• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.57-69
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• 2003

It is well known that many pesticides possess hormonal activity, and affect the developments of wildlife and mammals including human. Currently, pyrethroid insecticides are in worldwide use to control in and outdoor pests, providing potential far environmental exposure. Hormonal activities of these pyrethroid insecticides, however, have been little studied, and the developmental effects of them were no reported. Therefore, we firstly examined the potential estrogenic activities of some pyrethroid insecticides (permethrin, cypermethrin, tetramethrin, deltamethrin, sumithrin, fenvalerate and bioallethrin) by immature rat uterotrophic assay, luciferase reporter gene assay and Calbindin-D$\sub$9k/ (CaBP-9k) gene expression assay. Uterine wet weights were increased by permethrin and the permethrin-induced weights were inhibited by ICI 182780 in the uterolrophic assay. On the other hand tetramethrin significantly reduced uterine and vaginal wet weights, and also inhibited the E2-induced weight increases at all doses tested. Cypermethrin and sumithrin had a tendency to increase uterine weights, although not statistically significant. Permethrin and cypermethrin dose-dependently increased the luciferase activity in reporter gene assay. Northern blot analysis showed that permethrin induced CaBP-9k mRNA expression whereas tetramethrin inhibted. Subsequent studies were conducted to investigate the possible developmental effects of four pyrethroid insecricides (permethrin, cypermethrin, sumithrin and teramethrin). Either diethlbestrol (DES) or 17${\beta}$ -estradiol (E2) was used as a reference control in this study. Pyrethroid insecticides were administered to Sprague Dawley rats via subcutaneous injection at 6 to 18 days of gestation or 1 to 5 days after birth. In utero treatment of permethrin (10mg/kg/day) in female rat resulted in significant increases in uterine and ovarian weights while significant decreases in serum E2 concentration, uterine and ovarian ER${\alpha}$ mRNA levels. Sumithrin and permethrin led to acceleration in vaginal opening of female rat, while delay in preputial separation of male after neonatal treatment. Anogenital distances of PND 18 were significantly reduced in sumthrin-treated, and permerhrin-treated male rats after neonatal treatment. All the pyrethroid insecticides tested caused significant increases in uterine weights on PND 18, while significant reductions in the first diestrus phase when neonataly treated. In addition, exposure to pyrethroids in neonatal period led to significant reduction in relative brain weight in female rat on PND 18, but its weight was recovered in diestrus phase. In summary, Our experimental data demonstrate the possibilities of developmental effects of pyrethroid insecticides via estrogenic or antiestrogenic activity.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.845-853
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• 2012

To investigate the role of temperatures and photoperiods as environmental cues regulating reproductive rhythm in Pseudobagrus fulvidraco, rearing experiments were conducted using sveral rearing regimes conbined with photoperiods and water temperatures during gonadal degeneration periods. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) in control was $8.16{\pm}1.50%$, while in other experiment GSI levels in female were lower than that in the control. In case of experimental precinct of 9 light (L) and 15 L, GSI levels were decreased. But GSI level with $20^{\circ}C$ was no diffrence after 40 and 60 days. GSI level in male of control was $0.35{\pm}0.05%$. GSI under 9 L and $25^{\circ}C$ was similar to that in control, whereas its level in other experiments was lower than that in control. Testosterone (T) of female was $3.68{\pm}0.22$ ng/mL at experimental precinct. In case of 9 L and 15 L, concentration of T were lower than experimental precinct in all of water temperature. Estradiol-$17{\beta}$ ($E_2$) and $7{\alpha}$, $20{\beta}$-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one ($17{\alpha}20{\beta}OHP$) levels of female were $0.42{\pm}0.02$ and $0.83{\pm}0.01$ ng/mL at experimental precinct. $E_2$ levels of 9 and 15 L were higher than experimental precinct and $17{\alpha}20{\beta}OHP$ levels of 9 and 15 L were higher than experimental precinct. In case of T and 11-ketotestosterone levels were $0.69{\pm}0.11$ and $.62{\pm}0.03$ ng/mL in male. During the period of gonadal degeneration, gonadal maturation did not occur in any of the experimental regimes. However, comparatively high levels of $E_2$ observed at low temperature regimes ($20^{\circ}C$) regardless of photoperiods.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.179-187
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• 1997

Early development growth and sexual phenomena of the hybrid between male spotted flounder (Verasper variegatus) and female olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) were investigated. The hybrid produced was newly called the "Bumnupchi" in Korean name, "Mottled flounder" in English name. Fertilization rate, hatching rate and early survival rate of the mottled flounder were 56.9~72.3%, 86.7~92.5% and 89.1~96.0%, respectively. At 50th day and 240th day after hatching, they were 2.1$\pm0.2cm\;and\;22.9\pm2.1cm\;in\;total\;length, \;0.10\pm0.002g\;and\;179.0\pm38.5g$ in body weight, respectively. Eye position of the mottled flounder was mixed with both dextral (77.7%) and sinistral type (22.3%). Gonads were differentiated into ovarian type and testis type at 80th day after hatching, and its ratio was 1:1 (P>0.05). Most Gonads seemed to be sterile without having germ cell, whereas only 3.6% of investigated indiciduals turned out to have oocytes in the gonad. When the induction of sex reversal were attempted by daily oral administration of $17\beta$-methyltestosterone (0.5mg/kg fish) andestradiol-17$17\beta$(0.5mg/kg fish)from 40th to 100th day after hatching, both testis and ovary type were induced 81.9% and 87.7% of each hormone-treated fish, respectively.fish, respectively.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.195-195
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• 2003

It is well known that diesel exhaust particulate matter contains mutagenic PAHs, such as benzo[${\alpha}$]pyrene, benz[${\alpha}$]anthracene, chrysene, etc. Therefore it is suspected that these chemicals act on estrogen receptor and reveal endocrine-disrupting effects. Recent attention has focused on causative chemicals of endocrine-disrupting effects. We examined the estrogenic activity of respirable diesel exhaust particulate matter derived from diesel powered vehicle. PM2.5 diesel exhaust of vehicle was collected using a high volume sampler equipped with a cascade impactor. Diesel exhaust samples were fractionated according to EPA methods. The presence of estrogenic and antiestrogenic chemicals in PM 2.5 diesel exhaust was determined using E-screen assay. To quantitatively assess the estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities in diesel exhaust particulate matter, estradiol equivalent concentration (bio-EEQ) was calculated by comparing the concentration response curve of the sample with those of the estrogen calibration curve. Weak estrogenic activities and strong antiestrogenic activities were detected in the crude extract and moderately polar fractions. Higher antiestrogenic potency was observed with higher EROD activities in aliphatic and aromatic compounds fraction. In conclusion, estrogenic/antiestrogenic-like activities were present in diesel exhaust particulate matter. However, the health consequences of this observation was unknown, the presence of these activities may contribute to and exacerbate adverse health effect evoked by diesel exhaust particulate matter.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1309-1313
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• 2016

Metabolic signals and the state of energy reserves have been shown to play a crucial role in the regulation of reproductive function. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary glucose levels on puberty onset in gilts. Weight-matched, landrace gilts (n = 36) $162{\pm}3days$ old, weighing about $71.05{\pm}4.53kg$, were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatment groups of 12 gilts each. The trial lasted until the onset of puberty. Gilts in each group were supplied with diets containing different levels of glucose as follows: i) starch group (SG) was free of glucose, contained 64% corn derived starch; ii) low-dose group (LDG) contained 19.2% glucose and 44.8% corn derived starch; iii) high-dose group (HDG) contained 30% glucose and 30% corn derived starch. Results indicated: i) The growth performance of gilts were not affected by the addition of glucose, but the age of puberty onset was advanced significantly (p<0.05); ii) Compared with the SG, the concentration of insulin significantly increased before puberty in HDG (p<0.05); iii) There was no difference in serum progesterone (P) levels amongst the different feed groups, however, levels of estradiol ($E_2$), luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone were significantly higher at puberty onset in HDG (p<0.05). Overall, our findings indicate that glucose supplementation significantly advances puberty onset, which can have practical purposes for commercial breeding.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.41.1-41.7
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• 2016

Background: The transgenic approach using estrogen-responsive regulator in fish has been given much attention as a potential means to detect and/or address estrogen-related aquatic pollutions. In order to address the development stage- and reproduction status-dependent expression patterns of the chgH-rfp transgene (red fluorescent protein transgene driven by choriogenin H promoter) in marine medaka Oryzias dancena, naturally occurring red fluorescent protein (RFP) signals under non-exposed conditions as well as the transgenically induced RFP signals under estrogen-exposed conditions were assayed. Results: Female transgenics begun to show naturally occurring RFP signals from the age of 7 weeks post hatching (WPH) without experimental estrogen exposure. Afterward, these RFP signals in female transgenics became robust with the progress of ovarian maturation. On the other hand, male transgenics did not show any naturally occurring RFP signal under non-exposed conditions irrespective of developmental stages and maturation statue. Upon exposures using estradiol-$17{\beta}$ (E2) and $17{\alpha}$-ethinylestradiol (EE2), RFP signals were significantly induced specifically in the livers of transgenic males. Conclusions: Male chgH-rfp transgenics were able to keep the "off" state of RFP expression during their entire life cycle unless exposed to exogenous estrogens. Owing to their tight regulation capability of estrogen-responsive transgene, transgenesis of chgH-rfp in male marine medaka could offer a useful model system for future ecotoxicogenomic studies regarding estrogenicity-related issues in aquatic and marine environments.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.265-272
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• 2010

Follicular cystic ovary (FCO) is one of the most frequently diagnosed ovarian diseases and is a major cause of reproductive failure in mammalian species. However, the mechanism by which FCO is induced remains unclear. Genetic alterations which affect the functioning of many kinds of cells and/or tissues could be present in cystic ovaries. In this study, we performed a comparison analysis of gene expression in order to identify new molecules useful in discrimination of bovine FCO with follicular cystic follicles (FCFs). Normal follicles and FCFs were classified based on their sizes (5 to 10 mm and $\geq25mm$). These follicles had granulosa cell layer and theca interna and the hormone $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($E_2$)/ progesterone ($P_4$) ratio in follicles was greater than one. Perifollicular regions including follicles were used for the preparation of RNA or protein. Differentially expressed genes (DEG) that showed greater than a 2-fold change in expression were screened by the annealing control primer (ACP)-based PCR method using $GeneFishing^{TM}$ DEG kits in bovine normal follicles and FCFs. We identified two DEGs in the FCFs: ribosomal protein L15 (RPL15) and microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) based on BLAST searches of the NCBI GenBank. Consistent with the ACP analysis, semi-quantitative PCR data and Western blot analyses revealed an up-regulation of RPL15 and a down-regulation of MAP1B in FCFs. These results suggest that RPL15 and MAP1B may be involved in the regulation of pathological processes in bovine FCOs and may help to establish a bovine gene data-base for the discrimination of FCOs from normal ovaries.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.474-481
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• 2010

The sperm collection time, sex steroid hormones, and gonadal development of protandrous black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli, acclimated in freshwater for more than 2 years were investigated to evaluate its reproductive capability. The gonadal development of black porgy reared in seawater and freshwater could each be classified into four successive stages. For black porgy reared in seawater (BSW) as the control, these were the growing (December to February), mature (February to March), spent (March to June), and degeneration and resting (July to December) stages; for black porgy reared in freshwater (BFW), these were the growing (November to January), mature (January to February), spent (February to May), degeneration and resting (June to November) stages. In both BSW and BFW, the plasma cortisol levels were the highest in March. The plasma testosterone (T) levels of BSW and BFW were the highest in March and February, respectively. The plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ ($E_2$) levels did not differ significantly between BSW and BFW. The 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) levels in the plasma of BSW and BFW were the highest in April. Sperm was collectible from March to June in BSW and from February to May in BFW. The results indicated that the gonadal maturation of BFW was about 1 month faster than that of BSW.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.36-55
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• 2020

Objectives: The present study is carried out to review the efficacy of Korean, Oriental medicine on premenstrual syndrome. Methods: We searched for 7 internet worldwide databases in order to find the studies with the keywords of 'premenstrual syndrome', 'premenstrual syndrome & Oriental medicine', 'premenstrual syndrome & traditional Chinese medicine' and 'premenstrual syndrome & herbal medicine' from 2009 to 2019. after selecting studies based on own criteria, total 8 studies are finally included. the studies were assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias criteria and reviewed systematically. Results: After intervention, cured patient rate in test groups in all of studies were significantly higher than rate in control group. there were significant decrease in headache, anorexia, dry mouth, breast mass, mastodynia, agitation, irascibility, edema, dizziness, fever, anhedonia, depression, inability to sleep, profuse dreaming with herbal medicinal intervention. 3 of those studies checked hormonal level. Estradiol (E2) and Progesteron (P) changed significantly in 2 of studies. Prolactin (PRL) in 1 study decreased significantly. FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (Luteinizing hormone) had no significant decrease in 1 study. Conclusions: This review suggests that herbal medicine on premenstrual syndrome is effective without serious adverse effects. however, since unclear risk of bias, the result of this study should be considered carefully. further clinical trials should be carried out in order to academical clinical progress regarding treatment of premenstrual syndrome.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.211-217
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• 2006

Heavy metals are well known as important environmental pollutants and also considered as endocrine disrupters. This study was performed to evaluate the direct effects of heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), and arsenic (As) on the various steroidogenic enzymes in frog ovarian follicles. Ovarian follicles from Rana catesbeiana were isolated and cultured for 18 hours in the presence of frog pituitary homogenate (FPH, 0.05 gland/ml) or various steroid precursors with or without heavy metals (0.01-100 ${\mu}M$), and steroid levels in the follicle or culture medium were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Thus, the steroidogenic enzyme activities were indirectly evaluated by measuring the converted steroid levels from the added precursor steroid. Among heavy metals, Hg, Cd and Zn significantly inhibited FPH-induced pregnenolone ($P_5$) production by the follicles ($EC_{50},\;4.0{\mu}M,\;25.6{\mu}M\;and\;5.7{\mu}M$, respectively ), and also suppressed the conversion of testosterone (T) to estradiol $17{beta}\;(E_2)\;(EC_{50},\;4.2{\mu}M,\;7.5{\mu}M\;and\;80.0{\mu}M) while Pb, Co and As are not or less effective in the inhibition. Other enzymes such as $C_{17-20}$ lyase and $17{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase ($17{\beta}$-HSD) were suppressed only in the high concentration of Hg, Cd and Zn. Taken together, these data demonstrate that cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage (P450scc) and aromatase are much more sensitive to heavy metals than other steroidogenic enzymes and Hg, Cd and Zn show stronger toxicity to follicles than other heavy metals examined.