• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.1
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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.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.29 no.4
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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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• v.34 no.4
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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.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.3
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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.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.213-224
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• 2024

Objective: Some age-related testicular changes, such as Sertoli cell vacuolization and blood-testis barrier breakdown, reduce total sperm production and male fertility. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of vitamin E on restoring testicular function in aged mice. Sperm cryo-resistance was also assessed. Methods: Twenty-eight 48-week-old male Naval Medical Research Institute mice were divided into four groups for a daily gavage of vitamin E: the control group received distilled water, while the three treatment groups were administered 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, respectively, for 4 weeks. Subsequently, semen analyses, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), and protamine deficiency tests were conducted. Testicular histology, tissue antioxidant enzyme activity, and gene expression levels were also assessed. Results: The two higher dosages of vitamin E were associated with a higher sperm count, greater progressive motility, and improved sperm morphology (p<0.05). These benefits were also evident after sperm freezing (p<0.05). Although chromatin abnormalities increased following vitrification, the treatment groups showed better outcomes (p<0.05). The tubular diameter, epithelium height, and luminal diameters remained unchanged with age. The tissue antioxidant capacity was greater in the groups receiving the high doses of vitamin E. Additionally, significant increases in inhibitor of DNA binding protein-4 (Id4) and GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (Gfra1) expression were observed in the higher vitamin E dosage groups, and promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (Plzf) expression was notably present in the 400 mg/kg treatment group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Antioxidant supplementation might enhance reproductive outcomes in aging males. The observed effects included improved sperm cryo-resistance, which is advantageous for future applications such as sperm freezing or fertility preservation.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 2007

The spermiogenesis of Crocidura shantungensis were studied by electron microscope. All process of spermiogenesis was divided into 11 phases 15 steps, based on the morphological features of the nucleus and cell organelles in cytoplasm of spermatids. The spermatids in Golgi and cap phases were a spherical shape. On the other hand, at the early acrosomal phase they changed into an oval shape, and the tail was created in this phase. In maturation phase, the shapes of spermatid head were thin and longish. Until step 7 the direction of spermatids head turned toward the lumen of the seminiferous tubule. From step 8 to step 15 their heads turned toward the basal lamina. In step 12, the nucleus and acrosome shown maximal elongation. From Step 13 the nucleus of spermatids became flat, simultaneously with flat expansion of the acrosome expanded, and the visible whole lengths of spermatids were tend to be shorten. Spermatid heading which arrived to step 14 was taken the final shape. The nucleus was doing the wedge shape, and the nuclear chromatins condensed completely and homogenized. In the spermiation phase, the spermatids were gradually disconnected from the cytoplasm of the Sertoli cell. In this phase, the acrosome of the spermatids were fully shorten and flat, and the spermatozoa completed the process of heading and the tailing. Considering all the results, the spermiogenesis may be useful information to analyze the differentiation of spermatogenic cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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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.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.5 s.85
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• pp.613-618
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• 2007

Azoospermia factor(AZFa, b, and c) regions have been focused on their involvement in the spermatogenic process by frequent observation of microdeletion in male infertility. Among the azoospermia factors, RBMY1, CDY1, and VCY2 genes are strongly associated with the male germinal cell differentiation and development in testis. Using RT-PCR approach, expression patterns of RBMY1, CDY1, and VCY2 genes are examined in testicular biopsy specimens from 42 Korean azoospermic patients. No expression of RBMY1, CDY1, and VCY2 genes appeared as 34%, 66%, and 27% of the male infertility, respectively. Patients who had no expression of RBMY1 and VCY2 genes also showed negative expression of the CDY1 gene in their testis tissues. All Sertoli cell-only syndrome patients showed no expression of the CDY1 gene. Taken together, the CDY1 gene expression seems to be necessary factor to complete spermatogenesis in Korean population.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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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.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 2004

Sexually matured guppies (Poeiria reticulata) were exposed to TBTCI (0.1, 0.32, 1, 3.2, 10, 25, 32, 50, 75 and 100 $\mug/l$) for 144 hours to determine the bioaccumulation rate and effects on the reproduction and behavior. The ratio of TBT residues to $\SigmaBTs\; (TBT:\SigmaBTs)$ was 67% or higher in all the guppies exposed to TBTCl, and the higher the level of TBTCl exposed, the higher the ratio of TBT:∑BTs, suggesting that the higher the level of TBTCl exposed, the lower the metabolism rate of the fish. TBTCl exposure led to a poor reproductivity and an abnormal sexual behavior in the fish, i.e. a reduced number of the male sexual sigmoid display and of spermatophore in the efferent duct was observed in the fish exposed to 0.1 $\mug/l$ and higher levels of TBTCl, and a decreasing ratio of the testicular spermatophore cyst to the whole germ cell cysts was observed in the fish exposed to 0.32∼10 $\mug/l$)of TBTCl. The reduced ratio of the spermatophore cyst seems to be an effect of the endocrine disrupter inhibiting spermiogenesis. In the fish exposed to 25 $\mug/l$ and higher levels of TBTCl, more serious effects, such as a rapid increase of mortality, the necrosis of most of the germ cells, great damages in Sertoli cells and epithelial cells of the efferent duct, a significant increase of abnormal swimming behavior, and a cessation of feeding were observed, which suggest the acute toxicity of TBTCl inhibiting not only the reproduction and behavior but also the survival of the fish itself.