• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.131-141
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• 1995

This study was designed to determine the relationship between sperm acrosome reaction following ionophore challenge(ARIC) and hamster ovum sperm penetration assay(SPA) as assessment of fertilizing capacity of male. ARIC test and SPA were performed in 23 fertile and 19 subfertile men. The results were as follows; Sperm concentration was significantly higher in fertile group compared with subfertile group: $114.6{\pm}64.40$ vs $61.3{\pm}46.50{\times}10^6/ml$. However, there were no significantly differences in seminal volume, motility and motility index, respectively. There was a significantly correlation between spontaneous and induced AR in fertile and subfertile group, respectively. ARIC value was significantly higher in fertile group, compared with subfertile group: $12.0{\pm}5.57%$ vs $2.6{\pm}4.96%$. Both Penetration rate(PR) and Penetration index(PI) were significantly higher in fertile group, compared with subfertile group: $97.4{\pm}7.40%$ vs $64.9{\pm}36$. 20% and $5.4{\pm}2.88$ vs $1.5{\pm}1.47$, respectively. The Positive predictive value(PPV), Negative predictive value(NPV), sensitivity and specificity of ARIC test (cut-off: 8.5) and SPA(PI cut-off : 3.0) in predicting fertility were 95.0%, 81.8%, 82.6%, 94.7% and 95.2%, 85.7%, 87.0% and 94.7%, respectively. There was no significantly difference in predicting fertility between ARIC test and SPA. In conclusion, ARIC test was shown to have a predictive value for fertilizing capacity comparable to that of the hamster ovum sperm penetration assay. Therefore, ARIC test may be a simple and cost-effective addition to existing semenology instead of SPA.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.280-287
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• 2015

Soil samples were collected from three depths (0-10 cm, 10-40 cm and 40-80 cm) of two forest sites including one plantation dominated by teak with some other minor species and another degraded natural forest in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh to compare their soil properties. Some vegetation parameters were also studied. For this study $10{\times}10\;m$ and $2{\times}2\;m$ quadrats were used for the tree and undergrowth parameters, respectively. Soil samples were also collected from these quadrats. Between the two forest types, the highest levels of organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable bases and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were found in soils of the plantation. The soils were acidic in nature and exchangeable Al concentrations were low. Teak dominated forest plantation had higher soil fertility index (SFI) than the degraded natural forest site. Steps for reforestation and appropriate protection are needed to improve the situation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.46-57
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• 2021

Fruits with antioxidant enrichment can be an economically affordable supplement for mitigating oxidative damage prone spermatozoa membrane pathologies. Computer-assisted sperm analyzer and oxidative status were utilized to evaluate the impact of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) fortification of dextrose saline as diluent for rooster semen and fertility response of hens inseminated. Watermelon juice and dextrose saline were used to formulate diluent of 7 treatments consisting of unextended semen (positive control), 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and only dextrose saline (negative control) designated as Treatments 1-7. Pooled semen was obtained from fertile roosters and equilibrated with diluents at ratio 1:2 in the various treatments and were evaluated using computer software coupled microscope and seminal oxidative status assay. 168 laying hens randomly divided into 7 treatment of 8 replicates and 3 hen per replicate. Hen were everted, and semen (2 × 108 Spermatozoa) deposited intra-vagina and eggs collected over 8 weeks to assess fertility and hatchability of eggs laid. The result obtained revealed that watermelon-dextrose saline rooster semen diluent enhanced progressive motility, sperm kinetics and lowered non-progressive motility in T2-T6 compared to T7 over the 3 hours of evaluation. Watermelon addition to rooster semen diluent enhance the antioxidant capacity of rooster semen and lowered lipid peroxide generation. The percentage fertility was highest in T3 (81.01%) and T4 (81.24%) with lowest value obtained in T7 (73.46%). The hatchability of eggs set of hens inseminated with undiluted semen (71.46%) was lower than values for hens inseminated with watermelon inclusive extended semen (75.71%-80.39%). The optimal inclusion of 30%-40% watermelon in dextrose saline diluent enhance rooster semen kinetics, seminal oxidative stability and egg fertility.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.210-217
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• 2024

Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of different concentrations of gelatin supplementation in long-term semen extender on boar semen quality during storage for 10 days at 17℃. Additionally, oxytocin was added to stored semen to enhance fertility. Methods: In Experiment 1, boar semen was collected, diluted with gelatin at concentrations between 0% and 2.5% (w/v) and mixed with a semen extender. Then, it was kept in a refrigerator at 17℃ and stored for 10 days. In Experiment 2, the sperm quality was examined after adding 0, 5, and 10 IU oxytocin per artificial insemination dose to the most effective semen extender from Experiment 1 and placing it in a refrigerator at 17℃ for 10 days. In Experiment 3, the fertility potential in terms of non-return rate and litter size was determined using the most effective solid-stored semen supplemented with oxytocin. Results: The results indicated that sperm quality decreased with increasing storage time (p<0.05). The sperm quality in terms of total motility, progressive motility, and viable sperm with intact acrosomes and high mitochondrial potential was the highest with 1.5% gelatin supplementation (p<0.001) on all days of storage. Treatment with oxytocin did not affect sperm quality (p>0.05). The non-return rate and litter size after insemination with semen supplemented with 1.5% gelatin and 10 IU of oxytocin after 8 to 10 days of storage were comparable to those of the control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: A semen extender as a solid medium supplemented with 1.5% gelatin successfully preserved boar semen for a long storage duration. Treatment with oxytocin did not affect sperm quality. In addition, the fertility capacity using 1.5% gelatin with 10 IU oxytocin and stored for 8 to 10 days was acceptable and comparable to that of short-term storage.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.844-854
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• 2021

Objective: The potential of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), betaine (BET), and ginger (GIN), as natural antioxidants, in reducing negative effects of heat stress on physiological responses, antioxidant capacity, semen quality and fertility of bucks under heat stress were investigated. Methods: Forty adult Animal Production Research Institute line rabbit bucks were distributed randomly into four experimental treatments of ten rabbits each. The first treatment was fed the commercial pellet diet (CPD) without supplementation and served as a control. The other three treatments were fed CPD supplemented with EVOO (300 mg), BET (1,000 mg), and GIN (200 mg) per kg diet for 3 consecutive months during the summer season. Results: Supplementation of EVOO, BET, or GIN improved (p<0.05) the sexual desire, progressive motility, vitality, intact acrosome and membrane integrity, sperm cell concentration, sperm outputs and fertility. Seminal plasma total proteins, globulin, total antioxidant capacity, glutathione and glutathione S-transferase, and initial fructose increased (p<0.05), while total lipids, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases and malondialdehyde decreased (p<0.05) compared with the control. In comparing the natural antioxidants treatments, GIN evoked the largest improvement. Conclusion: The inclusion of GIN (200 mg/kg diet) appeared to improve the sexual desire, semen quality and oxidative stress of bucks. This may be a beneficial supplement for the management of rabbit bucks used in natural mating or artificial insemination.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.179-205
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• 2007

Demography has grown as an independent academic discipline in Korea during past 30 years by describing and examining changes of population components such as fertility, mortality, migration, and census, and the "Population Association of Korea" stands on the midst of the growth. High fertility of the 1960s and 70s, which was considered as a hurdle of economic growth, particularly boosted the prosper of demography in Korea by inviting a number of non-demographers as well as demographers to population-related research projects. However, as fertility gradually decreases and becomes no-threat anymore beginning the early 1990s, social interests in demography has withered to lose its academic soils in Korea. A recent phenomenon of the lowest low fertility has revived social need and interest in demography. Unfortunately, once curtailed capacity of Korean demography is not sufficient enough to provide academic and/or practical resources now. This research is conducted to cerebrate the 30th anniversary of "Population Association of Korea" and to seek ways to cultivate academic soils again and to rebuild the capacity of demography in Korea. To do this, this research examines the causes of current struggles of Korean demography by comparing its academic environments with that of America, and offers suggestions for its brighter future.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.1763-1769
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• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of L-carnitine on the pig semen characteristics during storage. Methods: Spermatozoa samples were examined for spermatozoa quality and then randomly divided into 5 groups: 0 (control), 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mM L-carnitine. Sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and antioxidant parameters (total reactive oxygen species, total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde) were evaluated after 0, 3, 5, and 10 day cooled-storage at 17℃. Moreover, ATP content, mitochondria activity as well as sperm-binding and in vitro fertilizing ability of preserved boar sperm were also investigated. Results: Supplementation with 50 mM L-carnitine could effectively maintain boar sperm quality parameters such as sperm motility and membrane integrity. Besides, we found that L-carnitine had positive effects on boar sperm quality mainly through improving antioxidant capacities and enhancing ATP content and mitochondria activity. Interestingly, by assessing the effect of L-carnitine on sperm fertility and developmental potential, we discovered that the extender containing L-carnitine could improve sperm quality and increase the number of sperms bounding to zona pellucida, without improving in vitro fertility and development potential. Conclusion: These findings suggested that the proper addition of L-carnitine to the semen extender improved boar sperm quality during liquid storage at 17℃.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2006

This study was conducted to compare the reproduction ability of the wild type boar and recombinant human erythropoietin (hEPO) transgenic boar semen. Ejaculated boar semen was analyzed by flow cytometry, Elisa and IVF methods. In experiment 1, flow cytometric analysis showed that the live sperm ratio of transgenic boar sperm significantly lower (P<0.05) than that of wild type boar after incubation at 20, 22, 24 and 26 hr. In experiment 2, the presence and levels of various cytokines (IL-6, IL-10 and $TNF-{\alpha}$) to related animal reproduction in the seminal and blood plasma were examined using specific enzyme immunoassay. There was no significant difference between both groups. In experiment 3, the fertilizing capacity and developmental ability of both boar sperm were compared. The transgenic boar sperm had a significantly low capacity of penetration, sperm-zona binding, embryo development, and blastocyst formation compared to wild type sperm (P<0.05). These results suggest that transgenic boar sperm harboring hEPO gene has low sperm viability than wild type boar, and it is a reason to decrease of fertility and litter size.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2000.06a
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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.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.81-89
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• 1995

The variations of the soil texture, $SiO_2$ /$Al_2$$O_3$ ratio, buffer action, exchangeable base, ex-changeable hydrogen, and mineral nutrients were investigated to estimate the grade of the soil fertility of the soil derived from the different parent rocks such as the granite in Kwangnung and the basalt in Chejudo. The results investigated were showed as follows : Basalt soils in Chejudo belong to sandy clay, light clay and sandy clay loam, while gramite soils in Kwangnung sandy loam. The $SiO_2$ /$AI_2$$O_3$ ratio of the grassland in Chejudo was 1.11 and that of the oak forest soils was 1.24, while granite soils in Kwangnung 1.54 and 1.46, respectively. The buffer actions of ba-salt soils against the N /10 HCI and $Ca(OH)_2$ were stronger than those of granite soils. The $SiO_2$/$Al_2$$O_3$ + $Fe_2$$O_3$ ratios of grassland and oak forest soils of basalt in Chejudo showed 1.10 and 1.24 respectively, while those of the grassland and oak forest of Kwangnung 1.44 and 1.33. The base exchange capacity of basalt soils which has higher value of exchangeable hydrogen was stronger than that of granite soils. But the base saturation of granite soils showed higher value than that of basalt soils. Water contents of basalt soils in Chejudo was lower than that of granite soils fo Kwangnung Basalt soils in Chejudo contain still more humus and total nitrogen than gran-ite soils in kwangnung, The amount of available nitrogen, available phosphorus and exchangeable calcium of granite soils were more than that of basalt soils, Therefore, estimating the soil fertility, granite soils in Kwangnung is higher than that of basalt soils in Chejudo.