• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.253-259
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• 1994

A clinical investigation was undertaken on primary male infertility patients of recent 5 years. The results obtained were as follow: 1. Suspective etiologic factors were: 1) testicular failure, 36.1 %; 2) varicocele, 18.7%; 3) endocrine abnormality, 13.5%; 4) obstruction, 13.5%; 5) idiopathic, 10.9%; 6) cryptorchidism, 2.6%; 7) necrospermia, 0.9%. 2. On semen analyses, azoospermia was found in 55.8%, single abnormal parameter in 21.5 %, and multiple/all abnormal parameter in 22.7% of the 163 cases. 3. For the evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity of noninvasive variables in predict in obstruction as the cause of azoospermia in patient who had undergone testicular biopsy, the testicular size and serum follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH) level revealed 100% of sensitivity. 4. Among the 43 patients with a testicular biopsy confirmed diagnosis there was a significant difference in testicular size, ejaculate volume(p<0.0001) and serum FSH(p<0.0001) between patients with testicular failure and those with ductal obstruction. 5. Of 93 treated patients with primary male infertility, 42 were managed by medical treatment including endocrine treament, retrograde ejaculation treatment, infection treatment and observation; 29 were managed by surgical treatment including varicocelectomy, vasovasostomy, vasoepididymostomy and TUR of ejaculatory duct; 20 were managed by sperm preparation treatment including artificial insemination(AI), electroejaculation plus AI and vibration ejaculation plus AI ; 2 were managed by microscopic epididymal sperm aspiration plus IVF, repectively. 6. 42 patients who could be followed-up, 21 patients(50%) impregnated their wives.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.60-66
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• 2019

Objective: To compare black rice (Oryza sativa L) extract with three different staining methods for human sperm head assessment. Methods: Semen samples were collected from 34 volunteers. Four smears of each ejaculate were prepared for staining using the rapid Papanicolaou (PAP) stain, SpermBlue, DipQuick, and black rice extract. The percentage of defective sperm heads (mean${\pm}$standard deviation) was compared. Results: Black glutinous rice extract, a natural dye, was used instead of hematoxylin to stain the nuclei of the sperm heads. The percentage of defective sperm heads showed a significant difference between black rice extract and DipQuick (p= 0.000). In contrast, black rice extract and rapid PAP showed no statistically significant difference (p= 0.974). A strong correlation (r = 0.761) was found between the findings obtained using rapid PAP and black rice extract. In contrast, a weak correlation (r = 0.248) was obtained between DipQuick and black rice extract for the percentage of defective sperm heads. Conclusion: The results showed good agreement and a strong correlation between the rapid PAP and black rice extract stains. The advantages of black rice extract as a novel substitute for hematoxylin for nuclear staining include ease of preparation, local availability, and favorable nuclear staining properties. Further studies could also focus on comparing staining techniques in clinical samples.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2019

Objective: The usual seminal profile has been customarily used for diagnosing male infertility based on an examination of semen samples. However, sperm DNA fragmentation has also been causally linked to reproductive failure, suggesting that it should be evaluated as part of male infertility assessments. To compare the ability of the five most widely utilized methodologies of measuring DNA fragmentation to predict male infertility and reactive oxygen species by Oxisperm kit assay. Methods: In this case-control study, which received ethical committee approval, the participants were divided into fertile and infertile groups (50 patients in each group). Results: The alkaline comet test showed the best ability to predict male infertility, followed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay, the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test, and the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), while the neutral comet test had no predictive power. For our patient population, the projected cut-off point for the DNA fragmentation index was 22.08% using the TUNEL assay, 19.90% using SCSA, 24.74% using the SCD test, 48.47% using the alkaline comet test, and 36.37% using the neutral comet test. Significant correlations were found between the results of the SCD test and those obtained using SCSA and TUNEL (r = 0.70 and r = 0.68, respectively; p< 0.001), and a statistically significant correlation was also found between the results of SCSA and the TUNEL assay (r = 0.77, p< 0.001). Likewise, the results of the alkaline comet test showed significant correlations with those of the SCD, SCSA, and TUNEL tests (r = 0.59, r = 0.57, and r = 0.72, respectively; p< 0.001). Conclusion: The TUNEL assay, SCSA, SCD, and the alkaline comet test were effective for distinguishing between fertile and infertile patients, and the alkaline comet test was the best predictor of male infertility.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.179-190
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to review the research trends regarding the treatment of Postpartum Depression (P.P.D) in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Methods: We searched articles in CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) from 2004 to 2013. Search key words were "产后抑郁症", "Postpartum Depression", and we selected 27 studies except for non-clinical studies, insufficient number of studies, unrelated studies and tests on animals. Results: We selected 27 articles with following results: 1) One study of Jadad Quality Assessment Scale score showed 3 points, 4 studies showed 2 points and 22 studies showed less than 1 point. Overall, the quality of the studies was low. 2) DSM - IV was frequently used as a diagnostic criteria and HAMD was mostly used as evaluation criteria. Diagnostic criteria and evaluation criteria were the same in HAMD and EPDS. 3) In TCM, there are various ways, such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, electro acupuncture, auricular acupuncture and/or massage to treat the postpartum depression. 4) The roots of Bupleurum falcatum Linne, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, Angelica gigas Nakai and Paeonia lactiflora Pall, the rhizome of Atractylodis macrocephala Koidz, the semen of Zizyphus jujuba Mill, the radix of Curcuma aromatica Salisb, the sclerotium of Poria cocos Wolf and the rhizomas of Cyperus rotundus L and of Cnidium officinale Makino are mainly used in the herbal medicine. BaekHoi (GV20) and Yindang (Ex-HN3) are mainly used in acupuncture points. 5) Most of the studies showed effective results. Some of the results were similar to those of the control groups which were cured by western medicine. Other results were better than those of control groups. Conclusions: Research on postpartum depression has been actively conducted in TCM and all studies showed effective results in the study group patients. Therefore, with this study, we hope to activate more clinical research on the treatment of patients in Korean traditional medicine.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2 s.70
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• pp.93-113
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• 2007

Objective : To research Trends of studies about anti-inflammation and pain relief, obesity, and safety of herbal acupuncture therapy by analyzing domestic theses, published since 2001, about herbal acupuncture therapy. Methods : Domestic theses, published since 2001, mentioning anti-inflammation or pain relief, obesity, or safety of herbal acupuncture therapy were reviewed and analyzed. These theses were then classified by university, year, and subject. Results : The following results were obtained in this study. 1. Among published theses related to anti-inflammation effects of herbal-acupuncture, studies about arthritis comprised the most part, 52. In theses relating to causes of arthritis, 16 were about adjuvant, which was the most, followed by Type II collagen, LPS and carrageenan. Blood test, reactions of inflammation and revelation of cytokine and immune cellswere methods for evaluating anti-inflammation effect. The tendency of experimental methods was to focus on molecular biologic method. 2. In theses related to pain relief, many clinical attempts with herbal injection were carried out, and Carthami Flos and Scolopendrawere used most. Observing reduction of pain inducing factor and checking behavioral change were methods for evaluating pain relief. 3. In theses related to obesity, research focused on effects in association with spots on the body suitable for acupuncture. There were also attempts comparing effectiveness between single injections and complex injections. Astraball Radix, Angelica Gigantis Radix, Coicis Semen and Taeumjowetang were used. Evaluation of anti-obesity effects were by weight loss, food efficiency, blood lipid profile and evaluation of liver function. 4. In theses related to safety of herbal-acupuncture, Herba Chelidonii Chaenonelis Fructus, Clematis Florida Thunb, Corydalidis Tuber, Paeoniae Radix, and Carthami Flos which marked 2 theses each were most studied. Methods of evaluating safety were mostly by observing liver and kidney functions based on blood test, and by applying herbal injections to clinical treatment. Conclusion : Herbal acupuncture is being used in various ways associating with its anti-inflammation, pain relief and anti-obesity effect. Studies on efficacy and mechanism of herbal acupuncture are being conducted even at the molecular biology level.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 1994

Morphological estimation of human spermatozoa is complicated by the fact that there is great natural variation in shape. This natural variation in shapes makes it difficult to say which forms are associated with infertility and which are normal variations. Possibly post coital test or in vitro cervical mucus penetration tests will help to clarify this question by showing which sperm are capable of penetration. The purpose of this investigation was performed to assess distribution of various morphological abnormalities according to the ability of sperm to penetrate cervical mucus. The sperm-mucus penetration using hen's egg white as substituting mucus for human cervical mucus was done in 45 fertile men with normal semen analysis and 122 infertile men with abnormal seminal parameters more than one. The female partners of 122 infertile couples showed normal results in the female fundamental test for fertility. Conventional semen analysis was evaluated according to the WHO standard normal(l980). The detailed classification of the abnormal sperm was made according to David et al(l975). The vitality of the sperm samples determined by eosin yellow-nigrosin stainig according to the method of Eliasson(l977). Results were as follw; 1. The patients had significantly lower total sperm count, motility (%), normal morphology (%), viability and total functional sperm fractions(TFSF) than fertile donors. 2. The mean value of sperm penetration distance of the patients(28.69${\pm}$11.02mm) showed significantly lower than fertile donors(37.33${\pm}$5.49mm). And 43/45 fertile donors(95.5%) as well as 57/122 patients(46.7%) had over 30mm in sperm penetration distance respectively. While 2/45 fertile donors(4.5 %) and 65/122 patient(53.3%) had under 30mm in sperm penetration distance respectively. 3. The morphological abnormalities in fertile donors were significantly lower 23.04${\pm}$5.83% (head = 12.89${\pm}$4.98, neck=6.11${\pm}$3.83%, and tail=3.43${\pm}$2.65%), compared to 36.03${\pm}$14. 40% in patients(head = 15.98 8.60%, neck 11.20${\pm}$6.56% and tail=8.70${\pm}$6.55%). Also, 3 types of sperm abnormalities including head, neck and tail were significantly lower in patient than fertile donors, respectively. Both the patients and fertile donors showed higher distribution of sperm with abnormal head than abnormal neck and tail. 4. The mean morphological abnormalities(SP>30mm) of the patients(30.68 11.64%; head = 15.95${\pm}$9.35%, neck=8.14${\pm}$4.21 %, tail=6.56${\pm}$5.64%) were significantly lower compared to patients(40.72${\pm}$15.01 %; head=16.02${\pm}$7.69%, neck 13.89${\pm}$7.82%, tail=1O.58${\pm}$6.75%) under 30mm in sperm penetration distance. Also, both groups over 30mm and under 30mm in sperm penetration showed distance higher distribution of sperm with abnormal head than abnormal neck and tail. The morphological abnormalities of head did not show significant difference but abnormal neck and tail were significant difference between the over 30mm and under 30mm group in sperm penetration distance.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2004

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effects of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate(DEHP) on reproductive characteristic, blood hematological and chemical values in mice. The male mice were intraperitoneally injected DEHP in negative control(no treatment), positive control(corn oil, 3ml/kg B.W), 0.5, 1.0 and 10.0mg DEHP/kg B.W and the female mice were injected DEHP in control(corn oil, 3ml/kg B.W), 0.5, 1.0 and 10.0mg DEHP/kg B.W with 5 times for 15 days on 3 days interval. The administration of DEHP in male mice were not affect on body weight, epididymis, vesicular gland and coagulating gland weight. The testis weight were slightly higher in DEHP treatment groups than in control. The semen characteristics(sperm concentration, viability, motility and abnormality) of male mice were not difference in all experimental groups. The RBC, Hb, HT, MCV, MCH, MCHC< PLT, albumin, BUN and total protein of blood hematological and chemical values were not affect the administration of DEHP in mice. The WBC values in 10.0mg DEHP group was slightly difference in all experimental group(P>0.05). The histological evaluation of testis, ovary and affevt the reproductive characteristic, blood hematological and chemical values.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2011

Semen cryopreservation induces the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the ROS cause sperm damage. We aimed to investigate the effects of the antioxidative enzyme catalase (CAT) on sperm quality and ROS during cryopreservation. Sperm rich fractions collected from five Duroc boars were cryopreserved in freezing extender with (200 or 400 U/mL) or without CAT (control). After thawing, sperm motility, viability, normal morphology, plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial function and intracellular ROS were evaluated. CAT significantly improved total sperm motility at a concentration of 400 U/mL (P < 0.05), but didn't improve progressive sperm motility, viability, morphological defects, plasma membrane integrity and mitochondrial function in frozen-thawed boar sperm. In evaluation of ROS, CAT had no effect on reduction in ${\cdot}O_2$, but scavenged $H_2O_2$ in viable frozen-thawed boar sperm at concentrations of 200 and 400 U/mL (P < 0.05). In conclusion, CAT was not enough to improve quality of frozen-thawed sperm, but can reduce $H_2O_2$ generation in viable boar sperm during cryopreservation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.178-185
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• 2014

Leonuri Fructus, a semen of Leonuri Herba, has been used for the treatment of menstrual disorders such as amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea and leukorrhea and for the remedy of hyperemia. The present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of the Leonuri Fructus extract (Leonurus japonicus Houtt. EtOH extract; LJE) in vivo and in vitro. In vitro study, the MTT assay for cell viability was conducted to determine the non-cytotoxic concentration of LJE treatment in media. The levels of NO were measured with Griess reagent. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected by ELISA method. The inflammation-related proteins of this study were detected by immunoblot anlaysis. The increases of NO production and iNOS expression were detected in LPS-treated cells compared with control, but LJE attenuated the increases of NO and iNOS by LPS. LJE reduced the production of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ induced by LPS stimulation. LJE suppresses the signaling pathways of NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPKs in LPS-induced macrophage cells. In vivo study, carrageenan-induced hind paw acute edematous inflammation rat model was used for evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of LJE. LJE significantly inhibited the increases of hind paw swelling, skin thicknesses and inflammatory cell infiltrations, and decreased the numbers of mast cell induced by carrageenan injection. These results suggest that LJE has an anti-inflammatory therapeutic potential, which is mediated through modulating NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and MAPK phosphorylation. Inhibition of the rat paw edema induced by carrageenan is considered as direct evidence that LJE may be a useful source to treat inflammation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 2002

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the interrelationship and clinical usefulness of sperm morphology by strict criteria (SM), acrosome reaction following ionophore challenge test (ARIC) and sperm penetration assay (SPA) using zona-free hamster ova as prognostic factors in in vitro fertilization. Materials and Methods: Semen samples were provided by 83 patients undergoing IVF. We first evaluated the differences between normal fertilization group and poor fertilization group on three andrologic tests. Secondly, we analyzed the relationship between the three andrologic tests and in vitro fertilization on IVF settings. Finally, we evaluated the effectiveness of the three andrologic tests as the prognostic indicators for fertilizing ability. Results: The fertilization rate of all men in the poor fertilization group was less than 30%; but there was no evidence that this poor fertilization was due to oocyte defects. The results of three andrologic tests were significatly higher in normal fertilization group. Fertilization rate (%) in vitro was highly correlated (p<0.001) with % normal sperm by SM, ARIC value (%), and SPA result. By using Receiver-Operator-Characteristic curve (ROC), we evaluated the effectiveness of these three tests. The sensitivity and specificity of SM, ARIC test and SPA in predicting fertilization potential in IVF setting were 76% and 75%, 84% and 90%, and 76% and 95%, respectively. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the three andrologic tests can be reliable tools as prognostic factors of sperm fertilizing ability. Among these test, ARIC test and SPA gave more accurate information on fertilizing capacity. ARIC test was shown to have a predictive value for fertilizing ability comparable to that of SPA that appears to be a simple and cost-effective addition to current andrology laboratory. Combined application of these three tests may give more information on predicting sperm fertilizing capacity.