• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한불임학회 2000년도 제39차 춘계 학술대회
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• pp.13-28
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• 2000

Human spermatozoa exhibit a capacity to generate ROS and initiate peroxidation of the unsaturated fatty acids in the sperm plasma membrane, which plays a key role in the etiology of male infertility. The short half-life and limited diffusion of these molecules is consistent with their physiologic role in key biological events such as acrosome reaction and hyperactivation. The intrinsic reactivity of these metabolites in peroxidative damage induced by ROS, particularly $H_2O_2$ and the superoxide anion, has been proposed as a major cause of defective sperm function in cases of male infertility. The number of antioxidants known to attack different stages of peroxidative damage is growing, and it will be of interest to compare alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid with these for their therapeutic potential in vitro and in vivo. Both spermatozoa and leukocytes generate ROS, although leukocytes produce much higher levels. The clinical significance of leukocyte presence in semen is controversial. Seminal plasma confers some protection against ROS damage because it contains enzymes that scavenge ROS, such as catalase and superoxide dismutase. A variety of defense mechanisms comprising a number of antioxidants can be employed to reduce or overcome oxidative stress caused by excessive ROS. Determination of male infertility etiology is important, as it will help us develop effective therapies to overcome excessive ROS generation. ROS can have both beneficial and detrimental effects on the spermatozoa and the balancing between the amounts of ROS produced and the amounts scavenged at any moment will determine whether a given sperm function will be promoted or jeopardized. Accurate assessment of ROS levels and, subsequently, OS is Vital, as this will help clinicians both elucidate the fertility status and identify the subgroups of patients that respond or do not respond to these therapeutic strategies. The overt commercial claims of antioxidant benefits and supplements for fertility purposes must be cautiously looked into, until proper multicentered clinical trials are studied. From the current data it appears that no Single adjuvant will be able to enhance the fertilizing capacity of sperm in infertile men, and a combination of the possible strategies that are not toxic at the dosage used would be a feasible approach.

• 한국가금학회지
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.171-178
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• 2013

본 연구는 닭 정액 동결 보존을 위하여 동결 보호제로 7%의 DMA, DMF 그리고 7.5%의 MA를 이용하여 동결 융해 후 정자의 생존율, 정상 첨체율 및 미토콘드리아의 활성도를 FACS를 이용하여 평가하고, 수정률과의 상관관계를 조사하고자 수행하였다. 닭 정액을 동결한 결과, DMF를 사용하였을 때 생존율은 $52.1{\pm}5.52%$로 DMA와 MA에 비해 유의적으로 높았으며(P<0.05), DMA $46.94{\pm}5.06%$, MA $36.56{\pm}4.66%$순으로 나타났다(P<0.05). 첨체막이 파열되고 죽은 정자는 이와 반대로 MA를 이용하여 동결한 정액이 $61.16{\pm}1.86%$로서 가장 높았고, DMA $47.48{\pm}1.9%$ DMF $36.56{\pm}1.42%$순으로 유의적 차이를 보였다(p<0.05). 정자 미토콘드리아 막이 손상되지 않은 생존 정자는 DMF를 이용하여 동결한 정액에서 $52.68{\pm}1.07%$로 가장 높게 나타났고, DMA $44.46{\pm}1.04%$, MA $38.36{\pm}1.88%$순으로 유의적 차이를 나타냈다(p<0.05). 7% DMF를 사용하여 동결하였을 때 수정률은 유의적인 차이가 없었지만, 생존율 및 미토콘드리아 활성도가 유의적으로 가장 높았으며, 정상 첨체율이 유의적으로 높았다. 이는 DMF를 이용한 닭 정자 동결법이 정자의 세포막과 첨체의 손상에 미치는 영향이 가장 낮은 동결 보호제인 것으로 사료된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.203-212
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• 2008

목 적: 정자의 동결 과정에서 생길 수 있는 급격한 온도 차에 의한 동결 충격이나 동결 상해등에 의한 세포막의 손상, 세포의 기능 장애 등은 정자의 수정능에 영향을 미칠 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 인간 정자를 동결 보존하는 과정에서 콜레스테롤 전처리가 정자의 운동성 및 기능보존에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법: 본원을 내원한 14명 남성의 정자를 대상으로 콜레스테롤을 첨가하지 않은 대조군 (control)과 여러 농도의 콜레스테롤을 동결보존액에 첨가한 실험군에서 정자의 동결-융해 후 상태를 다음 3가지 방법으로 비교, 분석하였다. 1) 정자 분석, 2) calcium ionophore로 유도된 첨체 반응 검사, 3) 정자 염색질 구조 분석 (sperm chromatin structure assay). 결 과: 첫째로 인간 정자의 운동성은 $0.5{\mu}g$ 농도의 콜레스테롤을 첨가한 동결보존액에서 동결-해동하였을 경우, 콜레스테롤을 첨가하지 않은 군에 비해 유의적 차이를 보이며 증가하는 것을 확인하였다 ($33.46{\pm}1.48%$ vs. $30.10{\pm}1.07%$, p<0.05). 다음으로 동된 정자의 첨체 반응 검사에서도 콜레스테롤을 첨가한 동결보존액에서의 첨체 반응이 일어나는 정자의 비율이 첨가하지 않은 군에 비해 유의하게 높게 관찰되었다 ($53.60{\pm}1.60%$ vs. $47.40{\pm}1.86%$, p<0.05). 마지막으로 정자 염색질 구조 분석에서는 콜레스테롤을 첨가한 군이 첨가하지 않은 군에 비해 정자의 DNA손상이 적게 나타남을 확인하였다. 결 론: 본 실험은 동결보존액을 통한 정자 원형질막 내 콜레스테롤 함유량의 증가가 동결-융해 후 정자의 운동성과 수정능(capacitation status)을 증가시키고 DNA 손상을 방지하는 역할을 한다는 결과를 보여주었다. 이러한 결과를 통해 동결보존액 내 콜레스테롤의 첨가는 인간 정자의 동결보존 동안 발생할 수 있는 동결 상해를 줄여줄 수 있는 유용한 방법으로 사료된다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제16권10호
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• pp.1424-1428
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• 2003

Present investigation was conducted to determine the post-thaw sperm motility and acrosomal damage of filtered and non-filtered frozen semen of Murrah buffalo bulls. Twenty semen ejaculates (from four Murrah buffalo bulls collected at weekly interval) were diluted in Tris egg yolk glycerol extender and divided into two parts. One was filtered through sephadex G-100 column and the other portion was kept as such (non-filtered). Both fractions were frozen in liquid nitrogen ($-196^{\circ}C$) by the standard method developed in the laboratory. After 24 h of freezing, non-filtered and filtered semen samples were thawed at $37^{\circ}C$ for 1 min. These samples were incubated at $37^{\circ}C$ in a water both. The different seminal characteristics i.e. percent progressive sperm motility, live and abnormal spermatozoa and spermatozoa with damaged acrosome were assessed at hourly interval till they remained motile. The filtered frozen and thawed semen showed significantly (p<0.05) high sperm viability and acrosomal integrity as compared to non-filtered semen.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.251-259
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• 2016

Background: Estrogen signaling pathways are modulated by exogenous factors. Panax ginseng exerts multiple activities in biological systems and is classified as an adaptogen. Zearalenol is a potent mycoestrogen that may be present in herbs and crops arising from contamination or endophytic association. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of P. ginseng, zearalenol and estradiol in tests on spermatozoal function. Methods: The affinity of these compounds for estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and beta ($ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$)-was assessed in receptor binding assays. Functional tests on boar spermatozoa motility, movement and kinematic parameters were conducted using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer. Tests for capacitation, acrosome reaction (AR), and chromatin decondensation in spermatozoa were performed using microscopic analysis. Results: Zearalenol-but not estradiol ($E_2$)- or ginseng-treated spermatozoa-decreased the percentage of overall, progressive, and rapid motile cells. Zearalenol also decreased spontaneous AR and increased chromatin decondensation. Ginseng decreased chromatin decondensation in response to calcium ionophore and decreased AR in response to progesterone ($P_4$) and ionophore. Conclusion: Zearalenol has adverse effects on sperm motility and function by targeting multiple signaling cascades, including $P_4$, $E_2$, and calcium pathways. Ginseng protects against chromatin damage and thus may be beneficial to reproductive fitness.

• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.239-246
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• 2021

The immunological sperm separation method is economical compared to the existing sorting method, and it is promising for the development of new technologies by reducing sperm damage. Wholemom (WM) is a sex-regulating protein that comprises on immunoglobulin G coupled with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) that responds to surface proteins derived from the Y chromosome in cattle. Y sperms are restricted in motility as the WM aggregates them, and the magnet could separate the non-aggregated cells. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of WM treatment on the characteristics of bull sperm. After treating sperm with WM and incubation for 6 h, the motility parameters including total motility, progressive motility, velocity average path, velocity straight line, amplitude of lateral head displacement, and linearity were significantly higher in the WM treatment group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Sperm viability and acrosome reaction rates were similar in both groups during each incubation period (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the immunological sperm sexing procedure using a monoclonal antibody conjugated with MNPs did not affect the characteristics of bull sperm. This study suggests that compared to other techniques, the immunological method for sperm sexing could classify sperm quickly and efficiently without the use of expensive equipment.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.307-316
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• 2022

The misuse of pesticides has resulted in environmental pollution, which directly or indirectly affects all life on earth. Chlorpyrifos is a chlorinated organophosphorus pesticide that is commonly used in agriculture. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chlorpyrifos on the fertilization function of boar spermatozoa. Sperm samples from boars were subjected to varying concentrations of chlorpyrifos from 10 to 200 µM for two incubation periods, 30 min or 2 hrs. The boar spermatozoa were then evaluated for motility, motion kinematics, viability, acrosome integrity, chromatin stability, and generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). There was a significant percentage reduction in sperm motility and motion kinematic parameters after both incubation periods (p < 0.05). The proportion of viable spermatozoa decreased after incubation for 30 min and 2 hrs in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). A significantly lower percentage of normal acrosomes was observed in spermatozoa exposed to 200 µM chlorpyrifos over both incubation periods, compared to the controls. The damage to sperm DNA was significantly higher when the exposure time to chlorpyrifos was longer. There was a significant increase in the ROS levels in spermatozoa incubated with chlorpyrifos for 2 hrs (p < 0.05). From the results of the present study, it is concluded that direct exposure of boar spermatozoa to chlorpyrifos altered boar sperm characteristics, suggesting potential toxicity that may affect the male reproductive function.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제46권2호
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• pp.67-75
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• 2019

Objective: Sperm cryopreservation has been widely used in assisted reproductive technology, as it offers great potential for the treatment of some types of male infertility. However, cryopreservation may result in changes in membrane lipid composition and acrosome status, as well as reductions in sperm motility and viability. This study aimed to evaluate sperm DNA fragmentation damage caused by conventional freezing using the sperm chromatin dispersion test. Methods: In total, 120 fresh human semen samples were frozen by conventional methods, using SpermFreeze Solution as a cryoprotectant. Routine semen analysis and a Halosperm test (using the Halosperm kit) were performed on each sample before freezing and after thawing. Semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation were compared between these groups. Results: There was a significant decrease in sperm progressive motility, viability, and normal morphology after conventional freezing (32.78%, 79.58%, and 3.87% vs. 16%, 55.99%, and 2.55%, respectively). The sperm head, midpiece, and tail defect rate increased slightly after freezing. Furthermore, the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was significantly higher after thawing than before freezing (19.21% prior to freezing vs. 22.23% after thawing). Significant increases in the DFI after cryopreservation were observed in samples with both normal and abnormal motility and morphology, as well as in those with normal viability. Conclusion: Conventional freezing seems to damage some sperm parameters, in particular causing a reduction in sperm DNA integrity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.507-515
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• 2009

A series of experiments were conducted to determine the suitable freezing and thawing temperatures for the freezing of boar semen in 5 ml maxi-straws. The ultrastructure, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and artificial insemination (AI) of frozen-thawed semen were also be evaluated. The 5 cm freezing height gave the best results not only in post-thaw motility rate (54.00%), but also in normal acrosome morphology rate (NAR) (80.23%). There was no significant difference in the post-thaw motility between different thawing temperatures and corresponding thawing times (p>0.05); the group of $52^{\circ}C$ and 25 s gave the highest motility rate (45.00%). As a whole, not only from the motility but also the NAR, thawing at $42^{\circ}C$ was better than the other two treatments. In the freezing packages, 5 ml maxi-straw gave a little lower mobility (40%), viability rate (49.58%), plasma membrane integrity rate (53.91%) and NAR (52.65%) than the 0.25 ml straw, but there was no significant difference between the two straw volumes (p>0.05). The IVF capacity of frozen-thawed semen in this experiment was similar to fresh semen. From ultrastructure observation, the main damage to boar spermatozoa after freezing was seen in the acrosome, such as swelling and formation of vesicles. After AI in recipient Shanghai White sows, frozen-thawed semen from 5 ml maxi-straws and pellets produced 72.2% and 80% conception rate and 7.8 and 8 litter sizes, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the 5 ml maxi-straw and the pellet (p>0.05).

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제54권4호
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• pp.283-290
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• 2012

제주흑우의 동결 정액 제조시 동결 보존액에 첨가한 taurine과 hypotaurine은 동결 융해 후 정자의 운동성, 생존성 그리고 정자막 온전성을 개선시키는 것을 알 수 있었다. Taurine과 hypotaurine의 첨가는 유의적으로 높은 운동성, 생존성을 보였으며(p<0.05), 특히 hypotaurine은 다른 실험구에 비하여 유의적으로 높은 정자막 온전성을 나타냈다(p<0.05). 뿐만 아니라, hypotaurine은 유의적으로 높은 F pattern 비율을 유지하였으며(p<0.05), 이들 항산화물질을 첨가한 실험구에서는 대조구에 비하여 유의적으로 낮은 AR pattern을 나타내어(p<0.05) 동결로 기인된 수정능획득 유사 상태 정자의 비율을 유의적으로 감소시켜 조기 첨체반응 비율을 감소시켰다. 정자의 난자내 침투능력에 있어서 모든 처리구에서 대조구보다 높은 웅성전핵 형성율과 SFI를 나타냈으며, hypotaurine의 처리는 가장 높은 침투능력을 나타냈으나 처리구간의 유의적 차이는 나타나지 않았다. 본 연구결과는 멸실위험의 토종가축 생식세포 및 유전자원 보존과 토종가축 육성을 위한 번식 증대를 위한 제주흑우 동결정액 제조에 중요한 이용 방법이 될 것이며, 동결 융해 후 정자의 기능 개선을 위한 다양한 희석제 및 첨가제를 활용한 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.