• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.19-25
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• 2023

Objective: Sleep deprivation (SD) is a common problem in today's stressful lifestyle and have physiological consequences, including reproductive dysfunction and infertility. As an antioxidant, olive oil may be effective in reducing testicular and spermatological damage by decreasing the production of free radicals. Methods: This study investigated the effects of olive oil on sperm quality and testicular structure using stereological methods to assess rats with SD. Results: When comparing SD group to grid floor+distilled water (GR) group, we found that the sperm count and motility, as well as the percentage of slow progressive sperm was significantly lower in SD group (p<0.05), but the percentage of immotile sperm was higher (p<0.01). However, no improvement was observed in sperm count or motility after concomitant treatment of SD group with olive oil. Stereological examinations revealed no significant change in the total volumes of the seminiferous tubules, interstitial tissue, and germinal epithelium in the study groups. Conversely, the total number of testicular cell types was significantly lower in SD group than in GR group. Although the total number of Sertoli and Leydig cells was significantly higher in the S +olive oil group than in the untreated SD group, no significant difference in the total number of other testicular cell types was observed between the two groups. Conclusion: SD potentially induced structural changes in testis that affected sperm count and motility. However, olive oil only improved the total number of Sertoli and Leydig cells in the animals with SD and did not improve sperm count and motility.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.301-310
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• 2009

목 적: 폐쇄성과 비폐쇄성 무정자증 환자에서 신선고환조직 정자와 융해고환조직 정자를 이용한 배발달과 임신결과를 비교 분석하였다. 연구방법: 폐쇄성과 비폐쇄성 무정자증 환자에서 총 222 주기의 TESE-ICSI를 시행하였다. 정자는 신선 또는 융해 고환조직으로부터 회수하였다. 수정은 ICSI 후 16~18시간째 확인하였으며, 배발달률과 임신율을 분석하였다. 결 과: 폐쇄성 무정자증군과 비폐쇄성 무정자증군에서 수정률은 유의하게 차이가 났으나 (75.2% 대 56.7%, p<0.05), 배발달률에서는 차이가 나지 않았다 (96.9% 대 98.0%). 마찬가지로 임상적 임신율 (33.9% 대 36.0%)과 분만율 (28.1% 대 28.0%)에서도 차이가 나지 않았다. 신선고환조직 정자의 경우, 수정률은 폐쇄성 무정자증군과 비폐쇄성 무정자증군에서 유의하게 차이가 났으나 (76.4% 대 52.9%, p<0.05), 배발달률, 임상적 임신율, 분만율에서는 차이가 나지 않았다. 융해고환조직 정자의 경우에서도 수정률은 폐쇄성 무정자증군과 비폐쇄성 무정자증군에서 유의하게 차이가 났으나 (74.7% 대 65.6%, p<0.05), 배발달률, 임상적 임신율, 분만율에서는 차이가 나지 않았다. 결 론: 폐쇄성과 비폐쇄성 무정자증 환자에서 신선고환조직 정자와 융해고환조직 정자를 이용하였을 경우 수정률에서는 차이가 있으나, 배발달과 임상적 임신 결과에는 차이를 보이지 않았다. 그러므로, 폐쇄성 또는 비폐쇄성 여부와는 관계없이 무정자증 환자에서 신선고환조직 정자 그리고 융해고환조직 정자를 이용하여 ICSI를 시행하면 적절한 임신 성적을 거둘 수 있다.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.73-80
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• 2008

The authors screened the pharmacological effects of 50% ethanol extracts of Yacon on spermatogenesis in rats. Numbers of sperm in animals treated with 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks of Yacon tuber extracts (YTE) were approximately 1.51, 1.61 and 1.78 times higher, respectively, than in the untreated control group. Moreover, the spermatogenic effect of Yacon leaf extract was found to be $1.03{\sim}1.38$ times higher than that of YTE. The ameliorative effect of Yacon tuber extracts on 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induced toxicities in the rat were also investigated. Rats were assigned to three groups (6 rats/group), a control group, a TCDD exposed group, and a group treated with Yacon tuber extract (YTE) after TCDD exposure (TCDD/YTE group). 40 ${\mu}g/kg$ of TCDD was injected i.p., and 200 mg/kg/day of YTE was also administered for 4 weeks by oral gavage. The TCDD/YTE group showed a significant increase in sperm number as compared with the TCDD exposed group. In conclusion, TCDD induced testicular toxicity was significantly ameliorated by YTE. The results of the present study suggest that Yacon extract is a possible therapeutic for the treatment of spermatogenic disorder.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.247-254
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• 2016

Cytological changes of the epithelial cells according to the developmenatal phases of the seminal vesicle related to the spermatogenic stages in the testicular lobules during spermagenesis in male Neptunea (Barbitonia) cumingii (Gastropoda: Buccinidae) were investigated monthly by electron microscopical and histological observations. N. (B) cumingii is dioecious, and an internal fertilization species. The male genital organ is located near the tentacles. The spermatozoon is approximatley $50{\mu}m$ in length. The axoneme of the tail flagellum consists of nine pairs of microtubles at the periphery and one pair at the center. The process of germ cell development during spermatogenesis can be divided into five succesive stages: (1) spermatogonia, (2) primary spermatocytes, (3) secondary spermatocytes, (4) spermatids, and (5) spermatozoa. A considerable amount of spermatozoa make their appearance in the testicular lobules (or acini) and some of them are tranported from the testis towards the seminal vesicles until late July. In this study, the developmental phases of the epithelial cells of the seminal vesicles of N. (B.) cumingii could be classified into four phases: (1) S-I phase (resting), (2) S-IIphase (early accumulating), (3) S-III phase (accumulating), and (4) S-IV phase (spent). However, in case of N. (B.) arthritica cumingii, the developmental phases of the seminal vesicle were devided into three phases: (1) resting, (2) accumulating and (3) spent. Granular bodies in the inner layer of the seminal vesicles are involved in resorption of digestion of residual spermatozoa.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.57-64
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• 2014

The flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) have been used as traditional medicine for the treatment of male sexual disorders in Asian countries. Recently, there are some reports about the effects of the clove on reproductive activities in mammals. Therefore, its effect on testicular function was examined in male golden hamsters whose reproductive activity is inhibited by photoperiod such as winter climate. The male animals were given by daily oral administrations (56 consecutive days) in three doses (4 mg, 20 mg, and 100 mg/kg BW) of the alcoholic extract of the clove. Generally lower dose (4 mg) of the extract continued to keep the reproductive activities of testes. The both middle and high doses (20 mg and 100 mg) of the extract completely inhibited the testicular activity in some animals. Taken together, these results suggest a possible biphasic action of alcoholic extract of Syzygium aromaticum flower bud on testicular function.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.143-148
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• 2014

Arecoline is a major alkaloid of areca nuts which are widely chewed by southeast Asian and it manifests various toxic effects in different organs of human and animals. In this work, mature mice were treated by vitamins C plus E, arecoline, or both daily for four weeks. The results showed that arecoline significantly increased the levels of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and significantly decreased the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the liver tissues. Additionally, the body weight, testis weight, sperm counts, motility and normal sperms also were significantly decreased. The supplement of vitamins C and E can bring the activities of ALP and GPT to normal levels and partially restore the sperm counts compared to the arecoline-treated group but have no other positive effects. In conclusion, the vitamins C and E partially attenuated the arecoline-induced hepatotoxiciy but basically had on protective effects against the arecoline-induced testicular toxicity.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.764-768
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• 2008

소 고환 유래의 hyaluronidase 효소 PH-20을 pPIC9 expression vector를 사용하여 Pichia pastoris에서 발현하였다. 생산된 재조합 단백질 rPH-20b는 75 kDa의 분자량을 보였고 7460 units/L의 효소활성을 보였다. 세포내보다 세포외의 효소활성이 두배 높았다. pH 의 경우 buffer를 사용 안 한 경우가, 또한 $30^{\circ}C$ 배양 조건에서 높은 활성을 보였다. 1 M sorbitol 삼투압조건과 0.3% 메탄올의 생산유도인자를 사용시 성장과 생산에 유리하였으며 0.4 M 아르기닌을 첨가시 재조합 단백질의 분해가 감소하였다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.199-203
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• 2009

The somatic Sertoli cells play an essential role in testis determination and spermatogenesis by providing nutrition and structural support. In the current study, we report on the novel Ankrd7 gene that contains five ankyrin repeat domains. This gene was specifically expressed in Sertoli cells and was regulated in a maturation-dependent manner. Its expression was restricted to testicular tissue, and its mRNA could be detected in testes at as early as 14 dpp (days post partum) using RT-PCR analysis. In both testicular tissue sections and in vitro cultured Sertoli cells, the Ankrd7 protein was localized to the nucleus of the Sertoli cell. Immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry investigations showed that the protein was detectable in testicular tissues at 20 dpp, at which time Sertoli cells were gradually differentiating into their mature cellular form. These results suggest that Ankrd7 is probably involved in the process of Sertoli cell maturation and in spermatogenesis.

• 대한세포병리학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.47-51
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• 2008

Adenomatoid tumor is a benign neoplasm of a mesothelial origin, and it usually occurs in the reproductive organs, especially in the epididymis. The author experienced a case of adenomatoid tumor involving the tunica albuginea and testicular parenchyme without any evidence of epididymis involvement. The patient was a 36-year-old man with a painless scrotal mass that he had experienced for 2 months, and this mimicked testicular neoplasia, including metastatic carcinoma, or other benign lesions. The imprint cytology of the tumor showed a hypocellular smear with mainly arranged cells in cohesive monolayered clusters along with occasional singly dispersed cells and naked nuclei in a clean background. The cellular clusters formed vague glandular and cord-like structures. The tumor cells were large polygonal to columnar cells with a relatively monomorphic appearance. The nuclei were oval to round shape and they showed vesicular, fine chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli. The cytoplasm was moderate to abundant, and it contained fine vacuoles in some tumor cells. Mitoses and cellular pleomorphism were not present. Awareness of the cytologic finding of this lesion is necessary to screen or differentiate a testicular or paratesticular mass before and/or during surgery because the cytology may be useful as a diagnostic tool. Pathologists should be aware of the cytologic features of common lesions in this anatomic region so as to avoid performing aggressive and unnecessary surgical procedures.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.59-69
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• 2022

Many efforts have been made to study the expression of aquaporins (AQP) in the mammalian reproductive system, but there are not enough data available regarding their localized expression to fully understand their specific roles in male reproduction. The present study investigated the expression and localization patterns of different AQP subtypes in the adult mouse testes and testicular spermatozoa using an immunofluorescence assay. All the studied AQPs were expressed in the testes and revealed subtype-specific patterns in the intensity and localization depending on the cell types of the testes. AQP7 was the most abundant and intensive AQP subtype in the seminiferous tubules, expressing in Leydig cells and Sertoli cells as well as all stages of germ cells, especially the spermatids and testicular spermatozoa. The expression pattern of AQP3 was similar to that of AQP7, but with higher expression in the basal and lower adluminal compartments rather than the upper adluminalcompartment. AQP8 expression was limited to the spermatogonia and Leydig cells whereas AQP9 expression was exclusive to tails of the testicular spermatozoa and elongated spermatids. Taken together, the abundance and distribution of the AQPs across the different cell types in the testes indicating to their relavance in spermatogenesis, as well as in sperm maturation, transition, and function.