• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.19-38
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• 1975

A total of 185 vasovasostomies were carried out for 11 years. Various factors which are of importance in fluencing the successful vasovasostomies are analysed and presented as follows: In recent years, demand of reanastomosis of the vas deferens increased considerably. An average age of the subjects is 39, and that of their wives, 33 in this series. An average interval between vasectomy and vasovasostomy is 4 years. An average number of living chidren is 2.6 at the time of vasectomy. and 2.1 at the time of time of vasovasostomy. Merchant and public official are the most commonly encounterd occupation in the present series. Coital frequencies are 2.2/week after vasovasostomy. The most common reasons for requesting the vasovasostomy are remarriage and deaths of children, especially son. Success rate is considerably higher among younger group than that of the older. Success rate is somewhat higher among groups of shorter interval between the operations (vasectomy and vasovasostomy) than that of longer interval group. Success rate is higher among bilateral vasovasostomy group than that of any others. Success rate is higher in solid splint group and no splint group than hollow splint group. The closed dressing technique of the end of splint on the scrotum is found to be reasonably effective in preventing infection. Ordinary end-to-end anastomosis and folded side-to-side anastomosis techniques are proved to be the most ideal form of modified operation for the successful vasovasostomies. The most common causes of failure are infection, injuries of blood supply, avascular necrosis due to extensive mobilization, inadequate approximation of both vasal end, hematoma, changes of epididymal environment, and early ambulation in this series. Overall success rate of the author's series is found the 81 per cent, and impregnation rate is 35 per cent. Overall results reported by other workers are that success rate regarding appearance of sperm in the semen after operation is 64 per cent, and that of impregnation after vasovasostomy is 33 per cent. The results of semen assessment performed on same cases prior to vasectomy and following vasovasostomy showed that post-vasovasostomy sperm count scarcely reached three-quaters of pre-vasectomy count.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.193-199
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• 2005

The cryopreservation of germ cells, sperm and embryos, has been largely used to increase the effect of artificial reproductive techniques for human infertility, but the efficiency of germ cell cryopreservation has been conkoversial till now. Thus, the effect of the cryopreservation of human sperm used for ICSI and the effect of the cryopreservation of embryos produced by ICSI on fertilizatiof development and pregnancy were investigated. Sperm freezing did not affect fertilizatiort development and pregnancy rates. Also, there was no significant difference between ejaculated and testicular sperm in ferclizatiort development and pregnancy. Embryo freezing methods, slow freezing and vitrificatior did not differ each other in viability and pregnncy rates. However, ICSI embryo freezing significantly decreased pregnancy rate compared to fresh embryos freezing (p<0.05). In conclusiof this result suggested that cryopreservation of sperm for ICSI did not affect on the resulted embryo development and pregnancy, but ICSI embryo cryopreservation would significantly inhibit pregnancy.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2013

The recent development in genetic assisted selection (combining traditional- and genome assisted selection method) and reproduction technologies will allow multiplying elite cow in Hanwoo small farm. This review describes the new context and corresponding needs for genome assisted selection schemes and how reproductive technologies can be incorporated to get more genetic gain for cow genetic improvement in Hanwoo. New improved massive phenotypes and pedigree information are being generated from commercial farm sector and these are allowing to do genetic evaluation using BLUP to get elite cows in Korea. Moreover cattle genome information can now be incorporated into breeding program. In this context, this review will discuss about combining the reproductive techniques (Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer; MOET) and genome assisted selection method to get more genetic gain in Hanwoo breeding program. Finally, how these technologies can be used for multiplication of elite cow in small farm was discussed.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.69-76
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• 1994

The survival and pregnancy rates were compared between non-frozen embryos and cryopreserved embryos at either pronucleate or 2-4 cell stages using the freezing and thawing techniques being identical in both groups were compared with fresh embryos. 496 embryos were frozen with 1, 2-propanediol and sucrose and 117 2-4 cell stages embryos had been thawed and 79.6 and 66.0% of them respectively were survival. Clinical pregnancy rate was 19.2% for embryos frozen at the pronucleate stage and 19.0% for embryos frozen at the 2-4 cell stages while the pregnancy rate of non-frozen embryos was 21.3%. There were no significant difference in the survival and pregnancy rates of embryos frozen at pronucleate and 2-4 cell stages. The current cumulative pregnancy rate per retrieval in all cycles with frozen zygotes is 35.4 %, consid~ erably higher than observed in single transfers of embryos without cryopreservation(21.3%); predicted pregnancy rate after transfer of all frozen embryos is 43.3 %. It is concluded that firstly, the survival and pregnancy rate of cryopreserved embryos at pronucleate or 2-4 cell stages are very similar to those from their fresh embryos and non-frozen embryos and secondly, cryopreservation substantially enhances pregnancy attainment from in vitro fertilization.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.68-74
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• 2014

Objective: In search of an ideal method of assisted hatching (AH), we compared the effects of conventional micropipette-AH and laser-AH on the blastocyst formation rate (BFR) and blastocyst cell numbers. Methods: Four-to five-week-old ICR female mice were paired with male mice after superovulation using Pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and hCG. The two-cell embryos were flushed from the oviducts of female mice. The retrieved two-cell embryos underwent one of five AH procedures: single mechanical assisted hatching (sMAH); cross mechanical assisted hatching (cMAH); single laser assisted hatching (sLAH); quarter laser assisted hatching (qLAH); and quarter laser zona thinning assisted hatching (qLZT-AH). After 72 hours incubation, double immunofluorescence staining was performed. Results: Following a 72 hours incubation, a higher hatching BFR was observed in the control, sMAH, cMAH, and sLAH groups, compared to those in the qLAH and qLZT-AH groups (p<0.05). The hatched BFR was significantly higher in the qLAH and qLZT-AH groups than in the others (p<0.05 for each group). The inner cell mass (ICM) was higher in the control and sMAH group (p<0.05). The trophectoderm cell number was higher in the cMAH and qLAH groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results showed that the hatched BFR was higher in groups exposed the the qLAH and qLZT-AH methods compared to groups exposed to other AH methods. In the qLAH group, although the total cell number was significantly higher than in controls, the ICM ratio was significantly lower in than controls.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.919-923
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• 2004

Ultrasonographic study was undertaken to establish the echogenecity and size of reproductive organs of 18 cycling buffaloes of different parities and compared with the sizes measured by palpation per rectum at estrus (day 0), met estrus (day 2), mid diestrus (day 10) and late diestrus (day 16). The overall mean size of cervix, uterine body, right horn, left horn, right ovary and left ovary measured by palpation per rectum were 2.70$\pm$0.43, 2.36$\pm$0.36, 2.17$\pm$0.37, 2.12$\pm$0.38, 2.63$\pm$0.41 and 2.72$\pm$0.37 cm, respectively. The corresponding ultrasonographic observations were 2.10$\pm$0.40, 1.85$\pm$0.30, 1.73$\pm$0.36, 1.64$\pm$0.37, 2.16$\pm$0.36 and 2.29$\pm$0.38 cm respectively. Variations in the size of genitalia due to stages of estrous cycle were non-significant. The size of genitalia measured by palpation per rectum was significantly higher (p<0.05) than by ultrasonography. However, there was linear positive correlation (r=+0.87) in the measurements by the two techniques. The ultrasonographic characteristics of tubular genitalia revealed different echogenic gray shades around the nonechogenic (black) central area of lumen depending upon the stage of cycle. The ovarian stroma appeared as hyperechoic (white) area with nonechogenic (black) follicle. The corpus luteum (CL) exhibited different echogenic texture viz. grayish black, grayish granular and grayish white at met estrus, mid diestrus and late diestrus, respectively. Therefore, ltrasonography can be effectively employed to record the exact size and echotexture of the buffalo genitalia during different stages of estrous cycle.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2012

Korean red ginseng (KRG) has been used worldwide as a traditional medicine for the treatment of various reproductive diseases. Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons are the fundamental regulators of pulsatile release of gonadotropin required for fertility. In this study, an extract of KRG (KRGE) was applied to GnRH neurons to identify the receptors activated by KRGE. The brain slice patch clamp technique in whole cell and perforated patch was used to clarify the effect of KRGE on the membrane currents and membrane potentials of GnRH neurons. Application of KRGE (3 ${\mu}g$/${\mu}L$) under whole cell patch induced remarkable inward currents (56.17${\pm}$7.45 pA, n=25) and depolarization (12.91${\pm}$3.80 mV, n=4) in GnRH neurons under high $Cl^-$ pipette solution condition. These inward currents were not only reproducible, but also concentration dependent. In addition, inward currents and depolarization induced by KRGE persisted in the presence of the voltage gated $Na^+$ channel blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX), suggesting that the responses by KRGE were postsynaptic events. Application of KRGE under the gramicidin perforated patch induced depolarization in the presence of TTX suggesting its physiological significance on GnRH response. Further, the KRGE-induced inward currents were partially blocked by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX; non-NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist, 10 ${\mu}M$) or picrotoxin (PIC; $GABA_A$ receptor antagonist, 50 ${\mu}M$), and almost blocked by PIC and CNQX mixture. Taken together, these results suggest that KRGE contains ingredients with possible GABA and non-NMDA glutamate receptor mimetic activity, and may play an important role in the endocrine function of reproductive physiology, via activation of $GABA_A$ and non-NMDA glutamate receptors in GnRH neurons.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.60-66
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• 2019

Objective: To compare black rice (Oryza sativa L) extract with three different staining methods for human sperm head assessment. Methods: Semen samples were collected from 34 volunteers. Four smears of each ejaculate were prepared for staining using the rapid Papanicolaou (PAP) stain, SpermBlue, DipQuick, and black rice extract. The percentage of defective sperm heads (mean${\pm}$standard deviation) was compared. Results: Black glutinous rice extract, a natural dye, was used instead of hematoxylin to stain the nuclei of the sperm heads. The percentage of defective sperm heads showed a significant difference between black rice extract and DipQuick (p= 0.000). In contrast, black rice extract and rapid PAP showed no statistically significant difference (p= 0.974). A strong correlation (r = 0.761) was found between the findings obtained using rapid PAP and black rice extract. In contrast, a weak correlation (r = 0.248) was obtained between DipQuick and black rice extract for the percentage of defective sperm heads. Conclusion: The results showed good agreement and a strong correlation between the rapid PAP and black rice extract stains. The advantages of black rice extract as a novel substitute for hematoxylin for nuclear staining include ease of preparation, local availability, and favorable nuclear staining properties. Further studies could also focus on comparing staining techniques in clinical samples.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.117-126
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• 2022

Objective: This study examined whether the addition of triple antioxidants (3A)-10 µM acetyl-L-carnitine, 10 µM N-acetyl-L-cysteine, and 5 µM α-lipoic acid-in freezing-thawing medium during human sperm cryopreservation using the sucrose vitrification (SuV) and liquid nitrogen vapor (Vapor) techniques could improve post-thaw survival of spermatozoa. Methods: We analyzed 30 samples from healthy human sperm donors. Each sample was allocated into one of five groups: fresh control, SuV, SuV+3A, Vapor, and Vapor+3A. The sperm motility, morphology, viability, intracellular and extracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) were evaluated. Results: The cryopreserved spermatozoa had significantly reduced percentages of motility (p<0.05) and viability (p<0.05). Antioxidant supplementation non-significantly improved these parameters (p>0.05). No significant differences were found in sperm morphology between the fresh and frozen-thawed groups (p>0.05). After freezing, the extracellular ROS levels in the frozen-thawed groups were significantly higher (p<0.05) than in the fresh group. However, we did not find any differences in intracellular ROS parameters among these groups (p>0.05). The SDF was higher in the SuV and Vapor groups than in the fresh group, but without statistical significance (p=0.075 and p=0.077, respectively). Conclusion: Cryopreservation had detrimental effects on sperm motility, viability, and extracellular ROS levels, without changing the morphology or intracellular ROS levels. Antioxidant supplementation was slightly effective in preventing SDF in frozen-thawed spermatozoa.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.31-38
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• 2023

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of taping techniques on menstrual pain, body temperature, and menstrual symptoms in women of reproductive age. Methods: This study targeted 40 female students enrolled at G university with menstrual pain rated above 5 on the visual analog scale (VAS). The participants were randomly assigned to four groups: the Kinesio taping, spiral taping, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and control groups. The intervention was applied one day after the onset of menstruation, and menstrual pain, menstrual symptoms, and body temperature were measured before the intervention and 24 hours after the intervention application. We measured menstrual pain using the VAS. Additionally, we evaluated menstrual symptoms using the menstruation symptom scale and measured body temperature of the abdomen and feet using digital infrared thermal imaging. Results: After the intervention, all three experimental groups showed significant improvement in menstrual pain and menstrual symptoms compared to the control group, and there was no significant difference among the three groups. After applying Kinesio taping, there was a slight decrease in the temperature difference between the abdomen and feet, but no statistically significant difference was observed. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that kisesio and spiral taping have similar effects as with anti-inflammatory medication in relieving menstrual pain and menstrual symptoms. Taping can be considered as an effective method to replace medications in order to alleviate menstrual pain.