• Title/Summary/Keyword: Reproductive functions

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Overexpression of RICE FLOWERING LOCUS T 1 (RFT1) Induces Extremely Early Flowering in Rice

  • Pasriga, Richa;Yoon, Jinmi;Cho, Lae-Hyeon;An, Gynheung
    • Molecules and Cells
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    • v.42 no.5
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    • pp.406-417
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    • 2019
  • RICE FLOWERING LOCUS T 1 (RFT1) is a major florigen that functions to induce reproductive development in the shoot apical meristem (SAM). To further our study of RFT1, we overexpressed the gene and examined the expression patterns of major regulatory genes during floral transition and inflorescence development. Overexpression induced extremely early flowering in the transgenics, and a majority of those calli directly formed spikelets with a few spikelets, thus bypassing normal vegetative development. FRUITFULL (FUL)-clade genes OsMADS14, OsMADS15, and OsMADS18 were highly induced in the RFT1-expressing meristems. OsMADS34 was also induced in the meristems. This indicated that RFT1 promotes the expression of major regulatory genes that are important for inflorescence development. RFT1 overexpression also induced SEPALLATA (SEP)-clade genes OsMADS1, OsMADS5, and OsMADS7 in the greening calli before floral transition occurred. This suggested their possible roles at the early reproductive stages. We found it interesting that expression of OsFD1 as well as OsFD2 and OsFD3 was strongly increased in the RFT1-expressing calli and spikelets. At a low frequency, those calli produced plants with a few leaves that generated a panicle with a small number of spikelets. In the transgenic leaves, the FUL-clade genes and OsMADS34 were induced, but SEP-clade gene expression was not increased. This indicated that OsMADS14, OsMADS15, OsMADS18, and OsMADS34 act immediately downstream of RFT1.

The correlation of Septin4 gene expression with sperm quality, DNA damage, and oxidative stress level in infertile patients

  • Rahil Jannatifar;Hamid Piroozmanesh;Fahimeh Naghi Jalalabadi;Hamid Reza Momeni
    • Anatomy and Cell Biology
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    • v.56 no.4
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    • pp.518-525
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    • 2023
  • Septin4 belong to a family of polymerizing GTP-binding proteins that are required for many cellular functions, such as membrane compartmentalization, vesicular trafficking, mitosis, and cytoskeletal remodeling. Since, Septin4 is expressed specifically in the testis, we aimed to determine the association between Septin4 gene expression with sperm quality, DNA damage, and stress oxidative level in infertile patients. The present study included 60 semen samples that grouped into three groups: normozoospermia (n=20), asthenozoospermia (n=20), astheno-teratozoospermia (n=20). Initially, semen parameters were analyzed by using the World Health Organization protocol. The mRNA expression of Septin4 in sperm was examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Oxidative stress markers, i.e., total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde, were determined by ELISA kit. The current study showed a statistically significant highly positive correlation in Septin4 gene expression with sperm motility, normal morphology, viability, capacity, and sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). However, it showed significant negative correlation with sperm DNA fragmentation. Septin4 had a significant correlation with stress oxidative factor and antioxidant enzyme levels. In conclusion, Septin4 gene expression provides clinical useful information for the diagnosis of male infertility. It might be a marker for discrimination between fertile and infertile patients. The current study showed a statistically significant highly positive correlation in Septin4 gene expression with sperm motility, normal morphology, viability, capacity, and sperm MMP. However, it shows significant negative correlation with sperm DNA fragmentation. Septin4 had a significant correlation with stress oxidative factor and antioxidant enzyme levels.

Ontogenetic Expression of Lpin2 and Lpin3 Genes and Their Associations with Traits in Two Breeds of Chinese Fat-tailed Sheep

  • Jiao, Xiao-Li;Jing, Jiong-Jie;Qiao, Li-Ying;Liu, Jian-Hua;Li, Liu-An;Zhang, Jing;Jia, Xia-Li;Liu, Wen-Zhong
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.29 no.3
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    • pp.333-342
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    • 2016
  • Lipins play dual function in lipid metabolism by serving as phosphatidate phosphatase and transcriptional co-regulators of gene expression. Mammalian lipin proteins consist of lipin1, lipin2, and lipin3 and are encoded by their respective genes Lpin1, Lpin2, and Lpin3. To date, most studies are concerned with Lpin1, only a few have addressed Lpin2 and Lpin3. Ontogenetic expression of Lpin2 and Lpin3 and their associations with traits would help to explore their molecular and physiological functions in sheep. In this study, 48 animals with an equal number of males and females each for both breeds of fat-tailed sheep such as Guangling Large Tailed (GLT) and Small Tailed Han (STH) were chosen to evaluate the ontogenetic expression of Lpin2 and Lpin3 from eight different tissues and months of age by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Associations between gene expression and slaughter and tail traits were also analyzed. The results showed that Lpin2 mRNA was highly expressed in perirenal and tail fats, and was also substantially expressed in liver, kidney, reproductive organs (testis and ovary), with the lowest levels in small intestine and femoral biceps. Lpin3 mRNA was prominently expressed in liver and small intestine, and was also expressed at high levels in kidney, perirenal and tail fats as well as reproductive organs (testis and ovary), with the lowest level in femoral biceps. Global expression of Lpin2 and Lpin3 in GLT both were significantly higher than those in STH. Spatiotemporal expression showed that the highest levels of Lpin2 expression occurred at 10 months of age in two breeds of sheep, with the lowest expression at 2 months of age in STH and at 8 months of age in GLT. The greatest levels of Lpin3 expression occurred at 4 months of age in STH and at 10 months of age in GLT, with the lowest expression at 12 months of age in STH and at 8 months of age in GLT. Breed and age significantly influenced the tissue expression patterns of Lpin2 and Lpin3, respectively, and sex significantly influenced the spatiotemporal expression patterns of Lpin3. Meanwhile, Lpin2 and Lpin3 mRNA expression both showed significant correlations with slaughter and tail traits, and the associations appear to be related with the ontogenetic expression as well as the potential functions of lipin2 and lipin3 in sheep.

Conceptual Model for Women s Health (여성건강을 위한 개념적 모형)

  • 이경혜
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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    • v.27 no.4
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    • pp.933-942
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    • 1997
  • There has recently been an increased interest in women's health from, various disciplines, with different perspectives presented according to each profession's academic background. This has led to many instances of incorrectly defining, or misinterpretation, of the issues even among professionals. Nurse scholars as well as practitioners who work in women's health care need to have a clear conceptual understanding of women's health in order to build a body of knowledge, delineate curricular activities, and set directions for professional nursing interventions. In addition, a conceptual model that may be directly utilized in practice is needed to maintain and promote women's health issues. The purpose of this study was to apply a Hybrid model, analyzing conceptual definitions and discussions related to women's health gathered from review of the literature. Further to compare analyticals the concepts and properties observed from field work, so as to present a final definition of women's health and, build a conceptual framework for a united comprehensive perspective on the concept as well as on nursing practice. Data collection and analysis consisted of a theoretical stage, field work stage, and final analysis. A heterogeneous group of professionals and lay persons, 39 in all, participated in the field work. Study findings Include several subconcepts under the concept of women's health : a woman's whole life, holistic health, quality of life, awareness of being a woman, individual nursing, self care ability, reproductive health, and family health. Thus, a comprehensive definition was built, 1. e., "Women's health care be defined as improvement in the quality of life of women through attainment of holistic health throughout the life span. With reproductive health at the core, the concept is directly related to family and national health, and includes taking care of one's own health based on awareness of being a woman and utilizing self care activities. Women's health care issues are unique and allow various responses, therefore women's health professionals need to apply individual approaches to reach solutions in attaining holistic health and improving quality of life." The constructual factors of women's health were found to be reproductive functions, diseases more common in woman, self actualization, mental health, women's health policies, sexuality, midlife changes, and marital relations, with each factor having more than three properties. Positive factors affecting women's health were found to be a normal childbearing process, a healthy lifestyle, active health management, health information, support, and resources, and interpersonal relationships. Negative factors were found to be overwhelming role stress, cultural oppression, gender inequality, distorted sexual identity, economic difficulties, misuse and/or abuse of substances, and stress. The model of women's health may be visualized as a balance scale set upon a woman's life, supporting 4 concentric circles. The innermost circle and second circle incorporate conceptual definitions of women's health, and the outer two circles represent the constructional factors and properties of women's health. Each circle has its own color that symbolizes the conceptual meaning. Positive and negative factors are represented as weights at either end of the scale, and are affected by nursing intervention, i. e., health and wellness increase when positive factors are stronger, whereas disease and illness increase when negative factors are stronger. This model is only a preliminary effort and requires much discussion and testing to be further developed. Continuous research is also required.

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Change of Reproductive and Histological Biomarkers of Ruditapes philippinarum (Bivalvia: Veneridae) Exposed to Nonylphenol (노닐페놀에 노출된 바지락, Ruditapes philippinarum의 생식 및 조직학적 지표 변화)

  • Park, Ji-Seon;Lee, Jung-Sick
    • The Korean Journal of Malacology
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    • v.27 no.3
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    • pp.181-190
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    • 2011
  • This study was investigated to find out the change of reproductive and histological biomarkers of Ruditapes philippinarum exposed to nonylphenol (NP). Experimental period was 16 weeks. Experimental groups were composed of one control condition and three NP exposure conditions (0.05, 0.1, $0.2 mg\;NP\;L^{-1}$). Gonad index was higher in exposure group than control in female and higher in control than exposure group in male. Intersexuality in the NP exposure group was 14.56% with male exhibiting higher ratio than female. Histological analysis of organ system illustrated expansion of hemolymph sinus, loss of striated border of inner epidermis and degeneration of mucous cell in the mantle. In the gill partially disappearance of frontal and lateral cilia, degeneration of mucous cell were observed. Also, hyperplasia of epithelium and disappearance of striated border were observed in the foot. As the concentration of NP increased, the accumulation of lipofuscin increased in the digestive gland. The results of this study suggest that NP induces reduction of survival rate, histopathology and intersex of R. philippinarum. Furthermore, it is indentified that NP functions as an estrogenic effector on the reproduction of R. philippinarum.

Expression of Sex-Related Genes in the Fetus of Mouse: 2-Bromopropane and Sex Differentiation (생쥐 태자의 성 관련 유전자 발현: 2-Bromopropane과 성 분화)

  • Choi, Donchan;Lim, Sinae;Kim, Pan Gyi;Kim, Dae-Yong;Lee, Young-Soon
    • Development and Reproduction
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    • v.5 no.2
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    • pp.107-114
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    • 2001
  • The recent reports that endocrine disruptors(EDs) bring about abnormalities in reproductive organs and functions of invertebrates suggest that mammals be affected by the EDs. The present study examined the influence of 2-bromopropane(2-BP) by looking at the sexes of litters in mouse. The expression of sex-related genes during sex differentiation was also investigated in the fetus of mouse. The male and female mice were infused with 2-BP for 3 weeks before mating. The litters were sexed at the weaning time from the 4 different groups. The sex-related genes were identified by RT-PCR from the fetuses at gestation 10 days. The sequences of the genes were analysed by comparing to those of other animals. The mean numbers of litters survived by the weaning time were slightly reduced in the only group of both female and male mice treated with 2-BP. The female litters were greater than male litters in the only group of female treated with 2-BP. The other groups showed male litters greater than female litters. The sex-related genes, SRY, DAX1, SF1 , and AMH genes were identified and sequenced, showing 416, 466, 326, 389 base pairs, respectively. All of the genes had the homology of 89~90% with rat and 81~92% with human within the range of bases identified. They were expressed at the time of sex determination. Therefore, it appears that 2-BP somewhat affects the reproductive activity of adult mouse. Influence of 2-BP on the reproductive function is expected to be studied through the expression of the sex-related genes.

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Roles of Conceptus Secretory Proteins in Establishment and Maintenance of Pregnancy in Ruminants

  • Bazer, Fuller W.;Song, Gwon-Hwa;Thatcher, William W.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.25 no.1
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    • pp.1-16
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    • 2012
  • Reproduction in ruminant species is a highly complex biological process requiring a dialogue between the developing conceptus (embryo-fetus and associated placental membranes) and maternal uterus which must be established during the peri-implantation period for pregnancy recognition signaling and regulation of gene expression by uterine epithelial and stromal cells. The uterus provide a microenvironment in which molecules secreted by uterine epithelia and transported into the uterine lumen represent histotroph, also known as the secretome, that are required for growth and development of the conceptus and receptivity of the uterus to implantation by the elongating conceptus. Pregnancy recognition signaling as related to sustaining the functional lifespan of the corpora lutea, is required to sustain the functional life-span of corpora lutea for production of progesterone which is essential for uterine functions supportive of implantation and placentation required for successful outcomes of pregnancy. It is within the peri-implantation period that most embryonic deaths occur in ruminants due to deficiencies attributed to uterine functions or failure of the conceptus to develop appropriately, signal pregnancy recognition and/or undergo implantation and placentation. The endocrine status of the pregnant ruminant and her nutritional status are critical for successful establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. The challenge is to understand the complexity of key mechanisms that are characteristic of successful reproduction in humans and animals and to use that knowledge to enhance fertility and reproductive health of ruminant species in livestock enterprises.

Genome-wide identification and expression profiling of the pectin methylesterase gene family in Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck

  • Ho Bang Kim;Chang Jae Oh;Nam-Hoon Kim;Cheol Woo Choi;Minju Kim;Sukman Park;Seong Beom Jin;Su-Hyun Yun;Kwan Jeong Song
    • Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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    • v.49 no.4
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    • pp.271-291
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    • 2022
  • Pectin methylesterase (PME) plays an important role in vegetative and reproductive development and biotic/abiotic stress responses by regulating the degree of methyl-esterification of pectic polysaccharides in the plant cell wall. PMEs are encoded by a large multigene family in higher land plant genomes. In general, the expression of plant PME genes shows tissue- or cell-specific patterns and is induced by endogenous and exogenous stimuli. In this study, we identified PME multigene family members (CsPMEs) from the sweet orange genome and report detailed molecular characterization and expression profiling in different citrus tissues and two fruit developmental stages. We also discussed the possible functional roles of some CsPME genes by comparing them with the known functions of PMEs from other plant species. We identified 48 CsPME genes from the citrus genome. A phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the identified CsPMEs were divided into two groups/types. Some CsPMEs showed very close phylogenetic relationships with the PMEs whose functions were formerly addressed in Arabidopsis, tomato, and maize. Expression profiling showed that some CsPME genes are highly or specifically expressed in the leaf, root, flower, or fruit. Based on the phylogenetic relationships and gene expression profiling results, we suggest that some CsPMEs could play functional roles in pollen development, pollen tube growth, cross incompatibility, root development, embryo/seed development, stomata movement, and biotic/abiotic stress responses. Our results shed light on the biological roles of individual CsPME isoforms and contribute to the search for genetic variations in citrus genetic resources.

Effect of Evodiae Fructus on the ovarian function and gene expression of caspase-3, MAP kinase and MPG in female mice (오수유 투여가 자성생쥐의 생식능력과 caspase-3, MAPK 및 MPG유전자 발현에 미치는 영향)

  • Lee, Ja-Young;Kim, Dong-Chul
    • The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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    • v.22 no.2
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    • pp.60-78
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    • 2009
  • Purpose: These experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effect of administration of Evodiae Fructus on ovarian functions and differential gene expressions related caspase-3, MAPK and MPG in female mice. Methods: We administered the Evodiae Fructus to 6-week-old female ICR mice for 4, 8, or 12 days. With different concentration of Evodiae Fructus, the female mice were injected PMSG and hCG for ovarian hyperstimulation. The mice divided into 3 groups for each experiment. We chose the caspase-3 for cell apoptosis, MAPK and MPG genes for cell viability and DNA repair. Results: In case of 4, 8, 12 day of Evodiae Fructus, we were examined the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes. We were also examined the embryonic developmental competence in vitro. In addition we were also examined the differential expression of cell viability related genes, caspase-3, MAPK and MPG according to concentration and duration of Evodiae Fructus administration. MPG gene expressions for cell viability and DNA repaie were increased in dose dependent manner than that of control group in 4-day administration group. Conclusion: It is suggested that the medication of Evodiae Fructus has beneficial effect on reproductive functions of female mice via promotion of cell proliferation.

Analysis of Thesis Using Physiological Variables ; -with reference to the thesis published in Korea from 1962 to 1996- (석.박사 학위논문에서 생리적 변수를 다룬 연구에 대한 분석 -1962년부터 1996년까지 발표된 국내 학위논문을 중심으로-)

  • Choe, Myoung-Ae;Kim, Joo-Hyun;Park, Mi-Jung;Choi, S-Mi;Lee, Kyung-Sook
    • Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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    • v.2 no.2
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    • pp.53-66
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    • 2000
  • Objectives: The studies in biological, behavioral and psychosocial perspectives in nursing research are fundamental in the balanced development of nursing knowledge. Many nursing researchers have placed a strong emphasis on developing psychological and behavioral aspects of nursing knowledge as is evidenced by the large body of research in these areas. However, the paucity of nursing research using the principles of biological science for measurements and techniques have often invited open criticism by many nursing researchers. This study attempts to characterize the researches performed in master and doctoral thesis which used physiological variables. Methods: We analyzed masters' thesis from 1962 to 1996 and doctoral thesis from 1982 to 1996 listed in CD from Korean Nurses Association. Results: Out of 3060 masters' thesis from 1962 to 1996, 342 (11.2%) thesis used physiological variables whereas 43 (10.1%) doctoral thesis used physiological ones. Number of thesis with physiological variables was the highest in Seoul National University for masters' thesis whereas for the doctoral thesis the number was the highest in Yonsei University. The research subjects in these thesis with physiological variables were mostly patients (53.5% in masters' and 69.8% in doctoral). Master's thesis often conducted either nonexperimental or survey research (69.9%) whereas experimental research design prevailed vital signs(181 thesis), blood tests(133), body composition(124), microorganisms(74), gastrointestinal functions(36), lab test(33), drug(21), urinary functions(20), movement(17), Apgar Score(15), reproductive functions(9), skin related functions(6), body fluid and electrolytes(4), parasite(4), metabolism(3), and sensory(1), Among the 338 master' thesis which studied the common nursing concepts such as anxiety, pain, stress, and depression, 48(14.2%) thesis utilized physiological variables while 15 out of 35 doctoral thesis addressed these concepts using physiological variables. Conclusion: In summary, our results indicate that despite the large amount of nursing research performed over the last decades, there are a few nursing researches done with physiological variables either in masters' or doctoral thesis. To enrich nursing knowledge with different perspectives of nursing including especially biological ones, the efforts have to be made to conduct bionursing science research.

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