• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.22-27
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• 2017

Objective: Azoospermia owing to testicular disorders is the most severe manifestation of male infertility. The main concern for patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the probability of successful sperm retrieval following testicular sperm extraction (TESE). Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine predictive factors correlated with sperm retrieval. Methods: We assessed the testicular histopathological patterns, the choice of TESE surgical procedure, hormone levels, and chromosomal abnormalities in patients with NOA (n=170). The histopathology specimens were analyzed based on the histopathological patterns of hypospermatogenesis, maturation arrest, and Sertoli cell-only syndrome. Results: The mean rate of sperm retrieval was 48.8%. The rate of sperm retrieval was significantly higher in the hypospermatogenesis group than in the other groups (p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between micro-TESE (vs. conventional TESE) and the sperm retrieval rate (odds ratio, 8.077; p<0.01). A logistic regression model demonstrated that high levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and small testicular volume were significantly associated with lower chances of successful sperm retrieval. Conclusion: Some parameters, including testicular histopathology patterns, FSH levels, testicular volume, and method of TESE surgery, may be able to predict the chances of obtaining spermatozoa in patients with NOA. However, despite the efficiency of some predictive models, the hope of retrieving any functioning spermatozoa may be sufficient to disregard predictive factors of the success of intracytoplasmic sperm injection in these patients.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.417-424
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• 1989

This study was conducted in order to observe the changes in cellular association of seminiferous tubules from 4 to 22 weeks of age and to obtain the cycle and relative duration of seminiferous epithelia from 24 weeks of age in male ducks. Fifety-five male ducks were used in the experiment and divided into 11 groups, consisting of 5 male ducks each, with 2 weeks intervals from 4 to 24 weeks of age. The results were summarized as follows: 1. The body and testes weight showed most rapid increase during 4 to 6 weeks and 18 to 22 weeks of age, respectively. The seminiferous tubules were obruptly enlarged in diameter of tubules during 18 to 22 weeks of age. 2. Gonocytes were seen from 4 to 6 weeks of age, however they were not observed as from 8 weeks of age. Both type Ap spermatogonia and type Ad spermatogonia occured from 8 to 12 weeks of age, while spermatocytes and spermatids were beginning to appear at 16 weeks and 18 weeks of age, respectively. Spermatozoa were first observed at 20 weeks of age. Full spermatogenic activity was completed at the age of 20 weeks. 3. Average paired weight of the testes in male ducks was 78g at 24 weeks of age and its ratio to the body weight was approximately 2.5 percent. 4. Average diameter of seminiferous epithelium at 22 weeks of age was $232{\mu}m$, and average numbers of Sertoli cell, spermatogonia, spermatocyte, spermatids and spermatozoa in the cross section of seminiferous epithelium were 15.30, 59.08, 41.78, 71.11 and 165.30, respectively. Spermatogonia and spermatids were classified into 2 and 4 types, respectively. 5. The cycle of the seminiferous epithelium could be divided into 5 stages at 24 weeks of age. The relative frequencies of stages from I to V were 13.5%, 25.0%, 22.3%, 20.6% and 18.7% respectively. Thus, establishment of spermatogenesis in male ducks were beginning to appear at 20 weeks of age.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.327-335
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• 2010

We reported previously that the administration of Korean red ginseng water extract (KRG-WE) protected the guinea pig testis against damage induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (a potent endocrine disruptor). We also found that crude saponin from ginseng was the active ingredient responsible for this protection. Here, we examined the biological role of KRG-WE in an animal model of age-induced dysfunction of spermatogenesis. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley (six 2-month-old and eighteen 12-month-old) rats were used. The young and old control groups received only vehicle. The ginseng saponin (GS)- and KRG-WE-treated groups received GS (40 mg/kg body weight/day) and KRG-WE (200 mg/kg body weight/day), respectively, for 4 months. The number of cells, Sertoli cell index, Johnsen's score, and sex hormone levels decreased significantly with age. However, the administration of KRG-WE and GS markedly improved the number of germ cells, seminiferous tubular size, and Johnsen's score in the old rats. Ginseng produced a distinct testicular histological improvement in old rats. KRG-WE and GS elevated testosterone levels, while attenuating the aberrant increase in follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels. Sperm kinematics evaluated by a computer-assisted sperm analyzer demonstrated improvement in the percentage of motile sperm, progressive sperm motility, and curvilinear velocity associated with sperm quality, supporting the beneficial role of red ginseng in senile spermatogenesis. Overall, the total water extract had a more potent effect than the corresponding saponin fraction. In conclusion, Korean red ginseng rejuvenated age-induced testicular dysfunction. Additionally, the total water extract was more potent than the corresponding saponin fraction.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.563-573
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• 1995

To know the effect of Ivermectin(IVM) toxicity in testis, histopathologic changes as well as clinical signs were observed in experimental animals including dogs by the subcutaneous injection with 3-50mg/kg of IVM. Clinically, it was observed to have depression and ataxia in all groups whereas tremor and coma in mice, rats and guinea pigs, coma in hamsters and rabbits, and tremor and salivation in dogs were shown. The clinical signs were different by the dosage of IVM, species and individuals in all animals. Susceptibility to IVM was most sensitive in dogs, especially in a Tosa dog and this was susceptible in mice, hamsters and rabbits, guinea pigs and rats in order. Microscopical observation revealed that the seminiferous tubules of testis had decreased thickness of germinal epithelium due to the necrosis and desquamation of the spermatids and spermatocytes. The progressive pattern by the times of administration showed vacuolar formation between the layer of spermatids and spermatogonia due to the marked necrosis of spermatocytes and the presence of multinucleated giant cells derived from spermatid throughout the seminiferous tubules of testis. Only a layer of spermatogonia, a few spermatogonia, and Sertoli cells wore observed with atrophied wavelike basement membrane in the seminiferous tubules of testis. Necrotic germinal cells, sloughed immature spermatids and spermatocytes were present in the lumen of epididymis and ductus deferens. Microscopical observation showed different susceptibility to IVM with clinical observation in which it was also most sensitive in dogs, especially in a Tosa dog and this was susceptible in rabbits and guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and mice in order. It was considered that IVM affects mainly spermatocyte or spermatid stage in the spermatogenesis and disturbs their developing beyond these stage.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.31-41
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• 2007

작은땃쥐(Crocidura shantungensis)의 정자 변태에 대한 연구를 전자현미경을 이용한 방법을 통해 이루어졌다. 정자세포의 핵과 세포질내 소기관의 형태학적 특징을 기초하여 정자 변태 전 과정을 11기(phase) 15 단계(step)로 각각 구분되었다. 골지 및 두모 단계의 정자세포가 구형인데 반해 첨체 전기에는 타원형으로 변하고, 이 시기부터 꼬리가 생성되기 시작하였고, 성숙기에는 가늘고 긴 정자 두부가 형성되었다. Step 7까지는 정자세포의 두부 방향이 내강쪽을 향하고 있는데 반해 step 8부터 step 15까지는 세정관 상피의 기저막쪽으로 향하였다. Step 12에서 정자세포는 핵과 첨체가 최대로 신장되어 나타났다. Step 13에서부터 정자세포의 핵은 납작해지고, 첨체는 납작하게 확장되면서 전체길이는 짧아지는 경향을 보였다. Step 14에 도달한 정자세포의 첨체는 정자 두부와 더불어 최종적인 모양을 취하게 되고, 핵은 쐐기모양을 하고 있으며, 염색질은 완전히 응축되고 균질화 되어졌다. 이탈기(spermiation phase)의 정자세포는 세르톨리 세포의 세포질로부터 점차적으로 떨어져 나갔으며, 이 시기에 정자세포의 첨체는 짧아지고 납작해져서 완전한 정자를 형성하였다. 이상의 결과를 종합하여 볼 때, 정자 변태과정은 정자 형성세포의 분화 단계를 분석하는데도 유용한 정보를 제공하리라 여겨진다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.101-109
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• 1997

This study was carried to determine the possibility of finding motile spermatozoa and fertilization, pregnancy rate after testicular sperm extraction(TESE) with ICSI in obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermic patients. In 154 cases(132 patients), obstructive azoospermia was 77 cases and non-obstructive azoospermia was 77 cases. In obstructive azoospermia, patients generally showed normal spermatogenesis and included vas agenesis(n=8), multiple vas obstruction(n=7), epididymal obstruction (n=54). Total of 982 retrieved oocytes were obtained and 84.4% were injected. The fertilization rates with 2 PN and cleavage rate were 72.5% and 62.3%, respectively. 30 pregnancies(38.9%) were achieved and the ongoing pregnancies were 22 cases (28.6%). In non-obstructive azoospermia, patients showed hypospermatogenesis(n=49), maturation arrest(n=4), Sertoli cell only syndrome (n=24). The various stages of spermatogenic cell could be retrieved by TESE and could be reached normal fertilization and embryo development with ICSI. Total of 1072 retrieved oocytes obtained and 80.2% were injected. The fertilization rates with 2 PN and cleavage rate were 52.8% and 68.9%, respectively. 22 pregnancies(30.1%) were achieved and the ongoing pregnancies were 19 cases(26.0%). Conclusively, the combination of TESE with ICSI using testicular spermatozoa can achieve normal fertilization and pregnancy rate and effective method in obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermic patients.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제17권5호
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• pp.613-618
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• 2007

무정자증에 영향을 미치는 AZFa, b, c 영역은 남성불임환자에서 잦은 미세결실이 발견됨으로써 정자형성과정에서 중요한 역할을 할 것으로 주목 받아왔다. 이들 영역에 있는 유전자중 RBMY1, CDY1 그리고 VCY2유전자는 고환에서 남성의 생식선 세포의 분화와 연관되어 있는 것으로 알려졌다. 42명의 무정자증 환자의 고환조직을 RT-PCR법으로 분석해본 결과 RBMY1, CDY1 그리고 VCY2 유전자는 각각 34%, 66%, 그리고 27%의 환자에서 발현되지 않는 것으로 조사되었다. RBMY1 과 VCY2유전자가 발현되지 않는 개체는 CDY1유전자도 역시 발현이 되지 않았다. 세르토리 세포만 가진 환자에서는 CDY1 유전자가 발현되지 않았다. 따라서, CDY1 유전자는 한국인 집단에서 정자형성과정의 필수적인 요인인 것으로 사료된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.57-65
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• 1997

Cytogenetic observations of loss of the distal portion of the Y chromosome long arm were found to be associated with disrupted spermatogenesis. The existence of a gene involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis, the azoospermia factor (AZF), was postulated. In this study, we screened the AZF region including DAZ and DAZH genes and observed the expression pattern of DAZ and DAZH transcript in infertile men with azoospermia and oligospermia by using a sequence-tagged site (STS)-based PCR method. PCR primers were synthesized for 11 STSs that span Yq interval 6, SRY, DAZ, and DAZH, functional DAZ homologue on chromosome 3. Microdeletions were detected in 4/32 (12.5%) azoospermic men and 1/11 (9%) severe oligospermic men. Only 2 of 5 patients had microdeletions of Yq that contained the DAZ gene, whereas the other 3 patients had deletions extending from intervals 5L-6F proximal to the DAZ gene on Yq. Testis biopsies of the azoospermic patients revealed a variety from Sertoli cell-only syndrome to testicular maturation arrest. Of 4 men with clinical data available, average testis size was R: 13.8 cc, L: 13.8 cc, serum T was $4.0{\pm}1.25$ ng/ml, LH was $3.63{\pm}1.90$ mIU/ml, and FSH was $8.85{\pm}5.13$ mIU/ml. These values did not differ significantly from the remainder of the patients tested. We could not observed the DAZ transcript in 2 patients, who have no mature spermatozoa. In 11.6% of patients microdeletions of the AZF could be detected. These deletions in the AZF region seem to be involved causing spermatogenic failure. But the frequency of microdeletions proximal to DAZ suggests that DAZ is not the only gene associated with spermatogenic failure.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.72-81
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• 2004

TBTCl(0.1, 0.32, 1, 3.2, 10, 25, 32, 50, 75 및 100 $\mug/l$)을 구피에게 144시간 동안 노출시켜 TBTCl의 구피 생체 내 축적정도 및 구피의 번식과 행동에 미치는 영향에 대해서 조사하였다. 0.1 $\mug/l$ 이상의 모든 TBTCl 실험군에서 $\SigmaBTs\; (TBT:\SigmaBTs)$가 67% 이상으로 매우 높았고, 고농도 실험군일수록 이 비율이 높아져, 고농도의 TBTCl에 노출될수록 구피의 대사능력이 저해됨을 알 수 있었다. 또한 TBTCl은 구피의 번식력을 약화시키고 행동이상을 유발함이 밝혀졌다. 즉, 0.1$\mug/l$의 실험군부터 수컷의 구애행동과 수출관 내 정포의 수가 감소되었고, 0.32∼10 $\mug/l$의 실험군에서는 정소 내 전체 생식세포낭에 대한 정포낭의 수도 점차 감소하여 TBTCl이 정자변태 과정에 영향을 미치는 내분비계 장애물질로서 작용하고 있음이 시사되었다. 더욱이 25 $\mug/l$이상의 고농도군에서는 단기간 내에 치사율이 증가하고, 생식세포가 괴사되고, 정소의 지지세포와 수출관 내의 상피세포가 상해되고, 유영행동 이상이 급증하고, 섭식이 중단되는 등 급성독성이 관찰되어, TBTCl이 구피의 번식 뿐 아니라 생존을 저해하고 있음이 시사되었다.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.514-521
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• 2010

음양곽(Epimedicum Koreanum nakai)은 예부터 생식기 장애치료를 위해 사용되어 왔다. 본 연구에서는 2-브로모프로판(2-bromopropane; 2-BP)으로 유발된 생식기 장애에서 음양곽 물추출물의 생식기장애 치료효과를 평가하였다. 2-BP를 체중kg당 1,355 mg씩 28일간 피하로 투여하여 생식기 장애를 유발하였으며, 음양곽 추출물은 용량별(10, 100, 500 mg/kg)로 4주간 경구투여 하였다. 그 결과 일일정자생성(daily sperm production)은 대조군에 비하여 증가하였으나 용량의존적 감소를 나타내었으며, 정세관과 부고환관에서는 조직학적 유의한 변화를 나타내었다. 이러한 결과는 음양곽물추출이 2-BP로 유발된 생식기장애의 치료에 도움이 될 것으로 생각된다.