• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.203-209
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• 2009

The present study was performed to identify changes of plasminogen activator (PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) in porcine oviduct epithelial cells (POECs) during the estrous cycle. POECs obtained from ovary in pre-ovulatory (Pre-Ov), early to mid-luteal stage (Early-mid L) and post-ovulatory stage (Post-Ov). For the examine of PA activity, $1{\times}10^5$ fresh cells of POECs were cultured in DMEM/Ham F-12 containing 10% FBS and 0.2% amphotericin under humidified atmosphere of 5% $CO_2$ in air and $38^{\circ}C$. The urokinase-type PA (uPA) was observed at 7 days of POECs culture. PA activity was measured with culture prolonged of 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after culture of 7 days. The PA activity were high significantly (p<0.05) at 12 h of culture, but PA activity were decreased with culture periods increased. The PA activity in POECs of Post-Ov stage were higher significantly (p<0.05) than that of Early-mid L and Pre-Ov stage. When PAI-1 and PAI-2 were added during the POECs culture, the PA were observed significant low activity (p<0.05). The PA activity and protein expression were decreased by PA inhibitor. This results suggest that PAI-1 and PAI-2 have a suppressive action on change of PA activity during the estrous cycle of pigs. Specifically, this study using PA inhibitor was effect the PA activity and PAI expression in oviduct epithelial cells in pigs.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2006

Ovarian follicular atresia in mammals is finely regulated by gonadotropins and sex steroid hormones. It is well known that granulosa cell pyknosis is a common cytological feature of atretic follicles in the ovary. The present study hypothesized that granulosa cell pyknosis during follicular atresia might be related to apoptotic process and associated with caspase-3 activation. Healthy (normal) and atretic follicles were isolated from porcine ovaries based on macro-morphological criteria. Isolated follicles were either processed for histological observation or used for collection of granulosa cells by aspiration. Hoechst 33258 staining of the cells showed a significantly higher number of fragmented nuclei, a typical morphological feature of apoptotic cell, in granulosa cells from atretic follicles than those from healthy follicles. In addition, the rate of cell death was significantly higher in granulosa cells from atretic follicles than healthy follicles, as measured by flow-cytometric cell cycle analysis. In situ detection of apoptotic cells by TUNEL revealed that apoptosis was mostly restricted to granulosa cells in follicles. Theca cells were TUNEL-negative. Finally, it has been shown by caspase-3 activity assay that granulosa cells from atretic follicles retain a higher caspase-3 activity compared to healthy follicles. Taken together, it is suggested that granulosa cell degeneration during folliclar atresia occurs by caspase-3-dependent apoptotic fashion.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.842-850
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• 2010

Sex steroids are known to be involved in skeletal muscle development (anabolic effect) and are frequently used in medicines. It has been known that pork contains a variety of steroids that are mainly synthesized in the gonads (testis and ovary). Thus, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of anabolic steroids of pork on the proliferation and differentiation of myogenic satellite cells (MSC). Three different methods (M1, M2, and M3) were developed for the isolation and purification of steroids from porcine tissues. Among three extraction methods that we developed, M3 was the best method with respect to the quantities of steroids and the induction of MSC proliferation. Hormonal analysis showed that the steroid hormone levels were the highest in muscle and fat of intact male than those of castrated males and females. In addition, the highest serum levels of nandrolone and testosterone were detected in intact males, whereas estrone and $17{\beta}$-estradiol levels were similar in the entire experimental serum samples. Expression of androgen receptor (AR), myoD, desmin, and myogenin in bovine muscle cells were significantly up-regulated by the treatment of steroid extracts. The highest increas of myogenin and AR mRNA abundance were observed in the MSCs treated with M3 extract (p<0.001). Altogether, the present research showed the positive effect of steroids on MSC proliferation and differentiation in vitro. These results would certainly imply a beneficial effect of pork consumption on human muscle development.