• Applied Microscopy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1999

The aim of the present study was to investigate with transmission electron misroscope the comparative morphology of epididymal spermatozoa in two species of the Korean insectivorous bats belonging to 'prolonged sperm storage' type (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum korai) and 'delayed implantation' type (Miniopterus schreibersi fuliginosus). Sperm head of the R. ferrumequinum korai was bullet shaped and that of M. schreibersi fuliginosus was spatula shaped. The nuclei of the sperm head of the R. ferrumequinum korai and M. schreibersi fuliginosus occupied two-third and a half of it, respectively. The segmented columns of R. ferrumequinum korai were about 12 to 14 in number, and those of the M. schreibersi fuligincsus were about 10 to 12. Particularly, a pile of the satellite fibers in middle piece of R. ferrumequinum korai remained the inner aspect of the outer dense fibers, but those of the M. schreibersi fuliginosus were not.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.351-359
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• 2014

Phasianus colchicus is not only a beautiful bird but also a great value in science and under the threat of endanger. Hence, the aim of this study was to isolate the pheasant male germ cells (mGCs) and then induce them into elongated sperm-like cells in vitro. The mGCs were purified and enriched by a two-step plating method based on the different adherence velocities of mGCs and somatic cells. The percentage of the c-kit positive cells and c-kit negative cells examined by flow cytometry analysis (FCA) was 92.87% and 2.57%, respectively. Subsequently, the mGCs were induced for 48h in DMEM/F12 medium supplemented factors such as retinol acid, testosterone and bovine FSH, followed by 5 weeks in culture. We found that some elongated sperm-like cells appeared initially in vitro under inducement of stimulated factors. The elongated sperm-like cells showed in the expression of changed morphology and post-transcriptional marker such as spermatid associated (SPERT), spermatid perinuclear RNA binding protein (STRBP), round spermatid basic protein 1 (RSBN1) and SPER1L. Moreover, in DNA content identified assay, induced cells showed that the 1C DNA population markedly increased in differentiated group but it was not change in undifferentiated group. Successful in vitro differentiation of pheasant testicular germline cells into spermatids appears to offer extremely attractive potential for the conservation of endangered birds and treatment of male infertility.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 1993

Four extenders such as tris-fructose-citrate, Tris-glucose-citrate, glycine-glucose-citrate and lactose that the more frequently utilized types of semen extenders used for freezing dog semen evaluated with sperm motility, viability and acrosomal score in the processing procedures to prior freezing and after frozen-thawing respectively. Each extender contained 4% glycerol and 20% egg yolk were treated by same methods in dilution, freezing, storage and thawing. The results were obtained as follows; 1. The sperm motility and viability in procedure from dilution to frozen-thawing appeared superiorly with recovery rate of 53.2%, 54.8% in tris-fructose-citrate but appeared inferiorly with recover rate of 8.4%, 8.3% in lactose to others. 2. In the processing procedure course to prior-freezing, glycine-glucose-citrate appeared superiorly with decrease rate of 5.4% in motility, and lactose with decrease rate of 4.6% in viability, but tris-glucose-citrate appeared inferiorly with decrease rate of 12.2%, 11.4% in the sperm motility and viability. 3. During frozen-thawing, tris-fructose-citrate appeared superiorly with decrease rate of 35.2% in motility and 30.7% in viability but lactose appeared inferiorly with decrease rate of 76.7% in motility and 75.7% in viability. 4. The variation of acrosome morphology in the total processing procedures appeared that glycine-glucose citrate were superior with acrosome score of 0.1191$\pm$0.029, that tris-fructose-citrate were inferior with acrosome score of 0.1941$\pm$0.045 to others.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.281-286
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• 2000

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD), a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, causes a variety of adverse effects on the male reproductive system in rats. The effect of green tea extract (GTE) was investigated on the testicular function in Spragure-Dawley rats after a single exposure of 10$\mu\textrm{g}$ TCDD/kg body weight. The exposure of rat to TCDD significantly increased the weights of the epididymis and ventral prostate, yet significantly decresed the weight of the seminal vesicle when compared to the controls (p<0.05). In a combined treatment of TCDD with GTE, the organ weight changes caused by TCDD treatment disappeared. Significant decreases in sperm motility and sperm numbers were observed in the TCDD-treated rats, when compared to the control (p<0.05). GTE treatment reversed the decrease of sperm motility and sperm numbers caused by TCDD. There were no differences in sperm morphology, histological changes of the reproductive organs, and spermatogenesis between all the treated groups. In the ventral prostate and seminal vesicle, TCDD increased the CYP1A1 mRNA level, however, it did not affect the estrogen receptor $\beta$ (ER-$\beta$) mRNA level. GTE treatment did not influence the effect of TCDD on the levels of CYP1A1 and Er-$\beta$ mRNA. These results seem to indicate that green tea protects the testicular function against TCDD-induced reproductive toxicity, not because of a receptor-mediated mechanism but rather due to a secondary change of testes or accessory sex organs.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.207-213
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• 2017

Objective: This study investigated the prevalence of infections with human papillomavirus, Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, and Mycoplasma genitalium in the semen of Korean infertile couples and their associations with sperm quality. Methods: Semen specimens were collected from 400 men who underwent a fertility evaluation. Infection with above five pathogens was assessed in each specimen. Sperm quality was compared in the pathogen-infected group and the non-infected group. Results: The infection rates of human papillomavirus, C. trachomatis, U. urealyticum, M. hominis, and M. genitalium in the study subjects were 1.57%, 0.79%, 16.80%, 4.46%, and 1.31%, respectively. The rate of morphological normality in the U. urealyticum-infected group was significantly lower than in those not infected with U. urealyticum. In a subgroup analysis of normozoospermic samples, the semen volume and the total sperm count in the pathogen-infected group were significantly lower than in the non-infected group. Conclusion: Our results suggest that infection with U. urealyticum alone and any of the five sexually transmitted infections are likely to affect sperm morphology and semen volume, respectively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.3 s.70
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• pp.387-396
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• 2005

The aims of the study were to establish a short-term screening test for detecting testicular toxicity of chemicals in rats and to determine whether a 2-week administration period is sufficient to detect testicular toxicity of 2-bromopropane (2-BP) as an example. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subcutaneously administered with 1000 mg/kg/day of 2-BP or its vehicle for 2 weeks. Ten male rats each were sacrificed on days 3, 7 and 14 after the initiation of treatment. Parameters of testicular toxicity included genital organ weights, testicular sperm head counts, epididymal sperm counts, motility and morphology, and qualitative and quantitative histopathologic examinations. The early histopathological changes observed on day 3 of treatment included degeneration of spermatogonia and spermatocytes, multinuclear giant cells, mature spermatid retention, vacuolization of Sertoli cells, and decreased number of spermatogonia in stages II and V. On day 7 of treatment, atrophy of seminiferous tubules, exfoliation of germ cells, degeneration of spermatogonia and spermatocytes, multinuclear giant cells, mature spermatid retention, vacuolization of Sertoli cells, decreased number of spermatogonia in stages II and V, and decreased number of spermatocytes in stages VII and XII. On day 14 after treatment, a significant decrease in the weights of testes and seminal vesicles was found. Atrophy of seminiferous tubules, exfoliation of germ cells, degeneration of spermatogonia and spermatocytes, mature spermatid retention, vacuolization of Sertoli cells, decreased number of spermatogonia in stages II and V, and decreased number of spermatocytes in all spermatogenic stages were also observed. In addition, a slight non-significant decrease in testicular sperm head counts, daily sperm production rate and epididymal sperm counts was found. The results showed that 2 weeks of treatment is sufficient to detect the adverse effects of 2-BP on male reproductive organs. It is considered that the short-term testicular toxicity study established in this study can be a useful tool for screening the testicular toxic potential of new drug candidates in rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.847-852
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• 2006

This study was designed to investigate the effects of KH204 on the relaxation response and reproductive function in male. Strips of rabbit corpus cavernosum were prepared for mounting and isometric tension measurement in an organ bath. On cavernosal strips contracted with $1{\times}10^{-6}$ phenylephrine and KH204 was applied in increasing concentrations from 0, 61, 183 and 549 mg/L, causing dose-dependent relaxation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered with 61, 183 and 549 mg/kg/day of KH204 for 10 weeks. We examined organ weights, testicular sperm head counts, epididymal sperm counts, motility and morphology. KH204 relaxed rabbit corpus cavernosal strip contracted by $1{\times}10^{-6}$ phenylephrine in a dose-dependent manner. In the male rat, testicular weight was increased significantly in the KH204 treated groups compared with control group. Also in the testicular sperm head counts, epididymal sperm counts were increased significantly in the KH204-treated rats. In conclusion, the data suggest that KH204 could enhance erectile and reproductive function.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2013

Alpha-tocopherol as an antioxidant acts in preservation of chilled semen by preserving cell membrane damage from lipid peroxidation. Optimum concentrations of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol in egg yolk-citrate (EYC) extender need to be studied in crossbred bull's semen. Different concentrations of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol viz. 0, 1, 2, 4 and 6mg per ml of extender were used. Semen was collected once a week from four bulls used to regular collection, aged 4 to 7 years, weighing 320 to 450 kg, and with body condition score 4 to 4.5 and scrotal circumference 23 to 32 cm. Semen was evaluated routinely and sperm morphology was viewed under light microscope at ${\times}1,000$ magnification after fixing with buffered formal saline. Over 90% had normal head, acrosome, mid-piece and tail. Semen was diluted with egg-yolk-citrate extender to produce $15{\times}10^6$ spermatozoa/ml and 0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 mg/ml ${\alpha}$-tocopherol were added. The semens amples were kept at $8^{\circ}C$. Sperm motility and viability were examined daily up to 5 days under light microscopy at ${\times}200$ magnification. Sperm viability was acceptable (${\geq}40%$) up to the $4^{th}$ day with all concentrations of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol and up to the $5^{th}$ day with 2 mg/ml ${\alpha}$-tocopherol. Sperm motility was acceptable (${\geq}40%$) up to the $3^{rd}$ day irrespective of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol concentration, and up to the $4^{th}$ day with 2 mg/ml ${\alpha}$-tocopherol. It is suggested that the lifespan of chilled semen may be extended up to 4 days by adding 2mg/ml ${\alpha}$-tocopherol.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2007

The main purpose of this study was to improve the efficiency and quality of in vitro embryo production in Korean Native Cows (KNC). We examined the effects of ovarian morphologies (Experiment 1) and the culture vessel (Experiment 2) on in vitro maturation (IVM). We measured the subsequent development rates and cell numbers of blastocysts. In Experiment 1, the ovaries of KNC were divided into six groups, based on follicle and corpus luteum (CL) morphology. The development rates to the 2- and 8-cell stages were similar among the six groups. The development rates to blastocyst stages were significantly higher in the group without a CL or follicle (WOCL/F) than in the groups with follicular cysts (FCs), regressive CLs (RCLs) or cystic CLs (CCLs) (p<0.05). The cell number of the inner cell mass (ICM) of blastocysts in the FCs and RCLs groups, and the number of cells in the trophectoderm (TE) in the WOCL/F group, FCs, growing CLs (GCLs) and RCLs were significantly higher than in other groups (p<0.05). The total cell number (TCN) in the WOCL/F, FC and RCL groups was also significantly higher than in other groups (p<0.05). The ICM cell number/TCN ratio was significantly higher in the FC and RCL groups than in the GCL and DF groups (p<0.05). In Experiment 2, oocyte IVM was carried out in culture dishes, in 0.25- or 0.5-ml straws used for freezing sperm. The development rate to the 2-cell stage was significantly higher in the 0.5-ml straw group than in the 0.25-ml straw group. The development rates to the blastocyst stage were similar in the dish and the two straw groups. There were no differences in the cell numbers of ICM, TE or TCN or ICM cell number/TCN ratios between groups.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.269-279
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• 2010

Some characteristics of germ cell differntiations and the function of accessory cells during spermatogenesis, and mature sperm ultrastructure in male Protothaca (N.) jedoensis were investigated by transmission electron microscope observations. The morphology of the spermatozoa of this species has a primitive type and is similar to those of other species in the subclass Heterodonta. Accessory cells, which are connected to adjacent germ cells, are involved in the supplying of the nutrients for germ cell development. The morphologies of the sperm nucleus and the acrosome of this species are the cylindrical type and cap shape, respectively. Spermatozoa are approximately $46{\sim}50{\mu}m$ in length including a long sperm nucleus (about $2.44{\mu}m$ in length), an acrosome (about $0.45{\mu}m$ in length), and tail flagellum (about $42{\sim}46{\mu}m$). The axoneme of the sperm tail shows a 9+2 structure. As some characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle structures, the basal and lateral parts of basal rings show electron opaque part (region), while the anterior apex part of the acrosomal vesicle shows electron lucent part (region). These characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle were found in the family Veneridae and other several families in the subclass Heterodonta. These common characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle in the subclass Heterodonta can be used for phylogenetic and systematic analysis as a taxonomic key or a significant tool. The number of mitochondria in the midpiece of the sperm of this species are four, as one of common characteristics appear in most species in the family Veneridae and other families in the subclass Heterodonta. However, exceptionally, only three species in Veneridae of the subclass Heterodonta contain 5 mitochondria. The number of mitochondria in the sperm midpiece can be used for the taxonomic analysis of the family or superfamily levels as a systematic key or an important tool.