• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• 제57권2호
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• pp.163-171
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• 2024

In the last decade, melatonin has gained recognition as a potent scavenger and an effective antioxidant capable of neutralizing free radicals, including reactive oxygen species. Additionally, it exhibits anti-apoptotic properties. In this review, we will examine a compilation of articles that explore the cellular signaling function of melatonin on spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and adjacent cells such as Sertoli and Leydig cells. These cells play a crucial role in the proliferation of SSCs both in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we analyze the function of melatonin in the proliferation of SSCs from other aspects. For this purpose, we examine the articles based on the presence of melatonin on SSCs in four groups: As a supplement in SSCs medium culture, SSCs three-dimensional culture system, SSCs freezing medium, and as a therapeutic factor in vivo. Mechanisms of growth and proliferation of SSCs were considered. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential effects of melatonin as a powerful antioxidant or growth stimulant for SSCs, both in vivo and in vitro.

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.100-108
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• 1986

Eik-Nes (1966) reported that the mechanism of spermatogenesis is controlled by FSH and LH and maintaned normally in scrotum terperautre which is 3-5$^{\circ}C$ lower than body termperature. But Ojeda and Ramirez (1972) have described that the abdominal testis was shrinked severely and lost its normal function in congenital cryptorchidism or surgically induced cryptorchidism. Ramirez and Sawyer (1974) reported that the compensatory hypertorphy occured in the remaining testis of unilateral castration and the scrotal testis of unilateral cryptorchidism. Cunninham et al. (1978) reported that the serum FSH levle increased after unilateral castration. Frankel and Wright (1982) reported that the serum LH level was unchanged greatly after unilateral castration. Gomes and Jain (1976) reported that the serum testosterone level increased temporarily but not varied after unilateral castration. On the other hand, Kormano et al. (1964) reported that the serum FSH level in unilateral cryptorchidism rat was unchanged in contrast with the control and Risbirdger et al. (1981) reported that the serum LH level was unchanged till 2 weeks after operation and after then increased to 77%. Kim (1984) reported that the serum testosterone level was somewhat lower than that fo control group but there was't significant different. There were many different reports on hormone levels among different investigators when the immarue rats were castrated unilaterally or induced cryptorchidism unilaterally. Liang and Liang (1970) and Cunningham et al. (1978) described that there were no true compenastory hypertrophy in the remaining testis of unilateral castration and scrotal testis of unilateral testis of unilateral cryptorchidism in rat but they grew faster than that of control. Kormano et al.(1964), Damber et al.(1976), Cunningham et al.(1978) and Karpe et al.(1981) reported that the testis weight, germinal epithelia height and seminiferous tubules diameter developed continuously and similarily in the control, the remaining testis of unilateral castration and scrotal testis of unilateral cryptorchidism increased, however, in the abdominal testis of the unilateral cryptorchidism, they were much smaller than those of other groups. In observation of the histological changes in the seminiferous epithelium of control, remaining tesis of unilateral castration and scrotal testis of unilateral cryptorchidism differentiated and developed fully(Cunningham et al., 1978). However, the abdominal testis of unilateral crytorchidism degenerated severely and only the germ cells in early stage and Sertoli cells were found in the seminiferous tubules. (Damber et al., 1976, Gomes and Jain, 1976 and Karpe et al., 1981). By electron microscopic observation, Nagano (1963) and Leason and Leeson (1970) found that the abdominal testis of unilateral cryptorchidism was thicked in boundary tissue, increased lipid droplet in the Sertoli cell, disarranged axial filament complex and increased lipid inclusions in the Sertoli cell.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.159-166
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• 2011

Simazine은 triazine계 제초제로서, 잡초와 일년생 풀들을 통제하는데 우리나라를 포함하여 세계적으로 널리 사용되고 있으며, 미국, 유럽, 오스트레일리아의 경우, 물에서 두 번째로 많이 검출되는 살충제로 알려져 있다. Simazine에오염된 토양과 물을 통하여 사람에게 노출되어 이후 생체 내에 수년간 잔존하며 특히, 생물체의 지방 및 조직에 농축되는특징을 갖는 내분비계 장애물질로 분류되어졌다. 하지만 simazine이 정소세포의 사멸 또는 생존에 미치는 영향과 세포예정사를 관장하는 Bcl-2 family 유전자 발현에 미치는 영향을 보고한 연구는 없다. 또한 simazine이 성의 분화와 생식기관발달에 중요한 steroidogenesis 관련 유전자의 발현에 미치는 영향 분석에 관한 연구도 미흡한 실정이다. 따라서 본 연구진은 이번 연구에서 simazine이 mouse Sertoli 세포와 rat Leydig 세포에서 세포사멸을 관장하는 Bcl-2 family 유전자군의발현과 steroidogenesis 조절관련 유전자군의 발현 변화에 미치는 영향을 조사하였고, simazine이상기 유전자군의 정상적인 발현을 저해함을 확인하였다. 그러므로 본 연구의 결과로 미루어 볼 때, 사람이나 기타 동물 등이 simazine에 장시간 노출될 경우, 생식 세포에 apoptosis가 유도될 수 있는 가능성을 제시하였으며, steroidogenesis 조절관련 유전자군의 발현을 교란시킴으로써, 정상적인 testis의 발달을 저해하여 남성 생식계의 기능장애를 유도할 가능성이 있음을 제시하였다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.189-193
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• 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus found in China in 2019. The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has been found to be closely related to the cells that secrete angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 is involved in the renin-angiotensin system and is widely secreted in several tissues, including the testis, which has raised concerns because organs with high expression of the ACE2 receptor are susceptible to infection. Analyses have shown that in testicular cells, such as spermatogonia, seminiferous duct cells, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells, there is a high expression level of ACE2. Therefore, SARS-CoV-2 may damage male reproductive tissues and cause infertility. Since male infertility is an important problem, scientists are evaluating whether COVID-19 may influence male infertility through the ACE2 receptor.

• 한국수의병리학회지
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.47-52
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• 1998

The incidence of spontaneous testicular atrophy and its morphological changes during stage-specific spermatogenesis were investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats at 10, 19, and 32 weeks of age. The incidence of testicular atrophy was 0.2%(2/90) 7.9%(9/114) and 10%(4/40) in 4, 13 and 26 weeks respectively. The epididymis with testicular atrophy had low sperm density. In the minimally affected tests scattered tubules showed complete depletion of germ cells without stage specificity. Testes with moderate to severe testicular atrophy showed seminiferous tubules lined with dense Sertoli cell population. While Leydig cells in the interstitium appeared hypertrophy they were immunohistochemically negative for proliferating cell nuclear antigen a marker of cell proliferation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제31권8호
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• pp.1103-1109
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• 2018

Objective: This study aimed to screen and identify the target genes of miR-375 in pig Sertoli (ST) cells and to elucidate the effect of miR-375 on the proliferation of ST cells. Methods: In this study, bioinformatics software was used to predict and verify miR-375 target genes. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the relationship between miR-375 and its target genes in ST cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of rearranged L-myc fusion (RLF) and hypoxia-induced gene domain protein 1A (HIGD1A) was performed on porcine ST cells, which were transfected with a miR-375 mimics and inhibitor to verify the results. Dual luciferase reporter gene assays were performed to assess the interactions among miR-375, RLF, and HIGD1A. The effect of miR-375 on the proliferation of ST cells was analyzed by CellTiter 96 AQueous One Solution Cell Proliferation Assay (MTS). Results: Five possible target genes of miR-375, including RLF, HIGD1A, colorectal cancer associated 2, POU class 3 homeobox 1, and WW domain binding protein 1 like, were found. The results of quantitative PCR suggested that mRNA expression of RLF and HIGD1A had a negative correlation with miR-375, indicating that RLF and HIGD1A are likely the target genes of miR-375. The ELISA results revealed that RLF and HIGD1A were negatively correlated with the miR-375 protein level. The luminescence results for the miR-375 group cotransfected with wild-type RLF and HIGD1A vector were significantly lower than those of the miR-375 group co-transfected with the blank vector or mutant RLF and HIGD1A vectors. The present findings suggest that RLF and HIGD1A are target genes of miR-375 and that miR-375 inhibits ST cell proliferation according to MTS analysis. Conclusion: It was speculated that miR-375 affects cell proliferation through its target genes, which play an important role in the development of testicular tissue.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.1-14
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• 2021

The Syrian (golden) hamsters are seasonal breeders whose reproductive functions are active in summer and inactive in winter. In experimental facility mimicking winter climate, short photoperiod (SP) induces gonadal regression. The blood-testis barrier (BTB) of the sexually involuted animals have been reported to be permeable, allowing developing germ cells to be engulfed or sloughed off the epithelium of the seminiferous tubules. The expressions of genes related to the tight junction composing of BTB were investigated in the reproductive active and inactive testes. Claudin-11, occludin, and junctional adhesion molecule (JAM) were definitely expressed in the active testes but not discernably detected in the inactive testes. And spermatozoa (sperm) were observed in the whole lengths of epididymides in the active testes. They were witnessed in only cauda region of the epididymides but not in caput and corpus regions in animals with the inactive testes. The results imply that the disorganization of BTB is associated with the testicular regression. The developing germ cells are swallowed into the Sertoli cells or travel into the lumen, as supported by the presence of the sperm delayed in the last region of the epididymis. These outcomes suggest that both apoptosis and desquamation are the processes that eliminate the germ cells during the regressing stage in the Syrian hamsters.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.59-69
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• 2022

Many efforts have been made to study the expression of aquaporins (AQP) in the mammalian reproductive system, but there are not enough data available regarding their localized expression to fully understand their specific roles in male reproduction. The present study investigated the expression and localization patterns of different AQP subtypes in the adult mouse testes and testicular spermatozoa using an immunofluorescence assay. All the studied AQPs were expressed in the testes and revealed subtype-specific patterns in the intensity and localization depending on the cell types of the testes. AQP7 was the most abundant and intensive AQP subtype in the seminiferous tubules, expressing in Leydig cells and Sertoli cells as well as all stages of germ cells, especially the spermatids and testicular spermatozoa. The expression pattern of AQP3 was similar to that of AQP7, but with higher expression in the basal and lower adluminal compartments rather than the upper adluminalcompartment. AQP8 expression was limited to the spermatogonia and Leydig cells whereas AQP9 expression was exclusive to tails of the testicular spermatozoa and elongated spermatids. Taken together, the abundance and distribution of the AQPs across the different cell types in the testes indicating to their relavance in spermatogenesis, as well as in sperm maturation, transition, and function.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.361-371
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• 2000

최근 2-bromopropane(2-BP)이 사람과 실험동물에서 정소독성을 유발한다고 보고된 바 있다. 그러나 수컷 생식기계에 있어서 2-BP의 지연효과에 대해서는 세부적으로 조사된 바가 없다. 본 연구는 Sprague-Dawley 랫드에서 2-BP의 정소독성과 정자발생의 회복을 조사하기 위하여 수행하였다. 5주령의 수컷 랫드에게 2-BP를 1,000mg/kg 용량으로 4주간 반복투여하였고, 투여시작후 1, 2, 3, 4 및 12주째에 부검하였다. 정소독성의 평가는 병리조직학적인 질적평가와 생식기관 중량, 정자두부수 및 재생지수 등의 양적평가로 수행하였다. 시험결과 2-BP를 투여한 랫드에서는 체중과 정소 및 정소상체 중량이 대조군에 비해 시간의존적인 방식으로 억제 또는 감소하였다. 병리조직검사에서는 투여 1주째에 stage I~IV에서 정조세포와 stage VII~IX에서 세사전기 및 세사기의 정모세포가 현저하게 소실되었다. 정조세포는 투여 2주째에 모든 stage에서 광범위하게 소실되었으며, 정자발생주기가 진행됨에 따라 2, 3 및 4주째에는 접합기 정모세포, 비후기 정모세포 및 원형 정자세포가 전구세포의 결손에 의해 점진적으로 소실되었다. 지지세포의 기능적 이상을 암시하는 지지세포의 공포화와 정자세포 저류는 상기한 모든 시기에서 관찰되었다. 8주 회복후인 12주째에는 대부분의 곡세정관이 심하게 위축되어 지지세포만 관찰되었으며, 간질조직에서는 간질세포의 과형성이 인정되었다. 또한 2-BP에 의해 유발된 정소의 손상이 비가역적임을 암시해주는 정자두부와 재생지수의 현저한 감소가 관찰되었다. 상기결과는 랫드의 2-BP를 1,000mg/kg의 용량으로 4주간 반복투여하면 정조세포의 결손에 의해 점진적으로 생식세포가 감소하고 이로 인하여 장기적인 정소위축이 유발된다는 것을 암시해준다.

• 현장농수산연구지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.5-13
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• 2020

생체 조직 내에서 표지인자의 발견은 해당 세포의 특성과 기능을 이해하는 데 매우 중요하다. 기존에 밝혀진 돼지 정원세포의 표지인자로는 PGP9.5, PLZF, NANOG, SSEA1 등의 단백질이 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 최근 새로이 발굴된 돼지 정원세포 표지인자인 IGFBPs 의 기능을 분석하기 위해 IGFBPs 의 발현과 이를 조절하는 단백질인 PAPP-A 단백질의 발현을 5일령 돼지 정소에서 확인하였다. IGFBP 2, 3, 4, 6 의 발현이 돼지 정원세포 특이적으로 높게 나타났으며 PAPP-A의 발현은 세르톨리세포 특이적으로 나타났다. PAPP-A 의 발현을 PGP9.5, GATA4 등의 표지 인자와 함께 확인해 본 결과 PGP9.5를 발현하는 정원세포에서는 발현하지 않았으며, 세정관 내의 세르톨리세포 특이적으로 발현하였다. 이러한 사실로 미루어 볼 때 세르톨리세포에서 발현하는 PAPP-A 단백질은 정원세포에서 발현하는 IGFBPs 의 조절을 통하여 알려진 바와 같이 IGF axis 를 통해 정소내 세포들의 발달 및 분화를 조절할 것으로 판단된다.