• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.160-164
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• 2010

Structural abnormalities of the Y chromosome affect normal testicular differentiation and spermatogenesis. The present case showed a rare monocentric derivative Y chromosome with partial duplication of Yp including the SRY gene and deletion of Yq12 heterochromatin. The karyotype was 46,X,der(Y)(pter${\rightarrow}$q11.23::p11.2${\rightarrow}$pter).ish der(Y)(DYZ3+,DYZ1-,SRY++), confirmed through a FISH study. Even though the patient possessed an abnormal Y chromosome, testicular biopsy showed normal testicular volumes in the proband, with gonadal hormonal levels in the normal range but bilateral varicocele and hypospermatogenesis. We speculate that the abnormal Y chromosome arose from sister chromatids during Y chromosome recombination or intra chromosomal NAHR (non-allelic homologous recombination) during meiosis in the patient's father or in the very early stages of embryogenesis. The derivative Y chromosome might interfere in the meiotic stage of spermatogenesis, leading to the developmental arrest of germ cells. The present case illustrates that the infertility phenotype can have various causes. Also, it emphasizes the importance of accurate and various genetic analyses and could aid in male infertility treatment.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.281-286
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• 2000

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD), a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, causes a variety of adverse effects on the male reproductive system in rats. The effect of green tea extract (GTE) was investigated on the testicular function in Spragure-Dawley rats after a single exposure of 10$\mu\textrm{g}$ TCDD/kg body weight. The exposure of rat to TCDD significantly increased the weights of the epididymis and ventral prostate, yet significantly decresed the weight of the seminal vesicle when compared to the controls (p<0.05). In a combined treatment of TCDD with GTE, the organ weight changes caused by TCDD treatment disappeared. Significant decreases in sperm motility and sperm numbers were observed in the TCDD-treated rats, when compared to the control (p<0.05). GTE treatment reversed the decrease of sperm motility and sperm numbers caused by TCDD. There were no differences in sperm morphology, histological changes of the reproductive organs, and spermatogenesis between all the treated groups. In the ventral prostate and seminal vesicle, TCDD increased the CYP1A1 mRNA level, however, it did not affect the estrogen receptor $\beta$ (ER-$\beta$) mRNA level. GTE treatment did not influence the effect of TCDD on the levels of CYP1A1 and Er-$\beta$ mRNA. These results seem to indicate that green tea protects the testicular function against TCDD-induced reproductive toxicity, not because of a receptor-mediated mechanism but rather due to a secondary change of testes or accessory sex organs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.835-841
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the reversibility and safety of KISS1 metastasis suppressor (KISS1) gene vaccine in immunocastration. Methods: Six eight-week old ram lambs were randomly divided into vaccinated and control groups. The vaccine (1 mg/ram lamb) was injected at weeks 0, 3, and 6 of the study. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein before primary immunization and at weeks 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 22, and 30 after primary immunization. All ram lambs were slaughtered at 38 weeks of age, and samples were collected. Results: The specific anti-KISS1 antibody titers in vaccinated animals were significantly higher and the serum testosterone level was significantly lower than those in the control groups from week 4 to 14 after primary immunization (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed at weeks 22 and 30 after the primary immunization. Similar results were also found for scrotal circumference, testicular weight, length, breadth, and spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubules in week 30 after primary immunization. KS (KISS1-hepatitis B surface antigen S) fusion fragment of KISS1 gene vaccine was not detected in host cell genomic DNA of 9 tissues of the vaccinated ram lambs by polymerase chain reaction. Conclusion: The effects of KISS1 gene vaccine in immunocastration were reversible and no integration events were recorded.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.293-297
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• 2016

For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility is an important parameter because the movement of sperm indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Phospholipase C zeta (PLCz) is important enzyme in spermatogenesis, but the effect has not been confirmed in pigs yet. Therefore, this study was aimed to analyze their association with sperm motility and kinematic characteristics. DNA samples from 124 Duroc pigs with records of sperm motility and kinematic characteristics [total motile spermatozoa (MOT), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL), the ratio between VSL and VCL (LIN), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH)] were subjected. A SNP in non-coding region of PLCz g.158 A > C was associated with MOT (p < 0.05), VCL (p < 0.01), LIN (p < 0.01) and ALH (p < 0.05) in Duroc population. Therefore, we suggest that the intron region of the porcine PLCz gene may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar semen quality, although its functional effect was not defined yet. Whether the association is due to the candidate gene or not require further verification. Thus, it will be of interest to continue association studies in the regions surrounding those genes.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.281-285
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• 2016

Cluster-of-differentiation antigen 9 (CD9) gene expressed in the male germ line stem cells is crucial for sperm-egg fusion, and was therefore selected as a candidate gene to investigate Duroc boar semen motility and kinematic characteristics. This study was performed to investigatetheir association with semen motility and kinematic characteristics. DNA samples from 96 Duroc pigs with records of sperm motility and kinematic characteristics [Total motile spermatozoa (MOT, $82.27{\pm}5.58$), Curvilinear velocity(VCL, $68.37{\pm}14.58$), Straight-line velocity(VSL, $29.06{\pm}6.58$), the ratio between VSL and VCL(LIN, $47.36{\pm}8.42$), Amplitude of Lateral Head displacement(ALH, $2.88{\pm}0.70$)] were used in present study. A single nucleotide polymorphism (g.358A>T) in intron 6 was associated with MOT, VCL, VAP and ALH in Duroc population (p<0.05). Therefore, we suggest that the porcine CD9 may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar semen quality, although its functional effect was not clear yet. These results will improve the understanding of the functions of the CD9 in spermatogenesis within the reproductive tracts, and will shed light on CD9 as a candidate gene in the selection of good sperm quality boars.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.75-80
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• 2004

This study was performed to examine the cytotoxic effects of nicotine on the seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells in mice testis. A different amount of nicotine (2～15 mg/kg, for two weeks, one dose of 100 mg/kg) were administered to four-month male mice, and then the optical microscopic findings of its effect on testis of the mice are as follows: 1. The group that 2 mg/kg of nicotine was administered showed normal findings that nucleus and cytoplasm of Leydig cells are distinct, while the other group that 5 mg/kg of nicotine was given to showed nucleus and cytoplasm are swollen and thickened a little, and slightly dyed. 2. The group that 10 mg/kg of nicotine was given had irregular arrangement of spermatogenesis inside seminiferous tubules so it was impossible to distinguish phages of seminiferous tubules. It was also impossible to observe cells due to fusion of their nucleuses, and distinct cytoplasm. 3. The group that 15 mg/kg of nicotine was administered showed destruction of nucleuses and cytoplasm of spermatocytes and sperms and a fill of fibered connective tissues so that it is impossible to observe rumens of seminiferous tubules.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2000

Spatiotemporal expression of two isoforms of zonular occludens-1 (ZO-1), tight junctional protein, was examined in mouse testis. By RT-PCR, transcripts encoding two isoforms of ZO-1; ZO-1$\alpha$+ and ZO-1$\alpha$- were detected in testis. Two different forms of ZO-1 antigens with Mr.225 and 2001 KDa were detected in western blot of extract of neonatal to adult testis, coinciding with the result of RT-PCR. The relative amount of ZO-1 $\alpha$- versus 20-1 $\alpha$＋ increased as the mice matured. In immunostaining using the pan antibody which detected both isoforms, ZO-1 was localized in the intercellular spaces in the Sertoli cell - Sertoli cell contacts in periphery of seminiferous tubule as well as Sertoli cell - germ cells contacts within the seminiferous tubule. The expression of ZO-1 was ubiquitous in both junctional area and cytoplasm of seminiferous tubule components. However, more intense signals were found in Sertoli cell junctional areas according to sexual maturation. The changes in the relative amount of both isoforms and spatial distribution of ZO-1 at the periphery of seminiferous tubule might be important for functional appearance of blood testis barrier and spermatogenesis.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2007

The purpose of the present study was to determine the preventive effects of the two antioxidant vitamin E and catechin on DEHP-induced disturbance of spermatogenesis in male rats. Rats at 4 weeks of age were randomly allocated into five groups with 20 animals per group. The first group was not any administrated as control. The second group was administrated DEHP (2 g/kg) daily for 14 days. The third group was administrated vitamin E (500 IU/kg) following DEHP treatment by the same method (daily for 14 days). The fourth group was administrated catechin (200 mg/kg) following DEHP treatment by the same method. The fifth group was co-administrated vitamin E (500 IU/kg) and catechin (200 mg/kg) following DEHP treatment by the same method. In order to determine the preventive effects, we examined pathological changes of testis with apoptotic index, and characteristics of sperm with computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Vitamin E and catechin supplementation were significantly prevented the testicular atrophy, apoptosis of germ cells in the seminiferous tubules and abnormal rate of sperm. Moreover, sperm concentration, viability and motility was significantly recovered in groups of alone and along with vitamin E and catechin. The results suggest that preventive effects of alone and along administration of vitamin E and catechin on DEHP-induced testicular atrophy damages have been demonstrated.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2005

The objective of the present study was to investigate changes of sex steroid(testosterone: T and $estradiol-17{\beta}:\;E_2$), cortisol levels and gonadal development following $T_3$ treatment to protandrous black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli. Exogenous $T_3$ was found to significantly stimulate the increase of T levels in plasma of black porgy after 60 days of treatment. However no effects of $T_3$ on $E_2$ levels and oocyte size were found. $T_3$ treatment resulted in stimulated spermatogenesis and testicular development in gonad and prolonged spermiation. Also, the levels of cortisol were significantly increased in the fish treated with $T_3$ as compared to control fish at 60 days. The results showed that exogenous $T_3$ had direct effect on the release of T and cortisol, thus $T_3$ seems to play, either directly or indirectly, an important role in the testis development of functional male black porgy.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.223-251
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• 2017

Objectives : A lot of experiment results of Yugmijihwangtang(YM) are reported in various kinds of journals. Many of them report on the new effects that are not recorded in the traditional medical texts. So it is necessary to take it into consideration that newly reported effects could be of help to clinical practice, because this process of comparison of Donguibogam and scientific experiment results will have basis to lead into the evidence based medicine. Methods : We compared the effects of in Donguibogam and the experiment results of YM. Results : The effects of YM in Donguibogam are to replenish essence and marrow, and to treat red wen, fatigue, treat hypouresis, urinary sediment, urinary urgency, hematuria, hydrocephalus, speech and movement retardation, yin-deficiency, diabetes mellitus, nonalcoholic fatty liver, melanoma, disability to see near and far sight, tinnitus, hearing loss, alopecia, angiogenesis, cough, cough at night, trachyphonia, and, infantile convulsion. The experiment results of YM since 2000 in both Korea and China are to inhibit atopic dermatitis, renal interstitial fibrosis, anti-oxidant, emphysema, stress, glomerulosclerosis, diabetic nephropathy, chronic glomerulonephritis, hemorrhage, plantar sweating, dermal aging, kidney aging, bone loss, breast cancer, pathological myocardial cell, primary liver cancer, thrombosis, osteoporosis, intrauterine growth retardation, chronic renal failure, IgA nepropathy, slow cerebral development, and hippocampal tissue lesions on the one hand, and to help bone formation, renin-angiotensin- aldosterone system, cerebral recovery, cognitive function and expression, osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, learning and memory, cold-tolerance and oxygen deficit-tolerance and anti-fatigue, endometrial formation, humoral and cell-mediated immunity, immune regulation effect, Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Ovary Axis, and spermatogenesis, on the other hand. Conclusion : When we compared the effects of YM with the experiment results of YM, there existed a considerable gap between them. So, from now on, it is expected that a great effort and consideration are needed to solve these gaps from an academic and clinical point of view.