• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.363-375
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• 2012

The gametogenic cycle, the number of spawning seasons per year and first sexual maturiity of the pen shell, Atrina (Servatrina) pectinata, were investigated by quantitative statistical analysis using an Image Analyzer System. Compared two previous results (the spawning periods in the reproductive cycles in 1998 and 2006) by qualitative histological analysis with the present results by quantitative statistical analysis, there are some differences in the spawning periods: the spawning period (June to September) by quantitative statistical analysis was one month longer than those of two previous reports (June to July or June to August) by qualitative histological analysis. However, the number of spawning seasons studied by the qualitative and quatitative analyses occurred once per year. In quantitative statistical analysis using an image analyzer system, the patterns of monthly changes in the percent (%) of the areas occupied by follicles to the ovary area in females (or that of the areas occupied by spermatogenic stages to the testis area in males) showed a maximum in May, and then sharply droped from June to September, 2006. From these data, it is apparent that the spawning season of A. (S.) pectinata occurred once a year from June to September, indicating a unimodal gametogenic cycle during the year. Shell heights of sexually mature pen shells (size at 50% of group sexual maturity, $GM_{50}$) that were fitted to an exponential equation were 15.81 cm in females and 15.72 cm in males (considered to be one year old).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.13-16
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• 2010

The effect of exogenous administration of tamoxifen (TAM) on hormonal profile and sexual maturity in Indian native Kadaknath (KN) fowl was investigated. Day-old chicks from the same hatch were randomly divided into 15 groups with 20 chicks in each group (5 treatments${\times}$3 replicates). The chicks were placed in battery brooders with wire-mesh floors and reared under uniform husbandry conditions (14 h light/d, 25-32${^{\circ}C}$) on a standard basal diet. At the age of two weeks (wk), birds from the control group ($T_{1}$) were injected with maize oil intramuscularly (I/M), whereas the other four experimental groups $T_{2}$, $T_{3}$, $T_{4}$ and $T_{5}$ were given tamoxifen (I/M) dissolved in maize oil at the rate of 0.5 mg (0.5 TAM), 1.0 mg (1.0 TAM), 2.5 mg (2.5 TAM) and 5.0 mg (5.0 TAM)/kg body weight, respectively, up to 30 wks on every alternate day. At every 6-wk interval, blood samples were collected from nine birds of each treatment group for estimation of estrogen and progesterone. The same birds were sacrificed for determination of the weight of ovary, oviduct, liver and adipose tissue. There was no significant difference in egg production traits except onset of lay and egg number. Low doses of TAM ($T_{3}$) advanced the onset of egg laying by 15 days over the control. Tamoxifen influenced the hormonal profile (estrogen and progesterone) in a dose dependent manner. However, higher doses of TAM suppressed ovary and oviductal growth. From this study, it may be concluded that lower doses of TAM enhanced sexual maturity while higher doses suppressed ovary and oviductal growth.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.83-89
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• 2009

Investigations were made on population biology of Pampus echinogaster (Basilewsky, 1855) in the coastal areas of Korea, Yellow Sea, between August 2005 and July 2006. Population structure was not significantly different between male and females. Monthly variation of gonadosomatic index (GSI) of both sexes defined spawning period extending from March through July. A similar pattern was also observed in change at maturity stages. For males and females GSI was positively correlated with hepatosomatic index (HSI). Fecundity, ranging from 41,250 to 103,610 eggs, was related to body size, indicating that body size is the useful determinant of fecundity. The sexual maturity ($L_{50}$) was estimated as 14.98 cm TL for males and 19.32 cm TL for females. Parameters of growth estimated by the modified von Bertalanffy growth function model showed that the values of $L_{\infty}$ and K for combined data were 39.12 cm TL and 0.65 $yr^{-1}$. The growth performance index of this study (2.75) was higher than that of the previous study (2.45). This difference could be attributed to sampling method. The recruitment patterns indicated one normally distributed group. Percentage of the recruitment was 51.04% in the spawning season and the highest in August (19.78%).

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

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.97-103
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• 1998

A dolescence can be defined as the period between pubescence and physical maturity, and the passage through adolescence(age of 12-19) forms a critical period. Major developmental tasks of adolescence are construction of an emancipated identity, realistic ambitions, and reasonable ideals, and the further development of sexual and social identities. In early adolescence one struggles to adjust psychologically to the spurt in growth and tensions filled with sexual and aggressive impulses. There are reshuffling of peer groups due to differing rates of maturation, early adolescence crushes, sublimation of sexuality, and the resurgence of oedipal feelings. One reaches so-called period of formal operations in cognitive development. In mid-adolescence one struggles to overcome family attachments and controls, and it is a time marked by revolt and conformity. One has to overcome sexual repression while caught in reactivation of oedipal attachment. Peer groups gains in importance, and the peer group changes into a youth group that carries the youth culture. Late adolescence is a period of achieving an ego identity and capacities for intimacy. One has to prevent premature closure : Identity foreclosure limits both opportunity and the ability to guide one's own life. Gradually adolescent begins to have a loss self-centered and narcissistic orientation to one's sexual and affectional needs, and becomes involved in love relationship.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2004

Plasma steroid hormone levels in the viviparous rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli) were examined in relation to gonadal histology under controlled photoperiods and water temperatures. To investigate those effects in S. schlegeli the photoperiod was maintained at 15L:9D in June and then it was gradually decreased to 9L: 15D in October. It was then gradually increased to 12L:12D in January, followed by 14L:I0D in February. The water temperature was $19-20^{\circ}C$ in July. From August to October, it was from $18^{\circ}C\;to\;12^{\circ}C$. Then, it was dropped to a low of $19-11^{\circ}C$ in November to December and then gradually increased to $14-15^{\circ}C$ in February. In females, both plasma $estradiol-l7\beta\;$ (E2) and testosterone (T) levels from August to February showed a similar pattern in both the treatment and the control groups. In the treatment group, the peaks of plasma E2 and T were observed in November, and the peaks were closely correlated to histological observations. Oocytes contained many yolk globules (final vitellogenic oocytes), and oocytes at the migratory nucleus stage increased in size. Plasma levels of progesterone did not change much throughout the experimental period. However, in the control group, the peaks of E2, T, and progesterone were observed in February. These results indicate that the controlled photoperiod and water temperature accelerated sexual maturity, corresponding to the advancement of plasma E2 and T peaks by approximately 3 months. In males, plasma T levels showed a similar pattern from August to October in the treatment and control groups, though levels in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group. From histological observations, the treatment group copulated one month earlier.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.927-937
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• 2022

The reproductive characteristics of Pacific anchovy, Engraulis japonicus were investigated using samples randomly collected from the southern waters of Korea between January and December 2021. We analyzed monthly changes in maturity stages, gonadosomatic index (GSI), egg diameter, fecundity, and fork length (FL) at sexual groups maturity of 50%, 75% and 97.5%, and sex ratio (female:male). GSI value showed two peaks in May and August; however, microscopic analysis of E. japonicus gonad tissue revealed that the spawning period was from March to October. The main spawning seasons for the entire populations were from April to June and August to September. The overall sex ratio was female-biased (1 females, 0.89 male). The fecundity (F) of female anchovies ranged from 429 eggs at an FL of 8.0 cm to 13,824 eggs at an FL of 14.9 cm and the relationship between FL and F was 0.0788FL^4.422. The FL at 50% group maturity was 8.26 cm for female anchovies. Based on the results, we suggest that the reproductive cycle in Pacific anchovies may be related to pulses in water temperature and the sexual cycle of the fish.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.646-653
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• 2003

Investigations were made on the population structure, sex ratio, growth, and recruitment patterns of Leptochela sydniensis in the southwestern coastal areas of Korea, between May 2000 and December 2001. Spawning period, fecundity, brood loss, reproductive output, and size at sexual maturity also were examined. The results of the sex ratio showed that females were more numerous than males during the overall study period. Parameters of growth were estimated using the modified von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF) model incorporating seasonal variation into growth. Females grew somewhat faster and reached a larger size than males $(L\infty=12.80\;mm\;CL\;and\;K=0.70\;yr^{-1}\;or\;females,\and\;L\infty=12.08\;mm\;CL\;and\;K=0.69\;yr^{-1}$ for males). The structure of recruitment patterns obtained by the FiSAT program indicated one normally distributed group. Based on the occurrence of ovigerous females and the gonadosomatic index (GSI), the main spawning season was from June to August. Analysis of covariance indicated that brood loss was not observed during the incubation period. The size at which $50\%$ of females are mature is estimated as 5.48 mm CL.

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

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.667-675
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• 2023

The Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus niphonius is an economically important fish species in the southwestern waters of Korea. This study aimed to provide insights into the reproductive biology of this species in the southwestern waters of Korea. We analyzed monthly changes in fork length (FL), maturity stages, and gonadosomatic index (GSI). Moreover, we measured the in FL at sexual group maturity of 50%, 75%, 97.5%, and sex ratio (female vs. male). The overall sex ratio of female and male was 1:0.8. GSI value showed the highest peak in May; however, the spawning period revealed by the microscopic analysis of gonad tissue of S. niphonius was from April to August 2020. The main spawning seasons for the entire populations was from May to June. The fork length at 50% group maturity was 53.3 cm for females and 53.1 cm for males. These results of spawning period of Spanish mackerel highlight the influences of water temperatures that were higher than those in the past, an increase in resource levels, and the level of Pacific anchovy resources flowing into the spawning ground.