• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.306-311
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• 2020

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether co-administration of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for final oocyte maturation improved mature oocyte cryopreservation outcomes in young women with decreased ovarian reserve (DOR) compared with hCG alone. Methods: Between January 2016 and August 2019, controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) cycles in women (aged ≤35 years, anti-Müllerian hormone [AMH] <1.2 ng/mL) who underwent elective oocyte cryopreservation for fertility preservation were retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 76 COS cycles were triggered with a GnRH agonist and hCG (the dual group) or hCG alone (the hCG group). The mean age and serum AMH levels were comparable between the two groups. The duration of stimulation, total dose of follicle-stimulating hormone used, and total number of oocytes retrieved were similar. However, the number of mature oocytes retrieved and the oocyte maturation rate were significantly higher in the dual group than in the hCG group (p=0.010 and p<0.001). After controlling for confounders, the dual-trigger method remained a significant factor related to the number of mature oocytes retrieved (p=0.016). Conclusion: We showed improved mature oocyte collection and maturation rate with the dual triggering of oocyte maturation in young women with DOR. A dual trigger appears to be more beneficial than hCG alone in terms of mature oocyte cryopreservation for young women with DOR.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2022

Objective: Oxidative stress and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) have been linked to idiopathic male infertility (IMI). Various antioxidants have been tried to improve semen parameters and fertility potential in IMI patients, but with inconsistent results. The study aimed to compare the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and Centrum multivitamins on semen parameters, seminal antioxidant capacity, and SDF in infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenospermia (OA). Methods: This prospective controlled clinical study involved 130 patients with idiopathic OA and 58 fertile controls. The patients were divided randomly into two groups: the first group received CoQ10 (200 mg/day orally) and the second group received Centrum multivitamins (1 tablet/day) for 3 months. Semen parameters, CoQ10 levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase, SDF, and serum hormone levels (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and prolactin) were compared at baseline and after 3 months. Results: Both CoQ10 and Centrum improved sperm concentration and motility, but the improvement was greater with Centrum therapy (p<0.05). Similarly, both therapies improved antioxidant capacity, but TAC and catalase improvement was greater (p<0.01 and p<0.001 respectively) with CoQ10, whereas ROS (p<0.01) and SDF (p<0.001) improvements were greater with Centrum administration. Centrum therapy was associated with reduced serum testosterone (p<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, both CoQ10 and Centrum were effective in improving semen parameters, antioxidant capacity, and SDF, but the improvement was greater with Centrum than with CoQ10. Therefore, Centrum-as a source of combined antioxidants-may provide more effective results than individual antioxidants such as CoQ10 in the treatment of infertile men with idiopathic OA.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.192-199
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• 2023

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate chromosomal abnormalities and their correlations with clinical and radiological findings in females with primary amenorrhea (PA). Methods: Detailed forms were recorded for 470 females, including the construction of three-generation pedigrees. Peripheral venous blood was drawn, with informed consent, for cytogenetic analysis. Results: An abnormal karyotype was found in 16.38% of participants. The incidence of structural abnormalities (6.8%) exceeded that of numerical abnormalities (6.15%). Turner syndrome represented 45% of all numerical abnormalities. Furthermore, the Y chromosome was detected in 5% of females with PA. Among the structural chromosomal abnormalities detected (n=32) were mosaicism (25%), deletions (12.5%), isochromosomes (18.75%), fragile sites (3.12%), derivatives (3.12%), marker chromosomes (3.12%), and normal variants (29.125%). An examination of secondary sexual characteristics revealed that 29.6% of females had a complete absence of breast development, 29.78% lacked pubic hair, and 36.88% exhibited no axillary hair development. Radiological findings revealed that 51.22% of females had a hypoplastic uterus and 26.66% had a completely absent uterus. Abnormal ovarian development, such as the complete absence of both ovaries, absence of one ovary, one absent and other streak, or both streak ovaries, was observed in 69.47% of females with PA. Additionally 43.1%, 36.1%, 67.4%, and 8% of females had elevated levels of serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and prolactin, respectively. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of karyotyping as a fundamental diagnostic tool for assessing PA. The cytogenetic correlation with these profiles will aid in genetic counseling and further management of the condition.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.98-102
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• 2011

Objective: To investigate the effects of pioglitazone on controlled ovarian stimulation (COS), IVF outcomes, and follicular fluid (FF) cytokine concentrations in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: Eighty-six infertile patients with PCOS resistant to clomiphene citrate were randomized to receive pioglitazone (30 mg/day) or placebo on the starting day of oral contraceptive (OC) pretreatment, followed by an IVF protocol using a GnRH antagonist. Pioglitazone or placebo was administered once daily from the starting day of OC to the day of hCG injection. Results: Total dose and days of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone administered, and the numbers of retrieved and mature oocytes, were significantly lower in the pioglitazone group than in the control group. FF tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations at oocyte retrieval were also significantly lower in the pioglitazone group. The clinical pregnancy rate was higher and the incidence of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome was lower in the pioglitazone group, but the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Pioglitazone reduces FF TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 levels, and may improve ovarian response to COS in patients with PCOS.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.322-336
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• 2021

Objective: Endometriosis is a chronic debilitating inflammatory condition characterized by the presence of endometrial tissues outside the uterine cavity. Pelvic soreness and infertility are the usual association. Due to the poor effectiveness of the hormone therapy and the high incidence of recurrence following surgical excision, there is no single effective option for management of endometriosis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells studied for their broad immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory properties; however, their efficiency in endometriosis cases is still a controversial issue. Our study aim was to evaluate whether adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AD-MSCs) could help with endometriosis through their studied anti-inflammatory role. Methods: Female Wistar rats weighting 180 to 250 g were randomly divided into two groups: group 1, endometriosis group; established by transplanting autologous uterine tissue into rats' peritoneal cavities and group 2, stem cell treated group; treated with AD-MSCs on the 5th day after induction of endometriosis. The proliferative activity of the endometriosis lesions was evaluated through Ki67 staining. Quantitative estimation of interferon γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-10, and transforming growth factor β expression, as well as immunohistochemical detection of CD68 positive macrophages, were used to assess the inflammatory status. Results: The size and proliferative activity of endometriosis lesions were significantly reduced in the stem cell treated group. Stem cells efficiently mitigated endometriosis associated chronic inflammatory reactions estimated through reduction of CD68 positive macrophages and the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: Stem cell therapy can be considered a novel remedy in endometriosis possibly through its anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2003

Gonadotropin releasing hormone(GnRH), which is secreted from the hypothalamus, has a pivotal role in the reproduction of mammals. Golden hamsters are seasonal breeding mammal and their sexual activity is determined by photoperiod(length of light per day). Long photoperiod(LP, $\leq$ 12.5 hours of light) maintains the reproductive activity and short photoperiod(SP, $\leq$ 12 hours of light) suppresses it. In order to investigate in detail, the sexual activity was individually examined in SP-housed male golden hamsters received a vector at three different concentrations which contains rat GnRH cDNA. The gonadal regression was significantly(P<0.05) accelerated by the highest concentrations of the vector at 8 and 10 weeks after the treatment in comparison to the other groups. In the light of pulsatile release of GnRH in maintaining reproductive activity, the vector containing GnRH cDNA might secrete the GnRH in a constant high level. These results suggest that the GnRH-containing vector might desensitize the anterior pituitary, leading to acceleration or testicular regression.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2009

Ovarian cancer is a significant cause of cancer-related death in women, but the main biological causes remain open questions. Hormonal factors have been considered to be an important determinant causing ovarian cancer. Recent studies have shown that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-I and its analogs have clinically therapeutic value in the treatment of ovarian cancer. In addition, numerous studies have shown that the potential of GnRH-II in normal reproductive system or reproductive disorder. GnRH-I receptors have been detected in approximately 80% of ovarian cancer biopsy specimens as well as normal ovarian epithelial cells and immortalized ovarian surface epithelium cells. GnRH-II receptors have also been found to be more widely expressed than GnRH-I receptors in mammals, suggesting that GnRH receptors may have additional functions in reproductive system including ovarian cancer. The signal transduction pathway following the binding of GnRH to GnRH receptor has been extensively studied. The activation of protein kinase A/C (PKA/PKC) pathway is involved in the GnRH-I induced anti-proliferative effect in ovarian cancer cells. In addition, GnRH-I induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation plays a role in anti-proliferative effect and apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells and the activation of transcriptional factors related to cellular responses. However, the role of GnRH-I and II receptors, there are discrepancies between previous reports. In this review, the role of GnRH in ovarian cancer and the mechanisms to induce anti-proliferation were evaluated.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.97-101
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• 2016

Objective: Growth hormone and its mediator, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), have been suggested to exert gonadotropic actions in both humans and animals. The present study was conducted to assess the relationship between serum IGF-1 concentration, seminal plasma concentration, and sperm parameter abnormalities. Methods: A total of 79 men were enrolled in this study from December 2011 to July 2012 and were prospectively analyzed. Patient parameters analyzed included age, body mass index, smoking status, urological history, and fertility history. Patients were divided into four groups based on their semen parameters: normal (A, n=31), abnormal sperm motility (B, n=12), abnormal sperm morphology (C, n=20), and two or more abnormal parameters (D, n=16). Patient seminal plasma and serum IGF-1 concentrations were determined. Results: Patient baseline characteristics were not significantly different between any of the groups. The serum IGF-1 levels in groups B, C, and D were significantly lower than the levels in group A; however, the seminal plasma IGF-1 levels were not significantly different between any of the groups. Conclusion: Men with abnormal sperm parameters had significantly lower levels of serum IGF-1 compared with men with normal sperm parameters. Seminal plasma IGF-1 levels, however, did not differ significantly between the groups investigated here. Further investigations will be required to determine the exact mechanisms by which growth hormone and IGF-1 affect sperm quality.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.54-73
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• 2015

Objectives The object of this study was to evaluate the effect of Yikgeebohyul-tang aqueous extracts (YKBHT) on the propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced rat hypothyroidism. Methods The rats were divided into 6 groups : intact vehicle control, PTU control, LT4, YKBHT 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg treated groups. Hypothyroidism was induced by daily subcutaneous treatment of PTU 10 mg/kg for 28 days. YKBHT aqueous extracts were administered once a day as an oral dose of 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg for 42 days. The changes were observed : weight of body, thyroid gland, liver, testis, epididymis and prostate, serum thyroid hormone levels, serum male sex hormone levels, serum lipid profiles, liver and testis antioxidant system. These results were compared with LT4 0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally treated rats. Results These PTU induced hypothyroidism and related hepatic and male reproductive organ damages were favorably and dose-dependently inhibited by treatment of YKBHT 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg, and YKBHT also effectively regulated the PTU-induced abnormal antioxidant defense factor changes in the both liver and testis. Although, LT4 also inhibited PTU-induced hypothyroidism and relative liver damages. But it deteriorated the hypothyroidism related testis, epididymis and prostate damages through testicular oxidative damages. Conclusions : The result of this study suggests that YKBHT has favorable effects on the hypothyroidism and related liver and reproductive organ damages with augmentation of antioxidant defense factor in the testis and liver. YKBHT 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg dose-dependently inhibited PTU-induced hypothyroidism and related liver and male reproductive organ damages in rats.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.245-254
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• 2021

Objective: In humans, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an androgen-dependent ovarian disorder. Aberrant gene expression in folliculogenesis can arrest the transition of preantral to antral follicles, leading to PCOS. We explored the possible role of altered gene expression in preantral follicles of estradiol valerate (EV) induced polycystic ovaries (PCO) in a mouse model. Methods: Twenty female balb/c mice (8 weeks, 20.0±1.5 g) were grouped into control and PCO groups. PCO was induced by intramuscular EV injection. After 8 weeks, the animals were killed by cervical dislocation. Blood serum (for hormonal assessments using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique) was aspirated, and ovaries (the right ovary for histological examinations and the left for quantitative real-time polymerase) were dissected. Results: Compared to the control group, the PCO group showed significantly lower values for the mean body weight, number of preantral and antral follicles, serum levels of estradiol, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone, and gene expression of TGFB1, GDF9 and BMPR2 (p<0.05). Serum progesterone levels were significantly higher in the PCO animals than in the control group (p<0.05). No significant between-group differences (p>0.05) were found in BMP6 or BMP15 expression. Conclusion: In animals with EV-induced PCO, the preantral follicles did not develop into antral follicles. In this mouse model, the gene expression of TGFB1, GDF9, and BMPR2 was lower in preantral follicles, which is probably related to the pathologic conditions of PCO. Hypoandrogenism was also detected in this EV-induced murine PCO model.