• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.285-293
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to verify the best mating age of gilts at the first parity. Gilts (n = 86) were divided into nine groups in a factorial arrangement with three Ages (AG1, ${\leq}220d$; AG2, 220 to 240 d; AG3, $240{\leq}d$), and three weights (WT1 ${\leq}140kg$; WT2, 140 to 149 kg; WT3, $150{\leq}kg$). A higher body weight gain in AG2 sows during gestation. Sows in AG2 group showed a higher body weight gain at first parity and backfat gain in the parity 2 and 3 during gestation. A greater insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was observed in AG1 sows compared with AG3 sows at weaning in the second parity. Sows in WT1 group showed a significant positive effect on the plasma IGF-1 at breeding and weaning time in parity 2. Sows in AG3 group showed a higher plasma leptin at breeding, farrowing, and weaning in the parity 1, and at farrowing in parity 2. Sows in WT3 group showed a higher plasma leptin at breeding, farrowing, and weaning in the parities 1 and 2. Considering the insignificant longevity results, the most efficient time for gilts insemination can be at 220 d when their body weight is 140 kg or lower.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.229-240
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• 2020

Background: Genus Quercus is a successful group that has occupied the largest area of forest around the world including South Korea. The acorns are an important food source for both wild animals and humans. Although the reproductive characteristics of this genus are highly variable, it had been rarely studied in South Korea. Therefore, in Seoraksan and Odaesan National Parks (i) we measured the acorn production of Quercus mongolica, an overwhelmingly dominant species in South Korea, for 3 years (2017-2019), (ii) evaluated the spatial-temporal variation of acorn production, and (iii) analyzed the effects of oak- and site-related variables on the acorn production. Results: The annual acorn production of Q. mongolica increased 36 times from 1.2 g m-2 in 2017 to 43.2 g m-2 in 2018, and decreased to 16.7 g m-2 in 2019, resulting in an annual coefficient of variation of 104%. The coefficient of spatial variation was high and reached a maximum of 142%, and the tree size was the greatest influencing factor. That is, with an increase in tree size, acorn production increased significantly (2018 F = 16.3, p < 0.001; 2019 F = 8.2, p < 0.01). Elevation and slope also significantly affected the production in 2019. However, since elevation and tree size showed a positive correlation (r = 0.517, p < 0.001), the increase in acorn production with increasing elevation was possibly due to the effect of tree size. The acorn production of Odaesan for 3 years was 2.2 times greater than that of Seoraksan. This was presumed that there are more distribution of thick oak trees and more favorable site conditions such as deep soil A-layer depth, high organic matter, and slower slopes. Conclusion: As reported for other species of the genus Quercus, the acorn production of Q. mongolica showed large spatial and annual variations. The temporal variability was presumed to be a weather-influenced masting, while the spatial variability was mainly caused by oak tree size.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1253-1270
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• 2021

Assessment of male fertility is based on the evaluation of sperm. Semen evaluation measures various sperm quality parameters as fertility indicators. However, semen evaluation has limitations, and it requires the advancement and application of strict quality control methods to interpret the results. This article reviews the recent advances in evaluating various sperm-specific quality characteristics and methodologies, with the help of different assays to assess sperm-fertility status. Sperm evaluation methods that include conventional microscopic methods, computer-assisted sperm analyzers (CASA), and flow cytometric analysis, provide precise information related to sperm morphology and function. Moreover, profiling fertility-related biomarkers in sperm or seminal plasma can be helpful in predicting fertility. Identification of different sperm proteins and diagnosis of DNA damage has positively contributed to the existing pool of knowledge about sperm physiology and molecular anomalies associated with different infertility issues in males. Advances in methods and sperm-specific evaluation has subsequently resulted in a better understanding of sperm biology that has improved the diagnosis and clinical management of male factor infertility. Accurate sperm evaluation is of paramount importance in the application of artificial insemination and assisted reproductive technology. However, no single test can precisely determine fertility; the selection of an appropriate test or a set of tests and parameters is required to accurately determine the fertility of specific animal species. Therefore, a need to further calibrate the CASA and advance the gene expression tests is recommended for faster and field-level applications.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.370-379
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• 2022

Human pregnancy is a delicate and complex process where multiorgan interactions between two independent systems, the mother, and her fetus, maintain pregnancy. Intercellular interactions that can define homeostasis at the various cellular level between the two systems allow uninterrupted fetal growth and development until delivery. Interactions are needed for tissue remodeling during pregnancy at both fetal and maternal tissue layers. One of the mechanisms that help tissue remodeling is via cellular transitions where epithelial cells undergo a cyclic transition from epithelial to mesenchymal (EMT) and back from mesenchymal to epithelial (MET). Two major pregnancy-associated tissue systems that use EMT, and MET are the fetal membrane (amniochorion) amnion epithelial layer and cervical epithelial cells and will be reviewed here. EMT is often associated with localized inflammation, and it is a well-balanced process to facilitate tissue remodeling. Cyclic transition processes are important because a terminal state or the static state of EMT can cause accumulation of proinflammatory mesenchymal cells in the matrix regions of these tissues and increase localized inflammation that can cause tissue damage. Interactions that determine homeostasis are often controlled by both endocrine and paracrine mediators. Pregnancy maintenance hormone progesterone and its receptors are critical for maintaining the balance between EMT and MET. Increased intrauterine oxidative stress at term can force a static (terminal) EMT and increase inflammation that are physiologic processes that destabilize homeostasis that maintain pregnancy to promote labor and delivery of the fetus. However, conditions that can produce an untimely increase in EMT and inflammation can be pathologic. These tissue damages are often associated with adverse pregnancy complications such as preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes (pPROM) and spontaneous preterm birth (PTB). Therefore, an understanding of the biomolecular processes that maintain cyclic EMT-MET is critical to reducing the risk of pPROM and PTB. Extracellular vesicles (exosomes of 40-160 nm) that can carry various cargo are involved in cellular transitions as paracrine mediators. Exosomes can carry a variety of biomolecules as cargo. Studies specifically using exosomes from cells undergone EMT can carry a pro-inflammatory cargo and in a paracrine fashion can modify the neighboring tissue environment to cause enhancement of uterine inflammation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.1-14
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• 2021

Methods: We investigated the ability to induce decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells and invasive ability of human trophoblast cells by water extract of three types herbal medicines (Dangguijakyak-san, Siryung-tang, Antae-eum) and ethanol extract on Scutellariae Radix. Results: In the process of decidualization of endometrial stromal cells, three herbal medicines including Dangguijakyak-san, Siryung-tang, and Scutellariae Radix increased the production of decidual markers such as prolactin (PRL) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1). However, Antae-eum increased mRNA levels of PRL and IGFBP and secretion of IGFBP in decidual stromal cells, but not PRL. Four herbal medicines inhibited the invasion of trophoblast cells. Conclusions: Four herbal medicines may play a role in implantation in women with reproductive failures. However, further studies are warranted to elucidate whether these medications are helpful in the maintenance of pregnancy.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.70-77
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• 2021

Purpose: The purposes of this study are to examine the relationship between sexual knowledge and sexual attitudes and identify factors that influence sexual attitudes among Mongolian university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was used. Participants include 200 students from 23 universities in U city in Mongolia. Data were collected from 1 December to 30 December of 2019. A self-report questionnaire through Google survey was used. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analyse with SPSS 26.0 for Window Program. Results: We found the differences between sexual knowledge and sexual attitudes according to participants' general characteristics, sex education, and sexual knowledge (t=5.43, p<.001) and sexual attitudes (t=2.21, p=.028), sexual experience and sexual knowledge. There was no correlation with marriage thought among sexual knowledge, sexual health and pregnancy and childbirth, and sexual attitudes. The correlations between the remaining variables were high. Sexual knowledge was the most influential factor on sexual attitudes followed by the sexual act (β=.30, p<.001), reproductive organs (β=.29, p<.001), solving sexual desire (β=-.25, p<.001), sexual experience (β=-.16, p=.021), and sex education (β=-.16, p=.028) with an explanatory power of 20.0%. Conclusion: The findings of this study may provide a basic data and help to understanding of sexual attitudes among Mongolia university students.

• Mycobiology
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.86-95
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• 2022

Inflammaging in male reproductive organs covers a wide variety of problems, including sexual dysfunction and infertility. In this study, the beneficial effects of cordycepin (COR), isolated from potential medicinal fungi Cordyceps militaris, in aging-associated testicular inflammation and serum biochemical changes in naturally aged rats were investigated. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into young control (YC), aged control (AC), and COR (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) treated aged rat groups. Aging-associated serum biochemical changes and inflammatory parameters were analyzed by biochemical assay kits, Western blotting, and real-time RT-PCR. Results showed a significant (p < 0.05) alteration in the total blood cell count, lipid metabolism, and liver functional parameters in AC group when compared with YC group. However, COR-treated aged rats ameliorated the altered biochemical parameters significantly (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, respectively). Furthermore, the increase in the expression of inflammatory mediators (COX-2, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tissue necrosis factor-alpha) in aged rat testis was significant (p < 0.05) when compared with YC group. Treatment with COR at 20 mg/kg to aged rats attenuated the increased expression of inflammatory mediators significantly (p < 0.05). Mechanistic studies revealed that the potential attenuating effects exhibited by COR in aged rats was mediated by regulation of NF-κB activation and MAPKs (c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, and p38) signaling. In conclusion, COR restored the altered serum biochemical parameters in aged rats and ameliorated the aging-associated testicular inflammation proving the therapeutic benefits of COR targeting inflammaging-associated male sexual dysfunctions.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.318-335
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• 2023

It is important to understand the biological aspects of fish for fishing management. This study was conducted from February through October 2021. A total of 1,629 fishes were collected using different fishing gears. The length-weight relationship is a power curve for all fishes and showed a significant (r² > 0.8). All fishes revealed a negative allometric growth pattern except Labeobarbus intermedius. Oreochromis niloticus (1.714 ± 0.009) was found in better condition than other fish species (analysis of variance [ANOVA], p < 0.05). The length at maturity was 24.0 cm and 25.4 cm total length (TL), 28.9 cm and 28.2 cm fork length, and 53.2 cm and 57.5 cm TL for females and males of O. niloticus, L. intermedius and Clarias gariepinus, respectively. Fecundity was ranged between 100-947 eggs/g with absolute fecundity (AF) of 468-3,832 eggs, 200-1,000 eggs/g with AF of 2,752-136,420 eggs, and 505-900 eggs/g with AF of 2,000-6,404 eggs for O. niloticus, C. gariepinus, and L. intermedius, respectively. Their respective mean fecundity was 1,490 ± 91, 23,330 ± 5,070, and 3,096 ± 273 eggs, respectively. Mean fecundity revealed a significant variation between size classes and species (ANOVA, p < 0.05). The fecundity length and fecundity-body weight relationships except (O. niloticus) of fishes were curvilinear while the gonad weight (GW)-fecundity relationship was linear for all fish species. The fecundity was moderately associated with increasing length than body weight, and GW for all fishes (r² > 0.6). In conclusion, a tangible management setup is required to sustain the use of fish in the reservoir.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.236-251
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• 2023

Alcohol consumption alongside combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has attracted research interest, especially because of increasing male infertility. This study investigated the combined effects of alcohol and cART on testicular morphology, biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Rats, weighing 330-370 g, were divided into four groups of six animals each; control, alcohol treated (A), cART, and alcohol plus cART treated (A+cART). Following 90 days treatment period, animals were euthanized, testis extracted, and routinely processed for histology and immunohistochemical analysis. Significantly decreased epithelial area fraction, increased luminal and connective tissue area fractions, and reduction of epithelial height and spermatocyte number, were recorded in the treated groups compared to control. Extensive seminiferous epithelial lesions including widened intercellular space, karyolysis, and sloughing of germinal epithelium were recorded in all the treated groups. Furthermore, upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, interleukin-6, and caspase 3 recorded in treated animals, was more significant in A+cART group. Also, the levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α were more elevated in A and cART treated groups than in A+cART, while MDA was significantly elevated in cART and A+cART treated groups compared to control group. Altogether, the results indicate testicular toxicity of the treatments. It is concluded that consuming alcohol or cART induces oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in testis of rats, which lead to testicular structural and functional derangements, which are exacerbated when alcohol and cART are consumed concurrently. The result will invaluably assist clinicians in management of reproductive dysfunctions in male HIV/AIDS-alcoholic patients on cART.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.100-110
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• 2024

Biometric evaluation and reproductive biology of Oreochromis niloticus were studied from Geray Reservoir. Between November 2021 and August 2022, 316 O. niloticus specimens were collected from this reservoir. The observed male to female sex ratio was 1:1.14, which was statistically insignificant compared with the hypothetical 1:1 sex ratio (X² = 1.27, p > 0.05). The length-weight relationship was curvilinear with allometric growth (b < 3) and statistically significant from the expected isometric growth pattern (b = 3). The regression equation for females was TW = 0.0264TL^2.72 (r² = 0.90, n = 168), males (TW = 0.0183TL^2.79, r² = 0.93, n = 148), and combined sexes (TW = 0.0229TL^2.76, r² = 0.91, n = 316). Gonadosomatic index (GSI) ranged from 0.8 to 1.4 (males) and 1.8 to 4.9 (females). The breeding season lasted from March to June, with a GSI peak in April. Fecundity ranged from 279 to 1,528 eggs./fish, with a mean of 1,025 eggs./fish. The correlation between absolute fecundity and length was more significant (F = 0.76TL^2.8, R² = 0.94, p < 0.05) than with weight (F = 17.683TW^0.71, R² = 0.92, p < 0.05). This study provides basic information on the biology of O. niloticus in the Geray Reservoir for future fishery management tools for the conservation and utilization of this valuable freshwater fish.