• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.225-231
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to determine changes in serum hormone concentrations, blood chemical values and recovery rate of in vivo embryos during the estrous cycle following super-ovulation treatments in Jeju black cows. Superovulation was induced by subcutaneous administration of FSH twice a day for 4 days. Serum hormones were assayed by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and blood chemical values were analyzed by blood analyser system. Embryos were collected from all treated black cows using nonsurgical technique on day 7 after artificial insemination (AI). The results of this study were summarized as follows: 1. The progesterone concentrations were $7.2{\pm}3.8ng/ml$ at day -11 and $0.3{\pm}0.1ng/mL$ at day 0 (Day 0 is the first day of AI). The estradiol concentrations were $10.6{\pm}4.48pg/ml$ at day -11 and $15.0{\pm}2.2pg/ml$ at day 0. The lowest level of progesterone was measured at day 0. The highest levels of estradiol was measured at day 0. 2. The blood chemical values of treated black cows were no significant differences in normal cow values. 3. Sixty two embryos were collected in 12 black cows. Among the collected embryos, 37 embryos (59.7%) could be transferred into recipients. These results would be used as the basic informations for changing patterns of hormonal level and blood biochemistry in Jeju black cow with superovulation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 1995

The present investigation has been undertaken to elucidate the differentiation mechanism the uterus which is the environment of the embryo development, by demonstrating the role of ovarian steroids hormone in the decidualization of the pseudopregnant rat uterus. To determine the effect of ovarine steroids and artificial stimulation (trauma) on the differenciation of the uterine endometrium and decidualization for implantation, attempt was made to measure concentrations of serum estradiol($E_2$), progesterone($P_4$) and nuclear $P_4$ receptor in the traumatized and non-traumatized uterine tissue of the pseudopregnant rat. The results obtained are as followings : The concentration of serum $E_2$ on day 9(implantation stage) was similar in both of intact pseudopregnant rat(47.63pg/ml) and normal pregnant rat(40.71pg/ml). And among the treated groups, $E_2$ concentration was highest in the $E_2$ treated group in comparision with intact control group(relative value; 73.27%). The concentration of serum $P_4$ was also highest in the $P_4$ treated group(23.12pg/ml). Relative value of $P_4$ treated group in comparision with intact group(24.88pg/ml) was 92.93%. The nuclear $P_4$ receptor levels in the artificial traumatized groups were higher compared with the non-traumatized control groups. This study, therefore, clearly demonstrates that the methods for inducing pseudopregnant (vagina tapping;120/min) and inducing decidualization(oil injection; 0.1ml/uterine horn) appear to be effective, $P_4$ appears to be effective in the differenciation of the uterine endometrial tissue for the implantation process. Concentration of serum $P_4$ seems to be well correlated with the level of the nuclear $P_4$ receptor during the early embryo development. These results seem to be well correlated with ALPase activities in the normal and pseudopregnant rat uterus shown in the previous study.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.201-208
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• 1991

Recently the application of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist to superovulation in previous poor responders has resulted in the improved outcomes after in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. However, poor responders with poor estradiol $(E_2)$ rise or single dominant follicle are a particularly challenging group. Recent reports have also shown that patients with higher basal serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level, result in poorer ovarian response and lower pregnancy rate. Analysis of the differences of superovulation outcomes according to the different protocols of GnRH agonist, long (L, n = 18) and short (S, n = 16) protocols, in patients with high basal FSH levels (>20mIU/ml) were undertaken at Seoul National University Hospital from June to October 1990. The administration of GnRH agonist was begun on day 21 of the cycle in long protocol, and on day 2 in short protocol. Ages of patients and husbands, basal FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels and FSH/LH ratio did not differ significantly. Types and causes of infertility were evenly distributed. Whereas the duration of stimulation and the amounts of gonadotropins administered were significantly reduced in short protocol, the numbers of oocytes retrieved and cleaved, the cleavage rate and the number of embryos transferred were higher in long protocol without statistical signifieance. The pregnancy rate per ET was 16.7% (2/12) in short protocol, and 17.6% (3/17) in long protocol. These data suggest that both protocols result in the similar superovulation outcomes in patients with higher basal serum FSH levels.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.236-245
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of guava leaf extract (GLE) supplementation on antioxidant enzyme activity and expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA in ovariectomized rats. Methods: All animals were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 7 for each group): non-ovariectomized control (Sham), the ovariectomized control (OVX), ovariectomy + 150 mg/kg b.w. of GLE ($OVX{\cdot}GL$), and ovariectomy + 300 mg/kg b.w. of GLE ($OVX{\cdot}GH$). Treatment groups were administered GLE for 8 weeks every day. Results: Body weight gain was significantly reduced in the $OVX{\cdot}GL$ group compared with the OVX group (p < 0.05). The level of serum $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2) was significantly lower in the OVX groups than the Sham group (p < 0.05). Serum triglyceride (TG) and HDL-cholesterol levels were not significantly different between all groups. However, serum total cholesterol (TC) level was significantly reduced in the $OVX{\cdot}GH$ group compared with the OVX group (p < 0.05). Serum free fatty acid (FFA) level and liver TG level were significantly reduced in both $OVX{\cdot}GL$ and $OVX{\cdot}GH$ groups compared with the OVX group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, serum glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was significantly elevated in the GLE groups (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression level of GPx was not affected by ovariectomy. However, administration of GLE resulted in significantly increased nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) and catalase (CAT) mRNA expression levels in the liver (p < 0.05). In addition, liver nitric oxide (NO) level was significantly reduced in the $OVX{\cdot}GH$ group compared with the OVX group (p < 0.05). Expression level of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was significantly elevated in the $OVX{\cdot}GH$ group compared with the OVX group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that GLE could have protective effects in OVX rats by stimulating eNOS expression and improving the antioxidant defense system.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.347-355
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• 2008

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a member of the perfluoroalkyl acids that have wide commercial applications, is persistent organic pollutants widely spread throughout the environment and human population. But little is known about the adverse biological effects of the PFOA. In the present study, the toxicological effects of PFOA were investigated in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats (N = 10 in each group) were orally administered with PFOA in drinking water for 4 weeks (0, 100, 200, or 400 ppm in male, and 0, 200, 400, or 800 ppm in female). Three female rats given 800 ppm died during the study. PFOA treatment decreased the body weight gain and increased the liver weights in both genders. Serum biochemical investigations revealed significant increases in the aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, and total bilirubin in male but in female. Serum estradiol (E2) levels were increased in all treated rats. Histopathologically, hepatocellular hypertrophy around central vein was noted in the liver of treated rats. No significant histopathological changes were noted in other organs. In conclusion, PFOA induced toxicological changes in the liver and increased serum E2 level which was not related to histopathological changes of endocrine and reproductive system.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.315-322
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• 2006

This study was performed to investigate the physiological effects of bovine follicular fluid (bFF) or anti-inhibin serum (AI) on follicular development in Hanwoo. Saline (0.95%), bFF or AI (total of 40 ml) were administered into the jugular vein in 9 Hanwoo cows. The plasma inhibin, estradiol-17 $\beta$ (E2), and progesterone (P4) levels were measured using RIA or ELISA kit and the number of ovarian follicles was observed by ultrasonography at 72 hr after ovulation. The plasma inhibin level in bFF treatment group was significantly increased and maintained higher level from 102 hr after ovulation compared to that of saline and AI groups (p<0.05). In plasma E2 level, AI treatment group showed significantly higher level from 36 hr to 108 hr after ovulation than that of saline and bFF groups (p<0.05). After that it showed decreasing tendency. The plasma P4 level was increased in control and AI treatment groups at 68 hr after ovulation. However, it was maintained significantly lower level in bFF group from 84 hr to 180 hr compared to that of saline and AI group (p<0.05). As a result of ultrasonography at 72 hr after ovulation, higher number of follicles was shown in AI treatment group compared to bFF groups, although the difference was not statistically significant. Taken together, it can be postulated that a treatment of synthesized AI inhibits the secretion of inhibin, stimulates FSH secretion inhibited by inhibin, and induces follicular development and estrogen secretion. According to these results, a development of ovarian follicle immediately after ovulation is associated closely with inhibin in Hanwoo heifers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1775-1779
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• 2005

Seventy-two crossbred gilts of approximately 33 kg initial weight were used in this study. The gilts were randomly assigned into three groups. The three dietary treatments were basal diet only (control group), basal diet+10 mg/kg lead, and basal diet+10 mg/kg lead+0.5% particulate montmorillonite (PM). The results showed that the addition of lead to the diet decreased significantly the body weight and feed efficiency, but PM could restore body weight and feed efficiency of gilts compared to the Pb exposure group. There were no significant differences in weights of ovaries and uteri with addition of either lead or PM to the diet. Supplementing the lead in the diet of gilts also significantly increased the concentration of lead in blood, decreased circulating lutenizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E$_2$) levels in serum, the addition of PM to the diet effectively adsorbed and lowered lead concentration in the blood. These data suggested that lead disrupts the signals between the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in gilts, and possibly suppressed the secretion of relative growth hormone and sex hormone. On the other hand, PM may ameliorate Pb toxicity in pigs.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.83-89
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• 2015

The sexual maturation occurred by the changes of steroid hormones was known to sex-dependently and/or age-dependently regulate the lipid metabolism in various animal species. Our current study demonstrates that lipid and its functional fatty acids can be changed depending on the status of sexual maturation. Of the functional fatty acids, ${\gamma}$-linolenic acid (GLA; 18:3n-6) is an important factor for maintaining human health. The purpose of our study was to investigate the level of GLA in mice with different stages of sexual maturation. To this end, the longissimus muscle (LM) of immature (3-week-old) and mature (7-week-old) female mice was analysed for the fatty acid composition by gas chromatography. Furthermore, both gene and protein level of ${\Delta}6$ desaturase (FADS2) which is involved in GLA metabolism by real time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Mature females showed greater (P<0.05) serum $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2) level and LM GLA contents than immature group. The mRNA and protein levels of FADS2, which converts precursor linoleic acid into GLA, were higher (P<0.05) in mature female mice than in immature mice. In conclusion, these results show that sexual maturation of female mice induces GLA and FADS2 contents in LM.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.77-90
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• 1993

The mechanism by which blastocysts implant to uterine endometrium has not been clearly understood. In the present study, the following question was investigated: how are hormonal levels changed and how is uterine endometrium morphologically changed? Results obtained are as follows: Concentrations of serum estradiol and progesterone were significantly increased on day 4 and 5 of pregnancy. Uterine concentrations of PGE and $PGE_{2a}$ were sharply increased on day 1 and maintained similar concentrations thereafter, reaching the maximum on day 5. Both prostaglandins (PGs) concentrations were gradually decreased thereafter. Furthermore, concentrations of PGs in implant sites were greater than those in non-implant sites. PBR (pontamine blue reaction) in uterine endometrium was positive on day 6 of pregnancy, indicating that vascular permeability was increased. Edema and changes in structure of cell components were pronounced in stroma where PBR was developed. Moreover, these were more prominent in implant sites than non-implant sites. These results suggest that uterine PGs as well as steroid hormones increase during implantation in rats and these hormones might be involved in the process of implantation by modulating vascular permeability and the fine structures of uterine endometrial cells.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.39-46
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• 2016

Objectives: The present study aimed at investigating the effects of Schisandrae Fructus (SF) on menopause symptoms in ovariectomized mice. Methods: 6 weeks old female mice were ovariectomized (OVX), and the OVX mice were fed with a three doses of SF (25, 100, and 400 mg/kg, respectively) or $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2, 0.5 mg/kg) 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Body weight was measured at every week and uterus weight was also measured at the end of experiment. Lipids and osteocalcin levels in serum were analyzed. Results: The uterine weight was not changed in SF treated group, while E2 intake increased the reduced uterine weight by OVX. Although Body weight was increased since two weeks after ovariectomy compared with sham operated group, there was no change in SF or E2 treated group compared with OVX. But LDL was significantly reduced in SF (400 mg/kg) or E2 fed mice and SF or E2 treatment decreased enhanced osteocalcin level by OVX. Conclusion: These results indicated that SF would be effective in the improvement of LDL level and osteoporosis on menopause.