• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.12a
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• pp.21-30
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• 2003

As a result of the technological advance provided by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in 1992, the evaluation and treatment of the infertile male has changed significantly. Many men who were previously thought to be irreversibly infertile have the potential to initiate their own biologic pregnancy. However, not all men having impaired semen parameter are ideal candidates for ICSI for numerous reasons including a lack of addressing the underlying problem causing the male infertility, unknown genetic consequences, and cost-effectiveness issues. In this era of ICSI, the fundamental approach to the male with suspected subfertility is unchanged and is based on a history, physical examination, and focused laboratory testing. The urologist should approach the patient with an intent to identify remediable causes of subfertility given the specific clinical situation. For instance, should a gentleman have his varicocele repaired or vasectomy reversed, or should he proceed directly with ICSI? If no factors can be improved in a timely manner, then ICSI should be considered using the available sperm. Examples of recent advances include the diagnosis and treatment of ejaculatory duct obstruction, indications and techniques for performing testis biopsy, and technique for sperm harvesting. In addition, potential genetic causes of male subfertility should be diagnosed and discussed with the patient. Cystic fibrosis gene mutation, karyotype abnormallities, and Y-chromosome microdeletions all have recently been identified as causative for male infertility in otherwise phenotypically normal men. With recently evolved diagnostic and therapeutic techniques now available for the infertile couple, even the most severe male factor problems in patients previously considered irreversibly infertile are now potentially treatable. The physician should be aware of the availability and limitations of these new and exciting reproductive technologies because they will allow him to provide timely and more effective therapy for the infertile couple. An understanding of these advances by all physicians is important as we progress into the $21^{st}$ century

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.281-291
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• 2003

Objectives: In determining to perform non-spousal artificial insemination by donor (AID) to an infertile married couple, infertile couple requires not only the thorough understanding of the medical procedure but also scrutinizing the effect, which it will have on the relationship of the family including the baby to be born itself. Materials and methods: 148 cases with non-curable male infertility were enrolled in this inquiry survey. The donor insemination questionnaire consists of 18-items which are assessing subjects' clinical properties, the background for AID practice, psychological traits, and long term influence. Results: Of the survey, 49 cases were returned (33.1%) and 10 cases (20.4%) of these gave birth after AID practice. The mean age of husbands and wives of the 49 cases were $34.6{\pm}4.2$ and $32.1{\pm}3.0$ yers old, respectively and the duration of marriage was 5 years and 4 months. In about half of the cases, AID was first suggested by husband and the decision was made by only the couple. The major reason for the operation was to form a complete family. In the item of the psychological effects, two-third of the couples felt anxiety related to the procedure which are mostly about the possible congenital or acquired deformity of baby. The AID was positively suggested in overall by all of recipients. After giving birth to a child, most couples felt positive about their decision. As a child grows up, about half of the couples felt the child as their own and expected not to tell of the AID. In overall, about 50% of couples presented satisfaction with the procedure. Conclusions: As the above results, various psychological impacts including anxiety about a child-to-be-born were accompanied to those who were recommended of AID. To overcome these problems, sufficient medical information and consultation about the course of selecting the donor and the whole procedures of AID should be provided beforehand.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 1987

Alternative methods were used in the field of infertility as the latest means for the treatment of misconception. Artificial insemination, which has been commonly used already, IVF-ET and GIFT are also used as artificicial method for conception presently. Appling such methods to the patient, following three categories should be considered; first, there should be an understanding and an agreement from the patient, second, if possible, reduce the cost of hospital expense and relieve physical and emotional problems of the patient, and third, increcrsing the pregnancy rate. Under these considerations, complication and pitfalls of artifical inseminations are a big burden to the physian and the patient. Though the conicicental complications are relatively very rare, detailed laboratoy tests, carefull examinations, and follow-up studies are necessary. In the distribution of the age groups, 40.3% was in the 25 to 29 years group, 30 to 34 years was 45%. 35 to 39 years was 8% and only 3.2% was above the 40 age groups. The range of infertile periods were from 1 to 17 years, and half of the patients were over 5 years, the other group 20% in 3 years and 2 to 4 years were 10%. Among 159 cycles of artificial insemination, there were complications such as infection(1.9%) and discomfort(5%) and abnormal bleeding (0.6%). During pregnancy, clinical abortion (1.9%) and toxemia (2.5%) were shown. Sex of new born infants were, male (68%) and female (31%). Fortunately, there were no cases of psychological complication and genetic abnormality. Indications of artificial insemination for male factors were aspermia (2.5%), azoospermia (28.8%), oligospermia (26.4%) and asthenozoospermia (1.8%), for female factors were irregular cycle (11.7%) and dysmucorrhea.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1996

There are a number of problems during the process of culture in vitro on fertilization and embryo development compared to those on in vivo counterparts. And the platelet activating factor (PAF), which is found not only in mammalian spermatozoa but also preembryos, is implicated on reproductive process. To improve the environment of culture on in vitro fertilization and embryo development, coculture using salpingeal epithelial cells has been considered to accept the better result on pregnancy rate. This study was designed to determine if two different culture systems, coculture alone and PAF treated coculture, are positive or negative influence on process of in vitro fertilization and embryo culture in mouse. The cell cleavage rate reached to 2-4 cell stage at 24 hours of culture is 56.81% (50/88) and 48.21%(54/112) respectively, in PAF treated group which is added PAF on coculture and in coculture group. But the rate of cells cleavage was similar in both group after 48 hours of culture. The rate of unfertilization after insemination of oocytes was higher in coculture group(55..53%) than in PAF treated group(42.37%). And in assessment of undeveped embryos, the rate of equalized cell block was similar on both, coculture alone (35.3%)and PAF treated coculture(35.5%). while unequalized cell block was higher rate in PAF treated coculture(19.4%) than coculture alone (11.8%). But the rate of cytoplasmic degeneration of undeveloped embryos was significantly higher in PAF treated coculture than coculture alone. In conclusion, we have observed that PAF treated coculture is superior in the rates of in vitro fertilization and early embryo cell cleavage compared to those in coculture alone, but there is no difference on the rates of embryo develpments, cell degeneration, cell quality in both PAF treated coculture and coculture alone when the embryo cells were continuosly cultured for 48 hours or more.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.450-455
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• 2010

The study had two objectives, namely, to estimate the andrological disorders leading to disposal of Karan Fries (KF), Sahiwal cattle and Murrah buffalo bulls and to study the effect of various factors (species/breeds, season of birth and period of birth) on male reproductive parameters. Records on occurrence of subfertility problems and disposal pattern of bulls maintained at the National Dairy Research Institute herd were collected for 15 years (1991 to 2005). Percentage of bulls producing freezable semen was less in the crossbred cattle (58.46%) as compared to Sahiwal (81.69%) and Murrah bulls (81.05%). Various subfertility traits like poor libido and unacceptable seminal profile were found to be the significant reasons (p<0.01) for culling of the breeding bulls. Inadequate sex drive was the main contributing factor for bull disposal in Sahiwal (22.55%) and Murrah bulls (15.12%) whereas poor semen quality and freezability were most frequently observed in KF bulls (24.29 and 7.29 percent, respectively). Least squares analyses of different male reproductive parameters showed that species/breeds had significant effect (p<0.05) on all traits except for frozen semen production periods (FSPP). Periods of birth were significantly different (p<0.05) for all traits except for semen volume. Age at first semen collection (AFSC), age at first semen freezing (AFSF) and age at disposal (AD) were highest in Murrah, while frozen semen production period (FSPP) and semen production period (SPP) were highest in KF and lowest in Sahiwal. The age at first semen donation and breeding period could be reduced by introducing the bulls to training at an early age. These results revealed a declining trend in AFSC, AFSF, FSPP, SPP and AD, thereby indicating an improvement in reproductive performance over the years. The age at first semen donation in bovines can be reduced by introducing the young male calves to training at an early age, which could increase the dosage of semen obtained from each male.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.361-370
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• 1982

The effects of climatic factors on organisms lire variable and complex, and it, however, can be interpreted in terms of those on the distribution and those on the population densities. The distribution of an organism may largely be determined by the temperatures, except some temporal organisms which are depended on the air mass movements. Population density of an organism is determined by various climatic factors, such as previous winter temperature, temperature of growing season and rainfall. The start of growing season of the rice plants has been shifted to earlier since last decade in Korea. This may mean that the overall climatic condition during the growing season might be considerably different from those in past years, and such a difference in climatic conditions might have close relation with the recent status of the diseases and insect pests through direct effects on the physiology and population dynamics of the organisms, as well as through on the biotic associations of the pest organisms. The white back planthopper and brown planthopper have become the key insect pests in Korea in recent years. They are migratory and have high reproductive pontentials and more generations than average residential insects. The synchronization of the migrants and physiological condition of the rice plants seems to be the important factors in relation to the recent outbreaks of these insects; the high reproductive rate can be obtained with the growth stage of rice being 30-50 days after transplanting. The modication of the microclimate associated with high plant density and some other introduced new cultural techniques also have some relation with the outbreak. The key diseases of the rice are the blast disease, sheath blight and the bacterial leaf blight. For the rice blast, the seedling blast and leaf blast during the early growing season and the neck blast, have become more serious, the former may be related to hotbed nursery and the later may be related to the high humidity in early August, and synchronization of the heading time which has been shifted to early part from middle or late part of August. In general, for the rice diseases, the development of the new races have been the most serious which are largely resulted from the introduction of the new varieties, but it also seems to be related with the prolonged periods of the favorable condition associated with the shifted growing seasons. In general, the diseases and insect pest problems have become much more variable and complex, and control measures should be based on the thorough knowledge of the ecology of the pest organisms, that is, effects of various environmental factors on the disease cycle; spore release, spore deposition, infection, colonization and sporulation of the disease organisms, and those on the development, reproductive potentials, dispersal, age specific responses of the insects. The well organized real-time pest management systems, such as alfalfa weevil management system developed at the Purdue University in U.S., is the prime importance for the implementation of the pest management principles.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.131-145
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• 2009

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has become an assisted reproductive technique for couples who are at risk that enables them to have unaffected baby without facing the risk of pregnancy termination after invasive prenatal diagnosis. The molecular biology and technology for single-cell genetics has reached an extremely high level of accuracy, and has enabled the possibility of performing multiple diagnoses on one cell using whole genome amplification. These technological advances have contributed to the avoidance of misdiagnosis in PGD for single gene disorders. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based PGD will lead to a significant increase in the number of disorders diagnosed and will find more widespread use, benefiting many more couples who are at risk of transmitting an inherited disease to their baby. In this review, we will focus on the molecular biological techniques that are currently in use in the most advanced centers for PGD for single gene disorders, including biopsy procedure, multiplex PCR and post-PCR diagnostic methods, and multiple displacement amplification (MDA) and the problems in the single cell genetic analysis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.153-165
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• 1997

In male reproducible health, fertility and IVF (in-vitro fertilization), semen analysis has been most important. Semen analysis can be divided into concentration, motional and morphological analysis of sperm. The existing method which was developed earlier to analyze semen concentrated on the sperm motility analysis. To provide more useful and precise solutions for clinical problems such as infertility, semen analysis must include sperm morphological analysis. But the traditional tools for semen analysis are subjective, imprecise, inaccurate, difficult to standardize, and difficult to reproduce. Therefore, with the help of development of microcomputers and image processing techniques, we developed a new sperm morphology analyzer to overcome these problems. In this study the agreement on percent normal morphology was studied between different observers and a computerized sperm morphology analyzer on a slide-by-slide basis using strict criteria. Slides from 30 different patients from the SNUH andrology laboratory were selected randomly. Microscopic fields and sperm cells were chosen randomly and percent normal morphology was recorded. The ability of sperm morphology analyzer to repeat the same reading for normal and abnormal cells was studied. The results showed that there was no significant bias between two experienced observers. The limits of agreement were 4.1%${\sim}$-3.8%. The Pearson correlation coefficient between readers was 0.79. Between the manual and sperm morphology analyzer, the same findings were reported. In this experiments the slides were stained by two different methods, PAP and Diff-Quik staining methods. The limits of agreement were 7.2%${\sim}$-5.7% and 6.0%${\sim}$-6.3%, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficients ware 0.76 and 0.91, respectively. The limits of agreement was tighter below 20% normal forms. In the experiments of repeatability, 52 cells stained by PAP and Diff-Quik staining methods were analyzed three times in succession. Estimating pairwise agreement, the kappa statistic for the pairs were 0.76, 0.81, 0.86, and 0.75, 0.88, 0.88 respectively. In this study it was shown that there was good agreement between manual and computerized assessment of normal and abnormal cells. The repeatability and agreement per slide of computerized sperm morphology analyzer was excellent. The computer's ability to classify normal morphology per slide is promising. Based on results obtained, this system can be of clinical value both in andrology laboratories and IVF units.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.168-173
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• 2015

This study estimated the degree of uterine inflammation and resumption of ovarian cyclicity in postpartum dairy cows. In addition, the prevalence of health problems during calving and the postpartum period was investigated. A total of 224 Holstein dairy cows from four dairy farms in Chungcheong Province were used for the study. Uterine discharge was scored on a 0 to 5 rank scale (metricheck score) using a metricheck instrument from 1 to 8 weeks postpartum and uterine cytology (neutrophil level) was examined at 4, 6 and 8 weeks postpartum to evaluate uterine inflammation. Resumption of ovarian cyclicity was evaluated based on progesterone analysis (${\geq}1ng/mL$) at 4, 6 and 8 weeks postpartum. Postpartum disorders were diagnosed by veterinarians in the research team. The metricheck score decreased linearly (p < 0.0001) from weeks 1 ($3.4{\pm}0.1$) to 4 ($2.0{\pm}0.1$) postpartum, and then remained at that level through week 8 postpartum ($1.6{\pm}0.1$, p > 0.05). The neutrophil levels determined by uterine cytology assays also decreased (p < 0.0001) from week 4 ($22.3{\pm}1.8%$) to 6 ($12.1{\pm}1.4%$) postpartum, and then remained at that level through week 8 postpartum ($9.2{\pm}1.4%$, p > 0.05). The proportion of cows exhibiting the ovarian cyclicity increased linearly (p < 0.0001) from weeks 2 (12.1%) to 8 (74.3%) postpartum. The prevalence of dystocia and retained placenta were 20.5% and 30.4%, respectively. The prevalence of ketosis, milk fever, abomasal displacement, septicemic metritis, endometritis, subclinical endometritis, pyometra, and ovarian cysts were 18.8%, 3.6%, 4.0%, 36.2%, 29.5%, 17.0%, 4.5%, and 14.7%, respectively. The prevalence of digestive problems and mastitis were 5.4% and 9.6%, respectively. The prevalence of culling and death were 4.0% and 3.6%, respectively. The prevalence of dystocia, retained placenta, septicemic metritis, endometritis, ovarian cysts, digestive problems, mastitis, and culling differed among farms (p < 0.05 to 0.01). In conclusion, proper examinations for uterine inflammation and ovarian cyclicity during 4 to 8 weeks postpartum are useful clinical tools to maintain herd reproductive health. Dystocia, retained placenta, septicemic metritis, and endometritis were predominant disorders in dairy cows of the survey area.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.105-109
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• 2011

Ovulation synchronization (ovsynch) has proved to increase the number of insemination in cattle by overcoming the problems of heat detection. The aim of this study was to do ovsynch in water buffaloes where heat detection is a major reproductive problem and to determine the conception rates after timed artificial insemination (TAI). Twenty cyclic buffaloes at ${\geq}$ 60 days postpartum were selected by examining 24 unobserved estrus buffaloes based on milk progesterone assay (progesterone concentration ${\geq}$ 1.0 ng/ml) from the Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. Ovsynch treatment regimen was started irrespective of the stage of estrous cycle. Gonadorelin (500 ${\mu}g$) was injected intramuscularly at Day 0 followed by Alfaprostol (8 mg) at Day 7. A second injection of Gonadorelin was given at Day 9 and TAI was done with frozen semen from Mediterranean buffalo bulls at 16~20 hours of the second Gonadorelin injection. Milk progesterone ELISA at Day 10~12 post AI confirmed ovulation in 16 out of 20 (80%) buffaloes (progesterone concentration ${\geq}$ 1.0 ng/ml). High progesterone concentration (${\geq}$ 1.0 ng/ml) at Day 10~12 and Day 22~24 of AI showed pregnancy in six out of 20 (30%) buffaloes. Pregnancy was further confirmed by ultrasonography at Day 40 in these six buffaloes. In conclusion, ovsynch followed by TAI could be applied in cyclic buffaloes for overcoming the estrus detection problems; however, more studies are needed to increase the conception rate.