• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.481-486
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• 2012

Purpose: Precocious puberty is defined as breast development before the age of 8 years in girls. The present study aimed to reveal the diagnosis of Korean girls referred for precocious puberty and to compare the constitutional and endocrinological features among diagnosis groups. Methods: The present study used a retrospective chart review of 988 Korean girls who had visited a pediatric endocrinology clinic from 2006 to 2010 for the evaluation of precocious puberty. Study groups comprised fast puberty, true precocious puberty (PP), pseudo PP, premature thelarche, and control. We determined the height standard deviation score (HSDS), weight standard deviation score (WSDS), and body mass index standard deviation score (BMISDS) of each group using the published 2007 Korean growth charts. Hormone tests were performed at our outpatient clinic. Results: The PP groups comprised fast puberty (67%), premature thelarche (17%), true PP (15%), and pseudo PP (1%). Advanced bone age and levels of estradiol, basal luteinizing hormone (LH), and peak LH after gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation testing were significantly high in the fast puberty and true PP groups compared with the control group. HSDS, WSDS, and BMISDS were significantly higher in the true PP group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The frequent causes of PP were found to be fast puberty, true PP, and premature thelarche. Furthermore, BMISDS were significantly elevated in the true PP group. Therefore, we emphasize the need for regular follow-up of girls who are heavier or taller than others in the same age group.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.135-141
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• 2022

Objective: This study investigated the impact of two stimulation protocols using highly purified human menopausal gonadotropin (HP-hMG) on the endocrine profile, follicular fluid soluble Fas levels, and outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Methods: This prospective clinical trial included 100 normal-responder women undergoing ovarian stimulation for ICSI; 55 patients received concomitant follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) plus HP-hMG from the start of stimulation, while 45 patients received FSH followed by HP-hMG during mid/late follicular stimulation. The primary outcome was the number of top-quality embryos. The secondary outcomes were the number and percentage of metaphase II (MII) oocytes and the clinical pregnancy rate. Results: The number of MII oocytes was significantly higher in the concomitant protocol (median, 13.0; interquartile range [IQR], 8.5-18.0 vs. 9.0 [8.0-13.0] in the consecutive protocol; p=0.009); however, the percentage of MII oocytes and the fertilization rate were significantly higher in the consecutive protocol (median, 90.91; IQR, 80.0-100.0 vs. 83.33 [75.0-93.8]; p=0.034 and median, 86.67; IQR, 76.9-100.0 vs. 77.78 [66.7-89.9]; p=0.028, respectively). No significant between-group differences were found in top-quality embryos (p=0.693) or the clinical pregnancy rate (65.9% vs. 61.8% in the consecutive vs. concomitant protocol, respectively). The median follicular fluid soluble Fas antigen level was significantly higher in the concomitant protocol (9,731.0 pg/mL; IQR, 6,004.5-10,807.6 vs. 6,350.2 pg/mL; IQR, 4,382.4-9,418.4; p=0.021). Conclusion: Personalized controlled ovarian stimulation using HP-hMG during the late follicular phase led to a significantly lower response, but did not affect the quality of ICSI.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to describe a distinct subpopulation of azoospermic patients with isolated elevation of follicle-stimulating hormone (iFSH) and poor outcomes of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (microTESE). Methods: A retrospective analysis of microTESE outcomes was conducted among 565 patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Testicular pathology was assessed by the dominant histological pattern and Bergmann-Kliesch score (BKS). Descriptive statistics were presented for the iFSH subgroup. Inhibin B levels, the sperm retrieval rate (SRR), and BKS were compared in iFSH patients and other NOA patients. Results: The overall SRR was 33.3% per microTESE attempt. The median BKS was 0.6 (interquartile range, 0-2). Of all NOA patients, 132 had iFSH, and microTESE was successful only in 11 of those cases, with an SRR of 8.3%, while the total SRR in other NOA patients was 38.1% (p<0.001). iFSH had a sensitivity of 32.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 27.4%-36.8%) and specificity of 94.1% (95% CI, 90.8-97.5%) as a predictor of negative microTESE outcomes. Conclusion: Patients with iFSH may harbor a distinct testicular phenotype with total loss of the germ cell population and poor outcomes of surgical sperm retrieval.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.306-311
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• 2020

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether co-administration of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for final oocyte maturation improved mature oocyte cryopreservation outcomes in young women with decreased ovarian reserve (DOR) compared with hCG alone. Methods: Between January 2016 and August 2019, controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) cycles in women (aged ≤35 years, anti-Müllerian hormone [AMH] <1.2 ng/mL) who underwent elective oocyte cryopreservation for fertility preservation were retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 76 COS cycles were triggered with a GnRH agonist and hCG (the dual group) or hCG alone (the hCG group). The mean age and serum AMH levels were comparable between the two groups. The duration of stimulation, total dose of follicle-stimulating hormone used, and total number of oocytes retrieved were similar. However, the number of mature oocytes retrieved and the oocyte maturation rate were significantly higher in the dual group than in the hCG group (p=0.010 and p<0.001). After controlling for confounders, the dual-trigger method remained a significant factor related to the number of mature oocytes retrieved (p=0.016). Conclusion: We showed improved mature oocyte collection and maturation rate with the dual triggering of oocyte maturation in young women with DOR. A dual trigger appears to be more beneficial than hCG alone in terms of mature oocyte cryopreservation for young women with DOR.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.192-199
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• 2023

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate chromosomal abnormalities and their correlations with clinical and radiological findings in females with primary amenorrhea (PA). Methods: Detailed forms were recorded for 470 females, including the construction of three-generation pedigrees. Peripheral venous blood was drawn, with informed consent, for cytogenetic analysis. Results: An abnormal karyotype was found in 16.38% of participants. The incidence of structural abnormalities (6.8%) exceeded that of numerical abnormalities (6.15%). Turner syndrome represented 45% of all numerical abnormalities. Furthermore, the Y chromosome was detected in 5% of females with PA. Among the structural chromosomal abnormalities detected (n=32) were mosaicism (25%), deletions (12.5%), isochromosomes (18.75%), fragile sites (3.12%), derivatives (3.12%), marker chromosomes (3.12%), and normal variants (29.125%). An examination of secondary sexual characteristics revealed that 29.6% of females had a complete absence of breast development, 29.78% lacked pubic hair, and 36.88% exhibited no axillary hair development. Radiological findings revealed that 51.22% of females had a hypoplastic uterus and 26.66% had a completely absent uterus. Abnormal ovarian development, such as the complete absence of both ovaries, absence of one ovary, one absent and other streak, or both streak ovaries, was observed in 69.47% of females with PA. Additionally 43.1%, 36.1%, 67.4%, and 8% of females had elevated levels of serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and prolactin, respectively. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of karyotyping as a fundamental diagnostic tool for assessing PA. The cytogenetic correlation with these profiles will aid in genetic counseling and further management of the condition.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.203-213
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the symptomatic relief effect of a herbal prescription combined with methimazole for hyperthyroidism caused by Graves' disease. Methods : After diagnosis of hyperthyroidism, methimazole was initially administered alone. As the clinical symptoms continued, a herbal medicine combining Gamiondam-tang and Cheongsimyeonja-eum was administered together with methimazole. Blood concentrations of hormones were measured, and the degree of clinical symptoms was measured using the NRS scale. The effect of herbal medicine on heat intolerance was analyzed by Wilcoxon rank sum test, and the relationship between thyroid hormone and heat intolerance was analyzed by Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results : Heat intolerance symptoms were significantly reduced when the herbal prescription was administered in parallel than when methimazole was administered alone (w=296, p=0.001). The decrease in heat intolerance was not related to thyroid hormone levels (p=0.27, 0.37). Conclusions : It was found that the herbal medicine combining Gamiondam-tang and Cheongsimyeonja-eum was effective in treating hyperthyroidism symptoms including heat intolerance.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2016

In fish, light (photoperiod, intensity and spectra) is main regulator in many physiological actions including growth. We investigate the effect of light spectra on the somatic growth and growth-related gene expression in the rearing tiger puffer. Fish was reared under different light spectra (blue, green and red) for 8 weeks. Fish body weight and total length were promoted when reared under green light condition than red light condition. Expression of somatostatins (ss1 and ss2) in brain were showed higher expression under red light condition than green light condition. The ss3 mRNA was observed only higher expression in blue light condition. Expression of growth hormone (gh) in pituitary was detected no different levels between experimental groups. However, the fish of green light condition group was showed more high weight gain and feed efficiency than other light condition groups. Our present results suggest that somatic growth of tiger puffer is induced under green light condition because of inhibiting ss mRNA expression in brain by effect of green wavelength.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.17-27
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• 2006

The effects of dietary betaine on performance, blood compositions, hepatic amino acid concentrations and hormonal secretions were examined in laying hens. Egg production was significantly higher in birds fed the 16.5 % protein diet compared to those fed 14.5 % protein diet(p<0.05), whereas dietary supplementation of betaine did not show any significant effect. The high level of protein and betaine supplementation significantly improved egg weight, egg mass and feed conversion(p<0.05), while eggshell breaking strength, eggshell thickness and Haugh unit were not influenced by betaine and dietary protein levels. Supplemental betaine did not affect serum total protein, albumin and BUN concentration. However, uric acid concentration significantly increased in 600 ppm betaine-fed groups(p<0.05). Concentrations of most hepatic amino acid were influenced by increased protein feeding and dietary betaine supplementation. Hormone studies recorded significantly higher serum and hepatocyte IGF-I concentration in 600 and 1,200 ppm betaine treatments(p<0.05) compared to those of control group. IGF-I mRNA gene expression of hepatocytes revealed statistically correlated increase in 600 and 1,200 ppm betaine-fed groups compared to the controls(p<0.05). Serum IGFBP-3 concentration was significantly elevated in 600 ppm betaine treatments. However, the secretion of IGFBP-1 in hepatocyte of laying hens fed with 600 and 1,200 ppm of betaine showed a significant decrease compared to the control group(p<0.05). Results of these study show that dietary betaine supplementation affects protein and hormone metabolism in laying hens.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.26-31
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• 1989

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of PMSG and/or HCG treatment on superovulation and fertilization in the golden hamster. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. The female groups treated with 30 IU PMSG or 30 IU PMSG＋25IU HCG ovulated more eggs than those treated with 15 IU PMSG or 15 IU PMSG＋25IU HCG(P<.01). All the PMSG treatment groups superovulated as compared with the untreated control group(P<.01). There were no differences on fertilization rate between the superovulated groups and the control group. 2. The fertilized ova were obtained only by the female group treated with 30 IU PMSG at 1000hr on day 1(morning of ovulation) of the estrous cycle. 3. The intervals between PMSG and HCG injection necessary to obtain the consistent superovulation and fertilized ova were 66hr and 72hr. 4. The superovulated ova were collected from oviduct 48hr, oviduct and uterus 72hr, and uterus 96 hr after mating. 80.3% of two cell, 75.8% of eight cell, and 73.7% of blastocyst of the ovulated ova occurred 48hr, 72hr, and 96hr after mating, respectively.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2007

Nutrients and hormone levels of dried pig placenta were studied. Placentas were freeze-dried (FD), oven-dried at 60 (OD-60), and 90$^{\circ}C$ (OD-90) and then crushed by a blender into small pieces. FD and OD-60 pig placenta had a higher moisture content than did OD-90, with no difference between FD and OD-60. There were no large differences in compositions of crude protein, crude fat, and crude ash of dried placenta among the treatments and the contents of K, Fe, and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol were highest in FD (p<0.05). Glutamine and glycine were the most abundant amino acids in all dried placenta and tyrosine was highly retained in FD placenta, compared with OD (p<0.05). Estradiol was the major sex hormone, followed by progesterone and testosterone in all dried placentas. Antibiotics including amoxicillin, sulfamethazine, tylosin, and chlorotetracyclin were not detected from the pig placentas tested. These results demonstrate that placenta is a good biomaterial with high nutritional quality, and that freeze drying is superior to oven drying for processing pig placenta.