• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.329-337
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• 2018

To increase the mating rate of Bombus ignitus used as insect pollinator, we investigated the sexual maturity time of B. ignitus. In investigating ovary development such as the number of eggs per ovariole and spermatheca size, the time of sexual maturity of queen was 10 days after eclosion. In case of male, the number of sperm was 246 thousand at immediately after eclosion, and was highest as 480 thousand at 9 days, and tended to show a dramatic decline at 35 days (87 thousand). The more mating time, the less the number of sperm. In consideration of number of sperms, the time of sexual maturity of male was 3-15 days after eclosion. In the sexual maturity time of queen in mating, the queen was not mated at immediately after eclosion, and showed a decrease in 20 days. In terms of the rate of mating and oviposition, the favorable time for mating of queen was 9-20 days. On the other hand, the male showed 3.3% of mating at immediately after ecolosion, showed the highest of 43.3% at 6 days after eclosion, and tended to decrease in 25 days. The sexual maturity time for mating of male was 6-20 days. In summary, our results indicate that sexual maturity time of B. ignitus in reproductive organs and mating is most favorable in 9-12 days after eclosion for queen and 6-9 days for male.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.395-401
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• 2019

Phthalate is a chemical endocrine disrupter and interfere with the action of hormones, estrogens, androgens and thyroid hormones. It also affect cardiovascular, metabolic, immune and reproductive system in the human and animals. Curcumin is antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activity and -cancer properties in the human. We studied whether phthalates damage viability, mitochondrial activity and membrane integrity of sperm in boar semen. We also treated curcumin with/without phthalates in the boar semen. Fresh boar semen was treated with phthalates and/or curcumin for examining sperm characteristics. Sperm characteristics, sperm motility, viability, mitochondrial activity, and membrane integrity were determined during storage of boar semen. Sperm motility and viability in dose-dependent manner decreased by di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP) and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP, p<0.05). Phthalates also decreased mitochondrial activity and membrane integrity of sperm (p<0.05). However, sperm motility and viability were higher than untreated-curcumin when DBP, MBP and DEHP treated with a curcumin in boar semen (p<0.05). Mitochondrial activity and membrane integrity of sperm were higher in DBP- and MBP-treated semen with curcumin (p<0.05). In conclusion, phthalates can damage sperm viability and quality during the boar semen storage, and curcumin may protect the boar sperms from phthalates during storage term.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2019

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is economically the most important and challenging disease in swine industries worldwide and caused by PRRS virus (PRRSV). Previous studies reported that pigs with heterozygous genotypes in the guanylate-binding proteins (GBP1 and GBP5) exhibited increased resistance against PRRSV infection. The present study was conducted to produce higher numbers of the heterozygous pigs based on the PRRS resistant polymorphisms found in GBP1 (GBP1E2 and WUR) and GBP5, and evaluate the resistance of heterozygous pigs against challenge with a type 2 PRRSV (JA142) in comparison with homozygous pigs. In the challenge study, 12, 4 week-old PRRSV-negative piglets were selected based on the genotypes of the 3 polymorphisms (GBP1E2, WUR and GBP5). Among them, 8 piglets [homozygous (n=4) and heterozygous (n=4)] were challenged with JA142 and kept in the same room, and the remaining 4 piglets were kept separately as a negative control. In results, the sperms collected from the boars of GBP1E2-GG genotype produced approximately 28~41% higher numbers of heterozygous piglets as compared with those from the boars of GBP1E2-AG genotype. In the challenge study, we found that heterozygous piglets showed the significantly lower levels of viremia than homozygous piglets at 14, 21 and 28 dpc. Consistently, these heterozygous piglets also exhibited significantly higher ADWG than homozygous piglets. Therefore, in the current study, selection of boars based on SNP markers could increase the production of PRRS resistant piglets and the PRRS resistant pigs were found to be more resistant to PRRSV infection.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.297-306
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• 2020

The aims of the present study were to confirm that regulation of the PA and environment via TGF-β regulation of sperm by Percoll-separated in porcine uterine epithelial cells. And, it was performed to identify the cytokines (TGF-β1, 2 and 3, TGF-β receptor1 and 2; interleukin, IL-6, IL-8) and PA-related genes (urokinase-PA, uPA; tissue-PA, tPA; PA inhibitor, PAI; uPA-receptor, uPAR) by spermatozoa. The experiment used porcine uterus epithelial cells (pUECs) and uterine tissue epithelial cells, Boar sperm were separated by discontinuous Percoll density gradient (45/90%), and tissues were co-incubated with spermatozoa, followed by real-time PCR. PA activity was measured of sperm by discontinuous Percoll density gradient (45/90%) for 24 hours. To measure viability and acrosome damage of sperm double stained propidium iodide (PI) and SYBR-14 or FITC-PNA were used. In results, binding ratio of Percoll-separated sperm was found no differences, but sperms isolated from 90% Percoll layer reduced PA activity (p < 0.05). when co-cultured sperm selected Percoll in porcine uterus tissues epithelial cells, 90% layer sperm increased TGF-β R1, contrastively tPA and PAI-1 in comparison with control (p < 0.05). 45% sperm was decreased the expression of uPA (p < 0.05). TGF-β decreased PA activity in the supernatant collected from pUECs (p < 0.05). Especially, The group including uPA, PAI-1 were induce sperm intact, while it was reduced in sperm damage when compared to control (p < 0.05). Also, there was no significant difference group of tPA and tPA+I in the dead sperm and acrosome damage compared to control. The expression of tPA and PAI showed a common response. Percoll-separated spermatozoa in 90% layer reduced tPA and IL-related gene mRNA expression. Thus, Percoll-sparated sperm in 90% layer show that it can suppress inflammation through increased expression of TGF-β and downregulation of PA and IL in epithelial cells compared to 45% layer Percoll.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.425-454
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• 2022

This study analyzed the 77 most popular sexuality education books for children and young adults published in Korea, based on various criteria, including subject matters, format, implied readers, and author's occupational background. Among the key topics of the International technical guidance on sexuality education developed by UNESCO, the most mentioned was that it is natural to have curiosity on one's own feelings and body and that sex education books can help them learn about them. Respect on one's own body, knowledge of sexual and reproductive organs, eggs and sperms, menstrual cycle, effect of hormones were also easily found topics from the books. The least mentioned topics were HIV/AIDS and Gender-based violence. 63.5% of the analyzed books were books with/without illustrations. Other formats include picture books, comic books, and photo-illustrated books. Publication of books aimed for particular gender started to increase from 2019. Diversity of authors' occupation were also shown starting 2019. Further research on the role of sex education books is crucial to help all children and young adults develop their own sexuality and understand that of other people, and ultimately to live in a harmonious society.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.331-338
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• 2008

Monthly changes in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) of wild river puffer Takifugu obscurus, and water quality environment in spawning area during breeding season were investigated from March 1995 to February 1996. Monthly changes in GSI and HSI of T. obscurus, that was cultured in low salinity, were calculated. The external morphology of the gonads, germ cell differentiation during gametogenesis and the reproductive cycle with the gonad developmental phases were investigated by histological analysis. The optimum water quality environment in Ganggyung, Choongcheongnam-do, where is spawning ground of wild T. obscurus, was $15-20^{\circ}C$ (water temperature) and 0 psu (salinity). Monthly changes in the GSI in females and males reached a maximum in May, and then rapidly decreased. Therefore, it is assumed that in the natural condition the spawning period of wild T. obscurus is May to June. In females and males, it showed a negative correlationship between the GSI and HSI. The external morphology of the gonads in female and male T. obscurus, that was cultured in low salinity, is composed of a pair of saccular structure. Based on monthly changes in the GSI, it is assumed that in female T. obscurus, that was cultured in low salinity, spawn from March through May. Therefore, it showed a negative correlationship between changes in the GSI and HSI. On the whole, in females and males, it showed a similar pattern between wild and cultured T. obscurus. The reproductive cycle with the gonad developmental phases can be classified into successive five stages in females: the early growing stage, late growing stage, mature stage, ripe and spent stage, and recovery and resting stage. In males, that can be divided into successive four stages: the growing stage, mature stage, ripe and spent stage, and recovery and resting stage. In case of wild T. obscurus, the spawning period has once a year, however, those cultured in the high water temperature ($20-27^{\circ}C$) - low salinity (under 3.3 psu) condition have reproductive characteristics having possibilities of discharge of eggs and sperms year-round as a multiple spawner.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.311-319
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• 2014

Early sexual maturation through temperature stimulation was induced in female and male of yezo scallop. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) in female showed $9.12{\pm}2.9$ in January, $14.89{\pm}2.9$ in February and $21.3{\pm}1.4$ in March in experiment I. GSI in experiment I showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) and in experiments II and III were not show significant variations (P > 0.05). It also showed significant between the control and the experiments I, II, and III in February (P < 0.05) measurements. Experiment I has showed good results in sexual maturation and spawning when compared with other experiments II and III and the control. Histological observation showed that ovary condition was in a growing stage in all the experiments I, II, and III. In February, ovary condition through histological observation was a late mature stage in all the experiments I, II, and III except the control of a growing stage. GSI and gonad weight were $4.4{\pm}0.88$ and 2.8 g, respectively in November whereas it was $15.1{\pm}2.8$, and 11.7 g, respectively in January and $21.7{\pm}5.4$, and 19.4 g, respectively in February after rearing at a water bath of $12^{\circ}C$ depending on the condition of experiment I. It was possible early releasing of eggs and sperms of yezo scallop in February instead of the middle of April to the end of May being spawning period. Fertilized eggs have become a gastrula stage through a spiral cleavage and then become a trochophore larvae after 36 hours. After 10 days, D-shaped larvae have changed into an umbo stage larvae and attached to juveniles in the post larvae after 20-23 days.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.251-257
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• 2011

Cobalt is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, soil, water and/or is among the harmful pollutants as generated by industrialized. In the environment, cobalt has two oxidation states, cobalt (II) (Co (II)) and cobalt (III) (Co (III)). If coastal water is contaminated by cobalt, it through the food chain can have an impact on marine ecosystems. Therefore, we examined the gametotoxic and embryotoxic effects of Co (II) at various concentrations (10, 100, 500, 1000, 2500 ppb) in the sea urchin $Hemicentrotus$ $pulcherrimus$. Spawning was induced by injecting 1 mL of 0.5 M KCl into coelomic cavity. Males released white or cream-colored sperms and females released yellow or orange-colored eggs. Experiment was begun within 30 min the collection of both gametes. The fertilization and embryo development rates test were performed for 10 min and 64 h after fertilization, respectively. The fertilization rates in the control condition (not including Co (II)) and experimental group were not significantly changed. The embryo development rates in the control condition were greater than 90% and were significantly decreased with concentration dependent manner. The normal embryogenesis rate was significantly inhibited in exposed to cobalt (II) ($EC_{50}$=71.84 ppb, 95% Cl=16.71-203.36 ppb). The NOEC and LOEC of normal embryogenesis rate were <10 ppb and 10 ppb, respectively. These results suggest that the early embryo stages of $H.$ $pulcherrimus$ have toxic effect at greater than 10 ppb of Co (II) concentration.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2002

The main goal of this study was to produce transgenic porcine embryos by direct injection of sperm-mediated exogenous DNA. Spermatozoa (6$\times$10$^{6}$ sperms of final concentration) were mixed with pcDNA LAC Z (20 ng/$\mu$l) and subjected into electroporation (300~750 volts, 25 $\mu$F, 0.4 cm electrode). After sperm injection, the oocytes were activated electrically (1.7 KV/cm, 30$\mu$sec, single pulse) in 0.3 M mannitol solution or not. The sperm injected eggs were cultured in NCSU 23 medium (0.4% BSA) at 39$^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ in air fur 144 h. The rates of cleavage and development into blastocyst stage in activation group were significantly higher than those of non-activation group (79.6% and 24.1% vs. 46.3% and 14.4%, respectively, p<0.05). Control oocytes and shame injection were developed to blastocysts low (2.5%). Sixty five (27.1%) out of 240 embryos observed in activation and non-activation groups were showed positive by X-gal staining. However, all embryos in both groups were expressed partial or mosaic pattern. These results suggested that electrical stimulation far oocytes activation after sperm injection enhances the incidence of both fertilization and development fellowing sperm injection in the pig. Our study also suggested that sperm-mediated transfer of exogenous DNA by ICSI would be used as a valuable tool for the production of transgenic porcine embryos.

• 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.