• Development and Reproduction
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.161-166
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• 2014

Previously, we demonstrated that the shift and/or restriction of feeding time during relatively short-term period (4 weeks) could alter the pituitary gonadotropin expression and the weights of seminal vesicle and prostate in rats. We also found that the reverse feeding (RF) schedule (up to 8 weeks) might induce an adaptable metabolic stress and cause impairment of androgen-dependent reproductive tissues. In the present study, we extended the RF time regimen up to 12 weeks, and measured the reproductive tissue weights. After 4 and 8 weeks of RF, the weights of epididymis were not significantly different. After 12 weeks, however, epididymis weights of RF animals were significantly different (CON 12W : RF 12W = $48.26{\pm}0.62mg$ : $44.05{\pm}1.57mg$, p<0.05). After 4 and 12 weeks of feeding, seminal vesicle weights of RF animals were significantly decreased (CON 4W : RF 4W = $79.36{\pm}8.34mg$ : $46.28{\pm}2.43mg$, p<0.001; CON 12W : RF 12W = $72.04{\pm}3.76mg$ : $46.71{\pm}2.27mg$, p<0.001, respectively). Prostate weights were not changed by RF. Kidney and spleen weights of RF animals were significantly different on weeks 4 and 12 (Kidney, CON 4W : RF 4W = $249.72{\pm}4.20mg$ : $228.41{\pm}3.03mg$, p<0.001; CON 12W : RF 12W = $309.15{\pm}7.49mg$ : $250.72{\pm}6.13mg$, p<0.001, respectively, Spleen, CON 4W : RF 4W = $111.26{\pm}3.76mg$ : $96.88{\pm}4.69mg$, p<0.05; CON 12W : RF 12W = $123.93{\pm}10.72mg$ : $94.68{\pm}5.65mg$, p<0.05, respectively). Histology analysis of seminal vesicle revealed that the thinner epithelial cell layers, reduced complexities of swollen papilla folding in the exocrine glands on weeks 4 and 12 of RF. There was no histological difference between control and RF group on week 8. The present study indicates that up to 12 weeks RF induced differential changes in tissue weights of male mice. In particular, seminal vesicle, kidney and spleen seemed to temporarily adapted to the RF-induced metabolic stress on week 8 of feeding schedule. These results confirmed the our previous study that the RF might induce an adaptable metabolic stress and cause impairment of androgen-dependent reproductive tissues such as epididymis and seminal vesicle as well as non-reproductive tissues such as kidney and spleen. Further studies will be needed to achieve a better understanding of the how does mealtime shift affect the reproductive function and exact nature of adaptation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.221-228
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• 2021

Objective: This study investigated the effect of crocin in methylglyoxal (MGO)-induced diabetic male mice. Methods: Seventy 1-month-old male NMRI mice weighing 20-25 g were divided into seven groups (n=10): sham, MGO (600 mg/kg/day), MGO+crocin (15, 30, and 60 mg/kg/day), MGO+metformin (150 mg/kg/day), and crocin (60 mg/kg/day). MGO was administered orally for 30 days. Starting on day 14, after confirming hyperglycemia, metformin and crocin were administered orally. On day 31, plasma and tissue samples were prepared for experimental assessments. Results: Blood glucose and insulin levels in the MGO group were higher than those in the sham group (p<0.001), and decreased in response to metformin (p<0.001) and crocin treatment (not at all doses). Testis width and volume decreased in the MGO mice and improved in the crocin-treated mice (p<0.05), but not in the metformin group. Superoxide dismutase levels decreased in diabetic mice (p<0.05) and malondialdehyde levels increased (p<0.001). Crocin and metformin improved malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase. Testosterone (p<0.001) and sperm count (p<0.05) decreased in the diabetic mice, and treatment with metformin and crocin recovered these variables. Luteinizing hormone levels increased in diabetic mice (p<0.001) and crocin treatment (but not metformin) attenuated this increase. Seminiferous diameter and height decreased in the diabetic mice and increased in the treatment groups. Vacuoles and ruptures were seen in diabetic testicular tissue, and crocin improved testicular morphology (p<0.01). Conclusion: MGO increased oxidative stress, reduced sex hormones, and induced histological problems in male reproductive organs. Crocin and metformin improved the reproductive damage caused by MGO-induced diabetes.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.49-59
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• 2015

Spatial variation in the reproductive effort of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum is often closely associated with variation in the seawater temperature and food availability, which determines gonad maturity and the quantity of gamates produced during spawning. Previous studies also have reported that severe infection by the protozoan parasite Perkinsus olseni exerts a negative impact on clam reproduction, retarding gonad maturation or decreasing the reproductive effort. In the present study, we investigated impacts of P. olseni infection on the reproductive condition of Manila clam during a spawning season. Histology revealed that 54% of female clams in Wando off the south coast were in spawning, while only 10% of the female from Gomso and 0% of the female from Seonjaedo in Gyeonggi bay off the west coast were engaged in spawning at the end of May in 2004. Ray's fluid thioglycollate media (RFTM) assay was applied to assess P. olseni infection and indicated that the infection intensity in Wando ($3,608,000{\pm}258,000cells/g$ wet tissue) was significantly higher than the levels in Gomso ($1,305,000{\pm}106,000cells/g$ wet tissue) and Seonjaedo ($1,083,000{\pm}137,000cells/g$ wet tissue, p < 0.001). The size of the ripe female follicle determined from histology was significantly smaller in Wando ($0.032mm^2$) compared to the sizes in Gomso ($0.059mm^2$) and Seonjaedo ($0.052mm^2$, p < 0.05). Accordingly, the number of ripe eggs in the follicle was significantly fewer among clams in Wando (14) compared to the numbers determined in Gomso (23) and Seonjaedo (22). The absolute quantity of egg in ripe clams from Wando (31.01 mg) was also significantly smaller than Seonjaedo (61.79 mg) and Gomso (133.3 mg). Quantity of total protein, carbohydrate, and lipid in the tissue in the Wando samples was significantly smaller than the quantities determined in Gomso and Seonjaedo (p < 0.001). The observed poor reproductive condition and proximate tissue composition of the females in Wando were, in part, explained by the extremely high level of the parasites, sapping the ability to store energy in the host tissues, which is used in tissue growth and the egg production.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 1998

Protease Nexin-1 (PN-1) inhibits the activity of several serine proteases including thrombin, urokinase (uPA)-type plasminogen activator and trypsin. Tissue- and reproductive organ-specific mRNA levels of the PN-1 were investigated in Sprague-Dawley adult rat. PN-1 mRNA expression in rats was found in brain (forebrain, hindbrain), heart, liver, lung, ovary and oviduct. The level of PN-1 mRNA in male and female among the tissues was the highest in forebrain of the female. PN-1 expression in reproductive organs was found only in ovary and oviduct. These results suggest that PN-1 expression is dependent on the sex and may be related to folliculogenesis and early embryogenesis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.11-26
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• 2021

Advances in anticancer treatments have resulted in increasing survival rates among cancer patients. Accordingly, the quality of life after treatment, particularly the preservation of fertility, has gradually emerged as an essential consideration. Cryopreservation of embryos or unfertilized oocytes has been considered as the standard method of fertility preservation among young women facing gonadotoxic chemotherapy. Other methods, including ovarian suppression and ovarian tissue cryopreservation, have been considered experimental. Recent large-scale randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that temporary ovarian suppression using gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) during chemotherapy is beneficial for preventing chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian insufficiency in breast cancer patients. It should also be emphasized that GnRHa use during chemotherapy does not replace established fertility preservation methods. All young women facing gonadotoxic chemotherapy should be counseled about and offered various options for fertility preservation, including both GnRHa use and cryopreservation of embryos, oocytes, and/or ovarian tissue.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.227-233
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• 2012

Circadian timing system plays a major role in a wide range of reproductive function. However it is plausible idea that other environmental and/or internal cue might be simultaneously participated in the optimal regulation of reproductive system. In the present study we extended the reverse feeding (RF) time regimen up to 8 weeks, then measured the general and reproductive indices of the animals. The animals of ad libitum feeding group (Control, CON) have free access to food for 4, 6 and 8 weeks, respectively. The day feeding animals (reverse feeding, RF group) have restricted access to food during daytime (09:00-18:00) for 4, 6 and 8 weeks, respectively. When the feeding schedules were over, key indices were measured. After 4 weeks and 8 weeks of feeding, body weights of animals were not significantly different. However, body weights of 6 weeks RF animals were significantly smaller than those of control animals (CON : RF = $333.46{\pm}12.71$ g : $289.91{\pm}8.31$ g, p<0.01). The blood glucose levels of 4 weeks RF animals were significantly decreased compared to the levels of control animals (CON : RF = $161.4{\pm}2.7$ mg/dL : $176.7{\pm}5$ mg/dL, p<0.01) while the levels of 6 weeks RF and 8 weeks RF animals were not different form those of control animals. Reproductive and non-reproductive tissue weights from 6 weeks RF group were significantly lowered than those from CON group (testis, CON : RF = $1.4714{\pm}0.0174$ g : $1.3724{\pm}0.0168$ g, p<0.001; epididymis, CON : RF = $0.3574{\pm}0.0059$ g : $0.3243{\pm}0.0068$ g, p<0.001; seminal vesicle, CON : RF = $0.1655{\pm}0.0068$ g : $0.1328{\pm}0.0054$ g, p<0.001; prostate, CON : RF = $0.3350{\pm}0.0231$ g : $0.2528{\pm}0.0143$ g, p<0.01). After 4 weeks and 8 weeks of reverse feeding, sperm counts in RF animals were markedly reduced than those in control animals[CON 4W : RF 4W = $121.17{\pm}9.96\;({\times}10^6)$ : $50.86{\pm}9\;({\times}10^6)$, p<0.001; CON 8W : RF 8W= $138.69{\pm}9.8\;({\times}10^6)$ : $108.94{\pm}4.22\;({\times}10^6)$, p<0.001]. Present study indicates that RF may induce an adaptable metabolic stress and cause impairment of androgen-dependent reproductive tissues. On-going longitudinal studies will allow a better understanding of the how does mealtime shift affect the reproductive function and exact nature of adaptation.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2013

This study was performed to investigate the expression of cathepsin B mRNA and protein in eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues of patients with endometriosis and in normal endometrial tissues and to clarify the association between the cathepsin B expression and endometriosis. A total of 40 women with histologically confirmed endometriosis were recruited for study group. For controls, 20 women undergoing operative treatment for uterine myoma, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or benign gynecologic conditions other than endometriosis were recruited. Eutopic endometrial tissues of both groups and ectopic endometrial tissue of study group were collected during the operations. We employed real time reverse transcriptase - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to quantify mRNA levels of cathepsin B in these tissues. Then, we performed western blot analysis to measure the protein levels of cathepsin B. The expressions of cathepsin B mRNA and protein were significantly higher in both eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues of women with endometriosis than in endometrial tissues of controls. These data suggest that the higher expression of cathepsin B in the endometrial tissues might be associated with the development of endometriosis. In addition, eutopic endometrium itself with higher expression cathepsin B may play a pivotal role in the histogenesis of endometriosis.

• 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.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.157-161
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• 1999

Recent studies clearly demonstrated that the novel expression of LH gene in the rat testis, and suggested the local action of the LH-like molecule. The present study was performed to analyze the expression of LH genes in the rat accessory reproductive organs. Expression of LH subunit genes in the rat uterus and epididymis was demonstrated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and specific LH radioimmunoassay (RIA). The $LH_{beta}$ transcripts in these organs contained the published cDNA structure, the pituitary type exons 1-3, which encoded the entire $LH_{beta}$ polypeptide. Presence of the transcripts for the ${\alpha}$-subunit in the rat reproductive tissues were also confirmed by RT-PCR. In the LH RIA, significant levels of LH were detected in crude extracts from the rat ovary, uterus and epididymis. The competition curves with increasing amount of tissue extracts were parallel with those of standard peptide, indicating that the immunoreactive LH-like materials in these tissues are similar to authentic pituitary LH molecule. In rat epididymis, the highest amount of immunoreactive LH was detected in corpus area. Our findings demonstrated that the genes for LH subunits are expressed in the rat accessory reproductive organs, and suggested that these extrapituitary LH may act as a local regulator with auto and/or paracrine manner.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.172.1-172.1
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• 2006