• BMB Reports
• /
• v.49 no.9
• /
• pp.488-496
• /
• 2016

Estrogens are the key hormones regulating the development and function of reproductive organs in all vertebrates. Recent evidence indicates that estrogens play important roles in the immune system, cancer development, and other critical biological processes related to human well-being. Obviously, the gonads (ovary and testis) are the primary sites of estrogen synthesis, but estrogens synthesized in extra- gonadal sites play an equally important role in controlling biological activities. Understanding non-gonadal sites of estrogen synthesis and function is crucial and will lead to therapeutic interventions targeting estrogen signaling in disease prevention and treatment. Developing a rationale targeting strategy remains challenging because knowledge of extra-gonadal biosynthesis of estrogens, and the mechanism by which estrogen activity is exerted, is very limited. In this review, we will summarize recent discoveries of extra-gonadal sites of estrogen biosynthesis and their local functions and discuss the significance of the most recent novel discovery of intestinal estrogen biosynthesis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.9
• /
• pp.1227-1231
• /
• 2002

A powerful tool for chicken transgenesis could be established by employing a germline chimera production through primordial germ cell transplantation. This study was conducted to examine whether foreign gene-transfected gonadal primordial germ cells (gPGCs) have a migration activity into the gonad after transfer to recipient embryos. In Experiment 1, gPGCs of Korean Ogol Chicken were retrieved from 5.5-day-old embryos and subsequently transferred to the dorsal aorta of 2.5-day-old White Leghorn embryos after being labeled with PKH26 fluorescent dye. To confirm migration activity after transplantation, recipient embryos were sacrificed and examined on 3 days after transfer. Sex determination was concomitantly undertaken to examine whether sex of recipient embryos could affect the migration activity of gPGCs. All of embryonic gonads examined showed positive signals with PKH26 fluorescence and W-chromosome specific band by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was detected in male embryos when gPGCs with ZW chromosome were transferred to recipient embryos. In Experiment 2, retrieved gPGCs were transfected with LacZ gene-containing cytomegalovirus promoter ($pCMV{\beta}$) by electroporation and subsequently transferred to recipient embryos. LacZ gene expression was identified in the gonads of 6 or 10-day-old recipient embryos and hatched-chicks. A total of 20 embryos and 12 hatched-chicks were examined and 11 of them (10 embryos and one hatched chicken; 11/32=34.4%) expressed $\beta$-galactosidase, a marker substance of LacZ gene. The results of this study demonstrated that foreign gene-transfected gPGCs can migrate and settle down into the gonad after being transferred into the blood vessel of the recipient embryos. This established technique will contribute to developing a peer biotechnology for transgenic chicken.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.147-163
• /
• 1995

The unionid family Unionidae contains several genera in Korea, among which occru considerable variations in life histories and sexual conditions. Seven species from the Korea(Anodonta arcaeformis flavotincta, A. woodiana, Unio douglaseae, U. douglasiae sinuolatus, Lamprotula gottschei, Lanceolaria acrorhyncha, Solenaia triangularis)were stueide in order to identify and describe the seasonal gonadal activity and the visceral sex. The gonads of seven species were histologically examined by using the paraffin block technique for sectioning. All seven species were uniformly dioecious and testicular activity in six species except one species, S. triangularis, generated sperm-morulae(multinucleated cell). The annual reproductive cycle of the seven species could be classified into five successive stages; multicative, growing, mature, spent, deginerative and resting stages. The breeding season of six species was the summer and that of A. a. flavotincta was the winter.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.46-53
• /
• 2000

Artificial gonadal maturation and spawning inducement of striped knife-jaw Oplegnathus fasciatus were studied. Effects of water temperature and photoperiod under different regims on gonadal activity and maturation of three years old O. fasciatus were investigated histologically. In experiment I (Exp. I), water temperature was gradually increased from $14.5^{\circ}C$ to $21.0^{\circ}C$ and photoperiod was also gradually increased from 10 : 30 L to 15 : 30 L from December 1996 to February 1997 and this conditions were maintained till April. In experiment II (Exp. II), water temperature was increased in the same way from Exp. I and photoperiod was controlled as natural condition till early March and then increased to 15 : 30 L immediately. Control fish were reared in net-cage culture system in the sea from December 1996 to April 1997. Gonadal activity was initiated by increasing water temperature in both Exp. I and II from January. In Exp. I, gonadal maturation and spawning were induced from February when water temperature and photoperiod reached at $21.0^{\circ}C$ and 15 : 30 L, respectively. In Exp. II, complete gonadal maturation was not induced until early March but after treated by compensatory long photoperiod (15 : 30 L), the gonad was matured and subsequently spawning occurred.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.223-228
• /
• 2017

This study investigated the effect of different photoperiods (14L: 10D, 12L:12D and 10L:14D) on the gonadal development and GtH mRNA expression in the pituitary of damselfish. The results showed that gonadosomatic index (GSI) was significantly lower in shot photoperiod (10L:14D), in comparison with other photoperiodic group during the spawning season. After 60 days treatment, histological analysis of gonad tissue showed that the gonad of 10L:14D and 12L: 12D treatment groups were resting phase with spermatogonia and perinucleolus stage oocytes but the gonad of 14L:10D treatment group was still ripe phase with spermatozoa and mature stage oocyte. The $FSH{\beta}$ and $LH{\beta}$ mRNA expression in pituitary drastically decreased shot photoperiod treatment from July (spawning period). These results suggest that photoperiod is considered to be the most effective environmental factor in controlling the reproductive cycle of damselfish.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.37-43
• /
• 2012

We have investigated the effect of melatonin (MLT) on specific growth rate (SGR% $day^{-1}$), condition factor (k), gonado-somatic-index (GSI), histological structures of gonads, serum as well as gonadal protein and lipid in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. MLT treatment in the dose of 25 ${\mu}g/L$ for three weeks reduced SGR% $day^{-1}$ ($0.9{\pm}0.04$) as compared to control ($1.23{\pm}0.026$). The GSI value was significantly (p<0.05) reduced to $1.77{\pm}0.253$ from control where it was $2.56{\pm}0.25$. Serum protein level increased from $9.33{\pm}2.90$ mg/ml (control) to $11.67{\pm}1.45$ mg/ml after MLT treatment while there was depressed serum triglycerides ($86.16{\pm}1.078$ mg/dl) and cholesterol ($126.66{\pm}0.88$ mg/dl) as compared to control values where these were $123.0{\pm}1.23$ mg/dl and $132.0{\pm}1.65$ mg/dl respectively. Histological structure of ovary showed small eggs of early perinucleolus stage after MLT treatment while testicular structure of control and MLT treated fish was more or less similar. It is concluded that exogenous melatonin suppressed SGR% $day^{-1}$, GSI, ovarian cellular activity, protein and lipid biosynthesis, in tilapia suggesting that melatonin is useful in manipulating the gonadal maturity in fishes.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.69-74
• /
• 1998

The early gonadal development and sexual differentiation of Rhynchocypris oxycephalus are described from the stage of hatching to 150 days after hatching. During this peroid, the average length of the body grew from 0.64 cm to 5.96 cm. the primordial germ cells (PGCs), which could be recognized at the time of hatching, began to protrude into peritoneal cavity at a standard total length of 1.91 cm. At a standard total length of 2.29cm, initial ovarian differentiation wasidentified by the transformation of PGCs to meiotic oocytes. Finally, at the standard total length of 5.96 cm, the female gonads gradually developed towards migratory nucleus oocytes, characterisiing the maturation. Oocytes proliferated rapidly after sex differentiation while the testis entered a period of quiescence, as they continued to multiply but did not undergo growth until the standard total length of 4.00 cm. At a standard total length of 4.00 cm, spermatocytes arrested in thephase of interkinesis, Sertoli-like cells and sperm duct formation, with signs of meiotic activity, were observed. Therefore it may be concluded that R. oxycephalus belongs to the differentiated type of gonochoristic teleosts.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.268-275
• /
• 2002

Seasonal variation in reproductive condition of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas was investigated from a suspended cultured oyster population in Gosung Bay, South Korea using histological techniques, Gametogenesis of oysters initiated in February when water temperature reached 11 to $13^\circ{C}$. Increase in oocyte size and the number resulting in follicle expansion was observed from March to May First spawning of oysters observed in mid Jun when the surface water temperature reached 22 to $25^\circ{C}$. Spawning activity of oysters extended from mid June to late September with two marked spawning peaks in June and August. Most oysters collected from October to December exhibited few residual eggs in packed follicles exhibiting a typical spent condition. No gametes were observed from December to February from oysters collected in the Bay. Gonadal development of oysters in the Bay seemed to follow a seasonal fluctuation in environmental conditions such as water temperature and food availability in the water column. Spawning of oysters in late June was in part associated with sudden drop in salinity due to vast amount of freshwater input in the Bay after the summer flooding. Sex ratio of oysters was 59.5% male and 39.8% female. Less than 1 percent (0.6%) of the oysters examined were hermaphrodite; few eggs were observed in testis.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.296-301
• /
• 2017

We conducted a study to 1) determine the indicators of gonadal maturity in male and female Korean walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma for the purposes of artificial insemination; 2) establish the RNA/DNA ratio of mature eggs in this species; and 3) monitor the effect of refrigerated storage on egg viability and the motility of sperm collected from dead adult males. During the spawning season, the color of female gonads changed from orange to transparent, and that of male gonads changed from pale orange to milky white. The DNA content and RNA/DNA ratio of mature eggs were maintained without significant changes for approximately 6 h when eggs were preserved at $4^{\circ}C$. Sperm could be obtained from both milt and undiluted semen. Sperm obtained from milt ceased moving on the second day after isolation, while over 60% of sperm obtained from semen showed movement until the 13th day. Seven attempts were made to artificially inseminate mature eggs, of which two resulted in successful fertilization. The successful inseminations produced 94,000 and 5,000 fertilized eggs, respectively. This study shows that artificial insemination of walleye pollock is a viable strategy when natural propagation is not possible.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.614-620
• /
• 2002

The sea bass, Lateoiabrax japonicus is a highly valued fish in aquaculture in South Korea. For establishment of seedling production of sea bass,1 japonicus, we examined change of gonadal development and plasma steroid levels of sea bass reared in indoor tank. Male matured unsimultaneously faster than females and spawning of females took place between the end of January and March. After the spawning period, and until the following January, all the females were in preyitello genesis and in some males, spermatogenetic activity restarted gradually. In October, under reducing photoperiod, cortical alveoli appeared in growing oocyte and the development of spermatogenesis greatly increased. Between October and february, vitellogenesis and spermatogenesis occurred respectively in female and male and gonadosomatic index increased from 4.31 to $24.07\%$ in female and upper 6o/o in male. Also, two sex hormones were analyzed during the course of a reproductive cycle in the sea bass: plasma levels of the gonadal steroid testosterone (T) and estradiol-l7$\beta$ (E_{2}). Variation of the plasma concentrations of T and E, appeared to depend on gonad stages. Plasma T and E, levels were high from November to January, suggesting that an sufficient gonadal stimulation by both hormones may undergoing a processes for the formation of sperm and oocyte.