• Development and Reproduction
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.279-287
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• 2012

We investigated the changes in plasma sex steroid hormones, testosterone (T), estradiol-$17{\beta}$ ($E_2$), 17,$20{\beta}$-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one ($17{\alpha}20{\beta}P$), 11-ketotestosterone (11KT) and cortisol levels from ribbed gunnel, Dictyosoma burgeri in associated with annual reproductive cycle. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) of females increased from November, peaked in February and decreased rapidly from March. The GSI of males also increased from November, peaked in January and then decreased gradually. In females, $E_2$ levels increased and remained high from December to February. The levels of T showed a similar tendency and correlated ($r_s$=0.898, p<0.01) with $E_2$ levels. The levels of $17{\alpha}20{\beta}P$ increased rapidly in February ($4.78{\pm}1.01ng/ml$) and peaked in July ($5.08{\pm}0.65ng/ml$). Cortisol level was peaked in March and correlated with $17{\alpha}20{\beta}P$ levels ($r_s$=0.696, p<0.01). In males, the levels of T was peaked in January and then decreased rapidly. The levels of 11KT were remained high from October to January. On the other hand, the levels of $17{\alpha}20{\beta}P$ fluctuated during reproductive cycle. These results suggest that plasma sex steroids in ribbed gunnels have annual periodicity, and that cortisol may involve in maturation of females.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.305-313
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• 1998

Steroid hormone is known to cause the dynamic changes of mammalian uterus during reproductive cycle. However there is little information about the effect of estrogen (E) and progesterone (P) on the expression of various transcription factors involved in gene expression. Thus the present study was designed to demonstrate E and/or P-induced expression of c-Fos, CREB, ATF and HSP70 in rat uterus. Rats, ovariectomized (OVX) for two weeks, were divided into 6 experimental groups, 1) OVX, 2) OVX+V, 3) OVX+E, 4) OVX+P, 5) OVX+E+V, 6) OVX+E+P, and western blotting assay for nuclear extract and immunohistochemical staining were carried out for each experimental group. Treatment of E $(10{\mu}g)$ showed to increase the expression of c-Fos, CREB, ATF, and HSP70, and maximal expression was occured at $3\sim6$ hr after E administration. P (1mg) also increased, but much less than E, the expression of c-Fos, ATF, and HSP70. However, P did not reveal any effect on the expression CREE. P treatment 4 hr after E injection decreased c-Fos, CREB, and ATF expression, but did not show any change in the E-induced HSP70 expression. In immunohistochemical study c-Fos-, CREB-, and ATF-immunoreactivities were confined to the cells of luminal epithelium of uterine endometrium. These results suggest that proliferation and differentiation of rat uterus during reproductive cycle may mediated via expression of transcription factors, such as c-Fos, CREB, ATF, and HSP70.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2008

The objective of this study is to investigate the changes in concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and sex steroid hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in Korean cattle (Hanwoo) with reproductive disorders and to examine the relationship between BUN and body condition score (BCS) in Hanwoo. The concentration of BUN was 16.2 mg/dl, 17.8 mg/dl, 15.1 mg/dl, 17.9 mg/dl, and 28.3mg/dl in pregnancy, repeat breeding, follicular cyst, luteal cyst, and ovarian atrophy, respectively. In Hanwoo with BCS $2.0{\sim}2.9$, $3.0{\sim}3.5$ and $3.6{\sim}4.0$, the concentration of BUN was 15.8 mg/dl, 17.0 mg/dl, and 17.6 mg/dl, respectively. Fluoroimmunoassay showed that serum estrogen and progesterone levels were decreased in reproductive disorders Hanwoo, such as ovarian atrophy, endometritis, and weak estrus. The testosterone level was significantly decreased in Hanwoo with reproductive disorders compared to that in pregnant Hanwoo ($0.02{\sim}0.03\;ng/ml$ vs 0.13 ng/ml, p<0.05). The progesterone and estrogen concentrations in follicular fluid obtained from ovary with follicular cyst were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those in normal follicle fluid. These results show that there is no relationship between BUN and BCS in Hanwoo, and the concentration of sex steroid hormone in serum and follicular fluid are changed in reproductive disorders Hanwoo.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.49-58
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• 2022

The differentiation and development of preadipocyte into mature adipocyte are regulated by transcription factors, such as CCAAT enhancer binding protein (Cebp) gene family and sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (Srebp1). Steroid hormones give influences on the development and function of adipocyte. The present research examined expression patterns of CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (Cebpa), CCAAT enhancer binding protein beta (Cebpb), CCAAT enhancer binding protein gamma (Cebpg), sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (Srebp1), androgen receptor (Ar), and estrogen receptors (Esr) among different epididymal fat parts during postnatal period by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. In the distal epididymal fat, expression of Cebpa, Cebpb, Cebpg, Srebp1, Ar, and Esr2 was increased until 12 months of age, while expression of Esr1 was decreased at 5 months of age and was not detectable after 8 months of age. In the proximal epididymal fat, transcript levels of Cebps and Srebp1 were increased at 8 months of age, followed by decreases of Cebpb and Cebpg transcript levels at 12 months of age. An additional increase of Srebp1 expression was observed at 12 months of age. Expression of Ar and Esr2 were increased until 8 months of age, followed by a drop of Ar expression level at 12 months of age. Expression pattern of Esr1 was similar to that in the distal epididymal fat. In the tail epididymal fat, expression of Cebpa, Cebpg, Srebp1, Ar, and Esr2 was increased with age. Esr1 was not detectable at all. The highest level of Cebpb was observed at 8 months of age. These data suggest the possibility of developmental and functional differentiation among the epididymal fat parts.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.157-162
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• 2013

Methoxychlor (MXC) was developed to be a replacement for the banned pesticide DDT. HPTE [2,2-bis (p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane], which is an in vivo metabolite of MXC, has strong oestrogenic and anti-androgenic effects. MXC and HPTE are thought to produce potentially adverse effects by acting through oestrogen and androgen receptors. Of the two, HPTE binds to sex-steroid receptors with greater affinity, and it inhibits testosterone biosynthesis in Leydig cells by inhibiting cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme activity and cholesterol utilisation. In a previous study, MXC was shown to induce Leydig cell apoptosis by decreasing testosterone concentrations. I focused on the effects of MXC on male mice that resulted from interactions with sex-steroid hormone receptors. Sex-steroid hormones affect other organs including the kidney and liver. Accordingly, I hypothesised that MXC can act through sex-steroid receptors to produce adverse effects on the testis, kidney and liver, and I designed our experiments to confirm the different effects of MXC exposure on the male reproductive system, kidney and liver. In these experiments, I used pre-pubescent ICR mice; the puberty period in ICR mice is from postnatal day (PND) 45 to PND60. I treated the experimental group with 0, 100, 200, 400 mg MXC/kg b.w. delivered by an intra-peritoneal injection with sesame oil used as vehicle for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the mice were sacrificed under anaesthesia. The testes and accessory reproductive organs were collected, weighed and prepared for histological investigation. I performed a chemiluminescence immune assay to observe the serum levels of testosterone, LH and FSH. Blood biochemical determination was also performed to check for other effects. There were no significant differences in our histological observations or relative organ weights. Serum testosterone levels were decreased in a dose-dependent manner; a greater dose resulted in the production of less testosterone. Compared to the control group, testosterone concentrations differed in the 200 and 400 mg/kg dosage groups. In conclusion, I observed markedly negative effects of MXC exposure on testosterone concentrations in pre-pubescent male mice. From our biochemical determinations, I observed some changes that indicate renal and hepatic failure. Together, these data suggest that MXC produces adverse effects on the reproductive system, kidney and liver.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.79 no.4
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• pp.307-311
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• 2016

Pulmonary strongyloidiasis is an uncommon presentation of Strongyloides infection, usually seen in immunocompromised hosts. The manifestations are similar to that of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, the diagnosis of pulmonary strongyloidiasis could be challenging in a COPD patient, unless a high index of suspicion is maintained. Here, we present a case of Strongyloides hyperinfection in a COPD patient mimicking acute exacerbation, who was on chronic steroid therapy.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.65-68
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• 1998

Background: Epidural steroid injection(ESI) is often adminstered to treat lower back pain, but its effect iveness on postepidural backache have not yet been determined. Methods: Sixty patients scheduled for cesarean section under epidural anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive, 1 ml of normal saline(Group 1), or 5 mg of dexamethasone (Group 2), epidurally via indwelling catheter after delivery. Results: The incidences of postepidural backache occured significantly more often in Group 1(56.7%) than in Group 2(26.7%)(P<0.05). There was a significant association between postepidural backache and multiple attempts at epidural needle placement. Conclusion: Epidural dexamethasone has a preventive effect on postepidural backache.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.67-80
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• 2017

Cholesterol is a vital component of the human body. It stabilizes cell membranes and is the precursor of bile acids, vitamin D and steroid hormones. However, cholesterol accumulation in the bloodstream (hypercholesterolemia) can cause atherosclerotic plaques within artery walls, leading to heart attacks and strokes. The efficiency of cholesterol absorption in the small intestine is of great interest because human and animal studies have linked cholesterol absorption with plasma concentration of total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Cholesterol absorption is highly regulated and influenced by particular compounds in the food supply. Therefore, it is desirable to learn more about natural food components that inhibit cholesterol absorption so that food ingredients and dietary supplements can be developed for consumers who wish to manage their plasma cholesterol levels by non-pharmacological means. Food components thus far identified as inhibitors of cholesterol absorption include phytosterols, soluble fibers, phospholipids, and stearic acid.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.148-152
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• 1994

The benign adrenal cortical adenoma usually secretes cortisol and its size is less than 3 cm in diameter. Though adrenal cortical carcinoma also secretes cortisol and other steroid hormones, its size is usually over 6 cm. We present a huge glucocorticoid producing adrenal cortical adenoma ($15{\times}11{\times}12 cm$), which was diagnosed by NP-59 scan and confirmed by surgery, with a review of the literature.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 2003.08a
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• pp.167.2-167
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• 2003

No Abstract, See Full Text