• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.189-198
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• 1998

Since the male sterilization (vasectomy) has been performed on a large scale as an accepted family planning in Korea on 1980s and this, in turn, has been followed by an increase in the number of patients requesting vasovasostomy. We studies 1000 consecutive cases of vasovasostomy performed from January 1975 to July 1995 in Pusan National University Hospital. In this report, we are going to present serial studies of vasovasostomy through which we attempted to find out what factors are of impotence in influencing the successful outcome of vasovasostomy operation. We inquired the operative results data through the questionnaire and telephone interview with survey of medical records. A total of 259 cases was excluded due to the loss of follow-up. The overall patency and pregnancy rates of 741 cases were 86.9% and 51.1%, respectively. The age of man at the time of anastomosis ranged from 23 to 57 years old with an average of 34.9. The most frequent reason for requesting vasovasostomy was the desire to have more children (43.4%). The average obstructive interval was 60.6 months with range from 1 to 264 months. If the obstructive interval had been less than 5 years patency rate was 92.4% and pregnancy rate 64.8%, but 6 years or more 84.1% and 48.5% (p<0.01, p<0.01). Patency and pegnancy rates according to intraoperative vas fluid were 93.1% and 62.8% for presence and 83.7% and 53.1% for absence (p<0.01, p<0.05). Patency and pregnancy rates according to histologically proven sperm granuloma at vasectomy site were 87.7% and 49.2% for presence and 86.9% and 50.6% for absence (p>0.05, p<0.05). Patency and pregnancy rates were not significantly different between microscopic standard vasovasostomy (88.4%, 64.3%) and modified vasovasostomy (89.5%, 56.3%)(p>0.05, p>0.05). Both patency and pregnancy rates according to level of anastomosis were 89.8% and 59.8% in cases of straight vas and 91.5%, 60.1% in cases of convoluted vas (p>0.05, p>0.05). Patency and pregnancy rates according to the kind of suture materials were 91.5% and 56.2% for absorbable, 91.0% and 64.2% for non-absorbable and 93.3% and 53.3% for absorbable plus non-absorbable, respectively (p>0.05, p<0.05). Thus it is suggested that the important factor influencing the success rate of vasovasostomy is the interval of obstruction and vasal ooze with surgical skills.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to report a case series of in vitro matured (IVM) oocyte freezing in gynecologic cancer patients undergoing radical surgery under time constraints as an option for fertility preservation (FP). Methods: Case series report. University-based in vitro fertilization center. Six gynecologic cancer patients who were scheduled to undergo radical surgery the next day were referred for FP. The patients had endometrial (n=2), ovarian (n=3), and double primary endometrial and ovarian (n=1) cancer. Ex vivo retrieval of immature oocytes from macroscopically normal ovarian tissue was followed by mature oocyte freezing after IVM or embryo freezing with intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Results: A total of 53 oocytes were retrieved from five patients, with a mean of 10.6 oocytes per patient. After IVM, a total of 36 mature oocytes were obtained, demonstrating a 67.9% maturation rate. With regard to the ovarian cancer patients, seven IVM oocytes were frozen from patient 3, who had stage IC cancer, whereas one IVM oocyte was frozen from patient 4, who had stage IV cancer despite being of a similar age. With regard to the endometrial cancer patients, 15 IVM oocytes from patient 1 were frozen. Five embryos were frozen after the fertilization of IVM oocytes from patient 6. Conclusion: Immature oocytes can be successfully retrieved ex vivo from macroscopically normal ovarian tissue before radical surgery. IVM oocyte freezing provides a possible FP option in patients with advanced-stage endometrial or ovarian cancer without the risk of cancer cell spillage or time delays.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.131-134
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• 2013

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the addition of estradiol to luteal progesterone supplementation in GnRH antagonist cycles for infertile patients undergoing IVF/ICSI. Methods: One hundred and ten infertile patients, aged 28 to 39 years, were recruited for this prospective randomized study. They were randomly assigned to receive vaginal progesterone gel (Crinone) along with 4 mg estradiol valerate (group 1, n=55) or only Crinone (group 2, n=55) for luteal support. A GnRH antagonist multiple dose protocol using recombinant human FSH was used for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in all of the subjects. The COS results and pregnancy outcomes of the two groups were compared. Results: Group 1 and 2 were comparable with respect to the patient characteristics. The COS and IVF results were also comparable between the two groups. There were no differences in the clinical pregnancy rate (PR) and multiple PR between the two groups. However, the embryo implantation rate were significantly higher in group 1 than that in group 2 (22.2% vs. 13.3%, p=0.035). The incidence of luteal vaginal bleeding (LVB) was significantly lower in group 1 (7.4% vs. 27.8%, p=0.010). Conclusion: The addition of estradiol to luteal progesterone supplementation in GnRH antagonist cycles reduces the incidence of LVB and increases the embryo implantation rate in infertile patients undergoing IVF/ICSI.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.405-416
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• 1995

The testis and the epididymis of sexually mature male bats were examined to investigate the process of spermiogenesis of Korean long-fingered bat (Miniopterus schreifersi fulignosus) using electron microscope. The ultrastructural findings were analysed on the basis of Lee's method (1992). Especially, we focused on the acrosome formation. The results are as follows: The spermiogenesis of the Korean long-fingered bat can be divided into ten phases on the basis of ultrastructural differentiation; three "Golgi" phases of early, mid and late stages, two "cap" and two "acrosome" phases respectively composed of early and late phases, one "maturation phase and two "spermiation" phases of early and late phases. The axoneme of sperm in the cauda epididymis is composed of nine outer dense fiber and a central singlet. The number 1, 5, 6, and 9 outer dense fibers are larger than others. In the Golgi phases, small vesicles are separated from Golgi vesicles and then appear to fuse into a large vesicle, and finally it contacd with the outerside of the nucleus. It suggests that proacrosomal material could be made in the cytoplasm before the Golgi vesicle formation and then it could be transferred into the Golgi vesicle and condensed more and more, and finally form acrosome, just as Lee;s suggestion (1992).m acrosome, just as Lee;s suggestion (1992).

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.403-407
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• 2000

Ultrastructure and function of testis somatic cells in freshwater prawns Macrobrachium nipponense were studied. The paired testes of the prawn were elongated, united at their anterior end, which lay between the dorsal surface of the hepatopancreas and the heart. Each testis consisted of a large number of seminiferous cords compactly held together by connective tissue. A seminiferous cord was composed of an outer layer of simple squamous epithelium, a basement membrane, the closely packed germ cells and sustentacular cells of the germinal ridge, and an inner layer of simple cuboidal epithelial cells. Leydig cell-like cells in an angular areas filling the space of the seminiferous cords were observed. The nuclei of leydig cell-like cells were characterized by a distinct nucleolus. The simple squamous epithelial layer was composed of flattened cells tying on a basement membrane. The nuclei of the flattened cells were often overlapped in a layer, and the cytoplasm of the cells was observed just near the nuclei. The sustentacular cells were complex in morphology. These cells had relatively small cell bodies from which long cytoplasmic extensions ramified reached the space of germ cells in the germinal ridge. The nuclei of sustentacular cells usually exhibited angular profiles and located most commonly at the periphery of the cords. Cells of simple cuboidal epithelium located between germinal ridge and lumen of seminiferous cord, and part of the cells were adjacent to basal lamina, The cuboidal epithelial cells contained numerous mitochondria, the well-developed rER, the well-developed Golgi complex, and irregularly shaped nuclei. Transition vesicles appeared on the cis side of the Golgi complex. The large vesicles on the trans side of the complex appeared to fuse to form a membrane-bound structure. A number of pits on the cell apex suggested exocytotic activity for secretion of the sperm supporting matrix.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.424-430
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• 2002

Vas deferens is a long tube and could be divided into four regions as its morphological characters: a short and slender proximal region, a convoluted region, a straight and more thick distal region, and an ejaculatory duct, It is connected with the posterior outer horns of the testis and runs to the gonopores opened on the coxa of the fifth walking legs, The proximal region consists almost entirely of simple cuboidal epithelial cells, $12\~28{\mu}$m in height, surrounded by a thin basal membrane. A small aggregation of high cuboidal epithelium is obsened from one side of the proximal region. The convoluted and distal region is composed of two kinds of epithelial cells; high cuboidal epithelial cells, $40\~120{\mu}m$ in height located in dorsal portion and simple cuboidal epithelial cells of $12\~28{\mu}$m in height located in ventral and lateral portion. The ejaculatory duct is surrounded with two kinds of muscle layers, inner longitudinal and outer circular muscle fibers, The lumen is lined with high and simple cuboidal epithelium in almost equal proportions. The proximal region contains mature sperm and basophilic substances. The eosinophilic substances appeared newly going toward the convoluted region and are laid along simple cuboidal epithelial cell layer. Tube-like content (spermatophore) of the vas deferens is ejaculated from a pair of genital pores at mating. Two masses of the content fuse together side by side and are usually deposited on the female thorax between the second and fourth or fifth pereiopods, The spermatophore formed measures $2.7\~4.0$ mm in length and $1.5\~2.7$ mm in width.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.578-588
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• 2017

Background: Elevated testicular temperature disrupts spermatogenesis and causes infertility. In the present study, the protective effect of enzymatically biotransformed Panax ginseng Meyer by pectinase (GINST) against chronic intermittent heat stress-induced testicular damage in rats was investigated. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (4 wk old, 60-70 g) were divided into four groups: normal control (NC), heat-stress control (HC), heat-stress plus GINST-100 mg/kg (HG100), and heat-stress plus GINST-200 mg/kg (HG200) treatment groups. Each dose of GINST (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) was mixed separately with a regular pellet diet and was administered orally for 24 wk. For inducing heat stress, rats in the NC group were maintained at $25^{\circ}C$, whereas rats in the HC, HG100, and HG200 groups were exposed to $32{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ for 2 h daily for 6 mo. At week 25, the testes and serum from each animal were analyzed for various parameters. Results: Significant (p < 0.01) changes in the sperm kinematic values and blood chemistry panels were observed in the HC group. Furthermore, spermatogenesis-related molecules, sex hormone receptors, and selected antioxidant enzyme expression levels were also altered in the HC group compared to those in the NC group. GINST (HS100 and HS200) administration significantly (p < 0.05) restored these changes when compared with the HC group. For most of the parameters tested, the HG200 group exhibited potent effects compared with those exhibited by the HG100 group. Conclusion: GINST may be categorized as an important medicinal herb and a potential therapeutic for the treatment of male subfertility or infertility caused by hyperthermia.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.84-91
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• 2018

The study about maturity and spawning of Korean Mandarin fish, Siniperca scherzeri collected using the set net and gill net in Soyangho Lake from April to November 2014 was conducted. The number of individuals was 401 (female: 204, male: 197). The total length of females ranged from 113 mm to 365 mm and that of males was from 140 mm to 342 mm. The water temperature in May which is the start of spawning season indicated about $15^{\circ}C$ and gradually increased to July ($26^{\circ}C$). Gonadosomatic index (GSI) of females indicated 2.3%, 4.6% and 3.1%, respectively, in May to July. Males' value showed the similar pattern recording 8.0%, 6.6% and 4.5% in the same time. According to histological observations of gonadal tissue, the most of female in May had the gonadal tissue of maturing and mature stage. And the ovary of June was mostly in the stage of ripe and spawning and a number of individuals in July was recovery stage. In the case of male, a number of males in May showed in the stage of mature. The testis of June showed that mature sperm was releasing. And the testis of July was mostly in recovery stage. The total length at 50% group maturity was estimated 245.16 mm. As shown in the above, the main spawning period of S. scherzeri was May to June.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2002

Objective: This study was to compare the characteristics between parthenogenetic mES (P-mES) cells and in vitro fertilization mES cells. Materials and Methods: Mouse oocytes were recovered from superovulated 4 wks hybrid F1 (C57BL/6xCBA/N) female mice. For parthenogenetic activation, oocytes were treated with 7% ethanol for 5 min and $5{\mu}g$/ml cytochalasin-B for 4 h. For IVF, oocytes were inseminated with epididymal sperm of hybrid F1 male mice ($1{times}10^6/ml$). IVF and parthenogenetic embryos were cultured in M16 medium for 4 days. Cell number count of blastocysts in those two groups was taken by differential labelling using propidium iodide (red) and bisbenzimide (blue). To establish ES cells, b1astocysts in IVF and parthenogenetic groups were treated by immunosurgery and recovered inner cell mass (ICM) cells were cultured in LIF added ES culture medium. To identify ES cells, the surface markers alkaline phosphatase, SSEA-1, 3,4 and Oct4 staining were examined in rep1ated ICM colonies. Chromosome numbers in P-mES and mES were checked. Also, in vitro differentiation potential of P-mES and mES was examined. Results: Although the cleavage rate (${\geq}$2-cell) was not different between IVF (76.3%) and parthenogenetic group (67.0%), in vitro development rate was significantly low in parthenogenetic group (24.0%) than IVF group (68.4%) (p<0.05). Cell number count of ICM and total cell in parthenogenetic b1astocysts ($9.6{\pm}3.1,\;35.1{\pm}5.2$) were signficantly lower than those of IVF blastocysts ($19.5{\pm}4.7,\;63.2{\pm}13.0$) (p<0.05). Through the serial treatment procedure such as immunosurgery, plating of ICM and colony formation, two ICM colonies in IVF group (mES, 10.0%) and three ICM colonies (P-mES, 42.9%) in parthenogenetic group were able to culture for extended duration (25 and 20 passages, respectively). Using surface markers, alkaline phosphatase, SSEA-l and Oct4 in P-mES and mES colony were positively stained. The number of chromosome was normal in ES colony from two groups. Also, in vitro neural and cardiac cell differentiation derived from mES or P-mES cells was confirmed. Conclusion: This study suggested that P-mES cells can be successfully established and that those cell lines have similar characteristics to mES cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.193-201
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• 1999

In this study we determined fertilization processes and developmental ability of porcine oocytes following injection of round spermatid in the presence of artificial activation. Electrical stimulation at 3 h before spermatid injection significantly increased the incidence of normal fertilization as compared to those following injection without stimulation or with stimulation immediately after injection. The incidences of two pronuclear formation and apposition were not different in oocytes between following intracytoplasmic spermatid and spermatid nucleus injection. Indirect immunocytochemistry and laser scanning confocal microscopy study revealed that micro tubules were organized from the oocyte cortex following round spermatid injection, and this seemed to move both male and female pronuclei into the oocyte center. Paternal mitochondria which are introduced with spermatid have been observed up to 4-cell. Our study indicated that either round spermatid or it's nucleus can be used to produce viable bovine embryos by injection into unfertilized oocytes.