI =0.45 to 0.97) showed a lower risk of breast cancer, after adjustment for age, level of education, annual income per capita, age at menarche, menopause, parity times, spontaneous abortion, age at first live birth, breast-feeding, oral contraceptives, hormones drug, breast disease, BMI, drinking alcohol, drinking tea, taking vitamin/calcium tablet, physical activity, vocation, history of breast cancer, eating the bean. Conclusions: The results suggest that a history of induced abortions may not increase the risk of breast cancer.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.462-471
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• 2021

Background: The number of synthesized chemicals has rapidly increased over the past decade. For many chemicals, there is a lack of information on toxicity. With the current movement toward reducing animal testing, the use of toxicity big data and deep learning could be a promising tool to screen potential toxicants. Objectives: This study identified potential chemicals related to reproductive and estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated toxicities for 1135 cleaning products and 886 laundry products. Methods: We listed chemicals contained in cleaning and laundry products from a publicly available database. Then, chemicals that potentially exhibited reproductive and ER-mediated toxicities were identified using the European Union Classification, Labeling and Packaging classification and ToxCast database, respectively. For chemicals absent from the ToxCast database, ER activity was predicted using deep learning models. Results: Among the 783 listed chemicals, there were 53 with potential reproductive toxicity and 310 with potential ER-mediated toxicity. Among the 473 chemicals not tested with ToxCast assays, deep learning models indicated that 42 chemicals exhibited ER-mediated toxicity. A total of 13 chemicals were identified as causing reproductive toxicity by reacting with the ER. Conclusions: We demonstrated a screening method to identify potential chemicals related to reproductive and ER-mediated toxicities utilizing chemical toxicity big data and deep learning. Integrating toxicity data from in vivo, in vitro, and deep learning models may contribute to screening chemicals in consumer products.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.15-26
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• 2009

The purpose of this report was to provide the information about activity and safety of Yukmijihwang-tang by analyzing domestic/international papers and theses about Yukmijihwang-tang. Domestic/international papers and theses related to Yukmijihwang-tang were reviewed and analyzed. These papers were then classified by year, experimental method, and activity subject. The following results were obtained in this study. The study of Yukmijihwang-tang started from 1978 and was rapidly increased after 1990s. The study of Yukmijihwang-tang was continuously increased now and was mainly forcused on experimental model rather than clinical study. The paper of SCI journal or non-SCI journal was 27 volume and the other domestic paper was 64 volume. The total papers of Yukmijihwang-tang, 91 volume was analysed in this study. Allatoin, gallic acid, loganin, morroniside, paeoniflorin, paenol, urosolic acid were determined in Yukmijihwang-tang by using HPLC and HPLC-MS-MS. In classified Yukmijihwang-tang paper by experimental method and animal, more than a half study was in vivo experiment used rat. Furthermore clinical experiments were performed variously. As these studies were classified by subject, papers related to renal function were most abundant by 16 papers. Besides there were several papers related to cognitive vitality, anti-diabetic effect, immuno-regulation, reproductive activity, anti-oxidant effect, liver function, anti-cancer and blood pressure depress. According to basic research and clinic research data, it is supported that Yukmijihwang-tang was useful prescription in renal function, cognitive vitality, anti-diabetic effect and reproductive activity. Many study of basic and clinic research were performed and reported variously on Yukmijihwang-tang in domestic/international journal. According to basic research and clinic research data, it is supported that Yukmijihwang-tang was useful prescription in renal function, cognitive vitality, anti-diabetic effect and reproductive activity. However, studies on efficacy and mechanism of Yukmijihwang-tang should be conducted at the molecular biology level and studies on safety of Yukmijihwang-tang need to be completed at the clinical level.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.486-491
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• 2012

Myostatin (MSTN), a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta family, is a potent negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth and maintenance. The MSTN prodomain inhibits MSTN biological activity. The rotifer Brachionus rotundiformis is an excellent primary live feed for fish larvae in aquaculture; however, it is not known whether the rotifer expresses MSTN and the MSTN prodomain along with its activity. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of recombinant MSTN prodomains. Individual cultures of the rotifer B. rotundiformis were carried out to determine the effect of recombinant MSTN prodomains (pMALc2x-poMSTNpro and pMALc2x-sMSTNpro) on the pre-reproductive phase, reproductive phase, post-reproductive phase, offspring, lifespan, fecundity, and male ratio. In addition, a population culture of the rotifer was performed to confirm the effects of pMALc2x-poMSTNpro and pMALc2x-sMSTNpro on population growth. The results showed that the rotifer treated with pMALc2x-pMSTNpro had a reduced pre-reproductive phase at higher concentrations (1, 2, and 4 ${\mu}g/ml$) compared to the non-treated control group. Moreover, the pMALc2xsMSTNpro treated rotifer effectively decreased the pre-reproductive phase at a lower concentration (0.25 ${\mu}g/ml$) compared to the pMALc2x-pMSTNpro treated and control group. Interestingly, pMALc2x-poMSTNpro and pMALc2x-sMSTNpro significantly increased the population of $B.$ $rotundiformis$.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.37-42
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to examine the antioxidant effects on male mouse reproductive cells of the extract of Platycladi Semen. Methods : The extract was studied for diphenyl-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, cell viability by a modified MTT assay, the effects on $H_2O_2$-induced cytotoxicity by MTT assay, lipid peroxidation by malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and super oxide dismutase (SOD), respectively. Results : The results showed that the extract scavenged DPPH radical in a dose-dependent manner by up to 74.87%. The cell viability of the extract was within 72~96% on Leydig cells and GC-2 cells at concentrations of 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 ug/ml. The hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity of Leydig cells was protected to 72.09% by the extract at concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/ml$. The hydrogen peroxide-induced lipid peroxidation of MDA formation was decreased to 1.80 and 1.65 nmoles/mg protein by the extract at concentrations of 50 and 100 ${\mu}g/ml$. The extract at all concentrations, SOD activity was not significantly changed. Conclusions : In conclusion, the extract of Platycladi Semen has antioxidant effects on Leydig cells and protect male reproductive system against oxidative stress.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2006

The effect of vitamin E supplementation on plasma ${\alpha}$-tocopherol level, total antioxidant level and reproductive performance in Murrah buffaloes was studied during periparturient period. Twenty-four advance pregnant buffaloes were randomly divided into four equal groups as $T_1$, $T_2$, $T_3$ and $T_4$ and were supplemented with 0, 1,000, 1,500 and 2,000 IU of ${\alpha}$-tocopheryl acetate (Merck) from 60 days prepartum to 30 days postpartum and 0, 500, 750 and 1,000 IU from 30 to 60 days postpartum, respectively. Blood samples were collected at -60, -45, -30, -15, -7, 0, 7, 15, 30 and 60 days of parturition and were analyzed for plasma ${\alpha}$-tocopherol and total antioxidant activity (TAA). The intake of DM, CP and TDN did not vary among different groups. Plasma ${\alpha}$-tocopherol and TAA around parturition (-7 to 15 day) in $T_3$ and $T_4$ were significantly higher than the control group. There was 17% reduction in retention of fetal membranes (RFM) and metritis in $T_4$ than control. The post partum estrus interval averaged 58.00, 55.33, 51.83 and 43.00 days in $T_1$, $T_2$, $T_3$ and $T_4$ respectively. There was significant reduction in days open in both $T_3$ and $T_4$ in comparison to $T_1$ group (127,130 Vs.146). All the vitamin E supplemented groups showed reduction in days open than their previous lactation performance. Supplementation of vitamin E at $1,500IU\;d^{-1}$ from 60 day prepartum to 30 day post partum to buffaloes exhibited beneficial effect on plasma ${\alpha}$-tocopherol level and TAA around parturition and continuation of its supplementation at $1,000IU\;d^{-1}$ from 30 to 60 days of lactation improved post partum reproductive performance of buffaloes.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.935-944
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• 2021

It has been suggested that bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor, interferes with the endocrine system, causing reproductive dysfunction. Recently, BPA has been found in waste water due to incomplete sewage purification, possibly threatening health through its ingestion via tap water. In this study, young male mice (6 - 7 weeks old) were administered water containing BPA (50 mg·kg^-1) for four weeks, while control mice consumed water without BPA. Serum, epididymal spermatozoa and testicular sections were assessed after sacrificing the mice on day 28. No significant differences were obtained between the groups in the body, testis and seminal vesicle weights. However, the epididymal sperm motility and count levels were significantly reduced in BPA-fed mice. Significantly higher hepatotoxicity levels were also observed in mice ingesting BPA as compared to the control mice. The level of serum testosterone was reduced, and testicular sections revealed incomplete and irregular spermatogenesis in BPA-ingested mice. The sperm proteasomal-proteolytic activity level has been implicated in sperm function and is measured in motile spermatozoa using fluorometric substrates. High ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase activity levels were observed in the control mice without BPA. During a mating trial, a low pregnancy rate (71.4%) was observed in females mated with males who had consumed BPA (100% in the control mice). Overall, BPA adversely affected spermatogenesis and quality, as indicated by decreased sperm motility, concentration and serum testosterone levels, resulting in reduced fertility competence.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.339-344
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• 2009

This study aims to find out the effect of heavy metals, as is the case of EDCs (endocrine disrupting chemicals), on reproductive endocrine disruption of aquatic animals. In the present experiment zinc, which is a heavy metal well known for its androgenous activity, was used. The experimental period was 24 weeks, starting in November during the inactive stage of the clam's reproductive cycle. The experimental groups were composed of one control condition and three zinc exposure conditions (0.64, 1.07, and 1.79 mg/L). The sex ratio (F:M) was 1:1.06 in the control group and 1:1.70 in all the exposed group, illustrating the tendency for higher proportion of males with increases in zinc concentration. Gonad maturity was higher in 1.07, and 1.79 mg/L groups compared to the control group, with higher maturity observed in males than females. Intersex individuals made up 24.7% of the exposed group, while females exhibited a higher ratio than the males with increasing zinc concentration. The results of this study indicate that zinc functions as an androgenic effector on the reproduction of Gomphina veneriformis.