• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2015

Cryopreservation of boar semen is continually researched in reproductive technologies and genetic resource banking in breed conservation. For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility (MOT) is an important parameter because the movement of spermatozoa indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Various researches have been trying to improve the quality of semen post-thawed in boar. Recently, polymorphism (g.358A>T) of cluster-of-differentiation antigen 9 (CD9) gene reported to be significant association with MOT. Also, CD9 gene was expressed in the male germ line stem cells is crucial for sperm-egg fusion, and was therefore selected as candidate gene for boar semen. This study was conducted to evaluate the pig SNP (g.358A>T) of CD9 gene as a positional controlling for semen parameters of post-thawed boar semen. To results, the g.358A>T SNP of the CD9 gene was significantly associated with the traits such as MOT, curve linear velocity, straight line velocity, average path velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement. Particularly, the g.358A>T SNP significantly has the highest association with MOT and animals with AA genotype (p<0.001). Therefore, we suggest that the g.358A>T in the intron 6 region of the porcine CD9 may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar Post-thawed semen quality, although its functional effect was not defined yet.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.29-32
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• 2009

Prostaglandin $F_2{\alpha}$ ($PGF_2{\alpha}$) can facilitate release of epinephrine from the adrenal gland. The objective was to extend these findings and determine the effects of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ on sexual activity and semen collection training in sexually inexperienced boars. Boars (n=32; $281{\pm}18$ days of age) were moved individually once weekly to a semen collection room equipped with an artificial sow. Before entering the semen collection room, boar received i.m. treatments of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ at doses of 5 (n=8), 10 (n=8), or 20 (n=8), and control boar (n=8) were not treated. Reaction time (elapsed time after entering collection pen until the start of mounting) for boars receiving 5mg ($3.3{\pm}0.9\;min$), 10mg ($3.3{\pm}0.8\;min$) $PGF_2{\alpha}$ was shorter (p<0.05) than for controls ($6.7{\pm}0.9min$). Duration of ejaculation (min) per session was longer (p<0.05) for $PGF_2{\alpha}$ (10 mg, 20 mg)-treated boars ($7.3{\pm}0.7\;min$, $6.9{\pm}0.7\;min$), compared to control ($3.4{\pm}0.8\;min$). The number of training session per boars was less (p=0.056) for $PGF_2{\alpha}$ 10mg-treated boars ($1.0{\pm}0.4$), compared to control ($2.0{\pm}0.4$). Semen characteristic such as volume, concentration, the number of total ejaculated sperm, were similar for $PGF_2{\alpha}$-treated and controls. There was no apparent difference on sperm movement characteristics (Mot: motility, VCL : curve linear velocity, VSL : straight line velocity, VAP : average path velocity, LIN : linearity) after semen preservation by collected with or without $PGF_2{\alpha}$ treatment. In summary, administration of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ in boars increased the sexual activity and facilitated the training boars to mount an artificial sow for semen collection, but did not affect semen characteristic.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.477-483
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• 2015

Characteristics of snake reproductive organs that are relatively less affected by external environmental conditions can be used as an important means of classification; additionally, such characteristics can provide useful information on a species' reproductive system. In this study, we compared the testis weights, hemipenis lengths and retractor muscle lengths of male Oocatochus rufodorsatus and Rhabdophis tigrinus in Colubridae and Gloydius saxatilis, G. brevicaudus and G. ussuriensis in Viperidae. The snake snout-vent lengths (SVLs) were positively related to the three reproductive organ sizes, but the body weight only exhibited a positive relationship with the testis weight. The three organs did not significantly differ on the left and right sides. The relative testis weights and retractor muscle lengths (divided by the body weight and SVL, respectively) of the Colubridae snakes were greater than for the Viperidae snakes, but the relative hemipenis lengths (divided by SVL) did not differ between the two groups. The relative testis weight of G. saxatilis and the relative retractor muscle lengths of the Viperidae snakes were smaller compared with the Colubridae snakes. The relative hemipenis length of O. rufodorsatus was greater than for R. tigrinus, G. saxatilis and G. brevicaudus. Additional comparisons were not significant. Our results may facilitate further studies on hemipenial morphology and mating competition in Korean snakes. This is the first study on Korean snake reproductive organs.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.197-205
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• 1996

This study was conducted to examine the effect of sustained release recombinant bovine somatotropin(SR-rBST) with different dosage(0, 0.03mg/kg body weight/14 day, 0.06mg/kg body weight/14 day, 0.09mg/kg body weight/14 day) on the economical traits of the semen characteristics and sexual behaviors and blood chemical values with sixteen Holstein dairy young bulls in Dairy Cattle Improvement Center of National Livestock Co-operatives Federation. Sensual testings of collected semens of Holstein young bulls were not different among treatments (p>0.05). Ejaculated semen volumes of control, SR-rBST 0.03mg, 0.06mg and 0.09mg groups were 5.6ml, 5.6ml, 6.0ml and 6.7m, respectively, but the result of SR-rBST 0.09mg group significantly increased semen volume(P<0.05). In sperm concentration, SR-rBST 0.06mg and 0.09mg groups significantly increased the total number of sperms than the other groups(P<0.05). In otherwise, SR-rBST treatments did not affect on pH, osmotic pressure, anti forzen rate, abnormality and motility of collected semen during whole experimental period. Reaction time(RT), sexual aggressiveness(SA) and tactile stimulation(TS) were not different among treatments. The libido scores(LS) of control, 0.03mg, 0.06mg and 0.09mg groups were 68.0, 80.5, 73.9 and 80.8, respectively, and LS were significantly improved by SR-rBST administration(P<0.05). The effect of SR-rBST on scrotal circumference measurement that is important factor to determine the ability of semen production, was not different among treatments. These studies indicates that SR-rBST treatments favourably affect on semen quality and sexual libido in Holstein young bull.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.68-81
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• 1986

This experiment was conducted to find out the effects of the six different feeding methods on the development of body weight, testis, comb and pituitary gland, and the sexual maturity of White Plymouth Rock cockerels. From hatching to 22 weeks of age, the weights of whole body, testis, comb and pituitary gland, and the histological changes of testis and the semen characteristics were checked every other week. The results obtained in this expeniment were as follows: 1. The growth rates of the self-feeding groups were faster than those of the limited feeding groups (70 percent of the self-feeding) by about 2 weeks. The weights of testis and comb showed the most marked increase at 20 weeks of age in the self-feeding groups and at 22 weeks of age in the limited feeding groups, respectively. 2. The weights of pituitary gland from hatching to 22 weeks of age at all observation weeks were not recognized significantly among the compared groups except 4, 14 and 16 weeks of age. 3. Correlations between week of age, body weight, testis, comb and pituitary gland, in the course of 22 weeks, were highly significant. 4. The diameters of lumina and tubules in the seminiferous tubules increased very slowly until 10 weeks of age. They showed the most marked increase at 12 weeks of age in the self-feeding groups and at 14 weeks of age in the limited feeding groups, and then continueously increased until 22 weeks of age. 5. Primary spermatocytes appeared at first at 8 weeks in the all treatment groups. Secondary spermatocytes appeared at first at 10 weeks in the self-feeding groups and at 12 weeks in the limited feeding groups. At 14 weeks of age spermatids and spermatozoa were found at first in the self-feeding groups but spermatids were found in the limited feeding groups. 6. Age of the first ejaculation was between 14 and 16 weeks of age in the all treatment groups. The average semen volume and sperm concentration ranged from $0.1{\sim}0.2m{\ell}/ejaculate$ and $5.6{\sim}9.8{\times}10^8sperm/m{\ell}$ at the age of the first ejaculation but $0.30{\sim}0.35m{\ell}/ejaculate$ and $22.4{\sim}42.7{\times}10^8sperm/m{\ell}$ at the 20 weeks of age in the all treatment groups.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.957-966
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• 2004

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of BPA on reproductive characteristic and blood hematological and chemical values in mice. The male mice were intraperitoneally injected BPA in native control(no treatment), positive control(corn oil, 3$m\ell$/kg B.W), 0.05, 0.5 and 5.0mg BPA/kg B.W and female mice were injected BPA in control(corn oil, 3$m\ell$/kg B.W), 0.05, 0.5 and 5.0mg BPA/kg B.W with 5 times at 3 days interval for 14 days. The administration of BPA in male mice didn't affect the body and reproductive organ weight such as testis, epididymis, vesicular gland and coagulating gland. We found that the 5.0mg BPA group was significantly reduced the sperm concentration and increased the sperm abnormality compared to native, positive control and 0.05mg BPA groups(P<0.05), but any other effects were not found in sperm viability and motility in BPA treatment groups. The RBC, HB, HT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, albumin, BUN and total protein of blood hematological and chemical values in male were not different in all experimental groups(P>0.05). However, the value of WBC was slightly lower in BPA treatment groups than that of control groups and PLT was slightly higher in BPA groups than that of control groups, but not significantly defference among the experimental groups(P>0.05). In female mice, the effects of BPA on body weight didn’t affect in all experimental groups, but ovary weights in 0.5 and 5.0mg BPA groups were significantly increased compared to those in control and 0.05mg BPA group(P<0.05). The uterine weight in BPA groups was slightly higher than that of control group, but not significantly different in all experimental groups(P>0.05). The RBC, Hb, HT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, albumin and total protein of blood hematological and chemical values in female were not different in all experimental groups(P>0.05). The values of WBC and PLT in BPA groups were slightly higher than that of control, but not significantly different among the experimental groups. The concentration of BUN was the higher in BPA groups than that of control group. The histological evaluation of testis, ovary and uterus were not different in all experimental groups.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.171-178
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sperm viability, normal acrosome and mitochondrial activity in the frozen-thawed fowl semen by different cryoprotectants. The experiment was carried out on 10 sexually adult roosters of Ogye. The semen was collected twice a week and pooled semen was diluted 1:1 EK extender containing no cryoprotectant at $5^{\circ}C$. After equilibration for 30 minutes, diluted chicken semen was diluted 1:1 extender containing either 7% dimethylacetamide (DMA), 7% dimethylformamide (DMF) or 7.5% methylacetamide (MA) at final concentration and was put in 0.5 mL plastic straws and frozen for 30 minutes by exposure to liquid nitrogen vapor 4 cm above the surface of liquid nitrogen, followed by plunging into liquid nitrogen. Frozen semen was thawed in water bath at $5^{\circ}C$ for 2 minutes. For cytometric analysis, the frozen-thawed semen was diluted with EK extender to a final concentration of 90 million spermatozoa per mL. Sperm membrane integrity was evaluated as SYBR-14 and propidium iodide (PI). Acrosome integrity was assessed with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled PSA and PI. The percentage of mitochondrial function was estimated by using Rhodamine123 (R123) and PI. In conclusion, freezing rooster semen by using 7% DMF as cryoprotectant was significantly highest in rates of survival and mitochondrial function while its rate of damage of acrosome was significantly lowest. As a result, DMF is the cryoprotectant that has the lowest influences on sperm membranes and acrosome integrity. Therefore it could be used for freezing method of animal genetic conservation method for poultry diversity.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.45-55
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• 1981

Clomiphene citrate. antiestrogen, was given to 39 infertile males whose spermatogenesis were disturbed and the efficacy of the drug was evaluated at the Department of Urology in 1980. (Table 1). Patients were divided into 3 clinical observation groups such as group I composed of 19 cases of idiopathic azoospermia, group II consisted of 15 cases of oligospermia following the vasovasostomy, and group III comprised 5 cases of testicular azoospermia. (Table 2). Clinical characteristics of these patients were as follows: Age of the patients ranged from 26 to 43 years old with mean of 34, and that of their wives ranged from 24 to 41 years old with mean of 31. Duration of marital life ranged from 1 to 21 years with mean of 5 years. Sizes of testis ranged from 6 to 25 ml with mean of 16 ml. Coital frequency ranged from 0.5 to 6 per week with mean of 2.4 per week. Levels of plasma FSH ranged from 3.15 to 23.06 lU/1 with mean of 8.15 lU/1, those of LH ranged from 2.98 to 19.89 lU/1 with mean of 8.18 lU/1 and those of testosterone ranged from 3.09 to 9.97 ng/ml with mean of 6.48 ng/ml. (Table 3). Clomiphene citrate was given in dosage of 50 mg per day (in d.) orally to 31 patients for 3 to 9 months and in dosage of 100 mg per day (b.i.d.) orally to 8 patients for 3 to 9 months. (Table 8). Semen samples were analysed monthly on each patient by routine analysis techniques. For the assessment of the efficacy of Clomiphene citrate on faulty spermatogenesis following empirical criteria were used: For semen quality: Improvement (I) represents that semen parameter increased more than 25% from basal level after the treatment, Unchange (U) expresses that semen parameter increased less than 25% of basal level or not changed after the treatment and Deterioration (D) means that semen parameter decreased from basal level after the treatment. For fertility unit (total counts ${\times}$ motility ${\times}$ morphology ${\div}10^6$): Improvement (I) represents that fertility unit increased more than 10 units after the treatment, Unchange (U) expresses that fertility unit increased less than 10 units or not changed after the treatment, and Deterioration (D) means that fertility unit decreased after the treatment. (Table 4). Results obtained from the Clomiphene therapy were as follows: Changes of spermiograme before and after the Oomiphene therapy shown in the Table 5. Sperm counts increased from 23 to 31 ${\times}10^6$/ml in group I, from 17 to 29 ${\times}10^6$/ml in group II. Other parameters of spermiogramme were not changed significantly after the treatment. Fertility units increased from 14 to 18 units after the treatment in group I, and from 16 to 18 units after the treatment in group II. Effectiveness of Clomiphene citrate on spermatogenesis was summarised in the Tables 6 and 7. After the treatment, sperm count increased in 11 patients, motility increased in 6 patients, morphology increased in 4 patients and fertility units increased in 9 patients. No sperm could be produced by Clomiphene citrate in group III of testicular azoospermia. Dosage of 50 mg of Clomiphene citrate per day for 3 to 6 months was proved to be the most effective in the present series. (Table 8). Pregnancy occurred in 2 patients after the treatment. No particular side effects were noted by the treatment. Pharmacologic compounds used for male infertility were shown in the Table 9. Reported results of Clomiphene citrate were shown in the Table 10.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.89-96
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• 1999

Some of the information concerning sexual function in the male diabetes has been focused upon the problems of endocrine or semen parameters. However, the characteristics of acrosome reaction and spermatozoa concentration at the epididymis and vas deferens have scarcely been studied, and the causes of the infertility has not been critically identified. So, we designed to inspect the spermatozoa concentration and the characteristics of acrosome reaction at epididymis and vas deferens of diabetic Wistar rat induced by streptozotocin (STZ, 70 mg/kg, ip). Experimental animal was sacrificed at 3 days and 14 days after the STZ injection. In the diabetes-induced rat, the levels of insulin and glucose had a pattern of inverse proportion. The spermatozoa concentrations in caput and corpus epididymis were significantly decreased in all diabetic condition. In cauda epididymis, however, there was significant decrease in sperm concentration at 14 days onward. In diabetic rat, the spontaneous reaction rate of spermatozoa of cauda and vas deferens were significantly higher than the control group. The ARIC (acrosome reaction to ionophore challenge) value of caudal sperm was 28.7 at control, 22.1 at 3 days, and 8.3 at 14 days. In the present study the spermatozoa concentration was decreased and the spontaneous reaction rate was increased by diabetes. In ARIC-test, it is revealed that the fertility of spermatozoa of 14 days group was lower than control or 3 days group. Diabetes mellitus may be provoke the decreased fertilization rate and subsequent infertility and subsequent infertility.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 1998

The fine structure of spermatozoa of Pungtungia herzi was examined with scanning and transmission electron microscopies. The spermatozoa of p. herzi are approximately 37.4 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in length and a relatively simple cell with a spherical nucleus, a short midpiece and a tail. The acrosome is not present as in most teleost fishes. The ultrastructure of spermatozoa represents typical characteristics of cyprinid spermatozoa including the lateral insertion of flagellum, the organization of centriolar complex in shallow nuclear fossa, and the occurrence and asymmetrical arrangement of mitochondria. In the nuclear envelope and mitochondrion, however there were some morphological differences for their ultrastructure. The nuclear envelope is severely undulated and the shallow nuclear fossa contains two centrioles which are at the angle of some 130$^{\circ}$ each other. The most significant feature can be observed with the mitochondrion; five or more mitochondria, which are shown in primary spermatocyte, fuse to form a single one in the mature spermatozoon. The mitochondrial aspect is different from that of other cyprinid spermatozoa, where their mitochondria have a conventional aspect and never fuse to form a mitochondrial derivative. In terms of sperm evolution the fused mitochondria are regarded as the apomorphic character in comparison with the separate mitochondria. The single mitochondrion is not reported in cyprinid spermatozoon except the case of Rhodeus.