• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2011

Inefficiency of in vivo gene transfer using currently available vectors reflects a major hurdle in cancer gene therapy. Both viral and non-viral approaches have been described to improve gene transfer efficiency but suffer from a number of limitations. Here we tested an adenovirus carrying the small peptide ligand derived from heregulin${\beta}$ EGF-like domain onto fiber, the adenoviral capsid protein, to deliver transgene to ovarian cancer cells which overexpress ErbB, the cognate receptors for heregulin. The attachement of 53 amino acids to fiber didn't affect on the fiber's trimer structure that is critical for the viral entry to cells. The fiber-modified adenovirus can mediate entry and expression of a ${\beta}$-galactosidase into cancer cells in an increased efficiency compared the unmodified adenovirus. Particularly, the gene transfer efficiency was improved up to 5 times in OVCAR3 cells, an ovarian cancer cell line. Such transduction systems hold promise for delivering genes to ErbB receptor overexpressing cancer cells, and could be used for future cancer gene therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1489-1495
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• 2014

Wnt is a powerful signaling pathway that plays a crucial role in cell fate determination, survival, proliferation and motility during development, in adult tissues and cancer. The aims of the present study were three fold: i) to assess Wnt11 immunoexpression and its possible relationship with Wnt5a in high- and low-grade human serous ovarian cancer (HGSC and LGSC) specimens; ii) to assess Wnt11 expression levels in Wnt5a overexpressing SKOV-3 cells; iii) to reveal the role of Wnt11 in viability, adhesion, migration and invasion of SKOV-3 cells using recombinant human Wnt11 (rhWnt11). Immunohistochemistry revealed a significant difference in Wnt11 expression between HGSC and LGSC groups (p=0.001). Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between Wnt5a and Wnt11 expression in the HGSC (r=0.713, p=0.001), but not the LGSC group. The expression of Wnt11 was decreased by 35% in Wnt5a overexpressing cells (SKOV-3/Wnt5a) compared to mock controls. Similarly Wnt11 expression levels were decreased by 47% in the presence of exogenous Wnt5a compared to untreated cells. In the presence of rhWnt11, 31% increased cell viability (p<0.001) and 21% increased cell adhesion to matrigel (p<0.01) were observed compared to control. Cell migration was increased by 1.6-fold with rhWnt11 as revealed by transwell migration assay (p<0.001). However, 45% decreased cell invasion was observed in the presence of rhWnt11 compared to control (p<0.01). Our results may suggest that differential Wnt11 immunoexpression in HGSC compared to LGSC could play important roles in serous ovarian cancer progression and may be modulated by Wnt5a expression levels.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.5087-5094
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• 2016

mTOR, the mammalian target of rapamycin, is a conserved serine/threonine kinase which belongs to the phosphatidyl-linositol kinase-related kinase (PIKK) family. It has two complexes called mTORC1 and mTORC2. It is well established that mTOR plays important roles in cell growth, proliferation and differentiation. Over-activation of the mTOR pathway is considered to have a relationship with the development of many types of diseases, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and ovarian cancer (OC). mTOR pathway inhibitors, such as rapamycin and its derivatives, can directly or indirectly treat or relieve the symptoms of patients suffering from PCOS or OC. Moreover, mTOR inhibitors in combination with other chemical-molecular agents may have extraordinary efficacy. This paper will discuss links between mTOR signaling and PCOS and OC, and explore the mechanisms of mTOR inhibitors in treating these two diseases, with conclusions regarding the most effective therapeutic approaches.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.514-518
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• 1997

This study was designed to record the ovarian response towards a combined administration of heterologous buffalo FSH (buFSH) and LH (buLH) in goats. The impact of such a treatment on ovarian structures and on the plasma profile of the ovarian sex steroids (estradiol $17-{\beta}$ and progesterone) was studied. The buFSH and buLH were isolated from the buffalo pituitaries involving a procedure of ethanolic extraction, acetone precipitation followed by metaphosphoric acid - ammonium sulphate fractionation. Both gonadotrophin samples prepared were found biologically active and potent. There was an increase in the total number of follicles in the treated group ($12.66{\pm}1.24$) vis-a-vis the control group ($8.50{\pm}2.06$). However, the percentage ($51.48{\pm}6.37$) of large follicles were found reduced ($23.74{\pm}5.93$) following the treatment. Again the number of corpora lutea were observed significantly higher ($2.33{\pm}0.47C.L.$) in the treated group than (1 C. L.) in the control group. The peak plasma estradiol- $17{\beta}$ levels achieved, were much higher ($17.16{\pm}9.52pg/ml$) in the treated group, than the peak ($7.22{\pm}1.67pg/ml$) achieved in the control group. Similar trend was observed with respect to the progesterone levels (higher in the treated group). This study thus indicated that, a combined administration of heterologous buffalo FSH and LH to goats speeded up development of larger follicles nearing the ovulation stage. This population of the follicles subsequently got reduced and lead to the formation of the increased number of the corpora lutea observed in this study.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.26-34
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• 1996

Copulation process, fertilization and gestation of the viviparous teleost surfperch, Ditrema temmincki were investigated by using photomicroscopy. Samples were collected from the vicinity of Suyoung Bay, Pusan, Korea from May 1992 to August 1993. During the copulation period, the copulatory organs were protruded at the base part of right and left soft ray of the anal fin in mature male. Secondary sexual characteristics index (SSCI) of male participated in copulation was above 3.5. Mature oocytes appeared only in the female containing sperms in the ovarian cavity. Transport of the spermatozoa into the ovarian cavity during copulation belonged to a spermatophore type. After copulation, spermatozoa remained in the ovarian cavity for about one month untill fertilization. Fertilization occured within the follicular cavity. Fertilized eggs were released into the ovarian cavity where they developed during gestation period. Developmental sequence of the female was as following: fertilization-ovulation-hatching-parturition. Right before parturition, the total length (TL) of the embryo was about 63.0 mm. When TL of maternal body was 20.0 cm, the mean numbers of the embryo were 18. The numbers of the embryo were positively related to the maternal body size.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to develop a breeding technique to increase Hanwoo of superior characteristics. In the present study, reproductive status of Hanwoo such as size of farm, breeding system and gestationi length was investigated. In addition, effect of low dose administration of prostaglandin F2$\alpha$(PGF2$\alpha$) on luteolysis was examined. The size of farm was classified by the total number of cows and the number of breeding stocks, respectively. The distribution of herd size of < 5, 6~10, 11~30, 31~50 and > heads was 31%, 15%, 39%, 4% and 11%, respectively. Furthermore, the distribution of breeding stock size of <5, 6~10, 11~30, 31~50 and > 50 heads was 36%, 28%, 31%, 3% and 3%, respectively. Average parity was 2.1 in breeding stock. In breeding pattern, artificial in semination(A.I), estrus synchronization-A.I and natural mating was 92.7%, 2.4% and 4.9% respectively. Gestational length of Hanwoo was ranged 253~316 days (average length : 285 days) after estrus( estrus=0). To induce luteolysis, PGF2$\alpha$ was injected into ovarian parenchyma by a modified ovarian injector. The effect of administration of 6mg PGF2$\alpha$ on luteolysis and estrus induction was betweer (P<0.01) when PGF2$\alpha$ was administered into ovarian parechyma than when administered intramuscluarly (71 vs. 91%). When PGF2$\alpha$ was injected into ovarian parenchyma, a decreased concentration to 3 mg did not significantly decreaed its luteolytic effect(92%). When AI was performed following PGF2$\alpha$ treatment, the intraovarian injection group yielded a higher pregnancy rate(69 vs. 88%) than the IM injection groups, regardless of the dosage. In conclusion these results suggest that increasing herd size and regular reproductive management are needed to improve reproductive efficiency in Hanwoo industry. Furthermore, intraovarian administration of PGF2$\alpha$ is effective way to induce luteolysis compared with intramuscular injection.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.193-196
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• 2006

The process in the formation of primordial germ cells, primitive and early gonadogenesis were investigated by histological examination for the reproductive physiological study in the scorpion fish, Sebastiscus marmoratus. The primordial germ cells about $10\;{\mu}m$ in diameter were observed in the fibrous mesenchymal tissue located between gut and mesonephric duct of the larvae within the maternal body. As the fibrous epithelium extends to the direction of peritoneum, the primordial germ cells moved. From 31 days post parturition, the fibrous epithelium gets thicker, and the primitive gonad starts to form. From 49 days post parturition, as the primitive gonad of the primitive gonad extend, it starts to form cavity, and about 60 days post parturition, the formation of the ovarian cavity is completed. From 79 days post parturition, germ cells proliferated along the inner edge of the ovarian cavity.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.13-34
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of administration of Guibitang on ovarian functions and differential gene expressions related cell viabilities caspase-3, MAPK and MPG in female mice. Methods: We administered the Guibitang to 6-week-old female ICR mice for 4, 8, or 12 days. Then, the female mice were injected PMSG and hCG for ovarian hyperstimulation. The mice divided into 3 different groups for each experiment. To compare the differences, we set a control group treated with plain water at the same volume by the same way. Results: administration of Guibitang, the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes increased significantly compared to control group. And the rates of blastocyst formation from 2-cell stages alsa increased significantly compared to control group. Capase-3 gene expression which is known to maker gene for cell apoptosis were significantly lower than that of control group. And MAPK and MPG gene expressions for cell viability and DNA repair were same that of control group. Conclusion: From our results suggested that the medication of Guibitang has beneficial effect on reproductive functions of female mice via prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damaging and promotion of cell proliferation.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2024

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a critical hormone produced in the hypothalamus, is essential for regulating reproductive processes. It has also been demonstrated the presence of GnRH and its receptors (GnRHR) in ovarian and uterine tissues, but little was known about the regulation mechanism of their expression in these organs and ovarian aging. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression of GnRHR in the ovary and uterus of mice, particularly after high-dose gonadotropin treatments and in relation to aging. Quantitative real-time-PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed that pituitary gland had the highest GnRHR expression in both young and aged mice. In addition, liver expression was higher in young mice, whereas thymus expression was higher in aged mice. GnRHR mRNA was present in the ovaries of both young and aged mice but nearly undetectable in the uterus of aged mice. We next examined the expression of GnRHR in the ovary and uterus in response to high-dose administration of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG). After PMSG administration, GnRH mRNA levels were significantly decreased in the ovary but increased in the uterus. The expression of GnRH mRNA in these organs showed opposite trends to that of GnRHR expression. These results suggest the involvement of GnRH in age-related reproductive decline and the potential effects of high-dose gonadotropin treatments on reproductive organ function.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.145-152
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• 2014

This study was performed to investigate the effect of of transdermal testosterone gel (TTG) on controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) and IVF outcomes and ovarian morphology according to pretreatment duration in poor responders. A total of 120 women were recruited for this pilot study. They were randomized into control, 2 weeks, 3 weeks or 4 weeks TTG treatment groups. For three TTG treatment groups, 12.5 mg TTG was applied daily for 2 weeks, 3 weeks or 4 weeks in preceding period of study stimulation cycle. After 3 weeks of TTG pretreatment, significant increase of antral follicle count (AFC) and significant decreases of mean follicular diameter (MFD) and resistance index (RI) value of ovarian stromal artery were observed (p=0.026, p<0.001, p<0.01, respectively). The total dose of rhFSH administered for COS significantly decreased after 3 and 4 weeks TTG treatment both compared with control group (p<0.001, p<0.001). The numbers of oocytes retrieved and mature oocytes were significanty higher in 3 and 4 weeks TTG treatment groups than control group (p<0.001, p<0.001 in the number of oocytes retrieved; p<0.001, p<0.001 in the number of mature oocytes). The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate were increased only in 4 weeks TTG treatment group compared with control group (p=0.030 and p=0.042, respectively). These data demonstrated that TTG pretreatment for 3 to 4 weeks increases AFC and ovarian stromal blood flow, thereby potentially improving the ovarian response to COS and IVF outcome in poor responders undergoing IVF/ICSI.