• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.285-288
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• 2022

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is a rare tumor that is more common in young people; it is an uncommon type of chondrosarcoma with a poor prognosis. In two-thirds of cases, it affects the bone, especially the spine. However, parts of the body other than the skeletal system are occasionally involved. These rarer types have a worse prognosis, with a high likelihood of metastasis and death. Due to the possible misdiagnosis of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, the integrated use of imaging, immunohistochemistry, and pathology can be helpful.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.111-123
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• 2021

Objective: Using domestic cats as a biomedical research model for fertility preservation, the present study aimed to characterize the influences of ovarian tissue encapsulation in biodegradable hydrogel matrix (fibrinogen/thrombin) on resilience to cryopreservation, and static versus non-static culture systems following ovarian tissue encapsulation and cryopreservation on follicle quality. Methods: In experiment I, ovarian tissues (n=21 animals; 567 ovarian fragments) were assigned to controls or hydrogel encapsulation with 5 or 10 mg/mL fibrinogen (5 or 10 FG). Following cryopreservation (slow freezing or vitrification), follicle viability, morphology, density, and key protein phosphorylation were assessed. In experiment II (based on the findings from experiment I), ovarian tissues (n=10 animals; 270 ovarian fragments) were encapsulated with 10 FG, cryopreserved, and in vitro cultured under static or non-static systems for 7 days followed by similar follicle quality assessments. Results: In experiment I, the combination of 10 FG encapsulation/slow freezing led to greater post-thawed follicle quality than in the control group, as shown by follicle viability (66.9%±2.2% vs. 61.5%±3.1%), normal follicle morphology (62.2% ±2.1% vs. 55.2%±3.5%), and the relative band intensity of vascular endothelial growth factor protein phosphorylation (0.58±0.06 vs. 0.42±0.09). Experiment II demonstrated that hydrogel encapsulation promoted follicle survival and maintenance of follicle development regardless of the culture system when compared to fresh controls. Conclusion: These results provide a better understanding of the role of hydrogel encapsulation and culture systems in ovarian tissue cryopreservation and follicle quality outcomes using an animal model, paving the way for optimized approaches to human fertility preservation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.120-124
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• 2014

Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine whether interactions between polymorphisms in the thyroglobulin and ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif, 16 (ADAMTS16) genes are associated with the development of premature ovarian failure (POF). Methods: A total of 75 patients with POF and 196 controls were involved in this study. We used a GoldenGate assay to genotype single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify POF-associated polymorphisms and synergistic interactions between polymorphisms in the thyroglobulin and ADAMTS16 genes. Results: Single gene analyses using logistic regression analysis showed no significant association between polymorphisms in the two genes and POF. In the results from interaction analyses, we found seven synergistic interactions between the polymorphisms in thyroglobulin and ADAMTS16, although there was no combination showing p-values lower than the significant threshold using the Bonferroni correction. When the AG genotype was present at the rs853326 missense SNP, the A and G alleles at the tagging SNPs rs16875268 and rs13168665 showed significant interactions (odds ratios=5.318 and 16.2 respectively; 95% confidence intervals, 1.64-17.28 and 2.08-126.4; p=0.0054 and 0.0079). Conclusion: Synergistic interactions between polymorphisms in the thyroglobulin and ADAMTS16 genes were associated with an increased risk of POF development in Korean women.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

In reproduction, mitochondria produce bioenergy, help to synthesize biomolecules, and support the ovaries, oogenesis, and preimplantation embryos, thereby facilitating healthy live births. However, the regulatory mechanism of mitochondria in oocytes and embryos during oogenesis and embryo development has not been clearly elucidated. The functional activity of mitochondria is crucial for determining the quality of oocytes and embryos; therefore, the underlying mechanism must be better understood. In this review, we summarize the specific role of mitochondria in reproduction in oocytes and embryos. We also briefly discuss the recovery of mitochondrial function in gametes and zygotes. First, we introduce the general characteristics of mitochondria in cells, including their roles in adenosine triphosphate and reactive oxygen species production, calcium homeostasis, and programmed cell death. Second, we present the unique characteristics of mitochondria in female reproduction, covering the bottleneck theory, mitochondrial shape, and mitochondrial metabolic pathways during oogenesis and preimplantation embryo development. Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with ovarian aging, a diminished ovarian reserve, a poor ovarian response, and several reproduction problems in gametes and zygotes, such as aneuploidy and genetic disorders. Finally, we briefly describe which factors are involved in mitochondrial dysfunction and how mitochondrial function can be recovered in reproduction. We hope to provide a new viewpoint regarding factors that can overcome mitochondrial dysfunction in the field of reproductive medicine.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.20-34
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• 2010

Purpose: These experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effect of administration of Palmulgunjatang gamibang on ovarian functions in female mice. Methods: We administered the Palmulgunjatang gamibang to 6-week-old female CF-1 mice for 4, 8, or 12 days. After administration of Palmulgunjatang gamibang with different concentration, the female mice were injected PMSG and hCG for ovarian hyperstimulation. The mice were 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: In case of 4-day, 8-day, 12-day administration of Palmulgunjatang gamibang, the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes were increased compared with control group. We were also examined the embryonic developmental competence in vitro. In case of 4-day administration of Palmulgunjatang gamibang, the rates of blastocyst formation from 2-cell stages were higher than control group. Conclusion: From our results suggested that the medication of Palmulgunjatang gamibang has beneficial effect on reproductive functions of female mice via promotion of cell proliferation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1145-1148
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• 2014

Background: Single pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is commonly used as a salvage treatment in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer and primary peritoneal adenocarcinoma (PPA) with a satisfactory outcome. However, the data for second generation PLD administered in this setting are still limited. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the outcome of patients who received single-agent second generation PLD (LIPO-DOX) after the development of clinical platinum resistance. The study period was between March 2008 and March 2013. LIPO-DOX was administered intravenously 40 $mg/m^2$ every 28 days until disease progression, but for not more than six cycles. The response rate was evaluated using the Gynecologic Cancer Intergroup (GCIG) criteria while the toxicity was evaluated according to WHO criteria. Twenty-nine patients met the inclusion criteria in the study period with an overall response rate of 13.8%. The median progression free survival and overall survival were three and eleven months, respectively. With the total of 96 cycles of chemotherapy, the patients developed grades 3 and 4 hematologic toxicity as follows: anemia, 0%, leukopenia, 9.6%, neutropenia, 32.3% and thrombocytopenia, 0%. In conclusion, the single agent second generation PLD demonstrated modest efficacy in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer and PPA without serious toxicity.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.140-145
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• 2014

This article reports a case of spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) following a thawed embryo transfer cycle. OHSS, a potentially life-threatening condition, is an iatrogenic complication of controlled ovarian stimulation; therefore, it is very important to prevent and treat OHSS during treatment with ovulation-inducing agents. Despite our efforts to prevent OHSS, in this case, severe spontaneous OHSS occurred, which resulted in uncontrolled preterm labor and a preterm delivery and also persisted for 6 weeks after delivery. Freezing all embryos cannot entirely prevent the development of OHSS because OHSS can occur spontaneously. Although spontaneous OHSS remains a rare event, females with a history of OHSS may have an elevated risk for spontaneous OHSS. We suggest closely monitoring cases of pregnancy following thawed embryo transfer for early diagnosis of spontaneous OHSS and the use of conservative management.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8647-8650
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• 2014

Background: Ovarian cancer is the most common cancer cause of gynecologic cancer deaths. In order to increase the likelihood of patient survival through primary operation by gyneco-oncologists, an appropriate algorithm for referral is considered here. Materials and Methods: Suspicious adnexal mass cases including ovarian malignancy probability score-1 (OMPS1) scores between 2.3-3.65 are re-evaluated by OMPS2. Sensitivity and specificity of each score were determined. Results: Sensitivity and specificity with a 3.82 score of OMPS2 in the studied subgroup (OMPS1 scores between 2.3-3.65) were 64% and 76.9% respectively. Conclusions: Management of OMPS1 scores of below 2.3 with sensitivity of 100% and above 3.65 with specificity of 72.9% is clear. In the subgroup of cases with OMPS1 score between 2.3-3.65, OMPS2 is helpful for triage with a cutoff score of 3.82.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8529-8538
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• 2014

According to the China tumor registry 2013 annual report, breast cancer, lung cancer, and ovarian cancer are three common cancers in China nowadays, with high mortality due to the absence of early diagnosis technology. However, proteomics has been widespreadly implanted into every field of life science and medicine as an important part of post-genomics era research. The development of theory and technology in proteomics has provided new ideas and research fields for cancer research. Proteomics can be used not only for elucidating the mechanisms of carcinogenesis focussing on whole proteins of the tissue or cell, but also seeking the biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy of cancer. In this review, we introduce proteomics principles, covering current technology used in exploring early diagnosis biomarkers of breast cancer, lung cancer and ovarian cancer.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.367-377
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• 2016

Red spotted grouper, Epinephelus akaara, is a popular aquaculture species and a protogynous hermaphrodite. Induction of artificial sex change at the time of primary sex differentiation is of interest but has not been successful due to the lack of necessary basic information. To find out the potential neuroendocrine influence on the primary sex differentiation, the expression of key genes in the brain was investigated during the formation of ovarian cavity. Expression of cyp19a1b, esr1, gnrhr1, fsh, lh and cga in the brain was positively associated with the formation of ovarian cavity, showing gradual increase as the formation proceeds. However, the expression of gnrh1 was suppressed during the early part of the ovarian cavity formation, signifying potential hypothalamic influence on the primary sex differentiation in this species.