• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 1988

The aim of this study was to examine the presence of ${\beta}$-endorphin in female reproductive organs. A total of 104 fresh tissue samples were obtained from normal ovary, tube, endometrium, placenta, amniotic membrane and umbilical cord, and immunostained by the method using biotin-streptoavidin amplified system. The results were as follows: 1. In reproductive age, corpus luteum only showed ${\beta}$-endorphin immunostained cells but no cells in ovaries during proliferative phase of menstrual cycle were stained. 2. Secretory endometrium revealed positive reactions in the cytoplasm of glandular epithelial cells and around the vessels, while proliferative endometrium negative reactions. 3. All the tissues of menopausal women were negative to ${\beta}$-endorphin antibody. 4. In the pregnant women, there are no ${\beta}$-endorphin containing cells in the placenta, amniotic membrane and umbilical cord regardless of gestational age.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.185-197
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• 2010

The reproduction of animals is a means to maintain their species. The golden hamsters are seasonal breeders, and their reproduction is regulated by the photoperiod. The shifts of the sexual functions imply the changes of the protein expression, and those are reflected by the proteome. Thus the present study was to examine via two dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2d PAGE), the physiological changes and the alterations of protein expressions in hypothalamus upon the reproductive situation related to the pineal gland. Among the pineal intact animals, the reproductive functions were sustained in animals housed in long photoperiod (LP) but regressed in animals housed in short photoperiod. And those pinealectomized animals showed high sexual activities regardless of photoperiod. Ultimately they were branched into dichotomy, sexually active and inactive animals. Apart from the changes of physiological parameters upon the reproductive conditions, there were obvious differences in proteins extracted from the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus of LP animals presented high levels of enzymes which are involved in the production of energy, glycolysis and Krebs cycle. The increased energy might be related to the GnRH synthesis in hypothalamus and indirectly to the constant cell divisions in spermatogenesis. Taken together, the impacts of the photoperiodic information controlling reproduction could be observed through 2d PAGE. Therefore, the present results suggest the potential of biomarkers collectively to diagnose the fertility and the infertility by way of proteomics in organs with regard to the reproductive system, further could be applied to diagnose various diseases.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.185-192
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• 2013

Many countries have implemented genetic evaluation for fertility traits in recent years. In particular, reproductive trait is a complex trait and need to require a system-level approach for identifying candidate genes related to the trait. To find the candidate gene associated with reproductive trait, we applied a weighted gene co-expression network analysis from expression value of bovine genes. We identified three co-expressed modules associated with reproductive trait from bovine microarray data. Hub genes (ZP4, FHL2 and EGR4) were determined in each module; they were topologically centered with statistically significant value in the gene co-expression network. We were able to find the highly co-expressed gene pairs with a correlation coefficient. Finally, the crucial functions of co-expressed modules were reported from functional enrichment analysis. We suggest that the network-based approach in livestock may an important method for analyzing the complex effects of candidate genes associated with economic traits like reproduction.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.195-204
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences and problems of sexual and reproductive health among Korean lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI) people. Methods: Phenomenological methodology was employed in this study, which comprised 14 LGBTQ participants. Data were collected using individual in-depth interviews from May to June, 2021, and were analyzed using Colaizzi's method. Results: Four categories-comprising nine theme clusters-emerged from the data, as follows: 1) hard-to-recognize gender identity, 2) blind spots in the healthcare system, 3) empathy and support in the community, and 4) new challenges to protect my precious self. Conclusion: This study provides valuable and detailed insights into the meaning of sex and reproductive health among Korean LGBTQI people. This finding could be utilized to develop effective questions for understanding not only sexual and reproductive health but also overall health problems of LGBTQI people.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Pathology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.20-25
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• 2003

Classification of pig diseases in clinical cases ㆍ Digestive system ㆍ Respiratory system ㆍ Reproductive system ㆍ Nervous system ㆍ Others. (omitted)

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2007

In all female mammals, reproductive system is one of the first biological systems to show age-related decline. Female mammals in reproductive aging, though the phenomena is somewhat species-specific, start to show declining fertility and changes of numerous physiological functions. This review will present a current information on the aging of the female reproductive hormonal axis and introduce three useful rodent models for studying this field. Middle age($8{\sim}12$ months old) in female rats and mice is comparable to the stage prior to the entry of menopause in human. In this period pulsatile and surge GnRH secretion from hypothalamus gradually attenuated, then reduced pulsatile and surge LH secretion is followed consequently. This age-related defects in GnRH-LH neuroendocrine axis seem to be highly correlated with the defects in brain signals which modulate the activities of GnRH neuron. Many researchers support the idea which the age-related hypothalamic defects are the main cause of reproductive aging, but some ovarian factors such as inhibin response also could contribute to the induction of reproductive senescence. Some rodent models are quite valuable in studying the reproductive aging. The follitropin receptor knockout(FORKO) mice, both of null and haploinsufficient state, could produce depletion of oocyte/follicle with age. Dioxin/aryl hydrocarbon receptor(AhR) knockout mice also show severe ovarian defects and poor reproductive success early in their life compared to the age-matched normal mice. Further studies on the reproductive aging will be a great help to evaluate the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy(HRT) and to improve the safety of HRT.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.91-102
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed in order to devise a procedure for supplementing the Special Management Materials in the Occupational Safety and Health Act and recommend candidate materials. The results are expected to be used as fundamental data for classification and criteria necessary to manage Special Management Materials in workplaces. Also, they are expected to be used as a basis for selecting target materials to nominate as additional Special Management Material. Methods: We investigated the selection standards for candidates and review ranges of data sources to nominate Special Management Materials. The substances classified as GHS(Globally Harmonized System of classification and labeling of chemicals) category 1A(known to have carcinogenic potential and reproductive toxicity for humans) or 1B(presumed to have carcinogenic potential and reproductive toxicity for humans) carcinogens and reproductive toxicants among the Controlled Hazardous Substances of the Regulation on Occupational Safety and Health Standards and substances with OELs(Occupational Exposure Limits) were inspected as the candidates for Special Management Materials. Conclusions: A seven-step procedure for selecting candidates to designate as Special Management Materials was suggested, including the setting of target chemicals for evaluation, classification of CMR(Carcinogens, Mutagens or Reproductive toxicants) by GHS classification and criteria, suggestion and selection of the candidates, and more. This study recommends 58 chemicals as qualified candidates to supplement the Special Management Materials.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.155-162
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• 2013

Objective: Stress is known to be an inhibitor of the reproductive hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. However, the neural and molecular connections between stress and reproduction are not yet understood. It is well established that in both humans and rodents, kisspeptin (encoded by the kiss1 gene) is a strong stimulator of the HPG axis. In the present study we hypothesized that endocannabinoids, an important neuromodulatory system in the brain, can act on the HPG axis at the level of kiss1 expression to inhibit reproductive function under stress. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were unilaterally implanted with an intracerebroventricular cannula. Afterwards, the animals were exposed to immobilization stress, with or without the presence of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (1 ${\mu}g/rat$). Blood samples were collected through a retro-orbital plexus puncture before and after stress. Five hours after the stress, brain tissue was collected for reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction measurements of kiss1 mRNA. Results: Immobilization stress (1 hour) resulted in a decrease in the serum luteinizing hormone concentration. Additionally, kiss1 gene expression was decreased in key hypothalamic nuclei that regulate gonadotrophin secretion, the medial preoptic area (mPOA), and to some extent the arcuate nucleus (ARC). A single central administration of AM251 was effective in blocking these inhibitory responses. Conclusion: These findings suggest that endocannabinoids mediate, at least in part, immobilization stress-induced inhibition of the reproductive system. Our data suggest that the connection between immobilization stress and the HPG axis is kiss1 expression in the mPOA rather than the ARC.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.26-35
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• 1997

This study was done to examine knowledge about, and need for sex education among university students in Korea. This study design was descriptive survey design. The data were collected from 540 university students from June 10 to June 30, 1996, using questionnaires developed by the authors. The results are as follows : Those who had sex education had higher scores in sex knowledge than those had not had sex education. The average score for sex knowledge was 71.9 of a maximum score of 100. Knowledge of sexually transmitted disease was scored highest of 79.8, and knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system was scored lowest at 60.9. The subjects who answered 'yes' about the necessity of sex education numbered 529(98%) and the most important reason given for needing sex education was to cope well with physical and psychological developments. Regarding the content of sex education, a choice of relevant contraceptive methods was given the highest rating. Anatomy and physiology of reproductive system was the least choser subject as the first priority among five topics. Yet, sex education for university students should include anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system, considering the low level of knowledge on this topic in the subjects of this study and its importance as a part of sex education.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.299-304
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• 1998

Despite the rapid development of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in recent years, implantation rates after replacement of embryos into the uterine cavity remains low. Several techniques such as culture conditions based on formulations of human tubal fluid and various ART techniques as GIFT, ZIFT, TET have been adopted in recent years to improve embryo viability in vitro and implantation rates. Also, coculture of human IVF-derived embryos have been used in an effort to increase the number of viable embryos following IVF and to improve synchrony between the developing embryo and the uterine environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of co culture with autologous cumulus cells has a significant beneficial effect on the development of embryos in vitro and its relation to the pregnancy rates in 120 patients with previous failed IVF-ET from September, 1995 to January 1998. We obtained the results from which significant improvement in the quality of viable embryos were observed using a coculture system with autologous cumulus cells, but pregnancy rates in this group of patients did not differ from the rate in the standard IVF group during the same period. Our study shows that a simplified short-term coculture system with autologous cumulus cells may help rescue moderate quality embryos to cleave regularly.