• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.369-374
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• 2009

The stumpy bullhead (Pseudobagrus brevicorpus) endemic to Korea is one of critically endangered freshwater fish species. To provide baseline data for its captive breeding and reintroduction we investigated basal characteristics on its growth and sexual maturation in an artificial rearing environment. After 698-day rearing the stumpy bullhead grew up to $89.22{\pm}10.29\;mm$ in total length (TL) and $70.93{\pm}7.68\;g$ in total body weight (BW)($BW=5\times10^{-5}\;TL^{2.678}$; $R^2=0.995$), and showed survival rate of 74.2%. The sex ratio was 1 (471 females) : 1 (473 males), and males ($TL=87.44{\pm}1.07mm$; $BW=8.43{\pm}0.31\;g$) showed significantly faster growth than females ($TL=78.38{\pm}0.92mm$; $BW=6.38{\pm}0.20\;g$) after 663-day rearing. However, condition factor of females was significantly higher than that of males (P<0.05). The number of eggs per female ranged from 508 to 867 (average 734), and their diameters ranged from 0.04 to 1.65 mm. The females which reared about two years in the laboratory condition was able to spawn in the early June after 1~2 days of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) injection. The number of hatched fries ranged from 113 to 338 (average 216).

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.123-132
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• 2009

The gonadosomatic index (GSI), fatness, ovarian development, first sexual maturity, and fecundity of the Korean anchovy Coilia nasus were investigated by histological observations and morphometric analysis from January to December, 2007. The GSI and fatness began to increase in February, and reached the maximum in June when the ovary was getting mature and spawning occurred. Thereafter these parametes rapidly decreased in July when spawning occurred. Therefore, monthly changes in the GSI and fatness were closely related to ovarian maturation and spawning. The duration of ovarian development in females can be classified into five successive stages: early growing stage (February to March), late growing stage (March to April), mature stage (May to June), ripe and spent stage (June to July), and recovery and resting stage (December to January). Maturation and spawning of this species occurred between June and July during the period of high seawater temperature-long day length. Percentages of first sexual maturity in female individuals were over 50% for fish ranging 24.1 to 27.0 cm in total length, and 100% for fish over 30.1 cm in total length. The number of total eggs and mature eggs in the absolute fecundity were increased with the increase of total length and body weight, respectively. The number of total eggs and mature eggs in relative fecundity were also proportional to total length, but rather these numbers decreased in the maximum body weight (126.0${\sim}$150.0 g).

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.111-118
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• 2009

Puopose : Exposure to dietary phytoestrogens such as genistein during early childhood is a growing public health concern. We examined the effect of early exposure to genistein on sexual maturation in immature rats. Methods : Weaning (3wk-old) Sprague-Dawley female rats were assigned to three groups (n=6 for each): fed by high dose of genistein (100 mg/kg/d), low dose of genistein (10 mg/kg/d) and control group. First vaginal opening (VO) day was observed. Structural alterations in the ovary and uterus were assessed by histologically. Expression of genes of $ER{\alpha}$, $ER{\beta}$, and progesterone receptor (PR) in the ovary and uterus were investigated by RT-PCR. Results : High genistein group had earlier VO than control and low genistein group. Graafian follicles and corpora lutea were observed from the ovary of genistein-treated groups, while primary, secondary follicles and small atretic follicles were observed in the control group. Hypertrophy of luminal and glandular uterine epithelia were found in the genistein-treated groups while poor development of gland and fewer myometrial cell layers were evident in control group. In ovary, the transcriptional activities of $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$ were higher in high genistein group than in controls. In uterus, the transcriptional activities of $ER{\alpha}$, $ER{\beta}$ and PR were higher in low genistein group than in controls. Conclusion : Acute exposure to genistein during the prepubertal period could activate the reproductive endocrine system resulting in the early onset of puberty in female rats. Further clinical investigation on the effect of genistein on the sexual maturation in children is warranted.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.150-159
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• 1995

First sexual maturity, monthly changes in gonadosomatic index and reproductive cycle of viviparous teleost surfperch, Ditrema temmincki were investigated under photomicroscopy. Samples were collected from May 1992 to August 1993 in the vicinity of Suyoung Bay, Pusan, Korea. Body length at the first sexual maturity in female and male were 12.5cm and 13.5cm, respectively. Gonadosomatic index(GSI) in female reached the maximum in June(just before parturition) and male GSI reached the maximum in October(just before copulation). The testis is composed of a number of seminiferous tubules, and spermatogonia are originated from the germinal epithelium on the seminiferous tubule. The ovary consists of several ovigerous folds, and oogonia are originated from the inner surface of the germinal epithelium within the ovigerous fold. Annual reproductive cycle was classified into the following successive periods : in male, growing period from May to August, maturation period from September to October, copulation period from November to December, and degeneration and resting period from January to April, and in female, growing period from September to October, copulation and maturation period from November to December, gestation period from January to June, and resting period from July to August. Hepatosomatic index(HSI) in male appeared to be negatively correlated with gonadosomatic index, but that in female showed to be positively correlated.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.225-232
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• 1990

In order to find an useful condition under which the mutants defective in sexual development could be isolated, the effects of several cultural conditions on the developments of Aspergillus nidulans were examined. Among several conditions found to restrict the asexual sporulation but enhance the sexual process, the interference of aeration by sealing the plates with sealing film was the most useful one for the purpose of mutant isolation. Sealing at any time before 20 hours from inoculation prevented both sexual and asexual process. When the seal was removed after 24 hours, however, the mycelia developed only to sexual organs. Using this properity, the early morphogenic process of sexual development could be easily observed and a number of mutants that showed some defects in the process could be isolated. The mutants were divided into 3 groups, NSD (never in sexual development), BSD (block in sexual development) and ASD (abnormal in sexual development). NSD mutants never produced either the $H{\ddot{u}}lle$ cells or cleistothecia and some produced the asexual organs even when the aeration was restricted. BSD mutants were blocked in the process of $H{\ddot{u}}lle$ cell, cleistothecia, crozier, asci or ascospore formation. ASD mutants had defects in the amount of cleistothecia, time of cleistothecial maturation or color of ascospores.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.10
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• pp.395-400
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• 2011

During the adolescent period, they experience rapid physical, emotional, cognitive developments while they establish their lifestyle and habitual routines that strongly influence adult health and life. Recent rapid economic growth in Korea, and the earlier onset of physical, sexual, and psychological maturation of adolescents, has resulted in changes in the health status of adolescents from many years ago. Risk-taking behaviors such as drinking alcohol, smoking, and sexual experiences are critical issues that affect the health of, adolescents. Therefore, it is important for pediatricians to note the that risk-taking behaviors of adolescents in Korea that are caused by individual psychosocial factors. This review article illustrates the current health status of Korean adolescents and provides an overview of risk-taking behaviors, to inform pediatricians about some of the key issues.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 1999

This study was conducted to identify the determinants of regional body fat distribution of obesity(upper body obesity and lower body obesity) for adolescents. The macronutrient consumption pattern utilized the most important variables to test for potential determinants. A total of 726 adolescents living in rural areas in Korea had been observed for four years from 1992 to 1996 about their diet, sexual maturation, serum components and physical growth. The study design was similar to that of a case control study. Logistic regression analysis were used as an analytical method to identify the determinants of upper body obesity and lower body obesity. Odd ratios were estimated from the regression to identify the determinants of upper body obesity and lower body obesity. Odd ratios were estimated from the regression to identify the risk factors. Fat consumption pattern was the most frequent one among the three macronutrient consumption pattern of carbohydrate, fat and protein. Prevalence of obesity for the subjects was 9.5%. Prevalence of upper body obesity was higher in malestudents than in female students. On the other had, prevalence of lower body obesity was higher in females. The results of the logicstic regression analysis showed that the risk factor for upper body obesity was sexual maturity rather than dietary factors. None of the factors included in the analysis for lower body obesity appear to be the risk factor. The result may suggest that to develop a determinant model for obesity of adolescents, the model should include a wider range of variables other than diet, sexual maturity and changes in blood serum.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.30-41
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• 1988

The gonadal development, the annual reproductive cycle and the first sexual maturity of surf clam, Mactra veneriformis Reeve were studied histologically. Speciemens were monthly collected at the intertidal zone of Naechodo, Chollabuk-do, Korea, for one year from March 1986 to February 1987. Sexuality of the clam is dioecious. The gonads were located between the subregion of mid-intestinal gland in the visceral cavity and the reticular connetive tissues of the foot, The ovary is composed of a number of ovarian sacs, and the testis comprise several testiculat lobules. The undifferentiated mesenchymal tissues and eosinophilic granular cells function as nutritive cells in the early stage. The ripe eggs were about 50-60${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in diameter, and they were wurroundedby the gelatinous membranes. The spawing period was from early June to September the main spawning occurred beetween July and August when the water temperature reached above 24$^{\circ}C$. The annual reproductive cycle of this species could be classified into five successive stages: multiplicative(January to March), growing(March to May), mature(April to August), spent(June to September), degenerative and resting(September to February). The monthly changes of fatness coefficient closely correlated with the annual reproductive cycle. Percentages of the first sexual maturity of female and male clams were over 50% among those individals ranging from 2.1 To 2.5cm, and 100% in those over 2.6cm in shell length.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.12
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• pp.1257-1262
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• 2006

The age of puberty represents a very critical time in the life history of every young woman. The menarche stands as primary indicator of the onset of sexual maturation in females. By late adolescence, 75% of girls experience some problem associated with menstruation. Delayed, irregular, painful, and heavy menstrual bleeding are leading reasons for physician office visits by adolescents, and dysmenorrhea is the leading reason for school absenteeism among girls. This article discusses normal menstrual function during adolescence, then reviews the clinical presentation, evaluation, and management of adolescent dysmenorrhea, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, amenorrhea, and polycystic ovary syndrome.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Fisheries Technology Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.244-245
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• 2000

The top shell, Omphalius rusticus (Gastropoda: Trochidae), is marine mollusk inhabiting underneath a rock in the intertidal zone of the coasts of Korea and Japan, and it is one of the edible gastropods. This species is a herbivorous animal. Up to now, there have been some reports on the Trochidae: aspects of classification, spawning periodicity, production, growth and size-frequency distribution of living populations, feeding, reproductive cycle, and induction of larval metamorphosis. (omitted)