• 대한수의학회지
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.873-880
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• 1994

Progesterone catabolizing enzyme, the enzyme $20{\alpha}$-hydroxysteroid deltydrgenase($20{\alpha}$-HSD) is pivotal in the regulation of ovarian function in rodents, which catabolizes progesterone into biologically inactive $20{\alpha}$ hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one($20{\alpha}$-OHP). In this study was carried out the influence of $20{\alpha}$-HSD activity to ovarian function and regulation such as ovulation, formation of corpus luteum, maintenance of estrous cycles and pregnancy, we investigated changes in activities of the splenic macrophages and ovarian histological findings in rat. During the estrous cycles, the ratious of phagocytotic macrophage in splenic adherent cells were highest on the proestrous, but they were lowest on metestrous. During the pregnancy, the ratious of phagocytotic macrophages in splenic adhrent cells were lowest by 1 day and then significantly increased toward the pregnancy, which were highest pregnancy on day 12. On histological findings in rat ovary, the mean number of growing, antral and mature follicles were 15.9(72.9%), 3.4(15.9%), and 2.4(11.2%), respectively. Growing follicles reached to lowest number at diestrus and mature follicle reached to lowest number at metestrus. The numbers of corpus luteums per tissue section of the ovary were 14.4 and the number of normal and atretic follicles were 11.0(76.4%) and 3.4(23.6%), respectively. The number of corpus luteum with vacolated cell were 1.7(11.8%). In this study suggests splenic macrophages are as a source of the substance which maintainer progesterone secretion from luteal cells, and are recognized pass the vessels and reside in the fresh corpora lutea soon after ovulation via inflammatory reactions, and these macrophages are felt to have a stimulatory effect on the formation of cropora lutea. In view of the results include previous report, ovarian $20{\alpha}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme and splenic macrophages consider play central role in the control and maintenance of estrous cycles and pregnancy, and also applicable to both clinical and research in a wide variety such as control of reproductive system.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.121-134
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• 2014

이 연구에서는 조직학적 방법을 이용하여 산란 기간 중, 지중해담치의 조직학적 변화를 관찰하였다. 조직학적 관찰 결과, 마산만 지중해담치(M. edulis galloprovincialis)는 4월부터 산란을 시작하여 9월까지 산란이 지속되는 것을 관찰할 수 있었으며, 동일 시기에 비만도도 감소하는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 소화맹낭 위축도는 산란 스트레스를 받는 6월($3.24{\pm}1.16$)과 수온이 높은 9월($3.33{\pm}1.19$)에 높은 위축도 지수를 보였다. 또한 이 시기(9월)에는 높은 소화맹낭 조직붕괴 현상도 동반되는 것을 관찰할 수 있었다. 병리학적 증상 관찰 결과, 종양증 또한 관찰되었으나, 그 발병률은 5% 미만으로 낮게 나타났다. 마산만의 지중해담치에서는 기생성 병원체는 관찰되지 않았으나, 공생요각류가 관찰되었다. 이 연구에 쓰인 조직병리학적 분석기법은 향후 담치의 건강도 및 연안 환경변화가 주변 생물에게 미치는 영향을 평가하는데 있어 유용하게 활용될 것으로 예측되었다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권9호
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• pp.5317-5323
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• 2013

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer and one of the leading causes of death among women in the world. Plants and herbs may play an important role in complementary or alternative treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-proliferative potential of Urtica dioica. The anti oxidant activity of an aqueous extract of Urtica dioica leaf was measured by MTT assay and the FRAP method while its anti-proliferative activity on the human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and fibroblasts isolated from foreskin tissue was evaluated using MTT assay. Mechanisms leading to apoptosis were also investigated at the molecular level by measuring the amount of anti and pro-apoptotic proteins and at the cellular level by studying DNA fragmentation and annexin V staining by flow cytometry. The aqueous extract of Urtica dioica showed antioxidant effects with a correlation coefficient of $r^2$=0.997. Dose-dependent and anti-proliferative effects of the extract were observed only on MCF-7 cells after 72 hrs with an $IC_{50}$ value of 2 mg/ml. This anti proliferative activity was associated with an increase of apoptosis as demonstrated by DNA fragmentation, the appearance of apoptotic cells in flow cytometry analysis and an increase of the amount of calpain 1, calpastatin, caspase 3, caspase 9, Bax and Bcl-2, all proteins involved in the apoptotic pathway. This is the first time such in vitro antiproliferative effect of aqueous extract of Urtica dioica leaf has been described for a breast cancer cell line. Our findings warrant further research on Urtica dioica as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for breast cancer.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.155-163
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• 2018

This study aimed to investigate changes in the activity and mRNA expression of plasminogen activators (PAs) induced by $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($E_2$), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$) in porcine endometrial cells. Endometrial cells were isolated from the epithelium and cultured to 80% confluence. They were then treated for 24 h with $E_2$ (0.2, 2, 20, and 200 ng/mL), $IL-1{\beta}$ (0.1, 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL), and hCG (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 IU/mL). mRNA expressions of urokinase-type (uPA) and tissue-type (tPA) PAs were analyzed using reverse transcription PCR, and activities were measured using a PA activity assay. mRNA expressions of uPA and tPA increased with $E_2$ treatment; however, this was not significant. Similarly, treatment with hCG did not influence the mRNA expressions of PAs. Interestingly, treatment with 0.1 ng/mL $IL-1{\beta}$ significantly reduced the mRNA expression of uPA, but did not affect that of tPA. Treatment with 2, 20, and 200 ng/mL $E_2$ increased PA activity compared with the control group; treatment with 0.1 and 1 ng/mL $IL-1{\beta}$ significantly increased PA activity compared with the other $IL-1{\beta}$ treatment groups, whereas treatment with 10 and 100 ng/mL $IL-1{\beta}$ decreased. Treatment with 2 IU/mL hCG increased PA activity compared with the other treatment groups, although there were no significant differences between the hCG and control groups. In conclusion, the activity and mRNA expression of PAs were differently regulated by the hormone/cytokine and its concentration in porcine endometrial cells. Therefore, understanding PA regulatory mechanisms may help to improve the reproductive potential of domestic animals.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.255-263
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• 2017

Chemotherapy is associated with male infertility. Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloro-platinum (II) (CDDP) as a chemotherapy medication used to treat a number of cancers has been reported to most likely induce testicular toxicity. Administration of antioxidants, such as pentoxifylline (PTX) may reduce some Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) of CDDP. Therefore, this study investigated the potentially protective effects of PTX on CDDP-induced testicular toxicity in adult male rats. For this purpose, 42 male rats were randomly divided into 7 groups. The rats were orally pretreated with PTX at the 3 doses of 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg once a day for 14 successive days. On the $14^{th}$ day of the study, they were intraperitoneally (IP) administered with a single dose of CDDP (7 mg/kg). Finally, the sperm/testis parameters, serum levels of reproductive hormones, including testosterone, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) as the pivotal endocrine factors controlling testicular functions, and histopathological changes of testis tissue were examined. Pretreatment with the two doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg PTX indicated significant increases in the sperm count and motility induced by CDDP administration. The right and significantly left testis weights were decreased following the treatment with 300 mg/kg of PTX plus CDDP. However, 75 mg/kg of PTX plus CDDP showed the best near-to-normal histopathological features. The results demonstrated that PTX alone enhanced some parameters, such as the sperm count, while reducing other parameters, including sperm fast motility and germ layer thickness. Furthermore, despite testosterone or LH levels, the mean serum FSH level was significantly augmented by the doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg. It was concluded that PTX administration cannot reduce CDDP-induced testicular toxicity even at high doses (e.g., 300 mg/kg), while it seemed to partially intensify CDDP toxicity effects at a dose of 75 mg/kg. Thus, further research is required in this regard.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.175-185
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• 2007

This study was carried out to investigate the pathogenesis and pathogenicity of the porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) Korean isolate from weaned pigs. Twenty four weaned pigs, PCV2, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and porcine parvovirus (PPV) antibodies free, were allocated to 4 groups (n = 6). Six pigs were inoculated intranasally with PCV2 alone, 6 with PCV2 and PRRSV, 6 with the combined PCV2/PRRSV/PPV inoculum, and 6 were remained as a uninoculated negative control. Pigs were killed 3 and 6 weeks after inoculation and tissue samples examined for gross and microscopic lesions and for the presence of PCV2 antigens and nucleic acids. Experimentally inoculated pigs were evaluated for 3 considerations: 1. development of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), 2. distribution of viral antigens by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and 3. cytokine mRNA levels in lymph nodes. Pigs inoculated with PCV2/PRRSV/PPV showed typical clinical signs, gross findings, and histopathologic characteristics of PMWS. In the PCV2/PRRSV/PPV inoculated group, the PCV2 antigen was widely distributed in various parenchymal organs such as brain, spinal cord, tonsil, lymph nodes, lung, heart, liver, kidney, spleen, and peyer's patch. Lymph node mRNA expression of IL-$1{\alpha}$, IL-2R and IL-8 was determined by real-time PCR. The pigs of PCV2/PRRSV and PCV2/PRRSV/PPV inoculation group, the mRNA expression was characterized by a decrease of IL-$1{\alpha}$, IL-2R and IL-8. The decrease of cytokine mRNA represent the state of T cell immuno-suppression in pig, and nicely support the evidence for the impairment of immune system in pigs with PMWS. In conclusion, PCV2 infection and some additional infectious causes such as PRRSV and/or PPV are warranted for the presence of PMWS in weaned pigs in Korea.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.211-219
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• 2004

The effects of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and ATP analogs, P/sub 2y/ purinoceptor agonists, on growth of normal mouse mammary epithelial cells (NMuMG) were examined. Cells were plated onto 24 well plates in DMEM supplemented with 10 % fetal calf serum. After serum starvation for 24 hours, ATP, P/sub 2y/ purinoceptor agonists (AdoPP[NH]P, ATP-α-S, ATP-γ-S, β, γ-me-ATP and 2me-S-ATP), P/sub 2u/ purinoceptor agonist (UTP) and P/sub 2y/ purinoceptor antagonists (Reactive Blue 2, more selective to P/sub 2y/ receptor than PPADS; PPADS) were added. DNA synthesis was estimated as incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA (1 hour pulse with 1 μ Ci/ml, 18～19 hours after treatment). ATP, Adopp[NH]P, ATP-α-S or ATP-γ-S, significantly increased DNA synthesis at 1, 10 and 100 μM concentrations with dose-dependency (P<0.05), and the maximum responses of ATP and ATP analogs were shown at 100 μM concentration (P<0.05). The potency order of DNA synthesis was ATP≥ATP- γ -S>Adopp [NH]P>ATP-α-S. β, γ -me-ATP, 2me-S-ATP and UTP did not increase DNA synthesis. In autoradiographic analysis of percentage of S-phase cells, similar results were observed to those of DNA synthesis. Addition of 1, 10 or 100 μM Reactive Blue 2 or PPADS significantly decreased ATP (100 μM)-induced DNA synthesis, however, PPADS was less effective than Reactive Blue 2. In Elvax 40P implant experiment, ATP directly stimulated mammary endbud growth in situ suggesting the physiological regulator of ATP in mammary growth. ATP 100 μM rapidly increased MAPK activity, reaching a maximum at 5 min and then gradually decreasing to the base level in 30 min. ATP analogs, Adopp[NH]P and ATP-γ-S also increased MAPK activity, however, β, γ-me-ATP and 2me-S-ATP did not. The inhibitor of the upstream MAPK kinase (MEK), PD 98059 (25 μM), effectively reduced ATP (100 μM) or EGF(10 ng/ml, as positive control)-induced MAPK activity and DNA synthesis (P<0.05). These results indicate that ATP-induced DNA synthesis was prevented from the direct inhibition of MAPK kinase pathway. Overall results support the hypothesis that the stimulatory effects of normal mouse mammary epithelial growth by addition of ATP or ATP analogs are mediated through mammary tissue specific P/sub 2y/ purinoceptor subtype, and MAPK activation is necessary for the ATP-induced cell growth.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.33-37
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• 2012

Differential capacity of the parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells (PESCs) is still under controversy and the mechanisms of its neural induction are yet poorly understood. Here we demonstrated neural lineage induction of PESCs by addition of insulin-like growth factor-2 (Igf2), which is an important factor for embryo organ development and a paternally expressed imprinting gene. Murine PESCs were aggregated to embryoid bodies (EBs) by suspension culture under the leukemia inhibitory factor-free condition for 4 days. To test the effect of exogenous Igf2, 30 ng/ml of Igf2 was supplemented to EBs induction medium. Then neural induction was carried out with serum-free medium containing insulin, transferrin, selenium, and fibronectin complex (ITSFn) for 12 days. Normal murine embryonic stem cells derived from fertilized embryos (ESCs) were used as the control group. Neural potential of differentiated PESCs and ESCs were analyzed by immunofluorescent labeling and real-time PCR assay (Nestin, neural progenitor marker; Tuj1, neuronal cell marker; GFAP, glial cell marker). The differentiated cells from both ESC and PESC showed heterogeneous population of Nestin, Tuj1, and GFAP positive cells. In terms of the level of gene expression, PESC showed 4 times higher level of GFAP expression than ESCs. After exposure to Igf2, the expression level of GFAP decreased both in derivatives of PESCs and ESCs. Interestingly, the expression level of $Tuj1$ increased only in ESCs, not in PESCs. The results show that IGF2 is a positive effector for suppressing over-expressed glial differentiation during neural induction of PESCs and for promoting neuronal differentiation of ESCs, while exogenous Igf2 could not accelerate the neuronal differentiation of PESCs. Although exogenous Igf2 promotes neuronal differentiation of normal ESCs, expression of endogenous $Igf2$ may be critical for initiating neuronal differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. The findings may contribute to understanding of the relationship between imprinting mechanism and neural differentiation and its application to neural tissue repair in the future.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.62-76
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• 2006

Purpose : These studies were undertaken to evaluate the effects of the Cynomorii Herba (CH) on the spermatogenic abilities such as the concentration, motility and morphological normality of sperm from the testis, and the activities of sperm hyaluronidase, testicular peroxidase and testicular catalase. Materials and Methods : We used the 2-month-old mice and administered 0.2ml extract solution of CH in the 0.1mg/ml, 1mg/ml, 10mg/ml and 100mg/ml once a day for 60days. The control group was administered the distilled water in the same way. After the administration of extract solution, we examined the number of total, motile and normal sperm from the cauda epididymis, the activities of sperm hyaluronidase, testicular peroxidase and testicular catalase. We observed the histological changes of isolated testis and compared to the testicular tissue especially seminiferous tubules between control and CH groups by histochemical method. Results : The concentration of total sperm and the motility of spermatozoa were significantly increased in the 1mg/ml, 10mg/ml and 100mg/ml CH groups, especially in 10mg/ml group, compared to the control group. The significant differences were observed in the normality of spermatozoa of the CH groups compared to the control group. In the histolocal analysis of the testicular tissues, the enlargement of testicular lobe diameter and apparent vasculogenesis between testicular lobes were observed in the CH groups compared to the control group. Also, the activity of hyaluronidase was significantly increased in the CH groups compared to the control group. In the antioxidant activity analysis, the activities of testicular peroxidase and testicular catalase were significantly increased in the CH groups compared to the control group, respectively. Conclusion : This study shows that CH has the beneficial effect on the concentration, morphology and motility of sperm, the activities of sperm hyaluronidase, testicular peroxidase and testicular catalase. We can suggest that CH extract solution be useful for the treatment of male sexual dysfunctions and infertility.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.16-31
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the different administration duration of Cynomorii Herba extract solution on the spermatogenic abilities such as concentration, motility and morphological normality of sperm from the testis and the activities of sperm hyaluronidase. Methods : We used the 8-week-old ICR mice and administered 0.3mg/g extract solution of Cynomorii Herba once a day for 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. The control group was administered the normal saline in the same way and duration. We examined the number of total, motile and normal sperm from the cauda epididymis. And we compared the testicular tissue especially seminiferous tubules between control and treated groups by histochemical methods. At the end we observed the difference of sperm hyaluronidase activities between control and treated groups. Results : The significant differences were observed in the concentration of total sperm, the motility and normality of spermatozoa of the Cynomorii Herba extract solution administered groups compared to the control group in 60 and 90 days groups. In the histological analysis of the testicular tissues, the enlargement of testicular lobe diameter and apparent vasculogenesis between testicular lobes were observed in the Cynomorii Herba extract solution administered groups compared to the control group, respectively. Also, the activity of hyaluronidase was significantly increased in the Cynomorii Herba extract solution administered groups compared to the control group. Conclusion : This study shows that Cynomorii Herba has the beneficial effect on the concentration, morphology and motility of sperm especially in 60 and 90 days administration group. We can suggest that Cynomorii Herba extract solution be useful for the treatment of male sexual dysfunctions and infertility.