• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2017

This study investigated the effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine on pig growth, carcass quality, and sensory perceptions of pork meat by Thai consumers. Male crossbred pigs (n = 30) were separated into three groups of 10 pigs each: boars, immunocastrated pigs, and surgically castrated pigs. The immunocastrated group was immunized at 13 and 19 weeks of age with GnRH vaccine ($400{\mu}g/dose$). All pigs were slaughtered at 24 weeks of age. Blood samples were collected and testes size determined. Testes weight and back fat thickness were recorded at the time of slaughter, and meat samples were collected for sensory assessment by Thai consumers. Testosterone and progesterone concentration levels decreased significantly two weeks after the second dose of GnRH (p < 0.05), and the GnRH antibody titer of the immunocastrated pigs was significantly high two weeks after the second dose of GnRH (p < 0.05). GnRH vaccine significantly reduced the weight and size of testes. Thai consumers reported no significant differences in odor or flavor among meat samples from the three groups. In conclusion, immunocastration improved growth performance, removed the need for castration surgery, and avoided "boar taint" in the meat. It has also no distinct trace of the boar taint same as pork that is currently produced from physically castrated pig which is making it acceptable to consumers.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.99-101
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• 1984

Oochoristica pauriensis n.sp. has been described and figured from Hemidactylus brooki (Gray) and H. flaviviridis (Ruppell) on size of strobila, scolex, suckers, testes, ovary, eggs and oncosphere, and number of testes. The new specIes has been compared with close species.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.460-465
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• 1999

In the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii, the paired testes were united by the testes bridge in a H-shape. During mating male discharged two hemispermtophores from right and left genital pore and they were joined and formed a compound spermatophore in peach shape. Hemispermatophore was considered to be produced at proximal and middle vas deferens region. The compound spermatophore consisted of an eosinophilic inner matrix, a basophilic outer matrix and paired sperm mass burried in the basophilic matrix. The size of compound spermatophore was 6.4∼ 9.3 mm in length and 2.4∼5.1 mm in width regardless of carapace length. After the spermatophore was deposited on female's ventral sternum behind of 5th pereiopod, it was moved to the ventral surface of 3rd and 4th pereiopods by means of the beating of male's 1st and 2nd pleopods.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.157-164
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• 2017

This study was to evaluate the age-dependent effects of caffeine exposure on the long bones and reproductive organs using male rats. A total of 15 immature male rats and 15 young adult male rats were allocated randomly to three groups: a control group and two groups fed caffeine with 120 and 180 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. Exposure to caffeine at either dose significantly reduced body weight gain; a proportional reduction in muscle and fat mass in immature animals, whereas a selective reduction in fat mass with relatively preserved muscle mass in young adult animals. The long bones of immature rats exposed to caffeine were significantly shorter and lighter than those of control animals along with decreased bone minerals. However, there was no difference in the length or weight of the long bones in young adult rats exposed to caffeine. Exposure to caffeine reduced the size and absolute weight of the testes significantly in immature animals in comparison to control animals, but not in young adult animals exposed to caffeine. In contrast, the adrenal glands were significantly heavier in caffeine-fed young adult rats in comparison to control animals, but not in caffeine-fed immature rats. Our results clearly show that the negative effects of caffeine on the long bones and testes in rats are different according to the age of the rat at the time of exposure, and might therefore be caused by changes to organ sensitivity and metabolic rate at different developmental stages. Although the long bones and testes are more susceptible to caffeine during puberty, caffeine has negative effects on body fat, bone minerals and the adrenal glands when exposure occurs during young adulthood. There is a need, therefore, to educate the public the potential dangers of caffeine consumption during puberty and young adulthood.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.71-74
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• 2010

A trematode species belonging to the genus Prosthogonimus (family: Prosthogonimidae) was collected in August, 2004 from the bursa of Fabricius of a single Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis, caught in Chuncheon, Korea. Five specimens were collected in total and fluke morphology was examined under using a light microscope. The average parasite size was 5.6 ${\times}$ 3.2 mm (length ${\times}$ width; based on 4 specimens). The genital pore was located on the anterior right margin of the oral sucker. The cirrus sac was strongly sinuous and extended beyond the intestinal bifurcation to the ventral sucker. The prepharynx was extremely short and the pharynx was small. The vitellaria consisted of 6 follicle bunches and extended from the ventral sucker to the posterior of the testes. Finally, the uterus filled the body cavity posterior to the testes. In addition, there were no heavy slings occurred anterior to the testes. Based on these morphological characteristics, the parasites were identified as P. cuneatus. The discovery of P. cuneatus within a Little Grebe constitutes a new host identification and a new geographical record. This is the first reported case of Prosthogonimus infection within wild birds in Korea.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.300-311
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• 1998

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), one of the most notorious toxic environmental pollutants, induces various toxic effects in many organs including testes and is regarded as an endocrine disruptor. Korean ginseng, on the other hand, has been well known for its preventive effects on lox- ins, diabetes melltus and hyperlipidemia. We investigated, histopathologically, the effect of Korean Red ginseng water extract (KR-WE) on guinea pig testes damaged by TCDD. Ninety guinea pigs were divided into 6 groups: normal control (NC) group received vehicle and saline; TCDD,1191kg b.w., was administered intraperitoneally to the single dose TCDD-treated (77) group; 100 mghg b.w.16 and 200mg1kg b.w./d KR-WE were injected intraperitoneally to the preventive groups (PIOO and P2OO, respectively) for 28 days from 1 week before TCDD injection, and to the therapeutic groups (CIOO and C2OO, respectively) for 14 days since 1 week after TCDD administration. Increment of body weight was retarded to a larger extent by TCDD. Moreover, body weight of the 77 group decreased significantly 7 days after TCDD exposure, while that of preventive groups kept increasing. Decrease in body weight was not observed in KR-WE-treated groups. Weight decrease in testes caused by TCDD was remarkably protected by KR-WE. Testicles in 77 group displayed decreased tubular size and maturation arrest at the primary or secondary spermatocyte stage. On the other hand, maturation arrest in germ cells by TCDD was improved in KR-WE treated groups. Almost complete protection of the testes was observed in PIOO and P2OO groups. In addition, the therapeutic effect was noticed in C 100 and C2OO groups. These results provided strong evidence that Korean Red ginseng might be a useful agent for the prevention and treatment of testicular damage induced by environmental pollutants.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.245-252
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• 2009

The reproductive cells in testes of Microphysogobio yaluensis were investigated using light and electron microscopes. The testis of Microphysogobio yaluensis consisted of numerous testicular cysts contained synchronized cells. Sperms were full in testicular sacs of mature testes. Leydig cells were located among testicular cysts. The nucleus of primary spermatocytes was round and mitochondria were congregated in cytoplasm. The size of secondary spermatocyte was smaller than that of primary spermatocyte and the nucleus of a secondary spermatocyte was round or oval. In spermatids, the nucleus was round and electron-dense. In spermiogenesis, the nucleus was condensed and a flagellum started to be formed. The mitochondria were rearranged along the flagellum. The sperm had a round head, the acrosome was not found and a motile flagellum consisted of an axoneme with a typical 9+2 pattern of microtubule.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.217-226
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• 1991

Three morphological types of the genus Metagonimus were found encysted in the dace, Tribolodon tacganowskii, caught from the Sumjin River, Korea. They include Metagonimus Yokogawa type (M. yokogawai) , Miyata type, and Koga type according to Saito's classification. The metacercariae were experimentally fed to rats and hamsters and a total of 1,624 Metagonimus worms were recovered from their small intestine. The number of each type was 820 for Yokogawa type, 688 for Miyata type, 46 for Koga type, and 70 undetermined. The major differential keys between Yokogawa and Miyata types were in the position of two testes, distribution of uterine tubules, and size of the eggs, and the keys between Miyata and Koga types were in the position of two testes, distribution of vitelline follicles, and size of the eggs. The validity of Miyata type as a specific level should be retained until more convincing evidences are obtained. Koga type is regarded as a synonym of M. takahashii. The present results reveal that there are 3 morphological types of Metagonimus whose larvae are encysted in the dace, T. tacganowskii, from the Sumjin River. Key words: Metagcnimus yokogawai, morphological types, rats, hamsters, dace ( Tribolodon tacxanowskii) , Sumjin Rver.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.285-292
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• 1999

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer known as one of endocrine disruptors. The present study was carried out to investigate the alterations of function and ultrastructure in rat testes after oral intubation of DEHP in dosages of 1g/kg/day, 2 g/kg/day or 3 g/kg/day in 0.5 ml of corn oil for 15 days. DEHP reduced the growth of body and testes, inhibited apermatogenesis and induced structural changes on various cell types of the rat testis. Leydig cells, Sertoli cells and the developing germ cells seemed to be impaired their differentiations in terms of the structural changes of cell organelles. The increase of heterochromatin in amount were common features in all 3 cell types. In addition, the Leydig cells were characterized by the swelling of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and perinuclear space, the increases in number and size of Iysosomes. The Sertoli cells became irregular in nuclear envelope and the number of Iysosomes and vacuoles seemed to be increased. There were some indications of necrosis of the germ cells, such as vacuolized nucleus and segregated nucleolus. And also, DEHP lowered the level of testosterone in experimental rat serum. DEHP suppressed apermatogenesis decreasing developing germ cells and these effects of DEHP on the rat testis were dose dependent. The detrimental effect of DEHP on apermatogenesis and ultrastructure of rat testes seems to be derived from the decreased level of testosterone by Leydig cells, followed by the abnomalities of Sertoli cells and the germ cells.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.227-231
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• 1998

A 2-year-old male pseudohermaphrodite in Korean native cattle was observed macroscopically and microscopically. The results were summarized as follows. In the female reproductive organs, the vulva and vestibule were normal size, but the vagina and uterus were shorter and smaller abnormally. The uterine tube and ovary were absent, but the small testes was located in the abdominal cavity.