• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.257-260
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• 2015

Reproductive disorders in cows cause economic loss in livestock farms. Reproductive diseases, such as follicular cyst, luteal cyst, endometritis, pyometra, and repeat breeding cause infertility. Among these diseases, endometritis and pyometra are uterine infections that are leading causes of infertility. This study was performed to investigate the causative agents of uterine diseases using bacterial culture. Bacteria were obtained from the reproductive organs (vagina, uterine cervix, and uterine horn) of dairy cow diagnosed with endometritis or pyometra, and cultured on blood agar. The colonies obtained from cultivation for 24 hours were passaged. To identify the bacteria, the colonies grown in passaged culture Gram stained and applied to an automatic biochemical microbial identification system. Escherichia coli were commonly detected in vagina, uterine cervix, and uterine horn of dairy cows diagnosed to pyometra. The cows having endometritis showed not only Escherichia coli but also Pantoea spp. and Klebsiella spp. strains. Dairy cows that were infected with Escherichia coli in uterus caused mastitis or digestive disease. These results suggest that sanitary feeding and management beforehand are needed to prevent bacterial infections.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2021

Male infertility has a complex etiopathology, which mostly remains elusive. Although research has claimed that oxidative stress (OS) is the most likely underlying mechanism of idiopathic male infertility, the specific treatment of OS-mediated male infertility requires further investigation. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a vitamin-like substance, has been found in measurable levels in human semen. It exhibits essential metabolic and antioxidant functions, as well as playing a vital role in mitochondrial bioenergetics. Thus, CoQ10 may be a key player in the maintenance of biological redox balance. CoQ10 concentrations in seminal plasma directly correlate with semen parameters, especially sperm count and sperm motility. Seminal CoQ10 concentrations have been shown to be altered in various male infertility states, such as varicocele, asthenozoospermia, and medical or surgical regimens used to treat male infertility. These observations imply that CoQ10 plays an important physiological role in the maintenance and amelioration of semen quality. The present article thereby aimed to review the possible mechanisms through which CoQ10 plays a role in the regulation of male reproductive function, and to concisely discuss its efficacy as an ameliorative agent in restoring semen parameters in male infertility, as well as its impact on OS markers, sperm DNA fragmentation, pregnancy, and assisted reproductive technology outcomes.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 2017

4-Nonylphenol (NP) is a surfactant that is a well-known and widespread estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC). Although it has been known that the affinity of NP to ERs is low, it has been suggested that low-dose NP has toxicity. In the present study, the endocrine disrupting effects on reproduction, and the weight of gonads, epididymis, and uterus were evaluated with the chronic lower-dose NP exposing. This study was designed by following the OECD test guideline 443 and subjected to a complete necropsy. In male, NP had an effect on the weight of the testis and epididymis in both $F_0$ and $F_1$. In females, NP decreased the weight of ovary and uterus in $F_0$ but not in pre-pubertal $F_1$ pubs. Fertility of male and female in $F_0$ or $F_1$ was no related with NP administration. The number of caudal-epididymal sperm by body weight (BW) was not different between groups in both $F_0$ and $F_1$. Besides, the difference of the sperm number between generations was not detected. The number of ovulated oocytes was similar between groups in $F_0$, but significantly decreased in NP 50 group of $F_1$. The litter size and sex ratios of offspring in $F_1$ and $F_2$ were not different. The accumulated mating rate and gestation period were not affected by the NP administration. Those results shows that chronic lower-dose NP administration has an effect of endocrine disruptor on the weight of gonads and epididymis of $F_0$ and $F_1$ but not in reproduction. Based on the results, it is suggested that chronic lower-dose NP exposing causes endocrine disruption in the weight of gonad and epididymis but not in the reproductive ability of next generations.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.861-878
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• 2003

In the ancient time wind is considered as the life . soul and the human's breath which represents essence of universal creation and the absolute power and also the messenger of the god or god's state. Greek's 'pneuma' , India's 'Brahman' and the Old Testament's 'ruach' are used to signify the wind. Also Wind(風) in traditional culture, it is related to 玄妙之道 of 花郞, the flower of youth in Shilla dynasty and sexual intercourse in shaman's dream which can be thought as Freud's libido. In this aspect we can see the connection between the wind and the libido which can be meaning of sexual desire. Ancient Chinese wrote word ‘風’ as phoenix, the god's bird, the phoenix in inscriptions on bones and tortoise carapace(甲骨文) because one can feel the wind but can’t see it. The word Ki(氣) origins from 風 therefore 風 is 氣's fundamental notion. The wind can be understood by ki which travels around the world to create all nature. And the Wind is associated with 風化, 玄鳥, 八僧舞, which are related with reproduction. In the book of change (周易) the 震巽卦 ; 雷風 come under wind which means the function of ki and also menas the 精(essence of life) of 恒久(eternity) means the reprodution ; that performs succession of life. In the Oriental Medicine 氣 is a phenomenon that appears by movement of Ki by 相火(Ministerial fire). 相火 is core of the succession of life which means preservation of descendants; therefore 風 has very similar concept with sexual desire. 風 is the beginning ki of universe and in human body aspect 風 belong to the Liver Meridian. If 風 makes movement then the Pericardium Meridian of Hand Kwolum responds and the genital organs which belongs to Liver Meridian of Leg Kwolum reproductive function by contraction and expansion. Generally 風 understood as movement and origination and this is recognized as meaning of 氣. Therefore as studied above the present writer believe m. participates closely to reproductive function.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.81-86
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• 2012

Objective: Sterilization (tubal sterilization and vasectomy) is a widely applied contraceptive method worldwide. Although most studies have described sterilization as a safe method, there are reports of tubal ligation (TL) and vasectomy complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of TL and vasectomy on the serum oxidative stress, specifically prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, over time. Methods: Male and female rats were classified into vasectomy, sham-vasectomy, TL, and sham-TL groups, respectively. The PAB and MDA levels were measured on days 15 and 45 and months 3 and 6 after the intervention. For female rats, blood sampling was performed during the diestrous phase and estradiol and progesterone were also measured. Results: Serum PAB and MDA increased after TL (p<0.05). Vasectomy increased serum MDA remarkably after 45 days, 3 months, and 6 months (p<0.05). After vasectomy, serum PAB also increased although not significantly. Serum estradiol and progesterone decreased remarkably in the TL group compared to the sham group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Bilateral TL and vasectomy both increase the serum oxidative stress; however the imbalance after TL was very noticeable. As for the TL, the reduction of serum estrogen levels can be involved in this imbalance. Complications followed by TL or vasectomy could be due to increased levels of oxidants. Thus, prescribing antioxidants during and or after surgery may be a solution.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 1986

본 연구는 한개의 뇌하수체를 이식시켜 과배란된 미성숙 흰쥐에서 혈중 progesterone과 estradiol-17${\beta}$ 의 수준 변화를 관찰하기 위하여 시도되었다. 30일령 숫컷 휜쥐에서 뇌하수체를 제거하기 15일 전에 고환을 제거시켰으며 고환이 제거된 쥐에서 얻은 한개의 뇌하수체를 실험 시작일(임신 3일전 : D-2) 오전 7시에서 10시사이에 28일령의 암컷 흰쥐의 우측 신장 피막 아래 이식시켰다. 대조군은 같은날 오전 10시에 4 IU PMSG 를 투여하였다. 실험에 사용된 쥐들은 혈중 호르몬 수준을 측정하기 위하여 임신 3일전, 2일전, 1일전, 임신 1일, 2일, 3일 및 5일에 희생시켜 채혈하였다. 임신 1일에는 교배후 estrogen의 과량분비를 차단하기 위하여 난소를 제거한 후 난소 호르몬을 투여하고 임신 8일에는 착상 상태를 조사하였다. 혈중 progesteron과 estradiol-17${\beta}$ 수준은 gamma counter(Packard)로 계측하였다. 본 실험에서 얻은 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 난소를 제거하고 progesterone과 estradiol-17${\beta}$를 투여한 과배란된 흰쥐는 난소를 제거하지 않고 과배란된 흰쥐나 대조군에 비하여 효과적인 착상율을 보이지 않았다(P<0.001). 2. 과배란된 흰쥐에서 혈중 progesterone 수준은 대조군에 비해 교배후 계속적으로 높은 상승을 보였으나 교배전 수준은 대조군에 비해 낮았다(P<0.001). 3. 과배란된 흰쥐에서 혈중 estradiol-17${\beta}$ 수준은 과배란 2일전부터 임신 1일까지 아주 높은 상태를 유지하였으며 임신 1일전(발정전기)에는 638${\pm}$134 pg/ml 으로 절정을 나타내었으나 임신 1일 이후 부터는 급격히 감소하여 임신 5일에는 10pg/ml이하로 떨어졌다.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2020

Rice is very sensitive to high temperatures during the reproductive stage, particularly during the flowering and anthesis periods. To determine how high temperatures result in sterility during the flowering period in Korean rice cultivars, groups of 11 cultivars were subjected to different temperature regimes (24, 28, 30, and 33℃) during the flowering stage using sunlit phytotrons. At an average of 33℃, all 11 rice cultivars reached anthesis earlier than at the other temperatures. Microscopy analyses revealed significant differences in pollen germination and pollen viability in cultivars grown at 33℃ compared to those cultured at lower temperatures. At 33℃, the cultivars had significantly lower fertility rates (47% reduction) than cultivars grown at 24℃. These findings are important as rice pollination and fertility depend on the pollen viability and germination. The present study shows that rice fertility is negatively affected by excessively high temperatures.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.211-216
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate inflammation-related gene expression altered in ovary and endometrium of Korean cattle with reproductive disorders using microarray. In the present study, nine inflammation-related differential1y expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the cystic ovary and endometrium with endometritis. In the follicular cyst, eotaxin and alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein (AHSG) were up-regulated, whereas complement component 3 (C3) and oxidised low density lipoprotein (lectin-like) receptor 1 (OLR1) were down-regulated. Complement component 4A (C4A) was up-regulated in luteal cyst. In the endometritis, chemokine 1igand l and 2 (CXCL1 and CXCL2), protein C (inactivator of coagulation factors Va and VIIIa), and complement component C5 were up-regulated, whereas kininogen was down-regulated. Of these genes, we focused on eotaxin and kininogen, which were highly regulated in the follicular cyst and endometritis, respectively and on C3 commonly regulated in both reproductive disorders. The microarray data of eotaxin, kininogen, and C3 were validated by semi-quantitative PCR. Consistent with microarray data, eotaxin was up-regulated by 4-fold in the follicular cyst, while kininogen was down-regulated by 5-fold in the endometritis. C3 was down-regulated in the both follicular cyst and endometritis. Our results suggest that these inflammation-related genes could be useful markers for diagnosis of cystic ovary and endometritis of Korean cattle.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.149-153
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• 2018

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into various cell lineages. Stem cells are responsible for the development of organs and regeneration of damaged tissues. The highly regenerative nature of the human endometrium during reproductive age suggests that stem cells play a critical role in endometrial physiology. Bone marrow-derived cells migrate to the uterus and participate in the healing and restoration of functionally or structurally damaged endometrium. This review summarizes recent research into the potential therapeutic effects of bone marrow-derived stem cells in conditions involving endometrial impairment.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.55-59
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• 1998

To study the effect of induced hypothyroidism on fertility status of male Black Bengal goats, 10 adult healthy mature males were divided into control and treated groups. Hypothyroidism was induced successfully by injecting thiourea subcutaneously initially for 15 days at the rate of 100 mg/kg body weight, followed by 66.7 mg/kg body weight for the subse quent 15 days. This resulted in a decrease (p < 0.01) in plasma tri-iodothyronine, thyroxine and testosterone levels, with increasing duration of thiourea treatment. It also adversely affected semen quality, ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, motility and viability. Live percentage declined to 75% for treated and control remained at 90%. Artificial insemination fo female goats with semen of thiourea-treated goats, resulted in failure of conception. However, females inseminated with semen of male goats of control group showed 100% conception. These observations indicate that, thyroid hormones play a key role in maintaining the normal reproductive processes of male goats.