• Toxicological Research
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.153-159
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• 2003

Localization of mercury compounds was investigated in selective regions of the male reproductive tract using autometallography. The results demonstrated that mercury was observed in Sertoli and Leydig cells in testis, but not in the epithelial cells of rete testis and germ cells. In the efferent ductule, mercury compounds were observed in the cytoplasmic compartments of epithelial cells in the proximal and common regions, while they were observed in the supranuclear cytoplasmic compartments in the conus region. In the epididymis, the compounds were observed in the cytoplasmic compariments of narrow and basal cells, but not in the principal cells of the initial segment. In contrast, the compounds were evenly detected in the cytoplasmic compartments of principal cells in the caput. In the corpus and caudal epididymis, the compounds were observed in the basal region of principal cells. The data shows that mercury is differentially accumulated in the male reproductive tract in a region-specific manner.

• 한국가금학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.107-116
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• 1997

In order to achieve optimal reproductive performance, reliable morphological and physiological basic data on the reproductive organs are desirable. Adult male Korean ring-necked pheasant in inactive(mid of January) and active state (end of April) were used in this study. In addition, five active state pheasants were received a single dose of 60Co-ray 500 rads each to damage the testes. The objective of this study was to investigate the distribution pattern of protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 and ${\alpha}$-tubulin in the pheasant testes of the active, inactive and ${\gamma}$-ray irradiated active states. The results obtained were summarized as follows 1. The seminiferous tubules collected in inactive states( mid of Jan) showed narrow lumen, and the spermatogonia and the Sertoli cell were well preserved. The PGP 9.5 immunoreactivity of these tubules showed a positive reaction in paranucleus area of the spermatogonia, and a positive reaction in a small number of the Leydig cells in the interstitium of the seminiferous tubules. 2. The seminiferous tubules were dilated in active state(end of April) as compared with the inactive state. The PGP 9.5 reactivity in these tubules showed a positive reaction in many Leydig cells in the interstitium of the seminiferous tubules, and the testes of ${\gamma}$-ray irradiated group showed partially weak reaction in the interstitium of the seminiferous tubules. 3. The ${\alpha}$-tubulin reactivity in the seminiferous tubules of the inactive testes was strongly positive in the cytoplasmic process of the Sertoli cell from the basal stem region to the apical ex-tension. From the broad part of the stem region to the luminal space, the active testes showed a strong positive reaction. The ${\gamma}$-ray irradiated groups showed diminished reaction in the basal region.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.19-25
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• 2023

Objective: Sleep deprivation (SD) is a common problem in today's stressful lifestyle and have physiological consequences, including reproductive dysfunction and infertility. As an antioxidant, olive oil may be effective in reducing testicular and spermatological damage by decreasing the production of free radicals. Methods: This study investigated the effects of olive oil on sperm quality and testicular structure using stereological methods to assess rats with SD. Results: When comparing SD group to grid floor+distilled water (GR) group, we found that the sperm count and motility, as well as the percentage of slow progressive sperm was significantly lower in SD group (p<0.05), but the percentage of immotile sperm was higher (p<0.01). However, no improvement was observed in sperm count or motility after concomitant treatment of SD group with olive oil. Stereological examinations revealed no significant change in the total volumes of the seminiferous tubules, interstitial tissue, and germinal epithelium in the study groups. Conversely, the total number of testicular cell types was significantly lower in SD group than in GR group. Although the total number of Sertoli and Leydig cells was significantly higher in the S +olive oil group than in the untreated SD group, no significant difference in the total number of other testicular cell types was observed between the two groups. Conclusion: SD potentially induced structural changes in testis that affected sperm count and motility. However, olive oil only improved the total number of Sertoli and Leydig cells in the animals with SD and did not improve sperm count and motility.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.273-278
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• 2011

Sertoli cell tumor (SCT) of the testicle arises from the supporting cells within the seminiferous tubules. SCT is common in dogs, especially in cryptorchid testicles, but also has been reported in the stallion, ram, cat, and bull. Sertoli cell tumor sample was collected from 7-years male german shepherd. In this study, SCT arose from one testicle. Sample size is approximately 1.7 cm in diameter and it has a round form. In the microscopic, cells within the tumor variably resemble Sertoli cells (SCs) that normally populate the seminiferous tubules and interstitial area. There is abundant stroma of dense, mature fibrous connective tissue in SCT. In the immunohistochemical staining, cytokeratin AE1/AE3 was not expressed in the control and SCT. S-100 protein was expressed by SCs, germ cells and fibrous connective tissue of SCT. Melan A was expressed by leydig cells (LCs) of SCT. A study by using S-100 and melan A in canine SCT was almost never carried out. S-100 and melans A is considered to suggest for diagnosis and pathogenesis of canine SCTs. Inhibin-alpha and Vimentin were well known as the marekers of SCTs. Also, they were expressed by Sertoli cells and LSs of SCT in this study.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.159-166
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• 2011

Simazine은 triazine계 제초제로서, 잡초와 일년생 풀들을 통제하는데 우리나라를 포함하여 세계적으로 널리 사용되고 있으며, 미국, 유럽, 오스트레일리아의 경우, 물에서 두 번째로 많이 검출되는 살충제로 알려져 있다. Simazine에오염된 토양과 물을 통하여 사람에게 노출되어 이후 생체 내에 수년간 잔존하며 특히, 생물체의 지방 및 조직에 농축되는특징을 갖는 내분비계 장애물질로 분류되어졌다. 하지만 simazine이 정소세포의 사멸 또는 생존에 미치는 영향과 세포예정사를 관장하는 Bcl-2 family 유전자 발현에 미치는 영향을 보고한 연구는 없다. 또한 simazine이 성의 분화와 생식기관발달에 중요한 steroidogenesis 관련 유전자의 발현에 미치는 영향 분석에 관한 연구도 미흡한 실정이다. 따라서 본 연구진은 이번 연구에서 simazine이 mouse Sertoli 세포와 rat Leydig 세포에서 세포사멸을 관장하는 Bcl-2 family 유전자군의발현과 steroidogenesis 조절관련 유전자군의 발현 변화에 미치는 영향을 조사하였고, simazine이상기 유전자군의 정상적인 발현을 저해함을 확인하였다. 그러므로 본 연구의 결과로 미루어 볼 때, 사람이나 기타 동물 등이 simazine에 장시간 노출될 경우, 생식 세포에 apoptosis가 유도될 수 있는 가능성을 제시하였으며, steroidogenesis 조절관련 유전자군의 발현을 교란시킴으로써, 정상적인 testis의 발달을 저해하여 남성 생식계의 기능장애를 유도할 가능성이 있음을 제시하였다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.189-193
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• 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus found in China in 2019. The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has been found to be closely related to the cells that secrete angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 is involved in the renin-angiotensin system and is widely secreted in several tissues, including the testis, which has raised concerns because organs with high expression of the ACE2 receptor are susceptible to infection. Analyses have shown that in testicular cells, such as spermatogonia, seminiferous duct cells, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells, there is a high expression level of ACE2. Therefore, SARS-CoV-2 may damage male reproductive tissues and cause infertility. Since male infertility is an important problem, scientists are evaluating whether COVID-19 may influence male infertility through the ACE2 receptor.

• 한국수의병리학회지
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.47-52
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• 1998

The incidence of spontaneous testicular atrophy and its morphological changes during stage-specific spermatogenesis were investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats at 10, 19, and 32 weeks of age. The incidence of testicular atrophy was 0.2%(2/90) 7.9%(9/114) and 10%(4/40) in 4, 13 and 26 weeks respectively. The epididymis with testicular atrophy had low sperm density. In the minimally affected tests scattered tubules showed complete depletion of germ cells without stage specificity. Testes with moderate to severe testicular atrophy showed seminiferous tubules lined with dense Sertoli cell population. While Leydig cells in the interstitium appeared hypertrophy they were immunohistochemically negative for proliferating cell nuclear antigen a marker of cell proliferation.

• 한국동물학회지
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.435-445
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• 1990

시상하부에서 합성, 분비되는 gonadotropin releasing horrnone (GnRH)의 면역반응성이 생식소를 비롯한 여러 부위에서도 검출됨이 알려졌으나, 이 펩타이트가 과연 생식소에서 국부적으로 합성되는 지에 관해서는 아직 밝혀지지 않았다. 본 연구에서는 흰쥐 생식소에서 GnRH유전자발현을 연구하기 위하여 GnRH-like mRNA와 GnRH펩타이트의 발현과 세포내 분포 양상을 조사하였다. GnRH 방사면역측정법과 GnRH를 크로마토그라피 방법으로 분리한 결과,시상하부에서 합성되는 GnRH와 유사한 GnRH 면역반은이 흰쥐 생식소 추출물에서 상당량 검출되었다. GnRH-면역반응이 흰쥐 난소의 다양한 세포군에서 나타냄에 반하여, GnRH-like mRNA는 granulsa,theca 그리고 luteal 세포에서만 주로 발현되었다. 또한 흰쥐 정소에서 GnRH면역반응성은 원시정세포, Sertoli,Leydig 세포에서만 검출된 반면에, GnRH-like mRNA는 정세관내의 Seertoli세포에서만 발현되었다. 따라서 이 연구는 생식소에 존재하는 GnRH는 생식소 내에서 국부적으로 합성, 발현되는 결과라고 사료되며, 생식소 내에서 생성된 GnRH는 생식소내 세포군간의 정보교환의 매개자로서 역활을 수행하고 있다고 추정된다.

• 한국어류학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.311-318
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• 2006

한국 서해안에서 채집한 돌가자미 Kareius bicoloatus의 정자형성과정 중 생식세포, Cyst 상피세포 및 간질세포들의 미세구조를 전자현미경 관찰에 의해 조사하였다. 제1차 정모세포에서 연접사복합체(synaptonemal complex)들이 성숙분열 중 전기의 쌍사기에 출현하였다. 특히, 감수분열을 위한 테스토스테론 호르몬을 분비하는 세포로 알려진 간질세포(Leydig cell)들은 제1차 정모세포 및 정세포 가까이에서 뚜렷하게 출현하였다. 포상핵을 가지는 이들 간질세포들은 소엽 간 간질조직 내의 섬유모세포들에 의해 둘러싸여 출현하였다. 특히, 이들 세포들은 타원형 또는 구상의 미토콘드리아들을 가지는데, 미토콘드리아들은 관상 크리스테(cristae)를 갖는 것이 특징이다. 또한, 활면소포체와 여러 개의 공포들도 세포질 내에서 출현하였다. 성장 발달 중인 정소 내에서 정소소엽 간 간질조직에서 나타나는 잘 발달된 간질세포들(스테로이드호르몬분비세포)은 포상의 핵과 관상 크리스테를 갖는 미토콘드리아를 가지며, 활면소체를 갖는 형태적 특징을 보였다. 정자형성과정 중, 제1차, 제2차 정모세포들은 cyst 상피세포 (Sertoli cell)들에 인접하거나 부착하여 나타났다. cyst 상피세포들의 핵은 길게 신장된 타원형 또는 삼각형의 핵을 가지며 세포질 내에 여러 개의 미토콘드리아가 출현하였다. 성장 발달 중인 정소 내에서 제2차 정모세포들과 정세포 가까이에 위치한 cyst 상피세포의 세포질 내에는 지방적, 미토콘드리아 로제트(mitochondeial rosettes)들과 글리코겐 입자들이 나타났다. 특히, 후기 성장 중인 정소 내에서 cyst 상피세포의 세포질 내에는 미토콘드리아, 소포체, 작은 지방적 및 다량의 글리코겐입자들이 출현하였다. 정세포 발달(정자변태) 후기에 기부중심립이 핵막에 부착하며, 원위중심립은 편모의 기저체를 형성하고, 편모축사를 형성하였다. 정자 첨체는 다른 경골어류에서와 같이 첨체를 형성하지 않았다. 정자 두부의 길이는 대략 $3{\mu}m$ 정도이며, 미부길이는 약 $30{\mu}m$ 정도이다. 정자 미부편모의 축사(axoneme)는 주변에 9쌍의 주변이중미세관 (nine outer doublet microtubule)이 있고 중앙에 두 개의 중앙미세관(two centrial singlet microtubules)으로 구성되어 9+2구조를 나타내었다. 본 종의 정자는 체외수정 종들이 갖는 두 개의 axonemal lateral fin을 가진다. 본 연구에서 여러 단계의 생식세포들 가까이에서 출현하는 cyst 상피세포(Sertoli cell)들은 영양공급, 식세포작용, 스테로이드형성의 3가지 기능을 나타내었다. 특히, 정소 발달단계 중 퇴화 회복기에 출현하는 cyst 상피세포들의 핵은 배정 후에는 모양이 불규칙하게 나타나며, 식세포작용을 나타내는 여러 특징들이 cyst 상피세포의 세포질 내에서 나타나고 있어, cyst 상피세포들은 배정 후 방출되지 않은 생식세포들의 퇴화 흡수에 관여하는 것으로 추정된다.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.111-124
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• 2008

In the present study, an attempt has been made to assess whether the effect of benzene extract of Ocimum sanctum leaves on the ultrastructural changes in the epithelial cells of the cauda epididymis, its subsequent recovery in the seminiferous epithelium and fertility of male albino rats. Wistar strain male albino rats were orally administered benzene extract of 250 mg/kg body weight of O. sanctum leaves followed by subsequent recovery maintaining suitable controls for 48 days. Results indicate decrease in the weights of testis, epididymis and seminal vesicles. Other accessory organs were not affected. Total count, cell and nuclei diameters of germ cells and Leydig cells were reduced. Cauda epididymis exhibited significant reduction in epithelial height and nuclei diameter of epithelial cells. Cells showed vacuolization with exhibit of signs of degeneration. Ultra study revealed that, in general, the cauda epididymis was affected and in particular, the principal, clear and basal cells were highly disturbed. Further, there was decrease in the size of lipid droplets, mitochondria, Golgi complex, endoplasmic reticulum and accumulation of lysosomal bodies. Fertility performance test showed no implantation in female rats mated with O. sanctum treated rats. Moreover, their recovery after withdrawal of treatment was observed suggesting that the effect of the treatment is transient and reversible. A recovery period resulted in normal spermatogenesis and fertility, suggesting reversible antispermatogenic and antifertility effects of the plant.