• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.271-274
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• 1999

Activated factor XII (FXIIc: Hageman factor) is a central component of the contact activation system of blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, and kinin formation. Although patients deficient in FXIIc (up to 50% of normal) do not show increased bleeding tendency, thrombotic complications were reported in 8% to 10% among these patients. The reduced generation of bradykinin resulting in diminished release of tissue plasminogen activator is proposed as a cause of thrombosis in factor XII (FXII)-deficient patients. Similarly, in patients with elevated levels of circulating antiphospholipid antibodies, hemostasis may be impaired resulting in excessive thrombophilia. Both vascular and placental thromboses because of antiphospholipid antibodies or FXIIc deficiency have been reported to be associated with recurrent fetal loss. We have experienced a case of factor XII deficiency in woman with recurrent spontaneous abortion. So we report this case with a brief review of literatures.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.293-296
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• 1999

Different Y mutation in Yq11 occurring de novo in sterile males were first described 19 years ago. Since the phenotype of the patients was always associated with azoospermia or severe oligospermia, it was postulated that these mutations interrupt a Y spermatogenesis locus in the euchromatic Y region (Yq11) called azoospermia factor (AZF). Recently, it became possible to map AZF mutations to different subregions in Yq11by molecular deletion mapping. This indicated that azoospermia is possibly caused by more than one Y gene in Yq11 and the Yq11 chromatin structure. The frequency of AZF mutations in idiopathic sterile males $(5{\sim}20%)$ may indicate a need for a general screening programme for its analysis in infertility clinic. We have experienced a case of deletion distal to Yq11 region in azoospermic patient. So we report this case with a brief review of literatures.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.5 no.1_2
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• pp.17-26
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• 1978

The purpose of this study is to explore into the Korean Women's sexual life in terms of sexual behavior, sexual attitudes, and sexual experiences. In recent years, it has been generally recognized in both academic area and general publics that traditional norms, values, and patterns of behavior have been rapidly changing in Korea, thus being replaced by new ones. 1. The prevailing preconception that Korean women are sexwise traditional and conservative seems to be no longer true in the present days. 2. In this country, their sexual behaviors and attitudes at least within their marriage have been already westernized, being very similar to those of western women. 3. Knowledge and information of sexual matters held by Korean women prior to their marriage seems to be very limited, compared to those of western women. 4. It seems that Korean women have developed positive attitudes toward sex education practice in their family.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.123-126
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• 1999

A successful outcome of pregnancy requires an efficient uteroplacental vascular system. Since this system may be compromised by disorders of haemostasis associated with a prothrombotic state, maternal thrombophilia might be a risk factor for fetal loss. Hereditary deficiencies of the naturally occuring anticoagulants are well recognized conditions predisposing to recurrent venous thromboembolism. Since thrombotic phenomena have been implied as a cause of abortion and stillbirth, these deficiencies might increase the risk of fetal demise. We have experienced a case of antiphospholipid syndrome associated with protein C deficiency in patient with recurrent spontaneous abortion. So we report this case with a brief review of literatures.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.127-135
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• 1999

Cryopreservation is able to store the surplus pre-embryos for freezing and furthermore thawing and transfer in a subsequent cycle. Cryopreserving cells which are maintaining their viability are the very complex process. This study has been carried out in order to find the effects of cryopreservation steps, freezing media and embryonic stages on the rates of viability and development of cryopreserved mouse embryos. Female ICR mice ($6{\sim}8$ weeks old) were induced to superovulate by sequential intraperitoneal injection of 5 IU PMSG and 5 IU hCG 48h apart. Mouse embryos were collected according to its developmental stage after the injection of hCG. Embryos were cryopreserved not only by cryoprotectant step (1 step${\sim}$4 step) but also in a variety of media (HTF, IVF medium, D-PBS) and cell stage. The results were as follows: There is no clear advantage in these freezing media of rapid method, but 4 cell and 8 cell of slow method (2, 3, 4 step) have advantage in D-PBS. The development of embryos according to cell stage become greater in 8 cell stage. In the treatment steps of cryopreservation, the development of embryo to blastocyst was similar among rapid method, but the development of 4 cell and 8 cell embryos to blastocyst according to slow method was better than rapid method.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1999

In order to study the implantation mechanism various methods for culture of endometrial cells in vitro have been attempted. However, a disadvantage is that primary cultures of stromal and epithelial cells do not have the ability to differentiate, and therefore cannot be reproduced in the same manner as in vivo endometrium. The object of this study is to establish a three dimensional culture of endometrial cells which are both morphologically and functionally identical to in vivo endometrium. Endometrial tissues obtained after hysterectomies were cut into thin slices and treated with collagenase and trypsin-EDTA. The stromal cells and the epithelial cells were separated by centrifugation and cultured for 24 hours in DMEM media containing 10% FCS, 100 nM progesterone, and 1 nM estradiol. The cultured stromal cells were mixed with collagen gel and solidified, after which it was covered with matrigel. Epithelial cells were inoculated on the top and then cultured for 3 days. The three dimensionally cultured endometrial cells were stained for integrin ${\alpha}1,\;{\alpha}4,\;{\beta}3$, and cyclooxygenase-l, -2 by immunohistochemistry, which all showed strong expression. The cultured epithelial cells showed the formation of microvilli, tight junctions and pinopodes by electron microscopy. Studies are currently under way utilizing this three dimensional culture model to ascertain the interaction between the embryo and human endometrial cells at the time of implantation, and it is thought that further studies into a new culture environment which would allow longer periods of culture will be necessary.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.83-87
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• 1999

Since the blastocyst is broken and spreads out on a flat plastic culture dish (two dimensional culture) during in vitro development, it has been difficult to study the implantation process. It also has been difficult to analyse the interactions between endometrial epithelial and stromal cells because of the lack of a long-term in vitro model which can stimulate in vivo characteristics, as these cells eventually fail to proliferate or cease to express differentiated functions. Recently nontransformed cell lines, CUE-P and CUS-V2, derived from rat endometrial epithelium and stroma were reported. In this study, morphology of CUE-P and CUS-V2 was examined and oxytocin gene expression by CUE-P cells was demonstrated by RT-PCR. The CUE-P cells have a cuboidal morphology and CUS-V2 cells resemble fibroblast and exhibit a spindle-like morphology. In RT-PCR, same size of PCR products of oxytocin gene at hypothalamus, uterus and CUE-P cells were demonstrated. These results showed three dimensional culture system could be made by using the new cell lines.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2003

Objective: This study was carried out to compare the clinical outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in patients with obstructive azoospermia according to sperm retrieval site and technique; microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA), percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA), testicular sperm extraction by open biopsy (TESE). Methods: The outcomes of ICSI and IVF-ET were evaluated and compared among 3 groups. Seventy three men suffering from infertility due to obstructive azoospermia had 107 ICSI cycles using MESA (21 cycles in 15 patients), PESA (26 cycles in 17 patients) and TESE (60 cycles in 41 patients). Results: In the clinical outcomes in patients undergoing ICSI with epididymal or testicular sperm, there were no significant differences in fertilization rate (66.1% vs. 60.5%), cleavage rate (94.9% vs. 97.6%), cumulative embryo score (CES) (51.3 vs. 58.8), implantation rate (7.9% vs. 6.1), and clinical pregnancy rate per ET (30.4% (14/46) vs. 25.4% (15/59)) between both groups. Also, in the clinical outcomes in ICSI patients using MESA, PESA, TESE, there were no significant differences in fertilization rate (61.8%, 69.4%, 60.5%), cleavage rate (92.1%, 97.3%, 97.6%), CES (38.1, 52.0, 58.8), implantation rate (9.5%, 6.6%, 6.1%), and clinical pregnancy rate per ET (35% (7/20), 26.9% (7/26), 25.4% (15/59)) among 3 groups. Conclusion: When compared with MESA or TESE, PESA, the clinical outcomes were similar in ICSI patients with obstructive azoospermia whatever the origin or the technique of sperm retrieval. However, we considered PESA is more time-saving and cost effective for ICSI in patients with obstructive azoospermia.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.26-31
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• 2015

Objectives: This study used semiology based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to investigate vital energy (Qi) behavior in women with abdominal myofascial pain syndrome (AMPS). Methods: Fifty women diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) secondary to AMPS were evaluated by using a questionnaire based on the theories of "yin-yang," "zang-fu", and "five elements". We assessed the following aspects of the illness: symptomatology; specific location of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs); onset, cause, duration and frequency of symptoms; and patient and family history. The patients tongues, lips, skin colors, and tones of speech were examined. Patients were questioned on various aspects related to breathing, sweating, sleep quality, emotions, and preferences related to color, food, flavors, and weather or seasons. Thirst, gastrointestinal dysfunction, excreta (feces and urine), menstrual cycle, the five senses, and characteristic pain symptoms related to headache, musculoskeletal pain, abdomen, and chest were also investigated. Results: Patients were between 22 and 56 years old, and most were married (78%), possessed a elementary school (66%), and had one or two children (76%). The mean body mass index and body fat were 26.86 kg/cm2 (range: 17.7 - 39.0) and 32.4% (range: 10.7 - 45.7), respectively. A large majority of women (96%) exhibited alterations in the kidney meridian, and 98% had an altered gallbladder meridian. We observed major changes in the kidney and the gallbladder Qi meridians in 76% and 62% of patients, respectively. Five of the twelve meridians analyzed exhibited Qi patterns similar to pelvic innervation Qi and meridians, indicating that the paths of some of these meridians were directly related to innervation of the pelvic floor and abdominal region. Conclusion: The women in this study showed changes in the behavior of the energy meridians, and the paths of some of the meridians were directly related to innervation of the pelvic floor and abdominal region.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.137-147
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• 1994

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation(COH) for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVFET) often results in the production of more embryos than can be efficaciously transferred at one time. However, embryo cryopreservation provides a mechanism by which additional embryos can be stored for later thawing and transfer. From November, 1990 to October, 1992, we completed 42 transfer cycles of cryopreserved pronucleus(PN) l-cell embryos using the fixed protocol of hormonal replacement therapy in a physiological manner regardless of individual ovarian function. Artificial endometrial stimulation was performed with only exogenous estradiol and progesterone(E-P) in 36 transfer cycles (Group I) and with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist(GnRHa) and exogenous estradiol and progesterone(GEEP) in 6 transfer cycles(Group II ). The results were as follows. 1. The Survival rate of total cryopreserved-thawed embryos was 64.9%(198/305): 64.9% (172/265) in Group I and 65.0% (26/40) in Group II. 2. Total 168 embryos were transferred with an average of 4.7 per ET in Group I and total 26 embryos were transferred with an average of 4.3 per ET in Group II. 3. The pregnancy rate(PR) per cryopreserved-thawed ET and the implantation rate was 33.3 %(14/42) and 6.7%(13/194), respectively. The PRs per cryopreserved-thawed ET were 30.6% (11/36) in Group I and 50.0% (3/6) in Group II without significant difference. 4. The take home baby rate was 11.1%(4/36) in Group I and 33.3% (2/6) in Group II.