• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.297-303
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• 2009

Implantation of blastocyst into the uterine endometrium is established by the existence of histologically and functionally prepared uterine endometrium. Doc-1, an oral cancer suppressor gene, is expressed under the control of steroid hormones and has been suggested as a proliferation regulator of endometrial cells. However, the role is not much clear and in this study we examined the expression modulation of Doc-1 in decidualizing cells in vitro. In vitro decidualization was performed in endometrial stroma cells using progesterone and estrogen. Until 24 hr after decidual induction the proliferation of stroma cell was significantly increased but decreased after then. On the other hand, most of the cells differentiated into decidual cell after 48 hr of induction. The Doc-1 protein was co-localized in a specific deciudal cells and colocalization rate was increased in a parallel manner with the induction time. Based on these results, it is suggested that Doc-1 expression is under the control of both steroid hormones and decidual signals, and Doc-1 protein is involved in suppression of the proliferation of decidualizing cells.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.57-75
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• 1987

Two modalities of gonadotropin secretion, pulsatile gonadotropin and preovulatory gonadotropin surge, have been identified in the mammals. Pulsatile gonadotropin secretion is modulated by the pulsatile pattern of GnRH release and complex ovarian steroid feedback actions. The neural mechansim that regulates the pulsatile release of GnRH in the hypothalamus is called "GnRH pulse generator". Ovarian steroids, estradiol and progesterone, appear to exert thier feedback effects both directly on the pituitary to modulate gonadotropin release and on a hypothalamic site to modulate GnRH release; estradiol primarily affects the amplitude while progesterone decreases the frequency of the pulsatile GnRH. Steroid hormones are known to affect catecholamine transmission in brain. MBH-POA is richly innervated by NE systems and close apposition of NE terminals and GnRH cell bodies occurs in the MBH as well as in the POA. NE normally facilitates pulsatile LH release by acting through ${\alpha}-receptor$ mechanism. However, precise nature of facilitative role of NE transmission in maintaining pulsatile LH has not been clearly understood. Close apposition of DA and GnRH terminals in ME might permit DA to influence GnRH release. Action of DA transmission probably is mediated by axo-axonic contacts between GnRH and DA fibers in the ME. Dopamine transmission does not normally regulate pulsatile LH release, but under certain conditions, increased DA transmission inhibit LH pulse. Endogenous opioid acts to suppress the secretion of GnRH into hypophysial portal circulation, thereby inhibiting gonadotropin secretion. However, an interaction between endogenenous opioid peptides and gonadotropin release is a complex one which involves ovarian hormones as well. LH secretion appears to be most suppressed by endogenenous opioids during the luteal phase, at a time of elevated progesterone secretion. The arcuate nucleus contains not only cell bodies for GnRH and ${\beta}-endorphin$ but also a dense aborization of fibers suggesting that GnRH release is changed by the interactions between GnRH and ${\beta}-endorphin$ cell bodies within the arcuate nucleus. The frequency and amplitude of pulsatile LH release seem to be increased during the preovulatory gonadotropin surge. Estradiol exerts positive feedback action on the hypothalamo-pituitary axis to trigger preovulatory LH surge. GnRH is also crucial hormonal stimulus for preovulatory LH surge. It is unlikely, however, that increased secretion of GnRH during the preovulatory gonadotropin surge represents an obligatory neural signal for generation of the LH discharge in primates including human. Modulation of preovulatory LH surge by catecholamines has been studied almost exclusively in rats. NE and E may be involved in distinct way to accumulate GnRH in the MBH and its release into the hypophysial portal system during the critical period for LH surge on proestrus in rats. However, the mechanisms whereby augmented adrenergic transmission may facilitate the formation and accumulation of GnRH in the ME-ARC nerve terminals before the LH surge have not been clearly understood.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.373-377
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• 2000

This study Investigated the effects of $estradiol-l7{\beta} (E_2)$, $17{\alpha}-methyltestosterone$ (MT) and high temperature (WT) on gonadal sex differentiation in black rockfish, Sebastes srhlegeli. fish were reared to oral adminstration of E, at nominal concentrations of $20, 40 and 60 {\mu}g/g diet$, and MT at nominal concentration of 20 and $50 {\mu}g/g$ diet from 56 days to 77 days after parturition. In the treatment of WT, water temperature of the breeding tanks ranged $27.0{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$ more than $10^{\circ}C$ approximately, in comparison to the control and other experimental group, In the process of sex differentiation until 56 days after parturition, gonads were composed of mostly gonia cells, sexually undifferentiated. In contrast, 128 dal's after parturition, the ovaries were composed of ovarian cavity and lamellae, and oogonia and perinucleolus oocytes were distributed in the lamellae of ovary, and the testes were composed of a number of seminiferous tubule, and spermatogonia were distributed in the seminiferous tubule, and also melanophore scattered in the matrix layer of testis. In the sex ratio, more females than male were observed from $E_2$. treatment groups when compared to the control, but more males than females were observed from MT and WT treatment groups when compared to the control. In the results of the present study, the concentration and kinds of the sex steroid hormones, and also the rearing high temperature caused to the factor of sex determination in the process of sex differentiation of black rockfish.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.614-620
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• 2002

The sea bass, Lateoiabrax japonicus is a highly valued fish in aquaculture in South Korea. For establishment of seedling production of sea bass,1 japonicus, we examined change of gonadal development and plasma steroid levels of sea bass reared in indoor tank. Male matured unsimultaneously faster than females and spawning of females took place between the end of January and March. After the spawning period, and until the following January, all the females were in preyitello genesis and in some males, spermatogenetic activity restarted gradually. In October, under reducing photoperiod, cortical alveoli appeared in growing oocyte and the development of spermatogenesis greatly increased. Between October and february, vitellogenesis and spermatogenesis occurred respectively in female and male and gonadosomatic index increased from 4.31 to $24.07\%$ in female and upper 6o/o in male. Also, two sex hormones were analyzed during the course of a reproductive cycle in the sea bass: plasma levels of the gonadal steroid testosterone (T) and estradiol-l7$\beta$ (E_{2}). Variation of the plasma concentrations of T and E, appeared to depend on gonad stages. Plasma T and E, levels were high from November to January, suggesting that an sufficient gonadal stimulation by both hormones may undergoing a processes for the formation of sperm and oocyte.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.742-749
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• 2016

Boar taint, an unpleasant odor of pork, is associated with two substances including androstenone and skatole. Testosterone is a steroid hormone as well as a strong predictor for androstenone secretion. Isoflavones of soy origin play a role in modulating the metabolism of sex hormones. Although several methods responsible for reducing boar taint are under investigation, the precise mechanism by which isoflavones reduce testosterone has not yet been identified. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of isoflavones extracted from a soy by-product on the concentration of serum testosterone in mouse. A total of 24 mice were supplemented with basal diet (control), daidzin plus genistin mix (T1), or isoflavone extracts (T2). After 11 days of treatment, size and weight of testis, as well as the concentration of sex hormones, including testosterone and estrogen, were analyzed. There was no difference in size or weight of testis from mice among control, T1, and T2. Serum testosterone levels were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) both in T1 and T2 when compared with the control group. Furthermore, estrogen concentration in blood was increased (p < 0.05) in T2 (numerically increased in T1) compared with the control group. Taken together, the use of isoflavones extracted from soy by-products would be a plausible strategy for reducing testosterone level, ultimately reducing boar taint without castration of piglets.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.400-403
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• 2012

A 10-year-old, intact male, toy poodle was presented with abdominal distension, truncal alopecia, hepatomegaly, and sustained elevation of alkaline phosphatase. Vacuolar hepatopathy and glycogen deposition in hepatocytes were confirmed by liver biopsy and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining of mass lesion respectively. Cortisol and some sex hormones associated with adrenal gland were analyzed at IDEXX Reference Laboratories before and 1 hour after ACTH stimulation. The results of analysis confirmed elevation of some sex hormones including androstenedione, progesterone and 17 hydroxyprogesterone, not cortisol concentration, before and 1 hour after ACTH stimulation. The dog was diagnosed as atypical form of hyperadrenocorticism associated with sex steroids excess. The treatment was initiated with trilostane (0.5 mg/kg, PO, q12hr) that is an adrenal steroid synthesis inhibitor. Trilostane was administered for 8 weeks and the clinical sign including truncal alopecia was improved.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1159-1163
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• 2019

Although there is a growing interest in male menopause, a phenomenon associated with male hormone depletion, current kits using antibodies to quantify male hormones are expensive. In this study, we constructed an in vitro system for verifying the activity or concentration of male steroid hormones using a transcriptional activity test. A reporter plasmid, pGL2-Neo-ARE-AdE1BTATA, which reacts to testosterone, was constructed. In this plasmid, the ARE-AdE1bTATA sequences can be bounded by the testosterone - androgen receptor complex to express luciferase as a reporter. Then, a stable transfection was performed on the human prostate cancer cell line, LNcap-LN3. The constructed LNcap-LN3/pGL2-Neo-ARE-AdE1BTATA testosterone compound detection (TCD) system showed quantitatively proportional luciferase activities to concentrations of $10^{-13}$ to $10^{-8}M$ of standard testosterone. The established in vitro TCD system will contribute to the development of materials for health/functional foods and drugs as it will be possible to search en masse for testosterone-like or testosterone-inhibiting substances derived from natural materials.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.411-416
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• 1993

We assessed effects of ovine luteinizing hormone (oLH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (oFSH) on the granulose and theca layers from the four largest follicles, $F_1-F_4$ of hens which had been hypophysectomized 12 h before expected ovulation. Ovine LH (0.4 mg), oFSH (0.4 mg) or oLH in combination with oFSH (0.4 mg each) was injected intravenously 6 h after hypophysectomy. Progesterone, testosterone and $estradiol-17{\beta}$ levels of the granulose and theca layers which were removed 6 h after hormone injection, were measured by radioimmunoassay. Progesterone contents of $F_1-F_3$ granulosa layer at 12 h after hypophysectomy were much lower than those of control hens. This reduced progesterone level was restored partially by the injection of oLH alone for $F_1$, while no follicles responded to oFSH treatment. In contrast, the injection of oLH in combination with oFSH resulted in high progesterone content of the granulose layer from all four follicles. Progesterone content of the theca layer was negligible in all treatments. Simultaneous injection of oLH and oFSH also elevated $estradiol-17{\beta}$ level accumulating in the theca layer from all follicles, of which much higher concentrations of $estradiol-17{\beta}$ were observed when comparison were made to each of their corresponding controls. No appreciable change in testosterone contents of two layers was observed in the present experiments. These results suggest that oFSH augments function of oLH to stimulate the production of progesterone in the granulose layer and $estradiol-17{\beta}$ in the theca layer.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.192-198
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• 2020

Background: Previous studies have shown varying results between lumbosacral transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) performed with particulate versus non-particulate corticosteroids. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in pain relief and functional improvement between particulate and nonparticulate lumbosacral TFESIs in patients who had undergone both injections, sequentially. Methods: This was a self-controlled, retrospective study of 20 patients who underwent both a methylprednisolone and a dexamethasone TFESI to the same vertebral level and side. Primary outcomes included pain relief according to the visual analogue scale (VAS) and functional improvement determined by a yes/no answer to questions regarding mobility and the activities of daily living. Post-injection data was recorded at 2, 3, and 6 months. Results: A decrease in VAS scores of -3.4 ± 3.0 (mean ± standard deviation), -3.1 ± 3.1, and -2.8 ± 3.4 was seen for the methylprednisolone group at 2, 3, and 6 months, respectively. Similar decreases of -3.9 ± 3.5, -3.4 ± 2.8, and -2.3 ± 3.4 were seen in the dexamethasone group. There was no significant difference in pain relief at any point between the two medications. The percentage of subjects who reported improved function at 2, 3, and 6 months was 65%, 51%, and 41%, respectively, for the methylprednisolone group and 75%, 53%, and 42% for the dexamethasone group. Conclusions: These findings support the use of non-particulate corticosteroids for lumbosacral TFESIs in the context of documented safety concerns with particulate corticosteroids.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.46-55
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• 1989

The effects of an antiprogesterone (RU 486) and an antiestrogen (tamoxifen) on ovulatory response and oocyte morphology were examined in pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG)-primed immatare female rats (28 days of age): a comparison has been made on two different regirnens primed with a "control" dose (4 IU) and a "superovulatory" dose (40 IU) of PMSG. Females for control control regimen received three consecutive injections of lmg RU486, lmg tamoxifen, or vehicle at 24, 36 and 48hr, and were killed at 72l'r after PMSG. Animals for superovalatory regimen received lmg RU486, 2.5mg tamoxifen, or vehicle fouowlag the injection schedule comparable to control regimen, and were killed at 60 and 72hr after PMSG. Compared to vehicle group, there was a significant reduction in ovulatory response as judged by the proportion of rats ovulating andi or by the mean number of oocytes per rat for each treatment of RU486 and tamoxifen in both regimens. The activity of tamoxifen in inhibiting the ovulatory response was greater in control, but less in superovulatory regimen than that of RU486 based on the dose employed for each antisteroid. In both regimens, RU 486 did not have any effect 6n the changes in the proportion of degenerate oocytes as well as ovarian weight, well tamoxifen treatment resulted in a marked promotion of oocyte degeneration as well as a great reduction in ovarian weight, compared to each parameter of vehicle group. RU486 treatment in each regimen did not alter the serum levels of any steroid hormones observed. Howerver, tamoxifen treatment was associated with significant increases in serum 17$\beta$-estradiol and decreases in progesterone in both regimens; also significant increases in androgens in superovulatory regimen. The results illustrate the relative inhibitory activity of RU486 and tamoxifen indicating major steroid hormone involved in PMSG-induced ovulation: 17$\beta$-estradiol for control and progesterone for superovulatory regimen. It also appears that tamoxifen-associated elevation of circulating 17$\beta$-estradiol andi or androgens could be in part, a contributing factor to the promotion of oocyte degeneration presumably by producing a hostile oviductal environment after ovulation.ent after ovulation.