• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.193-198
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• 2016

Objective: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common human enzyme defect. G6PD plays a key role in the pentose phosphate pathway, which is a major source of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). NADPH provides the reducing equivalents for oxidation-reduction reductions involved in protecting against the toxicity of reactive oxygen species such as $H_2O_2$. We hypothesized that G6PD deficiency may reduce the amount of NADPH in sperms, thereby inhibiting the detoxification of $H_2O_2$, which could potentially affect their motility and viability, resulting in an increased susceptibility to infertility. Methods: Semen samples were obtained from four males with G6PD deficiency and eight healthy males as a control. In both groups, motile sperms were isolated from the seminal fluid and incubated with 0, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and $120{\mu}M$ concentrations of $H_2O_2$. After 1 hour incubation at $37^{\circ}C$, sperms were evaluated for motility and viability. Results: Incubation of sperms with 10 and $20{\mu}M\;H_2O_2$ led to very little decrease in motility and viability, but motility decreased notably in both groups in 40, 60, and $80{\mu}M\;H_2O_2$, and viability decreased in both groups in 40, 60, 80, and $120{\mu}M\;H_2O_2$. However, no statistically significant differences were found between the G6PD-deficient group and controls. Conclusion: G6PD deficiency does not increase the susceptibility of sperm to oxidative stress induced by $H_2O_2$, and the reducing equivalents necessary for protection against $H_2O_2$ are most likely produced by other pathways. Therefore, G6PD deficiency cannot be considered as major risk factor for male infertility.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.239-249
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• 1999

The role of amino acids in culture media for IVF-ET was examined in a total of 76 cycles. Patients received clomiphene citrate (CC) followed by hMG or GnRH-a combined with gonadotropins (FSH/hMG) for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Severe male (<$4{\times}10^6$ motile sperm) or age factor (>39 y) patients were excluded in this study. Pregnancy was classified as clinical if a gestational sac or fetal cardiac activity was seen on ultrasound. No significant differences were found in age, duration of infertility, follicle size, the level of $E_2$ on the day of hCG injection, the mean number of oocytes retrieved, total motile sperm count, fertilization rate and the mean number of embryos transferred between bHTF (without amino acids) and mHTF (with amino acids) groups. However, total ampules of gonadotropins were higher (p<0.01) in mHTF group than bHTF group. Significantly (p<0.05) more clinical pregnancies were recorded in mHTF group (13/30) compared with bHTF group (9/46). The multiple pregnancy rates were 11.1% in bHTF group and 7.7% in mHTF group. There were one ectopic pregnancy in mHTF group and one heterotopic pregnancy in bHTF group. Abortion rates were 22.2% in bHTF group and 7.7% in mHTF, respectively. The ongoing pregnancy or livebirth rate was significantly (p<0.05) higher in mHTF group (12/30) than bHTF group (7/46). These results suggest that the addition of amino acids in culture media is essential for culture of zygotes in vitro and adjustment of energy substrates in phosphate-free culture media appears to be beneficial for human IVF-ET procedure.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.90-94
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• 2004

Objective : This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Panax Ginseng (인삼) on the sperm motility and spermatogenesis in the male rat. Methods : We used 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats, and administered the extract powder of Panax Ginseng to 5 rats (treated group) and normal saline (control group) once a day for 28 days. We isolated their testes surgically, then observed the change of the body weights before and after administration of Panax Ginseng extracts and normal saline. We observed the weight of the testes, epididymis, vascular gland, and prostate. Also, we examined the total, normal motile sperm concentration, and the concentration of testicular catalase and peroxidase. Results : We found that the concentration of normal, motile sperm in the testes of the Panax Ginseng group showed a significant difference compared with the control group. The angiogenesis of the seminiferous tubule was increased and the increasement of the number of spermatogonia, primary and secondary spermatocyte was observed in the Panax Ginseng group through a microscope. The body weight, the weight of the testes, epididymis, prostate and the concentration of testicular catalase and peroxidase were higher in the Panax Ginseng group but showed no significant difference. Conclusion : This study shows that Panax Ginseng may have an effect on the morphology and motility of sperm, the important factor in male fertility, and can promote the concentration of antioxidants, catalase and peroxidase, which is the important factor in spermatogenesis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.135-142
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• 2019

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer, known as Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), is one of the important age-old traditional herbs used in boosting libido and improving male fertility. In this study, the effects of Rg3-enriched KRG extract (KGC04P) on heat stress-induced testicular damage in experimental rats was evaluated. Methods: Male rats (Sprague-Dawley) were divided into four groups (n = 10): normal control (NC), heat-stressed control (HC), heat-stressed plus KGC04P-100 mg/kg (HK100), and heat-stressed plus KGC04P-200 mg/kg (HK200) groups. Starting 1 week prior to heat stress, animals were administered orally with KGC04P (100 and 200 mg/kg) mixed with a regular pellet diet and continued for 25 weeks. Heat stress was induced to HC, HK100, and HK200 groups by intermittently exposing the animals to high temperatures ($32{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, 2 h/day). After 6 months, animals were euthanized under general anesthesia with carbon dioxide and evaluated for various parameters in serum and testicular tissue by using Western blotting, biochemical kits, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results: Significant (p < 0.05) alterations in several parameters, such as body/organ weight, sperm kinematics, and lipid metabolism marker levels, in the serum and testis of rats were observed. Further, the expression of testicular antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory cytokines, sex hormonal receptors, and spermatogenesis-related genes were also affected significantly (p < 0.05) in the heat-stressed group. However, KGC04P prevented the heat stress-induced changes in rats significantly (p < 0.05) at both concentrations. Conclusion: KGC04P attenuated heat stress-induced testicular damage by a multifunctional approach and can be developed as an excellent therapeutic agent for hyperthermia-mediated male infertility.

• Mycobiology
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.86-95
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• 2022

Inflammaging in male reproductive organs covers a wide variety of problems, including sexual dysfunction and infertility. In this study, the beneficial effects of cordycepin (COR), isolated from potential medicinal fungi Cordyceps militaris, in aging-associated testicular inflammation and serum biochemical changes in naturally aged rats were investigated. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into young control (YC), aged control (AC), and COR (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) treated aged rat groups. Aging-associated serum biochemical changes and inflammatory parameters were analyzed by biochemical assay kits, Western blotting, and real-time RT-PCR. Results showed a significant (p < 0.05) alteration in the total blood cell count, lipid metabolism, and liver functional parameters in AC group when compared with YC group. However, COR-treated aged rats ameliorated the altered biochemical parameters significantly (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, respectively). Furthermore, the increase in the expression of inflammatory mediators (COX-2, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tissue necrosis factor-alpha) in aged rat testis was significant (p < 0.05) when compared with YC group. Treatment with COR at 20 mg/kg to aged rats attenuated the increased expression of inflammatory mediators significantly (p < 0.05). Mechanistic studies revealed that the potential attenuating effects exhibited by COR in aged rats was mediated by regulation of NF-κB activation and MAPKs (c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, and p38) signaling. In conclusion, COR restored the altered serum biochemical parameters in aged rats and ameliorated the aging-associated testicular inflammation proving the therapeutic benefits of COR targeting inflammaging-associated male sexual dysfunctions.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• 제56권2호
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• pp.236-251
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• 2023

Alcohol consumption alongside combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has attracted research interest, especially because of increasing male infertility. This study investigated the combined effects of alcohol and cART on testicular morphology, biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Rats, weighing 330-370 g, were divided into four groups of six animals each; control, alcohol treated (A), cART, and alcohol plus cART treated (A+cART). Following 90 days treatment period, animals were euthanized, testis extracted, and routinely processed for histology and immunohistochemical analysis. Significantly decreased epithelial area fraction, increased luminal and connective tissue area fractions, and reduction of epithelial height and spermatocyte number, were recorded in the treated groups compared to control. Extensive seminiferous epithelial lesions including widened intercellular space, karyolysis, and sloughing of germinal epithelium were recorded in all the treated groups. Furthermore, upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, interleukin-6, and caspase 3 recorded in treated animals, was more significant in A+cART group. Also, the levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α were more elevated in A and cART treated groups than in A+cART, while MDA was significantly elevated in cART and A+cART treated groups compared to control group. Altogether, the results indicate testicular toxicity of the treatments. It is concluded that consuming alcohol or cART induces oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in testis of rats, which lead to testicular structural and functional derangements, which are exacerbated when alcohol and cART are consumed concurrently. The result will invaluably assist clinicians in management of reproductive dysfunctions in male HIV/AIDS-alcoholic patients on cART.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제51권2호
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• pp.102-111
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• 2024

Objective: Given the noteworthy implications of alcohol consumption and its association with male infertility, there has been a notable focus on investigating natural alternatives to mitigate its adverse effects. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the potential protective effect of phycocyanin extract derived from the blue algae Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis against ethanol-induced oxidative stress, disturbances in testicular morphology, and alterations in sperm production. Methods: Male rats were divided into four groups (five rats each): the control group received a saline solution, the ethanol exposed group (EtOH) was subjected to intraperitoneal injections of 10 mL/kg of ethanol solution at a concentration of 38% (v/v), the phycocyanin alone treated group (P) received oral administration of phycocyanin at a dosage of 50 mg/kg, and the phycocyanin-cotreated group (PE) was given oral phycocyanin followed by ethanol injections. All treatments were administered over a period of 14 days. Results: Our findings demonstrated that ethanol exposure induced reproductive toxicity, characterized by reduced sperm production and viability, alterations in testicular weight and morphology, increased lipid peroxidation levels, and elevated oxidative enzyme activity. In addition, the ethanol-intoxicated group showed perturbations in serum biochemical parameters. However, the simultaneous exposure to ethanol and phycocyanin exhibited a counteractive effect against ethanol toxicity. Conclusion: The results showed that supplementation of phycocyanin prevented oxidative and testicular morphological damage-induced by ethanol and maintained normal sperm production, and viability.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.55-68
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• 2006

Purpose : This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the different administration duration of Epimedium Herb extract solution on the spermatogenic abilities such as concentration, motility and morphological normality of sperm from the testis and the activities of sperm hyaluronidase. Methods : We used the 2-month-old mice and administered the extract solution of Epimedium Herb 0.3 ml/g/day for 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. The control group was administered the normal saline as the same way. We examined the number of total, motile and normal sperm from the cauda epididymis, the activities of sperm hyaluronidase. Also we observed changes of isolated testis before and after administration of Epimedium Herb extract solutions in the mice. And we compared the testicular tissue especially seminiferous tubules with the control and treated group by histochemical methods. Results : The significant differences were observed in the concentration of total sperm and normality of spermatozoa of the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group in 60, 90 and 120 days groups. The significant differences were observed the motility of the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group in 60 days group. In the histological analysis of the testicular tissues, the enlargement of testicular lobe diameter and apparent vasculogenesis between testicular lobes were observed in the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group, respectively. And the activity of hyaluronidase was significantly increased in the Epimedium Herb extract solution administered groups compared to the control group. Conclusion : This study shows that Epimedium Herb has the beneficial effect on the concentration, morphology and motility of sperm, the testicular tissues and the activities of sperm hyaluronidse in 60 days administration group. We can suggest that Epimedium Herb extract solution be useful for the treatment of male sexual dysfunction and infertility.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.301-309
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• 1997

본 연구에서는 체외수정, 난자내 정자 직접주입, 난자내 정자 두부 미두 주입 후의 핵과 미세소관의 변화를 관찰하였다. 핵과 미세소관의 움직임은 형광염색을 실시한 후 공초점주사현미경을 이용하여 관찰하였다. 체외수정에서 관찰된 바와 동일하게 정자를 난자에 직접주입 한 직후 정자 중편부에서 성상체가 형성되었고, 이 성상체에 의해 자성 웅성 전핵이 융합되는 것으로 관찰되었다. 그러나 난자내 정자를 직접주입하였을 경우 웅성전핵으로 발달하는 비율이 낮았다. 이는 주입된 정자가 원형질막과 perinuclear theca에 싸인 체 난자내로 들어가 난자내의 sperm nucleus decondensing factor와 정자 핵과의 반응이 억제되기 때문으로 생각된다. 정자 두부 만을 주입하였을 경우 성상체가 형성되지 않았지만 자성 웅성 전핵 사이 또는 그 주위에서 두터운 미세소관층이 관찰이 되었다. 따라서 소에 있어서는 정자의 중편부에 위치하여 microtubule organizing center (MTOC)의 역할을 하는 중심립 또는 중심체 없이도 모계에서 유래된 미세소관이 형성되어 이것이 전핵의 융합과 세포분열에 관여하는 것으로 생각된다. 정자의 미부 만을 주입하였을 경우 성상체가 형성이 되지 않았으며, 자성핵 사이에 형성된 미세소관과 떨어져서 관찰되었다. 따라서 주입된 정자의 꼬리는 미세소관형성과 관련이 없는 것으로 생각된다. 이러한 결과는 소에 있어서, 수정 시 정자로부터 유래되는 중심립 또는 중심체가 없이도 미세소관을 형성하여 미세소관에 의해 이후의 배발달이 정상적으로 일어남을 보여주고 있다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.219-227
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• 2006

목 적: 자궁내막증이 체외 수정에 미치는 영향에 대하여 알아보고, 자궁내막증의 체외 수정 결과의 차이에 대해 살펴보고자 하였다. 연구방법: 1994년부터 2004년까지 제일병원 아이소망센타에서 자궁내막증으로 체외 수정을 시술 받은 697명의 환자 (총 1,199주기)를 후향적으로 연구하였다. 경증의 자궁내막증은 638주기, 중증의 자궁내막증은 561주기였으며, 난관 요인을 가진 325명 (459주기)를 대조군으로 하였다. 제외 기준으로는 여성의 나이가 35세 이상, basal FSH level이 20 mIU/ml 이상인 경우, 심각한 남성 요인의 경우를 제외하였다. 결 과: 중증의 자궁내막증은 난관 요인 보다 획득된 난자의 수 ($9.97{\pm}7.2$ vs. $13.4{\pm}7.9$ (p<0.0001)), 총 배아 수 ($6.5{\pm}4.8$ vs. $9.1{\pm}5.6$ (p<0.0001)), 양질의 배아 수 ($2.43{\pm}1.6$ vs. $2.74{\pm}1.7$ (p=0.013))가 통계적으로 유의하게 낮았다. 하지만, 중증의 자궁내막증의 임신율은 난관 요인과 유사하였다 (35.7 vs. 36.8 (%)). 경증의 자궁내막증은 중증의 자궁내막증과 난관 요인보다 불임 기간이 길었으며 ($55.4{\pm}25.7$ vs. $47.6{\pm}25.6$ vs. $44.4{\pm}30.9$ (개월) p<0.0001)), 수정률이 의미 있게 낮았으나 ($64.8{\pm}22.9$ vs. $69.9{\pm}22.5$ vs.$70.8{\pm}20.8$ (%) (p<0.0001)), 임신율에 유의한 차이는 없었다 (31.1 vs. 35.7 vs. 36.8 (%)). 또한, 체외 수성 이전에 치료 받은 병력이 있던 경증과 중증의 자궁내막증 (363주기 vs. 470주기)은 경증의 자궁내막증에서 중증의 자궁내막증보다 불임 기간이 길고 ($56.5{\pm}26.3$ vs. $46.9{\pm}25.8$ (개월), p<0.0001), 수정률이 낮았으며 ($64.7{\pm}23.3$ vs. $70.5{\pm}22.7$ (%), p=0.001), 임신율과 태아 생존율이 통계적으로 유의하게 낮았다 (29.2 vs. 36.2 (%), p=0.045, 23.9 vs. 31.5 (%), p=0.043). 결 론: 체외 수정 시 이전에 치료를 받았던 경증의 자궁내막증은 중증의 자궁내막증보다 임신율과 태아 생존율이 낮았고, 이는 현저한 수정률 감소와 긴 불임 기간이 관련이 있다고 생각된다. 따라서, 장기간의 불임 기간을 가진 경증의 자궁내막증을 가진 불임 여성은 체외 수정을 좀 더 일찍 고려해 볼 수 있겠다.