• 대한수의학회지
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• 제58권1호
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• pp.9-16
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• 2018

A preliminary study into the protective mechanisms of adaptive immunity against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in piglets (n = 9) born to a gilt challenged intranasally with a type-2 PRRSV. Immune parameters (neutralizing antibodies, $CD3^+CD4^+$, $CD3^+CD8^+$, $CD3^+CD4^+CD8^+$ T-lymphocytes, and PRRSV-specific interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$ secreting T-lymphocytes) were compared with infection parameters (macro- and microscopic lung lesion, and PRRSV-infected porcine alveolar macrophages ($CD172{\alpha}^+PRRSV-N^+\;PAM$) as well as with plasma and lymphoid tissue viral loads. Percentages of three T-lymphocyte phenotypes in 14-days post-birth (dpb) peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) had significant negative correlations with percentages of $CD172{\alpha}^+PRRSV-N^+\;PAM$ (p < 0.05) as well as with macroscopic lung lesion (p < 0.01). Plasma and tissue viral loads had significant (p < 0.05) negative correlations with $CD3^+CD4^+CD8^+$ T-lymphocyte percentage in PBMC. Frequencies of $CD3^+CD8^+$ and $CD3^+CD4^+$ T-lymphocytes in 14-dpb PBMC had significant negative correlations with of lymph node (p = 0.04) and lung (p = 0.002) viral loads. $IFN-{\gamma}$-secreting T-lymphocytes frequency had a significant negative correlation with gross lung lesion severity (p = 0.002). However, neutralizing antibody titers had no significant negative correlation (p > 0.1) with infection parameters. The results indicate that T-lymphocytes contribute to controlling PRRSV replication in young piglets born after in-utero infection.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.1-11
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• 2020

Endometriosis is a common inflammatory disease in women of reproductive age and is one of the major causes of infertility. Endometriosis causes a sustained reduction of ovarian reserve through both physical mechanisms and inflammatory reactions, which result in the production of reactive oxygen species and tissue fibrosis. The severity of endometriosis is related to ovarian reserve. With regard to infertility treatment, medical therapy as a neoadjuvant or adjuvant to surgical therapy has no definite beneficial effect. Surgical treatment of endometriosis can lead to ovarian injury during the resection of endometriotic tissue, which leads to the deterioration of ovarian reserve. To overcome this disadvantage, a multistep technique has been proposed to minimize the reduction of ovarian reserve. When considering surgical treatment of endometriosis in patients experiencing infertility, it should be kept in mind that ovarian reserve can be reduced both due to endometriosis itself and by the process of removing endometriosis. In cases of mild- to moderate-stage endometriosis, intrauterine insemination with ovarian stimulation after surgical treatment may increase the likelihood of pregnancy. In cases of severe endometriosis, the characteristics of the patient should be considered in a multidisciplinary manner to determine the prioritization of treatment modalities, including surgical treatment and assisted reproduction methods such as in vitro fertilization. The risk of cancer, complications after pregnancy, and infection during oocyte retrieval should also be considered when making treatment decisions.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.40.1-40.19
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• 2024

Importance: The creation of robust maternal-embryonic interactions and implantation models is important for comprehending the early stages of embryonic development and reproductive disorders. Traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture systems often fail to accurately mimic the highly complex in vivo conditions. The employment of three-dimensional (3D) organoids has emerged as a promising strategy to overcome these limitations in recent years. The advancements in the field of organoid technology have opened new avenues for studying the physiology and diseases affecting female reproductive tract. Observations: This review summarizes the current strategies and advancements in the field of 3D organoids to establish maternal-embryonic interaction and implantation models for use in research and personalized medicine in assisted reproductive technology. The concepts of endometrial organoids, menstrual blood flow organoids, placental trophoblast organoids, stem cell-derived blastoids, and in vitro-generated embryo models are discussed in detail. We show the incorportaion of organoid systems and microfluidic technology to enhance tissue performance and precise management of the cellular surroundings. Conclusions and Relevance: This review provides insights into the future direction of modeling maternal-embryonic interaction research and its combination with other powerful technologies to interfere with this dialogue either by promoting or hindering it for improving fertility or methods for contraception, respectively. The merging of organoid systems with microfluidics facilitates the creation of sophisticated and functional organoid models, enhancing insights into organ development, disease mechanisms, and personalized medical investigations.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제51권3호
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• pp.205-212
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• 2024

Objective: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an alkylating agent commonly used in cancer treatment. It is known to have detrimental effects on the reproductive system, including the potential to cause infertility. Recently, herbal remedies have gained traction as a complementary approach to addressing these side effects. In this study, our goal was to investigate whether the aqueous-alcoholic extract of Withania somnifera (WS) could mitigate the adverse impacts of CP on testicular tissue. Methods: Animals were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: control, WS (500 mg/kg), CP (100 mg/kg), CP+WS pre-treatment, and CP+WS post-treatment. WS was administered orally through gavage for 1 month. We assessed sperm parameters, testicular histopathology, and the expression of the Bax and Bcl2 genes in the experimental groups. Results: Sperm parameters (including count, viability, and motility), the number of spermatogonia, the seminiferous tubule diameter, and Bcl2 gene expression, significantly decreased after CP injection (p<0.05). Conversely, the number of immotile sperm and Bax gene expression significantly increased (p<0.05). Treatment with WS, especially when administered as a pre-treatment, ameliorated the sperm parameters, histological alterations, and the expression of apoptosis-related genes (p<0.05). Conclusion: The data suggest that WS may mitigate the detrimental effects of CP on testicular tissue by reducing apoptosis. Consequently, WS has the potential to be used as an adjunctive therapy to reduce the complications associated with CP treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제51권3호
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• pp.213-224
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• 2024

Objective: Some age-related testicular changes, such as Sertoli cell vacuolization and blood-testis barrier breakdown, reduce total sperm production and male fertility. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of vitamin E on restoring testicular function in aged mice. Sperm cryo-resistance was also assessed. Methods: Twenty-eight 48-week-old male Naval Medical Research Institute mice were divided into four groups for a daily gavage of vitamin E: the control group received distilled water, while the three treatment groups were administered 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, respectively, for 4 weeks. Subsequently, semen analyses, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), and protamine deficiency tests were conducted. Testicular histology, tissue antioxidant enzyme activity, and gene expression levels were also assessed. Results: The two higher dosages of vitamin E were associated with a higher sperm count, greater progressive motility, and improved sperm morphology (p<0.05). These benefits were also evident after sperm freezing (p<0.05). Although chromatin abnormalities increased following vitrification, the treatment groups showed better outcomes (p<0.05). The tubular diameter, epithelium height, and luminal diameters remained unchanged with age. The tissue antioxidant capacity was greater in the groups receiving the high doses of vitamin E. Additionally, significant increases in inhibitor of DNA binding protein-4 (Id4) and GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (Gfra1) expression were observed in the higher vitamin E dosage groups, and promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (Plzf) expression was notably present in the 400 mg/kg treatment group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Antioxidant supplementation might enhance reproductive outcomes in aging males. The observed effects included improved sperm cryo-resistance, which is advantageous for future applications such as sperm freezing or fertility preservation.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.41-51
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• 1983

This study was carried out to investigate ontogeny of stomata and aerenchyma tissue in Trapa natans L. var. bispinosa Makino, an aquatic plant. Ontogeny of stomata in this plant was an aperigenous type surrounding with 5 to 8 epidermal cells without subsidiary cells. Stomata were distributed abundantly on the upper surface of leaf, however, no stoma was found on the lower surface of leaf, and on the epidermis of reproductive organ, petiole and stem. Ontogency of aerenchyma tissue was progressed with five steps; 1) formation of angular cells by division of cortex cells, 2) development of small and large globular cells in accompany with schizogenous intercellular space, 3) enlargement of globular cells and more expansion of intercellular space, 4) cell induction of long elliptic and triarmed shape, 5) completion of the largest intercellular space from endodermis toepidermis. During the growth period two types of leaf were appeared at each node of stems; one type was a submerged and early-fallen leaf, the other was a floating leaf on water surface.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.63-65
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• 2008

The tissue distribution of $TiO_2$, nanopaprticles was investigated in mice after oral administration, and skin treatment. Male mice were treated with the dose of 5 g/kg of $TiO_2$ for three consecutive days and sacrificed at 24 hours after the last administration. As results, the orally administered $TiO_2$ nanoparticels were shown to be distributed in the testis, lung, and brain at 24 hours after the last treatment. Kidney does not seem to be the main target of $TiO_2$ nanoparticle distribution. It means that $TiO_2$ nanoparticles (17 nm) are easily absorbed through entero-gastric system and may cause toxicity in brain, lung, and reproductive organs. The distribution of skin treatment showed the same pattern like oral administration.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.143-148
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• 2018

Objective: The favored method of preserving fertility in young female cancer survivors is cryopreservation and autotransplantation of ovarian tissue. Reducing hypoxia until angiogenesis takes place is essential for the survival of transplanted ovarian tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of angiopoietin-1 (Angpt-1), angiopoietin-2 (Angpt-2), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ovarian tissue grafts that were cryopreserved using two methods. Methods: Ovarian tissues harvested from ICR mice were divided into three groups: group I (control), no cryopreservation; group II, vitrification in EFS (ethylene-glycol, ficoll, and sucrose solution)-40; and group III, slow freezing in dimethyl sulfoxide. We extracted mRNA for VEGF, Angpt-1, and Angpt-2 from ovarian tissue 1 week following cryopreservation and again 2 weeks after autotransplantation. We used reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to quantify the levels of VEGF, Angpt-1, and Angpt-2 in the tissue. Results: Angpt-1 and Angpt-2 expression decreased after cryopreservation in groups II and III. After autotransplantation, Angpt-1 and Angpt-2 expression in ovarian tissue showed different trends. Angpt-1 expression in groups II and III was lower than in group I, but Angpt-2 in groups II and III showed no significant difference from group I. The vitrified ovarian tissues had higher expression of VEGF and Angpt-2 than the slow-frozen ovarian tissues, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our results indicate that Angpt-2 may play an important role in ovarian tissue transplantation after cryopreservation although further studies are needed to understand its exact function.

• 한국어병학회지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.111-118
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• 2003

Androgen plays an important role in the regulation of gonadotropin production in vertebrates . We have investigated the transcriptional pattern of androgen receptor (AR) in a variety of tissues in maturing male and female goldfish by RT-PCR. Specific primer for AR was designed based on goldfish AR gene from the GenBank (accession number AY090897). AR was shown 10 be maturity- and tissue-dependent gene expression pattern in goldfish. In immature male goldfish, significantly higher transcript level of AR was observed in the pituitary und testis , compared [0 brain and liver. Mature male goldfish showed a similar expression pattern to immature male goldfish. Interestingly. when compare to male goldfish, female goldfish showed AR mRNA expression that was found 10 be weak in pituitary, and very low expression in brain. They could not be found 10 have expression in any other tissues. Taken together. the- transcriptional analysis of AR depending on the tissue, sex. and maturity of a goldfish provides the opportunity for the study of goldfish reproductive physiology ,The results provided for the first time a comparison of the tissue distribution of AR mRNA in sexually maturating male and female goldfish.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.151-158
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• 2007

유전자치료W터의 주입시 생식세포를 통한 다음 세대로의 전달 가능성은 안전성 측면에서 관심을 중대시키고 있다. 특히 전립선암이나 난소암의 치료시 바이러스를 생식기관에 인접한 부위에 주입하여야 하므로 그 가능성이 높다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 유전자치료에 많이 이용되는 아데노바이러스를 매개로하여 tumor suppressor 유전자인 p53을 발현하는 아데노바이러스 벡터를 제조하여 이를 투여시 생식장기를 포함한 주요장기조직에의 분포와 germ cell을 통한 차세대로의 전달 가능성 등의 생식독성을 조사하였다. In vivo biodistribution study를 위하여 $Ad-CMV-{\beta}-gal$흑은 Ad-CMV-p53를 마우스 암 수의 복강에 주사한 후 생식장기를 포함한 주요 장기에서 아데노바이러스 유래 DNA검출 및 RNA발현 여부를PCR과 RT-PCR로 각각 확인하였다. 그 결과 간 및 비장과 같은 일반 장기에서도 주입한 외부유전자의 DNA가 검출되거나RNA가 발현되었을 뿐만 아니라, 정낭, 전립선, 부고환, 난소 및 자궁 등의 생식장기에서도 주입한 외부유전자가 검출되거나 발현되는 것으로 나타났다. Real-time PCR을 이용하여 각 장기에서의 투여된 아데노바이러스 벡터는 시간 의존적으로 감소되는 것을 정량하였다. Ad-CMV-p53를 암 수 마우스의 난소와 고환에 각각 직접 주사하여 교배시킨 후 그 후세대의 DNA를 분리하여 주입한 아데노바이러스 유래의 DNA를 검색한 결과, 어떠한 차세대에서도 주입한 아데노바이러스 유래의 DNA가 검출되지 않았다. 한편 생식장기에서의 PCR및 RT-PCR signal유래 vector의 위치를 확인하기 위해 매우 감도가 높은 in-situ PCR로 조사한 결과 고환의 경우 간질조직으로의 전달은 일어나나 정세관 내에는 아데노바이러스 벡터가 전달되지 않으며, 난소에서도 아데노바이러스벡터는 난포내의 난자에 전달되지 않고 기질조직에 존재하는 것으로 확인되었다. 결론적으로 복제 능력 이 결여된 아데노바이러스를 매개로 한 유전자치료제는 생식 장기에서 검출되더라도 다음 세대로 전달될 가능성은 대단히 낮음을 제시한다.