• Development and Reproduction
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.167-176
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• 2020

The fat pad defined as the epididymal fat is located at the head part of the epididymis. However, another fat mass is present near the caudal epididymis, named tail epididymal fat. The present research was focused to determine the expression of adipocyte-associated molecules in the mouse tail epididymal fat at different postnatal ages, including 2, 5, 8, and 12 months of age. The quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed continuous increases of expression levels of delta like non-canonical Notch ligand 1, leptin, and resistin as postnatally aged. The transcript level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma was the highest at 5 months of age, remaining at a steady level until 12 months of age. Expression levels of fatty acid binding protein 4, leptin, and adiponectin were significantly increased until 8 months of age, persisting the level at 12 months of age. The transcript level of fatty acid synthase was significantly increased at 8 months of age, without a further change of the level at 12 months of age. These findings exhibited the expression of adipocyte-associated genes which were also detected at the ordinary epididymal fat pad. However, expression patterns of these genes in the tail epididymal fat are different with those in the distal and proximal epididymal fat, suggesting distinct characteristics and/or functions of the tail epididymal fat.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 1994

The effect of diets(high fat, high fat high energy, pectin, cellulose) on adipocyte of epididymal fat pads were investigated in 70 male rats for 8 weeks. The rats were assigned to a control(C), high fat(HF) and high fat high energy(HFHE) group for 4 wks. During the next 4 wks, reassigned to one of three treatments (high fat, pectin supplemented, cellulose supplemented) in the HF group and one of three treatment (high fat high energy, pectin, cellulose) in the HFHE group. Therefore, the total experimental groups were 7 (C, HF, HF-P, HF-C, HFHE, HFHE-P, HFHE-C). Parameters evaluated and compared for each diet were body weight, total energy intake, feed efficiency ratio and weight changes in epididymal fat pads. The results are summarized as follows ; 1) There was no significant difference in body weight gain among the groups. 2) Total energy intake was higher in the C group than other groups. 3) Feed efficiency ratio (F.E.R) of the HF and HFHE groups were greater than C group(2, 4 weeks). However, there were no significant differences between the HF and HFHE groups. 4) Epididymal fat pads(EFP 100g/B.W) of the FH and HFHE groups were higher than C group (2, 4 weeks). However, there were no significant differences between the HF and HFHE groups. There was no significant difference in weight gain of epididymal fat pads among the groups(8 weeks). 5) Cell number and cell size of epididymal fat pads of the HF and HFHE groups were higher than the C group. The pectin and the cellulose supplementation groups decreased cell number and cell size of epididymal fat pads. Especially, the pectin supplementation group decreased than the cellulose supplementation in HFHE group. Therefore, we can concluded that the HF and the HFHE diet has no effect on the epididymal fat pads.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.313-322
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• 2019

The epididymal fat pad is a male gonadal adipocyte tissue and is histochemically separated into distal and proximal parts. The development of epididymal fat during postnatal period has not been examined in detail. A previous research showed that expression of adipocyte-associated molecules in the distal epididymal fat of mouse is generally increased as postnatally aged. In the present study, expressional patterns of same adipocyte-associated molecules in the mouse proximal epididymal fat at 2, 5, 8, and 12 months of age were studied by quantitative real-time PCR analysis and were compared with those in the distal epididymal fat. The expressional levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (Pparg), lipoprotein lipase (Lpl), and fatty acid synthase (Fasn) at 5 months of age were significantly lower than those at 2 months of age, while transcript level of leptin (Lep) at 5 months was higher than that at 2 months of age. The transcript levels of all molecules at 8 months of age were significantly increased, compared with those at 2 and 5 months of age. At 12 months of age, expression of delta like non-canonical Notch ligand 1 (Dlk1) was further significantly increased, while there was no change on the transcript level of Pparg and significant decreases of Fabp4, Retn, Lpl, Lep, Fasn, and adiponectin (Adipoq) transcript levels. The current findings show that expressional patterns of molecules associated with adipocyte in the proximal epididymal fat is somewhat different with those of the distal epididymal fat, suggesting the existence of regional variance in the epididymal fat.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.74-80
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• 2001

Objectives : Ma-huang is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, derived from Ephedra sinica Stapf and other Ephedra species, used to treat asthma, nose and lung congestion, and fever with anhidrosis. It contains 0.5-2.5% by weight of total alkaloids, of which ephedrine accounts for 30 to 90%. Recently, Ma-huang has been used as a source of ephedrine in many dietary supplements formulated for the treatment of obesity, since ephedrine has been found to be effective in inducing weight loss in the obese. In this study the effects of the methanol extract of Ma-huang on the adipocyte of epididymal and brown fat pads in rats fed a high fat diet for six weeks were studied. Methods : Male Sprague Dawley rats weighing an average 94g (4 weeks old) were fed either a regular diet (RE) or a high fat diet (HF), and the HF group was subdivided into a Ma-huang methanol extract (30mg/100g body weight) group (HF+MH). The weight of epididymal fat pad and brown adipose tissue were measured. The cell size and cell number per unit area of epididymal fat pad were investigated. Results : The yield weight of methanol extract of Ma-huang was 3.63mg per l00g of Ma-huang. The body weight gain of the HF group was similar with that of the HF+ MH but higher than that of the RE. The weights of the epididymal fat pads and brown adipose tissue of the RE group were lower than those of HF and HF+MH groups. The cell sizes and numbers per unit area of epididymal fat pads of the RE and HF+MH groups were larger than those of HF group. The cell numbers per unit area size of epididymal fat pads were the smallest in the RE group. Conclusions : It could be concluded that the Ma-huang extract has no effect on the epididymal fat pads in rats fed a high fat diet and the clinical application of Ma-huang for the treatment of obesity should be re-considered.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.141-156
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• 1998

This histological study was performed to investigate the effects of .Paljeungsan-gagambang on the epididymal fat cell size, number and the fat drop area of hepatic lobule of rats fed High Fat Diet. Paljeungsan-gagambang was orally administered to the rats of sample group 26mg per 200g of rat's weight everyday for 4 weeks, and the control group were just fed with equal amount of saline solution. Then they are the epididymal fat cell size, epididymal fat cell numberand fat drop area of hepatic lobule that were measured. The results were summarized as follows; 1. The size of the epididymal fat cell was decreased significantly as compared with the control group. 2. The number of the epididymal fat cells was decreased significantly as compared with the control group in distribution chart classified by cell size 3. The Area(%) of the Fat drops in the hepatic lobule was decreased significantly as compared with the control group. According to the above results, it is considered that Paljeungsan-gagambang have effects on the decrease of the epididymal fat cell size, number and fat drop area of hepatic lobule of rats fed high fat diet; Thus, the adminisrtation of Paljeungsan-gagambang is considered to have an improving effect on obesities and liver diseases caused by high fat diet.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.213-221
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• 2019

The epididymal fat of mouse is a part of visceral fat deposit and is divided into the distal or proximal part based on its histochemical characteristics. Even though the formation of the epididymal fat pad begins before the birth, a detailed adipogenic procedure of the epididymal fat has not been revealed. The epididymal fat pad becomes enlarged and expended with age, and expressional changes of numerous genes are associated with the maturation of fat tissues. In the present research, expressional patterns of adipose tissue-related genes in the distal epididymal fat of mouse at 2, 5, 8, and 12 months of postnatal age were determined by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The lowest transcript levels of fatty acid binding protein 4 (Fabp4), lipoprotein lipase (Lpl), delta like non-canonical Notch ligand 1 (Dlk1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (Pparg), leptin (Lep), adiponectin (Adipoq), and resistin (Retn) were detected at 2 months of age, except fatty acid synthase (Fasn) showing the lowest level at 5 months of age. Even though expression of Lep and Fabp4 were gradually increased until 12 months of age, significant increases of Pparg and Adipoq transcript levels were continued until 8 months of age. The transcript levels of Lpl, Rent, Dlk1, and Fasn were significantly increased at 8 months of age, compared with those at 2 months of age. The current findings suggest that the expansion of the distal epididymal fat of mouse during postnatal period would be companied with differential expression of various adipocyte-associated molecules.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.175-183
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• 2023

The epididymal fat is a type of gonadal adipose tissue, which is localized closely to the testis. Even though it has been suggested that the epididymal fat is necessary for maintenance of spermatogenesis in the testis, the influence of epididymal fat on expression of testicular steroidogenic enzymes has not been examined. In the present research, expressional changes of steroidogenic enzymes in the mouse testis after 2 weeks of the surgical partial lipectomy of epididymal fat at different postnatal ages were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. The transcript levels of all molecules at 2 months of postnatal age were significantly increased by the lipectomy of epididymal fat. However, the lipectomy at 5 months of postnatal age resulted in decreases of expression levels of all molecules examined in the testis. Except a reduced transcript level of hydroxysteroid 17-beta dehydrogenase 3, there were no significant changes of expression levels of other steroidogenic enzymes by the lipectomy at 8 months of postnatal age. At 12 months of postnatal age, the lipectomy caused a significant increase of transcript level of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and a significant decrease of transcript level of hydroxy-delta-5-steroid dehydrogenase, 3 beta- and steroid delta-isomerase 1, without any expressional change of cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage, hydroxysteroid 17-beta dehydrogenase 3, and hydroxysteroid 17-beta dehydrogenase 3 in the testis. These findings suggest that the substances derived from epididymal fat could differentially influence on expression of steroidogenic enzymes in the testis during postnatal period.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.49-58
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• 2022

The differentiation and development of preadipocyte into mature adipocyte are regulated by transcription factors, such as CCAAT enhancer binding protein (Cebp) gene family and sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (Srebp1). Steroid hormones give influences on the development and function of adipocyte. The present research examined expression patterns of CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (Cebpa), CCAAT enhancer binding protein beta (Cebpb), CCAAT enhancer binding protein gamma (Cebpg), sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (Srebp1), androgen receptor (Ar), and estrogen receptors (Esr) among different epididymal fat parts during postnatal period by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. In the distal epididymal fat, expression of Cebpa, Cebpb, Cebpg, Srebp1, Ar, and Esr2 was increased until 12 months of age, while expression of Esr1 was decreased at 5 months of age and was not detectable after 8 months of age. In the proximal epididymal fat, transcript levels of Cebps and Srebp1 were increased at 8 months of age, followed by decreases of Cebpb and Cebpg transcript levels at 12 months of age. An additional increase of Srebp1 expression was observed at 12 months of age. Expression of Ar and Esr2 were increased until 8 months of age, followed by a drop of Ar expression level at 12 months of age. Expression pattern of Esr1 was similar to that in the distal epididymal fat. In the tail epididymal fat, expression of Cebpa, Cebpg, Srebp1, Ar, and Esr2 was increased with age. Esr1 was not detectable at all. The highest level of Cebpb was observed at 8 months of age. These data suggest the possibility of developmental and functional differentiation among the epididymal fat parts.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2018

In the multicellular tissue, cell-cell interaction is important for a precise control of its function. The exchange of signaling molecules between adjacent cells via connexon allows the functional harmony of cells in the tissue. The present research was to determine the presence and expressional patterns of connexin (Cx) isoforms in the rat epididymal fat during postnatal development using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Of 13 Cx isoforms examined, expression of 11 Cx isoforms in the epididymal fat during postnatal development was detected. These Cx isoforms include Cx26, Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx32, Cx33, Cx36, Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, Cx45, and Cx50. Expressional levels of all Cx isoforms at 1 and 2 years of age were significantly higher than those at the early postnatal ages, such as 7 days, 14 days, and 24 days of ages. Except Cx33 and Cx43, the transcript levels of rest Cx isoforms at 1 year of age were significantly lower than that at 2 years of age. In addition, expressional patterns of Cx isoforms between 7 days and 5 months of ages generally varied according to the isoform. The existence of various Cx isoforms in the rat epididymal fat has been identified and expression of each Cx isoform in the epididymal fat during postnatal development has shown a particular pattern, distinguishable from the others. To our knowledges, this is the first report showing expressional patterns of Cx isoforms at transcript level in the epididymal fat at various postnatal ages.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1023-1030
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• 2002

This study was conducted to examine the effects of dietary xylooligosaccharides on lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activitiy in epididymal adipose tissue and lipid composition in serum of rats fed normal or high fat diet. Male Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 100 $\pm$ 10 g were randomly divided into four groups, two normal diets and two high fat diets containing 1% cholesterol and 10% lard. Two normal diets were classified into a basal diet (normal group) and that with 10% xylooligosaccharide diet (NX group). The high fat diet groups were classified into a HF group without xylooligosaccharides diet and HFX group supplemented with 10% xylooligosacchride diet. Experimental diets were fed ad libitum to the rats for 4 weeks and then they were sacrificed. Body weight, epididymal weight and abdominal weight in HF group were hevier than the those of normal group, but HFX group was significantly reduced compared to HF group. Relative body weight to epididymal weight and relative body weight to abdominal weight in HF group were increased to 50%, 51%, respectively, compared to normal group, but HFX group was reduced 22%, 16%, respectively, compared to HF group. The levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic index in HFX groups were significantly lower than those of HF group, whereas HDL-cholesterol levels were significant increased. Triglyceride contents of epididymal adipose tissue in HF group was increased to 39%, compared to normal group, but HFX group was reduced to 15.8%, compared to HF group. Cholesterol contents of epididymal adipose tissue in HF group was increased 121%, compared to normal group, but HFX group was reduced to 26%, compared to HF group. The activity of LPL in epididymal adipose tissue was increased to 259% in HF group, compared to normal group and HFX group was reduced to 66%, compared to HF group. These result of this study suggested that improved lipid metabolism observed in rats fed xylooligosaccharides may be caused by an alteration of LPL activity in epididymal adipose tissue and lipid composition in serum.