• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• 제36권3호
• /
• pp.225-230
• /
• 2012

Interferon induced transmembrane protein-1 (Ifitm-1) has been reported to have an important role in primordial germ cell formation, and it has expressed in female reproductive organ. In the present study, Ifitm-1 gene expression was identified in testes and all part of epididymis using western immunoblot and immunohistochemistry. Interestingly, Ifitm-1 expression was observed on the head of spermatozoa. To investigate the role of Ifitm-1 gene expression in behavior of spermatozoa after acrosome reaction, fresh sperm was incubated with calcium ionophore to induce acrosome reaction, whereas the expression of Ifitm-1 was not altered after the acrosome reaction. Then to identify the effect of Ifitm-1 in sperm motility and other seminal parameters, different concentration of Ifitm-1 antibody was incubated with spermatozoa, and seminal parameters were assessed using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Interestingly, motility, progressive, and VAP were increased in the sperm with Ifitm-1 antibody treated compared to rabbit serum, however other parameters such as straightness were not changed. In order to identify the functional significance of Ifitm-1 in fertilization, capacitated spermatozoa were pre-incubated with anti-Ifitm-1 antibody and subsequently examined the ability to adhere to mouse oocytes. However, any defection or alteration in sperm-egg fusion was not found, Ifitm-1 antibody treated or non-treated spermatozoa showed a normal penetration. Although the precise role of Ifitm-1 in sperm motility and following fertilization need to be elucidated, this study suggests that the activation of Ifitm-1 on the sperm may enhance the motility of spermatozoa in mice.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제21권1호
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 1994

The occurrence and time course of capacitation, acrosomal loss, and hyperactivated motility require quantitative definition in order to characterize fertile human sperm. Recently the method has been developed to estimate the quality of spermatozoa by using kinematic parameters such as curvilinear velocity(VCL), average path velocity(VAP), linearity(LIN), straightness(STR), amplitude of lateral head displacement(ALH), and beat cross frequence(BCF) from Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA). In this study, using the Hamilton Thorn motility analyzer HTM 2030(Hamilton Thorn Research, Beverly, MA), we attempted to identify the spermatozoa with hyperactivated motility (HA) objectively and to monitor hyperactivation of human spermatozoa during incubation in capacitating media and after treatment of calcium ionophore as compared with acrosome status. And we examined whether HA are related to the result of SPA. Semen samples obtained from 16 healthy men were prepared by swim up technique and preincubated in a capacitating media(modified BWW medium) for 5 hours and treated with calcium ionophore solution. The acrosome reaction was detected with PSA-FITC labelling of the acrosome and in vitro sperm ferilizing capacity was assessed by the zona free hamster ovum penetration assay (SPA). The incidence of hyperactivated sperm was 2.6% in fresh semen, 14.3% of the swim up population, 13.7% after 5h of incubation. Significant increase of percentage of hyperactivated sperm was observed after the incubation (p<0.05) but after treatment, no significant changes of percentage of hyperactivated sperm(l1.8%) in contrast to significant rise in the percentage of acrosome reacted cells. Correlation analysis failed to show any significant relationship between the percentage of sperm with HA and SPA score. In conclusion, although no direct correlations were found between the results of SPA and HA, hyperactivation of sperm is associated with capacitation and monitoring hyperactivated sperm will be expected as a method of evaluating the functional quality of sperm such as SPA.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
• /
• 제2권1호
• /
• pp.63-68
• /
• 1998

본 연구에서는 보다 효율적인 동결 보존법을 수립하기 위하여 현재 사용되는 동결 보존액과 동결방법을 정자의 운동성 측면에서 비교해 보았다. 즉, 세 종류의 조성이 다른 동결보존액인 TYB, dithiothreitol을 첨가한 TYB+DTT, KS II 등이 동결보존 전후에 있어 운동성에 미치는 영향을 조사하였으며, 또한 vapor freezing 방법과 computerized freezer를 사용한 동결방법이 정자 운동성에 미치는 영향을 알아보았다. 정자의 분석은 현미경적 방법과 두 종류의 컴퓨터 정자 자동측정기인 SAIS와 Hamilton Thorn을 사용하여 동결 전 후의 정자 운동성과 VCL, VSL, VAP, ALH, LIN 등의 sub-motility 패턴을 측정하였다. 정액성상이 정상인 군에서 동결보존액을 비교한 실험결과는 TYB군과 TYB+DTT군, 그리고 KS II군의 융해 후 운동성이 각각 28.3%, 23.0%, 34.8%로 KS II군이 우수하였고, 동결방법을 비교한 실험에서는 vapor freezing 군과 computerized freezing 군의 융해 후 정자 운동성이 각각 27.8%, 33.2%로 유의차는 없었다. 또한 무력정자증을 보인 정액군에서는 TYB군과 TYB+DTT군, 그리고 KS II군에서 융해후 정자 운동성이 각각 13.6%, 10.0%, 18.5%로 여기 KS II군이 우수하였으며, vapor freezing군과 computerized freezing군의 융해 후 정자 운동성은 12.8%, 12.9%로 유의차가 없었다. 이상의 결과로 보아 운동성이 정상인 정액군과 무력정자증을 보이는 정액군에서 KS II를 사용해 동결하는 것이 TYB나 TYB+DTT를 사용하는 것보다 운동성 있는 정자를 회수하는데 더 효율적이며, 동결방법 측면에서는 vapor freezing 방법과 computerized freezing방법간에 큰 차이가 없음을 볼 수 있었다.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
• /
• 제24권1호
• /
• pp.29-32
• /
• 2009

Prostaglandin $F_2{\alpha}$ ($PGF_2{\alpha}$) can facilitate release of epinephrine from the adrenal gland. The objective was to extend these findings and determine the effects of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ on sexual activity and semen collection training in sexually inexperienced boars. Boars (n=32; $281{\pm}18$ days of age) were moved individually once weekly to a semen collection room equipped with an artificial sow. Before entering the semen collection room, boar received i.m. treatments of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ at doses of 5 (n=8), 10 (n=8), or 20 (n=8), and control boar (n=8) were not treated. Reaction time (elapsed time after entering collection pen until the start of mounting) for boars receiving 5mg ($3.3{\pm}0.9\;min$), 10mg ($3.3{\pm}0.8\;min$) $PGF_2{\alpha}$ was shorter (p<0.05) than for controls ($6.7{\pm}0.9min$). Duration of ejaculation (min) per session was longer (p<0.05) for $PGF_2{\alpha}$ (10 mg, 20 mg)-treated boars ($7.3{\pm}0.7\;min$, $6.9{\pm}0.7\;min$), compared to control ($3.4{\pm}0.8\;min$). The number of training session per boars was less (p=0.056) for $PGF_2{\alpha}$ 10mg-treated boars ($1.0{\pm}0.4$), compared to control ($2.0{\pm}0.4$). Semen characteristic such as volume, concentration, the number of total ejaculated sperm, were similar for $PGF_2{\alpha}$-treated and controls. There was no apparent difference on sperm movement characteristics (Mot: motility, VCL : curve linear velocity, VSL : straight line velocity, VAP : average path velocity, LIN : linearity) after semen preservation by collected with or without $PGF_2{\alpha}$ treatment. In summary, administration of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ in boars increased the sexual activity and facilitated the training boars to mount an artificial sow for semen collection, but did not affect semen characteristic.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제67권3호
• /
• pp.212-220
• /
• 2009

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has been increasing and growing as a threat in intensive care units. Limited therapeutic options have forced clinicians to choose colistin with or without combination of other antibiotics. We tried to compare the effectiveness between colistin monotherapy and combination therapy based on in vitro synergistic tests. Methods: From January 2006 to December 2007 in medical ICU of a tertiary care hospital in Korea, We reviewed the medical records of patients treated with intravenous colistin due to ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Results: A total of 41 patients were analyzed. 22 patients had been treated with colistin monotherapy and 19 patients with colistin and combination antibiotics that were found to have in vitro synergistic effects. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups but the mean duration of colistin administration was significantly longer in the combination group (19.1${\pm}$11.2 days vs. 12.3${\pm}$6.8 days, p=0.042). There were no significant differences in outcome variables between the two groups. Conclusion: Combination treatment based on the in vitro antimicrobial synergy test did not show better outcomes compared with colistin monotherapy in VAP caused by multi-drug resistant A. baumannii.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제38권1호
• /
• pp.47-52
• /
• 2011

Objective: To determine whether characteristics of sperm motility obtained by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) could predict pregnancy after intrauterine insemination (IUI) in couples with unexplained infertility. Methods: Three hundred eighty-three cycles of intrauterine insemination with superovulation were retrospectively analyzed. Semen analysis was performed with CASA before and after swim-up and the parameters were compared between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Results: The pregnancy rate per cycle was 14.1%. Pregnant and non-pregnant women were comparable in terms of age, infertility duration, the number of dominant follicles. While sperm concentration, motility, and parameters such as average path velocity (VAP) and percentage rapid (RAPID) before semen preparation were significantly different between the pregnancy and non-pregnancy groups, there were no differences in sperm parameters when comparing the two groups after preparation. Using a receiver operating characteristic curve to measure sensitivity and specificity, the optimal threshold value for the predictors of pregnancy was revealed to be a concentration of ${\geq}111{\times}10^6/mL$, a motility of ${\geq}$ 51.4%, and RAPID ${\geq}$ 30.1% before preparation for IUI. Conclusion: Sperm parameters including concentration, motility, and RAPID before sperm preparation could have predictive value for pregnancy outcome after intrauterine insemination with superovulation in couples with unexplained infertility, and would be helpful when counseling patients before they make the decision to proceed with IVF/ICSI-ET.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제14권4호
• /
• pp.226-234
• /
• 2006

Disturbance of antioxidant system is very common in chronic alcoholics and herbal or natural products with antioxidant activity have been used for its treatment. This study was to investigate the effect of Vitis vinifera extract(V), Schisandra chinensis extract(S), Taraxacum officinale extract(T), Gardenia jasminoides extract(G), Angelica acutiloba extract(A) and Paeonia japonica extract(P), and their combinations on the antioxidant and ethanol oxidation system. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to Lieber-DeCarli ethanol liquid diet(ED) and were then given different herbal extract mixtures for 6 weeks including VST(V 100+S 150+T 150mg/kg/day), VSG(V 100+S 150+G 150mg/kg/day), VTG(V 100+T 150+G 150mg/kg/day), and VAP(V 100+A 150+P 150mg/kg/day). When the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase(ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase(ALDH) were compared between ED only group and herbal extracts treatment group, the differences were statistically significant. Phase I and II(glutathione-S-transferase, phenol sulfatransferase) enzyme activities were found to be significantly higher in the VAT treatment group compared to the ED group. Herbal extracts not only repressed the ethanol-induced elevation of malondialdehyde level, but also protected against ethanol-induced decrease in glutathione content, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. The administration of the herbal extracts was found to be effective in eliminating lipid-peroxides induced by long-term consumption of alcohol by activating various enzyme systems and physiological active compound formation system. After a chronic consumption of alcohol, Angelica Radix protected the liver via activating the ethanol-metabolism enzyme system, and Paeoniae Radix via activating the ethanol-metabolism enzyme and the phase I, II-metabolism enzyme system. Taraxaci Herba was also effective in liver protection via activating the ethanol-metabolism enzyme system and the phase I, II-metabolism enzyme system, Gardeniae Fructus via activating the phase II-metabolism enzyme system and the anti-oxidation system enzyme, and Schisandra Fructus and a grapestone via activating the anti-oxidation system. Our data suggest that these herbal extracts may be useful as a health functional food or new drug candidate for fatty liver and hepatotoxicity induced by chronic alcohol consumption.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제55권1호
• /
• pp.59-68
• /
• 2003

연구배경 : 기관 삽관을 한 환자에서 정확한 폐렴의 진단과 원인균을 파악하는 것이 쉽지 않다. 경기관 흡인물(endotracheal aspirate) 배양검사는 간편하지만, 객담채취시 오염의 기회가 많고, 부적절한 객담채취의 기회가 높아서 그 원인균을 알아내는데는 어려움이 많다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 폐렴 진단 방법의 일환으로 좀 더 간편하고 비침습적인 방법인 blind PSB를 시행하여 진단의 유용성과 치료 및 예후에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 방 법 : 기관 삽관을 한 환자중에서 감염성 폐령이 의심되었던 51명의 환자를 대상으로 blind PSB(protected specimen brushing)를 시행하였고, 경기관 흡인물(endotracheal aspirate) 배양 및 혈액 배양검사를 통한 진단 결과와 비교하였다. 대상환자에서 기관 삽관 튜브를 통하여 폐렴이 생긴 폐구역에 해당되는 기관지에 접근하여 PSB 카테터로 기관지내의 화농성 분비물을 채취하여 15분 이내에 정량적 배양검사를 의뢰하여 $10^3/ml$ 이상의 colony forming units를 보일 때 양성으로 판정하였다. 결 과 : 51명의 환자 중 병원내 감염 폐렴은 27명(52.9%)이었고, 이 중에서 VAP가 19명(37.3%)이었고, 지역사회 감염 폐렴은 15명(29.4%)이었다. 비 폐렴성 폐 침윤으로 확인된 9명(17.6%)의 환자 중 울혈성 심부전이 5명(98%), 폐결핵이 3명(5.9%), 폐출혈이 1명(2.0%) 이었다. 원인균 규명을 위한 배양검사의 민감도와 특이도는 객담에서 각각 83.3%(35/42), 77.8%(7/9), 혈액에서 각각 14.3%(6/42), 100%(9/9)였고, blind PSB에서는 각각 548%(23142), 88.9%(8/9)였다. 유사한 민감도와 특이도를 고려하면, blind PSB는 객담배양검사에 비하여 우월하다고 할 수 있다. 초기 항생제 치료는 blind PSB 배양결과에 따라서 항생제를 교체하였는데, 항생제를 교체한 환자군의 생존율은 교체하지 않았던 환자군의 생존율과 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 없었다. 결 론 : Blind PSB는 기관 삽관된 환자에서 폐렴이 의심되는 경우 비감염성 폐침윤과의 감별에 도움을 주고 폐렴의 원인균을 간편하고 빠르게 확인하는데 유용하다. 또한 경기관 흡인물 배양검사에 비해 신뢰도는 낮지 않으면서 정량적 배양이 가능하여 불필요한 항균제의 사용을 감소시킬 수 있을 것으로 사료되며, 기관지 내시경검사를 할 수 없는 환자에서도 이용이 가능하다. 또한 기관지 내시경이 필요없어 검사비용에 비한 효과면에서 유용하고 안전한 검사이다.