• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.79-82
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• 2010

The pomegranate (Punica granatum), especially its fruit, possesses a vast ethnomedical history and represents a phytochemical reservoir of heuristic medical value. The tree and fruit can be divided into several anatomical compartments, and the fruit juice, peel and oil are known to be weakly estrogenic and heuristically of interest for treatment of menopausal symptoms and sequellae. In this study, analysis of estrogen in pomegranate extract was carried out with LC/MS/MS. Three batches of pomegranate extract samples were used to analysis the target compounds (estrogen). The contents of estrogen derivatives in the samples were 38.6 ppb of estriol, 83.5 ppb of estrone, and 10.9 ppb of estradiol. This result suggests that the pomegranate extract can used for treatment of menopause symptoms in the woman.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.189-196
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• 2011

We investigated the in vitro effects of nonylphenol (NP) and 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) on steroidogenesis in redlip mullet, Chelon haematocheilus, oocytes. In experiment 1, we investigated the effects of NP and PCB126 on steroid production from exogenous steroid precursors. Vitellogenic oocytes (0.75 mm in diameter) were incubated with 10 and 100 ng/ml NP or PCB126 with $[^3H]17{\alpha}$-hydroxyprogesterone as a precursor. The major metabolites produced were androstenedione, testosterone (T), estrone, and estradiol-$17{\beta}$ ($E_2$). Both NP and PCB126 increased T production and decreased $E_2$ production, except for 100 ng/ml PCB126. In experiment 2, oocytes (0.65-0.75 mm in diameter) were exposed to NP and PCB126 at different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL). After the incubation, T and $E_2$ production was measured by radioimmunoassay. NP inhibited $E_2$ production at concentrations of 0.01 and 0.1 ng/ml in 0.75-mm-diameter oocytes. NP at 1 and 100 ng/mL stimulated T production, but had no observable effect on $E_2$ production. PCB126 treatment did not affect $E_2$ production at any of the concentrations tested. NP alone at 0.1 ng/mL resulted in a significant decrease in $E_2$ production in 0.65-mm-diameter oocytes. PCB126 did not show any significant effects on either T or $E_2$ production at all concentrations tested. These results suggest that NP acts like an antiestrogen at lower concentrations (0.01-0.1 ng/ml) in vitellogenic oocytes of redlip mullet.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.469-478
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• 2012

Sex hormones have long been considered to play an important role in bone turnover rate, periodontal diseases, and wound healing. We have studied the effect of porcine testis steroid extract (PTSE), an extract of porcine testes, which holds a good ratio of 19-nortestosterone (nandrolone), testosterone, androstenedione, $17{\beta}$-estradiol, and estrone, on the healing rate of a standardized full-thickness linear wound on the back of the rat. Skin punch or carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) laser methods were used to create the deep skin injury in two groups of animals. The animals were treated with the PTSE cream, control cream and Vaseline (control) to find out the effect in re-epithelialization, contraction, and formation of granulation and scar tissues. Histological examination after 21 days showed 100, 87.4, and 80.5% recovery of epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, respectively in the PTSE-treated animals. Similarly, on the 15th day of treatment, complete healing of intact skin was observed in the PTSE cream-treated animals among the laser radiation group. Even though the beginning of re-epithelialization phase and completion of serum crust formation was also observed in the base cream- and Vaseline-treated animals respectively, the complete healing cycle was observed only in the PTSE-treated group. The white blood cell count in the PTSE-treated group showed that PTSE cream is nontoxic to animals.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.115-121
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• 1997

To precisely analyze the role of ovarian steroids in the regulation of laminin chain gene expression in mouse uterine tissues, the ovariectomized mouse model was used. Ovariectomized mice received a single injection of steroid hormones and total RNA was isolated from whole uterine tissues. Messenger RNA levels of each laminin chain (A, 81, and 82) were determined by competitive RT-peR procedures. Estradiol decreased mRNA levels of laminin 81 chain about two-fold, and 82 chain rather moderately. Estradiol-induced inhibition of laminin 81 and 82 chain mRNA levels were completely blocked by pretreatment with estrogen receptor antagonist tamoxifen. Estriol, a short acting estrogen which cannot induce hyperplastic responses of rodent uterine tissues, also showed an inhibitory effect on 81 and 82 chain mRNA levels, while estrone, an inactive estrogen, failed to influence either 8 chain mRNA levels. Effects of steroids on A chain mRNA level were quite different from those on 8 chains. Laminin A chain mRNA level was slightly increased by estradiol treatment, but negatively affected by progesterone. Progesterone treatment greatly increased both 8 chain mRNA levels, but slightly decreased A chain mRNA level compared to the control. The effect of progesterone on laminin chain-specific mRNA levels was further increased by co-injection of estradiol in a time-dependent manner. Progesterone-induced 81 and 82 chain mRNA transcription was inhibited by RU486, a synthetic anti-progesterone /anti-glucocorticoid. The present study demonstrates for the first time that steroids are able to regulate laminin gene expression in mouse uterine tissues, indicating that steroid-regulated laminin gene expression is involved in uterine growth and probably differentiation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.305-314
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• 1994

19-norandrostenedione(19-NORA) is known as an intermediate in the metabolic pathway from androstenedione to estrone. Administration of esterified 19-nortestosterone, anabolic steroid, reduces serum gonadotropin and testosterone concentration, and results in reversible azoospermia in men. 19-NORA have been isolated from testis, but its function in testis is not clear yet. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the effect of 19-NORA on steroidogenesis and on spermatogenesis. 19-NORA was administrated by single intratesticular injection to adult male rats weighing 350-400 g in dose of 1 mg/50${\mu}l$. The serum and testis were collected on 1, 3, 7, 12, 48 hr after injection. The histological differences in testis were observed by routine paraffin method. The concentrations of testosterone and estradiol in serum and in left testis were determined by the conventional radioimmunoassays. One hour after 19-NORA treatment, serum concentrations of testosterone and estradiol increased significantly, compared to those of pre-treated(0 hr) group, and reduced gradually to the control level on 7 hour after injection. The concentration of testosterone in left testis increased slightly 1 hour after injection, and estradiol level increased significantly(p<0.05). Also, testosterone and estradiol level of control group revealed no difference with pre-treated (0 hr) group. Gonad index, structure of seminiferous tubules, and the number of step 7 th spermatid were simillar to control group. The present study suggests that the elevation of testosterone level results from increment of estradiol followed by the rapid metabolism of 19-NORA at 7 hour after injection, and then testosterone concentration may be recovered to control level by feedback mechanism of hypothalamus-hypothysis-testis axis.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.147-154
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• 2011

Animal cell cultures generally require a nutrient-rich medium supplemented with animal serum. Adult bovine serum contains a variety of nutrients including inorganic minerals, vitamins, salts, proteins and lipids as well as growth factors that promote animal cell growth. To evaluate the potential use of gender-specific bovine serum (GSBS) for cell culture, the biochemical properties of male serum (MS), female serum (FS) and castrated-male serum (CMS) were investigated. Overall, the chemical profile of GSBS was similar to that of bovine references except for glucose, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and potassium. FS showed elevated total protein and sodium concentrations compared to MS and CMS. Proteins present in MS, FS and CMS but absent in fetal bovine serum (FBS) were selected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified by peptide mass fingerprinting. Some of the identified proteins are known to be involved in immune responses and the others have unknown physiological roles. Moreover, it was found that some proteins such as alpha-2-macroglobulin appeared to be gender-specific with higher contents in FS. Insulin and testosterone was significantly higher in MS, and $17{\beta}$-estradiol and estrone were higher in FS, as compared to the other sera. Taken together, the results indicate that each GSBS has a different ratio of components. Differences in serum constituents may affect cell cultures in a different manner and could be beneficial, depending on the specific aim of cell cultures.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 2019

Eleven steroid hormones (SHs: androstene-3,17-dione, estrone, ${\beta}$-estradiol, ${\alpha}$-estradiol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, $17{\acute{a}}$-hydroxyprogesterone, medroxyprogesterone, megestrol acetate, progesterone, and androsterone) were detected from New Zealand deer (Cervus elaphus var. scoticus) velvet antler (NZA, 鹿茸 ). A method for the quantification of eleven SHs was established by using ultraperformance liquid chromatography (UPLC)-MS/MS. The linearities ($R^2$ > 0.991), limits of quantification (LOQ values, 0.3 ng/mL to 23.1 ng/mL), intraday and interday precisions (relative standard deviation: RSD < 2.43%), and recovery rates (97.3% to 104.6%) for all eleven SHs were determined. In addition, a method for the quantification of three 7-oxycholesterols (7-O-CSs: 7-ketocholesterol, $7{\alpha}$-hydroxycholesterol, and $7{\beta}$-hydroxycholesterol) in the NZA was established by using an HPLC-photodiode array (PDA) method. The linearities ($R^2$ > 0.999), LOQ values (30 ng/mL to 350 ng/mL), intraday and interday precisions (RSD < 1.93%), and recovery rates (97.2% to 103.5%) for the three 7-O-CSs were determined. These quantitative methods are accurate, precise, and reproducible. As a result, it is suggested that the five steroid compounds of androstene-3,17-dione, androsterone, 7-ketocholesterol, $7{\alpha}$-hydroxycholesterol, and $7{\beta}$-hydroxycholesterol could be marker steroids of NZA. These methods can be applied to quantify or standardize the marker steroids present in NZA.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.1757-1768
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• 2023

Objective: The number of bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) is closely associated with the quantity of milk production in dairy cows; however, the optimal levels and the combined effects of hormones and essential amino acids (EAAs) on cell proliferation are not completely understood. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the optimal combination of individual hormones and EAAs for cell proliferation and related signaling pathways in BMECs. Methods: Immortalized BMECs (MAC-T) were treated with six hormones (insulin, cortisol, progesterone, estrone, 17β-estradiol, and epidermal growth factor) and ten EAAs (arginine, histidine, leucine, isoleucine, threonine, tryptophan, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, and valine) for 24 h. Results: Cells were cultured in a medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) as FBS supplemented at a concentration of 10% to 50% showed a comparable increase in cell proliferation rate. The optimized combination of four hormones (insulin, cortisol, progesterone, and 17β-estradiol) and 20% of a mixture of ten EAAs led to the highest cell proliferation rate, which led to a significant increase in cell cycle progression at the S and G2/M phases, in the protein levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and cyclin B1, cell nucleus staining, and in cell numbers. Conclusion: The optimal combination of hormones and EAAs increased BMEC proliferation by enhancing cell cycle progression in the S and G/2M phases. Our findings indicate that optimizing hormone and amino acid levels has the potential to enhance milk production, both in cell culture settings by promoting increased cell numbers, and in dairy cows by regulating feed intake.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.62-68
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• 2007

Concerns about endocrine disrupting chemicals emitted from humans and animals have been increased because these compounds are detected at very low levels in environment and adversely affect on indigenous fauna. To date, there is little information regarding the concentration of these compounds in animal wastes. In this study, the female hormones, $17\beta-estradiol$ (E2), estrone (E1) and estriol, were measured to provide baseline data in animal wastes. Samples were collected from animal waste storage, methane digester and sludge separated wastewater and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. To measure the mass ratios of estrogen to macronutrients, nitrogen and phosphorous were also determined. Sample collected from animal waste storage had the highest estrogen concentration (98.7 ${\mu}g/L$), while sludge separated wastewater had the lowest concentration (3.4 ${\mu}g/L$). The mean concentrations of E2 and E1 in waste storage sample were (6.8 ${\mu}g/L$) and (68.7 ${\mu}g/L$), respectively. In sludge separated wastewater, the mean concentration of both E2 and E1 were reduced to (2.6 ${\mu}g/L$) and (1.9 ${\mu}g/L$), respectively. However, estriol was not detected in any of the samples collected. Mean ratios of E2 and E1 to macronutrients were significantly different between the methane wastewater and sludge separated wastewater owing to elimination of solid particles.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.842-850
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• 2010

Sex steroids are known to be involved in skeletal muscle development (anabolic effect) and are frequently used in medicines. It has been known that pork contains a variety of steroids that are mainly synthesized in the gonads (testis and ovary). Thus, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of anabolic steroids of pork on the proliferation and differentiation of myogenic satellite cells (MSC). Three different methods (M1, M2, and M3) were developed for the isolation and purification of steroids from porcine tissues. Among three extraction methods that we developed, M3 was the best method with respect to the quantities of steroids and the induction of MSC proliferation. Hormonal analysis showed that the steroid hormone levels were the highest in muscle and fat of intact male than those of castrated males and females. In addition, the highest serum levels of nandrolone and testosterone were detected in intact males, whereas estrone and $17{\beta}$-estradiol levels were similar in the entire experimental serum samples. Expression of androgen receptor (AR), myoD, desmin, and myogenin in bovine muscle cells were significantly up-regulated by the treatment of steroid extracts. The highest increas of myogenin and AR mRNA abundance were observed in the MSCs treated with M3 extract (p<0.001). Altogether, the present research showed the positive effect of steroids on MSC proliferation and differentiation in vitro. These results would certainly imply a beneficial effect of pork consumption on human muscle development.