• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.167-176
• /
• 2008

Supplementation of serum and estrogen in in vitro maturation(IVM) medium was shown to improve embryo development and quality in several species. This study investigates the effect of ovarian estrus stage on canine oocyte quality and supplementation of medium with canine serum or estrogen on IVM of canine oocytes. As results, in experimental 1, IVM oocytes collected from follicular stage ovaries to MII stages($10.2{\pm}1.5%$) was higher (p<0.05) with 10% canine estrus stage serum than control($1.3{\pm}1.6%$), anoestrus stage serum($4.0{\pm}1.6%$), luteal stage serum($2.7{\pm}1.7%$) and 10% FBS($1.3{\pm}1.6$). In experimental 2, 10% canine estrus stage serum supplementation has highest maturation rate to MII stages($10.0{\pm}1.8%$) and there were significant differences(P<0.05) with another treatment in follicular stages group. In order to investigate the synergic effect of estrous serum and estrogen supplementation, different estrous stage groups of oocytes were cultured with 2 ug/ml estrogen plus various concentrations of different reproductive stage serum and FBS(experimental 3). As results, the rate of maturation to metaphase II(MII) stage was significantly higher(p<0.05) in oocytes from the follicular stage supplemented with estrogen and 10% canine estrus stage serum(11.5%) compared to the other groups(6.0 - 8.8%). The present study was demonstrated that canine serum and the estrus cycle of the bitch affect the meiotic competence of oocytes. Hormonal influences within the follicle may be one of the factors responsible for the greater proportion of maturation of oocyte to MII from bitches at the follicular phase.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.241-245
• /
• 1994

Despite increasing success rate of IVF, poor response to ovarian stimulation remains a problem. So, attempts to improve ovarian responses, for example, by using combined gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue(GnRH-a) and human menopausal gonadotropin(hMG) have shown limited success. It is reported that response of granulosa cells in vitro to FSH is stimulated by co-incubation with IGF-l, and IGF-l production can be increased by growth hormone. This suggest that combination regimen of G.H. and hMG may augment follicle recruitment. In fifteen patients who had previous history of poor ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation after pituitary suppression with mid -luteal GnRH-a, the effectiveness of cotreatment with G.H. in IVF program was evaluated using a combination regimen of G.R. and hMG at Korea University Hospital IVF Clinic. Ovarian responses to gonadotropin stimulation in control and GH-treated cycles assessed by total dose and duration of hMG treatment, follicular development and peak $E_2$ level, number of eggs retrieved, and fertilization rates were also assessed. In each group, serum and follicular fluid IGF-1 concentrations on day of egg collection were measured by RIA after acidification and extraction by reveresed phase chromatography. Patients receiving G.H. required fewer days and ampules of gonadotropins, developed more oocytes, and more embryos transferred. But, the differences were not statistically significant, except the duration of hMG treatment. Our data showed a significantly higher concentration of IGF-l in the serum, not in the follicular fluid, of patients treated with G.H. compared with control group. These data suggest that growth hormone treatment does not improve the ovarian response in women with limited ovarian reserve to gonadotropin stimulation for IVF.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.233-243
• /
• 1984

The present study was carried out to determine the changes of the sex hormone levels in serum throughout the estrous cycle and the gestation period on the Landrace gilts. The blood samples were taken from the vein of six gilts. LH, FSH, prolactin, progesterone, $estradiol-17{\beta}$ and cortisol in serum were analyzed by the radioimmunoassay methods. The results obtained on this study were summarized as follows; 1. The age at puberal estrus was 179.5 days, the weight at puberal estrus was 88.2kg, the length of estrous cycle was 21.3days, the gestation length was 114days and the litter size was 9.5 head in the Landrace gilts. 2. During the estrous cycle, the serum LH and prolactin concentrations were below 1.56mIU/ml and 2.4ng/ml, respectively, under the limit of detection of the assay. The FSH concentrations ranged from 1.50 to 2.20mIU/ml for day 6~15 after the estrus and they were below 1.25mIU/ml from day 3 to day + 3, with day 0 being the first day of the estrus. 3. Progesterone concentrations were 1.90ng/ml at day 0 of the estrus and increased about 13.1ng/ml at day 3 of the estrus, and reached peak levels at day 9. $Estradiol-17{\beta}$ concentrations were below 27.2pg/ml throughout the luteal phase, and reached about 27.2pg/ml at day 0 and day 18. Cortisol concentrations reached peak levels at dey 0 and ranged from 24.65 to 28.57ng/ml throughout the luteal phase. 4. During the gestation period, the concentrations of LH, FSH and prolactin ranged of 3.10~4.37mIU/ml, 1.30~1.80mIU/ml and 2.60~6.70ng/ml, respectively. 5. Progesterone concentrations declined from 38.90~16.85ng/ml throughout the pregnancy to 1.90ng/ml at the time of parturition. $Estradiol-17{\beta}$ concentrations increased from 27.20pg/ml at 15 days after the pregnancy to 620.17pg/ml at the time of parturition. Cortisol concentrations reached peak levels at the time of parturition and ranged from 13.58 to 22.31ng/ml throughout the pregnancy.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.213-218
• /
• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of abnormal ovarian cycle postpartum on subsequent reproductive performance of Holstein cows. The cows were considered to have resumed ovarian cyclicity on the day of ovulation if followed by regular ovarian cycles. Total 58.8 percentage of the cows(l14/194) had normal resumption of ovarian cyclicity(resumption within 40 days after calving), and 41.2%(80/194) had delayed resumption(resumption did not occur until >40 days after calving). Delayed resumption Type I(one or more ovarian cycles with luteal phase >20 days, i.e. prolonged luteal phase; 17.5%) and delayed resumption Type II(first ovulation did net occur until $\geq$40 days after calving, i.e. anovulation 22.7%) were the most common types of delayed resumptions. When compared with cows with a normal ovarian cycle, the cows of delayed resumption Type I had a lower 100 days AI submission conception and pregnancy rates(84.2% vs 40.0%; p<0.01, 24.0% vs 21.4% and 20.2% vs 11.1%, respectively), and longer intervals to first AI and to conception($64.7{\pm}2.79$ days vs $105.7{\pm}7.48$ days and $105.1{\pm}7.16$ days vs $133.7{\pm}11.17$ days, respectively; p<0.01). Similarly, when compared with cows with normal ovarian cycles, the cows of delayed resumption Type II had lower 100 days conception and pregnancy rates(24.0% vs 20.0% and 20.2% vs 16.3%, respectively), and longer intervals to first AI and to conception($64.7{\pm}2.79$ days vs $72.6{\pm}4.45$ days and $105.1{\pm}7.16$ days vs $120.8{\pm}12.33$ days, respectively). In conclusion, abnormal ovarian cycles postpartum adversely affected reproductive performance, including AI submission rate, pregnancy rate, interval to first AI, and calving to conception interval in Holstein cows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.460-466
• /
• 2004

This study was undertaken with the aim to establish a reliable radioimmunoassay (RIA) system for urinary pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG) and to employ it for monitoring the reproductive status of dairy cows. Urine and blood samples were collected from the Holstein cows both pregnant and non-pregnant. The samples were then investigated for evaluating the relationship between progesterone ($P_{4}$) in blood and PdG in urine adjusted with or without urinary creatinine basis. Biweekly urine collection was employed for three cows in estrous and those artificially inseminated, while urine from pregnant cows was collected on a monthly basis. P_{4}$ and PdG levels were measured by enzymeimmunoassay (EIA) and RIA techniques, respectively. Our results indicated the sensitivity of PdG for RIA being 35 pg/tube and the recovery rate of 100%. Urinary creatinine concentrations also fluctuated within a day, but change at midday was not noteworthy. Regardless of the time of urination the change in concentrations of PdG was relatively smaller and did not vary significantly. The urinary PdG concentration showed periodic changes as that with serum P_{4}$ levels during the cow's estrus cycle. The correlation coefficient rose when creatinine level in urine was adjusted but the change was also not significant. The concentrations of PdG during the luteal phase were detected between 8.2 and 17.4 ng/ml, three to five times higher than that in the follicular phase. The concentration of PdG from pregnant cows (21 days after conception) was three to four times higher than in the nonpregnant cows. Our finding suggests that the determination of urinary PdG could be reliably employed for early pregnancy detection. The urinary PdG level continued to raise until 30 days pre-partum while the concentration reached its peak at 30 ng/ml, after which it started to fall 18 to 30 days before parturition and finally fell to its nadir value one week after parturition. As the correlation coefficient between the urinary PdG and serum P_{4}$ was higher than that corrected by urinary creatinine it can be suggested that the adjustment is not needed. The concentrations of urinary PdG could be maintained stably for 2 days in urine samples stored at room temperature and extended to 8 days when the samples were pretreated by boiling for 30 minutes. In conclusion urinary PdG concentration even without the need for creatinine basis adjustment can be used directly for monitoring the reproductive status of dairy cows.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.99-106
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to determine whether hormone levels change knee laxity in healthy females. Twenty three healthy females were recruited for the study. Serum estradiol and progesterone levels were recorded three times during the subjects' menstrual cycles. The first measurements were taken between day 3 and 7 of the follicular phase and the second data collection coincided with ovulation, 24 to 48 hours after the estrogen surge detected by an ovulation predictor kits. Based on a 28 day cycle, the third data collection occurred approximately 7 days later during the luteal phase. Knee joint laxity was recorded at the same intervals with a KT 2000 arthometer. Hormone levels and phases were compared to passive knee joint laxity with multiple regression analysis. Estradiol and progesterone levels differed significantly across the three tests. Knee joint laxity increased during ovulation. Based on a multiple regression analysis, estradiol and progesterone levels predicts 77.9% to 80.9% of the laxity at 20lb and 30lb loads. An antagonistic relationship between estradiol and progesterone was found when testing for knee laxity. Serum hormone levels have moderate power in predicting knee joint laxity. Individual hormonal profiling in female athletes would allow researchers to access the structural properties of the ACL, such as the laxity which may provide beneficial information to understand female ACL injury mechanism in sports activity.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.52-62
• /
• 1997

This study was designed to determine the frequency of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in gynecological outpatients, and also attempted to compare premenstrual change characteristics, functional impairment due to premenstrual changes and frequency of risk factors reported by women with confirmed premenstrual changes$(PMC^+)$(n=17) and those without confirmed premenstrual changes$(PMC^-)$(n=23). Forty gynecological outpatients who complained of premenstrual discomforts were asked to complete questionnaires on menstrual history, obstetric-gynecological history, and premenstrual change and functional impairment. The women were also asked to complete a daily rating form based on DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for one menstrual cycle. Absolute severity method, effect size method and percent change method were used to assess changes between follicular phase and luteal phase. The results of the study were as follows: 1) The frequency of premenstrual dysphoric disorder according to each of the three methods was 5% for the absolute severity method, 15% for the effect size method, and 27.5% for the percent change method. 2) The frequently reported symptoms were as follow: physical symptoms(64.7%) : lethargy, easy fatigability, or marked lack of energy(41.2%) : decreased interest in usual activities(29.4%) ; and marked affective lability(23.5%). 3) There were no significant differences in onset ages of premenstrual changes, regularities of premenstrual changes and changes of severity and duration of premenstrual symptoms over time between women with and without confirmed premenstrual changes. However, women with confirmed premenstrual changes reported both physical and emotional symptoms as earliest symptoms most frequently, while women without confirmed premenstrual changes reported only physical symptoms most frequently. 4) functional impairment was significantly higher in women with confirmed premenstrual changes than those without confirmed premenstrual changes, but impairment was not severe. 5) No differences were found between women with and without confirmed premenstrual changes in risk factors including demographic data, menstrual and obstetric and gynecological history. These results suggest that the prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder varies with scoring methods. The women with confirmed premenstrual changes reported physical symptoms most frequently(64.7%). functional impairment was significantly higher in women with confirmed premenstrual changes, but impairment was not severe.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.46-51
• /
• 1999

Objectives: Patients with premenstrual dysphoric disorder(or PMDD) have impairments of the social, occupational or academic function due to psychological or somatic symptoms, which have the characteristic pattern of symptom exacerbation in the week before menses begin and remission shortly after the onset of menses. In the chronobiological view, many researchers have assumed that the etiology of PMDD is the advanced circadian rhythm. It has been suggested that light has a therapeutic effect on PMDD, because evening light results in phase delay of circadian rhythm through the biochemical changes including melatonin. Methods: The authors investigated the therapeutic effect of light therapy on four patients with prospectively diagnosed PMDD by DSM-IV criteria using clinical psychiatric interview, Premenstrual Assessment Form(PAF) and Daily Rating Form(or DRF). In the evening(6:30pm-8:00pm), the 2,500 lux light administered for seven consecutive days during the symptomatic late luteal phase of menstrual cycle. Beck Depression Inventory(or BDI), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression(or HAM-D), Spielberg State Anxiety Inventory(or SA), and DRF were evaluated before and after seven days of light therapy. Results: Premenstrual symptoms of PMDD could be effectively treated with the evening bright light therapy, especially in PMDD patients with atypical symptoms. In addition, the light therapy seemed to more effective on the psychologic symptoms than the somatic symptoms of PMDD. There was no significant side-effect of light therapy, except the transient and mild eye-strain in one case. Conclusions: In spite of the results of limited data from our clinical trial, the authors suggest that the potential use of light therapy as an alternative to the pharmacological management of patients with PMDD.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.12
• /
• pp.1850-1859
• /
• 2022

Objective: The quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is the most accurate and reliable technique for analysis of gene expression. Endogenous reference genes (RGs) have been used to normalize qPCR data, although their expression may vary in different tissues and experimental conditions. Verification of the stability of RGs in selected samples is a prerequisite for reliable results. Therefore, we attempted to identify the most stable RGs in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in sows. Methods: The cycle threshold values of nine commonly used RGs (18S, HPRT1, GAPDH, RPL4, PPIA, B2M, YWHAZ, ACTB, and SDHA) from HPG axis-related tissues in the domestic sows in the different stages of estrus cycle were analyzed using two RG-finding programs, geNorm and Normfinder, to rank the stability of the pool of RGs. In addition, the effect of the most and least stable RGs was examined by normalization of the target gene, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), in the hypothalamus. Results: PPIA, HPRT1, and YWHAZ were the most stable RGs in the HPG axis-related tissues in sows regardless of the stages of estrus cycle. In contrast, traditional RGs, including 18S and ACTB, were found to be the least stable under these experimental conditions. In particular, in the normalization of GnRH expression in the hypothalamus against several stable RGs, PPIA, HPRT1, and YWHAZ, could generate significant (p<0.05) elevation of GnRH in the preovulatory phase compared to the luteal phase, but the traditional RGs with the least stability (18S and ACTB) did not show a significant difference between groups. Conclusion: These results indicate the importance of verifying RG stability prior to commencing research and may contribute to experimental design in the field of animal reproductive physiology as reference data.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.47-70
• /
• 1985

This study was presented of the 1,872 cases of infertile couples who visited and examined at the sterility clinic of Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Seoul National University Hospital from Sept., 1980 to Dec., 1983. Age, duration of infertility, past medical history, and other general factors were analyzed, and the factors responsible for infertility were classified and discussed. Mode of treatment, outcome of pregnancy, pregnancy rate responsible for each factor were also presented. The results were as follows: 1) The infertility was primary in 1,128, or 60.3% and secondary in 744, or 39.7%. 2) The age between 26 and 30 years of age comprised about one half of the total patients. 3) The duration of infertility between 1 and 4 years comprised about three quarters of the total patients, and the mean duration was 3.8 years. 4) The most common medical history in primary infertility was tuberculous disease, and that in secondary infertility was history of previous laparotomy. 5) About two thirds of antecedent pregnancies were abortion. 6) The major etiologic factor of infertility were male factor in 12.3%, tubal factor in 38.8%, ovulatory failure in 25.4%, uterine factor in 8.8%, cervical factor in 5.2%, peritoneal factor in 9.5%, and no demonstrable cause in 11.3%. 7) The types of male factor were azoospermia in 61.6%, oligospermia in 25.8%, low motility in 11.6%, and other abnormality in 1.0%. 8) The types of ovulatory failure were ovarian failure in 7.4%, hypothalamo-pituitary failure in 8.1 %, hypothalamo-pituitary dysfunction (including Polycystic ovarian syndrome) in 30.2%, and hyperprolactinemia in 22.4%. 9) The types of uterine factor were endometrial tuberculosis in 27.5%, uterine synechia in 33.8%, uterine anomaly in 19.7%, myoma and polyp in 9.1 %, and luteal phase defect in 9.9%. 10) The types of peritoneal factor were pelvic adhesion in 80.9% and endometriosis in 19.6%. 11) Surgeries were done in 408 patients, and they were salpingolysis, lysis of extraadnexal adhesion, salpingostomy, fimbrioplasty, ovarian wedge resection for polycystic ovarian disease, tubo-tubal anastomosis, and tubo-uterine implantation in orders. 12) 243 pregnancies were achieved during the infertility work-up, of which livebirth was 46.5%, ectopic pregnancy was 7.4%, spontaneous abortion was 7.8%, and on-going pregnancy or lost to follow-up was 36.2%. 13) Pregnancy rates in various factors were male factor in 18.7%, ovulatory factor in 31.7%, tubal factor in 24.2%, uterine factor in 34.6%, cervical factor in 19.0%, peritoneal factor in 29.0%, combined factors in 10.5%, and unexplained infertility in 37.1%. Pregnancy rate in whole patients was 25.2%.