• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2011

Objective: To determine whether characteristics of sperm motility obtained by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) could predict pregnancy after intrauterine insemination (IUI) in couples with unexplained infertility. Methods: Three hundred eighty-three cycles of intrauterine insemination with superovulation were retrospectively analyzed. Semen analysis was performed with CASA before and after swim-up and the parameters were compared between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Results: The pregnancy rate per cycle was 14.1%. Pregnant and non-pregnant women were comparable in terms of age, infertility duration, the number of dominant follicles. While sperm concentration, motility, and parameters such as average path velocity (VAP) and percentage rapid (RAPID) before semen preparation were significantly different between the pregnancy and non-pregnancy groups, there were no differences in sperm parameters when comparing the two groups after preparation. Using a receiver operating characteristic curve to measure sensitivity and specificity, the optimal threshold value for the predictors of pregnancy was revealed to be a concentration of ${\geq}111{\times}10^6/mL$, a motility of ${\geq}$ 51.4%, and RAPID ${\geq}$ 30.1% before preparation for IUI. Conclusion: Sperm parameters including concentration, motility, and RAPID before sperm preparation could have predictive value for pregnancy outcome after intrauterine insemination with superovulation in couples with unexplained infertility, and would be helpful when counseling patients before they make the decision to proceed with IVF/ICSI-ET.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.168-177
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• 2020

Background: Ginseng has been widely used as a health-promoting tonic. Gintonin present in ginseng acts as a lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor ligand that activates six LPA receptor subtypes. The LPA6 subtype plays a key role in normal hair growth, and mutations in the LPA6 receptor impair normal human hair growth. Currently, human hair loss and alopecia are concerning issues that affect peoples' social and day-to-day lives. Objective: We investigated the in vitro and in vivo effects of a gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF) on mouse hair growth. Methods: Human hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPCs) and six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were used. The mice were divided into the four groups: control, 1% minoxidil, 0.75% GEF, and 1.5% GEF. The dorsal hair was removed to synchronize the telogen phase. Each group was treated topically, once a day, for 15 days. We analyzed hair growth activity and histological changes. Results: GEF induced transient [Ca²⁺]_i, which stimulated HFDPC proliferation and caused 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation in a concentration-dependent manner. GEF-mediated HFDPC proliferation was blocked by the LPA receptor antagonist and Ca²⁺ chelator. HFDPC treatment with GEF stimulated vascular endothelial growth factor release. Topical application of GEF and minoxidil promoted hair growth in a dose-dependent manner. Histological analysis showed that GEF and minoxidil increased the number of hair follicles and hair weight. Conclusion: Topical application of GEF promotes mouse hair growth through HFDPC proliferation. GEF could be one of the main components of ginseng that promote hair growth and could be used to treat human alopecia.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.230-247
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• 2018

We conducted principal component analyses using the quantitative characteristics of the genus Sorbaria to investigate and explore morphological variation and diagnostic characteristics. The genus Sorbaria was divided into two groups based on erect or pendulous inflorescence, the existence of hairs on the ovary and follicle surfaces, the number of stamens, and the shape of the sepal. As a result of our investigation and of a morphometric analysis, these two groups could be also classified using quantitative characteristics, in this case the number of leaflets, the size of the leaflets, the width of the inflorescence, the size of the sepal, the petal, and the follicles and seeds. In the Sorbifolia group (S. grandiflora and S. sorbifolia complex), the size of lateral leaflets, number of veins, gland and stellate density on the abaxial surface of leaflets, and the petal and follicle size were found to be useful identification characteristics. The terminal and lateral leaflet size and the gland and stellate density on the abaxial surface of the leaflets were found to be characters of taxonomic value for the Kirilowii group (S. arborea complex, S. kirilowii, and S. tomentosa complex). The results of the numerical analysis conducted here can provide valuable information to those reconsidering and delimiting a taxonomic revision of the genus Sorbaria.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.10
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• pp.1452-1458
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• 2010

This study was performed to investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 treatment on wound healing using SD rats by generating four full-thickness skin wounds on the dorsum. In the Rg1-treated groups (5,000 and 10,000 ppm), area of wounds and macroscopic inflammatory signs were significantly decreased compared to control group throughout the experimental period in a concentration dependent manner. Histological appearance after 20 days of treatment with Rg1 revealed the formation of epithelial layer, hair follicles and progressive angiogenesis and an increase in collagen and granulation as compared to control group. Rg1 treatment resulted in the increased expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and reduced expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-$\beta$) mRNA in wounded skin compared to control group. The expression levels of VEGF and TGF-$\beta$ mRNA in the Rg1-treated groups were similar to those of Fucidin(R) ointment-treated group. These results suggested that Rg1 should be helpful for the promotion of wound healing.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.111-129
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• 1985

The morphology and histology of the gastrointestinal mucosa of the mole, Talpa micrura coreana (Thomas), were studied using light and scanning electron microscopes. Tissue specimens were taken from body and pyloric portions of the stomach, and from the initial, proximal, middle, distal and terminal portions of the intestine. For light microscopy, tissue blocks were fixed in 10% buffered neutral formalin, embedded in paraffin wax, and sectioned at a thickness of $5{\mu}m$. These sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin. For scanning electron microscopy, tissue blocks were fixed in 1% glutaraldehyde-1.5% paraformaldehyde, and postfixed in 1% osmium tetroxide, dehydrated in graded alcohol, transferred to isoamylacetate and dried by the critical point drier(Polaron E 3000). Subsequently, specimens were coated with gold and observed with a JSM-35C scanning electron microscope. The results were as follows: The mucous membrane of the body portion of the stomach had numerous irregular folds and the pyloric mucosa formed the strawberry-shaped folds, and general histological structures of each portion were similar to those of man. The intestine could not be differentiated macroscopically and microscopically into small and large intestines. There was no cecum, appendix, taenia coli, haustra coli or appendices epiploicae. In the initial portion (4 mm long), conical or tongue-shaped villi with the height of $143.3{\pm}10.7{\mu}m$ were present, and large mucous glands were seen in the submucosa. In the proximal, middle and distal portions, wavy folds composed of the epithelium and lamina propria were densely and transversely arranged, and their heights were $440.4{\pm}45.5{\mu}m,\;454.4{\pm}19.9{\mu}m\;and\;205.2{\pm}33.5{\mu}m$, respectively. The mucosa of the terminal portion (3 cm long) formed several longitudinal folds, and the intestinal glands were directly opened on the smooth surface of the folds. Aggregated lymphoid follicles were observed in the major portions of the intestine except the initial and terminal portions. There was no circular or semilunar fold throughout the intestine.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.161-170
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• 2015

These studies were conducted to establish the practical Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) improvement system through the combining of embryo transfer technology and confirming individual Hanwoo oocyte culture system and to investigate that correlation of Hanwoo carcass classification (intramuscular marbling) and oocyte donor for blastocyst production in vitro. In case of Hanwoo, the carcass meat quality grades were divided to grade $1^{{+}{+}}$, $1^{+}$, 1, 2, and 3 depends on fat distribution of longest muscle cross-sectional surface. As results, the numbers of follicular oocytes collected from individual fundamentally-registered Hanwoo yielded $1^{{+}{+}}$, $1^{+}$, 1, 2 and 3 meat quality were 9.5, 9.4, 8.5, 8.8 and 8.8 per ovary, respectively. The numbers of retrieval oocyte from follicles were significantly higher in the cattle yield $1^{{+}{+}}$, $1^{+}$ meat quality than in the cattle yield 1, 2 and 3 meat quality (p<0.05). The rates of blastocyst formation were 18.2, 21.3, 29.4, 30.9, and 31.5% in the cattle yield $1^{{+}{+}}$, $1^{+}$, 1, 2 and 3 meat quality of after in vitro maturation, respectively. It was significantly lower in the cattle yield $^{{+}{+}}$ and $1^{+}$ meat quality than in the cattle yield 1, 2 and 3 meat quality (p<0.05). In order to evaluate embryos quality, TUNNEL assay was conducted for each meat quality grade using blastocyst stage embryo on day 8. The results showed that apoptosis cell number was higher tendency in the cattle yield $1^{{+}{+}}$and $1^{+}$ meat quality (81 and 79, respectively) than in the cattle yield 1, 2 and 3 meat quality (51, 48 and 50, respectively) but there was no statistical significance in each group. After embryo transfer, the conception rate of recipient was 53.5 (23 out of 43), 52.1 (38 out of 73) and 58.0% (58 out of 100) in the meat quality of 1, $1^{+}$ and $1^{{+}{+}}$, respectively. These results showed that the conception rate was significantly higher in the cattle yield 1 meat quality than in the cattle yield $1^{{+}{+}}$, $1^{+}$, 2, and 3 meat quality (p<0.05). In summary, these results indicate that the application of confirming Hanwoo individual oocyte culture system and embryo transfer technology can make good use of the genetic resources conservation and improvement of Hanwoo. Relevance of the meat quality grade and reproductive ability of carcasses of Hanwoo will be considered to be one of the effective means for the associated research with obesity and reproduction.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.177-182
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the ovarian cycle changes of the mare according to the season. Twenty four Jeju crossbred horses(Thoroughbred ${\times}$ Jeju horse) raised in Subtropical Livestock Research Institute, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA were used to identify follicles and corpus luteum with ultrasonography once a week(May 2016~June 2017). Blood samples of experimental horses were collected twice a week for analysis of P4 hormone levels. The mares were considered to have resumed ovarian cyclicity on the day of ovulation if they followed by regular ovarian cycles. Only 13 cases(61.9%) of the total 21cases showed normal ovarian cycle, and 8 cases (38.1%) showed delayed ovarian cycle. Three cases(16.7%) in October, 5 cases(27.8%) in November and 5 cases(27.8%) in December(27.8%) ceased the heat and the remaining 5 cases(27.8%) showed that the estrus was maintained in winter. Horses that stopped estrus ceased the heat until March of next year, and 27.8% were continued the heat during non-breeding season. Eleven cases(61.1%) of 18 cases in April and 2 cases(11.1%) of 18 cases in May returned the estrus.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.85-94
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• 2018

Endocrine disruptors have been concerned in toxicology but now challenged as physiological point especially concerned with exposing dose and period. In this study the low-dose chronic administration of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthaltae (DEHP) during reproductive period was examined to evaluate the possible roles. Adult male and female CD-1 mice were exposed to DEHP with drinking water containing $133{\mu}g/L$ and $1,330{\mu}g/L$ DEHP in water according to OECD 433 guide line and sacrificed just after weaning. The weights of uterus and ovary were decreased by drinking of $1,330{\mu}g/L$ DEHP water. There was not adverse effects on either accumulated mating rate and mating rate depend on estrus stage, pregnancy duration, and sex ration at birth. However, the accumulated rate of successful delivery and litter size were significantly high at $1,330{\mu}g/L$ DEHP water. The number of epididymal sperm was significantly increased by drinking of $1,330{\mu}g/L$ DEHP water. In addition, the number of follicles (primary, secondary, tertiary) were more many than control at $1,330{\mu}g/L$ DEHP water drunk mother. Though further studies are needed to identify what are the mechanism of DEHP in folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis. From this study we firstly report the effect of low-dose chronic administration of DEHP with drinking could change the ovarian follicle population size and spermatogenesis rate. Put together, those finding is different from previous high-dose effects and suggest the physiological role of DEHP in gonads and uterus.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2004

This study was carried out to investigate PSS (Porcine Stress Syndrome) with the PSE (Pale, Soft, Exudative) in 319 different pigs(Yorkshire 150; Landrace 89 and Duroc 80). The PCR-RFLP method was adapted to detect the ryanodine receptor (RYR 1) gene mutation and to estimate the genotype frequency of the RYR1 gene in breeding pig population. The DNA samples were collected from hair follicles of pigs of Yorkshire, Landrace and Duroc. After DNA amplification by PCR, the PCR products were digested by restriction enzyme, Cfo I. Primary PCR products of ryanodine receptor gene were length of 659 bp in hair follicle and their second PCR products were length of 522 bp in hair follicle. The exon region (522 bp) including point mutation ($C \arrow T; Arg \arrow Cys$) in the porcine ryanodine receptor gene, which is a causal mutation for PSS, was digested with Cfo I restriction enzyme. The RYR1 gene was classifed into three genotypes by agarose gel electrophoresis. The normal homozygous (NN) individuals showed two DNA fragments consisted of 439 and 83 bp. The mutant homozygous (nn) individuals showed only one DNA fragment 522 bp. In addition, all three fragments (522, 439 and 83 bp) were showed in heterozygous (Nn) carrier animals. The normal homozygous (NN), heterozygous (Nn) and mutant homozygous (nn) were 98.00, 2.00 and 0.00% in Yorkshire pigs, 87.64, 11.24 and 1.12% in Landrace, 100.00, 0.00 and 0.00% in Duroc, respectively. The gene frequencies of N and n were 0.990 and 0.010 in Yorkshire pigs, 0.933 and 0.067 in Landrace, 1.000 and 0.000 in Duroc, respectively.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.57 no.8
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• pp.28.1-28.7
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• 2015

Background: The physiologic characteristics of the cashmere trait and many of the differentially expressed genes relevant to hair cycling have been extensively studied, whereas genes involved in the prenatal development of hair follicles have been poorly investigated in cashmere goats. The aim of this study, therefore, was to quantify the time-course changes in the expressions of $TR{\alpha}$ and CRABPII genes in the fetal skin of Chinese cashmere goats at the multiple embryonic days (E70, E75, E80, E90, E100, E120 and E130) using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Results: RT-qPCR showed that $TR{\alpha}$ was expressed at E70 with relatively high level and then slightly decreased (E75, E80, and E90). The highest expression of $TR{\alpha}$ mRNA was revealed at E130 (P > 0.05). The expression pattern of CRABPII mRNA showed an 'up-down-up' trend, which revealed a significantly highest expression at E75 (P < 0.05) and was down-regulated during E80 to E120 (P < 0.05) and mildly increased at E130, subsequently. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that $TR{\alpha}$ and CRABPII genes expressed in different levels during prenatal development of cashmere. The present study will be helpful to provide the comprehensive understanding of $TR{\alpha}$ and CRABPII genes expressions during cashmere formation and lay the ground for further studies on their roles in regulation of cashmere growth in goats.