• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.379-389
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• 2017

Connexin (Cx) involves in the regulation of various physiological functions of tissue by forming a channel, a gap junction which allows direct cell-cell communication, between adjacent cells. The effect of a single subcutaneous treatment of estradiol benzoate (EB) or flutamide (Flu) at the weaning age on the expression of Cx isoforms in the adult caput epididymis was evaluated in this research. Using quantitative real-time PCR analysis, a low-dose of EB [$0.015{\mu}g/kg$ body weight (BW)] caused significant decreases of Cx30.3, Cx32, Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45 mRNA levels and no change of Cx26, Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx37 transcript levels. The treatment of a high-dose EB ($1.5{\mu}g/kg\;BW$) resulted in reduced expression of Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx43, and Cx45 but increased expression of Cx37 and Cx40. Expression of all Cx isoforms examined, except Cx31, was significantly increased by the treatment of a low-dose Flu ($500{\mu}g/kg\;BW$). However, the treatment of a high-dose Flu (5 mg/kg BW) led significant expressional suppression of Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx32, Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45 but an increase of Cx37 transcript level. With the comparison of previous findings, the expression of Cx isoforms in the adult epididymis after the exposure to EB or Flu is likely differentially regulated in regional-specific and/or exposed postnatal age-specific manner.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.159-165
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• 2020

Previously, we reported adverse effects of low-dose nonylphenol (NP) exposure on the reproductive parameters of F1 female mice. In the present study we further investigated the pathohistological effect of NP exposure on the reproductive organs in F1 female mice. NP exposures were continuously conducted from parental pre-mating period until the postnatal day (PND) 33 of F1 offspring for vaginal examination. Mice were sacrificed on PND 30 and the reproductive tissue weights were measured. The initial (at PND 21) body weights of the NP-50 group animals were significantly lower than those of control group animals, and the weight deficit were recovered when the terminal (PND 33) body weights were measured. Early vaginal opening was found in NP group animals (p<0.05). Pathohistological studies revealed that NP-treated F1 animals showed prominent increase in the ovarian follicle numbers (p<0.01), and decrease in the diameter of uterine myometrium (p<0.01), and increase in the diameter of luminal epithelium (p<0.05). The present study demonstrated that the subchronic low-dose NP exposure induced early beginning of puberty and pathohistological abnormalities in ovary and uterus of F1 mice. Further studies are needed to achieve a better understanding on the action mechanism of NP in pubertal onset and to find a way to avoid a hazardous situation provoked by NP exposure.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.93-99
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• 2019

Nonylphenols (NPs) are widely used industrial materials, and are considered as potent endocrine disrupting chemical. Present study was undertaken to clarify the effect of subchronic low-dose NP exposure to F1 generation male mice. Mice were divided into 2 groups; (1) CON, control animals and (2) NP-50 ($50{\mu}g/L$), animals were treated with NP via drinking water. NP exposures were continuously conducted from parental pre-mating period until the postnatal day (PND) 55 of F1 offsprings. Mice were sacrificed on PND 55 and the tissue weights were measured. The initial body weights (at PND 21) and terminal body weights (PND 55) of the NP-50 animals were significantly lower than those of control animals (p<0.05). NP exposure induced a significant increase in the absolute weight of the testes (p<0.05). Conversely, the NP exposure caused significant decrease in the absolute weights of the epididymis (p<0.01), prostate (p<0.05) and seminal vesicle (p<0.05). Histopathological studies revealed that NP-treated animals exerted decreased seminiferous tubule diameters, reduced luminal area, and lower number of germ cells. Also some sloughing morphologies in the tubules were observed. In the caudal epididymis, fewer mature sperms and swollen epithelial cells were found in the NP-treated group. Our results confirmed that the subchronic low-dose NP exposure altered some male parameters and induced histopathological abnormalities in testis and epididymis of F1 mice. Since the NP dose used in this study is close to the average human daily NP exposure, our results could provide practically meaningful understanding of adverse effect of EDC in human.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.255-262
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• 2019

Previously, we reported negative effects of low-dose nonylphenol (NP) exposure on the reproductive organs of F1 male mice. In the present study was further investigated the endocrine disrupting effect of NP exposure to F2 generation male mice. Mice were divided into 2 groups; (1) CON, control animals and (2) NP-50 ($50{\mu}g/L$), animals were treated with NP via drinking water. NP exposures were continuously conducted from parental pre-mating period until the postnatal day (PND) 55 of F2 offsprings. Mice were sacrificed on PND 55 and the reproductive tissue weights were measured. The initial (at PND 21) and terminal (PND 55) body weights of the NP-50 group animals were not significantly different from those of control group animals. NP exposure fail to induce a significant weight change of the testes, seminal vesicle and prostate except absolute epididymal weight (p<0.05). However, pathohistological studies revealed that NP-treated F2 animals showed evident decrease in seminiferous tubule diameters, reduced luminal area and number of germ cells. Also, sloughing morphologies in the tubules were notable. In the caudal epididymis, fewer mature sperms and swollen epithelial cells were found in the NP-treated group. The present study demonstrated that the subchronic low-dose NP exposure induced pathohistological abnormalities in testis and epididymis of F2 mice, and we assumed that these 'qualitative' changes in reproductive tissues could be derived from the epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, histone modification, altered DNA accessibility and chromatin structure. Further studies are needed to achieve a better understanding on the multi- or trans-generational effects of NP on the reproductive health and a human application.

• 여성건강간호학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.141-152
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• 2021

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop a couple-centered antenatal education program and to test the program's feasibility. Methods: With a preliminary-experimental study design, 33 pregnant couples who were expecting their first child participated in this study. The program consisted of four sessions (1 hour/session/week) of education and counseling. Data were collected before and after the intervention from September 2018 to April 2019 at a women's hospital in Daejeon, Korea, with demographic data forms, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale, Korean Newborn Care Confidence Scale, Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire, and Dyadic Adjustment Scale-10. Results: The pregnant women and their husbands were on average 32.30±3.10 and 33.21±6.25 years old, respectively. The mean marriage duration was 2.34±1.63 years, the gestational age was 31.30±2.66 weeks, and 78.8% of the couples had a planned pregnancy. After the program, both the pregnant women and their husbands showed significant improvements in attachment to the fetus and confidence in providing infant care. Prenatal depression, prenatal stress, and fear of childbirth in pregnant women significantly decreased after completing the program. However, the dyadic adjustment score did not change significantly either in the pregnant women or their husbands. Conclusion: A couple-centered antenatal education program seems to be effective for couples adjusting to parenthood, but further studies should explore ways to have a positive impact on couples' relationships.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제35권6호
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• pp.847-857
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• 2022

Objective: The effects of maternal undernutrition during midgestation on muscle fiber histology, myosin heavy chain (MyHC) expression, methylation modification of myogenic factors, and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in the skeletal muscles of prenatal and postnatal goats were examined. Methods: Twenty-four pregnant goats were assigned to a control (100% of the nutrients requirement, n = 12) or a restricted group (60% of the nutrients requirement, n = 12) between 45 and 100 days of gestation. Descendants were harvested at day 100 of gestation and at day 90 after birth to collect the femoris muscle tissue. Results: Maternal undernutrition increased (p<0.05) the fiber area of the vastus muscle in the fetuses and enhanced (p<0.01) the proportions of MyHCI and MyHCIIA fibers in offspring, while the proportion of MyHCIIX fibers was decreased (p<0.01). DNA methylation at the +530 cytosine-guanine dinucleotide (CpG) site of the myogenic factor 5 (MYF5) promoter in restricted fetuses was increased (p<0.05), but the methylation of the MYF5 gene at the +274,280 CpG site and of the myogenic differentiation (MYOD) gene at the +252 CpG site in restricted kids was reduced (p<0.05). mTOR protein signals were down-regulated (p<0.05) in the restricted offspring. Conclusion: Maternal undernutrition altered the muscle fiber type in offspring, but its relationship with methylation in the promoter regions of myogenic genes needs to be elucidated.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.21-28
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• 2024

Present study aimed to investigate the temporal changes in expression of some reproductive hormones in testis, originally found in hypothalamus and pituitary. Rats were sacrificed on postnatal day 23 (PND23; immature), pubertal (PND53) and PND 81 (young adult). The testicular RNAs were extracted, and semi-quantitative PCRs for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), kisspeptin 1 (KiSS1), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), LH subunits and LH receptor were performed. Transcript levels of GnRH and KiSS1 at PND23 were significantly higher than levels of PND53 and PND81 (p<0.001). PACAP mRNA level at PND23 was significantly lower than those of PND53 and PND81 (p<0.001). The mRNA levels of both testis type and pituitary type luteinizing hormone β subunit (tLHβ and pLHβ, respectively) at PND23 were significantly lower than levels of PND53 and PND81 (p<0.001). The mRNA level of glycoprotein hormone common alpha subunit (Cgα) at PND23 was significantly lower than those of PND53 and PND81 (p<0.001). Present study revealed the intratesticular expression of KiSS1 and GnRH showed a very similar trend while the expression of PACAP in the testis showed reversed pattern. The expressions of LHβ subunits (tLHβ and pLHβ) were very low during immature stage then increased significantly during puberty and early adulthood. Our attempt to study the local role(s) of intratesticular factors will be helpful to achieve precise understanding on the testis physiology and pathology.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제49권6호
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• pp.677-685
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• 2006

목 적 : 임신 기간 중 지속적으로 알코올을 섭취하는 모체에 thyroxine을 투여하여 알코올의 유해한 영향으로 인한 대뇌의 태아 알코올 효과를 개선시킬 수 있는지를 알아보고자 했다. 방 법 : 실험동물은 매일 35칼로리 정도의 알코올을 섭취한 알코올군, 알코올 대신 dextrin이 첨가된 유동액을 섭취한 정상군, 알코올군과 같은 양의 알코올을 매일 섭취하고 thyroxine을 매일 $5{\mu}g/kg$ 피하 주사한 알코올＋$T_4$ 군으로 분류하였다. 임신한 흰쥐 모체가 분만이 끝나면 각 군에서 태어난 새끼들은 그 어미와 분리하여 사료와 물을 자유롭게 섭취하는 대리모에게 키우게 하였다. 한 배의 새끼 1마리씩 총 4마리를 생후 0, 7, 14, 21, 28일에 희생시켜 면역조직화학염색을 시행하여 대뇌겉질 및 해마에서 생후 연령에 따른 NPY 함유 신경세포의 발달과 성숙양상을 관찰하였다. 결 과 : 대뇌겉질에서는 알코올＋$T_4$ 군에서 생후 7일에 NPY 함유 신경세포들이 알코올군과 정상군보다 더 뚜렷한 양성반응을 나타내기 시작하였으며, 생후 14일 이후부터는 대뇌겉질의 전 층에 걸쳐 광범위하게 NPY 함유 신경세포들이 관찰되었고 연령 증가에 따른 세포의 감소가 나타나지 않았으나 알코올군은 NPY 함유 신경세포가 생후 28일에 다른 군에 비해 현저히 감소하는 양상을 나타냈다. 해마에서는 알코올＋$T_4$ 군에서 생후 7일부터 정상군과 유사한 분포 양상을 나타냈으며 알코올군과는 뚜렷한 차이를 보였다. 특히 생후 14일에 대뇌겉질 및 해마 모두에서 알코올＋$T_4$ 군의 NPY 함유 신경세포 분포 및 신경얼기 형성이 두드러졌다. 결 론 : 임신 중 알코올 남용을 하는 모체에 지속적인 $T_4$ 투여는 그 후손들의 뇌에 분포하는 NPY 함유 신경세포의 발달을 정상 군과 유사하게 촉진시킬 수 있을 것으로 생각되며 모체 $T_4$ 투여가 특히 출생 초기의 NPY 합성에 영향을 미쳐 태아 알코올 효과를 개선시킬 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.141-149
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• 2016

Changes in the Leydig cell from pre-puberty to adulthood were studied in Korean native cattle. Eight groups of male cattle aged 14, 17, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 104 weeks (n=7 cattle per group) after birth were used. The purpose of this study was to obtain quantitative information on the Leydig cell of the Korean native cattle during postnatal development. Testes of cattle were fixed by perfusion using a fixative containing 2.5% glutaraldehyde in cacodylate buffer, processed and embedded in Epon-araldite. Using $1{\mu}m$ section stained with methylene blue-azure II, qualitative and quantitative (stereological) morphological studies were performed. The average diameter of seminiferous tubules gradually increased with age from 14 ($75.56{\mu}m$) to 104 weeks ($298.9{\mu}m$). The volume density of the seminiferous tubules increased with age from 54.2% at week 14 to 76.9% at week 104. The volume density of the interstitium represents 45.52% at week 14. This proportion progressively diminishes during development to reach a value of 23.14% at week 104. The volume density of Leydig cells decreased almost linearly from 14 (20.71%) to 104 weeks (5.28%). The absolute volume of Leydig cells per testis increased significantly from 14 to 104 weeks. The number of Leydig per testis have almost linearly increased from 14 to 104 weeks. The average volume of a Leydig cell reached maximum size by 104 weeks ($2553{\mu}m^3$). These data suggested development of Leydig cell can be classified as the fetal and immature adult Leydig cells (14~35 weeks), and the adult Leydig cells (40~104 weeks).

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.341-350
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• 2016

Background: Prenatal exposure to infectious and/or inflammatory insults can increase the risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorder such as bipolar disorder, autism, and schizophrenia later in life. We investigated whether Valeriana fauriei (VF) treatment alleviates prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits and social interaction impairment induced by maternal immune activation (MIA). Methods and Results: Pregnant mice were exposed to polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid (5 mg/kg, viral infection mimic) on gestational day 9. The adolescent offspring received daily oral treatment with VF (100 mg/kg) and injections of clozapine (5 mg/kg) for 30 days starting on the postnatal day 35. The effects of VF extract treatment on behavioral activity impairment and protein expression were investigated using the PPI analysis, forced swim test (FST), open field test (OFT), social interaction test (SIT), and immunohistochemistry. The MIA-induced offspring showed deficits in the PPI, FST, OFT, and SIT compared to their non MIA-induced counterparts. Treatment with the VF extract significantly recovered the sensorimotor gating deficits and partially recovered the aggressive behavior observed in the SIT. The VF extract also reversed the downregulation of protein expression induced by MIA in the medial prefrontal cortex. Conclusions: Our results provide initial evidence of the fact that the VF extract could reverse MIA-induced behavioral impairment and prevent neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia.