• Toxicological Research
• /
• 제25권4호
• /
• pp.203-207
• /
• 2009

Present study was conducted to investigate potential effects of epichlorohydrin on testicular and epididymal function in male rats. The test chemical was administered to adult male rats by gavage at dose levels of 0, 3.125, 12.5, and 50 mg/kg/day for 7 days. Testicular and epididymal function were assessed by measurement of reproductive organ weight, testicular spermatid count, epididymal sperm count, motility and morphology, and histopathology in rats. At 50 mg/kg, a decrease in the sperm motility and an increase in the incidence of sperm abnormalities were observed. Histopathological examinations revealed an increase in the incidence of histopathological changes including cell debris in the ducts, vacuolization of the epithelial cells, oligospermia, and epithelial disruption in the proximal caput epididymidis. At 12.5 mg/kg, an increase in the incidence of histopathological changes of the epididymidis was found. There were no treatment-related effects at 3.125 mg/kg. These results show that 7-day repeated oral administration of epichlorohydrin to male rats results in adverse effects on sperm motility, sperm morphology, and epididymal histology at $\geq$ 12.5 mg/kg/day.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제47권3호
• /
• pp.168-179
• /
• 2020

Objective: This study investigated testicular oxidative stress status and physiomorphological function in Wistar rats fed with yaji and cadmium chloride (CdCl₂). Methods: Sixty male albino Wistar rats (12 per group) were randomly assigned to five groups: group I (control), group II (300 mg/kg.bw of yaji), group III (500 mg/kg.bw of yaji), group IV (2.5 mg/kg.bw of CdCl₂), and group V (2.5 mg/kg.bw of yaji+4 mg/kg.bw omega-3). Each group was evenly subdivided into two subgroups and treatment was administered for 14 days and 42 days, respectively. Semen quality (sperm count, progressive motility, normal morphology, and gonadosomatic index), hormones (testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone), testicular oxidative stress markers (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malonaldehyde) and testicular histomorphological features were examined. Results: Yaji caused significant (p< 0.05) dose- and duration-dependent reductions in semen quality, the gonadosomatic index, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. Yaji also caused significant (p< 0.05) dose- and duration-dependent decreases in superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity, as well as increased testicular malonaldehyde levels. Yaji induced distortions in the testicular histological architecture. CdCl₂ damaged testicular function by significantly (p< 0.05) reducing semen quality, reproductive hormone levels, and oxidative stress markers in albino Wistar rats. CdCl₂ also altered the histology of the testis. Conclusion: This study shows that yaji sauce has similar anti-fertility effects to those of CdCl₂, as it adversely interferes with male reproduction by impairing oxidative stress markers and the function and morphological features of the testis.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
• /
• 제28권1호
• /
• pp.41-51
• /
• 2020

Objectives : US extract is a mixture of each extract of Ulmi cortex and Smilacis rhizoma. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and ovoprotective effects of US extract in in vitro model to identify potential candidates for improving female reproductive function. Methods : The antioxidant activity of US extract was measured using 1,1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl free radical and superoxide anion radical scavenging assays. The anti-inflammatory effect of US extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were determined with a nitric oxide (NO) assay, enzyme linked immunosorbent assays, and western blots analysis. The antibacterial activity of US extract against vaginitis infection microorganisms were determined with disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration assays. The ovoprotective effect of US extract on 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD)-induced ovotoxicity in CHO-K1 cells were evaluated with a cell viability assay. Result : US extract showed good antioxidant capacity and inhibited LPS-induced NO production as well as iNOS and COX-2 expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 without affecting the cell viability. It showed significant clear zones for Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans but did not indicate the clear zones for Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecium. VCD-induced ovotoxicity in CHO-K1 cells was significantly reduced by US extract pre-treatment. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that US extract has antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects on the LPS-stimulated macrophages, antibacterial activity against vaginitis infection microorganisms, and protective effects on the ovarian cells against VCD-induced ovotoxicity. These findings suggest that the US extract can be used as new prescriptions, supplements, functional foods, and cosmetics for improving female reproductive function.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
• /
• 제35권4호
• /
• pp.105-120
• /
• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of Korean Medicine (KM) doctors toward infertility treatment evaluation tools and develop a standard evaluation tool for mental and physical function improvement following Korean medicine treatment. Methods: An online survey (Moaform) was conducted, and responses were analyzed for members of the Society of Korean Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology and KM doctors who participated in the 2021-2022 traditional Korean medicine treatment infertility support program in Gyeonggi-do. Results: In fertility treatment, the most effective indicators that KM doctors wanted to evaluate other than pregnancy and childbirth were reproductive health indicators, overall health improvement, and stress improvement (33.1%, 21.2%, 18.9%). Furthermore, 45.1% of the respondents had experience using the presented infertility stress evaluation tools. For each evaluation tool, 52.1% and 54.6% of the respondents answered that it 'does not reflect the changing circumstances of the times' and that there were 'too many questions'. As for the developing a standard evaluation tool for infertility treatment in KM, KM doctors expected a simple and clear tool focusing on the pregnancy rate. They also wanted the tool to include a reproductive health index, overall function improvement and stress improvements. Conclusions: The survey confirmed the need to evaluate indicators for reproductive health, mental health, and infertility stress in addition to pregnancy rate to assess the effectiveness of KM infertility treatment. It also confirms the necessity of developing an infertility stress evaluation tool with simplified questions that reflects the changing time.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
• /
• 제26권4호
• /
• pp.135-144
• /
• 2022

As the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations increases, various side effects are being reported, and menstrual abnormalities have been reported as a side effect in women. However, it is still unclear whether the COVID-19 vaccine has detrimental effects on the female reproductive system. Therefore, we investigated the effect of excessive immune response on reproductive function by administering Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) instead of the COVID-19 vaccine. The immune response in mice was induced by injection of LPS. Mice injected with saline 5 times were used as a control group, and mice injected with LPS 5 times were used as an experimental group. Repeated administration of LPS significantly reduced the number of corpus luteum (CL). On the other hand, the injection of LPS did not affect the development of follicles leading before the CL. The expression of the apoptosis-related genes Fas and Fas-L increased in the experimental group. In addition, the expression of the inflammation-related genes increased in the experimental group. In this study, we confirmed that LPS had detrimental effects on the uterus and ovaries in mice. These results suggest that injection of LPS can cause immune reactions within the uterus and ovaries and cause hormonal changes, which can have adverse effects such as abnormal operation or bleeding of the menstrual cycle. These results are expected to help determine the cause of decreased reproductive function, infertility, or physiological disorders caused by the COVID-19 vaccine.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• 제13권2호
• /
• pp.205-212
• /
• 2009

Known as a female hormone, estrogen, performs important functions, and the activities of the hormone are mediated via the estrogen receptor. The principal objective of the present study was to assess the effects of a estrogen receptor agonist in male reproductive organs. In this study, the estrogen receptor alpha agonist, PPT, was injected subcutaneously into adult male mice. The effects of PPT on the murine reproductive system were histologically assessed at 3,5, and 8 weeks after treatment. In the treatment group, reductions were observed in the weight of the body, testis and epididymis. Microscopic examination revealed a reduction in seminiferous tubular diameter in the testis, and epithelial cell height in the epididymis during the experiment. 8 weeks after treatment, spermatogenesis was not detected, nor was the lumen of the seminiferous tubules. In the fertility test, 1 week after PPT injection, the fertilizing ability of males was decreased, and on the 2nd and 3rd weeks, complete infertility was observed. In conclusion, the injection of high concentrations of PPT into adult males induced physiological changes, including infertility, and also induced morphological changes, including a reduction in the height of epithelial cells within the reproductive system.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제46권2호
• /
• pp.50-59
• /
• 2019

Anti-$M{\ddot{u}}llerian$ hormone (AMH), a peptide growth factor of the transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ family, is a reliable marker of ovarian reserve. Regarding assisted reproductive technology, AMH has been efficiently used as a marker to predict ovarian response to stimulation. The clinical use of AMH has recently been extended and emphasized. The uses of AMH as a predictive marker of menopause onset, diagnostic tool for polycystic ovary syndrome, and assessment of ovarian function before and after gynecologic surgeries or gonadotoxic agents such as chemotherapy have been investigated. Serum AMH levels can also be affected by environmental and genetic factors; thus, the effects of factors that may alter AMH test results should be considered. This review summarizes the findings of recent studies focusing on the clinical application of AMH and factors that influence the AMH level and opinions on the use of the AMH level to assess the probability of conception before reproductive life planning as a "fertility test."

• 한국가축번식학회지
• /
• 제27권2호
• /
• pp.135-142
• /
• 2003

본 실험은 한우 종빈우의 임신말기에 Se과 Vit. E 투여가 종빈우의 번식기능에 미치는 요인과 종빈우에서 태어난 송아지의 발육능력을 조사하였다. 1 분만 1개월전 Se과 Vit. E을 투여한 구에서 송아지의 발육성적을 조사한 결과, 생시체중은 각각 23.33, 24.00, 24.00, 24.50, 24.00 및 25.60kg으로서 처리구가 대조구보다 다소 높은 성적을 나타냈다. 또한 이유시 체중과 일당증체량도 투여구가 대조구보다 다소 높은 성적을 나타냈으며, 이유시 일령은 투여구가 대조구보다 이유시 일령이 다소 적었으나 처리구간 유의적인 차이는 없었다(P>0.05). 2. 종빈우의 번식능력을 조사한 결과, 분만 후 초발정과 인공수정 휫수는 투여구가 대조구보다 초발정이 빨리 도래하였고, 수태당 인공수정 휫수도 적었으나 처리구간 유의적인 차이는 없었다(P>0.05). 3. Se과 Vit. E를 분만 2개월전에 4회 투여한 한우 종빈우에서 태어난 송아지의 생시체중, 이유시 체중 및 일당증체량은 투여구가 대조구보다 높은 성적을 나타냈으며, 이유시 일령은 투여구가 대조구보다 이유시 일령이 짧았으나 처리구간 유의적인 차이는 없었다(P>0.05). 4. 한우 종빈우의 번식능력을 조사한 결과, 분만 후 초발정은 유의적인 차이는 없었으며(P> 0.05), 수태 당 인공수정 횟수는 각각 2.00, 1.63, 1.25, 1.50, 1.33 및 1.46회로서 투여구가 대조구보다 인공수정 횟수가 적었으나 처리구간 커다란 차이가 없었다(P>0.05).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제49권1호
• /
• pp.9-15
• /
• 2022

The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE2) appears to be widely expressed in cells in the testes, predominantly in spermatogonia, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells, and its co-expression with transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) is essential for the entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). For this reason, the male reproductive system could be considered a potential target for SARS-CoV-2, as well as a possible reservoir of infection. However, to date, there is very little evidence about the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen and testicular samples. The aim of this paper was to review the current evidence regarding the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on male fertility and sexual health, with a particular focus on reproductive hormones, the presence of the virus in seminal fluid and testis, and its impact on fertility parameters. We found very limited evidence reporting the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen and testicular samples, and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on reproductive hormones and fertility parameters is unclear. The quality of the examined studies was poor due to the small sample size and several selection biases, precluding definitive conclusions. Hence, future well-designed prospective studies are needed to assess the real impact of SARS-CoV-2 on male reproductive function.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
• /
• 제24권3호
• /
• pp.189-197
• /
• 2009

Two-pore domain 칼륨($K_{2P}$) 통로는 흥분세포 및 비흥분세포의 안정막 전압을 일정하게 유지하는데 관여한다. 그러나 생식세포 및 생식기관에서 발현되는 $K_{2P}$ 통로의 분포영역 및 그 기능에 대해서는 연구자들에 의해 아직 정리되지 못하였다. 본 종설에서는 $K_{2P}$ 통로의 생식세포 및 생식기관에서 발현, 분포 및 생리학적 의의를 논하였다. $K_{2P}$ 통로는 인간 영양막세포, 자궁근층, 태반혈관계, 자궁평활근조직, 태반융모조직 및 임신자궁조직에서 발현되어 임신에 있어서 관련성을 제시되었다. 또한, $K_{2P}$ 통로는 마우스 전핵배, 원숭이 정자 및 한우의 난소, 정소, 난자, 정자 및 수정란에서 발현 변화를 보였다. 특히, $K_{2P}$ 통로는 체외배양 시 변화되는 온도, 산소분압과 같은 배양조건에 의해 조절되는 특징을 보임으로써 수정 및 배 발달에 영향을 줄 수 있는 인자로 제시되었다. 그리고 $K_{2P}$ 통로는 과산화수소에 의해 유도된 마우스 전핵배의 세포 사멸에 있어서 칼륨 이온의 유출에 관여함이 확인되었다. $K_{2P}$ 통로의 생식세포 및 생식기관 내 발현 형태와 생리학적 특징은 생식생리학에 있어서 이온 통로 관련 기능들을 이해하는데 도움이 될 것이다.