• Toxicological Research
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.163-172
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• 2000

Recently, there is a worldwide concern that a great number of man-made chemicals have a hormone-like action both in humans and in animals. DECD is developing screening programs using validated test systems to determine whether certain substances may have an effect in humans. In the present study. the establishment oj repeated-dose toxicity test method was tried. Flutamide. an anti-androgenic agent. was administered by gavage to Sprague-Dawley rats for 28 days at dose levels of 0. 0.5. 3 and 18 mg/kg body weight (10-15 rats/sex/group) to examine the effects on general findings. especially reproductive and endocrine parameters. Clinical signs. body weights, food consumption, and sexual cycle were checked and measured. For the gross and microscopic examinations. 10 rats/sex/group were sacrificed at the end of dosing period and the remaining animals of control and high dose groups (5 each) were sacrificed after 14 days recovery. Examinations for hematology and clinical chemistry were carried out at necropsy. There were no treatment-related changes in clinical signs. body weights, food consumption. gross necropsy. hematology and clinical chemistry at all doses of both sexes. The period and regularity of sexual cycle were not adversely affected at all doses by the test agent. At 18 mg/kg. both decreased weights of prostate, seminal vesicle and epididymis in males and increased weights of spleen and thymus in females were observed. In addition, decreased number of spermatids and sperms. increased serum testosterone concentration and increased incidence (100%) of interstitial cell hyperplasia were seen in males. At 18 mg/kg of the recovery group. decreased prostate weight. reduced sperm count and increased incidence (20%) of interstitial cell hyperplasia in males and increased thymus weight in females were observed. At 3 mg/kg. reduced sperm count was found. There were no adverse effects on parameters examined at 0.5 mg/kg of both sexes. The results suggested that the potential target organs of flutamide may be accessory sexual glands including testes for males and spleen and thymus for females. Taken together. this test method was found to be a useful screening test system for endocrine disrupting chemicals.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.168-179
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• 2020

Objective: This study investigated testicular oxidative stress status and physiomorphological function in Wistar rats fed with yaji and cadmium chloride (CdCl₂). Methods: Sixty male albino Wistar rats (12 per group) were randomly assigned to five groups: group I (control), group II (300 mg/kg.bw of yaji), group III (500 mg/kg.bw of yaji), group IV (2.5 mg/kg.bw of CdCl₂), and group V (2.5 mg/kg.bw of yaji+4 mg/kg.bw omega-3). Each group was evenly subdivided into two subgroups and treatment was administered for 14 days and 42 days, respectively. Semen quality (sperm count, progressive motility, normal morphology, and gonadosomatic index), hormones (testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone), testicular oxidative stress markers (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malonaldehyde) and testicular histomorphological features were examined. Results: Yaji caused significant (p< 0.05) dose- and duration-dependent reductions in semen quality, the gonadosomatic index, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. Yaji also caused significant (p< 0.05) dose- and duration-dependent decreases in superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity, as well as increased testicular malonaldehyde levels. Yaji induced distortions in the testicular histological architecture. CdCl₂ damaged testicular function by significantly (p< 0.05) reducing semen quality, reproductive hormone levels, and oxidative stress markers in albino Wistar rats. CdCl₂ also altered the histology of the testis. Conclusion: This study shows that yaji sauce has similar anti-fertility effects to those of CdCl₂, as it adversely interferes with male reproduction by impairing oxidative stress markers and the function and morphological features of the testis.

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.188-194
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• 1989

These experiments were carried out to investigate fertilizable and developmental ability after zona drilling the unfertilized eggs and the eggs not fertilized by the 1st insemination. The results of in vitro fertilization of the mouse eggs treated by using micromanipulation and acid tyrode's solution with capacitated epididymal spermatozoa were as follows. In the case of ovulated unfertilized eggs, according to sperm count(106, 105, 104 and 103/ml) the rates of in vitro fertlilization treated by zona drilling were 86.0%, 82.0%, 70.0% and 54.0%, respectively, and those of control were 58.0%, 52.0%, 12.0% and 8.0%, respectively. The rates of in vitro fertilization of zona drilled eggs were significantly high compared with those of control, and there were no significant difference between two groups. According to the sperm count the zona drilled eggs developed to the blastocysts were 51.4%, 40.5%, 23.3% and 17.4% and those of control were 35.7%, 26.3%, 0% and 0%, respectively. Also, in the eggs not fertilized by 1st insemination, the fertilization rates of oocytes reinseminated after zona drilling was significantly higher(83.5%) than that of control(34.7%), and the rates of polyspermy were similar. The rates of development to the blastocysts was 18.6% in the zona drilling treated eggs, and that of control was 27.3%, there was no significant difference between two groups. These results indicated that oocytes not fertilized by 1st insemination as well as ovulated unfertilized eggs could be fertilized, improve fertilizing rates by zona drilling treatment, and development potential were normal.

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.409-419
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• 2001

본 실험은 PF과 FPP가 소와 사람 동결 정자에 첨가되었을 때 응해 후 정자의 체외 생존성, 운동성 그리고 intact acrosome 향상에 기여할 수 있는지의 여부를 조사하고자 실시하였다. 사람의 정액은 TYB 동결 배양액을 사용하여 초 급속 동결하였다 PF과 FPP 첨가 효과는 각각의 시약이 동결-응해된 소나 사람 정자의 현미경적 조사에 의한 운동성에 미치는 영향과 Coomassie brilliant blue 염색방법에 의한 intact acrosome의 비율에 미치는 영향으로 조사하였다. Bovine 동결 응해 정자에 PF을 첨가하여 운동성을 조사하였던 바, 5 mM 처리군 (50.0%)이 대조군 (34.0%) 보다 유의하게 높은 운동성을 보여주었다 (F＜0.05). 동결 응해된 소 정자에 FPP를 농도에 따라 처리하여 intact acrosome을 조사하였던 결과, 50 nM 치리춘 (49%)이 대조군과 25 nH 처리군 (30.0, 38.0%) 보다 유의하게 많은 intact한 acrosome을 유지하였다 (P＜0.01). 사람 정자에서 동결에 앞서 PF을 농도에 따라 첨가하여 동결 응해 후 운동성을 조사한 결과, 5.0 mM 처리군 (51.0%)이 대조군과 2.5 mM (39.0, 40.0%) 처리군의 운동성보다 높았다 (P＜0.01). 사람 정액의 모든 동결 처리과정 (동결전, 동결, 응해후)에서 50 nM (75.5%) FPP 첨가가 intact acrosome percentage 유지하는데 유의한 효과가 있었다 (대조군: 45.0; 25 nM: 53.0; 100 nM: 68.0%) (P＜0.01). PF와 FPP 첨가하여 사람 정자의 동결융해 후 운동성과 intact acrosome에 미치는 영향을 동시에 비교해본 결과, 운동성에서는 PF 처리군이 약간 높지만 intact acrosome rate는 FPP 처리군의 결과 (65.0%)가 PF 처리군 (43.0%)보다 유의하게 높았다 (P＜0.05). 따라서 본 실험은 동결-융해된 소 정자에 PF이나 FPP 첨가는 정자의 운동성이나 intact acrosome 비율을 좀더 개선시킬 수 있고, 특히 사람 정자는 동결 전 과정에 FPP를 첨가하는 것이 정자의 체외 생존성, 운동성 그리고 intact acrosome을 유의하게 향상시킬 수 있다는 것을 시사한다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.245-251
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• 2010

목 적: 인간 정자 핵 내의 DNA integrity는 배아의 발달 및 임신 유지에 중요한 역할을 하여 DNA integrity가 손상된 경우 불임과 유산의 원인이 된다고 하며, 정계정맥류는 DNA 손상을 일으키는 대표적인 원인 중 하나이다. 본 연구에서는 미세술기를 이용한 정계정맥류절제술로 정계정맥류를 교정을 하였을 때 정자 핵 내 DNA integrity가 어떠한 영향을 받는지에 대하여 알아보았다. 연구방법: 2006년 4월부터 2007년 4월까지 불임을 주소로 미세술기를 이용한 정계정맥류절제술을 받았던 18명의 환자에서 수술 전 후에 정액검사의 다른 지표들과 함께 정자 핵 내 DNA integrity가 어떻게 변화하였는지 조사하였다. 정자 핵 내 DNA integrity를 측정하는 방법으로 comet assay를 시행하였고, comet assay를 통한 DNA 손상 정도는 DNA fragmentation index (DFI)로 나타내었다. 결 과: 수술 후 4개월에 모든 환자에서 재발의 소견은 보이지 않았으며, DNA 손상 정도를 나타내는 평균 DFI는 수술 전에 19.3%, 수술 후에 13.7%로 유의한 변화를 보였다. 수술 전 DFI가 10 이상으로 비정상인 14명의 환자들 중 12명 (85%)에서 개선 소견을 보였으나, 수술 전 DFI가 10 미만인 정상 환자 4명에서는 1명 (25%)만이 개선 소견을 보였다. 수술 후 정자의 밀도, 운동성, 생존성에서 호전 양상을 보였으나 유의한 차이는 없었다. 결 론: 미세술기를 이용한 정계정맥류절제술을 통한 수술적 교정은 정액검사상의 다른 지표의 개선 뿐 아니라, 정자 핵 내 DNA 손상을 감소시킬 수 있다. 이상에서 정계정맥류의 수술적 교정으로 정자 핵 내 DNA integrity의 개선을 기대할 수 있으며, 이는 보다 양호한 정자를 많이 얻을 수 있어 자연임신이나 보조 생식술의 성공 가능성을 높일 수 있다는 점을 제시한다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제46권2호
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• pp.95-98
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• 2019

Obstructive azoospermia caused by acute epididymitis is usually permanent, and microsurgical vasoepididymostomy is the only reconstructive treatment option. There have been no reports of delayed recovery of sperm count after over 1 year in a patient with obstructive azoospermia related to history of acute epididymitis. We present a young male patient who had azoospermia and a history of acute epididymitis who experienced delayed recovery, with complete restoration of sperm production and the ability to conceive naturally.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.232-235
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• 2018

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the heat stress and semen quality among male workers in a steel industry in Iran and investigate the relationship between heat stress indices and semen parameters. Methods: The study was conducted on workers exposed (n = 30) and unexposed (n = 14) to heat in a steel industry. After obtaining a brief biography of the selected employees, scrotal temperature, oral temperature, and environmental parameters were measured, and their semen samples were analyzed according to the procedure recommended by the World Health Organization. The heat stress indices, including wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and predicted heat strain (PHS), in their workplace were calculated according to environmental parameters (ISO 7243:1989 and 7933:2004, respectively). Results: Time-weighted averages of WBGT and PHS ($35.76^{\circ}C$ and 491.56 $w/m^2{\frac{w}{m^2}}$, respectively) for the exposed group were higher than threshold limit values. The mean difference of environmental, physiological, and semen parameters (exception: pH of semen), and also WBGT and PHS indices were statistically significant (p < 0.05) between the two groups. Mean semen parameters were in the normozoospermic range. WBGT and PHS indices showed significantly "negative" correlation with physiological parameters (scrotal and oral temperature) and most semen parameters (semen volume, sperm morphology, sperm motility, sperm count; p < 0.05); moreover, the correlation of WBGT with these parameters was stronger than PHS. Conclusion: Semen parameters of the studied workers exposed to heat were in the borderline level of normozoospermic range, and their semen parameters were significantly lower than controls. For better assessment of occupational environment concerning physiological and semen parameters in steel industries, WBGT can be a more useful index.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.99-105
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• 2000

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare results of the macroscopic one-layer vasovasostomy with those of microscopic one-layer vasovasostomy and to analyze the change of semen parameters according to the interval of vasal obstruction. Method and Materials: Between March 1987 and December 1997, we performed 121 vasovasostomies using modified one-layer technique with loupe magnification (macroscopic vasovasostomy) or microscope. Among the 68 could be followed post-operatively, 37 patients were treated by macroscopic technique with loupe, and 31 patients by microscopic technique. We compared rates of anatomical patency (sperm count above than $10{\times}10^{6}$/ml) and pregnancy of macroscopic vasovasotomy with those of microscopic vasovasostomy. Patency and pregnancy rates according to vasal obstructive interval were also examined. Results: The patency rates of macroscopic and microscopic technique were 86.5% and 87.1%, and pregnancy rates of macroscopic and microscopic technique were 64.9% and 67.7%. There was no statistical significance between these two methods (p>0.05). The pregnancy rates and sperm motility were decreased if more than 10 years had elapsed following vasectomy (p<0.05). Conclusion: We found little difference in success rates resulting from macroscopic and microscopic vasovasostomy and the former had the advantage of reduced cost and a lower operator skill level. In post-operative semen analysis, the sperm motility was the most probable factor associated with vasal obstructive interval.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.97-104
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• 2021

Male infertility has a complex etiopathology, which mostly remains elusive. Although research has claimed that oxidative stress (OS) is the most likely underlying mechanism of idiopathic male infertility, the specific treatment of OS-mediated male infertility requires further investigation. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a vitamin-like substance, has been found in measurable levels in human semen. It exhibits essential metabolic and antioxidant functions, as well as playing a vital role in mitochondrial bioenergetics. Thus, CoQ10 may be a key player in the maintenance of biological redox balance. CoQ10 concentrations in seminal plasma directly correlate with semen parameters, especially sperm count and sperm motility. Seminal CoQ10 concentrations have been shown to be altered in various male infertility states, such as varicocele, asthenozoospermia, and medical or surgical regimens used to treat male infertility. These observations imply that CoQ10 plays an important physiological role in the maintenance and amelioration of semen quality. The present article thereby aimed to review the possible mechanisms through which CoQ10 plays a role in the regulation of male reproductive function, and to concisely discuss its efficacy as an ameliorative agent in restoring semen parameters in male infertility, as well as its impact on OS markers, sperm DNA fragmentation, pregnancy, and assisted reproductive technology outcomes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.26-33
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• 2023

Objective: Human exposure to multiple xenobiotics, over various developmental windows, results in adverse health effects arising from these concomitant exposures. Humans are widely exposed to bisphenol A, and acetaminophen is the most commonly used over-the-counter drug worldwide. Bisphenol A is a well-recognized male reproductive toxicant, and increasing evidence suggests that acetaminophen is also detrimental to the male reproductive system. The recent recognition of male reproductive system dysfunction in conditions of suboptimal reproductive outcomes makes it crucial to investigate the contributions of toxicant exposures to infertility and sub-fertility. We aimed to identify toxicity in the male reproductive system at the mitochondrial level in response to co-exposure to bisphenol A and acetaminophen, and we investigated whether melatonin ameliorated this toxicity. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n=10 each): a control group and groups that received melatonin, bisphenol A, acetaminophen, bisphenol A and acetaminophen, and bisphenol A and acetaminophen with melatonin treatment. Results: Significantly higher lipid peroxidation was observed in the testicular mitochondria and sperm in the treatment groups than in the control group. Levels of glutathione and the activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and manganese superoxide dismutase decreased significantly in response to the toxicant treatments. Likewise, the toxicant treatments significantly decreased the sperm count and motility, while significantly increasing sperm mortality. Melatonin mitigated the adverse effects of bisphenol A and acetaminophen. Conclusion: Co-exposure to bisphenol A and acetaminophen elevated oxidative stress in the testicular mitochondria, and this effect was alleviated by melatonin.