• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.290-303
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• 1989

The activities of $\beta$-glucosidase, $\beta$-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-$\beta$-glucosaminidase were measured to investigate the relationships of them to sexual maturity. Peritoneal injections of testosterone and dibutyryl cAMP to rats were carried out. As a result, the activities of $\beta$-glucosidase and N-acetyl-$\beta$-glucosaminidase were significantly decreased from the third day and that of P -glucurondiase on the seventh day in the castrated groups. In addition, ihe activities of these three enzymes were significantly increased in the testosterone treated groups for 7 days. In case of dbcAMP injection, the activities of these three enzymes were similar to those of castrated groups or had a tendency to be decreased. On electron microscopic examination, principal cells, basal cells and narrow cells were observed in all regions of epididymis. Principal cells were general forms of columnar epithelial cells. Narrow cells had a number of small vesicles and light cells showed low electron density in comparison to other epithelial cells in cauda epididymis. Halo cells were migrating leucocytes btween epithelial cells.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.55-75
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• 2015

Objectives : The object of this study was to evaluate the effect of Insamyangyoung-tang aqueous extracts (ISYYT) on the propylthiouracil (PTU) induced rat hypothyroidism. Methods : The rats were divided into 6 groups : intact control, PTU control, Levothyroxine (LT ₄ ), 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg ISYYT treated groups. In ISYYT treated groups, PTU and ISYYT were administered for 4 weeks after 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg ISYYT were administered for 2 weeks. In LT ₄ group, PTU and LT ₄ were administered for 4 weeks. The changes were observed : the weigh, serum thyroid hormone levels, serum sex hormone levels, serum lipid profiles, serum liver enzyme levels, liver and testis antioxidant defense system, histopathology of thyroid gland, liver, epididymis, prostate and testis. Results were compared with PTU control group in this experiment. Results : In comparison with PTU control group, 500 and 250 mg/kg ISYYT treated groups showed significant increase of body, thyroid, liver, testis, epididymis and prostate weights, decrease of serum TSH levels with increase of serum T3 and T4 level, increase of serum testosterone and DHT levels with decrease of serum FSH levels, decrease of serum HDL with increase of TG and increase of serum AST levels. Histopathological inspections of hepatic and male reproductive organ damage induced by PTU were improved. And the changes of antioxidant defense system of Liver and testis induced by PTU were improve. There was no significant difference between 125 mg/kg ISYYT treated group and PTU control group in this experiment. Conclusions : The results obtained in this study considered that Insamyangyoung-tang may be effective in hypothyroidism and related organ damages.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.24-35
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• 2005

Purpose : This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Cynomorii Herba (鎖陽) on　the reproductive competence in male mice.　Methods ：　We used 8-week-old Spraque-Dawley rats and administered the extract powder of Cynomorii Herba to 5 rats and normal saline to control group once in a day for 28 days. Then we observed the changes of body weight before and after administration of Cynomorii Herba extracts and normal saline. We isolated their testis surgically and observed the weight of testis, epididymis, vascular gland and prostate. Also we examined the total, normal and motile sperm concentration, the concentration of testicular catalase, peroxidase and configuration of testicular tissue before and after administration of Cynomorii Herba extracts and normal saline. Results : We found that the concentration of total, normal, motile sperm in testis of Cynomorii Herba treated group shows significant difference compared with the control group. The body weight, the weight of testis, epididymis and the concentration of testicular catalase and peroxidase were higher in the Cynomorii Herba treated group, on the other hand the weight of vascular gland was lower in the Cynomorii Herba. But the contents of above statement showed no significant difference. The weight of　prostate showed lower in the control group statistically than that of the Cynomorii Herba treated group. We observed the seminiferous tubules taken shape minutely and the number of normal sperm increased in Cynomorii Herba treated group's testicular tissue. Conclusion This study shows that Cynomorii Herba may have an effect on the concentration, morphology and motility of sperm, the important factor in male fertility.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.383-387
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• 1999

Objective: There is increasing evidence for the expression of rat in gene in several extrapituitary sites including testis and ovary. We also have demonstrated that the local LH expression in the rat epididymis and uterus, the major accessory sex organs in male and female reproductive system, respectively. Design: The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether the gene for LH receptor is expressed in rat uterus and whether the expressions of uterine LH and its receptor are differentially regulated during estrous cycle. Presence of the transcripts for rat LH receptor in the rat uterine tissue were confirmed by touchdown reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: In $LH{\beta}$ semi-quantitative RT-PCR, the highest expression level was shown in estrus stage. The level of ill receptor transcripts was also fluctuated during estrous cycle. In ovariectomized rats (OVX + Oil), the expressions of both uterine LH and LH-R were markedly reduced when compared to those from normal rats. Supplement with estradiol $17{\beta}$ to the ovariectomized rats (OVX + $E_2$) restored the expression levels of LH and its receptor to the levels in uteri from normal rats. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that 1) LH and its receptor gene are expressed in the rat uterus from cycling rats, 2) the expression of uterine LH and its receptor is mainly, if not all, under the control of ovarian sex steroid(s). These results suggested that the uterine LH may act as a local regulator with auto and/or paracrine manner, though the posibility that the pituitary LH may act directly on the regulation of uterine functions could not be discarded.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.35-48
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• 1988

This study was made to investigate the effect of testosterone and cyclic-AMP (cAMP) on rat epididymis. Peritoneai injections of testosterone and cAMP to rats were earned out The activities of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured and ultrastructural changes of luminal epithelial cells were observed. As a result, the activity of ACP was significanily decreased on the third day, that of ALP on the fifth day and that of LDH on the seventh day respectively in castrated group. In addition, the activities of ACP and ALP were significanily increased when treated with testosterone for 5 days, that of LDH when treated with testosterone for 7 days. In case of cAMP and cAMP - theophylline injection, the activities of ACP and LDH were increased but the range of increase was of no significance. However a significant increase in the activity of ALP was seen on both cases. On electron microscopic examination, gradually deformed Golgi complex, destructed mitochondria and disrupted stereociha were observed in castrated group. In case of testosterone injection, disrupted Golgi complex, mitochondria and stereocilia showed recovery. When cAMP and cAMP-theophylline were injected as an alternative, various cytoplasmic organelles as well as Golgi com- plex were recovered but stereocilia remained unrecovered.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.55-67
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was to evaluate the effect of Palmijihwang-whan (PMJHW) aqueous extract in the regulation of hypothyroidism related reproductive organ damages in propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced rat model. Methods: PMJHW aqueous extract (yield=17.90%) were administered, once a day for 42 days from 2 weeks before start of PTU treatment as oral doses of 500, 250, and 125 mg/kg (body weight), and hypothyroidism was induced by daily subcutaneous treatment of PTU 10 mg/kg for 28 days. Results: PTU-induced hypothyroidism and related male reproductive organ damages-atrophic changes of testis, epididymis and prostate, were favorably and dose-dependently inhibited by treatment of PMJHW 500, 250, and 125 mg/kg. They also effectively regulated the PTU-induced abnormal antioxidant defense system changes in the testis. Although levothyroxine also favorably inhibited PTU-induced hypothyroidism, it deteriorated the hypothyroidism related male reproductive organ damages through testicular oxidative damages. The results suggest that oral administration of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg of PMJHW has favorable effects on the hypothyroidism and related reproductive organ damages through augmentation of antioxidant defense system in the testis. Conclusions: This study suggest that PMJHW may be help to ameliorate the hypothyroidism and related organ damages in clinics.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.783-792
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• 2008

The present study was performed to determine expression of cytochrome P450 aromatase(Cyp19) in the efferent ductules(EDs) and the epididymis of male rat reproductive tract at different postnatal ages. Total RNAs isolated were reverse-transcribed, and cDNAs were utilized for real-time PCR analysis. In the EDs, the Cyp19 transcript was expressed at all prepubertal ages with the highest level at 14 days of age, but not at 90 days of age. Expression of Cyp19 mRNA in the epididymis was found at all age groups, except 7 days of age. Distinct expression patterns of Cyp19 transcript were shown in each segment of the epididymis. These results indicate that expression of Cyp19 gene in the excurrent duct of male reproductive tract is differentially regulated in age-dependent and segment-specific manners.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 1990

19-nortestosterone(NORA)와 19-norandrostenedione(NT)는 정소내 aromatization과정중 중간 대사물로 검출된다. 본 연구는 이들을 장기간 투여하여 정소 및 부속기관의 무게, 혈청내 testosterone(T)의 농도, 정자형성에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. NORA, NT 및 TE를 $300/50{\mu}l$농도로 주당 3회씩 12주간 정소에 직접 주사(intratesticular injection, i.t.)하였다. 또한 GnRH antagonist(RS68439)를 처리하여 혈청내 생식소자극호르몬 (GTH)을 감소시킨후 위 호르몬들을 동일방법으로 처리하여 이들의 보상작용을 조사하였다. NORA는 정소무게를 감소시키지 않았으나 GnRH antagonist를 처리하여 감소된 정소무게를 현저하게 보상하였다(P<0.05). NORA, NT, TE는 모두 부속기관의 무게를 증가시켰으며, RS68439가 감소시킨 부속기관의 무게를 현저히 증가시켰다. 그러나 이들은 부정소(epididymis)에는 영향을 주지않았으며 RS68439처리군에서는 보상작용을 나타내었다. 이들의 처리로 혈청내 LH농도는 완전히 감소하였으나 FSH의 농도에는 영향을 나타내지 않았다. 그리고 혈청내 T의 농도를 증가시켰다. NORA는 정자형성과정중 7단계의 spermatid의 수를 현저히 감소시켰다. 위 결과로 보아 NORA는 GnRH antagonist로 FSH의 분비가 억제된 쥐의 FSH분비를 촉진하며, T의 농도를 증가시켜 정자형성과정을 억제하는 것으로 추론된다.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.246-254
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• 2016

The objective of the present study is to determine whether blue honeysuckle lyophilized concentrated powder (BH) has favorable effects on hypothyroidism and related reproductive organ damage. Hypothyroidism was induced by 9 subcutaneous administration of propylthiouracil (PTU) for 28 days. Levothyroxine (LT4)-treated group was intraperitoneally injected with LT4 for the same period, while for BH (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) or Flos Lonicerae lyophilized aqueous extract (LF, 250 mg/kg)-treated groups, the test materials were orally administrated for 42 days: two weeks before PTU injection and during PTU administration. The changes in serum thyroid hormone levels, serum male sex hormone levels, and testis antioxidant defense system were observed by histopathology of the thyroid gland, epididymis, prostate, and testis. The oral administrations of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg of BH showed favorable effects compared to LF on hypothyroidism and related damages of reproductive organs through augmentation of the antioxidant defense system in the testis. In conclusion, BH is a promising new potent thyroid gland protecting agent.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.27-34
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• 2003

Bisphenol A is used in the manufacture of epoxy, polycarbonate, and corrosion-resistant unsaturated polyester-styrene resins required for food packaging materials in industrial processing. Some reports indicated the possibility of harmful effects on rats. In this study was used a method for the determination of bisphenol A in blood according to the OSHA High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) guideline. The method involved blood extraction using methylene chloride. And it was evaluated developmental and teratogenic effects in pregnant rats and second generation. The results obtained were as follows. There was a significant increase in the body weights and treated groups F1 female in liver, spleen, kidney, but according to dose-response. F1 female rat's relative body weight and absolute body weight are not different. There was a significant increase liver, spleen, kidney organ weight and reproductive organ weight epididymis, prostate gland in F1 male rats. There was a proestrous in pregnant rat, group 200 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg, 2000 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg, 20,000 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg. The effect on rat treated with bisphenol A decrease organ weight and reproductive organ weight. Identification and quantitation were performed with using HPLC C18 column and using at retention time 5.5 min. The results of the detection of bisphenol A were at 20,000 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg in average 1 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, 200 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg average in 0.9 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml blood samples. From those results, it could be concluded that the effects of pregnant rat and second generation(F1) by bisphenol A treatment during lactational period were estrogenic and bisphenol A was remained in serum at low level.