• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.393-403
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• 2000

Objective: To investigate the effects of ROS on kinematic parameters in human spermatozoa. To verify the changes in above parameters, human spermatozoa were incubated with xanthine-xanthine oxidase (X-XO), $H_2O_2$, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) or lymphocyte. Otherwise, spemlatozoa were incubated under low $O_2 (5%) condition. Methods: CASA was employed to analyze sperm motion parameters. Results: Under $H_2O_2 treatment, all kinematic parameters of spermatozoa were dramatically increased during 30 min, but gradually decreased thereafter. Under the low concentration of $H_2O_2 (125 ${\mu}M$ and 250 ${\mu}M$), the movement velocity (VAP, VCL, VSL) decreased, but forward movement increased. Under the 1mM $H_2O_2, sperm showed reduced kinematic parameters except during first 30 min of incubation. In the cases of X-XO and SNP treatment, the movement velocity increased but the forward movement reduced. After incubation for 3 hr treatment, the kinematic parameters gradually decreased in high concentration of X-XO. However these parameters maintained or increased in low concentration of X-XO. There was no obvious changes in the above parameters in the high concentration of SNP. In the presence of high concentration of lymphocytes, all parameters decreased. Under the 5% $O_2 condition, the parameters of the movement velocity and movement pattern increased, but forward movement decreased. Taken togethers, it suggested that ROS increased the movement velocity but decreased the forward movement and lateral head replacement. $H_2O_2, X-XO, SNP and lymphocyte treatment significantly increased capacitated spermatozoa within I h of incubation. There was no significant difference in capacitation between low- and high $O_2 group. Conclusion: The early onset of capacitation in the presence of ROS suggest that ROS might be a positive regulator of sperm capacitation and hyperactivation. These results demonstrate that low concentration ROS facilitates the movement velocity but high concentration ROS was inhibitory.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.63-72
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• 2017

Objective: Hyperstimulation methods are broadly used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) in patients with infertility; however, the side effects associated with these therapies, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), have not been well studied. N-glycoproteomes are subproteomes used for the remote sensing of ovarian stimulation in follicular growth. Glycoproteomic variation in human follicular fluid (hFF) has not been evaluated. In this study, we aimed to identify and quantify the glycoproteomes and N-glycoproteins (N-GPs) in natural and stimulated hFF using label-free nano-liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-quad time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Methods: For profiling of the total proteome and glycoproteome, pooled protein samples from natural and stimulated hFF samples were selectively isolated using hydrazide chemistry to obtain the total proteomes and glycoproteomes. N-GPs were validated by the consensus sequence N-X-S/T (92.2% specificity for the N-glycomotif at p<0.05). All data were compared between natural versus hyperstimulated hFF samples. Results: We detected 41 and 44 N-GPs in the natural and stimulated hFF samples, respectively. Importantly, we identified 11 N-GPs with greater than two-fold upregulation in stimulated hFF samples compared to natural hFF samples. We also validated the novel N-GPs thyroxine-binding globulin, vitamin D-binding protein, and complement proteins C3 and C9. Conclusion: We identified and classified N-GPs in hFF to improve our understanding of follicular physiology in patients requiring assisted reproduction. Our results provided important insights into the prevention of hyperstimulation side effects, such as OHSS.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2002

Objective : The purpose of the current series of experiments were to assess the effect of GM-CSF, as a medium supplement, on the development of mouse embryos and the expression of LIF and IL-1? mRNA. Materials and Methods: Mouse 2-cell embryos were collected from the oviducts of 6 weeks old ICR mice at 48 hours after hCG injection. Embryos were cultured in P-1 medium supplemented with mouse GM-CSF (0, 1, 5, 10 ng/ml). The embryo development to blastocysts and hatching blastocysts was assessed and the cell number in blastocyst was also examined. Using RT-PCR, the expressions of LIF and IL-1? mRNA in blastocyst were evaluated in the GM-CSF supplemented group and control group. Results: In mouse, the addition of GM-CSF increased the percentage of blastocysts (65.5%, 68.6%, 73.0% and 76.1% for control and 1, 5 and 10 ng/ml, respectively), and increased the proportion of hatching blastocysts (35.2%, 36.4%, 43.2% and 53.0% for control and 1, 5 and 10 ng/ml, respectively). The mean cell numbers in blastocyst were significantly increased in GM-CSF supplemented groups compared to control group. LIF and IL-1? expression in blastocyst were significantly higher in GM-CSF supplemented group than in control group. Conclusion: The results of experiment by mouse embryos showed beneficial effects of GM-CSF as a medium supplement. Furthermore, the addition of GM-CSF significantly increased the expression of LIF and IL-1? in mouse embryos. These results suggest that GM-CSF might be a important molecule in embryo implantation.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2017

In all mammalian species, progesterone is essential to both the preparation for, and maintenance of, pregnancy. The $20{\alpha}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase ($20{\alpha}$-HSD) enzyme predominantly converts progesterone into its biologically inactive form $20{\alpha}$-hydroxyprogesterone, thereby regulating its activity. Thus, to directly assess sexual maturation in the MediKinetics $micropig^{(R)}$, we analyzed the concentration of the steroid hormones progesterone and estradiol during the estrous cycle. Our results show that the progesterone level exhibited by the analyzed $micorpig^{(R)}$ was low at the beginning of the estrous cycle, and then abruptly increased to $30.32{\pm}10.0ng/mL$ and $46.37{\pm}11.0ng/mL$ by days 9 and 11 of the cycle, respectively. It reached the highest level $55.87{\pm}3.5ng/mL$ on day 13 of the estrous cycle, before decreasing to $46.58{\pm}13.1ng/mL$ and $10.0{\pm}7.6ng/mL$ by days 15 and 17 of the cycle, respectively. In contrast, the estradiol level was shown to be highest ($27.13{\pm}11.2ng/mL$) at the initiation of the estrous cycle, after which point it decreased to $13.29{\pm}6.5ng/mL$ and $10.94{\pm}5.9ng/mL$ by days 4 and 5 of the estrous cycle, respectively. By day 17 of the estrous cycle, the estradiol level decreased to $4.13{\pm}7.6ng/mL$. We anticipate that these results will provide useful information to enable the study of human ovulation and reproductive physiology using the MediKinetics $micoripig^{(R)}$ as a model system. We recommend further investigation to elucidate the functional mechanisms underlying the regulation of sexual maturation in the MediKinetics $micropig^{(R)}$.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.181-186
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• 2007

Inhibitor of DNA binding protein or inhibitor of differentiation(Id) is largely considered as positive and/or negative regulators of proliferation, differentiation, angiogeneisis, and apoptosis. The four Id genes(Id1, Id2, Id3, and Id4) were known in mammals. However, little is known about the expression and function of these genes in reproductive physiology. Among them, this study was conducted to analyze the expression pattern of Id3 mRNA on folliculogenesis in rat ovary. After PMSG administration, the ovaries were obtained at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48hrs, fixed, dehydrated, and paraffin embedded. For in situ hybridization, anti-sense and sense Id3 cRNA probes were prepared and applied to the ovarian section. The ovarian sections were coated with NTB-2 emulsion. After that, the slides were developed and counterstained with hematoxylin and eosin staining. The hybridization signal was estimated on a scale of 1+ to 4+. In oocyte, the intensity of Id3 mRNA in primordial and primary follicles was scored at ${\geq}2+$, but the intensity was less than 1+ in secondary, dominant, and preovulatory follicles. In granulosa cells, the Id3 mRNA was strongly expressed(3+ or 4+) in dominant and preovulatory follicles. Taken together, Id3 mRNA was expressed specifically at follicle stages and follicular tissue and might be closely related with follicle development.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.441-457
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is to provide fundamental information for the development of new sex education image media through the analysis of those tools produced by Planned Parenthood Federation of Korea. Twenty three video tapes related to the sex education were analysed. The data were sampled on the basis of the sex education instructions for primary and secondary schools published by the Seoul Office of Education in 1996 and the list of sex education information composed by the Planned Parenthood Federation of Korea with the following requirements. 1) The education materials are oriented to the middle and high school students as well a juveniles and are being used in public health centers and schools. 2) The education materials are not confined to the single subject such as AIDS or contraception. Because this study is focused on the analysis of image media, an analysis method widely and effectively used in public media study was chosen. The frequency analysis and percentage treatment were done by an SAS program. The results of the study are as follows : 1. An analysis of the material structure type showed that the frequency of the following subjects in 15 video tapes, composed as drama and cartoon, had this decreasing orde : sex behavior, sex relation ships, sex health, human development, personal technique, and society and culture. 2. The eight tapes of explanation and counseling showed a different sequence from that of the drama and cartoon material, primarily treating human development with 5419 seconds (47.9%) of type. The following were also considered in decreasing order: at 2000seconds (17.6%) sex behavior, at 1366 seconds (12.1%) sex health, at 1240 seconds (11.0%) society and culture, at 667 seconds (6.0%) relation ships, and at 611 seconds (5.4%) personal technique. 3. In a thematic analysis those education materials dealing with human development show this frequency sequence: anatomic physiology, reproduction, and adolescence. In relation, ships the sequence is dates, love, marriage and vows, and family. For personal technique, it is expressed as asking for help, and an empnasis on moral values. For sex behavior, they focus on abstinence, the co-responsibility of sex behavior, the sexual response of the human, and sexual nightmares. For the sex health area, the focus is contraception with abortion and reproductive health following that. In society and culture diversity is considered. 4. An analysis of the differences in production and content between 1980s and 1990s was also done. For materials produced in the 1980s the frequency of the subjects follows this order: sex behavior, human development, relation ships, sex health, personal technique, and society and culture with sub subjects such as abstinence, dating, adolescence, anatomic physiology, reproduction, calls for help, and the sexual response of a human being. For materials produced in the 1990s, highest frequency was sex behavior, the same as the 1980s. The rest of the material follows this decreasing order: relationships, human development, sex health, society and culture, and personal technique with sub subjects such as dating, co-resposibility in sex behavior, abstinence, and love frequently considered.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.31-31
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• 2003

The incidence of reproductive abnormalities in the male has been reported to have increased during the past 50 years. These changes may be attributable to the presence of chemical with oestrogenic activity in our environment. Present study was carried out to determine the effects of maternal exposure to xenoestrogens on the testicular development and on the transcriptional expression of the steroidogenic enzyme and subunits of inhibin/activin in testis of male offspring. Pregnant female mice were administrated with 4-tert-octylphenol (OP; 2, 20, 200mg/kg), Bisphenol A (BPA; 2, 20, 200$\mu\textrm{g}$/kg), $\beta$-estradiol 17-valerate (EV; 2$\mu\textrm{g}$/kg) or vehicle (CV; corn oil) during gestational days 11 to 17. Offsprings were sacrificed on gestational day 18 (fetal 18) and neonatal day 7. Body weights were significantly increased in groups treated with all doses of OP and BPA. Maximum seminiferous tubules diameter on gestational day 18 were not changed in any treatment group, however, they were significantly increased on the neonatal day 7 in the group treated with low-dose of OP (2 mg/kg) and BPA (2 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg). Increased expression of the P450$_{17a}$-hydroxylase dehydrogenase (P450$_{17a}$), 3$\beta$-hydroxylase dehydrogenase (3$\beta$-HSD), and 17$\beta$-hydroxylase dehydrogenase (17$\beta$-HSD) on gestational day 18 were observed in the groups treated with 2 or 20 mg/kg of OP. However, expression of the steroidogenic enzymes were not changed in the groups treated with all the doses of BPA. In contrast with the results from fetal testis, no expressional changes of these enzymes was found in all the OP-treated group and increased expression of inhibin/activin $\beta$B subunit mRNA were obseued in the 200 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg BPA-treated group in the neonatal day 7. These results suggest that gestational exposure to low level of xenoestrogen causes a stimulatory effects on the transcriptional expressions of steroidogenic enzymes and subunits of inhibin/activin and on the seminiferous tubule development by their estrogen-like actions.ons.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.367-381
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• 2003

Dispersal polymorphism in insects Is a kind of adaptive strategy of the life history together with the diapause, consisting of the “long-winged or alate forms” of migratory phase and the “short-winged or apterous forms” of stationary phase. Dispersal polymorphism is a polymorphism related with the flight capability, and has three categories ; the wing polymorphisms, flight muscle polymorphisms, and flight behavior variations. Phase variation is another type of dispersal polymorphism varying in morphology, physiology and wing forms in response to the density of the population. The dispersal migration is a very adaptive trait that enables a species to keep pace with the changing mosaic of its habitat, but requires some costs. In general, wing reduction has a positive effect on the reproductive potential such as earlier reproduction and larger fecundity The dispersal polymorphism is a kind of optimization in the evolutionary strategies of the life history in insects; a trade-off between the advantages and disadvantages of migration. Wing polymorphism is a phenotypically plastic trait. Wing form changes with the environmental conditions even though the species is the same. Various environmental factors have an effect on the dispersal polymorphisms. Density dependent dispersal polymorphism plays an important role In population dynamics, but it is not a simple function of the density; the individuals of a population may be different in response to the density resulting different outcomes in the population biology, and the detailed information on the genotypic variation of the individuals in the population is the fundamental importance in the prediction of the population performances in a given environment. In conclusion, the studies on the dispersal polymorphisms are a complicated field in relation with both physiology and ecology, and studies on the ecological and quantitative genetics have indeed contributed to understanding of its important nature. But the final factors of evolution; the mechanisms of natural selections, might be revealed through the studies on the population biology.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.247-253
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• 2006

Our previous research has identified granulin (grn) and p130 genes as sex steroid-inducible genes in the rat hypothalamus, which might be involved in sexual differentiation of the brain. Phthalate esters that are used as plasticizers and also found at low levels in foods such as dairy products are often mentioned as suspected endocrine disrupters. The purpose of the present study is to elucidate whether perinatal exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and di-2-ethylhexyl adipate (DEHA) affects hypothalamic sex steroid-inducible genes. The present study assessed the effects of perinatal exposure to DBP, DINP and DEHA on sex steroid hormones levels and hypothalamic gm and p130 mRNA expressions at postnatal day (PND) 3 and 7. Pregnant rats were fed a soy-free diet containing 20, 200, 2,000 and 10,000 ppm of DBP, 40, 400, 4,000 and 20,000 ppm of DINP, or 480, 2,400 and 12,000 ppm of DEHA from gestational day (GD) 15 to GD 3 or 7. At PND 3 and 7, perinatal exposure to these chemicals did not substantially affect serum concentrations of testosterone and estradiol. At PND 3, the expression of grn mRNA levels in males was decreased by DEHA, and that of p130 was decreased by DBP, DINP and DEHA, though the effects were not dose-dependent. At PND 7, the expression of gm gene in female pups was increased by higher doses of DBP and all the doses, except for 4,000 ppm, of DINP, while that in male pups decreased by 480 and 12,000 ppm of DEHA. Hypothalamic expression of p130 mRNA in males was increased by lower doses of DBP and all the doses of DINP, whereas that of females was decreased by 480 and 2,400 ppm of DEHA. These results suggest that these chemicals may affect the expression of gm and p130 genes by directly acting on the hypothalamus, thus leading to inappropriate expression of these genes.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.241-253
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• 1999

Fertilization pattern of north temperate bats is known to be unique for their sperm storage in the female reproductive tract during hibernation (e.g. Korean greater horseshoe bats). They copulate in fall but their ejaculated spermatozoa survive until the next spring. In another words they can persist to survive during long hibernation under the cold condition $(8\sim13^{\circ}C)$ and are to be fertilized with the ovum ovulated in the next spring, so called delayed fertilization. The present study was designed to observe morphological and functional changes of spermatozoa plasma membrane of the bats, hamsters which are hibernators, and mice which are non-hibernators in the room and the cold (bat-hibernation) temperatures and to confirm influence of the temperature on spermatozoa; survival rate, acrosome reaction rate, protein distribution, $Na^+-K^+-ATPase$ activities and scanning electron microscopic histochemistry. Based on the experimental results obtained in the present study, there were no significant morphological and functional differences in the spermatozoa plasma membrane in both the room and cold (bat-hibernation) temperatures and such an absence of difference suggests that the spermatozoa plasma membrane might play a pertinent role as a protector for consistent fertilization during and after hibernation.