• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.147-152
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• 2006

Most plant organs develop from meristems. Rice FON1, which is an ortholog of Clv1, regulates stem cell proliferation and organ initiation. The point mutations, fon1-1 and fon1-2, disrupt meristem balance, resulting in alteration of floral organ numbers and the architecture of primary rachis branches. In this study, we identified two knockout alleles, fon1-3 and fon1-4, generated by T-DNA and Tos17 insertion, respectively. Unlike the previously isolated point mutants, the null mutants have alterations not only of the reproductive organs but also of vegetative tissues, producing fewer tillers and secondary rachis branches. The mutant plants are semi-dwarfs due to delayed leaf emergence, and leaf senescence is delayed. SEM analysis showed that the shoot apical meristems of fon1-3 mutants are enlarged. These results indicate that FON1 controls vegetative as well as reproductive development by regulating meristem size.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.241-250
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• 1982

The structure of gonads, gametogenesis and reproductive cycle of the cockle, Fulvia mutice, were studied mainly by histological observation. The materials were monthly sampled in the southern area of Yeosu from October 1980 to September 1981. F. mutica was monoecious. The gonads were situated between the liver tissues and the outer fibronuscular layers compacted by the connective tissue fibers and muscle fibers beneath the outermost layer of simple cuboidal epithelium. The gonad was composed of a number of the ovarian sacs and the testicular tubules which form the tubular structure. Testicular tubules in the mature stage sometimes contained 'testis-ova' The undifferentiated mesenchymal tissues and the eosinophilic cells were abundantly distributed on the germinal epithelium in the early development stage. With the further development of the ovary and testis, these tissues and cells gradually disapprared. The undifferentiated mesenchymal tissues and the eosinophilic cells are related to the growing of the oocytes and spermatocytes . Early multiplicating oogonium was about $10{\mu}m$ in diameter. As the oocytes grow to $27-34\times50-58{\mu}m$ by increasing cytoplasm, the oocytes connected to the basement membrane by their egg-stalks. The ripe eggs were about $60{\mu}m$ in diameter and they were surrounded by gelatinous membrane. Most male germ cells in mature stage were transformed into the spermatozoa and they formed the sperm bundles. After spawning, undischarged ripe eggs and spermatozoa remained in the ovarian sac and the testicular tubule respectively for some time, then they finally degenerated. Especially the early spent ovarian sacs in May did not contract significantly and then they took part in the secondary maturation within two or three months during the summer season. The monthly changes of the fatness well agreed with the reproductive cycle. The reproductive cycle of F. mutica could be classified into six successive stages : multiplicative, growing, mature, spent, degenerative and recovery stage. It seems that the spawning season is closely rotated to the water temperature, and the spawning occurs from May to October at about $20^{\circ}C$ in water temperature. The peak spawning seasons appeared twice a year between June and July and in September. Acknowledgement The authors wish to express their gratitude to Dr. Kim, In Bae, Dr. Chun, Seh Kyu and Dr. Yoo, Sung Kyoo of National Fisheries University of Busan and Mr. Min, Byoung Seo of National fisheries Research and Development Agency for their critical reading of the manu script.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.265-272
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• 2011

It is well known that adipose tissue or body fat has been proved as a crucial component of brain-peripheral axis which can modulate the activities of reproductive hormonal axis in female mammals including rodents and human. Concerning the male reproduction, however, the role of adipose tissue has not been thoroughly studied. The present study was carried out to elucidate the effect of a high-fat (HF) diet on the reproductive system of postpubertal male rats. The HF diet (45% energy from fat, HF group) was applied to male rats from week 8 after birth for 4 weeks. The blood glucose levels, body and tissue weights were measured. Histological studies were performed to assess the structural alterations in the reproductive tissues. To determine the transcriptional changes of reproductive hormone-related genes in hypothalamus and pituitary, total RNAs were extracted and applied to the semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Body weights (p<0.01) and blood glucose levels (p<0.01) of HF group were significantly higher than those of control animals. Similarly, the weights of epididymis (p<0.05), prostate (p<0.01), seminal vesicle (p<0.01) in HF group were higher than control levels. The weights of testis were not changed. The weights of kidney (p<0.001) and spleen (p<0.01) were significantly higher than control levels while the adrenal and pancreas weights were not changed. There were only slight alterations in the microstructures of accessory sex organs; the shape of luminal epithelial cells in epididymis from HF group were relatively thicker and bigger than those from control animals. In the semi-quantitative RT-PCR studies, the mRNA levels of hypothalamic GnRH (p<0.05) in HF group were significantly higher than those from the control animals. The mRNA levels of kisspeptin in HF group tend to be higher than control levels, the difference was not significant. Unlike the hypothalamic GnRH expression, the mRNA levels of pituitary $LH{\beta}$ and $FSH{\beta}$ were significantly decreased in HF group (p<0.05). The present study indicated that the 4-weeks feeding HF diet during the postpubertal period can alter the hypothalamus-pituitary (H-P) neuroendocrine reproductive system These results suggest that the increased body fat and the altered leptin input might disturb the H-P reproductive hormonal activities in male rats, and the changed activities seem to be responsible for the changes of tissue weights in accessory sex organs.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.503-513
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• 2008

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a sensory organ that influences social and/or reproductive behavior and, in many cases, the survival of an organism. The VNO is believed to mediate responses to pheromones; however, many mechanisms of signal transduction in the VNO remain elusive. Here, we examined the expression of proteins involved in signal transduction that are found in the main olfactory system in the VNO. The localization of many signaling molecules in the VNO is quite different from those in the main olfactory system, suggesting differences in signal transduction mechanisms between these two chemosensory organs. Various signaling molecules are expressed in distinct areas of VNO sensory epithelium. Interestingly, we found the expressions of groups of these signaling molecules in glandular tissues adjacent to VNO, supporting the physiological significance of these glandular tissues. Our finding of high expression of signaling proteins in glandular tissues suggests that neurohumoral factors influence glandular tissues to modulate signaling cascades that in turn alter the responses of the VNO to hormonal status.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.211-215
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• 2008

The HMG box containing protein (HBP) has a high mobility group domain and involved in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of tissues. We screened HBP2 in glioblastoma using Suppression Subtractive Hybridization (SSH) and isolated human spermatogonial stem cell-like cells (hSSC-like cells) derived from patients of nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). Expression of HBP2 was analyzed by RT-PCR in undifferentiated stem cells (human Embryonic Stem Cells, hSSC-like cells 2P) and spontaneous differentiated stem cells (hSSC-like cells 4P). It was overexpressed in hESC and hSSC-like cells 2P but not in hSSC-like cells 4P. Also, the expression level of HBP2 was downregulated in colon tumor tissues compared to normal tissues. Specifically in synchronized WI-38 cells, HBP2 was highly upregulated until the G1 phase of the cell cycle and gradually decreased during the S phase. Our results suggest that HBP2 was downregulated during the spontaneous differentiation of hSSC-like cells. HBP2 was differently expressed in colon tissues and was related to G1-progression in WI-38 cells. It may playa role in the maintenance of an undifferentiated hSSC-like cell state and transits from G1 to S in WI-38 cells. This research was important that it identified a biomarker for an undifferentiated state of hSSC-like cells and characterized its involvement to arrest during cell cycle in colon cancer.

• CELLMED
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.3.1-3.7
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• 2019

Recent researches on adipocytes in human and mice model have reported that the adipocytes are not only the fat depots but having role in maintenance of physiology and metabolism through adipokines released by them in accordance to their anatomical location. Ayurveda scholars too have mentioned different tissues like Vasa (inter muscular fat), Meda (visceral fat) and Majja (bone marrow) which are predominantly rich in adipocytes similar to adipose tissues, with a different sites, functions, compositions and pathological outcomes. The metabolic effect of Meda and Majja Dhatu on other tissues like muscle (Mamsa Dhatu), bone (Asthi Dhatu) and reproductive tissue (Shukra Dhatu) shows their functional interdependence. The detailed description of therapeutic indications of Vasa and Majja under Snehakarma (oleation therapy) illustrates that clinical physiology of these tissues have been elaborated rather than general physiology. This article is an attempt to comprehend the physiological aspect of Vasa, Meda and Majja retrospectively on the basis of their therapeutic indication for the management of variety of disorders, in the form of Sneha through different therapeutic procedures. An effort has been also taken to distinguish Vasa, Meda, Majja based on the functional peculiarities of adipocytes present in different sites of body like omentum, muscle and bone marrow. Critical observation of explanations of Vasa, Meda and Majja in Ayurveda compendia and advanced research in field of adipocytes reflected that Ayurveda scholars had deep insights regarding the various dimensions of adipocytes, most of which are in consistent with the advanced physiology and biomolecular studies of adipocytes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.67-71
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• 1996

During a 2-year period microsurgical vasovasostomies using permanent silicone stent(c-shaped stent with 0.6mm slit, 5mm in length, 0.8mm in outer diameter, 0.5mm in inner diameter) were performed in 30 patients for vasectomy revesal. The stent-assisted vasovasostomy(SVV) was intended to decrease the technical demand, the time requirement and the occurrence of reobstruction due to postoperative stricture. The effectiveness of the permanent silicone stent for vasovasostomy was compared with that of microsurgical two-layered vasovasostomy(VV). Sperms were present in all the ejaculates of the 25 men on semen analysis 1-2 months after SVV. Pregnancy occurred in 10 of 22 couples(45.5%) during 2-24 months of follow-up and it took 4-10 months(average 7.2 months) to get pregnant. Average operation time for the VV was 150 minutes and that for the SVV 125 minutes. Among 12 men who had sperms in the ejaculates 1-2 months after SVV, 4 revealed azoospermia 3-17 months postoperatively. Among the 4 patients with postoperative azoospermia, 2 underwent reoperation. On histopathologic examination, previously anastomsed sites showed obliterated lumen of the stent and strictures of vas proximal and/or distal to the stents due to granulation tissues. In conclusion, the SVV was not more efficacious in terms of patency and pregnancy rate than the VV.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2012

Many mammals in temperate zones are affected by the distinctive changes of the four seasons in these zones. Their reproductive status is active in the summer climate and inactive during severe winter weather. The golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) is seasonal breeding animal whose sexual activities are regulated by photoperoidism. The reproduction and metabolism are activated by long summer days (LD) and inhibited by short winter days (SD). After several months of SD, animals become refractory to this inhibitory photoperiod and spontaneously revert to LD-like physiology. The suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) house the primary circadian oscillator in mammals. Seasonal changes in the photic input to this structure control many annual physiological rhythms via SCN-regulated pineal melatonin secretion, which provides an internal endocrine signal representing photoperiod. The aim of this study was to assess the variation in the morphology of the testis in relation to the natural photoperiod in male golden hamsters. The hamsters were castrated at different weeks (2, 5, 8, and 15). The cell numbers of tubules with spermatogonia (SG), spermatocyte (SC), spermatids (ST), and spermatozoa (SZ) were recorded in each sample. The results showed that testicular regression of golden hamsters occurred in the SD-treated animals. The present investigation determines that the effects of the photoperiod on the reproduction of male golden hamsters. It was also found that the circadian period increases the rate of reproductive inhibition in animals exposed to inhibitory photoperiods.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.137-141
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• 2005

Though many insecticides are commercially available, development of resistance, pest resurgence and effects on non-target organisms led to the search for alternate insect pest management (IPM) strategy based on larval growth and reproductive fitness. Reproductive potential of insects depends on its acquiring of vitellogenic competence which is under hormonal control. Exogenous application of analogues of JR (JHAs) and ecdysterone could derail normal development and reproduction in insects by manipulating an array of physiological processes. In the rice pest, brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, JHA, hydroprene induced metathetely from the fifth (final) instar nymphs in an age-dependent manner. Day 0 of the final instar showed highest sensitivity to induce this abnormal development. Adults emerged from treated day 3 nymphs looked normal. Both the morphotypes were reproductively incompetent and showed partial to complete sterility. Pre-adult exposure of the ovarian tissue to hydroprene suppressed mitotic division of germinal cells and induced abnormalities in the later s1ages of growth and differentiation of ovary in N. lugens. More over the nymphal exposure to hydroprene inhibited patency changes of follicular epithelium and affected competence of the follicles for yolk sequestration. In the absence of ovarian growth and oocyte differentiation, germarium found disintegrated, trophic core regressed and terminal oocytes resorbed. Hydroprene exposure to newly ecdysed brachypterous females did not affect ovarian development and egg production. Proper larval-adult transition appeared as a. prerequisite for vitellogenic competence in N. lugens for which the ovarian tissues must be exposed to ecdysterone in the internal milieu devoid of JH.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.9 no.1_2
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• pp.55-68
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• 1982

The present investigation has been undertaken to understand the mechanism of implantation process, by demonstrating the role of ovarian steroids in connection with phosphatase activity in the differentiation of uterine endometrium for implantation. The results obtained are as followings: The differentiation of the uterine endometrial tissue was closely influenced by the ovarian steroid hormones; at first, 17${\beta}$-estradiol initiated the differentiation of the uterine luminal and glandular epithelial cells, and then progesterone induced differentiation of stromal cells, and thereby two steroids maintain decidualization of the uterine tissues. We observed that the phosphatase activities seem to be dependent upon the ovarian steroids; that is the activity showed higher level in progesterone treated group than in estradiol treated one, and the highest activity was found in the group treated with both estradiol and progesterone. Acid phosphatase showed the highest activity whereas alkaline phosphatase showed the lowest in the rat uterine endometrium during early pregnancy.