• Development and Reproduction
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.227-233
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• 2012

Circadian timing system plays a major role in a wide range of reproductive function. However it is plausible idea that other environmental and/or internal cue might be simultaneously participated in the optimal regulation of reproductive system. In the present study we extended the reverse feeding (RF) time regimen up to 8 weeks, then measured the general and reproductive indices of the animals. The animals of ad libitum feeding group (Control, CON) have free access to food for 4, 6 and 8 weeks, respectively. The day feeding animals (reverse feeding, RF group) have restricted access to food during daytime (09:00-18:00) for 4, 6 and 8 weeks, respectively. When the feeding schedules were over, key indices were measured. After 4 weeks and 8 weeks of feeding, body weights of animals were not significantly different. However, body weights of 6 weeks RF animals were significantly smaller than those of control animals (CON : RF = $333.46{\pm}12.71$ g : $289.91{\pm}8.31$ g, p<0.01). The blood glucose levels of 4 weeks RF animals were significantly decreased compared to the levels of control animals (CON : RF = $161.4{\pm}2.7$ mg/dL : $176.7{\pm}5$ mg/dL, p<0.01) while the levels of 6 weeks RF and 8 weeks RF animals were not different form those of control animals. Reproductive and non-reproductive tissue weights from 6 weeks RF group were significantly lowered than those from CON group (testis, CON : RF = $1.4714{\pm}0.0174$ g : $1.3724{\pm}0.0168$ g, p<0.001; epididymis, CON : RF = $0.3574{\pm}0.0059$ g : $0.3243{\pm}0.0068$ g, p<0.001; seminal vesicle, CON : RF = $0.1655{\pm}0.0068$ g : $0.1328{\pm}0.0054$ g, p<0.001; prostate, CON : RF = $0.3350{\pm}0.0231$ g : $0.2528{\pm}0.0143$ g, p<0.01). After 4 weeks and 8 weeks of reverse feeding, sperm counts in RF animals were markedly reduced than those in control animals[CON 4W : RF 4W = $121.17{\pm}9.96\;({\times}10^6)$ : $50.86{\pm}9\;({\times}10^6)$, p<0.001; CON 8W : RF 8W= $138.69{\pm}9.8\;({\times}10^6)$ : $108.94{\pm}4.22\;({\times}10^6)$, p<0.001]. Present study indicates that RF may induce an adaptable metabolic stress and cause impairment of androgen-dependent reproductive tissues. On-going longitudinal studies will allow a better understanding of the how does mealtime shift affect the reproductive function and exact nature of adaptation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.243-249
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• 2015

Background: Anticancer agents induce a variety of adverse effects when administered to cancer patients. Busulfan is a known antileukemia agent. When administered for treatment of leukemia in young patients, busulfan could cause damage to the male reproductive system as one of its adverse effects, resulting in sterility. Methods: We investigated the effects of Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRGE) on busulfan-induced damage and/or dysfunction of the male reproductive system. Results: We found that administration of busulfan to mice: decreased testis weight; caused testicular histological damage; reduced the total number of sperm, sperm motility, serum testosterone concentration; and eventually, litter size. Preadministration of KRGE partially attenuated various busulfan-induced damages to the male reproductive system. These results indicate that KRGE has a protective effect against busulfan-induced damage to the male reproduction system. Conclusion: The present study shows a possibility that KRGE could be applied as a useful agent to prevent or protect the male reproductive system from the adverse side effects induced by administration of anticancer agents such as busulfan.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.35-55
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• 1993

cis-Dichlorodiammineplatinum (II) (cis-Platin), a metallic compound, has widely been used as an effective anticancer chemotherapeutic agent. The precise mechanism of action of this agent is still unknown, but it is postulated that cis-Platin may act on the cancer cell like bifunctional alkylating agents. Although this agent is very beneficial to the patients with cervical cancer, germinoma of testis, neuroblastoma and others, it may also damage to the normal cell so that many side effects; severe hemorrhagic enterocolitis, bone marrow depression, renal damage and liver damage will develope. This experiment has been undertaken to pursue the cytotoxic effects of the cis-Platin on the ultrastructures of the interalveolar septum in the mouse lung. A total of 55 healthy male mice of ICR strain were used as experimental animals and divided into 5 mice of normal control group and 50 mice of cis-Platin treated group. The mice of cis-Platin treated group were sacrificed by carotid exsanguination at 6, 12, 24 hours, 3 days and 7 days after intraperitoneal injection of 6.0 mg of cis-Platin ($Abiplatin^R$ Abic Co. Ltd.) per kg of mouse body weight. The specimen obtained from the lower lobe of left lung were sliced into $1mm^3$ and prefixed with 2% glutaraldehyde -2.5% paraformaldehyde solution prepared with Millonig's phosphatae buffer solution (pH 7.4) at $4^{\circ}C$ for 3-4 hours. After postfixation with 1% osmium tetroxide solution all specimens were embedded in Epon 812. Ultrathin sections about $600-800{\AA}$ in thickness were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate and observed with Hitachi-600 electron microscope. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Local swellings with increase of electron density and number of pinocytic vesicles in the cytoplasms of the type I pneumocyte and endothelial cell of the blood air barrier in interalveolar septum of cis-platin treated mice were observed. 2. Cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum were dilated and sacculated in association with detachment of membrane bound ribosomes of the type II pneumocyte in interalveolar septum of cis-Platin treated mice. 3. Swollon mitochondria with uneven electron density of their matrix were observed in the type II pneumocyte of interalveolar septum in the cis-Platin treated mice. 4. The lamellae of lammelar bodies in type II pneumocyte of interalveolar septum in cis-Platin treated mice were devoided or transformed into homogeneous electron dense material. It is consequently suggested that cis-Platin would induce the cellular edema of type I pneumocyte and endothelial cell, and degenerative changes of cytoplasmic organelles of the type II pneumocyte in the interalveolar septum of the mouse lung.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.61-70
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• 2011

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are present in many consumer products ranging from fabrics to plastics and electronics. Wide use of flame retardants can pose an environmental hazard, which makes it important to determine the mechanism of their toxicity. In the present study, dose-dependent toxicity of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a flame retardant, was examined in male prepubertal rats (postnatal day 18) treated orally with TBBPA at 0, 125, 250 or 500 mg/kg for 30 days. There were no differences in body weight gain between the control and TBBPA-treated groups. However, absolute and relative liver weights were significantly increased in high dose of TBBPA-treated groups. TBBPA treatment led to significant induction of CYP2B1 and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) expression in the liver. In addition, serum thyroxin (T4) concentration was significantly reduced in the TBBPA treated group. These results indicate that repeated exposure to TBBPA induces drug-metabolising enzymes in rats through the CAR signaling pathway. In particular, TBBPA efficiently produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) through CYP2B1 induction in rats. We measured 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a biomarker of DNA oxidative damage, in the kidney, liver and testes of rats following TBBPA treatment. As expected, TBBPA strongly induced the production of 8-OHdG in the testis and kidney. These observations suggest that TBBPA-induced target organ toxicity may be due to ROS produced by metabolism of TBBPA in Sprague-Dawley rats.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.46-55
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• 1984

The purpose of the experiment was to clarify morphologically normal growth pattern of the ductus deference in accordance with the sex maturity of meat-type cockerels. 1. Diameter of lumens in u, pp.r, mid and lower parts of ductus deferens, the most conspicuous enlargement of lumen was observed in the lower part. Heights of epithelial layers of ductus deferens showed abrupt growth at 12 weeks of age with subsequent gradual growth in all the part of u, pp.r, mid and lower, and heights of those at 30 weeks were a, pp.oximately 4 times as large in the u, pp.r and mid parts and 5 times as large in the lower part in contrast to those at 4 weeks of age. Thickness of muscular layer of ductus showed gradual growth in contrast with the diameter of lumen and height of epithelial layer, showing 1.3 times as large in the u, pp.r part, 1.6 times in the mid part and 1.9 times in the lower part at 30 weeks of age in contrast to the thickness at 4 weeks of age. 2. Within 10 weeks after hatching, lining cells of ductus deferens were mainly composed of round cells and columnar cells in simple columnar epithelium. During 10th to 20th week, the lining cells were mainly composed of high columnar cells and round cells in pseudostratified epithelium. From 22nd week, the lining cells were composed of pseudostratified columnar cells. Whereas round cells disa, pp.ared gradually. Enlargement of lumen and pooling of sperms in ductus deferens coincided with the maturation of seminiferous tubules. 3. In simple correlation between the values of testis weight and the values from various measurements in the ductus deferens, there was significant correlation coefficient with each other. 4. In the India ink absorption test, India ink granules were not absorbed on the epithelium of the ductus deferens, but the granules reactive to acid phosphatase a, pp.ared in a line on the free border of each parts of the ductus deferens. The granules reactive to alkaline phosphatase were noted on the luminal border of ductus deferens mainly, but weak reaction showed than acid phophatase were a, pp.ared. The granules reactive to PAS were a, pp.ared mostly near on the free border of hte epithelial cells of ductus deferens. 5. Number of sperm, Indes of sperm vitality and MRT in the different parts of ductus deferens were tended to be somewhat dominant in the mid and lower parts than in u, pp.r part, even though not significant in the statistical analysis. Ratio of sperm abnormality was tended to be relatively high in the u, pp.r part too, and in the sperm of abnormality blunted head was less in number significantly in the mid and lower part than in the u, pp.r part.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.198-203
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• 1999

Gonadal development and reproductive cycle off Gomphina melanaegis collected in the coastal waters of Chumunjin, Korea were investigated monthly from April 1996 to April 1997. G. melanaegis was dioecious, The gonads were located between the digestive diverticula and muscle tissues of the foot, The ovary was composed of a number of ovarian sacs, and the testis was composed of several testicular tubules. The flesh weight rate was reached the maximum in August ($23.0\%$), and then decreased to $19.8\%$ in September. In March, the value was reached the minimum ($17.8\%$) and then increased, The size of mature oocyte was ranged $50\~60\mu$m in diameter and had a germinal vesicle with a nucleolus. Mature oocyte contained a large number of yolk granules and lipid granules in its cytoplasm. The spermatozoon was consisted of a conical nucleus with acrosome, a middle piece containing four mitochondria and proximal and distal centrioles, and a flagellum, Sex ratio (male/female) and minimum size for sexual maturation of G. melanaegis were 0.79 and about 25 mm in shell length, respectively. The reproductive cycle could be classified into five succesive stages: multiplicative (December to March), growing (April and May), mature(June), sprawning (July and August), and degenerative and resting (September to November) stages.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.122-127
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• 2024

This study investigated the reproductive ecology and spawning of Hoplobrotula armata on the coast of Jejudo Island. Samples were collected from February to December 2019 and February to December 2020, with a total of 2,634 samples. The results of the investigation showed that total length (TL) ranged from 22.0 cm to 68.8 cm, and the body weight (BW) ranged from 66.5 g to 3,553.9 g. According to the development process of gonads and the gonadosomatic index (GSI), the spawning period of H. armata was from July to October. The relationship between TL and BW was BW = 0.0024TL^3.3278 in females and BW = 0.0035TL^3.2162 in males. The sex ratios of surveyed female to male H. armata was 1:0.71, with more females. At 50%, 75%, and 97.5%, the group maturities of H. armata were as follows: Females, 39.9 cm, 42.7 cm, and 49.4 cm; males, 37.6 cm, 40.4 cm, and 46.9 cm, respectively. According to monthly GSI and gametocyte (ovarian, testis) development stage observations of H. armata on the coast of Jejudo Island, they spawn once a year and are presumed to be summer spawners.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.189-205
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• 1994

Formerly, adult-tiger puffer, Takifugu rubripes with ova caught in the sea, were used for seedling production. But it was difficult to secure naturally-ripened adults. For the purpose of adult tiger puffer in captivity, this study was carried out. To determine the growth 220 tiger puffers hatched in 1990 (3-year-old) and 1991 (2-year-old) were used. For spawning and egg incubation leading to fry development, eggs were stripped from tiger puffers hatched in 1988 (5-year-old) and 1990 (3-year-old) through human chorionic gonadotropin (BCG) treatments. In May, 1993, mean body length and mean body weight of 2-year-old tiger puffer were $30.72\pm1.35cm\;and\;1,048\pm228 g,$ and that of 3-year-old tiger puffers were $36.02\pm1.17cm$ and $1,402\pm66g$ respectively. The relationship between body length (L) and body weight (W) of 2-year-old the tiger puffers during the experiment period was represented as $W\;=\;1.7892L^{31524}\times10^5$ (r= 0.9436) and that of 3-year-old, $W=\;3.2840L^{36099}\times10^6$ (r= 0.9070) respectively. The GSI in female 2-year-old-fish changed from $0.23\times0.l2\;to\;0.74\pm0.08$, during the experiment period, and in male it didn't change remarkably until November, but thereafter it increased and showed a peak of $8.69\pm5.09$. The GSI of 3-year-old-fish showed a peak of $8.05\pm5.58$ in April in female and $12.65\pm4.60$ in May in male. The change of HSI in 3-year-old-fish was correlative to the change of GSI, but in 2-year-old-fish it was little correlative. In female gonad of 2-year-old tiger puffer, the mature oocytes reached $350{\mu}m$ in April, but thereafter they didn't spawn and became atrophied. But in male gonad, a great number of spermatozoa were crowded in the testicular lobuli in April. Female gonad of 3-year-old tiger puffer had the mature oocytes of 650 pm in March and the ripe oocytes, $900{\mu}m$ in April. Male testis development was similar to that of 2-year-old-fish. Egg-stripping after hormone treatments was possible past 139 hours and 142 hours from each of two 5-year-old-fish (500IU/kg, BW), and after 114 hour from a 3-year-old-fish (1,000 IU/kg, BW) under water temperature $16.3\~17.8^{\circ}C$. Eggs stripped amounted was 650 g and 400 g from two 5-year-old-fish and 610 g from the 3-year-old-fish, and fertilization rates were $98.0\%,\;97.4\%\;and\;96.5\%$ respectively. All the hatched larvae devloped into normal fry.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.105-114
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• 2009

Ethane 1,2-dimethane sulfonate (EDS) is a well-known alkylating agent used as selective Leydig cell (LC) toxicant to create a testicular dysfunction model. Previous studies including our own clearly demonstrated the dramatic weight loss of the androgen dependent accessory sex organs such as epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate gland in this 'LC knock-out' rats. The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of EDS administration on histological changes of the epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate in adult rats. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (350$\sim$400 g B.W.) were injected with a single dose of EDS (75 mg/kg, i.p.) and sacrificed on weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Tissue weights (testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate gland) were measured. The histological changes of tissue were observed by a light microscopy using hematoxylin & eosin staining. Weights of the reproductive and accessory organs progressively declined after the EDS treatments (weeks 1, 2 and 3). After this, the decrease was stopped, then gradually returned to the normal levels. There was a partial (about 60%) recovery of the epididymis weight during weeks $6{\sim}7$. The cross section of epididymis revealed an increase in thickness of the epithelium during weeks $1{\sim}3$. In contrast, considerable reduction of epithelial thickness in seminal vesicle was observed during same period. Similarly, a reduction in thickness of prostate epithelial layer was found during weeks $1{\sim}3$, then it was back to normal thickness after week 4. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that the temporally induced androgen-deficiency by EDS treatment could result the prominent alterations in histology of the accessory sex organs. Further studies on the physiological and molecular regulation of these androgen-sensitive organs using EDS model will be helpful to understand the normal and pathological development and differentiation mechanism of these organs.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.266-280
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• 1989

Gonadal maturation of the Korean pomfrets, Pampus echinogaster (Basilewsky) and Pampus argenteus (Euphrasen) were histologically investigated based on the samples captured in the East China Sea from January 1987 to December 1988. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) of P. echinogaster began to increase from March, and reached maximum between May and July. It began to decrease from July and reached mini-mum between August and February. P. argenteus had a similar cycle, however, P. argenteus has higher values in April than P. echinogaster. Hepatosomatic index (HSI) were positively related to GSI. HIS of P. echinogaster and P. argenteus reached maximum in $April\~July$ and $April\~August$, respectively, Fatness coefficient of two Pampus species were low in the summer, and high in the winter. Ovary is of saccular structure, and testis is of lobular structure. From February, the early oocyte (ca. $100\mu$ in diameter grows) rapidly at the germinal epithelium of ovarian sacs. From March to April the oocytes grew up to cu $400\~500\mu$ in diameter. At this stage, the yolk globules are accumulated rapidly in the cytoplasmic layer. From May, the oocytes roached ca. $650\~850\mu$ in diameter, and they are spawned in $May\~July$. After spawning the residual follicles and remained ripe eggs degenerate. From February, spermatogonia grows into spermatocyte on the epithelium of the testicular lobuli. From May, spermatozoa appeared and spawning occurs. After spawning, the epithelium is thickened and the remained spermatozoa degenerate. Annual reproductive cycle of two Pampus species could be divided into four successive stages: Growing stage ($March\~April$), Mature stage ($April\~May$), Ripe and spent stage ($June\~July$) and Recovery and resting stage ($August\~January$). Absolute fecundity of P. echinogaster was $9,441\~135,294$, and that of P. argenteus was $50,678\~221,894$. Absolute fecundity of two Pampus species were positively related to body length and total weight. Relative fecundity was positively related to body length, while it was reversely related to total weight. The increasing rate of absolute fecundity of P. echinogaster was lower than P. argenteus. In P. echinogaster half of female and male reached first maturity at body length of $15.0\~$17.9cm and $12.0\~14.9cm$, respectively. All of females and males reached first maturity at body length of $18.0\~20.9cm$ and $21.0\~23.9cm, respectively. In P. argenteus all of females and males reached first maturity at body length of 18.6cm and 16.7cm$, respectively.