• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.95-106
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• 2012

It has been revealed that multiple cohorts of tertiary follicles develop during some animal estrous cycle and the human menstrual cycle. To reach developmental competence, oocytes need the support of somatic cells. During embryogenesis, the primordial germ cells appear, travel to the gonadal rudiments, and form follicles. The female germ cells develop within the somatic cells of the ovary, granulosa cells, and theca cells. How the oocyte and follicle cells support each other has been seriously studied. The latest technologies in genes and proteins and genetic engineering have allowed us to collect a great deal of information about folliculogenesis. For example, a few web pages (http://www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov; http://mrg.genetics.washington.edu) provide access to databases of genomes, sequences of transcriptomes, and various tools for analyzing and discovering genes important in ovarian development. Formation of the antrum (tertiary follicle) is the final phase of folliculogenesis and the transition from intraovarian to extraovian regulation. This final step coordinates with the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. On the other hand, currently, follicle physiology is under intense investigation, as little is known about how to overcome women's ovarian problems or how to develop competent oocytes from in vitro follicle culture or transplantation. In this review, some of the known roles of hormones and some of the genes involved in tertiary follicle growth and the general characteristics of tertiary follicles are summarized. In addition, in vitro culture of tertiary follicles is also discussed as a study model and an assisted reproductive technology model.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.287-297
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• 2003

The aim of this review is to give insight into the reproduction potential of the Korean native goat(KNG) doe. The mean age of the first estrus in the KNG doe is 141.24$\pm$18.l7 days. The length of the estrous cycle was recorded as being 20.58$\pm$2.63 days, with the mean duration of estrous period being 17.8$\pm$7.3 to 32.9$\pm$1.2 h, and the duration of the post-partum anestrous period being 13.4(9 to 18) to 30.1$\pm$3.8 days in the KNG doe. The ages at first delivery are 10 to 12 months(56.3％) in the KNG doe. The KNG does are no restricted breeding season, because estrus and kiddings are observed throughout the year. The mean gestation period of the KNG doe is recorded as being 150.69$\pm$6.14 days with parities having no significant effect on gestation length. The mean interval between parturitions in the KNG doe is 207.78$\pm$1.72 days with parities and birth type having no significant effect on kidding intervals. The mean litter sizes at birth in the KNG doe are 1.69$\pm$0.03 heads, and litter size at birth was affected (P<0.05) by parity. The mean birth weight of kid in the KNG is 2.04$\pm$0.30 kg with a variety as being 2.28$\pm$0.26, 2.11$\pm$ 0.30 and 1.64$\pm$0.19 kg for singles, twins and triplets over of birth type, respectively. The mean mortality of 635 kids in the KNG is 23$\pm$1 ％ with a variety as being 28$\pm$3, 21$\pm$2, 16$\pm$3 and 46$\pm$15 ％ for singles, twins, triplets and quadruplets of birth type, respectively.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.171-173
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• 2003

Bisphenol A (4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol, C$\_$15/H$\_$16/O$_2$) is the monomer used in the manufacture of polycarbonate. Polycarbonate, in turn, is used in a wide array of plastic products, with new applications continuously being developed. Also it has been used to produce epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics for food container. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of bisphenol A on lactation period to dams and F1, Sprague-Dawley females were mated with on 2:1 ratio basis. Various doses of bisphenol A (0, 2, 20, 200, and 2,000 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg) were daily administered to females for 21 days after parturition. Dams and offsprings were sacrificed at the time of weaning. The results were as follows, 2000 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg of bisphenol A decreased the dams' body weight at post-partum 18 days and also 200 and 2000 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg of bisphenol A decreased the body weight of neonates at the days of post-partum 21 days. Bisphenol A increased the relative weights of liver and spleen in male offsprings, depending on the doses. But female offsprings showed high relative organ weights of ovaries, and low relative organ weights of uterine in a some dose-response manners. High dose of bisphenol A induced low viability of neonates exposed during lactation period. The dams treated with bisphenol A showed prematured estrous stage. Bisphenol A was recovered about 21.2% average in serum of dams, and also in offsprings'. The results indicate that the bisphenol A induces estrous cycle during lactation period in dams, also reaches to the of offspring through breast milk. Thus bisphenol A exopsed to dams and neonates via lactation induces some estrogenic and toxic effects.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.208-215
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• 2003

Bisphenol A (4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol, $C^{15}H_{16}O_{2}$) is the monomer used in the manufacture of polycarbonate. Polycarbonate, in turn, is used in a wide array of plastic products, with new applications continuously being developed. Also it has been used to produce epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics for food container. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of bisphenol A on lactation period to dams and F1. Sprague-Dawley females were mated with on 2 : 1 ratio basis. Various doses of bisphenol A (0, 2, 20, 200, and 2,000 ${\mu}g kg^{-1}$) were daily administered to females for 21 days after parturition. Dams and offsprings were sacrificed at the time of weaning. The results were as fellows, 2000 ${\mu}g \; kg^{-1}$ / of bisphenol A decreased the dams' body weight at post-partum 18 days and also 200 and 2,000 ${\mu}g \;kg^{-1}$ of bisphenol A decreased the body weight of neonates at the days of post-partum 21 days. Bisphenol A increased the relative weights of liver and spleen in male offsprings, depending on the doses. But female offsprings showed high relative organ weights of ovaries, and low relative organ weights of uterine in a some dose-response manners. High dose of bisphenol A induced low viability of neonates exposed during lactation period. The dams treated with bisphenol A showed prematured estrous stage. Bisphenol A was recovered about 21.2% average in serum of dams, and also in offsprings'. The results indicate that the bisphenol A induces estrous cycle during lactation period in dams, also reaches to the offspring through breast milk. Thus bisphenol A exopsed to dams and neonates via lactation induces some estrogenic and tonic effects.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.189-197
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• 2006

Prolactin (PRL) is a pituitary hormone involved in various physiological processes, including lactation, mammary development, and immune function. To further investigate the in vivo and comparative endocrine roles of PRL, mouse PRL cDNA fused to the cytomegalovirus promoter, was introduced into muscle by direct injection. Previously we studied the function of rat PRL using the same protocol. PRL mRNA was detected in the muscle following injection by RT-PCR and subsequent Southern blot analysis. PRL was also detected and Western blot analysis revealed a relatively high level of serum PRL. In the pCMV-mPRL-injected female mice, the estrous cycle was extended, especially in diestrus stage and the uterus thickening that was shown in normal estrous stage was not observed. In the pCMV-mPRL-injected male mice, new blood vessels were first found at 5 weeks of age and fully developed blood vessels were found after 8 weeks in the testis. The number of Leydig cells increased within the testis and the testosterone level in serum was observed high. Finally, the number of white blood cells (WBCs) increased in the pCMV-mPRL-injected mice. The augmentation of WBCs persisted for at least 20 days after injection. When injection was combined with adrenalectomy, there was an even greater increase in number of WBCs, especially lymphocytes. This increase was returned normal by treatment with dexamethansone. Taken together, our data reveal that intramuscularly expressed mouse PRL influences reproductive functions in female, induces formation of new blood vessels in the testis, and augments WBC numbers. Of notice is that the Leydig cell proliferation with increased testosterone was conspicuously observed in the pCMV-mPRL-injected mice. These results also suggest subtle difference in function of PRL between mouse and rat species.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 2008

Supplementation of serum and estrogen in in vitro maturation(IVM) medium was shown to improve embryo development and quality in several species. This study investigates the effect of ovarian estrus stage on canine oocyte quality and supplementation of medium with canine serum or estrogen on IVM of canine oocytes. As results, in experimental 1, IVM oocytes collected from follicular stage ovaries to MII stages($10.2{\pm}1.5%$) was higher (p<0.05) with 10% canine estrus stage serum than control($1.3{\pm}1.6%$), anoestrus stage serum($4.0{\pm}1.6%$), luteal stage serum($2.7{\pm}1.7%$) and 10% FBS($1.3{\pm}1.6$). In experimental 2, 10% canine estrus stage serum supplementation has highest maturation rate to MII stages($10.0{\pm}1.8%$) and there were significant differences(P<0.05) with another treatment in follicular stages group. In order to investigate the synergic effect of estrous serum and estrogen supplementation, different estrous stage groups of oocytes were cultured with 2 ug/ml estrogen plus various concentrations of different reproductive stage serum and FBS(experimental 3). As results, the rate of maturation to metaphase II(MII) stage was significantly higher(p<0.05) in oocytes from the follicular stage supplemented with estrogen and 10% canine estrus stage serum(11.5%) compared to the other groups(6.0 - 8.8%). The present study was demonstrated that canine serum and the estrus cycle of the bitch affect the meiotic competence of oocytes. Hormonal influences within the follicle may be one of the factors responsible for the greater proportion of maturation of oocyte to MII from bitches at the follicular phase.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.59-68
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• 1986

산양의 발정주기의 생리와 조절에 관한 최근 연구 보고들과 한국 재래산양의 대한 이들 연구 결과를 모아 고찰하였다. 온대지역에서 산양의 번식계절은 분명하나 한국재래산양의 경우는 비번식계절이 비교적 짧거나 계절적 무발정율이 낮은 편이며, 비번식계절에는 기능적 황체가 유지되지 않는다. 한국재래산양의 발정주기와 발정지속기간은 타품종과 비슷하며, 발정지속기간의 반복력은 매우 낮으며, 발정주기중의 progesterone과 estradiol-17$\beta$의 소장을 규명하였다. 한국재래산양의 경우 황체기에 PGF2 1-3mg을 투여하면 항체퇴행을 유기할 수 있으나 주기중의 투여시기에 따라 투여후 발정개시 시간에 차이가 있었다. 그리고 pro-gesterone priming후 PGF$\alpha$를 투여함으로써 효과적인 발정동기화를 이룰 수 있었다. 분만후 1개월경과 유상후 12일경에 발정이 재귀되었으며, 첫 발정 후 80%의 산양에서 5-7일의 단발정주기를 나타냈으며, 대부분의 과배란유기 산양에서도 단발정주기를 나타냈는데 이는 황체의 조기퇴행 때문이었다. 초발정후 3-5일에 GnRH를 연속 주사하면 단발정주기의 발생율이 유의적으로 감소되었다.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 1990

The individual difference of superovulatory responses and inferior embryo quality in superovulated cattle may cause disturbances in the endocrine profile, follicular steroidogenesis, nuclear maturation of nocyte, fertilization and cleavage of embryos. However, the reasons why those disturbances are occurred were not understood. The methods of the improvement of superovulatory response and embryo production were the use of anti-PMSG if PMSG used, pure FSH or controlled FSH-LH inducer, priming dose of gonadotropin in the first few day of the estrous cycle and GnRH or analogue. However, all of the above methods were not reduced the individual differences but improved embryo production We must continue the fundamental studies to understand the mechanism.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2012

The safety of human exposure to an ever-increasing number and diversity of electromagnetic field (EMF) sources both at work and at home has become a public health issue. To date, many in vivo and in vitro studies have revealed that EMF exposure can alter cellular homeostasis, endocrine function, reproductive function, and fetal development in animal systems. Reproductive parameters reported to be altered by EMF exposure include male germ cell death, the estrous cycle, reproductive endocrine hormones, reproductive organ weights, sperm motility, early embryonic development, and pregnancy success. At the cellular level, an increase in free radicals and $[Ca^{2+}]i$ may mediate the effect of EMFs and lead to cell growth inhibition, protein misfolding, and DNA breaks. The effect of EMF exposure on reproductive function differs according to frequency and wave, strength (energy), and duration of exposure. In the present review, the effects of EMFs on reproductive function are summarized according to the types of EMF, wave type, strength, and duration of exposure at cellular and organism levels.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.225-229
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• 2018

In humans, hormonal regulation is crucial for the preparation of uterine environment leading to either successful implantation or menstrual cycle. Estrogen is a pivotal female steroid hormone that regulates the uterine dynamics along with progesterone in the estrous and menstrual cycles in humans. Estrogen signals act via nuclear estrogen receptor or membrane-bound receptor. The membrane-bound estrogen receptor plays a crucial role in the rapid response of estrogen in the uterine epithelium. Recently, RASD1 has received attention as a novel signal transducer of estrogen in various systems including female reproductive organs. In this review, we discuss the regulation of estrogen and RASD1 signaling in the uterus and also provide insights into RAS as a novel signaling molecule in repeated implantation failure.