• Title/Summary/Keyword: reproductive medicine

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Effects of Cumulus Cells and Follicular Fluid on Plasminogen Activator Activity during In Vitro Maturation of Porcine Oocytes

  • Ann Ji-Young;Sa Soo-Jin;Cao Yang;Lee Sang-Young;Cheon Hee-Tae;Yang Boo-Keun;Park Choon-Keun
    • Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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    • v.30 no.2
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    • pp.135-141
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    • 2006
  • The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of cumulus cells and porcine follicular fluid (pFF) on plasminogen activator (PA) activity and oocytes maturation in vitro in the pig. The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and denuded oocytes (DOs) were incubated in NCSU-23 medium with or without 10% pFF for 0, 24, or 48 hr. In the presence of cumulus cells, the proportions of oocytes matured to metaphase-II stage were significantly (P<0.05) higher in medium with pFF than without pFF (69.8 vs. 37.7%, respectively). When COCs and DOs were cultured in the presence of pFF, tissue-type PA (tPA), urokinase-type PA (uPA), and tPA-PA inhibitor (tPA-PAI) were observed in COCs, and PA activities were higher at 48 hr than 24 hr. When COCs and DOs were cultured in the absence of pFF, tPA and tPA-PAI were observed in COCs, and PA activities were increased as duration of culture increased. No PA activities were detected in DOs regardless of pFF supplementation. When porcine oocytes were cultured in the presence of pFF for 24 and 48 hrs, the activities of tPA-PAI, tPA, and uPA were observed in both COCs and DOs. In medium of absence of pFF, PA activities were observed in oocytes with cumulus cells only. On the other hand, three plasminogen-dependent lytic bands (tPA-PAI, tPA, and uPA) were observed in pFF cultures. Particularly uPA activity was higher than the other kinds of PA activity. When oocytes and cumulus cells were separated from porcine COCs at 0 hr of culture, tPA-PAI, tPA, and uPA were detected in cumulus cells at 48 hr of culture, but no PA activities were in DOs. The presence of pFF and cumulus cells in maturation medium stimulated not only nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation in porcine COCs, but also PA production by cumulus cells and COCs. It is possible that PAs produced by cumulus cells migrated through the gap junction between oocyte and cumulus cells. These results suggest that porcine oocytes have no ability to produce PA themselves.

Effect of Bacteria Eliminated Sperm by Percoll Method on Sperm Quality and Embryo Cleavage in Miniature Pig (Percoll에 의한 미니돼지 정액내 세균 제거가 정자 성상과 수정란 분할에 미치는 영향)

  • Yoo, Han-Jun;Jeon, Jun-Myeong;Lee, Yong-Seung;Cheong, Hee-Tae;Yang, Boo-Keun;Kim, Dae-Young;Park, Choon-Keun
    • Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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    • v.33 no.1
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    • pp.35-40
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    • 2009
  • The objectives of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the bacteria eliminated sperm by percoll gradient method on sperm quality and embryo cleavage in vitro in pig. The semen of miniature pig collected by gloved-hand method pre-warmed ($37^{\circ}C$) in thermos bottle, and separated by 65% percoll. Analysis of sperm ability was estimated by examining viability, capacitation and acrosome reaction using chlortetracycline (CTC) and the abnormality. Also, fertility of sperm was monitored with cleavage rate of embryo after IVF using separated and un-separated sperm by percoll. The result, viability of separated sperm was significantly(p<0.05) higher($83.6{\pm}$2.0 vs $59.0{\pm}4.4%$) than un-separated sperm. The results of CTC analysis showed the percentage of F- and B-patterned separated sperm was higher in separated that than un-separated sperm. On the contrary, the percentage of AR-patterned form unseparaed sperm was significantly(p<0.05) higher($13.6{\pm}0.8$ vs $8.1{\pm}0.6%$) than separated sperm. Also, abnormality of un-separated sperm was significantly(p<0.05) higher($2.2{\pm}0.4$ vs $16.8{\pm}2.8%$) than separated sperm. However, the cleavage rates of embryo using separated sperm by percoll and un-separated sperm had not significantly difference on 2 cell stage(9.25 vs 11.88%), 4 cell stage(26.76 vs 24.51%) and >4 cell stage(63.99 vs 63.61%) at 48h of IVF. Therefore, the sperm separated by percoll method showed improvement in sperm quality than un-separated sperm in miniature pig.

Self-Disclosure of Breast Cancer Diagnosis by Iranian Women to Friends and Colleagues

  • Najmabadi, Khadijeh Mirzaii;Azarkish, Fatemeh;Latifnejadroudsari, Robab;Shandiz, Fatemeh Homaei;Aledavood, Seyed Amir;Kermani, Ali Taghizadeh;Esmaily, Habib Ollah
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.6
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    • pp.2879-2882
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    • 2014
  • Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common form of cancer in Iranian women, and it remains a major health problem. An increasing number of young women are being diagnosed with BC, and therefore, there is an increasing likelihood that more women will survive breast cancer for many years. Many opine that self-disclosure of BC diagnosis is important because talking about cancer helps people to make sense of their experiences; in fact, self-disclosure appears to play an important role in many health outcomes. However, this has not yet been studied in BC patients in Iran. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the status of self-disclosure of BC diagnosis by Iranian women to friends and colleagues. Materials and Methods: All BC records for 2001-2011 of employed women were studied at five hospitals in Mashhad. Data about the self-disclosure of BC diagnosis were gathered through telephone interviews, and the participants filled out a questionnaire about their status of self-disclosure of BC diagnosis to various groups of people. Results: The mean age of employed women at the time of diagnosis was $44.3{\pm}6.7$ years. Over 60% self-disclosed to work colleagues and over 90% to bosses/managers. Seventy per cent reported that they had support from their family and husband's family, while 95% reported that they had support from parents, siblings, children and friends. Conclusions: Most employed women self-disclosed freely to family, friends, colleagues and bosses/managers. Apparently, self-disclosure of breast cancer diagnosis may have negative effects at work. About half of patients reported that they had support from family, managers and colleagues; however, for nearly 28% of employed women, disclosure had less positive effects. In particular, it altered their perception of others, produced difficulties with work and family and diminished closeness with the people who were told. However, the stigma of BC is far less than it once was.

Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy is Associated with in Situ Breast Cancer Risk

  • Ni, Xiao-Jian;Xia, Tian-Song;Zhao, Ying-Chun;Ma, Jing-Jing;Zhao, Jie;Liu, Xiao-An;Ding, Qiang;Zha, Xiao-Ming;Wang, Shui
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.13 no.8
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    • pp.3917-3925
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    • 2012
  • Background: The relationship between postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) and invasive breast cancer has been extensively investigated, but that with breast carcinoma in situ (BCIS) has received relatively little attention. The aim of our present study was to review and summarize the evidence provided by longitudinal studies on the association between postmenopausal HT use and BCIS risk. Methods: A comprehensive literature search for articles published up to May 2012 was performed. Prior to performing a meta-analysis, the studies were evaluated for publication bias and heterogeneity. Relative risk (RR) or odds ratio (OR) values were calculated using 14 reports (8 case-control studies and 6 cohort studies), published between 1986 and 2012. Results: There was evidence of an association between ever postmenopausal estrogen use and BCIS based on a random-effects model (RR = 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01, 1.55). However, we found no strong evidence of an association between ever postmenopausal estrogen combined with progesterone use and BCIS using a randomeffects model (RR = 1.55, 95% CI = 0.95, 2.51). Furthermore, our analysis showed a strong association between "> 5 years duration" of estrogen or estrogen combined with progesterone use and BCIS. Furthermore, current use of any HT is associated with increased risk of BCIS in cohort studies. Additional well-designed large studies are now required to validate this association in different populations.

A study on the hematological values of the infertile dairy cattle raised in the high-land (고지사육(高地飼育) 번식장해(繁殖障害) 유우(乳牛)의 혈액학치(血液學値)의 관(關)한 연구(硏究))

  • Yoo, Kyu-yon;Goh, Gwang-du;Park, Choon-keun;Kim, Hyun-ki
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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    • v.28 no.2
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    • pp.279-284
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    • 1988
  • Observations were made on the blood picture of 50 multiparous and 98 infertile cows. The results obtained in this study were summarized as follows. 1. Mean values of RBC, Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC and platelets for normal multiparous cows were $6.87{\pm}0.84{\times}10^6/mm^3$, $10.3{\pm}1.3g/100ml$, $31.4{\pm}3.7ml/100ml$, $46.1{\pm}6.9{\mu}^3$, $15.3{\pm}2.6pg$, $34{\pm}2.7%$, and $372.7{\pm}304.7{\times}10^3/mm^3$ respectively. 2. Mean values of RBC, Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC and platelets for infertile cows were $7.00{\pm}0.98{\times}10^6/mm^3$, $10.6{\pm}1.2g/100ml$, $32.1{\pm}3.6ml/100ml$, $45.8{\pm}6.7{\mu}^3$, $15.3{\pm}1.8pg$, $33.9{\pm}3.3%$, and $382.7{\pm}157.5{\times}10^3/mm^3$, respectively. 3. Mean values of WBC count for normal multiparous and infertile cows were $7.92{\pm}1.72$ and $9.04{\pm}2.87{\times}10^3/mm^3$ respectively. 4. In the differential leukocytes count, mean values of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils for normal multiparous cows were $29.7{\pm}7.9%$, $56.8{\pm}7.6%$, $2.9{\pm}1.9%$, $9.9{\pm}5.3%$ and $0.3{\pm}0.7%$, respectively, and mean values of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils for infertile cows were $31.9{\pm}7.8%$, $57.5{\pm}7.9%$, $2.6{\pm}1.9%$, $7.5{\pm}4.8%$, and $0.4{\pm}0.2%$, respectively.

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Feeding Effect of an Anabolic Steroid, Nandrolone, on the Male Rat Testis

  • Lee, Dong-Mok;Min, Tae-Sun;Choi, In-Ho;Cheon, Yong-Pil;Chun, Tae-Hoon;Park, Chang-Sik;Lee, Ki-Ho
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.23 no.12
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    • pp.1566-1577
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    • 2010
  • Nandrolone, 19-nortestosterone, is a synthetic androgenic-anabolic steroid promoting muscle growth. Nandrolone is also present in pig meat and sera at non-negligible levels. A number of scientific reports have suggested a positive relationship between incidence of infertility and increased meat consumption in humans. The present study was designed to determine out the effect of feeding nandrolone on the testis of the male reproductive tract. Mixtures of food and nandrolone at different concentrations (0.005 ppm and 0.5 ppm) were supplied to pubertal male rats for 6 weeks. Body weight was recorded every week during the entire experimental period. At the end of the treatment, the testis, epididymis, and epididymal fat were collected and weighted. Sperm numbers in the caudal epididymis were counted. Differential gene or protein expression of steroidogenic enzymes in the testes among experimental groups was determined by semi-quantitative real-time PCR or western blotting analysis, respectively. Histological changes of the testis induced by nandrolone treatment were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Immunohistochemical analysis was employed to detect changes in the localization of steroidogenic enzymes in the testes among experimental animals. There were no significant changes on body, testis, epididymis, and epididymal fat weights among experimental groups. A significant increase of caudal sperm number was found in the 0.5 ppm nandrolone-treated group. Histological examination of the testes noted a high frequency of germ cell sloughing in seminiferous tubules of 0.5 ppm nandrolone-treated rats. Even though transcript levels of $3{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) I, $17{\beta}$-HSD4, and $17{\alpha}$-hydroxylase were influenced by nandrolone treatments, protein levels of all molecules examined in the present study were not significantly affected. Immunohistochemical analysis showed no visible changes in the localization of steroidogenic enzymes in the testes among experimental groups. The current study showed that oral intake of nandrolone in male rats for 6 weeks did not cause significant damage to the testis. It is considered that a feeding effect of nandrolone on male fertility would not be remarkable.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Cervical Cancer among Rural Community Women in Northeast Thailand

  • Mongsawaeng, Cholticha;Kokorn, Nawaporn;Kujapun, Jirawoot;Norkaew, Jun;Kootanavanichpong, Nusorn;Chavenkun, Wasugree;Ponphimai, Sukanya;Kaewpitoon, Soraya J;Tongtawee, Taweesak;Padchasuwan, Natnapa;Pengsaa, Prasit;Kompor, Pontip;Kaewpitoon, Natthawut
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.17 no.1
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    • pp.85-88
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    • 2016
  • Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy among women worldwide, and women of reproductive age in Thailand. However, information on the behavior regarding cervical cancer in rural community Thailand is sparse. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding cervical cancer (CC) among rural community women in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, using predesigned structured questionnaires. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 8 villages of Non Sung district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, during January to April 2015. Bloom's taxonomy was used as a framework for the study. 265 women aged between 30-60 years old were selected by simple random sampling. All participants completed predesigned questionnaires with 4 parts: demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding cervical cancer. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis in this study. Results: The majority of participants were in the age group of 41-50 years old (42.6%) with senior secondary school level of education (32.1%), marriage status (85.0%), agricultural employment (59.6%), and family income between 6,000-10,000 baht per month (54.3%). Some 63.4% and 68.7% participants had high knowledge and moderate level of attitudes regarding CC, while 41.1%, 48.7%, and 10.2% had neem regularly, irregularly or never screened for CC, respectively. The main reasons for not screening were were shyness (44.4%) and no time (55.6%). Vaginal discharge and itching were the common signs and symptoms of participants who were screened at a health promotion hospital of sub-district. Conclusions: CC is still a health problem in the rural community. Therefore, health education is required, particularly for those who have never undergone screening.

Mapping HPV Vaccination and Cervical Cancer Screening Practice in the Pacific Region-Strengthening National and Regional Cervical Cancer Prevention

  • Obel, J;McKenzie, J;Buenconsejo-Lum, LE;Durand, AM;Ekeroma, A;Souares, Y;Hoy, D;Baravilala, W;Garland, SM;Kjaer, SK;Roth, A
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.8
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    • pp.3435-3442
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    • 2015
  • Objective : To provide background information for strengthening cervical cancer prevention in the Pacific by mapping current human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and cervical cancer screening practices, as well as intent and barriers to the introduction and maintenance of national HPV vaccination programmes in the region. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey among ministry of health officials from 21 Pacific Island countries and territories (n=21). Results: Cervical cancer prevention was rated as highly important, but implementation of prevention programs were insufficient, with only two of 21 countries and territories having achieved coverage of cervical cancer screening above 40%. Ten of 21 countries and territories had included HPV vaccination in their immunization schedule, but only two countries reported coverage of HPV vaccination above 60% among the targeted population. Key barriers to the introduction and continuation of HPV vaccination were reported to be: (i) Lack of sustainable financing for HPV vaccine programs; (ii) Lack of visible government endorsement; (iii) Critical public perception of the value and safety of the HPV vaccine; and (iv) Lack of clear guidelines and policies for HPV vaccination. Conclusion: Current practices to prevent cervical cancer in the Pacific Region do not match the high burden of disease from cervical cancer. A regional approach, including reducing vaccine prices by bulk purchase of vaccine, technical support for implementation of prevention programs, operational research and advocacy could strengthen political momentum for cervical cancer prevention and avoid risking the lives of many women in the Pacific.

Histopathologic Observation of the Mediterranean Mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819) During a Spawning Season (산란기 지중해담치 Mytilus galloprovincialis의 조직병리학적 변화 관찰)

  • Jeung, Hee-Do;Lee, Jee-Yeon;Limpanont, Yanin;Park, Kyung-Il;Kang, Hyun-Sil;Kim, Chul-Won;Kim, Hyung-Seop;Choi, Kwang-Sik
    • Ocean and Polar Research
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    • v.36 no.2
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    • pp.121-134
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    • 2014
  • Sessile marine bivalves including mussels, oysters and clams are often used as a sentinel species in coastal environmental monitoring since changes in the environmental quality are often well preserved in their tissues and shells. In this study, we investigated overall health condition of the Mediterranean Mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis on the south coast using histology. Reproductive condition as gonad index (GI), condition index (CI) as a ratio of the tissue weight to the shell weight, digestive gland atrophy (DGA), types of parasites, and pathologic conditions including erosion, necrosis, hemocyte infiltration, and neoplasia were examined from each histological preparation. GI decreased from March to July then increased from July to September and spawning mussel could be observed as early as in April and the activity continued until September. CI also followed the monthly changes in GI, indicating that decrease in CI was associated with the weight loss due to spawning. DGA increased from March to June, decreased in July and increased from July to September. High DGA values observed in June and September were coincided with spawning and high water temperature. Histology also showed high prevalence of erosion in the digestive gland in June (36.0%) and September (56.4%), suggesting that high water temperature and spawning acted as environmental stressors. No parasitic organism was identified during the survey, although some symbiotic copepods were observed. Histology was found to be useful and affordable technique in monitoring the overall health of mussel, providing useful pathologic information of the cells and tissues.

Association of Polymorphism Harbored by Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Gene and Sex of Calf with Lactation Performance in Cattle

  • Yudin, N.S.;Aitnazarov, R.B.;Voevoda, M.I.;Gerlinskaya, L.A.;Moshkin, M.P.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.26 no.10
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    • pp.1379-1387
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    • 2013
  • In a majority of mammals, male infants have heavier body mass and grow faster than female infants. Accordingly, male offspring nursing requires a much greater maternal energy contribution to lactation. It is possible that the maternal-fetal immunoendocrine dialog plays an important role in female preparation for lactation during pregnancy. Immune system genes are an integral part of gene regulatory networks in lactation and tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF{\alpha}$) is a proinflammatory cytokine that also plays an important role in normal mammary gland development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the sex of calf and/or the -824A/G polymorphism in the promoter region of $TNF{\alpha}$ gene on milk performance traits in Black Pied cattle over the course of lactation. We also studied the allele frequency differences of -824A/G variants across several cattle breeds, which were bred in different climatic conditions. The G allele frequency decreased gradually over the course of lactation events in the Black Pied dairy cattle because of a higher culling rate of cows with the G/G genotype (p<0.001). In contrast to the genotypes A/A and A/G, cows with G/G genotype showed significant variability of milk and milk fat yield subject to sex of delivered calf. Milk yield and milk fat yield were significantly higher in the case of birth of a bull calf than with a heifer calf (p<0.03). The G allele frequency varies from 48% to 58% in Grey Ukrainian and Black Pied cattle to 77% in aboriginal Yakut cattle. Our results suggest that the $TNF{\alpha}$-824A/G gene polymorphism may have an influence on the reproductive efforts of cows over the course of lactation events depending on the sex of progeny. Allocation of resources according to sex of the calf allows optimizing the energy cost of lactation. This may be a probable reason for high G allele frequency in Yakut cattle breeding in extreme environmental conditions. Similarly, the dramatic fall in milk production after birth of a heifer calf increases the probability of culling for the cows with the G/G genotype in animal husbandry.