• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.377-381
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• 1999

Objectives: Recent studies, including our own, demonstrated that the novel expression of LH gene in rat gonads and uterus, indicating that the local production and action of the LH-like molecule. In the present study, we investigated whether human uterus also expresses the LH gene. Design: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplified the cDNA fragments coding $LH_{\beta}$ polypeptide from human endometrium but not from myometrium. Presence of the transcripts for the ${\alpha}$-subunit in human endometrium was also confirmed by RT-PCR. Results: Transcripts for $LH_{\beta}$ subunit were detected in endometrial samples from women with endometriosis. The gene for LH/hCG receptor was expressed in both endometrium and myometrium, showing good agreement with previous studies. Increased level of $LH_{\beta}$ transcript was determined in the endometrium from follicular phase compared to that from luteal phase. Conclusion: Taken together, our findings demonstrated that 1) the genes for LH subunits and LH/hCG receptor are expressed in human uterus, 2) the uterine LH expression was changed during menstrual cycle, suggesting that the uterine LH may playa local role in the control of uterine physiology and function(s).

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.359-365
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• 2013

Plasma pH can be altered during pregnancy and at labor. Membrane excitability of smooth muscle including uterine muscle is suppressed by the activation of $K^+$ channels. Because contractility of uterine muscle is regulated by extracellular pH and humoral factors, $K^+$ conductance could be connected to factors regulating uterine contractility during pregnancy. Here, we showed that TASK-2 inhibitors such as quinidine, lidocaine, and extracellular acidosis produced contraction in uterine circular muscle of mouse. Furthermore, contractility was significantly increased in pregnant uterine circular muscle than that of non-pregnant muscle. These patterns were not changed even in the presence of tetraetylammonium (TEA) and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). Finally, TASK-2 inhibitors induced strong myometrial contraction even in the presence of L-methionine, a known inhibitor of stretch-activated channels in myometrium. When compared to non-pregnant myometrium, pregnant myometrium showed increased immunohistochemical expression of TASK-2. Therefore, TASK-2, seems to play a key role during regulation of myometrial contractility in the pregnancy and provides new insight into preventing preterm delivery.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.139-145
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• 2001

This study was undertaken to determine the normal serial ultrasonographic appearance of the postpartum uterine involution in small pet dogs (Yorkshire terrier and Maltese). Postpartum changes in uterine shape, architecture, echogenicity and diameter were monitored by ultrasonography in 12 small pet dogs. Serial ultrasonographic examinations were done daily during the first week, 3 days interval from 8 to 30 days, and weekly from 31 to 100 days postpartum. The excretory period of vaginal discharge in 12 normal bitches of uterine involution was finished completely within 3 weeks postpartum. The short axis shape of the uterus was initially often flaccid-appearing. It varied from circular to polygonal. This lasted until 15.75$\pm$3.84 days postpartum, during which time the short axis uterine shape gradually changed to circular. Also, the long axis shape of the uterus was a beaded appearance until 30.89$\pm$4.25 days postpartum. After 30 days, it was appeared as tubular shape between placental and interplacental sites. The ultrasonographic image of the postpartum uterus consisted of four echogenicity distinct layers. Uterine wall was represented as very hyperechoic serosa, hypoechoic myometrium, hyperechoic endometrium and anechoic structures of fluid in the uterine cavity until 7 days postpartum. The individual uterine layers were most prominent during the first week postpartum, and they became progressively less distinct throughout the course of uterine involution. The thickness of myometrium was decreased rapidly in the placental sites from 4.47$\pm$1.42 mm at 1 day to 1.92$\pm$0.26 mm at 16 day, and in the interplacental sites from 3.19$\pm$0.61 mm at 1 day to 1.39$\pm$0.61 mm at 16 day. And it was decreased slowly until 94 day and was been minimum thickness at 94 day. The thickness of endometrium was also decreased like that of myometrium. The uterine diameter in the placental sites was decreased from 22.28$\pm$3.01 mm at 1 day to 16.11$\pm$1.46 mm at 7 day, and in the interplacental sites was decreased from 13.65$\pm$2.34 mm at 1 day to 9.41$\pm$1.59 mm at 7 day postpartum. From 7 day to 93 day, the change of diameter was more and more slow. At 94 days postpartum, the uterine diameter was 5~6 mm both placental and interplacental sites, and the uterine horns were uniform hypoechoic, tubular structures without enlargement. Therefore, complete involution of the uterus occurred at 94 days. It was concluded that normal post partum uterine involution in small pet dogs appeared to be completed 94 days postpartum by gross findings such as vaginal discharges, and by ultrasonographic findings, uterine shape and echogenicity.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.337-343
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• 2002

Objectives: To investigate the distribution of $ER{\alpha}$, $ER{\beta}$, c-fos and c-jun in the uterine myoma and myometrium in oder to know how the tamoxifen cause the growth of myoma. Methods: Myoma and myometrial tissue were obtained from the postmenopausal women treated with tamoxifen in the patients with breast cancer and in the premenopausal patients, who were undergoing myoma of uterus from 1998 through 2000. The espression of each gene was quantitated with quantitative RT-PCR. Results: The expression of $ER{\alpha}$ was slightly increased in the myoma than the myometrium in the proliferative phase, and was slightly decreased in the myometrium than the myoma in the secretory phase. However it was not significant statistically. In the postmemopausal women treated with tamoxifen, $ER{\alpha}$ was expressed in all myoma and myome1rial tissues and the expression was not statistically significant. The expression ofER~ was slightly increased in the myome1rium than the leiomyoma in the proliferative and secretory phase, but it was not significant statistically. In the postmemopausal women treated with tamoxifen, the expression of ER~ was significantly incresed in the myome1rium than the leiomyoma. The expression of c-fos was significantly increased in the myome1rium than the leiomyoma in the proliferative and secretory phase. In the postmemopausal women treated with tamoxifen, the expression of c-fos was slightly increased in the leiomyoma than the myomelrium, however, it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Tamoxifen may cause the growth of leiomyoma by $ER{\alpha}$ with AP-l pathway reducing the counteraction of 6$ER{\beta}$ to $ER{\alpha}$.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.243-250
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• 2008

Mast cells containing a variety of mediators in their cytoplasmic granules are widely distributed in connective tissues and mucosal surfaces of skin, airways, and guts. Within these tissues, mast cells are involved in the pathophysiological conditions such as inflammation, self-defense, tissue-remodeling, and autoimmunity. In order to understand the functional roles of master cells in the uterus, we histologically examined the distribution and density of uterine mast cells in the different aged mice. Until 6 weeks mast cells were sparsely detected in the uterus. But at 7 weeks after birth, when estrous cycle begins, the number of mast cells within uterine tissues increased dramatically and the increment of mast cell density continued up to 32 weeks-age. After then, uterine glandular tissue degenerated gradually and density of uterine mast cell decreased. Uterine mast cells were mainly found in the myometrium and they were closely associated with smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and collagens, which contents were changed according to the uterine development in the myometrium. These results suggest that uterine mast cells could be involved in myometrial contractions mediated by smooth muscle cells and tissue reconstitution or remodeling during estrous cycle and parturition including the various immunological functions.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.503-508
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• 2014

Spontaneous myometrial contraction (SMC) in pregnant uterus is greatly related with gestational age and growing in frequency and amplitude toward the end of gestation to initiate labor. But, an accurate mechanism has not been elucidated. In human and rat uterus, all TRPCs except TRPC2 are expressed in pregnant myometrium and among them, TRPC4 are predominant throughout gestation, suggesting a possible role in regulation of SMC. Therefore, we investigated whether the TRP channel may be involved SMC evoked by mechanical stretch in pregnant myometrial strips of rat using isometric tension measurement and patch-clamp technique. In the present results, hypoosmotic cell swelling activated a potent outward rectifying current in G protein-dependent manner in rat pregnant myocyte. The current was significantly potentiated by $1{\mu}M$ lanthanides (a potent TRPC4/5 stimulator) and suppressed by $10{\mu}M$ 2-APB (TRPC4-7 inhibitor). In addition, in isometric tension experiment, SMC which was evoked by passive stretch was greatly potentiated by lanthanide ($1{\mu}M$) and suppressed by 2-APB ($10{\mu}M$), suggesting a possible involvement of TRPC4/5 channel in regulation of SMC in pregnant myometrium. These results provide a possible cellular mechanism for regulation of SMC during pregnancy and provide basic information for developing a new agent for treatment of premature labor.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.391-398
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anti-inflammatory and utero-relaxant effect of ${\alpha}$-bisabolol on the pregnant human myometrium. Samples from the pregnant human myometrium were used in functional tests to evaluate the inhibitory effect of ${\alpha}$-bisabolol (560, 860, 1,200 and $1,860{\mu}M$) on spontaneous myometrial contractions. The intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels generated in response to ${\alpha}$-bisabolol in human myometrial homogenates were measured by ELISA. The anti-inflammatory effect of ${\alpha}$-bisabolol was determined through the measurement of two pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ ($TNF{\alpha}$) and interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, in pregnant human myometrial explants stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Forskolin was used as a positive control to evaluate the cAMP and cytokine levels. ${\alpha}$-Bisabolol was found to induce a significant inhibition of spontaneous myometrial contractions at the highest concentration level (p<0.05). ${\alpha}$-Bisabolol caused a concentration-dependent decrease in myometrial cAMP levels (p<0.05) and a concentration-dependent decrease in LPS-induced $TNF{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$ production, while IL-10 production did not increase significantly (p>0.05). The anti-inflammatory and utero-relaxant effects induced by ${\alpha}$-bisabolol were not associated with an increase in cAMP levels in pregnant human myometrial samples. These properties place ${\alpha}$-bisabolol as a potentially safe and effective adjuvant agent in cases of preterm birth, an area of pharmacological treatment that requires urgent improvement.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2000

Purpose : To evaluate the usefulness of comparison of the signal intensity of uterine septum in the differential diagnosis of bicornuate and septate uterus on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Materials and methods : Preoperative MR imaging findings of surgically proven 5 bicornuate and 6 septate uteri were retrospectively analyzed. Because preoperative differential diagnosis of both was possible in all cases in terms of the intercornual distance, external contour of uterine fungus, and divergent angle of two uterine cavities, these criteria were excluded in this study. The signal intensity of uterine septum in patients with bicornuate and septate uterus was analyzed on T1-weighted and fast spin echo T2-weighted images obtained in the axial and coronal planes, using a 1.5-T MR scanner. The signal intensity of uterine septum especially on T2-weighted images was compared with that of myometrium or junctional zone. Results : The signal intensity of uterine septum in patients with bicornuate uterus (n=5) and septate uterus (n=6) was similar to that of myometrium in all cases on T1-weighted images. The septum of bicornuate uterus (n=5) on fast spin echo T2-weighted images was isointense with myometrium in three and hypointense in two cases. The uterine septum of septate uterus (n=6) on T2-weighted images was isointense with myometrium in two, hypointense in two, and isointense with or more hypointense than junctional zone in two cases. No patient showed different signal intensity between upper and lower uterine septum. Conclusion : Because the MR signal intensity of the uterine septum in bicornuate or septate uterus is variable, it should not be used alone in the differential diagnosis of them. In these clinically important differentiation, therefore, comprehensive analysis of MR findings in terms of the external contour of uterine fundus, intercornual distance, divergent angle of two uterine cavities, in addition to the signal intensity of the uterine septum, should be considered.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.51-53
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• 2016

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors of the myometrium with a diverse range of manifestations. Fibroids can dramatically increase in size during pregnancy due to the increase in estrogen levels. After delivery, the fibroids usually shrink back to their pre-pregnancy size. Uterine myomas may have many complications, including abnormal uterine bleeding, infertility, pressure on nearby organs, degeneration, and malignant transformation. No previous reports have indicated that a fistula may develop between a uterine fibroid and the bowel loops, although previous studies have documented the occurrence of fistulas from the uterus to the bowel following myomectomy or uterine artery embolization performed to treat a myoma. In our case report, we document the rare complication of a fistula occurring between a degenerated myoma in the posterior wall and the ileum 1 week postoperatively in a patient who underwent a Caesarean section but did not have a history of uterine artery embolization.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.258-264
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• 1998

The morphological development of uterus in 60-, 90-, 120-day-old fetuses at gestation and neonates of Korean native goats were investigated by light microscopy. 1. In the 60-day-old fetuses, uterine walls differentiated and divided into the endometrium, myometrium and perimetrium. 2. In the 90-day-old fetuses, the blood vessels appeared in the uterine walls, in the 120-day-old fetuses the nodules (primordial caruncles) appeared first in the endometrium. 3. In the 120-day-old fetuses, the gland primordia observed on the uterine epithelium. In the neonates, the developing uterine glands were more number and deeper than those of 120-old fetuses. 4. PAS reaction of the mucosa cells in the endometrium was reacted weak, moderate and strong at 90-, 120-day-old fetuses and neonates, respectively.