• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2001

Testicular development of the male African lungfish, Protopterus annectens (Owen) was investigated histologically. The testis was found to be an elongated structure that possessed two distinct portions: an anterior spermatogenic part that was made up of a system of testicular tubules and a posterior vesicular part that invaded the kidney tissue. Spermatogenesis can be divided into five stages; primary spermatogonia, secondary spermatogonia, spermatocyte, spermatids and spermatozoa. Based on the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and histological changes observed, the reproductive cycle can be divided onto four distinct stages: resting and quiescent (December to February), growing (March to June) ripe and spent (July to August) and postspawning (September to November). The GSI was the maximum on July when reproductive cells were mature, ripe and ready for spawning; and the minimum in August after fish spawned.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.41-46
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• 1975

Careful scruting of the data indicate that malnutrition actually limits fertility. Spermatogenesis may likewise be impaired by inadequate diet, particularly one that is very poor in protein. For those who are underweight, increased caloric intake stressing high protein content is recommended. Included are supplementary vitamins, particularly B complex, which stimulate the appetite. Injudicious dieting by the woman to conform to current standards of beauty may also result in malnutrition. This contributes to faulty oogenesis and, in extreme dieting, may produce a long-standing amenorrhea. Obsity may also reduce fertility. Since most cases of obesity are due to over-eating, the full cooperation of the patient must be enlisted. And no device is effective for breaking up fatty deposits. Instead, a program of exercise is recommended. The treatment of both malnutrition and obesity is directed toward general dietary habits either weight gain or weight reduction, with a well balanced high protein diet.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.1-5
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• 1962

Attempts were made in order to make clear the meiotic irregularities, male gametophyte formation and spermatogenesis for the purpose of applying these embryological facts to taxonomic works. Followings are the results obtained : 1. Meiosis is extremely irregular, giving rise to giant, micro, and empty, pollens. Meiotic division in each PMC is observed synchronizing. 2. In the microspore immediately before the vegetative-generative nuclear division, the nucleus locates appressed to the inner wall, most of the other part of the cell being occupied by large vacuoles. 3. Spindle symmetry in the microspore nuclear division is of intermediate type. 4. Nuclear divisions in each micropore are not synchronized as in meiosis. 5. Generative nucleus is located in close contact with the inner wall, while the vegetative nucleus occupies the central part of pollen grain. The pollen in this stage looks somewhat like broad bean. Afterward the generative nucleus loses contact with the wall, the nuclear shape changing from lenticular to roundsh. 6. The generative nucleus in fully matured pollen grain usually takes the shape of crescence, those in abortive pollen, lenticular or ellipsoidal, etc.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.135-144
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• 2012

$Dendronephthya$ $castanea$ Utinomi, 1952 is a member of the family Nephtheidae, and dominates shallow waters adjacent to the southern part of Jejudo Island, Korea. This species is a gonochoric internal brooder with a sex ratio of 1:1, and releases planulae around the time of the full and new moon from July to September, when the seawater temperature peaks. The gametogenic cycle is annual, and oogenesis (12 months) is longer than spermatogenesis (4-5 months). No difference in reproductive features including sexuality, sex ratio, gametogenesis and gametogenic cycles was found between the sympatric species $D.$ $castanea$ and $D.$ $gigantea$, and there was no temporal reproductive isolation. Investigation of the morphological taxonomy and molecular biology of these species indicates that they have very similar or identical traits, suggesting an absence of speciation and a need for taxonomic reclassification.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.231-240
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• 2008

The gorgonian coral Anthoplexaura dimorpha Kukenthal, 1908(Gorgonacea: Octocorallia) is abundant in Jejudo Islands, Korea. To investigate the sexual reproduction of this species, we surveyed the morphology and cycle of gametogenesis. 5-6cm long fragments from 3-7 randomly chosen colonies were collected monthly at a depth of 12-24m in the water surrounding Munseom from August 2003 to August 2005. This species was gonochoric with sex ratio of 1.86:1(female to male), and had one annual reproductive cycle affected by elevation of seawater temperature. Oogenesis was longer than spermatogenesis as 12 months in female and 6 months in male. The planulae were not observed from the field survey and histological sections, which suggested broadcast spawning for the reproductive mode in this species. The possible spawning events may occur after the seawater temperature attain to the annual peak in September.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 1977

During the last 10 years 8 months, clinical observation has been done on 43 cases of cryptorchisms. 1. The cryptorchism has relatively high incidence rate among the anomalies of genitourinary tract(27.2%). 2. The age group, most frequently seen, was between 6 to 10 and the average age visited the hospital at the first time is 11.4 years. It means 4 to 6 years later than age for the adequate treatment required. 3. Atrophy of the seminiferous tubules, interstitial fibrosis and poor or absent spermatogenesis were noted on the 8 cases of cryptorchid biopsies. 4. Hormonal therapy(Puberogen) was done on 16 cases and 8 cases were responded. But there was no complete descent of testis through this hormonal therapy.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.513-525
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• 1998

The spermatogenetic process in the edible giant snail is similar to those in the other snails, except for the axoneme formation process. In this study, the axoneme formation process in the giant snail was mainly examined by means of electron microscopy. The tail portion of a spermatozoon is about $160{\mu}m$ long, and extends straight to the rear, surrounded by two large and long mitochondria in spiral forms. A number of glycogen particles $(40\sim70nm)$ are found in the swollen matrix of the mitochodria. The axoneme which composes the tail of a spermatozoon is surrounded by $7\sim10$ lamella-form fibrous sheaths of about $0.2{\mu}m$ in thickness. Most of the mature spermatozoa are found to be clustered into a group of $5\sim7$ ea in syncytial bridges formed by cytoplasmic processes. Sertoli cells contain glycogen particles, endoplasmic reticulum, a lot of mitochondria, and lipids in their cytoplasm. They protrude their filiform pseudopodia and phagocytize abnormal spermatids or spermaozoa.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.311-318
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• 2006

Ultrastructure of germ cells, the cyst epithelial cells and interstitial cells during spermatogenesis of the stone flounder, Kareius bicoloratus (Pleuronectidae) sampled on the west coast of Korea were investigated by electron microscopic observations. In the primary spermatocyte, the synaptonemal complexes appear in the zygotene stage of the prophase during maturation division. In the growing testis, especially, the interstitial cells (Leydig cells) appear near the primary, secondary spermatocytes and spermatids. Well-developed interstitial cells (steroid hormone secreting cells) which are located in the interlobular space in growing testis have three morphological characteristics of a vesicular nucleus, mitochondria with tubular cristae and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. During spermatogenesis, the primary and secondary spermatocytes attach to the cyst epithelial cell (Sertoli cell) having an elongated ovoid or triangular nucleus and several mitochondria in the cytoplasm. In the growing testis, lipid droplets, the mitochondrial rosettes and glycogen particles appear in the cytoplasm of the cyst epithelial cells near the secondary spermatocytes and spermatids. Particularly, the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, little lipid droplets and the large amount of glycogen particles are present in the cytoplasm of the cyst epithelial cell in the late growing testis. In the late stage of spermiogenesis, the proximal centriole is joined to the nuclear envelope, the distal centriole forms the basal body of the flagellum and gives rise to the axial filament of the flagellum. No acrosome of the sperm is formed as seen in other teleost fish. The head of the spermatozoon is approximately $3{\mu}m$ in length and its tail is about $30{\mu}m$ in length. The axoneme of the tail flagellum of the spermatozoon consists of nine outer doublet microtubules at the periphery and two centrial singlet microtubules at the center. The spermatozoon of this species has two axonemal lateral fins. Especially, the cyst epithelial cells which located near groups of gametes in the various stages, show three functions: nutrition, phagocytosis and steroidogenesis. Especially, the nuclei of cyst epithelial cells in the recovery stage of the testicular developmental stages appear to be irregular in shape after spermiation. Of three functions of the cyst epithelial cell, several characteristics of phagocytosis are showed in the cytoplasm of the cyst epithelial cells in the recovery stage of the testicular developmental stages. At this stage, therefore, it is assumed that the cyst epithelial cells are involved in degeneration and resorption of undischarged germ cells after spermiation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.45-55
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• 1981

Clomiphene citrate. antiestrogen, was given to 39 infertile males whose spermatogenesis were disturbed and the efficacy of the drug was evaluated at the Department of Urology in 1980. (Table 1). Patients were divided into 3 clinical observation groups such as group I composed of 19 cases of idiopathic azoospermia, group II consisted of 15 cases of oligospermia following the vasovasostomy, and group III comprised 5 cases of testicular azoospermia. (Table 2). Clinical characteristics of these patients were as follows: Age of the patients ranged from 26 to 43 years old with mean of 34, and that of their wives ranged from 24 to 41 years old with mean of 31. Duration of marital life ranged from 1 to 21 years with mean of 5 years. Sizes of testis ranged from 6 to 25 ml with mean of 16 ml. Coital frequency ranged from 0.5 to 6 per week with mean of 2.4 per week. Levels of plasma FSH ranged from 3.15 to 23.06 lU/1 with mean of 8.15 lU/1, those of LH ranged from 2.98 to 19.89 lU/1 with mean of 8.18 lU/1 and those of testosterone ranged from 3.09 to 9.97 ng/ml with mean of 6.48 ng/ml. (Table 3). Clomiphene citrate was given in dosage of 50 mg per day (in d.) orally to 31 patients for 3 to 9 months and in dosage of 100 mg per day (b.i.d.) orally to 8 patients for 3 to 9 months. (Table 8). Semen samples were analysed monthly on each patient by routine analysis techniques. For the assessment of the efficacy of Clomiphene citrate on faulty spermatogenesis following empirical criteria were used: For semen quality: Improvement (I) represents that semen parameter increased more than 25% from basal level after the treatment, Unchange (U) expresses that semen parameter increased less than 25% of basal level or not changed after the treatment and Deterioration (D) means that semen parameter decreased from basal level after the treatment. For fertility unit (total counts ${\times}$ motility ${\times}$ morphology ${\div}10^6$): Improvement (I) represents that fertility unit increased more than 10 units after the treatment, Unchange (U) expresses that fertility unit increased less than 10 units or not changed after the treatment, and Deterioration (D) means that fertility unit decreased after the treatment. (Table 4). Results obtained from the Clomiphene therapy were as follows: Changes of spermiograme before and after the Oomiphene therapy shown in the Table 5. Sperm counts increased from 23 to 31 ${\times}10^6$/ml in group I, from 17 to 29 ${\times}10^6$/ml in group II. Other parameters of spermiogramme were not changed significantly after the treatment. Fertility units increased from 14 to 18 units after the treatment in group I, and from 16 to 18 units after the treatment in group II. Effectiveness of Clomiphene citrate on spermatogenesis was summarised in the Tables 6 and 7. After the treatment, sperm count increased in 11 patients, motility increased in 6 patients, morphology increased in 4 patients and fertility units increased in 9 patients. No sperm could be produced by Clomiphene citrate in group III of testicular azoospermia. Dosage of 50 mg of Clomiphene citrate per day for 3 to 6 months was proved to be the most effective in the present series. (Table 8). Pregnancy occurred in 2 patients after the treatment. No particular side effects were noted by the treatment. Pharmacologic compounds used for male infertility were shown in the Table 9. Reported results of Clomiphene citrate were shown in the Table 10.