• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제53권3호
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• pp.195-202
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• 2011

Maintenance of adequate telomere length in developing cells is the most important concern to preserve the integrity of the genome. The length of telomere is strictly regulated by numerous telomere-binding proteins and/or interacting factors. Even though the expression of telomerase in the male reproductive tract has been characterized, developmental expressional profiling of telomerase and other telomere-associated proteins has not been determined in detail. The present study was attempted to examine expression patterns of catalytic subunit (Tert) and RNA component (Terc) of telomerase and two telomerase associated factors, telomerase associated protein 1 (Tep1) and TERF1 (TRF1) interacting nuclear factor 2 (Tinf2) in the testis and seminal vesicle of male rat during postnatal development. The real-time PCR analysis was utilized to quantify mRNA expression of molecules. The abundance of Tep1 mRNA in the testis and seminal vesicle was the highest at 5 months of age. Expressional fluctuation of Tinf2 during postnatal development was found in the testis, while expression of Tinf2 in the seminal vesicle was gradually increased until 5 months of age and then significantly decreased later. mRNA level of Tert gene in the testis was significantly increased at the adult and the elder, while the highest expression of Tert gene in the seminal vesicle was found at 5 months of age. Expression of Terc transcript in the testis and seminal vesicle was the highest at 5 months of age, followed by significant reduction at 1 and 2 years of ages. Such differential gene expression of telomere-associated factors and telomerase components in different male reproductive tissues during postnatal development indicates that maintenance of telomere length would be regulated in tissue- and/or age-specific manners.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.463-469
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• 2003

Eight nursery to grower pigs exhibiting weight loss and sudden death were diagnosed as postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) based on the results of gross findings, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, fluorescent antibody test, virus isolation, PCR, serology, and electron microscopy. Groosly, the pigs had a rough hair coats and were severely emaciated. And moot lymph nodes were pale and enlarged. Lungs were not fully collapsed and exhibited 10 to 40% pale red cranioventral consolidation. Histopathologically, typical lymphohistiocytic interstitial to bronchointerstitial pneumonia, chronic lymphadenitis, severe lymphoid depletion, and basophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions were noted in the most lymphoid tissues. Porcine circovirus panicles were observed in the inguinal lymph node of the pigs by electron microscopy. Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) antigens or viral DNAs were detected in the lesions of all pigs using immunohistochemistry or PCR. Two PCV2 were isolated from a homogenate of pooled lung and lymph node in 2 of the 5 pigs. Additionally, antigens of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and Hemophilus (H.) parasuis were also detected by immunofluorescent antibody test. Serologically, 55% of randomly selected sows and fattening pigs was serum antibody positive to PCV2 by an indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test and approximately 18 % of animals in the herd were serologically pooitive by the ELISA kit for PRRSV. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PMWS co-infected with PCV-2, PRRS, and H. parasuis in Korea.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.35-41
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• 2010

Mammalian reproduction is regulated by a feedback circuit of the key reproductive hormones such as GnRH, gonadotropin and sex steroids on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. In particular, the onset of female puberty is triggered by gain of a pulsatile pattern and increment of GnRH secretion from hypothalamus. Previous studies including our own clearly demonstrated that genistein (GS), a phytoestrogenic isoflavone, altered the timing of puberty onset in female rats. However, the brain-specific actions of GS in female rats has not been explored yet. The present study was performed to examine the changes in the activities of GnRH neurons and their neural circuits by GS in female rats. Concerning the drug delivery route, intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection technique was employed to eliminate the unwanted actions on the extrabrain tissues which can be occurred if the testing drug is systemically administered. Adult female rats (PND 100, 210-230 g BW) were anaesthetized, treated with single dose of GS ($3.4{\mu}g$/animal), and sacrificed at 3 hrs post-injection. To determine the transcriptional changes of reproductive hormone-related genes in hypothalamus, total RNAs were extracted and applied to the semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). ICV infusion of GS significantly raised the transcriptional activities of enhanced at puberty1 (EAP-1, p<0.05), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67, p<0.01) which are known to modulate GnRH secretion in the hypothalamus. However, GS infusion could not change the mRNA level of nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS-2). GS administration significantly increased the mRNA levels of KiSS-1 (p<0.001), GPR54 (p<0.001), and GnRH (p<0.01) in the hypothalami, but decreased the mRNA levels of LH-$\beta$ (p<0.01) and FSH-$\beta$ (p<0.05) in the pituitaries. Taken together, the present study indicated that the acute exposure to GS could directly activate the hypothalamic GnRH modulating system, suggesting the GS's disrupting effects such as the early onset of puberty in immature female rats might be derived from premature activation of key reproduction related genes in hypothalamus-pituitary neuroendocrine circuit.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.195-200
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• 2002

Objective : To investigate the expression of apoptosis related proteins and apoptotic cells on the human ovarian follicles. Materials and Methods: Thirty five Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded human ovarian tissue blocks were selected from the surgical pathology files of the department of pathology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, for the period from 1996 to 1998. All specimen were from premenopausal women aged from $32{\sim}45$. Ovarian tissues were collected from the patients performing hysterectomy for benign uterine diseases. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for the detection of DNA fragmented cell, Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and Fas-ligand. Results: Bcl-2 and bax were not expressed on the surrounding cells and oocyte of the primary, primordial and preantral follicles. Fas and Fas-ligand (Fas-L) were not expressed on the surrounding cells on the primordial and primary follicles. But expressed on the surrounding granulosa cells and oocyte in the primordial and primary follicles. In the healthy follicles, Bcl-2 was expressed on the granulosa cells, however, Bax was not expressed. DNA fragmented cells were expressed on the inner granulosa cell layer of atretic follicles. Conclusion: Fas, Fas-ligand, and Bax may be responsible for the follicular atresia and Bcl-2 may be involved in the follicular survival in the human ovary.

• ALGAE
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.249-256
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• 2009

The occurrence of Laminarionema elsbetiae (Ectocarpaceae, Phaeophyceae), as epi-endophyte of Rhodymenia pseudopalmata (Rhodymeniales, Rhodophyta), described from Santa Isabel, Rawson, Argentina. L. elsbetiae grows in the host tissues forming epi-endophytic relationship in the epidermal, cortical and medullar layers. Epiphytic thalli of L. elsbetiae were unbranched filaments emerging from hostis surface. Reproductive structures of L. elsbetiae on the host were absent. On the contrary, free cultured individuals formed different reproductive structures. Macrozoosporangia containing a single large motile zoospore originated from vegetative cells, they were conical to cylindrical in shape, 30-50 ${\mu}m$ in length and 18-20 ${\mu}m$ in wide. Uniseriate plurilocular zoosporangia were cylindrical shape, 40 ${\mu}m$ in length and 10-13 ${\mu}m$ in wide. Sexual fusion was not seen. In mixed cultures of L. elsbetiae with R. pseudopalmata fronds, L. elsbetiae infected the host, grew as in natural host and, formed macrosporangia between host subcortical cells. Gametophytes of L. elsbetiae were filaments with diffuse growth, branched with a branch pattern alternate or opposite. Gametangia were plurilocular, uni or biseriate and lateral. When mature they contained 2 to 6 isogametes. The presence L. elsbetiae on R. pseudopalmata could be defined as an epi-endophytic relationship. The percentage of infection of R. pseudopalmata thalli by L. elsbetiae was 34%.A25% of the infected thalli presented a low, non-symptomatic level infection, whereas a 62% and a 13% of them exhibited respectively moderate and high indexes of infection.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.435-439
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• 2011

Sildenafil citrate (SIL) a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor (PDE5I) has been used for long time as a first line oral drug for erectile dysfunction. Though it has beneficial effects on erectile organ it also has some adverse effects in other cells and/or tissues related to reproductive system when exposed to longer duration. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the long term effect of SIL on sperm parameters in Wistar albino rat. The animals are divided into two groups, for group I - rats were treated with saline (vehicle alone) and group - II oral administration of 5 mg/kg b.w. of SIL was administrated orally once in a day for 120 days. At the end of the trial period animals were sacrificed and epididymal sperm were subjected to various analysis. Results showed significant reduction in sperm count, motility, viability and morphologically intact sperm in long term PDE5I exposed animals when compared to control. Acrosomal status and fertility test also showed significant reduction in long term PDE5I exposed animals. The present study clearly indicated that long term SIL has shown to induce alteration in sperm quality and quantity, leading to decline in fertility rate. Indicate that SIL impinge on spermatogenesis as well as epididymal function. Understanding the molecular down-stream events involved in long-term exposure to PDE5 inhibitor can be valuable to supervise on related infertility issues and to suggest corrective measures.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.318-326
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• 1999

Respiratory pathogenic effects of several porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus(PRRSV) isolates were examined in swine tracheal ring(STR) cultures by examining their effect on ciliary activity. One high and one low pathogenic PRRSV isolates were then selected and their pathogenicity investigated in 3-week-old conventional PRRSV-seronegative pigs. Ten pigs each were inoculated intranasally with the high or low pathogenic PRRSV isolate and 6 pigs were sham inoculated as negative controls. Two pigs each from the inoculated group and one pig each from negative control group were killed on 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days postinoculation(pI). At necropsy, degrees of gross lung lesion was determined. Turbinate, tonsil, trachea and lung samples were collected for virus isolation or histopathology. Gross lung lesions were observed mainly on 14 days PI with high and low pathogenic isolates inducing moderate diffuse and mild gross lung lesions, respectively. Inoculation of either the high or low pathogenic virus resulted in loss of cilia in ciliated epithelium of turbinates and trachea between 7 and 28 days PI. High pathogenic virus caused increased number of Goblet cells in the tracheal epithelial layer between 4 and 21 days PI whereas the low pathogenic virus did it between 14 and 28 days PI and with a lesser degree. Although both viruses produced interstitial pneumonia, the lesion was less severe with the low pathogenic virus. The isolation of high pathogenic virus from tissues and sera was earlier and more consistent than that of the low pathogenic virus. The agreement between in vitro and in vivo tests indicates that STR cultures may be used as a routine method to determine the respiratory pathogenicity of PRRSV isolates.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.67-75
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• 2013

Objective: To investigate the effect of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor ${\gamma}$(PPAR${\gamma}$) agonist on the cell proliferation properties and expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and aromatase in cultured endometrial stromal cell (ESC) from patients with endometriosis. Methods: Human endometrial tissues were obtained from women with endometriosis and healthy women (controls) using endometrial biopsy. Isolated ESCs were cultured and the cell proliferation was measured by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and expression of hTERT, aromatase, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 by western blotting according to the addition of rosiglitazone (PPAR${\gamma}$ agonist). Results: We demonstrate that the cultured ESCs of endometriosis showed hTERT protein overexpression and increased cellular proliferation, which was inhibited by rosiglitazone, in a dose-dependent manner. At the same time, PPAR${\gamma}$ agonist also inhibited aromatase and COX-2 expression, resulting in decreased prostaglandin $E_2$ production in the ESCs of endometriosis. Conclusion: This study suggests that PPAR${\gamma}$ agonist plays an inhibitory role in the proliferative properties of eutopic endometrium with endometriosis by down-regulation of hTERT and COX-2 expression; this could be a new treatment target for endometriosis.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.49-61
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• 2006

Purpose : This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the different administration duration of Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution on the spermatogenic abilities. Methods : We used the 2-month-old mice and administered Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution 0.3mg/g/day for 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. The control group was administered the normal saline in the same way. We examined the number of total, motile and normal sperm from the cauda epididymis, the activities of sperm hyaluronidase. Also we observed changes of isolated testis before and after administration of Ginseng Radix Alba extract solutions in the mice. And we compared to the testicular tissue especially seminiferous tubules between control and treated group by histochemical methods. Results : The significant differences were observed in the concentration of total sperm and normality of spermatozoa of the Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution administered groups compared to the control group in 60, 90 and 120days groups. The significant differences were observed the motility of the Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution administered groups compared to the control group in 90 days group respectively. In the histological analysis of the testicular tissues, the enlargement of testicular lobe diameter and apparent vasculogenesis between testicular lobes were observed in the Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution administered groups compared to the control group, respectively. but the activity of hyaluronidase was not significantly increased in the Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution administered groups Conclusion : This study shows that Ginseng Radix Alba has the beneficial effect on the concentration, morphology and motility of sperm especially in 90 days administration group. We can suggest that Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution be useful for the treatment of male sexual dysfunctions and infertility.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.133-144
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• 2000

Objective: Several water channels (aquaporins; AQP) that belong to the MIP (major intrinsic protein) family have identified. In the selected tissues including red blood cells or renal tubules, water movements are abundant and/or physiologically important. Unexpectedly, a high water permeability of human and ram sperm has been reported. Recent studies showed that AQP7 and AQP8 are present in testes, so that the high water permeability of human sperm suggested to be mediated by AQPs. Method: To identify the identity of aquaporins expressed in testes, RT-PCR was performed using degenerative primers, which were designed to correspond to highly conserved sequences surrounding the Asn-Pro-Ala (NPA) motifs in the aquaporins. New expressed AQP series were reconfirmed by immunohistochemical study using rabbit polyclonal antibodies. Results: DNA sequencing of PCR products revealed that AQP2 and AQP3 mRNA as well as AQP7 and AQP8 are expressed in human and rat testes. In human and rat testes, AQP2 are expressed in spermatozoa, interstitial cells and myofibroblasts and AQP3 are expressed in myofibroblasts of semineferous tubules on immunocytochemical stain. Conclusion: These results indicate that multiple aquaporins are expressed in testes, and that they may have important roles in the spermatogenesis and the germ cell function of testis.