• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.241-250
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• 1982

The structure of gonads, gametogenesis and reproductive cycle of the cockle, Fulvia mutice, were studied mainly by histological observation. The materials were monthly sampled in the southern area of Yeosu from October 1980 to September 1981. F. mutica was monoecious. The gonads were situated between the liver tissues and the outer fibronuscular layers compacted by the connective tissue fibers and muscle fibers beneath the outermost layer of simple cuboidal epithelium. The gonad was composed of a number of the ovarian sacs and the testicular tubules which form the tubular structure. Testicular tubules in the mature stage sometimes contained 'testis-ova' The undifferentiated mesenchymal tissues and the eosinophilic cells were abundantly distributed on the germinal epithelium in the early development stage. With the further development of the ovary and testis, these tissues and cells gradually disapprared. The undifferentiated mesenchymal tissues and the eosinophilic cells are related to the growing of the oocytes and spermatocytes . Early multiplicating oogonium was about $10{\mu}m$ in diameter. As the oocytes grow to $27-34\times50-58{\mu}m$ by increasing cytoplasm, the oocytes connected to the basement membrane by their egg-stalks. The ripe eggs were about $60{\mu}m$ in diameter and they were surrounded by gelatinous membrane. Most male germ cells in mature stage were transformed into the spermatozoa and they formed the sperm bundles. After spawning, undischarged ripe eggs and spermatozoa remained in the ovarian sac and the testicular tubule respectively for some time, then they finally degenerated. Especially the early spent ovarian sacs in May did not contract significantly and then they took part in the secondary maturation within two or three months during the summer season. The monthly changes of the fatness well agreed with the reproductive cycle. The reproductive cycle of F. mutica could be classified into six successive stages : multiplicative, growing, mature, spent, degenerative and recovery stage. It seems that the spawning season is closely rotated to the water temperature, and the spawning occurs from May to October at about $20^{\circ}C$ in water temperature. The peak spawning seasons appeared twice a year between June and July and in September. Acknowledgement The authors wish to express their gratitude to Dr. Kim, In Bae, Dr. Chun, Seh Kyu and Dr. Yoo, Sung Kyoo of National Fisheries University of Busan and Mr. Min, Byoung Seo of National fisheries Research and Development Agency for their critical reading of the manu script.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.1063-1073
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• 2016

Male climacteric syndrome, andropause, or testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) is one of the new health issues in elderly men. It is a natural phenomenon that happens with age in men, which is clinically characterized by a decline in levels of serum testosterone resulting in a significantly decreasing of physical and mental activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the putative alleviative effects of dandelion extract on the symptoms of TDS by increasing serum testosterone levels and compare the efficacy between dandelion extract (DE) and fermented dandelion extract (FDE). After daily intake of DE and FDE for 4 weeks, serum testosterone levels, muscles of vastus lateralis, forced swimming time, total sperm counts, and motile sperm counts were significantly increased in older rats (22 weeks). Additionally, SHBG, epididymal fat pad, total serum cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly decreased in DE and FDE fed groups. However, PSA levels were not different among all groups. Furthermore, DE and FDE enhanced the expression of genes related to testosterone biosynthesis in TM3 Leydig cells. Overall, these positive effects on andropause were greater in FDE compared to DE. These results suggest the potential of FDE as a safe and efficacious natural material for recovering testosterone levels and reducing andropause symptoms.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2004

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of chromium (VI) on the placental function and reproduction in rats. For the study, the placental prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) gene expression, placental trophoblast cell differentiation and reproductive data were analyzed. Methods : The pregnancies of F344 Fisher rats were checked by the presence of a copulatory plug or sperm in the vaginal smear, which was defined as day 0 of the pregnancy. Pregnant rats were divided into the three groups. The control group was given tap water (chromium level < 0.001 ppm) and the remaining groups were given 250 or 750 ppm of chromium (VI) [as potassium dichromate], from day 7 to 19 of the pregnancy. Rats were sacrificed at days 11 and 20 of pregnancy. The mRNA levels of PRL-GH and Pit-1a and b isotype genes were analyzed by Northern blot hybridization and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The hormonal concentration was analyzed by radioimmunoassay, and the differentiation of placental trophoblast cells were observed by histochemical studies. Reproductive data, such as placental and fetal weights, pregnancy period, and litter size, were surveyed at day 20 of pregnancy and after birth. A statistical analysis was carried out using the SAS program (version 8.1). Results : The mRNA levels of the prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) family of genes were dose dependently reduced by chromium exposure. The mRNA levels of Pit-1a and b isotype genes that induce the expression of the PRL-GH family of genes were also reduced by chromium exposure. The PRL-GH hormonal concentration in the rat placenta, fetus and maternal blood were decreased by chromium exposure. In the middle stage of pregnancy (day 11), a high dose of chromium suppressed the differentiation of spongiotrophoblast cells that secret the PRLGH hormones. In the last stage of pregnancy (day 20), a high dose of chromium induced apoptosis of placental cells. Reproductive data, such as placental and fetal weights, litter size, were reduced, but the pregnancy period was extended in the group exposed to chromium compared with the controls. Conclusion : Chromium (VI) disrupts the ordered functions of the placenta, which leads to reproductive disorders in rats.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.107-118
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• 2017

Although alternative test methods based on the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) are being developed to replace animal testing in reproductive and developmental toxicology, they are still in an early stage. Consequently, we aimed to develop alternative test methods in male animals using mouse spermatogonial stem cells (mSSCs). Here, we modified the OECD TG 489 and optimized the in vitro comet assay in our previous study. This study aimed to verify the validity of in vitro tests involving mSSCs by comparing their results with those of in vivo tests using C57BL/6 mice by gavage. We selected hydroxyurea (HU), which is known to chemically induce male reproductive toxicity. The 50% inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) value of HU was 0.9 mM, as determined by the MTT assay. In the in vitro comet assay, % tail DNA and Olive tail moment (OTM) after HU administration increased significantly, compared to the control. Annexin V, PI staining and TUNEL assays showed that HU caused apoptosis in mSSCs. In order to compare in vitro tests with in vivo tests, the same substances were administered to male C57BL/6 mice. Reproductive toxicity was observed at 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day as measured by clinical measures of reduction in sperm motility and testicular weight. The comet assay, DCFH-DA assay, H&E staining, and TUNEL assay were also performed. The results of the test with C57BL/6 mice were similar to those with mSSCs for HU treatment. Finally, linear regression analysis showed a strong positive correlation between results of in vitro tests and those of in vivo. In conclusion, the present study is the first to demonstrate the effect of HU-induced DNA damage, ROS formation, and apoptosis in mSSCs. Further, the results of the current study suggest that mSSCs could be a useful model to predict male reproductive toxicity.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.11-24
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• 1990

In order to observe the antigenic localization in the tissues of the adult Clonorchis sinensis, immunogold labeling method was applied using serum immunoglobulins (IgG) of either worm·infected rabbits (group I) or antigen-immunized rabbits (group II) (by the body quid obtained from the adult worms). The electron micrographs of the sectioned worm tissue antigens, embedded in Lowicryl HM 20 medium and stained with protein A-gold complex (particle sixte: 12 nm), were compared between the group I and group II. The gold particles were observed in the interstitial matrix of the worm parenchyma, the epithelial lamellae of the cecum, and the cecal lumen both in group I and II. But the particles were in general more concentrated in group II. The gold particles were not observed on the basal lamina of the tegument or on vitelline glands in group I, while they were highly concentrated on those areas in group II. There were also differences in the antigenicity of interstitial matrix(reacted with group I IgG) and head part(reacted with group II IgG) of the sperm cells in the seminal receptacle. Conclusively, it is suggested that the substances comprising the basal lamina of the tegument or vitelline glands act as specific antigens reacting with antigen(body quid) immunized rabbit IgG. On the other hand, the substances in the cecal lumen and cecal epithelial lamellae are thought to be the specific antigen that react with the worm-infected rabbit IgG.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2014

The present study describes the spawning ecology and early morphological development of Hemitripterus villosus. The natural spawning ground consisted of bedrock and pebbles was the intertidal coast at Taean (Chungnam) and its depth was about 5~10 m. Spawning period was mainly from the end of October to December, when the water temperature and salinity were $6.0{\sim}15.8^{\circ}C$ and mean 32.0‰, respectively. There were no difference of the body shape and color between female and male of Hemitripterus villosus, however its reproductive organs showed clear differences. The male had tube shaped genital papilla, which was connected with testis, and the female had seminal recepacle, which was the lower part of oviduct connected with ovary. Genital papilla of male came out of its body at spawning period and then male copulated. After copulation, female stored the sperm in its seminal recepacle and fertilized when it spawned. Fertilized eggs were reached 8 cells stage after fertilization at rearing water temperature $8.2{\sim}14.9^{\circ}C$. At 29 hours after fertilization, it reached morula stage, and at 146 hours after fertilization, its embryo was clearly formated. Hatching was begun from 1,488 hours (62 days) after fertilization with $8.2{\sim}14.9^{\circ}C$ water temperature. The newly hatched larvae were 12.99~15.46mm(mean $14.16{\pm}0.65$ mm) in TL (Total Length), and its mouth and anus were open. At 7 days after hatching, its yolk sac was completely absorbed and the myotomes were 15+25=40, measuring 15.23~15.54mm(mean $15.39{\pm}0.22$ mm, n=5) in TL. At 75~80 days after hatching, it was measured mean $30.06{\pm}0.76$ mm in TL, and it had reached the juvenile stage with the complete set of fin rays.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.215-220
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• 2008

Sex differentiation process of the spotted Black Bullhead, Pseudobagrus koreanus, was investigated using fish samples of different age after hatching. The primordial germ cells appeared separately under air bladder in 1-day larva (total length: $6.63{\sim}6.95\;mm$). The primordial gonad with a genital ridge developed in 5-day prelarva ($7.50{\sim}9.36\;mm$). The ovarian differentiation started in about 25-day juvenile ($11.58{\sim}13.21\;mm$). The somatic tissues enlongated in the tip of one end of undifferentiated gonad and fused each other. Thus a small ovarian cavity appeared. The testicular differentiation was initiated in 30-day juvenile ($12.19{\sim}13.72\;mm$). The rudiment of sperm duct was appeared in the lower part of the undifferentiated gonad. In 50-day juvenile ($16.28{\sim}17.06\;mm$), the ovary started to fill with peri-nucleolus oocytes, and the spermatogonia started to develop. In 250-day juvenile ($35.49{\sim}51.12\;mm$), the ovary became bigger and filled with oocytes, and the number of spermatogonia started to increase. Considering these results, the spotted Black Bullhead could be a differentiated type in sex differentiation and gonochorism in sexuality.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.73-84
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• 1987

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of hormone addition(FSH, HCG, estrogen and progesterone) and composition (BSA and FCS) of mKRB on the in vitro maturation and fertilizability of follicular oocytes of the Korean native cattle. The ovaries were removed at a slaughterhouse, returned to laboratory in a thermostat (30-35$^{\circ}C$) within 4 hr, and collected by aspirating normal follicles which had diameters of 1 to 6 mm. The oocytes with cumulus cells were cultured for 8, 16, 24 and 30 hr in a modified KRB solution containing BSA or FCS and hormones. The in vitro matured oocytes in mKRB containing FCS, FSH and steroids were transferred in the rabbit uterus for examination of their in vivo fertilizability with bovine sperm preincubated 4 to 6 hr in the rabbit uterus. 1. The mean number of oocytes collected per cattle was 6.5 from 1-3mm follicles, 1.3 from 4-6mm follicles, and total was 7.7. 2. The meiotic division at 16hr-cuture in the oocytes from 1-3mm follicles was slightly stimulated by the addition of FSH in mKRB + BSA solution compared with the control. At 30hr-culture, their maturation rates(%Met II) were also increased by FSH of 1 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml(38.4%) and 5$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml(35.7%) as compared with the control (21.4%). The maturation rate at 30hr-culture in the oocytes from 4-6mm follicles was 53.8% and 57.1% by the FSH addition of 1$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml and 5$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, respectively. These rates were similar with the control(57.1%), but higher than those of oocytes from 1-3mm follicles. 3. The meiotic division at 16hr-culture in the oocytes from 1-3mm follicles was stimulated by the HCG addition of 1IU/ml and 5IU/ml. However, the maturation rate at 30hr-culture was greatly decreased by the HCG addtion (26.6% and 13.3%) compared with the control(53.3%) and these rates (30.8%) in the oocytes from 4-6mm follicles were also lower than that fo the control(58.3%). 4. Low maturation rate (37.5%) of the oocytes cultured in mKRB containing BSA and 5IU/ml HCG was increased (55.0%) when 15% FCS with HCG was added to mKRB instead of BSA. 5. When 16hr-cultured oocytes in mKRB containing BSA and gonadotropins (5$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml FSH and 5IU/ml HCG) were transferred in the medium without gonadotropins and recultured for 16hr, the maturation rate of HCG-treated oocytes was greatly improved. 6. The maturation rates of oocytes were greatly affected by steroids. The combined addition of FCS+FSH+estrogen or +progesterone to mKRB increased the maturation rate compared with the combination of BSA+FSH or FCS+FSH in mKRB. 7. The fertilization rate, presence of pronuclei, was increased by the combination of FCS+FSH+p in mKRB as compared with that (5.6%) of BSA+FSH and the rates of FCS+FSH+steroids ranged from 12.5 to 17.6%.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2000

Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are exogenous chemicals which interfere several aspects of natural hormone properties. EDs with estrogenic activity have been recently reported to cause animal reproductive problems. This study was performed to investigate the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on the mouse spermatogenesis in vivo. Male ICR mice were orally injected on a daily basis with low dose of BPA 20 mg/kg, high dose of BPA 200 mg/kg, or corn oil (vehicle control) for 7 days, and litter size and weights of body, testis, and cauda epididymis were measured. The level of serum testosterone and the expression of TGF- $\beta$$_1$ mRNA were also analyzed using RIA and RT-PCR, respectively. Also, morphological differences of testes after treatments were examined. Sperm concentration and level of serum testosterone showed a decreasing tendency detected as untreated >corn oil >low >high dose BPA treated mice, although there were no significant statistical differences. Interestingly, in mice treated with a high dose of BPA, partial disappearance of spermatozoa in seminiferous tubular lumen and the expression of TGF-$\beta$$_1$ mRNA were observed. Spermatogenesis was disrupted through TGF-$\beta$ system in the seminiferous tubules, resulting in no development of germ cells. Similarly, the litter size treated with a high dose of BPA was significantly different from that of untreated control group. In conclusion, these results that a high dose of BPA (200 mg/kg) acts as an endocrine disruptor during apermatogenesis in male mice md that there are BPA-specific lesions in the adult male reproductive tract might represent a permanently altered responsiveness to testosterone by BPA in the affected target tissue.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 1991

The studies on the carried out to investigate the effects of capacitation method of spermatozoa on the in vitro fertilization and cleavage rate of bovine follicular oocytes. The ovaries were obtained from slaughtered Korean native cows. The follicular oocytes surrounded with cumulus cells were recovered by aspirating follicular fluids from the visible of diameter 3~5mm. The follicular oocytes were cultured in TCM-199 medium containing hormones and FCS for 24~48hrs in an incubator with 5% CO2 in air at 38.5$^{\circ}C$ and then matured oocytes were again cultured for 12~18hrs with motile capacitated sperm by preincubation of mKRB, treatment of HIS(high strength ion), Ca-IA(Inophore A), BFF(bovine follicular fluids) and heparin. The results obtained in these experiments were summarized as follows : 1. The in vitro fertilizatin and cleavage rate offollicular oocytes fertilized with capacitated spermatozoas in BO solution by preincubation of mKRB, treatment of HIS, Ca-IA, BFF and heparin method were 53.1%, 33.9%, 50.8%, 48.1%, 58.8% and 28.1%, 17.7%, 26.2%, 22.8%, 32.8%, respectively. And the fertilization and cleavage rate of heparin method was of highest of all. 2. The in vitro fertilization and cleavage rate of follicular oocytes fertilized with capacitated spermatozoas in BO solutin by both caffeine, BSA and heparin methods were 65.8%, 70.3% and 40.8%, 47.3%, respectively, and those rates were higher treatment of heparin＋BSA, heparin＋caffeine than treatment of heparin. 3. The in vitro fertilization and cleavage rate of follicular oocytes fertilized with capacitated spermatozoa in BO solution with heparin concentrations of 2, 5, 10, 20, 40$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml were 50.0%, 54.7%, 58.1%, 51.7% and 27.9%, 32.8%, 37.1%, 30.0%, respectively. And the fertilization and cleavage rate of follicular oocytes fertilized with capacitated spermatozoas in BO solution with 10$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of heparin was the highest of all. 4. The in vitro fertilization and cleavage rate of follicular oocytes fertilized with capacitated spermatozoas in BO solution containing heparin with caffeine concentraton of 10, 20, 30, 40$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml were 71.4%, 74.3% and 70.6%, 70.0% and 45.7%, 47.3%, 44.1%, 41.4%, respectively. The fertilization and cleavage rate of spermatozoa fertilized in BO solution with caffeine and heparin together(70.3~74.3%) was higher than that of spermatozoa fertilized in BO solution with heparin(58.8%). 5. The in vitro fertilization and cleavage rate of follicular oocytes fertilized with capacitated spermatozoas in BO solution containing heparin with BSA concentration of 5, 10, 20, 30$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml were 63.6%, 62.9%, 66.7%, 60.3% and 44.1%, 43.5%, 48.5%, 42.7%, respectively. The fertilization and cleavage rate of spermatozoa fertilized in BO solution with BSA and heparin together(60.3~66.73%) was higher than that of spermatozoa fertilized in BO solution with heparin(58.8%).