• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.574-580
• /
• 1998

Changes in plasma levels of thyroid and sex steroid Hormones were examined during maturation and parturition periods in rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli) cultured in net pens. Plasma L-thyroxine levels were $35.2{\pm}5.7\;ng/m{\ell}\;(n=\;5;\;mean\;{\pm}\;sem)$ at vitellogenesis stage and then significantly decreased to $20.5\;{\pm}\;4.2\;ng/m{\ell}$ at parturition stage (P<0.05), and rapidly returned to high level, $44.9{\pm}\;7.2\;ng/m{\ell}$ at resting stage. Plasma 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine levels were 12.9 $\pm$ 1.6 ng/ml at vitellogenesis stage, but significantly decreased to $3.7{\pm}0.7\;ng/m{\ell}$ at ovulation stage (P<0.05) and increased to $52.9{\pm}7.0\;ng/m{\ell}$ at jesting stage. Plasma estradiol-17 $\beta$ level showed the highest value ($4.3{\pm}0.9\;ng/m{\ell}$) at vitellogenesis stage, but the level significantly decreased to $0.3{\pm}0.1\;ng/m{\ell}$, during parturition stage (P<0.05). In vitellogenesis and ovulation stages, plasma testosterone levels were $1.8{\pm}0.3\;ng/m{\ell}$ and $2.1{\pm}0.7\;ng/m{\ell}$, respectively, thereafter the level significantly decreased to $0.1{\pm}0.1\;ng/m{\ell}$ at parturition stage (P<0.05). These findings suggest that thyroid hormones may have relation to maturation and parturition of mother rockfish.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.61 no.1
• /
• pp.109-115
• /
• 2022

Vitellogenesis is the process by which yolk accumulates in developing oocytes. The initiation of vitellogenesis represents an important control point in oogenesis. When females of the model insect Drosophila melanogaster molt to become adults, their ovaries lack mature vitellogenic oocytes, only producing them after reproductive maturation. After maturation, vitellogenesis stops until a mating signal re-activates it. Juvenile hormone (JH) from the endocrine organ known as the corpora allata (CA) is the major insect gonadotropin that stimulates vitellogenesis, and the seminal protein sex peptide (SP) has long been implicated as a mating signal that stimulates JH biosynthesis. In this review, we discuss our new findings that explain how the nervous system gates JH biosynthesis and vitellogenesis associated with reproductive maturation and the SP-induced post-mating response. Mated females exhibit diurnal rhythmicity in oogenesis. A subset of brain circadian pacemaker neurons produce Allatostatin C (AstC) to generate a circadian oogenesis rhythm by indirectly regulating JH and vitellogenesis through the brain insulin-producing cells. We also discuss genetic evidence that supports this model and future research directions.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.13-16
• /
• 2001

Plasma levels of sex steroid hormones in rockfish, Sebastes inermis were examined monthly in relation to gonadosomatic index (GSI) under a controlled water temperature and photoperiod, The GSI of a control group (C) in female began to increase from November and reached a maximum in January, Sample fish under a controlled water temperature and photoperiod (Tr) were divided into a responded group (Tr-r) and a un-responded group (Tr-n) by the gonadal maturation condition and GSI. The GSI of females in Tr-r reached a maximum in March. But the female GSI in Tr-n kept lower than 1.2 during the experimental period. No differences in male GSI were noticed between C and Tr. The $estradiol-17\beta$ and testosterone levels of female plasma in Tr reached a maximum in October, later than those in C. In males, these was no difference in 11-ketotestosterone and testosterone between C and Tr. When rockfish was reared in September under the controlled water temperature and photoperiod which were equivalent to those in July, that is two months earlier, the maturation of females was delayed in comparison with C. This finding suggested that delayed maturation in ovary was caused by the secretion of sex steroid hormones in relation to the water temperature and photoperiod of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.19-24
• /
• 2007

Covariance components and genetic parameters of weekly live body weight from hatching to six weeks of age and age of sexual maturation were estimated in a laying type Japanese quail line. The univariate and bivariate animal model analysis included hatching group and sex as fixed effects. Each trait was analysed with animal as random effect to fit the additive direct effect. Additional random effects incorporated in the models were changed according to the trait examined. The best model for a trait was chosen based on a likelihood ratio test, comparing the models with and without maternal additive genetic and maternal permanent environmental effects. Heritability estimates of live-weight at hatch and one to six weeks of age with their standard errors were 0.22${\pm}$0.088, 0.39${\pm}$0.099, 0.31${\pm}$0.086, 0.38${\pm}$0.056, 0.46${\pm}$0.055, 0.50${\pm}$0.059, and 0.56${\pm}$0.062, respectively. Direct heritability value of age of sexual maturation was moderate (0.24${\pm}$0.055). The variances due to permanent environmental effect of dam after one week of age and maternal genetic effect after two weeks of age were not important sources of variation. The correlations between direct and maternal genetic effects were negative and ranged from high to moderate values (-0.21 to -0.83). Among the weekly live weights, genetic correlations were generally high between not only successive but also early and late weightings. It suggests that selection for final weight may be based on early weight records. Genetic correlations between age of sexual maturation and live weights were low, favourable but had high standard errors. These results indicate that selection for high weight will potentially result in lower age of sexual maturation only with accurate determination of breeding values.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.46 no.6
• /
• pp.345-355
• /
• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether predicting maturation of the midpalatal suture is possible by classifying its morphology on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and to investigate relationships with other developmental age indices. Methods: The morphology of the midpalatal suture was assessed by using CBCT images of 99 patients. Axial plane images of the midpalatal suture were classified into five stages according to the classification scheme. To make the assessment more accurate, the morphology and fusion of the midpalatal suture were additionally investigated on coronal cross-sectional planar images and volume-rendered images. Bone age was evaluated using the hand and wrist method (HWM) and cervical vertebrae method (CVM); dental age (Hellman's index), sex, and chronological age were also assessed. To evaluate relationships among variables, Spearman's rho rank test was performed along with crosstabs using contingency coefficients. Results: The HWM and CVM showed strong correlations with the maturation stage of the midpalatal suture, while other indices showed relatively weak correlations (p < 0.01). Through crosstabs, the HWM and CVM showed high association values with CBCT stage; the HWM demonstrated slightly higher values (p < 0.0001). Based on the HWM, the midpalatal suture was not fused until stage 6 in both sexes. Conclusions: Among developmental age indices, the HWM and CVM showed strong correlations and high associations, suggesting that they can be useful in assessing maturation of the midpalatal suture.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.16 no.6
• /
• pp.1044-1051
• /
• 2006

The barren ground is an abnormal phenomenon of coastal ecosystem in which seaweeds, are destroyed and mostly replaced by the coralline algae containing the calcium carbonate components. To restore the seaweed forest, We have exerted an effort in the local areas, Samchuck, Korea, where barren phenomena are profound. Two methods of seaweed forest construction developed in the present study are underwater longline and seed transplantation for the brown seaweed Costaria costata, a fast growing edible seaweed. The sizes of C. costata attached on the underwater longline were $96.7{\pm}2.2mm$ of blade length and $83.6{\pm}7.7g$ of blade weight in April. Thereafter the sizes declined from May. Similar pattern was obtained from in the transplantation method with maxima of $90.4{\pm}15.8mm$ and $70.1{\pm}31.7g$ for blade length and weight, respectively in April. It appeared totality maturation from two methods in May. This maturation time is the same like that of wild C. costata.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.469-475
• /
• 2013

In mammals, puberty is a process of acquiring reproductive competence, triggering by activation of hypothalamic kisspeptin (KiSS)-gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal circuit. During peripubertal period, not only the external genitalia but the internal reproductive organs have to be matured in response to the hormonal signals from hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (H-P-G) axis. In the present study, we evaluated the maturation of male rat accessory sex organs during the peripubertal period using tissue weight measurement, histological analysis and RT-PCR assay. Male rats were sacrificed at 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 70 postnatal days (PND). The rat accessory sex organs exhibited differential growth patterns compared to those of non-reproductive organs. The growth rate of the accessory sex organs were much higher than the those of non-reproductive organs. Also, the growth spurts occurred differentially even among the accessory sex organs; the order of prepubertal organ growth spurts is testis = epididymis > seminal vesicle = prostate. Histological study revealed that the presence of sperms in seminiferous tubules and epididymal ducts at day 50, indicating the puberty onset. The number of duct and the volume of duct in epididymis and prostate were inversely correlated during the experimental period. Our RT-PCR revealed that the levels of hypothalamic GnRH transcript were increased significantly on PND 40, suggesting the activation of hypothalamic GnRH pulse-generator before puberty onset. Studies on the peripubertal male accessory sex organs will provide useful references on the growth regulation mechanism which is differentially regulated during the period in androgen-sensitive organs. The detailed references will render easier development of endocrine disruption assay.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.275-281
• /
• 2008

The ability to preselect the sex of piglets is advantageous in the pig industry. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with sorted spermatozoa to produce piglets with a preselected sex. Pig embryos were produced by ICSI of frozen X- and Y-sperm that had been separated by flow cytometry. The developmental competence of the embryos was investigated in vitro and in vivo. The populations of X- and Y-spermatozoa were 52.7% and 47.3%, respectively in our samples. The in vitro development of ICSI embryos was enhanced by longer of in vitro maturation of oocytes ($44{\sim}48\;h$ vs. $40{\sim}43\;h$). Their cleavage ($65{\sim}70%$) and blastocyst formation ($9{\sim}12%$) rates were not significantly different between male and female ICSI embryos, or between sorted and unsorted sperm-derived embryos. One pregnancy was established in a recipient that was transferred with 110 female ICSI embryos, but the pregnancy was terminated on Day 89 of gestation. Our results suggest that the separation X- and Y-spermatozoa by flow cytometric sorting can be a useful tool in combination with ICSI for the production of pig embryos and piglets of preselected sex.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.16-23
• /
• 2007

Nonylphenol (NP) is an estrogen-mimicking compound or xenoestrogen. This study investigated the effects of nonylphenol on the reproductive status of the equilateral venus Gomphina veneriformis. The experiment lasted 24 weeks, Experimental groups consisted of a control and three nonylphenol exposures ($1.0,\;2.5,\;and\;5.0\;{\mu}g\;NP/L$). Mortality did not differ significantly between the control and the exposure groups. The sex ratio (F:M) was 1:1 in nature and 1:1.03 in the control group. However, it changed to 1:3.5 with $5.0\;{\mu}g\;NP/L$ exposure. Gonad maturity in females was higher in the nonylphenol exposure groups than in the control group. By contrast, in males, it was lower in the nonylphenol exposure groups. Intersex individuals constituted 0% in nature, 3.08% in the control group, and 23.6% in the group exposed to nonylphenol, with female characteristics more prevalent than male. As the concentration of nonylphenol increased, the accumulation of lipofuscin increased in the mid-gut gland.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.256-267
• /
• 2023

The suitability of any fish species for successful aquaculture requires basic information on its reproduction and growth. This study investigated some facets of the reproductive biology of Synodontis shall (Mochokidae) from River Siluko in Nigeria. Fish samples were collected forth-nightly for a duration of fourteen (14) months-March 2015 to April, 2016 with the assistance of artisanal fishermen. Fishes were identified using taxonomic guides and standard techniques were used for determination of sex ratio, gonad maturation and fecundity. Linear regression method was used to define the correlation between fecundity and fish length, body weight and ovary weight. Results showed that sex ratio did not indicate a significant divergence (p > 0.05) from the 1 male to 1 female distribution ratio (1:1.41). Gonad morphology revealed paired gonads. Testes and ovaries were classified into four maturity stages: immature, resting, ripening and ripe. Gonadosomatic index ranged from 0.04 to 5.68 (males) and 0.03 to 20.19 (females). Absolute fecundity ranged from 1,014 to 4,520 eggs (mean = 2,592 eggs) and did not correlate significantly (p > 0.05) to ovary weight. This study has contributed to existing data on the biology of freshwater fish species in Nigeria and provided valuable information for fishery management tools in the conservation and utilization of this valuable freshwater fish species.